Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of Faith
One pastor's attempt at late-night-level honesty about the Bible, church history, theological scholarship, spiritual practice and...God. (AKA how one nearly-de-churched thinker discovered that love is the name of the game.)
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Jesus and the Revolution, Part 03 - The Enemy and the Allure of Now
06/20/2022
Jesus and the Revolution, Part 03 - The Enemy and the Allure of Now
The divine rescue - of which the ministry of Jesus is the decisive act - is not merely to be understood as the securing of a heavenly afterlife for the faithful, but the restoration of a fallen creation. To be "saved" is to be set free, to be healed and to be counted a citizen of the "kingdom of God." But such freedom recognizes there we are presently captives, subjects of a hostile regime. There is an enemy that must be defeated. But identifying that enemy - the actual enemy - can be quite difficult. In this episode we turn to the story of Jesus's "temptation" in the wilderness as Matthew helps us see that this is Evil's attempt at a negotiated victory. Why not accept some comfort here, some glory there and a whole lot of earthly power? All that is required is to let Evil continue it's work behind the scenes... It's an offer Jesus managed to refuse..., but one we are quite often willing to accept in an instant. And the thing about deals with the devil is...there is never a deal. It can help to follow along visually, so the text for this sermon can be found here --> If you value the podcast and are able to support the community from which it comes, you can make a tax-deductible (Thank you!!!) For more series, resources and means of contacting me, simply head to or !
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Jesus and the Revolution, Part 02 - A Prophet as of Old
06/13/2022
Jesus and the Revolution, Part 02 - A Prophet as of Old
God's Revolution to Restore All Creation begins with a cry to all Israel to prepare for war. But not the war Israel expected... For decades tensions with Rome had been growing. Various political and religious sects (think Pharisees, Sadducees, et al.) were staking out their positions in the coming conflict. Swords and spears were beginning to be sharpened. And at that time, on the banks of the Jordan (the boundry of the promised land), John the Baptist beckoned God's people to "repent!, because the Kingdom of God (the restoration of God's direct reign in creation) has come near." The battle, the rebellion, is about to begin. It is time to choose a side and pledge allegiance to a leader - to the prophet God will send... It can help to follow along visually, so the text for this sermon can be found here --> If you value the podcast and are able to support the community from which it comes, you can make a tax-deductible (Thank you!!!) For more series, resources and means of contacting me, simply head to or !
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Jesus and the Revolution, Part 01 - A Call to Revolution!
05/05/2022
Jesus and the Revolution, Part 01 - A Call to Revolution!
At the heart of Jesus's ministry is the declaration that "the Kingdom of God has come near!" This is not merely a call for sinners to secure the afterlife, but the announcement that the fulfillment of the covenant of salvation is at hand! The God of Israel has arrived to depose the powers and principalities of this age and re-establish his reign over all creation. In short, the central proclamation of Jesus is a call to recognize - and join! - THE Revolution! In this new series, we take a detailed look at the Gospel of Matthew to understand the nature of the revolution Jesus has come to lead and what it means to pledge our allegiance to a new king. The text for this sermon is: And here is a link to Cotton Mather's quite distressing book: . If you value the podcast and are able to support the community from which it comes, you can make a tax-deductible (Thank you!!!) For more series, resources and means of contacting me, simply head to or !
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 19 - Resting for the Kingdom
04/21/2022
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 19 - Resting for the Kingdom
The one commandment I disregard without a second thought is the one about resting. The irony, of course, is that I often ignore this divine call to honor the sabbath in what feels like the work of the Kingdom. And it has been more clear in the last two years than in most of my lifetime that there is work to be done. It is easy for good people to become overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility. Yet, the one with the greatest human responsibility of all, made public display of stopping, of resting... So this episode is a look at Jesus's pesonal need for rest, and the reminder (which my recent life shows I have yet to learn!) that we must stop neglecting the work of resting for the Kingdom. To read along or study further, the biblical text for this conversation can be found here: And here is how to connect with - the global relief agency of the Presbyterian Church USA. They do amazing work! You can also now share in !!!! We'd love to have you join us! Want more content from Jesus at 2AM? Check out the , where you can also learn more about how to . Up for connecting??? I'd love to have you !
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 18 - The Loving Road to Justice
04/01/2022
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 18 - The Loving Road to Justice
No, your eyes do not deceive you...the podcast is back! (It never really left, but was definitely on leave of absence for a while...very sorry about that - some of the details are in the intro.) Then it's on to part 18 of our series: Hope in the Time of Covid. In this episode, we take a look at the difficult-yet-essential truth that the road to justice is paved in love. In this time when historic injustices are being revealed with painful clarity, we understand all the more the impulse of the oppressed to seek justice by means of violence. Even those of us who face little oppression can find ourselves shockingly enraged at minor transgressions against "what is right!" And we reflexively assume the person opposing us is the source of the wrong, our "enemy." If we can overcome them, we can achieve "justice." But that's not how true justice is ever established... And, if you're the type who likes to read along, the biblical text for this conversation can be found here: Did you know you can now share in ? We'd love to have you join us! You can also find a , links to the and much more on the . And for some very helpful resources on this subject, check out Want more content from Jesus at 2AM? Check out the , where you can also learn more about how to . Up for connecting??? I'd love to have you !
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 17 - Origin Stories
07/29/2021
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 17 - Origin Stories
Does the 21st century nation state of Peru play an essential role in salvation history? Short answer: Of course not. God loves Peruvians! But Peru the cultural/political body is not critical to the plan redemption. So why do many American Christians suspect that the US, as a nation (or a cultural dimension of the nation), is a divinely ordained actor on the stage of cosmic salvation? The (mistaken) answer is located deep in both church and American history, and needs to be corrected for the health of both.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 16 - Admitting the Problem (of Sin)
07/19/2021
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 16 - Admitting the Problem (of Sin)
How do I, as a white, well-educated, heterosexual, Protestant, cis male, who would never knowingly sanction racism of any sort, reflect on "systemic racism"? For those of us who try hard to be good people (defined in no small part by being not-racist), the phrase can spark a reflexive defensiveness ("Not me!"). Yet the enduring effects of racism are clear... So how do I think about my part in the "system"? Might I be an unwitting participant in oppression? Can I ask myself the question? And what if yes...?
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 15 - On Love, Hope and Change
07/06/2021
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 15 - On Love, Hope and Change
Hope is the belief that things can change for the better. And it is the question the gospel persistently sets before us: Are we naive in thinking that meaningful transformation is possible? And more naive still to believe that love is the means by which such transformation occurs? In this episode we look at the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee confronted with Jesus's insistence that he be "born again from above" - that is to say: to surrender what he thinks he knows, and let God show him what love can do.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 14 - What God Wants? Justice, Mercy and Humility!
06/23/2021
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 14 - What God Wants? Justice, Mercy and Humility!
"How does one appease a deity? Gain a favor? Avert a curse?" Such questions stood at the center of Ancient Near Eastern religion (and of many cultures since...). And thus great effort has been dedicated to rituals and ceremonies and strict adherence to divine instructions. So what does the God of Israel want from his people? What are our instructions? (And is our purpose to gain a blessing or escape a punishment??) In this episode we turn to the OT prophet Micah's succinct articulation of God's answer.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 13 - Jesus and Divine Justice
06/16/2021
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 13 - Jesus and Divine Justice
As those called to share in God's project of restoration, justice is at the heart of our work. But what does the Bible mean by "justice"? The term easily conjures feelings and images not shalom (peace), but punishment - that divine justice is defined by the reward of the righteous and the proper condemnation of the wicked. (This is where much of the "law and order" language we hear in connection to politics arises!) But a closer look reveals God's concern is not judgment but compassion.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 12 - Hope and Vision
06/04/2021
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 12 - Hope and Vision
Essential to the life of faith is recognizing that hope is rooted in reality, in what is actually possible. The gospel has no room for fairy tales or wishful thinking, only for what can be accomplished in this time and place. And thus the work of maturity is to expand our vision for what is possible with God (short answer: healing, peace and restoration). The difference is subtle, but critical. In a world that is hurting deeply, the way forward is to see - as best we can - the world through Jesus's eyes.
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Easter 2021: The Long, Slow Triumph of Love!
04/12/2021
Easter 2021: The Long, Slow Triumph of Love!
At the cross, Love and Evil went to war - the final confrontation between God and sin. And the question is: Who won? (It would be good to know, as the answer changes everything about how we live!) The New Testament, of course, argues passionately that Easter is the proof of God's victory, and as a result, the entire course of history has been transformed. But has it? And if, indeed, it has, how might we experience the change for ourselves? What are we to do to both share in and further the triumph of Love?
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 11 - Love and Revolution
03/31/2021
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 11 - Love and Revolution
APOLOGIES for being away so long. No...really. I'm sorry for the extended absence (more in the intro).
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Advent 4 (2020) - The Name of the Game
12/24/2020
Advent 4 (2020) - The Name of the Game
The ultimate lesson of Advent, indeed the ultimate lesson of the whole of scripture and the life of faith, is love - the pure, open, unending and unconditional, freely-given love of God. It is the simplest of insights, and yet we can go decades - even as confessing Christians - without truly seeing it...truly. And so this is a sermon about exactly that: the love of God, as plainly as I can make it. It's not a Christmas sermon per se, but there is much within it about discovering Jesus (again).
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Advent 3 (2020) - Come and Be Joyful!
12/23/2020
Advent 3 (2020) - Come and Be Joyful!
If any emotion has been in short supply this year, it's joy. And yet Advent calls us to return to this central experience of the Christian life, whatever our momentary circumstances. Today we hear from Banning Cantarini, a young and gifted preacher, who takes a look at how one of our most beloved carols of Christmas was written amidst serious suffering, and why coming to Jesus is cause for rejoicing. This is no call to deny pain or paint a happy face on hardship. Rather, it is a reminder of grace.
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Advent 2 (2020) - Peace Within and Peace on Earth
12/10/2020
Advent 2 (2020) - Peace Within and Peace on Earth
Peace is the theme of the 2nd week of Advent and one of the central promises of the Bible. And yet for many of us, true peace - both inward and in creation - is very elusive. How can we find inner calm when so much of the world is hurting? Would we not have to turn a blind eye to suffering? Indeed, is not the way to peace on Earth the labor of God's people? Today we look again at Psalm 46 and a deep lesson on the nature of peace and and the means by which we can truly experience it (memory and faith).
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Advent 1 (2020) - God, Sosthenes and Hope
12/03/2020
Advent 1 (2020) - God, Sosthenes and Hope
We begin Advent 2020 with a look (by our beloved Rev. Ian Farrell) at a Jewish official named Sosthenes. Originally mentioned in the book of Acts, he took part in bringing charges against Paul in Corinth, charges that could have had dire consequences. And when the case is thrown out of court, Sosthenes is attacked by his own. Seems the last we’d hear of him...until he co-writes 1 Corinthians. Turns out people can change - a lot! And that’s not a bad reason for hope in a broken world!
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 10 - On the Difficulty of Discipleship and the Grace of God
11/26/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 10 - On the Difficulty of Discipleship and the Grace of God
If you find yourself having to learn the same lesson of faith a thousand times, following Jesus closely and then wandering off aimlessly, believing and not believing, trusting and doubting...this is the episode for you. And you happen to be in good company - namely Jesus's first disciples. Today we look at the general ineptitude of the original apostles and how clearly their impressive fallibility reveals the unconditional love of God.
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Embracing Every Saint - The Church and the LGBTQ+ Community
11/17/2020
Embracing Every Saint - The Church and the LGBTQ+ Community
Who truly belongs to the family of faith; how wide is the circle of God's people?
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 09 - The Love of a Mother and the Heart of Jesus
10/28/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 09 - The Love of a Mother and the Heart of Jesus
Continuing our look at the practice of being loved by God, we read the story of Jesus encounter with a young mother desperate for healing of her daughter. Everything about their meeting is a violation of cultural expectations, and the scene is wrought with emotion. And in this meeting - where hope meets love - we see in stark relief the boundless love of God for each and every person, no matter how distant from God they may seem (or feel).
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 08 - Love Embodied
10/20/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 08 - Love Embodied
Continuing our look at the practice of being loved - the work we can do on our side of the relationship to receive what God has already given us - we look, again, to Jesus. But we do so not so much in an effort to follow or obey, but simply to (re)discover his heart: What drives Jesus? What motivates his action? If Jesus is God incarnate, what does his life reveal about the essential nature of the Lord? And how might insight into the depths of Jesus's love change us?
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 07 - The Practice of Being Loved
10/16/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 07 - The Practice of Being Loved
That individual humans are dearly loved by God is central claim of Christianity. And yet many of us go through periods where we question even this foundational idea. Are we loved? Really?
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 06 - Hope and Holiness
09/15/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 06 - Hope and Holiness
Having established the content of Christian hope - the present assurance of God's ultimate salvation (see ep. 292) - we turn now to the Christian obligation to be instruments of hope to others. Amidst suffering, even suffering inflicted upon us, as followers of Jesus we are called to embody hope, to reveal the way to love and peace and rest. Our means for accomplishing this? In a word: holiness - being distinctly Christian, distinctly loving.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 05 - What, Exactly, IS the Christian Hope?
08/28/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 05 - What, Exactly, IS the Christian Hope?
For many of us right now, especially, hope can feel in short supply. Not just the amount of hope, but the content of hope. What are we actually hoping for? And what has Jesus got to do with it? What constitutes "Christian" hope? That we won't suffer? That we won't grieve? Die? Clearly that is NOT what the gospel promises (see "crucifixion"!). Is hope, then, limited only to the age to come? I trust that God will win in the cosmic end? Is there true, meaningful hope for today? Short answer: yes.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 04 - In Praise of the Saving God
06/10/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 04 - In Praise of the Saving God
This remains a very difficult time, as crisis seems to mount upon crisis, pain upon pain, fear upon fear. And the question that confronts us is: How do we remain people of enduring hope, while honestly enduring suffering? When we don't seek false escape from pain, diminish it or deny it, but courageously face it, what gets us through? What genuine hope do we have? And how do we experience it? The short answer is: prayer. And prayer can be learned. In this episode we examine Ps. 118 as we learn how to pray.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 03 - Suffering, Character and Hope
05/20/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 03 - Suffering, Character and Hope
What most of us want amidst suffering is for the pain to end - to be quickly delivered from our distress. And it is tempting to imagine that if God loves us, this must be what he desires as well - a quick and sudden end to our hardships. Perhaps that is the hope of faith, that if we are sufficiently obedient, God will prevent our suffering in the first place (or remove it quickly)? But the Bible makes no such promises. Indeed Jesus himself insists that we will face pain. So what then is our hope? And why?
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 02 - What We Know for Sure
05/08/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 02 - What We Know for Sure
One of the hardest parts of enduring this crisis is coping with so much uncertainty: How long will it last? Who will be affected? What about the economy? Will there be a vaccine? Who should I trust for information...? The questions can be dizzying and tempt us in some moments to grasp at any hope offered, and at others, to nearly abandon hope.
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Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 01 - Never Waste a Crisis!
05/06/2020
Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 01 - Never Waste a Crisis!
This is the first in an entirely ad hoc series on hope and transformation and how they fit together. It is born out of the pandemic that has swept our world, and my ponderings on what defines the Christian hope and how that hope can shape the world that emerges on this other side of this crisis.
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8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 08 - What Does God Really Want?
03/26/2020
8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 08 - What Does God Really Want?
Isn't the main point of Christianity to be a good person (and thereby to secure my place in heaven)? I mean, if one is basically moral, reasonably charitable and occasionally saintly, doesn't that please the Almighty? Is the point to please the Almighty? Come to think of it, what IS the point of Christianity? If one were to boil it all down, what's the message of the gospel? In this episode we take up these questions and arrive at a vision of faith that goes far beyond ethics.
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8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 07 - How Does Sanctification Work?
03/11/2020
8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 07 - How Does Sanctification Work?
I know that as a Christian I am called to sanctification - to a life shaped ever more into the image of Jesus, in short, to a life of sinning less and loving more. And in some areas of my life, I see progress! But in other areas...not so much. Indeed in some facets of my life, I see almost no inner change at all, despite genuine effort. What gives? Do I just need to try harder? (Frankly, I'm ready to give up and just make peace with a besetting sin or three.) What does actual sanctification look like???
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