Rector’s Cupboard Podcast

What happens when we begin to see the people who disagree with us not simply as mistaken, but as dangerous, evil, or even demonic? And how do religious ideas about spiritual evil shape the ways we understand those we see as our opponents? In this episode of Rector’s Cupboard, we’re joined by Michael E. Heyes, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion at Lycoming College, to discuss his book Devils of Democracy: America’s Love Affair with Political Demons from the Revolution to Today. Michael traces the history of demonology in American religious and political life, showing how ideas about Satan, spiritual warfare, possession, and the apocalypse have developed and influenced the ways people understand their political opponents. From nineteenth-century spiritualism and its critics to the rise of contemporary Christian nationalism, he reveals some surprising connections and shows how beliefs that might seem fringe have found their way into mainstream religious culture. Although Michael’s historical focus is the United States, the patterns he describes reach well beyond American politics. The impulse to cast those we disagree with as evil, to see our own side as uniquely righteous, and to turn differences into battles between good and evil can take root in many places and contexts. The conversation invites us to consider how these ideas shape our own ways of seeing the world and one another. Michael also explores why these beliefs can be so compelling, particularly for people who feel they have lost their voice or agency. But his argument is ultimately hopeful. The challenge, he suggests, is not to defeat the people we disagree with, but to challenge the ideas that divide us. That means resisting the economy of rage, restoring a sense of agency, and making room for genuine conversations between human beings, even when we leave the table without agreeing. What might change if we could resist the urge to make enemies of one another, and instead find ways to recognize the humanity of the other? We hope you enjoy the conversation. You can check out Michael's Substack here.

What happens when the Bible is used to justify power, certainty, and exclusion? And what might it look like to read scripture in a way that draws us toward grace, humility, and a deeper love of our neighbours? In this episode of Rector’s Cupboard, we’re joined by the Reverend Dr. Henry Walter Spaulding III—who kindly gives us permission to call him Hank—to discuss his book Between Two Gileads: Christian Nationalism, Fundamentalism, Romans 13:1–7, and the Future of Political Theology. Drawing on the contrasting visions of Gilead imagined by Margaret Atwood and Marilynne Robinson, Hank explores how Christian faith can be used to justify authoritarianism and exclusion, or open us to the grace and humanity of others. He invites us to read difficult biblical texts with care, resisting the temptation to assume that any single interpretation has the final word on what God is saying. What happens when we approach scripture with humility rather than certainty, especially when faith and political power intersect? The conversation also offers a hopeful alternative. Drawing on Robinson, Jacques Ellul, and other thinkers, Hank describes the paradox of non-power: choosing not to dominate, even when we can. What if faithfulness has less to do with winning or gaining influence, and more to do with trusting God’s work and practising the slow, relational work of presence, humility, and love? We hope you enjoy the conversation.

What happens when the stories we’ve inherited about the church no longer fit with what we know about its history, or with our own experiences of faith? And what might it mean to move forward when going back is no longer possible—or even desirable? In this episode of Rector’s Cupboard, we’re joined by author and researcher Angela Reitsma Bick, co-author of Blessed Are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada, for a conversation about the changing landscape of Christianity in Canada and the questions that are leading people to reconsider their relationship with the church. Drawing on interviews with Canadians across generations and denominations, Angela explores the experiences that have led people to question their faith, from abuse of power and the legacy of residential schools to questions about theology, sexuality, and the influence of American Christianity. These stories invite us to look beyond what has gone wrong and consider what a church willing to listen, learn, and make amends might become. Angela reflects on the importance of honesty, humility, compassion, and repentance—not as abstract ideals, but as the beginnings of a different way of being together. What if acknowledging harm didn’t have to mean giving up on faith? What if asking difficult questions could be an expression of faithfulness, rather than a threat to it? Perhaps the question isn’t how we get back to the church we remember, but how we move toward something more honest, humble, and hopeful. Angela will be joining us in Vancouver for our November conference, What on Earth Is Happening with Christianity? We hope you enjoy the conversation. References: Information and registration details about Angela’s upcoming course with ICS (Institute for Christian Studies) can be found here. If you’d like to check out the Righteous Gemstones scene referenced in this episode you can take a look here.

What if some of the most significant changes happening in Christianity are happening in places we aren’t paying much attention to? What happens when movements that many Christians might think of as fringe are actually becoming increasingly influential in the places where religion, culture, and political power intersect? In this episode of Rector’s Cupboard, we’re joined by André Gagné, professor and chair of the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, to talk about neo-charismatic Pentecostalism and its growing influence around the world. What exactly is happening within these movements? How did they become so widespread, and what happens when ideas about spiritual authority, spiritual warfare, and the supernatural begin to intersect with the pursuit of power? Drawing on his own experience within the movement as well as years of research, André helps us understand the diversity of Pentecostal and neo-charismatic Christianity, the ways it has shaped contemporary Christian life, and some of the theological currents that have emerged within it. We also talk about what can happen when those currents become connected to political power—and why understanding that connection matters, even when the people involved may have very different intentions, experiences, and understandings of what they are part of. Perhaps the challenge is not simply to ask what is happening, but to learn how to see it more clearly: to take the ideas seriously without reducing the people who hold them to those ideas, and to notice the ways theology can shape the world around us in ways we might not expect. This conversation is part of our exploration of What on Earth Is Happening with Christianity?—and André will be joining us in person for our November conference in Vancouver. More information and registration for our upcoming conference available here. We hope you enjoy the conversation. References: “The Demon Next Door”, The Atlantic, July 7, 2026  Andrés Substack, which contains writings and podcast episodes - Spirit, State, and Society  

What does it mean to repair something that has been broken? Where do we begin when the harm is larger than any one of us? And what if reconciliation is less about finding the right answer and more about learning how to be in right relationship? In this opening episode of Season 8, we welcome Jodi Spargur to Rector’s Cupboard to talk about her book, Mend: An Invitation from Jesus to Return to Land-Based Repair. This conversation was recorded earlier this summer as part of a live outdoor gathering. Jodi invites us into a conversation about relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, the legacy of colonization, and the difficult but necessary work of repair. What does it mean to move beyond guilt, defensiveness, or the desire to simply “fix” something? How might we learn to listen, receive, and participate in the long work of mending? We also talk about faith, land, community, and the ways hopeful theology might help us approach difficult conversations—not by pretending that the harm isn't real, but by believing that repair and new relationships are possible. It's a thoughtful and hopeful conversation about learning to stay present, take responsibility, and ask what it might mean to move toward one another. We hope you enjoy the conversation.   References We referred to a lot of things this episode. Here are the links relevant to our conversation with Jodi: Bear Barnetson, Mend cover artist, check out Bear’s work on Instagram (@sus_cho_art) Red Clover The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada   You can find out more information and register for our 2026 Fall Conference here. If you'd like to listen to past episodes with all of our conference presenters you can find them here: André Gagné “Charismatic Christianity and American Politics with Dr. André Gagné” – September 12, 2025 Angela Reitsma Bick “Blessed are the Undone with Angela Reitsma Bick” – June 27, 2025 Ken Best “I Get to Be Alive with Ken Best” – June 19, 2026 David Goa Episodes (there are lots) “Revival and Reflection, a Conversation with David Goa” – January 9, 2026 “Hope Instead of Fundamentalism with David Goa” 3 Part Series, June 2025 “The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with David Goa” – April 26, 2024 “A Visit with David Goa” – February 16, 2024 “Inquisition and Hopeful Theology; A Conversation about Ivan Illich with David Goa” – June 10, 2022 “The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with David Goa” 7 Part Series – January 2022 “Sunny Boy with David Goa” December 4, 2020 “Most People are Better than their Theology with David Goa” – January 30, 2020 Susan Alexander “Poetry, Loss, and Hope with Susan Alexander” – February 26, 2021

The final episode of Season 7 of Rector's Cupboard. Do you remember Stephen Colbert's This Week in God segment from the early days of The Daily Show? Inspired by that idea, the hosts gather to reflect on a handful of recent stories from the world of religion. What on earth is happening with Christianity right now? And perhaps more importantly, what kind of faith are these stories inviting us toward? Our conversation explores some of the central convictions of hopeful Christian theology that have shaped Rector's Cupboard from the beginning: that truth does not need fear to defend it, that humility is more faithful than certainty, and that if the "Good News" is truly good, it should be good for everyone—not only for those who consider themselves believers. Enjoy the conversation.   References from this Episode This Week in God Compilation  Stephen Colbert and Ricky Gervais Interview Stephen Colbert and Dua Lipa Interview  “Pope Leo Faces the First Crisis of His Pontificate” New York Times, June 20, 2026 “Southern Baptists vote to advance a formal ban on churches with women pastors” AP News, June 10, 2026 “Where Testosterone and the Bible Are the ‘New Punk Rock'” New York Times, June 26, 2026   Tasting Notes Hello-Bello Recipe, gratitude to Harry at Pub Saint Pierre in Montreal for this wonderful cocktail. Shot of espresso and Campari (shaken no ice) Pour into glass Then add fresh OJ, about juice of half an orange Ice and prosecco, just to top it Orange peel as garnish  

What happens when we look back at the faith communities that shaped us and ask, Where are those people now? Have they remained where they started, or have their experiences led them somewhere unexpected? And what can we learn when we listen to the stories of those whose journeys have unfolded differently than our own? In this episode, we welcome Ken Best, therapist and longtime friend of Todd. They reflect on the formative church culture they shared and the ways their lives have diverged and intersected over the years. The conversation invites listeners to consider how other people's experiences can help us reinterpret our own past—and perhaps move toward a more hopeful future. This conversation also marks the beginning of our new Community Mental Health Talks series with Ken. What would it look like to create spaces where people feel seen, understood, and free to be themselves? Join us on June 22 for the first talk in the series, Queerly Beloved, an evening exploring how we can better understand and support the queer people in our lives. More information about this event here.

In this episode of Rector’s Cupboard, Allison, Amanda, and Ken sit down for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about MAID — Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada. Drawing on Ken’s work as a Spiritual Health Practitioner at Lions Gate Hospital, we explore what MAID actually is, how the process works, and why it remains such a difficult and emotional topic for many people, especially within faith communities. Along the way, we talk about suffering, grief, agency, palliative care, and what it means to accompany people through death with compassion and dignity. Ken shares stories from his work with patients and families navigating end-of-life decisions, reflecting on the sacredness, tension, and beauty that can exist even in the hardest moments. This isn’t a debate episode or an attempt to land on easy answers. Instead, it’s an honest conversation about mortality, care, faith, and how we show up for one another when life becomes fragile. References: If you’d like to do some more reading on MAID in Canada, Ken suggests the following resources. This is Assisted Dying, Dr. Stefanie Green (2022) A memoir by a Canadian physician at the forefront of MAID, exploring her experiences and the decisions behind the practice. The Last Doctor: Lessons in Living from the Front Lines of Medical Assistance in Dying, Dr. Jean Marmoreo and Johanna Schneller (2023) Follows one of Canada’s first MAID practitioners, providing stories of patients and families. Unravelling MAID in Canada, Edited by Ramona Coelho and Trudo Lummens (2025) A collection of perspectives from experts exploring the expansion and ethical, legal, and social implications of the practice. The Many Faces of MAID: What to Expect When Someone You Know Chooses Medical Assistance in Dying, Cynthia Clark and Carol Cram (2023) A resource for families, friends, and caregivers dealing with the emotions surrounding a loved one’s decision. Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Activity Book, KidsGrief.ca, a specialized guide designed to help children understand and navigate the experience of having a loved one choose MAID. Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, Government of Canada (November 2025) The annual report on MAID that outlines MAID requests, assessments, and provisions across Canada in 2024.

In this episode, we’re sharing a live recording from one of our Tasting Room Theology gatherings—informal, in-person evenings where we pair something tasty (in this case, doughnuts from Lucky’s Doughnuts) with thoughtful theological reflection. We welcome you into a conversation exploring a short history of evangelicalism—where it came from, what shaped it, and why it continues to matter today. As we trace its early roots, defining ideas, and cultural influence, we reflect on how themes like conversion, biblical interpretation, activism, and separation have shaped both personal faith and the wider world. Along the way, we share some of our own experiences within evangelical spaces—what formed us, what challenged us, and what continues to stay with us. Ultimately, we’re asking what kind of faith is being carried forward, and what it might look like to move toward something more hopeful, grounded in beauty, goodness, and truth. Note: This episode references a visual presentation used during the live event. You can find this presentation here if you’d like to follow along. Materials Referenced in this episode: There are a lot of video and audio clips you can find in the presentation below but here are some of the other things Todd mentioned if you want to do some extra credit work. Goodbye, Babylon – CD Set Minds Wide Shut: How the New Fundamentalisms Divide Us, Gary Saul Morson and Morton Schaprio, 2021 American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism, Matthew Avery Sutton, 2014 Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, 2020 We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland, Fintan O’Toole, 2023 Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free, Linda Kay Klein, 2018

Faith always has a public facet. It is lived out in the public sphere, in our day-to-day lives, our families and friendships, in those we encounter as we walk down the street, as we think about how the most vulnerable amongst us are treated and valued in society. We see this in the current interactions between religious and political leaders, as we touch on in our introductory conversation, and in how subjects like addiction are talked about, particularly in understandings of faith. We are please to welcome Dr. Quentin Genuis, emergency physician at St. Paul’s Hospital, ethicist, and author of Recovering People: Addiction, Personhood, and the Life of the Church. Bringing together his hospital work and theological degree, Quentin shares stories and insights shaped by close encounters with people living with addiction. Together, we explore how common frameworks, seeing addiction as either a matter of choice or purely a disease, fall short. Instead, Quintin offers a “personal model,” one that takes seriously the full humanity of each person. Addiction, in this view, is often a search for good things: belonging, peace, joy, and healing—but sought in ways that ultimately do not lead to life. What might it mean to move beyond labels and diagnoses, to see the whole person in front of us?   References “Trump vs. The Pope,” The Daily, April 16, 2026 “Trump’s Christlike image is filled with sloppy symbolism,” The Washington Post, April 13, 2026