Most people assume Jesus must have made plans for who would take over the leadership of the church, or movement, he began with his preaching and healing ministry, after his death. But there is no reliable evidence that this is true. The gospel that has Jesus giving Peter the "keys to the kingdom" was written long after Jesus' death and after Paul had been preaching the gospel to the Gentiles and establishing churches in different parts of the world. It was up to these two visible leaders with...

The Apostles were recorded in the gospels to perform miracles, not only while Jesus was with them, but also after his resurrection and ascension. Peter was the established leader of the Apostles after Jesus' ascension, and in the gospel account, had been given the mantle of leadership from Jesus, although scholars believe this was inserted later to establish that legitimacy. But Peter was undoubtedly influential, and in leadership in many ways, including performing healing miracles himself....

The Apostles were recorded in the gospels to perform miracles, not only while Jesus was with them, but also after his resurrection and ascension. Peter was the established leader of the Apostles after Jesus' ascension, and in the gospel account, had been given the mantle of leadership from Jesus, although scholars believe this was inserted later to establish that legitimacy. But Peter was undoubtedly influential, and in leadership in many ways, including performing healing miracles himself....

The Apostles were recorded in the gospels to perform miracles not only while Jesus was with them but also after his resurrection and ascension. Paul, who proclaimed himself an Apostle, is recorded to have performed miracles in the Acts of the Apostles and by his own accounts. We will explore these miracles and consider their implications and meanings as well as what they can teach us about our own spiritual lives.

The Apostles were recorded in the gospels to perform miracles not only while Jesus was with them but also after his resurrection and ascension. Paul, who proclaimed himself an Apostle, is recorded to have performed miracles in the Acts of the Apostles and by his own accounts. We will explore these miracles and consider their implications and meanings as well as what they can teach us about our own spiritual lives.

In Mark 5, Jesus performs an unusual healing of a man possessed by many demons by directing the demons into a herd of pigs grazing nearby, that promptly stampede off the cliff, into the lake, and drown. This story has long confounded easy understanding as innocent animals are sacrificed by this healing act of Jesus. Join E.J. and Karen as they tackle this story from metaphysical, historical, social, and symbolic angles to derive understanding for our own lives today.

In Mark 5, Jesus performs an unusual healing of a man possessed by many demons by directing the demons into a herd of pigs grazing nearby, that promptly stampede off the cliff, into the lake, and drown. This story has long confounded easy understanding as innocent animals are sacrificed by this healing act of Jesus. Join E.J. and Karen as they tackle this story from metaphysical, historical, social, and symbolic angles to derive understanding for our own lives today.

Of all the stories of Jesus' miracles and healing, there is one story where the one seeking healing went to great lengths to reach Jesus. The story is so dramatic that it catches Jesus' attention in his teaching, and he is moved by the faith of those who are bringing the paralyzed man as much as the man himself. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore this story of healing and faith through several lenses of interpretation, and gain insight for yourself!

Of all the stories of Jesus' miracles and healing, there is one story where the one seeking healing went to great lengths to reach Jesus. The story is so dramatic that it catches Jesus' attention in his teaching, and he is moved by the faith of those who are bringing the paralyzed man as much as the man himself. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore this story of healing and faith through several lenses of interpretation, and gain insight for yourself!

As we take a look at the familiar story of the biblical hero, Samson, we will focus in on some of the details that most have forgotten or never heard. These details lend dramatic flavor, but also telling details about the nature of Samson and perhaps, heroes themselves. Join Karen and E.J. as they use different lenses of the Bible to examine the hero story of Samson and apply the lessons to our lives today.

As we take a look at the familiar story of the biblical hero, Samson, we will focus in on some of the details that most have forgotten or never heard. These details lend dramatic flavor, but also telling details about the nature of Samson and perhaps, heroes themselves. Join Karen and E.J. as they use different lenses of the Bible to examine the hero story of Samson and apply the lessons to our lives today.

Reading the Bible literally and in the sequence in which it appears is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses or levels of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses and hear the...

Reading the Bible literally and in the sequence in which it appears is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses or levels of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses and hear the...

Reading the Bible literally and in the sequence in which it appears is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses or levels of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses and hear the...

Reading the Bible literally and in the sequence in which it appears is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses or levels of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses and hear the...

Reading the Bible literally and in the sequence in which it appears is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses or levels of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses and hear the...

Reading the Bible literally and in the sequence in which it appears is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses or levels of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses and hear the...

Reading the Bible literally, and in the sequence in which it appears, is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses, or levels, of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses, and...

Reading the Bible literally, and in the sequence in which it appears, is fraught with pitfalls, contradictions, and at times, uncertainty about who to root for! Using different lenses, or levels, of understanding through which to read the story or event reveals new dimensions of Truth that one can apply to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore some familiar stories and characters in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures through metaphysical, maieutic, and psychological lenses, and...

We introduced the idea of love through mysticism and the use of erotic and romantic imagery in the language of the Christian mystics in our last episode. Today we will explore the thread of mysticism that runs through every level of consciousness using references from Hebrew and Christian scriptures as well as that of other faith traditions. Join us!

We introduced the idea of love through mysticism and the use of erotic and romantic imagery in the language of the Christian mystics in our last episode. Today we will explore the thread of mysticism that runs through every level of consciousness using references from Hebrew and Christian scriptures as well as that of other faith traditions. Join us!

As we have discussed in the previous series on the evolution of social justice in the Bible, this series will focus on the word love and its many forms that are described in the Bible. Translating from Hebrew and Greek, the word love and all of its attendant forms, describe different ways of relating to one another, to God, and to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore these various terms for love, their applications, and their spiritual meanings throughout time and throughout the...

As we have discussed in the previous series on the evolution of social justice in the Bible, this series will focus on the word love and its many forms that are described in the Bible. Translating from Hebrew and Greek, the word love and all of its attendant forms, describe different ways of relating to one another, to God, and to one's life. Join E.J. and Karen as they explore these various terms for love, their applications, and their spiritual meanings throughout time and throughout the...