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Welcome to Day 2781 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – A Critical Examination of Alexander Hislop: Why His Teachings Should Be Ignored Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2781 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2781 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled A Critical Examination of Alexander Hislop: Why His Teachings Should Be Ignored. Alexander Hislop's The Two Babylons has long held sway in certain evangelical and fundamentalist circles. Its central claim—that Roman Catholicism is a disguised continuation of ancient Babylonian paganism—has influenced generations of Christians suspicious of the Catholic Church. Hislop argues that practices and symbols within Catholicism were derived from ancient worship of figures like Nimrod and Semiramis. Yet as modern scholarship has consistently demonstrated, these claims collapse under scrutiny. This article examines why Hislop's theories are deeply flawed, historically inaccurate, and ultimately harmful. The first segment is: A Foundation of Faulty Methodology. From the outset, Hislop's work suffers from methodological failure. Rather than employing credible historical sources, linguistic analysis, or archaeological evidence, Hislop leans heavily on speculation and forced connections. He draws parallels based on little more than superficial similarity—treating visual resemblance or name echoes as definitive proof of religious continuity. A striking example is Hislop's attempt to link the Virgin Mary with the Babylonian figure Semiramis. Rather than relying on historical context or primary sources, he builds his case on tenuous similarities and conjecture. This pattern repeats throughout the book. Hislop's conclusions are based on circular reasoning, and his work lacks the kind of critical evaluation expected in even the most basic academic research. The second segment is: Inventing the Nimrod-Semiramis Narrative. At the core of Hislop's argument is the narrative that Nimrod and Semiramis served as the original model for all pagan deities and that this archetype was smuggled into Christianity. According to Hislop, the Catholic portrayal of Mary and Jesus as a mother and child pair is simply a continuation of Babylonian goddess worship. This idea, however, has no basis in historical fact. There is no ancient evidence linking Nimrod, a biblical figure mentioned briefly in Genesis, to Semiramis, who appears centuries later in Assyrian and Greco-Roman sources. Semiramis is never presented as Nimrod's wife in any ancient record. Nor is she depicted as a fertility goddess or a “Queen of Heaven” in a context that would support Hislop's claims. Instead, she is often described as a powerful queen or military leader, not a religious figure. The pairing of Nimrod and Semiramis is entirely Hislop's invention. Furthermore, Nimrod himself is not attested in any ancient Mesopotamian inscriptions as a god, cult figure, or object of worship. Hislop's claim that Nimrod became the prototype for gods such as Osiris, Zeus, or...
Ancient Greece and Rome are venerated throughout our society — including on the far right. Is this a misappropriation and misuse of the ideals of Greco-Roman antiquity? Classical scholar Curtis Dozier argues that when white nationalists appeal to ancient thinkers to justify their reactionary ideas, there is surprisingly much to draw from. Curtis Dozier, The White Pedestal: How White Nationalists Use Ancient Greece and Rome to Justify Hate Yale University Press, 2026 The post Antiquity and the Far Right appeared first on KPFA.
The Iron and the Clay (Part Two): Government, Principalities, and the Coming Clash Between Christ and Antichrist In this extended continuation of The Iron and the Clay, Jacob Prasch expounds Daniel 2 to address the biblical tension between submission to civil authority and obedience to God, showing how political power, religious systems, technology, and economics are all influenced by unseen spiritual principalities. Moving between Scripture (Acts 4, Romans 13, Daniel 10–12, Revelation 12–13) and contemporary events in Europe, Britain, Israel, and the West, the teaching argues that modern persecution of Christians, censorship, and moral inversion mirror the conditions of pagan Rome and foreshadow the final Antichrist system. Prasch traces how the “iron and clay” kingdom reflects a fractured Greco-Roman world struggling to hold together through authoritarian control, false religion, and counterfeit unity, while warning against deception in the church, triumphalist “kingdom now” theology, and false assurances of escape from tribulation. The message culminates in hope: though many battles will be lost, the war is already won—Christ, the stone cut without human hands, will crush every earthly kingdom and establish a reign that will never end. This teaching was originally taught on RTN TV's "Word for the Weekend" on February 22, 2025 and can be found on RTN and Moriel's YouTube and ministry channels. Word for the Weekend streams live every Saturday. See RTNTV.org for more information
In this episode of Inside the Lines, host Curt Conrad is joined by co-producer Zac Hiser for a conversation with Galion wrestler Gradey Harding. Harding is the first wrestler we've had in studio. We talked with him about the difference between folk style and Greco-Roman wrestling, what his diet and workout regimen looks like and he takes us through some of the most memorable matches from his high school career. Harding has signed a national letter of intent to wrestle for Division 1 Buffalo in college next year. He talked about why he chose Buffalo, what NIL looks like for college wrestlers and his future aspirations after college. We also talked about an upcoming state wrestling title run for Harding and what that would mean to him as he looks to become the fourth ever state wrestling champion from Galion High School. This episode is brought to you by Graham Auto Mall. Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist Vaundoom. Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local journalism.Support the show: https://richlandsource.com/membersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
John 1:1-3 - Christ: The Logos of God Our sermon text this morning is John 1:1-3. If you read our weekly email, you may have seen that originally, I was planning to cover verses 1-5. I backed off a little because there is so much packed into the first 3 verses. That probably scares some of you because you're thinking, “is this going to happen every week? And if so, are we going to be in the Gospel of John for years?” Well, I can't say that this will be the last time that I narrow our focus to just a couple of verses. However, I will note that Jim Boice, the late pastor of Tenth Presbyterian church, preached 270 sermons in the book of John. Doing the math, that's over 5 years. I've planned about 70. Ok, turning our attention to these verses, you'll hear the word “word” three times. That is referring to Jesus Christ. We know that from verse 14 where John writes that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” So, as I read, be sure to make the mental connection between the Word and Christ. Reading of John 1:1-3 Prayer “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal…” Those legendary words bring us back to the very founding of our nation. Or how about this on: “I have a dream” Those words take us back to Martin Luther King and the struggle of segregation in the 1950s and 60s. Or perhaps you recognize this: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Those are the opening words of Charles Dickens's book The Tale of Two Cities. It takes us back to the French Revolution and the stark contrast between London and Paris. Each of those opening phrases is packed with meaning and significance. They each capture our minds and our hearts. In some ways, they transport us through time and space and turn our attention to lofty ideas or significant events. Well, the opening words of John's Gospel do something very similar. For one, they are renowned. But also, their poetic language and expressive words raise the significance and consequence for the reader… and really for the whole world. Perhaps these words don't bring us back to a specific place, but they transport us to the very creation of the world. “In the beginning.” In the very beginning of all time and space “was the Word.” Does that not raise our senses and our curiosity and even our wonder at what is being communicated? As far as familiar opening words in the Bible, John 1 is only second to Genesis 1. And those are iconic words. Genesis 1 certainly ranks up there among the most famous in the world. Genesis 1:1 says “In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth.” Those 10 words reveal several things about God. · First, that he is one God. It doesn't say, “in the beginning, the gods (plural)...” No, rather it's a definitive statement. “In the beginning, God…” There is one God. · Second, Genesis 1:1 posits God as existing before the beginning of time itself – he is eternal. · And third those 10 opening words of Genesis speak about God's nature and work. He is the creator God of all things - things in heaven and things on earth. And I think you have probably already made the connection in your minds. The opening words of the Gospel of John are very similar to Genesis 1. They start with the same three words. Of course, one was penned in Hebrew – that would be Genesis – and the other was penned in Greek. But the connection is unmistakable. Really, the connection between the opening of Genesis and the opening of John's Gospel even further expand our understanding of God's nature and the ministry and work of Christ - God the Son. In Genesis 1, we're told of God's creative work and in John 1, God reveals who accomplished that work and how. So, let's jump into these opening three verses of John. As far as an outline, I want to highlight 3 things about Christ: 1. Christ's Identity as the Eternal Logos 2. Christ's Deity as One with the True God 3. Christ's Work as the Agent of Creation Let me say those again if you are taking notes. We didn't have room in the bulletin this week for an outline. 1. Christ's Identity as the Eternal Logos – I'll explain the word Logos in a minute. 2. Christ's Deity as One with the True God – Deity meaning his nature as God. And 3. His Work as the Agent of Creation. It is through the agency of Christ that God created all things. So, let's work through those. 1. Christ's Identity as the Eternal Logos And the first thing to understand is the word “word.” In the original Greek, it's the word Logos. Maybe you've heard that word before. Logos is one of two words that are often translated “word.” The other is the more common word, rhema in Greek, merely referring to words on a page or spoken words. But the word logos, on the other hand, is packed with meaning. Yes, it's basic meaning is a statement or speech – you know, a “word” spoken. But the word logos also includes the idea of a charge like I'm charging you with something… and the idea of cause like speech that causes something to happen. It's a word spoken that is effective. It accomplished something. Now, the Greek culture of the time used the word Logos as well. But their use was more of an abstract idea. Their logos was the rational order of the cosmos. It was used in an impersonal way. There was no being behind a Greek use of the word logos. Nonetheless it was still a powerful word. By the way, the Greek word logos is directly related to our English word “logic”… you know, a reasoned explanation. And sometimes you'll hear pastors try to apply that philosophical and rational meaning to the Logos of John 1. But remember from last week that John is writing to a Jewish context. He was Jewish himself. And the word logos in the Jewish community had been used for centuries. The Greek translation of the Old Testament uses the word logos hundreds of times. Our call to worship this morning was from Psalm 33. It says in verse 6 “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.” Logos to the Jewish community was understood to be personal and declarative and often associated with God himself. That is very different from the Greco-Roman understanding. What I am arguing is that John is not borrowing the word Logos from the Greek culture. Rather, he is contrasting that impersonal understanding with the divine and personal understanding of Logos. He's revealing that the Logos of God is far superior to the Greek's rational concept of logos. We see that right there in verse 1. It says, “In the beginning was the Word.” From eternity past, the Logos existed – Christ existed. The verb is very important here. It's the English word “was” …you know, a form of “to be..” In the beginning “was” the word. And it's verb tense is the imperfect active. It means not only did Christ already exist in the beginning, but also that his existence continues. English does not have a good equivalent. The word “was” in English is past tense. But the Greek has a much broader meaning. “already was and continues to be” What we learn in these verses is that the Logos of God is eternal. He existed before the beginning of time and space and he continues to exist. Furthermore, he is not some impersonal rational concept about the ordering of the universe, but rather his eternal existence is personal. He has being, as the verb reveals. He is none other the person of Christ, again as verse 14 tells us. The eternal Logos of God. Now, in a few minutes we are going to further see how the word logos relates to Christ's work. That will be point 3, But let's move on to point 2 - the rest of verse 1 and verse 2. 2. Christ's Deity as One with the True God So, #2. Christ's Deity as One with the True God. – I'm saying it that way for a reason. He is God and he is One with God. The Logos mentioned here is not some force that God is harnessing. No, this Logos, Christ, is God himself. Look at the end of verse 1. It says, “the word was God.” It's the same imperfect active tense. The Logos already was and continues to be God. Now, that seems super clear, doesn't it? “The Logos was God.” Some of you know this, but about twice a week, you will see two of Jehovah Witnesses just outside of our church office. They are just standing there on the corner of Main Street. And if you ask them about John 1:1, they will say that it should be translated differently. They translate it as “the word was a god.” They say that Christ was like a god but not God himself. They argue that because there is no definite article before the word “God” (Theos), therefore Jesus is not being described here as God himself. However, they are wrong for two reasons. · Number 1, Greek scholarship is fairly unified on the translation. For those of you who are grammarians (you like grammar), the phrase is a predicate nominative. Greek predicate nominatives establish a shared essence between the subject and the predicate – especially when the predicate is placed before the verb as is here. In fact, predicate nominatives in the Greek usually do not use a definite article for the predicate. So, Christ is not being described here as a god, he is being identified as the God - fully and completely God. · And number 2. This identification of Jesus Christ being God himself is all throughout the Gospel of John. We considered that last week. Several times Jesus identified himself as one with God the Father. He said as much: “I and the Father are One.” We also considered all the I AM statements where Jesus identified himself as Yahweh. Furthermore, look at the phrase in the middle of verse 1 and in verse 2. They are very similar. It says, “And the Logos was with God… He was in the beginning with God.” This is one of the beautiful truths about the God of the Bible. God is personal and relational. Within the Godhead, as we say, there is a relationship between the three persons of God. The Father, the Son (who is the Logos), and the Spirit. This is something that the Gospel of John makes clear throughout. I also mentioned that last week. By the way, one of the things I plan to do as we work through this book, is to connect each section and paragraph to the broader themes. And this is one of them. Jesus teaches not only about his equality with God the Father but also his role as God the Son and the role of God the Spirit whom he and the Father will send. As I put it last week, this book is full of theology – the doctrine of God – Theos. And it begins with these profound words. You see, these opening words, especially verse 2 are not teaching that there are multiple gods. No. These verses are quite clear about that. Rather when they say that the Logos was with God from the beginning, they are revealing that God himself has relationships within himself. It's an amazing thing to consider. As humans created in God's image, we have been given the capacity and desire for relationships. That relational characteristic that every human being shares… comes from the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Spirit. One with each other. All eternal and all God. So, the Logos, who is Christ, is one with and in relationship with the eternal God. He is God. 3. Christ's Work as the Agent of Creation That being us to point 3: Christ's work as the agent of creation. This third point is very much related to the word Logos. Christ is creator. He is the one through whom the universe has come into existence. God's act of speaking his Word (his Logos) comes through the work of Christ. Going back to Genesis 1, the phrase that is used over and over is “God said.” “God said ‘let there be light' and there was light.” Every act of creation happens through God's word. God spoke, and it was so. Back to John 1. In verse 3 it says, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” All things in the entire universe were made through Christ. Every galaxy, every star, every planet; every cell and molecule and atom and proton and neutron and quark. All things came into being through him. That may be something new to you. We don't often think of or speak of Christ's role as God's agent of creation. That's because we most often think and speak of his role as redeemer. And there is plenty of that in the Gospel of John. But just like in verse 3, several Scriptures passages speak of Christ's role as creator. Besides John 1, we read from both Colossians 1 and Hebrews 1 this morning. In Colossians, “…by [Christ] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” In Hebrews 1. “In these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Or consider 1 Corinthians 8:6, which says, “there is… one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” God spoke through his Word, through his Logos, who is Christ, to bring everything into existence. I remember when I learned this for the first time. I was amazed at the glory of God in his work of creation through Christ. Our Savior is not only our Lord, but he is our creator. One thing is very very clear in these verses. Christ was not created. No, he existed before creation and he is the one through whom God created all things. Conclusion He is (1) the eternal Word of God, (2) As God, he is one with the true God, and (3) the creator of all things… visible and invisible. That is what we learn in these verses. Now, I want you to imagine something. Imagine that you grew up in a Jewish community in the western part of Asia Minor (maybe Ephesus or Smyrna). Imagine it's the later half of the first century. You studied the Torah in school and your knew the history of Israel. Your family was a devout Jewish family. Besides your Jewish education, you had always been intrigued by influences from the neighboring culture to the west - Greece. People from Athens often travelled through your city. They not only brought their wares, but they also brought their philosophy and gods. They loved to talk about the latest philosophical theories and ideas. They used the word logos often. When they did, they spoke of the ordering principle of the universe, you know, the force that structures all of nature, as they described it. So, you have that in the back of your mind, but you also know what you have been taught from the Hebrew Scriptures. God speaks into existence all of creation, like it says in Genesis and Isaiah and the Psalms. Now, imagine that you are reading John's Gospel account for the first time. One of your neighbors had a parchment and he let you borrow it to read. And so you read these opening words for the first time. “In the beginning was the Logos and the Logos was with God… and the Logos was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” And you are enraptured. These ideas are coming alive. You had been intrigued by the travelling philosophers of Athens, but this concept of a personal Logos who has eternally existed from all time and who is God is gripping your mind. And then you get down to verse 14… and you read “and the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us.” As you had been reading the first couple of paragraphs, you had been asking, “who is this Logos?” And then you find out from these words that the Logos has dwelt among us. He has lived among us. You had heard of a man named Jesus. But up until this point you had never understood why he was so significant or controversial. But now you knew. And your heart was leaping because not only are you reading here that he is and has always been the eternal Logos… but all of a sudden your mind is being flooded with all the things you had learned in your Jewish education. You begin recalling all of the promises and prophecies of Christ - the Messiah of God. Light bulbs are going off all over the place in your mind and heart. This personal, eternal Logos being written about is the Christ, the eternal promised one, and he has come to us in the person of Jesus. It's a life-transforming realization. You can't put the parchment down because every word and sentence and paragraph is speaking to your mind and heart. The Word of God, Christ, is becoming real to you in a way that you had never experienced before. He is changing your heart. I know that is just a thought experiment, but as we work our way through John, I want us to enter in to the lives of the first readers and hearers and those whom Jesus encountered. I want us to enter in to their situation. Through that lens, I believe these words will become living words for us. Maybe this is all new for you. And as you hear it, maybe your mind and heart are being drawn in with intrigue and wonder as you come to the understanding of who Christ is…. in his eternal nature as God and as the one through whom all things have been created. If that is you, as we go through this book, may you hear and grasp not only who Christ is, but what he has done for you. But maybe you've been a Christian for years… and these words are very familiar to you as they are to me. If that's you, may your heart and mind be re-ignited by the depth and clarity and wonder of God in the person and work of Christ, who became flesh and dwelt among us. As we go through this Gospel, may we all see him, our creator and Savior and Lord, the eternal Logos of God.
Every second week of the month explores together the New and Full Moon and capture its essence with “Capricorn Leo Lunar Beats”.The New Moon at 28 degrees Capricorn continues currently within a unique six-month pattern of new moons occurring at the 28 degrees of archetypal fulfilment. Capricorn involves recognizes the achievement of mastery. Yet, in its highest form, accepts taking personal accountability for their actions. On 4 Feb, the Full Moon occurs not in the opposite sign of the New Moon, but at 13° 04' Leo. These luminous energies consummate the Sun's Capricorn discipline into manifested dimensions with the Full Moon's Leonean blossomed brilliance. During this month, Venus Mars and the Sun align as they have transited close through the New Year start. Bringing values and purpose into focused action. Perhaps to align our motivation and drive to truly release the past year Water Snake skin to ride the next year's Fire Horse that begins in the following month. Regardless, our emotional journey welcomes the objective witness perspective of Capricorn to prepare for the fiery Leo Full Moon to ignite the best purposes.The moon's our personal planet regulating the past coming into the present. Weekly, the moon systematic monthly cycle transitions from a darkened New Moon through the first quarter of light to wax into the Full Moon. The moon moves daily quickly at 12-13 degrees, allowing the moon to transit through each Zodiac sign every two & a half days.Joining Sue Rose Minahan from Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i are Talk Cosmos members, Amanda Pierce, and John Chinworth of Seattle, Washington. Speaker bios are listed below and on the Talk Cosmos website.Catch new weekly episodes and subscribe to TalkCosmos.com to access the latest content through YouTube, Facebook, radio, and podcast platforms.JOHN CHINWORTH: Consultant, Conference Lecturer, Writer/Poet. Diploma from the International Academy of Astrology (IAA) in 2021. More than two decades of experience. Lectured at NORWAC, and SFAS | Obsessed with mythology & branded the Greco-Roman pantheon into his psyche | Past board member of WSAA |Teaches and mentors developmentally disabled and resource students for many years | Pens poems and does road trips around Washington. email: archerstars@gmail.com | website: https://www.skypathastro.comAMANDA PIERCE: blends her eclectic style of astrology and energy magic around a soul-centered approach to life and healing. With a B.A. in Psychology, Astrology and Energy Work Consultation | Meditation | Writing & Editing. Empowerment-based Meditation: teaching in-person 4-week series classes. Email: Amandamoonastrology@gmail.com Past WSAA Board Member | UAC 2018 Volunteer Coordinator.SUE ‘ROSE' MINAHAN: Evolutionary Astrologer Consultant, Speaker, Writer, Dwarf Planet University graduate; Vibrational Astrology student, Kepler Astrology Toastmasters; Wine Country Speakers; holds an Associate of Fine Arts Music Degree, & a Certificate of Fine Arts in Jazz. Artist & musician. Mythology enthusiast. Founder of Talk Cosmos weekly conversations awaken heart and soul consciousness since 2018. https://www.talkcosmos.com#TalkCosmos #SueMinahan #JohnChinworth #AmandaPierce #astrologyYouTubeconversations #LunarPhases #talkcosmos #Kaleidoscopevisions #astrologypodcastweather #SkyPathAstro #TalkCosmosYouTubeChannel #KKNWAM #capricornnewmoon #moonphases #astrologyfacts #astrologywisdom #astrologyinsights #astrologypodcasts #radiopodcast #youtubeconversationpodcasts #saturninpisces #neptuneinpisces #astroweather #cosmos #uranusintaurus #moonenergy #astrologytips #astrologyfacts #astrologywisdom #leofullmoon #2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Everything you wanted to know about 1st Century Palestine, but were afraid to ask… The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians By: N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird Published: 2019 992 Pages Briefly, what is this book about? An deep dive on the New Testament covering (as the subtitle suggests) the history: Second Temple Judaism against a Greco-Roman background; the literature: the New Testament's genesis, structure, authors and audience; and theology: the religious claims of the book, the doctrine, miracles, and contentions. What's the author's angle? Despite me saying that this is a deep dive, it is also something of a sampler for Wright's other, even more expansive books. Also it's important to note that Wright is very much a believing Christian and while the book is exceptionally scholarly, it's also backgrounded by the idea that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who died for the sins of the world and was gloriously resurrected. Who should read this book? This is a long book, and I ended up deciding to read it, rather than listen to it. As such, it honestly took me several months to get through, so you should certainly take that into account. This should not be construed as saying the book is difficult. It's very accessible, and reads easily. I will say that I learned a lot, but I'm not sure that will be true for everyone. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) don't generally focus on straight down the line Bible scholarship. To the extent that we do deep scholarship in this area it's in search of parallels between early Christianity and LDS Christianity. (For example in 1 Corinthians 15:29 when Paul mentions baptisms for the dead. Something no major denomination does, other than us.) This is all to say that I think LDS individuals might find this book particularly enjoyable, as being somewhat outside of our normal wheelhouse. Specific thoughts: It's both shocking how much New Testament we have and how little we have of everything else
In the first episode of our Cultural Keys to Reading the New Testament mini-series on the ProveText Podcast, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb introduces the patronage system—the social and economic backbone of the ancient Greco-Roman world.Patronage shaped everything from politics and economics to daily relationships of loyalty, honor, and obligation. It also shaped how early audiences heard words like grace, favor, and faith. Long before these became theological terms, they belonged to the language of debts, benefactors, and unequal power relationships.In this episode, Dr. Halcomb explores how the New Testament writers draw on patronage logic—and then radically transform it. Through examples like Luke 7 and Paul's use of charis, we see how the gospel both speaks within this system and subverts it, revealing a vision of grace that is lavish, undeserved, and life-transforming.Understanding the patronage system doesn't diminish the gospel—it magnifies it.#bible #biblestudy #culture #grace #faith #christian #podcast #religion #gospel #jesus #jesuschrist #christianity #christ #history #education #educational #educationalvideo #scripture #new ***GlossaHouse resources are available at our website! - https://glossahouse.com/✏️ ***Sign up for classes with GlossaHouse U - https://glossahouse.com/pages/classes
Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.” Matthew 10:17–18These words capture the essence of the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, the Church's first martyr, whom we honor today. The day after celebrating the birth of Christ, the Church, in her wisdom, reflects on the reality of persecution as a consequence of worshiping the newborn King.The Jewish community in Jerusalem was diverse, with traditional Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic Jews who were influenced by the Greco-Roman culture. As Jews began to convert to Christianity, a new unified community of believers emerged. Despite this unity, tensions arose, particularly when Hellenistic widows were neglected in the daily distribution of bread. To address this, the Apostles appointed seven deacons, with Stephen being the first, likely a Hellenist himself.Stephen, described as “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,” performed great wonders among the people. When confronted by Hellenistic Jews, he defended the faith with wisdom and courage, leading to his being dragged before the Sanhedrin. His eloquent defense angered his opponents, resulting in his stoning. In his final moments, Stephen commended his spirit to Jesus and prayed for his persecutors.At first, his martyrdom seemed a tragic loss that sparked a wave of persecution and scattered the Christian community throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. This dispersion, however, spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, leading to many new converts. What appeared to be a tragedy became a catalyst for the growth of the early Church.As we honor Saint Stephen, reflect on the truth that God permits evil only to draw greater good from it. If you face suffering or persecution, let today's feast inspire hope. Trust in God's plan, reject fear, and embrace His will, knowing that He can use every cross for His glory. Saint Stephen, you were a man filled with grace and power, deeply committed to Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel. Please pray for me, that I will have your courage and faith so that God can use me to further His Kingdom by drawing many souls to Him. Saint Stephen, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
ICYMI: This episode is one of our earliest episodes, and originally aired on 5/14/2020 In this introductory conversation, Dr. Jonathan Pennington joins the Center for Hebraic Thought as its newest fellow and shares how his journey through philosophy and biblical scholarship led him to see the New Testament as part of a deeply sophisticated intellectual tradition. Pennington discusses how early Christianity, though written in Greek and shaped within a Hellenistic world, did not abandon its Jewish roots but rather translated its robust metaphysic across cultural lines. Drawing from his work on Jesus as a philosopher, Pennington explains that the New Testament doesn't reject or capitulate to Greco-Roman philosophy—it stands alongside it, often outthinking and outlasting it. In contrast to Stoicism's emotional detachment and denial of suffering's reality, the Bible presents a profoundly realistic vision: a God who enters the world, values the body, and promises the restoration of creation through Shalom. Pennington argues that Jesus—especially in Matthew's Gospel—functions as a public philosopher. In moments like the Sermon on the Mount or debates with religious elites, Jesus offers strikingly rational, ethical, and metaphysical responses to life's biggest questions. This episode introduces not only a new CHT fellow, but a vision of Scripture as intellectually vibrant, emotionally honest, and endlessly translatable. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org
Jairus appears as an administrator. He was named, titled, and located inside a functioning system. He knew how things worked, when to ask, when to stop, when a situation was resolved. When he knelt before Jesus, it was already a breach of role, but the text does not stop there. It presses him.While he was still on the way, while the instruction was still unfolding, a message arrived from his own house: Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Teacher.It sounds compassionate. It sounds final. But it is not merely a report. It is a deception and a false command. Those who pressed Jairus pressed him to stop searching Scripture, to stop pursuing the call of the Prophet. They said: return to your place. Accept the verdict the system of human words has rendered.But there is only one Judge.Jesus answered without addressing death at all. He promised nothing. He uttered the command, Do not fear. Only trust.With that command, the axis of the text shifts. Fear here is not panic. Fear is obedience to human reasonableness. It is enclosure within narrative walls built of human words. Trust is remaining under instruction, exposed to reality, out in the open, where only living, breathing divine words can give life, even when every visible sign says the moment has passed.The crowd moves with them. They are practical. They know how death works. They know when grief must become resignation. They are not simply onlookers. They are the stone Temple outside the synagogue, walls built of human words, set against the living, breathing Word.They do what walls always do. They mark the human boundary. They decide what may pass and what must stop. What they call wisdom is fear of man disciplined into respectability. What they call obedience is resignation taught to bow to something other than God. They are the domesticated gatekeepers of reasonableness, the infrastructure of Herod, the architecture of fear.They are like the children in the marketplace who said:“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.” (Luke 7:32)They do not listen for the sound of God. They pipe their own tune. Whether the sound is mourning or rejoicing, their demand is the same: respond within our script. The problem was not his music. It was their refusal to hear.They are the makers of garments, woven out of fig leaves. As Moses wrote:“Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)“I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10)Jesus emptied the room. Only Peter, James, John, and the parents remained. When Jesus said She is not dead but sleeping, they laughed. Their laughter was not a misunderstanding. It was fear covered, not by God, but by human craftiness. It restored their order. It set a guard around the girl's tomb. It domesticated the moment. It said: this voice may sing only within the borders of our melodies.No one expected what was about to happen. No one could later claim trust in his Command:“And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?'” (Ezekiel 37:2-3)Jesus took the girl by the hand and spoke: Child, arise. The text is not Greco-Roman. It is not written that her “mind” returns. It is not written that her Platonic “soul” is restored. It is written that her pneuma, her ruaḥ, returns. Breath that had gone out came back in. Life does not rise from within the human system of words. It enters from outside, at the sound of his voice (Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 37:2-10).“Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:4)Peter, James, and John, like the parents, said and did nothing. They bore witness. Life does not come from parents. Wisdom does not come from disciples, let alone stone temples:“So I prophesied as I was commanded, and as I prophesied there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh came upon them, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.'” (Ezekiel 37:7-9)The living breath comes not from human words, but from him who commands the four winds, who commanded the Son of Man to breathe his living words upon her.Immediately, Jesus commanded practical care. Feed her. Life is not human spectacle. It is divine instruction, followed by silent obedience:“Tell no one.” (Luke 8:56)Silence is not secrecy. It is judgment. To speak at that moment would rebuild the stone temple of human words in narrative form. It would turn instruction into explanation, breath into human property, life into idolatry.Silence is the test.Like Zechariah leaving the temple unable to speak, the witnesses were stripped of their voice so that God's voice was no longer imprisoned.Hearing must remain intact.Come from the four winds, O breath!The girl was raised and returned, not unto comfort but unto function under his command. As with the man freed from Legion, return to the path of Scripture is always the assignment. Living, moving breath restored from God cannot be managed by those who witness it. They too are sent back under his command, to love the neighbor.Luke tears down every refuge at once. The crowd's boundary-making, parental love, administrative reasonableness, and Jairus's partial trust are all human shelters made of fear. Life, which came before man, will not be housed, measured, ruled, judged, explained, or secured by the words with which humans try to protect themselves.Life, it is written, is not from men, nor through man, but from God, through God:“Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand,O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:6)“On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?The thing molded will not say to the molder, ‘Why did you make me like this,' will it?Does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?” (Romans 9:20–21)Fear, St. Paul explained, tries to build a platform over God. Fear builds. The gospel dismantles (Genesis 11:4).This week, I discuss Luke 8:49-56. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show 1000 Hours podcast series we finally get not one but TWO matches between the two biggest stars of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. William Muldoon had not previously wrestled Col. James H. McLaughlin mainly because Muldoon was not a fan of collar and elbow wrestling nor did McLaughlin consider Greco Roman his style. But Muldoon has now been largely disgraced on the west coast and crowds aren't what they used to be so the two finally had two matches... which were flops. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 111.
We are delighted to announce the first ever Irish episode of Russell Tovey and Robert Diament's acclaimed Talk Art podcast, recorded live at the National Gallery of Ireland Lecture Theatre on Saturday November 8th for Dublin Gallery Weekend 2025.Isabel Nolan, Ireland's representative at the 2026 Venice Biennale, has an expansive practice that incorporates sculptures, paintings, textile works, photographs, writing and works on paper. Her subject matter is similarly comprehensive, taking in cosmological phenomena, religious reliquaries, Greco-Roman sculptures and literary/historical figures, examining the behaviour of humans and animals alike.These diverse artistic investigations are driven by intensive research, but the end result is always deeply personal and subjective. Exploring the “intimacy of materiality”, Nolan's work ranges from the architectural – steel sculptures that frame or obstruct our path – to small handmade objects in clay, hand-tufted wool rugs illuminated with striking cosmic imagery, to drawings and paintings using humble gouache or colouring pencils. In concert, they feel equally enchanted by and afraid of the world around us, expressing humanity's fear of mortality and deep need for connection as well as its startling achievements in art and thought.Driven by “the calamity, the weirdness, horror, brevity and wonder of existing alongside billions of other preoccupied humans”, her works give generous form to fundamental questions about the ways the chaos of the world is made beautiful or given meaning through human activity.In 2026, Nolan will represent Ireland at the 61st Venice Biennale, with Georgina Jackson and The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art as the curator and Cian O'Brien as producer. In 2025, Nolan participated in the 13th Liverpool Biennial, Bedrock, curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. Isabel Nolan lives and works in Dublin.Follow @NolanIsabel and @KerlinGallery.Thank you @DublinGalleryWeekend, we loved visiting! We can't wait to return to beautiful Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent Romans 15:4-13 by William Klock In our Epistle, in Romans 15:4, St. Paul writes, “Whatever was written ahead of time, you see, was written for us to learn from, so that through patience and through the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.” Maybe more than any of our other Advent scripture lessons, that verse sums up what Advent is about. There's a big story. The story of God and his people and the world. And the Christmas story is just one part of it. A very importantly part, without a doubt, but still just one part. Pull it out, try to make it stand on all on its own, and it ends up becoming something else. And that's what secular culture has done. Contrast how the world prepares us for Christmas and how the church prepares us. Our commercialistic, materialistic, entertainment focused culture just starts shoving Christmas at us as soon as Halloween is over. How do you get ready for Christmas? You buy Christmas stuff. You start listening to Christmas music. You start watching all the Christmas movies on TV. Our culture prepares for Christmas by doing Christmas. And then Christmas comes and then it's suddenly over in a day…or maybe two, if you count Boxing Day. And I hear it all the time: people are left wondering what happened, feeling like they missed something. It occurred to me that this is like trying to explain to someone that Die Hard is a Christmas movie by making them watch the scene of Hans Gruber falling from Nakatomi Plaza…over and over and over. It's an iconic scene. It says Christmas almost as much as Baby Jesus in the manger. But your friend will still have no idea what Die Hard is about, let alone why it's a Christmas movie. He just knows it ends with a bad guy falling off a building into a big explosion. If you want him to understand, you've got to start at the beginning. He has to know the story all the way back to the opening with John McClane on the airplane. Then your friend will get it…and maybe he'll even understand why it's the best Christmas movie ever. And when the time comes for that scene, the grand crescendo of the movie, and Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Tower, he's gonna cheer, because it's not just a cool scene. It's not just iconic. It's the denouement of the story. And that is what the church does with Advent, Brothers and Sisters. It takes us back into the story of Israel and Israel's God, it shows us the darkness of the world and the fallenness of humanity, it reminds us God's plan and his promises to set it all to rights, to make everything new again. That's why our daily readings through Advent are taken from Isaiah. And so, when Christmas comes, it's more than just an orgy of consumerism and it's more than just sentimental feelings about Baby Jesus in a manger, it's more than vague good thoughts about God. No, when Christmas comes and we've been reading the promises in the scripture and singing the promises and songs of longing during Advent, we recognise the light and life that have been born into the midst of darkness and sin, we see God's saving Messiah, and most of all we're moved to give him glory because Christmas shows that he is faithful to his promises. And for Paul, that was kind of everything. Because when you know what the story is all about and when you know where it's going, you realise that following Jesus isn't just about sentimental feelings, or about being good until you die so you can go to heaven, it's about the fact that in Jesus, God has sent his king to bring new creation into the midst of the old and to make us a part of it. In fact, to make us the agents of that new creation and his saving work. To be the stewards of his good news and his Spirit who carry his light and life into the darkness and death of the world in preparation for the day when Jesus' work is consummated. When people don't know the story, they too often reduce Christianity to fire insurance, to a “Get out of hell free” card. Christmas becomes a sentimental holiday about a baby. But when you know the story, you that Christianity is all about is a vocation—to be the people of God for the sake of the world—and the baby in the manger shows us what our vocation looks like. And this is precisely why Paul writes what he does here in Romans 15. Because when you forget the story, or when you forget where it's going, and especially when you stop living in hope of God's future, it becomes very, very easy to just go with the flow. To take the path of least resistance. To let the world and its values and ideas carry you away back into the darkness. To give up on the vocation that the gospel and the Spirit have given us. The big problem Paul saw in the Roman churches was that the Jewish believers in Jesus and the Gentile believers in Jesus were splitting up. They were letting ethnicity define them instead of Jesus and because of that they were losing their gospel witness and letting the darkness and division of the world define who they were. And Brothers and Sisters, the same thing happens to us. It still happens with churches dividing up over ethnicity and language and things like that, but it happens all sorts of other ways too. We lose sight of our hope. We lose sight of God's future. And when we do, we lose our vocation and instead of being gospel people of light and life swimming upstream, we end up just going with the worldly flow. Sometimes it happens without us even realising it. Other times we knowingly give up because it seems like there's no other option. I was talking with someone this week about politics in my country and he said, “Well, you have to be a Democrat or a Republican! There's no other choice!” And I kept saying, there is another choice. You commit to doing the right thing, the kingdom thing, to following Jesus and being light and life. These days that means saying no to the options that everyone else is making. It means making a deliberate choice to lose, but you do so knowing that God's justice will win in the end—because the story shows us that God is always faithful to do what he's promised and to finish what he starts. If you understand the cross, this shouldn't be a difficult concept. This is why Paul starts out with some of that scripture that was written in the past, some “Old Testament” as we call it. In verse 3 he writes, “The Messiah, you see, didn't please himself. Instead, as it was written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you are fallen on me.'” In other words, Jesus took on himself a punishment he didn't deserve. When David wrote that psalm he was thinking of his own situation. It's Psalm 69. He cries out to God because the flood waters are rising around him. Because he feels like he's sinking in the mud with no footing to be found. His enemies were surrounding him and kicking him when he was down. But he knew the Lord and he knew his promises and he knew the Lord is faithful, so he cried out for justice and salvation. And as he closes the psalm, he cries out with hope-filled praise. God hadn't delivered him yet, but David still praises the Lord for his salvation—what he knows God will do. And this wasn't just David's story and vocation, it was the story and vocation of Israel and that meant that when Jesus came as the faithful Israelite to represent his people, it became his story and his vocation. David knew, Israel knew, Jesus knew because it had been written, because they had God's word and because of that they had Gods' promises. The way of God's people is the way of the servant who suffers. It's the way of unjust suffering for the sake of others and for the sake of the whole world. But through that suffering God has brought redemption and kingdom and new life. As the Mandalorian says, “This is the way.” Looking to the good of others instead of our own good is the way of the cross. Just as it was for Jesus the way to his throne, it is for us the way to his kingdom. Jesus could have given in to the devil's temptation in the wilderness. He could have bowed down to him and received his throne. And he'd be king, but he'd be king of a people still enslaved to sin and death. The world would still be dark and broken and fallen. Think of our Gospel last week. Jesus could have let the Palm Sunday crowd carry him into Jerusalem and seat him on a throne. But again, he'd have his throne, but the primary mission would have failed. He'd be king over a dead people. Instead, he had to come as a humble servant, he had to face the rejection of his people, he had to face their jeers and their mocking, and he had to go to his death in a way so humiliating that polite people wouldn't even discuss it. But through the cross, by letting all the forces of evil come together to do their worst in one place, Jesus defeated them and brought light and life back to God's good world. And now, as Jesus said, he calls us to take up our cross and to follow him. Not when it's expedient. Not when the cross is light. The point of a cross is that it's heavy! It's our calling, no matter what. But it's a joyful calling in the end, because we know the story and we have the promises of a God who faithful. The lowly birth, the constant antagonism, the humiliating and painful death make possible the glory and the joy of the resurrection and new creation. So, Paul goes on writing in Romans 15:5, “May the God of patience and encouragement grant you to come to a common mind among yourselves, in accordance with Jesus the Messiah, so that, with one mind and one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah.” That's the mission, Brothers and Sisters: to glorify God. And not just when we come to church and pray and praise and give thanks. That's certainly one way we give him glory, but one of the things the story teaches us is that God is glorified when we respond to his faithfulness with faithfulness of our own—and especially when the watching world sees it, especially when it involves humility and even suffering. God was glorified as the world watched Jesus go to the cross, trusting his Father's promises. And God is glorified today as, trusting our Father's promises, we take up our crosses and follow him. As we walk in faith, as we do good, as we live in hope, and as we do it without compromise, even it means trouble or loss. Think of the apostles. Think of all the Christians in the first centuries after Jesus who lived in hope of God's future and who trusted in his promises and refused to compromise their gospel life and witness and gave their lives for it. At first it seemed like a pointless failure, but as the world watched, their gospel witness made a difference and eventually—not in a single generation, but eventually—their witness brought an entire empire to Jesus and taught it grace and mercy and lifted it up out of barbarism and sexual immorality the likes of which—even in light of the world today—we'd be hard-pressed to imagine. And it happened because Jesus' people were united in him and faithful in hope and witness. That unity part is a major theme of Paul's letter to the Romans, because the unity of the church across the Jew-gentile divide was one of the most significant ways the early church broke with both Jewish and Greco-Roman culture and swam against the current. We don't think about that nearly as often as we should. Unity is essential to our Christian vocation. It reveals that our identity is Jesus the Messiah. Those early Christians showed the world what it looks like to find your identity, not in your ethnicity or language, not in your customs or biological kin, not in your social class, but in Jesus. Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, slave and free came together as brothers and sisters in those churches and it shocked the world, Jews and Greeks alike. It became a powerful witness to God's new creation. It was that witness coupled with the proclamation that Jesus, crucified and risen, is the world's true lord, that brought the nations—a few at first, but eventually a whole empire—that's what moved them to give glory to the God of Israel. Something absolutely unthinkable. Romans giving glory to a loser God of a loser people. But Jesus changes everything and the faithful witness of a servant church backed that truth up. So, going on in our Epistle, Paul says in verse 7: “Welcome one another!” Don't let the values, identities, and prejudices of the world divide the church. Paul says, instead, “Welcome one another as the Messiah has welcomed you, to God's glory. Let me tell you why: the Messiah became a servant of the circumcised people in order to demonstrate the truthfulness of God—that is, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, and to bring the nations to praise God for his mercy.” That was the plan all along. This is the big story. God called Abraham and through him created a people, a holy nation through whom he would eventually save the whole world. Jesus was the culmination of that chapter of the story: the perfect, faithful Israelite, the humble Davidic king, who died the death his people deserved in order to deliver them. In doing that, God fulfilled what he'd promised the patriarchs, what he'd promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, what he'd promised to David. The unity of the church, the bringing in of the gentiles into the covenant family, is a witness to the faithfulness of God, so Paul keeps hammering away at it. These are the things, the scriptures, that were written in the past and that tell us the story. And so Psalm 18:49. It's the Psalmist celebrating the victory that the God of Israel has given him as he declares that he will praise him not just in Israel, but in the midst of the nations so that they hear of the glory of God, too. He sings: “That is why I will praise you among the nations, and will sing to your name.” And then, in verse 10 Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:43: “Rejoice, you nations, with his people!” This was the song of Moses celebrating God's victory over and just judgement on both rebellious Israel and the gentile nations and Moses calls those pagan nations, having seen the victory of Israel's God, to join in his praises. And then, verse 11, Paul is back to the Psalms, to Psalm 117:1: “Praise the Lord, all nations, and let all the peoples sing his praise.” Again, the Psalmist calls to the nations to come and praise the God of Israel with him. And then, finally, the Prophet Isaiah: “There shall be the root of Jesse, the one who rises up to rule the nations; the nations shall hope in him.” The bit from Isaiah is important. Because Paul's showing the Roman Christians (and he's showing us), that it was God's plan all along for the nations to join Israel in praising and glorifying Israel's God. And in the days of Moses and the days of David, that was crazy talk. People didn't glorify other people's gods. The gods were the strength of their respective nations, so not only was it unpatriotic to give glory to a foreign god, it was sort of like inviting the defeat of your nation and your king. But this was God's plan all along. To bring the nations to him in faith. And Paul's reminding the Roman Christians that this is exactly what's happened to them. Pagan Romans heard the gospel and they saw the uncompromising witness of the believers there—probably mostly Jews—who believed Jesus was truly the Messiah. And those pagans were moved to faith. And in the early days of the church there, Jewish and Gentile believers were doing the unthinkable: they were worshipping the God of Israel side by side. And that only served to witness the power of the gospel even more powerfully. But things happened and those Christians started to go with the flow and the unity began to fall apart: Jews worshipping in that house and Gentiles in this one over here. And so Paul reminds them how God has fulfilled his promises in Jesus. The root of Jesse promised by Isaiah has come and he was raised up on the cross to the glory of God, and the nations have begun to come to him. And Paul's saying: don't lose that that or you risk losing the whole gospel. I know it's hard. The gentile believers will be mocked by their friends and family for worshipping the God of the weirdo Jews, with weirdo Jews at their side, no less. And the Jewish believers, they were going to be hassled by their Jewish family and friends for worshipping beside those unclean gentiles. And Paul's saying, “Don't give in to the pressure from the world. Keep witnessing the power of the gospel. Remember that you worship the God who was born in humility as one of us and who went humble to a cross for our sake. Live humbly for the sake of each other—and live humbly for the sake of the world. Romans, you show your people that the God of Israel is faithful and full of mercy and grace and unlike any god your people have ever known. And Jews, you show your people that in Jesus, your God has purified the gentiles and is fulfilling his promises. And he wraps it up exhorting them, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Paul knew that persecution was coming and the temptation to fragment would be even strong, but the hope-filled joy that began with the birth of Jesus and that carries through the story to the cross, burst out of the tomb with joy on Easter—and that resurrection hope, that light and life, would keep them faithful to their calling. Will keep us faithful to our calling. A people overflowing with hope. Hope in the fulfilment of what God has promised and what he's revealed in Jesus: hope for a world where the darkness is gone, hope for a final end to sin and death, hope for the day when heaven and earth are brough back together and men and women live and serve in the presence of God as he created us in the beginning. And here's the thing, Brothers and Sisters, it's that gospel- and Spirit-filled hope that will make us the gospel force Jesus calls us to be. It's that hope that makes us heaven-on-earth people even when it means swimming upstream, even when it means choosing the option that no one else will choose, even when it means that the world is angry with us, even when it means rejection—and in some cases even martyrdom. It's that hope that will drive us to proclaim the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection; it's that hope that will give us the hearts of servants ready to humbly teach the world mercy and grace; it's that hope that will move us to love our enemies and even to die for them; it's that hope that will move us to take uncompromising stands against what is wrong and for what is right, even if it means losing in the short term. Because our hope is sure and certain—that what God began in humility at the manger, he will surely one day bring to completion in an all-consuming burst of glory. Let's close with our collect. Think on that prayer and how it calls us, not just to read the scriptures, but to so immerse ourselves in them that they become a part of us. Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Hello!On this classic episode from the archives of The Delicious Legacy I decided to include some ten minute of extra content from my interview with Farrell and I have remastered the audio as it was a bit dodgy the last time round. Hope it's more pleasant and easier to listen now!I'm very excited about this episode! Farrell Monaco is a culinary & experimental archaeologist, and bread-baking addict! Especially of the ancient Greco-Roman variety...So what better person to chat about the ancient cuisine? And it's a very thought-provoking and thoughtful. Who were the people (and the animals!) who did the hard work?Currently in California -where she was when we spoke online- but mostly researching in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Ostia about ancient Greco-Roman breadways.More info on bread from Pompeii by Farrell Monaco:https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230629-adoreum-the-newly-discovered-flatbread-fresco-of-pompeiihttps://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230406-arculata-the-bread-that-survived-pompeiiApuleius and The Golden Ass:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_AssEtruscan Tarquinian Tombs:https://tarquiniaturismo.com/tomb-of-the-triclinium/?lang=en Farrell's website and blog:https://tavolamediterranea.com/Music by Pavlos KapralosEnjoy!Thom & The Delicious LegacySupport the podcast on Ko-Fi and Patreon for ad-free episodes! https://ko-fi.com/thedeliciouslegacypodcasthttps://www.patreon.com/c/thedeliciouslegacySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-delicious-legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christianity has been called a “mystery” religion. There are some who say that it is simply one of many mystery cults that existed in the ancient Greco-Roman world, such as the Eleusinian, Dionysian, Orphic or Samothracian mysteries. So what were their mysteries really like?
Christianity has been called a “mystery” religion. There are some who say that it is simply one of many mystery cults that existed in the ancient Greco-Roman world, such as the Eleusinian, Dionysian, Orphic or Samothracian mysteries. So what were their mysteries really like?
In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, God's will is not framed around finding the right job, city, or spouse, but around becoming holy - set apart in love. The passage reveals both definitive sanctification (already chosen and made holy in Christ) and progressive sanctification (growing more and more into that holiness), and then presses that identity into two intensely practical arenas: sex and work. In a Greco-Roman culture where adultery, prostitution, and cultic sex were normal, believers are called to a radically different sexual ethic that springs from their God-given value and the costly love of Christ displayed at the cross and pictured in Hosea's relentless love for Gomer. At the same time, in a community tempted to idleness and “busybody” living while waiting for Jesus' return, they are called back to quiet, faithful labor that refuses to burden others and instead reflects the God who never stops working for His glory and their good. Underneath both areas is the same heartbeat: those who are “loved by God and chosen” are to live out that love in their bodies and their jobs so that the watching world sees what kind of Lover and Master they belong to.
Episode Synopsis:Paul continues his defense of his apostolic ministry and office. In chapter 6, verses 3-10, he lays out an incredible catalog of those hardships which he has endured so as to preach the gospel, along with evidence of how God has sustained both Paul and his Gentile mission throughout each of these difficult trials. He has been slandered and praised and has experienced just about every possible human emotion along the way. He is not bragging as his opponents are doing, but pointing out the ways in which God has enabled him to conduct a ministry faithful to the gospel as centered in the cross of Christ and the message of the reconciliation of the holy God to sinners. None of the false teachers and braggarts in Corinth have such a track record of faithfulness.Paul lets the Corinthians know that he has no secret agenda, nor is he withholding anything from them as their father in the faith. But he does regard them as children in need of instruction and warning. He challenges them to consider what it means to be numbered among the people of God. The Corinthians are to be careful not to ally themselves with those so-called Christians who claim to be believers, but whose conduct shows them to be otherwise. Paul also reminds the Corinthians not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers since Christians compose the temple of the Lord as indwelt by his Spirit. The Corinthians are to break all ties to paganism and separate themselves from it.As the living temple of the Lord, Christians are to strive to demonstrate godliness and holiness of life which reflects their status before God. As is his practice, Paul distinguishes between the imperative mood (what believers are in Christ) and the imperative (how their conduct should reflect the fact that they are the temple of the living God), and as such are to avoid the defilement of the body typical of Greco-Roman paganism–such as sexual immorality and idolatry. Christians are to strive to bring holiness to completion–part of which is to embrace Paul as an apostle of Jesus Christ, just as he accepts them as those for whom he cares deeply.For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/
In 2025, Spokane's Miro Parr-Coffin became the freshman every Northwest distance fan had to watch.The Gonzaga Prep standout opened his high-school career by dropping a 14:29.6 at The Mook XC Invitational, finishing second in a field loaded with upperclassmen. Two weeks later, he backed it up with another runner-up finish at the Battle of the 509, proving the breakout wasn't a one-off.His momentum carried into championship season. He placed fifth at the Washington 4A State Meet, then delivered a strong 32nd-place, 15:17 performance at NXR Northwest — the biggest race of his life, on a course only a handful of athletes had previewed.Off the cross-country course, Parr-Coffin showed an even wider range. In July, he swept the 16U national titles in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, earning USA Wrestling's Athlete of the Week honors. The combination of endurance, power, discipline, and composure made him one of the most versatile young athletes in the country.Balancing high-stakes wrestling with high-level running, the 2029 freshman built a season defined by conviction and consistency. His progression, from breakout invitational performer to state contender to national-championship wrestler, reveals a rare competitive engine for someone this young.With three years still ahead of him, Parr-Coffin's ceiling stretches far beyond the already massive results he's produced. Whether sharpening his craft on the mat or chasing new benchmarks on the grass, his next chapters promise even more leaps forward.Tap into the Miro Parr-Coffin Special.If you enjoy The Sunday Shakeout, please follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a five-star review. It helps the podcast grow and reach more listeners.
Welcome to the ultimate auditory experience with Episode 330 of The Stress Factor Podcast, where DJ B-12 returns to elevate your listening pleasure this Autumn and holiday season. This meticulously crafted studio mix is a treasure trove of sound, featuring an impressive collection of 103 tracks that span just over 3 hours. Each track has been carefully selected to deliver the freshest and most exhilarating vibes in upfront, vocal, and dancefloor drum and bass (DNB). Whether you're gearing up for a rave or festive gathering or simply looking to unwind, this mix promises to be the perfect soundtrack for your November 2025. DJ B-12's artistry shines through as he seamlessly weaves together lush, deep, and atmospheric sounds that transport you to another realm. Expect to be enveloped in gorgeous melodies and uplifting rhythms that will invigorate your spirit. But that's not all, DJ B-12 also dives into the darker, edgier side of DNB, incorporating elements of neurofunk and gritty jungle beats that will keep you on your toes. This mix is not just a collection of tracks, it's a journey through the diverse landscape of drum and bass, designed to resonate with both seasoned fans and newcomers alike. As you immerse yourself in this auditory adventure, we encourage you to engage with the community by liking, commenting, and sharing your thoughts on this episode. Don't forget to subscribe to The Stress Factor Podcast on your favorite platform to stay updated with the latest mixes and episodes. We wish you a joyful holiday season filled with great music and good vibes! Let DJ B-12's mix be the soundtrack to your celebrations! Tracklist 01. Fred V and Krakota - Weightless (ft. Lottie Jones) (Extended) [Hospital Records] 02. KNGHT - Go [High Tea Music] 03. Metrik and Grafix - Overdrive [Hospital Records] 04. TeeBee - Space Dust [Flexout Audio] 05. Tilal and DIMOD - Galvanized [Heart Twice Records] 06. Danny Byrd and Exile DNB - Higher (Extended Mix) [BYRDHOUSE] 07. TeeBee - The Way (Saviour) [Flexout Audio] 08. Georgie Riot and Tsuki - Without You (ft. Sophie-Grace) [UKF] 09. Modest Intentions - The Beyond [Manifest] 10. Anais and HUNJIYA - bringmedown [UKF] 11. Phase - I Fall [Metalheadz] 12. Fred V and Grace Barton - Stay The Night [Hospital Records] 13. Grafix - Concentration [Grafix Music] 14. Jaydan - Losing [Grid Recordings UK] 15. Viewer - Mistakes [Influenza Media] 16. Sub Focus - So Many Colours (ft. Poppy Baskcomb) [Positiva] 17. J Centrik - The World Around Us [Heart Twice Records] 18. Flux Pavilion - 2Fast2Stop [Circus Records] 19. Alpha Rhythm - Cloudgazing (ft. Dustkey) [Galacy] 20. Esym - Far Beyond [VTO Records] 21. DOSHI - Bones (feat. ZIIMBA) [Manifest] 22. Mollie Collins - Move Ya Body [Right Good Records] 23. Mage - Alpha and Omega [Manifest] 24. Refracta - Opal [DnB Allstars] 25. Clank and Maider, Kate McGill [Manifest] 26. Twintone and Lucidity - Make It Out Alive [FX909 MUSIC] 27. Grafix and Raphaella - Memories (Us Together) [Grafix Music] 28. Kutlo - Ghostin [Delta9 Recordings] 29. Lone - Ascension.png [Greco-Roman] 30. Bugwell - Everything In Its Right Place [R.O.A.M] 31. Circadian - Flamethrower [UKF] 32. Delta Heavy - Close My Eyes (Extended Mix) [Delta Heavy] 33. Frameshift - Silent Signal [Lizplay Records] 34. Rudimental, Charlotte Plank X Vibe Chemistry – Dancing is Healing [Room Two Recordings] 35. Dan Guidance and Neuron - There You Are [Fokuz Recordings] 36. Alix Perez - Lost Connection [1985 Music] 37. Kashow - I See Color [Kaleidoscope Music Ltd.] 38. Aleyum and IYRE - Northern Corridor (Minos Remix) [Fokuz Recordings] 39. Metrik - Disconnection [Hospital Records] 40. Metrik - Synchronise [Hospital Records] 41. L-Side - Never Feels Enough [Spearhead Records] 42. JLM Productions - Forced Perspective [Auxiliary] 43. Viiah and Malign - Drawn Out [Footnotes] 44. Scool - Red Sunset [waterframes music] 45. TeeBee - Cyborg Symphonies [Flexout Audio] 46. Metrik - Alive [Hospital Records] 47. TeeBee - Ghost Nebula [Flexout Audio] 48. Actraiser - Ephemerist [Fokuz Recordings] 49. Conrad Subs - Retract [DNB LAB.] 50. Andy Malex - Sorry [Liquid Brilliants] 51. Friction - Never Know (Love You So) [Elevate Records] 52. DIMOD and Marysia Kosowski - Lullaby [Manifest] 53. Gravity - Space Odyssey [Totally Liquid] 54. Shadow Child - Say It Now (S.P.Y Extended Remix) [Audiophonic Ltd] 55. Sub Focus - Elevate (Extended Mix) [Positiva] 56. Foxvalley - Sweet Dreams [Celsius Recordings] 57. goddard. - In The Wild [DnB Allstars] 58. Thing and RABACORE - Dreamloop.exe [Dubthing Records] 59. JLM Productions - Surface Scan [Auxiliary] 60. Dimension and Karen Harding - Guardian Angel (Extended) [Ministry of Sound Recordings] 61. DØSHI, DIMOD and Foxvalley - Realign [Celsius Recordings] 62. Polaris - Absolute [Highland Recordings] 63. 2Morrow - Dreaming [DistroKid] 64. DOSHI and DIMOD - Easy 2 Love [Manifest] 65. Circumference - Pyramid (Askel and Elere Remix) [Soulvent Records] 66. Eddy Don't Sail ft. Romany - Caught On You [Viper Recordings] 67. antoanesko - Hidden Depths [Basseffect] 68. Seba - Oni [Spearhead Records] 69. Alix Perez - Bloomsbury [1985 Music] 70. Georgie Riot, MXTR and Interrex - Lonely [UKF] 71. Sub Focus - Wildfire VIP 72. Metrik - Simulation [Hospital Records] 73. Andromedik - Only One (ft. Lauren L'aimant) (Extended Mix) [Andromedik] 74. Aperio - Taksim [Galacy] 75. Kritikal - Bleed For You [Elevate Records] 76. SLESS - Astrogirl (Extended Mix) [Viper Recordings] 77. DJ Roots - Rise Again [Repeat Ibiza] 78. Alpha Rhythm - Oh The Places You'll See [Galacy] 79. Sub Focus - Entwined [Positova] 80. Actraiser - Woodland Wardens [Fokuz Recordings] 81. Liquefaction - Secret [Lizplay Records] 82. Chronicle - Air Temple [Auxiliary] 83. Gravity - Alone Cosmonaut [Totally Liquid] 84. TeeBee - Unity [Flexout Audio] 85. Grafix - Drift Away (ft. WHAT EVA) [Grafix Music] 86. Liquefaction - Oasis [Glitch Audio] 87. Andrew Nagy - Falling For You [Helix Records] 88. Frameshift - Fragments [Lizplay Records] 89. Voicians - Above The Sky [Velodic] 90. 78 Degrees - Network [Infrared Records] 91. Sub Focus - Water and Fire [Positiva] 92. PLTX - Tales [PLTX MUSIC] 93. Metrik - Abyss [Hospital Records] 94. Subsonic - All I Need (Extended Mix) [Bassrush Records] 95. Thing and RABACORE - Shadow Temple [Dubthing Records] 96. Eskei83 - WANT ME feat. Nathalie Dorra (Extended) [recordJet] 97. Tim Reaper, Mantra and Decibella - Charades [Fabric Records] 98. Engineers Without Fears (DJ Rap and Aston) - Spiritual Aura (TC Remix) [Propa Talent] 99. Syran - Do U Dare [Weapon Audio] 100. DOSHI and DIMOD with SADYOUTH feat. Me.Kai - Hold Me Back [Celsius Recordings] 101. Genetics - Through The Night [Ridmic] 102. DNMO - Crazy For You (feat. Medyk) [Deadbeats] 103. High Contrast - If We Ever (Unglued VIP Remix) [Highly Contrasting]
Matt Smith discusses the smashing book he co-authored with Doug Casey and his son Maxim Smith on how to skip university and become a renaissance man (“The Preparation: How To Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous“). He touches on the hero’s journey, Greco-Roman virtues, his son’s current path through “the preparation,” how it’s financed and designed (e.g. anchor and academic courses), why the current system has failed, and much more. The book also has utility for homeschooling children as well as for middle-aged and elderly men seeking to better themselves. Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics easyDNS (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://easydns.com Escape The Technocracy (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics Outbound Mexico https://outboundmx.com PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis https://societates-civis.com StartMail https://www.startmail.com/partner/?ref=ngu4nzr Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites The Preparation https://www.thepreparation.com The Preparation: How To Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Become-Competent-Confident-Dangerous/dp/B0FLRKZCKL Maxim Smith https://www.maximsmith.com Smith Sense https://www.smithsense.com Crisis Investing https://www.crisisinvesting.com About Matt Smith Matt Smith is an American entrepreneur and economic commentator who relocated to Uruguay in 2021, where he operates a regenerative cattle ranch. He co-hosts the podcast Doug Casey's Take with author and economist Doug Casey, offering analysis on global markets, monetary policy, and geopolitical trends. Matt also publishes the financial newsletter Crisis Investing on Substack. And just recently, he co-authored the book, The Preparation: How to become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous with Doug Casey and his 20 year old son, Maxim. *Podcast intro music used with permission is from the song “The Queens Jig” by the fantastic “Musicke & Mirth” from their album “Music for Two Lyra Viols”: http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)
By Jason Wallace
Turkeys and Eagles, Part 5: Following Jesus Changes Everything in Our Families MESSAGE SUMMARY: Series Overview: This Series has been looking at Paul's letter to the Ephesians to point out “Turkeyisms” – those things of our culture and some worldviews by which we may have been duped into beliefs inconsistent with the Gospel of Jesus or behaving in a manner that is not what Christianity is all about. This Series has pointed out some changes in our thinking needed to be like “Eagles” so that we can be the people that God wants and expects us to be. Today's Sermon: A look into Ephesians 5 provides a perspective on many “Turkeyisms”; however, the focus today is just on one: Turkey Thinking – “My Christianity has no effect on my family relationships, but my upbringing does”; but Eagle Thinking – My Christianity places me in the Kingdom of God with a radically different view of family relationships”. Being in the Kingdom of God Changes everything for those that follow Jesus. Marriage in America is having a rough time, and we can't say that Christian marriage is different. Too many of us, who say that we follow Jesus today, don't let Christianity follow us through the front door as we live our secular lives. In the First Century of the Ephesians, both Jewish and Greek laws greatly diminished the roles, respect for, and value of women. In the Roman world, of the same period, women and children were just passed around – women had many husbands. It was into this world of Judaism and Greco Roman culture that Jesus walked in; and we found Jesus respecting and honoring women. Jesus raised the status of women – Jesus brought a whole new way of thinking about family, marriage, children, and divorce into First Century culture that has provided an ethical context for two thousand years. In the same period and culture, Paul came along; and he set up churches. He wrote letters, which were written in the culture of this period, to the Christians in churches like the church in Ephesus. These early Christians were a part of the Kingdom of God – the blessed followers of Jesus – they were called to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to be imitators of Jesus. Therefore, followers of Jesus were to be vessels of His light to the world. Followers of Jesus were to be different from this culture of the period. By being different in their families, followers of Jesus would transform the culture (which, eventually, they did!!!). From Ephesians 5:21, we are to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”. “Submitting” is treating others like you wish to be treated. In Ephesians 5, Paul applies this principle of Christianity to the family (i.e. wives, husbands, and children) and to the workplace (i.e. employees). The Kingdom of God calls us to loving family relationships; therefore we, as followers of Jesus, are called to be different and not a part of the culture. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; John 4:25-28; Mark 10:6-10; Proverbs 31:10-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.; Psalms 73a:1-14. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.AWFTL.org/bible-search/ WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “For Jesus Followers, Fasting, with Food, Will Symbolize a Victory Over Oneself and Solidify a Personal Relationship with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Kaleidoscope Visions panel presents this month's “SCORPIO MOON PHASES RENOVATIONS”. The month's pattern coordinates continual movement as a fixed Scorpio New Moon conjunct Mercury Rx then moves into mutable quarter moon phases tangling with the Archetypal Sagittarius Sun for new expressions to experience.Mercury transits in apparent retrograde motion through the month until November 28. following Saturn transiting direct on November 27th. Clear thinking becomes pivotal as their orbital path repeats the third time pre-shadow path degrees since mid-July for Saturn, and mid-October for Mercury. But Saturn's much slower. It's post-shadow path finishes the 2nd of March 2026 for a long digestion of what seeds to take from the past cycle to thrust out for new life.Opening the four moon phases begins with the New Moon at 28 degrees Scorpio. Part of a six-month pattern of new moons at 28 degrees of archetypal fulfilment. Scorpio involves a passionate alliance that empowers both parties resourcefully. Following phases all in mutable signs will be the first quarter moon on Nov 28 at 6°17' Pisces, the Full Moon on Dec 4 at 13°03' Sagittarius, and third quarter moon on Dec 11 at 20°47' Virgo.The moon's our personal planet regulating the past coming into the present. Weekly, the moon systematic monthly cycle transitions from a darkened New Moon to first quarter of light, Full Moon, and third quarter moon of light phases. Daily moving at the fast rate of 12-13 degrees with the moon transiting through each Zodiac sign in a mere two & a half days.Catch new episodes weekly through YouTube, Facebook, radio, and podcast platforms. Stay connected and subscribe to TalkCosmos.com to access the latest content, including curated panels and subject-themed playlists.JOHN CHINWORTH: Consultant, Conference Lecturer, Writer/Poet. Diploma from the International Academy of Astrology (IAA) in 2021. More than two decades of experience. Lectured at NORWAC, and SFAS | Obsessed with mythology & branded the Greco-Roman pantheon into his psyche | Past board member of WSAA |Teaches and mentors developmentally disabled and resource students for many years | Pens poems and does road trips around Washington. email: archerstars@gmail.com | website: https://www.skypathastro.comAMANDA PIERCE: blends her eclectic style of astrology and energy magic around a soul-centered approach to life and healing. With a B.A. in Psychology, Astrology and Energy Work Consultation | Meditation | Writing & Editing. Empowerment-based Meditation: teaching in-person 4-week series classes. Email: Amandamoonastrology@gmail.com Past WSAA Board Member | UAC 2018 Volunteer Coordinator.SUE ‘ROSE' MINAHAN: Evolutionary Astrologer Consultant, Speaker, Writer, Dwarf Planet University graduate & teacher's assistant; Vibrational Astrology student, Kepler Astrology Toastmaster Charter Member; member of Wine Country Speakers; holds an Associate of Fine Arts Music Degree, & a Certificate of Fine Arts in Jazz. Artist & musician. Mythology enthusiast. Founder of Talk Cosmos weekly conversations awaken heart and soul consciousness. 2025 Season 8. https://www.talkcosmos.com#TalkCosmosKaleidoscopeVisions #SueMinahan #JohnChinworth #AmandaPierce #astrologyYouTubeconversations #MajorLunarPhases #talkcosmos #Kaleidoscopevisions #astrologypodcastweather #TalkCosmos #SkyPathAstro #TalkCosmosYouTubeChannel #KKNWAM #scorpionewmoon #firstquarterMoon #QuarterMoon #moonphases #astrologyfacts #astrologywisdom #astrologyinsights #astrologypodcasts #radiopodcast #youtubeconversationpodcasts #jupiterincancer #saturninpisces #neptuneinpisces #astroweather #cosmos #uranusintaurus #scorpioseason #moonenergy #astrologytips #astrologyfacts #astrologywisdom #libraseason #taurusfullmoonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Although Scripture is never trivial, Bible trivia games can be an effective and motivational teaching tool — as the Ladies discover in this week's episode. Inspired by Sarah's account of the New Testament knowledge exam she took upon matriculating into Concordia Seminary's deaconess program, Rachel here quizzes her friends — and all the ladies listening at home — on their New Testament acumen. From sleepy sermon-goers to sparring sisters-in-Christ to Greco-Roman power couples, Rachel's questions will help you test your own biblical literacy — even as they inspire you to dig in and get even better acquainted with the people, places, numbers, and key passages of the New Testament. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.
What happens when Christians lose confidence in the truthfulness of Scripture?In this episode of the Bible and Theology Matters Podcast, Dr. Paul Weaver interviews Dr. Richard Howe, Provost of Southern Evangelical Seminary, to discuss one of the most foundational doctrines of the Christian faith—Biblical Inerrancy.Together they explore:
Welcome to another episode of the King's Way Podcast Book Club! If you haven't already read the book we're reviewing, don't worry–this could be the talk you need to get you interested in reading it. And if you have read it, welcome to the club!In this episode, Trevor and Ryan discuss a good, thoughtful, and pretty boring book. From the famous stories of gods in the well-known Greek and later Roman pantheons of gods to the normal function of Roman mystery cults, bible scholar Nijay Gupta lays out the religious landscape that Christianity enters when it pops up on the scene. Trevor and Ryan's conversation covers the parts of Greco-Roman religion that they hadn't focused on before, like how geographic and heritage-based they were (not out to make converts), how transactional they are, and how countercultural Christianity seemed, even compared to Jewish religious practice. If you can stay awake through it and like New Testament background, it was worth the read!Join the conversation by letting us know what you thought about the book!
In this episode I talk with Dr. Jennifer Houston McNeel about her brand-new book Under Her Wings: Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament, out now on Eerdmans, where she explores mothers and maternal imagery in the New Testament. We discuss the role of mothers in the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds, how they are portrayed in the gospels, Acts, and the rest of the New Testament, the legacy of Mary, Revelation's complex maternal imagery, and more. Moms are very important in the Bible! Media Referenced:Under Her Wings: https://a.co/d/iUHcXITDr. McNeel's Website: https://thetextincontext.com/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!
Throughout the centuries and into the present day, the Gospel of John has indelibly shaped Christian theology and thinkers in significant ways, but major new questions are being raised about the genesis of that gospel, its relationship to other Christian writings and influences, and especially the masked identity of its author. In The Gospel of John: A New History (Oxford University Press, 2025), Hugo Méndez presents a provocative new thesis that the Fourth Gospel was produced under false authorial pretenses, in a period after the distribution of the preceding Synoptic Gospels, to propound not just a high Logos-Christology amenable to trends in prevailing Jewish and Greco-Roman philosophy from the first century CE, but also its author's stark new vision of salvation in which believers could participate in Christ's exaltation and deification in the present. To plot out his new history and as a reintroduction to the New Testament's Johannine literature, Dr. Méndez joined the New Books Network recently to discuss John's relationship to the historical Jesus and other early Christian writings, the “invented” identity of the Fourth Gospel's “beloved disciple,” the gospel's later attribution to John of Zebedee in the church fathers, and the “afterlives” of the “beloved disciple” as a letter and treatise writer in canonical and extracanonical Christian texts. For a 30% discount on Dr. Mendez's The Gospel of John: A New History from Oxford University Press, use code AUFLY30. Hugo Méndez (Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2013) is Associate Professor in Ancient Mediterranean Religions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he teaches New Testament and Early Christianity. His research interests include the Gospel and Epistles of John and the reception of biblical texts, figures, and images in late antiquity. He has published multiple books, including The Cult of Stephen in Jerusalem (Oxford UP, 2022) and the most recent edition of a popular introductory textbook about The New Testament (8th ed.; Oxford UP, 2023), co-authored with Bart D. Ehrman. His research has also been featured in the Journal of Biblical Literature, the Journal of Early Christian Studies, and New Testament Studies, among other prominent venues, and in his spare time, he enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors with his family. For more on Hugo's work and research interests, visit his website at https://www.hugomendez.com/. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books/Bloomsbury, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, or to offer feedback related to this episode, please visit his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Throughout the centuries and into the present day, the Gospel of John has indelibly shaped Christian theology and thinkers in significant ways, but major new questions are being raised about the genesis of that gospel, its relationship to other Christian writings and influences, and especially the masked identity of its author. In The Gospel of John: A New History (Oxford University Press, 2025), Hugo Méndez presents a provocative new thesis that the Fourth Gospel was produced under false authorial pretenses, in a period after the distribution of the preceding Synoptic Gospels, to propound not just a high Logos-Christology amenable to trends in prevailing Jewish and Greco-Roman philosophy from the first century CE, but also its author's stark new vision of salvation in which believers could participate in Christ's exaltation and deification in the present. To plot out his new history and as a reintroduction to the New Testament's Johannine literature, Dr. Méndez joined the New Books Network recently to discuss John's relationship to the historical Jesus and other early Christian writings, the “invented” identity of the Fourth Gospel's “beloved disciple,” the gospel's later attribution to John of Zebedee in the church fathers, and the “afterlives” of the “beloved disciple” as a letter and treatise writer in canonical and extracanonical Christian texts. For a 30% discount on Dr. Mendez's The Gospel of John: A New History from Oxford University Press, use code AUFLY30. Hugo Méndez (Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2013) is Associate Professor in Ancient Mediterranean Religions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he teaches New Testament and Early Christianity. His research interests include the Gospel and Epistles of John and the reception of biblical texts, figures, and images in late antiquity. He has published multiple books, including The Cult of Stephen in Jerusalem (Oxford UP, 2022) and the most recent edition of a popular introductory textbook about The New Testament (8th ed.; Oxford UP, 2023), co-authored with Bart D. Ehrman. His research has also been featured in the Journal of Biblical Literature, the Journal of Early Christian Studies, and New Testament Studies, among other prominent venues, and in his spare time, he enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors with his family. For more on Hugo's work and research interests, visit his website at https://www.hugomendez.com/. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books/Bloomsbury, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, or to offer feedback related to this episode, please visit his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies
Any purpose or end goal of education requires one to have an understanding of what it means to be human. Etymologically, the word “curriculum” means to run a course. The Apostle Paul says in his second letter to Timothy that he had “run the race” in fulfilling what Jesus created and called him to do. Jesus Himself tells us that He is the way, the truth and the life, the only way to the Father. We are created in God's image, for His purpose and glory, to walk in the works He has prepared for us before the world began. Our guest this week and next on the Profile is Dr. Louis Markos, an advocate for classical Christian education. He discusses his new book Passing the Torch – An Apology for Classical Christian Education. Markos shares his insights as to how a deeper understanding of the culture and literature of the Greco-Roman world enhances and complements a virtuous Christian education. Dr. Louis Markos is an authority on C. S. Lewis, apologetics, and ancient Greece and Rome. He lectures widely for classical Christian and classical charter schools and conferences. The author of twenty-six books, Markos currently serves as the Robert H. Ray Chair of Humanities at Houston Christian University in Houston, Texas. Free Four-Page Watchman Profiles: NaturalismPantheism Carl Sagan's Cosmos Charles DarwinPrevious Apologetics Profile Episodes with Dr. MarkosThe Myth Made Fact Part OneThe Myth Made Fact Part TwoAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
LONDINIUM 91 A.D.: The Emperor's Legacy: Debating Trump's Greco-Roman White House Addition Gaius (John Batchelor) and Germanicus (Michael Vlahos) Gaius and Germanicus discuss the proposed 90,000 square foot Greco-Roman casino-style building intended for the White House, which the Washington Post endorsed, calling the current need to erect tents on the South Lawn an embarrassment. Gaius notes that changes to the White House traditionally draw large protests, citing Jefferson and Jackie Kennedy. He compares Mr. Trump, who has no claim to royalty, to the Flavians (Vespasian and Titus), who were business-class provincials yet built the Colosseum, the symbol of Rome. Germanicus explains that it is the prerogative of the emperor to leave a physical legacy, a tradition dating back to Augustus, who transformed Rome from a city of brick to one of marble. He argues that official architecture in Washington, D.C., follows this majestic imperial Greco-Roman tradition, cemented by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Gaius reveals that the current White House is actually a complete 1950s reproduction, rebuilt under Truman after structural deficiencies were discovered. Finally, they discuss Mr. Trump's desire for a moon landing before leaving office, viewing it as part of his mission to restore American greatness and secure a significant legacy. 1902 ROME
LONDINIUM 91 A.D.: Roman Siege Tactics and Russian Attrition: A Study in Political Vengeance and War Strategy Gaius (John Batchelor) and Germanicus (Michael Vlahos) Gaius and Germanicus open by discussing fresh swan meat in Londinium before moving to the main topic of political vengeance, noting that Romans recognize it while American editorialists are discovering it afresh due to Emperor Trump. They review the war in Ukraine, where Russians are employing a strategy of attrition to achieve the collapse of the Ukrainian army. Germanicus explains that Ukraine's strategy of refusing to retreat has led to disproportionate losses and the encirclement of up to 10,000 soldiers in "cauldrons" near Pokrovsk and Kupyansk. Gaius relates this situation to successful Roman siege tactics used at Carthage and Jerusalem. Historically, the reward for Roman soldiers breaking a siege was to ransack the city, causing the prices of gold and slaves to plummet. Germanicus asserts, however, that the Russians are taking pains to signal that leveling cities is not their way, emphasizing mercy due to the kinship between the two related peoples. The hosts also mention the delay of a summit involving Vladimir Putin and Mr. Trump's proposed Greco-Roman style building at the White House. 80 BCE SULLA SACKS ROME
Holiness is Contagious: Why God's Power is Bigger Than Your Spouse's SinAre you afraid the world will pull you down? Worried that your unbelieving spouse will contaminate your faith? In this powerful message from 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, Pastor Alex destroys “little God theology” and reveals a truth that will change how you see marriage, friendship, and evangelism forever: holiness is contagious.We're continuing our series through Corinthians with one of the most challenging passages in Scripture. Paul addresses two critical groups: Christian couples considering divorce and believers married to unbelievers. Both situations reveal something radical about God's character that most churches get wrong.This message unpacks: • The communicable and incommunicable attributes of God (immutable, infinite, impassable) • Why “little God theology” keeps Christians trapped in fear • What Jesus actually said about divorce in Matthew 5, 19, and Mark 10 • The counter-cultural call to stay married—even to unbelievers • What it means that an unbelieving spouse is “sanctified” through their believing partner • Why your holiness won't contaminate—it will transform • The biblical destruction of the “chair illustration” youth pastors use • How Christ touching the leper proves God pulls people UP, not downHere's the truth that will set you free: When Christ touched the leper, the leper didn't infect Jesus—Jesus healed the leper. That's how powerful God's holiness is. And that same holiness lives in YOU.Paul's message is astronomically counter-cultural. In a Greco-Roman world where “no-fault divorce” was as easy as walking out the door, Paul says: stay married. Why? Because your holiness is contagious. Your unbelieving spouse will be made holy. Your children will be holy. Not saved automatically—but positioned in a power sphere where God's transforming holiness operates.This isn't about tolerating abuse or staying in danger—Christians always err on the side of life. But it IS about understanding that you don't save people by avoiding them. You save them by being in their lives while God does the heavy lifting.We end with a powerful reflection on communion and what it means that the table can heal—because what it points to is REAL.Join us at House Church Kauai as we learn to be disciples, not just Christians—people with fruit, not just a title.House Church Kauai - Meeting in our garage, staying together in the rain, believing God for a tentSupport this ministry: housechurchkauai.com Get full access to Amen Podcast at amenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Holiness is Contagious: Why God's Power is Bigger Than Your Spouse's SinAre you afraid the world will pull you down? Worried that your unbelieving spouse will contaminate your faith? In this powerful message from 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, Pastor Alex destroys “little God theology” and reveals a truth that will change how you see marriage, friendship, and evangelism forever: holiness is contagious.We're continuing our series through Corinthians with one of the most challenging passages in Scripture. Paul addresses two critical groups: Christian couples considering divorce and believers married to unbelievers. Both situations reveal something radical about God's character that most churches get wrong.This message unpacks: • The communicable and incommunicable attributes of God (immutable, infinite, impassable) • Why “little God theology” keeps Christians trapped in fear • What Jesus actually said about divorce in Matthew 5, 19, and Mark 10 • The counter-cultural call to stay married—even to unbelievers • What it means that an unbelieving spouse is “sanctified” through their believing partner • Why your holiness won't contaminate—it will transform • The biblical destruction of the “chair illustration” youth pastors use • How Christ touching the leper proves God pulls people UP, not downHere's the truth that will set you free: When Christ touched the leper, the leper didn't infect Jesus—Jesus healed the leper. That's how powerful God's holiness is. And that same holiness lives in YOU.Paul's message is astronomically counter-cultural. In a Greco-Roman world where “no-fault divorce” was as easy as walking out the door, Paul says: stay married. Why? Because your holiness is contagious. Your unbelieving spouse will be made holy. Your children will be holy. Not saved automatically—but positioned in a power sphere where God's transforming holiness operates.This isn't about tolerating abuse or staying in danger—Christians always err on the side of life. But it IS about understanding that you don't save people by avoiding them. You save them by being in their lives while God does the heavy lifting.We end with a powerful reflection on communion and what it means that the table can heal—because what it points to is REAL.Join us at House Church Kauai as we learn to be disciples, not just Christians—people with fruit, not just a title.House Church Kauai - Meeting in our garage, staying together in the rain, believing God for a tentSupport this ministry: housechurchkauai.com Get full access to Amen Podcast at amenpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Gender Violence in Late Antiquity: Male Fantasies and the Christian Imagination (University of California Press, 2025) by Dr. Jennifer Barry confronts the violent ideological frameworks underpinning the early Christian imagination, arguing that gender-based violence is not peripheral but is fundamental to understanding early Christian history. By analyzing hagiographical and doctrinal writings, Dr. Barry reveals how male authors used portrayals of feminized suffering to shape ideals of sanctity and power, exploiting themes of domestic abuse, martyrdom, and sexualized violence to reinforce their visions of piety. The study first traces the roots of gendered violence within the Greco-Roman and early Christian imagination, and then explores the disturbing role of male fantasies and dreams in hagiographical traditions. Dr. Barry draws on womanist scholarship and engages with trauma studies and feminist horror theory in order to challenge traditional readings of Christian texts, offering new perspectives for understanding how narratives of violence continue to shape contemporary interpretations of gender and power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Gender Violence in Late Antiquity: Male Fantasies and the Christian Imagination (University of California Press, 2025) by Dr. Jennifer Barry confronts the violent ideological frameworks underpinning the early Christian imagination, arguing that gender-based violence is not peripheral but is fundamental to understanding early Christian history. By analyzing hagiographical and doctrinal writings, Dr. Barry reveals how male authors used portrayals of feminized suffering to shape ideals of sanctity and power, exploiting themes of domestic abuse, martyrdom, and sexualized violence to reinforce their visions of piety. The study first traces the roots of gendered violence within the Greco-Roman and early Christian imagination, and then explores the disturbing role of male fantasies and dreams in hagiographical traditions. Dr. Barry draws on womanist scholarship and engages with trauma studies and feminist horror theory in order to challenge traditional readings of Christian texts, offering new perspectives for understanding how narratives of violence continue to shape contemporary interpretations of gender and power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies
Gender Violence in Late Antiquity: Male Fantasies and the Christian Imagination (University of California Press, 2025) by Dr. Jennifer Barry confronts the violent ideological frameworks underpinning the early Christian imagination, arguing that gender-based violence is not peripheral but is fundamental to understanding early Christian history. By analyzing hagiographical and doctrinal writings, Dr. Barry reveals how male authors used portrayals of feminized suffering to shape ideals of sanctity and power, exploiting themes of domestic abuse, martyrdom, and sexualized violence to reinforce their visions of piety. The study first traces the roots of gendered violence within the Greco-Roman and early Christian imagination, and then explores the disturbing role of male fantasies and dreams in hagiographical traditions. Dr. Barry draws on womanist scholarship and engages with trauma studies and feminist horror theory in order to challenge traditional readings of Christian texts, offering new perspectives for understanding how narratives of violence continue to shape contemporary interpretations of gender and power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies
Gender Violence in Late Antiquity: Male Fantasies and the Christian Imagination (University of California Press, 2025) by Dr. Jennifer Barry confronts the violent ideological frameworks underpinning the early Christian imagination, arguing that gender-based violence is not peripheral but is fundamental to understanding early Christian history. By analyzing hagiographical and doctrinal writings, Dr. Barry reveals how male authors used portrayals of feminized suffering to shape ideals of sanctity and power, exploiting themes of domestic abuse, martyrdom, and sexualized violence to reinforce their visions of piety. The study first traces the roots of gendered violence within the Greco-Roman and early Christian imagination, and then explores the disturbing role of male fantasies and dreams in hagiographical traditions. Dr. Barry draws on womanist scholarship and engages with trauma studies and feminist horror theory in order to challenge traditional readings of Christian texts, offering new perspectives for understanding how narratives of violence continue to shape contemporary interpretations of gender and power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kaleidoscope Visions panel presents this month's “MOON PHASES-Fingers of Fate”. This pattern coordinates continual adjustments as a cardinal new moon moves into fixed archetypal moon phases.The Finger of Fate pattern (YOD) requires adjusting between its energetic dynamics without any easy resolution. The quincunx of 150° aspect requires recalibration causing a constant, dynamic tension. Essentially, an internal ‘push-pull' as we ‘lean into' experiencing one energy to the other. Seeking to coordinate their cosmic reflection into our life. Potentially this month involves a process of adjusting to create a new path of perspectives with our ego, our emotions, our values, and thinking.Opening the four moon phases begins with the New Moon at 28 degrees Libra. It heralds the start of a six-month pattern of new moons at 28 degrees of archetypal fulfilment. Libra involves a desire to balance between extremes presented by any polarity. Here, looking at the values to heal from toxicity. Following phases all in fixed signs will be the first quarter moon on Oct 29 at 6°30 Aquarius, the Full Moon on Nov 5 at 13°22' Taurus, and third quarter moon on Nov 12 at 20°04' Leo.The moon's our personal planet regulating the past coming into the present. Weekly the moon systematic monthly cycle transitions from the New Moon to first quarter, Full Moon, and third quarter moon phases. Daily moving 12-13 degrees, the moon moves through a Zodiac sign in two & a half days.Joining Sue Rose Minahan from Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i are Kaleidoscope Visions panel members, Amanda Pierce, and John Chinworth of Seattle. Speaker bios are listed below and on the Talk Cosmos website.Catch new episodes weekly through YouTube, Facebook, radio, and podcast platforms. Be sure to stay connected and subscribe to TalkCosmos.com to access the latest content, including curated panels and subject-themed playlists.JOHN CHINWORTH: Consultant, Conference Lecturer, Writer/Poet. Diploma from the International Academy of Astrology (IAA) in 2021. More than two decades of experience. Lectured at NORWAC, and SFAS | Obsessed with mythology & branded the Greco-Roman pantheon into his psyche | Past board member of WSAA |Teaches and mentors developmentally disabled and resource students for many years | Pens poems and does road trips around Washington. email: archerstars@gmail.com | website: https://www.skypathastro.comAMANDA PIERCE: blends her eclectic style of astrology and energy magic around a soul-centered approach to life and healing. With a B.A. in Psychology, Astrology and Energy Work Consultation | Meditation | Writing & Editing. Empowerment-based Meditation: teaching in-person 4-week series classes. Email: Amandamoonastrology@gmail.com Past WSAA Board Member | UAC 2018 Volunteer Coordinator.SUE ‘ROSE' MINAHAN: Evolutionary Astrologer Consultant, Speaker, Writer, Dwarf Planet University graduate & teacher's assistant; Vibrational Astrology student, Kepler Astrology Toastmaster Charter Member; member of Wine Country Speakers; holds an Associate of Fine Arts Music Degree, & a Certificate of Fine Arts in Jazz. Artist & musician. Mythology enthusiast. Founder of Talk Cosmos weekly conversations awaken heart and soul consciousness. 2025 Season 8. https://www.talkcosmos.com#TalkCosmosKaleidoscopeVisions #SueMinahan #JohnChinworth #AmandaPierce #astrologyYouTubeconversations #MajorLunarPhases #talkcosmos #Kaleidoscopevisions #astrologypodcastweather #TalkCosmos #SkyPathAstro #TalkCosmosYouTubeChannel #KKNWAM #libranewmoon #firstquarterMoon #QuarterMoon #moonphases #astrologyfacts #astrologywisdom #astrologyinsights #astrologypodcasts #radiopodcast #youtubeconversationpodcasts #jupiterincancer #saturninaries #neptuneinaries #astroweather #cosmos #uranusingemini #libraseason #moonenergy #astrologytips #astrologyfacts #astrologywisdom #libraseasonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Doug Stuart welcomes Alex Bernardo—host of The Protestant Libertarian Podcast—to unpack his book-in-progress on politics, economics, and New Testament interpretation. Alex argues that modern readers (and many New Testament scholars) import post-Enlightenment categories—“politics,” capitalism, socialism—into the first century and then draw conclusions the biblical writers never intended. His remedy starts before exegesis: nail down stable definitions and widen “politics” beyond elections to how humans relate, wield authority, and organize life together.They zero in on Luke–Acts. From Caesar's census pushing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem to Paul proclaiming the kingdom “unhindered” in Rome, Luke traces the reign of the crucified, risen, and ascended Son of David. In that frame, the Gospel is unavoidably political—not because it tells you how to vote, but because Jesus already reigns. The early church engages authorities without revolutionary violence, trusting the Spirit's power while keeping allegiance to Christ above every rival.Bernardo outlines his method-first opening: concrete definitions of capitalism and socialism; a spectrum framed by liberty versus authority and violence versus nonviolence; and the needed context of Greco-Roman and Second Temple Jewish history. He previews work-by-work studies—Acts 2 and 4 on sharing, the rich young ruler, the widow's mites, Romans 13, and 1 Peter 2—and explains why academic readings often lean left: institutional incentives, limited engagement with primary economic sources, and reliance on secondhand caricatures of economists and traditions (e.g., Hayek, the Austrians). The conversation ranges into theology too: recovering Jesus's concrete Davidic kingship, refusing to sever messianic identity from divine ontology, and practicing interpretive humility that lets the text correct us. Expect a big, careful book (roughly 450–500 pages) that raises the bar for Christians who care about Scripture, history, economics, and real-world power—and a discussion that resists anachronism while inviting principled, peaceable political discipleship today.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode I sit down with philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci to talk about his book Beyond Stoicism—and why, in his view, no single philosophy can capture everything it means to live well. We dive into the limits of ancient Stoicism, what modern life can borrow from other Greco-Roman schools, and how practices like skepticism, tempered hedonism, and transcendence can enrich our pursuit of virtue today. Key takeaways from this episode include: — Stoicism was born from synthesis, and Seneca himself urged students to “scout” wisdom wherever it's found. — A plural, evolving philosophy of life may serve human nature better than rigid allegiance to one school. — A balanced life draws on Stoic eudaimonia, Epicurean moderation, and skeptical humility. — Temperance, especially with pleasures like food, drink, and social media, is essential—sometimes the Stoic move is total abstention until self-mastery returns. — The Epicurean cure for the fear of death (“when death is, we are not”) remains one of the most rational and freeing insights in philosophy. — Reconnecting with nature, exercising logic and critical thinking, and cultivating moments of awe are timeless practices for a flourishing life. — Massimo's forthcoming book How to Be a Happy Skeptic (Penguin/Random House, June 2026) explores Cicero's life and the Stoic-skeptical blend as a model for thoughtful living today. For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not. Thanks for listening and have a great day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week the guys wrap up their look at Richard's trenchant book with his final chapter on the classics and American slavery. Richard teases out how both pro-slavery factions (John C. Calhoun, Thomas Dew, George Fitzhugh) and abolitionists (William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass) marshaled Greco-Roman thinkers to support their respective causes. The South argued that the flourishing of the arts and thought in Athens was a result of the elite classes being freed from work by the slave population, while the North saw slavery as Athens' biggest flaw. What do Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero have to say about it all? Did they believe that some swaths of humanity were naturally servile? And, what does “natural law” suggest? Tune in and find out. There's plenty of room here for all of us to learn, even the Twainees.
Mothers and children were devalued in ancient Greco-Roman society. The advent of Christianity, however, introduced a radically different perspective - that every human being at every level of society has value and worth because we are all made in the image of God, the Imago Dei. What can we learn from the early Christians about valuing human life and what it means to live as a Christian in the world but not of it? We talk with historian, author, and mother Nadya Williams about these and other issues pertaining to the value and worth of human beings both in ancient societies and in our own. Nadya Williams (from the publisher website): Nadya Williams (PhD, Princeton) walked away from academia after fifteen years as a professor of history and classics. She is now a homeschool mom, book review editor at Current, and a contributing editor at Providence magazine. She is the author of Cultural Christians in the Early Church (Zondervan Academic, 2023), and numerous articles and essays in Current, Plough, Christianity Today, Front Porch Republic, Fairer Disputations, Law and Liberty, Church Life Journal, and others. She and her husband, Dan, are parents to one adult son and two children still at home. They live and homeschool in Ashland, a small town near Cleveland, Ohio.Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic (book). Free Four-Page Profiles From Watchman Fellowship: Goddess Worship: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/goddessprofile.pdfPatterns in the Cults: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/patternsprofile.pdfAstrology: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/astrologyprofile.pdfWatchtower Bible and Tract Society: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/watchtowerprofile.pdfZoroastrianism: https://www.watchman.org/staff/jwalker/ProfileZoroastrianism.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Rachel Winchester talks with author Nadya Williams about her new book, Christians Reading Classics. We discuss the importance of studying ancient Greco-Roman literature which can enrich our conversations in our families and our perspectives of the modern world. Nadya shares that she wrote this book to be “training-wheels” to reading the classics in order to make them feel less intimidating. Join us!RESOURCES+Christians Reading Classics by Nadya Williams+For a full list of the books listed in this episode, click this link!+Build Your Family's Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:The Biggest Story AdventTry CTCMath-Half Price DiscountRegister for our live webinar!Reading Deep Dive
The second and final of the Steve Reeves' Hercules movies. Similar to the first film, Hercules Unchained is bolstered by a solid opening and closing but again is labored (see what I did there?) by a largely boring and unnecessary middle. Still, Steve Reeves' portrayal of the Greco-Roman mythological hero Hercules is fantastic, and Hercules Unchained even features an appearance by former World Boxing and World Wrestling champion Primo Carnera! Grab your sword and sandals and let's go fight some monsters!
I am a sucker for Greco-Roman mythology, so I thought I'd check out the much lauded performance of bodybuilder Steve Reeves in the first of his two appearances as Hercules in the 1958 movie of the same name. Obviously, as far as special effects goes, this movie was seriously limited by it's era, but I have to say, Steve Reeves made a pretty darn impressive Hercules. The story took an unneeded detour in the middle which drug things down, but overall, this was a pretty solid movie.
I'm starting a new series called Darin's Diary. Every Monday, I'll be sharing something real that I'm learning about God as I dig into His Word for myself. This isn't secondhand from pastors, mentors, or books — it's me opening up my Bible, wrestling with what it says, and sharing how it's changing my walk with Him. In this first episode, I'm talking about a verse that completely reshaped the way I see God: John 1:14 — “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Growing up, I thought I understood God's love, but when I read this verse in its original context, it hit me in a whole new way. For the first audience — both Jews and Gentiles — this was shocking. Unlike the distant gods of the Greco-Roman world, Jesus stepped down, put on flesh, and lived among us. That changes everything. This episode is all about rediscovering God's love in a fresh way — the kind that makes you fall in love with Him all over again. My hope is that as you watch, you'll see that God isn't distant, He's close, and He cares about every detail of your life. Let me know in the comments what stood out to you most, and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes of Darin's Diary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Everyone, everywhere, thinks about the afterlife. If you think you don't, you're wrong: you do. Because what you believe about life after death is an expression of how you think the universe is ordered, and whether you believe there's such a thing as ultimate justice. That in turn affects how you live--and almost no one has had a bigger impact on how we think about this in the West than Virgil. This week, we're going in--down through the Egyptian Book of the Dead, past the churning waters of the Babylonian afterlife, into the carefully mapped-out world of the Greco-Roman afterlife. Plus: one final, heartbreaking meeting with one of the poem's truly unforgettable characters. Check out our new Sponsor, Alithea Travel: https://www.alitheatravel.com/tours/strength-and-virtue Order Light of the Mind, Light of the World (and rate it five stars): https://a.co/d/2QccOfM Subscribe to be in the mailbag: https://rejoiceevermore.substack.com