A messy love story: Rachel Sensenig on reading the Bible (Ep 31)

The pastors start off talking about organizing by what we have, and not by what we lack. We need to be fed by Jesus, need to be free from an evaluation of ourselves all the time and just be living in this place of being with Jesus so that we can do whatever the Spirit leads us to do.

A big interview between Jonny and Rachel on her views of the Bible: how to read it and engage with it, especially in community; dealing with patriarchy and colonialism that have mis-used the Bible; her own experience as a pastor; and some of her favorite theologians who engage with the Bible in a deep and yet relatable way.

We end with a little Show and Tell: books to read, spiritual people who've influenced us, and celebrating meeting in person outside for our Sunday meetings.

//Notes//

How the Bible Actually Works by Pete Enns: https://peteenns.com/books/how-the-bible-actually-works/

Anselm on Celebrating Our Transhistorical Body: https://www.circleofhope.net/transhistorical/april-21-anselm/

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you:
You are gentle with us as a mother with her children;
Often you weep over our sins and our pride:
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds:
in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life:
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness:
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead:
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us:
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness:
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.

The Catena Aurea, by St. Thomas Aquinas:
https://www.ecatholic2000.com/catena/untitled-111.shtml

Quote from Origen: I suppose also that he gains the world who does not deny himself, nor loses his own life as to carnal pleasures, and thence suffers the loss of his soul. These two things being set before us, we must rather choose to lose the world, and gain our souls.

My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
https://centralrecoverypress.com/product/my-grandmothers-hands-racialized-trauma-and-the-pathway-to-mending-our-hearts-and-bodies-paperback

2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

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//About this Podcast//

Resist and Restore is a podcast by Circle of Hope. We're extending the table of our dialogue! Tune in bi-weekly as the Circle of Hope pastors—Rachel, Ben, Julie, and Jonny—sit down to dialogue about faith, God, Jesus, the spiritual life, and everything in between. Available on Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.

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