Best Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence Podcasts (2025)

1
The book of Revelation and violence ancient and modern - with guest Simon Woodman 50:29

3+ y ago50:29

50:29

In this episode, Helen speaks with Revd Dr Simon Woodman. Simon is minister at Bloomsbury Baptist Church London, and formerly New Testament lecturer at Cardiff University. He is the author of a number of books and articles including two which are under discussion here: The Book of Revelation (SCM core texts) and a chapter entitled “Fire from heaven…

1
Modern appropriation of the book of Joshua - with guest Rachel Havrelock 1:00:57

4y ago1:00:57

1:00:57

In this episode, Helen speaks with Dr Rachel Havrelock about her new book The Joshua Generation: Israeli Occupation and the Bible. Rachel is Professor of English at the University of Illinois. In our conversation we discuss how the first Israeli prime minister David Ben Gurion used the conquest of Joshua to assist him in state-building; and the res…

1
Baptists Across Europe - challenges and priorities. With guest Tony Peck 38:37

4y ago38:37

38:37

In this episode Helen talks with Revd Anthony Peck, General Secretary of the European Baptist Federation. In the light of current challenges such as migration, the Crimean conflict, and the rise of far right populism, they discuss the challenges that Baptists face, and the distinctives that they can offer to their societies. During the conversation…

1
Catholic Social Theology in Northern Ireland - with new co-presenter Maria Power 48:51

4y ago48:51

48:51

In this episode Michael and Helen interview Dr Maria Power. Maria is a Catholic social historian, and Senior Research Fellow in Human Dignity at the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice. We discuss the role of Cardinal Cahal Daly in Northern Ireland, and his pursuit of a peaceable kingdom. Our discussion is focussed around Maria's new book Cathol…

1
The kingship of God and the Hebrew Bible - with guest Sam Brody 51:32

4y ago51:32

51:32

In this episode Michael and Helen talk with Dr Samuel Brody about Martin Buber's theology of the kingship of God, and how this might influence modern politics. Sam is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas. We discuss his latest book Marbin Buber's Theopolitics , and also - briefly - this blog post.…

1
Being evangelical and non-violent, with guest Ron Sider 51:00

4y ago51:00

51:00

In this episode, Michael Spalione and Helen Paynter talk with Dr Ron Sider about non-violence, with particular reference to his recent book If Jesus is Lord: Loving our enemies in an age of violence. Ron is Emeritus Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry, and Public Policy at Palmer Theologial Seminary.…

1
Human rights and dealing with difference - with guest David Montgomery 44:16

4y ago44:16

44:16

Helen and Matthew talk with Dr David Montgomery, Associate Research Professor at the Centre for International Development at the University of Maryland, and Director of CEDAR. Among other works, he is the co-author of Living with Difference: How to Build Community in a Divided World. We discuss the usefulness of the language of human rights, in thi…

1
Prosperity gospel or good news to the poor? - with guest Danielle Mayfield 48:41

4y ago48:41

48:41

In this episode, Michael Spalione and Helen Paynter speak with Danielle (D.L.) Mayfield, author of The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power. Danielle tells how her own experience of living with the 'exiled' changed her view of how her Christian faith should be expressed. This conversation takes place 'wi…

1
Evangelical Christianity and liberal politics in the USA - with new co-presenter Michael Spalione 36:20

4y ago36:20

36:20

In this episode we introduce Dr Michael Spalione, who will be co-hosting some future episodes. Michael has recently gained his PhD in political theology from Durham University (UK), although he is a native and resident of the USA. He is also one of the Research Associates of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. Helen and Michael talk abo…

1
The myth of Islamisation in Central Asia - with guest John Heathershaw 53:58

4y ago53:58

53:58

In this episode, Helen and Matthew speak with Dr John Heathershaw, professor in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies at Exeter University. Is Central Asia really a crucible for Islamic terrorism? And how are such myths instrumentalised by others? In our conversation, we refer to two briefing papers. This one was written for Chat…

1
The image of God and human violence - with guest Richard Middleton 44:31

4y ago44:31

44:31

In this episode, Helen and Matthew speak with Dr Richard Middleton, Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary, Rochester. Our conversation centres on ideas discussed in Richard's book The Liberating Image. We discuss the extent to which the biblical creation myths endorse or challenge violence in the ancient and modern w…

1
The German Church and the Confessing Church in the lead-up to World War II - with guest Frank McDonough 41:29

4+ y ago41:29

41:29

In this episode, Helen and Matthew speak with historian Frank McDonough, about the crackdown on the Confessing Church in Germany in the year 1937. Dr McDonough is Professor of International History at Liverpool John Moores University. The new volume of his book The Hitler Years is available hereBy Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence

1
Religion and Colonialism in Ireland and Rhodesia with guest Donal Lowry 46:38

4+ y ago46:38

46:38

In this episode Helen and Matthew speak with historian Dr Donal Lowry, senior member of Regents Park College, Oxford. Donal is an expert on the British Empire, particularly Rhodesia and Northern Ireland, and in our conversation he traces fascinating links between the situation in 1920s Ireland and Britain's colonial history in Rhodesia. The chapter…

1
Religious language in the 'secular' mainstream - with guest Valerie Hobbs 54:13

4+ y ago54:13

54:13

In this episode, Helen and Matthew talk with Dr. Valerie Hobbs, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Sheffield. We talk about the way that religious language pervades and influences mainstream political discourse. Valerie's book, An Introduction to Religious Language, was released on 14th January, 2021. Listeners may also be …

1
Political Islam and interfaith conversations - with guest Hifsa Haroon Iqbal 40:52

4+ y ago40:52

40:52

Matthew and Helen talk with Muslim community leader Hifsa Haroon Iqbal, MBE, about political elements of Islam, violence within the Q'ran and the Bible, dialogue between Jewish and Muslim women, and Christmas. Hifsa is trustee of the Islamic-Jewish women's network Nisa-Nashim. Hifsa's website is here and the blog post we discuss is here. We finish …

1
The myth of redemptive violence and gun culture - with guest Steve Harmon 50:33

4+ y ago50:33

50:33

Can we defeat the dragon without becoming the dragon? In this episode, Helen and Matthew talk with Revd Dr Steve Harmon, Professor of Historical Theology at Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina. Steve is the author of a number of books, most recently co-editor of Sources of Light: Resources for Baptist Churches Practicing Theology. We begin our …

1
Should Christians have a privileged voice in society? - with guest Paul Lusk 57:37

4+ y ago57:37

57:37

In this episode Helen and Matthew talk with Paul Lusk about the role that the church should occupy within the public square. Paul is the author of The Jesus Candidate: Political Religion in a Secular Age, and this blog post on the origins of the Religious Right.By Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence

1
Islamist extremism and the mainstream - with guest David Toube 47:42

4+ y ago47:42

47:42

Helen and Matthew talk with David Toube, director of policy at Quilliam, the counter-extremism organisation. Based on this briefing paper, written by Quilliam for the British government, we discuss the mainstreaming of Islamism, and the benefits and challenges of a liberal society.

1
The Manosphere and the Radical Right - with guest Julia DeCook 50:12

4+ y ago50:12

50:12

Helen and Matthew talk with Dr Julia DeCook, assistant professor at the School of Communication, Loyola University, and Research Associate of the Centre for the Analysis of the Radical Right. Julia is a specialist on online extremist movements, specifically male supremacist groups. In this episode, we begin with a discussion about a blog post she w…

1
The Moot: seeking a way out of fascism - with guest Jonas Kurlberg 45:44

4+ y ago45:44

45:44

In this episode, Helen and Matthew talk with Dr Jonas Kurlberg, about his book Christian Modernism in an Age of Totalitarianism. In the book Jonas explores 'The Moot', an informal think-tank composed of a wide diversity of intellectuals, which met in Britain before, during and after the Second World War. The Moot was committed to trying to help Bri…

1
The American Right, the Left, and how history is remembered - with guest Matthew Rowley 48:32

4+ y ago48:32

48:32

In this episode Helen and Matthew talk with Matthew Rowley about his new book Trump and the Protestant Reaction to Make America Great Again. We discuss the ways that Protestants on both wings of the USA's political spectrum make use of American history. In his book, Matthew offers a constructive way forward, which we explore with him. Dr Matthew Ro…

1
Antisemitism, tolerance and the limits of diversity - with guest Keith Kahn-Harris 45:20

4+ y ago45:20

45:20

In this episode, Helen and Matthew talk with Dr Keith Kahn-Harris, sociologist and author of Strange Hate. We discuss antisemitism, national repentance, and why 'strange hate' might be a better way forward for societal cohesion than love.By Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence

1
Black Lives, History and the Power of Symbol - with guest Liam Liburd 33:50

4+ y ago33:50

33:50

In this episode, Helen Paynter and Matthew Feldman talk with Dr Liam Liburd, historian at the University of Sheffield, whose special interest is decolonisation. We talk about the toppling of the Colston Statue, the Black Lives Matter protests, and the power of historical memory and symbolic action.By Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence

1
Helen and Matthew introduce 'Guns and God' 31:54

4+ y ago31:54

31:54

In this episode, podcast hosts Helen Paynter and Matthew Feldman introduce themselves and open up some of the questions that the series will be addressing. Helen Paynter is the director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, and Matthew Feldman is the director of the Centre for the Analysis of the Radical Right, although in this podcast…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Centre For The Study Of Bible And Violence Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Guns and God

Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence

1
The book of Revelation and violence ancient and modern - with guest Simon Woodman 50:29

1
Modern appropriation of the book of Joshua - with guest Rachel Havrelock 1:00:57

1
Baptists Across Europe - challenges and priorities. With guest Tony Peck 38:37

1
Catholic Social Theology in Northern Ireland - with new co-presenter Maria Power 48:51

1
The kingship of God and the Hebrew Bible - with guest Sam Brody 51:32

1
Being evangelical and non-violent, with guest Ron Sider 51:00

1
Human rights and dealing with difference - with guest David Montgomery 44:16

1
Prosperity gospel or good news to the poor? - with guest Danielle Mayfield 48:41

1
Evangelical Christianity and liberal politics in the USA - with new co-presenter Michael Spalione 36:20

1
The myth of Islamisation in Central Asia - with guest John Heathershaw 53:58

1
The image of God and human violence - with guest Richard Middleton 44:31

1
The German Church and the Confessing Church in the lead-up to World War II - with guest Frank McDonough 41:29

1
Religion and Colonialism in Ireland and Rhodesia with guest Donal Lowry 46:38

1
Religious language in the 'secular' mainstream - with guest Valerie Hobbs 54:13

1
Political Islam and interfaith conversations - with guest Hifsa Haroon Iqbal 40:52

1
The myth of redemptive violence and gun culture - with guest Steve Harmon 50:33

1
Should Christians have a privileged voice in society? - with guest Paul Lusk 57:37

1
Islamist extremism and the mainstream - with guest David Toube 47:42

1
The Manosphere and the Radical Right - with guest Julia DeCook 50:12

1
The Moot: seeking a way out of fascism - with guest Jonas Kurlberg 45:44

1
The American Right, the Left, and how history is remembered - with guest Matthew Rowley 48:32

1
Antisemitism, tolerance and the limits of diversity - with guest Keith Kahn-Harris 45:20

1
Black Lives, History and the Power of Symbol - with guest Liam Liburd 33:50

1
Helen and Matthew introduce 'Guns and God' 31:54

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