Unfinished Community Podcast artwork

Unfinished Community Podcast

200 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago -

Do you feel like the Bible is a giant unholy mess that only makes sense to cultic crazies, obtuse academics, and people with way too much time on their hands?

Well guess what? I have way too much time on my hands (and am a pastor, with a couple of Master’s degrees too), so I’ll try to walk you through it, while attempting to be amusing in the process.

So give us a listen! Here you can find content from the Unfinished Community, featuring Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, Travis Love, and other guests both from the community and beyond.

Hope you enjoy!

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Episodes

SERMON: "Live; Wake Up!" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 3-17-2024)

March 17, 2024 15:56 - 14 minutes - 16.2 MB

This is the sermon delivered remotely by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey on March 17, 2024. Today's sermon is drawn from Jeremiah 31:31-34 and John 12:24-33, and we talk about the importance of our relationship with God growing and evolving over time, both individually and as church communities. What happens when you take a stalk of wheat and plant it under ground? Are we supposed to do church the same way as we always hav...

Back to Basics, Episode 69: The End of Genesis (Genesis 48, 49, and 50)

March 12, 2024 01:30 - 45 minutes - 52.3 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! At last we have arrived, at this our final, nice, episode of Back to Basics; Genesis Edition, and we're taking our last shot at Chapters 48-50 simultaneously! Is it t...

SERMON: "You Should Know Better"" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 2-25-2024)

February 25, 2024 16:30 - 21 minutes - 24.9 MB

This is the sermon delivered remotely by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey on February 25, 2024. Today's sermon is drawn from Mark:31-38 and Romans 4:13-25, and focuses on what can happen when we allow ourselves to become overconfident. What do Red Mages have to do with preaching the gospel? What is it like to be so confident that you'd tell Jesus off directly to his face AND not be a white person at the same time? How far o...

Back to Basics, Episode 68: Presentation, Famine, and the Death of Jacob (Genesis 47)

February 06, 2024 22:31 - 25 minutes - 28.8 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! Come on in as we take aim at Genesis, Chapter 47, wherein Joseph finished the long, hard, but ultimately rewarding work of settling the family of Israel in Egypt. Sur...

Back to Basics, Episode 67: Jacob Brings His Whole Family to Egypt (Genesis 46)

January 30, 2024 01:30 - 28 minutes - 32.8 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! Come on in as we take aim at Genesis, Chapter 46, wherein Jacob gets the whole gang together and brings them down into Egypt to find his long-lost son. Did you know t...

SERMON: "The Measure of a "Man"" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 1-28-2024)

January 28, 2024 17:00 - 23 minutes - 26.6 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of Monocacy Valley Church on January 28, 2024. Today's sermon is drawn from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, and focuses on the sometimes absurd ways that God breaks through our un-listening ears to make God's self known. What do idol sacrifices have to do with the practice of Christian love? How does the breaking of our expectations actually help us be better Christians? What do circus clowns have to do with lessons in English...

Back to Basics, Episode 66: Joseph’s Reveals Himself to His Brothers (Genesis 45)

January 23, 2024 01:30 - 41 minutes - 47.5 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! Join us as we dig into Genesis, Chapter 45, as Joseph finally drops everything and reveals himself to his brothers. With a header like that, is it any surprise that t...

SERMON: "Changing Course" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 1-21-2024)

January 21, 2024 16:42 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of Monocacy Valley Church on January 21, 2024. Today's sermon is drawn from Jonah 3:1-5, 10 and Mark 1:14-20, and we continue on from last week's sermon by exploring just what we do after we listen to God. What does it take to actually follow Jesus? Is it as easy as walking in a straight line? Is walking in a straight line actually easy? What do toddlers, repentance, and advanced robotics all have in common? Listen i...

Back to Basics, Episode 65: Joseph Detains Benjamin (Genesis 44)

January 16, 2024 01:30 - 25 minutes - 29.1 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! Join us for our exploration of Genesis, Chapter 44, as we realize that oh yes Joseph very much CAN get even crazier and crueler with his treatment of his brothers. Ho...

SERMON: "Listener's Block" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 1-14-2024)

January 14, 2024 16:47 - 20 minutes - 23 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of Monocacy Valley Church on January 14, 2024. Today's sermon is drawn from 1 Samuel 3:1-10and John 1:43-51, and focuses on the delicate and difficult challenge of actually listening to God. What does it mean to really listen; is it more than just opening our ears? Does God want us to just sit down and shut up, or are we being asked to do more, to be more? Listen in, and find out! (Manuscript available at the websit...

Back to Basics, Episode 64: The Brothers Come Again, Bringing Benjamin (Genesis 43)

January 09, 2024 01:30 - 32 minutes - 37.6 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! Join us this week for Genesis, Chapter 43, and the brothers returning to Egypt with their youngest (living) brother, Benjamin. How badly is Joesph gonna mess with his...

SERMON: "On Whose Authority?" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 1-7-2024)

January 07, 2024 04:13 - 25 minutes - 29.5 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the Unfinished Community on Epiphany Sunday, January 7, 2024. Today's sermon is drawn from Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12, and focuses on what true authority really looks like. Does it involve bold declarations and confrontation, or is it something totally different than that? Listen in, and find out! (Manuscript available at the website below!) Scripture links are below! _______________ LINKS: This serm...

SERMON: "Regenerata Semper Regeneranda" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 12-18-2023)

December 17, 2023 16:51 - 19 minutes - 22.9 MB

This is an updated and revised sermon, re-delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey on December 18, 2023. Today's sermon is drawn from Isaiah 61:1-4 and Luke 1:46b-55, and focuses on what it means to do more than restore, more than reform, but to regenerate. As a church community, what does it mean to surrender our attachment to what was, and become a truly new creation in Christ? Listen in, and find out! (Manuscript a...

Back to Basics, Episode 63: Joseph’s Brothers Return to Canaan (Genesis 42, Part 2)

December 05, 2023 01:00 - 24 minutes - 28 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! Join us for the second part of Genesis, Chapter 42, as we get the return of the parade of brothers to their father in Canaan. How important is the youngest son to Jac...

Back to Basics, Episode 62: Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt (Genesis 42, Part 1)

November 28, 2023 01:00 - 24 minutes - 27.5 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week we start hacking away at Chapter 41 of Genesis with the return of Joseph's brothers! Is it really ok for Joseph to be THIS petty? How smart do you have to b...

Back to Basics, Episode 61: The Dreams of Two Prisoners (Genesis 41)

November 21, 2023 05:53 - 32 minutes - 37.1 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, Chapter 40 of Genesis is on the menu, as we limber up for the last 10 chapters of the book! How bad of a soothsayer do you have to be to miss the message o...

SERMON: "The Royal Welcome" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 11-16-2023)

November 19, 2023 01:30 - 27 minutes - 31.5 MB

This is an updated and revised sermon, re-delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the Unfinished Community as a bonus on November 16, 2023. This sermon is a rework of "Standing in Wait," a sermon delivered as part of the "Casual Sermons" series back in March. It draws from 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and Ephesians 5:8-14, and explores just who it is that is called to lead the church forward into the future. Spoiler alert; it's probably not who you think! (Manuscript available at th...

Back to Basics, Episode 60: The Dreams of Two Prisoners (Genesis 40)

November 15, 2023 03:44 - 31 minutes - 36.3 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we dive into Chapter 40 of Genesis, and find Joseph rotting in prison, exactly where a Biblical hero should be, right? How badly do you have to screw up as...

Back to Basics, Episode 59: Joseph and Potiphar's Wife (Genesis 39)

November 07, 2023 12:36 - 24 minutes - 27.9 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we dive into Chapter 39 of Genesis, and return to the story of Joseph already in progress. Is it still sexual assault if a woman does it to a man? (Spoiler...

SERMON: "Be Reasonable" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 11-05-2023)

November 05, 2023 04:41 - 27 minutes - 31.6 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the Unfinished Community, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Drawing from Revelation 7:9-17 and Matthew 5:1-12, we spend a little time this week working through the difference between the wise, rational, and reasonable decisions made by humans, angels, and elders alike, and the wild and unreasonable choices made by God. How do the dictates of the reasonable constrain us in our lives? Does God really want us to practice ...

BONUS SERMON: [NAME REDACTED] (October 16, 2023)

October 16, 2023 01:00 - 12 minutes - 14.6 MB

You all asked for it, so here it is; Pastor Don's 5(ish) minute sermon! Drawing from Amos 5:18-24 and Mark 6:1-6, let's spend a quick minute talking about how the church is dying because it's been quietly kicking Jesus to the curb, in almost the same exact way that non-affirming parents do with their LGBTQIA+ kids. Maybe neither group should do that, ya think? Scripture links are below! _______________ LINKS: This sermon is also available as a podcast at anchor.fm/pastorkuma, if pod...

SERMON: "Rule 47" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 10-16-2023)

October 15, 2023 16:50 - 21 minutes - 25.2 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, NJ, on Sunday, October 16, 2023. Drawing from Matthew 22:1-14 and Philippians 4:1-9, we spend our time talking about that great conundrum, whether anyone can really know if another person is truly a Christian or not. Is it solely an internal thing, or is there some criteria we can look to? Is God truly for everyone, or does God have partiality to some over others? What d...

SERMON: "Free-to-Play" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 10-01-2023)

October 02, 2023 01:00 - 28 minutes - 32.5 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the Unfinished Community, on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Drawing from Matthew 21:23-32, we spend our time talking about what it means to live out our lives as people who do the work of Christianity, rather than striving just for the look of it. Is there something we need to have to call ourselves Christian and, conversely, are there things we can see as identifiers that others maybe aren't? Does it matter if you wors...

Back to Basics, Episode 58: Tamar Gets the Upper Hand (Genesis 38, Part 3)

September 25, 2023 01:00 - 25 minutes - 28.8 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible!Back to Basics, Episode 58: Tamar Gets the Upper Hand (Genesis 38, Part 3) This week, we continue with Chapter 38 of Genesis, and the profound weirdness of Tamar's rel...

Back to Basics, Episode 56: Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38, Part 2)

September 11, 2023 01:00 - 26 minutes - 30.5 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we continue with Chapter 38 of Genesis, and the profound weirdness of Tamar's relationship with the male line of her family. What could possibly motivate T...

Back to Basics, Episode 56: Onan and Tamar (Genesis 38, Part 1)

September 04, 2023 01:00 - 25 minutes - 29.1 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we arrive at the passage that Pastor Don has been waiting for since we started this wild ride. That's right, we've arrived at that absolutely clown-shoes b...

Back to Basics, Episode 55: Joseph Dreams of Greatness (Genesis 37)

August 28, 2023 01:00 - 35 minutes - 40.1 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we begin our LONG journey through the story of Joseph. What kinda of absolute narcissist is Joseph, really? What in the heck is a "dream-master?" Did Jacob...

Back to Basics, Episode 54: Benjamin's Birth, Isaac's Death, and Edom (Genesis 35B and Genesis 36)

August 21, 2023 01:00 - 28 minutes - 33.2 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we finish the story of Genesis 35 with the death of Isaac, the death of Rachel, and a WHOLE LOT of lineage stuff. Did Jacob just...change his kid's name ov...

Back to Basics, Episode 53: Jacob Returns to Bethel (Genesis 35, Part 1)

August 14, 2023 01:00 - 24 minutes - 28.5 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we return to the story of Jacob, as his people return to Bethel and finally set aside all their non-God gods. What's up with the earrings? What does "terro...

Back to Basics, Episode 52: Dinah (Genesis 34)

August 07, 2023 01:00 - 30 minutes - 35.1 MB

TW: Discussions of sexual violence and vengeance. Viewer discretion is advised! Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we turn our attention to one of the better-known cases of sexual violence ...

Get Thee Behind Me, Episode 6: Chapter 4, Part 2

August 04, 2023 01:00 - 29 minutes - 33.8 MB

Welcome to "Get Thee Behind Me," a new series from Unfinished Community where we explore the objectively terrible theology and somehow even worse writing of the "Left Behind" novels from the late 1990s. These books (and other media) were a massive hit in their time, but they didn't come out of nowhere; they're the evolution of centuries of heresy and cultism made manifest with all the polish and shine that the evangelical/political organization in America could bring to bear. In Episode 6, ...

SERMON: "Crushing It." (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 07-09-2023)

July 11, 2023 03:01 - 23 minutes - 26.4 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, NJ, on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Drawing from Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Romans 7:15-25a, we talk about what it really means to love God. How is a modern evangelical like a besotted middle-school boy? How can our faith make us more like an incel than a true Christian? What does it really mean to love God? Have a listen to this week's sermon to find out more! (Manuscript ava...

Get Thee Behind Me, Episode 5: Chapter 4, Part 1

July 07, 2023 02:45 - 29 minutes - 33.9 MB

Welcome to "Get Thee Behind Me," a new series from Unfinished Community where we explore the objectively terrible theology and somehow even worse writing of the "Left Behind" novels from the late 1990s. These books (and other media) were a massive hit in their time, but they didn't come out of nowhere; they're the evolution of centuries of heresy and cultism made manifest with all the polish and shine that the evangelical/political organization in America could bring to bear. In Episode 5, ...

SERMON: "A Case of Mistaken Assimilation." (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 07-02-2023)

July 03, 2023 02:01 - 17 minutes - 20.4 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the Unfinished Community, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. Drawing from Romans 6:12-23, we dig into some of the...weirdness...of Paul. Did Paul stop being a fundamentalist when he converted? Is it ok for us to realize that Paul had some serious issues with seeing the world in binary terms? Did you know that Paul was the first non-denominationalist? Have a listen to this week's sermon to find out more! (Manuscript availab...

Back to Basics, Episode 51: Jacob and Esau Meet (Genesis 33)

June 26, 2023 01:35 - 25 minutes - 29.2 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, we rejoin the story of Jacob and Esau already in progress, and take a look at both what a true, loving reconciliation can look like, and the many human way...

Unfinished Community Pride: Stories of the Community (2023)

June 22, 2023 04:55 - 21 minutes - 25.1 MB

"The members, congregants, and other participants in the life and ministry of Unfinished Community acknowledge the history of oppression, exclusion, and violence both spiritual and all too physical which rests upon our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender siblings. In the wider church, and society at large, these beloved children of God have been excluded, rejected, and subject to great and terrible indignity. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we at Unfinished Community welcome and ce...

Back to Basics, Episode 50: A Very Special, Very Topical Episode

June 20, 2023 01:23 - 45 minutes - 52.4 MB

Welcome to "Back to Basics," where Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! This week, in celebration of our 50th episode, we take some time to talk not about the Bible, but about some of the basics of what is (and what isn't) Christianity. C...

SERMON: "There Are Always Possibilities." (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 06-18-2023)

June 18, 2023 15:25 - 13 minutes - 15.8 MB

This is the sermon delivered remotely by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, NJ, on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Drawing from Genesis 18:1-15 and Matthew 9:35-10:23, we dig into the absolutely terrifying impossibility of a God who calls us to sacrifice everything, but somehow make a better world. How does that even work? How can we take on systemic injustice and the greatest destructive institutions in the history of the world through a tactic...

SERMON: "The Next Generation?" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 06-11-2023)

June 12, 2023 01:25 - 13 minutes - 15.8 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to at the monthly worship service for Unfinished Community, on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Drawing from Matthew 9:9-17, we spend some time talking about what it means to "put new wine into old wineskins." Have our institutions, our ways of being Christian become old, cracked, and broken? Have all our efforts to "revitalize" the Christian church amounted to nothing? Where is Jesus, if not here? Have a listen to this week's sermon to find out! ...

SERMON: "What Did I Just Say?" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 06-04-2023)

June 06, 2023 02:11 - 14 minutes - 16.1 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to at the monthly worship service for Unfinished Community, on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Drawing from Matthew 28:16-20, it's time for a conversation about what this whole "Great Commission" thing really means. Is it really about having a "convert or die" mentality, or is Jesus perhaps getting at something greater, more rooted in the love which we know God is? Have a listen to this week's sermon to find out! (Manuscript available at the web...

Back to Basics, Episode 49: Jacob Wrestles at Peniel (Genesis 32, Part 2)

June 05, 2023 01:00 - 25 minutes - 29.6 MB

Welcome to our "new" series, "Back to Basics!" (Well...by new, we mean...repurposed. This isn't the same as the previous series by the same name!) In this series, Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley are going to explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! In today's episode, we'r...

Get Thee Behind Me, Episode 4: Chapter 3

June 02, 2023 01:00 - 58 minutes - 67.3 MB

Welcome to "Get Thee Behind Me," a new series from Unfinished Community where we explore the objectively terrible theology and somehow even worse writing of the "Left Behind" novels from the late 1990s. These books (and other media) were a massive hit in their time, but they didn't come out of nowhere; they're the evolution of centuries of heresy and cultism made manifest with all the polish and shine that the evangelical/political organization in America could bring to bear. In Episode 4, ...

Back to Basics, Episode 48: Jacob Sends Presents to Appease Esau (Genesis 32, Part 1)

May 29, 2023 01:00 - 22 minutes - 25.9 MB

Welcome to our "new" series, "Back to Basics!" (Well...by new, we mean...repurposed. This isn't the same as the previous series by the same name!) In this series, Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley are going to explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! In today's episode, we'r...

Back to Basics, Episode 47: Laban Overtakes Jacob (Genesis 31, Part 3)

May 22, 2023 01:00 - 27 minutes - 31.8 MB

Welcome to our "new" series, "Back to Basics!" (Well...by new, we mean...repurposed. This isn't the same as the previous series by the same name!) In this series, Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley are going to explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! In today's episode, we'r...

SERMON: "Looking Beyond the Leaves" (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 05-23-2023)

May 21, 2023 15:22 - 19 minutes - 22.6 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Drawing from Micah 6:6-8 and 1 Peter 4:12-19, join us for an examination of what it really means to "suffer" for Christ, and how many of us - even progressive, mainstream Christians - sometimes get caught up mistaking suffering for righteousness, and miss our chance to truly do the work of God! (Manuscript available at the website be...

Back to Basics, Episode 46: Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks (Genesis 31, Part 1)

May 15, 2023 01:00 - 25 minutes - 29.1 MB

Welcome to our "new" series, "Back to Basics!" (Well...by new, we mean...repurposed. This isn't the same as the previous series by the same name!) In this series, Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley are going to explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! In today's episode, we'r...

SERMON: "Tomb of the Unknown God." (Rev. Don Van Antwerpen, 05-14-2023)

May 15, 2023 00:28 - 18 minutes - 21 MB

This is the sermon delivered by Rev. Don Van Antwerpen to the congregation of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 24, 2023. Drawing from Acts 17:19-28, join us for a difficult but necessary conversation on the silence of the church, the idolatry of our own imagined ideas of who Jesus is, and the hard truth of our own progressive culpability in the religious radicalism running rampant 'round the world. (Manuscript available at the link below!) Scripture ...

Get Thee Behind Me, Episode 3: Chapter 2

May 06, 2023 01:00 - 35 minutes - 40.7 MB

Welcome to "Get Thee Behind Me," a new series from Unfinished Community where we explore the objectively terrible theology and somehow even worse writing of the "Left Behind" novels from the late 1990s. These books (and other media) were a massive hit in their time, but they didn't come out of nowhere; they're the evolution of centuries of heresy and cultism made manifest with all the polish and shine that the evangelical/political organization in America could bring to bear. In Episode 3, ...

Back to Basics, Episode 45: Jacob Prospers at Laban's Expense (Genesis 30, Part 2)

May 01, 2023 01:00 - 21 minutes - 25.2 MB

Welcome to our "new" series, "Back to Basics!" (Well...by new, we mean...repurposed. This isn't the same as the previous series by the same name!) In this series, Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley are going to explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! In today's episode, we'r...

Back to Basics, BONUS EPISODE: Biblical Translation is Screwy!

April 24, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 21.7 MB

Welcome to our "new" series, "Back to Basics!" (Well...by new, we mean...repurposed. This isn't the same as the previous series by the same name!) In this series, Pastor Don and Courtney Fraley are going to explore the Bible, one story at a time, starting at the beginning, and working our way forward until we either get bored or run out of Bible! Tune in every week for a brief exploration of the next chapter in that thrilling and oft-misunderstood story, the Bible! Today's episode is a BON...

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