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From the Crackers & Grape Juice vault: Dr. Stanley Hauerwas and Reverend Dr. Will Willimon reflecting on the anniversary of 9/11. This episode was originally recorded in 2021. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

After a bit of a hiatus, Crackers & Grape Juice is back. What began 10 years ago as conversations between friends promises to give listeners conversations about faith without using stained glass language. And, if we have to use stained glass language (because stained glass language isn’t inherently bad), we’ll be sure to unpack it bit. Thank you to everyone who has supported this podcast over the years. Listeners have become friends over the years and we are forever grateful for the support. Years ago, Brian Zahnd was our first guest as we learned how to podcast in realtime. Brian has been a guest numerous times and he is back to discuss his newest book, Unseen Existences: Of Heaven, Earth, and the Divine Mystery in All Things. Most Christians have been talked out of talking seriously about heaven. And that’s a problem. What if reclaiming our language around unseen realities could transform how we live, pray, and imagine eternity? Brian Zahnd helps readers (and listeners to this podcast) understand how a forgotten biblical worldview about heaven and transcendence can reconnect us to the divine mystery that underpins all of life. Brian underscores the dangers of reduced, irresponsible ideas of heaven (whether escapist, sensationalist, or sentimental) and offers a compelling call to restore a robust, honest conversation about the unseen world. As promised, here is a link to Brian's conclusion that was cut by his publisher: https://open.substack.com/pub/brianzahnd/p/the-reverend-3d7. Late in the episode Teer asked Brian to give him a few songs that would be the starter for an Unseen Existences playlist. Brian did one better and gave us an entire playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3boJl0J6p6NEUqMB3bZ6Ir This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

Jason and Teer (finally) catch up with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher) to discuss section 10.2 of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Theological Education at Finkenwalde. From section 10.2(1): The sermon derives from the incarnation of Jesus Christ and is determined by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It does not derive from some universal truth or emotional experience. The word of the sermon is the incarnate Christ. The incarnate Christ is God. Hence the sermon is actually Christ. Godas human being. Christ as the word. As the Word, Christ walks through the church-community. From 10.2(5): The shape of the preached word is different from that of every other word. This word is not mediated truth, not a word of expression, communication [Mitteilungswort], or a goal. It is not expressing something other than itself. The essence of the word does not reside beyond it. The word is itself the content = the historical Christ who bears all humanity along with all its punishment and its suffering. Christ who bears in this way, that is the dimension of the preached word. This one condition of being taken up isthe basis of the perpetual bearing that the preached word itself undertakes; ethically this bearing = the bearing of good and evil; homiletically it means the address: you are to be challenged by God. Hence in correspondence to this one condition of being taken up, one must also say that human beings in their own turn bear Christ. This distinction must be made clear, not in terms of ritual but in terms of content. How does the preached word become the Christ-word, and how does it receive its original form? Stay tuned because next up is 10.2.2, which dives into the questions posed by Bonhoeffer’s students. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

Jason and Todd sit down with Rev. Dennis Saunders, a pastor in the Twin Cities, to reflect on his experience over the past few weeks. Be sure to check out Dennis’ podcast Church and Main. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode, we talk with Rabbi Joseph Edelheit to reflect on one of the darkest moments of this Advent season and how faith communities are navigating grief, fear, and resilience. On December 14, 2025, a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia — known affectionately as “Chanukah by the Sea” — turned into a scene of unspeakable violence when two gunmen opened fire on the Jewish community gathered to welcome the Festival of Lights. At least 15 people were killed, and dozens more were wounded in what authorities and community leaders have characterized as a terrorist attack with antisemitic intent. In the midst of global mourning, believers across traditions are asking how our faith shapes responses to such hatred. To guide the conversation, Rabbi Jospeh suggested “The Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting was an attack on Judaism” by Jeffrey Salkin, which argues that this tragedy is not an isolated act of violence but part of a broader pattern of attacks that seek to desecrate Jewish life and faith itself. The piece challenges both Jewish and non-Jewish readers to reckon honestly with rising antisemitism and what it means to defend not only people but the sacred rhythms of religious life. Whether you’re listening from a church pew, a living room candlelighting, or on a long walk, this episode is our invitation to sit with hard questions and to remember that faith calls us to stand with those made vulnerable, even when the world feels unbearably heavy. 📍 Tune in, subscribe, and join us for a conversation about grief, memory, and the work of love in dark times. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section five of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section four of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Jason and Ken also rant (at the very beginning) about what grinds their gears about Advent. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section three of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Here’s a snippet of Bonhoeffer’s lecture: A sermon is born twice, once in the pastor’s own study and once in the pulpit, the latter representing the real origin.[36] An ill-prepared preacher will be insecure and will have to distract listeners from that insecurity through all sorts of devices deriving from his own vanity: noise, pathos, appeal to teary emotions. The highest possible objectivity in the pulpit results from the best preparation. The preacher is free with regard to preparatory work to the extent required and is not bound to having to learn anything word for word. Prayer in the sacristy before the sermon. Kneeling belongs not in word through the Spirit. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section two of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Here’s a snippet of Bonhoeffer’s lecture: “In the subjectivity of the preacher, the objective character of the church is constantly changing. The sermon of the one who does not stand in obedience is robbed not of its promise but of its trustworthiness. Discipleship is the place where the proclamation is made present. Hence, what it must emphasize is not its proximity to the Volk but its alien character in this world.” Next up is Section Three (which you can read in the same document as Section Two). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

This episode, Jason and Teer are joined by Ken Jones to explore the theology of preaching as articulated by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, exploring the significance of the preaching office, the relationship between preaching and the sacraments, and the challenges faced by contemporary preachers. Ken emphasizes the importance of understanding preaching as a divine calling rather than a mere profession, and they discuss the need for a sacramental view of preaching that recognizes its role in delivering the gospel. They also address the crisis in preaching today and the necessity for preachers to be well-trained and grounded in scripture. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Brian Zand shares his transformative journey through faith, exploring the depths of theology and spirituality. He discusses his crisis of faith, the importance of community, and the need for a richer understanding of Christian tradition. Zand emphasizes the significance of translating complex theological concepts for everyday believers and reflects on the evolution of youth ministry within the church. His insights encourage both pastors and laity to engage deeply with their faith and seek a more authentic relationship with God. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Jason Micheli caught up with Chris EW Green to discusses Chris’s new book, All Life Comes From Tenderness. This book is a collection of sermons and homilies that emphasize the importance of vulnerability in preaching, the essence of sermon preparation, and the relationship between God and humanity. He explores sacramental themes, the role of saints in spiritual growth, and the significance of noticing details in scripture. The discussion highlights the need for preachers to engage with tradition and imagination to nurture their congregations effectively. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Holly Berkley-Fletcher discusses her experiences as a missionary kid and her insights into white evangelicalism. She explores the complexities of race, politics, and the narratives surrounding forgiveness and American exceptionalism within the evangelical community. Holly emphasizes the need for accountability in the missionary movement and reflects on the fears and challenges faced by evangelicals today. The discussion also touches on the differences between evangelical and mainline churches, highlighting the importance of communal repentance and understanding the historical context of these faith traditions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, Teer and Jason sit down with Rabbi Joseph for an honest and deeply personal conversation about what it means to be Jewish in a time of global conflict. As headlines from Gaza continue to grieve and divide, Rabbi Joseph offers a perspective shaped by history, faith, and heartbreak—speaking candidly about the loneliness many Jews feel, the complexity of the moment, and the challenge of holding grief for all who suffer. This is not an easy conversation. But it’s a necessary one. Together, we ask: What does it mean to tell the truth without resorting to partisanship? What does it look like to love our neighbors when the world tempts us toward sides? And how can Christians and Jews move toward one another in a time when it feels easier to retreat? If you're looking for a place to start—not to solve, but to understand—this conversation is a step in that direction. Find Crackers and Grape Juice on Instagram, Facebook, and Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode honoring the life and witness of Walter Brueggemann, we revisit a conversation that captures his prophetic brilliance and pastoral heart. Jason, Teer, and Taylor sit down with the legendary Old Testament theologian (whose books can be found on just about every pastor’s shelf) to talk about what it means to be a community of resistance, the radical challenge of sabbath, and his favorite word for describing the biblical encounter between David and Bathsheba. Brueggemann’s voice was bold, unsettling, and always grounded in the hope of God’s coming kingdom. We’re grateful to share this conversation again, as a tribute to a theologian who taught us to speak truthfully and live faithfully. Find Crackers and Grape Juice on Instagram, Facebook, and Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe