S7E209 – Exilic Gospel: Subversive Witness

Gianna, Jeff, and Michael explore the complex relationship between the kingdom of God and the dynamics of empire, particularly in the context of exile. They discuss the importance of understanding one's identity as an exile, the instructions given in Jeremiah 29 for those in Babylon, and the call to seek shalom in a foreign land. The conversation also delves into the various responses to empire, including syncretism, separation, and revolution, and highlights how Jesus embodies a subversive approach to these challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and a Rant

04:36 Exilic Gospel: Understanding Exile

07:37 The Concept of Babylon

10:30 Imperial Mindset and Empire Dynamics

23:53 The Kingdom of God vs. Empire Dynamics

26:42 Navigating Exile: Israel's Identity Crisis

29:33 Jeremiah 29: Instructions for Exiles

37:44 Seeking Shalom in Babylon

41:06 The Role of Exiles in Empire

47:55 Responses to Empire: Syncretism, Separation, and Revolution

58:45 Jesus: The Subversive Exile

The Eikon team explores the themes of exile, identity, and leadership in the context of the gospel and the Old Testament. They delve into the concept of exile as a central theme in the Bible, and examine God's design for kingship, militarism, the economy and status in Israel's history. They consider this as a clarifying metric for the embodied gospel and a conundrum for claims of any country that wishes to claim the status of a Christian nation.

00:00 Introduction and Banter

05:21 The Concept of Exile in the Gospel

10:11 Understanding Israel's Identity as Exiles

17:46 Kingship and God's Design for Leadership

28:30 Militarism and Its Implications

30:06 Facing Fear in Battle

31:16 God's Perspective on Militarism

32:43 Faith in God's Protection

34:26 The Role of Israel's Land

36:49 Economic Principles in God's Kingdom

39:30 The Role of Priests and Levites

41:33 Caring for the Poor and Foreigners

43:27 The Challenge of Being a Christian Nation

46:22 Social Justice and Equality in God's Kingdom

In this episode, Michael Burns and Thabani welcome special guest, Alfredo Valentin, the BK apologist. They delve into the complex world of urban apologetics, focusing on the Black Hebrew Israelite movement. They explore the theological implications, historical context, and appeal of this ideology, particularly among marginalized communities. The conversation also touches on strategies for engaging with Hebrew Israelites and the importance of understanding their beliefs to effectively communicate the Christian faith.

00:00 Introduction to Urban Apologetics

06:07 Understanding Black Hebrew Israelites

12:08 The Appeal and Beliefs of Black Hebrew Israelites

18:30 Historical Context and Misinterpretations

24:15 Theological Implications and Responses

34:05 The Role of Law and Identity in Faith

36:31 Struggles of African Identity and Spirituality

39:27 Historical Context of African Christianity

42:56 Debating the Racial Identity of Jesus

46:43 Understanding Incomplete Gospels

52:30 Experiences in Debating Hebrew Israelites

57:25 Advice for Engaging with Hebrew Israelites

01:01:41 Corporate Approaches to Addressing Hebrew Israelite Theology

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