Check out the Theology in the Raw Patreon community for bonus content, extra episodes, and discounted event tickets! Today’s guest is my longtime friend Dr. Joel Willitts. On this episode, Joel shares his difficult journey navigating faith and life after being sexually abused by a family member in his youth. It’s an incredibly raw conversation —if you’re sensitive to these topics, please make sure to prepare yourself before listening. Joel is a Professor in the Biblical and Theological Studies Department at North Park University in Chicago, IL, where he’s taught for over twenty years. His academic journey began at Liberty University (B.A. '92), followed by a Th.M. from Dallas Seminary ('00), and an M.Phil. (’02) and Ph.D. (’07) from Cambridge University. His intellectual curiosities are many, included the Jewish Context of the New Testament and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He enjoys travel, running marathons, watching baseball (especially the Yankees!), listening to U2, and reading. He live in the suburbs of Chicago and has boy-girl twins who are freshmen at North Park University. He’s been married to Karla for 33 years.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.