In the Margins with Shannon TL Kearns

TakeawaysIntroverts may spend a lot of time replaying conversations in their minds and thinking about what they could have said differently.Paul's letter to the Colossians contains hidden messages and subversive language that challenges the political order.Living in Christ and in the world can be complicated, as it requires navigating the tension between the new age and the old world.Community and encouragement are essential for living out one's faith and facing the challenges of following Jesus.Chapters00:00Introduction and Scripture Passage03:08The Impact of Introversion on Communication04:06The Complexity of Paul's Letter06:14The Challenge of Living in Christ and in Colossi09:26The Importance of Community and Encouragement10:24Paul's Imprisonment and the Stakes of Following Jesus11:22Living in a Divided World12:21Remembering and Living Out the Message13:15Questions for Reflection and Action14:42Closing Remarks and Benediction To go deeper, find community, and support this work go to: www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast

TakeawaysThe passage from Colossians 3:18-4:1 has been used to cause pain to many people over the years.Understanding the historical context and different interpretations of the text is important.Paul's writing in this passage is coded and careful, addressing both the oppressed and the people with power.The passage challenges the norms of society and calls for treating all people with love and kindness.Chapters00:00Introduction01:32Acknowledging the Pain02:29Unpacking the Passage03:27Hidden Histories and Codes07:18Different Interpretations of the Text09:12Reading the Text in Context12:56Coded Language and Careful Writing14:10Treating All People with Love and Kindness16:33Paul's Radical Ideas18:27Living Out Faith in a Complicated World23:43Grappling with Difficult Questions25:10Imagining a Community Committed to Justice26:47Closing and Benediction For more support and community go to: www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast

TakeawaysPurity culture and the emphasis on sexual purity can have a detrimental impact on individuals' understanding of sexuality and their own bodies.There is often anxiety and silence around sexuality in both conservative and progressive religious spaces.The legacy of sexual abuse in religious spaces highlights the need for open and honest discussions about sexual ethics.Treating others with respect and dignity is a central aspect of sexual ethics and is rooted in the belief in the reconciliation of all things.Chapters00:00Introduction03:08Growing up in Purity Culture06:03Anxiety around Sexuality07:03Silence in Progressive Churches07:30Legacy of Sexual Abuse in Religious Spaces08:26Handling the Texts without Inflicting Harm09:25Anxiety around Texts on Sexuality10:24Understanding the Context of the Text11:47The Symbolism of Baptism13:15The New Age and the Not Yet15:12Putting to Death the Old Way of Being17:08Treating Each Other Well19:07The Wrath of God and Right Relationships20:01Healthy Speech and Language21:23The New Age and Equality22:47Putting on Compassion, Kindness, and Love23:44Living in the New Age25:15Accepting the Invitation to Reconciliation26:15Examining Our Actions and Speech27:43Being Rooted in Our Reconciliation28:08Building a New World28:59Closing Remarks To support and join the community go to: www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast

Takeaways Differences in how Christianity is practiced can lead to judgment and exclusion within the Christian community.The assurance of faith is based on the reconciliation of all things through Jesus, not on external practices or rituals.Focusing on one's own traditions and beliefs can help avoid unnecessary judgment and division.Starting with the belief in the reconciliation of all things can lead to a more inclusive and unified Christian community. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Text Reading03:01 Different Approaches to Christianity06:50 Paul's Response to Critiques09:38 Assurance of Faith11:29 Critique of Religious Practices12:22 Understanding Paul's Jewish Context13:49 Focus on Own Traditions15:13 Reconciliation of All Things17:03 Conversations within the Christian Community19:27 Fear and Judgment within the Church21:13 Starting with Reconciliation23:29 Closing and Benediction For community and to support go to: www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast

SummaryIn this episode, Father Shannon explores the passage from Colossians 1:24-2:5. He discusses the process of writing and receiving feedback, the desire for clear-cut answers and new authorities, and the complexity of interpreting scripture. Father Shannon also delves into Paul's understanding of suffering and the completion of Christ's sufferings, as well as the importance of wrestling with texts and taking ownership of one's faith. He emphasizes the need for community and connection, and the power of engaging in the work of reconciliation.TakeawaysWriting is a process of discerning which feedback strengthens the work and which is distracting.The desire for clear-cut answers and new authorities is natural, but it is important to engage in the wrestling and grappling of faith.Scripture is a library of books that require interpretation and wrestling with the texts.Taking ownership of one's faith and engaging in the work of reconciliation can restore meaning and purpose. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Passage Reading02:07 The Process of Writing and Receiving Feedback03:02 Questioning Authority and Seeking New Answers04:30 Desire for Clear-cut Answers and New Authorities06:23 Transitioning to Colossians and the Complexity of the Text07:24 Understanding Paul's Suffering and Completion of Christ's Sufferings09:19 Beliefs about Two Ages and Set Amount of Suffering10:25 Interpreting Scripture and Wrestling with Texts13:08 The Bible as a Library of Books and Wrestling with Texts16:32 Paul's Commission and Revealing the Secret Plan18:53 Assurance of Community and Connection20:21 The Desire for Control and the Power of Taking Ownership22:17 Restoring Meaning and Engaging in the Work of Reconciliation22:56 Closing Remarks and Benediction For community and to support this work go to www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast 

Takeaways Poetry and art can provide a means of expression for deep emotions and experiences that are beyond words.The poem in Colossians 1:15-23 serves as a theological statement and an invitation to experience the wonder of the story.Reconciliation is a central theme in the letter to the Colossians, emphasizing the restoration of right relationship between God and humanity.Believing in the possibility of change and actively participating in the work of reconciliation are essential aspects of following Jesus. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Reading of Colossians 1:15-2302:01 The Power of Poetry and Art03:04 The Limitations of Words04:03 The Poetic Nature of the Letter to the Colossians05:29 The Theological Significance of the Poem in Colossians06:55 Encouragement and Reassurance for the Colossian Community08:20 The Reconciliation of All Things10:11 The Assurance of Reconciliation11:30 The Continuing Work of Reconciliation14:16 Living in the Hope of Reconciliation16:45 The Invitation to Participate in Reconciliation18:00 Believing in the Possibility of Change20:19 Closing Remarks and Benediction To support this podcast and join the community go to www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast

Takeaways Faith, hope, and love are interconnected and form the foundation of a meaningful and transformative spiritual journey.Gratitude and thanksgiving are important practices that help cultivate a deeper connection with God and others.Living a life worthy of the Lord involves actively seeking wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and putting them into action.Enduring opposition and challenges is a natural part of a faith journey, but the hope and freedom found in Christ empower believers to persevere.Embracing audacious hope and being agents of change in the world are essential aspects of living out one's faith. Chapters 00:00 Introduction02:13 Growing up in a church tradition03:12 Conflicts with personal identity04:33 Asking questions and exploring faith05:41 Longing for more in faith06:23 Connecting with listeners08:01 Thanksgiving and gratitude10:14 Theological and political implications12:05 Faith, hope, and love16:38 Living lives worthy of the Lord18:00 Enduring opposition19:36 The promise of inheritance20:29 Freedom and forgiveness23:05 Audacious hope and invitation25:14 Closing and invitation To support this podcast and join the community go to: www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast 

Summary In this episode, Father Shannon Kearns explores the book of Colossians and the power of written communication. He reflects on his own experiences with letters and the importance of connection and understanding. Kearns emphasizes the need to engage with the Bible and grapple with its complexities, acknowledging both the harm and inspiration it can bring. He delves into the context of the book of Colossians and the questions it raises about identity and allegiance. Ultimately, Kearns encourages listeners to wrestle with their faith and live out their beliefs in the world. Takeaways Written communication, such as letters, can provide a sense of connection and understanding.Engaging with the Bible requires grappling with its complexities and considering its historical context.The book of Colossians raises questions about identity and allegiance in relation to faith.Living in Christ means navigating the tension between the values of the world and the values of the Christian community. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background01:26 The Power of Letters03:26 The Complexity of Written Communication06:20 The Context of the Book of Colossians09:32 The Importance of Engaging with the Bible13:42 The Authorship of Colossians16:30 The Audience and Identity in Christ18:19 Living in Christ and the World20:11 Hope and Allegiance21:42 Closing and BenedictionTo join the conversation and the community, head on over to Patreon: www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast

A preview of season one and an invitation to go deeper at www.patreon.com/inthemarginspodcast