Every 35 seconds a divorce is finalized in America. Marriage rates today continue to decline to historic lows, and the institution of marriage seems inconsequential for younger adults. Is the centuries-old stigma of divorce still impactful? How does being a Christian influence our view of divorce? 

Join us today as Pastor Tony continues his new sermon series: “Does the Bible do sex?” This week, he focuses on “Marriage and Divorce,” and what the Bible does and does not say about it. Exploring the inconsistencies found throughout the Bible concerning divorce, discover how we can look beyond the authoritative and antiquated power of scripture and evolve our ideology and beliefs to fit a modern 21st century perspective.  

Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 07/24/22  

Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. 

Scripture: Malachi 2:16; Deuteronomy 24; Mark 10:11-12; Matt 12:9 

If you like what you hear, consider donating at:  

https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/ 

“Oh Lucy, I’m home!” — A greeting Desi Arnaz lovingly shouted to his co-star and then-wife Lucille Ball every evening when he came home from work. Like so many other American sitcoms that aired on television in the 1950’s, “I Love Lucy” was the hallmark of an ideal marriage. But where did this construct of an ideal marriage originate? If you look to the Old Testament narratives, they were predominantly patriarchal with monogamy only applying to the woman (wife). Marriages were purely transactional meant to procure property and offspring.  

Join us today as Pastor Tony continues his new sermon series: “Does the Bible do sex?” This week, he focuses on “Marriage and Sex,” and its evolution throughout the centuries. And while Jesus’ and Paul’s teachings advocated monogamy in marriage and abstinence outside of marriage, the Bible is full of examples of ambiguity. If its central message is to “love one another,” is marriage truly only between a man and a woman? Or does it mean something else entirely? 

Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 07/17/22  

Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. 

Scripture: Genesis 2:24 

Scripture Reader: Janelle Tapphorn 

If you like what you hear, consider donating at:  

https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/

How do you interpret the Creation story in the Old Testament? Genesis 1 & 2 have seemingly different accounts. One theorist holds that the first human was neither man nor woman, but androgynous. 

• Eve and Adam: Genesis 2-3 Reread by Phyllis Trible

Stay tuned after the discussion for a meditation by ellie hutchison.

Next chance to join in LIVE:  Sunday, August 7 @8:45a (MST)

To watch the video podcast: CLICK HERE

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Music by ZakharValaha from Pixabay

Shush! Zip it! Don’t say that word! Chances are most of us were silenced when the subject of S-E-X was brought up. After all, it’s way too private, and comes with a lot of baggage, guilt and shame. Join us as Pastor Tony begins his new sermon series: “Does the Bible do sex?” 

Whatever your reservations, this sermon series is rated PG but nonetheless provocative for your mind. Listen today as Pastor Tony candidly speaks of his own conservative childhood, and how he received more negative messages about sex than positive. Discover the three things he wished he had been taught about sex. Then decide for yourself if sex according to the Bible is meant solely for reproduction or for your pleasure and joy. 

Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 07/10/22  

Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. 

Scripture: Song of Solomon 1:1-7 

Scripture Reader: Janelle Tapphorn 

If you like what you hear, consider donating at:  

https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/   

Remember that scene from the 1965 film, “The Sound of Music,” when Julie Andrews belts out “I have confidence in confidence alone…I have confidence in me!”? Where does your confidence lie today? Especially when our confidence in institutions today wanes.   

As we celebrate our democracy this Fourth of July weekend, join us as Pastor Jim Meadows takes a look at society’s current conundrum: finding confidence amidst a pandemic, climate change, and political divisiveness. Listen and learn in whom we can place our hope and confidence to share with the next generation. There are so many in our society today on the grassroots level that are often overlooked. Although a part of the institutions that are struggling, these folks are making a difference and in that we can be confident! 

Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 07/03/22  

Preaching: Pastor Jim Meadows 

Scripture: Psalms 78:1-8 

Scripture Reader: Janelle Tapphorn 

If you like what you hear, consider donating at:  

https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/    

Today's discussion is based on the sermon by Rev. Otis Young entitled "On Being a Patriotic Christian." The purpose of his sermon is to examine two areas: liberty and patriotism, and how they are connected to the Christian faith.

Stay tuned after the discussion for a meditation by ellie hutchison.

Next chance to join in LIVE:  Sunday, July 17 @8:45a (MST)

To watch the video podcast: CLICK HERE

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Music by ZakharValaha from Pixabay

Relay racing is all about the transition of the baton. The baton is transferred from runner to runner at each leg of the race. If the transition isn’t smooth, precious time and even victory is sacrificed. Our scripture today from 2 Kings 2:1-14 tells a similar story of the transition in prophetic leadership from the mighty Elijah to his predecessor, Elisha. This metaphorical passing of the “baton” happened abruptly and too soon for either runner. Elijah was not ready to pass it, and Elisha was not ready to take it. In a final effort to secure a smooth transition, Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his courage and spirit to descend upon him.  

Listen as Pastor Tony explores how to apply this scripture to our lives today. What is our baton? What legacy are we offering to the next generation? Does the next generation even want it? Discover four possibilities of how the church can collectively pass the baton to the next generation when our race is over. If done thoughtfully and empathically, this transition will ultimately dictate how Christianity moves forward. It won’t be an easy race to win, but the baton is yours to give.  

Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 06/29/22  

Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. 

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-14 

Scripture Reader: Janelle Tapphorn 

If you like what you hear, consider donating at:  

https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/   

Embracing the mysteries of life. Harry Emerson Fosdick once wrote of life as being "set in a limitless sea of mystery." The more experience of life we have, the deeper its sense of mystery. Is wisdom ever really attainable and do we truly want it?
Today's discussion is based on the sermon by Harry Emerson Fosdick entitled "The Mystery of Life" from Riverside Sermons, 1958, Harper and Brothers.

Stay tuned after the discussion for a meditation by ellie hutchison.

Next chance to join in LIVE:  Sunday, July 3 @8:45a (MST)

To watch the video podcast: CLICK HERE

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Music by ZakharValaha from Pixabay

Since homo sapiens first roamed the earth, we’ve been operating under an imagined human order that is for the most part, biologically determined as male and female. However, culturally, gender categories have evolved over time that seemingly threaten the stability of “the system”. 

Did Christianity’s arrival reinforce this feeling of instability? What is it we’re so afraid of? And how do we interpret ancient texts such as today’s scripture from Psalm 139:14–15—from a biological or cultural lens? 

Join us for PRIDE Sunday as Pastor Tony explores why society, particularly our nation, continues on a path of widespread discrimination and marginalization of the transgender community. Listen and discover the historical roots of this targeted movement in both the political and Christian arenas. Learn of three ways you can respond to stop the narrative of hate and intolerance. 

Jesus is a good place to start. Embrace your neighbors of every race, creed, gender, and sexual orientation as Jesus did, and understand the only true threat to society is if we do nothing about it at all. 

Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 06/12/22  

Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D. 

Scripture: Psalm 139:14-15 

Scripture Reader: Janelle Tapphorn 

If you like what you hear, consider donating at:  

https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/

Gun violence and mass shootings carries an urgency today unimaginable just four years ago. Since November 2018, sixty-four plus mass shootings have resulted in needless deaths and serious injuries across the United States, a grim reminder we haven’t yet figured this out. The solution for gun violence continues to elude us and remains unclear.

So, who or what is to blame—guns or our innate propensity towards violence? Can a Christian own a gun and remain lawful and good? Or should gun ownership be revoked altogether? Join us as Pastor Tony Minear takes a look at Gun Culture 2.0, and the arguments on both sides for Christians. Listen and learn the three questions you should be asking yourself when it comes to your point of view about God and gun control. Where do you align yourself and does it match your world view about humanity? 

Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 06/05/22 
Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D.
Scripture: Leviticus 19:16
Scripture Reader: Lucy Fredrickson
If you like what you hear, consider donating at: 
https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/