Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday Faith

In this episode of Theology Lab, we explore one of the most important questions in spiritual formation: how do we raise children with a faith that is curious, imaginative, and resilient enough to wrestle honestly with God? Taking a brief pause from our Beyond Simple Answers series, this conversation continues the theme of seeking a deeper theological vision when easy answers fall short.Host and colleague Becca Wickham are joined by Sarah Shin, author of the children’s book 📚 The Great Waking Up 📚 alongside illustrator Shin Maeng, to discuss faith, doubt, theology and how kids engage big questions about God. With fun, fast-paced interludes answering real questions from children—like “Where is Jesus now?”—this episode is both insightful and practical.Perfect for parents, pastors, and ministry leaders, this episode offers wisdom on raising kids who keep their faith while learning to question and grow.📚 Check out Sarah and Shin's new book here! Penguin booksellers, Amazon

This episode explores the profound questions surrounding the problem of evil, God's goodness, and faith. Scott, Kristin and Greg share personal stories, theological insights, and the importance of engaging with difficult questions to deepen faith. This is the second episode in the series on creation, evil and suffering, and it takes an unexpectedly personal turn. The hosts get into theological questions about God's goodness and why the challenge of evil is so difficult, and yet why we continue to feel compelled to ask what belief in God's goodness can look like even when there is evidence and suffering in the world that would say otherwise. "Can I believe God is good despite the evidence?"👀 Key topicsThe problem of evil and sufferingTheological responses to evil and sufferingPersonal stories of faith and lossThe importance of questioning in faithThe role of Jesus and Christian principles in understanding evilLearn more about Theology Lab: www.theologylab.orgMusic Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGE

In this first episode of Beyond Simple Answers we explore the question, Why does God create a world where evil and suffering exist? Why answers to this question don't fully satisfy, and how can we continue to explore God, faith, evil, suffering in a theological vision (engaging the Bible and more) together?Explore the profound question of why God created the world, considering theological answers, human experiences of suffering, and the implications for faith and understanding. Join us as we unpack different perspectives and wrestle with the big questions of existence.Check out Kristin’s book, We Mend With Gold! Find a local bookseller: https://tinyurl.com/MendwithgoldLocal Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/MendWithGoldLearn more about Theology Lab at www.theologylab.orgCheck out Kristin's Insta page (bookstagram) through her handle, @ktlee.writesMusic Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGEApproximate Chapter times:00:00 Introduction to Beyond Simple Answers01:50 Exploring the Question of Creation04:30 Responses to Creation: Insights from Followers06:55 Theological Perspectives on God's Glory10:45 Human Freedom and the Nature of Evil14:20 Unpacking the Complexity of Creation17:15 Conclusion and Next Steps

SEARCHING FOR A THEOLOGICAL VISION WHEN SIMPLE ANSWERS FALL SHORT.Interesting? This is what Theology Lab's new series, Beyond Simple Answers is about: Explorations on faith, the Bible, theology, for a faith that is looking beyond simple answers.In the inaugural episode of the podcast "Beyond Simple Answers," hosts Scott Rice, Greg Fung, and Kristin T. Lee introduce their mission to explore complex theological questions that often elude simple answers. The podcast aims to create a space for critical inquiry within a faith context, encouraging listeners to engage with their doubts and questions rather than suppress them. Each host shares their personal journeys, highlighting their diverse backgrounds in ministry, medicine, and technology, which inform their perspectives on faith and theology. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community in navigating these discussions, aiming to foster a supportive environment for exploring challenging topics.The hosts outline the podcast's unique approach, which combines a desire to believe with critical thinking, all while operating within a church context. They express their hope to work out a shared theological vision through open dialogue, inviting listeners to join them in this exploration. The episode concludes with a teaser for the first series, which will tackle the provocative question, "Why does God create a world with so much suffering?" This question serves as a springboard for deeper discussions about faith, salvation, and the nature of God, setting the stage for future episodes that promise to engage listeners in meaningful theological inquiry.Check out Kristin’s book, We Mend With Gold! Find a local bookseller: https://tinyurl.com/MendwithgoldLocal Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/MendWithGoldTakeawaysThis podcast seeks a theological vision when simple answers fall short.We want to encourage questions and doubts in a supportive community.Critical thinking and faith can coexist in meaningful ways.Theology Lab's website: www.theologylab.orgMusic Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGEChapters00:00 Beyond Simple Answers!00:49 Introduction to Beyond Simple Answers01:38 Meet the Hosts: Personal Journeys05:16 Goals and Unique Approach of the Podcast10:34 Teaser for the First Series: Why Did God Create a World with So Much Suffering?