Folding Chair Theology

In this episode, Justin shares his thoughts and heart around justice and oppressed peoples.

Bruce and Justin talk through what Jesus meant when he called us salt and light. It's important to understand that this, and all the rest of the sermon, was intended to be built on the characteristics that Jesus blesses at the beginning of the sermon (the beatitudes).

Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Bruce and Justin begin their series on the Sermon of the Mount. The SOTM is Jesus's declaration of what it means and looks like to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The SOTM starts in Matthew 5 and this episode is dedicated to the first 12 verses that are often referred to as The Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:1-12

1 When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them, saying:

The Beatitudes
3 “The poor in spirit are blessed,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
4 Those who mourn are blessed,
for they will be comforted.
5 The gentle are blessed,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed,
for they will be filled.
7 The merciful are blessed,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 The pure in heart are blessed,
for they will see God.
9 The peacemakers are blessed,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

11 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Shout out to The Vox Podcast with Mike Erre for their influence and invitation to call Christians up to a place in which they are committed to living within a Kingdom politic.

My Book:
Three Commands by Bruce Pagano II

Bruce takes a moment to discuss the difference between biblical counsel and mental health counseling.

I (Bruce) wanted to address this from a personal point of view. It’s been two weeks since the violent insurrection that took place on January 6. I spent this time praying, reflecting, and thinking deeply on an appropriate response to those events. After the insurrection, I made the intentional decision to wait to publish an episode in which we talked about it. This decision was based on the hope that any response we had would be thoughtful.

This event is personal for me for two reasons. The first revolves around the fact that I knew the Capitol Police Officer, Brian Sicknick, who was murdered by those domestic terrorists. I was stationed with Brian in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan for eight months in 2002/2003. And while I had not kept in contact with him, it's impossible to spend 8 months living, eating, and serving with someone and not having an impact on a personal level. The second reason has to do with the number of Christian emblems that were present at a violent interaction. The Jesus that those domestic terrorists presented is not the Jesus of my Christianity. My concern is that I've heard Christians close to me spout the same rhetoric that I heard on those videos of people bent on hurting others while they stormed our nation's capital. Not only am I not okay with it, it infuriates me that my savior would be co-opted and married to an idolatrous ideology. That's not the Jesus of the Bible.

With that said, we had planned an entire season of topics that we wanted to discuss. But, it seemed inappropriate to just move on as if nothing had happened. So, inspired by The Vox podcast with Mike Erre, I thought the best thing we could do would be to call Christians up. I want to call Christians to the same place that Jesus calls us to. I want to call Christians to kingdom living; to live out the life that Christ has placed before us. With that in mind, for the remainder of the season, we will be talking through, what we believe to be the politics of the kingdom of heaven, as laid out by Jesus. For the next 10 or 13 episodes, we're gonna walk through the sermon on the mount. Please join us as we explore what it means to live as kingdom citizens, devoid and apart from worldly ideologies.

Here are the podcasts that have been influential for us:

The Holy Post Podcast: Ep 439

The Vox Podcast with Mike Erre

• So...About That Riot
• Where Do We Go From Here
• When Unity Isn't Enough - with Dr. Timothy Gombis

Timothy Gombis: Faith Improvised

Bruce and Justin tackle the topic of Hell. They talk through the Idea of eternal conscious torment (ECT) and annihilationism (aka conditional immortality, terminal immortality).

Resources:
Preston Sprinkle Article: Biblical Support for Annihilation
Preston Sprinkle Podcast Episode
Rethinking Hell Podcast

Mentioned In Episode:
Erasing Hell, Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle
Love Wins, Rob Bell

In this new segment, Justin talks about his experience with the refugee process while on a mission trip.

In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss what it means to follow Jesus with those who are oppressed and marginalized in view. They also talk through the church's role in undoing it.

This week Bruce and Justin invite Justin's wife, Jessica Mercier, onto the show to talk about the often tumultuous relationship between the Church and mental health.

You can connect with Jessica at the following links:

Twitter: @jessjmercier
Instagram: @mrsjessicamercier
Blog: jessjmercier.blogspot.com

If you're struggling and having thoughts of suicide, please reach out. Here are a couple of numbers you can call to find human connection and help:

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline: (208) 398-4357
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255

In this episode, Bruce and Justin welcome their very first guest, ever, to the podcast. We are excited to welcome Tim Whitiker, co-host of Coffee, Theology, & Jesus Podcast, to talk through the process of deconstruction his Christian faith and what it looks like to reconstruct it.