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In this episode, Nate, James, and Richella answer listener questions about reconciling Jesus’ “easy yoke” with Paul’s “beating his body to make it his slave,” remaining healthy while carrying other’s burdens, and Bishop Desmond Tutu’s “seamless garment” approach to faith and politics.
Show Notes
[:50] How do you reconcile the gentleness of the easy yoke that Jesus talks about regarding our efforts toward our spiritual formation (Matthew 11:28 – 30) with the more brutal approach that Paul talks about when he says he “beats his body” (“punish” NRSV) to make it his slave (1 Corinthians 9:27)?
[16:42] What are the practices you engage in to remain healthy in the midst of heavy burdens you’re helping carry for others?
[30:06] Bishop Desmond Tutu once said that religion and politics are a seamless robe. I think I agree with him, but I’m really troubled by the way churches and Christians in North America have become so bitterly divided by politics over the past decade or two. How should churches, as well as Christians individually, handle political issues? Should we remain silent on them in order to maintain the unity of the Spirit? Or do we need to lovingly speak out about how our spiritual values should affect our political priorities and then just love each other despite our sometimes major differences? If it’s the latter, I’d appreciate any advice you can give on doing that, as it’s especially hard now that both sides equally fear that our country’s entire future is at stake.
Resources
- Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard (chapter 9)
- The Journal of John Woolman, edited by Phillips P. Moulton
- Streams of Living Water, by Richard Foster
- The Weight of Glory, by C.S. Lewis
- Culture Care, by Makoto Fujimura
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Nathan Foster
Nathan Foster is an author and host of Life With God, a Renovaré Podcast. Formerly, he was an Associate Professor of social work and served as the Andrews Chair in Spiritual Formation at Spring Arbor University. He was also a licensed clinical social worker and certified addictions counselor. Nathan has published two books, including The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines.
James Catford
James Catford has spent his career at the intersection of publishing, leadership, and spiritual formation, working with many authors closely connected to Renovaré. He led the British Bible Society for fourteen years, founded the think tank Theos, and later chaired SPCK, the UK’s largest Christian publisher. He now serves as founding chair of the Center for Christianity and Public Life in Washington, D.C., and on the board of the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. He is married to Sue, a former TV anchor and media executive.
Richella Parham
Richella is Chair of the Renovaré Board of Trustees. With a background in small business, education, and church leadership, Richella is a speaker and the author of Mythical Me (IVP) and A Spiritual Formation Primer. She is the mother of three young adult sons and lives with her husband Jack in Durham, North Carolina. Read her full bio and connect with Richella at richellajparham.com.