Ep. 26 - The Image of God In Community with Dr. Joel Lawrence

Join us for this conversation with Dr. Joel Lawrence as we work to define the image of God, understand how we image God as individuals and as a community, and define ecclesiology in light of individual congregations and the entire Church.

00:00 - Introduction

02:30 - Patreon

03:05 - What is a pastor theologian?

06:47 - Pastors reclaiming the work of theology

12:56 - Social imaginary and cultural narratives

17:17 - Defining the image of God

24:02 - Imaging God when others aren’t

35:29 - Image of God in community

47:52 - Ecclesiology, from the church to the Church

57:40 - A call from the congregation for more

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Center for Pastor Theologians - https://www.pastortheologians.com/ 

Ep. 25 - Should the Church Care About Polarization? with Dr. Ramon Pastrano

Join us as Dr. Ramon Pastrano helps you learn more about what polarization actually means in the U.S., why the Church should care, and the internal work we can do to move toward transformation (especially in light of our neurological wiring).

00:00 - Introduction

02:30 - Patreon

03:06 - Shared language vs. shared meaning

05:06 - Why should the Church care about polarization?

10:47 - What’s happening in our brains?

16:51 - Understanding our rights and responsibilities

20:12 - The potential cost of enacting change

24:58 - Our internal work

30:56 - Change vs. transformation

34:55 - Becoming aware of our blindspots

42:56 - Impact across demographic groups

50:34 - Additional resources

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Third Sphere Inc. - https://thirdsphere.com/ 

Peacemaking in Polarized Times - https://agileresourcenetwork.com/peacemaking/ 

Society for Human Resource Management - https://www.shrm.org/ 

Strengthsfinder (Clifton Strengths) - https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx 

Myers-Briggs - https://www.themyersbriggs.com/en-US/Explore-Solutions/MBTI 

IDI - https://idiinventory.com/ 

Rachel Wightman episode - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/podcast-archive/2025/7/2/ep-5-faithfully-engage-information-with-rachel-wightman 

Braver Angels - https://braverangels.org/ 

The Hidden Brain - https://www.hiddenbrain.org/ 

Additional resources - https://agileresourcenetwork.com/peacemakingresources/ 

Ep. 24 - Co-Creation, Authenticity, and Trust-Building with Gen Z with Holly Bishu

Join us for this conversation with Holly Bishu and learn how co-creation, authenticity, and trust-building are necessities when interacting with Gen Z.

00:00 - Introduction

02:27 - Patreon

02:59 - Engaging the next generation through their questions

11:14 - What questions go to greater depths?

14:31 - No magic formula

19:28 - Gen Z civic engagement

23:06 - Gen Z understandings of justice

30:15 - Gen Z experiences in different countries

35:06 - American history detour

40:05 - A generation feeling lied to

43:43 - Shared reality between generations

48:03 - Gen Z and the Church

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Connect with Holly - https://hollybishu.com/ 

Dr. Sarah Stamper on Gen Z civic engagement - https://anchorchange.substack.com/p/gen-z-redefines-civic-engagement-537 

Ep. 23 - An Alternative Christian Framework for Engaging the Culture War with Justin Giboney

Join us as Justin Giboney shows how examples from the history of the Black church and the civil rights generation offer an alternative Christian framework for engaging culture war issues.

00:00 - Introduction

02:36 - Patreon

03:08 - Understanding AND

05:04 - Defining social justice and moral order

07:01 - The pieces of a public witness

09:07 - Reception of AND Campaign’s Gospel framework

10:53 - Why political identity becomes centered

13:07 - How we define and engage the culture war

17:32 - Pros and cons of party membership

23:27 - Building consensus in the Church

28:57 - Impacting the public square through personal formation

32:44 - Narratives of racial minorities missing from the culture war

39:56 - Roles in politics beyond elected officials

42:26 - Examples of courage from the civil rights movement

46:12 - Charitably engaging across political difference

51:29 - How secular culture holds a mirror to the Church

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

AND Campaign - https://www.andcampaign.org/ 

Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around - https://www.ivpress.com/don-t-let-nobody-turn-you-around 

Compassion (&) Conviction - https://www.ivpress.com/compassion-conviction

Ep. 22 - The Power of a Robust Gospel with Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards

Join us as Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards helps introduces us to a robust Gospel and helps you understand how your perspective and social location can affect your interpretation of scripture, what we can learn about God and the Bible from voices on the margins, and what it looks like to embody the Gospel in the community of the Church.

00:00 - Introduction

01:48 - Patreon

02:24 - Defining a robust Gospel

03:44 - Seeing Jesus across scripture

05:14 - How does our perspective affect our biblical understanding

07:18 - How new perspectives help us reform our own

11:00 - Balancing the power of our understanding with the power of God’s voice

14:48 - Discerning God’s voice from our human perspectives

16:35 - What aspects of justice do we overlook in the Bible

19:11 - Understanding individual and communal aspects of sin

23:31 - The meaning of liberation

25:51 - Individual responsibility in responding to sin

28:40 - Future-focused and present-minded salvation messaging

30:42 - Our work vs. God’s work

32:38 - The Gospel embodied in community

34:53 - Creating genuine community in a church environment

38:00 - Connecting the church to the Church

40:07 - Moving from interpretation to application

43:45 - What is universal in applying scripture

44:59 - What can we learn from people on the margins

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Might from the Margins - https://heraldpress.com/9781513806013/might-from-the-margins/ 

Humility Illuminated - https://www.ivpress.com/humility-illuminated 

North Park Theological Seminary - https://seminary.northpark.edu/

Ep. 21 - Understanding the Religion of Whiteness with Dr. Michael O. Emerson

Join us as Dr. Michael O. Emerson discusses The Religion of Whiteness, including a discussion about how religion is defined sociologically, identifying markers of the religion of whiteness, and profiles of different types of people inside the religion of whiteness.

00:00 - Introduction

02:27 - Patreon

03:02 - Why research race in the Church

05:31 - Racial differences between 2000 and 2020

08:20 - How do we know surveys are representative

11:17 - Comparing white evangelical responses to other groups

14:24 - Understanding the research sociologically vs. theologically

17:46 - Understanding race as central to the American story

19:55 - Defining religion sociologically

22:19 - Defining the religion of whiteness

27:55 - Sacred symbols, beliefs, and practices

32:47 - Selectively using the Bible

38:12 - Efforts to maintain power through ROW

42:09 - White veil and white might groups

47:48 - Epistemology of ignorance

50:56 - Attempting to address racial division through evangelism

52:28 - Christianity vs. ROW in church demographics

53:55 - ROW practitioners outside white communities

56:00 - Setting the table for change

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

The Religion of Whiteness - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-religion-of-whiteness-9780197746288?cc=us&lang=en&

Divided by Faith - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/divided-by-faith-9780197796726?q=divided%20by%20faith&lang=en&cc=us

Kingdom Racial Change - https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802883728/kingdom-racial-change/

Baker Institute - https://www.bakerinstitute.org/program/religion-and-public-policy

Ep. 20 - Using Our Time to Embody Justice with Dr. Gary VanderPol

Join us as Dr. Gary VanderPol helps us think through the structural issues contributing to our lack of time for the work of justice, how we can operate in the now while changing those structures for the future, and some creative examples for ways we can pursue justice in our daily lives.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Return to Justice - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27177421-return-to-justice 

Katharine Hayhoe - https://katharinehayhoe.com/ 

Redeemer Community Church - https://redeemersf.squarespace.com/ 

Dayspring Partners - https://www.dayspringpartners.com/ 

RISE - https://riseprep.org/ 

Work Pray Code - https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691219080/work-pray-code?srsltid=AfmBOopvSRHwYpgmddfJi8SZBbHdtNStT24JPM0SLvGLq5RqzTFxFWfx 

20 Minute Takes podcast - https://christiansforsocialaction.org/programs/20-minute-takes-podcast/

Ep. 19 - Learning How to Do Justice with Sarah Driver

Join us as we learn more about how we can define and do justice, why it is so important that all people are able to experience sabbath, and what it looks like to equip Christians to do justice. 

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Sarah’s Substack - sarahdriver.substack.com

Sarah’s Instagram - instagram.com/justicedriver

Justice Driver - https://www.justicedriver.com/ 

Dr. Carroll episode - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/podcast-archive/2025/9/2/ep-14-migration-stories-and-the-bible-with-dr-danny-carroll 

Justice Driver Bible studies and sermon series - https://www.justicedriver.com/shop 

Ed Uszynski episode - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/podcast-archive/2025/8/13/ep-11-drawing-insight-from-the-questions-raised-by-crt-with-dr-ed-uszynski 

Bethany Hoang - https://www.ivpress.com/bethany-h-hoang?srsltid=AfmBOooyoyEpNP2yf8iVCATKeWVldUYipCGtk7Euzz8GsgCLTnpe_jhC 

Gary Haugen/IJM - https://www.ijm.org/people/gary-a-haugen 

Malcolm Foley/The Anti-Greed Gospel - https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436307_the-anti-greed-gospel

Ep. 18 - When We Need to be Redirected

Join us for a discussion about some ways redirection from our guests has shaped our understanding of the pursuit of justice.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Ep. 17 - Equipping the Church for Reconciliation and Revival with Josh Clemons

Join us for this conversation with Josh Clemons as we learn more about what it looks like to know, own, and change the story of racial injustice; the connection between reconciliation, relationship, and repentance; and what it looks like to equip the Church for the pursuit of justice.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

OneRace - https://oneracemovement.com/ 

Know. Own. Change. - https://oneracemovement.com/know-own-change-book/ 

Strength to Strength - https://www.arthurbrooks.com/books/from-strength-to-strength 

The Next Right Thing - https://emilypfreeman.com/next-right-thing-book/ 

Christ Over Culture - https://www.dancrain.org/book 

Ep. 16 - Fundraising for Justice Projects with Jesse Ross

Join us as Jesse Ross shares about his fundraising experiences while seeking justice in the community; discusses some of the unique challenges and differences between for profit and nonprofit fundraising; and helps us explore ways Christians can better serve their neighbors.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Jesse Ross - https://mrjesseross.com/ 

Jesse’s Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/proximity-7185350734148780032/ 

BJR Podcast Episode 7 - https://youtu.be/UTeVQMlR7zE 

Hallie Q. Brown Center - https://www.hallieqbrown.org/site/ 

Ep. 15 - Creative Advocacy and Immigration with Steve Eng

Join us for this conversation with Steve Eng as we begin with a foundational look at how Christians can interact with the government and political systems, the role the Church has to play, and how much influence individuals really can have at a federal level before finishing with an overview of current political realities around immigration.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

National Association of Evangelicals - https://www.nae.org/ 

For the Health of the Nation - https://www.nae.org/for-the-health-of-the-nation/ 

World Vision - https://www.worldvision.org/ 

World Relief - https://worldrelief.org/ 

Compassion International - https://www.compassion.com/ 

Dignity Act - https://immigrationforum.org/article/the-dignity-act-of-2025-bill-summary/ 

One Part of the Body report - https://www.nae.org/one-part-body-report-deportations-impact-christians-united-states/ 

Evangelical Immigration Table - https://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/ 

NAE Immigration - https://www.nae.org/topics/immigration/ 

National Immigration Forum newsletter - https://immigrationforum.org/article/stay-informed/ 

Ep. 14 - Migration Stories and the Bible with Dr. Danny Carroll

Join us for our conversation with Dr. M. Daniel Carroll R. as we cover an overview of developing a biblical understanding and approach to immigration, including the beginning of Dr. Carroll’s studies on the topic, stories of migration in the Bible, and applying a Christian ethic to present-day realities.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Christians at the Border - https://www.amazon.com/Christians-Border-Immigration-Church-Bible/dp/1587433516?SubscriptionId=AKIAJGYQBXXGETPQMZBA&tag=speakerfile-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1587433516 

The Bible and Borders - https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587434457_the-bible-and-borders 

World Relief - https://worldrelief.org/ 

Ep. 13 - Navigating Resources with Curiosity and Humility with Joylyn Weikum

Join us as Joylyn Weikum shares her journey to creating lgbtchristianresources.com; discusses the different Christian positions regarding human sexuality and gender identity; and covers the ways different types of resources and interpersonal relationships can help expand your understanding of different complex topics.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

LGBT Christian Resources - https://www.lgbtchristianresources.com/ 

The Color of Compromise - https://jemartisby.com/the-color-of-compromise/ 

Life on Side B - https://www.lifeonsideb.com/ 

Wholly Ourselves - https://www.whollyourselves.org/ 

Four Views on Christian Sexuality (from Josh Proctor) - https://www.lifeonsideb.com/foursides 

The New Jim Crow - https://newjimcrow.com/ 

White Fragility - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566247/white-fragility-by-robin-diangelo/ 

So You Want to Talk About Race - https://bookshop.org/p/books/so-you-want-to-talk-about-race-ijeoma-oluo/7214637?ean=9781580058827&next=t&source=IndieBound 

Black Fatigue - http://www.blackfatigue.com/ 

Tim Be Told - https://www.timbetold.com/ 

Words You Mean - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gznW9MLEAaw 

When Someone Loves You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ2Dz-SKbik 

Ep. 12 - What We Say and How We Say It with Dr. Greg Coles

Join us as Dr. Greg Coles helps us think about how we can use our language to better care for our neighbor, the ways the meanings of our words can change over time, and the grace given to us as we try to describe aspects of an indescribable God.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Single, Gay, Christian - https://www.gregorycoles.com/book-single-gay-christian/ 

No Longer Strangers - https://www.gregorycoles.com/book-no-longer-strangers/ 

The Limits of My World - https://www.gregorycoles.com/book-the-limits-of-my-world/ 

Dissertation - https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/16175gjc149 

Gay vs. SSA debate w/Rachel Gilson - https://www.centerforfaith.com/blog/gay-vs-same-sex-attraction-a-dialogue 

Still Evangelical? - https://www.ivpress.com/still-evangelical?srsltid=AfmBOorZ_MoDKy_3zoF4wRlEZ43_6rgL2tq6hhZlxCmR04BbhNAu5A-e 

The Language of Oppression - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1802764.The_Language_of_Oppression_New_Edition 

Pedagogy of the Oppressed - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72657.Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed 

Ep. 11 - Drawing Insight from the Questions Raised By CRT with Dr. Ed Uszynski

Join us as Dr. Ed Uszynski covers an overview of CRT and its origins while also discussing the questions CRT tries to answer and the insight Christians can glean from those questions; why race seems to be such a difficult topic to address in Evangelical churches; and how our ability to face these topics affects our ability to love our neighbors.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Untangling Critical Race Theory - https://www.ivpress.com/untangling-critical-race-theory 

Latasha Morrison - https://latashamorrison.com/ 

Rediscipling the White Church - https://www.ivpress.com/rediscipling-the-white-church 

The Religion of Whiteness - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-religion-of-whiteness-9780197746288?cc=us&lang=en& 

Ep. 10 - Looking Inward Before Moving Forward

Join us as Nina Barnes helps us consider where the evangelical church in America is today, why practices of spiritual formation and introspection are so necessary, and how we can carry that work with us into the world.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Pedagogy of the Oppressed - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72657.Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed 

Rich Villodas - https://www.richvillodas.com/ 

Cole Arthur Riley - https://colearthurriley.com/ 

Bernice King - https://berniceking.com/ 

Drew Jackson - https://drewejackson.com/ 

Mon Rovîa - https://monroviaboy.com/

Ep. 9 - Lessons About Justice from Multiracial Churches with Rev. Dr. Efrem Smith

Join us as Rev. Dr. Efrem Smith, Co-Lead Pastor of Midtown Church in Sacramento, joins the podcast to discuss lessons the Church can learn about justice from multiracial churches; why diversity is not the end goal for multiethnic churches; how local action can have extraordinary kingdom impact; and more.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Raising Up Young Heroes - https://www.ivpress.com/raising-up-young-heroes 

The Hip Hop Church - https://www.ivpress.com/the-hip-hop-church 

Jump - ​​https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19170292-jump 

The Post-Black and Post-White Church - https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506463476/The-Post-Black-and-Post-White-Church 

Killing Us Softly - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30962335-killing-us-softly 

Church for Everyone - https://www.ivpress.com/church-for-everyone 

Influential Global Ministries on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@InfluentialGlobalMinistries 

United by Faith - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/united-by-faith-9780195177527?cc=us&lang=en& 

Divided by Faith - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/divided-by-faith-9780195147070?cc=us&lang=en& 

The New Jim Crow - https://newjimcrow.com/

Ep. 8 - Starting a Justice-Focused Podcast with Erik and Bethany Beck

Join us as the script gets flipped and Erik answers some questions about starting the podcast and goals for Biblical Justice Resources.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BiblicalJusticeResources

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources

Links:

Santa Biblia by Justo Gonzalez - https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9780687014521/

Ep. 7 - Justice and Human Flourishing with Dr. Chris Brooks

Join us as Dr. Chris Brooks, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clarendon Capital Ventures, discusses how his breadth of experience informed his call to pursue what he defines as biblical economic justice; how investment in Black and Brown owned companies domestically and internationally promotes flourishing; and the lessons the Church can learn as we think about replacing human suffering with human flourishing in Jesus’ name.

Find us online:

Website - https://www.biblicaljusticeresources.com/ 

Instagram - @biblicaljusticeresources

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@biblicaljusticeresources 

Patreon - patreon.com/BiblicalJusticeResources 

Links:

Omówálé - https://itascabooks.com/products/omowale-one-mans-justice-journey?_pos=1&_sid=958e8581e&_ss=r 

Clarendon Capital Ventures - https://clarendoncapitalventures.com/ 

Human Flourishing Program - https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/ 

What Britain Did to Nigeria - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57319829-what-britain-did-to-nigeria 

United Church - https://united.online/ 

Sanctuary Covenant Church - https://sanctuarycov.org/ 

South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission - https://www.britannica.com/topic/Truth-and-Reconciliation-Commission-South-Africa