The Loft LA - Progressive Christianity in Podcast Form

How might we create a world for every body, a world that is unapologetically inclusive where all bodies know they belong? It begins with learning to love our own bodies and it expands to include learning to love the bodies of others. How might Christian theology help create such a world?

What role has Christian theology played in enabling and encouraging a culture where so many of us feel like our bodies are wrong? To be sure, many of us believe that our bodies are somehow wrong, and every January, we try to change our 'wrong bodies' while apologizing for the presumed discomfort our bodies rouse in others." www. TheLoftLA.org

After eight days have passed, Mary and Joseph circumcise their child and give him the name Jesus. They return to the temple in Jerusalem to enact the sacred birth rituals of their culture and tradition. How do our sacred rituals root us and help us live into new chapters with courage? As new parents, Mary and Joseph likely felt what all new parents feel – a mix of joy and weariness. How might grou...

Experience the holy mystery of Christmas as we celebrate Christ's birth with music, scripture, prayer, preaching, communion, and candlelight. Featuring music from our Loft musicians, you are invited to sing beloved carols with us, share communion at our open table, and hold candlelight as we sing "Silent Night" together. www. TheLoftLA.org

Why are people drawn in by White Christian Nationalism? Is there anything progressive Christians can do to offset the terrible impact that WCN has on American democracy? Yes…and unfortunately it requires us to, on some level, engage with people we'd rather avoid. In this episode we refer to Pamela Cooper-White's book "The Psychology of Christian Nationalism."

What does it sound like when unhoused young adults sing stories of hope? Join us this Sunday as Rev. Dr. Carter is joined by Anthony Conley, Director of Supportive Services for Covenant House California as they discuss the importance of hope during weary times. In the first chapter of Luke we read that after Elizabeth exclaims blessings upon Mary, Mary sings: "My soul magnifies God; my spirit rejo...

What is the political theology of White Christian Nationalism and what are the dangers of this political theology for our democracy? In this third of a four part series on White Christian Nationalism, Julia, Rev. Dr. Carter, and special guest Dr. Andy Tirrell, Associate Professor of Politcal Science at The University of San Diego, examine these questions and discuss what strategies progressives ca...

After Elizabeth gives birth, her neighbors and family celebrate with her. When it comes time to name the child, Zechariah affirms the name given by the angel and by Elizabeth. In that moment of affirming the promise, Zechariah's speech is restored. Everyone is filled with awe. How often do you allow yourself to be amazed? Wonder is all around us—can we recognize it? As we learn how to rejoice in a...

What are the theological foundations of White Christian Nationalism? How are these beliefs used to support the marginalization of queer folk? What are their impact on young people? In this second of a four part series on White Christian Nationalism, Westley, Rev. Dr. Carter, and special guest Everest examin these questions and discuss the limitations of these theological beliefs. In this episode w...

Mothers have always had to depend upon each other for guidance and support during difficult times. We see this in the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke and we see it today, especially in middle class and poor communities. In today's Gathering, Rev. Dr. Carter speaks with Jenniffer Duran-West, the Employee Development Manager for the Lundquist Institute WIC program, and they explore th...

What is White Christian Nationalism and why might it be the biggest threat to Christianity and democracy in America today? In this first of a four part series on White Christian Nationalism, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter begin to disentangle what White Christian Nationalism is, what it isn't, and how the deep stories of the founding of America are mythologized to create this dangerous politi...

As Advent begins, we start by acknowledging the weariness, grief, rage, and hopelessness we carry. We remember the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and their struggle with infertility. Perhaps they feel the weight of hopes and dreams unattained. Even when the angel comes to Zechariah with a promise of good news he can't fully receive it. Sometimes weariness can harden us and prevent us from living...

In this episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter continue their discussion on Christian faith and economic practice. Do you believe that it is possible within American society for poverty to be practically eliminated? This question that frames much of their conversation. They end with a discussion on how progressive Christianity should push us to form identities that take sabbath practice seri...

In order to heal, we must first be able to imagine that an alternative to the economic structures we have created is possible. Scripture calls us to reimagine a world where our social and economic systems are not built to disparage or impoverish, but instead to provide for and benefit all. The Jewish practice of the Jubilee year invites us to imagine leaving the edge of the harvest for the poor an...

In this episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter discuss the intersections of Christian belief and economic practice. They examine the uncomfortable truism that to create an equitable economy some people will have to be willing to have less money! Why this is so difficult for people to accept (spoiler - people love money!). Lastly, they end their conversation exploring how we can grow to see m...

In this episode we discuss the importance and challenges of teaching progressive theology to young people. To help us have this important conversation, Rev. Dr. Carter was joined by the newest member of the staff at The Loft, Everest Harvey. Everest is the Director of Youth and Social Justice Ministries at Westwood UMC. In their conversation they discuss what progressive theology is, why young peo...

We begin our series by exploring some of our spoken and unspoken economic mythologies. Whether it is the myth of the "self-made man" or the belief that wealth will "trickle down" to the poor, these myths obscure the truth about how wealth is created and distributed in America. We cannot heal from the pain caused by poverty and exploitation if we do not know where the hurt comes from. In the story...

In this episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter continue their conversation on patriarchy and the church. We begin by discussing how the concept of "patriarchy" can feel overwhelming and how crafting a precise definition can help us understand what we are fighting against. We discuss how and why progressive spaces can still be sexist and how that sexism is often rooted in gender stereotypes....

From the time a child is born, their homes become places of learning. While at their best, our homes may be schools of love, compassion, justice, and grace, it would be naive of us to believe that our children's first encounter with patriarchal thinking is outside of their homes. And yet, the life of Jesus and those within his community reveal to us a vision of home that consistently invites us to...

One of the earliest Christian baptismal covenants states that "there is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." The church has repeatedly compromised our covenant with God to treat each other as one. How does patriarchal thinking prevent us from structuring our community in ways that encourage the flourishing of al...

Our personal identities, thoughts, and social assumptions influence how we read everything, including how we read the Bible. Men have been the primary interpreters of the bible, history shows us that men have, and continue to, read the bible in ways that reinforce (or at least doesn't challenge) the everydayness of sexism and gender discrimination. We invite you to join us this Sunday as we explor...

In this episode Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter explore the ways patriarchal thinking influences the world around us and, more often than not, our inner monologue. We begin the episode by connecting the violence happening in Palestine and Israel to the violent nature of patriarchal thinking. We discuss where we see patriarchy in our own lives and some subtle and overt types of patriarchal thin...

How have you come to know what you "know?" What sources of knowledge have shaped your understanding of American culture, Christianity, or your own self-understanding? Patriarchal thinking has been foundational to much of what we have come to believe is "normal." Join us this Sunday as we use the theological writings of Latin American Eco-Feminist theologian Ivonne Gebara to help us understand the...

In this 1-year anniversary episode, Julia, Westley, and Rev. Dr. Carter discuss one of the four values that shape the theology of The Loft - Compassion. We begin by listening to the less-than-dulcet tones of Dr. Carter singing Anniversty by Tony, Toni, Toné and quickly transition into a discussion on what we mean by compassion and how compassion is often conflated with sentiment. We end by examini...

Compassion was fundamental to Jesus' ministry and the primary lens through which he engaged his community. At The Loft, we strive to follow Jesus' spiritual path of radical compassion and view compassion as one of our guiding values. We invite you to join us this Sunday as we explore why compassion is fundamental to our spiritual practices and essential for both inspiring and guiding our actions....