Find accessible theology and diverse perspectives at TheoEd

Studying theology might seem like an activity only meant for seminary students, but Ryan Bonfiglio doesn’t see it that way. He is the founding director of TheoEd, a speaker series in which leading thinkers in the church and academia give a 20-minute “talk of their lives” centered on theology, the Bible and spirituality.

“We leverage this model of learning that’s really accessible and engaging for a wide variety of people as an instrument to open up conversations about the power of faith to shape lives and communities,” Bonfiglio said.

A third space expands possibilities

TheoEd, operated by Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, is for everyone – academics, lifelong Christians and even spiritual seekers.

“What was really important for us from the beginning was that TheoEd didn't look anything like church, and that's not because we were anti-church, but we wanted it to be a third space,” explains Bonfiglio. “It's not the church, it's not the academy. It’s where people who honestly feel like they don't belong in either space can come in…

“Maybe these conversations can take root because it feels different to people. And we're actually noticing that's working. For a lot of people who would say they're ‘nones’ and ‘dones,’ or they're just curious about faith, the content that they're getting is feeding their really deep interest in spirituality.”

TheoEd has held events from North Carolina to Texas to Florida, and has hosted more than fifty speakers whose talks cover a vast assortment of topics. In each city, TheoEd partners with a local congregation or a group of faith-based organizations. Event organizers listen to and discern with the local partners to better understand which speakers would most resonate in the community.

Speakers are the heart of TheoEd

TheoEd speakers are extremely diverse, not only in age, race and gender, but also in theological background. Their multifaceted perspectives offer a chance for listeners to expand their understanding of faith and better appreciate the myriad viewpoints that are present in the body of Christ.

Often, speakers represent local voices that reflect the city in which the event is held, such as Julian Davis Reid, a musician in Nashville, or Scott Mitchell, an entrepreneur in Macon, Georgia.

“The Church needs more than one story. We have one story in the Gospel, but that one story we understand most fully when it's refracted through so many different stories. So it's really just a commitment to the storytelling of the Gospel that leads us to want to have so many voices [included].

“While there is a great variety of TheoEd speakers, all of the talks seek to address pressing topics in our world – from poverty and gun violence to trauma and gratitude – from a faith perspective,” shares Bonfiglio.

If you are curious about past speakers and the stories they’ve shared, Bonfiglio suggests watching some of his favorite talks:

• Yolanda Pierce, Salvation & Soul Food (how everyone is a co-creator of theology)
• Paul Wallace, There’s Something Holy Out There (the relationship between science and faith)
• Shane Claiborne, Resurrecting Church (rediscovering the church’s calling)
• Diana Butler Bass, The Subversive Power of Gratitude (cultivating gratitude can help us experience God)
• Cole Arthur Riley, The Silence of God (the relationship between trauma and spirituality)
• Shawn Duncan, Changing Mission for Good (effective, faithful poverty relief)

Explore the full library of past talks, along with free discussion guides and other resources, on TheoEd’s website.

Laura Buchanan works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. Contact her by email.

This story was published on February 3, 2025.