The Light in Every Thing: Recent Episodes
The Seminary of The Christian Community
Deeper conversation on the mysteries of Christianity with Patrick Kennedy and Jonah Evans, directors of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. In this podcast we engage the great questions of life and do this through a spiritual approach to Christianity made possible through contemplative inquiry and the science of the spirit known as Anthroposophy. You can support our work and gain access to more unique content if you visit our Patreon: www.patreon.com/ccseminary
In this summer repeat, Patrick and Jonah continue their series on heaven and hell by asking why Christian spirituality still speaks of enemies, adversaries, demons, and battle. Wouldn’t it be better to move beyond all language of conflict and darkness?
The conversation explores the danger of spiritual paths that seek bliss by escaping pain, evil, and the cross. Patrick and Jonah distinguish bliss from love, and ask what it means to follow Christ not out of the world, but into a deeper relationship with it. Through Psalm 23, communion, Halloween, Judas, and the call to “take up your cross,” they reflect on how Christ prepares a table in the presence of our enemies.
At the heart of the episode is the mystery that the adversary is not simply removed, but transformed into an unwitting servant of our becoming. In the presence of challenge, betrayal, pain, and evil, we are invited to die to what is hardened in us and become capable of a freer, deeper love.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this summer repeat, Patrick and Jonah continue their exploration of heaven and hell by asking what happens after death. If heaven is not simply a place we go forever, and hell is not merely a punishment imposed from outside, what is the soul’s journey through purification, truth, and love?
The conversation begins with the question of whether life without love is already a kind of hell on earth. From there, Patrick and Jonah turn toward near-death experiences, the overwhelming reality of divine love, and the way this love does not simply excuse everything, but reveals everything. In the light of love, all that is not love must be seen, felt, and transformed.
Together they explore repentance, purgatory, and the burning process of self-knowledge as gifts of love rather than punishments. At the heart of the episode is the mystery that bliss is not the fullness of love, but can serve love’s fulfillment: the free choice to enter suffering, sacrifice, and earthly life for the sake of blessing another.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this summer repeat, Patrick and Jonah continue their exploration of heaven and hell by turning toward a surprising image: the false paradise. Beginning with Christ’s words to the criminal on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise,” they ask what true paradise is, and how it differs from a pleasant, controlled, painless world that avoids the cross.
The conversation explores the danger of a light that carries a lie within it: a vision of perfection without love, truth without compassion, and utopia built by force. Patrick and Jonah name this as one of the subtler forms of hell, a darkness that masquerades as light and promises peace by eliminating whatever does not fit its vision.
Against this false paradise, they point toward the true paradise opened by Christ: the path of compassion, patient endurance, sacrificial love, and the willingness to suffer with others rather than harden the heart. At the heart of the episode is the mystery that heaven is not built by escaping the cross, but by entering the love that passes through death into resurrection.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this summer repeat, Patrick and Jonah turn from the mystery of heaven toward the mystery of hell. Beginning again with Christ’s words in John 8, “I am the light of the world,” they ask what this light means in relation to darkness, death, and the fallen world.
The conversation explores biblical images of hell as distance from God: the belly of the beast, the depths of the sea, the dust realm, the pit, and the powers of death that threaten to bind the human soul to what is passing away. Patrick and Jonah consider how Christ enters this realm not by escaping death, but by passing through it, transforming death itself into a servant of life.
Together they reflect on Golgotha as the decisive encounter between the light of Christ and the powers of darkness, and on what it means for human beings to remain connected to heaven on earth even in the presence of despair. At the heart of the episode is the Easter mystery: that the place of death can become the very place where new life begins.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this summer repeat, Patrick and Jonah continue their conversation on heaven and hell by exploring the “three heavens”: the primal heaven from which we come and to which we return in sleep and death, the hidden kingdom of heaven now present on earth through Christ, and the future New Jerusalem toward which creation is moving.
Together they ask what it means that Christ is “the Lord of the heavenly forces upon earth,” and why the earth is the place where human freedom, moral responsibility, and sacrificial love can truly awaken. The conversation moves through the mystery of death, near-death experience, the soul’s journey, reincarnation, purification, and the ongoing work of becoming human beings who can shine with the light of Christ.
At the heart of the episode is the picture that the heaven we often imagine as the final destination is not simply where we go when we die, but the fruit of a long creative process already beginning in us, between us, and on the earth.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this summer repeat, Patrick and Jonah continue their conversation on the mysteries of heaven and hell by exploring what it means for Christ to be “the Lord of the heavenly forces upon earth.” Beginning with John 8:12 and the image of Christ as the light of the world, they consider the ancient experience of the skies, sun, moon, stars, and seasons as living revelations of divine activity.
The conversation moves through Psalm 19, ancient sacred sites aligned with the sun, the Hebrew movement away from worshiping created things, and the Christian understanding that the heavenly forces have come to earth through Christ. Patrick and Jonah reflect on how these forces are no longer simply “out there” in the heavens, but are meant to awaken within human beings as light, wisdom, love, and moral strength.
Together they ask how human beings can learn to shine without burning out, how community can become a constellation of light, and how Golgotha becomes not only an event in history, but a living reality within us.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
This (northern hemisphere) summer, we are reposting our September 2023 series on Heaven and Hell.
In this opening episode, Patrick and Jonah explore what Christianity means by heaven, hell, earth, sky, and the “heavenly forces.” They ask how modern consciousness can recover these ancient images as living realities, not merely mythological leftovers.
The conversation moves through the Ascension, the Creed, Christ as Lord of the Heavenly Forces on Earth, and the soul’s experience of longing, grace, scarcity, blessing, despair, and freedom.
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Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this final episode before the summer break, Patrick and Jonah return to the mystery of salvation and the “second death.” Together, they explore freedom, judgment, the resurrection body, the soul as bride, Christ as bridegroom, and the danger of becoming too bound to what is passing away.
Rather than presenting salvation as membership in the right religious group, this conversation asks what it means to freely follow Christ as the living source of a new creation.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
What is the “second death,” and why does the communion service speak of Christ’s body and blood as preserving the life of the soul? In this first part of the season’s closing conversation, Jonah and Patrick explore the soul’s entanglement with death, the images of Babylon and the New Jerusalem in Revelation, and communion as the gift of Christ’s own death-and-resurrection life. Salvation is not simply moral imitation, but receiving the healing and strength we cannot manufacture for ourselves.
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Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this episode, Jonah and Patrick continue their exploration of the question of inclusion and exclusion. If Christ’s presence is universal, if he has entered into the life of all humanity, what does it mean for each person to recognize him freely? What does it mean to confess him, to commune with him, and to receive his life without turning salvation into a club, a boundary marker, or a ticket purchased through the right words?
The conversation moves through the Eucharist, the image of the church, the mystery of the “true” Christian community, and the difference between an earthly institution and the much larger spiritual body of those who come to know the healing power of Christ. Patrick offers the image of Christ as the spiritual sun: not one star among many, but the source whose forces make inner moral life, transformation, and resurrection possible. From there, the question becomes not simply “Who is in?” but “How does each human being come to recognize the one whose light is already shining?”
By the end, the episode rests near the road to Emmaus: the disciples have already known Jesus, yet they do not immediately recognize the risen Christ walking beside them. Recognition takes time, unfolding, bread, blessing, and the gradual awakening of the heart. And perhaps this is one of the deep questions of salvation in our time: why does it matter that we come to recognize him consciously, freely, and in love?
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
Is conscious confession of Christ necessary for salvation? Moving through the liturgy of the Christian Community, the Gospel image of the sheep and goats, the writings of Paul, and Christ’s own descriptions of lordship and service, the conversation wrestles with the mystery of how love, recognition, identity, and freedom intertwine. Can someone participate in Christ without knowing Him consciously? What changes when the human “I” freely recognizes Christ and says, “you are my Lord”?
Along the way, Jonah and Patrick explore the difference between simply acting lovingly and consciously linking one’s identity with Christ, the paradox of a Lord who serves rather than dominates, and the idea that true salvation may involve not only the healing of the soul, but the transformation and fulfillment of the self itself. Drawing on the stories of Thomas, Paul’s encounter on the road to Damascus, and the image of Babylon in Revelation, this episode asks what it means to freely surrender to a love greater than oneself—and whether confession is less about exclusion and more about the self becoming fully whole.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
This week, we begin a new movement in our exploration of salvation—turning from the Trinity Epistle toward the mystery of the Eucharist. What does it mean that true salvation is connected not to self-preservation, but to self-offering? Drawing on the Gospel of John and the imagery of Christ’s path through death, we explore how love, sacrifice, and participation in this offering might transform our understanding of protection, redemption, and what it means to truly live.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
This week’s conversation brings the series on salvation to a close by turning toward a subtle but searching question: what does it mean to truly see?
Moving through the threefold path of Father, Son, and Spirit, Jonah and Patrick explore how human consciousness can shift—from isolation, into participation in a greater Being; from passive existence, into co-creation; and finally into a life of prayer that seeks healing through the Spirit. Along the way, they ask whether salvation might be understood not only as something we receive, but as something that unfolds through how we perceive, know, and respond to the world around us.
In the final movement, the focus sharpens on sight and insight—on the relationship between seeing, knowing, and judging. What happens when our vision is clouded, even as we become more aware of darkness? And what might it mean to offer even our thinking itself—to allow our knowing to be transformed, received, and illuminated by something greater than our own minds?
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
What does it really mean to be “saved”? In this episode, Jonah and Patrick continue their exploration of salvation—but move beyond familiar categories of heaven and hell into something far more immediate and challenging: the transformation of the human self.
They ask whether salvation is less about belief alone and more about what we become. How is the self—so bound up with consciousness, memory, and the body—meant to endure beyond death? And what role do love, action, and relationship play in shaping that future? Drawing on Scripture and lived experience, they wrestle with questions of justice, grace, and the mystery of knowing Christ—not just in name, but in reality.
The conversation also turns toward a deeper question: how do we come to truly know what is true? If love itself becomes a way of seeing, then salvation may not be something imposed from outside, but something that unfolds as our capacity to perceive is transformed. What might it mean to recognize Christ—not only in doctrine, but in one another, and in the very fabric of life?
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
What if the central act of Christianity isn’t something to be fully understood—but something to be entered?
On this Holy Thursday, Jonah and Patrick turn toward the mystery of the Last Supper: a meal that has shaped centuries of faith, yet remains strangely beyond explanation. As bread is broken and wine is shared, the question emerges—does understanding this mystery actually matter? Or is something deeper already at work within us, recognizing its truth before we can name it?
This conversation explores a different kind of knowing—one that doesn’t possess truth, but participates in it. Along the way, they wrestle with a provocative tension: if goodness, love, and even Christ-like action can appear in those who don’t consciously believe, what role does awareness, recognition, or faith really play?
Moving from the table to the nature of the human self, the episode opens into a deeper question of salvation itself. What happens to our consciousness, our memory, our sense of “I” when the body fades? And could this mysterious meal be more than symbolic—something like a medicine, quietly reshaping what it means to be human?
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this episode of The Light in Everything, Jonah and Patrick continue their exploration of salvation by turning to the third movement of the Trinity-season epistle, where the Holy Spirit is named in a striking way as the Healing God.
What begins to emerge is a shift: from describing what God and Christ have already accomplished, to asking what still needs to happen within us. The conversation centers on the phrase “grasping the spirit through our humanity,” opening a question that feels especially relevant today—why does healing now seem to be connected to the life of the mind?
Through images of light and darkness, creation, and even the experience of solving a riddle, Jonah and Patrick explore what it might mean for thinking itself to become a kind of spiritual activity. Rather than something to escape, the mind is approached as a place that can reach, receive, and perhaps even pray.
This episode opens a path into a deeper question: what would it mean not just to think, but to be healed in our thinking?
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
What if salvation isn’t about escape, but about transformation? In this episode, Jonah and Patrick trace a thread from Genesis to Easter, exploring how the pattern of creation itself—light entering darkness and bringing forth something new—may also be the pattern of healing. Through reflections on Christ’s life, death, and the mystery of the Eucharist, salvation begins to feel less like a distant idea and more like a living, creative process that meets us in our brokenness and transforms it from within. But this opens a deeper question: if something is being given, what is asked of us in return? Moving between grace and participation, the conversation invites us to see even our struggles and fatigue as part of an ongoing rhythm of renewal—night and morning, again and again, where something new is always trying to be born.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
This week’s conversation continues the exploration of salvation by turning toward the creative activity at the heart of the Trinity. What does it mean to experience Christ not only as Savior, but as the living Word actively creating within us?
What if we shifted from thinking about salvation as rescue from something, to recognizing it as participation in an ongoing act of creation? If the divine Word is at work in all that we create, what does that reveal about our humanity, our purpose, and our relationship to God?
Rather than beginning with sin or brokenness, this episode opens a different doorway: one that invites us to encounter the creative Spirit already at work in our lives--and to ask what it means to become conscious of it.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this episode of the Salvation series, Jonah and Patrick turn to the second movement of the Trinity epistle and explore what it means to experience Christ not only as presence, but as creative activity. If the first panel spoke of being and substance, this one speaks again and again of creating. What might it mean that our very essence and life are described as participating in a living, generative work?
The conversation traces how salvation can be experienced through different doorways. For some, the path begins through the recognition of sin and the need to be rescued. For others, it begins through beauty, calling, and the awakening of a fuller humanity. Rather than forcing one approach, the text opens a different possibility: that salvation may first appear as the discovery of what our humanity is truly meant for.
From there the discussion turns to creativity itself. If human beings are capable of creating, what keeps that creativity from collapsing into self-assertion or pride? The epistle suggests a striking answer: our creative capacity is never self-generated but participates in a deeper creating already at work within us. The question that remains is what Christ-like creativity actually looks like—and what becomes of the things we make when they arise from somewhere else.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this third episode of the Salvation series, Jonah and Patrick explore what Patrick calls the three chapters of our salvation. Beginning again with the Trinity epistle’s surprising starting point—conscious of our humanity—they ask how salvation unfolds not only in the history of Christ, but in the awakening of human consciousness itself.
The conversation traces a threefold movement: first the recognition that our being and substance already rest in the Father; then the experiential meeting with Christ in our humanity, where isolation begins to give way to belonging; and finally the work of the Holy Spirit, through which what was accomplished in Christ becomes something we can consciously participate in.
Along the way they reflect on Paul’s conversion, the temptation to define belonging through opposing sides, and the difference between a salvation that is merely received and one that must be lived into. If something decisive has already been accomplished in Christ, the question remains: how does that redemption become real in us?
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Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this episode of the Salvation series, Patrick and Jonah continue exploring what the word actually means and why it still matters.
Beginning with the liturgical movement from Advent to Epiphany, they enter the Trinity Epistle and reflect on the “Son of Man” as more than an individual figure. Salvation emerges as a rescue not only from false light and unworthy craving, but from egotism and isolation — the structural loneliness of the self.
Through Genesis, John’s Gospel, and Second Temple traditions, they consider the possibility that salvation is not primarily about exclusion or escape, but about being gathered into a shared humanity and becoming “sons of light.”
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Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
We begin a new series on salvation.
It’s a word that can feel outdated, divisive, or misused. Yet beneath the discomfort, the human question remains: What saves us? What saves a culture? What saves us from ourselves?
In this opening episode, Patrick and Jonah revisit salvation through the movement of the liturgical year and through lived experience. They explore the difference between true Light and false light, the danger of coercive religion, and the possibility that the image of God already lives within the human being.
Through scripture, biography, and contemporary reflections on technology and AI, the conversation suggests that salvation has not disappeared — it has migrated. The longing for rescue persists, even if the language has changed.
This episode sets the stage for the series to come.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this Roadside Conversation, Jonah speaks with outreach and admissions coordinator for the Seminary of the Christian Community in North America Dan Mistak about a life shaped by faith, rupture, and responsibility.
Dan reflects on growing up in a rigid religious environment, losing inherited certainties, and moving through science, philosophy, law, and policy work without settling into easy answers. The conversation explores how wounds can harden into ideology or soften into care, what it means to act justly inside broken systems, and how faith can remain alive without becoming a weapon or an identity badge.
This episode is unscripted and personal. It’s not about having the right language, but about staying honest, staying open, and learning how to live without building defenses that turn inward or outward.
Part of the ongoing Roadside Conversations series.Support the show
Ask us a question here!
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
Jonah sits down with Rev. Nora Minassian (Sacramento) for a Roadside Conversation on spiritual biography: growing up Armenian Christian in Aleppo, questions that wouldn’t let go, faith shaken in university, and the surprising ways anthroposophy reopened the Christian question. They talk about freedom, suffering, prayer, and what it means to “become” rather than simply “be” a priest. Nora closes with what’s lighting her up right now: Paul’s letters, Damascus, and how Christ may be encountered in a new way in our time.
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Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
This episode is part of Roadside Conversations—standalone conversations shared between regular episodes of The Light in Everything.
Jonah is joined by Conner Habib and explores questions of spiritual biography: how a person comes into relationship with Christ, how that relationship develops over time, and what feels most alive now.
Conner talks about growing up without religion, an early attentiveness to the sacred, and the roles philosophy, science, anthroposophy, and esoteric Christianity played in shaping his spiritual life. Rather than a single conversion moment, he describes a gradual, sometimes indirect way Christ became real to him.
The conversation also touches on healing, suffering, the “holy wound,” burnout, and Conner’s current focus on vitality—how to notice what enlivens rather than drains, and how attention to vitality might guide life and action.
About the guest:
Conner Habib hosts the podcast Against Everyone with Conner Habib (https://connerhabib.com/against-everyone/) and is the author of the novel Hawk Mountain (https://connerhabib.com/hawkmountain/), longlisted for the PEN/Faulkner Award.Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website (https://www.christiancommunityseminary.ca/). This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Ask us a question here!
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this episode, Patrick and Jonah conclude their Facing Evil series by exploring discernment, inspiration, and the challenge of recognizing true light in a time of false goods. They reflect on Christ as the orienting center for spiritual life and ask how human beings learn to test what appears good, spiritual, or beneficial.
The conversation ranges across technology, medicine, and sexuality, considering how instincts and insights meant to serve humanity can become distorted when separated from responsibility and love. Drawing on Rudolf Steiner, near-death experiences, and modern scientific discovery, they reflect on inspiration, illusion, and what it means to remain human in an age of overwhelming stimulation.
The episode closes with a powerful meditation on compassion, accountability, and hope—inviting listeners to consider how awakening, rather than avoidance, might be the path through the darkness.
Extended reflections and personal notes are available on Patreon.
Ask us a question here!
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this episode, Patrick and Jonah begin the new year by returning to a central question of our time: how do we face evil without losing freedom, discernment, or love? Drawing on the Gospel of John and Rudolf Steiner’s reflections on the work of the angels in the human soul, the conversation explores compassion, individuality, technology, medicine, and the danger of “automatic” spirituality. Along the way, they ask whether what feels like apocalypse today might actually be an unveiling — a revealing of what we desire, neglect, or refuse to see.
Extended reflections, personal notes, and deeper context are available on Patreon.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
Patrick and Jonah continue their Facing Evil series by reflecting on Rudolf Steiner’s picture of Christ’s activity in our time and the work of the angels in human life.
They explore the idea of a “second Golgotha,” consider the spiritual consequences of modern materialism, and touch on Steiner’s image of a kind of spiritual “smog” surrounding the earth. As Christmas approaches, the conversation turns toward the angels as messengers and guides, and toward Christ as a presence encountered through inner awakening rather than outward spectacle.
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Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
Patrick and Jonah continue their “Facing Evil” series by reflecting on the tension between automatic spirituality and a purely material, technical way of thinking. Drawing on Rudolf Steiner’s images of Lucifer and Ahriman, they ask what it means to remain free, responsible, and awake in a world shaped by instant answers and constant stimulation.
The conversation touches on silence, screens, artificial intelligence as a source of guidance, and the challenge of making space for discernment. Along the way, they introduce the striking idea of a “second Mystery of Golgotha” and what it might mean for human consciousness today.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
Patrick and Jonah continue their “Facing Evil” series, returning to Steiner’s Work of the Angels in Man’s Astral Body. They explore what happens when we sleep through the spiritual impulses meant to awaken us, and how Ahrimanic materialism and Luciferic automatic spirituality can distort those impulses. The conversation touches on the New Testament image of Christ coming “as a thief in the night,” the danger of losing moral discernment, and Steiner’s striking idea of a renewed Mystery of Golgotha in the etheric world.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this week’s episode of The Light in Everything, Patrick and Jonah continue exploring Rudolf Steiner’s lecture The Work of the Angels in Man’s Astral Body by turning to a central spiritual question: What happens when the guidance meant for human beings is met by resistance—both within us and around us?
They revisit the three core impulses the angels weave into humanity:
• a deepening sense of human solidarity,
• meeting each person as a revelation of the divine,
• and a redeemed form of thinking that can receive the life of the Spirit.
Then they follow Steiner’s claim that if these impulses are not consciously received, they do not simply disappear—they transform. Patrick and Jonah describe how Luciferic forces can turn spirituality into something automatic and coercive, while Ahrimanic forces draw us toward cold materialism and a purely technological future.
Along the way, they consider scriptural motifs, inner freedom, cultural examples, and Steiner’s “Representative of Humanity” sculpture as an image of Christ holding the balance between these extremes--to see this examination, please find and follow our YouTube page!
This episode invites us to reflect on how spiritual currents work through our culture, our choices, and our thinking—and how freedom becomes the meeting place where the human being can stand upright in the midst of them.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
After weeks exploring Revelation’s cosmic images, Patrick and Jonah turn to something far more intimate and immediate: the mystery of sleep and wakefulness. Drawing on Rudolf Steiner’s research in spiritual science, they explore what actually happens when the human being enters and exits the body each day, and how these daily rhythms reveal deeper layers of consciousness.
They outline seven distinct modes of human awareness—from the darkness of dreamless sleep to the clarity of waking thought, and further into the higher states Scripture hints at through the prophets: Imagination, Inspiration, and Intuition. Along the way, they reflect on why these thresholds matter, how they shape our moral development, and what it means to stay awake to the spiritual impulses being woven into human life.
This episode sets the groundwork for understanding not just the “enemies” described in Scripture, but the spiritual helpers whose work continues in the background of every human soul.
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
In this episode, Patrick and Jonah continue their exploration of Rudolf Steiner’s lecture What the Angels Do in Our Astral Body. They trace how the human being becomes a meeting point between higher and lower worlds, and how the angels are quietly weaving three impulses into our inner life: a deepening compassion for others, a growing recognition of the divine image in every human being, and the transformation of thinking into a living, spiritual organ.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
After weeks immersed in Revelation’s visions of dragons, beasts, and the woman clothed with the sun, Patrick and Jonah turn to another revelation—the angelic world. Drawing on Rudolf Steiner’s The Work of the Angels in Man’s Astral Body, they explore a living hierarchy of beings—angels, archangels, archai, and the Elohim—each shaping humanity’s unfolding in its own way.
This conversation moves from Genesis’s image of God hovering over the waters to Steiner’s picture of a cosmos alive with helpers. Rather than fighting evil, the task becomes learning to recognize guidance—to breathe in the breath of spirit and breathe out creative love.
LightInEveryThing #ChristianCommunity #RudolfSteiner #Angels #Anthroposophy #SpiritualScience #Podcast #FacingEvilSeries
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
Discernment alone isn’t enough. The sword must find its counter-movement in worship.
In this conversation, Patrick and Jonah explore Revelation 12’s great battle—Michael’s sword casting down the dragon, and the Lamb whose gentleness completes the victory. They linger on how clarity without reverence can harden into pride, and how only devotion to the Lamb protects the soul from the very forces it tries to understand.
Through Vladimir Soloviev’s Tale of the Antichrist and C.S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength, they trace the subtle temptation to know evil but never kneel before the Good. True discernment, they suggest, leads to communion: the sword prepares the way, but worship restores life.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."
As billionaire Peter Thiel takes his Antichrist lecture tour around the world, Patrick and Jonah return to Scripture to ask what John actually meant by “Antichrist.” Drawing from Revelation, the letters of John, and Vladimir Soloviev’s haunting story The Antichrist, they explore how this archetype appears whenever the self refuses to bow, refuses to be wounded, refuses to love through sacrifice.
Against the world’s fascination with power and control stands the Lamb—wounded yet overflowing with life.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Patrick and Jonah turn to Revelation 13 and the image of the beast from the sea—a being wounded unto death, yet healed. What kind of resurrection is that? Together they explore how domination, power, and self-preservation tempt the human self to “heal” without changing. In contrast, the Lamb bears a mortal wound that pours itself out for the life of the world.
This episode asks: what does real transformation look like? How can a wound become the doorway to grace? And what does it mean to find protection, not in avoiding suffering, but in offering ourselves through it?
Listen to the full conversation and find extended reflections at patreon.com/c/ccseminary
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Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
As the flood from the dragon’s mouth pours across the world, Patrick and Jonah explore how the Book of Revelation describes the protection of those who remain faithful: the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and a love stronger than self-preservation. Together they reflect on what these mean for our time—the torrent of egotism, the culture of self, and the call to keep the heart open even amid the onslaught. Drawing on the imagery of Michaelmas and the woman’s eagle’s wings, they ask how moral courage, humility, and sacrificial love can help the human being stay buoyant when the flood rises.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
What is God ripening in humanity? In this episode, Patrick and Jonah return to the harvest image and turn to Revelation 12: the woman clothed with the sun, the great red dragon, and Michael’s battle in heaven. They reflect on how the drama continues on earth with the woman’s offspring—those who keep God’s commandments and bear the testimony of Jesus—and what it means for each of us to live between the protection of heaven and the trials of the dragon’s rage.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
What is God cultivating in humanity? Why does the field of the world hold both wheat and weeds, saints and beasts, until the end of time?
In this episode, Patrick and Jonah explore the imagery of the harvest in Luke’s Gospel and the Book of Revelation. They reflect on the dragon and the beasts who rise against the offspring of the woman, and on the Lamb who ultimately conquers through sacrificial love. Along the way they ask: What name do we bear? What harvest is our life preparing?
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Between Beasts and Angels
In this episode, Patrick and Jonah continue their new series on the mystery of evil, turning to Mark’s image of Christ in the wilderness—“with the wild beasts and the angels.” What does it mean for the human being to stand in this balance, and how might Christ reveal a way that is neither despair nor false light, but freedom and love?
For full show notes and ongoing reflections, visit our Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/ccseminary.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this first episode, Patrick and Jonah open the larger theme of the series: the confrontation with evil. They observe how this reality marks our contemporary age with particular force. They then turn to their own life experiences. Patrick asks Jonah to describe the first moment he truly knew he was encountering something he would call evil. Jonah recalls a core spiritual experience in which a snake-like being revealed itself within him as a young man. In turn, Jonah invites Patrick to share from his own life, and Patrick remembers both the presence of a “spirit of division” in his family and a terrible tragedy in his neighborhood.
From these stories, they draw out archetypal expressions of evil that begin to form a groundwork for discernment. The conversation then turns to Jesus’ encounter with the adversary in the wilderness, as described in Mark’s Gospel: “with the wild beasts and the angels.” Scripture tells us that this event—Jesus being driven into the wilderness to face the tempter—was brought about by the Spirit of God. But why would the Spirit lead a human being into such an encounter? And if Jesus himself had to undergo it, what does the Spirit intend for us to gain by facing the powers of evil? These are the questions Patrick and Jonah begin to unfold—questions that will guide the journey of this new series in the weeks and months ahead.
References:
· Mark 1:9–13 (ESV)– “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.' The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” See also, Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13 (offering other accounts of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness).
· Augustine on evil:
o Confessions VII.12 – “Therefore, whatsoever is, is good. Evil, then, the origin of which I had been seeking, has no substance at all; for if it were a substance, it would be good.”
o Confessions VII.16 – “And I asked what wickedness was, and I found that it was no substance, but a perversion of the will bent aside from thee, O God, the supreme substance, toward these lower things, casting away its inmost treasure and becoming bloated with external good.”
o Enchiridion XI – “For what is that which we call evil but the absence of good?”
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Join Seminary Director Rev. Patrick Kennedy in conversation with two seminary students as they share their journeys toward the priesthood. Sean traces his path from Baltimore to a Biodynamic farm in the Finger Lakes, and Marc reflects on his travels across Canada and the US, finding his place as a French Canadien. Together, they open up about the call they have heard, the sacraments that have shaped them, and what it means to walk this path today. This episode is the first of a new series we will return to from time to time, Called, offering glimpses into the life of the seminary of the Christian Community of North America and the living question of vocation.
We are also launching our YouTube page today @TheLightInEveryThing. Please join us there and like, subscribe, and share to support this work and help us reach more people.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
As the summer winds down, we are busy at the seminary preparing for new students. We are also quite excited by plans for expanding what we do with the Patreon. Before the new content arrives to you, we are reposting these two episodes from the early years of the podcast. We selected these episodes to align with the announcement that the audit option for the Distance Learning Program is now open. If you wanted the chance to receive weekly instruction about discipleship from Rev. Kennedy, followed by discussion with fellow auditors, then this is what you've been waiting for. Click here for more information. Registration closes September 15, 2025 and the course begins October 7.
In this final repost of the summer, Patrick Kennedy and Jonah Evans explore the next steps along the path of discipleship as revealed in our fourth gospel reading of the series: Luke 9: 1 - 17. We hear how Christ gathers his disciples, empowers them, and instructs them as to their mission and sends them out into the world. What is the mission of a disciple? How are they equipped for this work, what provisions given? Jonah and Patrick take up the answers given in the gospel and explore the deeper mysteries of the 'angel' of the discipleship circle and the final step in the passage: the feeding of the five thousand.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
As the summer winds down, we are busy at the seminary preparing for new students. We are also quite excited by plans for expanding what we do with the Patreon. Before the new content arrives to you, we are reposting these two episodes from the early years of the podcast. We selected these episodes to align with the announcement that the audit option for the Distance Learning Program is now open. If you wanted the chance to receive weekly instruction about discipleship from Rev. Kennedy, followed by discussion with fellow auditors, then this is what you've been waiting for. Click here for more information. Registration closes September 15, 2025 and the course begins October 7.
In this episode, we join Jonah Evans and Patrick Kennedy in the middle of their discussion of discipleship. Here we begin by exploring the third gospel reading in the series: Luke 15: 1 - 32. Through the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son, Jesus reveals to his disciples the dynamic loving effort the divine world is making to find every human soul that has lost its connection to its true home as well as the inner transformation of heart and mind each person can make to turn again towards the ‘Kingdom of God’.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this final conversation of the Christian Shadow Work series, Jonah and Patrick first pause to look back—gathering the threads of what has been opened in the earlier episodes. From there, the focus turns toward the heart of transformation in following Christ: the Eucharist.
Here, in Christ’s life freely given—body and blood—we meet the highest image of what it means to be human: the overcoming of self-absorption, offered in love for the world. In His death and resurrection, the question of what to do with our own shadows finds its answer.
When we turn toward Him and allow His life to live in us, our shadows can be transformed into something new: not just burdens, but living crosses—like Golgotha itself—where the light of God shines in the darkness.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Re-post: In the seventh episode of our series, Jonah and Patrick explore the new role of purity in shadow work, transformed through what took place on Golgotha, the place where Christ’s Mystery is revealed. With Christ’s death, resurrection and revelation, God is now with us in this world. The old pre-Christian paths of purification are no longer appropriate. Our shadows belong to us and call for integration. There is a new path to a new kind of purity that unlocks the power contained in the shadow and unites us with Christ in the process.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
When we speak of spiritual transformation, we often imagine a straightforward process that’s similar to the way we work with the world of things and objects around us: if something is broken or imperfect all we need to do is fix it. We remove, correct or even eliminate the problem on the way to the goal.
In this next conversation, Patrick and Jonah recall how authentic Christ-centered transformation begins with a different orientation altogether. The key is not elimination at all but, instead, begins with simply witnessing our shadow with honesty and courage.
They reveal how this first step is connected to John the Baptist's call to repentance, providing the archetypal first step in transformation—creating space for us to "die before dying" by stepping outside ourselves to truly see our lives in a higher light. This conscious witnessing differs dramatically from forced confession or shame-based approaches that have plagued Christian communities. And it is foundational for deeper prayer.
What we learn in such witnessing can be hard to bear. The most painful part of this witnessing can be to see how our untransformed shadows don't just affect us or others—they flow into God Himself. This recognition that our inner and outer actions that flow from our untransformed shadow-Self actually wound the divine, opens up a piercing question: what can we do?
This us where the sacramental path comes in, offering a radically different understanding of sin and transformation. Rather than focusing on fixing problems, the sacrament for the self (the sacrament of consultation/confession) invites us to shift our attention toward a new and different kind of action. It calls us to offer something—and also to receive something.
Through this dual process of human offering and reception of divine grace, something wholly new can emerge—"the fire of love" that births a transformed identity no longer defined by our shadows but by our participation in divine self-giving.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this re-posted episode from our shadow series, Patrick and Jonah have an intimate and reflective conversation where they work to reclaim the true meaning of ‘repentance,’ or ‘metanoia’—a change of heart and mind that arises not through fear, but through the courage to face our shadows with compassion. They are inspired by the words that are spoken in the time of St. John from the altar in the renewed worship service: “The health bearing, guilt conscious” word that comes like a flame into our lives.
They begin the conversation by once more looking at one of the shadows Christianity itself has cast, naming how church communities have often wielded repentance as a tool of coercion, distorting it into a threat rather than a gift. Jonah shares a formative experience of being told, as a teenager, that unless he spoke the “right words,” he would burn forever in hell—an image he compares to having a spiritual gun to the head.
Yet rather than discarding repentance altogether, the conversation leads deeper. Through honest stories—such as Jonah’s moment of awakening when his daughter was diagnosed with a chronic illness, or Patrick’s encounter with a college friend who called him back to integrity—we glimpse the possibility of a repentance that dignifies rather than diminishes. It is a turning that doesn’t wallow in guilt but opens a path forward, grounded in love. When we find the courage to look at the egotism, denial, or failures that have been revealed to us, we can begin to recognize what Light is making these things visible. Illumined by the gaze of Christ who suffers alongside us, we may discover that even our darkness we uncover can become the ground in which true light takes root. This episode invites listeners into that quiet miracle: repentance not as punishment, but as preparation for this loving light of His gaze.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
What if the shadow we cast isn't something to eliminate but part of the medicine for what ails the soul?
In this conversation from our series, “Christian Shadow Work,” Patrick and Jonah further explore how Christ relates to our darkness. This involves nothing like condemnation but rather a creative and radical process of integration that leads towards healing.
Drawing from the biblical image of the bronze serpent lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9), they reveal how the very thing that has poisoned us can, when rightfully integrated, become part of the medicine that heals us. This spiritual principle illuminates again why "there is no condemnation in Christ" (Romans 8:1). Our shadows are included in the divine plan, integrated by God into the path that leads us into spiritual maturation. They are something possessing enough power and personal relevance to bring us to the threshold where grace can enter. Fighting this integration, rejecting the shadows we cast, actually rejects this wisdom-permeated divine path.
Going beyond just the ideas, this conversation unfolds a practical pathway for shadow integration. It begins with the courage to behold our darkness honestly; the step of taking responsibility by saying "yes, this is me"; exploring what our shadow is trying to teach us; and finally, allowing our weakness to become an altar at which we can pray for divine assistance.
After exploring individual examples from their own lives, Jonah and Patrick focus on what they experience emanating from Christ in these experiences, emphasizing how he doesn't approach our shadow with a corrective spirit saying "you should be different," but with a transformative invitation to "become new through this darkness."
Our very specific life-journey, with all its unique shadow elements, isn't a failure to meet some general ideal but a holy alchemical process guided by the highest spiritual forces in the universe. When approached this way, our shadow becomes not our enemy, but the very doorway through which our deepest healing unfolds.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this third installment from our “Christian Shadow Work” series, the conversation reveals a striking contradiction between Christian history—famous for its condemning practices—and Christ's actual relationship with human darkness. Rather than simply erasing or punishing sin, Christ demonstrates a radical integration of human brokenness into the transformative process. Like an alchemist turning lead into gold, Christ shows us how our darknesses can become the very substance of our spiritual maturation.
We explore why modern spiritual paths that simply affirm "you're perfect as you are" miss something crucial about human development. Without acknowledging our shadows, we remain stuck in a static self-image rather than participating in the dynamic process of becoming. Our darkness isn't merely tolerated by divine love—it serves a purpose in our becoming fully human.
The third episode of our series looks again at the nature of “shadow” or “sin” as that in the human being which hinders Divine Reality from being revealed. Humanity is still working to reveal the image of God in which we have been made. We can understand our shadows, then, as opportunities to grow and mature—parts of ourselves that need to be acknowledged, understood for what they are, and transformed over time.
How does Christ Jesus relate to the sin of humanity? He demonstrates for us the path of salvation by taking up the cross, suffering, dying and being raised again by the Father. We can take up our own sin with Him and walk the same path.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this episode’s exploration of shadow work in Christianity, Patrick and Jonah venture into territory many ”on the way” find challenging: how to face our flaws, weaknesses, and darkness without falling into either denial or self-condemnation.
The conversation begins with a vital distinction between healthy shadow work that leads to authentic humility and the unhealthy wallowing in self-criticism that can become its own form of spiritual ego. Drawing on personal experiences, biblical wisdom from Paul's letters, and the story of the man born blind, they challenge popular religious misconceptions that equate suffering with divine punishment or suggest that true spirituality means instant perfection.
A different view of human shadows emerges. Unlike traditions that demand we either hide our weaknesses or punish ourselves for having them, Christ offers a third way: seeing our shadows truthfully while holding them in a gaze of unconditional love. "There's no condemnation in Christ"* doesn't mean our flaws don't exist – it means they're included in the redemption story, valued as the very ground where divine light does its transformative work.
Most powerfully, Patrick and Jonah reveal how true spiritual wisdom isn't born from perfection but from integrating our shadows. When we speak from a place that has acknowledged darkness and worked through suffering, our words carry a depth and authenticity that spiritual bypassing never achieves. As Christ demonstrated through the cross itself, sometimes our greatest weaknesses become the most profound revelations of divine love.
Some of us struggle mightily with perfectionism or are haunted by past mistakes. Some of us on the way are simply called by Truth to radical honesty on the spiritual path. We hope this episode offers a liberating vision: our entire being—shadows included—is gradually being transformed, through our life in Christ, into a vessel of heavenly light. How might our relationship with ourselves change if we approached our flaws not as evidence of failure, but as sacred ground for transformation?
*Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verse 1.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Dear Patrons,
Today, June 24, 2025 is the festival day dedicated throughout the world-wide Christian Community to the person of John the Baptist: St. John’s Day. He stood at the banks of the Jordan as “a voice crying out in the loneliness”—a voice calling people to reorient their lives toward the spirit; a voice summoning each heart to radical truthfulness as preparation for the coming grace of God.
In honor of this extraordinary human being, whose earthly mission was to prepare the way, we are sharing episodes from our Christian Shadow Work series, first posted in May 2023. This episode is the first in that series. We hope it may serve you in your own encounter with John’s voice—his call to turn, to see, and to ready the soul for grace.
With gratitude,
Patrick
for The Light in Every Thing team
From the first posting:
Our new series takes up the far reaching subject of working with our “shadow,” especially as it relates to the overarching question posed this year, “What divides us?” In this first episode, Jonah and Patrick begin to lay down some of the core elements of working with the shadows we cast in the light of Christ. How do we as individuals relate to the shadow we cast into this world? Can we perceive ourselves accurately? Can we integrate our shadow in a way that bears fruit? How do we relate to the shadows of others, both individuals and larger human communities, such as Christianity as a whole or The Movement for Religious Renewal? Why is working with the shadow part of the Christian path of walking with Christ? These questions and more will be explored together over the coming episodes.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
What if Christ’s Second Coming is not a distant, future event but is already underway—perceptible now through what the liturgy of the Christian Community calls “the eyes of the soul”? This radical perspective challenges both traditional Christian expectations and modern spiritual assumptions.
Jonah and Patrick explore the depths of the Ascension mystery, especially in its connection to the riddle of Christ’s return. Through close readings of Scripture and insights from the liturgy, they reveal that Christ’s reappearance does not depend on physical sight but on a new organ of perception—one cultivated through love and devotion. This is a seeing that can behold him in the “being of the clouds.”
But how can we come to see in this new way? The conversation turns to prayer and the mystery of clouds. Just as water rises, becomes cloud, and returns as rain, our prayers ascend as love-forces that can be gathered and poured out as blessings. When we direct these soul-forces toward Christ, we form the very medium through which he reveals himself—not in a single place, but like lightning across the heavens: a universal presence, made visible through devotion.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
What if baptism isn't just an ancient ritual but a transformative medicine for the wounded human soul? This conversation explores the profound mysteries hidden in Christ's Great Commission to "baptize all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
The traditional words of baptism have become formulaic for many modern ears. But when we penetrate beyond the formula to the living experience, we discover something revolutionary: an invitation to die to our isolated selfhood and open to the intelligence of the risen Christ. This baptismal death isn't a one-time event but an ongoing process where our thinking, creating, and feeling are gradually transformed through participation in divine life.
Through a fascinating exploration of the cross as gateway rather than mere symbol, we discover how making three crosses upon ourselves - at head, mouth and heart - can be understood as an active collaboration with the Trinity. The Father brings the ground of being to our anxious, isolated consciousness. The Son infuses our creative will with his purposes of love. The Spirit enlightens our heart-thinking with divine wisdom.
These insights address a fundamental crisis in modern consciousness. Many spiritual paths today either emphasize total self-empowerment ("manifest your reality") or complete self-abandonment ("just let go"). The baptismal understanding offers a third way - maintaining our individual agency while allowing it to be transformed through divine collaboration. The result isn't loss of self but discovery of our true purpose within the meaning of Earth itself.
Have you felt the existential insecurity that characterizes our age? Perhaps this isn't a flaw to overcome but an honest recognition of our incompleteness without connection to the gournd only the divine can provide. Perhaps the medicine we need isn't more self-optimization but immersion in the healing waters of baptism - dying to what we have been so we can live in what we are becoming.
This whole conversation uncovers one of the core missions of Christianity — baptism — as a living medicine for our humanity and how this understanding is regained in the movement for religious renewal.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Have you ever wondered whether Christianity is meant to remain consistently the same over time or constantly reinvent itself? In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore a radical third option: Christianity as a living organism with both consistent and evolving elements across its biography.
The jumping-off point of this conversation is a revelation from the new Easter liturgy in The Christian Community. We dive deep into the phrasing used there—that He is risen to us as the “Erden-sinn”—Christ as the meaning, purpose, and intelligence of Earth itself.
Perhaps most fascinating is how this episode connects technological evolution with spiritual development. Just as tools evolve from simple shovels to sophisticated computers, Christianity transforms while maintaining its essential mission. “I am the Alpha and Omega,” Christ declares—both seed and flower of an unfolding world, community, and individual reality.
We conclude by exploring our unique historical moment, where humanity has matured to the point that our thinking can directly connect with Christ’s intelligence. This represents a radical shift from earlier Christian epochs that emphasized faith over understanding. What might it mean for your own spiritual journey to “take this into your thinking”?
Join us next time as we continue exploring the Easter liturgy and its implications for finding purpose and meaning in all that we go through on Earth.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
What does it mean to be "chosen" by God? Where is the line between rightful self-sacrifice and harmful self-erasure? In this final episode of our Ephesians series, we tackle these profound spiritual questions sent in by our listeners.
After 58 conversations unpacking the treasures of this extraordinary letter, we're moved by the thoughtful engagement of our global community. It has been truly moving to read from listeners how this exploration of Paul’s letter has transformed their understanding of scripture and enriched their lives. In this episode, we take up a few questions and review the journey together.
The first question we take up concerns the true nature of sacrifice and leads us to challenge the false dichotomy between standing for truth and sacrificial love. Drawing from our own painful experiences of burnout, we distinguish between genuine Christ-like sacrifice and misguided martyrdom. True sacrifice never abandons truth but risks everything for it—not from weakness or acquiescence but from spiritual strength. Sometimes the most loving action might be caring for your body and soul so you can serve sustainably rather than dramatically burning out.
We then dive into another question concerning the mystery of being "chosen" from Ephesians 1:4. Rather than an exclusive club of the predestined, we explore how all humans are "pre-purposed" in Christ from before creation. The Father has drawn all humanity to Christ, though not everyone recognizes this presence in their consciousness. This understanding honors both divine initiative and human freedom, respecting the unique spiritual journey each soul undertakes.
Some of the most powerful moments come when we acknowledge how Christ works through people of different faiths or no faith at all—whenever forgiveness, compassion, or self-sacrifice manifests in human life. The divine choosing includes our freedom to choose in return, a necessary component of spiritual maturity and authentic relationship with God.
Join us for this rich conversation that brings our Ephesians journey to a meaningful close, complete with a musical surprise from one of our listeners!
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Christ's light seeks to shine in the most unexpected places—even in the complex, often uncomfortable power imbalances in human relationships. As Jonah and Patrick conclude their study of Ephesians, they explore how Paul's wisdom reaches its culmination in addressing “masters” and “bond-servants,” revealing a revolutionary approach to transforming unjust systems from within.
This conversation doesn't shy away from difficult truths. They acknowledge how these passages in the Bible have been misused throughout history to justify slavery and oppression—a painful example of how scripture itself can become weaponized by evil forces. Just as the devil quoted scripture to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, those seeking to maintain power have twisted these words to serve their ends.
Yet within these same verses lies an extraordinary subversion. Paul instructs servants to obey earthly masters, but then radically reframes their identity as "bondservants of Christ." The Greek word "doulos" represents not degradation but the highest calling—to be in service to God. This establishes a dignity no earthly circumstance can diminish. Meanwhile, masters are reminded they too serve the same Lord, creating a spiritual equality that undermines the very system of inequality they inhabit.
This "surrendered sabotage" mirrors transformative movements like the American Civil Rights movement, where dignity and nonviolent resistance revealed injustice without adopting the destructive methods of the oppressors. Like yeast working through dough, this approach changes systems from within by living according to a higher order while still working and living within the current one.
The episode concludes where the whole series began: with Paul's armor of God—spiritual weapons for this different kind of battle. Join us in discovering how Christ's light transforms the world, not through destruction, but by cultivating a new kingdom within it, one heart at a time.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this deep and lively conversation, Patrick and Jonah continue their journey through Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, entering chapter 6 — the passage addressing children, parents, and the challenge of obedience. Together they explore the profound tension and mystery in Paul’s words about submission, obedience, and how they can easily be misused or distorted into oppressive tools. At the same time, they consider how obedience can be transformed and transfigured through Christ into a liberating path of love, discernment, and freedom.
Drawing on personal experiences as fathers and priests, Patrick and Jonah reflect on moments of healthy authority, rightful correction, and also times when children (and all of us) must discern when voices are not “in the Lord.” The discussion expands into themes of generational inheritance, the role of parents in blessing the earth, and the deeper spiritual call to hear and follow the true voice of God — which may come through others but ultimately lives in the listening heart.
Themes Discussed
- Introduction to Ephesians 6: The closing exhortations before the “armor of God” passage.
- The continuity of the theme of submission and ordering oneself rightly — in families, communities, and before Christ.
- The radical equality in Paul’s new vision: children, wives, and bondservants are all addressed directly as fellow members of Christ’s body.
- The nuanced meaning of obedience “in the Lord” — not blind rule-following, but discerning and heeding true words of life.
- Parenting experiences: moments of both failure and grace in bringing up children in the “instruction of the Lord.”
- The danger of obedience distorted into tyranny and the church’s historical complicity in oppression.
- The role of listening (shema) in Jewish and Christian traditions — as deeply connected to the will and the path of freedom.
- Children (and all of us) learning to test the spirits and to recognize what is truly good and true.
- Reflections on generational burdens and blessings — breaking patterns to offer freedom to the next generation.
- The Prodigal Son as a lens for parenting adult children and trusting the Lord of destiny.
Key Scripture
- Ephesians 6:1-4 — Children, obey your parents in the Lord…
- John 8:12 — I am the light of the world…
- The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) — Hear, O Israel…
- Luke 15: The Prodigal Son — referenced as a parable of trust and freedom.
Closing Thoughts
Patrick and Jonah close with wonder at the figure of Christ Jesus as the one who listens and obeys the Father perfectly — revealing true obedience as something rooted in love, freedom, and the pursuit of the good and true. This vision offers a path beyond oppressive systems into the joyful responsibility of becoming listeners and doers of the Word.
Next episode will continue into the more challenging and provocative passage regarding bondservants and masters, exploring the radical implications of Paul’s message for unjust systems and relationships.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
After a remarkable more than year-long journey exploring Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we're pausing to create space for your voice. This brief but important episode invites our listening community to reflect on the extensive series we've created together and share questions that remain as we prepare to conclude our study.
Our exploration of Ephesians has traversed complex theological terrain, particularly when we encountered Chapter 5's challenging passages. These sections contain some of the most frequently misinterpreted verses in Christian history—texts that should nurture community but have often been weaponized instead. Throughout our series, we've sought to uncover the authentic Christ-centered message behind these words while acknowledging the harmful ways they've sometimes been understood.
What questions linger for you? Which insights transformed your understanding? How has this journey through Ephesians resonated with your spiritual life? Whether you're a longtime listener or recently discovered our podcast, we welcome your voice.
Visit patreon.com/ccseminary to submit an audio question or written comment by May 17, 2025.
Selected questions will be addressed in upcoming episodes as we prepare to wrap up this profound journey through one of Christianity's most impactful letters. Your perspective matters to us—we can't wait to hear how Ephesians has spoken to you.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Patrick and Jonah venture into the spiritual territory of the body as they explore the mysteries of marriage through a Christological lens. Beginning with Paul's words to the Ephesians, they uncover how these ancient instructions offer not a rulebook but a transformative imagination for our most intimate relationships.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when they reframe the traditional understanding of marriage roles. Rather than imposing abstract structures, they suggest that Paul is inviting us to "christen" our existing relationships—to infuse them with a consciousness permeated by Christ within the organic realities we already inhabit. This approach honors each person as an individuality first, recognizing the inherent dignity that precedes any gendered considerations.
Their most radical insight emerges when discussing physical intimacy. "I actually don't have a right ever to the body of another," Patrick reflects, suggesting that Christ models a complete absence of entitlement even within marriage. Just as Christ stands at the door and knocks but never invades our dignity, they propose that husbands are called to relinquish any sense of rights to their wives' bodies. This represents a profound shift from self-centered longing to Christ-like desire that seeks the wholeness and blessing of the other.
Perhaps most moving is their reflection on being understood and accepted despite our shadows. When our partner, who knows our darkest aspects, still chooses to bear us — to accept and even honor us — we experience a profound form of grace. "I feel consecrated through that," Jonah shares, pointing to how this mirrors Christ's unconditional love.
This conversation offers a tender, deeply thoughtful and rare approach to marriage that transcends rigid gender roles while honoring the unique challenges of embodiment. It invites listeners to reimagine their relationships through the lens of Christ's patient understanding and complete self-offering, creating space for a love that truly sanctifies.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this next conversation, we journey through St. Paul's challenging words in Ephesians 5, discovering a spiritual anthropology that reveals why humanity exists as male and female, and how marriage serves as a healing sacrament for our divided nature.
Beginning with Genesis, we explore how humanity was fashioned to embody the divine image—yet this image requires both masculine and feminine qualities to be complete. Our physical one-sidedness as either male or female points to a cosmic division that Christ's redemptive work aims to heal. This understanding transforms Paul's words about wives submitting to husbands from patriarchal control into a revolutionary model of mutual self-giving.
Through vulnerable personal stories, we examine what it means for husbands to "love as Christ loved the church"—completely surrendering ego, overcoming the default modes of dominance or disengagement, and discovering true authority that emerges not from power but from selfless love. When Paul calls husbands "the head," he's not establishing hierarchy but challenging men to overcome their natural selfishness through Christ's example.
We venture into territory rarely discussed in mainstream Christianity: how our eternal spirits transcend our physical embodiment, perhaps explaining humanity's growing awareness that our true identity isn't limited to our biological form. This spiritual anthropology helps us understand contemporary questions around gender and identity as expressions of our longing for wholeness.
What emerges is a vision of marriage not as rigid roles but as a healing mystery where two one-sided beings collaborate, each submitting to Christ as their true authority, to create a complete image of the divine. Join us in this profound exploration that honors ancient wisdom while speaking to today's deepest questions about human identity and relationship.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Our journey through Ephesians brings us to chapter five's controversial teaching on submission—a passage that has caused immense pain when wielded as a weapon for oppression.
We begin by examining our culture's understanding of protection: whoever has the most power, money, and control supposedly lives in safety. Yet Christ reveals a radically different path. By submitting to authorities, Jewish leaders, and ultimately death itself, Jesus transformed reality through selfless love rather than domination. This paradox challenges our core assumptions about how to live safely in an uncertain world.
Diving into Genesis, we uncover spiritual archetypes that illuminate Paul's teaching. The creation narrative reveals God's nature containing both masculine and feminine qualities—the hovering, receptive Spirit and the active, illuminating Word working in harmony to generate life. When humans are created in this divine image, they too contain this complementary wholeness.
The garden story takes an unexpected turn when examined closely. The woman emerges as the principal actor—drawn to wisdom, making independent judgments, and taking initiative. This drive toward godlike knowledge represents humanity's necessary advancement toward consciousness and freedom. Yet this independence brings consequences, including God's confronting pronouncement that "he shall rule over you"—suggesting the break in equality, the submitting to another, could be seen as something medicinal rather than original to creation.
Marriage becomes a powerful metaphor for healing this division. As Paul quotes Genesis—"the two shall become one flesh"—he reveals this points to the profound mystery of Christ and church. Through voluntary submission and sacrificial love, what has been separated can be reunited in transformative wholeness.
Whether examining your own relationships or wrestling with difficult Scripture passages, this episode offers fresh insight into submission not as oppression but as medicine for our self-willing spirits. Join us next week as we explore what God says to the man and how this reshapes our understanding of who exactly is submitting to whom.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
We venture into the profound depths of marriage as a cosmic mystery, exploring the universal archetypes that underpin Paul's guidance in Ephesians 5. Far beyond simple gender roles or power dynamics, these ancient patterns reveal something extraordinary about our spiritual journey.
The conversation begins with a crucial insight: before any discussion of husbands and wives, we must recognize that all humans are first called to be "wives" in relation to Christ—following, receiving, being transformed. This universal spiritual positioning fundamentally reshapes how we understand Paul's marriage imagery.
Diving into Genesis, we uncover the stunning revelation of God's two-fold nature—expressing both masculine and feminine principles from the very first verses. "Male and female created them" isn't just about human biology, but about the divine polarities present within the Godhead itself. This transforms our understanding of the "profound mystery" Paul references when discussing marriage.
The mystery deepens as we explore humanity's original wholeness, subsequent separation, and yearning for reunion. Marriage emerges not as a power structure but as sacred medicine—healing the fundamental split in our nature. This explains why Jesus taught that in the resurrection, we'll no longer marry—the healing work will be complete, the wholeness restored.
These archetypes offer a healing perspective for our modern struggles with relationship dynamics. Rather than fixating on who leads and who follows based on gender, we're invited to see intimate partnerships as participation in the cosmic wedding that heals our brokenness and points toward our ultimate reunion with the divine.
Join us as we unpack what Paul meant when he called this mystery "mega"—an insight that transforms not just marriage, but our understanding of the entire spiritual journey.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In our next episode, Jonah and Patrick lead us towards a new understanding of a particularly challenging portion of Paul’s letter (Eph 5:22-33). Paul describes a re-ordering of the universe through Christ based on submission (huppotassō, Greek). We are each invited, out of our own freedom and dignity, to follow the True Human Being, one who possesses a wisdom and heart wider and deeper than our own. How does our growing union with Christ Jesus begin to transform our relationships with each other? Can we walk with each other in love, “as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph 5:2)? Are we able to submit?
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
What is the relationship between Christ’s light and the darkness in and around us that does not bear fruit (Eph 5:11-14). As Paul himself experienced so dramatically on his way to Damascus, the road walked with Christ is not filled with condemnation of others or ourselves. Christ’s light shines on all of who we are. Can we bring all of who we are to him and open ourselves to the transformative, healing processes flowing towards us? When we are filled with God, the qualities sought in states of ecstasy are available — expansion, revelation, communion, connection, etc. But, at the same time, our humanity dignity is enhanced, not debased. These are the questions and themes explored in today’s episode.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Our series continues with Jonah and Patrick reflecting on the people of Ephesus, who were being led into a new faith experience with Jesus Christ. The birth of a new community in Christ was a fusion of Jewish and pagan traditions, both cultural and spiritual. What were the consequences of this new light dawning in their daily lives? Paul offers us all a discernment practice—when we turn towards Christ’s light, the shadow in us is revealed. One gives life, the other is rooted in death. “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Eph 5:14 (ESV)
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In our next episode, Jonah and Patrick explore the darkness and light within each of us as described by Paul in Ephesians 5:1-14. Paul calls us to be “imitators of God” while we live and wrestle with darkness. How do we fulfill this call? God actually reveals God’s nature as a being who “lives in the darkness”—the stars in the night sky reveal this, the beginning of Genesis reveals this, Christ reveals this on the cross. So, we could understand being “imitators of God” as becoming “light in the darkness.” How do we live and wrestle with the darkness in a divine way?
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Our next episode continues with Paul’s description of what we might expect as we attempt to put on the true garment of our humanity, the resurrected Jesus Christ (Eph 4:25-32). The Risen One was transformed almost beyond recognition, but he retained his wounds. He suffers for and with us, willingly sharing in our suffering and offering us his peace. That is the new meaning of being human—acknowledging our wounds and offering our substance for our Beloveds.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Dear Listeners,
Due to illness and other factors beyond our control, we have gotten behind our regular podcast production schedule here at the seminary. But, we didn’t feel like we could ask you to wait any longer to the next installment of our ‘Letter to the Ephesians’ series. Here is the audio - a full 90 minutes - on speaking the truth in love, a capacity we so desperately need today.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this second part of Patrick and Jonah’s conversation, we are given insight into what “putting on the new human” might feel like. Christ Jesus is walking with and working in every single human being, continually offering the sense of another way. His way is not the dissolution of our trials and tribulations, but a new kind of peace that arises in and through them. There is much to be transformed in ourselves and our communities. He is with us and in us, offering Himself as the seed of our becoming.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In our next episode, we delve deeper into the heart of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 4. Paul calls us “to be renewed in the spirit of [our] minds and to put on the new self” (Eph 4:23-24). Jonah gives us a beautifully simple yet powerful example of how he experiences this renewal of mind—an ever-present possibility that can lead us into Christ’s presence and His peace.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
"We want a name. What do we want to build something? We want a name. What do we want to build? Whose name do we want? To be receiving glory. So I need these maturation processes in me to get me ready. So we needed, I think, to fall Right, you will be, to realize the eternal purposes. We needed a maturation process, and that maturation process seems to be sin and death, to enter a fallen place and every myth and every secret story has this. You need to fall into Sheol, you need to go down into the depths, and then you'll be able to fulfill your mission and participate in eternity."
The writer of the letter to the Ephesians draws his readers into a sacred calling. It is an invitation into a divine temple building project called, "the body of Christ." It is one way to describe the deep secret, the spiritual purpose behind "Christ-Community" and sparks a lengthy and rich conversation between Jonah and Patrick that covers much of the entire territory of sacred scripture and divine anthropology.
The first attempt by humanity to build a temple to heaven in a united project was the Tower of Babel. Why did God thwart this effort? What does it mean that humanity was seeking "a name" for itself in this project? And what all does this have to do with us now? These questions, and much more, are taken up in this episode.
PLEASE NOTE: The audio in this episode is extremely eratic; the microphone on Patrick was accidentally set too high and our audio engineers were on Christmas vacation - we apologize sincerely for the unpleasantness this all may cause in the listening!
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this episode, we the beginning of chapter four in the Letter to the Ephesians. It leads us into three of the qualities of character that the author names as humility, gentleness, and patience. We are led into the topic of intentional character development in and through Christ. This conversation on spiritual formation is stirred by Paul’s words in the fourth chapter of Ephesians, where he “urges” us to “walk in a manner worthy of [our] calling.” We hope and pray that these reflections might be an inspiration for your own resolutions and aspirations for spiritual growth in Christ-discipleship in the coming year.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Our series continues, this Christmas Eve, as Patrick and Jonah lead us into Ephesians 4:1-8. We recently heard Paul’s beautiful prayer for strength that we may “know the love of Christ” and “be filled with all the fullness of God.” Now we turn our attention to the calling we have each been called to—one that we are free to accept, decline or be in never ending struggle with. Paul describes his calling as being a prisoner or servant in the Lord. Modern consciousness resists these words and all their connotations. But, surely we can recognize the uniquely human brand of dignity that comes from freely choosing to serve another? Christ’s love flows freely towards us. Can we walk in a manner worthy of the calling?
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The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Dear Listeners,
There will be no full podcast on the theme this week, but Patrick is offering up this prayer from Ephesians 3:14-21 for us. We invite you to listen to the short audio above. This translation is based on the English Standard Version, with new elements translated by Patrick.
The Prayer for the Ephesians
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every lineage in heaven and on earth receives its Name, that according to the abundance of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the hidden human being within you, so that Christ may inhabit your hearts through faith
—that you, being rooted and grounded in divine love, may find the strength to grasp, along with all the consecrated ones, what is
the breadth
and length
and height
and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that is the most surpassing knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the Ecclesia, the church, and in Christ Jesus throughout all future generations,
forever and ever.
Amen.
— Ephesians 3:14-21
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In our next episode, Jonah and Patrick take us deeper into the significance of the Adam, or human being, first being created in the ‘selem’ or image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and its relationship to Paul’s understanding of the risen Christ Jesus. What is the purpose of the human being in the unfolding cosmic story? What are we meant to reveal through Christ Jesus? Can we feel that without Him we are cut off and one-sided?
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Our series continues with a closer look at Ephesians 3:8-11, where Paul points to the ‘manifold wisdom of God’ being made known even in the heavenly places, by the ecclesia—the community of all who hear the call of Christ Jesus. Paul tells us that this Sophia (Wisdom) of God has been hidden for ages in God, but with Christ’s deed of sacrificial love on the cross—and all that flowed from it—this mystery was unveiled and revealed on the stage of world-history. New wisdom and new power now flow from the cross. These purposes put in place by God since the beginning are now being born through Christ Jesus, through us.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
The word ‘mystery appears in the New Testament twenty-seven times, with twenty-four references coming from Paul’s letters to the ancient churches. In modern times we can easily understand mystery as a riddle to be solved; but how is Paul using the word, particularly in his letter to the Ephesians? In this episode, Jonah and Patrick delve into what Paul first experienced as the ‘Mystery of Christ’ on the road to Damascus and continued to share throughout his ministry—that the hidden wisdom and purposes of the old mystery centers were fulfilled in Christ Jesus and a new mystery coming into being—one that integrates and includes all.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In our next episode, Patrick and Jonah go deeper into Paul’s understanding of God’s work to shape a “people”, the whole idea of ancient Israel. What is revealed is that the separating off and forming of one nation always had the larger mission of reintegration and “blessing” within it. The story of God’s chosen people was meant to grow into a new humanity and community, one that ultimately unites and reconciles all people to one another. Paul understood that the mystery of Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection was not simply about an individual being, but about the death and resurrection of a people—a people that will continue to expand until all who can unite themselves with Him are included.
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
The next episode in our series focuses on the particular way that Jesus Christ works with sin, or human error. We are reminded that Christ condemned no human being while on earth; his condemnation was directed towards his true adversary. Nor does Christ condemn us now. Instead, he offers love, understanding and compassion for the great work we are in and what we struggle against. Can we humble ourselves in such a way that, moment to moment, the possibility exists for us to see our errors? From that place, can we ask for help, from God and from each other? Perhaps more importantly, can we stretch our hearts to love as Christ loves — embracing and incorporating all the threads of our disharmony into His pure and beautiful song?
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
Jonah and Patrick continue to draw parallels between Paul’s first encounter with Christ Jesus and writer Naomi Wolf’s encounter with Jesus years ago, only recently described publicly in her essay “The Thing I Feared Most to Write.” What does it take to open ourselves to receiving something that lies well beyond our everyday consciousness? Are we willing to be changed forever? Christ Jesus’ heart holds the grief of the world and profound joy and love, all at the same time. Can our hearts stretch to encompass both realities, even for a moment? Can we make a home for Him?
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this episode, we return to Paul’s image of a living temple formed by joining together human beings who were once divided (Eph 2:14-22). Christ’s peace reconciles us to God and allows for God to dwell in us. How will this new temple community continue to grow? Patrick and Jonah share the story of well known author Naomi Wolf’s experience of meeting Jesus. How does her encounter shed light on our own glimpses of Christ and his heavenly kingdom woven through our earthly experience?
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
The next episode in our series takes us deeper into Ephesians 2, beginning with Jonah’s question “Where is Christ today? How can we find him?” Patrick answers by describing the biblical history of the temple, meant to house God on earth. Where is the new temple? Paul understands that the seat of the throne of God is destined to be in the hearts of human beings who long for healing.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself bing the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Eph 2:19-22)
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this episode, we are reminded of the many ways our hearts are divided from one another. Jonah brings in the story of Paul’s approval of Steven’s persecution as a poignant example of this division. Saul/Paul is forever changed when he comes to recognize that by persecuting Steven, he is persecuting Christ. Paul’s direct experience of Christ Jesus’ radiant light and love shining down on him as he travels toward Damascus, is what continues to shine through his letters. This recognition united his heart with Steven’s heart and with God’s heart, breaking down the walls that divide us. Paul understands that Christ is the universal medicine that heals our egotism. He experienced firsthand the true self that is received through Christ and reconciles us with our brothers and sisters. Are we willing to die to our old selves and receive new life through Him?
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” Eph 2:14-16 (ESV)
Support the show
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together,” and the legacy of our original show-notes and patreon producer, Camilla Lake.
In this episode, Patrick brings a new perspective on the Paul’s description of humanity as “children of wrath,” ruled by our impulsive natures, our passions and our desires (Eph 2:1-7). God in his great mercy and love for humanity “made us alive together with Christ” and a new self was born. Paul tells us that Christ has taken us into Himself and raised us up into the heavenly realms with Him. Meanwhile, we are still left to wrestle with our immature selves—the impulsive, passionate, willful aspects of our beings. When we aspire to love as Christ loved, with mercy and compassion, we can hope to find new life. Can we find the strength to love all that is coming towards us in this moment?
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, Jonah and Patrick begin to take us deeper into Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 2:1-3 and the question of wrath in all its complexity. What does Paul mean when he describes humankind as children of wrath? What is the wrath of God? And what, if anything, does wrath have to do with a God who “has his being in love?” Can we separate certain spiritual truths from the corrupted, fallen expression of violent discipline at the hands of parents who are also claiming to love us?
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Welcome to Season 5 of The Light in Every Thing! Patrick and Jonah dive back into the letter to the Ephesians, exploring the paradoxical nature of true life as taught by Paul — a life that emerges from first confronting the forces of death within us. Focusing on Eph 1:15-2:10 and how Christ’s life is revealed in his dying, opens up the path to participating in authentic life, to unraveling the mystery of “dying in Him.”
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We are pleased to share with you Part II of the conversation between Jonah Evans, Patrick Kennedy and our incoming co-director, Rev. Emma Heirman. These three will be the guiding lights for The Seminary of The Christian Community of North America starting next summer (2025), but the celebrating has already begun.
Emma bravely jumped into the world of seminary podcasting and we are the richer for it. This conversation is shaped by Jonah’s leading question to Emma, “For you, what is the meaning and mission of the modern priest in the world today?” What follows gives us insight into the working of the ordained priest and into the “priestly forces” that are at work whenever we strive to bring Love and Healing into the world.
Season 5 of The Light in Every Thing officially launches next week!
These are the kinds of conversations we aim to have here at The Light in Every Thing. Please consider becoming a contributing member of the seminary community for as little as $36/year to support the mission of the seminary. Contributing members receive weekly podcast content delivered directly to their inbox and a variety of other offerings, depending on their chosen membership tier.
We are grateful for our listeners sustaining interest and support!
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We are one week away…But before we start a new season of the podcast, we are delighted to share with you the first of two conversations between Jonah, Patrick, and Emma Heirman. As many of you know, Emma has been called to serve at the seminary as a fellow director, teacher, and priest, starting in September 2025. She has been a priest since 2016 and has served in the Denver, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., area congregations in North America.
During our annual director's retreat, which we held in the little town of Bowmansville, Ontario, we wanted to take the opportunity to get to know each other better. We longed to hear about the key spiritual experiences, life milestones, and important spiritual missions that we carry in our souls. Since our listeners already know Jonah and Patrick pretty well, we thought to ask Emma if she would be willing to “press record.” Fortunately, she was glad to take the risk.
Enjoy the episode!
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Dear Friends,
We conclude season four of The Light in Every Thing with this powerful double episode. Jonah and Patrick begin by revisiting the theme of the power of God from the last few episodes (Ephesians 1). They continue by taking up several very difficult phrases from Ephesians 2:1-5, the “sons of disobedience” and “children of wrath”. What is Paul’s understanding of true obedience in relation to power? How is wrath transformed into love?
We hope you enjoy the episode and we look forward to delving further into the deep, deep mysteries of Christianity together next season!
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Dear Friends,
We hope you enjoy the next episode in our Letter to the Ephesians series! Next week we will post a double episode to finish off the season and take a short break. Rumor has it that there is still more to say about Ephesians! So it appears that is where we will begin again for the fifth season of The Light in Every Thing!
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Patrick and Jonah’s series on the Letter to the Ephesians will wrap up in a few weeks with a robust twenty-eight episodes altogether! We hope you enjoy the latest installment!
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We hope you enjoy listening to the next episode of the Ephesians series!
Our usual introduction will be added soon.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the ancient world, glory was the crowning achievement of a life—to test oneself against the best of the best and come out on top; to risk your life for your people on the battlefield against a common enemy and to triumph. To seek glory was to seek eternity: to be known throughout the land and through the ages. But what is the glory that is bestowed on us from “the Father of Glory”? When we consider rightly the long arc of human becoming, the human longing for glory can be understood differently through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-23). Then, when the eyes of our heart are opened, we can see that true glory is gifted from the One who is himself radiant, selfless love. It is a gifting of a new selfhood, a glory that flows to us from the divine Father. Then a longing grows within us to shine His light into the world for the sake of another.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Our next episode returns to the intricacies of what it means to be sealed by the Holy Spirit, a promise referred to in Ephesians 1:13. According to Paul, bearing the seal of the Holy Spirit comes about when we are able to access and participate in the mind of God. Jonah and Patrick explore this uniquely human path—created in the image and likeness of God, coming to our selves within earthly life, and freely choosing, over and over again, to re-turn towards God in all humility. The seeds of our future inheritance were planted in the beginning. The seed can germinate and grow towards that which gives it life. It is the same for us.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
What are the purposes which were implanted in the human being as seeds, from the beginning of our creation? If humanity is able to unfold these seeds, how would God be glorified? What is the effect of Christ’s arrival? And how does all this relate to inheritance and the seal of the Holy Spirit? Patrick and Jonah take us on a long journey as they explore Ephesians 1:12-14. The parable of the Prodigal Son serves as a guidepost and doorway into these deepest of Christian mysteries.
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12-14 (ESV)
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
“With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will…” How do we begin to approach this deepest of all Christian mysteries? Revelation of this will, this purpose, is possible because, ultimately, we are seeking something that is woven into the very fabric of our humanity. This purpose is planted in us like a seed by God and it is because of this that we long for our origin, our true home. We look for reunion—the feeling of wholeness and being known. We are seeking communion. In relation to Him, our becoming unfolds.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The Light of the World is leading us into a new relationship to our selves, to each other and to the world around us. This community is the human origin story, yes, but these relationships ultimately only come to fruition with the creation of a completely new self. Through Christ’s incarnation, we are granted that possibility—true love flowed into the realm of freedom as God.—and through the Cross, a new creation becomes possible. As we become more and more in His likeness, we begin to take our place in the new, divine family, the Beloved Community.
“In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Eph. 1:5-6)
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Patrick and Jonah lead us deeper into the beginning of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, where we hear that the humanity’s relationship with Christ existed before creation as we know it. The Father “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world”. From the beginning, the path of human becoming was seeded in every human heart through Christ’s blessing and choosing. In Him, we find our true purpose and meaning.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
“How does the divine creator being become a “Father”? And how does this being become our Father? These questions emerge out of the conversation as Jonah and Patrick explore Ephesians 1:2-3. The questions lead us into the incredible thought that comes through at the beginning of Paul’s letter and all early Christianity—Christ is our brother. Patrick and Jonah work to make sense of these mysteries of the new birth through Christ—the possibility of a whole new self.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The next episode in our series explores Paul’s understanding of faith. We are familiar with the idea of faith as a belief. The faithful can profess, as many Christian creeds do, “We believe in Christ Jesus.” Paul points us to the reality that this type of faith is only a beginning—a doorway that can lead us into a life in faith. Christ Jesus himself is faithful to the Father; His faith can live in us when we open ourselves to Him and allow it to live in us.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, Jonah and Patrick take us back to the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he introduces himself as “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…” With that simple line, they take us on a journey—of Saul taking on the name Paul, of becoming an apostle or ‘sent one’ of God, and of discerning the many ‘wills’ at work in the depths of our beings. In the letter, Paul is inviting us to turn towards and unite ourselves more and more with the thoughts, feelings and will impulses of the True Human Being.
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Dear Listeners,
If you have a moment to listen to the audio clip above, you will hear a special invitation from Patrick and Jonah to participate in the Seminary Open Course, May 5th - 10th.
The Easter liturgy tells us that “in the delight of our devoted soul we find the resurrection forces.” What does it mean to experience Easter—the risen Christ—in our own beings and in our communities today? We can look forward to Jonah and Patrick shepherding us through these themes.
Online participants can join via Zoom for Patrick and Jonah’s presentations on the theme from 11am - 12pm (Toronto Time) each morning. Presentations will also be recorded and available to download.
Participants able to join in Toronto will have a full daily program. You can access the Open Course schedule when you click on the registration link below.
Suggested Donation: $200 for online participants, $400 for in person participants. These are suggestions only. Please give what you can.Registration will close on May 3rd.
Link to Seminary Events page and Registration:
https://www.christiancommunityseminary.ca/events/dlp-end-of-year-retreat-w9ejl
Support the Show.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
It’s been quite awhile since we’ve had a Q&A episode here at The Light in Every Thing! But after fourteen packed episodes all relating to the Letter to the Ephesians, it was clearly time. We are always grateful and inspired by the deep listening of our audience. This was evident again in the thoughtful and vulnerable questions posed within our Patreon community. Jonah and Patrick took extra time in this episode to delve into three questions, and touch on a couple of others.
We would love for you to consider joining our Patreon community, where there is the opportunity to comment on each episode, participate in “live” Zoom conversations with Patrick and Jonah, monthly facilitated conversations with other listeners, and much, much more. Since Easter, 2020 our patrons have grown to over 400 contributing members, almost half of whom joined at the $3/month tier. This steady stream of support is both deeply meaningful and vitally important to allowing Jonah and Patrick’s work in the world to spread and flourish. Through these conversations, some listeners have heard the call to priesthood and understood what seminary study might be like. Other listeners find these conversations essential to deepening their direct relationship with Christ Jesus and a significant part of their discipleship path.
https://www.christiancommunityseminary.ca/podcast
https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/membership
As is so often the case in these conversations, The Light in Every Thing shines throughout. Dear listeners, thank you for all the ways you participate in bringing this work of love into your lives and into the world!
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In our last couple of episodes, Jonah and Patrick focused on Paul’s call to prayer (Ephesians 6:18). Here, they shift to an earlier portion in the heart of the letter to consider Paul’s own prayer for the community. It is a beautiful example of the kind of prayer Paul is calling us to, and can begin to help us unlock the mystery and work of prayer. What is the activity of prayer? How do we form a prayer out of our inmost selves? What shall we pray for?
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV)
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Our conversations focusing on Ephesians 6:10-20 have delved into the deep question and need that lives in every human heart—with everything that comes at us in this life, where can we turn for true protection? How can we face the attacks of this world, stay standing and cultivate a heart that is still open, whole and capable of generative, loving work? Once again, Christ shows us the way, demonstrating the protection offered by each aspect of armor as He made His way to the cross, faithfully oriented towards the Father. The Father received his beloved Son and raised Him up. Christ Jesus offers us no less. It is for us to transform our hearts and turn towards Him with honesty and humility.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In our next episode, Patrick and Jonah begin to explore Paul’s exhortation to pray—“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” Eph 6:18 (KJV). What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? First, we acknowledge our need, then choose where to turn. Having taken up the sword of the Spirit, and aware of the spiritual battle all around us, we offer our prayers to the true source of wholeness and healing. And finally, we become a chalice, opening ourselves to receive God’s will.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Jonah and Patrick walk us through Paul’s call to “put on the whole armor of God” so that we might stand against the schemes of our spiritual adversaries (Ephesians 6:10-20). Having clothed ourselves in the belt of truth, the breastplate of right relationship, the shoes of peace bringing good news, the shield of faith and the helmet of healing salvation, we earned the right to take up the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Only with this preparation can we hope to wield the sword rightly, freeing us from our enemies, rather than succumbing to them. Christ clothed himself in human form and transformed the garment, offering it back to us so that we might become the goodness of God.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode of our “Letter to the Ephesians” series, Patrick and Jonah help us reimagine what is meant by the word “salvation.” They work to pinpoint the longing of the human heart that is related to the word—the longing for safety and protection from all that afflicts us. But where can true safety and deliverance be found? The strange power of Christianity is to seek this safety in the person and life of someone who bore such terrible humiliation and pain—to experience the mystery of salvation at the cross.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
What is the protection God offers us, as described in Ephesians 6:10-20? The next episode of our “Letter to the Ephesians” series continues with the discussion of the “shield of faith” as protection against the flaming arrows of the adversary. Jonah and Patrick share examples out of their own experience, pointing to a protection that is established when we turn towards him and begin to sense our true self in Christ Jesus. In Him, our true self lives protected.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The next episode of our series “Letter to the Ephesians” focuses on the spiritual protection offered when we put on the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). Jonah and Patrick explore the nature of salvation, the protective aspects of a helmet, and how our thinking can reflect either the thoughts of God or the thoughts of the adversaries. The spiritual battle for control of human thinking wages on. When we open our minds, when we put on the helmet forged by Him and endeavor to think His thoughts as revealed in the Gospel, then we can enter into the redemptive realm of salvation, a realm that is available to us now.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, Patrick and Jonah lead us into the next aspect of God’s armor (Ephesians 6:16) —“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” What are the characteristics of a faith that can offer us protection against the flaming darts of the adversary? Paul points towards this earlier in his Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:16-19). Rather than adherence to a set of beliefs, faith is a dynamic activity meant to be built upon over time. Our growing trust in Christ becomes a portal through which He can enter our hearts, receiving the fullness of His love and protection. When we put on the shield of faith, the flames of the adversary are extinguished, even as we are pierced. How far can our trust in God extend?
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The next episode of our “Letter to the Ephesians” series takes us a step further in the practice of putting on the armor of God. Jonah and Patrick delve deeply into Ephesians 6:15, “shoe your feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (translation by Patrick Kennedy). Jonah offers the picture that Christ forged these shoes of protection during his Temptation in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). We can see how the Gospel oriented Christ Jesus to the will of the Father in each temptation and thus protected him as he battled the dark forces attempting to divert him from his mission. The Gospel’s power offers us protection as we walk in the realm of the adversaries, battling temptation both within and without, following the path Christ sets before us.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the next episode of our ”Letter to the Ephesians” series, Patrick and Jonah continue to help us understand what it means to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). Through Christ, we are gifted a belt which separates truth from deception; a breastplate of radiant sun energy that puts us in right relationship with reality, with human beings, and with God, while offering protection despite our pain and suffering. Next, we are to put on shoes for the way—shoes that prepare us to stand and walk in the world, sharing His Gospel and Peace.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the fourth episode of our ”The Letter to the Ephesians” series, Jonah and Patrick share with us their reflections on the next element of the “armor of God” from Ephesians 6:10-20. What does it mean to put on the breastplate of righteousness? First, they explore some regular-world usages of righteousness, the self-oriented, “self-righteous” kind, when we proudly stand our ground justifying, protecting and defending whatever image of self we are clinging to in the moment. Righteousness in the heavenly worlds, however, is permeated by the signature of relationship—most importantly, our heartfelt relationship with God. When we are in right relationship with God, His strength and protection flows towards us. Through Him, the arrows of this world can become, perhaps surprisingly, the gateway into God’s Love and Grace.Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We begin the next episode in the ”Letter to the Ephesians” series (Ephesians 6: 10 - 20) with Patrick and Jonah pointing out that the spiritual forces attacking humanity aim their blows at many different aspects of the human experience: our senses, minds, feelings, will, physical bodies, egos, life forces, etc. In this letter, Paul tells us that our hope against these evil forces, which outrank us mightily, can only be found in strength greater than our own: the strength of the Lord and the gifts He offers us through the Father. But our first act is to stand—an act that is easily taken for granted, but uniquely human. We are called to stand again and again. Through our uprightness we can then begin to “put on” the armor of God, each aspect offering a different quality of protection and strength, each aspect allowing us to withstand the presence of the adversaries, so that the Good may endure.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The second episode in our “Letter to the Ephesians” series stays with Ephesians 6: 10-20, but takes a deeper look at Paul’s description of the true enemy of humankind. If we can expand our consciousness to perceive those beings who are truly against us, we will better understand the spiritual weaponry needed to stand against them. And, even more so, we might begin to sense the wisdom and love that allows us the opportunity to face powers far greater than ourselves. Can we put on the whole armor of God and take our place in the hierarchies?
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We begin with a new series this year that will take us into an entire book of the New Testament: The Letter to the Ephesians. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has been a source of inspiration for both Patrick and Jonah, as it beautifully describes God’s vision of a new community, a community of human beings united in and through Christ Jesus. Our first episode delves into Ephesians 6: 10 -20, where Paul describes the spiritual forces of evil which threaten humanity with enmity and division. Paul goes on to reveal the armor of God that bestows his strength and power—truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation. These virtues act as living spiritual armor, transforming our souls through His power. When we “put on” these spiritual forces each day, we can begin the practice of recognizing the enemy within us, and by following Christ’s example, wage a different kind of battle—one that allows true healing and blessing to flow out into the world.
For more notes, suggested further reading band further resources, check out our patreon page for this series on the letter to the Ephesian.
Conversation Notes and References
~ for another perspective on how Alice in Wonderland is a story of redemption, read this article “Why Wonderland is a Parable for the Kingdom of God” on the website seekingwonderland.org.
~ for an overview on leading psychologists’ thoughts on the value of healthy fighting and how it can foster love, click here.
~ “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi
Key Points From This Episode:
• A brief recap of our previous series, “Sacred Scripture.”
• What led us to the letter St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: In a crisis of terrible division, we are called to become builders of a Christ-community.
• We begin at the end, Ephesians chapter 6:10-2 — Who is our enemy and where is the battlefield?
• Scripture’s purpose of giving us new eyes to see and new ears to hear.
• How learning to properly engage in conflict leads towards deeper love.
• Looking to Jesus as the person who fulfilled the victory on the spiritual battlefield with the powers of darkness (we need what he has, and he can give it to us).
• The enemy is NOT other human beings
• The enemy is in us but other than us.
• Magical protection?
• Putting on the moral qualities of the whole armor of God for the inner battle so that from there will flow healing and blessing into the community and the world.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this 5th episode, Patrick asks Jonah to tell us how in the world he came to love sacred scripture or "the Bible." He shares how, despite his strong, direct experience of Christ's presence in his life, it was really hard to relate to the Bible, especially the Old Testament. This remains true until he found a key that unlocked the whole thing for him. At first, Jonah reached out for an understanding of God and Christ by reaching for Rudolf Steiner's work, and his students, known as Anthroposophy. And there were prejudices about what was in the Bible that he had to shed and overcome. He himself had been deeply wounded by an overreach and misuse of scripture which kept it at arms length. Overtime, though, he found a key that opened "the window" of scripture. This key had to do with what it means to be a human being, to be on a path of becoming truly human and how this all is connected to the mysteries of Jesus Christ. The deep longing of Jonah's soul to understand who the divine creator word is, the one we know as "Christ," and who the human was/is into whom Christ incarnated - this pursuit unlocked the Bible for him. Tracking the mysteries of the being who calls himself most often, "The Son of Man" in scripture became the key that unlocked the whole story of the whole bible.
The story culminates in Jonah sharing his own wrestling with the more difficult elements in the Bible. Jonah takes us into the challenging ideas of "guilt" and "sin" and, ultimately, the theme of "Divine Wrath." This theme appears in the Hebrew scripture (Old Testament), especially in the prophetic books, but is also very much present in the gospels, the letters of the apostles and the Book of Revelation. In other words, an honest engagement with scripture cannot avoid "God's wrath" ("Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 BSB). How can this element of wrath be united with this other truth: "God is love" (1John 4:8)? We get to hear how Jonah engaged this troubling and challenging element that Scripture presents and how it opened his mind and heart up to a much deeper understanding to who God is, how life works and the deeper nature of love.
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Notes
- An excellent source of the harmonization of biblical, spiritual-historical and anthroposophical Christology is Emil Bock's, The Three Years, and his book on The Childhood of Jesus explores in great detail the mysteries behind the two different genealogies in Matthew and Luke and their spiritual background.
- The "son of man" can be found in
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
This episode takes us deep into the relationship dynamics of working with the most difficult and confronting passages of the Bible. Patrick shares first how the study of cultural anthropology prepared him to meet the Other with utmost respect and interest. The willingness to transcend our own likes or dislikes, for even a moment, gives rise to the possibility that the Other could reveal something of itself. Patrick goes on to share specific details of his wrestling with the gospel passages describing Jesus Christ’s cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem (Matt 21: 12-17). What began as an anathema became a journey with an Other — a journey which ultimately was permeated with Healing Medicine.
Conversation Notes and References
~ “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” John 5: 39 - 40 (NIV)
~ For more information on The Jesus Prayer, click here. Mount Athos, Greece has been an Orthodox monastery since 1054 AD. It currently is home to roughly 1,400 monks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more information and a beautiful photo gallery, click here.
~ To learn more about the award-winning anthropologist and poet Renato Rosaldo that Patrick references, click here.
~ For a pdf version of How To Know Higher Worlds by Rudolf Steiner (translated by Christopher Bamford, 1994), click here.
~ The topic of exegesis and eisegesis as two distinct ways of approaching scripture is a broad one. For a straightforward introduction to the theme beyond what was already presented in this episode, click here.
~ For a window into the Jewish tradition of wrestling with God and scripture, click here for an article by Rev. Aaron Eime. To read the story of Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32: 22 - 32), click here.
~ To learn more about Thomas Jefferson’s wrestling with scripture, down to creating his own redacted version of the New Testament, click here.
~ All four Gospels describe Jesus cleansing the temple of money changers in Jerusalem. They are Matthew 21: 12 - 17, Mark 11: 15 - 19, Luke 19: 45 - 49 and John 2: 13 - 16.
~ “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body.” John 2: 19 - 21 (NIV)
~ “Don’t you know that you yourselves are Go
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The third episode in our series “Sacred Scripture” takes us a step further as Patrick and Jonah continue to offer details of how their relationship with the Bible evolved through their priesthood. Through them, we are given new pictures of the Gospel and granted the freedom to enter into our own personal relationship at a pace that reflects our own experiences of the Spirit. Where has Grace revealed the power and radiance of Love streaming through the holy window of the Gospel for you?Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
This episode continues our series “Sacred Scripture” with Patrick sharing his relationship to the Gospel. This began for him at a young age with biblical pictures presented in the nativity plays and went on into his early twenties as he discovered other sacred texts, which resonated deep in his soul. Taken together with our last episode, we see how Jonah and Patrick’s early experiences shaped their interest and trust, both in the text itself and those sharing it. When freedom is granted, much can be gained. The Word speaks unhindered and we are free to approach unburdened. What are the languages and tools that can help us unlock the mysteries of The Good Book?Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Our new series takes the goal of the podcast — to find the light in every thing — to something that in modern times has grown quite dark for many people: the Bible. In this first episode, Jonah shares his early relationship with the Bible and how it evolved over a number of years. Ultimately, Jonah’s encounter with the being of Christ Jesus acted as a doorway into the living reality of the Gospel. Through our own experience with the living reality of Jesus Christ, we can enter into the realm that the Gospel represents — a realm that can reflect our experience back to us or act as an invitation into even higher realities.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Dear Faithful Listeners,
This week we have a special message from Patrick and Jonah! They have each been called by the leadership to expand their roles as servants of The Christian Community, a movement for religious renewal. It is very illuminating to hear in their own words how these callings come about, how they are being taken up, and how they will continue to come to fulfillment over the next months and years. It is an exciting and challenging time, as you will hear!
Thank you for taking the time to receive this message from Patrick and Jonah. And, as always, thank you for your deep listening of The Light in Every Thing . Patrick gave an enthusiastic invitation to check out our Patreon community. There is now an option available to join “for free” to get a taste for what goes on there. Patreon has added several new features recently and we are slowly incorporating them when appropriate. We hope you can join us!
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this final episode of our series “Heaven and Hell,” Jonah and Patrick take up the long held perspective that Christian baptism offers a protection for the soul from hell. To be baptized by water in the spirit of John the Baptist is to reorient ourselves so that we can turn towards and recognize Christ Jesus. But what is the baptism by fire that Christ himself brings to earth? What is the baptism He undergoes (Luke 12:49-50)? Is there a burning fire that promises protection?
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, Patrick raises a common concern: “Are we somehow perpetuating evil by talking about it? Wouldn’t it be preferable to create a spirituality devoid of evil powers, demonic beings and the powers of darkness? Can we transcend hell?” The reality of evil in ourselves and the world around us can be particularly painful to face and bear. Jonah and Patrick work to articulate the unique way Christ leads us into and through this challenge.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The sixth episode of our series focuses on the question of the experience of hell after death. Is there something that correlates at all to the "fire and brimstone" pictures of hell we are familiar with? Patrick and Jonah beautifully describe the transition a soul makes from the sense world we experience within a physical body to the spiritual world, which we experience with our soul and spirit bodies. Everything that cannot exist in the higher realms of heaven are burned away. This purification process can be seen as a gift given by the powers of light and love. When we are able to stand in the reality of our darkness, we can be inspired to take the next steps in our becoming—to be like the radiant ones who shine on us, so that we might shine from within for others.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The fifth episode of our series explores another expression of hell—this time hell masquerading as paradise. The being called Lucifer, meaning light bearer, rebels against God and is cast out of heaven in a great battle with Michael and his angels. Now lord of the “hell forces” on earth, Lucifer tempts humanity with false images of paradise—half truths that fall short because they are without suffering, without compassion and without love. We are meant to grow in our ability to discern the true image and likeness of God, to hear the true shepherd calling our name, and to follow Him to and through crucifixion and resurrection. The new heaven offered by Christ Jesus is created when we die to ourselves, suffer with Him in the suffering of others, and unite with His Being.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Due to circumstances beyond their control, Patrick and Jonah were unable to meet for their regular podcast conversation. Instead, we‘d like to bring your attention this week to an “oldie but goodie” that fits perfectly into our current Heaven and Hell series (October, 2023).
Here is the original introduction:
9.8.21 The Path of Discipleship - 7: In this seventh episode of our series we hear of a second sending forth of disciples. Not the twelve disciples from our fourth gospel reading (Luke 9: 1-17), but an expanded community of 70 are sent forth "like lambs among wolves" (Luke 10: 1-20). Patrick and Jonah explain how this apostolic community of 70 has its roots deep in the hidden spiritual patterns of life revealed in the Hebrew Bible and is a fulfillment of Christ’s mission to seed a new Humanity and, ultimately, a new Heaven and a new Earth.
APOLOGIES, Friends! The sound is very poor in this episode because somehow the good microphones didn't record. Thankfully, we always have a backup iPhone at work...
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the fourth episode of our series, Jonah asks Patrick to unfold one perspective of the nature of "hell." Beginning with imagery from scripture of "the pit" and "Gehenna," he turns to the "realm of dust," or the place that is most "distant" from God. This leads to the cosmic question: "who is the ruler of the earth?" The conversation then reveals what happened on the mount known as "Golgotha" as a cosmic battle between the demonic powers, "the prince of this world" and Christ. Human beings, finding themselves in the middle of this battle, can experience how it is also a battle for their very souls.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the third episode of our ”Heaven and Hell” series, Jonah and Patrick continue to explore the reality of heavenly forces on earth. How do we experience these moral forces or powers on earth and how do we participate in and with them? Human beings themselves have the possibility of shining with heavenly forces. Only here on earth can we become the stars God is hoping for: conscious, free individuals who have learned to embody sacrificial love. In doing so, with Christ having prepared the Way, both earth and heaven will be transformed.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Welcome to Season 4 of The Light in Every Thing! In this first episode of our new series “Heaven and Hell,“ Jonah and Patrick begin a process of re-christening our consciousness so that we can gain a true and living picture of what Christian tradition has called “heaven and hell.” What are the realities that these older terms refer to? And what do these realities of heaven and hell have to do with human evolution, with Christ‘s working on earth, and with our lived human experience today?
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We begin the second episode of our series "Heaven and Hell" looking up at the "skies." In the ancient understanding, and still in many languages, the word for "sky" and the "heavens" were one and the same. For modern consciousness, particularly in English, the heavens are no longer in the skies. Where is heaven for us? In the renewed form of the Christian Creed in the movement for religious renewal, we speak of Christ as "the Lord of the heavenly forces upon earth.” Patrick and Jonah lead us through how these powers of the skies have come to earth and reside as potentials within human beings, how we are meant to shine out into the world, like the stars above, individually and in relationship with others, and how this shining light and warmth - now wisdom and love - are forces bestowed upon us from their true, divine source.
Support the show
Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Please enjoy this brief message from Jonah and Patrick fresh from their most recent travels and the opening of the Seminary this week to on-site students! Patrick and Jonah have promised to get into the “big” topics this year: heaven and hell, the nature of the Spirit, the nature of the human spirit, and many other challenging questions.
We hope you share their excitement for the coming year! The first episode of Season 4 of The Light in Every Thing will post next week.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Dear Patreon Community,
Today is our final sharing from the seminary Open Course “Becoming the Image of God” held last June in Toronto. Both Patrick and Jonah share the stage for a final exploration of this very important theme of human becoming.
Season 4 of The Light in Every Thing is coming soon!
This presentation is typical of the bonus content available to our Patreon community. Please consider becoming a patron! Our entry level Patreon tier remains $36 USD per year. All donations support the Seminary of The Christian Community of North America in providing a full priests training funded by gift money from around the world.
Click the “Support the Show” link to join!
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We are wrapping up the summer by releasing Days 4 and 5 of last June’s Seminary Open Course “Becoming the Image of God” in the same week! We hope you enjoyed this opportunity to listen in on a seminary course and experience the lively exchange that characterizes student life led by Jonah and Patrick.
Very soon, they will return to begin Season 4 of The Light in Every Thing!This presentation is typical of the bonus content available to our Patreon community. Please consider becoming a patron! Our entry level Patreon tier remains $36 USD per year. All donations support the Seminary of The Christian Community of North America in providing a full priests training funded by gift money from around the world.
Click the “Support the Show” link to join!
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
This week you are invited into Day 3 of the seminary Open Course ”Becoming the Image of God.” Jonah Evans takes the next step in our exploration together of the mystery of what it means to be shaped into the image and likeness of God. Jonah turns our attention to the Holy Spirit—the spirit that shapes us, the spirit that is molding us into a new human. What is this Holy Spirit and how do we cultivate our relationship to it?
We hope you enjoy this Open Course offering. Next week we will be sharing our final two presentations. And very soon, the long awaited beginning to Season 4 of The Light in Every Thing!
This presentation is typical of the bonus content available to our Patreon community. We are offering special access this summer to those who stream the podcast via other platforms. Please consider becoming a patron! Our entry level Patreon tier remains $36 USD per year. All donations support the Seminary of The Christian Community of North America in providing a full priests training funded by gift monies.
Click the “Support the Show” link to join!
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The Open Course presentations continue this week with Day 2 of “Becoming the Image of God.” Patrick Kennedy develops the theme further by looking at Peter’s denials of Christ Jesus in John 21: 15-16 , and how through those denials Peter’s love for Christ is transformed to the point of being willing to die in His name. How is it that Christ’s life is revealed through death? How is it that Christ’s life is revealed through our loving sacrifice?
Thank you for bearing with the less than perfect audio. We felt the content was worth the extra challenge! Once again you are ’in the room’ with the directors, distance learning students and Open Course participants. We hope you enjoy!
This presentation is typical of the bonus content available to our Patreon community. We are offering special access this summer to those who stream the podcast via other platforms. Please consider becoming a patron! Our entry level Patreon tier remains $36 USD per year. All donations support the Seminary of The Christian Community of North America in providing a full priests training funded by gift monies.
Click the “Support the Show” link to join!
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
This week we invite you to listen to the first presentation from last June’s Seminary Open Course, “Becoming the Image of God.” Patrick Kennedy begins the theme with these stirring thoughts:
“From now on, you could say, the whole work of God with humanity is how will human beings be re-created, have an experience of being newly created, so that in our humanity we are revealing the divinity? That is actually the whole hope of the entire purpose of the earth from the perspective of Christianity.”
We hope you enjoy this opportunity to be ‘in the room’ with the directors, distance learning students, and Open Course participants. Over these last weeks of summer we will be sharing all five presentations as preparation for a new season of The Light in Every Thing.
This presentation is typical of the bonus content available to our Patreon community. We are offering special access this summer to those who stream the podcast via other platforms. Please consider becoming a patron! Our entry level Patreon tier remains $36 USD per year. All donations support the Seminary of The Christian Community of North America in providing a full priests training funded by gift monies.
Click the “Support the Show” link to join!
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We are back with a new Summer Replay! This week's episode is the first of our 'What is a Priest?' series from March, 2021. Every human being can develop priestly qualities and bring those qualities into the world in small ways each day. We hope you enjoy taking another listen to this episode or discovering it for the first time! The whole series can be easily accessed from the seminary website podcast archives page, found here:
https://www.christiancommunityseminary.ca/podcast
Welcome and thank you to those who have found their way over to our Patreon page and joined the community at a sustainable level for them! We cannot overstate how important your donations are to the future of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America and our movement worldwide. For as little as $36USD/year, you can become of sustaining member of our Patreon community.
Please consider becoming a patron this summer and thank you for your ongoing interest in and support of this work! You can find the link to our page below.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
This week’s Summer Replay is the first episode of our Heart of Religious Renewal series from March, 2022. We highly recommend listening to all seven episodes, but thought it might be interesting to reconsider the subject of prayer, particularly in light of our recent focus on Christian shadow work. Prayer is invaluable as we wrestle with perceiving ourselves accurately, bearing the pain and suffering we are responsible for bringing into the world, and receiving the strength to integrate our shadows in a way that bears fruit. We hope you enjoy taking another listen to “Prayer and the Whole Human Being.”
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
With the podcast in summer mode, we will be posting a variety of old and new offerings over the coming weeks. Given how the ‘Seven Heavens’ wove their way into last week’s final episode of the Christian Shadow Work series, we thought it appropriate to present the talk Patrick Kennedy gave in Tampa, Florida earlier this year.
Truth be told, this was shared in March with all our patrons on the Patreon platform. This is the kind of bonus content you can have access to by joining our Patreon community. Our entry level support tier is $3/month. All donations received support the training of future Christian Community priests and move the seminary closer to its goal of a Priests Training fully funded by gift money.
Please consider becoming a patron this summer! You can find the link to our page below. Thank you for your support of this work!
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Jonah and Patrick conclude the “Christian Shadow Work” series first by reviewing the territory covered in previous episodes. They go on to explore how the Eucharist service itself reveals the deepest transformative processes available to the human soul today. With Christ’s life and death on earth, we are shown the highest fulfillment of the human being—one who has overcome egotism all the way down to and through the body and blood, which he then willingly gives away for the ongoing life of the world. The question of how we continue to transform and integrate our shadows over time is thus answered through Christ’s Death, Resurrection and Revelation. When human beings turn towards and unite with Him, our shadows have the possibility of transforming into crosses—places on earth that, like Golgotha, in our carrying of them, reveal the light of God shining in the darkness.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the sixth episode of our series, Jonah and Patrick explore the new role of purity in shadow work, transformed through the mystery of Golgotha. With Christ’s death, resurrection and revelation, God is now with us in this world. The old ways of purification are no longer appropriate. Our shadows belong to us and call for integration. There is a new path to a new kind of purity that unlocks the power contained in the shadow and unites us with Christ in the process.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this sixth episode of our series, Patrick and Jonah look at the question of how Christian shadow work is taken up in the worship service of The Christian Community, “The Consecration of The Human Being.”
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The fifth episode of our series looks more carefully at the deeply personal experience of true repentance, without the stain of condemnation and exaggerated guilt so common throughout Christian history. Repentance, a change of heart and mind that leads one into a transformed way of life (though not without temptation), is an ongoing dynamic for life in and with Christ. Only we can recognize the truth of our errors and only we can choose to humbly turn towards the Love and Grace of God for healing medicine. That is our part to play and ours alone. Through Christ’s presence in us we can learn to perceive our shadows accurately, judge them fairly and receive the spiritual fruits that lie hidden within them.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this fourth episode of our series, the conversation goes deeper into what is asked of us when we take up a practice of working with our shadow nature in relation to Christ Jesus. Beginning with finding the strength to look at the limits of our capacity to love and culminating in our turning to someone greater than ourselves for assistance—activities which can unfold and be circled back to over great spans of time—bring us to a profound alchemical moment. We can realize: Our darkness has led us to a moment in which we can meet Christ in a most intimate and sacred exchange of medicine and healing. At the “place” of our weakness we can erect an altar, a place where we can pray and meet the One who transforms our darkness into light.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The third episode of our series looks again at the nature of shadow or sin as that in the human being which hinders Divine Reality from being revealed. Humanity is still working to reveal the image of God in which we have been made. We can understand our shadows then as opportunities to grow and mature—parts of ourselves that need to be acknowledged, understood for what they are, and transformed over time. Paul teaches in Romans: 8 there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” How does Christ Jesus relate to the sin of humanity? He demonstrates for us the path of salvation by taking up the cross, suffering, dying and being raised again by the Father. We can take up our own sin with Him and walk the same path.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this second episode of our series, Patrick and Jonah describe some of qualities and dynamics of light and dark that cast ”shadows” in and outside our beings. In the physical world, a shadow changes according to the quality of the light. Can we find the Light that simply yet powerfully reveals what is objectively so in our beings—without condemnation, yet fills us with the desire to be better, to do better? We can practice the work of seeing ourselves in the Light of Christ—who loves us no matter what, not in spite of our sin but through it, loving us towards something.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Our new series takes up the far reaching subject of working with our “shadow,” especially as it relates to the overarching question posed this year, “What divides us?” In this first episode, Jonah and Patrick begin to lay down some of the core elements of working with the shadows we cast in the light of Christ. How do we as individuals relate to the shadow we cast into this world? Can we perceive ourselves accurately? Can we integrate our shadow in a way that bears fruit? How do we relate to the shadows of others, both individuals and larger human communities, such as Christianity as a whole or The Movement for Religious Renewal? Why is working with the shadow part of the Christian path of walking with Christ? These questions and more will be explored together over the coming episodes.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Dear Patreon Community,
This week we have the pleasure of hearing Jonah and Patrick’s first person account of their recent visit to Scotland and Ireland! Their conversation includes ”shout outs” to podcast listeners and esteemed colleagues, humorous anecdotes of local color and thoughtful reflections on how this trip has changed them and reaffirmed their work.
We hope you enjoy their ‘tales from the road’ as we await a new podcast series next week!
Warmly,
Camilla Lake
for The Light in Every Thing Patreon Community
To learn more about the Inner Work Path offered by Lisa Romero, click here. For more information on Lisa’s new initiative Astral Arc, click here.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the latest episode of our “Identity and Idolatry” series, Patrick and Jonah look at the soul activity commonly referred to as worship and how it relates to identity formation. Worship can broadly be described as seeking something greater than ourselves and becoming immersed in it to such a degree that it fundamentally transforms us. We live in a time when we are free as never before to choose what we devote ourselves to. Can we become more conscious of what are we worshipping? Do we have the courage to be honest with ourselves about the idols we are serving? Our prayer life shifts to center stage as we strive to connect ourselves in living worship to the divine reality we strive to unite with. The life of worship becomes a constant living prayer.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this sixth episode of our series, Jonah and Patrick explore the interplay between icons and idols, working together in the formation of identity. We, developing human beings, are free to choose what we love and strive to become. Idols are necessary for our freedom and the schooling of a mature love, one that has been tested. This is where Christ comes in and how he approaches us—as a true icon. He is the image and expression of the True Human Being. The Gospel, with all its many characters and drama, can reveal who we are in relation to Jesus Christ, the True Human Being. The Gospel can then reveal the story of our own becoming, a blueprint or map guiding us into wholeness through Him.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, Jonah and Patrick contemplate Love's part in the mystery of identity and how this is revealed in Christ's path to the cross. The very human desire for love is with us from the beginning but it is a long journey to find the rightful home and fulfillment of that desire. The mystery of the cross reveals to us one of the great secrets of love—“I have come to suffer with you.” Through his suffering at the hands of those he loves and his forgiveness of them, we are given a picture of the highest expression of love and the fulfillment of the True Human Being on earth.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The fourth episode of our series on identity and idolatry leads further into Rudolf Steiner’s search for the eternal human self. Jonah and Patrick describe how Steiner searched intensively for many years to directly experience this ‘ego’ or self. This led to a deep spiritual crisis. But it was in this place of emptiness and utter powerlessness that the True Self found him—a dynamic mystery, at once both other and yet himself. Rudolf Steiner described this moment in his life as “standing before the Mystery of Golgotha in a most holy sacred rite of knowledge” (’erkenntnisfeier’). His devoted striving over many years led to this encounter with Christ, or the one he would later call the Representative of Humanity. From then on, his work flowed from the font of this direct experience and strove to reveal Christ as the one from whom human beings receive their true, eternal self as a gift of grace.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The third episode of our series begins with the question of identity considered through the lens of cultural anthropology and postmodernism. These disciplines consider how human beings construct identity, but conclude that it is impossible to come to know absolute truth. We can only know the images that we ourselves or others generate. This perspective agrees in many ways with what Patrick and Jonah then take up: an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Rudolf Steiner’s book Theosophy. The human “I” is an identifier, but this can be understood as a receptacle. Within it lies the capacity to overcome separation and emptiness by opening itself up to receive a higher content.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this second episode of our series, Patrick and Jonah begin to look at the dynamic relationship that exists between who Christ Jesus is as a being - his identity - and the mystery around human identity, as it is laid out in the gospels. Christ’s identity is both itself and a revelation of another being, the Father. He creates for us the possibility of our true identity being restored in direct relationship to all that lives in Him. He is the Light of the World. Can our own moral substance, the actions we take out of love, radiate His light into the world?
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
We begin our new series with a reminder of the thread weaving throughout the podcast this year: What are the forces that divide human beings and their communities? And where does the possibility of overcoming that division live? In many ways, our sense of identity is at the core of what divides us. In this first conversation, Jonah and Patrick explore the nature of identity formation and begin to develop a biblical picture of the true identity of the human self. What makes human beings human - our ego - is itself an identity power, a power to identify. But what is it we choose to identify with and why? The moment our motive is LOVE, then we are dwelling in God and God in us. Is it possible that we find the truest version of ourselves in devoted communion with God? These are the themes of our series “Identity and Idolatry.”
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this final episode of our series on the nature of Christ’s second coming, Jonah and Patrick look at the deep longing that burns in the souls of human beings for the arrival of a rescuer—one who will rid the world of all evil and darkness, establishing goodness once and for all. But they make the distinction between the great Day of Decision at the end of time when a New Heaven and a New Earth will arise, and the microcosmic battle taking place within each individual. Jonah and Patrick suggest that the battlefield in our times takes place in the realm of the human heart and soul and employs the armor and weaponry of spiritual warfare, not outer war. We are each familiar with the darker aspects of our own natures. But Christ is also in us, speaking his Word, lighting the Way. His example shows us that dying to ourselves and becoming new again is the most powerful spiritual weapon. Giving our life for the life of another becomes the ultimate expression of overcoming the adversary. In and through Christ, we become both rescued and rescuers.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the sixth episode of our series on the new revelation of Christ in our times, Jonah and Patrick delve into the mystery of judgment. Christianity is strongly associated with the most intense judgment imaginable—words and actions that condemn, destroy, or deeply wound. This generates a “winter” experience we are all capable of, one that kills the fruit on the vine. But is this the judgment Christ is truly bringing? Can we participate in a judgment experience with Him that leads to life? Can we remember and trust that all He does is for us not against us?
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this fifth episode of our series on the nature of the so-called second coming, Jonah and Patrick take up the question ’How do we know?’ How can we be sure that we are not in error and devoting ourselves to an Other that is false? Can we trust the new organs of perception that appear to be sprouting in and around us? How do we integrate this new dawn firmly into the ground of our beings?
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
The fourth episode of our series on the ‘second coming’ shifts our attention to the increasingly common experience of the unseen realm, the one that exists beyond the grasp of our physical eyes. We are living in a time when many of the old paths of spirituality have returned for our consideration. It is a time of unprecedented freedom of thought, coupled with the deep longing to find a path that leads to our truest selves, to the fullest expression of our humanity. Spirit-eyes are needed to pierce the veil and reveal the One who brought the powers of heaven with Him and integrated them with the earthly world. He is the Guide who knows the path of Love through Death, of Light through Darkness.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In the third episode of our series, Jonah and Patrick explore the description of Christ’s coming to us “like a thief in the night” (Matthew 24: 42-44). The picture implies that Christ’s return is a phenomenon that could be missed, that could be slept through. How do we awaken from this sleep, this blindness? Can we begin to recognize Christ breaking into our lives today—through a person, through an event, through the practice of turning towards Him? He is knocking at the door, if we will only let Him in.In the third episode of our series, Jonah and Patrick explore the description of Christ’s coming to us “like a thief in the night” (Matthew 24: 42-44). The picture implies that Christ’s return is a phenomenon that could be missed, that could be slept through. How do we awaken from this sleep, this blindness? Can we begin to recognize Christ breaking into our lives today—through a person, through an event, through the practice of turning towards Him? He is knocking at the door, if we will only let Him in.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
How is the Light of Christ breaking into our own lives right now, if only we had the eyes to see? In this second episode of our new series on the nature of Christ’s “second coming,” we take up the story of Saul becoming Paul, who never knew Christ Jesus in His incarnated form. Nonetheless, Paul was so transformed through his conversion that he went from persecuting followers of The Way to pouring himself into building new Christ communities. What was revealed to Paul on the road to Damascus that moved him so dramatically? What does Paul’s experience mean for us today, given the divisiveness of our times?
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
With this new series we take up the subject of the nature of Christ’s ”second coming.” Since the earliest days of Christianity, there was an orientation towards a time of Christ‘s return. Today, many of us feel a deep sense that the world needs to, or is, ending soon. Alongside it, we feel the hope or longing for something new to come. In this first episode, Patrick and Jonah begin to describe the relationship and dynamic between the old world and the new world. What is falling away? What is beginning to grow and flourish? Is there a way in which the “world” has already ended?With this new series we take up the subject of the nature of Christ’s ”second coming.” Since the earliest days of Christianity, there was an orientation towards a time of Christ‘s return. Today, many of us feel a deep sense that the world needs to, or is, ending soon. Alongside it, we feel the hope or longing for something new to come. In this first episode, Patrick and Jonah begin to describe the relationship and dynamic between the old world and the new world. What is falling away? What is beginning to grow and flourish? Is there a way in which the “world” has already ended?
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
What begins to unfold and unfurl when we explore the presence and meaning of horror in art, in life and in the story of Christmas and Epiphany? We hope you will join us for this nearly two hour conversation between Patrick and Conner Habib. Its a wide-ranging conversation that takes us down many paths, including the call to christen Paganism and the wild nature spirits in our time, all while Conner and Patrick begin to uncover the meaning of the horrific elements woven into the mystery of Christmas and Christianity.
Many of our listeners will already know Conner from when Patrick was interviewed on his podcast, Against Everyone with Conner Habib. Conner is truly a rare voice in our time, connecting with people in the arts, sciences, philosophy, politics, music, literature, and spirituality and sharing these deeper conversations built on honest thinking and compassionate listening. Conner has schooled himself in entering what is often uncomfortable, uncommon territory and finds true treasure there.
One of those 'territories' is horror. A long time fan of horror fiction and film, Conner is also a published author, with his first full-length novel, Hawk Mountain, releasing in July of 2022. You can hear his own uninterrupted reflections on the value and power of art that includes the element of horror in this episode from his podcast.
In our conversation, we turn our attention to the Christmas mystery and look to understand the presence of horror - of true darkness - at the birth of Christ.
The festival of Christmas in its full form is not a one day event. It begins on the Holy Night of the 24th and lasts over twelve days, culminating in the festival of Epiphany on January 6th. Spiritually, there is a profound path taken from the shepherds, angels and peace of Luke's gospel on Christmas Day to the Kings, the star and Herod's massacre of children to protect his power and crown as described in Matthew's gospel. From the paradisiacal innocence of Christmas we are led into the depths of moral darkness, danger and threat to the child, the true king, who is born. All of these "icons" of Christ's nature foreshadow what we will all turn our attention to during Holy Week and Easter. The Christian story is told, without doubt, with profound elements of horror.
But why? And why does the genre of horror itself seem to be growing in popularity in mass culture? What is it that is revealed in the art of horrorthat has a role to play in our human becoming? What is it in the reality of true evil in our time that has to do with the new appearance of Christ?
A great and hearty thank you to Conner Habib for his willingness to explore these questions with us.
New Year's and Epiphany blessing to you all!
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
This final episode of the series reviews the first six activities that are foundation stones for the development of critical human capacities for the student of the spirit (as described by Rudolf Steiner in Chapter 5, “How to Know Higher Worlds”). It also introduces the seventh, which calls us to “always understand life as these conditions demand.” In doing so, we create the possibility for our lives to express a harmonious unity, both within our own being and in relation to the beings around us.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
Apologies for the poor audio, we had microphone issues - This episode continues our exploration of the relationship between gratitude and love as a path to true knowledge, as described by Rudolf Steiner in Chapter 5 of ”How to Know Higher Worlds.” Steiner points us towards the fulfillment of the human heart, one that flows actively and dynamically between gratitude and love while connected to the world around us. Love of this magnitude becomes the ultimate counterforce to the divisive elements working so strongly in our times. From this holy place of deep respect and honor, the beings of this world will continue to reveal themselves to us. Even the deeply painful events of our lives can perhaps, over time, give birth to knowledge and understanding that both soothe us and ask something more of us in equal measure.
Conversation Notes and References
The painting that Patrick mentions as a personal icon of dead or dust knowledge can be viewed here. The biblical image of stealing or grasping for knowledge can be found in Mark 14: 51 - 52.
The story of Abraham and Sarah sending Ishmael and Hagar out into the desert can be found in Genesis 21: 8 - 21.
The Beatitudes can be found in Matthew 5: 3 - 12.
The painting that reveals itself to Patrick and Carol Kelly through their loving interest (Asheville by Willem de Kooning, 1942) can be viewed here.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, we begin to explore the relationship between gratitude, knowledge and love. Rudolf Steiner recommends that “we develop of gratitude for all that we receive” so that a higher capacity for love can also develop (see Chapter 5, “How to Know Higher Worlds”). Jonah and Patrick take us through the thought processes that can lead us to feelings of gratitude, starting with the obvious blessings we receive and including gratitude that can be won from challenges after years of wrestling. All gratitude begins with taking a moment to set aside our egotism and notice that we truly are sourced by other beings - and the ultimate Divinity from which they spring - whose gifts flow towards us without end.
Conversation Notes and References
The documentary Mother Teresa by filmmakers Jeannette and Ann Petrie (1986) is currently not available for streaming, but more information can be found here. The trailer can be viewed here.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, we discuss the next activity recommended by Rudolf Steiner as a counterbalance to that which divides us (see Chapter 5, “How to Know Higher Worlds”). Now we enter into the realm of the human will in relation to the world around us. First, can we become individuals capable of setting resolutions and following through on them? Next, what are our deeper motivations as we hope for success in these endeavors? Rudolf Steiner states simply and profoundly that love for the activity itself is the the only motive that truly matters in the face of the spiritual world.
Conversation Notes and References
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7: 15 (New International Version)
For a description of burnout syndrome, click here.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, we return to contemplating the activities of self that are needed in stemming the constant tendency towards division, as recommended by Rudolf Steiner in Chapter 5 of his book, ”How to Know Higher Worlds.” Previously, we spoke about breaking through to the truth that the inner world of our thoughts and feelings is just as real and significant as our deeds. The fourth activity describes the creative tension and discernment process we are tasked with as we learn to traverse these two worlds - inner and outer. Here, we take a step further into the realm of our true being and learn to practice a kind of spiritual balance, led by a heart that is open, interested and knowledgeable of the world around us.In this episode, we return to contemplating the activities of self that are needed in stemming the constant tendency towards division, as recommended by Rudolf Steiner in Chapter 5 of his book, ”How to Know Higher Worlds.” Previously, we spoke about breaking through to the truth that the inner world of our thoughts and feelings is just as real and significant as our deeds. The fourth activity describes the creative tension and discernment process we are tasked with as we learn to traverse these two worlds - inner and outer. Here, we take a step further into the realm of our true being and learn to practice a kind of spiritual balance, led by a heart that is open, interested and knowledgeable of the world around us.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the showMany thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
A student of the spirit needs to breakthrough to the reality and impact of our thoughts and feelings, to tend and care for them as if they were deeds in the world as real as the deeds of our hands. This third practice taken up by Jonah and Patrick takes up the world-significance of our inner lives, moving into the realm of the soul, the heart of who we are.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show
In this episode of our series, we look at the next tool Rudolf Steiner offers to help us deal properly with the dividing forces so prevalent in the world today (see Chapter 5 of How to Know Higher Worlds). The second condition suggests we learn how to “feel ourselves to be a part of the whole of life.” Patrick and Jonah discuss the ways we so easily separate ourselves from others through judgment and blame; and how, instead, we can feel with and into the world and people around us. From this place of openness and connection, we can ask “What is my part in this person’s life, or in this situation?“ “Where does my power, creativity and authority truly lie?”
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
Support the show
In this episode, we begin our exploration of Rudolf Steiner’s thoughts on the necessary conditions for becoming a student of the hidden aspects of reality (Chapter 5 of How to Know Higher Worldsby Rudolf Steiner). Jonah and Patrick share these ‘tools of the royal, kingly self‘ and how helpful they are on the path of discipleship and priesthood. The first crown to be gained is a right relationship to our physical and mental health. What is my bodily constitution telling me? What does it need to improve in its health and strength? Am I developing unhealthy tendencies of mind and spirit?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
Support the show
We begin our next series by exploring the question “Why is Rudolf Steiner important for Christianity?” Patrick and Jonah first share their personal stories of how Rudolf Steiner’s work expanded their understanding of who Christ is and how, in our time, we are invited to relate to Him. Rudolf Steiner lays out a path that while cultivating human selfhood, also reveals the possibility of communion with a Being much greater than ourselves.
Next week’s podcast episode will begin an in-depth look at Chapter 5 of Rudolf Steiner's book,How to Know Higher Worlds. For a link to various editions and translations of this book, click here. To listen to an audio recording of the book, click here. For a free digital copy of the book, click here.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
Support the show
In this final episode of our first series of the new podcast season, Patrick and Jonah take up a confronting quote from the gospel that states that Christ himself has come to bring division and separation to humanity; that he brings a sword and sets one against the other, even within our own households (Matthew 10: 34-36) If Christ is bringing this division among human beings, how can we understand the Good in it? How does the sword serve the Story of Love unfolding in humanity?
In this episode, Jonah and Patrick refer to their own spiritual "conflict" that began back in 2009. To learn more about the content of that conversation, please see the very first episode of the podcast.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
Support the show
The fourth episode in our series leads further into a description of the medicine being offered us - medicine uniquely designed to overcome deep divisions, both within the human constitution and across every human relationship. Our illnesses as individuals and communities are calls to what we are meant to become. What is the seed-medicine we are meant take in and nourish as it unfolds?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show
The third episode in our series delves further into the dual nature of the human self or ego. Jonah and Patrick consider the dynamics between oneself and an Other; the landscape of human desire. the tendency to dominate, and the selfhood and inner freedom that is so precious to the modern human being. How do we reconcile these different parts of ourselves? Do the mysteries of Christianity offer us a way forward - a way in which we can overcome the forces of division and cultivate true community, without losing the sovereignty of the self?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show
This second episode in our series takes us further into the mystery of human selfhood and its longing to be in relationship to the living Truth. Using the pictures of the beggar and the crowned king, Patrick and Jonah explore ways to free the human ego from the traps of comfort and isolation, so that it can take its rightful place, gifted to humanity by Christ, in the throne of every human heart.
Conversation Notes and References
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“But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”Exodus 3 : 13-14 (New Revised Standard Version)
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Click here for the Beatitudes or “Makarioi” from Matthew 5 : 1-12.
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An example of abstraction in architectural design drawings: https://www.designcurial.com/news/modern-architecture-homes-4809815/
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Karkief, Ukraine is in the East of Ukraine where fighting between Russian and Ukrainian soldiers is more fierce.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show
As the first of four sections to this entire season of the Light in Every Thing, this series explores a core moral challenge that has emerged with increasing strength recently: How do we find community even as we find our individuality? How can I come to a truth that doesn't simply negate yours? How can we generate unity with our fellow humans - including our many conflicting perspectives - without negating the other's freedom? How can the 'sword of truth' become something that unites, not divides us?
Conversation Notes and References
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To learn more about the MysTech 2022 conference, click here. We will share a recording of Patrick's presentation, "A New Genesis" in the next few weeks.
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“To live in love towards our actions, and to let live in understanding of the other person’s will, is the fundamental maxim of free human beings.” Rudolf Steiner, Chapter 9, The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity.
- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (New International Version)
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For details on the recent polling of 1,500 US adults on the political divisions and perceived threat of violence in the future, click here.
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For the flags Patrick observed in Portland, Oregon and to learn more about the progressive organization promoting them, click here.
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To learn more about the life and death of Sophie Scholl, click here.
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To learn more about the life and death of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, click here.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show
In this short preview, you will hear Patrick and Jonah describe the overarching theme for this year’s podcast. Coming to our selves means separating from everyone else. The self is a "two edged sword", cutting, on the one hand, towards the dignity and beauty of our free individuality, and on the other, self-hood is destructive for the existing bonds of community that used to hold us together. In the age of individuality, are we simply destined for "war"?
Christ’s deed - his death and resurrection - created a new human body, a gift he offers to those who unite themselves with him. But there is something else that Christ is still working to accomplish. This year’s podcasts will explore the mystery of human community - the death forces in our relationships today and the resurrection forces streaming towards us, aiming to birth new communities and transform all creation in the process.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show
For our summer series, we are reposting this episode from our ‘Path of Discipleship’ series. It explores in depth one of the signposts of path of discipleship. Here is how it was introduced last year:
This week’s gospel reading (Matthew 6: 19-34) brings us one step further along our path together. The fundamental question of discipleship, “Who do you serve?” is explored more deeply here. Do we serve Christ Jesus or are we serving Mammon (the Spirit of Materialism)? Another way of saying this is: What is the center of the Christian Cosmos?
It is our destiny to be living in an age when the world is more and more deeply permeated by a consciousness that believes the true treasures are the ones that can be stolen from us: our very culture is founded on and in materialism. Again, the Christian disciples are called to refine their capacity for discernment and strengthen their powers of faith, thereby establishing a different culture. Are we spending our forces gathering treasure on earth or are we seeking heavenly treasures—treasures that do not decay or rust, that cannot be taken away—treasures that are eternal?
By renewing our faith over and over again, we can begin to live like the lilies of the field; trusting completely in God’s wisdom, submitting to His will and thereby, flourishing.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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As a part of our summer series: Here is another look at a fascinating conversation between Lisa Romero and Rev. Jonah Evans. Lisa describes how who we are in the world today is setting the stage for a world far into the future. We hope you find it inspiring!
This is the kind of special content our patrons regularly have access to. Join the conversation and support the work of The Light in Every Thing here: www.patreon.com/ccseminary.
In this episode, Jonah spoke with Lisa Romero as part of our series of conversations we called, "Bridging the Divide". In these conversations, we invite friends in the spirit, people working in very different places in the world, people from different backgrounds than ourselves, and enter into the sacred art of conversation with them.
Jonah and Lisa dive into essential questions for our future: the human heart and being of Christ; the moral forces of our humanity in relationship to technology and the spiritual beings connected to it and how this impacts the future of human culture and the earth.
Our heartfelt thanks to Lisa Romero for her time with us. Lisa is an author of inner development books and courses, a complementary health practitioner and an adult educator who has been offering healthcare and education enriched with anthroposophy since 1993. From 2006 the primary focus of her work has been on teaching inner development and anthroposophical meditation.
You can find out more about Lisa and her extensive work to support the spiritual development of individuals for the benefit of the the world at her website, and follow her warm invitation to participate in her Advent offering this year by clicking here.
As always, our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin, who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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(replay from Sept. 2020)
This summer we will share with you a selection of our earlier episodes. Our first two will be from our “Bridging the Divide” series where we spoke with people from around the world during the first year of the pandemic to hear how they were reading the events around them what they felt is needed to meet the current challenges.
This conversation is with Laurens Hornemann, from Dortmund, Germany. This content was originally shared only with our patrons on Patreon and is a good example of the kind of extra content that is available to those who become supporters of the work of the seminary - and this podcast. You can see more here: www.patreon.com/ccseminary. Here is what we wrote to introduce the conversation back in September of 2020:
In this moment in history, the powers that divide us are intensifying. These forces separate us from one another, from a true relationship with the earth and an awareness of the divine. The sacramental work of the priest in each one of us is expressed in the work to bridge these divides.
Part of how we can do that is through the art of conversation.
Once a month (at least) we will be sharing conversations with our listeners that serve this intention. These will be that reach across cultures, geographies, traditions and perspectives.
Today, our first one of the series,, is with Laurens Hornemann, priest in the congregation of The Christian Community in Dortmund, Germany. As a Christian Community priest, Laurens is, in many ways, near to us and the bridge is a small one to build. But we take a moment bridge across the Atlantic Ocean to hear how the pandemic is being experienced there, in Germany and in his congregation.
Laurens himself has made brave and excellent efforts in sharing his authentic efforts to speak into this moment of the pandemic by creating a YouTube page with video talks. Of particular interest is one on the healing power of illness and death that has almost 10,000 views and now English subtitles.
After hearing about how things are going with the virus we reach deeper into the question: what is this pandemic revealing that was perhaps hidden before? What is it asking of you in your life with Christ and as a priest?
We want to thank Laurens so much for his time, honesty and deep insights and hope you receive something from this conversation.
Our thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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In this last episode of our series on Christian mission work, we explore what it means that “all authority in heaven and on earth” was given to the risen Christ (Matthew 28: 18 - 20). What does this look like? What does a conquering, victorious god look like, in all his glory? In Jesus it looks like what Christians called “good Friday”: It looks like him dying on the cross. In him, everything has been turned upside down and inside out. The lion has become the lamb…
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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This episode’s conversation further develops our understanding of the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28: 16-20. Before any instructions were given to the disciples as to their mission in the world, Matthew describes how, when they saw Jesus, they were moved to worship him and that some of them held back or doubted. What does it mean to worship today and why might we doubt or hold ourselves back from this devotional act? We are reminded again that human beings are designed to worship and are free to choose what we will become through our worship activities. Why do the disciples worship Christ Jesus when they encounter him on the mountain? They behold a new creation: the resurrected Christ carries the True Human Being in his being. They cannot help but stand in awe before Him.
Called to Become Gods"Worship, therefore, is not about subservience but connecting to the one we aspire to become. Jonah and Patrick explore how this calling to become divine creators is already long launched in humanity and we are well on our way to possessing many of the powers that used to be in the hands of God: electricity, nuclear power (the power of suns) and the generation of things, organic matter, cloning and, ultimately, humanoids made in our own likeness:“…we are generating artificial intelligence, another being who is an image of us. That’s what Jahwe does in the beginning of the book of Genesis! We are becoming Gods!…The only question is: what kind of God will you become?” That question is answered by where we turn our worshipful attention. Before whom do we bow?
Conversation Notes and Resources
“Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshipped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: ‘God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28: 16-20 (The Message Bible translation)
For excellent resources concerning the history of Indian Boarding Schools in the United States, please visit The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition website, including curriculum resources for teachers and parents by grade level here.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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For some people, the idea of the Christian missionary calls up images of a heroic life fully given to a higher cause. For others, it calls up a legacy of spiritual trespass, abuse of power and physical violence. In this episode, Jonah and Patrick take a deeper look at the exact instructions given by Jesus to his disciples in the so-called, "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:16-20). They seek, in conversation, to uncover the deeper and truly modern, spiritual understanding of 'Christian Mission'.
Reference:
Matthew 28:16-20: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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Why is exile necessary? What is God hoping we will gain in the desert? In this conversation, Jonah and Patrick reveal how our egotism generates the exile experience. But there are great gifts to be found in exile: Human beings could never become beings of love without this freedom—freedom which is a gift of the exile reality. Through free acts of sacrificial love we can also find our way back to our true home.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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This episode is an audio recording of one of the presentations from our Beloved Community in Exile seminary open course earlier this week. This talk, offered by Patrick Kennedy, touches on where humanity is headed: the much hoped for return from exile - the New Creation and the New Covenant.
If you are interested in the Beloved Community theme, you can visit our Patreon page The Light in Every Thing. Here is a link to all the content from the “Forming the Beloved Community”course held two years ago. Please consider joining our Patreon community!
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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Christ’s prayer for humanity is that they be consecrated. Once the people of God were consecrated by the blood of ritual sacrifices. He shows a new path to Consecration: He consecrates himself for our sake, that we may also be consecrated in truth. In this fourth episode of our series on John 17, we explore what it means to be consecrated in truth.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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How do we find true protection in this world? In the third episode of our series on John 17, we learn that this protection is at the heart of Christ’s prayer for us. He prays for us to become a unified community; that we overcome the isolation and separateness inherent to this world and become unified in Christ and the Father, sustained by the blessing of His protection, which flows from the spirit world. The work of heaven on earth is building community. In this work, Christ’s joy is fulfilled in us and we become part of something no one can take away.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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The opening lines of John 17 contain an essence of the mysteries of Christianity - Christ’s relationship to humanity and to God - flowing to us from this intimate prayer to the Father, the night before His crucifixion. Christ’s hour has come. Through the “glory” of the cross, Christ is given the authority to grant eternal life, so that a new community can unfold and God’s hope for humanity be fulfilled.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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With this episode we open up a new series that will explore what it means to be united with Christ and to live “in this world”. To do this, we will be working with one single text: the so-called ‘High Priestly Prayer’ found in the Gospel of John, chapter 17. To lay the ground work, Jonah and Patrick dive into the idea of ‘the world’ in John’s gospel, uncovering a, perhaps, surprising spiritual cosmology that ultimately leads to the idea that all our suffering and difficulty in ‘this world’ is merely the birth pains of a new one that is coming.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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As those who seek union with Christ, we turn towards Him, we grow towards Him, so He can gift us with His resurrection forces. This episode explores what it means to open ourselves to these forces of resurrection, even while bearing our cross. As those forces flow into us, we can feel the power of joyful hope; a power that assures us the victory is won even while we are still going through the battle.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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Christ gifts us our true humanity when we allow three things to become alive in us: the mystery of His suffering and death, the mystery of His resurrection, and the mystery of His manifesting or revelation. This episode considers what it means to unite with the Being who chooses the cross again and again. Can we follow Christ to the cross and die to our old ways? Through our dying, can we open to the Spirit and be raised?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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In prayer we reach out and up to a being greater than ourselves - for many different reasons. But, as you’ll hear in this conversation, “the heart of Christian prayer is union with Christ.” If uniting with Him is the highest goal of prayer life, how do we make our hearts a dwelling and invite Christ in?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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In this episode, we delve deeper into how essential it is for the renewal of our religious life to include thinking in our life of prayer. This is a prayer life that can enable us to approach the divinity with our full, emerging humanity. Thinking permeated with reverence and love becomes a sensing organ we can turn towards the Spirit, and with patient humility hope to experience God’s living presence in and around us.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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In this episode, we further explore how thinking forms a kind of groundwork that offers confidence in our praying; not an abstract, merely intellectual thinking, but thinking intrinsically related to understanding our life experiences. How can we know that a being is worth following? Even more so, how can we know that we are actually in the presence of an ‘other,’ rather than an aspect of our own soul life? When we work in this way, knowledge builds a foundation of faith.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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In this episode we are reminded again that our very relationship to religious life is at stake, if we cannot find the way to an authentic expression of prayer. Beyond that, we are shown how prayer is essentially about Life of the highest order; how, through prayer, “spiritual forces from the heavenly realms can be received and taken in and made fruitful on the earth.”
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this new series “The Heart of Religious Renewal,” we take up the subject of prayer as a foundational expression of and path to ‘whole humanness.’ First, what do we mean by religious life? And, secondly, what are the particular qualities of prayer that, in our time, allow for the renewal of religious life?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this episode, we take up two very broad questions that arose from patrons over the course of the “Discerning the Spirits” series. In response to the first question, Patrick and Jonah explore how the Holy Spirit lives and works in our discerning. The second question relates to suffering, human evolution and karma. If Christ is merciful and we are discerning His voice in our hearts and lives, does that mean we’ll suffer less?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
Building on the idea from last episode that human beings are, by their very nature, worshipping beings, this episode turns to how our 'enemies' use this against us, tempting us with 'false gods' that seem worthy of our attention and life energies. The Book of Revelation offers us powerful pictures that contrast the beasts of earth and water, and the city of Babylon, with the Lamb who suffers with us and for us and the New Jerusalem in which he will be its very light. How do we awaken and direct our hearts more and more freely towards the One who holds our true selves in His Being, and through the cross, offers us true Life?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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"...It may be the devil or it may be the Lord but you're gonna have to serve somebody." - Bob Dylan.
With this episode we follow up on the last element of the story of Christ's temptation by the devil - “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). The last step will take us into the deepest expression of what we call religious life: What does it mean to worship some thing or someone? Are there qualities of worship that reveal whose voice we are following?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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In this episode we continue to follow Christ as He is led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to meet the adversary, the ruler of all the kingdoms of this world. These next two temptations help us further understand the relationship we, who look towards him and follow him, are called to have with the adversaries. How can we relate to them while living in their realm, working together with Christ to build the New Kingdom and the New Human Being, seeded here on earth and in us?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this episode, Patrick and Jonah begin to explore the very first scene of the gospels after the baptism at the Jordan river - Jesus Christ’s encounter with the adversary in the desert. He is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and reveals to us a right relationship to the adversary. We can ask ourselves - Who am I when alone and hungry in the desert? Do I remain faithful even when I feel disconnected and challenged on all fronts?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this episode we continue to get to know one of the enemies that oppose us in our true humanity, who would corrupt us in our true kingship: the beast. In the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 2, we are given an image of five different kings. It is a meditation, in a short tale full of rich imaginations, on the nature of true kingship. And kingship, itself, is an image of the sovereign human self.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
After contemplating the place of darkness, emptiness and ‘void’ at the moment of the creation of our world (Genesis 1), Jonah and Patrick turn their attention to two key players, two decisive beings who play their part in the story of humanity: the ‘snake’ from Genesis 3 and ‘the beast’ that is introduced in Genesis 4. What is this ‘snake’ that approaches Eve, the knower, in the realm of paradise? And who is this ‘crouching at the door’ that influences Cain, the doer, just after being ‘cast out’? And how do they stand in relationship to the one who offers up his life, in love, for all humanity? These questions and more are taken up in this episode.
Reading you will be glad to have near at hand...
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Genesis, chapter 1 - Darkness, Light and their Harmonization by the Creator Elohim
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Genesis, chapter 3 - The snake, the tree with wisdom-fruit, the infection of egotism, God's prophecy about the seed of the woman and the prevention of the infected humans from eating the fruit of the life-tree.
- Genesis, chapter 4, verses 1-16 - Cain and Abel's offerings, Cain's rejected offering, and God's word to Cain that describes the 'beast': "...sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
Further reading about "The Beast" in the bible
Of the 46 times that the Greek term, θηρίον (wild beast) is used in the New Testament, 31 of those times come in the Book of Revelation, including the powerful images that come in chapter 13.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this episode we focus more specifically on naming the ‘Powers of Darkness’ active in the present age, the ones St. Paul refers to in his letter to the Ephesians. How do we discern their voices; both speaking within our own souls and expressed in the events of the world taking place around us? How do we bring the light of understanding towards these powers of darkness? These powers are described in the Christmas liturgy of The Christian Community as having two distinct dynamics - beings of false light and beings who draw us into the senses’ unworthy craving. These signposts help us begin to distinguish the forces acting upon us that seek to rob us of our true humanity.
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In this episode we dive deeper into the Christian world-view that orients us as to who our ‘enemies’ are - and perhaps even more important for our growing capacity of discernment, who they are not. Working with Paul’s letter to the Ephesians we learn that the enemies of our true humanity, the adversaries we encounter on the path, are “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). A view of a dynamic cosmic drama opens and reveals that we are facing enemies that far outrank us in the universe. Therefore, in order for us to stand with Christ on this spiritual battleground, Paul instructs Christ’s disciples to put on “the armor of God”. Jonah and Patrick begin to unpack specific characteristics of God’s armor, as well as how we might grow into receiving it.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this third episode of our series on learning to discern Christ's voice - around us and within us - we take a deeper dive into Psalm 23: "The Lord is My Shepherd". After focusing the mystery of the overall structure of David's Song, Patrick and Jonah open up the questions of how and why the "Valley of the Shadow of Death" and the presence of the enemies of our humanity would belong to the path the Good Shepherd leads us through.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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In this second episode on spiritual discernment, Patrick and Jonah delve into Psalm 23, a ‘Song of David,’ as a way to deepen our understanding of what it means to align ourselves with and be guided by Christ. David’s song characterizes, line by line, what his guidance leads us to - and through - it culminates in an experience of being elevated from sheep to king: anointed with oil and blessed with goodness and mercy "all the days my life". King David reveals to his people the secret of being a good shepherd; he reveals that he himself is being guided by the greater king, the King of Kings.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
With this new episode, we are entering a series of conversations around cultivating spiritual discernment; can we develop the ability to perceive Christ’s nature and voice at work in our lives and the world around us? What other voices ‘compete’ with Christ’s voice? How do we turn towards Him, align ourselves with Him and follow Him as our Helping Guide?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this final episode of our series on Extended Reality, Patrick and Jonah ask: “How do we relate in a Christian way to the future of the earth, especially to the more difficult aspects that are already breaking in? How do we stay connected to the Light of the World in Every Thing, as humanity must encounter and bear the coming technological realities?”
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this latest episode of our series, Patrick Kennedy and Paul K. Chappell explore more thoroughly the compelling nature of Virtual/Extended Reality and its potential to become the most addictive phenomenon ever created. A key component of the Peace Literacy curriculum is building the capacity to recognize what our true non-physical needs are: belonging, nurturing relationships, expression, inspiration, explanation, etc. Addressing these needs in ways that allow our traumas to be disentangled, and ultimately healed, will be critical to meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving technology.
”The more that our humanity is not developed, the greater the consequences and the greater the debt we are going to owe to Nemesis as this technology matures.” Paul K. Chappell
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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In this second conversation on extended reality with Paul K. Chappell, Patrick asks him to share his vision for more deeply understanding what is happening in our time with the technological advances, particularly from the past 100 years. What Paul shares is something like a divine-moral cosmology: what once were the powers of the (Greek) Gods are now in mortal, fallible, vulnerable human hands. According to Paul - and the Greeks - the most powerful God was Hypnos, the God of dreams and sleep. According to Paul, it is this God’s powers which are coming into human hands in the digital form of virtual and augmented reality. It is this power that Paul sees will put before us the greatest challenge to our humanity, providing a powerful trial in which we might feel the necessary force of our nemesis in order to heed the call to unfold and evolve our shared humanity.
Please see more of what Paul and his team are doing at the Peace Literacy Institute and consider supporting their work.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this first of a short series of conversations, Patrick speaks with Paul K. Chappell, executive director of the Peace Literacy Institute, about the challenges that “Extended Reality” will pose to humanity. They set the stage to understand the appeal of virtual reality: how trust among people and in institutions is at an all-time low; how we are motivated by “non-physical” needs, which can be easily co-opted when tangled up with trauma; and how despair and a sense of betrayal has grown and intensified over the past decades. “As our technology becomes more powerful, we have to make our humanity more powerful to compensate for that.” - Paul K. Chappell
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In the final Q&A episode of the discipleship series, Jonah and Patrick take up several questions which relate elements from the spiritual guidance given by the founder of Anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner, to the path of Christian discipleship. Jonah and Patrick answer the question of how the “path of feeling” Steiner describes relates to the path devotional gospel reading, prayer and worship, and then contemplate a question as to how religious community life supports the life of the disciple. In the heart of the episode, they attempt a kind of ‘anatomy of faith’ in response to another question, lifting it far beyond “blind faith” and recognizing it for its immense transformative power.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this first Q&A episode, Patrick and Jonah address three broad questions from our Patreon community. To begin, they discuss a question about ‘fear’ in the gospels and how we might understand its role in our lives as disciples. From there, the role of sacraments, the gospel readings throughout the year, and even the sacramental nature of our own biographies, are considered as expressions of the discipleship path.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
The path of discipleship begins with a call to pick up our cross and follow (Matthew 16:24) and ends with a resurrection - not of Jesus, but of a 'prophet'. We hear Jesus speak to the 'dead man' who was carried out of the town, Nain, "Young man, I say to you, arise!" (Luke 7:14). Suffering, death and resurrection - this threefold process is the signature of Christ's very being which he expressed on a cosmic scale on the mount called Golgotha. In this final episode on the path of discipleship, Jonah and Patrick explore how this pattern is meant to be revealed in all those who would be his students, that Christ might work through them into the world.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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9.22.21 - The Path of Discipleship - Episode 9This episode explores the next level of moral substance and practice that disciples are called to cultivate, as described in this week’s gospel reading (Matthew 6: 19-34). What is spiritual treasure? Where am I placing my faith? Have I found a ground to walk on that cannot be shaken under any circumstance?
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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Summary: 9.15.21 The Path of Discipleship - 8: With this eighth gospel reading in our series (Luke 17: 5-10), the apostles return to Christ Jesus after their sending and ask Him to increase their faith. His response takes the conversation on a surprising turn, referring to the disciples as ’douloi’ (Greek: slaves) to their master. This controversial phrasing leads Jonah and Patrick to deepen how Christ’s guidance helps us to continually reestablish our humility even as he increases our capacities through his own power, thereby protecting us from potential dangers on the path.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
Thanks also to Camilla Lake for the show notes and Patreon/Podcast communications and production.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website.
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9.8.21 The Path of Discipleship - 7: In this seventh episode of our series we hear of a second sending forth of disciples. Not the twelve disciples from our fourth gospel reading (Luke 9: 1-17), but an expanded community of 70 are sent forth "like lambs among wolves" (Luke 10: 1-20). Patrick and Jonah explain how this apostolic community of 70 has its roots deep in the hidden spiritual patterns of life revealed in the Hebrew Bible and is a fulfillment of Christ’s mission to seed a new Humanity and, ultimately, a new Heaven and a new Earth.
APOLOGIES, Friends! The sound is very poor in this episode because somehow the good microphones didn't record. Thankfully, we always have a backup iPhone at work...
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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9.1.21. The Path of Discipleship - 6:Patrick Kennedy and Jonah Evans explore the second healing in our series of gospel readings on discipleship: the healing of a deaf and mute man (Mark 7: 31 - 37). In great contrast to the healing of the blind man at Jericho, we hear about a healing that reaches deep into the afflicted one, with Jesus placing his finger in his ears, touching his tongue with saliva and crying out an Aramaic prayer, “Ephatha!” In this episode, Jonah and Patrick seek the key that can unlock these riddle-filled details and what they can offer the disciple.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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8.25.21 The Path of Discipleship - 5: With this episode, we arrive at the center of our ten episodes on discipleship. After hearing in the last gospel passage of the disciples’ mission to proclaim the divine kingdom and to heal the sick, Jonah Evans and Patrick Kennedy lead us into the first in the series of discipleship readings that describe a concrete healing: the healing of the blind man at Jericho (Luke 18: 35 - 43). From this begging man who cannot see, we learn in this episode about true sight, fearless prayer and true faith.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed out theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” - Revelation 7:13
5.6.2021 In this episode, Jonah and Patrick turn their attention to the, then upcoming, ordination of priests on the weekend of May 14-16. After describing the ceremony a little, Patrick shares his experience of the first time he attended a Sacrament of Ordination as a young student in Germany. He recognized, with vivid clarity a connection of this Sacrament with scenes from the last book of the bible, John’s Book of Revelation. Jonah's reflections led the conversation into the powerful territory of John’s gospel in chapters 14-16 that touch on the topic of 'mutual indwelling': Abide in me and I in you - John 15:4.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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8.18.21 The Path of Discipleship - 4: In this episode, Patrick Kennedy and Jonah Evans explore the next steps along the path of discipleship as revealed in our fourth gospel reading of the series: Luke 9: 1 - 17. We hear how Christ gathers his disciples, empowers them, and instructs them as to their mission and sends them out into the world. What is the mission of a disciple? How are they equipped for this work, what provisions given? Jonah and Patrick take up the answers given in the gospel and explore the deeper mysteries of the 'angel' of the discipleship circle and the final step in the passage: the feeding of the five thousand.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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8.4.21 The Path of Discipleship - 2: In this episode, Patrick Kennedy and Jonah Evans continue their conversation on discipleship by exploring the second gospel reading in the series: Matthew 7:1-14. Here, Christ offers his followers a sequence of rich images in these verses that culminate in the narrow gate, with its promise of Life on the other side.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interludes, "In Great Depths" and "Water of Life", and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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8.11.21 The Path of Discipleship - 3: In this episode, Jonah Evans and Patrick Kennedy continue their discussion of discipleship by exploring the third gospel reading in the series: Luke 15: 1 - 32. Through the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son, Jesus reveals to his disciples the dynamic loving effort the divine world is making to find every human soul that has lost its connection to its true home as well as the inner transformation of heart and mind each person can make to turn again towards the ‘Kingdom of God’.
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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7.28.21 The Path of Discipleship - I: In this first episode of a new series on discipleship, Patrick Kennedy and Jonah Evans dive into the first of ten gospel readings that will guide the series: Mark 8:27-9:1. In this passage Jesus confronts his disciples with his own description of his mission and destiny and the core instruction to his students (disciples): “anyone who would follow me must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” - we look forward to hearing how these conversations spark your own reflections.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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9.92021 - After seeking to deepen and express the idea of a truly Christian priesthood, Jonah and Patrick now turn their attention to that which all true “shepherds of souls” are called to build and cultivate: community. Why would we ever want to join be a part of a community? What is the nature of Christ-Community, what is unique about it? What does it mean that this community, in the course of history, has done things that one could only be deeply ashamed of? Beginning in a more biographical way, Patrick and Jonah share how they found their way into the Community of Christians, the walls that prevented them from entering it and the doors that opened, calling them in.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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6.2.2021 - In this final episode on the question, What is a Priest?, Patrick and Jonah turn their attention away from the consecrated priesthood and towards the "Priesthood of all Believers." They take up the idea that everyone who comes into contact with Christ is in the process of consecration, is in the process of changing and transforming into his likeness.
We are so grateful that you have joined us along the way with this series, "What is a Priest?" and we look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections in the comments. We will be back next week with a new theme.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
May 14-16, 2021 This past weekend eight individuals stepped forward to be consecrated into the priesthood. It was a powerful, spiritually potent and beautiful event, blessed by some of the most glorious Ascension-in-nature experiences. During that weekend Jonah and I took the opportunity to sit down with fellow priest, Julia Polter, and have a conversation. Jonah asked Julia about how she experiences her priesthood in the hospital rooms where she has been serving as a chaplain this past year and this opened up essential new elements in our exploration of the question: What is a priest?
We hope you enjoy this conversation and are not distracted by the background sounds! Far away from our ‘studio’ in Toronto and in the middle of a large community event, this was the best we could do.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
If you'd like to join our support circle, visit our Patreon
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4.21.2021 - In this fifth episode on the question, “What is a Priest?”, the conversation deepens the element of creativity, of creation, in priestly work and, especially, what is generated through the creative, priestly activity of Jesus Christ. The focus this time for Patrick and Jonah is on the image of Priest as Creator. It is no longer enough, we come to understand in this episode, to just be there at the threshold between the Spiritual World and the Physical World. Priests, and all humanity as consecrated individuals, are called into active participation in the creation of a new humanity, a new community and even "a new earth."
Many thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the theme music, “Seeking Together.” You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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4.14.2021 - This week we pick up the thread of the last three episodes, "What is a Priest?" We describe today the lineage of offering, from the story of Cain and Abel, with the image of them as "creator" and "shepherd," all the way through to Jesus and beyond. But first, we delve into the question, "What is different in the work of a Priest after Christ and what he accomplished at Golgotha?" Through today's episode, we see in Christ Jesus a new image of Priesthood, of the individual, and of community. We see that humanity has moved into a role of "creator-hood," by the priestly example of Christ Jesus.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes, and this week for her photograph of her hometown, above.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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4.1.2021 - In this episode of The Light in Every Thing, Jonah and Patrick continue to unpack their question, "What is a Priest?" Two central elements have now emerged in the conversations: the activities of offering and of blessing. In this episode Patrick and Jonah deepen this picture by asking about each of these ‘gifts’, exploring the ways in which a priest works between the two worlds of heaven and earth. But why make an offering in the first place? After exploring this question, the conversation ends on a forward-looking image of the Priest cultivating a consecrated city, as opposed to a backward-looking hope of returning to the Garden of Eden.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
3.24.21 - In this episode, Patrick and Jonah enter further into the question, "What is a Priest?" What has the activity of a priest been in the ancient, pre-Christian world? How did Christ renew the priesthood in Jesus? And what is the future of this priestly work? Two fundamental ideas build the core focus for this conversation: the work of consecrating and the activity of offering at an altar. Jonah and Patrick discuss many stories and images from the Old Testament, including the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, and the figure of Melchizedek, the first "Priest" named as such in the bible. It becomes clear that we can only come to the idea of ‘priest’ through a cosmology - or larger, world context - in which priestly activity is needed.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
In this first episode of a new series, Patrick and Jonah enter into a new theme: What is a priest? Following their conversation last week about the story of Jonah and the whale as a sign of the Spirit, they turn this week to explore the idea of a "Priesthood of all believers," and look at how every human being can be a sign of the spirit and have a quality of priesthood in their work. How can we each become a "sign" of the Spirit? How can we each work to become a consecrated one, and become a beacon in our daily lives for others to see, recognize, and follow?
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
At the start of this Passiontide (Lent) season, 2021, Jonah and Patrick finish their series exploring the nature of the trinity in light of the revelations in the liturgical language of the Eucharist service in the movement for religious renewal [website link].
In Passiontide we hear a diagnosis of what is afflicting humanity: we have lost the spirit, the place of our hearts has become empty. This loss becomes the experience that leads to a longing - a reaching for - the spirit, the spirit that enlightens us, that will bring healing - the Holy Spirit.
They explore what it means to grasp the spirit and end up taking a turn towards the mystery of “The Sign of Jonah”. We hope this conversation stirs your own thoughts and reflections and look forward to hearing from you!
Episode Notes
- Correction - the part of the Book of Revelation referred to regarding the work to “buy gold refined in the fire” was the letter to Laodicea, chapter 3:14-22
- The Sign of Jonah - See the Book of Jonah in the bible for the biblical tale of Jonah in all its details.
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In this episode of The Light in Every Thing, Patrick and Jonah consider the Mystery of Co-Creation between humanity and the Divinity in the person of the “Son”. In the special text of the Trinity liturgy in The Christian Community, the Son is revealed as the one who creates, as the Creator-Word. The world around us is full of the evidence of the deeds of this creative One, but the liturgy goes on to show that he continues to be creative, and does so through us.
Hilma af Klint, “Group IV, The Ten Largest, №1, Childhood” (1907).
How do we then, as human beings, become creative with Him? If God the Son “creates through all that we create,” do we have any independent power of creation? Or does Christ do it all? When are we, as humans, truly creative? Through their contemplation, Jonah and Patrick find and work with a threefold distinction between types of creativity: The Originator (Genesis/Word), The Weaver, and The Alchemist. Through these aspects they consider Christ’s process of creation in us, and how our own experiences as creative beings echo this pattern.
This necessarily leads to the question, "What about things [which humans create] that can cause problems and be harmful, like technology?" How do we meet this new, technological element of human creation with the continual hope that we’re able to unite and align our use of technology with the creative power of Christ?
"What is it that leads me into the inspiration of my creative work? What is our imagination of the future that inspires the work we make?" This leads us to begin a contemplation of the Spirit, which we will pick up again in the next episode.
Notes from this Episode:
- The Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1-5 on The Word.
- Steiner’s 1908 Lecture Series "The Apocolypse of St. John"
- The temptation in the desert: Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13, Mark 1:12-13
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
If you'd like to join our support circle, visit our Patreon
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In this episode, Jonah and Patrick get into the question of creativity and the second member of the Trinity: the mysteries of God, the Son. This leads them into a sometimes tension-filled conversation as they walk along the razor's edge that explores the origins of evil in the universe. Has God created evil? Has Christ created the terrible things happening to people? How can we understand the difference between what has emanated from the heart of God, what has been allowed by the Divinity, and what connecting and ordering is being done creatively in human and world destiny?
These questions and more are taken up by Jonah and Patrick and we hope they stir your reflecting and seeking as well.
Notes from this Episode:
For an introduction to the idea of Karma, see:- "Manifestations of Karma" by Rudolf Steiner. Available on RSArchive or from Steiner Books.
For further thoughts on Christ as the so-called "Lord of Karma," see:- Lecture Three of Steiner's lecture series "From Jesus to Christ." Available on RSArchive or from Steiner Books.
- Bastiaan Baan's booklet "Christ's New Presence" from our Fruits of the Seminary Series.
For the whole story of the Garden of Eden, referenced in this episode, see Genisis chapters 2 and 3.
For the story of the temptation in the desert:
- Matthew 4:1-11
- Luke 4:1-13
- Mark 1:12-13
Further background reading:- "Inner Aspects of Evolution" by Rudolf Steiner, available on RSArchive or from Steiner Books.
- "An Outline of Occult Science" by Rudolf Steiner, available on RSArchive or from Steiner Books.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
If you'd like to join our support circle, visit our Patreon
See
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Mother and child, by Marc Chagall 1956
In this highly anticipated episode of The Light in Every Thing, Patrick and Jonah ask the question, "Where is Mary in our movement?"
Picking up from last week's discussion of the Father God, we are led to questions about the Mother, and where she is in our liturgy, our community, and our hearts. Patrick shares a story of a poignant interaction he had with a cook around a dinner-prep table while Co-Directing a Christian Community youth summer camp. Jonah brings an image of the feminine as the "hidden element" in this stream of Esoteric Christianity and they discuss the divine feminine as "The Womb of our Becoming."
We look forward to your thoughts and comments, please share them below!
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her excellent digital production work behind the scenes.
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In this episode of The Light in Every Thing, we take our first look at the mystery of the triune God: God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. In The Christian Community, we turn our attention to this mystery in the Act of Consecration between festival seasons during a special time that has come to be called trinity season. As we enter right now the trinity season between the Epiphany festivaland Lent, Patrick and Jonah will take up a contemplation of these three beings who form a unity.
To begin, Patrick and Jonah explore their own experiences of God the Father, particularly at the beginning of their relationships with The Christian Community and the Act of Consecration. They discuss mindfulness practices that are doorways, so to speak, to connect with the “Ground of the World.” They touch on the importance of finding love, gratitude, and trust for and from this being, God the Father. They reflect on their own experiences of awareness of this "other," noting how humanity can fall prey to a kind of self-centeredness if we neglect to see the being of the Ground of the World, beyond just ourselves.
They leave off for next week with a question, "Why is it God the Father, as opposed to Mother? What can this tell us about God the Son?" We welcome your comments and questions below!
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her digital production work behind the scenes!
Our apologies for the presence of Patrick's children and accompanying background noise.
Venus, goddess of love, to accompany Patrick's comments about Venus in this episode. Excerpt of The Birth of Venus, painted by Sandro Botticelli, 1485-86.
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Patrick and Jonah pick up from last week to explore the power and mystery of how the Act of Consecration can keep us connected - in a positive way - to our sin, both as individuals and as an entire community. They discuss the ideas of Sun Karma and Moon Karma in Esoteric Christianity; how they differ and what they each can teach us. They then bring us into a contemplation of community karma - who bears the responsibility for the sins committed by a community, a folk, or a country over years and centuries? How do we both hold ourselves accountable and find redemption as a community? What can we learn from difficult situations within a community?
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her digital production work behind the scenes!
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In this episode, we pick up where we left off last week with the topic of sin, and the connection between sin and "the healing medicine." What is Sin? What is the purpose of sin? How do we live with our own sins, let them work on us, and transform ourselves for the better through and because of them? Patrick and Jonah take up many paradoxical layers inherent in these questions. They contemplate the imagery of turning lead into gold, sin as "teacher," and the freedom that only comes from our ability to sin.
The Greek word for sin, "hamartia" or "ἁμαρτία", has a meaning of "missing the mark." We hope you share your thoughts and experiences on this topic - and in response to this episode - in the comments below.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her digital production work behind the scenes!
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In this episode, Jonah and Patrick pick up on last week's theme of Looking Forward into 2021 by contemplating the image of the "Star of Grace" in the midst of the Epiphany season.
They begin by looking at the Epiphany Liturgy, and discuss the birth of Epiphany "Season" within The Christian Community. They explore the imagery of Son and Sun, as well as "true light" of the Star of Grace as opposed to "false light" and how to discern between the two. Jonah tells a story about an experience his father had of recognizing this Star of Grace. Patrick and Jonah close the conversation by discussing the courage needed to have humility in the midst of our shortcomings and failings.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life", and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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In this Episode, Jonah and Patrick reflect on the extraordinary year that was 2020, and look forward into 2021.
What did 2020 ask of you?
What did it give you?
The God of the Door, of Gateways and Transitions, was named Janus in the Roman tradition. He was a God of Beginnings and is depicted (see the above sculpture) as looking backward with one face and forward with another. This practice of stepping out of oneself in the evening and looking back over the day that was and ahead to the day that is coming is a core element in the spiritual disciplines we encourage here at the seminary. Standing at the gateway of the new year and the close of the old at the end of the Holy Nights is a powerful time to practice this on a larger scale: looking back of the ‘day’ of the previous year and ahead to the coming one.
We invite you to do the same! What did 2020 ask of you? What did it gift you? And what do you anticipate is coming your way in 2021? These are the guiding questions of Jonah and Patrick’s conversation in this episode and questions we’d love to hear your answers to. Please share your reflections in the comment section below.
The conversation we share today is a conversation of many firsts: the first episode of the new year, the first conversation over Zoom (instead of our usual sit-downs), and the first since Patrick's move back to the United States. Patrick has returned to Spring Valley to shepherd the Ordinands in their Ordination semester.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her digital production work behind the scenes!
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It is nearly Christmas and time to take up the question: What is the birth we are anticipating, the one that is coming? Where is it that the divine, creative Word of God is newly speaking? Where is ‘burgeoning life’ - as Jonah Evans calls it in this episode - seeking to incarnate anew?
In this last episode before Christmas, Jonah and Patrick take up these questions by exploring the special elements that appear in the sacred act of worship during Advent time in The Christian Community.
(scene along the 'fairy stream' in Spring Valley, NY, where the ordination students will be begin in January)
Themes that are touched on in this episode include:
- What is True Life?
- The Service as an “Apocalypse of the Heart”
- The New Birth in the Gospel of John
- The Advent Liturgy Heresy: God is Evolving!
- The Mystery of Golgotha Speaking in each Human Soul
- The Divine Soul: A New Revelation of the Mary Mystery
- How We are Made Truly Social & The Self that is Full of True Life
In many ways these themes and this event of Christmas touches the very core of our mission here at the seminary. We would be a schooling that serves to work like a kind of 'birth center' for its students. A place where the different teachers and fellow students serve as 'doulas' for each other on the path and where the nearly daily entrance into the sacred space of the chapel becomes an experience of being inside the 'womb of becoming' where the new human being is forming, gestating and stirring to life.
We hope and pray that this Christmas Word as New Advent might be heard in your souls this Christmas time.
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The season of Advent - the expectant preparation for the birth of the Word on Earth at Christmas - has begun.
The powerful gospel reading for Advent is not of the Annunciation to Mary but an apocalyptic image taken from the gospel according to Luke (chapter 21:25-36), where we hear: "then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and great glory."
Why doesn't it say here, "the Son of God"?
In this episode, Jonah and Patrick dive deeply into riddle of this phrasing, "the Son of Man", opening up and referring to many essential aspects of esoteric Christianity that help us to understand the challenge and nature of this moment in world history.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin, who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Painting by Raphael of the 'Transfiguration', 1517-1520
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Jonah and Patrick continue their conversation on the renewal of prayer in this episode. They share the doorways they opened in their own life with prayer and touch into the significance of being able to pray in this time of skyrocketing gun-sales.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin, who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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Taking up the request to converse about what it is that can help us find the strength, peace and forces of trust in life that we need in this profound time, Jonah and Patrick turn their attention to the practice of prayer. In particular, they turn to the practice of connecting, through prayer, to those who have died. It is a longer conversation that touches the depths of the history and experience of Christ-Community, which has always transcended the boundary of death. They also look closely and carefully at the intimate practices of how to 'find' those who have died in prayer and they also share out of the concrete experiences from their priestly practice - in funerals and in the Communion service - that reveal the kind of inspiration, blessing-strength and "sheltering power" that can stream to us from what is sometimes called in Christian tradition, "the cloud of witnesses".
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary at our website or become a friend and supporter with access to more content at our Patreon.
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Today we bring you Jonah Evan's second talk on Michael's work with humanity to create a universal Spirituality. In his first talk, Jonah spoke of the work of following Michael in order to attain a higher sensing-knowing of Christ's "Deed of Life and Death on Golgotha". To do this, he delineated between three aspects of the spiritual world: Beings, Impulses and Thoughts. The work of breaking through to the signature gesture/impulse of Christ's activity aids us in seeing him at work in other people.
Jonah focused in on three elements of this 'Christ Impulse' in the first talk (see blackboard below): 1) perseverance in pain, 2) seeing true life in death and 3) sacrificing for the life of another.
In this second lecture Jonah guides us even further, cultivating a sense for the invisible impulses that express the working of the Mystery of Golgotha in human beings. Taking on sometimes controversial topics, like masks, Jonah offers us truly helpful and hopeful practices for seeing others - and ourselves - in a way that can bring social health and healing.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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Today we share one of the talks from last week's webinar on Michael and the Call to a Universal Spirituality. In this contemplation of Michael's working we focus on what it is Michael wants to bring us to heal the divisions that prevent us from being united across all divisions and differences: the Holy or Healing Spirit.
What happens in a human heart that feels the Healing Spirit pouring into it? And how does Michael lead us, through the vision this Spirit gives us, into a way of seeing that discovers Christ's working in the world, in the cosmos - as well as in his deed of life and death on Golgotha? - These are the guiding questions of this episode.
Resources:
- Blackboard and Quote: Patrick wrote elements from the following quote by Rudolf Steiner on the blackboard during the talk: “Now, however, they were as transformed: like people who had achieved a new state of mind or soul disposition, like people who had lost all the narrow restrictions, all the egotism of life, who had gained an infinitely wide heart and all-embracing tolerance, a deeply heartfelt understanding of all that is human on earth. They could also express themselves so that everyone present could understand them. One felt also that they could see into each heart and soul and clarify the secrets of the soul, so they could comfort the other, could tell him exactly what he needed." - Rudolf Steiner in The Fifth Gospel, lecture 2, October 2, 1913.
Patrons who are supporters, friends or benefactors will have access to all four of the webinar videos.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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In this episode, Jonah and Patrick continue their contemplation of the special message concerning the Archangel Michael's working in our time as expressed in the liturgy of this festival season.
They begin by seeking ways to imagine the 'realms of the angels' in which Michael is working. This leads them to the mystery of what is known in the book of Revelation as the ”Key of David" and, eventually, they take up Michael's "earnestness" and its special role in our time. Swept up in the enthusiasm of witnessing Michael's work to facilitate the very redemption of the forces of intelligence in human beings, Patrick and Jonah close the conversation focused on how he prepares our hearts for Christ's gentleness.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life", and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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There is a power who is able to keep the forces of darkness in their place, a mighty messenger who works to connect the mind of humanity with the mind of God. This being is known as 'Micha-el' in Christian and Hebrew tradition and Rudolf Steiner revealed through his spiritual research that this being has become the guiding spirit of our era.
In this episode, Jonah and Patrick begin a series of contemplations on the special words spoken from the altars of The Christian Community during the festival season of this Archangel, which begins on September 29th and lasts over four subsequent Sundays (through Saturday, October 31st in 2020). Unique and new revelations of Michael's working with human beings are revealed in this Michaelmas liturgy and today we begin with the theme of Michael's core question: How can the light of heaven not be lost for human beings?
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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Jonah and Patrick take a next step in their meditation on the intersection of Politics and the Kingdom of God. First, they lay down more foundational images and scriptural passages that can guide us in this direction, then they turn their attention to conspiracy theories, focusing in on the more recent example of QAnon. As always, our focus are the key principles of spirit that Christ teaches us, always trying to understand what it means to work in his kingdom.
It's a longer episode, even with some editing, but it feels important to give you as much of it as possible.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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In this episode, Jonah and Patrick take up the divisive yet important topic: politics. To do this right will take a patient, deeper approach, so let's "sit down" and get into it.
With an election in the U.S. coming, social tensions running extremely high and deep running conspiracies perceived in every direction, we felt it essential to risk taking up the question of a Christ-permeated perspective on the world of politics, of a Christ-centered approach to social and political participation. Most important, we try and deeply enter the question: How does Christ rule in his kingdom?
This episode lays some of the groundwork for approaching this theme. We hope - and expect - that your own questions are stirred up by the conversation. We hope you will share them with us, either in the comments or in a message directly sent to us.
Next week we will get into more of the specifics of the challenges of this moment in time.
This was a longer conversation than fit into an hour-long episode, so we have edited it down a little. This took us an extra day to get ready so thank you for your patience!
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Episode Notes
This episode required a deeper dive into the spiritual history of humanity and the evolution of consciousness and often refers to images and texts from the Bible to reveal these signature moments. We hope the episode notes will be of some help for you in following up on these elements.
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We reference the conversations between Pilate and Jesus during his trial before the crucifixion as depicted in the Gospel of John. You can read this whole, powerful story in John 18:28 - 19:22.
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Patrick references the law that separated church and state, first passed in the colony of Virginia and drafted in large part by Thomas Jefferson.
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Caesar as the spiritual contrast to Christ is a deep and rich topic that we only briefly touch on. To follow up on the 'invitations' that a Caesar would go through, look here.
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We look at King Herod as an example of the 'false king' that is on the throne of Israel at Jesus' birth. His story reveals the 'by any means necessary' will to power to which Jesus' kingship is contrasted.
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Jonah and Patrick refer to the prophecies of Isaiah: first, the 'suffering servant' prophecy, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed." (Isaiah 53) and (correction) then Patrick refers to the prophecy that the "law will be written on their hearts". This prophecy does not come from Isaiah but from Jeremiah 31:33. Isaiah speaks similarly of such a future day, but differently, in 59:21, for example.
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The name of God reference touches on the story of Moses and the burning bush as told in the book of the Exodus.
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The term, "King of Kings" comes from the Book of Revelation 19:16.
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Jonah brings in the topic of Rudolf Steiner
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We pick up the conversation mid-stream from the fourth part of our series on love in which we take up a major trend in the psychology, self-help and new age worlds: the question of loving our selves. The conversation moves from a meditation given by Richard Rohr through what Patrick refers to as the "Spiritual Cross" of love (loving God and loving neighbor) to the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the image of our true selves in becoming.
This topic was so rich we had a longer conversation than usual and we will be sharing this in two parts. Click here to listen to part one.
As a final gift from this episode we'd like to offer a Christian meditation that comes to us through the first letter of the apostle John (4:16):
God is love
The one who abides in love
Abides in God
And God in them.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interludes, "In Great Depths" and "Water of Life" along with the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Episode Notes and References
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the meditation referred to comes from Richard Rohr and was taken from the weekly/daily meditations shared by his organization, the Center for Action and Contemplation.
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The core 'teaching' about love that Jesus summarizes in the gospels is taken from the divine law as revealed to Moses. It is especially beautifully presented in Luke 10:25-37, the story of the so-called "Good Samaritan":
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
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In the fourth part of our series on love we take up a major trend in the psychology, self-help and new age worlds: the question of loving our selves. Further stirred by a meditation from Richard Rohr and a mis-reading of the teachings of Jesus on love, Jonah and Patrick speak about how love can never be directed back upon itself; it always needs an Other.
This topic was so rich we had a longer conversation than usual and we will be sharing this in two parts.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Episode Notes and References
-
the meditation from Richard Rohr was taken from the weekly/daily meditations shared by his organization, the Center for Action and Contemplation.
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The core 'teaching' about love that Jesus summarizes from what was already given in the divine lawfulness as Moses received, is especially beautifully presented in Luke 10:25-37, the story of the so-called "Good Samaritan".
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In this episode, Jonah and Patrick take up the topic of romantic relationships, partnership and marriage. Along the way they share two personal stories that changed everything for them.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Episode Notes and Resources
- For "Friendship" in the Gospel of John, see John 15:12-17
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Jonah and Patrick take up a heartfelt request from David Evans. Here is part of what he wrote, "My request is that I would be very interested to hear you discuss The Great Love that Christ describes as coming from the Father. The deep ground of Love. It seems that all loving acts are first framed in this Great Love."
To honor this request, Jonah and Patrick dive deep into one of the references he asked us to explore: the story of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel of Luke.
This episode is dedicated to Edward Reaugh Smith, whom many of you may know as the the author of The Burning Bush. He died this past August 12th, as I was informed by his widow, Jo Anne. What he shared with me as to how he dedicated thousands of hours of his life working through every sentence of Rudolf Steiner's in relationship to scripture was deeply moving. It was his original insight, presented in the Burning Bush, to recognize in the story of the prodigal son the archetype of all evolution - world and personal. Thank you for your service to the spirit, dear brother Edward!
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Episode Notes, References and Resources
- For a full rendition of the parable discussed today, read chapter 15 in the gospel according to Luke.
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Inspired by one of our listeners, we are excited to announce a new series of episodes focused on the question of love. In this episode we take up the question of ‘sensuality’. In the large sense of the term, sensuality really points to all that we experience through our senses. Jonah and Patrick seek, in conversation, what it means to live in and through our senses guided by love, and explore what happens when we don’t.
As usual, we very much look forward to your responses, experiences, thoughts and questions.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Episode Notes, References and Resources
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A brief overview of Asceticism in spirituality and religious practice around the world can be found here.
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More on the so-called, “Desert Fathers” and Christian asceticism can be found here. Here is a wonderfully clear example: “Abba (Father) Daniel said, ‘The body prospers in the measure in which the soul is weakened, and the soul prospers in the measure in which the body is weakened.’Another particularly rich example: Abba Poemen said of Abba John the Dwarf that he had prayed God to take his passions away from him so that he might become free from care. He went and told an old man this: ‘I find myself in peace, without an enemy,’ he said. The old man said to him, ‘Go, beseech God to stir up warfare so that you regain the affliction and humility that you used to have, for it is by warfare that the soul makes progress.’ So he besought God and when warfare came, he no longer prayed that it might be taken away, but said, ‘Lord, give me strength for the fight.’
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For a biblical treatment of this topic that shows the freedom and responsibility of the Christian, see the 10th chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.
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Rudolf Steiner’s research into the healing work of Christ in humanity prior to the incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth belongs to some of the newest spiritual research he provided for the renewal of Christianity. You can find the lecture referred to here. He also takes it up in the lecture cycle, Christ and the Spiritual World and the Search for the Holy Grail.
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We are back and so glad to pick up the conversation again.
In this episode, Jonah returns from his summer vacation to join Patrick for a conversation on sport. In particular, basketball. Sport takes up a massive portion of our current culture, particularly here in North America. The amount of money, time, creativity and effort that is poured into the playing of games is truly astonishing and the amount of hours spent simply watching sports and sports highlights. What is the draw? Is there something about sports that actually speaks to something deep with the human soul and spirit?
As usual, we went into this conversation wholly ‘fresh’ with no special preparation, and it takes us through childhood experiences of basketball, the secrets of the Tao, Christianity and the ‘Mysteries of the Will’. We hope you are able to see sport in a new light by the end and look forward to your comments.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
Episode Notes, References and Resources (in order of ‘appearance’)
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A wonderful video meditation on the game of baskeball and homage to the late, great Kobe Bryant can be found here.
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James Naismith, the Canadian who invented basketball, the world’s second most popular sport.
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Reinhold Nieber, new-orthodox Theolgian, wrote the book Jonah referred to, Beyond Tragedy, and is the author of one of the most important and well known prayers from the 20th century, The Serenity Prayer.
- “The Last Dance” is a documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls from the late 90s that aired on Netflix this summer when no other sports leagues were open because of the pandemic.
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Correction: The number of baseball games in a season is 162.
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Patrick refers to “The Catch”, a play made in an American Football game in 1981. The quarterback, Joe Montana, threw a touchdown pass to Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers.
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Patrick and Jonah consider the phenomena of sport, especially the draw it has for so many men. The element of will and of sport, however, is especially something In our time that is a powerful draw for both women and men. Last summer’s women’s world cup is a great example!
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The Tao and Basketball - Kobe Bryant, rest in peace, does a beautiful little video on the magice of ‘playing as one’ in a video homage to the Golden State Warriors who play(ed) in Oakland, California titled, “The Golden Democracy”
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You can take a look at the work of Georg Kuhlewind, meditation and the “Soft Will” here.
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”The Mysteries of Will” - See more from Rudolf Steiner on this topic at Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts, p.. 70, “Leading Thought” #105; lecture 2 of The Apocalypse of St. John
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In this episode, Jonah and Patrick take up the question of mercy. After looking from many different angles at how our pain and suffering can become holy places of learning, growing and maturing - even blessing - it feels important to look to understand what comes into our lives that brings us rest, healing and life. The conversation moves into how this is connected to the faith of Christ - his faith in us - and lands, ultimately, in the practice of the 'Eucharist'. This core Christian practice of gratitude is what unites us with the deepest truth of reality: the grace in which we live.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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What - and whom - do we trust?
Jonah and Patrick take up the question of faith in the time of a Pandemic and speak together about what it will take to truly and honestly recover a "life of faith" - or really, faith in life - and not end up again and again in experiences of fear and despair.
(Please excuse the extra sounds - they are from the renter downstairs!)
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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Jonah and Patrick pick up the threads of the conversation on justice and lead them into the question of 'faith'. What is 'Faith in Christ'? And why is this power of the human heart so essential in the story of Christianity? Join us for the conversation.
Resources for this episode include:
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Paul's letter to the Phillipians, chapter 2.
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Michael J. Gorman and his work on 'Cruciformity'
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The Pauline practice of 'putting on Christ'. See Galatians 3:27, for example, or Romans 13:14.
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The goal of being 'conformed to the image of Christ' - See Romans 8:28-31 and Rudolf Steiner's book, Esoteric Science, towards the end of the fourth chapter where he speaks of Christ as the great ideal 'human being'.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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In this episode we take up a question from one of our listeners: what does our awakened sense of conscience have to do with the mystery of John the Baptist (and the Festival of St. John's)?
We dive into the mystery of John's name - God is Grace-Bestowing - and how the power of conscience opens us up to the gifts of grace.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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When protesters hit the streets in response to the death of George Floyd and others, a familiar chant could be heard: "No Justice, No Peace!"
In order to take up this immense and important theme, Jonah and Patrick are led in their conversation to do a kind of 'genealogy' of injustice - where it comes from in us and how it came into the world at all - and how we can begin to think about justice in the light of Christ.
We hope this stirs your own reflections and questions and look forward to hearing from you.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interludes, "In Great Depths" and "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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In this episode we delve into the mystery of the Festival of Pentecost from another, polar side to that of Part I: the Holy Spirit and the element of Will. Flame, sacrifice and offering are the focus - and then our computer ran out of space and the recording ended without us knowing!
Enough of the core qualities of this aspect of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost is captured that we are sharing it with you anyway, culminating in the last recorded words, "you will make my will your own".
Resources for this episode include:
- The Holy Spirit and the work of Love is the reading from the altar in The Christian Community at Pentecost in John, chapter 14, verses 15-27.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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On this Holy Festival day of Pentecost, Jonah and Patrick contemplate the nature of the Holy Spirit. The event of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, stirs a deeper, thoroughgoing investigation of how the healing activity of the Holy Spirit is connected with being 'called to account'.
The conversation attempts to uncover how this experience of having our culpability, our guilt, appear to us through the light of the Spirit actually has healing power for the core of who we are. The conversation leads to such an powerful place, it closes with a prayer. A prayer and song of healing ("There is a Balm in Gilead") emerges for the first time on our podcast.
Dear friends, please feel welcomed to share your questions, prayers, thoughts, concerns and responses to this moment and this podcast.
Resources for this episode include:
- The Holy Spirit's work as described in chapter 16 of the Gospel of John, particularly verses 7-14.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
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Today we share with you the rest of our conversation on the mystery of Christ's Ascension, living with the question: what is this 'heavenly being' referred to in the liturgy, what are the 'heavenly forces' that Christ is working with to transfigure the earthly world ?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts and responses.
Resources for this episode include:
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The story of Christ's Ascension: The Book of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts) Chapter 1:1-11
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The sentence from the Creed of the Christian Community referred to: "Since that time he is the Lord of the heavenly forces upon earth and lives as the fulfiller of the fatherly deeds of the ground of the world." The full text of the creed can be found here.
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Link to the oldest Creed known in Christendom, describing the Ascension
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The Story of Christ's Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36
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the “Sun of Righteousness” - Malichi the prophet writes, “for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings” (Mal 4:2). See also Matthew 13:43.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "Water of Life" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.
If you'd like to join our support circle, visit our Patreon
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Dear Patrons,
We hope this first podcast opens up - or deepens - the theme of Christ's Ascension for you. Dandelion puffs, expansion and Christ's continued world-transfiguring activity all figure strongly in the conversation.
Part 2 will come later this week.
Resources for this episode include:
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Opening Verse: John 8:12
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The story of Christ's Ascension: The Book of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts) Chapter 1:1-11
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Link to the oldest Creed known in Christendom, describing the Ascension
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The Story of Christ's Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road", the musical interlude, "In Great Depths" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here. (Photo: evening sky on Ascension Sunday at the church in Toronto)
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What if a major part of healing our world had simply to do with how we look at it?
Is it not the light of the world that is needed to illuminate the darkness of our minds, our lives and our world?
In this first, introductory episode, we introduce the whole approach to our podcast and the way of seeing we cultivate here at the seminary, born of living conversation in the light of Christ.
Jonah Evans and Patrick Kennedy are priests in the Christian Community and directors at the Seminary in North America located in the Greater Toronto Area. They introduce the goal and scope of the new weekly seminary podcast, "The Light in Every Thing" in this short introductory episode.
This weekly podcast will be published here, on the seminary's Patreon site, first. The support of you, our patrons, helps make an education in a renewed Christianity possible. Thank you!
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It's Wednesday, the 40th day of Easter, the last day of this special Easter podcast and we spend it with Elliott Chamberlin, the composer of the original opening music of the podcast titled, "Seeking Together".
Elliot and Patrick speak about the genesis of the different compositions, his artistic process and enter into the tender and amazing work of trying to compose music for the powerful event that is the Act of Consecration of the Human Being (Communion Service in the Christian Community). We hope you enjoy this last Arts Wednesday and thank you, Elliott!
Elliott works as a musician and composer in the Washington D.C. area and plays and composes music for the communion service of The Christian Community there.
You can listen to more his work at his website: https://www.elliottchamberlinmusic.com
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It's Monday, May 18th, and we have the joy of welcoming Emma and Matthias who are currently priests in the congregation in Denver, Colorado. They are also married (!) and share out of their work together serving Christ-Community.
We hear about their experiences of a trip to New Mexico right in the middle of the 'lockdown' moment of the pandemic, including a first experience of celebrating the communion service in someone's home. We also hear about the special quality of independence and freedom that lives an ethos in the West and how that has a place in Christ-centered leadership. How does Christ 'leave us free' and care for us beyond our imagination?
Thanks to you both for joining us this week!
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It's Sunday, May 17th, and Jonah and Patrick take up a question from one of their listeners - how does evil stand in relationship to the I AM, the Self? This leads them back to the idea of the diamond and the processes that lead to it: from plant, to coal to diamond. And to the 'medicine' that Christ provides to us 'for the way'.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin for composing the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks, also, to Jeana Lee, for her steady presence and support in the technical work of making this podcast.
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It's Friday, May 15th. Jonah and Patrick delve into the work of discerning the spirits: how can we learn to know the voice of Christ, the voice of Satan, the voice of the devil? We have just finished a week-long online public course by the Seminary in North America on the Beloved Community and our meditations there lead us to the images from the Book of Revelation, of 'Babylon' and of 'The Bride of the Lamb'.
We are so glad to share our contemplations while walking on the road with you and very much look forward to reading what you have to say.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks, not least, to Jeana Lee, for her increasing patience with all things digital!
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It's Thursday, May 14th and Patrick and Jonah take up an important and difficult question given to us by one of our patrons: what about evil?As usual, the conversation becomes a kind of experience of unveiling where, through speaking and listening to one another, deeper truths show themselves than we had ever come to before by ourselves.
We hope what you hear can shed some light on this important topic for our time and we very much look forward to reading your comments, questions and reflections.
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks, of course, to Jeana Lee, for her patient endurance of the digital tools, bending them to the work of serving the Kingdom of God.
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It's Wednesday, May 13th and we are delighted to share with you some of the art the Kennedy children have been creating this Easter. This includes two songs and the following images.
The first image is created by Gwendolyn and captures the whole mystery of Easter:
Selecting an old, dried-out piece of wood, she placed these radiant sun blossoms from the dandelion plant in such a way that you feel the whole victory of life over death.
This next image shows the 'realization' that our eldest, Maeve, had about the world:
It says, "The Wold is Sufering the Sikness of Misonderstaning" (original spelling). First, the bright, clear lettering of the statement and then the rich representation, artistically, of misunderstanding: the scribbles and chaos, the dark lines, the sharp curves. But it is all made hopeful by the sign below it: the rainbow 'bridge'.
May these be a blessing for you or, at least, bring a smile to your face.
Special thanks, again, to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together" and the composition at the end, "Water of Life"; thanks - as always - to Jeana Lee, who soon will have so many new skills she can make good money on the side!
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This lecture was held in 1905 in Berlin by Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy. He was then working within the Theosophical Society and brings forth extraordinary ideas, for the time, on the deep, concrete, practical and spiritual elements of building up the 'Beloved Community', a community founded on an 'all-bracing human love that transcends race, gender, profession, [or] religion."
This lecture is read together as part of the 'Beloved Community' at-home-retreat being hosted by the Seminary of the Christian Community in North America and we are happy to share it will all of our patrons this Easter-tide.
(With gratitude to the edition by MERCURY PRESS).
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A letter from a listener:
“Hi Jonah and Patrick,
It took me three days to listen to this episode, this I am behind the flow. But between my listening times, I was in my garden for many hours, and I kept pondering the image of Christ as the gardener. What would this look like for myself as the gardener? What could I change in my gesture and activity as the gardener in my place on the earth to create a more Christ-like presence? How is Christ in me when I am gardening? And so I planted, tended, pondered and then came back to the second half of this day’s conversation to discover how aligned your sharing was with my questions.
And I also thought of Marko Pogachnik and his work. Jonah’s story of the moment in Nova Scotia brought me back to that.
Thank you - each day I think this is the most powerful episode, and then the next day comes, and... together we reach even a higher place as the substance grows. Wow!
- Susan Weber”
We hope you all have had a beautiful Easter, no matter what outer limitations our world may have given it, and that you might enjoy this episode from Easter 2020.
We will be back with a new episode in a week.
It's Tuesday, May 12th and Jonah and Patrick take up the wonderful question from a listener about the 'paradigm shift' that seems to be taking place that many authors and activists in the environmental movement have been speaking about. Are we Christians still too focused on the human being, to 'Anthropocentric'? Is not that exactly what causes such harm to the earth? Ought we not recover the so called, 'indigenous' cultures and their consciousness of the earth? Jonah shares a special story from a visit to Nova Scotia to explore the 'Christ' way of approaching this. Come along!
Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks, not least, to Jeana Lee, for her increasing patience with all things digital!
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Good afternoon, dear Friends!
It’s Monday, May 11th and we are blessed to have Julia Polter, priest in Boston and Chaplain at Brigham and Women’s hospital with us. (The audio doesn’t seem to be working- please try the video: Find the video at this link. The password is 4v#jYg&h.
Julia and Patrick speak about her path into the chaplaincy work, her work now teaching divinity students there from many different backgrounds and the extraordinary challenges and blessings of being a chaplain during a pandemic. Come along for the walk!
At the end, Julia shares an embodied spiritual practice she has taken up from Julian of Norwich. Here is the exact practice from Julian:
AWAIT (hands at waist, cupped up to receive): Await the Divine’s presence, not as you expect, hope, or imagine, but just as it is in this moment.
ALLOW (reach up, hands open): Allow a sense of the Divine’s presence (or not) to come and be what it is, without meeting your expectations.
ACCEPT (hands at heart, cupped towards body): Accept as a gift whatever comes or does not come. Accept that you are not in charge. Accept the infinity of the Divine’s presence, present whether or not you are aware.
ATTEND (hands outstretched, ready to be responsive): Attend to what you are called to, actions that the Divine invites you to from this stance of openness
Our thanks to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks, of course, to our seminary student, Jeana Lee, for her increasing digital world capacities!
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Happy Mother’s Day to all our friends in Canada and the U.S. It’s Sunday, May 10th, and Jonah & Patrick dive into the amazing passage in John 16 (verses 20-22) that leads us to a completely transformed understand of pain, grief and suffering. Mother Earth and the Easter tomb come in once again and we hear about the One who ”makes all things new” (Revelation 21:5). We look forward to hearing your responses and reflections on this episode, especially!
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin, the composer of the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks, of course, to our seminary student, Jeana Lee, for her expanding sensitivity to fade-ins and fade-outs.
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It's Friday, May 8, and Jonah and Patrick dip deep into the powerful question: How do you know you are seeing and knowing Jesus Christ? Come along with us one more time.
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks not least to our seminary student, Jeana Lee, for her expanding GarageBand skills.
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It's Thursday, May 7, and the theme, once again, is this extraordinary word in the Easter liturgy of The Christian Community that speaks about the grave of the soul being transformed into an altar through the power of Easter. Jonah takes us into another aspect of this transformation as it can happen in a single moment in a single human soul through work of prayer.
This leads the conversation towards the ultimate fulfilment, the ultimate goal of our humanity and how it is that meaning is born in the world. We are so glad to have you come and join us again for our walk together towards Emmaus.
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin, the composer of the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks, of course, to our seminary student, Jeana Lee, for her expanding sensitivity to fade-ins and fade-outs.
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It's Wednesday, May 6 and the gospel reading for the week in the liturgy of the Christian Community is John 15:1-27. This is the moment when Christ Jesus imparts the great mystery purpose of his coming to earth: to establish a new bloodline.
The podcast today speaks about this in connection with the word, "I am the Vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5). The images below can be contemplated in connection with the audio and the gospel text.
(Icon of 'Christ the Vine', 16th Century)
(The Apse Mosaic above the altar in the cathedral San Clemente in Rome from the 1130s revealing Christ on the Cross as the vine/tree of life, bringing the paradisal powers of the Primal Garden to Earth)
Jesus himself was an artist who painted through those who wrote his story, the gospel writers. In the image of the vine that John gives us we have one of the most profound imaginations of the secrets of Christ Community.
I leave you with a recent discovery I made of what I consider a revelation of this vine/tree: this extraordinary image of the new 'family tree' that comes out of the Shaker tradition:
(The quote from Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers in the 18th Century in America, under the Tree: You can never enter the Kingdom of God with hardness against any one, for God is love, and if you love God you will love one another.)
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On May 4th we spoke with Siobhan Porter, priest in the Christian Community in Stourbridge, England (this is a repost as the audio was lost somehow).
We hear about how she has become a kind of 'delivery' priest to the children and elderly in her congregation and how she is trying to do more than just send songs and sermons over the internet but to practice sending her inner sensing out into the community through the fabric of the life-field - the 'etheric' - to the souls in her care. She introduces the idea of the 'Third Man Factor', the way in which Christ is present to us, walking with us always, but we only perhaps become aware of his presence in our daily lives through special circumstances.
Thank you so much, Siobhan!
Special thanks, also, to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. Thanks not least to our seminary student, Jeana Lee, for her expanding GarageBand skills.
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It's Tuesday, May 5th and Jonah and Patrick take another step into the new experience of Easter, an experience uniquely connected to our time. If it is Meaning that is Risen to us in Christ, who or what had killed it? What is its grave and how does it begin to resurrect in us?
Jonah asks Patrick to share his understanding of the words from the prayer inserted in the communion service of The Christian Community during Easter that address this. What is meant by the "Grave of the Soul" that "becomes an altar?" We look forward to reading your thoughts, questions and responses!
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. And thanks again to Jeana Lee, especially today, for patiently waiting for us to stop talking after we had already stopped recording!
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It’s Sunday, May 3, and Jonah and Patrick go further into the mystery of what it means for us and the world to recognize the Risen Christ. They take up the strikingly new Easter revelation in the liturgy of the Christian Community: ”Christ is Risen to you as the Meaning of the Earth.” What does this mean? Why are we hearing about it now, in our time? This ends up taking us into the dark place of our age: meaninglessness and how we can find our way out. Come along for the walk once again...
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and continued thanks to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. And where would be without Jeana Lee mixing and uploading the whole thing?! Thanks, Jeana!
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It's Friday, May 1st and Jonah and Patrick pick up with the question they left off with: what difference does it make whether someone recognizes Jesus Christ or not? This leads them, surprisingly, to the secret power that can stream from one heart to another that we call 'faith' and to the power Christ poured into the world on the Cross that is called in the Eucharist service of The Christian Community, 'The New Faith'.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Special thanks, as usual, to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together", and continued thanks to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end of the episode. And many thanks to seminary student, Jeana Lee, for her GarageBand skills.
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It's Thursday, April 30th, and we are on the road again.
Patrick begins by connecting the conversation to the spiritual reality behind the tradition of the Easter-Egg hunt. Then Jonah opens up the conversation wondering about how this great trial we are all in, this Pandemic, is a part of the trials we are to be given that allow us to come closer to the true source of our being.
He and Patrick then ask: How does goodness come into being? Can we really hope to make anyone be good? What is it in us that is the source of the Good? This leads them through personal stories and reflections on the words of the sacrament of the Eucharist to the idea of Easter as the birth of Grace.
Special thanks, again, to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together" and continued thanks to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end and to Jeana Lee for her growing skills at doing the 'engineering' for the episode: quickest ever today!
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It's April 29th and we are turning to the gospel reading for the week: John 10:1-16. Patrick explores the phrase and imagination used by John to describe the nature of Jesus that is traditionally translated as "The Good Shepherd" (verse 11). This can, however, also very much be translated as, "The Beautiful Shepherd."
In this sense, the Risen Jesus Christ can be understood in a wholly new and artistic way as the fully realized, 'beautiful' human being; the fulfilled artistic expression of the Divine Ground of Being: "The Image of God", even with his wounds.
New Song & Special thanks, again, to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together" and the new composition, "Water of Life" played at the end of today's short episode. The image above is Raphael's "Ia Disputa del Sacramento" and is found in the Vatican in Rome over and against the more famous "School of Athens".
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It's Tuesday, April 28 and Jonah and Patrick take a new angle on the new substance that is born into the world through what we call Easter. They make their way to the idea of Christ's 'Kingdom', a new, 'fifth kingdom' that comes into being in our every day life through moral decisions and actions. The whole conversation organically culminates in the image of the 'diamond' of resurrection that is being shaped by humanity in the trials and decisions of our lives. We are so glad to share this conversation on the Way to Emmaus with you.
New Song: Special thanks, again, to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together" and the composition, "On the Road" that comes in the last third of the conversation today as a kind of pause to take things in; continued thanks also to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end and to Jeana Lee for her growing skills at doing the 'engineering' for the episode.
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It's Monday, April 27th, but it's already Tuesday in Australia!
Today, we have a conversation with Rev. Lisa Devine from the congregation in Sydney, Australia. Lisa and Patrick explore the spiritual distance that has been revealed through the Pandemic and the powerful challenges of truly, and very literally, 'loving your neighbors'. And the whole conversation turns towards what it means to be in life in such a way that Easter comes into our experience and into the world through us. As Lisa said in the conversation, "I don't know that we've been to such a deep place as this Easter."
Thanks so much, Lisa, for joining us this week!
Lisa is a core tutor for Steiner teacher trainees at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, and is highly sought after around Australia as a speaker and facilitator in the areas of conflict resolution, child, inner and professional development – working out of the Anthroposophical impulse. She is a priest of The Christian Community, being the resident priest for the Sydney congregation.
Special thanks, of course,to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together"; thanks also to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end and to Jeana Lee for her growing skills at doing the 'engineering' for the episode.
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It is Sunday, April 26 and Jonah and Patrick open up one of the deeper chapters in the book of the Christian Mysteries: what is it that is truly new about Christ's Resurrection? What came into being that was not yet a part of the universe we live in? The conversation ranges from the physics of matter to the experiences of our daughters' love to the new substance that comes into being - that is born - of offering. We are so glad to invite you along for the walk...
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together"; thanks also to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end and to Jeana Lee for her work 'engineering' the episode.
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It's Friday, April 24th and Jonah begins with a new phrase that people are sharing as a parting blessing/greeting: "Stay safe." What does it mean to be truly safe? Is life 'safe'? What is the Christ-centered approach to this question? Join us for this important conversation and make sure to share your thoughts and questions in the comments.
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together"; thanks also to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end and to Jeana Lee for her growing skills at doing the 'engineering' for the episode.
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It's Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 and today Jonah and Patrick explore the unique quality of the experiences of the Risen Christ. People could see Jesus with eyes before Easter Sunday. After Easter, according to the gospel, his own disciples often did not recognize him. What kind of sight must we develop to see and experience the One who walks with us on the way to Emmaus?
To answer this question, we take up the kind of vision that Jesus tells his disciples will be necessary in chapter 14 of the Gospel of John, verse 23, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."
Special thanks to Elliot Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "Seeking Together"; thanks also to Nathaniel and Abigail for the song, "By the Mark" at the end and to Jeana Lee for her growing skills at doing the 'engineering' for the episode.
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Dear Friends and Patrons,
We are so delighted to share with you two beautiful pieces of music today. The first is an opening composition by Elliot Chamberlin created just for our podcast! The second is a beautiful rendition of The Lord of the Dance, performed by a seminary student, Erica Maclennan. Both pieces welcome us into a deepened sense for the One who 'bears and orders' the very Life of the world.
May they feed your soul.
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This sculpture is one of the purest expressions of the mystery of offering we have seen - it captures the receptivity involved as well as the activity of giving. The photo - and sculpture - comes to us from Anna Silber, one of our Seminary students and listeners - thank you, Anna! On this third day of Pentecost we offer a 're-issue' of Episode 8 from the 'Emmaus' series as it taps into the secret of the healing of the human being the practice of offering.
It's Tuesday, April 21st and Jonah and Patrick take a deeper step into their exploration of the Christ approach to the great challenge of the human self, the human ego.
They turn their attention to the mystery of offering; offering in the communion sacrament, offering and sacrifice in ancient rituals and the secret of the image of 'The Lamb'.
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Today: a special conversation with Luis Gonzales, priest in the congregation in Sacramento, California. We talk about what Luis’ friends and loved ones in Italy and Spain have been experiencing during the pandemic, dive into the depths of how Easter can take place in each human soul and what Mary Magdalene can teach us at this time.
Many thanks to Luis for taking time with us! You can find out more of what he is up to at The Chris Communtiy in Sacramento: http://christiancommunitysacramento.org/
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Warm greetings to all of you on this second Sunday of Easter. Today, Jonah and Patrick take up something, in the time of the world pandemic, that is appearing in a whole new light and magnitude: the mystery of touch.
The Gospel reading for today describes the first appearance to the disciples and to Thomas (see below) and great attention is drawn to the wounds of the Risen One and Thomas' longing to touch them. We bring this into relation to the whole culmination of the communion service in The Christian Community where the priest gives the touch of peace. How does this come to new light in a time when we are not supposed to be touching one another?
This, and the whole question of religion and spirituality in the digital world, is some of what we touch on in this conversation.
Gospel Reading: Jesus Appears to the Twelve Disciples and Thomas
John 19:19-29 (NIV)
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
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We hope this post finds you all filled with something of the joy and breath of Easter in the midst of this extraordinary moment of time, this spring time pandemic.
With all the attempts at connecting online, one thing became clear to me this week: you can not sing together over Zoom, or Skype, or FaceTime or anything else. You have to be together. And so, in a very strange way, it has been a different kind of 'silent spring'.
But people - and priests - are trying all kinds of different things to serve their communities and to be a servant of the one who would heal and transform the earth at the altar through the sacraments. One Christian Community in the D.C. area held their service outside on their two acre property and, six feet apart, in the open air, they sang.
We hope your souls might receive some true nourishment from this recording that they graciously sent along. The hymn is titled, "The Bells of Easter". Thank you, Rev. Carol Kelly and singers!
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It's Friday, April 17th, and we are exploring: what is the Easter experience of the 'full heart'? We bring in the 'Lord of the Dance', the activity of prayer and further unfold the secret gift of Easter as what 'heals' the human self through a relationship with the the one who 'has his being in love'.
Special thanks, once again, to Jeana for the mixdown and Abigail and Nathaniel for the music.
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Jonah and Patrick get back on the road, this time exploring the Easter story in Mark 16 in light of the Easter Liturgy. What is the grave? Why does the youth in white ask them to look into the tomb and see 'where they laid him'? And what is this place, spiritually speaking, called 'Galilee' where he is walking, going on before us? Take a listen.
Thanks once again to Abigail and Nathaniel for their rendition of the song, "By the Mark" and to Jeana Lee, who has just completed her seminary training and is learning, along the way, how to do sound engineering for podcasts.
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With Jonah gone on Wednesdays, Patrick reads the Gospel Reading for the first week of Easter in the Kalmia Bittleston translation and then shares an original song written and sung by Claire Jerram, who is planning to attend the seminary in the Fall.
The song contemplates the women going to the tomb and the first encounters with the Risen One on Easter and is called, "Who Will Roll Away the Stone".
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A profound meditation on the connection between death and the nature of the so-called, "Father God" by Jonah Evans. The whole contemplation leads to a deeper spiritual understanding of the meaning and purpose of Christ Community as the new family to which every human being can belong.
Although Good Friday has passed, these thoughts are supportive all year round.
Blessings!
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Jonah and Patrick pick up the question from Episode 1: What is the Christ approach to the Ego problem? Along the way they get into the riddles of the words soul, self and spirit and how the Easter liturgy speaks of these living, shining and abounding through Easter.
The liturgy spoken of here refers to the text used in the Eucharist service in The Christian Community, founded in 1922.
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This is the beginning. We know that many of you are forced to stay at home during this extraordinary time of the coronavirus pandemic. We know that many of you were unable to celebrate Easter in community this year. To bridge the distance, we want to invite you into our conversation on the riddles and mystery of Easter.
In this first episode, we tell the story of our journey of deep theological and spiritual wrestling with the questions of what happened on that first Easter Sunday some 2000 years ago and what significance this event have for each human being today.
This first podcast is open to the public to give anyone a chance to get to know us and our approach. Each day (except Saturdays) over the 40 days of Easter we will post a new audio recording for our patrons. We hope these simple efforts may be, through the grace of Christ, of some blessing to you in these extraordinary times.
And we thank you all for your support!
- With special thanks to Abigail and Nathaniel for the beautiful music!
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