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

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

Uncensored Unprofessor

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

Uncensored Unprofessor

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

Uncensored Unprofessor

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

Uncensored Unprofessor

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

Uncensored Unprofessor

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

Uncensored Unprofessor

"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

Uncensored Unprofessor

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

Uncensored Unprofessor

"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

Uncensored Unprofessor

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

Uncensored Unprofessor
Jesus said. . . That?!

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.

380 Shotgun—What is 'Flesh'?, Systemic Machine vs. Populism

380 Shotgun—What is 'Flesh'?, Systemic Machine vs. Populism

Uncensored Unprofessor

Twenty-first century folk define flesh as being about the body. So the human body, in popular Christian thought, gets paired against the spirit. But that's not at all what the apostle Paul meant by flesh (sarx) in the book of Romans. He was being nuanced, technical even. He wanted to establish a comparison that remains critical even for believers today. In many ways, we are what we think about. In this shotgun of a theology-and-culture episode I also explain why governmental systemic machines hate populism. What we are seeing here in the United States—with our media's tarnishing, branding, and scolding of populism—is occurring around the world. To prove the point I describe recent elections in Italy, Germany, France, and Venezuela. Earlier, at the show's beginning, I offer three long-established definitions of theology and what I like about each one. Come think and laugh with me.

379 Shotgun—BIPOC Plagiarism, Is Evil really so Evil?

379 Shotgun—BIPOC Plagiarism, Is Evil really so Evil?

Uncensored Unprofessor
Current Events

Following a 16-part series it's time for a happy-break! In this Theology-and-Culture shotgun I work through the following: a famous racist's plagiarism, a quote by the Chinese ancient Laozi, why I love Spudlandia culture (and why you won't want to move here!) (and why KS is angry at the I.D.!), how an embrace of divine determinism theology makes evil less evil, CNN's Dana Bash and her lengthy-28-whole-minutes!-long-piercing interview of Kamal Harris and Tim Walz, and a final reflection on St. Paul and the Old Testament law. This light hearted episode will make you think, laugh, and ponder what it means to follow Jesus Christ in the 21st Century.

378 Ref. vs. Arm. (16) Why So Chosen?

378 Ref. vs. Arm. (16) Why So Chosen?

Uncensored Unprofessor
Reformed vs. Arminian

Protestants focus, almost exclusively, on Salvation. (Who's against salvation? Not me! Praise God for salvation!) But that pressure-driven focus causes Protestants to look at every Bible passage or story as a matter of soteriology (salvation, pertaining to salvation). So we end up making the Bible say things it wasn't trying to say. And to that point? Election. Protestants think that election is always about salvation in eternity, or not. But that's not what election is in the Bible. I unpack the Bible logic about election, its wiring, its sweeping vision. Because the Lordship of Christ does not stop at the boundary of culture I reflect, in the show's beginning, on Church involvement in culture. Come think and laugh with me!

377 Ref. vs. Arm. (15) Romans 9 and Divine Determinism

377 Ref. vs. Arm. (15) Romans 9 and Divine Determinism

Uncensored Unprofessor
Reformed vs. Arminian

A classic prooftext for Divine Determinism is Romans 9. Especially verse 13, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated," is a pet verse for those who favor Divine Determinism. Across the last 500 years that verse has particularly been cited as an example of predestination: God chooses some for salvation and some for damnation. But is that what Paul was teaching in this passage? Was he saying God sent Jacob to heaven and Esau to hell? I spend the entire podcast unpacking the context, reasoning, and argument of the apostle Paul. He says several "insider baseball" remarks that make little sense to we twenty-first century westerners. Instead, Paul is going down a path that is rather foreign to us. Come join me as we plow through this significant chapter in Romans!

376 Ref. vs. Arm. (14) God Hardened Pharaoh's Heart

376 Ref. vs. Arm. (14) God Hardened Pharaoh's Heart

Uncensored Unprofessor
Reformed vs. Arminian

Significant to a notion of Divine Determinism is the Exodus. In chapters 7-12 we watch an ongoing interaction between Egypt's Pharaoh and Yahweh (via Moses and Aaron). What does that running exchange reveal to us? What does it reveal to us about freedom from slavery? About freedom of religious expression? About human agency? About how God deals with we, His creations? This is important because the pattern of Exodus is repeated elsewhere through the Bible, not least of which in the book of Romans. And then, because the Lordship of Christ does not stop at the boundary of culture, I examine and explain simulacra. We are surrounded, bombarded even, with simulacra. And that's more true in an election year than ever! Are reality tv shows real? Are piped-in video sermons authentic? Come think and laugh with me!

375 Ref. vs. Arm. (13) God's Motive—Glory or Love?

375 Ref. vs. Arm. (13) God's Motive—Glory or Love?

Uncensored Unprofessor
Reformed vs. Arminian

The Reformed's Westminster Shorter Catechism, point #1, "What is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." That's a solid claim! I don't disagree, except it doesn't explain a deeper-still question, why did God create? What motivated Him? Was there a need in God to be glorified? Did God have a lack He needed to fill? Or does God express Himself through a kind of prodigal (wasteful, overspilling) love? I work through the traditional Protestant emphasis on the motivation of God and then suggest a better, more biblical, more Jesus-y answer. And then, because the majestic Lordship of Christ does not stop at the boundary of culture, I explain why I have been having numerous and regular dystopian nightmares where I awake in a fit of terror as demons lead me off into captivity. Come laugh and think with me!

374 Ref. vs. Arm. (12) Randomness in Life

374 Ref. vs. Arm. (12) Randomness in Life

Uncensored Unprofessor
Reformed vs. Arminian

God created the universe, and planet earth, with an inherent quality of free-play. Free-play is where energies, gravity, animals, weather and more all have their ability to move and be and impact reality. Given that, is life a matter of chance? Still more, is life a matter of unruly randomness? Both the Reformed and the Arminians have a high emphasis on the sovereignty of God; too often that is taken so that God is a kind of secrete puppet-master. But that doesn't jive with the existence of free-play. So how do we go about making sense of all those apparently competing elements? That's the aim of this show. I roll out a high view of God's sovereignty in light of the existence of free-play, chance, and even randomness. Let's laugh together as we think about complex matters!

373 Ref. vs. Arm. (11) Prior Grace vs. Human Agency

373 Ref. vs. Arm. (11) Prior Grace vs. Human Agency

Uncensored Unprofessor

Across my last five or so episodes I've put enormous weight on human agency in understanding a biblical theology. This cast O' the pod, following Reformed vs. Arminian constructions and the priority of prevenient grace, emphasizes both the 'that' and the 'why' of God's revelation (the Gospel) being the premise of salvation. We cannot save ourselves; cannot be compassionate enough; cannot be intelligent enough; cannot make ourselves live forever; cannot resurrect ourselves. God—alone—is the premise, the life giver, the source of salvation. In the show's opening I work through Jesus' warning to the Laodiceans: the hot water they had piped-in from some 6 miles way was now tepid, just like them. They were pretending to be Christian. What is a possible contemporary parallel? Come laugh and think with me.

372 Ref. vs. Arm. (10) Grace—Common and Mundane

372 Ref. vs. Arm. (10) Grace—Common and Mundane

Uncensored Unprofessor
Reformed vs. Arminian

The Reformed doctrine of Total Depravity rather necessitates their doctrine of Common Grace, or better, common graces. When I was in seminary I realized that most other Christians talked about life in terms of grace, whereas my tradition spoke about life in terms of God's Spirit. What are the benefits of each? What are important biblical frames for each? Against what was the Reformed doctrine of Grace reacting in the 16th century? Me? Because I reject the premises of Reformed theology I have other theological avenues by which to process life. Life is so magical! So personal! Why? Because of the omnipresence of God's Holy Spirit. But in the episode's opening I variously discuss: praying for the wounded, the care of my teeth (and a couple recent dental visits), rubbing respectable Christians the wrong way, Christianity and politics, and the amazing experience of watching philosphy books take incarnate form and springing to life. Come laugh and think with me!

371 Ref. vs. Arm. (9) Can You Lose Your Salvation?

371 Ref. vs. Arm. (9) Can You Lose Your Salvation?

Uncensored Unprofessor
Reformed vs. Arminian

The P of TULIP is Perseverance of the Saints. And so the question rises, "can you lose your salvation?" Just asking that question will get you kicked out of many in-home bible studies! Nevertheless, the Reformed and the Arminian Protestants answer this in ways that we note and unpack. And then me? The UU? Who takes Trinity (and so personhood, and agency, and mission, and love) as my theological foundation, what do I say? What bible verses inform my thinking? What theological commitments inform my thinking? At the show's opening I make a couple cultural reflections (because the Lordship of Christ does not stop at the boundary of cuulture) on judging evil vs. doing evil. Which of those two is worse? I also a question provocative for contemporary Christianity, was Jesus tame? Come think and laugh with me!

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