In which John and David discuss the unexpected connections between the Apostle Paul's eloquent Mars Hill sermon and the rich world of Greek poetry. Imagine finding the divine in places you'd never think to look! The episode meanders through this fascinating theological landscape, journeying from the familiar paths of scripture to the unexpected territories where God's presence defies boundaries.

We also explore the layers of Paul's message, as it weaves through the paradox of the incarnation and turns our conventional theological constructs upside down. We are essentially peering into the heart of the New Testament's message about God's radical action against sin and brokenness.

Episode 147 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 92

If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love it if you left a review or comment where you’re listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?

Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021

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John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others.

However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love.

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In which John and David peel back the layers of Paul's engagement with Greek thinkers, using their own religious and cultural touchstones to introduce Jesus and the Gospel.

As we unravel the nuances of Paul's argument, we ponder his approach in adapting scriptural teachings for a polytheistic audience. We explore his use of the Athenians' altar to the 'unknown God' to pivot to a discussion on how this was the God he wanted to introduce to them.

With a touch of scholarly critique and reflection, we also address the human condition of searching for the divine. This discussion opens up a compassionate view of spiritual hunger and the human attempts to grasp the divine, even when shrouded in ignorance. Through Paul's personal revelations, we explore the notion of divine intimacy—how it's not about our efforts to know God, but the transformative power of being known by Him.

Episode 146 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 91

If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love it if you left a review or comment where you’re listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?

Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021

________
Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show

John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others.

However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love.

Thank you so much.

Support the Show.

In which John and David consider the insults or comments made about Paul by the Athenians. Ever wondered how a man branded a "babbler" by ancient intellectuals could spark a spiritual revolution? We consider the opposition that Paul encountered, dissecting the term "babbler" and its implications for his message. The often-misinterpreted Greek word "spermalogos" serves as a window into the challenges of maintaining the essence of faith amidst a sea of competing ideologies, and our exploration reveals just how crucial unaltered messages are to the fabric of belief.

We uncover the subtleties embedded in the language used to convey divinity and strangeness. Our discussion touches on Paul’s strategic adaptability, his tailored engagements in synagogues, marketplaces, and on Mars Hill, and the rich insights from early church fathers like John Chrysostom and Basil the Great. They invite a pause in the hustle to truly encounter God. This episode an invitation to reflect on the divine in an ever-distracting world, challenging us to find God's rightful place in our own lives.

Episode 145 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 90

If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love it if you left a review or comment where you’re listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?

Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021

________
Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show

John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others.

However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love.

Thank you so much.

Support the Show.

In which John and David explore the Apostle Paul's reaction to his visit to Athens where he boldly confronted idolatry and introduced the early Christian gospel. Athens, with its pantheon of gods and penchant for debate, provided unusual ground for Paul's missionary zeal. We consider his emotional turmoil amid the city's idols, contrasting it with the Athenian culture of "endless" discussion, and spotlight the active, practice-oriented nature of Judeo-Christian teaching.

Contrasting Athens with the biblical narrative of creation as a divine temple in which humanity was meant to serve as the image of God, we explore the irony of idolatry, where humanity's aspiration to be godlike usurps the very role designed for them. We ponder Paul's theological convictions, honed by his Jewish heritage and life-changing encounter with Christ, which fueled his reaction to the idol worship he found in Greece. We contrast the pursuit of intellectual acceptance with the radical Christian message of resurrection, a concept met with skepticism by those unguided by the Spirit. As we juxtapose the narratives of Athens and Corinth, join us for this compelling exploration of the meeting of faith and reason in the heart of ancient philosophy.

Episode 144 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 89

If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love it if you left a review or comment where you’re listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?

Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021

________
Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show

John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others.

However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love.

Thank you so much.

Support the Show.

John and David trace the steps of Paul and Silas, venturing through Thessalonica's tension-filled streets into the welcoming community of Berea. Our latest episode unravels the stark contrasts these early Christian evangelists encountered, from vehement opposition to heartfelt acceptance. Act 17 reveals the strategic moves and the unwavering resolve behind the spread of a message that would echo through millennia.

Their resilience of these missionaries leads to powerful encounters with diverse voices and surprising reactions to the faith. We dissect the varied receptions to the Gospel, celebrating the Bereans' intellectual curiosity and musing on the transformation spurred by an open heart and mind.

We reflect on the profound sacrifices of Paul and the emotional landscape he traversed to share his convictions with the world. Through examining these pillars of Christianity, we gain a deeper understanding of the tenacity and passion that fueled the early Church's growth, illuminating our own paths of faith and commitment.

Episode 143 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 88

If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love it if you left a review or comment where you’re listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?

Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021

________
Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show

John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others.

However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love.

Thank you so much.

Support the Show.

In which John and David wonder about how the early Christians navigated the tension between their revolutionary faith and the power of the Roman Empire? We traverse the ancient roads of Paul and Silas, unpacking their strategic mission through cities like Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica. Each move a vivid tapestry showing how the early mission work encountered either revival or riot perhaps due to ts radical challenge to the saying "Caesar is Lord."

Amidst the tales of travel and transformation, we tackle the contentious and divisive nature of Jesus' identity as both Messiah and King. The message of the cross clashes with conventional wisdom, and we dissect the implications of such a declaration. Paul's teachings stir hearts and upend societal norms, a theme that reverberates through our discussion. We grapple with the early Christian community's delicate dance of faith under Roman scrutiny, and what it means to pledge allegiance to a higher power when earthly thrones loom large.

Our journey through the Book of Acts is both intimate and grandiose, revealing the humanity behind the divine narrative. We delve into the paradox of Jesus as a source of both peace and disruption, examining how his followers were accused of "upsetting the world." The stories of Lydia, Jason, and other believers add a personal touch to the movement's trials and triumphs. We invite you to reflect on the profound impact of the Gospel on a society caught between the hope of a coming kingdom and the reality of an agitated present.

Episode 142 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 87

If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love it if you left a review or comment where you’re listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?

Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021

________
Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show

John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others.

However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love.

Thank you so much.

Support the Show.

Support the Show.

In which John and David embark on an exploration of faith and transformation in our latest episode, continuing to focus on the gripping narrative of Acts 16, where the Holy Spirit’s influence in the early church is unmistakable. Together, we keep unravelling the story of Paul, Silas, and a Roman jailer whose life is forever changed, reflecting on the intersection of the Good Samaritan's parable and the compelling themes of both spiritual and physical liberation.

As we wrestle with the jailer's poignant question, "What must I do to be saved?" we delve into the tension between the pursuit of salvation and the gospel's declaration that salvation is a gift of grace. Our conversation explores the heart of the gospel message, where actions are not the path to salvation, but instead, it is through trust that we embrace the work already done. This episode is a journey into the very essence of Christian grace, as seen through the eyes of the early believers, revealing the instant and egalitarian nature of God's gift of salvation — a concept that remains as radical and transformative today as it was millennia ago.

Diving into the sacraments, we discuss how the early church grappled with the intricacies of faith and practice, specifically the act of baptism, and how these traditions have evolved over the centuries. Our dialogue offers a deeper understanding of how tangible expressions of faith, like baptism and communion, serve as vital reminders of our spiritual convictions. We close with our heartfelt thanks to our listeners and supporters, who make these enriching discussions possible, inviting you to immerse yourself in an episode that celebrates faith's timeless practices and the enduring power of the gospel.

Episode 140 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 85

If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love it if you left a review or comment where you’re listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?

Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021

________
Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show

John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others.

However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love.

Thank you so much.

Support the Show.