The Gospel vs. Stoicism and Ancient Philosophy with Dr. Joey Dodson (Post-Christian Podcast)

In this episode of The Post-Christian Podcast, I interviewed Dr. Joey Dodson, an expert on the intersection of Greek philosophy and early Christianity. Joey dives deep into the parallels between ancient philosophers like Plato and biblical figures, drawing fascinating connections that enlighten our understanding of the New Testament.

Joey further explores how Paul’s teachings provide a response to Platonic thought, challenging modern misconceptions about sin and transformation. The episode emphasizes the profound difference between merely coping with sin and experiencing true, transformative power through Christ.

Joey is the author of the following books:

The Post-Christian Podcast and Giveaways:

Our goal with The Post-Christian Podcast is to reframe, simplify, and focus on our mission to make disciples in a post Christian culture. We discuss reaching new people and raising up leaders while removing the barriers of churchianity.

Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter at www.ericbryant.org for a chance to win future book giveaways and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Post-Christian Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube.com/@ericbryant777, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Listen or Watch Here:

APPLE PODCASTS – An Interview with Dr. Joey Dodson

Faith, Politics, and Mental Health with Dr. Bryan Loritts (The Post-Christian Podcast)

In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Bryan Loritts, the founder and president of The Kainos Movement, and the author of several books including The Offensive Church: Breaking the Cycle of Ethnic Disunity and Enduring Friendship: Sticking Together in an Age of Unfriending.

Bryan and I discuss the way followers of Jesus should approach politics in a counter cultural way, the importance of the multi-ethnic church, and how to avoid a mental health crisis like the one Moses had while leading the people of Israel.

THE POST-CHRISTIAN PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We help you make disciples in our increasingly post-Christian world.
We discuss reaching new people and raising up leaders while removing the barriers of churchianity.

Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter at www.ericbryant.org for a chance to win future book giveaways and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Post-Christian Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.com/@ericbryant777.

LISTEN OR WATCH HERE:

APPLE PODCASTS – An Interview with Dr. Bryan Loritts

Proof of Life (week 1)

From Proof of Life, check out the short film and notes from the message Erwin McManus shared during our new series at Mosaic.

Proof Of Life Trailer from Mosaic LA on Vimeo.

No matter what interesting food we might taste, we always communicate that “it tastes like chicken” because we don’t have an adequate way to describe it. “Life” is a word like that. It is used often yet not fully understood.

1 John 5:13-15
We emphasize “eternal” but John was emphasizing “life.”
It is hard to give someone something they perceive they already have.

1 John 1:1-4
Life appeared revealing that what we thought was “life” was merely existence.

John 1:3-4
In Jesus is real life.
We choose existence because its what we strive for and toil for. Too often we reject what is offered to us for free as a gift. It wasn’t free. It was paid for by someone else.

Only 1 out of 7 actually change their life when the Dr tells them they will die unless they do. Will you be that 1?

Is there any real difference in your life because you believe in God? Is there any real difference in how we live our lives because of our faith in Jesus?

Too often we don’t strive to bring to life to others because we aren’t fully alive.

What will you choose?

To listen or watch the full message, go to www.mosaic.org/podcast!

“How to Eat Like Jesus” & “We Need Jerks” by Jason Jaggard

I have enjoyed reading thoughts from Jason Jaggard who has been leading and serving so effectively on college campuses here in L.A. through Mosaic. Below are “How to Eat Like Jesus” and “We Need Jerks.”

“How to Eat Like Jesus”

“The food I love to eat is doing the will of the One who sent me.” John 4:34

This verse doesn’t make sense. I mean, feeding is passive, isn’t it? It’s receiving something. When I eat, I sit at a table and consume.

But for Jesus, the idea of eating is active.

And this confuses me.

I was taught that feeding was when we studied the Bible. I was taught that getting fed was to be nourished by listening to sermons, reading books and doing small group devotionals.

So if Jesus would have said, “This is how I get fed: by reading the Torah and letters that haven’t been written yet and teaching it to my 12 friends, 3 of whom will write these letters later,” then that would have made sense.

But that’s not what He said. He said that getting fed for Him is to do the will of the One.

Could it be that Jesus is redefining what it means to be nourished? Not in a physical sense but in a spiritual sense?

Could it be that Jesus is redefining what it means to be spiritually mature?

Maybe He’s saying that spiritual maturity is when your favorite way to get is to give. Could that be the Great Secret: that the way you receive nourishment in the depths of your soul isn’t when you consume but when you contribute?

Click here for the rest of the article featured at NeueMinistry.com.

Also, check out Jason’s article called “We Need Jerks.”

“Often times as your rhythms slow down while you fall asleep your body thinks you’re dying, so your brain sends a pulse through your body.

They’re called myoclonic jerks. And they wake us up.

In life there are many moments that can wake us up, and not just when we’re asleep, either….”

The Origins Project Online!

Our new network has been born!

The Origins Project

Ancient Text. Present Context. Future Textures.

“For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God…” (Acts 5:38-39 NIV)

We are a community of followers of Jesus who are passionate about seeing people know God and experience life as He intended. As we are guided by the Scriptures, we will inspire one another to embrace innovation and creativity as a means to fulfill this mission.

Join the community and the conversation here.

We Have Hope

In a world that seems to be upside down and out of control with constant news of a faltering economy, earthquakes, terrorism, and war, we need hope.

When people allow their pain to take the lives of others before taking their own, we need hope.

When a 22 year old works all of his life to have a shot at the big leagues and then dies 3 hours after the greatest game he has ever pitched along with two of his friends celebrating with him, we need hope.

On this weekend where we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are reminded that we have hope.  For me, I have discovered that Jesus can provide hope for a better future no matter how dark today might be.

My prayer for those who are suffering today is the same prayer Paul prayed for the Romans:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit of God” (Romans 15:13).