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PODCAST

Theology on Purpose

Sarah K. Butterfield

Theology on Purpose is a podcast for women who want to deepen their knowledge of God, explore matters of theology, and live out a robust faith. Each episode equips and empowers you to grow spiritually, strengthen your relationship with God, and make a meaningful impact in the world around you. Tune in for thoughtful conversations, practical insights, and tools to live your faith with intention.

religion & spirituality religion

All Episodes

07:18

Breathing Our Way Back to God

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/10/06

In a world that runs on noise and self-sufficiency, it's easy to forget the truth sustaining us moment by moment. This episode reflects on the gift of breath as a reminder of God's steady and sustaining nearness. Drawing from a guest reflection by Kayla Craig and the practice of centering prayer, this episode explores what it means to stop striving and simply receive God's presence. Through Scripture, story, and spiritual practice, you'll be invited into a slower, more attentive way of being with

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35:33

Finding God in Story and Imagination with Eric Clayton

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/09/29

In this episode, Sarah talks with Eric Clayton about his new book Where Wonder Leads and the surprising role imagination plays in our life with God. Drawing from Ignatian spirituality, Eric shares how stepping into stories—whether from Scripture, myth, or even fantasy—can become a meaningful way to pray and discern God's presence. Eric shares his insights about how moving beyond a "right answers" faith can open us to deeper encounter and transformation. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Use

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07:47

The Spiritual Practice of Accepting Your Life

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/09/22

In this episode, Sarah reflects on the limits we resist, the exhaustion that comes from pushing past them, and the invitation to embrace our finiteness as a place of spiritual growth. Rather than barriers to becoming who we're meant to be, our limits may be the very ground where a faithful, embodied life with God takes root. Take the Connect with God quiz here

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37:49

Rethinking Faith, Food, and Control with Anna Rollins

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/09/15

If you don't think your body has much to do with your faith, think again! In this episode, Sarah sits down with Anna Rollins, author of Famished, to explore how purity culture and diet culture have shaped women's relationships with their bodies, desires, and God. Anna explains the "rhyming scripts" that taught a generation of women to stay small, silent, and self-controlled (and how those messages can distort both self-image and theology!) Anna shares her journey toward a more integrated,

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31:23

Making Space for God with Cindy S. Lee

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/08/04

In this episode, Sarah sits down with spiritual director and author Cindy S. Lee to explore a more expansive, embodied approach to knowing God. Drawing from her book Our Unforming, Cindy unpacks the difference between knowing about God and experiencing the sacred in everyday life, while gently challenging the Western assumptions that often shape our faith. Tune in to hear how awareness, humility, and simple spiritual practices can open us to deeper connection with God—and how the ongoing work of

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07:37

An Invitation to Practice (Not Perform)

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/07/28

This episode invites listeners to rethink what freedom in Christ is for: not self-focus or spiritual striving, but love. Through everyday examples and a gentle challenge, Sarah reflects on how our freedom is meant to be lived out in service to one another—and how even good things like spiritual practices can become burdens when they are disconnected from love. She also shares an invitation to go deeper through a new monthly practice-based community connected to her newsletter, offering space to

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35:01

Reading Our Way Back to God with Doug Basler

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/06/09

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with pastor and author Doug Basler about how fiction can become a powerful spiritual practice. Drawing from his book All Swirling and Weaving, Doug shares how stories can awaken our hearts, deepen our faith, and reshape how we see God and the world. In this episode, you'll learn: What the "Christian imagination" is and why it matters How fiction can form us in ways nonfiction sometimes can't A story about how a novel revealed hidden ambition

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07:47

The Stories That Form Us (and Fail Us)

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/06/02

We all live by stories—about who we are, who God is, and what it means to live a faithful life. But what if some of those stories aren't actually true? In this episode, we explore the subtle narratives that shape our identity and faith, how they can fail us, and what it looks like to realign our lives with what is actually true.

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30:54

How to Enjoy Your Time With God with Cara Ray

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/05/26

What if time with God felt less like a task to complete and more like a place of rest? In this conversation, Cara Ray invites us into the practice of "holy leisure"—a way of relating to God marked by delight, attentiveness, and peace rather than pressure and performance. Drawing on the themes of truth, goodness, and beauty, she shares how shifting our mindset can transform our spiritual rhythms and help us experience deeper joy in God's presence. Cara also introduces her simple DWELL framework for

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07:37

How Play Draws Us Closer to Jesus

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/05/19

In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose, I share how an unexpected interruption became an invitation to slow down and rediscover joy. In a season marked by full schedules and creeping productivity, I began to notice how difficult it had become to truly rest—and even harder to remember how to play. This episode explores the connection between spiritual formation and delight, and how practices like creativity, leisure, and embodied rest can draw us closer to Jesus. Through small, intentional

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34:54

The Tenderness of God in Anxious Seasons with Lara...

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/05/12

In this tender conversation, Lara D'Entremont, author of A Mother Held: Essays on Anxiety and Motherhood, shares her journey through postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and OCD, and how motherhood brought both deep love and deep vulnerability. We explore how anxiety can challenge our understanding of God's goodness and sovereignty, and what it looks like to rebuild trust in God when fear feels overwhelming. Lara offers a compassionate vision of God as one who draws near to us in our suffering

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07:02

The Faith That Forms Us Over Time

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/05/05

What begins as an ordinary evening at a writers conference becomes a meaningful moment of reflection. In this solo episode, I share how encountering my younger self in memory revealed a deeper truth about spiritual growth: that the life of faith isn't a straight line, but a slow circling toward the heart of God. This is a story about anxiety, belonging, and the quiet, persistent grace that forms us over time. Take the Connect with God quiz here

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33:12

Where Motherhood Meets the Heart of God with...

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/04/28

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with Elizabeth Berget, author of Love Like a Mother, about how the sacred, everyday work of motherhood can reveal the heart of God. Together, they explore how Scripture holds both paternal and maternal imagery for God—inviting us into a richer, more expansive understanding of who He is and how He meets us in our daily lives. Elizabeth shares how seeing God through a maternal lens transformed her own faith, especially in the demanding early years of

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08:56

Holding Onto God When Our Plans Fall Apart

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/04/21

Sometimes the plans we build so carefully unravel in an instant, leaving us holding disappointment we didn't see coming. In this episode, I share a personal story of unexpected change and reflect on Mark 2, where Jesus responds in a way no one anticipated. Tune in as we consider what it looks like to trust God in the middle of unmet expectations and to believe He is at work in ways that are deeper (and better!) than we can see.

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39:53

Rethinking Faith Without Losing It with Kate Boyd

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/04/14

Kate Boyd joins Theology on Purpose to talk about her book An Untidy Faith and the real-life experiences that reshaped how she understands God, church, and discipleship. Drawing from her global travels and seasons of questioning, Kate shares how faith can be stretched without being lost—and how disentangling what we've been taught can lead to a deeper, more integrated life with God. In this episode, we explore the tension between certainty and curiosity, and what it looks like to hold onto Jesus

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07:47

Living in the Light of the Resurrection

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/04/07

Easter Sunday changes everything, but what does that actually look like on an ordinary Monday? In this solo episode, I'm talking about what it means to live as "resurrection people" in the tension between hope and brokenness. Tune in, and let's reflect on how God's presence and power are at work in our everyday lives, inviting us to carry the light of the resurrection into everything we do.

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32:27

Becoming Who God Created You to Be with Cally Logan

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/03/31

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with author and teacher Cally Logan about moving from the margins to meaningful impact in God's kingdom. They explore how traits like being "quiet" or "shy" aren't weaknesses to overcome, but invitations to discover how God uniquely designed us to live with purpose. Cally shares personal stories and practical wisdom on finding confidence in Christ, and using your voice, no matter how small it may feel. In this episode, you'll learn: How to

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08:29

Why Justice Matters in the Christian Faith

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/03/24

Why do we feel such a strong reaction when something unfair happens, even something small? That instinct for justice may actually point us to the heart of God. In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose, I explore what the Bible really means by justice. Looking at passages from Amos, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John, we'll discover that God's justice isn't only about punishment—it's about restoration, renewal, and bringing life to broken places. And through the Spirit, God invites us to participate in

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39:45

Honest Doubt, Deeper Faith with Brian Zahnd

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/03/17

In this episode, Sarah sits down with pastor and author Brian Zahnd for a thoughtful conversation about doubt, discipleship, and the meaning of the cross. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between demolishing faith and renovating it Why honest doubt can lead to deeper, more resilient faith Why Jesus—not the Bible—is the perfect revelation of God How we think about the meaning of the cross affects our relationship with God and with others. What it means to shoulder our cross, and

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09:38

Three Fresh Ways to Grow Closer to God

Theology on Purpose ·

2026/03/10

In this solo episode, I share three fresh and practical ways to deepen your intimacy with God, especially if your spiritual life has started to feel dry or routine. From leaning into what makes you come alive, to cultivating awareness of God's constant presence, to embracing the gift of community, this episode will encourage you to rediscover that basic doesn't have to mean boring. Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

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Theology on Purpose

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