Why is it that nearly everyone identifies with the prodigal son?
Why do we feel like outcasts, disappointments, failures?
Find out!
Music Credits
"Unreal" Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity. (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)
Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)
Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
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Timestamp Info
0-2:11 Our new cocktail (with roses!) will be in the digital mixology guide, and also in the softbound version, available for appropriate monthly giving, through our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/cocktailtheology. Elane and Benton consider an alternate career as bartenders.
2:11-8:50 The mystery of familial relationships: most people think of ourselves as the black sheep of the family. In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15), it’s with the younger son. Why do we think of ourselves as outsiders, or as people who are something so wrong that we are not unacceptable? Why do we feel like the sum of our mistakes?
8:50-10:50 Our October 20, 2018 retreat (Discover The Really Real God You Always Hoped Existed) helps people think about their own views, and meet the God they think they believe in (but usually don’t): the God who accepts them, really, right now. What about “God Is Love (Except For You)”? The fear of getting kicked out of the family.
10:50- 17:00 The younger son feels guilty but not ashamed. Elane explains the difference between shame and guilt…and for most of us, our outcast-ness is about shame. We cannot hide from God, because God (really) knows us and (really) loves us. The revelation that Elane feels shame about inviting herself over to people’s houses, including Benton’s, and so do all those folks who would never dream of inviting themselves. How powerful is the fear of rejection!
17:00-27:30 Our feelings about ourselves and about God are layered. Yet the Bible is about guilt—what you do—rather than shame—who you are. Shame/guilt researcher Brené Brown. Would we rather starve than ask for help? In the parable, there’s no doubt in the prodigal’s mind that his father will accept him back. Repentance vs. remorse vs. resentment, and why Jesus tells this story at all. Why do we feel ashamed, so much of the time?
27:30-36:00 Our deep desire to be part of, and the fear of return. The child of “a low-down, dirty drunk” becomes terrified when the social group is small (and everyone knows you and your dad). No wonder we think God rejects us, and why we don’t feel forgiven when we confess and ask for forgiveness: we feel as if we are bad, rather than do bad. The conflict between our self-image and our actions. What does X action say about who I am? Why “coming out” is the language of pressing past shame.
36:00-38:30 We are not black sheep. We are sheep who have made poor choices. None of us is a black sheep. Our “father God” will always take us in—and a lot of people will, too.
38:30-40:28 Join us October 20 for our one-day retreat (http://www.reallyrealgod.com), and on social media. Share us with your friends; review us on iTunes and Stitcher. Subscribe. And, especially, let us know what you think! We want to learn from you.
