on June 23, 2022
Pick a Podcast!
This summer, the folks at the book discussion decided to choose a podcast to listen to while out on the road or trail or sidewalk. There are two we are choosing from, with some information below: The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill or The Repair. There’s a lot to cover in both, so we’ll split it up for a few months, and our meetings will be outside at Holly’s house while weather permits. Below, find some information and commentary about both podcasts. Make your selection today! (or for sure before next Tuesday, June 28). Since podcasts are free, you could even listen to the first episode of each to see which one you’re most intrigued by.
The Repair (Scene on Radio Season 5)
https://www.sceneonradio.org/the-repair/
In our Season 5 series, The Repair, co-host Amy Westervelt—the award-winning climate journalist and host of the Drilled podcast—and I explore the cultural roots of our current ecological crisis, and the deep changes Western society will need to make to save the Earth and our species.
Holly’s Comments: Some of us listened to an earlier season of this podcast, on “The Land that never has been yet.” This is good journalism that takes a hard look at things we ignore. Like: the cultural roots of our current ecological crisis are in Genesis, and what is taught about the Bible.
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/
Founded in 1996, Seattle’s Mars Hill Church was poised to be an influential, undeniable force in evangelicalism—that is until its spiraling collapse in 2014. The church and its charismatic founder, Mark Driscoll, had a promising start. But the perils of power, conflict, and Christian celebrity eroded and eventually shipwrecked both the preacher and his multimillion-dollar platform.
Holly’s comments:
It might look like an evangelical mega-church with a megalomaniac leader has little to do with us, but look: this church began within a year of Spirit Garage, with some of the same sorts of ideas about church. Things went drastically differently after that, but it has some cultural questions for us to all consider, whether about church or nation: Why do we elevate leaders who display the charisma but not the character necessary for leadership? And how do we teach character?
Join the discussions on the following nights:
July 20, 7-9 PM (episodes 1-3)
August 10, 7-9 PM (episodes 4-7)
September 7, 7-9 PM (8-end)
Here is where to vote before June 28: