Deep Roots cover art

Deep Roots

Deep Roots

Written by: Oak Hill College
Listen for free

About this listen

Join Oak Hill College each month for engaging conversations with lecturers and a variety of guests which help you build deep roots to thrive in ministry and see the church flourish.

Oak Hill College 2026
Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Learning From Liberation Theology
    Dec 8 2025

    In this episode of Deep Roots, the podcast from Oak Hill College, Jonny Reid, Director of Engagement at Oak Hill College and church elder in Oxfordshire, speaks with Luke Foster, Tutor in Doctrine and Church History.

    They explore liberation theology through the lens of Luke’s personal story—growing up in the Roman Catholic cultural context of the Philippines, serving the Anglican church in Chile, and researching the theology of Gustavo Gutierrez.

    Luke explains that liberation theology is not simply a “social gospel,” but at its heart a theological response to inhumanity—asking how we speak of God as Father to people who haven’t even been told they are persons.

    Jonny and Luke discuss how to engage other theological traditions wisely with grace, confidence, and discernment. The conversation highlights:

    The resonant pastoral question at the heart of liberation theology

    Concerns about continuity between nature and grace

    The distinctive Christology of the Protestant Reformed tradition

    Why modern theology still matters for churches today

    A thoughtful, warm, and robust discussion on theology, gospel proclamation, culture, and pastoral care.

    🎓 Want more from Luke Foster? Check out his book club in January on the Beatific Vision and the book To Gaze Upon God. https://www.oakhill.ac.uk/our-courses/short-courses/to-gaze-upon-god

    📖 Explore courses and training at Oak Hill College. https://www.oakhill.ac.uk/our-courses

    0:00 – Opening Moment & Podcast Introduction

    1:30 – Luke’s Personal Story & Journey into Liberation Theology

    6:00 – The Historical & Cultural Context of Liberation Theology

    12:30 – Liberation Theology: Core Question Beyond the Stereotypes

    18:30 – Gutierrez’s Answer & Catholic Theological Paradigm

    25:00 – Theological Concerns & Instability of the Catholic Answer

    31:00 – Resources in the Protestant Reformed Tradition

    36:30 – Engaging Other Theological Traditions with Wisdom & Grace

    41:00 – Final Reflections, Application to Ministry & Outro

    #biblical #theology #pastoral #ministry #theological #traditions #liberationtheology #Reformation #Protestant #doctrine #incarnation #sacraments #gospel #culture #churchhistory #Bonhoeffer #C.S.Lewis #Calvin #romancatholicism #Gospelproclamation

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Why Bother With Biblical Languages?
    Nov 27 2025

    Why should Christians—especially pastors and Bible teachers—bother with biblical languages today? In this episode of Deep Roots, Jonny Reid sits down with Rev. Dr. Andrew Cowan, Oak Hill College’s new tutor in Greek and New Testament, to explore the real value of learning Scripture in its original languages.

    Andrew reflects on how Greek first came alive for him, how it has deepened his devotional life, and why slowing down in the text changes everything. Together, they address the most common misconceptions: Is it too time-consuming? Can you ever become proficient? Don’t modern translations and digital tools make languages unnecessary? What if you think you’re “not a linguist”?

    They also unpack practical examples from Colossians, Revelation, and John 1 that show how Greek and Hebrew reveal nuance, structure, and richness that translations inevitably flatten.

    Whether you're a ministry leader trying to keep your languages alive, a student considering theological training, or simply an interested believer who wants to understand Scripture more deeply, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a reminder that God’s Word is worth the effort.

    Topics covered:

    • Why Andrew first fell in love with Greek
    • Spiritual impact of reading Scripture slowly
    • Four misconceptions about biblical languages
    • Whether modern translations make Greek/Hebrew unnecessary
    • How not to misuse “a little Greek”
    • Textual examples: Colossians 1, Revelation, John 1
    • How to start learning Greek or Hebrew today
    • How pastors can revive rusty language skills
    • Tools: Daily Dose of Greek, Alpha with Angela, reading groups
    • Why God’s Word is worth the effort

    Resources mentioned:

    • Exegetical Fallacies – D.A. Carson
    • Daily Dose of Greek
    • Alpha With Angela (YouTube)
    • Greek/Hebrew reading groups & refresher retreats at Oak Hill College

    00:00 – Intro: Why Study Biblical Languages Today?

    02:00 – Andrew's Journey Into Greek & Hebrew

    06:30 – How Languages Deepen the Way We Read Scripture

    12:00 – The Four Big Misconceptions

    18:30 – The Danger of Knowing Just a Little Greek

    24:30 – Key Payoff Example: Colossians 1:28–29

    31:30 – Greek, Grammar & Theology

    40:30 – The Bigger Picture: Structure, Wordplay & Nuance

    48:00 – How to Start Learning Greek or Hebrew

    55:30 – Reviving Rusty Languages for Ministry

    01:03:00 – Resources, Community & Learning Support

    01:10:00 – Final Answer: Because the Word of God Is Worth It

    01:14:00 – Oak Hill’s Training Pathways & Close

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Has the church outsourced The Great Commission?
    Nov 3 2025

    What does it mean for the local church to truly “send well”? In this episode of Oak Hill College’s Deep Roots podcast, host Chris Howles sits down with Bradley Bell and Larry McCrary from The Upstream Collective (USA) to explore what it looks like for churches to reclaim their biblical role in global mission.

    Together, they unpack the vision behind the Upstream Collective’s motto — “The church sends, we help” — and discuss key insights from their book The Sending Church Applied, including their “Periodic Table of Sending.”

    🕊️ Topics include:

    • Why every believer is a “sent one”
    • How churches can move from reactive to proactive mission sending
    • The four stages of a healthy sending culture — Establishing, Developing, Engaging, and Multiplying
    • The crucial role of care, commissioning, and re-entry for missionaries
    • Practical steps for pastors and leaders to start cultivating a sending culture

    📚 Resources mentioned:

    • The Sending Church Applied by Bradley Bell, Larry McCrary, and colleagues
    • Learn more about The Upstream Collective: https://www.theupstreamcollective.org
    • Explore Oak Hill College’s Cross-Cultural Training: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk

    🎧 Subscribe for more conversations helping you grow deep roots in theology, mission, and ministry.

    🔗 Learn more about Oak Hill’s courses and resources: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk

    🎧 Subscribe to Deep Roots for more conversations on theology and ministry.

    #DeepRootsPodcast #MinistryLife #OakHillCollege #mission #upstreamcollective

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
No reviews yet