A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar
Mixing a cocktail of philosophy, theology, and spirituality.
We're a pastor and a philosopher who have discovered that sometimes pastors need philosophy, and sometimes philosophers need pastors. We tackle topics and interview guests that straddle the divide between our interests.
Who we are:
Randy Knie (Co-Host) - Randy is the founding and Lead Pastor of Brew City Church in Milwaukee, WI. Randy loves his family, the Church, cooking, and the sound of his own voice. He drinks boring pilsners.
Kyle Whitaker (Co-Host) - Kyle is a philosophy PhD and an expert in disagreement and philosophy of religion. Kyle loves his wife, sarcasm, kindness, and making fun of pop psychology. He drinks childish slushy beers.
Elliot Lund (Producer) - Elliot is a recovering fundamentalist. His favorite people are his wife and three boys, and his favorite things are computers and hamburgers. Elliot loves mixing with a variety of ingredients, including rye, compression, EQ, and bitters.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 66 minutes
- Episodes
- 136
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Do I Stay Christian with Brian McLaren
Brian McLaren is at it again, writing a book for people on the edge of Christianity, just barely holding on. Do I Stay Christian? is a brilliant book that takes a very honest l…
Translations and Gender, Part II w/ Beth Allison Barr and Scot McKnight
Our first discussion with Beth Allison Barr and Scot McKnight at the end of Season 1 was so popular and helpful that they wanted to come back a second time to answer more quest…
The Truth Will Set Us Free: An Interview w/ Lisa Sharon Harper
Buckle up, friends...this is a major episode.
Lisa Sharon Harper wrote Fortune, which dives into and details the history of her ancestors from Africa, to slave ships, to planta…
Miracles and Unanswered Prayers with Craig Keener
Does God move supernaturally in our world today? Should we expect miracles? These are questions that New Testament scholar Craig Keener investigated, documented, and wrote abou…
Understanding Unconscious Bias: Interview with Jessica Nordell
In this episode, we speak with science writer and award-winning journalist Jessica Nordell about her book The End of Bias: A Beginning. It's an extraordinarily well-researched …
Oceans of Problems: Hillsong Exposed Exposes Us All
In this episode, we reflect on the documentary from Discovery Plus, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed. If you haven't watched the three part miniseries, it's gross, tragic, and m…
When Pastors Critique Scholars: An Interview with Scott Coley
We speak with philosopher Scott Coley about the phenomenon of pastors and internet theobrogians publicly critiquing the work of credentialed scholars. Why is this so popular, h…
A Rabbi, A Pastor, and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar
We've been excited to talk to a Jewish scholar for some time now...and not just for the obvious episode title opportunity, either. For those of us who consider ourselves Christ…
What Pastors Wish They Could Say
There's a little secret pretty much every pastor has that they can't share with their congregation. Well, actually, a number of secrets. We're not talking about dark and hidden…
LGBTQ Christians, Shame, and Love: Interview with Dawne Moon and Theresa Tobin
In the conclusion of our four-part series on LGBTQ people and the church, we speak with Drs. Dawne Moon, a sociologist, and Theresa Tobin, a philosopher, who research and write…
Heavy Burdens: Interview with Bridget Eileen Rivera (Part 2)
We return for part two of our interview with Bridget Eileen Rivera, the author of Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church. In the conclusion, w…
Heavy Burdens: Interview with Bridget Eileen Rivera (Part 1)
Bridget Eileen Rivera wrote one of the most important books we've read. Period.
The book is Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church, and it's a …
LGBTQ, the Church, and Why We're Affirming
Finally, we talk about sexuality, the queer community, and why we're affirming.
This is a very personal episode (as much as it can be for a couple of straight white dudes). In …
Porn, Games, and Echo Chambers: An Interview with Dr. C. Thi Nguyen
This one's fun. Thi Nguyen is a philosopher from the University of Utah and studies epistemology and philosophy of art, community, and games. He also used to be a food critic a…
Subversive Witness: An Interview with Dominique DuBois Gilliard
Buckle up for this one, friends, because Dominique DuBois Gilliard brings straight fire. Dominique's book is, "Subversive Witness: Scripture's Call to Leverage Privilege", and …
Self-care, Mental Health, and COVID-19 - Interview with Jenny Heckman (Re-Release from S01E03)
For New Year's, we're revisiting an episode from early in Season 1. We spoke with professional counselor and former pastor Jenny Heckman (MS, LPC, NCC) about dealing with anxie…
Shane Claiborne on How to Be a Christian in America
Shane Claiborne...what a gem. Shane has written a number of incredible books including The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President, and we got the opportunity to chat w…
Theology From the Margins: An Interview with Kat Armas
Where does real theology and spirituality happen? Should we continue looking to the academy and pulpits or might we find a more embodied and lived theology and spirituality in …
Converging Traditions, Toxic Environments, and Healthy Spiritual Practices: An Interview with Aaron Niequist
Aaron Niequist has been to the top of the evangelical mountain and has experienced first hand the goodness and the toxicity and the pain that is often a byproduct of that world…
How to Be Happy: A Conversation with Frank Schaeffer
We cover a lot of ground in this one folks. You may know Frank Schaeffer as the son of famed evangelical author Francis Schaeffer, but since helping his father found the religi…