Welcome to the Planet Jesus Podcast! This is Ep. 21 “Canceling Cancel Culture.” In this episode, I acknowledge that there are times when we need to call out bad behavior and sin. But, that can only occur from a position of relationship. Also, I address the void that exists for a person who is canceled. Cancel culture does not provide a space for people to change but rather forces war-like entrenchment in order for the one who is canceled to survive. The Christian program for addressing sin is repentance – forgiveness – reconciliation. This program creates a space for one who deserves to be canceled to be recovered into the relationship. Who doesn’t need that? Who is free from offense?

YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/mhEknBTHKhQ

The Kingdom of God is structured for interdependence were everyone labors to support the needs of the whole. Christians should work together to support one another and represent a kingdom of abundance, not scarcity.

As the Apostle Paul writes to the Roman Christians, he challenges them to think about their role in society. Throughout time these questions have always been relevant to Christians. Who do we know that deserves our wrath, but instead receives our graciousness? How do we use our God given gifts? How should we react to the world around us, or in other words… Who is our neighbor’s best neighbor?

Tom Wright’s Kingdom New Testament

Shining the Light for a world enveloped in darkness is not simply a task set for us. On the contrary, this Light should shine as part of our birthright as Children of God. Being a good citizen of heaven affords us with great opportunity and privilege, not to squander, but to share, by modeling God’s character to, not just those we care about, but to those whom God cares about.

In this episode, the Apostle Paul, an early detractor and then follower of Jesus, speaking to believers in Crete, describes how humble obedience and love can influence those around us. He explains how Christians should behave out in the world? Respond to the issues of the day…? And support rulers and authorities… even if you didn’t vote for them?

There is a delicate balance between judgement and mercy; too much of either creates social problems. In this episode, we will consider an often misunderstood passage regarding the commission of the disciples of Jesus to be fishers of men. What has been interpreted as a statement of evangelical inclusiveness is actually a message of judgement. That said, embedded in the story and in its roots in Hebrew history, we see the mercy of God come through. We hope you enjoy.

“Go into all the world and report the good news!” These were a few of the last words spoken by Jesus to his disciples. This commission takes courage and vulnerability, but it is through weakness that hope is spread to a world in despair. In this episode, Rob will continue what he began in Episode 14 and show how Jesus reflected on the story of Israel and modified it to reshape the imagination of his hearers to see a God who was universal, not bound to one race of people.

In this episode, we will consider what it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God. What is the culture of that kingdom. How that meaning and our actions are informed by the character of the king(Jesus). And, how that meaning has been ignored or twisted. This episode is the first of a two-part program. It’s focus is on the Hebrew and Ancient Near Eastern views of God (or the gods) and humanity and its purpose.

I refer to a couple books in this podcast:

John Walton “Ancient Near Eastern thought and the Old Testament“

Maimonides “The Guide of the Perplexed, Vol. 2“