WesWorld - An Asbury Seminary Podcast

In this lively and theologically charged episode, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson tackle the reappearance of ancient heresies in modern form, focusing especially on a renewed interest in Marcionism. Using the recent promotion of the so-called “True Testament” as a case study, the hosts examine why ideas the Church rejected nearly two thousand years ago continue to surface with fresh marketing and digital reach. Along the way, the hosts show why doctrines are not arbitrary rules but life-giving truths with real implications for how Christians understand Scripture, salvation, the incarnation, judgment, love, and human freedom. ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS • Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts • Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #AsburySeminary #WesWorld #theology

WesWorld hosts take up one of the most difficult and unavoidable questions facing the church: How should Christians think about religion and politics? They explore political theology, moral agency, the role of the state, and the church’s responsibility to speak prophetically without collapsing into partisanship. The episode examines why Wesleyans have often lacked a coherent political theology, how doctrines like prevenient grace and sanctification shape Christian views of freedom and coercion, and why the absence of theological grounding often leads churches to default to cultural or partisan assumptions. MENTIONS • The Desire of the Nations — Oliver O’Donovan • The Coddling of the American Mind — Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff • The City of God — Augustine of Hippo • John Wesley Institute - https://nextmethodism.org/ ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS • Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts • Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #AsburySeminary #WesWorld #Politics #Religion #WesleyanTheology

In this lively episode, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson dive into what Christian music teaches the Church, sometimes intentionally, sometimes accidentally. From Charles Wesley’s hymnody to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever,” from Advent carols to Rich Mullins and the rise of contemporary Christian music, the hosts examine how lyrics shape belief, and why some current worship trends raise important theological questions. With humor, they critique shallow lyrics, discuss the disappearance of hymns, and debate whether secular songs ever belong in worship. The conversation also touches on the Emergent Church movement, postmodern theology, and why music—old or new—must ultimately serve the apostolic faith. ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #AsburySeminary #WesWorld #ChristianMusic #WesleyanTheology

In this lively and deeply theological episode of WesWorld, hosts Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson discuss with humor, banter, and a few good-natured jabs, the trio digs into pragmatism, why decisions within the Global Methodist Church and the broader Wesleyan family must be rooted in rich theological reasoning rather than convenience, trend, or institutional fatigue. The conversation ranges across infant baptism vs. infant dedication, sacramental authority, elders vs. deacons, whether Wesleyans should fence the table, and the dangers of letting “what works” override historic Christian convictions. Mentions • The Faith Once Delivered - A Wesleyan Witness to Christian Orthodoxy - Edited by Ryan N. Danker • Firebrand Magazine - https://firebrandmag.com/ Asbury Theological Seminary Links: Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views and opinions of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented here is for general information purposes only. #WesWorld #WesleyanTheology #MethodistTheology #Pragmatism #Baptism

In this episode of WesWorld, hosts Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson dive into a lively conversation about whether we’re witnessing a resurgence of Christian faith in the Western world. Is it a revival or something else? Together, they explore cultural shifts, the influence of public intellectuals, the rise of neo-paganism, and generational dynamics shaping faith today. Hosts Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson Mentions Dominion by Tom Holland (Book) 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson (Book) Life in the Negative World by Aaron Renn (Book) The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism by Aaron Renn (Article) The Conversion of Public Intellectuals by Luke Bretherton (Article) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views and opinions of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

In this episode of WesWorld, hosts Maggie Elmer, Dr. Scott Kiker, and Dr. David Watson tackle one of the most pressing and complex issues in today’s cultural and theological landscape: the resurgence of antisemitism. Together, they explore its historical roots, its troubling rise on both the ideological left and right, and why Christians must respond thoughtfully and faithfully. Drawing on Wesleyan theology, the hosts reflect on human dignity, agency, and the call for Christians to engage the marketplace of ideas with courage and clarity. Hosts Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson Resources & Mentions Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center - https://www.yadvashem.org Asbury Theological Seminary – http://asbury.to Asbury Theological Seminary Podcasts – http://asbury.to/podcasts Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views and opinions of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson are back! Join them to kick off a new podcast, WesWorld! A conversation on all things Wesleyan and beyond. For more information about Asbury Theological Seminary, please visit: asburyseminary.edu