Mid-faith Crisis

Nick has a new book out - Christmas: Tradition, Truth and Total Baubles. So we talk about that, mainly on the idea that we always want our traditions to be a lot older than they are. Also we explore underwhelming prophecies, whether you can be a leader of badgers, the spiritual gift of limericks, restorative justice, the economics of being a writer and why the entire country has emerged from lockdown to find out that things are actually worse.

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The Bible is very clear that those who oppress the vulnerable, abuse power and cause injustice will face the judgement of God. So what do we mean by justice? How should people face the consequences of their actions? What role do we play in unjust systems? We explore the distinction between justice and revenge, the need for restoration of both victim and perpetrator, and the shocking nature of forgiveness. And it’s a big ‘welcome back’ to George MacDonald and Fluffy Rohr.

• Support our correspondent Chris, who is running a hill race every month through 2020 to raise money for IJM. Donate here.

BOOKS MENTIONED

• Nick Page, Christmas:Tradition, Truth and Total Baubles
• Gregory MacDonald, The Evangelical Universalist

Ruth Newton is parish priest of St John's Sharow, a Silver Eco-Church and is currently undertaking a doctorate in the intersection between environmental activism and church. In this fascinating interview she talks to Joe about the relationship of theology to ecology, about how Christianity has to answer the key questions that people are asking, and how justice - both ecological and social - is a crucial components of the Kingdom of God. Also, the power of advocacy, the challenge of being a scythe-less Grim Reaper and the challenge of relating an animal rights agenda to the story of the Gadarene swine.

• Ruth Newton: Greening the Lectionary
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Welcome back to Lockdown everyone! And welcome back to our discussion of creation and where it all has come from. How do you square a loving God with an often brutal creation? What about nature red in tooth and claw? We look at how loving means allowing freedom to the beloved, explore the concept of tsimtsum and wonder ‘what are we to make of all this?’ It’s a bit of a quotefest, and more than a little mind-mangling at times. But if you need cheering up, listen to the ending!

• John V Taylor, The Christlike God
• Excerpt on ‘Tsimtsum’
• William C. Placher, Narratives of a Vulnerable God
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzimtzum

It’s all gone a bit cosmic this week, as we discuss the creation of, well, everything. Did it all come out of nothing? Is creation divine or does it simply point to the Divine? Is Wednesday really the best day for major cosmic events? And does the Horsehead nebula know just how good it looks? Also, Joe has issues with (a) anger and (b) cake.

• Nick Page: Christmas, Tradition, Truth and total Baubles
• The five marks of mission
• Julian of Norwich and the hazelnut
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We talk about getting fresh ideas into the winter wellness plan, and building accountability. There’s a discussion about what the ‘essence’ of church really is, and how the call to be ‘the body of Christ’ is a lot more literal than we sometimes imagine. Meanwhile, Joe has a new family member and Nick has been wondering why he went to Düsseldorf.

• Knot numbers hit record level at RSPB Snettisham
• How Did We Get Here?
• Between the Covers
• The Social Dilemma
• Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport
• Podmarch: Everybody Now – Climate Emergency and Sacred Duty

It’s our fourth birthday! We listen back to the first episode and reflect on where it all went wrong - sorry - I mean, all that we have learnt. How has our view of the Mid-faith Crisis changed? What is the core advice we would give for listeners who are just joining us? Also more on toadstools, wellness, the joy of making stuff, and whether Covid-19 will actually change the church at all. Thanks for listening!

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This week we look a bit more at spiritual wellness plans. Joe shares a lot of ideas, while Nick is mainly focused on guttering. But we do talk about the idea of winter thinking – and of the benefits of actually anticipating dark times, instead of being surprised by them. Also mushrooms, spiritual foraging, the return of Ethel and who is Brian?

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We talk about the need for patience in a society that expects instant solutions. Why did the early church talk about patience much more than they talked about evangelism? Why did Paul list patience and kindness as the two leading qualities of love? How do we train ourselves to be more patient as individuals and as a society? Also we talk but the need for a spiritual wellness plan as winter approaches, and whether the government should take communication advice from Baptist ministers.

• Alan Kreider, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church
• W.H. Vanstone, The Stature of Waiting
• Episode 104: ‘Strength to walk the journey’
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We’re back! Yes, Luxembourg’s premier Christianity podcast returns and in a revolutionary new approach to podcasting, instead of discussing a topic, we are discussing what topics we might like to discuss in future. Basically, we’ve forgotten what the podcast is about so we’re pitching ideas at each other. Do join in and let us know what you’d like to hear about. Also Joe claims worthing is now the foodie capital of Europe and Nick is on a contemplative challenge.

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