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An Interview with President Dr. Paul Spilsbury: Rooted and Growing, A New Season at Regent
Welcome back to the Regent podcast after our summer hiatus! We are kicking off Season 7 with our new President, Dr. Paul Spilsbury. In this conversation, we take some time to learn about Paul’s connections to Regent, his holistic vision for the College’s flourishing, which he describes as “Rooted and Growing,” and his plans to build on the College's strategic goals. We especially focus on building a healthy community, deepening formation, and growing enrollment. Paul’s interview is a must-listen for current and prospective students, offering helpful insights into life at Regent in this new era, characterized by Paul’s posture of listening and learning in humility.Paul's BioDr. Paul Spilsbury is Professor of New Testament and the new President of Regent College, a role which he began July 1, 2025. Before that, he served as the Academic Dean since 2015. He holds a PhD in early Christian and Jewish history from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Christian Studies from Regent College. A respected scholar of the New Testament and ancient Jewish texts, such as Paul’s letters, Flavius Josephus, and the Book of Revelation, Paul continues to teach in these areas. Beyond academia, Paul is also a watercolour artist and an active member of Tenth Church in Vancouver.Previous Podcast AppearancesWho Was the Apostle Paul? (December 2022)Let's Talk About the Book of Revelation (March 2019)Please note: There is ongoing construction in the former parking lot at Regent. While we have tried our best to work our audio engineering magic, the complete removal of drilling sounds was not possible.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter
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Dr. James Smoker: Imagining Being Human with Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Claire and Rachel are joined today by Dr. James Smoker, the Registrar at Regent College and the original instigator of the Regent College Podcast. We talk about his PhD research, which focused on the thought and theology of the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A close friend of William Wordsworth, Coleridge is renowned for observing and learning from the natural world, grappling with life’s profound questions through fairy tale, and incorporating theological reflection into his work. As James shares, Coleridge has become a companion on his journey in a faith that holds questions. If this conversation piques your interest, consider joining James’s Fall class: “Imagining Being Human: The Theology and Poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.” Listen to the end for an announcement about a short break in broadcasting! We’ll be back with more good conversations on a biweekly release schedule from September 12. James's BioDr. James Smoker serves as the Registrar at Regent College where he also contributes as a sessional lecturer. He holds both an MA and ThM from Regent College and earned his PhD from the University of St Andrews. James’s doctoral research focused on the works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834), exploring how imagination intersects with theological concepts such as knowing God, faith, and doubt. His academic interests also encompass the writings of Sara Coleridge (1802–1852), the interplay between popular culture and theology, and the role of imagination in environmental stewardship. He has contributed to scholarly journals and popular publications. James will be teaching a class on Coleridge this Fall, “Imagining Being Human: The Theology and Poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.”Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter
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Dr. Karen Swallow Prior: You Have a Calling – Beyond Following Your Passions
Today we are joined by a favourite past (and future) summer professor who teaches in the Literary Arts, Dr. Karen Swallow Prior. We are focusing on her new book, You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful, which releases on August 5, 2025. In our conversation, Karen dismantles some contemporary thought around calling (in the Instagram world) to present a vision of a good, true and beautiful life – even when we are not paid to do what we love. She brings years of mentoring and advising college students to her book, while drawing on her own recent experience with unexpected direction changes. Her extensive knowledge of literary characters who grapple with questions of work and vocation is also carefully woven in, giving helpful examples. Karen’s main premise is that in order to have a calling, you need to be called. She also identifies ways in which the culture around us is skewing our understanding of passion and purpose. Listen in and consider: who is calling you, and who are you calling into a true, good and beautiful life with God?Karen's BioDr. Karen Swallow Prior is a writer, speaker, and columnist for Religion News Service. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and The Washington Post, among others. She is well-known for bridging literature, faith, and ethics. A professor of English and Christian thought, she writes on the intersection of classic literature and contemporary culture. Her books include On Reading Well, Booked, and The Evangelical Imagination. Karen brings a unique voice that challenges and inspires listeners to think deeply and live with conviction. Karen taught a course on Christian Poetics here at Regent in summer 2024. Today we will be talking with her about her soon-to-be-released book You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter
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Dr. David Robinson and Students: MA in Leadership, Theology and Society (MALTS)
What is the Masters of Arts in Leadership, Theology and Society (MALTS)? What might it involve, how does theology integrate with the workplace, and what’s it like to study while continuing to work in a leadership context? In this episode, we catch up with Dr. David Robinson and three MALTS students, Israel, Jonathan and Zelna, to hear more about the 2-year cohort-based program. David helpfully frames the vision and ideas behind MALTS and the students bring it to life, sharing examples from their experiences of the classroom, peer support, and mentorship. They also share about their integrative projects, applied to specific contexts in New Zealand, Singapore and Australia. Join us for our broadest ever range of accents, contexts and perspectives in one podcast episode – maybe it will tempt you to be in the next cohort!Faculty and Student BiosDr. David RobinsonDr. David Robinson is the R. Paul Stevens Assistant Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership here at Regent College. He directs the Master of Arts in Leadership, Theology, and Society program, and his work explores the intersection of faith, work, ethics, and public life. David holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of Edinburgh and an MDiv from Regent College. He’s passionate about helping people think theologically about leadership, culture, and everyday life. Israel CooperIsrael and his wife Jessica are Co-Founders of Home, a national development and construction company that is on a mission to end homelessness. He is an accountant and economist, and has worked for organisations such as PwC, Massive Software, and Rex Bionics. He lives in Christchurch with his wife Jessica and three children.Jonathan HuangJonathan Huang is the Director of Administry in Wesley Methodist Church, the oldest and largest Methodist Church in Singapore. He grew up in a minister's family and worked in an investment firm before pursuing an MDiv. He has served in the Worship, Youth and Young Adult ministries in his church.Zelna van den HeeverZelna van der Heever was born and raised in South Africa. She and her husband Philip emigrated to Australia over 20 years ago. She serves as one of the finance managers at the Pacific Group of Christian Schools where her boys attend school. She seeks to bring glory to God through the work she does there.Interested in MALTS?Contact Dr. David Robinson or Petro Kovaliv for more information.Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter
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Dr. George Kalantzis: The First Christian Centuries
What was it like to be a Christian in the earliest centuries after the resurrection of Christ? How did theological thinking and the understandings of authority develop? Dr. George Kalantzis helps us consider the layers of complexity that early Christians wrestled with as the church was established. George points out the important place of canon, creeds, apostolicity and ethics, underpinned by submission to the Holy Spirit. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, George brings a unique perspective to the study of the patristic period, so bring your questions into the classroom for “The First Christian Centuries” (July 28–Aug 1). You can also catch his Evening Public Lecture on July 28 at 7:30 pm: Migration and Refugees (and the Re-humanizing Role of the Church).Note: At 49:50, Dr. Kalantzis references Project 1611, but he intended to say Project 1619 and the 1776 Commission when reflecting on competing historical narratives in the United States.George's BioDr. George Kalantzis is Professor of Theology and Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies at Wheaton College. A native of Athens, Greece, he specializes in historical theology with a focus on early Christianity, particularly the development of Christological and Trinitarian thought, ecclesial ethics, and the Church’s engagement with Greco-Roman culture. Dr. Kalantzis is the author and editor of several volumes, including Caesar and the Lamb: Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Senior Fellow with the International Association for Refugees, where his work intersects theology and humanitarian advocacy. George will be joining us here in the last week of July to teach “The First Christian Centuries.” He will also be giving an Evening Public Lecture on Monday July 28, titled Migration and Refugees (and the Re-humanizing Role of the Church).Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Resources MentionedVisual Museum of Women in ChristianityInternational Association for RefugeesRegent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter
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