Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times

AJ and Nijay have a frank conversation about processing failures and understanding what God is up to. What does "calling" look like when you don't get your dream job? Or you don't feel successful? Or how you make money is just a way to feed your family? Support the show

AJ and Nijay conclude their Revelation 2-3 series. The final message, to the church in Laodicea, is often misunderstood. Listen in as they dig into the historical context and then take a step back to look at how these seven messages form the church then and now. Support the show

Nijay and AJ take a closer look at Apollos and Priscilla and Aquila's ministry to Apollos in Acts 18. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Revelation 2-3 series, this time with the Church in Philadelphia. Listen in. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Revelation 2-3 series on the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches. Today: The Church in Sardis. Support the show

Orthodoxy refers to right-orientation to Christian truth. It's not just about KNOWING truth things, but a bold and unyielding commitment to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ that does not swerve towards any other idea, teaching, or cultural wind. As AJ and Nijay continue their series on the Seven Churches of Revelation, in this episode they discuss the message to the church in Thyatira. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue in their series on the seven churches of Revelation 2-3. (Pergamum: Rev 2:12-17) Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Revelation series, this time focusing on the message to the church in Smyrna. Support the show

AJ and Nijay dig into Revelation 2-3, and the seven letters (or messages) to the seven churches of Asia Minor. The first church addressed is in ancient Ephesus, listen in. Support the show

AJ and Nijay kick off a new podcast formation series, this time on the book of Revelation. They will focus in on the so-called Seven Letters to the Seven Churches (Rev 2-3). These powerful messages to real-life first century churches offer insight into true discipleship and undying devotion to Jesus Christ in a world of hostilities and temptations. Listen in on AJ and Nijay's #100th episode of Slow Theology—Thank you to faithful listeners of Slow Theology! Support the show

AJ and Nijay discuss how bringing together young and old in Christian community is necessary for the church's health. Support the show

AJ and Nijay have an honest conversation about why we are here on earth and why we should be passionate about growing in our faith and maturity in Christ. Support the show

Have you ever felt like you have lost sight of Jesus in your life? How do you rediscover him? We learn from Luke 2:41-52 that Jesus' parents LITERALLY lost him when he was a young boy. AJ and Nijay use this story to process how to seek and find Jesus today, just like Mary and Joseph did then. Support the show

AJ and Nijay close out the Beatitudes series with vv. 5:10-13: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." AJ and Nijay say: "thanks for listening in on this series, we hope you have been chall...

AJ and Nijay continue their beatitudes series with Matt 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God." Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Beatitudes series with Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Beatitudes series. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their discussions of the Beatitudes; this time Matthew 5:6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Support the show

AJ and Nijay explore the third beatitude, "blessed are the meek." In modern American culture, "meekness is weakness," but somehow in Christ's kingdom it is blessed. How can that be? Listen in to learn more. Please rate, like, and subscribe to Slow Theology on your favorite app. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their series with Jesus' Beatitude #2. Support the show

AJ and Nijay discuss the first beatitude (Matt 5:3; Luke 6:20). Support the show

AJ and Nijay kick off a **brand new** podcast series on the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-10). In this first episode they talk about Jesus as teacher and why the Sermon on the Mount in general and the Beatitudes in particular are so important for every Christian to study. Support the show

In this episode, Nijay and A.J. address a great listener question: if God is for the poor, why did God mandate that the temple be decorated with so much gold and high-value materials? Listen in. (Related texts: Exodus 25-28; 35-40; 1 Kings 6-7; 2 Chron 2-4). Support the show

AJ and Nijay explore the amazing doctrine of the Incarnation, God coming into a very particular human form at a particular time to a particular place. God becomes like us to know us and love us and save us face-to-face and heart-to-heart. Simply amazing. Support the show

It is clear that we live in an increasing violent and hostile world. AJ and Nijay turn to Scripture and the Christian tradition to bring a "slow theology" mindset and long-obedience lifestyle to peacemaking and reconciliation in our relationships today. Support the show

Are you feeling spiritually dry? Restless? Mercurial? AJ and Nijay talk about how the biblical Psalter has helped steady the spiritual rhythm of the church for centuries. The Psalms were the prayer and worship language of Israel and of Jesus—and we can find renewal in these ancient words as well. Support the show

There was a recent prediction that the Rapture would happen Sept 23, 2025. It came and went, apparently no Rapture. But every time there is a major Rapture prediction, enthusiasts sell their worldly possessions to prepare themselves for the Great Beyond. In this episode, AJ and Nijay talk about what the Bible teaches about our posture towards the earth we live in now. Does the Bible teach that this world is our home, or is it just a place we happen to be passing through? It appears that our a...

*Check out AJ and Nijay's newly released book, SLOW THEOLOGY: 8 Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World (Brazos Press). In this ep., they talk about the benefits of getting what we want ultrafast, but also how it shapes our spirituality. What are the dangers and drawbacks to "speed privilege"? Support the show

Today (Sept 23) is the release day for AJ and Nijay's new book entitled SLOW THEOLOGY (Brazos Press). Please check out the book and listen to this launch day conversation about slow theology and the meaning, challenge, and grace in faith-filled wandering in this world as part of the journey of our formation in Christ. Support the show

AJ and Nijay have a frank and honest conversation about the current difficult moment we are living in. *Warning*: this episode includes brief discussions of violence and murder. Support the show

AJ and Nijay wrap up their popular Holy Spirit topical series. This episode engages with the matter of balancing our expectations for "new" from the Spirit with how the Spirit reinforces what we already have in Scripture and tradition. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Holy Spirit series on Slow Theology. This time around they discuss what spiritual warfare is, how to think about it, and some extremes to avoid. Support the show

Nijay and AJ continue their Holy Spirit series with this discussion of whether the Spirit can speak truth outside of the covenant community. Listen in. Support the show

AJ and Nijay are back, baby! After a bit of an early summer hiatus, they resume their Holy Spirit series with the question: does the Holy Spirit work differently now compared to back then? They use the unusual but important story of Paul and Eutychus (Acts 20) to touch upon the "cessationism/continuationism" debate. Listen in. Support the show

AJ and Nijay finally get to the Spirit's Gift of Tongues in their Holy Spirit series. This is one where there is a lot of theological discussion and sometimes heated debate. And a lot of confusion about what speaking in tongues is all about. Slow Theology offers an accessible discussion to an often perplexing issue and difficult conversation. Check it out. Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk about AJ's brand new book: A TEACHABLE SPIRIT: The Virtue of Learning from Strangers, Enemies, and Absolutely Anyone (Zondervan Reflective, 2025). Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Holy Spirit series with a frequently asked question from students and church folks: "Can you lose the Holy Spirit"? Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Holy Spirit series. In this ep. they discuss "Spiritual Gifts," what they are and what they are for. They emphasize that the gifts from the Spirit are not "no strings attached." They come with a calling to serve one another and build up the church. Support the show

Nijay and AJ continue the Holy Spirit series, focusing on the question: What does it mean to walk with the Spirit? You'll have to listen in to answer the questions: (1) Who is the "Speedo Guy" and (2) What does he have to do with walking in the Spirit versus the flesh? Support the show

AJ and Nijay kick off a series on the Holy Spirit. Do you find yourself confused by the second person of the Trinity? Can you pray to the Spirit? What do you call the Spirit? What exactly is the Spirit? In this first episode AJ and Nijay introduce the conversation and talk about how we talk about the Spirit, and why it matters. Subscribe to make sure you are up to date on all the episodes. Support the show

Does God speak to us through prophets and prophecy today? Or is that a thing of the past? And how can you discern false prophecy from true prophecy? AJ and Nijay have an important conversation. Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk about Nijay's brand new book: THE AFFECTIONS OF CHRIST JESUS: LOVE AT THE HEART OF PAUL'S THEOLOGY (Eerdmans): released Feb 20, 2025. Support the show

Nijay and AJ reflect on Scripture's emphasis on attending to the quartet of the vulnerable (orphans, widows, foreigners, the poor; see Zech 7:9-10). Support the show

Are some parts of the Bible inherently more important than others? AJ and Nijay reflect on this important question. Listen in. Support the show

What can the earthly life of Jesus teach us about healthy relationships? Nijay and AJ explore this important question thinking about Jesus as a prophet sent from God the Father with an urgent mission. Support the show

Nijay and AJ cap off their series on the Ten Commandments with "Do Not Covet." Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Ten Commandments series: Do Not Bear False Witness/Do Not Lie. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Ten Commandments series with "Do Not Steal." Support the show

*Explicit Conversation Warning* AJ and Nijay continue their conversation about the Ten Commandments and practicing Slow Theology. They use the language of sex and lust frequently in this episode, so be mindful of who is listening. Support the show

Nijay and AJ interrupt their Ten Commandments series to offer a one-off discussion of the problem of spiritual pride; Western Christians today need to cultivate a "poverty of spirit," a deep realization and ownership of our personal neediness, incompleteness, and brokenness. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue with the sixth commandment, "Do not murder." Now, at first glance that seems like an easy thing, but Scripture and Christian theology have a lot to say, not only about the evil of ending life, but also about the responsibility of protecting and blessing life. Explore this important subject further and listen in. Support the show

AJ and Nijay dive into the commandment to "honor your father and your mother." What does this mean? Not just for children, but for adults as well? In a time where there is generational conflict over politics, this could be a very urgent message for healing divides today. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their Ten Commandments series; this time: Remember the Sabbath. Much of their discussion derives from insights from AJs bestselling book SUBVERSIVE SABBATH. Support the show

We often think that not taking the Lord's name in vain means not blurting out "Jesus Christ!" Or "God d*** it!" It's good to respect God's name, but this commandment is far deeper and more pervasively important than watching your tongue when you stub your toe. Check out AJ and Nijay's discussion about what it means to honor God's name in our words and our whole lives. Support the show

AJ and Nijay get into the the first set of commandments, which form the fountainhead for the rest: singular allegiance to YHWH and rejection of idols. The Ten Commandments is much more than a list of don'ts, it is a mini-theology, pointing to a rich life within the healthy boundaries God has established for image-bearing creatures. Support the show

Slow Theology is excited to introduce a new series on the Ten Commandments (10C). Join AJ and Nijay as they process this foundation text in Scripture and how it forms our spirituality, theology, ethics, and life together. In this first episode they introduce the background and context of the 10C, and discuss the prescript statement, "I am YHWH, your God, who brought you out of Egypt" (Ex 20:2). Support the show

It's all too easy to doomscroll news about "church evil," the harrowing revelations regarding issues of abuse and corruption in Christian communities. In the past, AJ and Nijay have discussed the theological, moral, and philosophical implications of this dark reality coming to light, but in this new episode they discuss the emotional textures of facing this disheartening and horrifying news on a constant basis. Support the show

Do you have people in your life that you can share your darker struggles with, and confess your sins to? AJ and Nijay talk about being very selective and careful about finding your "confessors" and confidants; people that are not only safe, but also wise and care about your faith and relationship with Jesus. Support the show

**Possible Trigger Warning** AJ and Nijay discuss the limitations of "righteous suffering" today. Jesus took abuse and harm upon himself from others for the salvation of the world. Is Jesus a model for abuse victims today? Are there areas of life where WWJD doesn't apply—where we shouldn't or can't imitate Jesus? Support the show

In Philippians 2:12, Paul writes, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." This verse has perplexed many readers, because on the surface it appears that Paul is talking about earning salvation, so what happened to justification by grace?? AJ and Nijay love talking about reading the Bible well in context, check it out. UPDATE: Nijay mentions in this episode a messaging feature, but we decided to turn it off because we can't message you back! So, contact us on social media to relay ...

Jesus is remembered as a great teacher, but he also had many conversations with people he met and he asked a lot of questions (well over 100 questions from the lips of Jesus in the Gospels). What can we learn about Jesus from his questions? What can we learn about the Gospel? What can we learn about our faith? AJ and Nijay reflect on these questions. Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk about a common question they get in the church and classroom: What's the best Bible translation? If you're curious, listen in on their conversation. Support the show

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves" (Rom 15:1) Knowledge is good - the more you know the further you'll go (as they say). But it can also lead to pride, arrogance, and judgmentalism. AJ and Nijay chat about the dangers of spiritual pride and how to build up the other and not puff up oneself (1 Cor 8:1). Support the show

What happens when your theological heroes change their mind, let you down, or leave the faith? It can be uncomfortable, sometimes devastating. In keeping with the theme of "slow theology," AJ and Nijay address this struggle and encourage a non-reactive theology. Support the show

In the previous episode, Nijay interviewed AJ about his latest book, The Gift of Thorns (ST44). This time around, AJ and Nijay chat about Nijay's latest, Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling (Brazos Press, 2024). Support the show

AJ has written an important new book called THE GIFT OF THORNS. Nijay and AJ discuss why AJ wrote this, a bit of his own story, and how unfulfilled wants can lead us into deeper spiritual life with Christ. This is a raw and vulnerable conversation. (WARNING: adult content is briefly discussed) Support the show

AJ and Nijay finish out their series on the Lord's Prayer and how to process the prayer Jesus taught us and learn how to pray slowly and authentically before God. Can we (smarty-pants moderns) really believe in evil? Should we fear evil? What does deliverance/rescue look like? Listen in—and please give Slow Theology and rating on your preferred listening app. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their series on prayer. They get into theological questions like "what is temptation?" and "Does God influence temptation, if so why?" But they also talk about how this prayer shapes our Christian lives. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue to journey slowly through the Lord's Prayer. They reckon with the challenge of forgiving one another, and how important this is as a spiritual practice and an act of trust in God. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue with their Slow Prayer series focusing on the Lord's Prayer. How does it shape our prayer life to pray "Give us this day our daily bread"? Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue the "Slow Prayer" series, journeying through the Lord's Prayer line by line. In this ep. they discuss the "cry for the kingdom" (as theologian Stanley Grenz puts it). Support the show

Why does it matter how we address God? Why "Our Father"? What does it mean that He lives "in Heaven?" And what does it mean to "hallow" God's Name? AJ and Nijay discuss the beginning of the prayer Jesus gave us. (Remember, you don't pray alone, you pray with Jesus) Support the show

Nijay and AJ are kicking off a multi-episode series about prayer, with a focus on the Lord's Prayer. Join them for this introductory episode where they chat about why this short prayer from Jesus has been so important in the history of the Church—and how it can shape our spiritual lives today. Support the show

What happens when your spouse (or close relative/friend) is going through deconstruction and you aren't? It can be a jarring and disheartening experience, and it comes with lots of possible and normal emotions like anger, fear, sadness, compassion, or uncertainty. AJ and Nijay process this together based on insights from Scripture and personal experiences. Support the show

AJ and Nijay dialogue about an important question: How would our faith be transformed if we learned with and from children? Too often children are hidden in the church, treated as distractions or underformed community members. But maybe we adults have something to learn FROM children. Listen in to this important conversation. Support the show

AJ and Nijay wish everyone a happy new year! This Podcast Short is a brief chat about their favorite reads of the year, but also that it is okay not to read everything and sometimes its the best thing to kick back and listen to podcasts! AJ, Nijay, and Nick (our amazing audio editor!) are so thankful for our regular listeners and new listeners as well. More honest and engaging topics and discussions to come in 2024 - have a safe and joyous New Year celebration with friends and family. ...

Christmas can be the best of times, but it can also be lonely, stressful, and exhausting. Nijay and AJ have some fun in this episode, but also talk about some of the hard stuff about the holidays too. Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas! Support the show

In 2023, there have been a number of heartbreaking stories involving spiritual abuse in Christian environments, and too many lives have been harmfully affected by these men in power. AJ and Nijay broach this heavy subject thinking about the victims of spiritual abuse who want to go back to church or a Christian community, but are (rightfully) afraid, cynical, or hopeless. How can a "slow theology" approach and mindset offer some encouragement and direction? **Warning: while AJ and Nijay do no...

AJ and Nijay noticed a lot of former evangelicals becoming Catholic. BTW: AJ and Nijay admire and respect Catholics, but they discuss this phenomenon. What's going on? What's driving this trend? What is the hunger or felt need? Another way to put it: what can evangelicals learn from Catholics and other high church/liturgical traditions? Support the show

Theology is good, Nijay and AJ are both academics and affirm that their engagement with theological and biblical scholarship overall has strengthened and stretched their faith in healthy ways. But can critical theological study actually be a detriment to faith? What exactly is the problem? Nijay and AJ have a special conversation about what goes wrong when theology leads us away from God. Support the show

How do you know if a teaching you hear is heresy, or just a matter open to interpretation? And if you encounter heresy, should you do something about it? What? AJ and Nijay discuss. Support the show

**special episode** This is the first guest we have ever had on Slow Theology, the one and only Prof. N.T. Wright, arguably the most influential biblical scholar in the last fifty years. He has a new book coming out (Into the Heart of Romans), and AJ and Nijay had the privilege of chatting with Wright about Romans, faith and doubt, and reading the Bible wisely and faithfully. Support the show

What do we do with violence in the Bible? Especially when it is commanded by God? Isn't the Bible about love and peace? AJ and Nijay reflect on one of the most pressing ethical questions related to the Bible. Support the show

Adult singles have sadly become a marginalized group in the American church, especially when marriage is viewed as the absolute ideal for all believers. AJ and Nijay process what Scripture really says about marriage and singleness and process a healthy spirituality of singleness. Support the show

AJ and Nijay discuss the common question from students and church folks: Can you lose your salvation? Support the show

In this short episode, AJ and Nijay discuss how to make sure you are reading and engaging with different kinds of material, and to what degree you let that material influence and affect you. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their conversations about formative traditions of the church: baptism (ST21), communion (ST22), and anointing of the sick. The biblical tradition puts weight not only on the healing power of God, but also the caregiving ministry of the church. Support the show

Protestants emphasize two sacraments—baptism (see ST21) and the Lord's Supper. Why is it important for Christians to gather together and share this special moment of food and drink? AJ and Nijay ruminate on this crucial practice. Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk about baptism in this episode - what it is, why it matters, and why we should take it seriously as a step of faith and commitment to God and God's family. Support the show

AJ and Nijay note how the Bible is actually a short book, especially the New Testament part. Is that all God wants to say to the world? Listen in as they talk about the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. There might actually be a good reason why less is more! Support the show

AJ and Nijay chat about evangelism - we all loathe Bible tract pitches and canned gospel messages. Is there a way for evangelism to be more natural and less icky and intimidating? Join Slow Theology for an honest and optimistic conversation about sharing the good news today. Support the show

On Friday, May 19, 2023, esteemed Christian pastor, thinker, and writer Timothy J. Keller passed away. Nijay and AJ had already planned to talk about the importance of heaven in the Bible and Christian theology—this news about Keller offered an opportunity to remember and honor Keller as he went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen in on their conversation about why heaven matters, why it is good news, why it is not just clouds, harps, and fat baby angels—it is so much more. Support...

What can we learn from Paul's prison letters about knowing God and growing as a person in those dark moments and seasons? Nijay and AJ look for wisdom from the apostle in chains, St. Paul, as well as other heroes who put pen to paper behind bars. Support the show

Christians can be mean, they can say hurtful things; they can cast aspersions from afar on social media and act like they are "fighting the good fight." For some of us, it's exhausting to look around and see Christians constantly at war with one another. AJ and Nijay are back again to process: what do we do with mean Christians? Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk through a great question from a perceptive listener - why would a loving God even create a place of eternal suffering like Hell? Slow Theology takes this opportunity to talk about how to process hard doctrines. Support the show

Let's say you decide to do something and you face pushback or opposition. How do you know it is a sign of God's will to stop (that you are wrong)? AJ and Nijay chat about suffering, persecution, hard consequences, and how to discern God's will. Support the show

AJ and Nijay engage with a listener question: how do you identify and support a church that is genuine, character-focused, and humble in leadership and witness; and not something that is just flashy. Good question worth pondering, Slow Theology is the perfect place to process this. Support the show

Nijay and AJ go back to basics - what is the goal of the Christian life? Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk about the importance of listening to, reading, and even valuing our theological enemies. We will never agree on everything, there may be times and reasons to be strongly critical and pushback, but a healthy posture in general is "intellectual hospitality." It's not easy, but—"This is the way." Support the show