This We Believe: Exploring the Essential Texts of the Christian Faith

What does it mean for Christians to be the salt of the earth? How do Christians impact the world without being overcome by it?

This episode unpacks Jesus' first statement after the Beatitudes: “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.”

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

Why is it that Christians who exhibit mercy and meekness should expect to be treated poorly by the world? If Jesus is the true way to all that is good, true, and beautiful, then why will Christians be reviled for believing in him?
This episode addresses the final two beatitudes: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake," and "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you." 

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

What does it mean to be a peacemaker, and how do actively make peace with others in the world? How does are ability to be at peace with God effect our ability to be peacemakers with our friends?
This episode discusses the seventh Beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

What does it mean to be pure in heart? Is holiness something that we achieve, or something God does for us? What is the relationship between purity of heart and a vision of the face of God?

This episode discusses the sixth Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

Why do Christians proclaim “Lord have Mercy, Christ Have Mercy” each Sunday at Church? How can God be merciful and justice, and what is the relationship between justice and mercy? What does it mean for us to show mercy on our enemies?
This episode discusses the beatitude “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

What does it mean to be righteous, and how do we become righteous? How can we hunger and thirst for something other than food?  This episode discusses the fourth Beatitude: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

What does it mean to be meek? Why should we not retaliate when someone harms us? How do we endure harm without having it effect our identity? This episode discusses the third Beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

Why do we mourn, and what do we mourn for? Is the comfort that Jesus promises to mourners a present comfort, or something that only comes in the future? This episode discussed the second Beatitude: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

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*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? How is humility the opposite of pride? How do we grow in humility, and what should we expect to receive when we do?
This episode examines the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

Support the show

*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]

Why does Jesus begin the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes? Are the beatitudes works we should try to perform, or something different? How do the blessings that Jesus offers in the Beatitudes differ from the blessings of the world?

This episode continues our series on the Sermon on the Mount with an introduction to the Beatitudes.

Support the show

*New Book* From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament https://a.co/d/02dKL9Ub

https://michaelniebauer.substack.com/
Twitter: @We_Believe_Pod
E-mail: [email protected]