Beyond the Box » Guest Appearances

Compassionate Eschatology with Michael Hardin

dylan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:38:30 +0000

Michael Hardin is back! In this episode Michael Hardin talks with Ray about understanding eschatology and the book of Revelation in the light of the God who is love. Is Jesus coming back to kick butt and take names? Michael doesn’t think so, and he shares from the book Compassionate Eschatology why he thinks we shouldn’t either.

Visit Michael Hardin’s website preachingpeace.org and check out the book Compassionate Eschatology.

A Theology of Consent with Brad Jersak

dylan — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:08:53 +0000

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!

Michael Hardin’s Mimetic Theory Chart

Raborn — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:39:29 +0000

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

Jesus and Mimetic Theory with Michael Hardin Part 2

Raborn — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:32:38 +0000

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”.

Jesus and Mimetic Theory with Michael Hardin Part 1

Raborn — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:07:19 +0000

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.

Her Gates Will Never Be Shut with Brad Jersak Part 2

Raborn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:54:10 +0000

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.

Her Gates Will Never Be Shut with Brad Jersak Part 1

Raborn — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:40:01 +0000

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.

Stricken by God? with Brad Jersak, Part 2

Steve — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:13:54 +0000

In this conclusion of Ray’s 2-part interview with Brad Jersak (part 1 is here), Ray and Brad continue their discussion about the atonement, our role in the death of Jesus, the role of the Father in the death of Jesus, and the implications of atonement theory on our view of the Father as well as our understanding of salvation and reconciliation.

While Ray and Steve attempted to record their reactions and thoughts on the entire interview at the conclusion of the episode, they ended up recording for quite a while, so their fuller thoughts and reactions will appear next time in an episode of their own, but in the meantime, you are welcome to comment yourself on all that is shared here.

You are welcome to visit Brad at his website (bradjersak.com). We so appreciate Brad’s time in coming on the show, and look forward to another interview that will be posted sometime in the future where Ray and Brad talked about Brad’s book “Her Gates Will Never Be Shut”.

Stricken by God? with Brad Jersak, Part 1

Steve — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:02:01 +0000

Continuing in our series of guests on the podcast, Ray welcomes Brad Jersak to Beyond the Box. This 2-part discussion revolves around the topic of a book edited by Brad entitled “Stricken by God?” which discusses atonement theories alternative to Penal Substitution.

Bringing insight to some passages that are often skimmed over, Brad shares thoughts about the atonement that are sure to make you think! While the Penal Substitution theory of the atonement posits that the Father poured all of his wrath out on his own Son during the crucifixion, Brad offers thoughts that maintain a consistency between a Father who is very loving and compassionate and a Son’s death that is brutal and violent.

Isaiah 53 says that we esteemed him (Jesus) stricken by God. In other words, it appears that is not the correct view, but rather our misunderstanding of what took place. That phrase serves as the basis for Brad’s book and this discussion.

Exegeting Hell with Preston Sprinkle

Steve — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:18:18 +0000

While we have spent quite a few episodes on the topic of hell, and even more specifically on Francis Chan’s book “Erasing Hell”, we thought it would be very helpful to our listeners to hear more about the exegesis behind that book. Preston Sprinkle, the co-author of “Erasing Hell” was kind enough to come on the podcast and share more thoughts on the Scripture used.

In a very friendly conversation between Preston and Steve, the topics of hell and Ultimate Reconciliation are explored even further, but with the added enjoyment of slightly different perspectives and mutual pushbacks. Hoping to model a very civil dialog about a very sensitive subject, Preston and Steve dig into several key passages in the discussion and challenge each other in an effort to pursue proper exegesis of the passages at hand.

A very special thank you to Preston for coming on to the podcast, even though he knew from listening to our critique episodes that we didn’t agree with his and Francis Chan’s conclusions! It is our prayer that, even when disagreeing with each other, all of us in the body of Christ can approach subjects like this with friendliness and mutual respect.

Restoring Justice, Rethinking Atonement, and Razing Hell with Sharon Baker, Part 2

Steve — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:15:00 +0000

In this episode, after a brief introduction by Ray and Steve, Ray concludes his interview with Sharon Baker. Beginning where they left off last time talking about the atonement, Ray and Sharon blaze through territory including a fuller picture of what “salvation” is, alternative views of hell, universalism, etc.

Both Ray and Steve wish to thank Sharon for taking so much time to share her thoughts with our audience. And we hope that you, our listeners, have enjoyed this new venture for Beyond the Box. If you have some suggestions of others that you’d like us to try to interview on this show, feel free to send them along or post them in the comments section here or on our Idea Submission page.

Restoring Justice, Rethinking Atonement, and Razing Hell with Sharon Baker, Part 1

Steve — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:49:01 +0000

In this first-ever interview on Beyond the Box, Ray interviews Sharon Baker, author of the book “Razing Hell: Rethinking Everything You’ve Been Taught About God’s Wrath and Judgment“. Dr. Baker’s views are very much in line with recent episodes that we have done on Beyond the Box, and yet she helps to drive the conversation even further.

In this first part (second part will be posted within a few days), Ray and Sharon go down several rabbit trails, taking time to camp out on various topics relating to forgiveness, justice, and possible cultural impacts on the way people in the Old Testament understood God.

Join Steve on Bearcrawling TONIGHT!

Steve — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:58:55 +0000

Tonight (July 10) at 9:30 PM Eastern, Steve will be guest co-hosting Bearcrawling, hosted by the wonderful Big C. Join us for an unscripted two hours of fun. You can join in via chat or Skype or phone, if you’d like, too. Go to bearcrawling.com or ustream.tv/bearcrawling to listen/watch or participate.

Hope to see you all there!

(The episode will be available for download from Bearcrawling at some point in the future if you can’t make it tonight.)