About the Podcast
The Deep Waters Way
Where Scripture, Theology, and transformation Meet
The shoreline is safe, but we weren’t created for the harbor.
Most of us live our lives in the shallows of faith—places where we feel the sand beneath our feet and stay within the limits of what is comfortable and known. But the shallows are deceptive. They are often the most dangerous place to be, where the weight of life and easy theology can pin us to the bottom, leaving us overwhelmed by waves we were never meant to fight in knee-deep water.
The Deep Waters Way is a podcast for believers who sense there is more to the Christian life than just getting by. Hosted by Ray Cooper, the show offers biblical teaching and theological reflection from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective as it explores the intersection of Scripture, theology, and transformation. We’re moving away from surface-level answers toward a process of Christian spiritual formation that enables us to ride the swells of the deep.
This is a place for intellectual honesty and genuine discipleship. We study the biblical text, explore the cultural lens of its writers, touch on the nuances of the original languages, and examine the historic creeds of the Church. We won’t settle for religious clichés; instead, we wrestle with the long, sometimes difficult work of cooperating with God’s grace.
This podcast does not assume that growth is automatic, nor that struggle is evidence of failure. Instead, it speaks to those navigating doubt, conviction, and renewal. Whether we’re discussing the weight of church history or the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, the goal remains the same: to help you grow in your relationship with Christ and to recognize that in Christ, there is always something deeper.
It’s time to leave the safety of the shallows.
Let's slip the moorings and head for the deep waters.
Most of us live our lives in the shallows of faith—places where we feel the sand beneath our feet and stay within the limits of what is comfortable and known. But the shallows are deceptive. They are often the most dangerous place to be, where the weight of life and easy theology can pin us to the bottom, leaving us overwhelmed by waves we were never meant to fight in knee-deep water.
The Deep Waters Way is a podcast for believers who sense there is more to the Christian life than just getting by. Hosted by Ray Cooper, the show offers biblical teaching and theological reflection from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective as it explores the intersection of Scripture, theology, and transformation. We’re moving away from surface-level answers toward a process of Christian spiritual formation that enables us to ride the swells of the deep.
This is a place for intellectual honesty and genuine discipleship. We study the biblical text, explore the cultural lens of its writers, touch on the nuances of the original languages, and examine the historic creeds of the Church. We won’t settle for religious clichés; instead, we wrestle with the long, sometimes difficult work of cooperating with God’s grace.
This podcast does not assume that growth is automatic, nor that struggle is evidence of failure. Instead, it speaks to those navigating doubt, conviction, and renewal. Whether we’re discussing the weight of church history or the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, the goal remains the same: to help you grow in your relationship with Christ and to recognize that in Christ, there is always something deeper.
It’s time to leave the safety of the shallows.
Let's slip the moorings and head for the deep waters.
About your host
Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper is the host of Beyond the Shallows: Where Scripture, Theology, and Transformation Meet. With a background in both ministry and communication, Ray seeks to help believers move beyond surface-level faith into a deeper understanding of Scripture and a closer relationship with God.
Ray holds a BA in Communication (Broadcast Production) from Mississippi State University and a Master of Divinity from Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He has served eight years in pastoral ministry and more than a decade as an adult Sunday school teacher, with a passion for making theology accessible and practical for everyday believers.
Through Beyond the Shallows, Ray combines biblical teaching, clear theological explanation, interviews with guests, and practical application rooted in the Wesleyan holiness tradition within the broader Christian worldview.
Ray lives in Texas with his wife of 34 years, Miriam. They are the parents of four adult children and grandparents to four grandchildren. When he’s not studying or recording, Ray enjoys reading, cooking, and building and painting tabletop wargame miniatures.
Contact: ray@beyondtheshallows.net
Ray holds a BA in Communication (Broadcast Production) from Mississippi State University and a Master of Divinity from Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He has served eight years in pastoral ministry and more than a decade as an adult Sunday school teacher, with a passion for making theology accessible and practical for everyday believers.
Through Beyond the Shallows, Ray combines biblical teaching, clear theological explanation, interviews with guests, and practical application rooted in the Wesleyan holiness tradition within the broader Christian worldview.
Ray lives in Texas with his wife of 34 years, Miriam. They are the parents of four adult children and grandparents to four grandchildren. When he’s not studying or recording, Ray enjoys reading, cooking, and building and painting tabletop wargame miniatures.
Contact: ray@beyondtheshallows.net