Gospeled Boldly: A Higher Things Podcast

In this episode, Pastor and Thomas embark on one of the coolest discourses of Jesus in Scripture. Jesus lets fly with another I AM statement, namely "I AM the Light of the World", and we find out that unless we believe that "I AM" we will die in our sins. Then we talk about what has to be the most inane statement by the Jews in John's Gospel, when they claim that they have never been slaves - weird talk for folks who cite that Moses guy at every turn. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode, Pastor Brown takes a sick day, so Thomas plays a Reformation Special episode from 2013. In it, you'll find out when Pastor thinks Reformation Day should actually be celebrated (hint, it's not October 31st), that Martin Luther was a campus pastor, the 95 Theses were essentially one of the first posts to "go viral", and more! Pastor Brown is a skilled historian, and this episode is certainly an excellent primer for those unfamiliar with Reformation history, and an entertaining refresher for those who have walked these paths before. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode, Pastor Brown and Thomas discuss Jesus' appearance at the Feast of Booths. He's no less a divisive figure during the holidays, to be sure! On the one hand, the Pharisees are more determined than ever to kill him (though they deny it in public), and on the other, those who believe in him wonder just what exactly the Messiah is supposed to look like, if not like this. Then we get into the pericope adulterae - the text dealing with the woman caught in adultery. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor Brown and Thomas discuss Jesus' claims to deity, the import of his words on "eating his flesh" and "drinking his blood", and the response of the Jews, and even his own brothers, to his message. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode, Pastor and Thomas talk at length about Jesus' back and forth with the Jews on bread - specifically the Bread of Life. We also discuss the meaning of Jesus' meeting of the disciples on the water (ending their rowin' against wind), the work (note the singular) of God, and more. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor and Thomas deal with the Jewish reaction to his healing on the Sabbath (this is a bed-carrying free zone). Then, we address Jesus' bold claim of equality with God (claiming to be begotten, not made) and Moses' witness to Christ. Last up we talk about the feeding of the five thousand (and the connections John implies with Psalm 23). In the Inquisition, Thomas talks about the most misused, out of context passage in pop American Christianity. Pastor dives into the subject of the relationships between the disciples and Jesus. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor and Thomas discuss the eagerness with which the Samaritans hear Jesus preach (to the point that the Lord skips lunch in favor of teaching). Then, we talk about the official with a sick son, and how Jesus heals him with merely a word (no hocus pocus waving of hands). Lastly, we begin to address the healing of the lame man on the Sabbath. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor and Thomas word through the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus, blow by blow. She's one of the more interesting characters we come across in John, and Jesus has a surprise revelation for her. In the Inquisition, Pastor asked Thomas to talk about sex and culture, and Thomas wondered what stipulations Pastor has for people getting married in his church. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor and Thomas finish off Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus (Jesus does a better monologue than Leno), talk about John the Baptist's response to the person complaining about Jesus' waxing and John's waning popularity (a disciple who shall remain nameless), and set into the story about the Samaritan woman at the well (who gathers water at midday, anyway?). In the Inquisition, Thomas ask Pastor why pride is sinful, and Pastor picks Thomas' brain about the idea of "friendship with the world". Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor and Thomas discuss Jesus' claim to the status of "temple" (unpacking the Most Holy place in the process), and Nicodemus' conversation with Jesus (cloak and dagger, sneaky sneaky). In the Inquisition, Pastor asks about watching movies as a Christian, and Thomas wants to know if everyone needs to learn the Biblical languages. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor and Thomas discuss the calling of Nathaniel (an amusing exchange to say the least), the wedding at Cana (in which the master of the feast is played by Gordon Ramsey), and the cleansing of the temple (what would Jesus do?). In the Inquisition, Thomas asks Pastor to talk about he subject of alcohol, and Pastor wonders what the proper response is when your faith is mocked. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode Pastor and Thomas dive into the testimony of John the Baptist regarding Christ, the nature of the relationship between Word and Spirit, and how the first disciples came to follow Jesus. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this introductory episode of the Gospeled Boldly podcast, Pastor and Thomas dig into John's opening to his gospel. This section sets up everything John will be telling us about Jesus, who He is and what He does, for the entire rest of the book. Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.