The Future of Religious Identity: Live From Theology Beer Camp

Homebrewed Christianity

Dr. Tripp Fuller | Theologian, Philosopher, Minister

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.6 • 612 Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2025

⏱️ 74 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this plenary session from Theology Beer Camp 2024, John Thatamanil explores the future of religious identity in an increasingly pluralistic America, arguing that multiple religious participation will be the defining feature of North American religious life. Drawing from his personal journey as an Indian Christian immigrant who also practices Hinduism, and Wilfred Cantwell Smith's provocative question about how Christians explain the existence of other scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, Thatamanil challenges "Christian supremacy" and its colonial legacy. He distinguishes between harmful forms of religious mixing (particularly the worship of both God and capitalism) and life-giving forms that promote justice and liberation, proposing that the real theological problem isn't practicing Buddhism alongside Christianity, but trying to serve both God and mammon in a capitalist society. The talk culminates in a call for "fluid and dynamic integrity" rather than impossible homogeneity, suggesting that being "spiritually fluid" - like being gender fluid - represents a faithful response to divine truth revealed across traditions. Dr. Thatamanil is Professor of Theology & World Religions at Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Previous Podcasts with Thatamanil Tillich and the Advent of New Being Deconstructing Divinity & Embracing Diversity God – the Ground, the Between, the Personal What we do when we do theology A Comparative Theology of Religious Diversity Theology Without Walls Non-duality, Polydoxy, and Christian Identity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025⁠⁠ Theology Beer Camp ⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠Get info and tickets here⁠. Upcoming Online Class:⁠⁠ Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠⁠ "⁠⁠Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost⁠⁠" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. ⁠⁠As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here. ⁠⁠ _____________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	What is up theology nerds? This is Tripp. And today, returning to the podcast is John Titominal.
0:11.2	And this is a special one. Why? Why? Because it was filmed live at Theology Beer Camp 2024 in Denver, Colorado.
0:20.7	And boy, boy, boy, was it a popular
0:23.0	episode? It mean, it's not every day. 600 day drinkers give a standing ovation to a constructive
0:30.0	philosophical theologian. But it happened. It happened when John Totominal dropped this keynote,
0:36.7	looking at the future of religious pluralism.
0:40.2	What is our religious identity? How does it relate across different religious traditions?
0:45.4	What does it mean to be a Christian in a pluralistic context? To someone with multiple religious
0:49.9	belonging? Well, Totominal dropped it like it was theologically hot. The people loved it. And
0:56.8	not just that, not just that, but it ended up opening up a conversation with our friend Grace G.
1:02.4	son Kim, who is indeed joining me for the upcoming Holy Spirit class. And then a conversation across
1:10.3	a host of different podcasters right there in
1:13.0	the room, Theology Beer Camp. And when you see this, when you hear it, you may say to yourself,
1:17.7	well, I can't believe I wasn't in Denver. I don't want to miss something like this. Well, don't.
1:22.7	This year, October 16th to 18th, 2025, we're going to be in St. Paul, Minnesota for Theology Beer Camp.
1:29.7	It's going to be a good, old, fun, nerdy time.
1:32.4	40 plus scholars and godpods all over the place, 600 new friends.
1:37.1	And all the delicious craft beverages you can have, you don't want to miss it.
1:43.0	You don't.
1:43.6	You don't.
1:44.0	So I hope you enjoy this little
1:48.0	taste of what happened last year. And you feel the lure to go over to theology beard.com.
	...

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