We believe in peace with God and a good cup of coffee. The purpose of this podcast is to engage in the fundamentals of Christianity from a Biblical worldview.
Some thoughts on “what's next” when things, especially of the metaphysical variety, fall apart.
Today I want to expose one of the ways that Christians misrepresent the Bible and use it to oppress women.
The last time we disagreed with the pope today we take on Abe Lincoln, John Calvin, Martin Luther…. kind of everyone. Does the racism and sexism of our church fathers affect our present? Check out today our spiciest episode yet. Two amazing book recommendations from which I took some of my info today.
Today we explore the idea of a formless Christianity.
Today I court controversy as we ponder if you have a choice between little or big sins, which is better?
The Bible describes us as sinners and saints. We, humans, are a paradox, a true mixture of light and dark. How do we live with this reality? Tune in to get some direction. Tigger warning: There is a brief discussion of sexual violence.
Today we think about what it looks like to live with humility, obstacles to it, and the gratitude that flows from it as a gift.
I had a hard time titling this: Terror of Demons?, Joseph the Just; Controversial Christmas… I’m not good with titles. It is about all those things though. Merry Christmas!
Today I encourage us to be more uncertain. Shout out to Birdtalker and their song One which I quote and posted below. (Content warning for parents, the song posted has some light cussing.)
Matthew 11:25-30 teaches us that God moves much more slowly and patiently than we think. Today we learn that God offers us grace in our imperfections, in fact when we walk with God our yoke is easier not harder, lighter not heavier, restful not labor. If your religion is too heavy, maybe it isn’t grace.
Today I explore some thoughts about why Jesus was often silent.
Today we talk about the importance of little humiliations, and how important it is to say, “I was wrong.”
Today is the celebration of Pentecost the commemoration of the giving of the Holy Spirit. I want to challenge us to ask a different question about the Holy Spirit today, and ask where is the Spirit going? Because as we reflect on the work of the Spirit I believe that the Spirit is going to the pain of the world. If we want to be with God then we must go to the pain as well.
Today is the traditional observance of the Ascension of the Lord. This day is often forgotten, but remembering the ascension is a critical component of the gospel.
Today I want to do a very short introduction to how we got the Bible. I obviously can’t cover it all, but after our time you will have a better understanding of how the Old and New Testament developed and were brought together into one collection. The video link below is the same as the podcast audio. But if you prefer the video experience it is available.Don’t forget Paul’s curated music setlist to help guide your praise and worship.
Today I discuss a few examples of Proof-Texting and how not to do it. Three simple exercises/rules can be helpful: 1. Book, Chapter, Verse, 2. Context is King, and 3. The PUBLIC Reading of Scripture.
Today Paul Funk takes us through Jesus’ conversation with Peter post denial (John 21). Had I been denied by my closest friend I might be a little testy - let’s see what Jesus has to say.
In this podcast I take the first verse of 2 Samuel 11 and try to illustrate how we make sense of it. Namely I bring out two important lessons about interpretation: 1. We bring our prior bias/thought/interpretations to the text; 2. If we know this we can more wisely choose how to read a text in light of it’s larger context.
In John 20 Jesus talks to Mary Magdalene and “Doubting” Thomas. Today we challenge the way we treat Mary, Thomas, and doubt.
How do you hear the voice of God? How might that affect the way you hear Luke 8:41-48? Why does it matter that Luke recorded this situation, and what has this to do with the great tampon war of 2017? Tune in to find out.
Last time we talked about Jesus conversation with a person that shared his religious and cultural experience. This morning we look at how Jesus talked to a person that was very different from him. Grab a Bible and follow along in John 4.
Some thoughts inspired by morning conversations about identity with friends. If you wrestle with purpose or worth here are some thoughts I have for you.
Today we reflect upon the Centurion’s shocking confession from Luke 23:47.
This starts a new series in which we reflect on the conversations Jesus had with different kinds of people. Today we reflect on how Jesus spoke to the already religious, namely Nicodemus in John 3. As always check the notes for Paul’s worship playlist.
Happy Easter! He is risen! Today we spend a lot of time reading scripture so you may want a Bible. Specifically there are large sections from Luke 24 and Isaiah 53-55.
Today we lament the darkness of evil, as we behold the Lord of Glory crucified by it so that through it we might know the fullness of God’s peace.
Today being Maundy Thursday I offer a bit of an old school communion meditation.
Sometimes called silent Wednesday today the story shifts from Jesus to Judas.
Today we reflect on Jesus rejection of the Temple system, and we reorient our understanding of the old story of the widows mite found in Luke 21:1-5-9.
This is the first day of Holy Week. Today we explore the way that John marks the story of Jesus triumphal entry differently, and how even here we are shocked by the wideness of God’s mercy.
This morning we conclude our series on John 13-17. We focus on Jesus prayer for unity of his people, which is the natural outflow of anyone who is living in self-giving love. Put another way, if we live the love of John 13 our lives will easily reflect the unity of John 17.
Today is really the second part of the last episode: Broken Blessings. Your best experience is to follow up the podcast with the song (link below) I Will Find a Way by Andy Gullahorn. It narrates very beautifully what I try to describe today as we reflect on Genesis 32 and Matthew 1.
Today we reflect on the story of the beginning of Jacob’s second journey, but it begins with his breaking. If you want to follow along the story takes place in Genesis 32:22-32.
Today we reflect on John 13 and 14, with the end goal of understanding the work of the Holy Spirit better in John 14: 15-20, 25-27. Below is Paul’s curated worship set.
Today we re-imagine the meaning of James 5:14-16, and what the connection is between sickness, sin, confession, and healing. Special thanks to Dr. Ron Peters for his paper on the subject.
Today Paul encourages us to have a confident faith as he concludes the first part of John 14. Attached is the music set we were planning for the week. Feel free to play that before and get lost in musical worship before you tune into the message.
Today Paul reflects on what Jesus means when he talks about God’s “Big House” in John 14. To kick it off though check out this (terrible quality sorry) 90’s Contemporary Christian music video “Big House” by Audio Adrenaline.
Today Paul Funk reflects on John 14:1 in which Jesus encourages his disciples to trust in him rather than sit in fear. Though times will be difficult Jesus overcomes the world.
Special announcement about upcoming podcasts to be released over the next several weeks.
Today we reflect upon the radical generosity of the early church as exemplified in Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37.
Was the mark put on Cain a curse, or a blessing? What do we learn about God and his perspective toward good and evil through this crazy story? Today’s podcast was sparked by a new commentary by Dr. John Nugent. It is cutting edge, interesting, and accessible. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/33KSpLK
Today I reflect on a bizarre Bible story that functions like a parody of power , and how Jesus death and resurrection despoil the powers - past and present - so that we as the children of God can be free from their authority. Texts mentioned are found in 1 Samuel 18 and Colossians 2:15. Hilarious meme that inspired the thought below from @epicchristianmemes.
Today I want to correct the misapplication of Wisdom literature - Proverbs in particular - that fails to understand the difference between that and other genres in the Bible.
Today I want to challenge the church to stop putting up with bad behavior from fellow Christians and start actually loving each other enough to confront what we see going on - because it is our responsibility to do so. Passages quoted from Proverbs 27:5-6; St. Augustine’s sermon on 1 John 4:4-12 found here: https://bit.ly/2EKp0nc
After a long hiatus we think about how Jesus is the Wisdom from God. We look at several passages in brief (in case you want to look them up): Proverbs 1:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:30-2:16; Luke 10:20-21.Also this gif makes me laugh.
Today we reflect on the post resurrection experiences of Jesus followers. The painting below The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by the painter Caravaggio ca. 1602.
Happy Maundy Thursday! Today we reflect upon the “Last Supper” it’s relationship to Passover, and the command to love the church.
Though a quiet day for Holy Week, it was busy for the authorities and Judas Iscariot who plan together to kill Jesus. We reflect on this and the story of the anointing of Jesus.
Tuesday of Holy Week Jesus engages in “Temple Debates” and gives us the “Olivet Discourse.” I spend a little extra time talking about the parable of the 10 Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13.
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