Podcast appearances and mentions of Walter Wink

"Why Progressives Should Believe in Satan" a reflection by radical progressive Christian Unitarian minister Stephen Lingwood. Many of the ideas here are from Walter Wink. Look to his writings to find out more. To find out more visit: https://reigniteuk.blogspot.com  Music for this podcast by Sergei Chetvertnykh (freesound.org/people/DDmyzik/sounds/455428/)

Brent Billings and Reed Dent team up with Elle Grover Fricks to excavate some ancient ideas about enemies.BEMA 96: But I Say Unto YouJesus and Nonviolence by Walter WinkThe Peaceable Kingdom by Stanley HauerwasRise and Kill First by Ronen Bergman1QS 1 (Community Rule) with Matthew 5:43 — Intertextual BibleBEMA 358: Sabbath Practice — PrayerGreek Priest Recreates Excitement of Resurrection Announcement — InstagramGreek Priest Recreates Excitement of Resurrection Announcement — TikTok“‘Flying Priest' Marks Holy Saturday's Liturgy in Greece” by Nick Kampouris — Greek Reporter

It really is possible to get free from guilt! I'd love to emphasise again that this is NOT Aware Parenting. This reparenting series is based on The Marion Method. I'm so grateful to Marshall Rosenberg, who created Nonviolent Communication. It was from him, back in 2002, when my daughter was 9 months old, that I learnt about the true origin of guilt, and how it is simply a form of cultural conditioning. It's not an innate feeling. I also borrowed the term 'Domination Culture' from him. He in turn borrowed it from Walter Wink. I added 'Disconnected' to it, i.e. 'Disconnected Domination Culture', to emphasise that disconnection needs to happen in order for domination to happen. In contrast, in The Marion Method, I see our true nature as Love and Will - in other words, we are LOVE: deeply interconnected with all that is, and WILL: deeply powerful and connected with the power of Life, particularly through our yeses and noes. So, back to guilt! In this episode, I talk about how guilt is related to both Love--Hurts and Will-Hurts. Guilt has two functions: to coerce us into doing things, and to lead to uncomfortable feelings if we don't act as we think we 'should'. The first is related to will. The second to love. In comparison, with The Marion Method, we can transform self-coercion into acting from willingness, or being unwilling to do something. And we can transform the pain of self-judgment to deep self-compassion. Getting free from guilt is so life-changing, in ways that I explain in more depth. You can find out more about my work at www.marionrose.net and my books at: https://marionrose.net/books/ The Get Free From Guilt Course is in a Facebook group and is here: https://marionrose.samcart.com/products/get-free-from-guilt-for-good/ You can also find me here: https://www.instagram.com/theawareparentingpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/_marion_rose_/ https://www.instagram.com/awareparenting/ www.facebook.com/MarionRosePhD

Send us a Text Message - include your name! Eric and Andy tackle the challenging and ever-present reality of racism. They explore how it's woven into the fabric of society, highlighting the ways we contribute to it—sometimes intentionally, but often without even realizing it. The conversation doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truths, as they dig into what it means to confront systemic injustice. They turn to the gospel, looking for guidance on how to speak truth to those in power while still holding to the grace and humility that Christ exemplifies. Throughout, they emphasize the need for self-reflection, repentance, and a commitment to justice that goes beyond words, seeking to live out the kind of radical love that the gospel demands. Survive the holidays without going broke! Keep Christ at the center of Christmas.It's not just about pinching pennies – how to balance frugality with generosity.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showSUPPORT THE SHOW BEYOND SUBSCRIPTIONS1. CASH APP2. Justgive"Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" is a weekly podcast where Pastors Andy and Eric come together over a imaginary delicious breakfast to talk about faith, food, sermons, culture, and more. In each episode, the pastors delve into thought-provoking topics and offer inspiring insights and practical guidance for those seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus. With occasional guests joining the conversation, "Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" provides a unique perspective on what it means to live a life of faith in today's world. Whether you're a seasoned Christian or just starting on your faith journey, this podcast is the perfect companion for your morning routine. So join Pastors Andy and Eric each week as they explore the intersections of faith, food, and life over a delicious breakfast.Support:https://www.buzzsprout.com/97804/support

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music!Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tourYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTd3KlRte86eG9U40ncZ4XA?view_as=subscriberInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/ Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/My Reading List Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21940220.J_G_ElliotChristian Peace and Nonviolence: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11451761-christian-peace-and-nonviolence?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=lpCu4Cfk0v&rank=8Permission's Sheet: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FN9Dg3xONxG08mJ8IYarKFDH1zlSwGZL?usp=drive_linkJesus and Nonviolence book: https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9780800636098/Jesus-and-Nonviolence-A-Third-WayJesus and Nonviolence through Archive: https://archive.org/details/jesusnonviolence0000wink/page/38/mode/2upUsed with permission of Fortress Press (see permission's sheet)PUBLISHER Fortress PressFORMAT PaperbackISBN 9780800636098EBOOK ISBN 9781451419962DIMENSIONS 4.25 x 7PAGES 128PUBLICATION DATE April 1, 2003 Thanks to our monthly supporters Philip Does Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Hear excerpts from a special event we organized at the University of Southern California on race, religion and citizenship in this episode of Respecting Religion. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Evans and the Rev. Dr. Christopher The brought their unique experiences and expertise to a conversation on religious and racial identity, moderated by the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard. Hear their insights about a theology of democracy, their experiences with racism, how to identify authoritarianism, and what lessons Scripture has for our current climate.   Segment 1 (starting at 00:35): The event on race, religion and citizenship The Rev. Dr. Joseph Evans and the Rev. Dr. Christopher The were the speakers for this year's edition of our annual Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures, titled “Whose country is it anyway?” held April 2 on the campus of the University of Southern California. Their conversation was moderated by the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard. Click on each name to read more about them and their impressive credentials.  Listen to the entire program at this link.  The event was in partnership with USC's Office of Religious & Spiritual Life, the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, and Berkeley School of Theology. Learn more about BJC's annual series at BJConline.org/ShurdenLectures.   Segment 2 (starting at 1:45): A theology of democracy, experiences of racism, and a new understanding of The New Colossus Rev. Dr. The mentioned “warmth of other suns,” giving credit to how Isabel Wilkerson uses the phrase. She is the author of the book The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration. Rev. Dr. The mentioned “The New Colossus,” the poem by Emma Lazarus that is inscribed on a plaque in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. You can read it here.   Segment 3 (starting at 12:29): Authoritarianism and lessons from Scripture Rev. Dr. Evans mentioned Walter Wink, a theologian who discussed how power structures resist our need for transformation. Learn more about him in his obituary from The New York Times.   Segment 4 (starting at 18:27): Politics and access to power Dr. Catherine Brekus delivered the 2023 Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lecture, which focused on the myth of American “chosenness.” Hear it in episode 23 of season 4, and listen to the panel that followed it on episode 24.  Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.

Are anger and violence ever acceptable? Join the women clergy of First Church of San Diego as they explore anger during the next several episodes of Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast. They’ll examine where anger comes from, how we can manage it, and how Jesus encountered anger during the last week of his life. In this episode, join Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany as they examine Mark 11:15-17 – the story of Jesus overturning tables in the Temple. It’s violent and unexpected behavior stemming out of righteous indignation. And it once again shows us Jesus’ humanity. It also sets the stage for the forthcoming violence of the religious elite who fear the crowds’ reaction to Jesus. Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany juxtapose the various acts of violence and anger, introduce Walter Wink’s theory of the myth of redemptive violence, talk about how our culture has desensitized us to violence, and explain that the root of Jesus’ anger may be different than what many modern Christians interpret. They also weave in a narrative of anti-Semitism, as well as the Protestant Reformation. It’s a lot packed into a single episode! Want to join the discussion? We invite you to our weekly discussion group, Convergence. Taking place on our church campus in the Mission Valley neighborhood of San Diego or through Zoom. Get additional details online: In Person Online For this episode, we’ll be discussing the following questions: Is violence ever justified? How do you handle your own violent impulses? What do you do with righteous indignation that you feel?

Are anger and violence ever acceptable? Join the women clergy of First Church of San Diego as they explore anger during the next several episodes of Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast. They’ll examine where anger comes from, how we can manage it, and how Jesus encountered anger during the last week of his life. In this episode, join Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany as they examine Mark 11:15-17 – the story of Jesus overturning tables in the Temple. It’s violent and unexpected behavior stemming out of righteous indignation. And it once again shows us Jesus’ humanity. It also sets the stage for the forthcoming violence of the religious elite who fear the crowds’ reaction to Jesus. Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany juxtapose the various acts of violence and anger, introduce Walter Wink’s theory of the myth of redemptive violence, talk about how our culture has desensitized us to violence, and explain that the root of Jesus’ anger may be different than what many modern Christians interpret. They also weave in a narrative of anti-Semitism, as well as the Protestant Reformation. It’s a lot packed into a single episode! Want to join the discussion? We invite you to our weekly discussion group, Convergence. Taking place on our church campus in the Mission Valley neighborhood of San Diego or through Zoom. Get additional details online: In Person Online For this episode, we’ll be discussing the following questions: Is violence ever justified? How do you handle your own violent impulses? What do you do with righteous indignation that you feel?

Are anger and violence ever acceptable? Join the women clergy of First Church of San Diego as they explore anger during the next several episodes of Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast. They’ll examine where anger comes from, how we can manage it, and how Jesus encountered anger during the last week of his life. In this episode, join Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany as they examine Mark 11:15-17 – the story of Jesus overturning tables in the Temple. It’s violent and unexpected behavior stemming out of righteous indignation. And it once again shows us Jesus’ humanity. It also sets the stage for the forthcoming violence of the religious elite who fear the crowds’ reaction to Jesus. Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany juxtapose the various acts of violence and anger, introduce Walter Wink’s theory of the myth of redemptive violence, talk about how our culture has desensitized us to violence, and explain that the root of Jesus’ anger may be different than what many modern Christians interpret. They also weave in a narrative of anti-Semitism, as well as the Protestant Reformation. It’s a lot packed into a single episode! Want to join the discussion? We invite you to our weekly discussion group, Convergence. Taking place on our church campus in the Mission Valley neighborhood of San Diego or through Zoom. Get additional details online: In Person Online For this episode, we’ll be discussing the following questions: Is violence ever justified? How do you handle your own violent impulses? What do you do with righteous indignation that you feel?

Are anger and violence ever acceptable? Join the women clergy of First Church of San Diego as they explore anger during the next several episodes of Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast. They’ll examine where anger comes from, how we can manage it, and how Jesus encountered anger during the last week of his life. In this episode, join Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany as they examine Mark 11:15-17 – the story of Jesus overturning tables in the Temple. It’s violent and unexpected behavior stemming out of righteous indignation. And it once again shows us Jesus’ humanity. It also sets the stage for the forthcoming violence of the religious elite who fear the crowds’ reaction to Jesus. Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany juxtapose the various acts of violence and anger, introduce Walter Wink’s theory of the myth of redemptive violence, talk about how our culture has desensitized us to violence, and explain that the root of Jesus’ anger may be different than what many modern Christians interpret. They also weave in a narrative of anti-Semitism, as well as the Protestant Reformation. It’s a lot packed into a single episode! Want to join the discussion? We invite you to our weekly discussion group, Convergence. Taking place on our church campus in the Mission Valley neighborhood of San Diego or through Zoom. Get additional details online: In Person Online For this episode, we’ll be discussing the following questions: Is violence ever justified? How do you handle your own violent impulses? What do you do with righteous indignation that you feel?

Part 2 of 4 in our 2023 Advent Series. David Dark introduces a new way of thinking about non-violent resistance, which he dubs "Robot Soft Exorcism," whereby, in an appeal to our common humanity, we call each other out of the potentially violent power structures and systems we all (knowingly or unknowingly) inhabit. Show NotesHelp the Yale Center for Faith & Culture meet a $10,000 matching challenge for podcast production; click here to donate today.Evan Rosa & Macie Bridge introduce the episodeThomas Merton, “The Time of the End Is the Time of No Room” in Raids on the Unspeakable, pages 51-52 (check it out): “Into this world, this demented inn, in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited. But because he cannot be at home in it, because he is out of place in it, and yet he must be in it, his place is with those others for whom there is no room. His place is with those who do not belong, who are rejected by power because they are regarded as weak, those who are discredited, who are denied the status of persons, tortured, exterminated. With those for whom there is no room, Christ is present in this world. He is mysteriously present in those for whom there seems to be nothing but the world at its worst.” David Dark's Robot Soft Exorcism Twitter Thread: https://twitter.com/DavidDark/status/1012804184868048896Robot Soft ExorcismEphesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."Walter Wink's Powers seriesTurning the other cheek; demanding to be punched as an equal"Robot soft exorcism is inviting someone to be a human being rather than just being their position."Breaking it down: The Robot PartBreaking it down: The Exorcism PartThoreau: "We all crave reality."Buddhists surrendering a spirit of conflict or difference before partingKarl Barth: If you don't have any solid difference with the person with whom you exchange the peace of Christ, the peace of Christ isn't there because the peace has to overcome some kind of difference."Opinion, Posture, Position: None ever have to be confused with one's identity.Divesting ourselves of the power we carry through the worldBreaking it down: The Soft PartCivil Rights Movement is actually the Non-Violent Movement of America"One human exchange at a time."Mantra: "I wrestle not against flesh and blood." (Ephesians 6:12)Advent/Christmas as the prototypical Robot Soft ExorcismBruce Coburn: "Redemption rips through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe.""We're really going against the news cycle if we insist on the meaning of human history being in this manger scene. To be alive to it, to be citizens of a better future than what is being settled for by our robot overlords."Production NotesThis podcast featured David DarkEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie BridgeA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

"In 2020, with all the civil unrest, we reached a tipping point of there being more guns than people." In this episode of Called to be Bad I talk all things guns with  Mennonite pastor, adrenaline junkie, and "aspiring pacifist" Matthew Yoder.  We discuss how the stories we tell ourselves about power, privilege, and politics all affect gun sales. This is a lengthy episode that is only part one of a two-part series. In part two, we dive deeper into the gun problem in America. How can we bridge the liberal/conservative divide in order to save lives?Resources: "Unlocking Us" episode: Brene Brown with Beto O'Rourke on guns in America:https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brave-leadership/"Unlocking Us" episode: Brene Brown with Anand Giridharadas part 1 of 2 on the importance of persuasion:https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-persuaders-part-1-of-2/Two great episodes from "Living Myth" featuring Michael Meade on guns and gun violence:https://www.mosaicvoices.org/episode-225-backfire-the-strange-origins-of-guns-and-gun-culturehttps://www.mosaicvoices.org/episode-282-standing-at-the-river-of-sorrowFor what I'm referring to when I say 'spiritual', see the work of Michael Meade, Richard Rohr and especially Walter Wink. Wink's "The Powers that Be" is a great introduction:https://www.amazon.com/Powers-That-Be-Theology-Millennium/dp/0385487525#:~:text=The%20Powers%20That%20Be%20reclaims,light%20of%20our%20modern%20experience.For the preparedness-minded among us, this video lists minimum essential equipment that everyone living in a society with a gun problem like ours should carry with them at Support the showFollow us for more ✨bad✨ content: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calledtobebad_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calledtobebad Website: https://calledtobebad.buzzsprout.com/ Sponsor of this episode: https://www.arthumorsoul.com/ Want to become part of the ✨baddie✨ community? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calledtobebad Have a ✨bad✨ topic you want to talk about on the show? Get in touch with host, Mariah Martin at: calledtobebad@gmail.com #ctbb #podcast #podcastersoffacebook ...

"Part of the gun problem in America--the proliferation of guns--has as much to do with policy making approches by Democratic officials as it does pro-gun Republicans..."In part two of this two-part series on guns, I talk with Matt Yoder further about gun ownership and the spiritual issues behind the gun problem in America. We talk about "protecting" vs. "connecting" and SO MUCH MORE. Enjoy this long, chatty,  Resources: "Unlocking Us" episode: Brene Brown with Beto O'Rourke on guns in America:https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brave-leadership/"Unlocking Us" episode: Brene Brown with Anand Giridharadas part 1 of 2 on the importance of persuasion:https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-persuaders-part-1-of-2/Two great episodes from "Living Myth" featuring Michael Meade on guns and gun violence:https://www.mosaicvoices.org/episode-225-backfire-the-strange-origins-of-guns-and-gun-culturehttps://www.mosaicvoices.org/episode-282-standing-at-the-river-of-sorrowFor what I'm referring to when I say 'spiritual', see the work of Michael Meade, Richard Rohr and especially Walter Wink. Wink's "The Powers that Be" is a great introduction:https://www.amazon.com/Powers-That-Be-Theology-Millennium/dp/0385487525#:~:text=The%20Powers%20That%20Be%20reclaims,light%20of%20our%20modern%20experience.For the preparedness-minded among us, this video lists minimum essential equipment that everyone living in a society with a gun problem like ours should carry with them at all times, and excellent instruction on how to use it. I carry most of these items on my person all day every day (in my man-purse). CW: contains brief descriptions of physical trauma.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6pQV-CE4FwRegular training is a necessary companion to the right equipment. I recommend participating in a "Stop the Bleed" training annually at minimum, quarterly or more if possible. CW: website contains some content related to physical trauma. https://www.stopthebleed.org/training/One additional resource I would like to provide your listeners on the guSupport the showFollow us for more ✨bad✨ content: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calledtobebad_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calledtobebad Website: https://calledtobebad.buzzsprout.com/ Sponsor of this episode: https://www.arthumorsoul.com/ Want to become part of the ✨baddie✨ community? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calledtobebad Have a ✨bad✨ topic you want to talk about on the show? Get in touch with host, Mariah Martin at: calledtobebad@gmail.com #ctbb #podcast #podcastersoffacebook ...

If most of us are being honest, we likely consider prayer to be a weak point in our spiritual lives. We find it hard to make time to pray; we find it unproductive in a world obsessed with hurry and productivity; we feel guilty for not praying often enough, and yet when we finally set aside the time to do so, we find ourselves distracted or confused, not sure how to proceed. Rather than serving as a life-giving connection to a redemptive, loving, and restorative God in the midst of a broken world, prayer becomes a chore or a bore or a guilt-riddled religious game. We often find ourselves, as Jesus' earliest disciples did, wondering how we can begin to pray. Join us as Midtown as we wade into the challenging waters of prayer, exploring the way that the Psalms teach us authentic, genuine prayer, and how their model can provide us structures for how we begin to relate to and know God more fully in our own lives today. Listen as Pastor Clint introduces many of the hurdles we face when we enter into prayer, and then explores Psalm 20 and the practice of intercessory prayer. Sermon Resources: 1. Interview with Justin Rosenstein on social media: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/05/smartphone-addiction-silicon-valley-dystopia 2. “We, for every kind of reason, good and bad, are distracting ourselves into spiritual oblivion. It is not that we have anything against God, depth, and spirit, we would like these, it is just that we are habitually too preoccupied to have any of these show up on our radar screens. We are more busy than bad, more distracted than nonspiritual, and more interested in the movie theater, the sports stadium, and the shopping mall and the fantasy life they produce in us than we are in church. Pathological busyness, distraction, and restlessness are major blocks today within our spiritual lives.” -Ronald Rolheiser, "The Holy Longing: The Search For A Christian Spirituality" 3. “If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer. Intercession is a way of loving others…it is selfless prayer, even self-giving prayer. In the ongoing work of the kingdom of God, nothing is more important than intercession.” -Richard Foster, "Prayer: Finding The Heart's True Home" 4. “To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” -Karl Barth 5. Christine Caine and A21: https://www.a21.org/ 6. News of "AmericaFest" at Phoenix church: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/the-growing-religious-fervor-in-the-american-political-right-this-is-a-jesus-movement/ 7. “This way of praying was an antidote against a way of believing that vests power in a person to provide ultimate security and success…The king could not, in any separated and independent way, be the basis or content of trust.” -James Mays, "Interpretation: Acts" 8. “Leave your plans in man's hands and they get manhandled.” -Chance The Rapper, "Child Of God" 9. “God has dignified humanity with causality.” -Blaise Pascal 10. Story of Tyler and healing of Van from "Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools," by Tyler Staton 11. “Intercessory prayer is spiritual defiance of what is in the way of what God has promised. Intercession visualizes an alternative future to the one apparently fated by the momentum of current forces. Prayer infuses the air of a time yet to be into the suffocating atmosphere of the present. History belongs to the intercessors who believe the future into being. Even a small number of people, firmly committed to the new inevitability on which they have fixed their imaginations, can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors.” -Walter Wink, "History Belongs To The Intercessors"

Day 1: Let Us Pray Thank you for joining our journey of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I am anticipating all that God will do in our lives and church community. C. H. Spurgeon once said, “Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray.” I pray as we journey through the next 21 days that these devotionals will encourage you and your faith journey. Each devotional will start with a thought, then onto a time of reflection and journaling. We have a natural tendency to remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. I have found that journaling is the best antidote to spiritual amnesia. Following our reflection, we will follow prayer points for our Willow Park community and beyond, and of course pray for our three prayer points. As we begin our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, we decide on our three specific prayer requests, three areas that will help us pray with purpose. The Lord is encouraging us to pray bold prayers. He is encouraging us to come before Him in holy anticipation, to be specific - so that we can point the glory directly to God. Prayers for the seemingly impossible. Let's focus our 21 days on the unseen realm and get our headlines from His word. It's no coincidence that being watchful and prayerful are coupled by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” When Paul uses the word watchful, he refers to the ancient watchmen on the walls, who saw first and looked out across the horizon. As we enter this focused prayer time, let us see ourselves as His watchmen. In the words of theologian Walter Wink, “History belongs to the intercessors.” That's us! We are given a unique opportunity to change His-story. We are all familiar with the challenging verse, “Be Still and know that I am God.” But we often stay there. If we continue to read, we find this encouragement: “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Tyler Stanton writes, “That's the destination of this prayer, the promise we become aware of in holy stillness.” Be still. Remember who God is. Remember who you are in Him. Lord, we dedicate the next 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting to You. Help us to focus each day. Speak to us your truths. We are expectant and know You are faithful and will answer. Amen. Reflect and Respond Write down the three areas of focused prayer, keep them in your Bible, post them on your mirror, set them as your screen-saver! Name and commit your three areas before the Lord. Wait on Him and ask for the gift of faith and promises over your three areas of prayer. What does the challenge to “Be still and know that He is God” mean to you? WPC Prayer Focus Ask God to show you your next step to go deeper in prayer. Pray that each of our monthly WillowOne Worship & Prayer gatherings across the network will grow and testify to an abundance of answered prayers. Pray for each community and ministry that a culture of prayer will exist. Pray for the city that churches across the region will hear a call to pray. Pray for your three prayer points.

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTd3KlRte86eG9U40ncZ4XA?view_as=subscriber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/ My Reading List Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21940220.J_G_Elliot My Reading List Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10h_yL0vO8-Ja_sxUJFclff11nwUONOG6/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103262818858083924733&rtpof=true&sd=true Video on Benjamin Lay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv3v9m6PY6c Fearless Benjamin Lay: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Benjamin-Lay-Revolutionary-Abolitionist/dp/0807060984/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+fearless+benjamin+lay&qid=1605836939&sr=8-1 All Slavekeepers Apostates: https://www.amazon.com/Slave-Keepers-That-Innocent-Bondage-Apostates-ebook/dp/B088Q5GH7P/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=all+slavekeepers+apostates&qid=1605836920&sr=8-1 Wilberforce Prolonged Slavery: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/03/wilberforce-slavery-sierra-leone Noll on the Civil War: https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Crisis-Steven-Janice-Lectures/dp/1469621819/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mark+noll+civil+war&qid=1605836883&sr=8-1 John Woolman: https://metrovoicenews.com/john-woolman-the-conscientious-quaker-who-paved-the-way-for-abolition/ Britain paid on debt to slave owners through 2015: https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Britains-Loan-toPay-Off-Slave-Owners-Not-Repaid-Until-2015-20180223-0016.html#:~:text=Her%20Majesty%27s%20Treasury%20recently%20revealed%20that%20British%20taxpayers,that%20were%20formerly%20part%20of%20the%20British%20empire. A little more background on Lay and the Colonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FALMgWNCXjI Conceived in Liberty Volumes 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1933550988/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1XW48KH6KFJ1TFTDRVNP NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Two weeks ago, Matt and Joe explored the Christian alarmism around Dungeons & Dragons during the 80s, but WAIT! Could it be that these brave heroes fighting the evils of tabletop RPGs might be... the REAL DEMONS THEMSELVES??? Find out today as Matt and Joe examine the theology of the early game and analyze the Satanic Panic from the theological framework of Walter Wink's The Powers that Be.CW: suicide Keep in touch on Twitter and support us on Patreon for extended episodes! Sources: 60 Minutes. Dungeons & Dragons. 1985. Chick, Jack. Dark Dungeons. 1984. Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre. "A Christian Anarchist Critique of Violence: From Turning the Other Cheek to a Rejection of the State". 2010. Dear, William. Dungeon Master: The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III. 1984. Ewalt, David. Of Dice and Men. 2013. Laycock, Joseph. Dangerous Games What the Moral Panic over Role-Playing Games Says about Play, Religion, and Imagined Worlds. 2015. Leithart and Grant. "A Christian Response to Dungeons & Dragons: The Catechism of the New Age". 1987. Peterson, Jon. Playing at the World. 2022. Wink, Walter. The Powers That Be. 1999.

"1. Jesus is funny Growing up, I guess I had an image of Jesus from paintings or stained glass windows. Isn't he distant, emaciated, in pain? But there he is in Luke 10:21—“full of joy.” This word, agalliaō, notes Robert H. Mounce, is “a very strong word depicting unrestrained joy.” The pacing and tone of his speech seem to have been badly misread. Jesus jokes. He tells one in Luke 14:14–24 that is a bit sexual. The set-up is: three guys get invited to a party. All three say they can't come. Karl Hand, in “A Wicked Sense of Humor,” maps out the connections: The first declines because he has acquired land and needs to try it out, the second has acquired oxen and needs to try them out, the third because he has acquired a wife and needs to…decline the invitation. The pregnant pause allows the listeners to observe the sexual implications of the declined invitation — the unspoken ‘‘I must go and try her out . . .” "3. Jesus is gender-bending sexy Growing up, I thought the messiah came off masculine and not too cute. A regular guy, was the idea. Isn't that how men were supposed to be? The gospels don't describe Jesus' body, but the Old Testament prophet Isaiah does say the messiah will have “no form nor comeliness…no beauty…” (53:2) That might refer to him having little social importance. As Joan E. Taylor explains in What Did Jesus Look Like? (2018), early Christians understood Jesus to be smoking hot—citing the messianic Psalm 45, a long praise of a beautiful man: “Youthful in beauty you are, beyond the sons of men; grace was poured on your lips.” But this is the Bible, where heroes—from Joseph to David—tend to be a bit girly. If studying the clues to Jesus' gender presentation, we don't see that he's too manly. As Aída Besançon Spencer notes: “Jesus never uses the Greek masculine term anēr (male) for self-description. Jesus always uses the generic or inclusive term anthrōpos (human).” He calls himself the ‘son of Man'. “In Hebrew the phrase simply means ‘a human being',” notes Walter Wink." --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/antonio-myers4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/antonio-myers4/support

For the next 2 months we will be studying the 3rd way, looking in particular at the works of Walter Wink and the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Today serves as an introduction to the 3rd Way as articulated by Jesus Himself. Given by Rev. Jon MacDonald on 01/09/22.

"I wrestle not against flesh and blood." (David Dark's Ephesians 6:12 mantra) / According to David Dark (Belmont University), each of us occupy a variety of robots—roles, titles, occupations, institutions, conglomerates, ways of being, social norms, etc.—and these robots exert a cultural force, sometimes benign, but then again, sometimes violently destructive and degrading of human life. And in order to appreciate and honor our shared humanity, those of us in violent, impersonal robot systems need to be softly, humanely, respectfully, lovingly exorcised from those violent systems. David Dark joins Evan Rosa to talk about his idea of "Robot Soft Exorcism"—a metaphor-slash-parable-slash-theory-slash-way-of-life—that he uses to explain and expound non-violent resistance and prophetic witness. Along the way, they discuss the righteous skepticism he was raised on, the blurry secular-sacred divide, how he met Henri Nouwen, the technological ethics of Jacques Ellul, the real meaning of turning the other cheek, and the constant need to divest ourselves of the power of our positions, our titles, our platforms ... our robots.About David DarkDavid Dark is an American writer and cultural critic; and is Assistant Professor of Religion and the Arts at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. He's author of several books including, Life's Too Short To Pretend You're Not Religious, The Sacredness of Questioning Everything, Everyday Apocalypse: The Sacred Revealed in Radiohead, The Simpsons, and Other Pop Culture Icons, and The Gospel According To America: A Meditation on a God-blessed, Christ-haunted Idea. Follow him on Twitter @DavidDark or his Substack, Dark MatterShow NotesDavid Dark's Robot Soft Exorcism Twitter Thread: https://twitter.com/DavidDark/status/1012804184868048896Righteous skepticism in David Dark's family historyGodzilla and GodSecular–sacred divide"I don't have to settle for the given dichotomies or dualisms."Daoism, intellectual humility and the meaning of righteous skepticism in southern (fundamentalist) Christian contextThe blurry binaries of Christianity and Pop CultureNashville: "The post-modern Vatican of the prayer trade"Christian music industry in the'80s"One might want to separate Christian marketing from the January 6th attack, but you really can't because association is currency.""On human barnyard"; "there are no unrelated phenomena"On meeting Henri Nouwen and learning the word social justice"There is no non-social justice. Justice is relational."Robot Soft ExorcismEphesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."Walter Wink's Powers seriesPower dynamics of 2018's border crisis, separating families at the border, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the Red Hen RestaurantTurning the other cheek; demanding to be punched as an equalDramatizing the conflict as part of the task of prophetic action"Robot soft exorcism is inviting someone to be a human being rather than just being their position."Breaking it down: The Robot PartJacques Ellul and the Technological SocietyUse vs Reception"I think that Twitter can be a wonderful tool. It is the tool upon which I inscribed my Robots Soft Exorcism. But Twitter is also can be a broken fire hydrant of sadness and rage.""I think Ellul said: We speak of a computer as a companion, but a computer is actually a vampire.""What we do with our screens is what we do with our lives. We are never escaping relationship.""[Insert Soul Here]"Philip K. Dick's "disinformation"Beck: "Don't believe everything you breathe."Breaking it down: The Exorcism PartMob Spirit on January 6"Sitting with anger until it becomes sadness." (Sarah Mason)Exorcism as social therapyThoreau: "We all crave reality."Buddhists surrendering a spirit of conflict or difference before partingKarl Barth: If you don't have any solid difference with the person with whom you exchange the peace of Christ, the peace of Christ isn't there because the peace has to overcome some kind of difference."Opinion, Posture, Position: None ever have to be confused with one's identity.U2's "Staring at the Sun": "Armor-plated suits and ties""Sometimes when we skip straight to Christ, we skip over Jesus of Nazareth. I'm not saying we all do that whenever we say Christ, but w if I say Christ enough that I'm not thinking about the sermon on the Mount, that I'm not thinking of the red letter words, Christ can become a kind of personal ghost friend who excuses me from my bad behavior."Divesting ourselves of the power we carry through the worldClaudia Rankin: whiteness as an investment in not-knowingThe centrality of listeningEllul: "Propaganda is monologue and monologue ends when dialogue begins."Breaking it down: The Soft PartCivil Rights Movement is actually the Non-Violent Movement of America"One human exchange at a time."Mantra: "I wrestle not against flesh and blood." (Ephesians 6:12)Rage Against the MachineAdvent/Christmas as the prototypical Robot Soft ExorcismBruce Coburn: "Redemption rips through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe.""We're really going against the news cycle if we insist on the meaning of human history being in this manger scene. To be alive to it, to be citizens of a better future than what is being settled for by our robot overlords."Production NotesThis podcast featured author and cultural critic David DarkEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Martin Chan, Nathan Jowers, Natalie Lam, and Logan LedmanA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley, PhD is an activist/scholar, distinguished teacher and wisdom keeper who addresses a variety of issues concerning American culture, faith/spirituality, justice, race/diversity, regenerative farming, our relationship with the earth and Indigenous realities. His expertise has been sought in national venues such as Time Magazine, The Huffington Post and Christianity Today. Dr. Woodley currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture at Portland Seminary. He served for several years on the Oregon Dept. of Education, American Indian/Alaska Native Advisory Council. Randy was raised near Detroit, Michigan and is a Cherokee descendent recognized by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Randy co-hosts the Peacing it all Together  podcast with Bo Sanders.  Author of several books include "Decolonizing Evangelicalism" which we discuss in this episode. Connect and support the work that Randy is doing: www.randywoodley.comwww.eloheh.org www.elohehseeds.comRandy lives south of Portland in Yam Hill, Oregon where he and his wife have a 10-acre farm where they house the Eloheh Center for Earth Justice. He said it is on the illegally and unethically seated land the Kalapuya People, particularly the Yamhill and Tualatin bands. The Woodleys have been in the area since 2008 and are just “enjoying climate change in Oregon” which is teaching them how to do regenerative farming under stressful conditions. “We're learning all the time.”Maggie asked Randy how he has seen the major cultural shift and what he thinks is happening and we're seeing the response to Breonna Taylor's murder, the many other lynchings [of men and women of color], and all that is going with people battling against Critical Race Theory. The book he wrote “Decolonizing Evangelicalism” with his podcast partner Bo Sanders and it came out during COVID so it hasn't really been publicized or promoted. It's written in like a conversation, and they've been taking theology and social issues ever since Bo was a seminary student of his back in 2008. They wrote the book this way both because that is how their relationship is (conversation) and in the style of one of his favorite books; “We Make the Road by Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change” by Myles Horton and Paulo Freire. We talk about Critical Race Theory in the book; Randy says “I do it” and Bo explains it. Our book would now be banned from a number of seminaries and institutions around the country, it will not be allowed to use the book as a reference [because it uses Critical Race Theory to examine theology].Randy says Critical Race Theory is the current “bugaboo” and it is endemic of all the other right wing, white supremacist reactions to People of Color coming into their own and the popularization of the unjust deaths of members of the BIPOC community. Social media has done a lot to inform people but in our [BIPOC] communities, people have been dying unjustly for hundreds of years. “There's nothing different it's just people are finding out about it now.” It's important, Randy believes, that as we are learning [about the unjust deaths], that what we are finding is that all the systems and our country were founded in white supremacy. Randy acknowledges that there are other things behind that, including the Western worldview and patriarchy, but he says the white supremacy that founded the systems in our country—education, economic and social systems—are all bent towards the benefit and privilege of white males. “So the system itself has not really changed a lot; it looks a little more kinder than it used to under enslavement or genocide but the idea is still the same: People of color, and oftentimes women and others—the cultural or racial or gender other—are [seen as] a subcategory of humanity as opposed to white folks, especially white males of prominence.” Randy says Critical Race Theory gets at the heart of that; it says, there is a systemic problem that we have to deal with. “And a systemic problem means that all of us have to deal with it together. It's not just up to white folks or People of Color, it's like we all have to do this together in order change this system.” Randy believes that what the Right has done is taken away the ability for us to talk about that in a systemic way. “America by the way is, and we could go into the history of this as well, is one of the most individualistic nations that has probably ever existed in the history of humanity.”Randy says everyone wants to talk about whether this one person is a racist or not. “I don't even deal with that... I'm more interested in dismantling the systems that are corrupt with racism.” Randy believes that this Right reaction to everything that is going on is actually a way to stop us from talking about systemic racism. It's very akin, Randy says, to the 1840 Gag Rules when they wouldn't allow congress to talk about slavery. “It's that: you're not going to fix the problem if you can't talk about it.” It keeps the homeostasis, security and benefits for those in power. Danielle finds herself in the system. She is a licensed Mental Health therapist in the state of Washington, and she believes it's a system that is created for someone unlike her. When she is caring for a person of color and she expands her care to include the culture and community, because she is located in community, it is a threat to her profession. The psychological structure of the system…. is not created to deal with more than just the individual. She asks, “what do you do when the individual presents symptomology and harm that is happening from the system? How do I move in the world and not address the system and yet say I am caring for my client? And yet to address the system from my position its often say that you've stepped out the bounds of therapy.” She feels the bind and it's excoriating to find paths forward and to know who is safe to talk to and engage. “Being present with my clients is also, I believe for me and my location, is fighting the system that is also harming them.”Randy adds, “It's not set up to deal with intergenerational trauma.” He says, some estimate that 100% of Native folks have intergenerational trauma or post-colonial stress syndrome. African American folks have intergenerational trauma from enslavement. “It's not like these are one-time things; It is the residual from them keeps coming at us time after time after time.” Randy said it's through people like Danielle, People of Color, who are getting into places of influence and be innovative and can begin to change the system. Maggie asks what does it look like to bridge the gap between working with individuals and working with systems? She mentions she thought one interesting and thought-provoking part of his book (Decolonizing Evangelicalism) was about the idea that we have to start with “re-verbaging” some of the terms that we think we are sharing a mutual definition or understanding about, when in fact are not. She was surprised at some of the words on his list. When we thinking about the word Evangelicalism, it encompasses a long history of shifting beliefs. She asks Randy to explore and explain what he means by deconstructing and reconstructing, which he has as almost two sides to the same coin. Randy says, “I'm not going to assume anyone's age here. I wouldn't do that out of fear. But I will tell you where I'm at: I'm a baby boomer. And my generation has a lot of culpability in some of the things that are going wrong right now. But one of the things that was different in my generations, I'm on one of the younger baby boomers, is that we said we don't want our parent's paradigm. That's a bad paradigm … We were good at critiquing it but we just were very good at fixing it.” He believes one exciting thing we are seeing right now, and one of the other influences in this reaction and why we are seeing so much happen, is how the millennials are giving him a lot of hope. He said they are the first ones to come along and say, “We want a different paradigm! We don't want what was handed to us by our parents and grandparents! We don't want racism! We don't want homophobia! We don't want women to have 73 cents on the dollar and men to be paid a dollar for their wages. We don't want a dirty nasty climate changing earth.” He believes that Millennials have the communication tools to actually communicate and critique, they are great at critiquing—maybe sometimes are too cynical but I guess if that's what it takes to get there that's okay—but question is; “Are they going be able to fix it?” He does see a lot of activism coming out of millennials and it excites him because he believes that is one of the reasons we are seeing the wide-spread reaction and it's pulling those Gen Xers and Baby Boomers back in to have hope again. “Our future is depending on that. The government is not going to fix this unless we make the government fix it. And the generation that is the impetus behind this, the catalyst, is the Millennials. Maggie says it is easy to sit on one side and criticize but then not offer anything to replace it and grow it. It is the reconstructing after deconstructing then how helpful is that going to be. Randy says, “So basically we have to deconstruct everything. We have to look at every system that was created basically by—and I'm simplifying to its simplest terms—white males who sat at the table and said here's the way it's going to be for everybody. And now we need to basically over turn the table, build a new table together, and have everybody represented at that table and decide what these systems are going to be.” That reconstruction comes after the critique (deconstruction) and we see resistance to the critique in the like the resistance to critical race theory. Until we can really critique and understand it, listen to the those who have been oppressed etc., we can't move forward. “It's not something we can start from the same DNA and end up with a different child. That's not going to happen. It has to start from a new DNA.” There's no formula, and this is the scary part. Structures want formulas. They want to know what are the steps. Every step, every community, every law and every system has to become what Randy calls “organizing chaos.” He sees that chaos as a way of moving things that are out there, all the moving parts back together, and it will look different in different places with different people involved. One of the pitfalls, Randy says, is people's demand to have a basis for reconstruction. That is the scariest part and the part you have to take by faith and say, “If we're all moving together in the right direction, we're going to end up with the right thing.” But, Randy says, it's going to take everyone: insiders and outsiders, lots of diversity, so that we end up with something that is good for all of us, the common good. Danielle has been thinking from a psychological perspective about whiteness and what it takes to create the bent towards the “standard,” speaking very generally about the system that is bent towards white male privilege. She recalls a training/immersion program that she attended in the South on the subject of race. She heard a story of a lynching that was after church where entire families were in attendance. She saw a picture of a father with a hat on holding his young child, maybe 2 years old, and then with his other hand attached to another small child on the ground. Knowing from the way we are created, the way that the Creator created us, that those children would know that they were witnessing horror. And in the moment of witnessing horror, to have a caregiver who is celebrating there would be a deep sense of fragmentation and create a legacy that would be enforced in the schools with teaching around race and segregation. Or to have the horror reenforced at church. That fragmentation is then passed down.With this fragmentation in mind, Danielle wonders about deconstruction. When everything is already so fragmented, what has actually been constructed? Danielle feels like she witnesses lights come on and she sees the fragmentation and asks “how do we welcome those fragments back home? How do we rebuild something that's so fragmented?” She says it's the ability to hold things in the air while not knowing how they will land and to wait and see how they will land. It's that faith component that Randy is talking about. Randy says as a nation we have myths about our identity, who we are. Those myths need to be taken apart and deconstructed. He says truth must be interjected into them. Sometimes these myths are partially true, and sometimes they aren't true at all. But they all fit into our national mythos. When we allow those things to be taught and spread, it does something to our souls. “If you are not in the myth as the winning character, it grinds on your soul.” He believes it will also grind on the winners because it dehumanizes them: It creates in them the sense that others are less than human, and that dehumanizes the person who sees others that way as well. We all need to be freed from those myths. In the midst of all this, Randy says he holds on to his faith. “I believe there is a Creator who is ultimately wanting the best for everyone. And while we may disagree about all the theologies and who that is and everything else, I'm still looking at the Creator in faith to say, ‘There is a force beyond humanity that is rooting, if nothing else, for use to treat each as equals and kindly.'” This he says is helpful to him personally.Maggie says what he is saying harkens back to an idea from his book about hospitality. She was struck by a part in the book where he says hate isn't the opposite of love; the opposite of love is more like indifference or apathy or disconnection. The Creator that he just talked about wants us to belong to each other, to have a sense of togetherness, and Maggie asked Randy to talk more about the idea of hospitality and what that looks like.Randy says the Northwest is an interesting place to think about hospitality. He's heard of “Seattle nice” or “Portland nice.” The saying goes, “People will give you directions to anywhere except for their own home.” Randy believes that it is in our own homes where we reveal ourselves to others and allow them the comfort to reveal themselves to us. Homes are the places where we can build those kinds of relationships that are necessary for us to treat each other as humans. Hospitality, he talks about the Indigenous “Harmony Way,” in the Biblical way it would be called “Shalom.” It is the ethos among Indigenous people all over the world is this sense of hospitality. Randy says there are many cultures in the world [geographically and historically] where you have to feed your enemy: You have to give them a day's ration and help them on their way. This is the case with Native America as well. The strangers were taken in and feed, given a night's sleep and sent on their way so they could live another day. Randy thinks it is a really bad sign when we start to see hospitality disappearing out of a culture. He says we really need to get back in each other's homes again. We all live inside each other's home. Randy mentions one of the crazy theologies that came out of the passage where Jesus said [in Matthew 19:29], Anyone who leaves their father and mother for my sake, will inherit 100-fold mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and houses and homes. The faith people in the 80s turned that into a “name it and claim it.” But he says all that is talking about is hospitality: we become family when we come into each other's homes. “The whole New Testament is based on that Shalom principle of hospitality and being there for another and loving one another.” Randy mentions 1 Peter 4:8-9 as one of the best places that talks about this: It says above all love because love covers a multitude of sins. But it's the next line after this shotgun blast of love is: and don't neglect to be hospitable to one another. And when you invite people in your home, don't complain. Everyone has gifts they were given from Creator, share them with one another. He says we see this over and over again in various passage throughout the New Testament. Certainly, he says, followers of Jesus should be practicing this kind of hospitality, but really this is what all human beings should be doing as well. Danielle says her husband is Mexican and if you show up, you're going to get food. They are going to cook if you show up; you will not leave without food. If you say no, that's not going to be good for you. Randy says there's no such thing as Indians gathering without food. That's s unheard of. He says, “I know the same is true for many cultures. And we always laugh when we go to a White people's event because there will be some sort of small hors d'oeuvre or a bunch of desserts.” He laughs and says “You know, people actually get along better when you eat with each other, and actually eat good food. That's known all over the world except for some cultures in America that's not the case.” He expands to say that is not true of all ethnic cultures that are white cultures—he has some Italian friends where that is not true. Food and hospitality, Randy believes, are a part of loving one another and building relationships. Danielle says there is so much hope in the idea of coming together around a meal. Her family has lived in a lot of tension around identity and she says, “so being familiar with the tension, from ethnicities that hold a lot of tension, we have a lot to offer in leading forward because we have lived a long time in that chaos.” Randy said there was a meme going around Native America a year or two ago that said, if we have intergenerational trauma, and we do, then we also hold within our DNA intergenerational hope and survival. We've survived and there are reasons we have survived. Randy believes that any persecuted or oppressed minority that has survived has things to teach everyone else and some of those are about hospitality.Maggie adds there is a vulnerability to having someone in your home, or being in someone else's home. She recalls in Randy's book that he mentions that hospitality is not about just having the same people in your homes, the people you like to have meals with. There's an additional piece—are we going to take in the strangers and feed them so they can live another day? And are we going to have conversations with people that are different than us, that think differently and look differently? Hospitality then is engaging people that are different than us and are we willing to do it in our homes?Randy says because we are all colonized to one degree or another, there are plenty of people who look differently than us but think exactly like us. And that's always the challenge and Randy names higher education as one of the major culprits of hiring brown people who think white because it looks like diversity. “That's not people who think differently than us. Again, if you start with the same DNA you end up with the same kids.”Danielle says we need to keep having the conversations, keep doing the work, and keep having people in our homes. She says it has to be practical in her own life, it has to be an embodied place that we can pass down. It can't be paper activism or screen activism. Besides all the death and sickness, Randy says the worse part about COVID is that we can't really be in each other's homes the way we want to be. For all his married life, and he's been married for 31 years, he and his wife Edith have had an open home. He said it was always unusual if a month goes by and they've not had people in their home eating with them. When people ask him what they do at Eloheh, he replies we just provide hospitality to people. It's been difficult during COVID but for the first time they gathered people, with masks and distancing, and he and his wife remarked at how nice it was to have people there to visit. He says he can't wait until COVID is over and there can be a return to some form of normality, though he acknowledges it seems like it won't ever go back to the way things always have been. Maggie adds that while we have the desire to do these things—have people over again—but we need to reimagine what they look like under our current circumstance. And right now that looks like gathering outside or with masks on. We must still be activity seeking to be people, places and homes that are open and hospitable in this season. Randy says, I miss that. Danielle does too; “I felt that acutely.”Randy says it was horrible that in the beginning they went months without seeing their own grandkids. Danielle adds, yes that is horrible. There's a sense of not know whether your body or their bodies are a source of danger. And knowing that you need one another. As we wrap up, Danielle asked about Randy's new books and how can people get in touch with him:To find out more about what Randy and his wife Edith are doing at the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice you can visit: www.eloheh.org If you would like to order seeds from them, all organic, open pollinated seeds, you can visit:www.elohehseeds.comIf you want to book Randy to speak at your event you can go to: www.randywoodley.comOr connect via email: eloheh@gmail.com If you haven't read his most recent book that came out: Decolonizing EvangelicalismNew books coming out:January 4th, 2022: Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred EarthApril 19th, 2022: Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview: A Decolonized Approach to Christian DoctrineNo date: Mission and the Cultural Other: A Closer View“Peaching It All Together” Podcast with Randy Woodley and Bo SandersRandy is reading: "Jesus and Non-Violence" by Walter Wink, "Open and Relational Theology" by Thomas Jay Oord, "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents" by Margaret Kimberley, "Mycelium Running: How mushrooms can save the world" by Paul StametsRandy is listening to: All My Relations Podcast hosted by Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation), "Medicine for the Resistance" Podcast hosted by an Anishnaabe kwe and an Afro mysticRandy is inspired by: Millennials who are giving him hope and his Elders who are passing down shared wisdom. 

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.Spiritual BeingsCherubim – guardians; winged, composite beings. See Gen 3:24; Exod 25:18; Ezek 9:3 (cp. Ezek 1)Seraphim – worshippers, winged; “burning ones” Only in Isa 6.Angels = messengers (ángelos, Gk; mal'akh, Heb.)Human: 1 Kgs 19:2; Hg 1:13; Mal 2:7, 3:1; Lk 7:24; Acts 12:15 (?); possibly the “messengers” of the 7 churches (Rev 2-3).Supernatural: more common use of the word.Note: We do not become angels when we die (Matt 22).Presented as genderless (or male).Some are named: Gabriel, Michael; also Raphael, Uriel, Jeremiel (OT Apocrypha)Can be good or evil (Matt 22:30, 25:41)Archangels (1 Thess 4:16, Jude 9) = chief angels. 7 in number, though not total agreement.Their mediating work is done, though they will accompany Christ at his returnMere servants (Heb 1:14)!Beware sensationalism.We mustn't worship them (Col 2:18, Rev 19:10).One day we will even judge them (1 Cor 6:3)!Powers, principalities (rulers), celestial beings (dignities, KJV)Eph 6:12 & Col 2:15. Through Christ God is showing his wisdom to the powers (Eph 3:10).Elaborate angelic hierarchies (choirs) in Middle Ages:First sphere:SeraphimCherubimThrones or OphanimSecond sphere:DominionsVirtuesPowers or AuthoritiesThird sphere:Principalities or RulersArchangelAngelsCould they be human beings who are political powers?Perhaps, but then why are they described as being in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12)?Some reason that they are the interior spirits of earthly human authorities, like Walter Wink. This is a clever though (for me) not entirely convincing explanation.In the final analysis, the Bible does not tell us enough about the "powers" to answer our every question to our satisfaction.Demons (daimónion, 63x; daímon, only in Matt 8)One theory holds that these are fallen angels. That is, they were created as neutrally moral beings, but chose to rebel.Another theory hold that they are the offspring of humans and angels (Gen 6). See Jubilees 4:15-22; 1 Enoch 69:4, 106:13-17; 2 Baruch 56:12; CD 2:18.Some early Christians equated demons with the false gods  of idolatry. (See 1 Cor 10.) LXX sometimes translates “idols” as “demons.”Two are possibly alluded to in the O.T.: Lilith (“night hag,” Isa 34:14), and Azazel (Lev 16).Fall of demons thought to have happened before creation (1 Enoch 69:1-15).In Jubilees 10, Noah prays and God imprisons 9/10 of the demons plaguing mankind, but allows 1/10 to continue their evil work under their leader Satan (or Mastema).If evil powers are referred to in Gal 4 and Col 2, Christians should be totally free from their influence. The more we focus on them, the more we “give them power.” We are sternly warned to keep away from the occult (Gal 5:20, Acts 19:19, Exod 22:18, Rev 21:8).Superstition often ascribed disease to demons (as in the apocryphal book of Tobit). In N.T., only Luke 13:10-17 seems to make this association. Demon possession and disease, e.g. epilepsy, are distinguished (Matt 4:24).“Belief in demons and their effect upon mankind increased in Judaism from A.D. 150 to 450.” (ISBE I: 922).Satan = accuser (Hebrew); diabolos – slanderer, accuser (Greek NT and OT LXX)Concept vague in O.T., develops in Intertestamental times, developed in N.T. times.Satan is portrayed as an over-zealous figure, eager to uphold righteousness but excessive in his accusations. He does not appear especially wicked.In the N.T., however, we learn his true identity. He is the father of lies (John 8:44), and the "ancient serpent" (Rev 12).Most likely a fallen angel. Some earthly rulers' demises allude to fall of Satan (Isa 14, Ezek 28).Satan, as C. S. Lewis points out, is really not the opposite of God, but of the (good) archangel Michael.Mentioned only 3x in the OT (Job, Zechariah, and 1 Chronicles).Miscellaneous questionsSpiritual warfare? (Eph 6)Angelic / demonic territories? (Dan 10). The Bible never instructs us to delve into this realm.Prayer cover? (Idea advanced in Peretti's books.) Not substantiated.Are demons associated with specific sins in the N.T.?Undoubtedly Satan works through his minions, since he is never said to be omnipresent (or omniscient). James 1:13-15 allows the connection of the demonic with sin. However...There is no “demon of laziness," "demon of lust," "demon  of anger," etc.Such personifications are imaginative, and lack solid biblical foundation.This view also minimizes our personal responsibility for sin.Do we meet angels (Heb 13)? If we do, we (probably) wouldn't know we were meeting them, so we should be cautious about accepting claims of angelic encountersFurther studyFor a political interpretation of the “powers,” read Walter Wink's interesting series.Billy Graham's book Angels: God's Secret Agents is quite well done.Hear also the podcast on Demon Possession. Click here.For more detailed articles, check out the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 

Evil is not merely personal; it is also systemic and structural and outlives us all.  Wickedness is tied to and enshrined in our laws and governmental structures.  What should God do about that?  What should we do about that?  What does all of this mean for those of us who wish to be good?Texts:David P. Gushee & Glenn H. Stassen, Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. Second Edition, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2016 (ISBN: 978-0-8028-7421-4).Donald A. Hay, Economics Today: A Christian Critique. Vancouver: Regent College Publishing, 2004 (ISBN: 978-157383284).Stephen Charles Mott, Biblical Ethics and Social Change. Second Edition, New York: Oxford University Press, 2011 (ISBN: 978-0199739370).WH Vanstone, The Stature of Waiting. First Edition, Fayetteville, NC: Morehouse Publishing, 2006 (ISBN: 978-0819222114).Walter Wink, The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium. New York: Doubleday, 1999 (ISBN: 9780385487528).Readings: ‘Biblical Faith and the Reality of Social Evil', Mott, Chapter 1Contact Us!Twitter: @PodLmdFacebook: facebook.com/LMDPodWeb: lmdpod.buzzsprout.comEmail: lmdpod@gmail.com

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Evil is bigger than humanity - seeing as how there is a cosmic side to evil, how should we fit that into our theology?  Here we take a broader look at the brokenness of creation and the problem this presents for those of us who wish to stand before a just God.Texts:David P. Gushee & Glenn H. Stassen, Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. Second Edition, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2016 (ISBN: 978-0-8028-7421-4).Donald A. Hay, Economics Today: A Christian Critique. Vancouver: Regent College Publishing, 2004 (ISBN: 978-157383284).Stephen Charles Mott, Biblical Ethics and Social Change. Second Edition, New York: Oxford University Press, 2011 (ISBN: 978-0199739370).Walter Wink, The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium. New York: Doubleday, 1999 (ISBN: 9780385487528).Readings: ‘Biblical Faith and the Reality of Social Evil', Mott, Chapter 1Contact Us!Twitter: @PodLmdFacebook: facebook.com/LMDPodWeb: lmdpod.buzzsprout.comEmail: lmdpod@gmail.com

We've got a problem that is bigger than evil.  We look around and evil exists - but what do we do with God in the face of evil?  This episode dives rather deeply into this dilemma that has haunted thinkers for millennia.  If there is evil, how can a loving God stand by?  If there is evil, how can a powerful God be loving?Texts:David P. Gushee & Glenn H. Stassen, Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. Second Edition, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2016 (ISBN: 978-0-8028-7421-4).Donald A. Hay, Economics Today: A Christian Critique. Vancouver: Regent College Publishing, 2004 (ISBN: 978-157383284).Stephen Charles Mott, Biblical Ethics and Social Change. Second Edition, New York: Oxford University Press, 2011 (ISBN: 978-0199739370).Walter Wink, The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium. New York: Doubleday, 1999 (ISBN: 9780385487528).Readings: ‘Biblical Faith and the Reality of Social Evil', Mott, Chapter 1Contact Us!Twitter: @PodLmdFacebook: facebook.com/LMDPodWeb: lmdpod.buzzsprout.comEmail: lmdpod@gmail.com

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ Video on Benjamin Lay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv3v9m6PY6c Fearless Benjamin Lay: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Benjamin-Lay-Revolutionary-Abolitionist/dp/0807060984/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+fearless+benjamin+lay&qid=1605836939&sr=8-1 All Slavekeepers Apostates: https://www.amazon.com/Slave-Keepers-That-Innocent-Bondage-Apostates-ebook/dp/B088Q5GH7P/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=all+slavekeepers+apostates&qid=1605836920&sr=8-1 Wilberforce Prolonged Slavery: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/03/wilberforce-slavery-sierra-leone Noll on the Civil War: https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Crisis-Steven-Janice-Lectures/dp/1469621819/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mark+noll+civil+war&qid=1605836883&sr=8-1 John Woolman: https://metrovoicenews.com/john-woolman-the-conscientious-quaker-who-paved-the-way-for-abolition/ Britain paid on debt to slave owners through 2015: https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Britains-Loan-toPay-Off-Slave-Owners-Not-Repaid-Until-2015-20180223-0016.html#:~:text=Her%20Majesty%27s%20Treasury%20recently%20revealed%20that%20British%20taxpayers,that%20were%20formerly%20part%20of%20the%20British%20empire. A little more background on Lay and the Colonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FALMgWNCXjI Conceived in Liberty Volumes 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1933550988/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1XW48KH6KFJ1TFTDRVNP NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne: https://www.amazon.com/Irresistible-Revolution-Updated-Expanded-Ordinary-ebook/dp/B00UF72BAK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=irresistible+revolution&qid=1569093639&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 What Would You Do?: https://www.amazon.com/What-Would-John-Howard-Yoder-ebook/dp/B00AAX11H8/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=john+howard+yoder&qid=1569093701&s=digital-text&sr=1-4 Pablo Yoder's Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdGENdH1fo NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ UCP Video: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=unarmed+civilian+protection Cleveland Peacemakers: http://www.clevekids.org/cleveland-peacemakers-alliance/ UCP Article: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2018/07/unarmed-civilian-protection-sustainable-peace/ UCP Overview: https://worldbeyondwar.org/unarmed-civilian-protection-ucp-a-concise-overview/ Peace Stories: https://paxchristi.net/resources/the-peace-stories-blog/ NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ Civil Rights Martyrs: https://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/civil-rights-memorial/civil-rights-martyrs Iranian Martyrs: https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ncri-statements/statement-iran-protest/the-names-of-17-additional-martyrs-of-the-november-2019-uprising-identified-currently-identities-of-828-martyrs-are-known/ NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ Baltic Way: https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/23/baltic-way-30-years-since-the-600-km-human-chain-that-helped-trigger-the-collapse-of-commu Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNEPk007C0E Images: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK_xEB7ygS8 NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo U.S. and Philippines:  https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1986-04-28-0220030122-story,amp.htmlImelda's Shoes: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2207353/Imelda-Marcos-legendary-3-000-plus-shoe-collection-destroyed-termites-floods-neglect.htmlPhilippines: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2013/02/the-people-power-revolution-continues/Summary: https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/nonviolent-intervention-philippines-during-military-clash-1986Stole Billions: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/07/10bn-dollar-question-marcos-millions-nick-daviesSecond People Power Revolution: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/look-back-edsa-ii-joseph-estrada-gloria-arroyo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo The Green Revolution: https://www.eurozine.com/the-green-movement-and-nonviolent-struggle-in-iran/ Iranian Revolution: https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/iranian-revolution-1977-1979/ Britain and Iran: https://www.e-ir.info/2010/12/02/iran-and-britain-the-politics-of-oil-and-coup-d%E2%80%99etat-after-the-fall-of-reza-shah/ Britain and U.S. in Iran: https://apnews.com/article/bcaa9bd7879c7aa8fc8d4fffb6b76915 Coup 53: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/01/angry-tv-film-makers-stop-release-of-lauded-iranian-documentary My Independence Day Episode: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/63-se7-imperialism-independence-and-iran ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo Blinding of Isaac Woodard and start of Civil Rights:  https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/blinding-isaac-woodard/ Civil rights History:https://www.history.com/topics/civil-rights-movement/civil-rights-movement-timeline#:~:text=The%20civil%20rights%20movement%20was%20an%20organized%20effort,late%201940s%20and%20ended%20in%20the%20late%201960s George Wallace:https://townhall.com/columnists/larryprovost/2014/07/11/the-redemption-of-george-wallace-n1860547 Daryl Davis: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/18/daryl-davis-black-musician-who-converts-ku-klux-klan-members Walter Wink's Third Way: https://cpt.org/files/BN%20-%20Jesus%27%20Third%20Way.pdf The Warmth of Other Suns: https://www.amazon.com/Warmth-Other-Suns-Americas-Migration/dp/0679763880/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+warmth+of+other+suns&qid=1605068742&sr=8-1 Cross and the Lynching Tree: https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Lynching-Tree-James-Cone/dp/1626980055/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=cross+and+the+lynching+tree&qid=1605067697&sr=8-1 The Souls of Black Folk: https://www.amazon.com/Souls-Black-Folk-B-Bois/dp/1505223377/ref=sr_1_3?crid=30W9GVCV4X29Y&dchild=1&keywords=souls+of+black+folk+by+w.e.b.+dubois&qid=1605067740&sprefix=souls+of+black+%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-3 The Civil War as a Theological Crisis: https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Crisis-Steven-Janice-Lectures/dp/1469621819/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+civil+war+as+a+theological+crisis&qid=1605067827&sr=8-1 Negroes with Guns: https://www.amazon.com/Negroes-Guns-Robert-F-Williams/dp/1614274118/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=negroes+with+guns&qid=1605068366&sr=8-1 The Color of Compromise: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Compromise-American-Churchs-Complicity/dp/0310113601/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+color+of+compromise&qid=1605068393&sr=8-2 Let Justice Roll Down: https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Roll-Down-John-Perkins/dp/0801018153/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=let+justice+roll+down&qid=1605068420&sr=8-1 Jesus and the Disinherited: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Disinherited-Howard-Thurman/dp/0807010294/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38U5EOWF9UQVS&dchild=1&keywords=jesus+and+the+disinherited+by+howard+thurman&qid=1605068462&sprefix=jesus+and+the+disinherit%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1 The Color of Law: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Law-Forgotten-Government-Segregated/dp/1631494538/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+color+of+law&qid=1605068487&sr=8-1 Stamped from the Beginning: https://www.amazon.com/Stamped-Beginning-Definitive-History-National/dp/1568585985/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=stamped+from+the+beginning&qid=1605068499&sr=8-2 The End of Policing: https://www.amazon.com/End-Policing-Alex-S-Vitale/dp/1784782920/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+end+of+policing&qid=1605068554&sr=8-1 White Like Me: https://www.amazon.com/White-Like-Me-Reflections-Privileged/dp/1593764251/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=white+like+me&qid=1605068629&sr=8-2 White Flight: https://www.amazon.com/White-Flight-Atlanta-Conservatism-Politics/dp/0691133867/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=white+flight&qid=1605068641&sr=8-1 I Got a Monster: https://www.amazon.com/Got-Monster-Americas-Corrupt-Police/dp/1250221803/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=I+Got+a+monster&qid=1605068669&sr=8-1 Heal Us Emmanuel: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Us-Emmanuel-Reconciliation-Representation/dp/099739840X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=heal+us+emmanuel&qid=1605068701&sr=8-1 The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas: https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Life-Frederick-Douglass/dp/1686819986/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=the+narrative+of+the+life+of+frederick+douglas&qid=1605068714&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVEFPTTFaQTMyNEJWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODU4ODA1MjRWTDRMT0JXUVRDQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjI5MjgwMjVGM1VYVldZVEswQyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ *Please excuse the mispronunciation of "Goethe" and the swearing NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo Bonhoeffer the Assassain: https://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Assassin-Challenging-Recovering-Peacemaking/dp/0801039614/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bonhoeffer+the+assassin&qid=1605067066&sr=8-1 Trocme's "Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution": https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nonviolent-Revolution-Andr%C3%A9-Trocm%C3%A9/dp/0874869277/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=andre+trocme&qid=1605067086&sr=8-3 Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed: https://www.amazon.com/Lest-Innocent-Blood-Be-Shed/dp/0060925175/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=la+chambon&qid=1605067130&sr=8-6 City of Refuge Podcast on La Chambon: https://wagingnonviolence.org/series/city-of-refuge/page/2/ U.S. turning away Jewish refugees: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/magazine-39857056 Live not by lies: http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles/SolhenitsynLies.php Power of the Powerless: https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/wp-content/uploads/1979/01/the-power-of-the-powerless.pdf Sophie Scholl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Scholl#Activities_of_the_White_Rose Rosenstrasse: https://labrujulaverde.com/en/2020/09/the-rosenstrasse-protest-when-german-women-saved-their-jewish-husbands-by-confronting-the-nazi-regime/ The Optimists Movie: https://comforty.com/theoptimists/watch-movie/ Nonviolence against nazis:https://www.sabrangindia.in/article/resisting-nazis-numerous-ways-nonviolence-occupied-europe Bulgaria: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/how-bulgaria-saved-its-jews-from-nazi-concentration-camps/2013/05/08/e866bdda-8cb1-11e2-9838-d62f083ba93f_story.html More Bulgaria: https://www.algemeiner.com/2017/09/20/the-unheard-story-bulgarias-rescue-of-50000-jews-during-the-holocaust/#:~:text=What%E2%80%99s%20lesser%20known%20is%20the%20story%20of%20the,about%20%5Bthis%5D%20rescue%20for%20a%20very%20simple%20reason. Apotheosis of Washington:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apotheosis_of_Washington Denmark: https://www.history.com/news/wwii-danish-jews-survival-holocaust More Denmark: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24427637 Norway: https://crosssection.gns.wisc.edu/2019/11/11/norwegian-civil-resistance-of-the-nazi-occupation-1940-1945/ Netherlands: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/3/2/1923412/-The-February-Strike-When-the-Dutch-Struck-Against-the-Nazi-Holocaust La Chambon: https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-town-admits-to-saving-jews-1.524653 Bonhoeffer Episode 1: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/se3-bonhoeffer Bonhoeffer Episode 2: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/47-se5-bonhoeffer-pacifist-or-assassin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Matthew 7:7-12, Psalm 4, Psalm 5:1-3, 11-12In week 10 of The God You Thought You Knew...“Prayer unites the soul to God.” —Julian of Norwich“We believe that prayer is something we should do, even something we want to do, but it seems a chasm stands between us and actually praying. We experience the agony of prayerlessness.” —Richard Foster “Theology reshapes prayer. What happens to our prayers if we really do believe that God is good? I am convinced that many of us, while we affirm that God is good and that God listens, do not act as if God really cares and listens." —Scot McKnight “We will never have pure enough motives, or be good enough, or know enough in order to pray rightly. We simply must set all these things aside and begin praying. In fact, it is in the very act of prayer itself—the intimate, ongoing interaction with God—that these matters are cared for in due time.” —Richard Foster “We must lay before God what is in us, not what ought to be in us.” —C.S. Lewis“For most of us the problem is not that we are too eager to ask for the wrong things, the problem is that we are not eager enough to ask for the right things.” N.T. Wright“The Bible's teaching on prayer leads overwhelmingly to one conclusion: Prayer changes things.” —John Ortberg“To pray is to change.” —Richard Foster“Knowing God's love, knowing God's goodness, and learning to embrace those attributes of God prompts us to pray.” —Scot McKnight “We shall never really understand the wonder of God's grace until, seeking mercy like beggars before a judge, we discover he wants us to be his sons and daughters.” —Sinclair Ferguson“Faith is not believing in my own unshakable belief. Faith is believing an unshakable God when everything in me trembles and quakes.” —Beth Moore“History belongs to the intercessors—those who believe and pray the future into being.” —Walter Wink

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTd3KlRte86eG9U40ncZ4XA?view_as=subscriber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss 3 Arrows Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfHXJRqq-qo Bonhoeffer Episode: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/se3-bonhoeffer Bonhoeffer Episode 2: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/47-se5-bonhoeffer-pacifist-or-assassin Behind the Bastards: https://tunein.com/embed/player/t157971485/ Milgram Experiment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment *They Thought They Were Free: Amazing book which highlights how the German citizenry was largely the force behind subduing the Jews initially. This is such a good book and shows the perspective of a number of Germans who are interviewed. - https://www.amazon.com/They-Thought-Were-Free-1966-05-19/dp/B01FKSNOSG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=they+thought+they+were+free&qid=1617937620&sr=8-3 Ordinary Men: Another great book which looks at how many who were doing the killing of Jews were ordinary men. - https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Men-Reserve-Battalion-Solution-ebook/dp/B01G1F0F84/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ordinary+men&qid=1617937816&sr=8-1 Radiolab, Race, and the NRA: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wnyc/radiolab-presents-more-perfect/e/51801511 Loaded: A Disarming History of the 2nd Amendment: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=loaded+a+disarming+history&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 Beating Guns: https://www.amazon.com/Beating-Guns-People-Weary-Violence/dp/158743413X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=beating+guns&qid=1603157397&sr=8-1 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ The Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/?fbclid=IwAR1KL57kqq5u7krqY37PKZ3weazk1yELVXGYwLC9asL01QjrjFvyFrjXoZU Satyagraha: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2020/10/satyagraha-gandhi-civil-disobedience-nonviolent-resistance-jonathan-english.html Gandhi's Strategies: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2017/03/gandhi-strategy-success/ How Gandhi Won: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2014/10/gandhi-win/ Learning from Gandhi's Errors: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2019/10/can-we-celebrate-gandhis-achievements-while-also-learning-from-his-errors/ Solzhenitsyn's "Live Not By Lies": http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles/SolhenitsynLies.php Havel's "Power of the Powerless": http://mrdivis.yolasite.com/resources/Vaclav%20Havel's%20Power%20of%20the%20Powerless.pdf NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ The Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/?fbclid=IwAR1KL57kqq5u7krqY37PKZ3weazk1yELVXGYwLC9asL01QjrjFvyFrjXoZU John Adam's Quote: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/adams-the-works-of-john-adams-vol-10-letters-1811-1825-indexes#lf1431-10_head_083 Nonviolent History of U.S: http://jameslawsoninstitute.org/2017/07/30/920/ "Recovering Nonviolent History": https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Recovering-Nonviolent-History-Full-Text.pdf Tax rates in the colonies vs. Britain: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/what-we-get-wrong-about-taxes-american-revolution Myth of Christian America course (free trial available): https://thehistoricfaith.com/courses/myth-of-christian-america/  NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We discuss Scott Alexander's 2018 post comparing "mistake theorists" and "conflict theorists" in order to try to understand what contributes to polarization (like those surrounding the question of capitalism). Is this typology useful? Maybe we need to add an axis? What about Shane Claiborne? The conversation proceeds to cover William Blake, Walter Wink, some more Adam Smith, Noam Chomsky, and more. The episode culminates with a sweet 2x2 matrix that takes Scott Alexander's binary and propels it into a 3rd dimension!! Show Notes: "Mistake vs Conflict" blog post on Slate Star Codex: https://slatestarcodex.com/2018/01/24/conflict-vs-mistake/ Nathan Robinson podcast on Vox: https://www.vox.com/podcasts/2020/1/7/21055676/nathan-robinson-ezra-klein-socialism-bernie-sanders Syndicate.Network symposium about Eugene McCarraher's "The Enchantments of Mammon": https://syndicate.network/symposia/theology/the-enchantments-of-mammon/ "Hayek vs Keynes" Rap Battle: https://youtu.be/d0nERTFo-Sk Music: Theme Music: "What u Thinkin? (Instrumental)" by Wataboi on Pixabay Intermission Music: "Uncut Gems" by Mezhdunami on Pixabay and "Journey" by Tim Moor on Pixabay

Many of you know that I am a huge proponent of systems thinking.  I truly believe understanding systems and the way they function is vital if we are going to understand the many processes that take place within any organization or community of people, whether it is within society, within the church, within our families and even within our very selves.  Systems thinking is the process of understanding how the actions of various people or entities within systems, influence other components and affect the whole.  Systems thinking can be applied to many facets of life.  Our families are considered systems, government is a system, politics is a system, education is a system, healthcare is a system, we have a financial system that drives the way we live, religion often becomes a system, and faith communities function as a system.  The way we use power and authority can become a system.  Unfortunately, such authority often turns into a system of domination where power is leveraged over others in a very unhealthy manner.  The list of types of systems goes on and on….   Each system is often made up of multiple smaller systems composed of inter-connected parts.  And, the connections within a system cause behavior of one part to affect all others.  Every day, each one of us is a player in multiple systems as we navigate our waking hours.  Some systems can be very helpful, while others can be very harmful.  One thing we soon discover about systems is that they are created to be self-perpetuating.  Consequently, it becomes very difficult to break a system, to change systemic functions, or break free from a system.  And, today, in John’s gospel, we are going to learn about a system. As we begin the last two weeks of our Lenten journey with another reading from the gospel of John, we discover our focus is increasingly directed toward Jesus’ crucifixion and the work of the cross.  The writer of John’s gospel has a large and very dramatic understanding of the work of the cross, an understanding in which the cross becomes the hour in which the Son of Man will be glorified.  This “hour” represents the completion and fulfillment of Jesus’ mission.  And, in today’s reading, John tells us that Jesus’ crucifixion judges “the world” and drives out the “ruler of the world.” Last week, the Greek word translated as world referred to the cosmos, to all of creation.  However, this week, the Greek word translated as world is not synonymous with God’s creation.  Instead, it is a Greek word describing the fallen realm that exists in estrangement from God and is organized in opposition to God’s purposes, in opposition to God’s dream for this world.  The word world in today’s reading from John, would better be described as a superhuman reality, a reality concretely embodied in structures, institutions, and systems that aggressively shapes human life and holds human beings captive.  Today, the word we see translated as world would better be translated as “the System” with a capital S, the system of sin.  And, in the gospel of John, this System of sin is driven by a spirit or force, “the ruler of the world,” whose ways are violence, domination and death. In fact, theologian, Charles Campbell suggests that in today’s reading, “the crucifixion could be interpreted as an exorcism in which the System is judged, and its driving force (‘ruler’) is ‘cast out’ by means of the cross.”  The cross of Jesus shatters the System of sin. (Feasting on the Word Year B, Volume 2) On Sunday mornings when we speak the words of Confession and Forgiveness, we frequently say, “We are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.”  Those words describe our captivity to systems through which we are taken down the path of death rather than life.  In our culture, many systems hold us captive.  We are held captive to the system of consumerism as we consume and consume, all the while knowing that our consumption is killing others around the world, others who work in sweat shops so they can feed our insatiable appetites.  We are held captive by hierarchies of winners and losers, systems that shape our behavior and thinking from birth to death.  We are held captive to structures and systems that perpetuate racism, something we are presently seeing as crimes against Asian Americans are on the rise.  We are held captive to structures and systems that perpetuate misogyny, sexism, heterosexism, homophobia, xenophobia, nationalism, and downright hatred.  Just note the murders in Atlanta this past week. We are held captive by myths that shape our thinking and culture, myths that promote what some call “redemptive violence.”  In fact, theologian Walter Wink has suggested that “redemptive violence” is the primary myth of the System as we try to bring order out of chaos through violently defeating any we consider “the other.”  This myth is everywhere in culture – in video games, in movies, in the rhetoric I hear spoken among people, in our response to any kind of threat, in our response to any who are unlike us! Yes, we are held captive to systems, especially the System of sin that becomes a system of domination within our very selves.  And, Jesus, throughout his ministry and journey to the cross, enacted freedom from systems and systemic myths by refusing to respond to the domination and violence of the System.  Theologian, Marcus Borg, in his book The God We Never Knew, wrote: “The point is not that Jesus was a good guy who accepted everybody, and thus we should do the same (though that would be good). Rather, his teachings and behavior reflect an alternative social vision. Jesus was not talking about how to be good and how to behave within the framework of a domination system. He was a critic of the domination system itself.”  In fact, Jesus’ freedom from systems of domination and his rejection of violence is what distinguishes his way from the way of the System of sin. In the gospel of John, Jesus’ death is not a matter of sadness.  The cross is the purpose of his entire life, it is his mission, and his entire ministry is driven by this mission.  And, that cross stands before us as a mirror, as Jesus exposes the System for what it is.  As we look to the cross, we begin to see ourselves for who we are and the world, the System with a big S, for what it really is, the way of death.  It is then that we can begin to find ourselves liberated and set free from the System’s captivating ways.  As we look to the cross, we are set free to die to a life that has been shaped by the System so that we can live fully into the way of Jesus, the way of eternal life, the way of life that truly matters.  And, as Jesus sets us free, the new covenant that Jeremiah describes is truly written in our hearts as God’s love transforms our hearts and our entire being. Today, John’s gospel tells us Jesus’ hour has finally come.  The writer of John’s gospel tells us Jesus has finally come to the cross, the purpose and mission of his life.  And, as we continue to journey with Jesus to that cross, death is something we do not want to face.  In fact, death is something we fear and do not even want to talk about.  However, God is taking us to the cross, taking us to the purpose for which Jesus came.  God is taking us to the cross, so we can see the act of ultimate love for all of human existence.  It is in the cross that we discover the source of love that truly sets us free.  It is the cross and the love of Christ that is shown in the cross that sets us free from the System of sin that imprisons us.  And, it is in the cross where we discover that this love of the Crucified One is drawing all of humanity to God’s very self.

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ The Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/?fbclid=IwAR1KL57kqq5u7krqY37PKZ3weazk1yELVXGYwLC9asL01QjrjFvyFrjXoZU NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Victories Without Violence: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63305 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Video on history of Pilate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8s8fMMEuiA Jewish Rebellions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Jewish%E2%80%93Roman_War Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ The Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/?fbclid=IwAR1KL57kqq5u7krqY37PKZ3weazk1yELVXGYwLC9asL01QjrjFvyFrjXoZU NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Erica Chenoweth TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w&feature=emb_logo Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode discusses power, defined simply as the ability to act. It focuses on the relationship between power and democratic politics, the distinction between "power over" or unilateral power and "power with" or relational power, and questions such as who has power, how should it be analyzed, is anyone really powerless, the nature of self-interest, and how does organizing build power to effect change.GuestsRobert Hoo is the Lead Organizer and Executive Director for One LA-IAF. He has fifteen years of organizing experience with the Industrial Areas Foundation in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Sacramento. And before that served as an AmeriCorps member in Connecticut.Ben Gordon is senior organizer with Metro IAF which he joined in 2016. He currently works with the IAF organizations in Boston, Connecticut, Milwaukee, as well as several labor union partners. Prior to joining Metro IAF, he was Director of Organizing for the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), a 200,000-member affiliate of the public employees union (AFSCME). He began his professional organizing career in 1987 with the Southern Region of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union organizing clothing factory workers in the Southeast.Resources for Going DeeperFrederick Douglas, “West India Emancipation” (1857). A key statement of the importance of power in radical democratic politics. Available online: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/1857-frederick-douglass-if-there-no-struggle-there-no-progress/ Bayard Rustin, “From Protest to Politics: The Future of the Civil Rights Movement.” Discussed in this and other episodes.  Available online: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/1965-bayard-rustin-protest-politics-future-civil-rights-movement-0/ Robert Caro, The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York (New York: Vintage, 1975). Considered a classic, this book gives an account of the urban planner Robert Moses. Organizers consistently refer to this book as a detailed and very revealing case study in how to gain power even when you don't hold an official or elected post, how power operates institutionally, how to get things done, and how to analyze power; Saul Alinsky, John L. Lewis: An Unauthorized Biography (New York: Vintage, 1970). Another case studies in how power is built up and wielded effectively, this time in a non-state focused form of politics, that of union organizing; The distinction between “power with” and “power over” originates with Mary Parker Follett, Creative Experience (New York: Longmans, Green, 1930 [1924]); Hannah Arendt also sketched a conception of relational power in her essay “On Violence.” See Hannah Arendt, On Revolution (London: Penguin Books, 2006 [1963]), 105–98; Walter Wink, Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992). A reading of the New Testament and the ministry of Jesus as exemplifying creative, non-violent resistance and the use of relational power to bring change; Amy Allen, “Feminist Perspectives on Power,” in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (on-line), https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminist-power/ Gives a helpful overview and evaluation of different modern social theories of power.

A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music! Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/ Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/  The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ The Kingdom Outpost: https://kingdomoutpost.org/?fbclid=IwAR1KL57kqq5u7krqY37PKZ3weazk1yELVXGYwLC9asL01QjrjFvyFrjXoZU NonviolenceL 25 Lessons: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolence-Lessons-History-Dangerous-Chronicles/dp/0679643354/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolence+25&qid=1607126298&sr=8-1 Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/  New Tactics: https://www.newtactics.org/ Nonviolent Action: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Action-Christian-Demands-Christians/dp/1587433664/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nonviolent+action&qid=1603136228&sr=8-1  Is There No Other Way: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Way-Nonviolent/dp/1893163164/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Is+There+No+Other+Way&qid=1603136269&sr=8-1 Walter Wink: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Walter+Wink&ref=nb_sb_noss ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The full text of the sermon can be found at www.northmin.org/blog, and video of the service can be found at www.youtube.com/c/NorthminsterChurchNELA.

Come listen to a WUU service!The creation stories we grow up with have a powerful impact on how we see the world. Today, inspired by theologian Walter Wink's groundbreaking work on violence in ancient Indo-European creation stories, we'll examine what we learned, and imagine some new stories.Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, MinisterDavid Hopkinson, Worship AssociateAusten Petersen, Director of Religious EducationWUU Choir, Directed by Dr. Jamie Bartlett, Director of MusicDave Robbins, Assistant Director of Music, PianoJames Underberg, Centering SongThe YouTube version is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21ML5QjggIk>Thank you for listening. For more information about the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, or to join us on Sunday mornings, visit www.wuu.org.

"Now it's interesting when it says 'Love your enemies' in the text that 'love your enemy' is not necessarily excusing them. It does acknowledge that there are enemies. There are those who shall oppose us in such a way that we feel as though we must go to war. And another piece about this text that is interesting to me is the way in which -- because I said earlier it says 'love your enemies' and then it says 'turn the other cheek' -- that's in there too, and oftentimes is used as a way to justify women being subjected to the arbitrary violence of men, workers to be subjected to certain kinds of abuse, as though that articulates some deep form of Christian authenticity. But the great Walter Wink reminds us in his book "Jesus as a Human," he reminds us that in that era if you slapped someone who you considered an underling you would use your backhand. And so if you turned your other cheek that meant someone had to slap you with an open hand, and that was a sign that you were their peer."  Sermon by Osagyefo Sekou from virtual worship at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Readings: Genesis 37:17b–20, a reading from the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Luke 6:27–36. Watch the sermon on YouTube at https://youtu.be/vq-56DUp_os. Watch the entire service on Sunday Morning Live here: https://youtu.be/W6uPrTPaCUI. Follow All Saints Church on Twitter @ASCpas. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsPasadena/. Donate to support the mission and ministries of All Saints at https://allsaints-pas.org/donate/donate-now/.

Christian thinkers throughout the ages, from Augustine to Walter Wink have discussed and argued about the nature of The Fall. In this episode, I conduct a brief survey of some of this work and its implications for how we understand the Anthropocene.

Gareth Higgins is a story teller and violence reduction activist. He grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland and has been living in America for the last ten years. Many moons ago he wrote the book “How movies helped to save my soul”. He was the founding Director of the Wild Goose festival and he is also one of Jonny Clark’s oldest friends.  This is an engaging podcast that includes a real tangible framework for transforming conflict. At the same time it is a conversation that traces Gareth’s life, his move to America, his friendship with the likes of Walter Wink and John O’Donohue and writing a book with Brian McLaren.  Check out Gareth’s new book “How Not To Be Afraid” and the brilliant magazine theporchmagazine.com

- I am in my third year of participating in the [Renovare](https://renovare.org) book club. The first book in this season's set of four is "How to pray" by Pete Greig. - Quiet time coaching episodes will focus on his book for the next few weeks. You don't need to read it to benefit from these recordings, but you might like to get hold of a copy for yourself. I have finished the book and can thoroughly recommend it. A full review of the book will come at a later date in "What we are reading". - Today we will reflect on the fifth chapter of the book, "Petition: How to Ask God".     Theme scripture: “‘Give us today our daily bread.’" (Matthew 6:11 NIV11)     - Last week we explored adoration. If that ought to be the easiest thing to do in our times of quiet with God, perhaps the most common thing is to ask. The question is, are we asking with the right motives and what are we expecting?     - There is more than one kind of asking. In particular, we will look at asking for our own needs, and then asking for the needs of others. The latter requests will come in next weeks recording. This week we will discuss requests made to God for what we need. - With these thoughts in mind, let's turn to some suggestions from the book to help us petition our Father God. --- 1. The law of asking - We do a lot of asking in our lives. And there is nothing wrong with that. It's healthy to carry a natural sense of asking into our times of prayer. In fact the word prayer comes from the Middle English word meaning 'to ask earnestly'. The Lord's prayer contains several requests: ‘Give us … Forgive us … Lead us … Deliver us.’ - Jesus said: “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14 NIV11), and  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9 NIV11) and James wrote, “You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2 NIV11) - Why do we take our requests to God? Because he is able to do, here and now in our material world, all the things that we cannot. We might call those things "miracles" or, more precisely simply, answered prayer. Nevertheless, they are acts of God responding to our requests.     > "Miracle is just a word we use for the things The Powers have deluded us into thinking that God is unable to do. (Walter Wink)", Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 74). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. --- 2. Why we need to ask - If God knows everything, including the inclinations of our hearts, why do we even need to ask? It's a fair question. Pete Greig references blind Bartimaeus in Luke 18. Why did Jesus ask him what he wanted when it was blindingly obvious (forgive the pun).     > "God asks us to ask for at least three reasons. First, because the act of asking is relational in a way that mere wishing is not....The second reason that asking is necessary is that it is vulnerable....Third, asking is intentional. It involves the activation of our wills." Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 78). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. - We ask because it's part of a relationship. --- 3. Freewill and God's will - How does our will fit with God's? > "Blaise Pascal said that ‘God has instituted prayer to impart to his creatures the dignity of causality.’ We are God’s partners in the great project of creation,..." > "We tend to expect the King of kings to be a Great Dictator (and might even prefer him to rule in such a manner), but in fact he is a Great Delegator whose divine nature is not to dominate, subjugate and control, but to serve, listen and empower." Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 78). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. - While God does not give us a formula for how to get our prayers answered, and we cannot manipulate him, we do appear to be in a position to influence him and events. What an awesome responsibility then it is to pray! --- 4. Praying in the name of Jesus - We are called to pray in the name of Jesus. Praying in his name gives us confidence that our prayers will be heard and answered. But what kind of prayer is it to pray in the name of Jesus? > "To pray in the name of Jesus means asking for things that are consistent with his character and aligned with his purpose....Praying in the name of Jesus means wanting what God wants, aligning our wills with his will, our words with his word, and our personal preferences with his eternal and universal purposes." Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 79). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. - Perhaps, more than anything, praying in the name of Jesus is a reminder of the privilege we have of access to the Father through our friend, brother and saviour. --- 5. Praying in faith - True faith is not having faith in faith, or faith in the faithfulness of our prayers, but faith in the person of Christ and a lifestyle of practicing trust in Jesus. > "Hudson Taylor, the great apostle to China, said that ‘the issue is not greater faith, but faith in a great God’." Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 81). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. - How do we grow in this kind of faith? Pete Greig suggests several things including: Celebrating the small things that God does; writing down answered prayers; studying the promises of God in scripture; spending time around spiritually inspired fellow believers - and doing so regularly. > "Faith is God’s gift to us, faithfulness is ours to him." Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 82). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. --- Conclusion - Perseverance in prayer is the least inspiring aspect of asking. Persistent, persevering petition is the hallmark of a faithful believer. We do not know how or when Jesus will answer our prayers. Some may not be answered in our lifetime. However, > "...Jesus has told us to persevere in prayer, not to abandon our cars at every amber light; to keep revving the engine, faithfully asking until his answer finally comes."  Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 83). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. - Questions for discussion:     - What stands out to you about petition?     - How might your prayer life grow if you could learn how to petition with faith? - Suggestion: Make petition a part of your daily prayers - Resources mentioned in the book:     - PRAYER TOOLS: 1. Palms up, Palms Down. 2. How to Maintain a Prayer List. 3. How to Pray the Promises of God ([prayercourse.org](http://prayercourse.org/)).     - FUTHER READING: J. Hudson Taylor: [A Man in Christ](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1850784086/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_N0XKFbAF21SNQ), by Roger Steer. --- - Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. - Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). - If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). - Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. - “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) - God bless, Malcolm - PS: You might also be interested in my book: ["An elephant's swimming pool"](https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg), a devotional look at the Gospel of John --- mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

In this fascinating interview with Michael Hardin, author of some ten books dealing with René Girard  he tells of his relationship with both Girard and Walter Wink and he describes the essential element which Girard brings out in the Gospel and the Christian journey. Become a Patron! If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Music: Bensound

The one about how love is everything. From Romans 13:8-10 Our only obligation: love each other. Whoever loves their neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”  and all other commandments, are all summed up in this: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. Toward the end there is a creedal statement about love. Here is that, in case you want to read it: We believe in a God of unfailing love, who calls us to love.  We confess that “there is nothing higher in religion; there is, in effect, nothing else; if [we] look for anything but more love, [we] are looking wide of the mark.” We desire God to form us in love, knowing that Christian perfection “is nothing higher and nothing lower than this, – the pure love of God and [neighbor]. It is love governing the heart and life, running through all our tempers, words, and actions” We believe the apostle Paul when he proclaimed that “our only obligation is to love each other...Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” We believe that love is not passive, but active, and calls us to endure and act – neither violently resisting nor fleeing – it may require suffering for the benefit of others; it may require shelter and self care.  We desire the defeat of evil, not the defeat persons, recognizing that oppressors are victims too, that God loves people indiscriminately, and that Christ calls us to “be perfect” in the same way. O Lord of power and love, as you have said, so let it be with us; let it be with me. [Sources for the creedal statement on love: “Creed” of love written by Matt Rundio, using quotes from John Wesley, ideas from Dr. King (see, for example, Dr. King’s principles of nonviolence or Walter Wink’s book The Powers that Be.), and the words of Jesus, Paul, and Mary. Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, 99, 55. Romans 13:8, 10. Matthew 5:43-48. Luke 1:38.]

Trying something a little different with this month's solo show. We're putting a couple of 20th century American thinkers in dialogue around the topic of stories, meaning and what makes a life significant. Show Notes The Myth of Redemptive Violence. Walter Wink. What Makes A Life Significant. William James.

Turns out the most "political" tools in the New Testament tool box are also the most "spiritual": Powers and Principalities, Unseen Forces, Common Sense and Open Shame. The conversation with Stephen, Sean and Chris starts at 28:42To support the podcast, or for more information on Tent Theology, visit HERE

Welcome to The Midtown Midweek, a resource to further equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.This week we’re joined by Midtown Lexington pastor Michael Bailey as he unpacks more of 1 Timothy 2:To resources to explore this passage on your own, make sure to check out our 1 Timothy series page (Downtown, Lexington, Two Notch)Questions? Shoot us an email at teaching@midtowncolumbia.comQuotes/Resources:A Praying Life by Paul Miller“Intercession is spiritual defiance of what is, in the name of what God has promised. Intercessors visualize an alternative future to the one apparently fated by the momentum of current forces. Prayer infuses the air of a time yet to be into the suffocating atmosphere of the present. History belongs to the intercessors, who believe the future into being. Even a small number of people firmly committed to the new inevitability on which they have fixed their imaginations can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors.”-Walter Wink, The Powers That Be“Don’t seek to develop a prayer life — seek a praying life. A ‘prayer life’ is a segmented time for prayer. You’ll end feeling guilty that you don’t spend more time in prayer. Eventually you’ll probably feel defeated and give up. A ‘praying life’ is a life that is saturated with prayerfulness — you seek to do all that you do with the Lord.” -Dallas Willard“Prayer is easy only for beginners and for those who are already saints. During all the long years in between, it is difficult. Why? Because prayer has the same inner dynamics as love and love is sweet only in its initial stage, when we first fall in love and again its final, mature stage. In between, love is hard work, dogged fidelity, and needs willful commitment beyond what is normally provided by our emotions and our imagination.” - Ronald Rolheiser, “Maturity in Relationships and Prayer”“The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God.” - Jim Cymbala“Prayer is where I do my best work as a husband, dad, worker, and friend.”-Paul Miller, A Praying Life

Welcome to The Midtown Midweek, a resource to further equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.This week we’re joined by Midtown Lexington pastor Michael Bailey as he unpacks more of 1 Timothy 2:To resources to explore this passage on your own, make sure to check out our 1 Timothy series page (Downtown, Lexington, Two Notch)Questions? Shoot us an email at teaching@midtowncolumbia.comQuotes/Resources:A Praying Life by Paul Miller“Intercession is spiritual defiance of what is, in the name of what God has promised. Intercessors visualize an alternative future to the one apparently fated by the momentum of current forces. Prayer infuses the air of a time yet to be into the suffocating atmosphere of the present. History belongs to the intercessors, who believe the future into being. Even a small number of people firmly committed to the new inevitability on which they have fixed their imaginations can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors.”-Walter Wink, The Powers That Be“Don’t seek to develop a prayer life — seek a praying life. A ‘prayer life’ is a segmented time for prayer. You’ll end feeling guilty that you don’t spend more time in prayer. Eventually you’ll probably feel defeated and give up. A ‘praying life’ is a life that is saturated with prayerfulness — you seek to do all that you do with the Lord.” -Dallas Willard“Prayer is easy only for beginners and for those who are already saints. During all the long years in between, it is difficult. Why? Because prayer has the same inner dynamics as love and love is sweet only in its initial stage, when we first fall in love and again its final, mature stage. In between, love is hard work, dogged fidelity, and needs willful commitment beyond what is normally provided by our emotions and our imagination.” - Ronald Rolheiser, “Maturity in Relationships and Prayer”“The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God.” - Jim Cymbala“Prayer is where I do my best work as a husband, dad, worker, and friend.”-Paul Miller, A Praying Life

Welcome to The Midtown Midweek, a resource to further equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.This week we’re joined by Midtown Lexington pastor Michael Bailey as he unpacks more of 1 Timothy 2:To resources to explore this passage on your own, make sure to check out our 1 Timothy series page (Downtown, Lexington, Two Notch)Questions? Shoot us an email at teaching@midtowncolumbia.comQuotes/Resources:A Praying Life by Paul Miller“Intercession is spiritual defiance of what is, in the name of what God has promised. Intercessors visualize an alternative future to the one apparently fated by the momentum of current forces. Prayer infuses the air of a time yet to be into the suffocating atmosphere of the present. History belongs to the intercessors, who believe the future into being. Even a small number of people firmly committed to the new inevitability on which they have fixed their imaginations can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors.”-Walter Wink, The Powers That Be“Don’t seek to develop a prayer life — seek a praying life. A ‘prayer life’ is a segmented time for prayer. You’ll end feeling guilty that you don’t spend more time in prayer. Eventually you’ll probably feel defeated and give up. A ‘praying life’ is a life that is saturated with prayerfulness — you seek to do all that you do with the Lord.” -Dallas Willard“Prayer is easy only for beginners and for those who are already saints. During all the long years in between, it is difficult. Why? Because prayer has the same inner dynamics as love and love is sweet only in its initial stage, when we first fall in love and again its final, mature stage. In between, love is hard work, dogged fidelity, and needs willful commitment beyond what is normally provided by our emotions and our imagination.” - Ronald Rolheiser, “Maturity in Relationships and Prayer”“The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God.” - Jim Cymbala“Prayer is where I do my best work as a husband, dad, worker, and friend.”-Paul Miller, A Praying Life

En este episodio hablamos de la justicia. ¿Cómo sabemos que algo es justo? ¿es la justicia subjetiva? ¿que le corresponde a cada uno? ¿cómo tengo que reaccionar ante una injusticia? Tratamos de encarar estas preguntas, no solo de una forma teórica, sino volviendo a la praxis de cada día. Hablamos de Hans Kelsen, Walter Wink, Michael Jordan y mucho más.

Recover Your Life: Prayer We know we “should” pray but does prayer make a difference? Prayer has always been central to the church and the life of Jesus but is often not seen as “doing anything”. Looking at the story of Moses is Exodus 3 we see that Prayer is about intimacy and Intercession. Gods work in the world always starts with God’s work in us and then moves out. Walter Wink says that “history belongs to the Intercessors”. Exodus 2:23-3:10 Luke 11:1-11 Acts 4:23-36 “Prayer is talking to God about what we are going to do together.” - Dallas Willard "The work God wants to do in the world always starts with the work God wants to do in you.” - Matt Pamplin (paraphrasing a bunch of cleverer people) Intercessory prayer is spiritual defiance of what is in the way of what God has promised. Intercession visualizes an alternative future to the one apparently fated by the momentum of current forces. Prayer infuses the air of a time yet to be into the suffocating atmosphere of the present. History belongs to the intercessors who believe the future into being. Even a small number of people, firmly committed to the new inevitability on which they have fixed their imaginations, can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors. (Walter Wink) "God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” - Mother Teresa

2.23.20. It’s February, and we’ve turned to the Bible’s 6th “Big Idea”–one that’s sure to put a jolt in your winter blues: POWER. What does the Bible say about power? What is power? What is it for? Who has it? Who should have it? What power does God have and how does God use it? Power is one of the most complex subjects in the Holy Scriptures, primarily because so much of what it teaches about power seems contradictory: Is God an all-powerful Creator, or a God who “empties himself” of power to assume flesh and die in humiliation and weakness? Each Sunday in February, we explore power from a different angle. On Feb. 2nd, we looked at our charged world, full of good and evil powers, with the help of theologian Walter Wink. On Feb. 9th, we explored the confounding idea that God’s strength is known in weakness. On Feb. 16th, we interrogated the myth of “redemptive violence” and learn the theology of non-violent power with Ministry Fellow, Rob Schoonover preaching. On Feb. 23rd, we explore the work of Reinhold Niebuhr and “Christian realism” and ask ourselves what faithful power looks like in the face of dictators, genocide, and institutional evil.

2.16.20. It's February, and we've turned to the Bible's 6th "Big Idea"--one that's sure to put a jolt in your winter blues: POWER. What does the Bible say about power? What is power? What is it for? Who has it? Who should have it? What power does God have and how does God use it? Power is one of the most complex subjects in the Holy Scriptures, primarily because so much of what it teaches about power seems contradictory: Is God an all-powerful Creator, or a God who "empties himself" of power to assume flesh and die in humiliation and weakness? Each Sunday in February, we explore power from a different angle. On Feb. 2nd, we looked at our charged world, full of good and evil powers, with the help of theologian Walter Wink. On Feb. 9th, we explored the confounding idea that God's strength is known in weakness. On Feb. 16th, we interrogate the myth of "redemptive violence" and learn the theology of non-violent power with Ministry Fellow, Rob Schoonover preaching. From Rob Schoonover - The Myth of Redemptive Violence: Media, American Mythology, and interpretations of the Bible all contain a form of Redemptive Violence. Imperial culture’s perpetuate redemptive violence myths as a way of maintaining power within their contexts. Western Christianity has not been immune to this phenomenon. This Sunday we will examine why we’ve continued to tell Redemptive Violence Myths and we will see how the person of Christ critiques and challenges the redemptive violence narratives that pervade our cultural imagination.

2.2.20. It’s February, and we’ve turned to the Bible’s 6th “Big Idea”–one that’s sure to put a jolt in your winter blues: POWER. What does the Bible say about power? What is power? What is it for? Who has it? Who should have it? What power does God have and how does God use it? Power is one of the most complex subjects in the Holy Scriptures, primarily because so much of what it teaches about power seems contradictory: Is God an all-powerful Creator, or a God who “empties himself” of power to assume flesh and die in humiliation and weakness? Each Sunday in February, we explore power from a different angle. This week, we look at our charged world, full of good and evil powers, with the help of theologian Walter Wink. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

Eric and Andy wrestle with the pervasive nature of racism - how we participate in it knowingly and unknowingly and what the gospel has to say about speaking truth to power.

Lucas talks with Ashley Bean Thornton about working with the community, the role of experts, and how to invite mean people to breakfast. Show Notes * Hurricane Katrina Recovery and History – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/reference/hurricane-katrina/ * How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31307672-how-to-be-everything * The Powers That Be by Walter Wink – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62029.ThePowersThatBe * Big Green Egg (Not a sponsor…yet!) – http://biggreenegg.com * Act Locally Waco – https://www.actlocallywaco.org/ * Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36072.The7HabitsofHighlyEffective_People Support the Podcast – https://wdtatpodcast.com/support-the-podcast/ Leave us a voicemail! https://www.speakpipe.com/wdtatpodcast Email your feedback to wdtatpodcast@gmail.com Follow us: Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/wdtatpodcast Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wdtatpodcast/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/wdtatpodcast

As Turkey wages an offensive move on Kurdish fighters in Syria, Karl Schneider with the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council lends perspective. Then, Haliburton's mass layoffs might not have the impact on Mesa County you'd expect. An earlier black klansman's story in Colorado. Finally, Tink Tinker, the first Native American to receive Walter Wink award.

As Turkey wages an offensive move on Kurdish fighters in Syria, Karl Schneider with the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council lends perspective. Then, Haliburton’s mass layoffs might not have the impact on Mesa County you’d expect. An earlier black klansman’s story in Colorado. Finally, Tink Tinker, the first Native American to receive Walter Wink award.

Kristopher discusses the second sermon in a series on the Gospel of Mark. This episode features the story from Mark 2:1-2 which is about the paralyzed man who was lowered through a hole in the roof before being healed by Jesus. The original sermon was preached at the Redlands Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern California. This episode features the full recording of that sermon along with reflection on how it came to be, what worked, what didn’t work, and everything in between.Catch the Youtube version of this episode, which includes video of the original sermon along with the audio podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M6lz1UCwbISee all podcast episodes and additional resources here: www.behindthesermon.comLearn more about Pastor Kristopher at: www.krisloewen.comIn this episode, Kristopher mentioned his speech on Secret-keeping given at Walla Walla University. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_AhbKUh30My favorite book by Walter Wink, the author I mentioned who introduced interpreting the Bible by looking through the eyes of characters — The Powers that BeLeonard Sweet is a prolific author (see his Goodreads) and also quite active on Facebook, where I gleaned this particular line of thought from him (Len’s Profile). NT Wright’s series “_______ for Everyone” is a brilliant introduction to commentaries for resistant-scholars :) Check them out here: https://www.ivpress.com/n-t-wright-for-everyone-bible-study-guides

Kristopher discusses the second sermon in a series on the Gospel of Mark. This episode features the story from Mark 2:1-2 which is about the paralyzed man who was lowered through a hole in the roof before being healed by Jesus. The original sermon was preached at the Redlands Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern California. This episode features the full recording of that sermon along with reflection on how it came to be, what worked, what didn’t work, and everything in between.Catch the Youtube version of this episode, which includes video of the original sermon along with the audio podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M6lz1UCwbISee all podcast episodes and additional resources here: www.behindthesermon.comLearn more about Pastor Kristopher at: www.krisloewen.comIn this episode, Kristopher mentioned his speech on Secret-keeping given at Walla Walla University. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_AhbKUh30My favorite book by Walter Wink, the author I mentioned who introduced interpreting the Bible by looking through the eyes of characters — The Powers that BeLeonard Sweet is a prolific author (see his Goodreads) and also quite active on Facebook, where I gleaned this particular line of thought from him (Len’s Profile). NT Wright’s series “_______ for Everyone” is a brilliant introduction to commentaries for resistant-scholars :) Check them out here: https://www.ivpress.com/n-t-wright-for-everyone-bible-study-guides

Fr. McCarthy returns to tell us about the 37th Annual 40 Day Fast for the Truth of Gospel Nonviolence, which begins on July 1 and ends on August 9. Listeners are invited to fast over the next 40 days and may wish to use this time to go deeper into the spirituality of Gospel Nonviolence by listening to "Behold the Lamb," a professionally recorded retreat that was given by Fr. McCarthy at the Shrine of the Lamb in Knock, Ireland. (Find links below). It is widely considered to be the most comprehensive and spiritually profound proclamation of Jesus' vital Gospel message of Nonviolent Love. After listening to "Behold the Lamb," you will understand why Fr. McCarthy is considered "the most powerful voice for nonviolence in the world today" (Walter Wink, Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Auburn). 0:00 Background on the 40 Day Fast12:44 Clarification: the point of the fast19:35 Fasting does not save. So what does? 29:15 The danger with fasting31:08 Anecdote about St. Terese of Lisieux34:00 "Behold the Lamb" and the Lamb as Symbol, Religiously and Historically42:09 Is Gospel Nonviolence unknown, misunderstood, or intentionally suppressed in the Church? 51:49 The problem with President George W. Bush's "favorite philosopher" and an endless multiplicity of causes1:01:22 Ending prayerFIRST TALK OF BEHOLD THE LAMB: LISTEN HERE(English) The Lamb: To Be Adored and Imitated https://www.centerforchristiannonviol...(Spanish) The Lamb: To Be Adored and Imitated https://www.centerforchristiannonviol...The COMPLETE SERIES of "Behold the Lamb" can be found in English and Spanish here: https://www.centerforchristiannonviol...Related writings by Fr. McCarthy: An Invitation to Participate in the Annual 40 Day Fasthttps://www.centerforchristiannonviol...August 9th, by. Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy

The Daily Office: Morning Prayer, a compilation of Rite II from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, and supplemental liturgical materials from Enriching Our Worship 1. We are in the season of Easter. Today’s readings: Psalms 56, 57, & 58, Wisdom 9: 1, 7-18, Colossians 3: 18-4: 18, and the Gospel of Luke 7: 36-50. We pray special intercessory prayers for healing. We share the feminist commentary of Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza and Walter Wink, and pray for the healing and redemption of our cultural systems.

The Daily Office: Morning Prayer, a compilation of Rite II from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, and supplemental liturgical materials from Enriching Our Worship 1. We are in the season of Easter. Today’s readings: Psalm 199: 49-72, Wisdom 4: 16-5: 8, Colossians 1: 24-2: 7, and the Gospel of Luke 6: 27-38. Also, an excerpt (most of Chapter 5) from The Powers the Be: Theology for a New Millennium by Walter Wink.

In this episode, Asher and Vix get into the gospels, discussing Jesus's many shortcomings, whether he was technically a cult leader, and his weird propensity for causing things to wither.   (The guy is Walter Wink in Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination if you were curious) This podcast is, as always, intended for adult listeners and contains adult language and themes.  

In this episode, Asher and Vix get into the gospels, discussing Jesus's many shortcomings, whether he was technically a cult leader, and his weird propensity for causing things to wither.   (The guy is Walter Wink in Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination if you were curious) This podcast is, as always, intended for adult listeners and contains adult language and themes.  

In this episode, Asher and Vix get into the gospels, discussing Jesus's many shortcomings, whether he was technically a cult leader, and his weird propensity for causing things to wither.   (The guy is Walter Wink in Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination if you were curious) This podcast is, as always, intended for adult listeners and contains adult language and themes.  

In this episode, Asher and Vix get into the gospels, discussing Jesus's many shortcomings, whether he was technically a cult leader, and his weird propensity for causing things to wither.   (The guy is Walter Wink in Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination if you were curious) This podcast is, as always, intended for adult listeners and contains adult language and themes.  

“The gospel, then, is not a message about the salvation of individuals from the world, but news about a world transfigured, right down to its basic structures.” - Walter Wink 

Sometimes our activity for positive change in the world makes a visible leap and other times the impact of our work takes a seemingly long time to show any results. As Loeb points out, “You draw hope from the knowledge that whatever it is that you do, something unexpected is going to happen. And, it often happens at the periphery of your vision.”Tags: Paul Rogat Loeb, Paul Loeb, Vaclav Havel, Velvet Revolution, Keystone Pipeline, Rosa Parks, Raymond Parks, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Anti-Nuclear Proliferation, grassroots movements, Clarence Jordan, Koinonia Farm, Tiananmen Square, Tank man, Tolstoy, David Roberts, Grist Magazine, Climate Change, hope, optimism, renewable energy, Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington State, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Dan Savage, Gay Rights Movement, getting out the vote, Walter Wink, Jesus and Alinsky, Bible stories, Turn the other cheek, nonviolent resistance, minimum wage, bike lanes, Cuiritiba Brazil, Bill McKibben, Peace/Nonviolence

Sometimes our activity for positive change in the world makes a visible leap and other times the impact of our work takes a seemingly long time to show any results. As Loeb points out, “You draw hope from the knowledge that whatever it is that you do, something unexpected is going to happen. And, it often happens at the periphery of your vision.”Tags: Paul Rogat Loeb, Paul Loeb, Vaclav Havel, Velvet Revolution, Keystone Pipeline, Rosa Parks, Raymond Parks, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Anti-Nuclear Proliferation, grassroots movements, Clarence Jordan, Koinonia Farm, Tiananmen Square, Tank man, Tolstoy, David Roberts, Grist Magazine, Climate Change, hope, optimism, renewable energy, Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington State, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Dan Savage, Gay Rights Movement, getting out the vote, Walter Wink, Jesus and Alinsky, Bible stories, Turn the other cheek, nonviolent resistance, minimum wage, bike lanes, Cuiritiba Brazil, Bill McKibben, Peace/Nonviolence

Many of you know that I am a huge proponent of systems thinking.  I truly believe understanding systems and the way they function is vital if we are going to understand the many processes that take place within any organization, whether it is within the church, within our families and even within our very selves.  Systems thinking is the process of understanding how various actions within systems, influence other components and affect the whole.  Systems thinking can be applied to many facets of life.  Our families are considered systems, government is a system, politics is a system, education is a system, healthcare is a system, we have a financial and economic system that drives the way we live, religion often becomes a system, and faith communities function as a system.  The way we use power and authority can become a system – unfortunately often a system of domination where we leverage power over others in a very unhealthy manner.  The list of types of systems goes on and on….   Each system is often made up of multiple smaller systems composed of inter-connected parts.  And, the connections within a system cause behavior of one part to affect another.  Every day, each one of us is a player in multiple systems as we navigate our waking hours.  Some systems can be very helpful, while others can be very harmful.  One thing we soon discover about systems is that they are created to be self-perpetuating.  Consequently, it becomes very difficult to break a system, to change systemic functions, or break free from a system.  And, today, in John’s gospel, we are going to learn about a system. As we begin the last two weeks of our Lenten journey with another reading from the gospel of John, we discover our focus is increasingly directed toward Jesus’ crucifixion and the work of the cross.  The writer of John’s gospel has a large and very dramatic understanding of the work of the cross, an understanding in which the cross becomes the hour in which the Son of Man will be glorified.  This “hour” represents the completion and fulfillment of Jesus’ mission.  And, in today’s reading, John tells us that Jesus’ crucifixion judges “the world” and drives out the “ruler of the world.” Last week the word used to describe world referred to the cosmos, to all of creation.  However, this week, the word translated as world is not synonymous with God’s creation.  Instead, it is describing the fallen realm that exists in estrangement from God and is organized in opposition to God’s purposes, in opposition to God’s dream for this world.  The word world in today’s reading from John, would better be described as a superhuman reality, a reality concretely embodied in structures and institutions that aggressively shape human life and hold human beings captive to their ways.  The word we see translated as world would better be translated as “the System” with a capital S, the system of sin.  And, in the gospel of John, this System of sin is driven by a spirit or force, “the ruler of the world,” whose ways are violence, domination and death.[1]  In fact, theologian, Charles Campbell suggests that in today’s reading, “the crucifixion could be interpreted as an exorcism in which the System is judged and its driving force (‘ruler’) is ‘cast out’ by means of the cross.”[2]  The cross of Jesus shatters the system of sin. On Sunday mornings when we speak the words of Confession and Forgiveness, we frequently say, “We are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.”  Those words describe our captivity to systems that take us down the path of death rather than life.  In our culture, many systems hold us captive.  We are held captive to the system of consumerism as we consume and consume, all the while knowing that our consumption is killing others around the world, others who work in sweat shops so they can feed our insatiable appetites.  We are held captive by hierarchies of winners and losers, systems that shape our behavior and thinking from birth to death.  We are held captive to structures and systems that perpetuate racism, sexism and heterosexism.  We are held captive by myths that shape our thinking and culture, myths that promote what some call “redemptive violence.”  In fact, theologian Walter Wink has suggested that “redemptive violence” is the primary myth of the System as we try to bring order out of chaos through violently defeating “the other.”  This myth is everywhere in culture – in video games, in movies, in the rhetoric I hear spoken among people, in our response to any kind of threat, in our response to terrorism, and right now in our country’s response to any who are unlike us! We even find this myth in cartoons.  Remember the Popeye cartoons in which Popeye restores order by eating spinach so that he can beat up Bluto?  Yes, we are held captive to systems, especially the system of sin that becomes a system of domination within our very selves.  And, Jesus, throughout his ministry and journey to the cross, enacted freedom from systemic myths by refusing to respond to the domination and violence of the System.  Theologian, Marcus Borg, in his book The God We Never Knew, wrote: “The point is not that Jesus was a good guy who accepted everybody, and thus we should do the same (though that would be good). Rather, his teachings and behavior reflect an alternative social vision. Jesus was not talking about how to be good and how to behave within the framework of a domination system. He was a critic of the domination system itself.”  In fact, Jesus’ freedom from systems of domination and his rejection of violence is what distinguishes his way from the way of the System of sin. In the gospel of John, Jesus’ death is not a matter of sadness.  The cross is the purpose of his entire life, it is his mission, and he has been driven by this mission.  And, that cross stands before us as a mirror, as Jesus exposes the System for what it is.  As we look to the cross, we begin to see the world, the System with a big S, for what it really is, the way of death, and we can then begin to find ourselves set free from the system’s captivating ways.  As we look to the cross, we are set free to die to a life that has been shaped by the System so that we can live fully into the way of Jesus, the way of life that truly matters. Today, John’s gospel tells us Jesus’ hour has finally come.  The writer of John’s gospel tells us Jesus has finally come to the cross, the purpose and mission of his life.  And, as we continue to journey with Jesus to that cross, death is something we do not want to face.  In fact, death is something we fear and do not even want to talk about.  However, God is taking us to the cross, taking us to the purpose for which Jesus came.  God is taking us to the cross, so we can see the act of ultimate love for all of human existence.  It is in the cross that we discover the source of love that sets us free.  It is the cross and the love of Christ that is shown in the cross that sets us free from the System of sin that imprisons us.  And, it is in the cross where we discover that this love of the Crucified One is drawing all of humanity to God’s very self. [1] David Brown; Barbara Brown Taylor, Feasting on the Word Year B, Volume 2 (Westminster John Knox Press, 2008),141. [2] Ibid., 141

LCI recommends a lot of books for libertarians. Many of our regular readers or listeners may already be familiar with some of the most influential books amongst libertarian Christians, but in this episode, we're going to discuss some other, perhaps lesser-known books (as well as some of the obvious ones), and explain what relevance they have for understanding political and economic theory in light of Christianity. Books covered in this episode: Called to Freedom, ed. Elise Daniels and Jacqueline Isaacs For a New Liberty by Murray Rothbard Libertarian Theology of Freedom by Edmund Opitz Religion and Capitalism: Allies not Enemies by Edmund Opitz Bible and Government by John Cobin Anarchy and Christianity by Jacque Ellul Healing Our World by Mary Ruwart Democracy, the God that Failed by Hans Herman Hoppe The Quest for Community by Robert Nisbet The Powers Trilogy by Walter Wink

Mark 1:21-28  Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.”   “Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out.   Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee.   I’d like to begin our look today at our Scriptural text by sharing a story about my grandmother, my father’s mother, Inez Jones, who lived most of her life in Meridian, Mississippi, which is the closest thing I too have to a hometown.  She was quite a woman in many ways, being divorced as she was early in her life during a time when such things were not done, and then working multiple jobs while trying to raise three kids on her own.  She would tell me stories of her nightly work at the local movie theater after finishing her day job, scrapping together a living, until she saved enough to open up her own business, a Hallmark Card shop in the late fifties, a store that thrived through much of the sixties and early seventies, when she finally sold it someone else.  She certainly had the prejudices of her time, but altogether she was feisty, hard-working woman in an era when divorced women didn’t open up business by themselves – she always seemed fearless to me, with her fiery dyed red hair and her certainty about how the world should work.  But she wasn’t completely fearless, as I eventually came to see, when I first saw fear etched on her face for the first time when I was maybe 12 or so. I was staying with her in Meridian, and my parents were away from the house, and there was a persistent knock on the door, which my grandmother answered. And yet, she didn’t open the door fully, and she kept the chain lock on, speaking only through the partially opened door.  Words were exchanged, voices were raise, and this man seemed to want in, and she wouldn’t do it, she would let him in, even though it was clear that she knew this man in early forties, who was disheveled, hair a mess, with a face ravaged by time and a world weariness.  Eventually, after a few minutes, he left, and she turned around from facing the door to facing me, her face flushed with both fear and relief.  I asked her who that man was, but she ignored my question, but later, when I asked my mother about who this stranger might have been, she told me that it was one of my grandmother’s nephews, a man who mentally ill, likely schizophrenic I would later guess, and who, when off his meds, could become violent and belligerent.  He would often end up homeless during these times, and show up my grandmother’s door, asking for money or food, which she sometime provided, though not that day, perhaps because my sister and I were at her house. I had never heard of him until that day, never knew of him, and later it would become clear that he become an intentionally forgotten member of our family, perhaps because some were ashamed of him, and others because they were afraid of him. I still don’t know what ever happened to him, this secret shame that my family thought he was, but though I wish now that they and we knew better about how to handle and understand my relative’s mental illness, I don’t know if I can blame them or my grandmother too much – this was all so scary to them, and they did not understand what had happened to him, this sudden shift that likely happened when he was a young man, perhaps even a teenager, when the voices in his head suddenly made themselves known and began to wreak havoc in his life. As I’ve often said, people usually do the best they can in this life, but sometimes the best they – and we - can do is not all that great.    I thought of him this week, whose name I cannot even remember, much to my shame, when reading this story from the Gospel of Mark, the first account of Jesus healing someone in this Gospel. I thought of the fear that my grandmother’s nephew provoked in her and in the rest of my family, this mental illness within him that they couldn’t understand, and couldn’t quite deal with.  This strange thing had overtaken him, had possessed him somehow, these relentless voices in his head that scared people around him, which up to only recently couldn’t really be treated, not until newish medicine came out that helps those living with schizophrenia live fuller and more manageable lives.  When we read the stories of Jesus interacting with people who often manifest signs of mental illness and yet are diagnosed as being possessed by demons by our ancestors, well, I can see why it seem to our ancestors that some outside force had taken hold of their loved one, their friend, the stranger walking the streets of Capernaum, Nazareth, Bethel, and Jerusalem.  It’s clear that in the Gospels, in much of them anyway, mental illness was associated with the demonic forces, with either one or multiple beings believed to possess the human body, torturing both body and soul, and it seems that Jesus believed this as well.  As much as some of us argue for the divinity of Jesus, the uniqueness of Jesus, we must hold onto to the other side of the doctrine of the incarnation – that Jesus was as human as we are, and was as held captive to the ideas and beliefs of his particular culture and time and place as we all are. If we believe that Jesus is less human than we are, and less prone to believe what others believed, less captured by the culturally and historically bound world than we are, then we ultimately dehumanize him, we strip him of his humanity.  That may seem odd to those of us who want Jesus to know better, who want Jesus to understand that these voices emanating from his fellow human beings were a manifestation of a mental illness rooted in the something going awry in the brain. But if Jesus is human, and he certainly was, then he cannot be somehow exempted from the reality that all humans are shaped by the culture and belief systems that they and we historically find ourselves living within. Jesus cannot be less human than we are – otherwise, he simply becomes a superhuman being, a religious superhero with powers to help others – and the church has warned us against that idea for centuries.    But where and when and how did the idea of the demonic enter into the biblical narrative, into our Bible, and into ancient Jewish thought?  Well, from what scholars have deduced based on historical records, the term “demon” was first used in the Jewish Bible, our own Old Testament, as a way of describing other deities, other gods, who were competitors to Yahweh, to the Jewish God, from other tribes, nations, and countries. These were simply beings who stood against God since God was the one true God, the name above all names, so to speak.  But when the northern tribes of Israel fell to the Assyrian Empire in the 8th century BCE and were ruled by them for almost a hundred years, the Jewish people began to adopt some Assyrian ideas, including their belief in what we now commonly understand as demons – entities, invisible spiritual beings that can wreck damage on human beings, and actually take control of them, but who are not necessarily gods. Still, unlike the Assyrians, these beliefs about the demonic never became a centerpiece of the Jewish religion – the demonic, demons are actually rarely mentioned in the Old Testament. And yet, by the first century, during Jesus’ time, it was clear that demons and the demonic had become a way of explaining what seemed unexplainable, especially around mental illness.  It’s important to note that people in the first century seemed to understand that some physical illness were just illnesses – rarely, if ever, does something like a highly feared disease such as leprosy get attributed to the demonic. And yet, surely we can understand why ancient people tried to explain the impulses, the actions of those living with mental illness in terms of external forces, or who even tried to explain the push and pull of their own wayward desires, their own wandering hearts, their own particular hatreds in the language of the demonic. Who hasn’t thought, after a moment when we were less than our best selves, who hasn’t felt and voiced that we felt we were somehow under the control of something that was surely not us, not me.  For example, the addict can surely can testify that the desire for drugs or alcohol feels as if it has a life of its own, a pull that seems more external than internal, a craving that has an almost supernatural power.  Even Paul sometimes speaks of sin this ways, as if it was entity unto itself, had a life of its own, a disease that invaded us from the outside and caused all sort of wrongheaded behavior in us and through us.    So, with this understanding of how the idea of the demonic entered into our faith, it’s interesting to note that the earliest Gospel, the Gospel of Mark, is replete with stories of Jesus dealing with those believed to be possessed with demonic spirits, and with stories of him confronting those demonic spirits who wish to unmask him as the Son of God, during which Jesus always shuts them up – it is not yet time for him to be revealed as God’s own child.  In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke these encounters with the demonic continue, and yet, by the time the Gospel of John was written, which was likely the last Gospel written, around about 50-60 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the demonic as an explanation of human mental illness seems to have been discarded by the Christian community that helped produce this Gospel and is absent from the text of John, though Jesus continues to heal human beings in John’s telling of the story of Jesus. Demons and demonic possession are rarely brought up in the letters of the New Testament, and writers like Paul tend to understand demonic forces more broadly, using such phrases as “the principalities and the powers,” forces less focused on particular human beings, and more focused on standing in the way of God’s reign, of God’s emerging realm and kingdom in this world.    And it is that idea of forces arrayed against God’s will, God’s desire for wholeness, for salvation, salvation and wholeness being interchangeable words for the same thing, God’s desire for the new world of love and justice, that I think you can actually find in our text today, despite the powerful drama found this story that reflects an earlier understanding of those living with mental illness during Jesus’ day. Jesus has his cohort, his disciples and then he enter into Capernaum and immediately – as everything in the Gospel of Mark is done immediately, quickly – immediately he goes to the synagogue and begins to teach. Amazement fills the place because Jesus teaches as if he had the right to teach, that he knew what he saying and doing, unlike the religious legal experts of the time. Suddenly, the scriptures say - and again, note the immediacy, suddenly a person who is believed to be possessed by a demon, an evil spirit, starts yelling at him, screaming at Jesus, saying “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.” The evil spirit recognizes Jesus, sees him for who is he is, unlike everyone else in the room. But Jesus doesn’t want to come out yet, so to speak, and this constant admonishment to the demons to be silent, said to both demons and people alike, is something scholars have named as the “Markan Secret.”  It’s simply not the right time for Jesus to be revealed as the Son of God, and so this truth needs be kept quiet, kept hidden, at least for the moment.  And then Jesus commands the demon to depart out of this person and the spirit screams and shakes this poor person until finally the evil spirit comes out of him.  The crowd is stunned, is shaken by this display of power, and they begin asking themselves who this person is, that even the unclean spirits obey him.  It is Jesus’ first display of his spiritual power – and it is, as they say, quite a stunner!   But what are we to do with this story, we who know that schizophrenia is not caused by demons, but an illness in the brain, one that can be controlled by medicine, which is surely proof that it is a physical and not spiritual disease? How do we navigate the meaning of this text, in light of who we are and what we now know of the world? For me, there are still multiple lessons to be learned here, the first being a somewhat odd one but, if you think about it, a fairly obvious one.  First, this truth: out of surprising moments and from surprising people there can come the great truth. The crowd gathered couldn’t see the truth about Jesus and who he was, but the demon, the evil spirit, it saw, it beheld the truth, and that uis this Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God.  From this struggling soul, from this one wracked with voices he could not understand, came a truth, one that others, those with sounder minds, could not see. I know this analogy is an incredibly imperfect one, but what would it mean to really listen to those who were struggling with mental illness, including common ones like depression, which is sometimes called the noonday demon, referencing a text from Psalm 91?  Out of the pain and hurt that comes from mental illness can come some powerful truths about life, the human experience, and perhaps we should listen, listen to those voices that sometimes can tell us some difficult and uncomfortable truths.  I wonder if my grandmother had been able to sit with my nephew, been able to work through her fear, and not just quite literally shut the door to keep out what she could not understand, what we could not understand, I wonder what lessons she and my larger family could have learned?  My own family, including myself, have a long history of depression, sometimes acute depression, but it was so often left untreated, especially in my parents because we also had a long history of not listening to others on this matter, of sweeping the problem under the rug, of literally closing the door to what we could not understand or maybe just deal with, thinking the shadows we were experiencing was just our failure somehow, some external burden we should just be able shake off with some effort, of just feeling sorry for ourselves. That meant we couldn’t just deal with the depression and understand it for what it actually was: a symptom of our brains sometimes going awry, reacting a particular situation or reacting to something deeper, something that went as deep as our own DNA. So, I would say that surely this story from Mark shows that one must face our demons, one must name the truth, as the evil spirit did in this story and one must be able to hear that truth before one can have any hope of casting the demonic out of our lives, through getting help from others, others, which includes healers of both mind and body who so often become the very instruments of the Divine, of God’s healing of us.    But there is another, perhaps an even more powerful second truth that I think should be heard in this story, and it again comes from this unexpected truth teller, this unclean spirit, and it comes in the form of a question: “have you come to destroy us?” the demon asks Jesus, before Jesus silences it, before Jesus shuts him down and casts him out of this poor soul.  Here again, the demon speaks a truth, the truth about a part of Jesus’ mission, which was surely to confront the principalities and powers of this world, a mission that includes freeing us from the delusional system that has held us in bondage, as Walter Wink in our Modern Lesson reminds us. Jesus has come to destroy the demonic through non-violent means, through love, and a justice that sets the world right.  I know, I know, for some of you, it’s a fool’s hope I offer you on Jesus’ behalf, but it is a fueled by what the demons names here in this text – the truth that all that is evil, both within us and within the institutions that compose the principalities and powers, will ultimately be destroyed by this Jesus, this poor peasant from some nowhere town, this Son of God walking the dirty streets of ancient Capernaum. I do not offer a cheap hope, but one born of hope, and a trust in this Jesus, a hope that even the demons of this world, all those forces that stand against goodness and love and justice, can see, which is this truth: that love wins, that God wins, love being simply another word for God, at least according to Jesus.  If even the forces of chaos and cruelty, the demonic in this world, can see their reign of darkness will one-day end, surely we are invited to see the same, we who are possessed not by the demonic but by the very Spirit of God, this gift of God who is within us, surely we can see the traces of light, of goodness emerging even here, even there, in us, and in this sometimes cruel and broken and yet beautiful world we live in.  “Have you come to destroy us?” the demon asks, already knowing the answer. “Yes, yes, I have,” Jesus must have thought before silencing this truth telling voice – perhaps not right now, but soon, very, very soon. Amen.     

Adam shares some thoughts referencing Walter Wink's work on violence and spirituality and we hear from Amie Wexler from Moms Demand Action.

Rev. Derek White, a.k.a. "The Geekpreacher", joins Grant and Peter once again! Derek joined us previously on Episode 38, "Christians on the Convention Scene", and he's back with us to discuss another weighty topic: Walter Wink's "myth of redemptive violence" and René Girard's concept of the "scapegoat" and collective violence. We also take a moment to remind everyone about our ongoing fundraiser for The Bodhana Group, and hear about Derek's growing role as a convention pastor. Lastly, David LaMotte was kind enough to give us permission to use his song "Peter" in this episode; it was particularly appropriate, especially since David's a Walter Wink fan too. If you enjoyed it, find more music at his website, and on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play. Also referenced in this episode: The GenCon 2015 Worship Service (and specifically, Derek's "Here There Be Dragons" sermon); The GenCon 2015 "Faith and Gaming" panel; Walter Wink's "Facing the myth of redemptive violence"; René Girard's The Scapegoat; Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History" podcast; and Ursula K. le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas". Scripture: Hosea 6:6, Jonah 3:10-4:2, Luke 22:47-52

What are some of the toughest questions you have ever asked about God and Jesus? You see, if you grew up in the church like me, chances are, at some point in your life, you started asking some difficult questions about God that your friends and family couldn't answer to your satisfaction. Did it matter? Well, maybe. Here's the thing: questions have the capacity to strengthen your faith, or possibly even destroy it. In this episode, I interview Brad Jersak. Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He's on faculty at Westminster Theological Centre (Cheltenham, UK), where he teaches New Testament and Patristics. He serves as adjunct faculty with St. Stephen's University (St. Stephen, NB). And he's also the senior editor of the CWR (Christianity Without the Religion) Magazine, which is based in Pasadena, CA. Some of his books include Can You Hear Me?, Her Gates Will Never Be Shut, and A More Christlike God. IN THIS EPISODE, BRAD ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING: • Can you tell us a little bit about A More Christlike God and why you wrote it? • Is there such a thing as "the God of the Bible"? • Is it possible that we find the kind of God we want to find in the Bible (God of peace/grace/anger/war)? • Humans have produced a vast pantheon of gods, how do we know what God is like? • There seems to be as many versions of God as there are people. How is your God the right one? • Are our ideas of God simply glorified projections of ourselves? • Walter Wink said, "atheism is the first step toward true worship." What exactly does that mean? • In your opinion, what are some of the false images of God? • Why does the "God of the Bible" seem so un-Christlike? • Why did it take so long for God to reveal himself perfectly in Jesus? • Mark Driscoll said he can't worship a Jesus he can beat up. What is your response? • How do we know your understanding of Jesus isn't just an upgraded version of yourself? • Did God punish Jesus for our sins on the cross? • What does the cross demonstrate about the nature of God? • How is the cross a response to the problem of suffering? • Who or what is Jesus saving us from? • In what sense do you believe Jesus died for us? • Can Jesus truly identify with a person who has been married, divorced, molested, or raped? • Isn't it arrogant to talk about God's nature? Who are we to say? • Is God free to do whatever he pleases (even things considered to be evil in our eyes)? • Why is God so violent? Didn't he even command genocide in the Bible? • Does God have a dark and wrathful side that balances out his goodness and love? • If God is in control, then why is there so much chaos in this world? • If God is such a loving Father, then why is there so much suffering? • Why doesn't God protect us from natural disasters? • Desmond Tutu says that "God does nothing without a human partner"? Do you agree? • You say that God operates in the world by consent. What do you mean by that? • According to you, what is "The Beautiful Gospel"? • What is "The Gospel in Chairs"? • Hector Avalos argues, in The Bad Jesus, that Jesus is flawed. What is your response? SUPPORT THIS PODCAST TO HELP KEEP IT RUNNING! • Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!)LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • bradjersak.com • Brad's new book More Christlike God • Brad Jersak on Youtube • Brad Jersak on Facebook • Brad Jersak on Twitter • Brad Jersak on Instagram • Clarion Journal of Spirituality and Justice

In one of our more surprisingly combative Irenicast episodes, Jeff, Mona and Allen discuss various things related to Halloween and the supernatural.  Everything from their favorite Halloween memories, scary encounters, angels, demons, fear and of course some history and theology.  This witch's brew of topics concludes with a new segment:  Pursuit of the Trivial.   Halloween and the Supernatural Conversation (00:23) Pursuit of the Trivial Segment (53:03) RELEVANT LINKS From our Conversation on Halloween and the Supernatural Halloween: An Epic Christian Holiday (irenicon article) All Saints’ Day (wikipedia) Soul Cakes: Hallowed Offerings for Hungry Ghosts (article) Rebuilding Catholic Culture: All Hallows’ Eve and the Doughnut (article) Samhain (wikipedia) Kirk Cameron: Halloween masks mocking Obama celebrate Jesus defeating Satan (article) SOUNDS FROM HELL : Siberia Sound Recording 1989 Drilling to Hell HIGHEST QUALITY - HD (youtube video) Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts (2 Volume Set) (book) Of Miracles, David Hume (wikipedia) 2007 Pew Research survey: two-thirds of Americans (68%) completely or mostly agree that angels and demons are active in the world (article) Do Humans Have Souls ? – I Challenge You To A Dualism! – 007 (irenicast episode) Christopher B. Hays: ‘Some People Call Me the Space Cowboy, Some Call Me the Gangster of Love’: Interstellar’s New, Ancient Theology of Salvation (article) The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium, Walter Wink (book) Me, my brain and hypochondria: is fear of illness a problem or a curious blessing? (article) My Life With Night Terrors, Demons, And “Alice In Wonderland Syndrome” (irenicon article) What is a Psychopath? - inability to feel fear linked to psychopathy (article)   From our Pursuit of the Trivial Segment The Story of the Sandwich (article) Notes - Arrested Development Wiki “and that’s why you always leave a note” (article) Office of the First Lady (article)   THANK YOU Thank you to Mike Golin for our intro and outro music.  Check out his band Soulwise.   Also a thank you to @liztai for her tweet to the podcast that said, “Enjoying your podcast, @irenicast.  Always amazing to find someone who puts my thoughts into words.” WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU   Thank you for supporting the podcast!  Your ratings, reviews and feedback are not only encouraging to us personally, but they help others find the show.  If you appreciate the content we provide please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher.   Join our conversations on faith and culture by interacting with us through the following links:   Read Us on our blog An Irenicon Email Us at podcast@irenicast.com Follow Us on Twitter and Google+ Like Us on Facebook Listen to Us on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud and TuneIn Speak to Us on our Feedback Page Love Us

Using the theology of Walter Wink, we unmasked the spiritual forces that rule this world. Then we examined the spiritual realm and beings that inhabit it, and we talked about what happens after we die with psychic medium Angela Starling. We also talked about nonviolence as taught by Jesus, and about what it means to be spiritual.

Why has there always been so much violence in the history of the human race? Is it ever possible for the world to be at peace? This week we’re going to talk about what Walter Wink calls the Myth of Redemptive Violence and its significance for the Seventh Beatitude in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peace-makers for they will be called the Children of God!”

Why has there always been so much violence in the history of the human race? Is it ever possible for the world to be at peace? This week we’re going to talk about what Walter Wink calls the Myth of Redemptive Violence and its significance for the Seventh Beatitude in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peace-makers for they will be called the Children of God!”

I encourage you to be faithful in prayer, for prayer is a powerful thing! Theologian, Walter Wink, wrote: “History belongs to the intercessors who believe and pray the future into being. Even a small number of people, firmly committed … can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors, who call out of the future the longed-for new present…. By means of our intercessions we veritably cast fire upon the earth and trumpet the future into being.” Click here to download the lyrics for the worship