Twelve Enough

Full notes can be found at twelveenough.com

The riliage for episode 8 - note the brilliant move Eric makes from driving to the Lord’s Supper. Note that Jonathan only seems to have one thing to get angry about this time of year.

Andrew Malone joins Jonathan for this “Watcha Into” episode to discuss Van Morrison’s great album Moondance. Andrew, Jonathan’s brother, is a local musician in the Boston area. He has played with Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra, World’s Greatest Sinners, and Jordan Valentine and the Sunday Saints. Check out Andrew’s musical breakbeats at his website www.andrewmalone.com

Despite the amount of times that Jonathan says it, he really doesn’t want you to stop listening. He is actually glad that you listen. We are all glad that you listen. What we are hearing is the full snobbery of Jonathan emerging from time to time, but it is really no surprise. What is the surprise is that Jonathan actually listened to Moondance; this is not in his usual listening cue.

In discussing Moondance, Jonathan and Andrew talk about the value of a safe, controlled song, the comfort it offers, and when that is appropriate. They also talk about what makes something a classic and why it is important to listen to classics. Also heard are selections from Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother and Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

Andrew also mentioned the following video of Van Morrison playing “Caravan” with “The Band”: Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44wDwMQVqCc

And, as the Christmas season nears, listen to this song that Andrew and Jonathan recorded years ago: http://www.andrewmalone.com/christmas/songs/christmas%20tree.mp3

The prophet Micaiah is often overlooked, but Jonathan and Michael want to take that time to give this unsung curmudgeon his due.

12s11e7b – The Deep Conversation

Every time Rev. Paul Robeson Ford is on the podcast you know that it is going to be great, and this is no different. However, this is the first time that Jonathan has had Paul on the podcast and did not buy him breakfast. Paul is the Senior Pastor of the 1st Baptist Church on Highland Ave. at Winston, Salem, NC.

Next year, in October, many in our country are taking time to recognize the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans sold into slavery in North America. As systemic racism and white privilege are still very real parts of who we are as a nation it is imperative that people of faith take time to discuss and wrestle with the various implications that the narrative of slavery and racism have on our lives today.

This is especially important for white Christians to come to a place of owning what it means to have privilege because of their ethnicity. This is the focus of the conversation with Paul and Jonathan.

Paul likes watching Jonathan squirm and struggle with this sensitive topic, and we are glad to say that Jonathan does not squirm too much – just the right amount. He is a white man who needs to own his privilege and the place in society. But owning it is not enough, as a person of faith he (and all white people) are called to speak a sense of sorrow, of truth, and of repentance on such an anniversary.

The history of slavery and racism has made a mark in the narrative of America that continues to harm and hurt all people in various ways. White Christians need to learn, to read, to listen, to ask, and then to listen some more. And invite others into the conversation that starts with listening.

Here are some books that Paul and Jonathan recommend you read in preparing for the 400th anniversary:

Kelly Brown Douglas, Stand Your Ground

Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me

Cornel West, Race Matters

James Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree

Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow

Peggy McIntosh, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy

Go to the website: http://www.400yearsofinequality.org/

Listen to James Baldwin’s Pin Drop Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUBh9GqFU3A

As always, thanks for listening. Check out the website: www.twelveenough.com Send your comments and questions to [email protected], and don’t forget to rate the show on iTunes.

A Riliage Episode

 We are joined again by April Beth Wiles! April Beth hasn’t been on the episode in a while and it is great to have her, to hear her wisdom, and her deep, deep rage. Check out her work at https://renewalground.wordpress.com/  April Beth and Jonathan are just doing the riliage for this episode, and there is a lot to rile about.

Jonathan is angry about the Kavanaugh Trial, and all the ugly baggage that is connected with that circus.

April Beth is calmer, cooler, more connected with the bigger picture and calls people to be aware of those who are living with chronic illnesses. So often we in the church community do not give the kind of support that we should. The road to misery is paved with well-meaning gestures. Try to be a little more understanding of those who struggle with a chronic illness!

As always, thanks for listening. Check out the website: www.twelveenough.com Send your comments and questions to [email protected], and don’t forget to rate the show on iTunes.

Next Episode – the Deep Conversation with Paul Robeson Ford

Jonathan is joined by Tony Bartlett. Tony is the resident theologian of the Bethel House project of the Wood Hath Hope Community.

The Deep Conversation

Tony Bartlett has written a book. Actually, he has written a number of books, but one specifically that Jonathan has read and that the two talked about. Seven Stories: How to Study and Teach the Nonviolent Bible. Tony is offering a great work that can be a teacher’s guide for a comprehensive Bible study or to offer an individual’s read of scripture that embraces the notion of non-violence.

Using Rene Girard, Bartlett is offering a reading of scripture that moves out of the place of violence. Now, of course, Jonathan doesn’t want to spend time talking about that, but instead about Rahner and hermeneutics and the Holy Spirit and such. He is a knit-picky kind of person who can’t just accept what he reads for what it is.

Regardless, the Bible is an important book that does not have to be only about violence as many may say that it is. The Bible is about God’s redemption, love, and non-violent way to live. Tony offer to guide you in this liberating way of reading the Bible.

As always, thanks for listening. Check out the website: www.twelveenough.com Send your comments and questions to [email protected], and don’t forget to rate the show on iTunes.

Next Episode - ???

riliage was recorded on July 4 - that should mean something. Scripture is Ephesians 1:15-23

a deep conversation about call and living into that call with all of the challenges and blessings that are connected

Riliage - the inflexibility of the church and pledge drives

Scripture - Acts 8:26-40