Kelsey Dallas on Religious Journalism

tonygill — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 09:00:36 +0000

In a world where the non-affiliated are on the rise, religious journalism is still alive, well, and adapting to a changing media environment. To discuss the world of “faith-driven stories,” we are joined by Kelsey Dallas, a regular journalist for the Deseret News who has written over 600 news articles of varying length and depth about the world of faithful. We begin the discussion with how a kid from a small town in Illinois makes it to the University of Iowa, on to graduate school at Yale University, and then lands a job as a religion beat reporter in Utah. Ms. Dallas shares her religious upbringing and intellectual experience at Yale, including taking a class from the famed-journalist Bob Woodward, and how she was able to bring together her three great passions — writing, reading, and religion. She also explains her membership in the Religion News Association and how important that organization has been in helping to link journalists and columnists who focus on religious news. This draws us into a discussion about where the topic of religion is in today’s mainstream media. Kelsey then explains the difference between news stories about religion and faith-driven stories, the latter which are based less on changes in major institutions (e.g., a new appointment of a Catholic bishop) and more about personal stories about how people live their daily lives. Throughout the podcast, Kelsey shares a number of her favorite, most interesting, and oddest stories. The latter includes a piece on how religions would react to the discovery of life on other planets (see link below). We talk about the prominence that stories on religious liberty have taken over the past few years with events such as the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case and Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act controversy. Ms. Dallas also shares her insights on being a journalist attending the services of different faith traditions, including one where she visited an Islamic mosque and was moved to the women’s section during the formal prayers. Our conversation also covers football, both prayer circles after NFL games and the fantasy version. Kelsey finishes off with some personal reflections on what she has learned over the span of the past few years and reaffirms for Tony the importance of ice cream. Recorded: February 10, 2017.

Michael McClymond on Jonathan Edwards

tonygill — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 08:00:07 +0000

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Jonathan Edwards is often considered one of the greatest theologians in US history. Prof. Michael McClymond — professor of theological studies at St. Louis University — reviews the fascinating life and times of Rev. Edwards. But first, Michael explains how he himself moved from earning a degree in chemistry at Northwestern University to becoming a scholar of 18th century religious thought. His answer not only gives insight into his interesting career path, but also sheds light on Jonathan Edwards who was also interested in both the natural and supernatural worlds. Prof. McClymond then corrects Tony’s (rather redneck) pronunciation of “contemplative” and explains how this factors into Edwards’ life and general temperament. After this, we move back to the beginning of Jonathan Edwards’ life and talk about his upbringing, early education at Yale, and his conversion experience that set him down the path of preaching. Our conversation then follows various periods and turning points in Edwards’ life and how his theological thinking changed or evolved throughout each period. We start with his stint at the Northampton Church where his famous grandfather, Solomon Stoddard, preached. The role of religious revivals — both how Edwards inspired one and how he thought about its progression — factors importantly in this era. Not only was Edwards encouraged by how faith can motivate people to change their lives, but he was also profoundly affected by how quickly such movements can dissipate. Michael then guides us through the “ethical-rogorist,” “ecclesial-sacramental” and “Calvinistic-controversial” turns in Rev. Edwards’ life, devoting attention to how such a renown preacher and thinker was exiled from his ministry after 23 years. This exile then issues in yet another important phase for Edwards, the “cultural-historical” turn wherein his contact with Native Americans prompts his interest in non-Christian religious traditions. Our podcast ends with the death of Edwards shortly after accepting the presidency of Princeton (or The College of New Jersey as it was called then). Prof. McClymond then reflects on the historical importance of Edwards and how he is being rediscovered today as we gain access to his voluminous private writings that remained out of public sight during his life. Recorded: July 10, 2012.

Research On Religion » Yale University

Kelsey Dallas on Religious Journalism

Michael McClymond on Jonathan Edwards