RTN Theology #26 partners with the NC Study Center for a brilliant end-of-semester concert and conversation between Duke Divinity bible scholar Ellen Davis and Nashville songwriter Sandra McCracken. Director of Spiritual Formation, Bill Boyd guides a conversation around the hopeful resources of the Psalter in times of disorientation and displacement. (Apologies for some broken audio and the limitations of Zoom recording, some performances were augmented with studio recordings, all featured music is available for purchase and stream.)
Ellen F. Davis is Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School.
The author of eleven books and many articles, her research interests focus on how biblical interpretation bears on the life of faith communities and their response to urgent public issues, particularly the ecological crisis and interfaith relations. Many of these themes were explored in her 2009 masterpiece Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible. Her most recent release, Opening Israel’s Scriptures, compiles lectures and essays from a career of teaching the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Her book Getting Involved With God is an accessible and devotional work hitting on many of the themes of the featured conversation.
The NC Study Center is a home for students and faculty on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill and as a catalyst for Christian growth and personal flourishing. Explore their programing and contribute to their mission.
Featured music: Sandra McCracken’s prolific contributions as a songwriter, modern-day hymn writer, and record producer has brought grace and clarity to her soulful, folk-gospel sound. Whether in a theater or in a chapel, she is a dynamic performer who blurs the lines of what church music sounds like, captivating and inviting audiences to sing along. While many of her songs like “We Will Feast In The House Of Zion” and “Thy Mercy My God” have settled into regular rotation in Christian worship services internationally, she has also had songs recorded by All Sons And Daughters, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Audrey Assad, A Rocha Compilation, Bifrost Arts, Caedmon’s Call and others. She is further a founding member of Indelible Grace Music and Rain For Roots (children’s music) and has been a guest writer for Art House America, She Reads Truth, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, RELEVANT Magazine and more.
Episode theme music: Jesus Said by David Childers
Episode edited by Gary Fletcher.
Episode produced by Bob Crawford & Chris Breslin. Live event occurred April 28, 2020 via Zoom and was hosted by Bill Boyer & Lydia Silver.
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy these similar RTN Theology episodes:
RTN Theology #16 w/the Porter’s Gate Worship Project
RTN Theology #17 w/Kendall Vanderslice
RTN Theology #18 w/David Taylor
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