In this end of year episode, Anthony and Blaine unpack three invitations to a deeper life in God in 2025: communion with the Holy Spirit, unceasing prayer, and simplicity.

Mentioned in this episode:

Norman Grubb Rees Howells, Intercessor
Leonard Allen Poured Out
Jeffrey Greenman Life in the Spirit
Richard J Foster Prayer
Richard J Foster The Freedom of Simplicity
Mark Scandrette Free

The Acts of the Apostles is not a complete history of the Church in the first century. But it is a genre-blending masterpiece. It is a historical treasure trove, a catechetical resource, a theological revelation, and a user guide to life in the Church. In this episode Anthony and Blaine discuss St. Luke's origins, temple theology, Jewish diasporas, and generosity. 

To follow Jesus is to engage a political project: It is to submit to Jesus as he establishes his upside-down Kingdom by his Spirit through the Church.

Anthony and Blaine lay out a few core convictions for a style of political engagement that is anchored in the teachings of Jesus. Allegiance. Enemy love. Prayer. There is no more challenging, satisfying, and liberating way to minister to the life of the community than by embracing the foundational commandments of Jesus.

Mentioned in this episode:

A PDF of "A Christian Political Commitment"

Joshua Ryan Butler The Party Crasher
Daily Prayer for those far from Jesus
Matthew Bates Salvation by Allegiance Alone
Tyler Staton on Cultivating love of neighbor
Luke Bretherton
Jon Tyson on Christians in politics
Nigel Biggar Behaving in Public

What happened to the northern tribes after the Assyrian deportation? Were they ever gathered back from the nations? How does that relate to the diversity of church expressions today? Is that evidence of schism and disunity, or something else? In this episode Anthony and Blaine discuss Israel's narrative arc in the scriptures as well as an often-overlooked theme: over and over again, God uses the rending consequences of sin as a way to extend His grace to the ends of the earth.

Mentioned in this episode:

Jason A Staples: The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism
Jason A Staples: Paul and the Resurrection of Israel

Anthony and Blaine (and friends) interrupt their discussion of Church history with a brief, timely encouragement.

Anthony and Blaine continue their conversation on the Church by examining the canonical relationship between God and His covenant partners.

As Joseph Ratzinger put it, "The history of the relationship between Israel and Christendom is drenched with blood and tears."

That's true but it need not be that way. The history of the relationship between Israel and Christendom is fundamentally a history of God's faithfulness, self-revelation, and ultimate redemption.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joseph Ratzinger Many Religions - One Covenant
NT Wright Paul and the Faithfulness of God
NT Wright and Rabbi Mark Kinzer "A Dialogue on the Meaning of Israel"
Moshe Weinfeld "The Covenant of Grant in the Old Testament and in the Ancient Near East"
The Bible Project Ezra and Nehemiah

The Trinity is the fountainhead of reality and the mystery at the center of all things. And so it should go without saying (but it often doesn't) that the Church only makes sense when it's explored in terms of the triune God. In this episode, Blaine and Anthony start with the Trinity and survey salvation history to put the life of the Church in context. From the love of the Father to Covenant Theology, Dionysius the Areopagite's vision of creation to Russian Monastaries founded on perichoresis, this conversation lays the groundwork for a fruitful investigation of the Church.

Mentioned in this episode:

Scott Hahn A Father Who Keeps His Promises
NT Wright The Resurrection of the Son of God
Bruce Shelley Church History in Plain Language
Metropolitan Kallistos Ware The Orthodox Way
Bishop Robert Barron Word on Fire
Ian McFarland Word Made Flesh
James Torrence Worship, Community and the Triune God
The Wanderer
Gilgamesh
Hans Urs Von Balthasar Cosmic Liturgy
Athanasius On the Incarnation
Rob Avis Building Your Permaculture Property
Christopher Wright Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament
The Paradise King
Evlogetaria for the Dead
Stephen DeYoung The Religion of the Apostles

We're back.

In this episode, Anthony and Blaine map out the territory ahead and offer their thoughts on constructive engagement with Church history. In brief: be ecumenical, read like it's your job (wasn't it Aquinas who said "Beware the man of one book?") don't treat anyone (ancient or modern) as stupid, and plan to live differently.

Division in the Church is a matter of sin; unity and love in the Church reflects God's own desire. So buckle up: this series is going to be a ride.

You can catch up with Anthony and follow his writing career at https://x.com/anthonyashley
You can find Blaine at https://blaineeldredge.substack.com/

Mount Vigil is going on hiatus; we've wrapped up our two year long Story of God series and we'll be taking the next few months to pray into the future. We're living through the end of an age, as we've said before. That means we're facing unique pressures, and so we need to seek the face of the Lord as ask for His wisdom. We're not quite sure what will come out of this discernment process, but we'll be back next year. In the meantime, the Lord bless you and keep you. Warm regards from MV. 

In this conversation, Blaine and Anthony share a few thoughts on responding to current events in terms of allegiance to Jesus. The crisis involving Israel and Palestine is a divisive issue, if you hadn't noticed. The good news for us is that the Gospel of Jesus applies to situations exactly like this one and the Church is empowered by the Spirit to respond in an utterly unique way. We hope some of the thoughts here help you to love God, love your neighbor, and see and operate by the Spirit while Jesus makes it on earth as it is in heaven.