Beyond the Box

In this episode Steve and Ray talk about living free from the fear of rejection based upon performance. Should we focus on how to avoid sin?  Are we just  sinners saved by grace? Should sin even be an issue for a believer in Jesus? Steve and Ray discuss trusting in God’s love and the ironic consequences of trying to avoid sin. Join in the conversation! We would love to interact with you on the website  or on the Facebook page!

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In this episode Ray talks with Brad Jersak about an idea that Brad is calling “A Theology of Consent”. Consent holds a lot of promise in helping us understand such questions as why do we pray? why is there evil in the world? how do we partner with God in manifesting His kingdom? This conversation is sure to get you thinking and will probably raise as many questions as answers. We would love to hear your thoughts and dialog with you either here or on the Facebook page! Make sure to visit Brad’s website: www.bradjersak.com and tell him how much you appreciate him sharing his heart!

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As a special Christmas treat to our listeners, here are a few tracks from Steve’s “Christmas Solitude” CD for you to enjoy and download free of charge.  You may stream the entire album, if you wish, at Steve’s Indieheaven site.  Additionally, the entire CD can be purchased as a digital download from iTunes.

To download these tracks below, if you wish, right-click on the link and select “Save Link As…” (or similar command).

What Child Is This?
Silent Night
Away in a Manger

In the institutional church, “discipleship” is a process only performed by professionals in the confines of the church program.  Listener Judy Gale (who impresses us with her knowledge of the Chinese language during the intro) asked a question on the Facebook page about discipleship outside the institutional church.  For those of us not in the institutional church, what happens when someone comes to faith and crosses our path?  Do we encourage them to get “plugged in” to a local church so that they can be discipled?  Or is there some other method or process that we should be embracing?

Ray and Steve discuss this question and the need for real-life relationships to be a part of anything taking place in the kingdom.  Your thoughts in response are welcome either here or on the Facebook page.

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In this episode, Steve and Ray discuss the difference between a motivation of law and a motivation of love. Should our relationships be contractually based, or based on unconditional love? You probably know the answer, but have a listen anyway!

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Many of you have been interacting with Michael Hardin on the Facebook page regarding Mimetic Theory among many other things. Michael was kind enough to send us this chart which he made to demonstrate the differences between negative, human mimesis (or imitation) and positive, divine mimesis. This chart demonstrates the two sides of mimesis (human and divine) side by side, and walks step by step through the mimetic process. Thanks Michael for taking the time to help us understand your viewpoint! (Click the link below to view the chart)

Michael Hardin’s Negative and Positive Mimesis Chart

In this last segment of a two-part episode, Ray talks with Michael Hardin (executive director of PreachingPeace.org and author of The Jesus-Driven Life) about Mimetic Theory and reading the Bible through the lens of Jesus. In this episode Michael continues to explain the Mimetic Theory and tries to help us understand it’s potential significance for believers in Jesus.Rene Girard, developer of the Mimetic Theory, has said that Michael is “a gifted and effective advocate who is able to make the Mimetic Theory and its application clear and understandable”.

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In this first of a two-part episode, Ray talks with Michael Hardin (executive director of PreachingPeace.org and author of The Jesus-Driven Life) about Mimetic Theory and reading the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Rene Girard, developer of the Mimetic Theory, has said that Michael is “a gifted and effective advocate who is able to make the Mimetic Theory and its application clear and understandable”.  In this episode Michael explains the Mimetic Theory and helps us understand it’s significance for believers in Jesus.

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This is part 2 of a two-part conversation with Brad Jersak about his book Her Gates Will Never Be Shut. We encourage you to listen to part 1 before listening to this second half of the conversation.

After talking about the etymology of hell and the two traditions surrounding the word “gehenna”, Brad and Ray continue by talking about the location of the wicked in Revelation 21-22, what to make of near-death experiences and visions of hell, listener questions, and much more. Thanks again to Brad for taking the time to join us for this conversation. Make sure to visit Brad’s website and check out his book Her Gates Will Never Be Shut.

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In this first part of a two part episode, Ray talks with Brad Jersak about his book Her Gates Will Never Be Shut. Brad and Ray talk about the history of the Hebrew and Greek words behind the word “hell”, the development of Gehenna, and more. Brad delves into the history of our ideas about hell and offers a helpful critique of our understanding of the traditional view of hell. Thanks to Brad for taking the time once again to dialog with us on the podcast! Make sure to visit bradjersak.com and check out Her Gates Will Never Be Shut.

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