Author: Dennis

Is Christian Nationalism Really A Problem? with Ted Peters | Episode 181

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jf7pz-1604825

Ever since January 6, 2021 we’ve heard the term Christian Nationalism.  There have been news stories, articles, books and podcasts all focused on the threat of Christian Nationalism to democracy.  Christians of all stripes have come out against it and denominations have passed resolutions condemning it.

Christian nationalism is a concern.  And yet, are we making too much of it?  Theologian Ted Peters tends to think so. In this episode, which I hope will be the first in a series of episodes on this topic, we will look at if we are making too much of Christian Nationalism.

Show notes:

Ted Peter’s website and bio

Public Theology- Ted Peter’s Blog

Who Is Afraid of Christian Nationalism?

A Christian Nationalist Hornet’s Nest

Measuring Christian Nationalism Series

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YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHgl

Is There Anything Good About the Church? with Anthony Robinson | Episode 180

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-5cwkn-15fab53

It’s common these days to focus on the drawbacks of church.  But what’s good about church? Theologian and pastor Anthony Robinson joins me on the podcast to talk about his most recent blog post on the positive aspects of the church in our society. Robinson highlights the importance of institutions and how the church can provide a sense of community, mentorship, and a framework for coping with life’s challenges. Churches have a role to play in our society,  creating spaces of grace and acceptance. 

Show Notes:

Maybe the Church Wasn’t Bad After All-Anthony Robinson

Sad Lefties– Anthony Robinson

The True Cost of the Churchgoing Bust– Derek Thompson

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Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHgl

The High Cost of Reconciliation with Joy Moore | BONUS

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-36u6d-15f5c52

In this bonus episode, I revisit an interview with Joy Moore, a professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary. We discussed reconciliation amid societal divisions. Moore shares stories illustrating the challenges of reconciliation and stresses the importance of finding common ground across racial divides. referencing instances like Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis working together to desegregate schools, showcasing the power of partnerships across racial lines. She also mentions Hawk Newsome from Black Lives Matter emphasizing common values to bridge divides and underscores the importance of viewing each other as fellow humans created in the image of God. 

Show Notes:

Speaking at a Trump Rally Made This BLM Activist an Outcast

Video of Hawk Newsome speaking at Trump Rally

Full Episode with Joy Moore

 

Lectionary Q Podcast 

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Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHgl

 

BONUS: Holding on to Sacred Spaces with Loren Richmond Jr.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-wibug-15cac05

In this clip from a conversation from January 2024, Loren Richmond Jr. voices concerns about diminishing appreciation for the sacredness embodied in church facilities, particularly within certain evangelical circles where traditional architectural norms are eschewed. Referencing the insights of theologians such as Andrew Root and Charles Taylor, he underscores the need to reclaim a sense of transcendence in architectural design, countering prevailing secular paradigms. Lauren conveys a fervent belief in the intrinsic worth of maintaining church buildings, even in scenarios where congregational activities may wane, emphasizing their enduring symbolic and spiritual significance in an ever-changing landscape of religious practice.

Listen to the full episode 

Lectionary Q Podcast: October 16, 2022

Lectionary Q Podcast: October 16, 2022

Lectionary Q is a resource for clergy and the laity to get ready for the upcoming Sunday using a text from the Revised Common Lectionary.  This week’s text is from Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Luke 18:1-8.

Lectionary Q Podcast for October 16

Preparing for Sunday: September 11, 2022

Preparing for Sunday: September 11, 2022

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Preparing for Sunday is a weekly time to prepare for Sunday worship. Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, Preparing for Sunday is a time to step away from the busyness of the world and reflect on what God is saying to us.

This week’s text is from Luke 15:1-10.

Do you have questions or answers to the questions? Leave them in the comments.

Here are some questions to think about the text:

  1. Think about a time when you were lost.  How did you feel?  How did you feel when you were found?

  2. Think about a time when you lost something.  It could have been a person or something that means a lot to you.  How did that feel?  What did it mean when you finally found this thing or person that was lost?

  3. Why do you think Jesus says twice that there is more rejoicing over the one sinner who repents over those who don’t repent?

  4. Who are the sinners and tax collectors?  Why do you think they come to Jesus? Who are the tax collectors and sinners in your life?

  5. Why were the religious leaders so offended? How do you think they treated the tax collectors and sinners?

  6. Who is lost in this passage, the sinners or the religious leaders or both?

 

What are your answers? What are your questions? Feel free to share them by responding to this post in the comments section or sending an email to info@fccsaintpaul.org.

Preparing for Sunday: May 1, 2022

Preparing for Sunday: May 1, 2022

Third Sunday of Easter

Preparing for Sunday is a weekly time to prepare for Sunday worship. Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, Preparing for Sunday is a time to step away from the busyness of the world and reflect on what God is saying to us.

This week’s text is from Acts 9:1-20.

Do you have questions or answers to the questions? Leave them in the comments.






Here are some questions to think about the text:

  1. Was Saul’s experience one of conversion or a call to ministry?
  2. Why do you think the other people with Saul never heard the voice Saul heard?
  3. Ananias had his concerns about healing Saul. Was Ananias right to ask these questions to God?
  4. In his discussion with Ananias God calls Saul an instrument to the Gentiles. God was using Saul to bring the good news to Gentiles.  What does it mean to be an instrument of God?
  5. Does it matter that Ananias said he was sent to heal Saul? How is this an example of discipleship?
  6. What does it mean after his healing that Saul went to proclaim in the synagogue?

 

What are your answers? What are your questions? Feel free to share them by responding to this post in the comments section or sending an email to info@fccsaintpaul.org.

Preparing for Sunday: March 27, 2022

Preparing for Sunday: March 27, 2022

Preparing for Sunday is a weekly time to prepare for Sunday worship. Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, Preparing for Sunday is a time to step away from the busyness of the world and reflect on what God is saying to us.

This week’s text is from Luke 15:1-3 and 11-32.

Do you have questions or answers to the questions? Leave them in the comments.






Here are some questions to think about the text:

1. Of the three characters in this story, which one do you identify with more, the younger son, the older son or the father?

2. Who is the “prodigal” in this story; the younger son or the father?

3. Are grace and forgiveness fair? Why or why not?

4. Was the older son mad at his brother or his father?

5. Did the father extend grace to both sons? If so, in what ways did he show that grace?

6. Has there been a time when you were forgiven for something? How did that feel?

What are your answers? What are your questions? Feel free to share them by responding to this post in the comments section or sending an email to info@fccsaintpaul.org.

Preparing for Sunday: March 6, 2022

Preparing for Sunday: March 6, 2022

Preparing for Sunday is a resource for clergy and the laity to get ready for the upcoming Sunday using a text from the Revised Common Lectionary. This week’s text is from Luke 4:1-13.

Do you have questions or answers to the questions? Leave them in the comments.






Here are some questions to think about the text:

  1. The temptation of Jesus is found in the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 4:1-11 and Mark 1:12-13). Read the other versions. What is similar in all three stories? What’s different?
  2. The passage tells us that it is the Spirit that leads Jesus into the desert. Theologian Justo Gonzalez says that “Even while the devil is tempting Jesus, it is God who is ultimately in control, and it is God who not only allows but causes Jesus to be tempted.” Do you agree that God is allowing Jesus to be tempted? Why or why not?
  3. What is the significance of Jesus being tempted? Does that make him any less the Son of God?
  4. Theologian Fred Craddock says that good can be found within temptation. He says the devil doesn’t say, “Do you wish to be as the devil?” but, “Do you wish to be as God?”  Do you agree or not?  How do you see temptation?
  5. Think of a time when you were tempted? How was it similar to Jesus in the desert? How was it different?  How did it change your faith? 

What are your answers? What are your questions? Feel free to share them by responding to this post in the comments section or sending an email to info@fccsaintpaul.org.

Preparing for Sunday: February 27, 2022

Preparing for Sunday: February 27, 2022

Preparing for Sunday is a resource for clergy and the laity to get ready for the upcoming Sunday using a text from the Revised Common Lectionary. This week’s text is from Luke 9:28-36.

Do you have questions or answers to the questions? Leave them in the comments.






Here are some questions to think about the text:

  1. After reading the passage for this week, read the following: Luke 9:23-27. In what ways do these two passages connect?
  2. Read Exodus 24:12-18. How are these two stories similar? How are they different? How do they ultimately connect?
  3. Jesus talks to Moses and Elijah about what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem. The word used to describe his death is the world “exodus.”  This is the same word that describes the Israelites leaving Egypt.  How is Jesus’ upcoming death like the Jews fleeing the Pharaoh?
  4. Luke is the only gospel that connects the story to prayer. Why is that important?
  5. What was the reason behind Peter’s talk about building three monuments for the occasion?
  6. What is the significance of the voice?

What are your answers? What are your questions? Feel free to share them by responding to this post in the comments section or sending an email to info@fccsaintpaul.org.