How the Beatitudes in Matthew reveal a radical, countercultural path to human flourishing—offering a lasting peace and joy our culture can't replicate. Mike, Tim, and Bonnie welcome pastor and author Jonathan Dodson for an in-depth conversation around his book "Our Good Crisis: Overcoming Moral Chaos with the Beatitudes." Together, they unpack the meaning behind Jesus's powerful moral vision, juxtapose it with America's obsession with self-fulfillment, and explore how spiritual poverty, grief, meekness, and peacemaking lead to deeper blessing and healing.

Key Takeaways: • Redefining Blessing Through the Beatitudes – Jesus calls "blessed" those who mourn, are poor in spirit, and persecuted—not the empowered, comfortable, or self-sufficient. • The Age of the Big Me vs. Spiritual Humility – Exploring how modern culture promotes pride through activism, therapy, and personal branding, while Jesus invites us into humble dependence on God. • Peacemaking vs. Performative Outrage – How followers of Jesus are called to enter cultural conversations with empathy, humility, and a longing for full reconciliation—not just online posturing. • Embracing Mourning and Lament – Finding comfort not by escaping grief, but by embracing it as part of the Christian journey. Learning how lament brings healing and integrates loss into our lives. • The Power of Meekness in a Hostile Age – Why true strength looks like restraint, listening, and self-sacrifice—and how this radically subverts traditional narratives about leadership and influence.

Guest Highlights: Jonathan Dodson – Founding pastor of City Life Church in Austin, TX, and author of Our Good Crisis. Jonathan shares inspiring stories, biblical wisdom, and a timely challenge to embrace the beauty of the Beatitudes in the midst of cultural confusion and moral upheaval.

Resources Mentioned: • Our Good Crisis by Jonathan Dodson – Amazon • Jonathan Dodson's writings and blog – jonathandodson.org • City Life Church, Austin – citylifeaustin.org • The Road to Character by David Brooks • Be the Bridge (Latasha Morrison) – bethebridge.com • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk • Podcast on Lament – [Link to previous Voxology episode on lament]

Join the conversation and rediscover how the Beatitudes can help you reclaim hope, humility, and purpose in the chaos. Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a review, and follow along on social media to stay present in this journey.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy