The Heavenly Banquet

Charlotte Elia offers a reflection on John 12:1-8. Is it self-indulgent to worship, to pray, when the world is crumbling all around us, when people are suffering and dying? Who has the time to sit still when urgent concerns cry out for our attention?

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia discuss atonement theories. How are God and humankind reconciled through the cross or through the life of Christ? Listen as your hosts break down ransom, recapitulation, satisfaction, penal substitution, and moral influence theories, and find out who will prevail in the rankings.

Charlotte Elia offers a reflection on Luke 13:1-9. "Whatever yesterday was like- the disappointments, the mistakes, the missed opportunities- we have the gift of today, and today the gardener who begged for more time to care for that fig tree wants more time to nurture us, to work through us, to support us to bear new fruit."

Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia talk some more about spiritual practices in the Christian tradition, but this time they get a bit more practical. They discuss specific practices and their experiences with each, and they make some suggestions for finding space for God in our current context.

Charlotte Elia offers a reflection on Luke 13:31-35 and asks if Jesus' resolve to complete his mission in the face of distraction can't be a model for us as we pursue love and justice.

Chad and Charlotte chat about the purpose of spiritual practices in the Christian tradition and the various approaches folks have taken as they sought to enact our faith in the world.

Charlotte Elia offers a reflection on Luke 4:1-13. Why didn't Jesus accept one of the devil's offers in the wilderness? Why shouldn't God take over the economic realm, the political sphere, and the religious establishment? Why not jump in and fix the world, Lord? We're waiting on you!

Charlotte Elia offers a brief reflection for Ash Wednesday, the first day of the penitential season of Lent: You're dust, and that's a blessing.

Chad and Charlotte talk about the themes and significance of the liturgical season of Lent, share some reasons why it is important to them, and offer guidance on how you might observe this penitential time.

Chad and Charlotte are nearly inappropriately excited about our favorite time of the Christian year! Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd of this year, and you can expect weekly sermon podcasts and theology discussion episodes. We've recorded some episodes on Lent and spiritual practices, and we have a hundred other things we want to talk to you about, but we also want to hear about what intere...

Chad Rhodes and Mary Charlotte Elia celebrate Valentine's Day by discussing love in the Christian tradition.

Mary Charlotte Elia offers a sermon on Luke 4:14-30.

The Heavenly Banquet is a wholly online Christian ministry featuring weekly sermon, educational, and devotional podcasts. We believe in the all-inclusive, ever-expansive power of God’s love, and we seek to serve those without local access to affirming, justice-centered Christian communities.  You are not alone out there. You are loved. And God is on your side.  You can find us on heavenl...