Inverse Podcast

In today's conversation we are joined by Zach Lambert (cofounder of the Post Evangelical Collectiv) and explore themes of biblical interpretation, focusing on the pitfalls of literalism and the apocalyptic mindset prevalent in fundamentalist communities. The discussion highlights how these approaches can lead to fear-based religioin and the policing of theological boundaries, particularly regarding women's roles in ministry.

Zach W. Lambert is the lead pastor and founder of Restore, a church in Austin, Texas. Under his leadership, Restore has grown from a launch team of five people in 2015 to more than 1,000 members today. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and is pursuing his Doctorate at Duke Divinity School.

Zach is the cofounder of the Post Evangelical Collective and serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Zach and his wife, Amy, met each other in the 6th grade, fell in love at 17, and got married at 21. They love watching live music, discovering local Mexican food places, and playing with their two boys.

Chapters

(00:00:01) - Interview
(00:02:17) - Introducing Restoring the Kingdom
(00:06:55) - Jesus on the Cross
(00:11:57) - On Being kicked Out of the Southern Baptist Church
(00:18:17) - Zach Struggles With The Bible
(00:24:09) - The Harmful Lenses of Fundamentalism
(00:28:42) - The Four Harmful Lenses of Biblical Literature
(00:30:54) - Three Pillars of Flourishing the Bible
(00:33:38) - The Widow's Might in Luke 21
(00:39:47) - Widow Laying Down Everything for Christ
(00:43:07) - Jesus on Legal Hermeneutics
(00:47:13) - The Use of Bible Verses to Support Hate
(00:52:15) - Stop Stealing Children: Christian theology
(00:54:07) - Zach Lambert on The Bible and Public Theology

In this gripping episode, we confront the harsh realities of ongoing ICE operations in Minneapolis, as Doug Pagitt shares his firsthand experiences and insights. Explore the impact of recent events on the community and the urgent need for change. Join us as we discuss the intersection of faith, activism, and the fight for justice in a city at the forefront of national attention.

Karla Mendoza Arana (she/her/ella) is a grassroots theologian, speaker, writer, and artist. She is from Lima, Peru, and has lived in the United States for nearly 24 years. As an Afro-Peruvian woman who continues to face displacement, her work revolves around exploring illegality, citizenship, and Latinindad. Karla is currently a student of Liberation Theologies at Union Theological Seminary in Lenape land, commonly known as New York City. If you don’t find her reading, you’ll find her dancing to Bad Bunny.

A continuation of our conversation with the late Walter Brueggemann.
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Brueggemann wasn’t simply a scholar, he was a prophet. This is not hyperbole. This is a precise analysis of his vocation as one who devoted his life to the Sacred Scriptures of a dangerously free God. He was a poet as are the prophets, he would insist. His “prophetic imagination” was shaped by a lifetime of dedication to the texts that demanded of him pathos, lament and a consciousness counter to empire.

He was a person of the kind of prayer that undergoes the kind of grace that requires doing justice, and loving mercy and a scholarship from a deep humility before the Scriptures while walking with the God they witnessed to. I will tell my grandchildren of the three days my brother Don and I stayed with Tia and Walter Brueggemann. I will tell stories of how Elaine and Ched Myers introduced me to Walter a few years prior and how I got to have lunch with one of the greatest Hebrew Bible scholars in the world and start a friendship. I will tell of how I got to introduce my mate Jono Martin to Walter and how I snapped a cheeky moment as my friend Traci took a selfie with the Bruggz coz we are giddy fans. I will tell of his humour, humility and indomitable brilliance that was paired with a warm kind curiosity.

Unquestionably one of my biggest influences, I’m always reading Walter when preparing for a sermon, and not merely in the Old Testament. I first read Walter at the age of 22 and haven’t stopped. Yet I haven’t come close to reading his over 100 books. I’ve literally led hundreds of people through his “The Prophetic Imagination” and it is in my top 5 greatest books of Christian discipleship.

Walter, your life was a blaze with God’s justice and I’m thankful for the ways you set me on fire.

Rest in Peace.

- Jarrod McKenna

Brueggemann wasn’t simply a scholar, he was a prophet. This is not hyperbole. This is a precise analysis of his vocation as one who devoted his life to the Sacred Scriptures of a dangerously free God. He was a poet as are the prophets, he would insist. His “prophetic imagination” was shaped by a lifetime of dedication to the texts that demanded of him pathos, lament and a consciousness counter to empire.

He was a person of the kind of prayer that undergoes the kind of grace that requires doing justice, and loving mercy and a scholarship from a deep humility before the Scriptures while walking with the God they witnessed to. I will tell my grandchildren of the three days my brother Don and I stayed with Tia and Walter Brueggemann. I will tell stories of how Elaine and Ched Myers introduced me to Walter a few years prior and how I got to have lunch with one of the greatest Hebrew Bible scholars in the world and start a friendship. I will tell of how I got to introduce my mate Jono Martin to Walter and how I snapped a cheeky moment as my friend Traci took a selfie with the Bruggz coz we are giddy fans. I will tell of his humour, humility and indomitable brilliance that was paired with a warm kind curiosity.

Unquestionably one of my biggest influences, I’m always reading Walter when preparing for a sermon, and not merely in the Old Testament. I first read Walter at the age of 22 and haven’t stopped. Yet I haven’t come close to reading his over 100 books. I’ve literally led hundreds of people through his “The Prophetic Imagination” and it is in my top 5 greatest books of Christian discipleship.

Walter, your life was a blaze with God’s justice and I’m thankful for the ways you set me on fire.

Rest in Peace.

- Jarrod McKenna