OH, ABSOLUTELY!

In this fourth podcast with my guest host, David Gushee, we have an enlightening conversation with John Kingston, founder of a movement for spiritual renewal called "American Awakening."  We spoke to John as he was at his farm in Vermont, away from the cares of the world.  What's most interesting is that, while he might be able to ignore what's going on in this country, he has chosen (or perhaps has BEEN chosen) to devote himself fully to this cause. In what's turning out to be a series of discussions with extraordinarily courages leaders, you won't want to miss this enlightening conversation who has much to say about reaching out, crossing boundaries, bringing people together, and renewing our spirit.

Today we continue with my good friend Dr. David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University, as our co-host.  It's the perfect set-up for a great conversation, as our guest is the Rev. Rob Schenck, President of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute in Washington, DC. If you don't know Rob, you should. He is one of the most courageous people I know, one who has been willing, throughout his years, to examine his life in the light of Christian faith, and move dramatically when the Spirit said to move. Join this candid conversation and consider how your faith is guiding you today. Today we get into all sorts of things: faith, activist life, evangelicalism... and one of us is able to speak with competence about the current state of baseball.

Join me and my guest host, Dr. David Gushee, for a rollercoaster interview with Jer Swigart, co-founder of the Global Immersion Project.  The three of us met in 2011 on a trip to Israel/Palestine hosted by Fuller Theological Seminary.  This experience examined the conflict through the two narratives that define the region. By way of a "Spirit thing," as David remarked, we caught up with Jer as Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) was detaining two persons in unmarked buses in Bend, Oregon.  Jer was with other clergy and people from Bend, standing in the way of the federal and local police.  Their action lasted late into the night, but we caught up with Jer as the drama was unfolding. In this episode we talk about nonviolence, Evangelicalism and its roots in "slaveholder Christianity," and how white Christians must live out their/our faith.

Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee is one of the leading Christian ethicists of our time.  Author of such books as "Kingdom Ethics," written with his friend and mentor Dr. Glen Stassen, "Changing Our Mind," the landmark call for inclusion of LGBTQ Christians, to the book we're going to discuss today.  Join me with my guest host, David Gushee, in a conversation about his newest book, "After Evangelicalism: The Path to a New Christianity."

I started a PODCAST?! A few months ago I would not believe you if you told me I'd start a podcast during 2020 quarantine. This was not my plan but isn't that JUST how God works? This episode is about God calling me onto the waves where he was. This episode is raw and honest. I don't sugar coat how I felt or try to make myself look better because I know others feel the same way I do. When God calls us to things greater than ourselves a lot of things come to the surface and some of those ... aren't pretty. And God's calling YOU too. Are you ready to listen?

Our BODIES! Who were our bodies made to glorify and what does that mean about how we should treat them?! A few years ago I went on a journey of holistic health. I learned a few things: diets and desired body types don't work. I knew Jesus was calling me to something higher. Wrapping my head around the idea that my body was a temple of the Holy Spirit changed everything. Join me in this podcast as we talk about that very thing!

What lens does faith give us that allows us to see the world as it more truly is?  How can faiths other than our own help us see more clearly?   As alarming signs of fascism continue to appear across the country, Rabbi Alana Suskin joins me (Steve) and my co-host (Annette) in a conversation about how religious faith helps us recognize good in the world as well as trouble when it emerges.

"Wonder" is a funny thing. It's seems so allusive and yet we all want it! It's magical, mystical and feels a little bit like grasping at the wind. In today's podcast I'm debunking the very myth that some people have wonder and some people just don't! Listen to hear why I think wonder is a gift given to us by our Creator to pursue EVERY SINGLE DAY. 

The world's attention has been focused on the city of Portland, Oregon, as protests against injustice have continued every day since the death of George Floyd.  Recently, federal police, bearing neither name nor badge, have arrived in Portland and have been filmed abducting peaceful protestors and bystander into unmarked vehicles and detaining them without charge. Rev. Chuck Currie is United Church of Christ clergy and the Director of Center for Peace and Spirituality, a University Chaplain, and Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Pacific University in Portland.  He joins us today to tell us what's going on and how clergy are responding to this crisis.

Welcome to "Oh Absolutely," a podcast about religion, ethics, politics, and current events. This episode:  Host: Rev. Steven D. Martin Guest host: Rev. Annette Flynn Guest: Rev. Nathan Hosler, Ph.D. Topic: His book, "Hauerwas the Peacemaker?" This podcast is sponsored by Vennly and is a production of the Lakelands Institute. About Nate: Nathan Hosler is the Director of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Public Witness based in Washington, DC. In this capacity, he works on a range of policy and peacebuilding issues and convenes a working group on Nigeria. Previously he served as the Ecumenical Peace Coordinator of the National Council of Churches USA as well as worked with the Peace Programme of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and taught peacebuilding practice and theology at Kulp Bible College in northern Adamawa State (2009-2011). The Church of the Brethren has been working in northeastern Nigeria since the 1920s. He holds a Masters degree in International Relations focusing on religion and peacebuilding and holds a PhD in Religion and Theology focusing on peace.

Q: Did you know that kindness is contagious?  That our brains rewire themselves and all kinds of physiological reactions occur when we show (and experience) kindness?  A: Oh, absolutely. This episode:  Host: Rev. Steven D. Martin Guest host: Rev. Annette Flynn Guest: Jenn Jines of Kindagious.com Topic: Kindness This podcast is sponsored by Vennly and is a production of the Lakelands Institute.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Oh Absolutely," a podcast about religion, ethics, politics, and current events. This episode:  Host: Rev. Steven D. Martin Guest host: Rev. Annette Flynn Guest: Dimple Dhabalia of "Roots in the Clouds" Topic: Refugees, the nature of trauma, and healing This podcast is sponsored by Vennly and is a production of the Lakelands Institute.

*Drum roll please* FIRST PODCAST! Wow, thanks for starting this journey with me. On this first podcast I talk about my "awakening", and by that I mean my recent mental break down that led to seeing Jesus more clearly. 2020 has been hard for the world. It has revealed human nature in a way I think we normally tried to suppress. Jesus didn't and he doesn't. He looks depression, anxiety, and weakness in the face and says, "I choose you anyways". This is a podcast for any human being with influence. We need to be reminded of the leadership Jesus modeled for us because 2020 desperately needs that kind of leader.July 17, 2020Adrianna Cervantes