jonathan_foster

In this episode we talk about racism, scapegoating, reparations, our imitative desires, Rene Girard and more. Yes, it’s a full one. I’m thankful you get to hear Peter Rollins, James Alison, and Julia Robinson Moore weigh in on these subjects. Their input here and in their writings are helping me decide what it is I’m believing. Make sure you find out more about them at their respective websites, and/or searching Amazon for them. (Btw, if you use Amazon you might as well use smile. amazon and plug in LQVE.org as your non-profit to support!) Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com/ Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk/ Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson If you want, make sure to share, like, follow, and leave reviews. You can find me at jonathanfosteronline.com and also on my facebook page by searching for jonathanfosterauthor. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The title of this episode borrows yet another line from Karl Marx. We’ll go further into “the texture” that is, the life and anti-life that I imagine is woven into the fabric of everything. We'll also talk about what the serpent might have been and where it came from in Genesis 3 and how defining sin is a very difficult endeavor. The highlight, of course, is hearing from Peter Rollins. He’ll talk about, among other things, his idea of sin and the object of desire vs the object cause of desire. I hope you take the time to look him up at peterrollins.com. He’s got a lot of great things to say and I’m thankful he’s agreed to be a part of this season. (As always, he may not agree with everything I say. You’ll have to read him to find out what you think.) Thanks everyone. Follow, like, share, thumbs-up, or whatever it is you feel inclined to do. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1A is a continuation of the episode 1 that begins to lay out ideas about why we feel the need to pretend but why pretending is pointless! It's the greatest news. That's right, grace wrecks the illusion we have to be better than we are. And grace wrecks those who perpetuate the condition that requires illusions. And who might they be? Sigh, mostly, the church. I know, it's wild. Thanks to my guests who appear here and on a handful of different episodes this season. They are authors, speakers, professors, podcasters and people who are doing a lot of great work. Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk Cindy Wang Brandt, https://cindywangbrandt.com Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, https://pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson I hope you find time to look into each of these people. I’ve been reading James and Peter, if I can call them by their first names, for 3-5 years now. Their writings and talks have helped me shift and re-shift my theology toward something which I consider much healthier. I can’t recommend them enough. Cindy and Julia are newer friends of mine. Cindy is an author and podcaster. She has an online conference called https://www.parentingforwardconference.com that I highly recommend. And Julia is an author, professor and speaker that you will find has keen insight. As always, like, share, review, follow, or whatever you do on your particular podcasting platform. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments you might have. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is the first of a two part episode (1 and 1A) that begins to lay out ideas about why we feel the need to pretend but why pretending is pointless! It's the greatest news. That's right, grace wrecks the illusion we have to be better than we are. And grace wrecks those who perpetuate the condition that requires illusions. And who might they be? Sigh, mostly, the church. I know, it's wild. Thanks to my guests who appear here and on a handful of different episodes this season... Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk Cindy Wang Brandt, https://cindywangbrandt.com Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, https://pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson I hope you find time to look into each of these people. I’ve been reading James and Peter, if I can call them by their first names, for 3-5 years now. Their writings and talks have helped me shift and re-shift my theology toward something which I consider much healthier. I can’t recommend them enough. Cindy and Julia are newer friends of mine. Cindy is an author and podcaster. She has an online conference called https://www.parentingforwardconference.com that I highly recommend. And Julia is an author, professor and speaker that you will find has keen insight. As always, like, share, review, follow, or whatever you do on your particular podcasting platform. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments you might have. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to another season of the podcast! We’re obviously in a very difficult time in the life of our world right now. I hope that some of the stuff I offer up here will help you shift or re-think your role or God’s role in the middle of all that is going on. These episodes weren’t created with Corona Virus in mind, but I do think there’s thinking here that might help the Christian faith be more sustainable now and in the future. In this introduction episode, I lay out some of the thinking going into season 2 and introduce some of my guests. I’m grateful each of these folks has allowed me to take bits and pieces of audio and spread them out over a few episodes. Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk Cindy Wang Brandt, https://cindywangbrandt.com Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, https://pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com I hope you find time to look into each of these people. I’ve been reading James and Peter, if I can call them by their first names, for 3-5 years now. Their writings and talks have helped me shift and re-shift my theology toward something which I consider much healthier. I can’t recommend them enough. Cindy and Julia are newer friends. Cindy is an author and podcaster. She has an online conference called https://www.parentingforwardconference.com that I highly recommend. And Julia is an author, professor and speaker that you will find has keen insight. As always, like, share, review, follow, or whatever you do on your particular podcasting platform. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments you might have. And if you’ve read this far you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the poorest areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org. Obviously, the Corona Virus could potentially be bad anywhere, but I can’t even imagine what would happen if it hits such a densely populated area like Port au Prince. I’m praying for them and for all of us. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A timely conversation with best selling author, Dr Thomas Jay Oord about praying, dealing with Covid-19, miracles and partnering with God. Find more about Tom at http://thomasjayoord.com and @thomasjayoord. Meanwhile, Season 2 of the podcast is in production. I've got some great interviews, and ideas, and most important... music! jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In between season one and two I give you Interlude. It's an attempt to offer some prayers, some ancient, some brand new to help us all enter into the pain of this world. There is no hope around the pain, there's only hope through the pain. The anxiety we feel over the current virus is debilitating to many. May these prayers help you calm yourself, listen to yourself, and allow love to be embodied within you. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wow, season uno is concluding. 10 weeks went by fast! Thanks for playing a part. This episode attempts to give some quick responses to some of the more common questions I get about the Bible and the whole topic of homosexuality. But honestly, you need to be reading/listening to Pete Enns, Will Gafney, Barbara Brown Taylor, John Walton, James Alison, Denny Weaver, Walter Brueggemann and lots of others to get better handles on how to approach scripture. Thanks to everyone who's been so supportive. I recognize some of you have had to remain anonymous. Here's to the day coming when there are no more reasons to remain anonymous... and I do believe that day is coming! jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s great to be with Dr. Oord this week. Find out more at www.thomasjayoord.com, including his most recent book, “God Can’t.” Dr. Oord has been super helpful for me, both with my general theological thinking and also personally with endorsing my latest book. I hope you are aware of LQVE.org. It’s our relationship with Haitians. Haiti is going through extremely challenging times right now, but we continue to forge ahead. I’m super proud of all that we’re doing through LQVE, and of Shay Foster and his commitment to helping me make this happen. (Hey, consider using smile.amazon and plugging in LQVE as your 501c3 group to support.) Fee free to reach out. We’re trying to create dialogue in this little corner of the world wide web. I’ll do my best to answer and respond to everything you shoot my way unless you just want to get angry at me. If that’s the case, ha, it’s probably best I don’t respond. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, the new book is live! Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks. In this episode I talk about the three reasons I decided to write, “Questions About Sexuality that Got Me Uninvited from My Denomination.” And when you purchase the book you can find a handy discussion guide, plus a handful of really strong resources in the bibliography section. (and IDK why the cover isn't showing up right now. but, it's there. just taking the amazon bots a while to get it populated for some reason.) Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile! And if you’ve read this far you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most challenging areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org. Oh hey, buy the book through amazon.smile and support LQVE! Great idea. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Well, I’ve talked a lot about love in the last couple years of my life, but the more I talk about love the more the religious people want to talk to me about hell. It’s strange to me, but this podcast helps me understand better what’s going on. I hope it will help you as well. (Spoiler alert: If hell is the deepest thing in your life you will be forced to send people there. I just happen to think there’s something deeper than hell.) If you want to think upon this topic more (and who doesn’t) please read, “Her Gates Will Never Be Shut” by Brad Jersak, or the hell chapter in “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God” by Brian Zahnd or hey, how about one of my top 5 books of all time: "The Great Divorce" by CS Lewis. You should probably check out rethinkinghell.com as well. There’s some interesting stuff there. (I'd be remiss not to mention David Bentley Hart's book entitled, "That All Shall Be Saved." Hart is a preeminent theologian, though I must admit, the average reader will struggle with his verbosity!) Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. Don’t forget to take a moment and check into LQVE.org. It’s a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most challenging areas of the Western Hemisphere. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I take a slight side trail this episode trying to give some support to lots of us who are dealing with friends, family members, collogues, mentors, or just religious people in general who are struggling with the choices we are making. It’s interesting… what we need from them is the very thing they need from us. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. Have you seen LQVE.org? LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most interesting areas of the Western Hemisphere. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode I get to talk to Lindsey Paris-Lopez. Find out more about her (and Rene Girard) at www.ravenfoundation.org. There is a growing number of resources out there either about the life of or revolving around the ideas of Rene Girard. Some of my favorites include books like, “Reading the Bible with Rene Girard” (Michael Hardin), “Evolution of Desire” (Cynthia Haven) and “Stricken by God? (edited by Brad Jersak and Michael Hardin). There’s a series of audio files that are really interesting at https://auticulture.com/the-skapegoat-rene-girard-cbc-series-mp3-downloads/ Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. And since you're here, let me just introduce LQVE to you. LQVE.org is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the poorest areas of the Western Hemisphere. Check it out. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I’m not sure I would have ever been able to arrive at new ideas about God (which I desperately needed) without wrestling with Rene Girard’s mimetic theory and scapegoating. There are a growing number of resources out there revolving around the ideas of Rene Girard. Some of my favorites include books like, “I See Satan Fall Like Lightning,” (Rene Girard/William James) “Reading the Bible with Rene Girard” (Michael Hardin), “Evolution and Conversion” (Rene Girard), the ravenfoundation.org, and anytime Dr. James Alison interacts with Girardian thought, which he does a lot in his writing and on his website at jamesalison.co.uk. I have way too much fun with music on this episode. It’s amazing what one can do with garage band and a few loops from landr.com. If you moderately enjoy any of these episodes consider leaving some stars and some reviews. Moderately enjoy… I’ve set the bar fairly low there. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. Have you seen LQVE.org? LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most interesting areas of the Western Hemisphere. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is the second of a two-part conversation with Dr. Johan Tredoux. We unpack theology in a way that reveals maybe the truest reason why I’m in favor of viewing everyone as worthy of God’s unconditional love and how my former ecclesial hierarchy couldn’t quite embrace that idea. I’m thankful you get to listen in on what we talk about here, and I hope it makes you think. Johan has his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester. He’s the author of Mildred Bangs Wynkoop: Her Life and Thought. Find it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Mildred-Bangs-Wynkoop-Life-Thought/dp/0834136511 (And hey, you might as well purchase through smile.amazon and designate LQVE as the benefactor.) If you like what Dr. Johan has to say, check him out the first Sunday night of the month, 5 pm, at the Praxis gathering at missionchurchonline.com. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. And if you’ve read this far, you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most remote areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is the first of a two-part conversation with Johan Tredoux. He has his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester. He’s the author of Mildred Bangs Wynkoop: Her Life and Thought. Find it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Mildred-Bangs-Wynkoop-Life-Thought/dp/0834136511(and hey, you might as well purchase through smile.amazon and designate LQVE as the benefactor.) Johan has been a strong theological influence in my life, and after you listen to both of these episodes, you’ll understand why. Buy his book, and oh, if you like what you hear, check him out the first Sunday night of the month, 5 pm, at missionchurchonline.com at the Praxis gathering. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile! And if you’ve read this far you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a fascinating relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most under-developed areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org. jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1-The One About How Non-Sacrificial Love is our Only Hope Let’s see how dramatic I can make this. OK, maybe the most important discovery of my lifetime is the idea that Jesus died neither to gain God’s attention nor to get him to forgive us. I try and introduce that idea in this episode while letting you know you the personal reason why I was desperate to locate God’s proximity on Good Friday. The entirety of my faith (including how I interact with LGTBQ+) now grows out of a non-violent, non-sacrificial view of God. -Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile and make sure to sign up for my substack newsletter. Thanks everyone! jonathan_foster substackjonathan_foster instagramlovehaiti.orgthecurian.network  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.