Welcome to the Divinity Divulged podcast! The first podcastseries from the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. In each episode we’ll be taking a look at one of the fascinating research projects happening within the Faculty through conversations with the researcher and an expert guest working in their field. With dialogue aimed at all of those studying or exploring religious studies across all levels, you can find details on how this episode relates to A Level and Scottish Highers Specifications as well as a glossary below.

For this episode we are joined by Amen Gashaw. Amen is an MPhil candidate in Christian Theology here in the Faculty of Divinity, where she works on political theologies of migration. Her prior research examined the efficacy of faith-based global development programs and religiosity’s effect on socialbehaviour change outcomes. She is a graduate of Harvard College with degrees in Government on the political economy track and Molecular Biology.

Alongside Prof David Fergusson, Amen talks her through her research at the intersections of political economy and theology, sin, religion and law, and humanitarianism, with a focus on migration theology, hospitality and identity, home and theological grass roots.

Glossary

Angelology – The theologicalstudy if angels.

Christian nationalism – A political ideology that looks for explicit expressions of Christianity in civic life and policy.

Comparative Christologies – The study of how different Christian traiditons understand the nature and role of Jesus.

Ecumenical – The promotion of cooperation and unity between denominations.

Great commandment – Jesus’ response recorded in three of the gospels of which rule in the law of God is the most important, first to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength’ and second to ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.

Great commission - Jesus Christ's final instruction to His disciples to spread the Christian gospel and make followers of all nations

Heritage churches - individual Christian congregations, movements, or specific denominations that emphasize afoundational, historical, or traditional commitment to historic Christian doctrines and reformed theology.

ICE – United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A federal law agency in the US charged with enforcingimmigration and carrying out deportations.

Prelapserian – Existing or occurring before the Fall of Man.

Theologies of migration – Frameworks that interpret human movement and displacement through sacred texts and divine mission.

Unitary executive - A constitutional law concept asserting that the President of the United States possesses absolute authority over the entire executive branch.

Vice signalling - The public expression of controversial, cruel, or socially taboo views to signal loyalty to a specific group, appear tough or authentic, or gain social and political capital.