DRIVING THEOLOGY

Did you know that every individual person has a unique way of comprehending the world? That everyone wears a different lens, and even when we observe the same event, we will perceive in differently, that our unique lens dictates what we see? We may know this, but we usually act as if we don't. This podcast is in preparation for an omnibus lecture series that I gave in January at Ibaraki University...

Here we go again. The US is in another conflict with another country. How the US mistakenly is perceived as a chosen people when actually, we are just the newest Babylon. How knowing the truth about this will go a long way in bringing you closer to the heart of Jesus.

Greta Thunberg is shaking things up in the world. What is she after? What does Peace mean? Shalom? How does that relate to reconciliation? How does that relate to the environment?

SO SORRY for having the sniffles during this podcast (and others). But, being true to my original format, I don't edit (except for whole podcasts deemed worthless). In this episode, I talk about the Bethlehem Candle, the second candle of Advent, and why it is sometimes referred to as the Bethlehem Candle. Bethlem is associated with faith in that the people were patiently waiting for the coming Mes...

Archeology is giving us a very different picture of the environment where Jesus was born. More myth busting of Christmas traditions-in a good way!

Vamping on trees, and how the Christmas tree can be a great and meaningful metaphor. Also, so myth-busting on Christmas trees.

A make-up podcast after losing a recording to weak batteries... This is a reflection on a church planting conference which I attended here in Japan with my friend Cam.

Sorry for the delay! Changing formats recently has added a few steps in the process and revealed my laziness. AND it's just been a very busy winter. But, in the spirit of staying true to my promise, I have been recording podcasts, just not getting them released. I will try and release a few or more a week in order to catch up. Thanks for your patience and for continuing listening.

We are told to pray. Many times by many disciples and Jesus. We are told that even when we don't pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us. So why pray at all? What is the benefit of prayer? How does it work? I don't have answers, but I do explore two ideas here that might start the conversation.

If at all, in what circumstances does God allow us to employ violence to solve problems? Are there any circumstances where Jesus employed violence (toward the living or dead)? Did he hurt anyone? If not, what do you use to justify your own violent proclivities?

What or who is the Word of God? Is it the Bible? Is it Jesus? Can it be both? If we revere the Bible as infallible and inerrant, are we putting it in a place of worship? Are we adding a fourth member to the trinity?

Could the metaphors of Hell throughout the Bible be describing the process of coming to the end of one's self, the process of realizing that all you have been longing for and searching for in yourself and the world and its systems either are unattainable, or worse, once attained did not satisfy? Is the process that brings you to the loving arms of Jesus Hell?

Why are we are told to love ourselves first by Jesus, being that so many Christians believe that you can't love others until you learn to love yourself. This just seems wrong to me. Track with me for a few minutes (or 40) and be sure and leave some feedback on facebook or under comments. Thanks!

A continuation, somewhat, of the previous review of Brian Zahnd's book, this episode explores this theory in light of the 18th anniversary of the Twin Tower Bombing of September 11, 2001. Who's really to blame?

First 10 minutes are a recap of my summer activities, so if you want, skip ahead! After that, I give a bit of a review of Brian Zahnds book, Postcards From Babylon. Enjoy!

Is simply what we call the process of the creation trying to understand the creator? Maybe not, but follow me here anyway, and we'll see where we end up! Don't mind the poor quality audio. It's just an experiment that will be fixed next episode.

Rehashing the same subjects from last week, a final review of "Christ The Eternal Tao", and a report on my chapel talk at the university.

Various musings on a chapel talk I did the day after recording this, and on the book, "Christ The Eternal Tao".

If you have spent much time learning a skill, whether it be a musical instrument, a second language, a sport skill, or whatever, you will recognize this truth: progress often comes by way of breakthroughs. We often imagine that we will progress in an even crescendo, but in reality, we get to a point where we feel like we have plateaued and are not progressing, only to experience a sudden breakthro...

When it comes to addiction, which methods help recovery, and which make matters worse? Are we really seeking a solution or are we happy to continue our current methods, which are largely ineffective?

Tragedy strikes my family yet again, spurring me to contemplate death, punishment and reward yet again.

How does salvation really "work"? What is our part in it? Grace? Freedom? Unconditional Love? How do they play into it? So often, they are "tailored" ideas that somehow are diminished from their absolute definitions and become "christian" versions of these ideas. But, what if they actually mean just what they say?

Do you ever wish that you knew then what you know now? That the younger you somehow knew instinctively what it has taken you a lifetime to figure out? You're not the only one!

Many believers opt out of celebrating different holidays when they conflict with religious holidays, or when they are perceived as pagan, or at least as not Christian. Many still ignore these conflicts. Who's right? Who's wrong?

The Jesus Prayer has been uttered for hundreds of years by many contemplatives, mystics and faithfuls. Here I talk about my still very early experience with this prayer and thoughts about it.