Commons Church Podcast

Part 1 of 4. Today we talk about our definitions of God, the power of our images and how for us to see God we need to look at Jesus. 
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In studying the Bible, we have found it to be a trustworthy and beautiful guide for life. And yet, we also know the many ways this same profound text has been weaponized against others. Whether to marginalize, silence, or shame those who have dared to ask questions and chart a new path through the world, this is not only wrong but a misapprehension of the Bible’s role in the Christian faith. 

On the first page of this year’s journal, we wrote, “we are completely fascinated by this complex and beautiful collection of texts we call the Bible—but we worship Jesus.” That’s not because we think there is a disconnect between the two. In fact, we are convinced the Bible is what points us back to Jesus. However, Scripture is where we encounter Jesus. Scripture is not a replacement for Jesus. And therefore, our use of the Bible must be as peaceful and grace-filled as the Jesus we follow. In this series, we will attempt to disarm the Bible of violent interpretations but also to recapture some of the extraordinary ways in which the Bible calls us to life change.

Right now, more than any time we can remember, we are polarized, on edge, and ready to attack each other. That doesn't mean there aren't good reasons to be cautious. We all know people who engage in bad faith, intent not on dialogue but on manipulation or deceit. However, if we allow that caution to transform us into essentially uncurious persons, we will miss out on much of what God has available for us. 

Being human is a limited experience of the world. And therefore, it is only when we open our perspective to the knowledge of the person beside us, and beside them, that we are able to properly envision the world. 

Curiosity is a spiritual discipline. One that keeps us humble and learning. And who knows, maybe the person beside you right now might be your next best friend. 

So let's talk about being curious. 

Right now, more than any time we can remember, we are polarized, on edge, and ready to attack each other. That doesn't mean there aren't good reasons to be cautious. We all know people who engage in bad faith, intent not on dialogue but on manipulation or deceit. However, if we allow that caution to transform us into essentially uncurious persons, we will miss out on much of what God has available for us. 

Being human is a limited experience of the world. And therefore, it is only when we open our perspective to the knowledge of the person beside us, and beside them, that we are able to properly envision the world. 

Curiosity is a spiritual discipline. One that keeps us humble and learning. And who knows, maybe the person beside you right now might be your next best friend. 

So let's talk about being curious. 

Right now, more than any time we can remember, we are polarized, on edge, and ready to attack each other. That doesn't mean there aren't good reasons to be cautious. We all know people who engage in bad faith, intent not on dialogue but on manipulation or deceit. However, if we allow that caution to transform us into essentially uncurious persons, we will miss out on much of what God has available for us. 

Being human is a limited experience of the world. And therefore, it is only when we open our perspective to the knowledge of the person beside us, and beside them, that we are able to properly envision the world. 

Curiosity is a spiritual discipline. One that keeps us humble and learning. And who knows, maybe the person beside you right now might be your next best friend. 

So let's talk about being curious. 

The lead-up to Christmas is full of big feelings. You can think of feelings in two categories: feelings when your needs are unmet and feelings when your needs are met. When your needs are unmet, you might feel cranky or annoyed. When your needs are met, you might feel joyful or calm. All of those feelings are expressions of biology. We feel emotions in our bodies. So there’s a wonderful connection between feelings and Advent. Advent is the season of divine embodiment. The story of Jesus’ arrival starts with ordinary humans feeling big feelings. 

Joseph is worried about stepping outside his community’s expectations. Elizabeth and Zechariah are self- conscious as they age, and their longed- for son is soon to arrive. Mary is dazzled as she encounters an angel who invites her into an outrageous story of divine nearness. The shepherds are invigorated by singing skies and a baby they run around to tell everyone about. Feeling Advent is about noticing how the story of Jesus’ arrival puts us in touch with the mystery we celebrate every year at Christmas.

The lead-up to Christmas is full of big feelings. You can think of feelings in two categories: feelings when your needs are unmet and feelings when your needs are met. When your needs are unmet, you might feel cranky or annoyed. When your needs are met, you might feel joyful or calm. All of those feelings are expressions of biology. We feel emotions in our bodies. So there’s a wonderful connection between feelings and Advent. Advent is the season of divine embodiment. The story of Jesus’ arrival starts with ordinary humans feeling big feelings. 

Joseph is worried about stepping outside his community’s expectations. Elizabeth and Zechariah are self- conscious as they age, and their longed- for son is soon to arrive. Mary is dazzled as she encounters an angel who invites her into an outrageous story of divine nearness. The shepherds are invigorated by singing skies and a baby they run around to tell everyone about. Feeling Advent is about noticing how the story of Jesus’ arrival puts us in touch with the mystery we celebrate every year at Christmas.

The lead-up to Christmas is full of big feelings. You can think of feelings in two categories: feelings when your needs are unmet and feelings when your needs are met. When your needs are unmet, you might feel cranky or annoyed. When your needs are met, you might feel joyful or calm. All of those feelings are expressions of biology. We feel emotions in our bodies. So there’s a wonderful connection between feelings and Advent. Advent is the season of divine embodiment. The story of Jesus’ arrival starts with ordinary humans feeling big feelings. 

Joseph is worried about stepping outside his community’s expectations. Elizabeth and Zechariah are self- conscious as they age, and their longed- for son is soon to arrive. Mary is dazzled as she encounters an angel who invites her into an outrageous story of divine nearness. The shepherds are invigorated by singing skies and a baby they run around to tell everyone about. Feeling Advent is about noticing how the story of Jesus’ arrival puts us in touch with the mystery we celebrate every year at Christmas.

The lead-up to Christmas is full of big feelings. You can think of feelings in two categories: feelings when your needs are unmet and feelings when your needs are met. When your needs are unmet, you might feel cranky or annoyed. When your needs are met, you might feel joyful or calm. All of those feelings are expressions of biology. We feel emotions in our bodies. So there’s a wonderful connection between feelings and Advent. Advent is the season of divine embodiment. The story of Jesus’ arrival starts with ordinary humans feeling big feelings. 

Joseph is worried about stepping outside his community’s expectations. Elizabeth and Zechariah are self- conscious as they age, and their longed- for son is soon to arrive. Mary is dazzled as she encounters an angel who invites her into an outrageous story of divine nearness. The shepherds are invigorated by singing skies and a baby they run around to tell everyone about. Feeling Advent is about noticing how the story of Jesus’ arrival puts us in touch with the mystery we celebrate every year at Christmas.

The lead-up to Christmas is full of big feelings. You can think of feelings in two categories: feelings when your needs are unmet and feelings when your needs are met. When your needs are unmet, you might feel cranky or annoyed. When your needs are met, you might feel joyful or calm. All of those feelings are expressions of biology. We feel emotions in our bodies. So there’s a wonderful connection between feelings and Advent. Advent is the season of divine embodiment. The story of Jesus’ arrival starts with ordinary humans feeling big feelings. 

Joseph is worried about stepping outside his community’s expectations. Elizabeth and Zechariah are self- conscious as they age, and their longed- for son is soon to arrive. Mary is dazzled as she encounters an angel who invites her into an outrageous story of divine nearness. The shepherds are invigorated by singing skies and a baby they run around to tell everyone about. Feeling Advent is about noticing how the story of Jesus’ arrival puts us in touch with the mystery we celebrate every year at Christmas.

The book of Revelation deals on a cosmic scale with good and evil, politics and empire, community and eternity. It has intrigued and frustrated readers for millennia. How do we make sense of John's prophetic vision of cosmic war in light of the nonviolence Jesus embodies in the gospels? What does John mean to tell us about Jesus, our world, and the fate of all things? As End Times conspiracy theories surge, it's more important than ever that we read the final book of the Bible without distorting the true message of Jesus.

Based on the book Upside-Down Apocalypse, but with the benefit of or whole teaching team at Commons, this series will walk through the book of Revelation using biblical scholarship and the nonviolence of Jesus as our guide.

Along the way, we'll discover what John imagines as he weaves this profound revelation of non-violent triumph and see with fresh eyes how the Prince of Peace turns violence on its head once and for all.