In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike Morrell reflects on the political and cultural aftershocks of the 2016 US election, the rise of populism, and what it means to build a more compassionate future in a time of division. He shares a powerful vision for “the third way” — a deeper, more relational path that moves beyond binary thinking and toward bridge-building, wisdom, and transformation.Mike also explores the spiritual and anthropological roots of human civilization, drawing from hunter-gatherer history, the rise of agriculture, and the biblical imagination to make sense of alienation, empire, and the human longing for belonging. Along the way, he discusses Trinitarian spirituality, contemplative practice, indigenous wisdom, permaculture, community life, and the role of authentic relating in healing isolation.This episode is a thoughtful, challenging, and hopeful invitation to rethink progress, spirituality, and what mature humanity might look like.

Show Notes:Mike Morrell - https://mikemorrell.org/

Mike spoke of George Ivanovich Gurdjieff: https://ggurdjieff.com/ and Shane Claiborne - https://www.shaneclaiborne.com/

Some of the communities mentioned were:

The Simple Way Community - https://thesimpleway.org/

Earth Haven - https://earth-haven.com/

The Mankind Project - https://mankindproject.org and Women Within - https://www.womanwithin.org/

Matt & Lucas - https://www.facebook.com/beyondering

Beyondering - http://www.beyondering.com.au/

Join us for an enlightening and entertaining conversation with renowned New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine as we explore the Jewish roots of Jesus, the evolution of Christian and Jewish traditions, and the importance of contextual understanding in faith. Discover how embracing diversity in interpretation can deepen our faith and foster respectful dialogue.

The Jewish Annotated New TestamentAmerican Academy of Religion Conference Society of Biblical Literature -

Amy-Jill Levine - Facebook

Matt & Lucas - Facebook

Beyondering - Website

Chances are if you are a “justice-y” type and are on social media in Australia you have probably liked or shared something Jarrod McKenna has posted. If not, let us introduce you to this amazing man.To find out more about (and perhaps get involved with) projects that Jarrod is involved in, check out: First Home Project: here, and here. Love Makes A Way (#LoveMakesAWay) here or here Common Grace (not spoken about in this episode): here.

Beyond Jarrod: We asked Jarrod who he would point us to, whose voices would he suggest could further draw us out and stretch our perspective. His first response was wise and typically on-point: “Who are those that you are in conflict with? Those we are in conflict with can be our greatest teachers. Who are those in our circle that we would otherwise wish to ignore?”

He then went on to suggest people look up the following:David Bentley Hart – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bentley_HartJames H. Cone (recent publication The Cross and the Lynching Tree) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Cone Ben Myers – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Myers Miriam Dale – https://www.facebook.com/MiriamDaleWritings Geoff Broughton – http://www.amazon.com/Restorative-Christ-Jesus-Justice-Discipleship/dp/1625640528

Beyondering Theme music created at Got Fink Studios by Caleb Garfinkel

Beyondering is supported by:

• The Progressive Christian Network of Victoria – Join the network, find resources and learn about upcoming events
• And Common Dreams: An alliance of religious progressives in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

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