Season 2 Episode 7 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast.

Nine plagues have struck the gods of Egypt, providing both Pharaoh and the people chance after chance to repent. Now, the final plague is about to fall: the death of the firstborn. Not desiring the death of anyone, God makes a way for any who pledge allegiance to Him to be spared from the Destroyer: the angel of the bottomless pit. The blood of the Passover lamb will be the means by which the Destroyer will be kept at bay, the life of the blood marking and protecting all who live in that house. In order to make a separation between those who belong to God and those who belong to the gods, this is the cost it takes: the ransom for the lives of the firstborn.

Join us as we look at Exodus 11-13, examining the narrative of the plague of the firstborn and the Passover. We will look at what "firstborn" means, and why (or if) they are the target of the plague. We will explore the shadowy figure of the Destroyer, and consider who is responsible for the deaths of the firstborn. We will ponder what it means for God to "pass over" and "pass through", and what relationship this has to being "redeemed". Finally, we will sharply challenge if the Passover lamb dies as a substitute. In the end, we take a serious and careful look at what it means to be "marked by the blood of the lamb", and how we can be marked by the blood of the Lamb today.

I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: https://www.speakpipe.com/churchkidpod

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SHOW NOTES/REFERENCES

Bible Project series on redemption

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Season 2 Episode 6 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast

Abraham's family continues to find themselves under the thumb -- and strengthened heart -- of Pharaoh, who thinks he is a god and the source of all order and life. First, Adonai shows him a wizard duel that should dispel this belief, but he persists. What follows is a decreation and deconstruction of all Egypt, from top to bottom. The gods of the nations are shown that order and life does not come from them, and it is made crystal clear to Pharaoh as well. What will it take for Pharaoh to listen? Will he ever acknowledge Adonai as the Most High God, or will he drag the people down with him (and the elohim) in his rebellion?

Join us as we look at Exodus 7-10, examining the narrative of the plagues as a judgment against the gods of Egypt. We will look at what "decreation" means, and why this is the best frame for the plages. We will explore who is the real target of the judgments which fall on Egypt, and the extent to which there are "innocent bystanders" to the plagues. We will ponder what it means to be "the people of God" -- is this about ethnicity, or faithfulness? And we will listen to the desperate pleading of Adonai to all of Egypt, whom He also loves deeply: repent, and you will be saved. In the end, we take a serious and careful look at the "Pharaoh"s in our lives, and how to face up to them and speak with the voice of God: "Let my people go!!"

I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: Send a voice message to churchkidpod

SHOW NOTES/REFERENCES

Exodus 7:14-8:32 | Ancient Faith Ministries

Battle Wizards: Mauling at the Euphrates | Ancient Faith Ministries

The plagues of Egypt – Walking With Giants

Jannes and Jambres - Wikipedia

Yamm - World History Encyclopedia

Season 2 Episode 5 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast

This is our first How of Hurt episode of the season! In this episode, we seek to understand trauma better. We will define trauma, find out what separates it from unpleasant or difficult events, learn about the signs and symptoms of trauma, examine the feedback loops and neuroplasticity that either reinforce or repair trauma, and discover the multiple types of trauma -- including all kinds of church hurt.

I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction!

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SHOW NOTES/LINKS 988 Lifeline -- https://988lifeline.org/

Find a Therapist near you -- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Trauma and PTSD in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys - PMC

The Relationship Between PTSD and Suicide - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

About Adverse Childhood Experiences | Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) | CDC

Trauma is Trauma: How a limited definition of trauma may be stifling your therapeutic growth — Psychotherapy Practice - Intuitive Healing | NYC

2025_Trauma_and_Addiction.pdf

Self-Harm and Trauma - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

The amygdala and trauma: understanding what your brain is doing leading to roots for your recovery.

Violence Leaves Its Mark on Our Genes For Generations, Study Finds : ScienceAlert

Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms - PMC

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Season 2 Episode 4 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast

The deliverer of Abraham's family returns to his people, but the job is not yet done. Pharaoh likes his power, he likes having his slaves, and he isn't about to let them leave. In fact, he makes it much worse for them: forcing them to work with fewer materials and then blaming them when they can't do what they used to. The appearance of Adonai in his throne room has strengthened his resolve: like clay in the sun, he hardens and cracks. Will Abraham's family do the same? Can they endure the suffering and come out on the other side?

Join us as we look at Exodus 4-6, examining the response of Pharaoh and the Hebrews to the appearance of God in their midst. We will look at what "hardening" means, and see if this is something God is to blame for. We will explore how abusive systems never welcome deliverance, and how that deliverance can often be slow and painful. We will ponder the features of abusive systems, and identify them in the narrative: collusion/complicity, victim-blaming, pointing fingers, and the like. We will listen to the complaints of the people to Moses, and Moses to God, that He simply isn't doing enough to make things right. In the end, we take a long and hard look at the role of suffering in the process of healing, and attempt to understand how to be both strengthened (in a good way) and softened by suffering.

I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment!

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SHOW NOTES/REFERENCES

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/classical-quarterly/article/abs/divinity-of-the-pharaoh-in-greek-sources/10B843BD8305A47AFB789F70AF0E7D11

https://www.historyandmyths.com/2025/02/egyptian-creation-myths-legends-gods.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/get-out-of-your-mind/200901/a-human-life-is-not-a-problem-to-be-solved

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Season 2 Episode 3 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast

The family of Abraham has been enslaved and oppressed by the head of the superpower of the day. One man who grew up within that empire discovered that he identified with the "stranger" and is forced to leave -- to become a "stranger in a strange land". Those who remain behind groan with a deep, soul-level pain to their Father. He "remembers and knows" them, like a mama bear hearing her cub's cries of pain. Adonai is coming near to bring comfort and judgment: to cause to be the things that currently are not.

Join us as we look at Exodus 3-4, examining the incident at the burning bush and understanding God's Name better. We will look at what the "mountain of God" is, and begin to understand sacred space. We will explore the figure of the "Angel of the Lord" and his relationship to the Second Person of the Trinity. We will ponder if there is a fundamental difference between the Jesus of the New Testament, and the God of the Old. We will listen to Moses' protests about his calling, and see the true role of divine anger or wrath. In the end, we center our understanding of God's response to trauma as "He Who Causes to Be" -- as Creator, as Father, as Redeemer, and as Husband.

I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment!

SHOW NOTE REFERENCES

Dr Michael Heiser -- YHWH

Dr Michael Heiser -- The Two Powers in heaven

Kenites

The Angel of the Lord

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Season 2, Episode 2 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast.

At the beginning of Exodus, the family of Abraham is in trouble. They have settled in the land of a foreign empire, but they are treated with fear and suspicion as strangers. What will become of the ones who will be the light to the nations?

We're not sure how or when exactly this came about, but in time the empire of Egypt does what all empires do: they treat humans as disposable. In service of building monuments to their own name and out of fear of those who are different, a series of Pharaohs enslave and oppress the family of Abraham. Does Adonai hear them; does he even care?

Join us as we look at Exodus 1-2, examining the difficult and uncomfortable issue of slavery in the Bible. We will look at the nature of "the stranger", and why Adonai cares so much about them. We will explore what the Scriptures say about the generational vortex of sin, reflect on the history of slavery in America and the West, wrestle with the complexities of a God who works with humans as they are, confess the bad which is in the Bible and the evil and wicked ways in which it has been used, and uncover the good that might be hard to see in the Scriptures. In the end, we center our understanding of slavery on the one who "took the form of a slave" (Phil 2:7) and opened the way to perfection for all the images of God -- oppressor and oppressed alike.

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I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment!

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Season 2, Episode 1 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast! At the end of Genesis 11, humanity is in trouble. A series of three "falls" have left them at enmity with Adonai and with each other. They are subjected to death, they have succumbed to depravity, and now they find themselves enslaved by demons. What is solution to this problem? Can there be "good news" to come out of this? Enter Abraham: the man who is called by Adonai from among the nations to be the father of all who are faithful. He is promised that his family will be "like the stars" and will be the healing and blessing for all the nations. But how will this promise come about: just by "believing", or by obeying? Or both? And what is this reconstituted and resurrected family of God supposed to look like: diversity, or unity? Or both? Join us as we take a speed-run through Genesis, centering around Abraham. This will be a review of Season 1, and a teaser for Season 2 (which will focus on Exodus and Leviticus). We will examine the nature of the promise the faithful are given as "sons of Abraham", explore the strengths and weaknesses of both unity and diversity, look at what it means for God to show himself to us (and if we really want that), mourn the experience of being shepherded by religious wolves, try to understand what assurance of salvation is (and isn't), and wrestle with the uncomfortable realities of so-called "heroes" of the faith. In the end, we seek to learn what it means to follow the father of faith(fulness) and do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our Father. May we all hear the words: "well done; good and faithful servant." I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! ----more---- SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW LINKS YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@churchkidpod

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Is the House of David TV series, currently streaming on Amazon Prime, any good? Is it closer to "The Ten Commandments" or "Prince of Egypt" or "Exodus: Gods and Kings"? Or is it just like all the other examples -- and there are far too many -- of cringey, cheap, contrived, and cloying faith-based media? What about its use of extra-biblical traditions? Can we trust the filmmakers to finally give us art that is beautiful, accurate, and moving?

This is the penultimate episode in Season 1, in another bonus review. This is mostly spoiler-free, although it does get into details which are also in the biblical narrative. I turn my somewhat-jaded eye (and heart) onto this adaptation of the story of David and Goliath, and find myself pleasantly surprised and cautiously hopeful for the future of Christian media. I hope this is one more waypoint on your journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction!