98. Wisdom is a Feminine Noun

In both the Old Testament (written in Hebrew) and in the New Testament (written in Greek), the word Wisdom is a feminine noun and therefore considered a feminine principle.  The following sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen was delivered on Mother’s Day in the 1990s reflects on the role of Wisdom in our lives.  Today, we see an assault on women’s rights not only in Afghanistan but across the globe and here in America as well.  So… what is Wisdom? https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

96. Two 20th Century Theologians. A Methodist and a Muslim.

In the previous podcast series, Dr. Richard N. Soulen studied two theologians of the 18th Century: John Wesley and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb.  Both born in the same year and dying just months apart.  As part of research for that series, he discovered another coincidence… two 20th Century Theologians both born in the same year (1933) and in the same month (April): Dr. Richard N. Soulen and Seyyed Hossein Nasr. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

95. 6. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Concluding reflections by R. Kendall Soulen)

John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. R. Kendall Soulen provides a conclusion to the series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

94. 5. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wesley Part 2)

John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

http://soulenandsoulen.com

93. 4. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wesley Part 1)

John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

92. Living takes a lot of Forgiving

The Apostles’ Creed is a symbol of faith for Christians. Belief in the forgiveness of sins is part of this creed. Yet unlike the Lord’s Prayer, which can be recited at any time, the Apostles’ Creed is typically voiced in church, in union with other people. For the “Forgiveness of Sins” does not just mean OUR sins, but our ability to forgive others, a symbol of self-giving love. A sermon meditation by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

90. 3. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wahhāb Part 2)

John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

89. 2. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wahhāb Part 1)

John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

88. 1. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Introduction)

John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

87. The Mother’s Mind

Our culture has been too long dominated by the aggressive, assertive, self-seeking desire to control and dominate. And not open to a caring, compassionate, and self giving nature.

Dr. Richard N. Soulen was pastor at Duncan Memorial Methodist Church in Ashland, Virginia from 1988 to 1995. This is a sermon recording selected from this time period. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

86. Darkness and Light

The following meditation by Dr. Richard N. Soulen focuses on the prison industry in Virginia during the 1990s. The rising prison population was the result, in part, of sentencing guidelines that are being reversed in many part of the country today. But the fundamental question remains. How do we as Christians help others that are in desperate need of help? https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

85. Native Awareness

One of United Methodism’s six special Sundays with offerings, Native American Ministries Sunday equips and empowers Native American pastors, congregations and seminary students to do what only they can do: authentically worship and serve Jesus. The following sermon delivered by Dr. Richard N. Soulen in the 1990s highlights issues that still strongly resonate today. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

83. John’s Question

How can the Christmas story be made meaningful for adults? Christmas celebrates God. God with us. The divine in the midst of the human. Just like the Christ Child, we were all infants at one time. And we were all totally dependent on the love of a mother and of a father and of the many others that nurtured us into adulthood. An Advent sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

67. Jesus, Christ of God

Jesus and three of his apostles, Peter, James, and John go to a mountain to pray. While they are there, Jesus begins to shine with bright rays of light. Then the prophets Moses and Elijah appear next to him and he speaks with them. A voice from the clouds calls out, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” This account is called the Transfiguration and is the topic of the following sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

65. On Seeing and Not Seeing

The story of Doubting Thomas is found in the Gospel of John. Thomas says, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” But when he does see and touch Jesus, he exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” In this sermon, Dr. Richard N. Soulen speaks to our own doubts and fears. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

64. Charity and Injustice

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah Chapter 6). The Black Lives Matter movement seeks to bring justice, healing, and freedom to people of color across the world. In this sermon delivered in the early 1990s, Dr. Richard N. Soulen speaks to the injustice that is all around us. “God calls us to administer justly. Speak truly and fairly. And live our lives acceptable to God.” https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

59. Repentance for Advent

This year, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29th. You might think Advent had started weeks ago based on all of the store decorations. Yet with all of the string lights, gigantic yard balloons, or even manger scenes for sale, you won’t see a single John the Baptist. This is the topic of the following sermon delivered by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/.

https://soulenandsoulen.com/.

51. Great Theologians. Episode 6 – Karl Barth and Paul Tillich

“Great Theologians in the Christian Tradition” was a series of six lectures delivered by R. Kendall Soulen, Ph.D. at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. from January 22 to February 26, 2002. Karl Barth (1886-1968) and Paul Tillich (1886-1965) are the focus of the concluding lecture of this series. Though friends and allies in protest against the rise of Nazism, the German theologian Paul Tillich and the Swiss theologian Karl Barth blazed two different paths for Protestant theology in the 20th century, the strengths and weaknesses of which continue to be weighed at the dawn of the 21st century. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

49. In God’s own image

Carl Sagan was one of the most well-known and influential scientists and cosmologists of the 1970s and 1980s. Yet in his book, The Pale Blue Dot (1994), Carl Sagan suggests that we humans suffer from a “…delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe.” In this sermon delivered in the 1990’s, Dr. Richard Soulen takes direct issue with Sagan’s perspective that we are small and insignificant in the vast space we call the Cosmos. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

48. Great Theologians. Episode 5 – Friedrich Schleiermacher

“Great Theologians in the Christian Tradition” was a series of six lectures delivered by R. Kendall Soulen, Ph.D. at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. from January 22 to February 26, 2002. Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) is the focus of lecture five.  In his influential book, On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers, Schleiermacher defends religion from the criticisms of the Enlightenment. It became a classic and is still in print today. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

47. Great Theologians. Episode 4 – Martin Luther

“Great Theologians in the Christian Tradition” was a series of six lectures delivered by R. Kendall Soulen, Ph.D. at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. from January 22 to February 26, 2002. Martin Luther (1483-1546) is the focus of lecture four.  The Reformation is considered to have started with the publication of Luther’s Ninety-five Theses in 1517. Known for his uncompromising views, Luther said, “Peace if possible. Truth at all costs.” https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

46. Temptation

In the fullest sense, it is impossible to be human without temptation. For temptation is simply the natural result of thinking about options and choices. If we could live life without having to make choices… then of course there would be nothing like temptation. But we do make choices every day and those choices define the very core of our identify. Who do you want to be? https://soulenandsoulen.com/

soulenandsoulen.com

45. Great Theologians. Episode 3 – Saint Thomas Aquinas.

“Great Theologians in the Christian Tradition” was a series of six lectures delivered by R. Kendall Soulen, Ph.D. at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. from January 22 to February 26, 2002. Saint Thomas Aquinas (1224-74) is the focus of lecture three. Young Thomas was a quiet man and was nicknamed “The Dumb Ox” by his fellow classmates. Of course, he would become one of the Catholic Church’s greatest theologians and philosophers. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

soulenandsoulen.com

43. Richard’s Prayer

Richard of Chichester (1197 – 1253), also known as Richard de Wych, was Bishop of Chichester in England. He is a saint and was canonized in 1262. While the name “Richard of Chichester” may not be familiar, you are likely to know the words of a prayer that he authored. They were made famous by the musical Godspell in the song, Day by Day. http://soulenandsoulen.com

http://soulenandsoulen.com

42. Great Theologians. Episode 2 – Saint Augustine.

“Great Theologians in the Christian Tradition” was a series of six lectures delivered by R. Kendall Soulen, Ph.D. at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. from January 22 to February 26, 2002. Saint Augustine is the focus of lecture two. One of the most influential thinkers in Western history, Augustine (354 AD–430 AD) was a mid-life convert to Christianity whose inquisitive mind touched on topics from biblical interpretation to the nature of time and the human psyche. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

 https://soulenandsoulen.com/

41. Great Theologians. Episode 1 – Saint Paul.

“Great Theologians in the Christian Tradition” was a series of six lectures delivered by R. Kendall Soulen, Ph.D. at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. from January 22 to February 26, 2002. The six lectures proceed chronologically through Christian history: St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Karl Barth, and Paul Tillich. The lectures are now being published as podcast episodes on https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

40. Paul. You have got to be kidding!

The early church in Corinth was plagued by many serious problems, including factionalism, sexual immorality, and abusing the communal meal. Paul was very concerned. So, in his first letter to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians), he begins with high praise and thanksgiving. Wait…what? Paul. You have got to be kidding! soulenandsoulen.com

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

39. The Prodigal Son’s Sister In Law

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger son asks for inheritance from his father, who grants his son’s request. The older son is dutiful and remains home. When the younger son returns home having wasted everything, he is forgiven by his Father. How does the Prodigal Son’s older brother react? Never mentioned at all in the parable is the Prodigal Son’s Sister In Law… Molly Rutland Soulen and Rebecca Rutland Soulen add third generational commentary to this sermon preached by their Grandfather. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

37. The Freedom and the Power

At this moment, you may or may not be baptized. The Christian believes that baptism is the symbolic washing of our wants and desires. But it is more than just a washing away of sins. Baptism also grants freedom and power to be a child of God. Baptism provides the opportunity to be more than your flesh and bones. Baptism provides the opportunity to be a force of love in a troubled world. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

33. The Blessed Rage for Order: The Problem of Evil – Part 3

Dr. Richard N. Soulen returns to the topic of evil. Ever since the emergence of moral awareness in human beings – nature has become a problem – to itself! Yet, if there is in nature a “Blessed Rage for Order”… then that is a hopeful sign. For as human beings, we have the ability to create our own future… as well as destroy it. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

27. Why do molecules pray?

Why do molecules pray?  What a curious question!  We might normally ask, “Why do I pray?” or “Why does anyone pray?”  And one answer to this question might be… that you or I feel a complete dependence on a power beyond the self.  But let’s study the need for prayer all the way down the ladder of evolution to the first appearance of life.   We might think of “prayer” as a universal phenomenon in all living things….and the following podcast focuses on this topic! https://soulenandsoulen.com/

24. Understanding the Jewish People in God’s economy. Part 2.

Part 2. For most of the past two millennia, the church’s posture toward the Jewish people has come to expression in the teaching known as supersessionism, also known as the theology of displacement. But how has this theology changed over the past fifty years? Professor R. Kendall Soulen, author of the book The God of Israel and Christian Theology (Fortress Press, 1996) explores this topic in a two-part interviewed conducted in 2012. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

https://soulenandsoulen.com/

23. Understanding the Jewish People in God’s economy. Part 1.

For most of the past two millennia, the church’s posture toward the Jewish people has come to expression in the teaching known as supersessionism, also known as the theology of displacement. But how has this theology changed over the past fifty years? Professor R. Kendall Soulen, author of the book The God of Israel and Christian Theology (Fortress Press, 1996) explores this topic in a two-part interviewed conducted in 2012. https://soulenandsoulen.com/

18. A Christian Defense of Same Sex Marriage

On May 8, 2019, Dunwoody UMC hosted a panel discussion on human sexuality, followed by questions and answers. Professors from Emory’s Candler School of Theology, Rev. Dr. Kendall Soulen and Rev. Dr. Kevin Watson, led the discussion offering opposing perspectives of Biblical interpretation and marriage within Christian communities.  The following podcast is Dr. Kendall Soulen’s portion of the evening.  A video of the entire evening including questions and answers can be found at Soulenandsoulen.com in the Videos tab. 

5. The Defining Jesus Series: The Earthly, the Biblical, the Historical, and the Real Jesus, and How Not to Confuse Them

The introductory episode of the Defining Jesus Series: What do you mean when you say “Jesus”? Who, exactly, are you referring to? The Defining Jesus series is about the semantic content of the name Jesus and how it is used (and misused) in biblical studies, the church, and the popular press.