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Episode 101: The Theology of Winter Movies Wherein J has the episode off as Tyler and Jimmy Dykstra walk through their top ten winter movies.  Along the way there’s some talk how Harrison Ford hates making movies, why themes of fellowship and belonging are so important during this time of year, and why Jimmy picked Christmas movies for his list even though he doesn’t like Christmas movies. “Yes, life is hard and it’s not going to end up the way you want it to, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not good.”

Episode 100: The Theology of Christmas Movies Wherein Them Pastors bring the festive spirit and talk Christmas movies, each selecting three gems to highlight, and what those movies can tell us about the season.  Along the way, there’s talk of the monarch of Christmas treats, Tyler annual tradition of buying J movies on iTunes, and an update on Whamageddon 2022. “I wanted to be him, I wanted the beard the way he has…” “I wanted to EAT HIM.”

Episode 99: The Theology of Spotify Wrapped Wherein Them Pastors are joined by the Marvelous Ms. Christian Na to breakdown the annual musical diary that is Spotify Wrapped.  Along the way, they discuss giant spiders that will haunt your dreams, why Apple Music is worth getting just for Joni Mitchell and Beyoncé, and what one album dominated half of J’s top ten songs of the year.  There’s talk of the meaning behind the music we listen to, the story that we are trying to tell with the music that we use to underscore our lives, and what that music tells us about ourselves in return.   “I guess I’m a curious person, looking at this, and I’m someone who is a mess, but doesn’t mind it.  And that’s kinda the story I’m seeing here. ”

Episode 98: The Theology of Thanksgiving 2022 Wherein Them Pastors get downright thankful - AGAIN!!  J & Tyler continue the RTP tradition of each choosing ten things from culture that they are thankful for over the last 12 months.  Along the way, they bring up the amazing fact that J’s church has a roller rink in it, Tyler eats a sandwich, and everyone comes to terms with the fact that Ewan McGregor is the best.   “Yeah, we are bi-coastal (if you count the Allegheny River as one of the coasts).”

Episode 97: The Theology of Midnights (Taylor’s Version)   Wherein Them Pastors return with special guests Christine Wagner and Jimmy Dykstra to dig into the latest record by Taylor Swift, the “concept album” Midnights.  Along the way, they consider albums Taylor should cover, the song to teach twelve year olds how to swear, the song J wants to see covers of on YouTube, and consider the merits and detriments of one Mr. Jack Antonoff.   “She’s on the record the way LaCroix has actual flavor in it - it’s the essence of Lana Del Rey. ”

Episode 96: The Theology of The Heat Wave   Wherein Them Pastors are back at it to talk about the joys and perils of extreme weather, where one is pro cold weather and one is pro hot weather.  Along the way, there’s talk of unplowed roads, the armpit of humidity, and the politics of beard management.   “I like when someone can wear pants and a t-shirt, and another can wear a hoodie and shorts, and you don’t feel like either of them is crazy.”

Episode 95: The Theology of Catching Up   Wherein Them Pastors are back after a break to talk about the beauty of catching up.  They get into a conversation about the nature of relationships and the value of those that can be “picked up where we left off” and how we use (and abuse) relationships in the church.  Along the way, there’s a new opening set of questions, talk of why J & Tyler never see each other in person, the buzz word of deconstruction (and the value of doing it), and whether pastors can be friends with people in their congregations.   “…and a Jay-Z song was on.”

Episode 94: The Theology of The 2022 Oscars. Wherein we are back with a jumbo sized episode with Jimmy Dykstra filling in for J as we discuss the 2022 Academy Awards.     Along the way, there’s some talk about the slap (but only inasmuch as to say that it’s a very complicated issue that should start more conversation), a celebration of Our Lady of Gaga, and Jimmy is delightfully surprised by one of Tyler’s favorite movies of the year.   “E.T. is a little sloppy.”

Episode 93: The Theology of Wordle. Wherein Them Pastors return to talk about that curious thing that everyone has been posting about on social media - Wordle.   Along the way, there’s practically a minisode’s worth of talk about the Winter Olympics and an assignment for require listening to prepare for a future episode.   “They should do two person luge face to face because it’s already ridiculous enough.”

Episode 92: The Theology of Taylor Swift Wherein Them Pastors are joined by TWO GUESTS - Christine Wagner and Jimmy Dykstra - for the long requested deep dive into the music of Taylor Swift.  Each of them bring their top five Taylor songs and compile a masterwork of a Taylor playlist (available for good times now on Tyler’s Spotify) Along the way, there’s some talk of why Hogwarts house is a better analytical tool than Myers-Briggs, the phantom guest of J’s sister Jackie (whom he stole his top five from), and Tyler’s admission that he is, shocking no one, a jerk.   “This was great.  This was very beautiful and also very weird at times, so that was fun.  I was glad to be a part of it.”

Episode 91: The Theology of TikTok Wherein Them Pastors are joined once again by the inimitable Rev. Cliff Haddox (@RevNGeek on TikTok & all things social media) to discuss the time travel app that is TikTok.   Along the way, there’s some talk of why Jonah is a bible story that evolves as you do, the evolving nature of what the church can be, and how let the algorithm learn what who you are.    “I came out all this way, I should at least see you burn all these people to the ground!”

Episode 90: The Theology of Making Things Wherein Them Pastors are joined by the wonderful Rev. Cliff Haddox (@RevNGeek on TikTok & all things social media) to discuss the fine art of making things and how that helps us understand life, the universe, and everything a bit better.   Along the way, there is talk of Doctor Who scarves, saucy Myers-Briggs anecdotes, and the joy in screwing something up.     “Well, I guess everyone’s getting Harry Potter wands for Christmas!”

Episode 89: The Theology of Ted Lasso Wherein Them Pastors discuss all things pertaining to the first two seasons of Ted Lasso - a show of hope, forgiveness, and the power to believe.    Along the way, there is talk of why someone would want to beat us up, why Scrubs was a great and terrible show, and the joy of a good Back to the Future reference.   “I can’t imagine ever being mad enough at someone to hit them - even if they hit me first.”

Episode 88: The Theology of Thanksgiving 2021 Wherein Them Pastors create their third annual Thanksgiving time capsule, giving thanks for all the things that they appreciated in the culture throughout the year that was 2021.     Along the way, there is some talk of Thanksgiving All-Star food items and the best weekend after Thanksgiving foods, and the return of Whammageddon.   “I kind of like that you are taking notes through this, it feels like I’m in some sort of counseling session.”

Episode 87: The Theology of Burnout Wherein Them Pastors are joined by the Rev. Rebecca DePoe to talk about the very real and present issue of pastor burnout.   Along the way, there is discussion of the unclear nature of what is required and expected of pastors - video and computer skills, administrative skills, interpretive and oratory skills.  They also have hope that the season of the pandemic can help us to let go of some of the bad habits that pastor and churches had fallen into but should let go of.   “TikTok is so trashy.” ”No it’s not.  It’s just cats and people dancing.”

Episode 86: The Theology of Why Wherein Them Pastors talk the simple question of why things happen, doing a rather deep dive into the book of Job.    Along the way, there is an episode of Heresy Corner (wherein the devil is robustly discussed), discussion on why even terrible NFL teams are better than great college teams, and some of the worst things you can say to someone who is suffering.    “I called the hospital and said “I don’t have $5000,’ and they immediately said “how about $200?”.”

Episode 85: The Theology The Unknown Wherein Them Pastors talk about the fear that comes from not knowing what’s going to happen.  There are tales  of COVID tests, tight rope walkers, and getting punched in the face.   Along the way, there is some deconstructing the phrase “close personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” why God’s love is like a Game Genie, and an episode of the podcast within the podcast - “Jay’s Hot Takes.”   “I’ve found as many birthday cakes as I have found monsters in my closet - which is exactly three.”

Episode 84: The Theology Going Up The Hill Wherein Them Pastors tell tales of going outside to find God by going up hills.  There is peril, Rottweilers, hot dogs drinking out of hats, giant boulders, and the beauty of the unplanned experience.   Along the way, there is talk of the best burger between Pittsburgh and DC,  flying across the country to combat sadness, and the bike boom of the pandemic.   “Just getting on a bike and saying ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen’ is really fun.”

Episode 83: The Theology of The Best Laid Plans Wherein Them Pastors return from a months long hiatus to talk about false starts, unintended paths, and how we can make the most of them.   Along the way, there is talk of what they’ve been up to - Tyler’s new found adoration of Taylor Swift, the tale of J’s job opportunity that never materialized, and the long awaited return of their beloved house elf, Bartleby.   “#StickItToScooter”

Episode 82: The Theology of Tattoos Wherein Them Pastors are joined by tattooer Stacy Fevinger to talk about the art and meaning behind tattooing and the connection and intimacy that’s involved in the process.  Along the way, there’s talk of the B-52’s being the right kind of weird, the best two film versions of Beauty and the Beast, and grandmothers that cheat at cards.   Originally recorded using wax cylinders and period technology from the Edison Laboratory in New Jersey, this episode was thought to be lost to the ether due to a corrupted file, but was reconstructed with great care by Bartleby the House Elf over the course of several months.  Please excuse the audio quality.  Bartleby did his best.   “Don’t let anyone lie to you - every tattoo hurts.”