The Missiology Podcast

What does it mean to practice theological scholarship as mission? Martin Rodriguez talks with David Baer and Nathan Bills of Mesa Scholars about cross-cultural theological education, mutual partnership, humility, and power. Drawing on their experiences in Colombia and Ghana, they explore how local communities are shaping the future of global theological education.

In this episode, Martin Rodriguez talks with Greg McKinzie about his book The Hermeneutics of Participation. Together they explore why biblical interpretation is never neutral, how participation in God’s mission forms the church as a reading community, and what it means for congregations to read scripture faithfully as they join God’s work in the world. Along the way, they discuss theological interpretation, missional hermeneutics, theosis, solidarity, and the formation of faithful readers.

Fr. Francis Oborji joins Martin Rodriguez to explore how context, dialogue, and even AI are reshaping mission—and to call the global church into a shared “theological pilgrimage” between North and South.

In this episode of Missiology Shelf, Martin Rodriguez speaks with Stephen Bevans about his book Community of Missionary Disciples: The Continuing Creation of the Church. They discuss the story behind the book, missional ecclesiology, ecumenical contributions to the conversation, the importance of pneumatology in mission, the continuing creation of the church, baptism, leadership, tradition, discernment, and much more.

Martin and Greg reflect on the episode #56 interview with Daniel White Hodge. They discuss hip-hop as a window for cultural and theological analysis, the definition of missiology, the experiences of those marginalized by the missiological establishment, and the need for intersectional perspectives.

Martin Rodriguez sits down with Daniel White Hodge, professor of intercultural communications at North Park University.

Bible translator and anthropologist Dan Shaw joins us to discuss his book Singing Samo Songs: From Shaman to Pastor, drawn from over 50 years of work among the Samo people in Papua New Guinea.In this conversation, Shaw reflects on how scripture became embedded in Samo life—not just through translation, but through singing, storytelling, and cultural ritual.We explore how indigenous communities engage faith on their own terms, touching on themes of hybridity, contextualization, and the intersection of anthropology and mission.What does it mean to recognize the Spirit at work in unfamiliar expressions of Christianity? And how is Christian identity shaped by the cultures that receive it?

Martin and Greg reflect on the episode #53 interview with Stanley Skreslet. They discuss how philosophy relates to missiology, the definition of missiology, the role of theology in missiology, and the experience of being evangelized.

Martin Rodriguez sits down with Stanley Skreslet, professor emeritus at Union Presbyterian Seminary. They discuss Stanley's experiences in missiology as well as his hopes for its future.

Martin and Greg reflect on the episode #51 interview with Ruth Padilla Deborst. They discuss holistic mission, raising children missionally, intentional community, and the enneagram.