Athens State University Religious Studies Program

05/29/2026

What happens when we stop asking, “What is the lesson?” and start asking, “How does the story work?”

In this episode of Everything Is Interpreted, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers explore one of Jesus’ most familiar—and most challenging—parables: The Good Samaritan.

Using a literary approach to interpretation, we look beyond the surface of the story to examine its setting, characters, surprises, and reversals. Why does Jesus choose a Samaritan as the hero? Why does he answer a question with a story? And how does the structure of the parable itself challenge the way we see neighbors, strangers, and ourselves?

Join us as we demonstrate how reading the Bible as literature can deepen our understanding of Scripture and reveal meanings we might otherwise miss.

05/13/2026

Everything is Interpreted-Jeremiah's Temple Sermon

05/13/2026

Convergence Podcast
A Time to Break Silence: Prophetic Leadership in a Divided World

In this episode of Convergence — Where Faith, Leadership, and Culture Merge, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Eric Betts reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful Riverside Church sermon, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” and the continuing importance of prophetic courage in dangerous and divided times.

Drawing on the work of Vincent Harding, the teachings of Jesus, and the challenge of speaking truth to power, this conversation explores the difference between unity and uniformity, the temptation of silence, and the call to practice courageous, compassionate leadership in the face of injustice.

What happens when calls for “unity” become demands for silence?
What does prophetic leadership require of us today?

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on faith, conscience, justice, and the enduring power of love and truth.

04/29/2026

What happens when we move from talking about interpretation to actually doing it? In this episode of Everything Is Interpreted, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers explore Jeremiah’s Temple Sermon as a case study in historical reading. By asking questions about context, audience, and purpose, they demonstrate how the Bible comes alive when we learn to read it within its original setting.

Everything is Interpreted-Jeremiah's Temple Sermon

04/23/2026

Everything is Interpreted – a conversation with Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers about learning to read the Bible through historical lens.

04/22/2026

Who said we don't know how to have fun? This take came just prior to starting the new podcast and we were having trouble with the camera stand. The podcast entitled Everything is Interpreted-Historical Ways to Read the Bible will be published later this week .

04/14/2026

What is the Bible? It may seem like a simple question, but the answer is deeper than we often realize. In this episode of Everything Is Interpreted, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers explore the Bible as a collection of ancient texts shaped by history, culture, and community. Together, they discuss why understanding what the Bible is is essential for interpreting what it means.

04/08/2026

Why do we so often misunderstand texts, people, and even facts? In this video, we explore a simple but powerful idea: everything is interpreted. From reading a short text message (“Fine.”) to understanding news headlines, fashion choices, and everyday interactions, interpretation is a fundamental human activity.
We then take this insight deeper by asking what it means for reading the Bible. Are facts ever just facts? Why does the Bible—like any ancient text—require interpretation? Using everyday examples and a brief look at biblical scholarship, this talk introduces three major ways scholars approach texts: historical, literary, and cultural. Along the way, we wrestle with an important question: if all reading involves interpretation, does that mean anything goes?
This video is perfect for students, pastors, and anyone curious about how meaning is made—and why interpretation carries real responsibility.
Topics covered include:
How context shapes meaning in everyday life
Why “facts” don’t speak for themselves
Why texts always require interpretation
Why the Bible is no exception
Three major approaches to interpreting texts
Are all interpretations equally valid?

Thoughtful, accessible, and grounded in real-life examples.


Athens State University Religious Studies Program

03/16/2026

March 16 at Founders Hall-Snow Showers. Welcome to North Alabama.

03/13/2026

What is Religious Studies—and why does it matter today?

In this short video, Dr. Robert White and Tony Moyers introduce the Religious Studies program at Athens State University and explore questions many students ask: What is Religious Studies? What can studying religion do for me? And can I really build a career with a degree in this field?

Religious Studies examines the historical, cultural, and ethical dimensions of religion and prepares students with critical thinking, cultural understanding, and leadership skills that apply to many professions.

Learn how the study of religion can expand your understanding of the world—and help prepare you for wherever your future leads.