Episodes

  • S6E193: New Creation 22: Should Baptism be a Parent’s Primary Goal?
    Sep 5 2024

    Gianna, Jason, and Michael discuss the challenges and misconceptions of marriage and parenting within the context of new creation theology. They emphasize the importance of power-with rather than power-over in parenting and the need for vulnerability and authenticity in marriage. They also highlight the significance of modeling Jesus in both parenting and marriage, rather than just teaching about Jesus. The team then explores the idea of whether baptism should be the primary goal of parenting.

    Chapters
    00:00 – Introduction
    8:54 - Making Sense of New Creation Families
    11:34 - The Pressure to Look Good in a Traditional Christian Family
    11:56 - Living Out New Creation in Marriages and as Parents
    12:15 - Challenges of Marriage and Parenting
    19:39 - Parenting with Power With
    25:22 - Modeling Jesus in Marriage
    36:08 - Embracing the Process of Growth
    43:39 - Living Out New Creation Theology in Marriage and Parenting

    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • S6E192: New Creation 21: Should We Worship All the Time?
    Aug 26 2024

    In this episode, Michael, Gianna, and Jason discuss the danger of placing too much emphasis on specific spiritual practices and judging others based on their level of engagement in those practices. They also highlight the significance of work, leisure, and everyday activities as acts of worship. The conversation concludes by acknowledging that everyone's journey of worship is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

    Chapters
    00:00- Introduction and Welcome
    11:21 - Redefining Worship: Beyond Singing and Religious Practices
    20:22 - Understanding Worship: A Disconnect Between Bible and Vernacular
    27:42 - Worship as an Orientation of the Heart
    30:19 - Expanding the Definition of Worship
    36:39 - Work and Everyday Activities as Worship
    46:11 - Embracing a Unique Journey of Worship

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 7 mins
  • S6E191: New Creation 20: Race in the New Creation
    Aug 19 2024

    The conversation explores the concept of race in the context of new creation. It discusses how race is a construct that emerged in the 15th century. The discussion highlights that race is not a biblical concept and that the Bible focuses more on cultural and religious practices rather than physical attributes. The conversation also touches on the dehumanizing nature of race and the biblical call to challenge and dismantle things like racial hierarchies.

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction and Discussion on the Olympics
    13:13 - The Concept of Race in the Bible
    19:01 - The Emergence of Race as a Construct
    25:16 - The Dehumanizing Nature of Race
    29:48 - The Deep-Rooted Issue of Racism
    30:38 - The Perpetuation of Racial Superiority
    35:31 - Dismantling the Structures of Racism
    36:48 - A New Creation Approach to Racism
    49:54 - The Limitations of Current Solutions
    56:36 - The Need for a Biblical Perspective on Race

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • S6E190: The Other Realm: Deliverance from Demon Possession
    Aug 12 2024

    In this conversation, Michael Burns and Thabani Antony Mashava discuss deliverance ministries and their focus on freeing people from demonic oppression. What does this Bible have to say about the practice of exorcising demons? Is that something we should be doing today?

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction and Update on Teaching Ministry in Africa
    11:12 - Discussing Deliverance Ministries
    22:51 - Critiquing Deliverance Ministries
    26:10 - The Problems with Deliverance Ministries
    28:57 - The True Power: Faith, Righteousness, and the Word of God
    34:13 - Understanding Jesus' Authority and the Role of the Church
    37:29 - Testing Spirits and Questioning Experiences
    57:49 - Focusing on Jesus and His Authority

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • S6E189: New Creation 19: Olympic Outrage, Political Engagement, and the New Creation
    Aug 5 2024

    Michael and Jason discuss the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the different reactions to the controversy, and the binary nature of the response. They explore the idea of loving others while also standing firm in one's convictions. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the need for Christians to confront their own fears and trust in God's sovereignty, rather than getting caught up in the culture wars.

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction and Discussion of Olympic Sports
    09:40 - Controversy Surrounding the Opening Ceremony
    14:09 - The Three Camps: Love, Outrage, and Indifference
    16:46 - Escaping the Binary: Loving Others and Holding Firm to Convictions
    30:18 - The Dangers of Binary Thinking
    36:12 - Dealing with Fear and Anxiety
    44:33 - The Role of the Church
    53:20 - Finding Refuge in God

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • S6E188: New Creation 18: Your Job and The New Creation
    Jul 29 2024

    Gianna, Michael, and Jason discuss the challenges of being image-bearers in different work environments and the temptation to prioritize career advancement over living out new creation values. They explore the idea that work is a form of worship and how it should be done with excellence and for the glory of God because work is not just a necessary evil or a means to an end, but a noble calling that reflects the values of new creation. They conclude with examples of how individuals can live out the new creation in their work, even in challenging circumstances.

    Chapters
    00:00 – Introduction
    08:00 - Approaching Work with Worship and Service
    15:27 - Challenging the Notion of Retirement in Heaven
    19:16 -Living Out New Creation in Our Work
    25:19 - Expanding Eden Through Our Work
    33:36 - Living as the New Creation in Our Vocations
    37:32 - Challenges of Being the New Creation in Different Work Environments
    52:11 - Work as a Form of Worship
    55:36 - Excellence and Humility in Our Work
    01:06:08 - Serving Others as the New Creation in Our Work

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 7 mins
  • S6E187: New Creation 17: Justice and Identity
    Jul 16 2024

    Michael, Jason, and Giana first address a misunderstanding about their views on justice and clarify that they advocate for justice using the tools of the kingdom of God. They then move on to discuss the concept of identity and its connection to new creation. They explore how society has shifted from God being the identity giver to individuals creating their own identities. They conclude by discussing the role of the church in fostering a sense of identity rooted in new creation principles.

    Chapters
    00:00- Introduction and Rap Discussion
    07:07 - Misunderstanding about Justice
    16:46 - Navigating Peace and Violence
    23:27 - Resistance and 'A Hidden Life'
    27:22 - Identity and New Creation
    30:27 - The Shift in Society's View of Identity
    36:41 - The Social Nature of Identity
    50:28 - Finding Our True Identity as Image Bearers
    57:20 - The Role of the Church in Fostering Identity

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • S6E186: The Other Realm: Possession and Exorcism
    Jul 8 2024

    Today’s conversation explores the correlation between trauma and belief in the spiritual realm, as well as the relevance of Christianity in traditional African contexts. The approach discussed is to listen, ask questions, and help individuals understand the power and authority of Jesus. It is emphasized that spiritual warfare is about living a life of obedience to the gospel rather than directly confronting spiritual entities. The danger lies in turning away from faith, not in being possessed against one's will. The conversation also touches on the topic of deliverance ministries and their potential benefits and dangers.

    Takeaways
    - Christianity in Africa has a range of beliefs and practices regarding demon possession and exorcism.
    - Some denominations dismiss or deny the existence of possession, while others actively engage in exorcisms.
    - It is important to differentiate between mental health issues and genuine cases of possession. There is often a correlation between trauma and belief in the spiritual realm.
    - The approach to engaging with individuals who have experienced spiritual phenomena should involve listening, asking questions, and helping them understand the power and authority of Jesus.
    - Spiritual warfare is primarily about living a life of obedience to the gospel rather than directly confronting spiritual entities.
    - The danger lies in turning away from faith, not in being possessed against one's will.

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    04:03 - Overview of Demon Possession and Exorcisms
    09:13 - African Traditional Belief: Ancestral Spirits and Possession
    27:54 - Differentiating Between Mental Health and Genuine Possession
    31:17 - The Correlation Between Trauma and Belief in the Spiritual Realm
    34:10 - Engaging with Spiritual Phenomena: Listening, Asking Questions, and Pointing to Jesus
    36:13 - Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Obedience to the Gospel
    37:11 - The Danger of Turning Away from Faith
    38:09 – How we fight the spiritual battle?
    40:32 – Can Christians become possessed?

    Show more Show less
    53 mins