Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Mid-faith Crisis
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
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| Episode 298: We defer to Jesus | 31 Aug 2024 | 00:44:27 | |
Yes! The brothers have reconciled and the podcast band is back together. So, in this week's show we talk about redeeming the word 'religion', what it is that we can give to the church, whether Jesus was a bit smitey (again) and in the words of one contributor, the 'ready brek feeling of the warmth that Jesus can bring with that desire to be a better human being'. Also, we touch on the dangers of satire and we start to discuss some aspects of a twenty-first century faith. Phew!
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| Episode 297: Jesus was not an accountant: an interview with Sian MacInnes | 24 Aug 2024 | 00:50:02 | |
This week's episode is all about money. Why are we so embarrassed by it? Why do we fear dealing with it? Is ethical investing worth it? And do we really have to tithe? Thanks to Sian MacInnes FPFS for her great input on today's show.
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| Episode 288: Happy Be Kind to Clergy Day! | 08 Jun 2024 | 00:46:32 | |
We carry on our discussion about churches and church leadership. Do churches need visible locations? How do we preserve their communal identity without creating barriers that keep others out? And, crucially, when Jesus said 'where two are three are gathered' does that include rabbits? Also, we reflect more on bad behaviour in the church – but in this case on how many clergy are on the receiving end of bullying by church members. Which is why we have declared this Sunday to be the international 'Be Kind to Clergy' day! Mentioned in this episode:
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| Episode 198: No such thing as the great commission | 14 May 2022 | 00:41:55 | |
We explore the role of imagination in prayer, and how that can help us with a real relationship with God. Also why disputes might help us, whether worship song writers should go to sea, and whether there is such a thing as 'the great commission'.
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| Episode 197: The boulders of faith | 07 May 2022 | 00:36:08 | |
We think about why, throughout history, people have moved massive boulders in the name of religion. What boulders of doctrine or belief are we pushing uphill? And what are we building with them? Also Nick is conflicted about social media and we think about the possibility of multiple choice worship song lyrics.
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| Episode 196: I’ve forgotten the second thing | 30 Apr 2022 | 00:45:27 | |
Lots of questions this week. Why do we sing things we don't agree with? Have we misunderstood the writings of Paul? How do we know that God is love? What behaviour have we a right to expect from leaders? And will Nick ever remember the second point he was going to make?
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| Episode 195: Looking for the Living | 23 Apr 2022 | 00:31:59 | |
A bit of a catch-up. Joe is back from holiday and Nick's been preaching over Easter. We chat about looking for the living among the dead, the discipline of hope and whether having one foot in the grave means that you're getting in or climbing out.
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| Episode 194: Postcard from Mexico | 09 Apr 2022 | ||
Joe is on holiday, recording (a) via some flaky internet and (b) on the world’s worst mic, so apologies for that. But consider this is a little bonus episode. We have a chat about how we feel about Easter this year and how our celebrations of Christian festivals always reflect our emotional state.
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| Episode 193: The joy is the relationship | 26 Mar 2022 | ||
This week a really crucial question: what does God actually do? If he's just love, what good is that? We talk about finding joy and power through our relationship with God. We talk about how metaphors create reality and, especially, how the metaphor of the church as Christ's body might be a bit more than metaphorical. It's been a sad week, so there are tears. But there are also elephants. So that's good.
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| Episode 192: Time for some prinking | 12 Mar 2022 | ||
We explore the idea of taking responsibility for God's believability. If God is not going to intervene in a miraculous way, is it up to us? Also, we discuss the importance of enjoying joy whenever and wherever you find it. Not to mention the annoying nature of nostalgia (and, indeed, the annoying nature of Nick) and whether Vanilla Ice was a minor prophet.
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| Episode 191: Draining joy in the name of the Lord | 05 Mar 2022 | ||
More follow up this week on how to respond to peoples' prayer requests. How are we supposed to discuss our spiritual journey without feeling superior? Do we need 'get out' phrases to avoid controversy? And is it OK to feel like we need a break when the world is on fire? Also Joe has had a computer related trauma and Nick has a cake-related ethical question about fasting. Turns out that life is complicated.
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| Episode 190: Doomscrolling is bad for you | 26 Feb 2022 | ||
It's been a worrying week. How do we respond to big events? Can we get the balance right between ignorant bliss and doomscrolling despair? Also, we have great emails about the sovereignty of God and whether it's OK to ask people to pray in ways we wouldn’t. And, most importantly, we discuss why we really need new wristbands.
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| Episode 189: A nation of rageaholics | 19 Feb 2022 | ||
After a deluge of theological cocktail suggestions - and some new TV shows as well - we turn our attention to outrage. Every day we are invited to get outraged about something - but is that healthy? Can outrage be a positive force? Also we talk more about attention, collaborating with God, 360 degree feedback for discipleship, and Death in the Nile by Kevin Branagh.
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| Episode 287: It’s nature, but is it churching? | 01 Jun 2024 | 00:46:45 | |
In keeping with his theme, Joe has been nature churching. We discuss his experiences so far, what makes something 'church', the importance of your spiritual trellis and whether some churches turn the tricycle of faith into a unicycle. Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Episode 188: A Total Depravity, please, Barman | 12 Feb 2022 | ||
When we do something good is that just God pulling the strings? We explore our own kingdoms, the role of wisdom and suffering the continuing effects of 'Long Calvin'. Also Joe has an idea for a TV show and Nick wants to rebrand theological ideas as cocktails. Send us your recipes!
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| Episode 187: The epiphany goes on and on | 05 Feb 2022 | ||
We carry on exploring yet more fallout from 'the now famous epiphany'. Joe changes his theme, Nick has learnt the benefit of staying put, and we explore whether 'acceptance' is too close to fatalism, and the importance of finding the right things to pray for.
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| Episode 186: Fragments of glory | 29 Jan 2022 | ||
Last week Joe had an epiphany. This week Nick's written a 'poem-ish thing'. We talk more about the need for acceptance and how we so often fail to recognise the wonder of 'ordinary time'. Also we discuss resisting the urge to solve things, the need to spend time in neutral, the latest film from Kevin Branagh and Nick's latest 'messiah purchase'. (Astute listeners will notice that the intro reaches a new low, and not just because Nick has the wrong glasses on.) | |||
| Episode 185: A Worthing Pier experience | 22 Jan 2022 | ||
Joe has had an epiphany. Nick has been to a baptism. We talk about the need for radical acceptance in life, about the difference between themes and goals and how we need to remind ourselves why we went to church in the first place. Links to stuff mentioned in the show | |||
| Episode 184: ‘Sort it Ahhht!’ | 15 Jan 2022 | ||
It's our 2022 themes episode. We reflect on how our themes worked out last year, and look ahead to what we're going to be concentrating on in ZOZZ. (Or 2022 as some call it.) But we start something very serious: our very first Mid-faith Crisis Ministerial Scandal. Resign! | |||
| Episode 183: Planning for spiritual success | 08 Jan 2022 | ||
Nick has some thoughts on the cricket and whether we can draw any spiritual lessons from sport. Can we plan for spiritual success? What would that even look like? How does our view of God affect our confidence in the spiritual life? Can we learn to play - or even pray - without fear? Also we are confronted with an ornithological-based heresy and we talk about the military symbolism of the Gadarene swine. Like you do. | |||
| Episode 182: ‘In a Galilee far far away…’ | 25 Dec 2021 | ||
It's a Christmas Day episode. Nick has discovered cocktails, Joe has mastered snowballs. We discuss our suddenly altered Christmas plans, talk about what it means to bring good news to all people at Christmas, and we end with a quote from Gandalf. Or not. See you in Zozz! | |||
| Episode 181: Reconnecting with Christmas | 18 Dec 2021 | ||
We talk about Christmas and mid-faith. How do we approach the nativity stories? Are they historic accounts or symbolic tales? What is striking us about advent this year? Also, we talk theological tenancy agreements, the Devil's vegetable and whether some people will have a restricted view of the second coming. Oh, and Nick has an award. Of sorts. | |||
| Episode 180: The Special Cuddles Episode | 04 Dec 2021 | ||
Yes, it's here. We have an interview with Becky Francis, a sex therapist and relationships counsellor. What is the relationship between sex and mid-faith crisis? How can counselling help? And why is it that something which God created is only really talked about by Christians in 'shameful' ways? It goes without saying that this episode contains some sexual content, so best not to listen to this with your parents. | |||
| Episode 179: Where’s my sabbatical? | 27 Nov 2021 | ||
There seem to be a lot of trigger words in this week's podcast, some quite surprising. Mainly we talk about discipleship and whether trying to be like Christ is really setting the bar too high. As well as discussing what has helped us move towards Christlikeness, we also talk about special cuddles, a trial separation from church and Nick gets very angry about sabbaticals. | |||
| Episode 286: God is speaking our language | 25 May 2024 | 00:45:52 | |
We have a think about Pentecost. What was it all about? Was it really the birthday of the church? Is it an eschatological thing? Actually, what even is an eschatological thing? Nick, has a three-point sermon, and naturally, each point begins with the same letter. Also an interview with Lisa-Jayne Lewis, our very own Eurovision correspondent. | |||
| Episode 178: Mystery and naïveté | 20 Nov 2021 | ||
More about how we approach our difficulties reading the Bible and the need to learn to live with uncertainty and mystery. Then we talk about what we can learn from our children during the mid-faith crisis and how their naïveté is a thing to be cherished. Also, Nick and Joe argue about the new Bond film and we discuss whether to talk about 'special cuddles'. | |||
| Episode 177: Attending resentfully | 13 Nov 2021 | ||
Is there any point going to church if it’s just going to add to our cognitive dissonance? We explore the idea of putting a bit of space into the relationship and the need to ensure that, if we walk away, we are walking towards something helpful. We also discuss how we can trust scripture, when certain bits are interpreted so differently, and why it is sometimes easier to be honest with strangers than with people we know well. Also Joe talks about the moon, Nick has a new time-management app, and we end with a great poem.
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| Episode 176 ‘As somebody said somewhere’ | 06 Nov 2021 | ||
We were both a bit tired in this one. But before our batteries gave out entirely, we talked about how the wrong ways of reading the Bible can sometimes be the right ways, how it’s really important to ask why you decided to follow Jesus in the first place, and, just as importantly, what you and he are going to do together today. Oh and we look back on the first ever Mid-Faith Crisis Church Weekend. And there’s the unwelcome return of Joe’s nipple infection. | |||
| Episode 175: An interview with Matt Hyam | 30 Oct 2021 | ||
Author Matt Hyam talks about how justice lies at the very heart of the gospel – and how Jesus' message is an invitation to experience the life of the age to come. Lots of thought-provoking, and even eye-opening stuff. (Sorry about the sound quality with this one, but believe us, it's worth a listen.) Also, more on VIP worship experiences and next year's MFC Lee Abbey week is open for booking! | |||
| Episode 174: The grey world of faith | 23 Oct 2021 | ||
It's a rather odd episode this week covering a bewildering range of topics, including Christian hairstyles, the Euthyphro dilemma, pluralistic ignorance, the unusual Christian fairytale of the Emperor's old clothes and whether hibernation should be an option. Finally we have a discussion about whether salvation is much more an attitude than an event. And most importantly, a bit of verbal smiting about the idea of VIP tickets for worship events. | |||
| Episode 173: Everything’s important, but none of it is very important | 16 Oct 2021 | ||
Yes! It’s the fifth anniversary of Japan’s 12th most-listened to Christian podcast. A big 'thank you' to everyone who supports us. This week we talk about loads of stuff, including reframing our viewpoint, accepting problems and difficulties, the unhelpful idea that the salvation button is on, and how physical actions can help us. Also, Nick has been ill, but in a good way. | |||
| Episode 172: Using my power for good | 25 Sep 2021 | ||
We talk about whether the stages of faith echo the stages of life. Is it possible to have your faith stage and your life stage out of sync? Does age bring wisdom and freedom? Also, some more on Genesis – do we place too much importance on this book? How do we read it responsibly? Finally we talk about how we use what power we have for good. Not to mention why the podcast is like a banana and how a poached egg is a sign of love. | |||
| Episode 171: In the beginning… | 11 Sep 2021 | ||
It’s our Genesis episode. Or the beginning of our Genesis episodes, perhaps. We talk about why Genesis has such influence and power, reading it as a story, the freedom of creation and how we might read it afresh today. Also, do we become like the gods we worship? Nick can’t find the verse but is pretty sure it’s in the Bible. (It is. See below.) And Joe has been having trouble with his pollinators. | |||
| Episode 170: ‘Literally a P frenzy’ | 04 Sep 2021 | ||
All the 'P's this week as we talk about pensions, prayer, paradox, people, priests, providence, patience and perspective. We talk about how 'mystery' helps us rediscover practices we have previously rejected. And we discuss the stories we tell ourselves and the concept of learned helplessness. Also Nick has been to more old churches (some with very peculiar carvings) and we discover that we are all, basically, just confused at a higher level.
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| Episode 169: A deep desire to pray | 28 Aug 2021 | ||
If we don't believe in an interventionist God then why are we still driven to pray about world events? Why, despite the questions and the difficulties of prayer, do we still find ourselves on our knees in the face of what's happening in the world? Plus there is feedback on seeing good and evil within human beings, and whether the best prayer is 'thy will be done'. Also, Joe thinks that Nick might just have ruined his life. | |||
| Episode 285: How to be wise | 18 May 2024 | 00:42:57 | |
Following his year of wisdomness, Nick wrote an article on wisdom. We discuss whether the church downplays wisdom in favour of revelation, the steps we can take to intentionally gain more wisdomness and the need, as Nick puts it, to 'Squeeze the tube of your mistakes for the toothpaste of wisdom'. | |||
| Episode 168: It could do with some carpet | 21 Aug 2021 | ||
Joe and Nick have been visiting lots of old churches, making one of us very happy. We discuss our different ideas of sacred spaces. Then tacklesome moving and challenging feedback – thank you for trusting us with your stories! Oh and there's a truly angelic musical moment at the end. | |||
| Episode 167: The Chicken Tikka Masala of Spirituality | 14 Aug 2021 | ||
An episode in which Nick explains his aversion to the idea of Celtic spirituality. Following on from last week's interview, we talk about whether new theologies have to appeal to ancient roots. Also we discuss ‘deep knowing’ and how we put it into action, and there is helpful feedback from listeners on coping with the endless deluge of bad news. | |||
| Episode 166: An Interview with John Philip Newell | 07 Aug 2021 | ||
We are joined by John Philip Newell, who talks about his new book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul. In a wide-ranging interview, John Philip talks about the sacredness of the earth and of every human being, the concept of original sin, and giving expression to what the soul already knows. | |||
| Episode 165: Being authentically authentic | 31 Jul 2021 | ||
And we're back. Interesting questions in the feedback this week. Is there is a one-size-fits-all salvation? Are we good citizens of the Kingdom of God or are we yobs? Is church just a good behaviour club for the anxious middle classes? And how can we live in a genuinely authentic way? Also, Nick has had a transcendent experience on Lindisfarne, Joe is anxious about the background noise and both of us hate bindweed. | |||
| Episode 164: I am a beloved wormy worm | 17 Jul 2021 | ||
Among this week’s topics, we discuss renaming the Old Testament, speaking in tongues, and whether Joe is a druid. Also there is more feedback from the interview with Dave Tomlinson including ideas about original goodness as well as original sin, and the relationship of faith to salvation. Easy stuff, then. | |||
| Episode 163: Practical salvation | 03 Jul 2021 | ||
Joe is back from holiday and has encountered a very angry version of the Lord’s Prayer. As well as the usual fascinating feedback, we talk about the interview with Dave Tomlinson, about the relationship between mid-faith crisis and rational enquiry, the gravitational pull towards uniformity and about what salvation might mean in practice. Normal levels of uselessness were achieved. We’ll be back in two weeks. | |||
| Episode 162: Dave Tomlinson on Christian humanism | 19 Jun 2021 | ||
This week we have an interview with Dave Tomlinson. Dave talks about Christian humanism, our ‘common origin in goodness’, the importance of holding your nerve, the absolute importance of rational enquiry and the empathy of apes. So, lots of stuff, then. We’ll be back in two weeks. | |||
| Episode 161: Give them a Damn Good Listening 2 | 05 Jun 2021 | ||
Nick’s been listening to God and God, appropriately enough, has been telling him to listen. So this week, helped by some great feedback on the power of deep listening, we talk more about spiritual direction, about the conviction that God is active and present in every area of our lives and how we can help others hear from God. Also, Joe takes us through his quite boring pre-holiday ritual and we introduce a new part of the show consisting of Nick’s more thought-through responses. | |||
| Episode 160: Dancing with the Bible | 29 May 2021 | ||
This week’s feedback leads us to think about whether church is like a running club, how to use our stories and memories as soul places, and how mid-faithers should read the Bible. We talk about reading big chunks quickly, and small chunks slowly. But can we inhabit the text? And what happens if instead of wrestling with the text, we decide to dance with it. Meanwhile, Joe has suffered from a gas shortage and Nick thinks it's weird being 60. Some interesting alternative Bible translations
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| Episode 159: ‘Give them a damn good listening to’ | 22 May 2021 | ||
Joe has been traumatised by the dentist. Nick has had spiritual speech therapy. But apart from that we continue our discussion of soul places. What is it that makes something a soul place rather than just a ‘place’? Are there spiritual practices we need to renew? How do we rediscover the ancient paths that lead to rest for our souls? And has anyone got a 10,000 year plan? | |||
| Episode 284: It’s theological correctness gone mad | 11 May 2024 | 00:34:45 | |
In a feedback-fuelled episode, we chat about heresy, gratitude, and the circuit board of love. Is heresy just speculation that is not the official speculation? Do we have to score 100% on our exams to get into heaven? Also, we think about whether sin is better viewed as separation and Nick gets rather agitated about how we read the Bible. Again. Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Episode 158: Soul Rest | 15 May 2021 | ||
Nick is back and he’s been in lots of old churches. Joe is facing a highly invasive camera. We talk about whether God is all powerful and why churches need to be places where our souls find rest. Warning: contains inappropriately puerile humour. Like most weeks, frankly.
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| Episode 157: Emphasising the kingdom | 01 May 2021 | ||
This week we start with an email on prophecy from someone who may or may not be related to one of the hosts. Should you suggest that a ‘word’ from the Lord may not actually be accurate? We talk more about the terms we use for God, and discuss whether we should emphasise 'kingdom' more than 'church'. Also, is there such a word as ‘masculising’? Is rebuking the best kind of prophecy? And thank the Lord for the apophatic tradition! Brought to you by Mid-faith Crisis - A More Loving Podcast. | |||
| Episode 156: Seeking a Balanced Spiritual Diet | 24 Apr 2021 | ||
We have feedback from the Brian McLaren interview, which leads into a discussion about whether we should all go to more than one church. Do we need one, small community for our discipleship and a range of other places for our worship? Also we talk about karate churches, authoritarian leaders, theological conspiracy theories and whether quite a lot of us are suffering from ‘languishing’. Meanwhile, Nick has been told to shut up on medical grounds and Joe is going all David Attenborough again. | |||