In our next episode, Patrick and Jonah go deeper into Paul’s understanding of God’s work to shape a “people”, the whole idea of ancient Israel. What is revealed is that the separating off and forming of one nation always had the larger mission of reintegration and “blessing” within it. The story of God’s chosen people was meant to grow into a new humanity and community, one that ultimately unites and reconciles all people to one another. Paul understood that the mystery of Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection was not simply about an individual being, but about the death and resurrection of a people—a people that will continue to expand until all who can unite themselves with Him are included.

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The next episode in our series focuses on the particular way that Jesus Christ works with sin, or human error. We are reminded that Christ condemned no human being while on earth; his condemnation was directed towards his true adversary. Nor does Christ condemn us now. Instead, he offers love, understanding and compassion for the great work we are in and what we struggle against. Can we humble ourselves in such a way that, moment to moment, the possibility exists for us to see our errors? From that place, can we ask for help, from God and from each other? Perhaps more importantly, can we stretch our hearts to love as Christ loves — embracing and incorporating all the threads of our disharmony into His pure and beautiful song?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

Jonah and Patrick continue to draw parallels between Paul’s first encounter with Christ Jesus and writer Naomi Wolf’s encounter with Jesus years ago, only recently described publicly in her essay “The Thing I Feared Most to Write.” What does it take to open ourselves to receiving something that lies well beyond our everyday consciousness? Are we willing to be changed forever? Christ Jesus’ heart holds the grief of the world and profound joy and love, all at the same time. Can our hearts stretch to encompass both realities, even for a moment? Can we make a home for Him?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this episode, we return to Paul’s image of a living temple formed by joining together human beings who were once divided (Eph 2:14-22). Christ’s peace reconciles us to God and allows for God to dwell in us. How will this new temple community continue to grow? Patrick and Jonah share the story of well known author Naomi Wolf’s experience of meeting Jesus. How does her encounter shed light on our own glimpses of Christ and his heavenly kingdom woven through our earthly experience?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The next episode in our series takes us deeper into Ephesians 2, beginning with Jonah’s question “Where is Christ today? How can we find him?” Patrick answers by describing the biblical history of the temple, meant to house God on earth. Where is the new temple? Paul understands that the seat of the throne of God is destined to be in the hearts of human beings who long for healing.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself bing the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Eph 2:19-22)

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this episode, we are reminded of the many ways our hearts are divided from one another. Jonah brings in the story of Paul’s approval of Steven’s persecution as a poignant example of this division. Saul/Paul is forever changed when he comes to recognize that by persecuting Steven, he is persecuting Christ. Paul’s direct experience of Christ Jesus’ radiant light and love shining down on him as he travels toward Damascus, is what continues to shine through his letters. This recognition united his heart with Steven’s heart and with God’s heart, breaking down the walls that divide us. Paul understands that Christ is the universal medicine that heals our egotism. He experienced firsthand the true self that is received through Christ and reconciles us with our brothers and sisters. Are we willing to die to our old selves and receive new life through Him?

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” Eph 2:14-16 (ESV)

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this episode, Patrick brings a new perspective on the Paul’s description of humanity as “children of wrath,” ruled by our impulsive natures, our passions and our desires (Eph 2:1-7). God in his great mercy and love for humanity “made us alive together with Christ” and a new self was born. Paul tells us that Christ has taken us into Himself and raised us up into the heavenly realms with Him. Meanwhile, we are still left to wrestle with our immature selves—the impulsive, passionate, willful aspects of our beings. When we aspire to love as Christ loved, with mercy and compassion, we can hope to find new life. Can we find the strength to love all that is coming towards us in this moment?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this episode, Jonah and Patrick begin to take us deeper into Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 2:1-3 and the question of wrath in all its complexity. What does Paul mean when he describes humankind as children of wrath? What is the wrath of God? And what, if anything, does wrath have to do with a God who “has his being in love?” Can we separate certain spiritual truths from the corrupted, fallen expression of violent discipline at the hands of parents who are also claiming to love us?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.