Mid-faith Crisis

Forgiveness is, perhaps, the most characteristically Christian thing that we do. But what does it look like? How do we go about forgiving those who have hurt us? We discuss strategies for forgiving others, how it sets us free and how we are really all just Jesus tribute acts. Added bonus feature: Who is Ethel Sadoldperson?

Books mentioned:

We say that ‘God is love’. But how do we know that? This episode explores the need for experiences, feelings and emotions. We look at the need for new experiences, new metaphors, new ways of understanding, and how these things can breathe life back into old phrases which might have lost their power and meaning. It also begins with Joe singing: you have been warned.

In which our heroes sit on a bench in the North Devon countryside, and ramble on about how the knowledge that God loves us can transform our lives. Featuring sheep, house martins, and a van passing by.

In which our heroes discuss the value and practice of going on retreat and the need for solitude, silence and reflection. Including our top tips for those thinking of going on retreat (#retreathacks). Plus feedback on the whole ‘calling’ thing, and there’s a story from the Desert Fathers, as opposed to the Dessert Fathers.

Stuff we mentioned…

In which we look at calling, guidance and all that stuff. Do you have to be called to the ministry or is it OK just to want to give it a go? Does God micro-manage our life, or is it all a lot more up to us? And what does it mean to hear from God. Meanwhile, Joe is panicking about Lee Abbey and King Lear sends his love.

Joe interviews Steve Chalke. Always engaging and thought-provoking, he talks about how we wrongly define church, what the gospel is and the meaning of the Greek word, pistis. No, really.

Along with a humungous amount of excellent, thought-provoking feedback this week, Joe temporarily masters technology enough to record an interview with listener Shane Styles, whose guidelines for social media use we both found so helpful.

Shane’s 10 steps on finding the balance and disengagement:

In what can only be described as a ‘low-key’ episode, our heroes meet in a hotel in the countryside somewhere to discuss the future of the podcast, whether Hitler can be forgiven, Stanley Spencer and Joe’s new found fame on another podcast. Also listener Shane gives us some great guidelines on using social media. Plus a brief special guest appearance from our better halves.

Shane’s 10 steps on finding the balance and disengagement:

Stanley Spencer: Sandham Memorial Chapel

Spencer: The Resurrection of the Soldiers

In which our heroes discuss hell, damnation and other associated, cheery subjects. Is there such a thing as an orthodox view of hell? What are the options? We explore what the Bible says (not a lot), what the early church believed (different things) and just where the idea of a loving, just creator God fits in. Plus, we invent the Gehenna Tattoo and  feature excerpts from Jonathan ‘Laughing Boy’ Edwards’ classic chuckle-fest Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. 

Some books and websites mentioned during the show:

In which our heroes discuss the need to detach from distractions, especially social media and all that stuff. We talk about the need for space in our lives, and how to detach from the things which stop us doing the ‘deep work’ that is so necessary, both in our professional and our spiritual lives.