The power of those who identify, translate and communicate current events is truly massive; sometimes frighteningly so. In 1978, Science fiction writer Philip K. Dick warned against the power of what he called “the media,” writing… “I distrust their power. They have a lot of it. And it is an astonishing power: that of creating whole universes, universes of the … Read More
For a season, Aaron Niequist worked at a church called Willow Creek in the Chicago area; a church that functioned as a kind of flagship for mainline christian Chruch practice. He also served at Mars Hill in Grant Rapids Michigan, a church whose culture was often seen as a next step away from (if not … Read More
My guest on this episode of the podcast is actually my first 2-time guest, Michael Wear. During season 1, Michael shared his unique angle on not just the idea of politics, but the human practice of politics. As someone who has lived and worked in Washington DC with the women and men who often end … Read More
My guest on this episode is Mark Labberton. Mark is the author of three deeply insightful books and is most likely better known as the President of Fuller Theological Seminary. Mark’s work and friendship have often been, for me, a lifeline to hope when it comes to the communal, institutional practice of faith. When it … Read More
The line between what is sacred and what some may call “secular” or “profane” is a famously difficult line to navigate. Volumes have been written and argued over regarding where that line is, how to recognize it and how to communicate that line to others. My guest on episode 11 is songwriter and advocate, Audrey Assad. Her work … Read More
In all honesty, I don’t care much about President Donald Trump, The GOP, the DNC,… For me, politics is a matter of spiritual formation. Certainly, it matters to some degree what you and I believe to be true in the political realm. But those beliefs and perspectives take root in our souls; and our souls … Read More
My religious tradition uses the word “evil” or “darkness.” Steven Pressfield calls it “Resistance.” And while there are volumes written about it, the one thing I’ve come to know/believe about evil/darkness/Resistance is that it plays the long game. More than anything else, darkness or evil counts on you and I quitting at some point. So don’t. Getting … Read More
Treating someone like they’re the physical (or digital) embodiment of a political platform is an absolute farce. Want to know about someone’s political mindset? Ask her questions like she’s a whole person. Critique him like he’s a person. Just don’t ask someone to personally answer for, apologize for or justify your limited interpretation of a … Read More
Sure, CNN, MSNBC and FOX have their agendas. But to simply say “I don’t believe a word of it” is just lazy. Every bit of information I’ll ever receive is coming at me from an angle. This is why Nietzsche wrote “there is no truth, only interpretation.” I think that’s largely true (see what I did … Read More
My guest for episode 3 is Michael Wear. Buzzfeed calls him one of President Obama’s “ambassadors to America’s believers.” Having worked in the White House office of Faith-Based initiateves, Michael Wear is recently the author of a book entitled “Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith In America.” We … Read More
