400 Jesus said. . . That?! (13) I Came to Divide

400 Jesus said. . . That?! (13) I Came to Divide

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Jesus said. . . That?!, Jesus' Hard Sayings

It was brutal when in Luke 12:51 Jesus said, "Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, I came to bring division!" That embattled utterance falls inside a three-chapter-or-so pericope of urgent proclamations from Jesus. Why did he say such harsh things? How should we understand that he said he came to bring fire? In this week's episode I both frame the great invasion that Jesus led and contrast that with the inclusive-Jesus of contemporary Christianity. Then I offer practical-pastoral application of all that for an Evangelical culture. In the show's cultural reflection I remark on Mark Zuckerberg's recent strategic changes at Facebook. Additionally, I comment on why the Biden Whitehouse is working hard to prevent a smooth transition of power into the next four years. Come laugh and think with me.

399 Jesus said. . . That?! (12) Hate Your Parents

399 Jesus said. . . That?! (12) Hate Your Parents

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Jesus' Hard Sayings, Jesus said. . . That?!

"Unless you hate your parents and siblings, and even your own life, you cannot be my disciple," Luke 14:26. What a harsh statement! We have to hate our parents? Our sisters? Children? Why was that utterance even more severe in the first century than it is today? Was Jesus being literal? How does that square with "love your enemies"? We're to love enemies but hate our own family? That seems upside down, absurd even. We first explore this brutal statement in its literary and historical context. Then we show what it can mean in our own world today. At the show's beginning I reflect, again, on consciousness and mind. Do computers think? Do they remember? Experience? What has caused us to view computers with such awe? And, why do so many hope for an A.I. utopian future? All of that is unpacked in this rich episode. Give the Lord your mind and come and think with me!

398 Jesus said. . . That?! (11) Love Your Enemies

398 Jesus said. . . That?! (11) Love Your Enemies

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Jesus said. . . That?!, Jesus' Hard Sayings

Hindus who've never read four Gospel sentences and Wiccans all know he said it, "love your enemies." But since we know Jesus was not trying either to lay down a new ethical code or teach pacifism, what was his point? What did his words mean in a first century business framework of amicitia? What did Jesus' words mean in light of the Old Testament teaching on enemies? Just how should one pray for one's enemies? How have these specific words of Jesus reshaped western civilization? In the show's opening I also reflect on how Daniel Dennett, a leading evolutionary philosopher, explains away consciousness and mind. Moreover, I lament the global Church's leadership vacuum; what do we do in light of the dearth of leaders? 

397 A New Years Jambalaya

397 A New Years Jambalaya

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This is a Happy New Years, more light-hearted, episode for my listeners. There are two extended reflections: what are mind and consciousness in light of the prevailing evolutionary narrative? And, what hopes do I have for the newly configured Trumpian DOGE? But along the way I also variously interweave reflections on New Years resolutions, Trump's inauguration, 11 animal kinds that pair and mate for life, the top 15 worst nations for persecution of Christianity, what motivates me (negatively and positively) as a podcaster, and what do I think about a professor's legacy? Come and start your New Years thinking from out of Christian commitments.

396 A Christmas Potpourri

396 A Christmas Potpourri

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Advent

It's Christmas time so it's time for a more light-hearted episode! In this potpourri I work through: my favorite and least-favorite Christmas music, my favorite and least-favorite Christmas food, my best-ever Christmas present, Jesus' first-century audience and their worldview, the snare that the Democrats laid for themselves and then walked into, what I think about the college football playoffs and who I'm rooting for, the massive cultural shift we are witnessing and how it came about, the many businesses that are forsaking DEI in their HR offices, and describe what is happening to DEI on college campuses. I also variously explain what a Confessing Church is, tell a Christmas joke, and narrate the recent assassination of a Russian general and what that was all about, or what might happen in and through that. And there's even more. Come laugh and think and reflect and pray with me! 

395 Jesus said. . . That?! (10) Those Greater Than John the Baptist

395 Jesus said. . . That?! (10) Those Greater Than John the Baptist

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Jesus' Hard Sayings, Jesus said. . . That?!

Dismayed in prison and puzzled by Jesus' military restraint, John the Baptist sent an envoy of disciples to ask Jesus, "are you the One or should we look for another?" Jesus answers their question, and then some! (And by his answer we learn still more about the way Jesus thought about himself.) Then Jesus added, "Truly, I say, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he." In my opinion, that's a weird thing to say. Why would Jesus say it? By saying such a thing what was Jesus indicating? What were the other things he said that help us build an answer to why Jesus said we (you and me) can be greater than his own cousin, Baptist John? In this episode I also talk about exegetical method—how to go about studying a biblical text—and reflect still further (for the third consecutive show) on transhumanism. Come think and pray and laugh with me.

394 Jesus said. . . That?! (9) You Gotta Have Faith to Move Mountains

394 Jesus said. . . That?! (9) You Gotta Have Faith to Move Mountains

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Jesus said. . . That?!, Jesus' Hard Sayings

"If you had the faith of a mustard seed you could say to that mountain, 'be cast into the sea,' and it would be done for you," Jesus said three different times in the Gospels. Across my life that is one of the more terrifying phrases Jesus ever uttered, and that's why I take more time than in most of my shows to address the particularities. In the literary and historical context what did Jesus mean? What was he addressing? What was he saying about himself inside of those contexts? Why did he say such loud things? I also address the common pastoral take-away from these passages: our having enough faith. How much faith is enough? What is faith? What usually happens among Christians with application of this "faith to move mountains" phrase? In the show's cultural reflection I talk, again, about transhumanism. This time about how transhumanism is making inroads into culture and why some unspeakable eventualities lay on the threshold of history for us.

393 Russell Brand—Saved by Faith or Grace?

393 Russell Brand—Saved by Faith or Grace?

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In a recent Tik Tok video, Russell Brand, a believer now for eight months, asked a probing question, "are we saved by faith or grace?" I thought, "man, that's a great question!" So, on a lark, I decided to answer his 1:22 second question with a 4 minute 45 second answer. Christians should not be afraid to ask any questions about their faith, and I'm glad brother Brand asked a solid query. 

392 Jesus said. . . That?! (8) Don't Give Pearls to Swine

392 Jesus said. . . That?! (8) Don't Give Pearls to Swine

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Jesus' Hard Sayings

In the same sermon wherein he told us, "love your enemies," Jesus said, "do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine." Why would a loving Jesus teach us to call someone a pig? In this episode I work through the Old Testament, First Century Jewish, and Jesus-ian layers of this strange onion of a saying. There are several practical for-the-now applications of Jesus' meaning here. More, it shows us something about whom Jesus really was. At the show's opening I work through the burgeoning transhumanism movement. What is it about? What does it want? Who comprises the transhume crowd? What are their philosophical commitments? Is it theological or more narrowly spiritual? Come laugh and think with me.

390 Jesus said. . . That?! (7) I Never Knew You

390 Jesus said. . . That?! (7) I Never Knew You

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Jesus' Hard Sayings

When I was in junior high and I would hear or read Matthew 7:23, "On that day I will say to you, 'I never knew you'", I would be terrified! I just knew I could never be perfect enough, or do enough good deeds, or perform a miracle so as to dodge Jesus' wrath. In this episode I peel back several layers of the onion: a) the Old Testament context for what Jesus says, b) the rabbinic background to what Jesus says, c) the literary context, and d) the theological avenues that are both at hand and not at hand with this profound warning. I also offer four contemporary applications of what Jesus was saying via his stern admonition. At the show's beginning I reflect on why it is that Christians, living inside their Christianity, have children, and value children. Conversely, why are millions (billions?) around the world forsaking the bearing of children? Let's look at life through the lens of Christ Jesus, God in the flesh.

389 Jesus said. . . That?! (6) That They May See But Never Understand

389 Jesus said. . . That?! (6) That They May See But Never Understand

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Jesus' Hard Sayings

In Mark 4 Jesus tells a story about sowing seed in different kinds of soil. Then he concludes, "I talk this way so that they may not perceive or repent or be forgiven." What on earth?! Doesn't Jesus want everyone to repent? Why would he say he's speaking in riddles precisely so that some will not be saved? In this show I work through the different angles—the playfulness of Aramaic language, the precedent established by Isaiah, the contrasts given us by Matthew and Luke on this same parable—which scholars say are at work in Jesus' strange saying here. In my conclusion I work through whether and how Jesus saying here might be about the Elect and Unelect; why does that Reformed lens not apply? To begin the show I reflect on our national presidential election and the things that have already changed in light of a pending Trump presidency. Download this show, turn your brain on, and let's think together about life in light of the layered and beautiful person, Yeshua Nadzaret!

388 We Dodged A Bullet—Now Let's Look Forward

388 We Dodged A Bullet—Now Let's Look Forward

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To my own surprise the Orange Sunkist won a big red wave. What does this mean for the Church? The nation's majority said, "enough." (Enough what?) And with Felonious Orange taking the popular vote will we finally stop hearing about how the Electoral college is unnecessary? In this immediately-following-the-election episode I work through my "Day 1" wish list, my "First 100 Days" wish list. What does this victory mean for Progressive politics and the mainstream media? What's it mean for the Ukraine war? And wow, what happened to 20 million voters from the last presidential election cycle? But for the show's last half I reflect on what this election means for Church mission. How have the last 4+ years lazer-focused our missional thrust? Come laugh (and sing) and think with me about our lives in Christ.

387 Vote 2024—What's at Stake

387 Vote 2024—What's at Stake

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On the eve of America's election, what is at stake? I clarify and explain my answer to that now-historic question. Also, I explain what it means to vote on the basis of biblical values. Along the way I sing multiple versions of a popular children's song from the 1800s. . . hey, let's have fun while we ponder together! Near the show's ending I quote a diplomat to the USA who understands what is at issue for this election. And because so many Christians wonder about it, I explain why national borders are essential for the Common Good. Oh, and why is it that some 30 million Christians are not voting this time around? I offer some plausible reasons. Come laugh and think with me.

386 Why I'm Voting for Orange Man Bad

386 Why I'm Voting for Orange Man Bad

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I am a theologian, so why am I of all people voting for Donald Trump? Shouldn't I know better than to vote for, as the progressives call him, Orange Hitler? After all, not only is Donald Naranja not my Lord and Savior, he's not even an Evangelical Christian. So, why? Interrupting my current series, I explain the Christian-worldview-reasons together with the historical-wisdom-reasons for voting how I am. Why is it that I (almostly entirely) know whom I'm going to vote for even before I see the names on the ballot? What are my core commitments and how do they influence my vote? The Church is called to be salt and light, even when it comes to our participation in elections. At the show's beginning, from the book of Revelation, I offer a reflection on the power of prayer and why God honors our prayers. Come, let us reason together about a Christian participation in elections.

385 Jesus said. . . That?! (5) Gouge Your Eye, Chop Your Hand

385 Jesus said. . . That?! (5) Gouge Your Eye, Chop Your Hand

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Jesus' Hard Sayings

"If your right eye or right hand causes you to sin? Cut it off! Better to be dismembered in this life than to enter Gehenna with all your body parts," Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. But, in order to understand that billboard-loud statement we need to understand what Jesus is doing in his hill-side-y sermon. Was he issuing a new, once-and-for-all, covering-everything-for-all-times, new ethical code? Some say, "yes". And I work through that position, and its interpretive faults (and the ugly fruit it bears). Was he teaching us how we could earn our way into heaven? Was he, in the Sermon on the Mount, ending the Torah? Truth is, we cannot understand many of the outlandish things Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount unless we understand what his mission and purpose were. Come think with me about the genius of Jesus of Nazareth! In the show's opening I talk about why it feels like I'm living in a wilderness. 

384 Jesus said. . . That?! (4) You Must Taste Like Salt

384 Jesus said. . . That?! (4) You Must Taste Like Salt

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Jesus' Hard Sayings

This is as important an episode as I have ever recorded. Jesus used "salty" imagery in three different Gospel stories. In this fourth episode on Jesus' tough sayings we explore what he meant by that useage, what first-century Jewish rabbis meant when they used salty imagery, and how being salt spills over into the political realm. On the cultural-assessment front we take the biblical and theological investigation and framing of the show's first half and apply it to American life here in pre-election 2024. Why should believers, no why should the Church, get involved in politics? What does culture tell the Church to keep her out of politics? What are some just-this-past week examples of how political policies wound our neighbor?

383 Jesus said. . . That?! (3) Eunuchs for the Kingdom

383 Jesus said. . . That?! (3) Eunuchs for the Kingdom

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Jesus' Hard Sayings

"There are different kinds of eunuchs," Jesus flashed back at them, "and some have so chosen for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." This followed the disciples' own astonished response to Jesus' teaching on the exclusive nature of marriage. So Jesus took their emotional blurt and turned it on them. What does "eunuchs for the kingdom" mean? What's it not mean? What was the first-century cultural context for such a saying? What are some contemporary applications? I work through those kinds of contexts and questions, and still more, in this third episode on Jesus' tough sayings. In the show's beginning I discuss both the future of A.I. and an injurious piece of legislation on the electoral docket here in Spudland. Together, let's fix our minds (phronéma) for the sake of Christ. (Image by Adamantia, 2020)

382 Jesus said. . . That?! (2) I Came for Sinners

382 Jesus said. . . That?! (2) I Came for Sinners

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Jesus' Hard Sayings

Jesus said harsh things. Sometimes they were tough because they were riddled even for Jesus' own listeners, other times they were tough because they were just so demanding! This episode? "I came for the sick, sinners." What did that mean in its social context? What did it mean in its literary context? What does it mean over against massively-widespread teaching in the church today? And then, what does all that mean with regard to Christian mission? At the show's beginning I review the newly released, in-theater, movie, "Am I a Racist?" We also dig into whether Matt Walsh and the production company were being ethical.

381 Jesus said. . . That?! (1) Eat My Flesh

381 Jesus said. . . That?! (1) Eat My Flesh

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Jesus said. . . That?!, Jesus' Hard Sayings

The first episode in a new series, this cast o' the pod is about John 6:53, "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." What did Jesus mean by that? What does the chapter's context establish for us? What does the book of John establish for us? Was Jesus promoting cannibalism? What does Jesus say a few verses later that shines important light on his scandalous remark? Is Jesus teaching on the Lord's Supper here? Also in this episode, because the Lordship of Christ is not reserved for private matters, I briefly reflect on the Trump-Harris ABC tv interview.

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