DRIVING THEOLOGY

BLM is accused of being a Marxist group. Most people don't really know what that means, because they have not read Marx (including me). My attempt to man-splain Marxism, in order for me to understand it better.

As usual, small talk starts this monologue on COVID-19, BLM, racism, politics, etc. How do we know what to trust? Can we trust history as it is presented to us? Is it even possible to know history? Just maybe. The following are my ideas, off the top of my head, as to what might help us to know more accurately what is historical, and what is fake history.

The beginning of this episode are a rehashing of why I do this podcast the way that I do. That is the starting point. Where it goes from there, you'll have to listen to find out!

A redo podcast, done after throwing out a recording the same morning which I deemed to be sub-par (Which for me is pretty low!). I begin this recording rehashing why I chose the format of this podcast. I then progress into my theological progression, my journey away from organized religion.

Ephesians talks about the "mystery of Christ" which Paul was charged with revealing to us... This revelation is of the utmost importance and speaks directly to the heart of God.

Racism in America, "The New Jim Crow", crimes again native Americans, and what we can do about it. We need to make amends, not just change laws. We tried that. Didn't work.

Exploring the origins of racism in America and where it can be found now. My source has been mostly Michelle Alexander, author of "The New Jim Crow". The question is not "does systemic racism exist?", for me, but what can I do about it now that I believe it exists.

God is at heart an architect as well as a gardner. As gardner, his heart is in the preservation and support of life, the tending and nurturing required for prolonged abundant life.

Beginning with probably more information than you need on coffee, I then segue into racism, and how intentionally being gracious with people who are different than us. The race problem in America is so huge and old that I don't pretend to have any answers to the systemic problem. I do, however, as all of you, have experience in my own context and have a great ability to influence those around me....

Mr. Floyd, by many accounts, was exactly the opposite kind of man which the police claim he was. His death was another case of dying from being black. The fear between races is real, even though the reasons for the fear are not. How can we improve the relationships between different races in the US, and what does George Floyd's death teach us about the current racial climate?

What exactly was Paul and the writer of Hebrews getting at when they referred to Christ with terms such as "all in all", "preeminent", "supreme", "radiance of God's glory","the great high priest". Does this have anything to say at all about the way we could be reading the Bible?

A rare continuation, recorded only 2 hours after the last "Paranoid or Prophetic" podcast posted a few days ago. In this episode, I ramble, as usual, exploring the recent route of Evagelicals through conspiracy theories, to the point where they seem to prefer those in need being kept in need all to make a political point.

Why are Evangelicals so hell-bent against universal healthcare? What are they afaid of?

Just something I threw together today! Enjoy!

For the first time, recording from home, "driving" from my desk during this covid-19 era, I talk a bit about a Thomas Merton book I am starting, as well as life in covid-19 Earth, ending with Exodus Cry, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking.

How has your life changed in this Covid-19 era? What kinds of adjustments have you made as far at the gathering of the Body of Christ? What, if anything, have you changed about what you believe about the nature of the meeting of the church? Also, what does it mean to "make God in your image", a popular accusation made about people who challenge the status quo theologically?

A couple of months into the COVID-19 pandemic, recorded some ten days ago, my update on the spread of the disease is very out of date, as the US has taken the top spot in numbers of active cases. Church goers everywhere aren't able to go to church in this COVID-19 pandemic. What are they discovering about church from their homes? How are paradigms being challenged? "In this world you will have tro...

If Jesus came to save the world, and yet very few are destined for salvation, how good is Jesus at the job of salvation? On the other hand, if he is good at saving people, then shouldn't there be a greater number of people saved than not? "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart: I have overcome the world." -John 16:33 What does it mean if Jesus has overcome the world, and yet there is...

How are you getting along in this new reality?

As of the beginning of March, schools are all closed in Japan, other than kindergartens due to the coronavirus. Lucky me, I work in Kindergartens! People are going crazy, paranoid, and have began hoarding. This always happens here in Japan. What do we have to fear? Can we get to a place of peace even in the face of a possible pandemic?

A recent trip to the clinic for an MRI on my shoulder helped me realize that receiving a correct diagnosis alleviates a lot of the stress and suffering that comes with injury or sickness. Jesus came to give us a correct diagnosis, to pinpoint the cause of human suffering, sin and death. What he found might surprise you!

Why is it so self evident that willing participants learn better than captive participants? Some on this, as well as a continuance on the subject of the history of the western hemisphere, and how the pursuit of money influenced many "good" people to make some horrible decisions, decisions which negatively affected millions of people over hundreds of years, namely chattel slavery.

A poor attempt to celebrate Black History Month. I am grossly under qualified to give a podcast on African-American History, but still felt the need to contribute what I could. Is racism dead? Will it ever die? Racism is alive and thriving in today's world. How can a willingness to engage with a person's history, contribute the the alleviation of racism?

What are some of the influences that have made you who you are, have programmed you to think the way that you think? Is it even possible to have a truly open mind? A bit of a scatter-brained episode, but perhaps there is something here for everyone!

The differences between people, cultures and religions are legion. But aren't there many things that everyone, everywhere agree on? How can a focus on our commonly held beliefs and truths better facilitate intercultural dialogue? Apologies for the rain noise. God caught in a downpour.