Charlotte Elia offers a reflection on Genesis 3. “We talk often about being on the ‘right side of history,’ but we Christians should probably talk more about whether we’re on the right side of the curse, whether we might be advocating for the curse and propping up Satan’s code rather than Jesus’. That’s no good...
Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia recommend a few selections to add to your summer reading list or your bedside table. Charlotte’s Picks: Athanasius’s Life of Anthony St. Basil the Great On Social Justice James Baldwin’s Letter from a Region in My Mind Chad’s Picks: Augustine’s Confessions The Cloud of Unknowing Leo Tolstoy’s The Kingdom of...
Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia discuss the relationship between faith and doubt. Are they truly opposites or can they complement each other? Is it even fair to disparage Thomas as “Doubting?” What should we do when we experience doubt? How should we react to others facing uncertainty? Are faith and belief the same thing? And...
Charlotte Elia offers a reflection on Acts 2:1-21 for Pentecost. “And so we need each other. We need each other, we need that diversity of voices, that diversity of perspectives and experiences to keep us from the fruitless pursuits of building towers to heaven instead of the kingdom of God. But it’s more than that....
Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia discuss what scripture does and doesn’t say about God’s relationship with animals and ours by extension. Do all dogs go to heaven? What about mosquitos? What can we learn about God and the world from animals? Does God talk to the animals? Do the animals know God? Will they be...
Charlotte Elia offers a reflection on John 17:20-26. “Our dignity comes from the fact that we are created in the image of the Trinity, participate in God’s beauty, are redeemed by Jesus Christ, and are destined for an eternal life of communion with God. God has declared us worthy, has deemed us lovable, has called...
A reflection on Mark 10:46-52 from Charlotte Elia. “What do you want me to do for you?” This simple question, this simple tool of Jesus, honors the person you want to serve by centering them and their experience and by respecting their autonomy, their humanity. People who are suffering poverty, hunger, homelessness are seldom asked...
In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia discuss the concept of the imago dei, the image of God in which humanity is created. Listen as your hosts discuss various ideas about how humankind bears God’s image and then break down what’s useful and what’s problematic with each. What do you think? Is it our...
There are too many people in this country promoting violence against women, trans kids, black and brown folks, and so many others under the guise of our faith. They have the audacity to call themselves Christians when all that they do is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. People are suffering and dying, and more...
On this episode Chad and Charlotte discuss some of the stock phrases that loving, caring people say to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. You know, things like, “He’s in a better place,” or “God needed another angel.” People mean well; they mean to comfort the sorrowful, but these phrases often...