Forging Ploughshares

Paul Axton preaches on I Cor. 2:6-8 - Human wisdom is responsible, according to Paul, for the death of Christ and those who killed him were blind to what they were doing. The Bible traces human religion and understanding to a death dealing lie and this is what the wisdom of Christ exposes and displaces. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches: With sexual abuse by both Catholic Priests and Protestant clergy reaching epidemic proportions there is the necessity to pose the possibility the church is incubating evil. Corinthians addresses and provides an alternative to illicit desire and sexuality. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Michael Hines has written and studied the history of Islam and we discuss the various possibilities as to the identity of Muhammad, the difference in the view of God between Islam and Christianity, the historical development of Islam and the influences which may have shaped this faith. Join the discussion hosted by Paul Axton. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches on the opening section of I Corinthians. in which Paul calls them "saints," "sanctified," the "called out" holy ones, is the point of unity to which he is calling this divided community. God's holiness, his innermost unity, is the mode in which the Corinthians and all of us are to find unity. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

In this conversation Paul Axton and Ryan Hemmer discuss philosophy of science as it impacts theology and as worked out by Bernard Lonergan. Ryan also recently started his own podcast, Systematically. Part 3 of 3 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches: In the 1960’s and into the 70’s – with the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, women’s liberation, the rise of the drug culture – what we call the cultural revolution – a phenomena called the Jesus People came about. Youth Culture meets the Church. We are not at the end of this cultural clash but can assess it through Corinthians. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

In this introductory sermon to I Corinthians, Paul Axton compares the measure of the cross to the health and wealth gospel and the philosophy of church growth as a measure of success. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton interviews Ryan Hemmer who is completing a major work on Bernard Lonergan. Here are his insights into this key theologian of the 20th century. Lonergan provides the basis for theology to forge ahead into previously uncharted territory and Ryan explains why. Ryan also recently started his own podcast, Systematically. Part 1 of 3 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Jason Rodenbeck and Paul Axton discuss the newest course available on PBI. Matthew: Gospel of Kingdoms is an in-depth, theologically reflective reading of the book of Matthew which allows Jesus' life and teaching to challenge all of our ideas about the way life is supposed to work in this world. We see Jesus' Kingdom vision as truly as we can and learn to imagine what it was he saw as he taught it. Learning how it defied the expectations of the first-century people awaiting the Messiah helps us see how our own contemporary expectations aren't much different and how Jesus is as shocking today as he was 2000 years ago. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

In part three of this discussion, Paul Axton and Megan Kenyon talk about the failures and inadequacies of Utopian societies and attempt to describe the ideal understanding of the Christian community - especially as it relates to the embodied human condition and the need to meet the entirety of human needs. As a female artist, Megan describes the particular struggle of women in the Church. Part 3 of 3. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches: Persons were a minority among people of first century Rome. Onesimus and Jesus did not qualify as Persons according to Roman law. Christ, by becoming a slave, overturns the valuation system of the world and in the process redefines what it means to be a person. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

In part two of this interview, Megan Kenyon describes the blossoming of art in its relation to the renaissance and reformation, and then the fragmenting of thought and theology as reflected in modern art. Part 2 of 3 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton quotes two poets, Woodie Guthrie and Jason Rodenbeck, to make the point that bad theology fused with capitalism enslaves. We are to be about the work of redemptive creation care in all of our labors. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

In part one of this interview, Megan Kenyon and Paul Axton discuss the role of art in the life of the Christian and the theology of art. Part 1 of 3 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches: Is slavery a metaphor for sin and not itself sin or is slavery a type of sin? How we answer this question not only determines our reading of Philemon but determines if we recognize that economics and socio-political forces are part of what enslaves us and constitute a part of what Christ frees us from. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton explains Zizek and the core of Lacanian theory as it overlaps with the apostle Paul. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

In this sermon, Paul Axton suggests that the manner in which slavery is subverted by Paul is the mode in which the Kingdom is made a reality. Radical subordination enacts the subversion of the City of Man and marks the City of God. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preches: Christendom held out the promise of an enduring social structure impacted by Christ. Christendom failed and every form of this faith is bound to fail. So what are we left with? If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches by depicting engagement with the truth of Christ and contrasting it with the detachment of the alternative understanding characterized by idolatry but also by any focus on religious experience. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches: An examination of biblical idolatry as an example of the problematic nature of the pursuit of religion on the basis of an uncritical desire and experience. Christ exposes the misdirected religious pursuit of human religion. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton interviews Eric Miller, who stands in the unique position of forming an Anabaptist like communion from within the Restoration movement. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches: Our tendency is to fly free from the mortal condition but in doing so we isolate ourselves from human relationships. The question we are asked each Sunday, "Are you one of Us?" grounds us in the fellowship of the crucified. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches: Christian belief intervenes in a passive, disconnected orientation to the law and to the world so as to overcome the gap between mind and will. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton interviews Nathan Hosler of Office Peace Building and Policy: A key Anabaptist engagement with the powers in an attempt to foster peace. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

"The Price of Everything": With unprecedented access to pivotal artists and the white-hot market surrounding them, this film dives deep into the contemporary art world, holding a fun-house mirror up to our values and our times -- where everything can be bought and sold. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton invties Bryan Gallant to discuss recovering from the worst sort of grief and finding love and a new understanding of God and what is important. Author's book: Undeniable If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton and David Rosado review the Netflix Documentary "Take Your Pills," which examines the drug of choice, Adderall, launching the conversation into the connection between mind and spirituality. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Those disaffected from evangelical Christianity have formed a community which is in many ways quite helpful but it has also strayed into Gnostic notions regarding gender and God. Bret Powell and Paul Axton continue to discuss the Liturgist podcast and its significance. Part 2 of 2 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Those disaffected from evangelical Christianity have formed a community which is in many ways quite helpful but it has also strayed into Gnostic notions regarding gender and God. Bret Powell and Paul Axton discuss the Liturgist podcast and its significance. Part 1 of 2 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

This Father's day sermon by Paul Axtno suggests ultimate despair is answered through love of God as Father. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton interviews congressman Mark Siljander, attacked by Bush and Cheney for attempting to work out a diplomatic solution to the Middle East, spent 4 months doing hard time in a federal prison as a result. His notion that we should give peace a chance has had real-world results and radical personal consequences. THE ALGORITHM Things To Avoid: Are you pushing a personal agenda? Are you asserting that"I" am right & "you" are wrong? Are you using the tactics of shame or disgrace;"pointing out mistakes"? Are you keeping a record of the offences committed by the "other" person? Are you holding anger toward the "other" person? Are you acting proud of yourself, your culture/country or religion? Are you happy when bad things happen to your enemy? Things To Embrace: Are you patient with each other? Are you acting in kindness or acting upon your own self-interests? Are you seeking justice and truth? Are you hopeful (to God) for a positive outcome? Are you giving up easily or are you working together persistently? Do you think that the "other" party is trustworthy? Are you only protecting your self interest? How To Apply: Eat a meal together. Pray with & for each other. Highlight common ground & resolve any misunderstandings. Get to know them personally (family, passions, concerns, etc.) If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

In John women play key roles as models of service and belief which seems to narrate the theological point that the law is suspended through relinquishing prototypical masculine notions of identity and taking on new (feminine) familial orientation. Paul Axton preaches. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Eric Seibert is Professor of Old Testament at Messiah College and his book Disarming the Church is a complete guide to the peaceable kingdom. If Christians follow the Prince of Peace, why do they often behave so violently? What can be done to transform the church so that it looks more like Jesus? In this podcast. Seibert and Paul Axton explore these questions and discuss biblical and practical reasons for living nonviolently in all areas of life. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches on a Christianity which needs to hurt others - children at the border - Christ on the Cross - in which law is privileged over doing right. Through an examination of John 5 the question is raised whether this "law and order" Christianity deserves the name "Christian." If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

“Theology is the constant attempt of Christians to speak well whether we be laity or clergy.” — Stanley Hauerwas Jonathan Totty interviews Stanley Hauerwas about why being informed about theology is important for all Christians. And, how as Christians we are obligated to engage in theology so as to make sense of our own humanity in relation to God. This is the first of a series of podcasts titled “Why Theology Matters.” In this series Jonathan explores how theology is the “Queen of the Sciences” and the broadest horizon in which we understand and make sense of reality by interviewing theologians, pastors, and lay people who are engaged in the work of theology. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches on how the Logos overcomes the logos of man in that identity through oppositional difference is undone. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton and Jonathan Totty have a conversation about Balthasar's explanation of the analogia entis, Barth's misunderstanding, and why this esoteric matter would make a difference to a theologian like James Cone. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches on the ultimate sin identified with Judas: handing over Jesus. This sermon demonstrates how this ultimate sin is one that is shared by the Apostles and which is specifically confronted by Jesus. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton compares two functions of language as typefied at Babel and Pentecost. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Richard Hughes, the premier historian and key thinker in the Restoration Movement addresses the problem of white supremacy and racism as it is attached to particular theological perspectives and offers a theological and historical resolution. Presented as part of the Peace and Justice Study Group at The Stone Campbell Conference. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches on two notions of truth, compared and contrasted as they come into conflict during the trial of Jesus. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton and David Rosado review the film The Rider. After suffering a near fatal head injury, a young cowboy undertakes a search for new identity and what it means to be a man in the heartland of America. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton examines alternative theories of predestination and arrives at a resolution that is neither Calvinist nor Pelagian. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

The contrasting dreams of two generations clash within the microcosm of an ancient Buddhist monastery in Bhutan, when Gyembo an ordinary teenager is chosen as the next guardian of their family monastery by his father. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Fire, torture, punishment, and discipline are depicted as purifying. In 1 Cor 3:11-17 - fire purifies and saves while some are depicted as being annihilated. There is no eternal conscious torment depicted in Scripture. In this sermon, Paul Axton examines terms translated as eternal and punishment to suggest that "the chastening of that Age" is neither eternal nor retributive. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

David Rosado and Paul Axton discuss the role of spirituality in mental health. What does the Bible say about mental health and how does mental disease, spirituality, and physiology potentially work together? If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

This sermon follows Paul Axton's recent blog suggesting that the trial of Jesus forever suspends absolute notions of sovereignty and justice. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton preaches on passages describing the narrow way and those depicting an all inclusive salvation which give us theological fundamentalism and various forms of universalism. The first step toward overcoming this problem is to recognize salvation is not from eternal torturous existence but from the universal problem of sin and death. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Here is the interview with the premiere historian of the Restoration Movement - Richard Hughes. We discuss nonvioloence in the RM, white supremacy, why continue on identifying with this tradition, and the essence of true religion. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

Paul Axton uses James and Frederick Douglas to describe how religion becomes evil through becoming deaf to the oppressed. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound