The Forum Podcast

The Legacy of Mary Magdalene | Jennifer Powell McNutt

Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt is a renowned church historian, theologian, and professor at Wheaton College, specializing in the history of Christianity from the Reformation through the Enlightenment. In this episode of The Forum Podcast, she joins host Leah Jolly, MDiv student at Calvin Seminary, to discuss the legacy of Mary Magdalene and how historical misconceptions have shaped our understanding of her role in the church. Dr. McNutt unpacks why reclaiming the true biblical narrative of Mary matters, especially for women in the church today. They also explore broader themes of church history, biblical interpretation, and what the past can teach us about faith in the modern world. Don’t miss this deep and thought-provoking discussion on Scripture, theology, and the role of women in the church.

Pastoral Theology at the Margins | Danjuma Gibson

The Museum of African American History and Culture and the Holocaust Museum are devoted to telling stories that risk being forgotten or overlooked or even ignored. They also deal with stories of trauma, loss, and profound grief. Dr. Danjuma Gibson took a class to Washington, D.C., to see these museums and wrestle with questions about oppression and suffering in a class entitled Pastoral Theology at the margins.
Gibson is Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Calvin Seminary. He sat down with Geoff Vandermolen, Director of Vocational Formation and Co-Director of the Doctorate of Ministry program at Calvin Seminary. Together, they reflect on these experiences and their impact on those who participated.

From Canada to Calvin | Karin Maag

In this episode, Leah Jolly, MDiv and ThM student at Calvin Seminary, sits down with Dr. Karin Maag to discuss Maag's reception of the honorary doctorate from Theological University of Utrecht. Maag is the director of the Center for Calvin Studies and adjunct professor of History of Christianity and she also serves as co-director of the Master of Theology program.
This honorary doctorate recognizes her contributions to the field of Calvin and Reformation studies, especially through her work in the center for Calvin's Studies. In this interview, we learn more about her life, her entrance into the field of Calvin studies, and the ways her career has led to this honorary doctorate.

Women and the Gender of God, Hebrews, Inheritance | Amy Peeler

Dr. Amy Peeler, a biblical scholar and ordained priest, joins The Forum Podcast for a fascinating conversation on theology, Scripture, and how we talk about God. As a professor at Wheaton College, Dr. Peeler has spent years studying the book of Hebrews, exploring its themes of inheritance, sonship, and divine language. In this episode, led by Dr. Danny Daley, Associate Professor in New Testament at Calvin Seminary, she discusses how the New Testament dramatically shifts the language of God’s fatherhood and what that means for believers today. They also dive into her book, Women and the Gender of God, which examines how Scripture portrays both the fatherhood of God and the role of women in the biblical narrative. Through careful exegesis and theological reflection, Dr. Peeler challenges misconceptions and invites listeners to think more deeply about the ways we speak about God. Whether you’re interested in biblical studies, theology, or the role of women in church history, this episode offers thought-provoking insights into the richness of the biblical text.

Navigating the Paths of the Holy Land | Gary Burge

The story of Scripture is rooted in the land of Israel and Palestine. Tracing the paths of biblical history gives new depths and dimensions to our reading of Scripture. But today, Israel and Palestine lie at the center of intense conflict. Gary Burge has spent a career studying, writing about, and traveling to the Holy Land. Burge was Professor of Biblical Studies for over two decades at Wheaton College, and is an Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Calvin Seminary.
 
He continues to bring students to the Holy Land to experience it for themselves. Gary and Calvin Seminary President Jul Medenblik spoke together on the topic of the Holy Land.

The Old Testament, Calvin, and the Reformed Tradition | Yudha Thianto

How did John Calvin employ the Old Testament in his preaching and instruction?
Dr. Yudha Thianto, Chief Academic Officer and Professor of the History of Christianity and Reformed Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, published "The Old Testament, Calvin, and the Reformed Tradition" with Brill Publishers in 2024. This work reflects his lifelong passion for Reformed theology, rooted in his Christian upbringing in Indonesia and is Based on papers from the 2019 meeting of the Calvin Studies Society. From an early age, Thianto was drawn to teaching, a calling he pursued through his education, ultimately earning a PhD from Calvin Seminary and teaching for over two decades at Trinity Christian College before joining Calvin Seminary.
In this conversation led by Master of Divinity student Leah Jolly, Thianto hopes this volume will encourage pastors and scholars to deepen their study of the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in Christian life. Looking ahead, he continues his research on metrical psalm singing in the Dutch East Indies while maintaining his dedication to teaching and mentoring students worldwide.

The Future of Latino Theological Education | Justo Gonzalez and Mariano Avila

Justo Gonzalez is one of the world's leading theologians and prominent voices in calling the global church to recognize the presence and perspectives of Latino and Latina Christians. We hosted and his wife, Katherine, who's also a distinguished scholar, for a conversation with Mariano Avila, professor emeritus of New Testament at Calvin Seminary and the retired director of our Certificate in Latino Ministry.
Before the discussion between Mariano and Justo, Mariano joins Calvin Seminary chief operating Officer Margaret Mwenda for a brief introduction of Justo Gonzalez.
We are encouraged to listen to the role of Latino/a communities in the United States and the challenge presented to theological institutions, churches, and communities.

Wars of the Lord: Part 2 | Matt Tuininga

Dr. Matthew Tuininga, Professor of Ethics and the History of Christianity, joins us for part two of our discussion of his latest book, "The Wars of the Lord: The Puritan Conquest of America's First People" with Oxford University Press. In this episode, Dr. Tuininga highlights the Puritan’s mentality of being agents of God’s will to the Native Americans, the tragedies of the wars between the two groups, and how Christians today can engage in conversations about history, understanding the events of the past on their own terms.

Wars of the Lord: Part 1 | Matthew Tuininga

Reading and studying history not only enriches our knowledge, but gives us a deeper humility as we seek to understand the nuances and complexities of a story. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Matthew Tuininga, Professor of Ethics and the History of Christianity, in anticipation of a new book. This new book is entitled "The Wars of the Lord: The Puritan Conquest of America's First People" and is published by Oxford University Press.
How does an ethicist and historian write a book that focuses on both the political and religious aspects of a complex period of history? During this interview by MDiv Student, Leah Jolly, Tuininga discusses his personal story and describes his writing process. He seeks to teach listeners the value of humility as they study history.

Legacy of the Reformation | Karin Maag

What can we learn from events that took place 500 years ago? Karin Maag and Lyle Bierma led a pilgrimage of sorts to windward Germany, and more to follow the footsteps of Martin Luther.
They help these historical sites come alive with their knowledge about the events that happened and the legacy that still resounds. Karin Maag is the Director of the Center of Calvin Studies at Calvin University and Seminary. Lyle Bierma is professor emeritus of Church History and Systematic Theology at Calvin Seminary. They joined, together with Jul Medenblik, President of Calvin Seminary, to share their insights on what happened 500 years ago and what it means for us today.