Takeaways

• Hold beliefs loosely and be open to subjective experiences and objective evidence.
• Recognize the limitations of creedal faith and the need for a more contextualized understanding of God.
• Explore the concept of oneness and the connection between mysticism, science, and different religious traditions.
• Embrace a sense of awe, gratitude, and responsibility towards everyone and everything.
• Question and challenge traditional beliefs and seek a more expansive spirituality.
• Contextualizing God in the modern culture requires holding beliefs more loosely and embracing the diversity of religious and theological perspectives.
• Reflecting on what is essential to one's faith and being open to different interpretations can help address improper understandings of God.
• Moving away from a fear-based understanding of religion and focusing on love, compassion, and service can lead to a healthier and more inclusive spirituality.
• Exploring different spiritual practices and engaging with diverse religious traditions can deepen one's understanding and connection to ultimate reality.
• Questioning and reevaluating beliefs is a necessary part of spiritual growth and evolution.

Chapters

• Larry's Background and Retirement
• Exploring Faith and Writing a Book
• Questioning Beliefs and Evolution of Thought
• Contextualizing God in Modern Culture
• The Limitations of Creedal Faith
• Challenges of Modern Christianity
• Contextualizing God in the Modern Culture
• Moving Away from Fear-Based Religion
• Questioning and Reevaluating Beliefs
• Exploring Different Spiritual Practices

Links:

Buy the Book here: [click here for Amazon link]

Connect with Larry Here: https://larryjordanauthor.com/

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

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

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Take Aways

• Liminality is the space between what was and what will be, where we are trying to figure out how to be in a rapidly changing world.
• High-control religious environments can be toxic and manipulative, exerting authority over individuals and stifling personal growth.
• It is important to recognize and reject religious jargon that seeks to control and manipulate others.
• Reclaiming common human experiences, such as compassion, honesty, and justice, can help transcend religious boundaries and foster understanding.
• When confronted with high-control individuals, it is important to remember that you are not crazy, not engage in their games, and find a way to exit the conversation.

Chapters

Introduction to Liminal Living Podcast

The Impact of Liminality on Individuals and Society

Criticism of Christian Supremacy and Institutional Christianity

The Manipulative Nature of High-Control Religious Environments

Rejecting Religious Jargon and Embracing Human Universals

Dealing with High-Control Individuals

Conclusion and Invitation to Future Conversations

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

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree

Take Aways

• Meeting tangible needs in the community is an important expression of faith.
• Faith is a journey of growth and evolving perspectives.
• Extending grace and love to others is a central aspect of the Christian faith.
• The stigma of tattoos in the Christian context can be challenged and reevaluated.
• Personal expressions of art, such as tattoos, can be a way to build relationships and express one's faith. The cultural acceptance of tattoos in the church is influenced by historical and societal factors, such as the sexual revolution and the Reformation.
• Art, including tattoos, can be a powerful tool for communicating the gospel and bridging the gap between the sacred and the secular.
• God can be found in secular spaces, and Christians should strive to embrace and engage with the world around them.
• The church should value and appreciate creativity and the arts as a means of expressing and experiencing God's presence.

Chapters

• Introduction and Background
• From Atheism to Faith
• The Evolution of Faith
• The Love for Tattoos
• Challenging Stigmas and Expressing Faith
• Bridging the Gap: Art and the Gospel
• God in Secular Spaces: Embracing the World
• The Importance of Creativity in the Church

Links:

Buy the book on July 30th: https://shorturl.at/W65VZ

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

Highlights:

• Embrace the ongoing process of spiritual growth and recognize that there is no arrival point.
• Question expectations that God will make everything smooth sailing and happy.
• Allow God the freedom to be creative in how He works in your life and the lives of others.
• Recognize the tension between the objective and subjective experiences of God and embrace both.
• Don't compare your spiritual journey to others, as each person's experience is unique. Experiencing God cannot be forced or limited to specific activities; it requires openness and a release of expectations.
• The lack of space for doubt and lament in Christian worship songs, sermons, and church spaces can hinder authentic expression and growth.
• Knowing the stories of God's people throughout history, including their struggles and questions, can provide comfort and perspective in times of doubt and anger.
• A theology that acknowledges suffering and difficult questions is essential for a mature and authentic faith.
• Faith is a fluid journey, and it may not fit neatly into a specific label or category. The focus should be on living out the kingdom of God in everyday life.

Chapters:

Introduction and Setting the Tone

Eric's Journey to Denver

Questioning Expectations and God's Provision

Looking Back and Adjusting Theology

Growing Up in a Christian Family

Exploring Different Theologies

Seeking Theological Education

Discovering Spiritual Formation

Shifting Understanding of God

The Objective and Subjective Experiences of God

Experiencing God and Releasing Expectations

The Challenge of Prayer and Expressing Anger

The Lack of Space for Doubt and Lament in Christian Community

Knowing the Stories of God's People

The Need for a Theology of Suffering

The Fluidity of Faith and the Search for Authenticity

Living Out the Kingdom of God

Links:

Find Eric here: https://www.ericnevins.com/

Listen to Halfway There here: https://shorturl.at/Ysnzx

Watch this Interview here: https://youtu.be/gHrp_37JB8I

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

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/

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

• 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'

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

• 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

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

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