The Eikon Podcast

The Cross is the center of Mark's Gospel. Even though most Christian churches would identify it as their community's central symbol and heart, are we in danger of making the Cross too small? Have we embraced important elements of it but missed aspects that are just as important? The Eikon team looks at the tragedy of crucifixion but argues that the Cross is anything but. And understanding the difference is vitally important.

The Eikon team looks at Mark's stringing together of three incidents where people have the truth and wisdom of God right in front of them but tragically reject it, opting for power. But in those acts of rejection, the cross-shaped king takes his throne. These incidents should cause us to reflect on ways that we might reject the truth of the cross for something a little more comfortable and to our liking.

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The Eikon team examines the emotional evening at Gethsemane and the events that immediately followed and wrestle with questions that arise as the way of the cross intersects with the violence of the world. Was non-violence a central tenet of the early church and if so, why is it not for many churches today? Would the early Christians have seen that as an anti-gospel?

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While having a type of Passover meal with his new family, Jesus redefined the temple presence of God, gave meaning to a renewed covenant with God, and demonstrated one of the most shocking and personal acts of patient love in the entire New Testament. The Eikon team looks at this touching personal moment between Jesus and his closest disciples and discusses the immense challenge of imitating Jesus' heart and character shown here in our own lives.

Is Mark 13 about the end of the world and the rapture? The Eikon team welcomes Gianna back, looks at Mark 13 in its historical context, and delves into the relatively brief history of the church's rapture and the cultural impact it has had on modern Christianity.

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Jesus reserved his most direct critiques for spiritual leaders who used their position to advance their own prestige and position rather than laying down their lives for others. The Eikon team looks at two short passages where Jesus takes on this kind of misuse of authority and then discussed how that should warn and challenge spiritual leaders in today's church.


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The Eikon team looks at one of Jesus' most explosive confrontations. Those who were embroiled in his day's political issues demanded that he choose a side and publicly declare his loyalties. What Jesus did next shocked everyone and continues to challenge and guide us today in some of the most contentious areas of our faith.

Mark 11:12-26 depicts Jesus cursing a fig tree and acting subversively in the Temple. These are actions that are largely lost on a modern audience but ones that were clearly understood by both Jesus' disciples and the Jewish leaders, a rare occurrence that should tip us off to the importance of what Jesus was doing. What he did in the Temple was so confrontational that is likely the single act that caused Jesus to be killed. Yet, we can be very much in danger of missing the importance of justice to Jesus and the implications of not pursuing it.

The tone and focus of Mark shift dramatically in Chapter 11 as Jesus finally arrives in Jerusalem. Competing visions of the meaning of Jesus' kingship clash as the crowds do not get the crescendo they appear to be hoping for. The crowds were seeking God but were they willing to be transformed by Jesus? The Eikon team considers the depth and profundity of that question and talks about what exactly Jesus was doing and what Mark wants us to see. Today's guest co-host is Stevi Wood from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Note: This episode mentions a short interview update with Gianna Hearn will be at the end of the episode. Unfortunately, there are some technical difficulties with that. We will try to have that update as a separate very short bonus episode later in the week if possible. 

Mark's challenge to the church hits its high point in this account of a blind man named Bartimaeus. His warning: the disciples who were in the closest proximity to Jesus were spiritually blind and didn't know it. What does take to be the fourth soil from the parable of the sower? It wasn't the disciples who showed the way. It was one of the least likely people. The Eikon team welcomes special guest, Deniedra Fontenette, and discusses the implications of Mark's challenge for the contemporary church.