The Walking Closer Podcast

The Walking Closer is finally back with another episode as I share with you things I have learned from Dallas Willard's book "The Divine Conspiracy." This episode covers a little of why I have been gone and my gleanings from chapter 7 of "The Divine Conspiracy."

Have you ever looked at the Sermon on the Mt and tried to actually do the things that Jesus mentions? How did it go for you? Have you given up yet? Have they become your natural response yet? In this episode I want to give you a basic summary of what I think is going on in the Sermon on the Mt and why you might need to change the way you see and approach this text.

This episode presents a different perspective on the Beatitudes. 

This episode explores some thoughts about God's perspective, our perspectives, compartmentalism, integration, and a few other nuggets here and there.   Resources: Jordan Peterson Interview   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rAqVmZwqZM&t=0s  

As we look at Chapter 2 of the Divine Conspiracy, we  look at how we have turned the gospel into a system of sin management and why that doesn't work.    Episode Resources: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/american.study.reveals.indulgent.lifestyle.christians.no.different/9439.htm   https://www.barna.com/research/faith-has-a-limited-effect-on-most-peoples-behavior/     https://www.barna.com/research/christians-relational-health/   https://www.barna.com/research/resilient-discipleship/   https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/february/ravi-zacharias-rzim-investigation-sexual-abuse-sexting-rape.html   www.netgrace.org   https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2013-10/evangelicals-worse-catholics-sexual-abuse  

What did Jesus mean by "the kingdom of heaven" and what does this have to do with us? 

Just a few thoughts on why Jesus was so significant and how we reflect that today.

The things we consume play a major role in determining who we are becoming. How's That Working for us? The typical ways we try to enact change in our societies only leads to more laws and not true change in character? How's That Working for us? The typical ways we present Jesus and his teachings seems to only lead to more division, laws, dogmas, etc., but no true change in the heart? How's That Working for us?   Additional Resources: Tristan Harris TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C74amJRp730&t=32s   Former male porn star interview:  https://youtu.be/Hx-p9Wr6xg0   Divine Conspiracy: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ7tmLfYg7S8MPo-b73Q_-g3HYNMqLZ2Q  

So much of how we respond to life is simply based on our perceived reality. Jesus gave us principles that when applied help us to come to "know the truth" of a reality that transcends perspectives. These principles prove to be relevant and practical for us today.

In this episode we talk about Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy, and seeing Jesus as practical and relevant. Walking Closer Youtube Channel

In this episode, I explain a little more about my story and why I have the approach I have with Walking Closer.

For the first episode of 2021, I give an update on a new adventure with the podcast, I revisit the reasons behind this podcast, and tell you a little bit more about my own story.    Walking Closer YouTube Channel

If we want to make changes that stick, we need a process that puts us in a position to actually change. This episode explores such a process.

Sometimes, our hearts are like junk drawers. They collect things over time that eventually keep us from being able to open them. You may have things in your heart that are holding you back because you haven't released them. 

While the term "faith" is at the core of Christianity, there seems to be lots of ideas about what faith actually is. This episode looks at what faith is in light of its usage during the bible times and what it means to actually live by faith.

In the final episode of this series, we bring it all together and show how we respond to the "graces" or "favors" we have been given. I also discuss how we are put into a unique position of being a benefactor of God's grace to others.

There is language in the NT that ties us to the concepts of the Patron system, and yet, the language is used in a context that rises so far above the limitations of what a Patron would be expected to do. As such, it not only compares and contrast God to earthly Patrons,  it also put God in stark contrast to the gods of that time. 

The NT is filled with complex narratives. Narratives where complicated social relationships unfold before our eyes. Today's episode will continue to unpack some of these complexities.

Understanding social structures can help the biblical text come alive. This episode looks at a biblical narrative in Luke 7 where the social context of Personal and Public Patronage is played out in the biblical text. 

Did you realize the terms "grace and faith" were not particularly religious terms, but words which were used to describe a specific relationship between two people? This is where understanding social systems can be beneficial and can challenge our perspectives. 

This episode shows how the concepts of "Challenge Riposte" are interwoven into the fabric of the "Honor Shame Society" of the biblical times.

This episode touches on reading some of the biblical text through the lens of the "honor shame" culture. 

If we are going to better understand the biblical text we first need to acknowledge the challenges we face when it comes to reading and understanding the biblical narrative.    Resources: http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/New_Testament_Greek/Text/Metzger-TranslationProblems03-BS.pdf#:~:text=Problems%20involved%20in%20translating%20the%20Scriptures%20are%20many.,punctuation%20of%20the%20Hebrew%20and%20the%20Greek%20texts.   Further reading on the cultural and social context of the Bible. Non affiliated links. "Cultural Tools for Interpreting the Good News" John J. Pilch "Misreading Scripture With Western Eyes" E. Randolph Richards & Brandon J. O'Brien "Honor, Patronage, Kindship, & Purity" David A deSilva "The Social Sciences and New Testament Interpretation" Richard Rohrbaugh  "Modeling Early Christianity" Philip F. Esler "The New Testament World" Bruce J. Malina  

Much of Christian talk is shrouded in highly charged religious phrases which prop up certain theories that most people are unaware of or would struggle to articulate practically. How do we make sense of it all? This is the first of a series of episodes that seeks to challenge our perspectives when it comes to what we believe and why in hopes of better understanding the information we actually have.

Episode Resources:   Wood, D. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2010; vol 99: pp 174-190.   https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-big-questions/201108/we-see-in-others-what-we-fear-in-ourselves   https://thehabitstacker.com/learning-to-love-yourself-here-are-10-things-you-can-do/

It's much easier to adapt when you keep the focus on the "purpose" behind why you do what you do. What keeps us from adapting is when we get stuck on the "how" we do something. This can be clearly seen right now as Churches make decisions during this pandemic.

Christians have a tendency to claim lots of things, but the old cliche rings true "actions speak louder than words." 

We may not want to hear it. We may not like it. We may disagree, but here is the solution to working through all the tension.

If you want to understand some of the anger people are feeling right now, just stop and listen with the intention of gaining a new perspective. Even if you still end up disagreeing, seeing things from other people's perspective helps us to walk closer. Resources https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/592177/be-the-bridge-by-latasha-morrison/ https://bethebridge.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/BetheBridge/    

In Part 2 we talk about what we think might change as our communities begin to move forward through this pandemic. We also talk about what we hope will result from this time.

Things are changing as our communities prepare to reopen. In this episode, we discuss some things we have learned about ourselves as we transition to whats next. 

Crises can change us for better or worse. In this conversation with Mindi, I express some of my concerns and hopes for people's faith.

It's easy to focus on all the things we are missing out on since everything is shut down. Mindi joins me once again to talk about some of the good things that might NOT have happened if we weren't playing it safe at home. 

Mindi Comeaux joins me once more to share with you our social distancing experiences. Come along with us into the unknown. 

My wife (Mindi) and I share with you our experiences so far with the Coronavirus and how it has affected us in different ways. We want you to know, we feel ya.

The Coronavirus has completely disrupted our lives in almost every way. How are you handling this wild ride? 

It is really hard to see through all the fear and anxiety of the Coronavirus. However, there are stories from around the world that highlight the good that is within each of us. Humanity is being challenged to "love" and many have accepted this challenge. How about you?

This episode begins to explore the disconnect between "religious language" and what we actually understand as Christians. I think we have a mess on our hands. We use religiously charged words that may have lost their meaning, yet we continue to use them without understanding the concepts they represent. How do we make sense of all this talk? Is there a way to make any of it practical? 

In the final episode of this series we explore a moment with Jesus that was unlike any other moment we see Him go through. In this moment, His humanity is on full display.  Mathew 26:36-46 Mark 14:32-42 Luke 22:39-46 John 18:1-2

In the episode we explore what Jesus might have looked like as a man. We explore what historians say, what scripture might paint, and we also discuss the Shroud of Turin. Use the following links to further research the Shroud of Turin. https://shroud.com/history.htm History timeline of the Shroud starting in 1356. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5luydh Shroud of Turin Documentary. https://www.shroud.com Shroud of Turin website for further research.

This episode explores a few things that made Jesus unique as a human living in the 1st century. We also explore the relationship between Jesus and his mother. 

We may generally have a tendency to emphasize the divinity of Jesus, but did you realize the New Testament writers also emphasized his humanity alongside his divinity? So who was Jesus, the man? 

What does your relationship with God look like? It's only when you realize you don't have what you want, that you can begin to go in the direction you need.

Sometimes the things we do "for God" can take the place of our relationship with God. A relationship with God is not something that can be manufactured. What does your relationship with God look like? 

What may be passing for a relationship with God, may actually be something that has replaced that relationship. Listen to this episode to find out more.

"Real connections, epiphanies, reconstruction, reordering, comes as we go through things..... as we wrestle with God, and come out on the other side knowing we will never be the same again."

This episode concludes by diving into what is "a better way." We explore what this better way looks like and its ability to profoundly transform us and those around us.