“Why does Jesus tell religion that the Kingdom of God is being taken from them and given to the heathens? Specifically, why does he say this in the midst of the Easter story?”
In today’s podcast and post we visit the second of three parables Jesus gives to religion prior to his crucifixion. These texts are often omitted from Easter, but I will build a case for why they need to be included.
Join me now as Jesus offers a story that reveals just how wrong religion is regarding the Kingdom of God
This Easter, pastors and teachers are going to offer outsiders a way to reconnect with God because that is essentially the business of religion. But what if access to God is outside of religion? What would your pastor say about that?
In today’s podcast and post we consider our first of three Easter parables which are not favorable toward the religious mind. If we are to truly experience Easter this year, perhaps we need to adopt Jesus’ integral teaching about religion.
Join me now as we follow Christ back into the temple where he offers a parable to the religious mind, and reveals how all comers can access God and His Kingdom now.
“What do you think it means to be cast into Outer Darkness?
In today’s podcast and post we conclude our series entitled “A Course in Darkness” with a look at the parable of the Wedding Feast. We’ll discover that Outer Darkness is a State of Being and the path out has nothing to do with religion.
Join me now as we see beyond our constant state of busyness, and how that relates to the depth dimension of our lives in outer darkness.
“Do you believe a great day of judgement awaits everyone?
For centuries, religion has taught us that heaven is on the other side of our death and a great day of judgement where good and bad people are sent to their eternal destinations. Join me now as we take a scholarly look at the parable of the Dragnet, where the text reveals an alternative way this great separation can look.
Join me now as this often intimidating and threatening parable suddenly offers the good news and hope for the world which religion is unwilling to proclaim.
“What does it mean that Heaven is like a mustard seed or a pinch of yeast?
Today we continue our series on Seeing Beyond the Parables with Jesus’ next parable that describes Heaven. How can heaven be a blissful kingdom that is only accessible when we die, if the point of these parables is to reveal that Heaven is here and now?
Join me now as these parables illuminate that Heaven has come, is here now, but isn’t fully baked yet. We’ll discover that Heaven is about participation, rather than a destination.
“Is it possible the meaning of the parable of the weeds has been obscured by religion?
In today’s podcast and post, we continue our series of “Seeing Beyond the Parables” with an important parable which reveals something contrary to most people’s belief about Heaven and Hell.
Join me now as we look at the relationship between the Wheat and the Weeds, and discover that the burning of the weeds is not a threat to coerce religious behavior, but a promise of hope for all people.
“Is the parable of the 10 virgins really about preparing for the rapture?
In today’s podcast and post, I’m making an addition to my 2018 series on the real meaning of the parables. Church history and religion have obscured this story by trapping it into a dogma on preparing for a future rapture. By doing that, we’ve missed a lot.
Join me now as we see beyond the lamps, the oil, and the bridegroom, at this amazing comparison between knowing and being known.
“What exactly is corruption in business?”
For some, corrupt business is overcharging, or when businesses take advantage of people. For some, it’s exorbitant shareholder profits, or irresponsible ecological, political, or social endeavors. All of these things are true.
In today’s podcast we will look deeper at what is behind corruption in business and learn that it isn’t something that affects “those people.” Join me now as we see beyond corruption and learn that the rails of business upon which corruption often travels are the very same rails that will bring about a New World.
“Did the rock band AC/DC get it right? Is there a Highway to Hell?”
Today we return to our examination of bible stories with the goal of hearing them again for the very first time. Religion has latched on to the ultimate binary of Heaven and Hell an has used them as a threat to create fear and make converts.
But what if there is another framework through which we can see these teachings? In today’s broadcast we import last weeks framework of the Fake Id to reveal some surprising nuances that will hopefully awaken us from our anesthesia.
Join me now as we see beyond the gates, and discover the suffering of a living hell, which emerges from not knowing our true name.
Is there a stairway to heaven?
Every world religion claims to have access to God. Whether we are talking about a tribal, 3rd world belief or a global religion, each has their own nuanced traditions and rituals that they believe allow us access to God.
But what if religion got it wrong? What if the path to God has more to do with our ability to hear and see beyond everything?
In today’s episode, we will examine the parable of the Sheep Door and see how it reframes access to God from performance and religious ascent into a descending experience where we actually believe God has our back.