Theology Episodes

What are the golden calves in our lives—and what happens when we start worshiping what we treasure most? This week on Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Exodus 32:1–14, where the Israelites grow impatient, turn to a golden calf, and discover the consequences of losing trust in the God they cannot see. Connecting this ancient story to modern nationalism, Christian exceptionalism, and the ways fear and power can marginalize others, Karin and Blake invite us to examine our own allegi...

Are the Ten Commandments a rigid tool for control or a roadmap for sacred community and liberation? In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin and Blake explore Exodus 20 and the story of Mount Sinai. They unpack how foundational laws were given to shape a wandering group of former slaves into a healthy, fair community—and how those same scriptures have been used both to manipulate and to inspire major societal change, such as the abolitionist movement. Join the conversation as they examine the int...

One can never get too much prayer... especially in today’s world, so today we’re reaching back into the Project Zion Podcast archives to bring you this Holy Grounds episode that originally aired in October of 2021. Here, host Carla Long and guest Katie Harmon-McLaughlin talk about the spiritual practice of prayer. How does our image of God change the way we pray? Do we need to be faithful or free of doubt in order to pray? What can we do if we're struggling with prayer? These questions and more ...

What happens when we’re thirsty and God doesn’t seem to be providing what we need? In Exodus 17, the Israelites’ physical thirst becomes a deeper question of faith: “Is the Lord among us or not?” Karin and Blake explore how suffering can make us forget what we’ve already experienced of God, while also challenging us to move beyond asking “Where is God?” to “How do I respond?” From humanitarian organizations to the everyday ways we embody God’s presence, this episode invites us to notice the holy...

Are spirituality and theology dependent on one another? Although there are many in today’s world who would say they are “spiritual but not religious,” it would seem that spirituality would at least be closely connected with theology. In this episode of Percolating on Faith, taken from the old Project Zion Podcast archives, Carla Long sits down with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith to talk about spirituality and theology, where they intersect, and why they are, in fact, dependent on each other. L...

What if the bread we need each day is more than food—it’s a reminder of God’s presence? In this episode of Coffee to Go, manna in the wilderness becomes an invitation to notice divine care, cultivate daily practices, and become that presence for others—especially those who hunger. Together, Karin and Blake ask how our own lives can become a reflection of God’s presence for others, especially those experiencing hunger and suffering. The episode invites us to move beyond remembering God’s care to ...

How many times are we really supposed to forgive someone—seven times, seventy times seven, or until we finally get the point? In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Jesus’ challenging—and slightly exasperated—response to Peter’s question about forgiveness in Matthew 18. Beyond counting offenses, the conversation invites us to consider how every word, choice, and interaction sends energy into our communities, either contributing to what is life-giving or what is harm...

What happens when science and faith look at the same universe? In this episode of Climate Brewing, Susan Oxley sits down with retired NASA scientist and Community of Christ minister Steve Dunagan to explore the remarkable intersection of earth science, climate change, faith, and a lifelong curiosity about creation. Steve shares how his NASA career led him from aeronautical research into Earth science and climate research—and why understanding creation can also be a way of understanding the Creat...

The most faithful thing you can do is simply choose love! In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Paul’s words in Romans 13 and the radical idea that love—not rules, judgment, culture, or retribution—is what fulfills the law. They unpack what it means to “put on” Christ-like love as a way of being: actively caring, serving, showing compassion, and choosing love even when it’s difficult. Along the way, they challenge us to notice where culture pulls us away from love ...

What if our mountaintop experiences weren’t just for our enjoyment? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith in a brief exploration of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush—a moment of holy ground, divine revelation, and a call to action on behalf of people who are suffering. Together, they challenge us to look beyond inward spiritual experiences and ask how our encounters with the sacred can move us toward justice, compassion, and service. Grab your coffee and join the conversation as we ...

Picking up right where they left off in Pt 1 (episode #990), This Fair Trade episode continues to explore what happens when a faith journey enters a new chapter—and how seeking, belonging, healing, and ministry can reshape our understanding of God and ourselves. Gail Shurtleff shares candid wisdom from her own journey into Community of Christ, emphasizing the importance of friendship, listening, accessibility, and creating safe spaces for those navigating profound transitions. Above all, Gail re...

The women are at it again... thank goodness! In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the story of Moses’ beginnings in Exodus, highlighting the courageous disobedience of Shiphrah, Puah, Moses’ mother and sister, and Pharaoh’s daughter. Their conversation draws striking connections between ancient oppression, contemporary fears of immigrants and outsiders, and the ways privilege can shape our response to those we perceive as different. The episode invites us to pract...

What happens when faith asks you to slow down, listen, and trust the Spirit? In this powerful “Fair Trade: Chapter Two” conversation, Gail Shurtleff reflects on the unexpected twists, deep healing, and sacred callings that have shaped her journey into Community of Christ. From navigating a profound faith transition to helping build an online congregation and discovering new possibilities for spiritual community during the pandemic, Gail’s story is one of learning to recognize God’s timing—even w...

What relationships in your life are more important than any issue or event that may have broken them down? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a brief exploration of Joseph’s emotional reunion with his brothers and sit with the challenging idea that every hardship isn’t always somehow part of God’s plan. Instead, consider where God is present when the blessing doesn’t come—and discover the deeper blessing found in healing, restored relationships, and reconciliation. Grab your coffee and j...

When family rivalry, favoritism, and betrayal send a young dreamer into a pit, things can get a little crazy. This week on Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the complicated story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37, uncovering themes of injustice, human brokenness, and the ways we lift others up—or put them down. As Joseph’s story points toward a larger biblical narrative, we’re invited to examine our own relationships and ask: Who have I lifted up today, and who have ...

Wrestling with God can be painful, but it just might be worth it if it transforms us. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Jacob’s mysterious nighttime struggle in Genesis 32—and the lasting mark it leaves on him. Be prepared to reflect on the ways our own encounters with God, uncertainty, and the sacred can leave us changed, sometimes even limping into a new way of being. As we wrestle with the questions and challenges of our own lives, we’re invited to slo...

What if nothing—not suffering, rejection, failure, or even our deepest pain—could separate us from the love of God? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they explore Romans 8:26–39 and Paul’s powerful assurance that God’s love is not reserved for a select few but is expansive, extravagant, and available to all. Reflect on how divine love meets us in the midst of suffering and calls us to become people who practice that same lavish love through compassion, justice, peace, and deep listening....

Belonging matters! What does it mean to find a place where you truly belong? Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they explore Jacob's dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:10–19) as a story of pilgrimage, migration, and unexpected encounters with God's presence. Reflect on how our journeys—whether across borders, through life's transitions, or back to cherished places—shape our identity and reveal that our deepest home is found in God's abiding presence. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to G...

Are you playing it safe with your life, or are you scattering your gifts with reckless abandon? In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith dig into the famous Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Matthew. Positioned in the midst of "Ordinary Time"—the liturgical season built for growing in our discipleship—this scripture challenges us to look closely at the soil of our own hearts. Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download the transcript. Thanks f...

We could all use some rest... right? In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin and Blake explore Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11 to move beyond the exhausting patterns of busyness, striving, and self-sufficiency into a life of rest, learning, and faithful discipleship. Reflecting on the image of "infants in faith," they discuss the openness, trust, and humility that allow us to receive God's wisdom and grace. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and settle in for a timely reminder that true whol...

What is the Christian Church? Why is it important for Christians to meet together in fellowship and worship? In a social climate where division and marginalization of others seem to be trending in the wrong direction, it’s important for us to remember the place and purpose of the Church. Join host Carla Long and guests Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith for this discussion on various models the church can be and its theological purpose as they explore the term "ecclesiology," which originally aired...

Things are heating up in Rome! Paul's passionate challenge in Romans 6:12–23 pushes his listeners (and ours) to choose a life shaped by grace rather than the forces that pull us away from God's purposes. Join Karin and Blake as they unpack difficult biblical language around righteousness and slavery, reframing righteousness as radical mercy, compassion, and hospitality that go beyond what is expected. Listen in, and then reflect on the influences that control your life and consider what...

Although some people see it as such, grace is not a free pass to sin! In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the idea of "newness of life" offered through Christ. Together they wrestle with the tension between grace and discipleship, reminding listeners that grace is not a license to remain unchanged but an invitation to walk a new path. Join them as they reflect on how God's grace accompanies us every step of the journey toward transformation and freedom. Listen t...

Do you have to be religious to live a good life? In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Shannon McAdam and Jack Hindle explore what it really means to be a "good person" through the lenses of honesty, self-reflection, compassion, grace, and community. Together they wrestle with questions about spirituality, accountability, human nature, and the challenge of choosing what is right over what is comfortable. Along the way, they discover that a good life may be less about having all the a...