In this episode of the Eikon Podcast, Michael Burns is joined by his son Elijah Burns to discuss the concept of new creation. They explore the characteristics of new creation in Galatians, including the importance of image-bearing, the need for alternative wisdom, freedom from the powers, and the way of the cross. They also discuss the challenges of navigating old creation dynamics in church culture and Christian college campuses. Elijah shares his personal journey of breaking free from a checklist mentality and finding freedom in the new creation. They emphasize the importance of dialogue, questioning, and being open to struggle in the pursuit of new creation.

Takeaways
- New creation is characterized by image bearing, alternative wisdom, freedom from the powers, and the way of the cross.
- Old creation dynamics, such as checklist mentalities and rules-driven behavior, can hinder the experience of new creation.
- It is important to question and challenge beliefs and practices in order to align with the new creation.
- Engaging in dialogue and being open to struggle is essential in the pursuit of new creation.
- The younger generation is focused on activism and justice and resonates with the idea of being part of creating change.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Special Guest
04:07 - Exploring the Characteristics of New Creation
13:12 - Navigating Old Creation Dynamics in Church Culture
37:23 - The Importance of Dialogue and Struggle in New Creation
45:12 - The Younger Generation's Focus on Activism and Justice

Gianna and Michael discuss the concept of new creation and how it relates to the Christian life. They explore the idea that the struggles and hardships in life can lead to growth and transformation. They also discuss the importance of living a life that is focused on God's wisdom and not the world's standards of success. The conversation highlights the need for Christians to live in a way that is different from the world and to be ambassadors of reconciliation.

Takeaways
- The Christian life is not always easy or pleasant, but it is a life of sacrifice and struggle.
- The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the process of living as new creations.
- Living by faith, not by sight, is essential in the Christian life. Struggles and hardships can lead to growth and transformation in the Christian life.
- Living a life focused on God's wisdom rather than the world's standards of success is important.
- Christians are called to live in a way that is different from the world and to be ambassadors of reconciliation.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
14:53 - Living as New Creations: Sacrifice and Struggle
25:45 - The Role of the Holy Spirit in New Creation
27:43 - Living by Faith, Not by Sight
29:37 - Final Thoughts and Conclusion
35:33 - The Transformative Power of Struggles and Hardships
38:36 - Being Ambassadors of Reconciliation
43:46 - The Power of Living as a New Creation in Christ

Michael and Jason dive into 2 Corinthians looking starting with the idea that new creation is not just about individual transformation, but also about the transformation of the church body as a whole. They explore the idea that true thriving is not about worldly success or impressive appearances, but about embracing weakness and dependence on God. They emphasize the importance of viewing success and thriving through the lens of faith, rather than the standards of the world. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the significance of fixing our eyes on the unseen and eternal.

Takeaways
- The concept of new creation in 2 Corinthians is not just about individual transformation, but also about the transformation of the church body as a whole.
- Living in the new creation can be challenging and requires a shift in perspective from worldly values to the values of the kingdom of God.
- Paul's emphasis on weakness and reliance on God challenges the worldly notion of presenting oneself with grandiosity and prestige.
- The world often does not understand the gospel, and preaching Christ can be seen as foolish or unimpressive.
- There are two realities at play: the old creation of the world and the new creation of the kingdom of God. True thriving is not about worldly success or impressive appearances, but about embracing weakness and dependence on God.
- Success and thriving should be viewed through the lens of faith, rather than the standards of the world.
- There is a contrast between outward appearances and inward renewal in the new creation.
- Fixing our eyes on the unseen and eternal is key to understanding true thriving.
- The paradoxical nature of the new creation challenges our conventional understanding of success and thriving.

Chapters
00:00 – Opening Conversation
13:59 - The Concept of New Creation
20:01 - Shifting Perspectives: From Worldly Values to Kingdom Values
25:11 - The World's Misunderstanding of the Gospel
27:01 - Exploring the Desire for Impact
29:38 - The Danger of Seeking Personal Glory
35:15 - Contrasting Outward Appearances and Inward Renewal
39:24 - Redefining Thriving in the New Creation
46:47 - The Paradox of Success in the New Creation

Are ghosts real? Thabani and Michael look at ghosts in both the popular and biblical contexts. They explore the Western perspective on ghosts and the fascination with ghost movies and stories, despite a low percentage of Americans who say they believe in ghosts. Thabani shares his personal experiences with seeing a ghost-like figure as a child and a friend's encounter with a supernatural presence. Michael also shares his own experiences, including hearing a voice in a historic mansion and his wife's strange encounter in a hotel room. They then explore different perspectives and biblical passages that mention ghosts. They also discuss the belief in ghosts in different cultures and the dangers of seeking communication with the dead. They conclude that while there may be supernatural beings and occurrences, it is important to rely on God and His Word for guidance and not to engage in practices that contradict the character of Jesus.

Takeaways
- Despite a low percentage of Americans believing in ghosts, ghost movies, and stories are popular forms of entertainment.
- Personal experiences with ghosts can be unsettling and leave a lasting impact.
- Ghost stories often involve unexplained phenomena and are shrouded in mystery.
- Different generations and cultures have varying beliefs and attitudes towards ghosts.
- The Bible mentions ghosts in a few passages, but the interpretation and understanding of these passages vary.
- There is a distinction between disembodied spirits and demonic entities, but the specifics of their existence and interaction with the physical realm are not fully explained in the Bible.
- God warns against seeking communication with the dead or engaging in practices that contradict the character of Jesus.
- It is important to rely on God and His Word for guidance and to prioritize the development of Christ-like character.
- The fascination with ghosts and supernatural phenomena should not overshadow the importance of loving and impacting others in the community.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Personal Experiences
17:32 - Personal Encounters with Ghosts
25:25 - The Mystery and Intrigue of Ghost Stories
32:30 - Introduction and Personal Stories
39:27 - The Story of Peter and the Angel
46:48 - Different Interpretations of Ghost Passages
58:28 - Relying on God and His Word for Guidance
01:07:12 - Conclusion and Future Topics

In this episode, Michael and Gianna discuss the topic of indulgence and whether it is acceptable for Christians to enjoy lavish things. The conversation explores the balance between enjoying life and being mindful of those who are less fortunate, exploring the concepts of lack and abundance and its impact on our mindset and actions. They highlight how focusing on lack can lead to division, tribalism, and chaos. They discuss the balance between enjoying God's creation and sharing it with others.

Takeaways
- Being all things to all people can involve participating in activities or indulging in things that are common in certain circles, even if they may seem lavish or extravagant.
- Enjoying the good things in life does not make someone less of a follower of Jesus or a reflection of Him.
- Caring for the poor and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to do both and find a balance.
- God created abundance and wants us to enjoy the good things He has provided, while also being mindful of others and using our resources to help those in need. Focusing on lack creates division, tribalism, and chaos.
- Gratitude and trust in God's provision counter the mindset of lack.
- Enjoying God's creation and sharing it with others is a balance to strive for.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Jason's Absence
12:42 - The Conversation on Indulgence
31:00 - The Temptation of Lack
46:32 - Balancing Enjoyment and Sharing
01:00:56 - Stewardship in the New Creation

The Eikon team explores the idea that creation was never a completed project, but rather had room for growth and development. Michael, Jason, and Gianna discuss the concept of new creation in the Bible, particularly in the writings of Paul and Isaiah. They explore the idea that creation is not a finished product, but a process of becoming all that it is meant to be. They also discuss how new creation is not just a future hope, but something that is already happening in the present.

Takeaways
- Creation was never a completed project but had room for growth and development.
- Being in the image of God means reflecting God's image as a community.
- Our identity as image bearers of God is our inherent worth and dignity.
- It can be challenging to respond gracefully in rude encounters, but it's important to consider the context and choose the best course of action.
- Creation is not a finished product, but a process of becoming all that it is meant to be.
- New creation is not just a future hope, but something that is already happening in the present.
- The symbolic nature of passages describing the new creation should be understood, as they depict a reality that is too wonderful to fully comprehend.
- New creation often emerges in the midst of conflict and challenges, refining and shaping individuals and communities.
- The journey of new creation has no end and continually moves towards greater glory.

Chapters
00:00 - Names
06:42 - The Frustrations of Group Communication
13:26 - The Continuous Growth of Creation
36:07 - New Creation in the Present
43:06 - Symbolism and the Wonder of New Creation
53:47 - New Creation in the Midst of Conflict

Michael and Gianna analyze the important role of the theme of new creation in John's Gospel.

Thabani and Michael discuss the African view of demons and spirits. They explore the belief in guardian spirits, avenging spirits, and goblins, the rituals and practices associated with them, and the African Christian view of spirits and demons. They also discuss the syncretism between traditional African beliefs and Christianity, where some African Christians still participate in ancestral rituals alongside their Christian faith. Overall, the conversation highlights the complex and diverse perspectives on the spiritual realm in Africa.

Takeaways
- In African culture, there is a belief in guardian spirits, avenging spirits, and goblins.
- Ancestral rituals and practices are still prevalent in some African Christian communities.
- There is a syncretism between traditional African beliefs and Christianity in some African cultures.
- The African view of the spiritual realm is complex and diverse, with variations across different tribes and regions. Traditional African practices, such as seeking rain from ancestors, are still important to many Africans, but have been discarded by some Pentecostal and evangelical Christians.
- The clash between traditional African practices and Christianity can create conflicts within families and communities.
- Many African Christians believe that demons play a role in various aspects of life, such as illness, addiction, and failure, and seek spiritual solutions to these problems.
- There is a need for a balanced perspective that considers both traditional African beliefs and Western scientific explanations.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
05:12 - Thabani's Expertise in the Spiritual Realm
08:27 - The Early Church's View on Demons
17:31 - Demons in the New Testament
23:36 - African View of Demons and Spirits
36:20 - African Christian View of Demons
44:13 - The Role of Ancestors and Traditional Practices
51:16 - African Christian View of Spirits and Demons