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Series Title: A Two-Hundred Year Old Mirror: How the Faith Expansion Journey has Always Made Christian Leadership Sweat! [Episode I of II]

In the next two Monday episodes you are going to LOVE this conversation between Valerie and her friend Casey McFarland (of @pioneerparadox) as they discuss a fascinating aspect of early Christian history that is sure to resonate with you on your own faith expansion journey. They delve into the world of early Christian Gnostics and their progressive beliefs that challenged the early church general leadership by claiming that while a church can be a useful resource in one's journey towards spiritual light and truth, God could be found within each of us and is not controlled by any other human person or institution. 

If you don't want to feel alone in your wrestles with institutional authority, these two episodes will hit home in every way. Also stay tuned for the end of the episode where Casey & Val make an exciting announcement that you will not want to miss! 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:11 Casey's Background and Interests

03:26 Early Christian History and Book Discussion

06:49 Comparing Early Christianity and Modern LDS Church

11:48 The Role of Early Christian Leaders

30:40 Valentina and Progressive Early Christians

36:43 Ancient Philosophical Schools and Heresies

37:32 The Threat of Competing Beliefs

38:24 Valentina's Following and the Church's Response

40:00 Gnostic Beliefs and Self-Discovery

40:59 Quotes from Gnostic Texts

43:13 Gnostic Christianity vs. Traditional Christianity

48:23 The Concept of Maya and Moksha

52:58 Stages of Faith and Compassion

01:01:34 The Transforming Power of Love

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