Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
Dale McConkey, Host
Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety of Christian traditions. Guests are friends and colleagues who are also experts in the fields of sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, divinity, and more.
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Top 10 Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Horror and Christianity in Film: Haunting or Holy?
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
08/21/23 • 74 min
Brace yourselves for a chilling journey as we traverse the shadowy realms of horror and Christianity in the latest season of Church Potluck. Picture this: you're plunged into a world where spine-tingling tension meets a quest for spiritual insight. Sounds like a thrilling ride, right? Buckle up as Clint Peters (creative writing), Curt Hersey (communication), Mike Bailey (political science), and Dale McConkey (sociology), serve up a tantalizing platter of frightful conversations and Christian Curiosity.
This episode is a rollercoaster ride through the eerie world of horror films, from the controversy they stir up to their undeniable magnetism. We unravel the Freudian theory of repression in horror, the medical horrors in The Exorcist, and the origin story of legendary director Wes Craven. On this ride, horror isn't just about jump scares and blood-curdling screams; it's an exploration of fear, the unknown, and our instinctive reactions.
The journey doesn't end there. We turn the spotlights to the '80s, an era that saw music and horror mesh in a way that sparked both dread and fascination. We explore the Christian themes subtly woven into horror films. As we wrap up, we take a step back to appreciate the global horror landscape, understanding how different cultures might perceive and express fear. So, sit tight and let's plunge into the terrifying essence of horror. Are you ready for some goosebumps?
(Description generated with AI, with some revisions.)
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
Christianity and the Midterm Election
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
11/20/22 • 49 min
The panelists from our inaugural episode return to discuss the 2022 midterm elections in greater detail. After an overview of the results, we consider the impact of abortion policy on young voters and Christian conservatives. We also explore the religious rhetoric in the Raphael Warnork - Herschel Walker senate race and then briefly consider other issues like Ron DeSantis' "God Made a Fighter" ad, the LDS/Mormon Church's support of the Respect for Marriage Act (which protects same-sex marriage), and Trump's announcement of his 2024 Presidential campaign. We conclude the episode with a "second helping" in which Mike Bailey shares his experiences as a poll worker and poll watcher.
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
God Forbid: Scandal, Corruption, and Political Power
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
11/18/22 • 51 min
Welcome to our inaugural episode of Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Thought! Thanks for bearing with us as we learn the ropes of this new medium for us. Our first episode begins with a look at Hulu's new documentary, "God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty," which explores the events surrounding Jerry Fallwell, Jr., deposed president of Liberty University and son of the late renowned televangelist and conservative political operative, Jerry Falwell, Sr. Given that we recorded this episode the day after the 2022 midterm elections, we also discuss the fusion between evangelical Christianity and conservative politics. Our guests are Abbie Vegter, Tom Kennedy, and Michael Bailey. Hosted by Dale McConkey. Thanks to our audio techs, Joey Fletcher and Alyssa Freyman.
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
UFOs and Aliens: Implications for Christian Faith
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
02/28/23 • 50 min
UFOs. Aliens. Extraterrestrial life. The possibility of these phenomena is getting increasingly serious attention from the media, the government, and true believers. How about the Church? Would the existence of alien life change the way we understand our faith? Join special guest Todd Timberlake (physics) along with Jon Parker (theology) and Mike Baily (political science) as we explore the Christian implications of extraterrestrial beings. An informative and fun episode!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
PKs! Joys and Challenges of Being a Preacher's Kid
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
02/23/23 • 48 min
Today's episode features three adults who share their reflections on growing up as a PK (preacher's kid). Sarah Allred (sociology), Hannah McDonald (student), and Abbie Vegter (political science) discuss the unique challenges -- but also the great joys -- that children can experience when their parent is also the leader of their church family. Enjoy!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
Saint Patrick: Man, Myth, Saint, Holiday
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
03/15/23 • 44 min
Welcome to our St. Patrick's Day episode! Dr. Michael Bailey (political science) and Rev. Dr. Dale McConkey (sociology) pepper Dr. Michael Papazian (philosophy, religion) with a myriad of questions about St. Patrick and his day. What do we know about Patrick historically? What are the myths that have developed over the years? Why and how did he become a saint? (Also, how do people become saints in general?) And what should we think about the holiday named in his honor? Join us for a fun and enlightening discussion!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
Christians and the Environment
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
03/09/23 • 49 min
What responsibilities do Christians have to care for the environment? What specific steps should Christians take? Do our personal efforts make any difference in protecting the environment, or are large-scale changes needed? What's a Christian to do in a consumption-oriented culture? Join Christian ethicists Tom Kennedy and David Barr along with Bible scholar Jonathan Parker as we explore these and many other questions on this week's episode!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
Considering Christian Colleges
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
03/23/23 • 49 min
Are Christian Colleges compatible with liberal arts learning? Do these colleges restrict students with regard to both their intellectual and social life? What role do Christian colleges play in the contexts of academia and the larger culture? Join Tom Kennedy, Abbie Vegter, and Mike Bailey as we consider these questions. Also, we bid a fond farewell to and bestow gifts upon two of our guests: Tom, who is cementing his retirement and moving away from us, and Abbie who will be temporarily leaving us while on maternity leave.
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
Easter: How Central is the Resurrection?
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
03/29/23 • 49 min
Christians over the globe are preparing to celebrate their conviction that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. How essential is this Easter proclamation for Christian faith? Join Jon Huggins (chaplain), Michael Papazian (philosophy), Mike Bailey (political science), and Dale McConkey (sociology, pastor) as they deliberate the Resurrection from a variety of angles.
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
"God and the Good Life" with Notre Dame Philosopher Meghan Sullivan
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
01/31/23 • 48 min
Notre Dame philosopher Meghan Sullivan joins us for a discussion about her popular course on "God and the Good Life" and her corresponding book, The Good Life Method (Penguin, 2022). After Meghan provides an overview of her course and book, chaplain Jon Huggins and philosopher Matthew Lee (and a friend of Meghan) join the discussion. We also take time to chat a little about the movie Rudy and Touchdown Jesus!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity have?
Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity currently has 45 episodes available.
What topics does Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity cover?
The podcast is about Culture, Christianity, Society, Religion & Spirituality, Podcasts, Religion, Debate, Bible, Opinion and Christian.
What is the most popular episode on Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity?
The episode title 'Is the United States a Christian Nation?' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity?
The average episode length on Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity is 54 minutes.
How often are episodes of Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity released?
Episodes of Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity are typically released every 6 days, 22 hours.
When was the first episode of Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity?
The first episode of Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity was released on Nov 18, 2022.
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