You can also subscribe to the Calvary podcast on your favorite podcast app.
You can also subscribe to the Calvary podcast on your favorite podcast app.
Father James Alison has been at the forefront of mining philosopher René Girard’s fecund writings for theology. He preaches the Gospel of grace that flows from Jesus the Forgiving Victim, with the paradigm shift that entails for basic Christianity. He is also known for having firmly but gently faced down the dishonesty of his own Church on matters related to LGBT and lived to tell the tale. He has written numerous books, including the critically acclaimed Raising Abel. Alison travels worldwide as preacher and teacher, longing to help build up LGBT communities of faith and those who are not scandalized by them. He currently lives in Madrid, Spain.
Father James Alison has been at the forefront of mining philosopher René Girard’s fecund writings for theology. He preaches the Gospel of grace that flows from Jesus the Forgiving Victim, with the paradigm shift that entails for basic Christianity. He is also known for having firmly but gently faced down the dishonesty of his own Church on matters related to LGBT and lived to tell the tale. He has written numerous books, including the critically acclaimed Raising Abel. Alison travels worldwide as preacher and teacher, longing to help build up LGBT communities of faith and those who are not scandalized by them. He currently lives in Madrid, Spain.
Since childhood, “Pastor Sonia” of First Congregational Church has been an observer of and a voice for social justice. Her platforms have changed through the years, but never her intentionality or persistence. Sometimes she raises searing questions; sometimes she is moved to act. Walker’s compassion and respect for the journey of childhood guided her to many arenas: quality education for all children; easy access to nutritious food for families; arts exposure and engagement for children, youth and adults; opportunities for people of color when the word “equal” is not enough; and the ministry of reconciliation for all people.
The Rev. Dr. Mark Jefferson, a homiletics professor at Virginia Theological Seminary, is an emerging scholar interested in the ways that consciousness and imagination inform preaching. His message is that Jesus came to confront our sinfulness, comfort us in our struggles, and also conform us into his image for the sake of our souls and for the future of creation. VTS is honoring its 200th anniversary on Oct. 15, 2023. As a contribution to this effort, Jefferson will preach 200 sermons locally, nationally, and internationally leading up to this bicentennial celebration. His love of people–especially his mother and grandmother–inspire him to preach with passion and purpose.
Obstacles abound in loving our neighbor; and understanding requires vulnerability, empathy, and courage. As an activist, Rabbi Judy Schindler is inspired by her relatives who resisted the Nazi regime. As a professor of philosophy and religious studies at Queens University, she is inspired by students who strive to build a better world rather than to pursue fancy job titles. As a rabbi and an author, she rejoices in the inspiration and power of words which can generate positive change. Schindler loves her immediate and extended families, which grow larger each day as she works toward overcoming obstacles to love.
Rabbi Micah Greenstein loves Torah no matter where it comes from. “Torah” in a broad Jewish sense refers to the teachings and wisdom of Judaism, but he treasures insights on goodness, love, justice, shalom, and compassion from every faith tradition and every reflection of God’s unity. What inspires him most about the Jewish legacy he lives and teaches is that it is not simply a tale of enduring persecution and surviving hate, but rather a 4,000-year-old joyful embrace of faith, family, and the blessing that comes with being God’s partner in healing a broken world.
Rabbi Micah Greenstein loves Torah no matter where it comes from. “Torah” in a broad Jewish sense refers to the teachings and wisdom of Judaism, but he treasures insights on goodness, love, justice, shalom, and compassion from every faith tradition and every reflection of God’s unity. What inspires him most about the Jewish legacy he lives and teaches is that it is not simply a tale of enduring persecution and surviving hate, but rather a 4,000-year-old joyful embrace of faith, family, and the blessing that comes with being God’s partner in healing a broken world.
As executive director of the Memphis region of Facing History and Ourselves, Marti Tippens Murphy is inspired by the stories of upstanders: extraordinary people who embraced the challenge to speak out, stand up for others, and make difficult decisions. Together, they helped to create a more inclusive, just, and compassionate Memphis. She led the commissioning of the Upstanders in Memphis History Mural in downtown Memphis. A native Memphian and Rhodes College Alumna, Tippens Murphy’s love for history and the power of storytelling led her to the Los Angeles office of Facing History in 1997. Since returning to her hometown in 2014, Murphy and her team continue to use the lessons of history and empathy to empower youth to stand up to bigotry and hate.
Debbie Blue writes and preaches about the Bible’s seemingly endless capacity to reveal glimpses of God, what it is to be human, and things we might rather keep hidden. She loves rooting around in its stories (which often raise more questions than they answer) and in the layers of interpretation (which are often beautiful, sometimes hilarious, and occasionally terrible). She lives on a farm with three other families and assorted chickens and goats. Blue is a founding pastor of House of Mercy in St. Paul, MN. Her most recent book is Consider the Women: A Provocative guide to Three Matriarchs of the Bible.