THE CHARGE with Dennis Metzler
Theology, spiritualty, ethics, culture, history, and related pursuits
Podcast Description
Theology, spiritualty, ethics, culture, history, and related pursuits
Episodes

Jul 20, 2026
Jul 20, 2026
2hr 26 min
Dr. Molnar discusses the incarnation and resurrection of Christ from the perspectives of Karl Barth, T. F. Torrance, Karl Rahner, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Joh Macquarrie, Paul Knitter, Sallie MacFague, and Roger Haight. We talk about a wide variety of views, from orthodox to much less than orthodox.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Dr. Molnar's book "Incarnation and Resurrection: Toward a Contemporary Understanding"
https://www.amazon.com/Incarnation-Resurrection-Toward-Contemporary-Understanding/dp/0802809987/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7RQXZUGSGAP2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lyLhQ2vNvnbzHSZLIsZ18A.Gv8vlQpEsPaeK5jYDVnPjoxkQGJ4Vfs8dOLA5JdwlA4&dib_tag=se&keywords=paul+molnar+incarnation+and+resurrection&qid=1784237402&s=books&sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C254&sr=1-1

Jun 8, 2026
Jun 8, 2026
53 min
Paul Oslington discusses key economic emphases in the Bible and how larger Scriptural themes relate to economics including creation, fall, providence, redemption, justice, and new creation. We also talk about wealth and generosity, attitudes towards wealth, the parable of the talents, charging interest, the alternative economy of the church, and how economics and ethics may interact at a personal level vs. at scale.
Dr. Oslington is teaching a course entitled "Faith, Work, and Economics" at Regent College from June 29 through July 3, 2026. You can attend the course in person or participate online. Follow the link:
https://www.regent-college.edu/courses/course-list/mark-561/mark-5612026sur.php
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Paul Oslington's books: "Political Economy as Natural Theology: Smith, Malthus and Their Followers"
https://www.amazon.com/Political-Economy-Natural-Theology-Followers-ebook/dp/B0GFNH4RTR/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2WKO5PME8SXIB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6KCV_OrtEN9BBm58B-YEtHuCaMc5Ro3cywE3IDdu3AZT6VKy7hkcYkI_1gx8ZI7vDPUpkv0rV8KeyGhFe4-UpiaBSAcr4_0bfRmUyoLedIt1Rdgzo3LRIKS0Oqd8470Wb3uTtRz7UsXBi-rZsHMyFQJNKTB6VRKU8gWX1nCAvf8.PINGG1TrVC9epfiqvk582QePGVD_3QlYZN8kObpRqtc&dib_tag=se&keywords=paul+Oslington&qid=1780946200&s=books&sprefix=paul+oslington%2Cstripbooks%2C168&sr=1-3
"The Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Economics"
https://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Handbook-Christianity-Economics-Handbooks-ebook/dp/B00JE6T2MS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WKO5PME8SXIB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6KCV_OrtEN9BBm58B-YEtHuCaMc5Ro3cywE3IDdu3AZT6VKy7hkcYkI_1gx8ZI7vDPUpkv0rV8KeyGhFe4-UpiaBSAcr4_0bfRmUyoLedIt1Rdgzo3LRIKS0Oqd8470Wb3uTtRz7UsXBi-rZsHMyFQJNKTB6VRKU8gWX1nCAvf8.PINGG1TrVC9epfiqvk582QePGVD_3QlYZN8kObpRqtc&dib_tag=se&keywords=paul+Oslington&qid=1780946200&s=books&sprefix=paul+oslington%2Cstripbooks%2C168&sr=1-1

May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
52 min
Dr. Amos Yong discusses Acts as foundational in forming the church's understanding of witness and mission as well as the sending and activity of the Spirit in relation to the nature and life of the church. He talks about conversion as a two-way street and also considers hospitality and shared life as integral to the mission of the church. We also cover the Spirit's work in regard to other nations and end by comparing Yong's work with Kärkkäinen's.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. Amos Yong is Professor of Theology and Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of many books including "Witness: Converting Worlds" (Wipf & Stock, 2026) Check it out at:
https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Converting-Worlds-Spirituality-World/dp/B0GJGJVFTD/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CE0ScuRAi0JxgiFi9Tc6xeQRLciFk7U3soyM3EL5gEo49pNUOrew6uOqWzsqhrYj2bCQq_8iPlUgmUI7WR9tnAqDoSp8COoLfpUXHFlf5e3hnlGSABiOHfxShMjwndkB5jdyx0bwzPKw3sCUo2WLgblGRdOPCmeep-tiyAgZnvADxMbxe8_k7foZOv1wpfnUXT41pQ4k0MwD_TTeJhoXjQ.euaVNu8uWr82cRR42KGNufl4rszWGMayumxBiF-tASI&qid=1777668949&sr=1-1

May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
1hr 1 sec
Dr. Ross Hastings leads us through the Ascension of Christ, covering the biblical data, what happened to the body of Jesus, the relationship of the ascended Christ to God, its theological significance, its relationship to salvation and atonement, the nature of humanity, its relevance for the church, the intercession of Christ, Jesus as prophet, priest, and king, and its connection to the Second Coming.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or shoot me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com I apologize for my poor audio quality. I used the best software (Waves X-Click) to remove the clicks and pops but it is still bad.
Dr. Ross Hastings is Professor of Theology at Regent College and the author of many books. Check out Dr. Hastings' book, "The Glory of the Ascension: Celebrating a Doctrine for the Life of the Church":
https://www.amazon.com/Glory-Ascension-Celebrating-Doctrine-Church/dp/1514010615/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
52 min
Dr. Gupta looks at Greco-Roman culture, how the Romans saw Christianity, power in weakness, worship, sacrifice, priesthood, Spirit-led ethics, eschatology and ethics, orientation towards time, and more. The book also covers the radical hospitality of the Christian household, personal sanctification and holiness, the contrast with Roman values of masculinity, and the move towards equality.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out "Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling" at
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Religion-Christians-Dangerous-Compelling-ebook/dp/B0C9RWB2T6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NDGN12072MP0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.axiQZMyHKfEg0oqWfH6XY_79HXTuf611uvhg4TAkjEY.cQf2zVp4vnlETUJgRdFo4OSoQdKvrT1kCgKpyq2rvSs&dib_tag=se&keywords=nijay+gupta+strange+religion&qid=1769628196&sprefix=Nijay+Gupta+Stra%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1

May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
1hr 2 min
Dr. George Guthrie and I take a look at 2 Corinthians including, background, the city of Corinth, structure, unity, purpose and the triumphal parade. The discussion continues with the contrast of old and new covenants, suffering as Paul's apostolic credential, his theology of power in weakness, the thorn in the flesh, the ministry of reconciliation, and Paul's boasting.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Checkout Dr. Guthrie's 2 Baker Exegetical Commentary:
https://www.amazon.com/Corinthians-Baker-Exegetical-Commentary-Testament/dp/0801026733/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PFSKSC0GPNRN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5RZID4-h8Vpnpo8MlZXLTWbm8EAU9mlTAaanZWKI7and1461fDS-NudtLIQ2_esOS5L6vL-KwAGTysUqi113Ex9AOAXotRD-Az1hMo8S2FQ.28t59FAvfliQXQenAVWCUtOD3I3z17pxWMIgtcrjzbs&dib_tag=se&keywords=2+corinthians+Baker+Exegetical+Commentary&qid=1765822341&s=books&sprefix=2+corinthians+baker+exegetical+commentary%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1

May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
1hr 16 min
Dr. Gary Habermas--likely the most qualified expert on the resurrection of Christ--takes us through related topics including the difference between Christ's natural body and his resurrection body, minimal historical facts including Jesus' death on the cross, the disciples experiences, the earliest proclamation of the gospel, the disciples' transformation, and the conversions of James and Paul. We also discuss known facts including the empty tomb and the despair of the disciples. Habermas then covers scholarly views on the historicity of the resurrection, the hallucination theory, veridical NDEs, and mythicists.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com.
Check out Dr. Habermas' books: On the Resurrection, Volume 1: Evidences
https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-1-Evidences/dp/1087778603/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21M42PAFALS6A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rMg-_EMBqiyokLezjshULXiT4UdA6nnhWQmTRVlV3JbDEtEvVOxxkZgA7UO7RZwqayQaV7FASj6cyza6BF1SMqDZ6qCcwE2KcGtTy9ElOfNml1UMFh03g7H0Nqy2B7Ym_rVrlU1c23O25ACN2fu3TQWkIYd3bVX7C3_hk4zB06DUALIyuIWFz1RfjAyiDjz5J7ykucZCcbl2Nxg9Qj607sNyhBoE9CMSYHWlJNsCa9I.OZz79H6pmq2SqZpE6adii_1qgtuo55530dLv8ijoxuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Gary+Habermas&qid=1762099656&s=books&sprefix=gary+habermas%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-1
On the Resurrection, Volume 2: Refutations
https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-2-Refutations-Gary-Habermas/dp/108777862X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=21M42PAFALS6A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rMg-_EMBqiyokLezjshULXiT4UdA6nnhWQmTRVlV3JbDEtEvVOxxkZgA7UO7RZwqayQaV7FASj6cyza6BF1SMqDZ6qCcwE2KcGtTy9ElOfNml1UMFh03g7H0Nqy2B7Ym_rVrlU1c23O25ACN2fu3TQWkIYd3bVX7C3_hk4zB06DUALIyuIWFz1RfjAyiDjz5J7ykucZCcbl2Nxg9Qj607sNyhBoE9CMSYHWlJNsCa9I.OZz79H6pmq2SqZpE6adii_1qgtuo55530dLv8ijoxuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Gary+Habermas&qid=1762099656&s=books&sprefix=gary+habermas%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-3
On the Resurrection, Volume 3: Scholarly Perspectives
https://www.amazon.com/Scholarly-Perspectives-3-Resurrection/dp/1087778646/ref=sr_1_2?crid=21M42PAFALS6A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rMg-_EMBqiyokLezjshULXiT4UdA6nnhWQmTRVlV3JbDEtEvVOxxkZgA7UO7RZwqayQaV7FASj6cyza6BF1SMqDZ6qCcwE2KcGtTy9ElOfNml1UMFh03g7H0Nqy2B7Ym_rVrlU1c23O25ACN2fu3TQWkIYd3bVX7C3_hk4zB06DUALIyuIWFz1RfjAyiDjz5J7ykucZCcbl2Nxg9Qj607sNyhBoE9CMSYHWlJNsCa9I.OZz79H6pmq2SqZpE6adii_1qgtuo55530dLv8ijoxuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Gary+Habermas&qid=1762099656&s=books&sprefix=gary+habermas%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-2
Check out Rivas, Dirven, and Smit's book on veridical NDEs: The Self Does Not Die: Verified Paranormal Phenomena from Near-Death Experiences
https://www.amazon.com/Self-Does-Not-Die-Experiences/dp/B0CGKK5KFD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IGJLHYAU6W2L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9N4k8c7n2pJvDjyMid6MTA.kGAh1dAUogDWaHH5PGF3suU9QflbLl97ClApxqfCDqc&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Self+Does+Not+Die%3A+Verified+Paranormal+Phenomena+from+Near-Death+Experiences&qid=1762190744&s=books&sprefix=the+self+does+not+die+verified+paranormal+phenomena+from+near-death+experiences%2Cstripbooks%2C157&sr=1-1

May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
1hr 7 min
Alexander Venter of South Africa discusses his vision for the church, connected deeply to the Vineyard movement. He tells his story of apartheid era interracial intentional community along with his philosophy of ministry, the purpose of the church, the values of the church, and the priorities of the church. Venter then addresses the practices of the church and finishes ups with the issue of commitment to the congregation.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Alexander Venter's book Doing Church: "Building from the Bottom Up"
https://alexanderventer.com/product/book-doing-church/

May 27, 2026
May 27, 2026
1hr 24 min
Dr. David W. Gill discusses four cover principles: love for God, love for others, freedom, and justice. He covers area principles for each of the ten commandments, showing how they are relevant well beyond their specific wording.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out David Gill's website for more info on him and his work: davidwgill.org Check out his book "Doing Right: Practicing Ethical Principles"
https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Right-Practicing-Ethical-Principles/dp/1666747270/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ON53BNV8O7UG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A4vhJfFGQG6qkW7Wa-c6YA.HJEtc3xrrLxiz9TVqnwNiTbOrNkU0zNh-fGFJnjsoc0&dib_tag=se&keywords=David+W+Gill+doing+right&qid=1755986194&s=books&sprefix=david+w+gill+doing+right%2Cstripbooks%2C146&sr=1-1

May 27, 2026
May 27, 2026
1hr 10 min
Bill Dyrness tackles the topics of cultural wisdom, creation theology, general revelation, artistic expression, ethical practice, and especially nonviolence. We also consider divine sovereignty and action, Ancient Near East parallels, wisdom in the OT, NT, and early church, Greek philosophy, and Charles Taylor's fullness, reform, and benevolence.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. William Dyrness is Dean Emeritus and Senior Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. Check out his book "The Facts on the Ground: A Wisdom Theology of Culture"
https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Ground-William-Dyrness/dp/172529964X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10VUAOY5QCYOG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZzpXsqcBdPHq8olybYi8tqW9J69Kf5hqpJLcWreQRSI.2lWJ_4wgi4KGCkKWOJaGlNzFkFzkEZfQwAJvP4PDD9A&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+facts+on+the+Ground+Dyrness&qid=1753403386&s=books&sprefix=the+facts+on+the+ground+dyrness%2Cstripbooks%2C144&sr=1-1

THE CHARGE with Dennis Metzler
THE CHARGE promotes meaningful conversation about theology, spirituality, biblical study, and ethics--relating it to all areas of human endeavor.
Church renewal is at the core for me and I believe it comes through:
-intentionally living as family in committed community—without becoming a cult
-teaching sound doctrine and theology—without committing bibliolatry
-witnessing to the gospel and expecting healing, signs, and wonders—without going obnoxiously overboard
-practicing God’s peace, justice, and stewardship—without becoming Marxists
-pursuing Christlikeness through disciplines of prayer, worship, and study—without becoming self-help individualists
---and all this through a vigorous and zealous--yet Sabbath grounded--abandonment to Jesus
I live in Portland, Oregon, am retired, have two adult children, am part of a Vineyard Church, live in and run a discipleship house, graduated with an M. Div from Portland Seminary, & play jazz sax and piano.
I would love to hear from you so please send me an email. thecharge.info@gmail.com
Look for more interviews and talks on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/THECHARGEwithDennisMetzler







