Liminal Living

takeaways

• Tom Rundel reinterprets the Book of James for modern understanding.
• Suffering is a common experience, not to be glorified.
• Spiritual bypassing dismisses the reality of suffering.
• Prayer should be an honest engagement with one's situation.
• Lament is a significant part of spiritual practice.
• Community support is crucial for those who are suffering.
• The role of elders in providing care and support is vital.
• Healing is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.
• Spiritual practices should be integrated into daily life.
• The church's role is to love and support those in need.

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

takeaways

• The current political and cultural moment in the United States is characterized by the erosion of trust in democracy and the weaponization of fear and anger.
• Apocalyptic language is used in political discourse to create a sense of urgency and to rally support, but it often hinders productive conversations and solutions.
• Economic realities, such as rising prices and income inequality, are often blamed on political leaders, but the underlying problems are complex and require systemic changes.
• The current economic system is profit-centered, prioritizing growth and wealth accumulation over human flourishing. This has led to the exploitation of resources and the neglect of social services.
• Building a more egalitarian and pluralistic society requires a shift in values, prioritizing love, faith, and truth over domination, coercion, and control. Evaluate economic policies based on their impact on real people's lives
• Pastors can address political issues from the pulpit while maintaining the separation of church and state
• Being politically engaged is a responsibility as a Christian
• Take care of yourself and pay attention to your body's response to fear and anxiety
• Hold onto truth and challenge misinformation
• Be open to change and willing to repent

Chapters

• Introduction and Recap
• New Beginnings and Church Expansion
• Interpreting the Political Cultural Moment
• The Weaponization of Fear and Anger
• The Impact of Apocalyptic Language
• Blaming Economic Realities on Political Leaders
• The Profit-Centered Economic System
• Shifting Values for a More Egalitarian Society
• The Impact of Economic Policies
• The Role of Pastors in Addressing Politics
• Being Politically Engaged as a Christian
• Taking Care of Yourself in a Politically Charged Environment
• Holding onto Truth and Challenging Misinformation

Links:

https://gravitycommons.com/matt-tebbe/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gravity-leadership-podcast/id1356585852

Support Links

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Takeaways

• Mystics experience the divine in everyday life and see the holiness in others.
• Mystics can be both heavenly minded and earthly good, working for peace, justice, and the well-being of all people.
• Political discourse should involve empathy, understanding, and dialogue, rather than demonization and polarization.
• Finding common ground and holding space for different perspectives is essential for progress and positive change.
• Mystics challenge the status quo and work towards a more inclusive and compassionate society. Love and understanding are essential in our interactions with others.
• Practicing gratitude and mindfulness can bring peace and fulfillment to our lives.
• Embracing the past and working towards healing and justice is important for personal and societal growth.
• Mysticism can guide our actions and inspire us to make a positive impact in the world.
• Living with intention, compassion, and a sense of responsibility can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Chapters

• Introduction and Discussion of British Mystery Shows
• Defining Mysticism and its Connection to Everyday Life
• Expanding the Understanding of Mystics and their Role in Society
• The Importance of Empathy and Dialogue in Political Discourse
• Mystics as Agents of Change and the Need for a Broader Perspective
• The Challenge of Loving Your Enemies and Working for Positive Political Change
• The Power of Love and Understanding
• Embracing the Past and Working Towards Healing
• Living with Intention and Compassion
• The Role of Mysticism in Guiding Our Actions

Links:

https://www.drbruceepperly.com/

Buy his book: [click here]

Support Links

Quoir Square 2 Class and Community [click here]

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

• The book of James addresses the power of speech and its implications.
• Teachers in the church are held to a higher standard.
• Controlling the tongue is crucial for personal and communal integrity.
• Words can shape perceptions and influence actions.
• Righteousness is fundamentally linked to justice.
• Inconsistency in speech reflects deeper issues in the heart.
• The Moloch principle illustrates the dangers of short-term thinking.
• Charisma can be a double-edged sword in leadership.
• Our words can either contribute to justice or injustice.
• Self-reflection on how we are perceived is essential for growth.

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Takeaways

• Caleb's upbringing in a conservative home shaped his early views on faith.
• His experience with neo-Nazi skinheads led to critical questioning of ideologies.
• The rise of American Christian nationalism has created a divide in churches.
• Many church members are influenced by external political narratives.
• Christian nationalism is a blend of political ideology, tribal identity, and spiritual idolatry.
• The decline of trust in the church is linked to political affiliations.
• Engaging in conversations requires self-reflection and emotional health.
• Flipping tables is sometimes necessary, but setting tables is more common.
• True change happens at the heart level, not through confrontation.
• Hope can be found in the faith of global Christian communities.\

Chapters

• Introduction and Symbolism of the Leviathan Sticker
• Caleb's Journey: From Conservative Roots to Pastoral Leadership
• The Impact of 2016-2020 on Faith and Community
• Understanding American Christian Nationalism
• The Identity Crisis within American Christian Nationalism
• The Decline of Trust in the Church
• Navigating Conversations Across Political Divides
• Flipping Tables vs. Setting Tables: A Call to Action
• Finding Hope Amidst Chaos

Links:

https://www.ivpress.com/disarming-leviathan

https://www.disarmingleviathan.com/

Support Links:

Quoir Square 2 Class and Community [click here]

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

• Faith without action is dead.
• The early Christian community emphasized caring for one another's needs.
• Treating all people equally is important and goes against favoritism.
• Love for our neighbors and living out the social vision of Jesus is crucial.

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Takeaways

• Faith can provide an organizing center, meaning, and purpose in life.
• Gushee's journey of faith involved a conversion experience as a teenager and a broadening of perspectives through studying Christian ethics.
• Democracy is a system of government that belongs to the people and is based on a constitution and the rule of law.
• Authoritarianism poses a threat to democracy and can be fueled by religious or ideological beliefs.
• It is important to defend and uphold democratic principles, including free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, and the protection of individual rights. Support for democracy among Christians has eroded since the 1960s, leading to a sense of alienation and fear among conservative Christians.
• Conservative Christians perceive culture and politics as dominated by their enemies and feel oppressed, which has been exploited by political figures like Donald Trump.
• Identity-oriented politics and the rejection of pluralism are not aligned with the teachings of Christianity.
• The rise of authoritarianism in countries like Hungary and Russia follows a pattern of a once-dominant majority group feeling threatened by societal changes and mobilizing for action.
• Preserving the rules of democracy and the constitutional order is crucial to prevent further erosion of democratic values.

Chapters

• Introduction and Background
• Gushee's Journey of Faith
• Broadening Perspectives
• Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies
• The Threat of Authoritarianism to Democracy
• The Erosion of Support for Democracy Among Christians
• The Rise of Authoritarianism and the Threat to Democracy
• Preserving Democracy and the Constitutional Order

Links:

www.DavidpGushee.com

Buy His Latest Book [click here]

Support Links:

Square 2 Course from Quoir [click here]

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

• Reinterpreting scripture passages can help avoid harmful and wounding interpretations that have been used in a religious and fundamentalist context.
• Understanding the cultural context in which scripture was written is crucial for interpretation.
• Every good and perfect gift comes from God, and it is important to recognize and appreciate the goodness in the world.
• Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry can lead to better understanding and more compassionate interactions.
• Religion should be demonstrated through actions, such as caring for those in need and avoiding power schemes.

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Links

• Pre-order Chuck's New Book: [click here]
• Chucks Author Page: [click here]
• Chuck's Amazon Page: [click here]

Takeaways

• Chuck DeGroat's faith journey was shaped by a mix of embodied spirituality and disorientation due to brokenness in his parents' marriage.
• He found a broader understanding of faith through the contemplative tradition and the mystics, which opened up a more expansive language for his experience of God.
• Chuck DeGroat's work as a counselor, spiritual director, and author is rooted in his own experiences of pain and the desire to help others navigate their own wounds.
• Narcissism in church communities can lead to alienation, disconnection, and the multiplication of pain and abuse.
• Self-awareness is crucial in navigating narcissistic tendencies, and it allows for growth, transformation, and the ability to acknowledge and repair the impact on others.
• The dynamic between narcissistic leaders and followers is often characterized by mirror hunger and ideal hunger, where the leader seeks validation and the follower seeks fulfillment of certain needs. Being drawn to authoritarian leaders can be a result of feeling a sense of alignment and connection with them, especially for those who have experienced shame and insecurity growing up.
• Hypermasculinity is often a defense mechanism to disown shame, and many hypermasculine individuals have experienced profound pain, trauma, and powerlessness in their past.
• Paying attention to the inner dashboard, which includes thoughts, emotions, body sensations, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships, can help identify symptoms of trauma and the need for healing.
• Deconstruction and the dark night of the soul are similar phenomena that involve questioning and reevaluating one's beliefs and experiences of God, often leading to a sense of disorientation and abandonment.
• Being anchored in a state of calm and presence, rather than being stuck in survival mode, allows for genuine connection, curiosity, and engagement with ideas.

Chapters

• A Journey of Faith and Disorientation
• Exploring the Contemplative Tradition
• Navigating Narcissism in Church Communities
• The Importance of Self-Awareness
• Transformation in the Midst of Pain and Suffering
• The Dynamic Between Narcissistic Leaders and Followers
• Hypermasculinity as a Defense Mechanism for Disowned Shame
• The Inner Dashboard: Identifying Symptoms of Trauma
• Deconstruction and the Dark Night of the Soul
• Anchoring in Calm and Presence for Genuine Connection

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree