Brian Strayer

Hiram Edson

Drawing from his research for the first scholarly biography of this Adventist pioneer, historian Brian Strayer details the rise, decline, and mythology of Hiram Edson. He didn’t have visions, but “presentments.” Also, despite being the man who saw the heavenly sanctuary on October 23, 1844, Edson focused his interests elsewhere. He even quit going to church for a while late in life. Strayer grounds all this in the larger mid-1800s New York religious context where innovation, ecstatic expression, and social change were influencing what became the Adventist Church.

Drawing from his research for the first scholarly biography of this Adventist pioneer, historian Brian Strayer details the rise, decline, and mythology of Hiram Edson. He didn’t have visions, but “presentments.” Also, despite being the man who saw the heavenly sanctuary on October 23, 1844, Edson focused his interests elsewhere. He even quit going to church for a while late in life. Strayer grounds all this in the larger mid-1800s New York religious context where innovation, ecstatic expression, and social change were influencing what became the Adventist Church.

Brian Strayer on Hiram Edson: Man and Myth

Larry Geraty

Ron Numbers

Fritz Guy

I interview Larry Geraty, president emeritus of La Sierra University, about the passing this week of Ron Numbers, historian of science, and Fritz Guy, professor of theology and philosophy. Larry reflects on each man’s legacy and shares anecdotes about what drove Numbers out of Adventism and what kept Fritz committed to the denomination.

I interview Larry Geraty, president emeritus of La Sierra University, about the passing this week of Ron Numbers, historian of science, and Fritz Guy, professor of theology and philosophy. Larry reflects on each man’s legacy and shares anecdotes about what drove Numbers out of Adventism and what kept Fritz committed to the denomination.

Larry Geraty on Ron Numbers and Fritz Guy

Bob Smietana

Bob Smietana has been senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for Religion News Service, and contributor to OnFaith, USA TODAY, and The Washington Post.In his conversation with Spectrum, he discusses his interactions with Adventism and what we could be going better. We also discuss the current landscape of Christianity that he researched for his new book, Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters.

Bob Smietana has been senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for Religion News Service, and contributor to OnFaith, USA TODAY, and The Washington Post. In his conversation with Spectrum, he discusses his interactions with Adventism and what we could be going better. We also discuss the current landscape of Christianity that he researched for his new book, Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters.

Religion Reporter Bob Smietana on the Changes Ahead

Michael Campbell discusses the connections between Adventism, fundamentalism, and race. He earned his PhD in Adventist history from Andrews University and currently serves  at the North American Division as the Director of Archives, Statistics, and Research. He recently published the book, 1922: The Rise of Adventist Fundamentalism by Pacific Press. He is the founding editor of the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Seventh-day Adventism. 

Michael Campbell discusses the connections between Adventism, fundamentalism, and race. He earned his PhD in Adventist history from Andrews University and currently serves  at the North American Division as the Director of Archives, Statistics, and Research. He recently published the book, 1922: The Rise of Adventist Fundamentalism by Pacific Press. He is the founding editor of the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Seventh-day Adventism.

Fundamentalism and Race

Hugh Howey

I talk with best selling author Hugh Howey about the Silo TV series based on his novel series Wool. We discuss philosophy, apocalypse, and ways that stories can explore the human condition.

I talk with best selling author Hugh Howey about the Silo TV series based on his novel series Wool. We discuss philosophy, apocalypse, and ways that stories can explore the human condition.

Hugh Howey on Stories and the Human Condition

Hosts Nathan Brown and Lisa Diller talk with Angela H Li, the Assistant Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (Pacific Region) for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. She holds a PhD in Practical Theology and leads the Women in Chaplaincy Project. She is married with two young-adult children.

Hosts Nathan Brown and Lisa Diller talk with Angela H Li, the Assistant Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (Pacific Region) for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. She holds a PhD in Practical Theology and leads the Women in Chaplaincy Project. She is married with two young-adult children.

Race and Other Creation Myths

Kayle de Waal taught New Testament studies at Avondale University College in Australia for many years. Before that de Waal served as a minister in the Kwazulu Natal Free State Conference in South Africa and the North New Zealand Conference where he earned his PhD from the University of Auckland. In 2021, he was named Director of Education and the Disciple Making Coordinator for the Trans-European Division. In this episode, he and host Nathan Brown, Book Editor for Signs Publishing Company, discuss de Waal's chapter, "Christ, Race, and Grace."

Kayle de Waal taught New Testament studies at Avondale University College in Australia for many years. Before that de Waal served as a minister in the Kwazulu Natal Free State Conference in South Africa and the North New Zealand Conference where he earned his PhD from the University of Auckland. In 2021, he was named Director of Education and the Disciple Making Coordinator for the Trans-European Division. In this episode, he and host Nathan Brown, Book Editor for Signs Publishing Company, discuss de Waal's chapter, "Christ, Race, and Grace."

Race and Grace

Hosts Nathan Brown and Lisa Clark Diller talk with Maury Jackson about his contribution to the A House on Fire book. Jackson earned his DMin from Claremont School of Theology. He is Associate Professorof Practical Theology at the HMS Richards Divinity School at La Sierra University. He studies the intersection between theology in the public square and Christian witness, participation, appreciation activism and critical reflection. The tools of theological reflection, moral evaluation, and cultural investigation inform his study of ministry practice

Hosts Nathan Brown and Lisa Clark Diller talk with Maury Jackson about his contribution to the A House on Fire book. Jackson earned his DMin from Claremont School of Theology. He is Associate Professorof Practical Theology at the HMS Richards Divinity School at La Sierra University. He studies the intersection between theology in the public square and Christian witness, participation, appreciation activism and critical reflection. The tools of theological reflection, moral evaluation, and cultural investigation inform his study of ministry practice

Adventist Christianity’s catholic vocation

Matthew Vollmer

Ted Wilson’s nephew, noted writer Matthew Vollmer, discusses his 2023 book, All of Us Together in the End. In it he explores loss, family, and his own connections to Adventism. The chapter, “A Peculiar People” from Vollmer’s book, appears in the latest issue of the journal and on the website. A review of his work by Sari Fordham is also on the website.  Vollmer holds a BA in English from the University of North Carolina, an MA in English from North Carolina State University, and an MFA in fiction writing from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. A Professor of English, he is a faculty member of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Virginia Tech.

Ted Wilson’s nephew, noted writer Matthew Vollmer, discusses his 2023 book, All of Us Together in the End. In it he explores loss, family, and his own connections to Adventism. The chapter, “A Peculiar People” from Vollmer’s book, appears in the latest issue of the journal and on the website. A review of his work by Sari Fordham is also on the website.  Vollmer holds a BA in English from the University of North Carolina, an MA in English from North Carolina State University, and an MFA in fiction writing from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. A Professor of English, he is a faculty member of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Virginia Tech.

Author Matthew Vollmer Explores Loss and Adventism 

Along with host Nathan Brown, guest Yi-Shen Ma discusses his chapter, "The Beast and the Matrix of Power" in A House on Fire: How Adventist Faith Responds to Race and Racism (2022). Yi Shen Ma earned his PhD from Claremont School of Theology and is an assistant professor of Religion and Ethical Studies at Loma Linda University. Ma is the co-director of the Center for Christian Bioethics and focuses his teaching and research on health equity, trauma-informed care, racism, and the social impact of economic inequality. 

Along with host Nathan Brown, guest Yi-Shen Ma discusses his chapter, "The Beast and the Matrix of Power" in A House on Fire: How Adventist Faith Responds to Race and Racism (2022). Yi Shen Ma earned his PhD from Claremont School of Theology and is an assistant professor of Religion and Ethical Studies at Loma Linda University. Ma is the co-director of the Center for Christian Bioethics and focuses his teaching and research on health equity, trauma-informed care, racism, and the social impact of economic inequality.

The Beast of Racism

Our goal is to foster community through conversation. This podcast is a companion to Spectrum, a journal established to encourage Seventh-day Adventist participation in the discussion of contemporary issues from a Christian viewpoint, to look without prejudice at all sides of a subject, to evaluate the merits of diverse views, and to foster intellectual and cultural growth. For more, go to: https://spectrummagazine.org/

Our goal is to foster community through conversation. This podcast is a companion to Spectrum, a journal established to encourage Seventh-day Adventist participation in the discussion of contemporary issues from a Christian viewpoint, to look without prejudice at all sides of a subject, to evaluate the merits of diverse views, and to foster intellectual and cultural growth. For more, go to: <a href="https://spectrummagazine.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://spectrummagazine.org/</a>

Adventist Voices by Spectrum: The Journal of the Adventist Forum

Yale Divinity student, Matthew Korpman, discusses growing up idolizing Adventist evangelists, how La Sierra University challenged him, and the controversial argument in his new book: Saying NO to God: A Radical Approach to Reading the Bible faithfully.

Saying NO to God

Leslie Foster

This week Leslie Foster connects art and spirituality, being a church elder and a Burning Man temple guardian. A graduate of Southern Adventist University, Leslie is a Los Angeles-based experimental filmmaker and a current member of the Torrance Art Museum FORUM residency program. An activist and longtime leader at an Adventist community, he shares his journey and explores why pauses in participation can be faith restoring.

Burning Man, Art, and Spirituality with Leslie Foster

Episode 1: This episode explores the intersection of religion and politics, the Christian responsibility to engage community and civic engagement and personal development to sustain long term social justice work. Tiffany Llewellyn, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is passionate about all things race, justice, mental health and culture. Although she considers herself a change agent and voice for the voiceless, her passion for social justice aims to restore voices to those who have been silenced. Phillip M. Malcolm has been a relentless advocate for truth and justice and is passionate about the intersection of politics and religion. In 2016, Phil coined the nickname, “The Bearded Host,” after hosting his first ever radio show called “The Real Phil Show.” He is a business owner, and also works for the Department of Justice providing compensation and resources for victims and families of those affected by 9/11 attacks.

Episode 1: This episode explores the intersection of religion and politics, the Christian responsibility to engage community and civic engagement and personal development to sustain long term social justice work. Tiffany Llewellyn, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is passionate about all things race, justice, mental health and culture. Although she considers herself a change agent and voice for the voiceless, her passion for social justice aims to restore voices to those who have been silenced. Phillip M. Malcolm has been a relentless advocate for truth and justice and is passionate about the intersection of politics and religion. In 2016, Phil coined the nickname, “The Bearded Host,” after hosting his first ever radio show called “The Real Phil Show.” He is a business owner, and also works for the Department of Justice providing compensation and resources for victims and families of those affected by 9/11 attacks.

Girl Meets Church - Discussions on Religion, Justice, Culture & Intersectionali-T

Guests: Claudia Marion Allen: Doctoral Student at University of Maryland; Content Manager for Message MagazineDatrean Pileggi: Neuro-physiologist, scholar, professor.This episode explores the intra-racial conflict within the Black Community, specifically focusing on African Americans, Caribbeans, and Africans. The episode addresses the impact of white supremacy, realities of migration, lack of communication &amp; cultural understanding amongst these groups, and envisions a path towards reconciliation and rebuilding the community.

Guests: Claudia Marion Allen: Doctoral Student at University of Maryland; Content Manager for Message Magazine Datrean Pileggi: Neuro-physiologist, scholar, professor. This episode explores the intra-racial conflict within the Black Community, specifically focusing on African Americans, Caribbeans, and Africans. The episode addresses the impact of white supremacy, realities of migration, lack of communication &amp; cultural understanding amongst these groups, and envisions a path towards reconciliation and rebuilding the community.

Intra-Racial Conflict & The Black Community

Gordon Bietz

Retired Southern Adventist University president Gordon Bietz shares his vision for a North American Division Higher Educational System

Gordon Bietz: An NAD Higher Ed System

Alisa Williams, Managing Editor for the Spectrum website, reviews the North American Division Year-End Meetings.

Gossip Juice and the Meanings of Meetings: Annual Council & NAD

Dr.Jaime Kolwessar serves with his wife Carlene, and two daughters, as a pastor of the City Temple Sda Church in Dallas Texas. He is widely known as the “Seventh-day Activist” due to his passion and commitment to social justice advocacy in the church and community. In this episode we discuss Dr. K’s views on social justice within an Adventist theological framework, women’s ordination, his writings and practical steps churches and individuals can take to engage justice work!

Girl Meets Church: The Seventh-day Activist

Bonnie Dwyer

In our final podcast in 2019, Bonnie Dwyer, the editor of Spectrum, and Alexander Carpenter reflect on the year in Adventism including Annual Council and recent scholarly work on the 1919 Bible conference. We also look back on the year for Spectrum and draw attention to some major investigative reporting as well as hint at what Spectrum will be doing in 2020. Finally, we reflect on the Advent season and the spirit of giving.

The Year in Adventism with Bonnie Dwyer

Andrea Luxton

Andrews University president Andrea Luxton, PhD, joins Adventist Voices to discuss the state of her institution as well as the broader future of higher education. We converse about her love for John Milton as well as how schools can welcome diversity-seeking students, what questions board members should ask, and why there's hope despite the recent Annual Council actions.

Andrews University President Andrea Luxton

Gerald Winslow

The Friday night speaker for our 2019 conference coming up on Labor Day weekend, Gerald Winslow, PhD, the director of the Center for Christian Bioethics at Loma Linda University, talks with me about his earliest memories of growing up Adventist, how he approaches the complexity of human identities, and what he thinks Adventism offers the world. Spectrum Conference;https://spectrummagazine.org/news/2019/adventist-forum-conference-consider-impact-identities

The Friday night speaker for our 2019 conference coming up on Labor Day weekend, Gerald Winslow, PhD, the director of the Center for Christian Bioethics at Loma Linda University, talks with me about his earliest memories of growing up Adventist, how he approaches the complexity of human identities, and what he thinks Adventism offers the world. Spectrum Conference; <a href="https://spectrummagazine.org/news/2019/adventist-forum-conference-consider-impact-identities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://spectrummagazine.org/news/2019/adventist-forum-conference-consider-impact-identities</a>

Spectrum Conference Speaker Gerald Winslow on Identity

Charles Scriven

Legendary scholar, administrator, and former board chair of Adventist Forum, Charles Scriven gets passionate about the Bible.  We discuss why Jesus is key to understanding the whole Bible, the ways that an historical hermeneutic helps, and how he really appreciates Paul.

Charles Scriven on Scripture

Nathan Brown

Nathan Brown is a writer and book editor at Signs Publishing Company, based near Melbourne, Australia. He has collaborated with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) on “The Least of These” Sabbath School Quarterly project over a period of almost 10 years.Nathan is author/editor of 16 books, including two this year—Of Falafels and Following Jesus and For the Least of These (companion book to the third quarter Sabbath school lessons). He has completed two masters degrees, in professional writing, and theology and justice, respectively.In this episode we discuss his work on the quarterly, what’s just about Adventism, and how he lives the writing life.

Nathan Brown is a writer and book editor at Signs Publishing Company, based near Melbourne, Australia. He has collaborated with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) on “The Least of These” Sabbath School Quarterly project over a period of almost 10 years. Nathan is author/editor of 16 books, including two this year—Of Falafels and Following Jesus and For the Least of These (companion book to the third quarter Sabbath school lessons). He has completed two masters degrees, in professional writing, and theology and justice, respectively. In this episode we discuss his work on the quarterly, what’s just about Adventism, and how he lives the writing life.

The Sabbath School Quarterly with Nathan Brown

Bryant Rodriguez

Bryant Rodriguez shares how he went from studying theology at Southern Adventist University to becoming the Digital and Social Media Strategist for McKee Foods Corporation, the maker of Little Debbie snacks. We discuss how he blew up the internet as an intern, the tensions between health-conscious Adventist values and making Cosmic Brownies, the "voice" of Little Debbie, and how Bryant stays connected to Adventist ministry.

Little Debbie's Social Media Voice: Bryant Rodriguez

In our third episode of the "Road to the General Conference Session" series I chat with our social media stars from the last one: Rachel Logan and Alisa Williams. We laugh a lot remembering the 2015 session. We also discuss the role of Twitter and independent journalism, and they provide some survival tips for first timers.

Road to the GC Session 3: Social Media and a Guide for First Timers

This week we kick off a new series focused on the next General Conference Session. My guests are Bonnie Dwyer, editor of Spectrum and Raymond Dabrowski, longtime director of communication for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the current director of communication for the Rocky Mountain Conference. In this rambling conversation focusing on media at the GC session, Ray shares his insider perspective managing church messaging and Bonnie discusses what she finds important for reporting the news.

This week we kick off a new series focused on the next General Conference Session. My guests are Bonnie Dwyer, editor of Spectrum and Raymond Dabrowski, longtime director of communication for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the current director of communication for the Rocky Mountain Conference. In this rambling conversation focusing on media at the GC session, Ray shares his insider perspective managing church messaging and Bonnie discusses what she finds important for reporting the news.

Road to the GC (Part 1)

In this episode of Adventist Voices I talk with Kaleb Eisele. We discuss how he founded Humans of Adventism ( https://www.adventisthumans.com ), what he's learned about empathy and public criticism, and what his new media job with the Oregon Conference entails.

In this episode of Adventist Voices I talk with Kaleb Eisele. We discuss how he founded Humans of Adventism ( <a href="https://www.adventisthumans.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.adventisthumans.com</a> ), what he's learned about empathy and public criticism, and what his new media job with the Oregon Conference entails.

Humans of Adventism

Michael Nixon

Our Adventist Voice this week is the prophetic Michael Nixon, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Andrews University. We discuss race, Adventist identity, his work with Ty Gibson on Against the Wall, as well as Michael's background as an attorney and the son of a pastor. He will be at our Adventist Forum conference, leading a panel discussion on Youth, Ethnicity and Adventist Identity on Aug. 31.

Identity for Adventists with Michael Nixon

Bonnie Dwyer, Spectrum editor, draws from her decades of Annual Council reporting to set the stage for this meeting of General Conference Executive Committee. She provides background on who will be present, the four major topics to watch, and why it all matters.

Money, Sex, Power: Talking Annual Council with Bonnie Dwyer

A figure in Adventist social media for over a decade, The Adventist Caricaturist reveals a little about his denominational past, laugh about Headship Bobbleheads and #GossipJuice, as well as reflect on the role of satire in the Adventist community. To protect the caricaturist's identity, we used a voice-masking app so apologies for any oddities with the audio. 

A figure in Adventist social media for over a decade, The Adventist Caricaturist reveals a little about his denominational past, laugh about Headship Bobbleheads and #GossipJuice, as well as reflect on the role of satire in the Adventist community. To protect the caricaturist's identity, we used a voice-masking app so apologies for any oddities with the audio.

The Adventist Caricaturist

Zane Yi

A founder of the Society of Adventist Philosphers, Zane Yi talks about his early Adventist life and what book of the Bible sparked his interest in the contemplative life. Dr. Yi teaches at Loma Linda University and holds master’s degrees in philosophy from Loyola Marymount University (2004) and a master’s degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary (2005) as well as a doctorate degree in philosophy at Fordham University.

Zane Yi on Philosophy and Adventism

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Multi-Part Documentaries

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!