Insights

• The Gospel of Thomas is a collection of the sayings of Jesus and does not have a narrative like the other Gospels.
• The Gospel of Thomas was suppressed by early church leaders, particularly those who opposed the Valentinians.
• The Gospel of Thomas was found in 1945 in a clay jar buried in the desert.
• Scholars have dated the Gospel of Thomas to the early second century and believe it may have served as a Q document.
• The teachings in the Gospel of Thomas emphasize the oneness and connection with God and challenge hierarchical structures in the early church. The early Christian church adopted hierarchical, patriarchal, and uniform beliefs and practices after the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as its national religion.
• The Gospel of Thomas offers wisdom for steering the church towards a more egalitarian and community-based structure.
• Realizing our connection with God and one another is essential for loving and caring for others.
• The early church practiced secret teachings, and the shift towards hierarchical structures was a departure from the teachings of Jesus and Paul.

Chapters

Introduction and Keith Giles' Podcasts

Discovering the Gospel of Thomas

Dating the Gospel of Thomas and its Relationship to the Q Document

The Discovery of the Gospel of Thomas

Keith Giles' Interest in the Gospel of Thomas

Hierarchy, Patriarchy, and Uniformity in the Early Christian Church

The Gospel of Thomas: Wisdom for a More Egalitarian Church

Realizing Our Connection: The Key to Loving and Caring for Others

The Shift from Secret Teachings to Hierarchical Structures

Links:

Buy the Book Here: https://shorturl.at/JG3b0

Read the Blog here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

• The importance of stripping away layers of interpretation to reveal the true essence of Christ.
• The challenges of countering Christian nationalism and the significance of speaking the truth in love.
• The concept of God as a being and the implications of this understanding.
• The connection between spiritual formation and the inspiration behind the book 'Jesus Unpainted.' The nature of God is explored through the lens of personal relationship and the concept of 'I thou' rather than 'I it'.
• Faith is validated through personal relationship with God, not just by accepting principles or statements of faith.
• The LGBTQ community faces challenges within religious institutions, often experiencing a lack of genuine love and acceptance despite the language of inclusion.
• Inclusive churches should not only welcome but also empower and involve all individuals, ensuring accessibility for everyone in the community.
• Engaging with the local community and serving the parish is essential for meaningful church impact and relevance in the present age.
• A gentle leader embodies self-care, community counsel, humility, and a commitment to serving the needs of others.
• The concept of 'Little Lights' and 'Oboedire' provide platforms for daily meditation and deeper engagement with the author's writings and thoughts.

Links:

Connect to his Blog here: https://oboedire.wordpress.com/

Connect on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/little.lights.2024

Find books on Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/lGF9M

Chapters:

Introduction and Retirement Reflections

The Quilt and Its Story

Stripping Away Layers of Interpretation

Countering Christian Nationalism

Understanding God as a Being

Exploring the Nature of God and Faith

Challenges Faced by the LGBTQ Community in Religious Institutions

The Role of Inclusive and Accessible Churches

Engaging with the Local Community and Serving the Parish

Qualities of a Gentle Leader

Connecting with 'Little Lights' and 'Oboedire'

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

• Advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Church of the Nazarene is a complex and challenging endeavor, involving theological, social, and personal dimensions.
• The conversation sheds light on the tensions and complexities within the church and society regarding LGBTQ+ issues, highlighting the need for thoughtful dialogue and understanding.
• Thomas Jay Oord's journey of advocacy and the challenges he faces within his denomination provide insight into the evolving landscape of Christianity and the ongoing pursuit of inclusivity and social justice. The evolving understanding of LGBTQ+ issues has led to a shift in language and terminology, reflecting a broader and more inclusive perspective.
• Personal experiences, including interactions with LGBTQ+ individuals, have played a significant role in shaping perspectives and fostering empathy and understanding.
• The intersection of faith, science, and love is a complex and evolving space, with implications for theological discourse and social justice.
• The challenges faced by the Church of Nazarene reflect broader issues within denominations, including the retention of youth and the impact of LGBTQ+ inclusivity on membership and identity.
• Thomas Jay Oord's commitment to love, justice, and the pursuit of a more inclusive and empathetic faith community is evident throughout the conversation.

Buy his book here: https://shorturl.at/xYX5O

Check out his author page here: https://shorturl.at/1uDO4

Watch his YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbWoc_HfnC0

Chapters:

Denominational Charges and Consequences

Biblical Interpretation and Aesthetics

The Desire for Certainty and Authority

Evolving Language and Understanding of LGBTQ+ Issues

Personal Experiences and Empathy

Intersection of Faith, Science, and Love

The Question of Sin and Healthy Behavior

Love, Listening, and Humanizing the Issue

Challenges Faced by Denominations

Impact on Youth Retention and Future of Denominations

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Key Take Aways:

• Embrace the contradictions and dividedness that are inherent in being human.
• Loss and death are fundamental aspects of existence that shape our experiences.
• Grief should be acknowledged and processed as a natural part of life.
• The death of God and the tearing of the temple curtain challenge the idea of liminality as a space where the finite and infinite meet.
• Certain objects capture a sense of transcendence and the eternal within them, rather than behind them.
• Christianity is radical in its belief in the death of God and the alienation within the divine.
• Hope is the driving force that motivates us to work for something better in the present moment.
• A better understanding of God in the modern world embraces self-division and ontological unknowing.
• Living in the present moment and embracing self-division can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic experience of life.

Chapters:

-Introduction and Espresso

-The Northern Ireland Peace Process

-The Apocalyptic Perspective and Psychoanalysis

-The Redemptive Power of Embracing Loss and Death

-Critiquing the Notion of Liminality

-The Eternal Within Objects

-The Role of Hope and the Present Moment

-Embracing Self-Division and Ontological Unknowing

Links:

Find Peter on the Web: https://peterrollins.com/

Find Peter on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCweF6BScvFnbsymouI-znDA

Find Peter's Books on Amazon: https://rb.gy/yu7zje

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminalliving

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0ow

Follow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living

All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Buy the book: https://www.ivpress.com/when-god-became-white

Listen to the pod: https://www.christiancentury.org/podcast/madang

Read her Blog: https://gracejisunkim.wordpress.com/

Subscribe Substack: https://gracek.substack.com/

• Names hold deep significance in Korean culture, connecting individuals to their family and generations.
• Understanding race as a social construct is essential in dismantling racism.
• Whitewashing biblical stories perpetuates whiteness and reinforces white supremacy.
• Theological creedal development should be reexamined to ensure it does not reinforce whiteness.
• Solidarity and hope are necessary in the fight against racism and the decolonization of the Christian faith.

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Check out Ben's Website here: https://www.benjaminkatt.com/

Grab Ben's Book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250910447?tag=macmillan-20

Leaving the familiar and falling into the unknown are two distinct stages of a transformative journey. Leaving the familiar involves recognizing the need for change and making a decisive break from the past, while falling into the unknown is the disorienting and challenging period of transition.

Returning home after a transformative journey can be difficult, as one may no longer fit into the social identity or conformity of their previous community. It may require setting new boundaries, rearranging relationships, and finding new soul friends who understand and support the journey.

Practices such as meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature can help center oneself and maintain a sense of stillness and internal reference amidst change. These practices can also foster self-discovery and a deeper connection with one's own soul and purpose.

The hero's journey, as seen in literature and movies, reflects the universal pattern of leaving the familiar, falling into the unknown, and returning home transformed. This journey is about discovering the core essential self and aligning with the flow of one's own life.

Ben Katt is a meditation teacher, hospice chaplain, and coach. He is the author of THE WAY HOME: Discovering the Hero’s Journey to Wholeness at Midlife. Ben teaches meditation in prisons and facilitates wellbeing experiences for companies and organizations. He is a certified advanced meditation teacher, holds a Master of Divinity degree, and is a former ordained minister. He lives in Milwaukee, WI with his wife and three children.

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

You can buy the book here: https://upperroombooks.com/book/looking-inward-living-outward/

You can connect with Daniel here: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.wolpert.1

• Contemplation frees individuals from habits and patterns that cause suffering and promotes compassion and care.
• Contemplation is not just an individual practice, but also a communal one.
• Contemplative psychology explores the concept of the human person as a bundle of habits and activities that create our sense of self and the world.
• Contemplation can dissolve ego habits and projections, leading to more humane and loving relationships.
• The integration of contemplation and action is essential for social transformation. The ego constructs a sense of self based on our sensory input, leading to patterns of confirmation bias and repetitive behavior.
• Contemplation allows the mind to slow down and see the construction process of the ego, leading to a more open and expansive sense of self.
• Powerful presence is not about charisma or ego-driven leadership, but about being fully present and caring for others without personal agendas.
• Our society worships money and wealth, often distorting or ignoring teachings on generosity and economic justice.
• Engaging in the spiritual life can bring about personal and societal transformation, even in the face of suffering and uncertainty.
• Hope is not about clinging to a specific outcome, but about letting go of ego-driven expectations and trusting in the power of love and creativity.

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

You can preorder the book here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250893277/life-after-doom

You can find Brian's work here: https://brianmclaren.net/

1. Introduction
2. The Conflict Between Conservative Faith and Love for Nature
3. Facing a New Situation
4. The Impact of Climate Change and Rising Depression
5. The Importance of Spiritual Help
6. The Power of Naming Grief
7. The Complicated Nature of Hope
8. Superficial Hope vs. Deeper Hope
9. Rethinking Economic Paradigms
10. Living in Harmony with Nature
11. Creating Safe Landings and Imagining a Sustainable Future
12. Questioning History: European Intellectuals and Atrocities of War
13. The Role of Repentance
14. Finding New Ways of Being and Centers of Gravity
15. Recognizing and Dismantling Abusive Power Structures
16. Expressing Gratitude and Building Connections

Find us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/

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Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0ow

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree