Scripture Untangled

• Season 11: Episode 10 | Joni Sancken | How is Gen Z Discovering Scripture?

  Listen to Rev. Dr. Joni Sancken, Butler Chair of Homiletics & Hermeneutics at Vancouver School of Theology, being interviewed by CBS Ambassador, Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling. In this episode, they discuss how Joni uses Scripture to preach with honesty, courage, and imagination. They also explore Scripture’s voice in a world of doubt and trauma, why Jesus can’t be tamed, and how the parables are meant to disrupt and awaken us. In this episode, Joni and Andrew discuss: Joni’s journey into preaching and they explore how faith, family, and church community shaped her calling, and look at how Scripture moves from the page to the pulpit. What happens when congregations lose Bible fluency as they unpack Paul Wilson’s “Four Pages of the Sermon” as a way to move from trouble to grace. They wrestle with the disruptive power of the Gospel and reflect on preaching with honesty in a world of trauma and uncertainty. How Scripture gives us language when words fail. Joni talks about the space Scripture has for lament, questions, and encounters with God. The “thin place” of preaching - where God moves between text, preacher, and listener and how the Church can reclaim a wilder, untamed Jesus. The subversive power of the parables and how to preach them in ways that awaken instead of dull the imagination. What’s Stirring in Gen Z and the Future of the Church? Joni and Andres explore Gen Z’s hunger for authentic faith and consider what this means for the future of the Church.Read the transcript: biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s11-ep10Joni Sancken’s approach to preaching is interdisciplinary and theological. Sancken (PhD, Toronto School of Theology, Emmanuel College) holds the Butler Chair of Homiletics and Biblical Interpretation at Vancouver School of Theology. She was formerly Professor of Homiletics at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH where she served for a decade and Assistant Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, VA. She is the author of several books including, Stumbling Over the Cross: Preaching the Cross and Resurrection Today (Cascade, 2016), Words that Heal: Preaching Hope to Wounded Souls (Abingdon, 2019), All Our Griefs to Bear: Responding with Resilience After Collective Trauma (Herald Press, 2022,) and Getting to God: Preaching Good News in a Troubled World (co-authored) (Cascade, 2023.)  Sancken is passionate about supporting and encouraging pastors and church leaders. She grew up in a Mennonite congregation near Champaign-Urbana, IL and is an ordained pastor in Mennonite Church USA. She is energized by ecumenical and religious diversity having studied, served, and worshipped in Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Canada, and United Methodist settings, and has completed training in the interfaith practice of scriptural reasoning. Sancken lives in Vancouver, BC with her Presbyterian pastor spouse, Steve Schumm, children Maggie and Teddy, and dogs Bella and Pax. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching low-stakes reality TV, and exploring the natural beauty around Vancouver.   Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

  --------  

  42:46

  --------

  42:46
• Season 11: Episode 9 | James Pedlar | How the Fruit of the Spirit Brings Unity to the Church

  Listen to Rev. Dr. James E. Pedlar, Professor of Theology at Tyndale Seminary, where he holds the Donald N. and Kathleen G. Bastian Chair of Wesley Studies being interviewed by CBS Ambassador Andrew Stirling. In this episode, they discuss the value of different denominations and how the spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit are always in place to bring unity and glorify God in the Church.   In this episode, James and Andrew discuss: James' formative years growing up in the Salvation Army, where an intergenerational church family helped nurture his early faith and love for God. Hearing God’s call to ministry, and how it was shaped by James’ love for Scripture and the encouragement of mentors who guided him toward full-time service. The importance of grace, gifts, and fruit in discerning how the church recognizes and confirms a call to ministry. The Salvation Army and Free Methodist and the shared heritage and theology of these two Wesleyan movements. Teaching at Tyndale Seminary and how James is living out a pastoral calling through scholarship and theological education. The Biblical call to Christian unity and what Scripture teaches about ecumenism and why unity matters to the Church’s witness. Understanding our differences in the Body of Christ by balancing truth and love in inter-denominational relationships. Living in a ‘post-truth’ age and how the Gospel speaks into a culture obsessed with “my truth.” How discovering the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church empowers believers with gifts and helps to guide the Church. James shares about equipping future leaders amid cultural and technological challenges, and requests prayers for wisdom, faithfulness, and the next generation of leaders who will carry the gospel forward. Read the transcript: biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s11-ep9The Rev. Dr. James E. Pedlar is Professor of Theology at Tyndale Seminary, where he holds the Donald N. and Kathleen G. Bastian Chair of Wesley Studies. He also chairs Tyndale’s history and theology department and directs the ThM program and the MA in Historical and Theological Studies. Dr. Pedlar specializes in the study of the Church – especially questions involving reform movements, Christian unity, authority structures, and ecumenical dialogue. He is a past President of the Wesleyan Theological Society, a Fellow of the Manchester Wesley Research Centre, a member of the Review Board of the Wesley Works Digitization Project, a Co-Editor of Wesley and Methodist Studies, and a member of the Study Commission on Doctrine for the Free Methodist Church in Canada. He is the author of two books: British Methodist Revivalism and the Eclipse of Ecclesiology (Routledge, 2024) and Division, Diversity, and Unity: A Theology of Ecclesial Charisms (Peter Lang, 2015). He is an ordained minister in the Free Methodist Church in Canada and serves as Worship and Teaching Pastor at Wesley Chapel Free Methodist Church. He and his wife, Samantha, have two daughters.  Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

  --------  

  38:50

  --------

  38:50
• Season 11: Episode 8 | June Hur | Faith and a Best-Selling Author

  Listen to June Hur, best-selling and award-winning author, being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur. In this episode, June talks about her passion for literature, and how discovering forgotten Korean history would form a foundation for writing best-selling YA Korean historicals. June also reveals how her Christian faith has shaped her storytelling and how Scripture has guided her path as a writer.In this episode, June and Joanna discuss: How June Hur blends Korean history with mystery fiction to create immersive young adult novels. June’s writing being rejected over a 100 times, and how she found her true writer’s voice. Writing strong women into Korean history, and how June gives voice to brave women who were overlooked in the past. What it felt like when June won the prestigious Edgar Award, and her work was recognized on the world stage. Why June decided to be open about her Christian faith as an author. Writing about brave characters and how it inspires June to live more courageously herself. From the Bible to C.S. Lewis and Tim Keller, and how Christian thinkers and writers quietly shaped June’s worldview. Read the transcript: biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s11-ep8-----June Hur (허주은) is a New York Times best-selling and Edgar Award-winning author of YA Korean historicals. Born in South Korea, June spent her formative years in the USA, Canada, and South Korea before studying History and Literature at the University of Toronto and working at the city’s public library.  Her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, CBC, Vogue Korea, and KBS. She resides in Toronto with her family. ----- Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

  --------  

  47:23

  --------

  47:23
• Season 11: Episode 7 | Paul Bendor-Samuel | Faith and Medicine on the Mission Field

  Listen to Dr. Paul Bendor-Samuel, Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies being interviewed by CBS Ambassador, Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling. In this episode, Paul talks about the generations of missionaries in his lineage, and how this influenced his path to becoming a doctor and integrating faith and medicine on the mission field.In this episode, Paul and Andrew discuss:Dr. Paul Bendor-Samuel’s life from growing up in the mission fields, to becoming a physician, missionary, and Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.His legacy of faith and calling - Paul traces his family story from his Jewish refugee great-grandfather who met Christ, to the generations of missionaries in his family who dedicated themselves to Bible translation and cross-cultural ministry.Paul’s calling to medicine and mission, and how this paved his way to serving people outside traditional ministry spaces, and intertwining healing and mission with his calling.Redefining development work, and what "Christian development" means to missions with local communities.How the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies equips global Christian leaders to shape theology rooted in their own cultures.The growing spiritual openness among young people in Europe and North America.What Western Christians can learn from believers in the rest of the world — bold faith, joy, and community.Read the transcript: biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s11-ep7-----Paul spent the first 10 years of his life in Brazil and West Africa, the son of missionary parents. He studied medicine in Cardiff, Wales, where he met his wife, Liz, also a doctor. In preparation for cross-cultural mission they did two years theological and missiological training and then served in Tunisia for 12 years, first in primary health care and rural development and then for seven years as Executive Director of the joint mission agency L ‘Association de Cooperation en Tunisie (ACT - actdev.org). During our life in Tunisia, we were privileged to see God building his church again in that country after fourteen centuries without an indigenous church.  In 2003, Paul became International Director of Interserve (interserve.org), moving to Malaysia in 2005. Between 2003 and 2015 Paul led the organisation through two major change processes, the first organisational, the second missiological. In 2016, Paul became Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS - ocms.ac.uk). OCMS is a global hub, based in Oxford, UK, that seeks to enable the church to participate more fully in God’s mission through rigorous research and applied scholarship. Paul enjoys preaching, teaching and has published a number of articles and two books on mission and organisational spirituality.Paul and Liz have been married for over 40 years, have four sons, three daughter-in-laws and five grandchildren.----- Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

  --------  

  40:07

  --------

  40:07
• Season 11: Episode 6 | Marion Taylor | How Did Women Since 320 AD Interpret the Bible?

  Listen to Dr. Marion Taylor, a best-selling author, Professor of Old Testament and Graduate Director at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, being interviewed by seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck. In this episode, Dr. Marion Taylor discusses the books she has written, her research and the discovery of the many women who interpreted Scripture and helped to influence generations with God’s Word.In this episode, Marion and Lorna discuss:Dr. Marion Taylor's books and research in discovering the influence of women interpreting Scripture, from as early as the year 320.How a biblical interpreter is defined as anyone who engages Scripture through letters, poetry, art, or other creative expression.The impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was a Biblical Interpreter that used novels like Uncle Tom’s Cabin to preach and teach Biblical truth beyond the pulpit.Forgotten women writers who have been revealed through the years and the research journey that uncovered diaries, commentaries, and Scriptural interpretations long buried in archives.Courageous interpreters of the Reformation like Katarina Zell who boldly defended clergy marriage, wrote pastoral letters, and ministered side by side with their husbands.Florence Nightingale’s annotated Bible and how it reveals how she wrestled with faith, science, and Scripture in her private notes.Henrietta Mears’ 20th-century influence and how she helped shape Billy Graham and a whole generation of leaders.Powerful lessons for women today found by learning about the foremothers of faith who empower and challenge narrow narratives about women’s roles.Passing faith to our children in the home and using Scripture through song, story, and family life.Read the transcript: biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s11-ep6-----PhD (Yale)BA (Toronto), MA (Toronto), MDiv (Knox/Toronto), STM, MPhilMarion Taylor grew up in Toronto and began her academic studies at the University of Toronto. Questions about how to negotiate the worlds of faith and the academic study of the Bible pushed her to pursue an MA in Near Eastern Studies and a Master of Divinity degree. Ultimately her journey took her to Yale University, where her interest in the history of the interpretation of the Bible was solidified. Under the direction of Brevard Childs, she wrote her doctoral thesis on the history of Old Testament studies as they developed at Princeton Seminary from 1812 to 1929.At Yale in a class on apocalyptic literature, Marion met her husband Glen. Glen was from Calgary, but they returned to Toronto to teach at Wycliffe College. With Glen as residence dean, they lived at the College while raising three children and continuing to teach.Marion’s interests in the Old Testament are broad. She teaches a variety of courses, including Introduction to the Old Testament, Jeremiah, Psalms, Old Testament Theology, Reading Scripture through the Ages, Bad Boys and Bad Girls in the Bible, the Books of Esther and Ruth, and Women Interpreters of the Bible. Most recently she has focused on forgotten women interpreters of the Bible.----- Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

  --------  

  39:39

  --------

  39:39

More Religion & Spirituality podcasts

Trending Religion & Spirituality podcasts

About Scripture Untangled