Academic but accessible lectures in Jewish history and thought by Dr. Henry Abramson, Dean at Touro College in the holy city of Brooklyn, NY.
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This podcast explores issues in public theology. Dr. Dion Forster is Assoc. Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics at the University of Stellenbosch. He holds two PhD’s and is the author of several books. Connect with Dion on twitter.com/digitaldion and @digitaldion on instagram, facebook.com/DionAForster on youtube.com/dionforster or his website www.dionforster.com. Rev Alan Storey is the minister of the Central Methodist Mission Cape Town. He is an advocate for justice and peace who s ...
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Episode 93: What the Shepherds can teach us about Christmas
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Well, we haven’t posted for a while since finishing our series of reading through the Bible from the perspectives of justice and peace. But, I wanted to share a short message at Christmas. Today we look at one of the more revolutionary advent passages Luke 2:8-20. We see what we can learn about Christmas from the Shepherds. Have you got any questio…
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Episode 92: In the end evil destroys itself and the Lamb wins! Is there any greater hope?
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All that I will say is ‘The Lamb Wins!’ Thanks for journeying with us through this series! Please listen to the end, we have a favor to ask of you - please drop me a line with some feedback, a testimony, or just to say ‘hi’. You can do so via my website http://www.dionforster.com or http://www.twitter.com/digitaldion We are so grateful to have shar…
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Episode 91: What does it mean to move from the Lion to the Lamb?
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In today’s episode we move on to a discussion of Revelation 5 in which there is a fascinating shift from the rule of the Lion to the rule of the Lamb! What does this mean for our lives in terms of Jesus’ commitments to justice and peace? Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes …
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Episode 90: Where is your focus? Continuing our discussion on Revelation 4
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Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a short sponsorship - I hope it is not obtrusive. Any income received helps us to support projects and initiatives related to justice and peace that we…
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Episode 89: What is your worldview? Making sense of the world with John and Revelation chapter 4
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Each of us looks at the world, and we make sense of it, through our own ‘eyes’. This is known as a worldview. John and his intended readers had worldviews that differed from ours. We too have differing worldviews. Today we delve into Revelation chapter 4 as we consider various worldviews. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do mak…
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Episode 88: Revelation - How Jesus comes to us, some important symbolism in this book
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Today we look at an aspect of the symbolism in the book of Revelation - Jesus’ peaceful word coming to us. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a short sponsorship - I hope it is not obtru…
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Episode 87: Learning by listening in on a wise conversation, Revelation and the 7 Churches
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Today we continue our journey into the book of the Revelation to John for the Seven Churches. It is important that we always keep in mind that the authors of books of the Bible (which were letters, or histories, or poetry etc.) had a particular audience, set or concerns and objectives in mind. We are not the primary audience. This does not mean tha…
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Episode 86: Revelation and references to the Old Testament - ‘keeping it together’
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Any careful reader of New Testament texts will quickly notice how important the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) are in the New Testament. They form the backdrop of many of the ideas, moral commitments, religious beliefs, and at times doctrinal convictions that are expressed by authors of New Testament texts. This is not surprising since it wa…
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Episode 85: Revelation - understanding some important context
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So, the next 8 episodes form an engagement with the book of Revelation. Today we are starting with a discussion on some important aspects of the context of this much misunderstood, and often misused book in the Bible. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and …
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Episode 84: The Armor of God, and violence and Jesus? A peaceable invitation
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The Bible contains a lot of violent imagery. How do we deal with that as persons who are called to become peaceable, like Jesus the Prince of Peace? Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a …
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Episode 83: Dying like Christ? Everyone is loved by Jesus
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Today we continue in a journey through the New Testament as we focus on Paul’s notion of ‘dying like Christ’ - what exactly does that mean? Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a short spo…
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Episode 82: An introduction to Paul and early Christianity
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It is important that we understand our Christian history and identity - it is important so that we know what has happened before, but also so that we don’t make the mistake of thinking that everything has remained the same. Your context, your time and place in history, are different from those of Paul and the early Christians. But, they remain conn…
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Episode 81: Saul to Paul into Christian history
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The apostle Paul is one of the more important figures in Christian history. Not only is he recognized as one of the primary authors of New Testament texts, his ideas have played a very significant role in the shaping and some wood claim even miss-shaping of Christian identity and belief. Today we behind a 4 episode focus on Paul. Have you got any q…
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Episode 80: Spirit of Love, apartheid and prejudice
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I am reminded from time to time how important it is to have a lived Spirituality - to live my life in the Spirit! Today’s episode discusses the importance of living in relationship with the Spirit of Love. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday morni…
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Episode 79: The Spirit changes how we live with others - Pentecostal community
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Living in the Spirit changes how we live - not only our person lives, but also our communities and social lives. Today we discuss Pentecostal community. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also include…
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Episode 78: Speaking and hearing - continuing the Pentecost journey
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One of the more contentious issues in contemporary Christianities relates to the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit. What might it mean to speak in a new tongue? Or listen with heavenly ears to a new and transforming language? We touch on these topics in today’s episode. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At t…
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Episode 77: Washed in God’s love! The Holy Spirit
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I start this episode with the words ‘Welcome Pentecostals!’ That May sound strange if you are Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic or from another faith tradition. But, of course, all Christians are Pentecostals since we live on ‘this side’ of Pentecost. Today we begin a 4 episode focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Have you got any quest…
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Episode 76: Do you (honestly) believe in the resurrection?
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Do you believe in the resurrection? What difference should such belief habe for Christians? How should it change the ways in which we live? Join us for a discussion around belief in the resurrection today. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday morni…
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Episode 75: Inspired to live with courage! The tension between idealism and realism
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This is our 3rd episode in the 4 part mini-series on the resurrection. Today we consider what serves as inspiration for a life lived with courage, and how we manage the tension between realism and idealism as Christians. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday a…
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Episode 74: Resurrection: Love breaks open, it doesn’t break down.
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The resurrection of Jesus is a model for what God does in our lives. Loving raising us up through death and pain to newness of life. Today we consider some aspects of God’s redeeming and resurrecting love. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday morni…
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Episode 73: The greatest day in life! When our sin is forgiven.
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What is the greatest day in your life? Today we talk about the day on which our sins were forgiven - a day of grace, healing and liberation. It sets us free to flourish, and live for the blessing and flourishing of other persons and all of creation. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing…
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Episode 72: Less about dying, more about love: Theories of the atonement
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In this final episode of the 4 part mini-discussion on the death of Jesus we focus on theories of the atonement and where we might place our emphasis in becoming ‘at one’ with God, others, creation and ourselves. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Frida…
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Episode 71: ‘If you live for truth, you need to look good on wood’ - Costly discipleship!
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Al has a very provocative way of speaking. He once said to a group of us, ‘If you are going to live for the truth, you had better look good on wood. Because at some point you may be crucified.’ Very challenging indeed! We discuss the notion of costly discipleship in the ‘way’ of following Jesus today. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? …
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This is one of the great mysteries of our faith - that a loving parent would send God’s Son to die. How are we to understand that? Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a short sponsorship …
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Episode 69: The vineyard parable, and the Christ’s love
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Today we being another 4 part series, kicking off with a discussion of the Vineyard parable. In particular we consider notions of Christ’s love as central to how we shape our beliefs and values. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so p…
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Episode 68: God the economist? The values of God’s economy
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How might God redesign the economic systems of our homes, our communities, our countries, indeed the world? Today we discuss the values of God’s economy and invite some reflection on our economic and social choices. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Fr…
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Episode 67: The Economics Systems of the Bible and the World
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I am constantly amazed that so many Christians accept the dominant economic systems of the world uncritically. It is almost as if we have lost our theological imagination for a world that could be so different! In today’s episode Alan and I discuss the economic systems of parts of the Bible in relation to the systems of the world. Have you got any …
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We continue our focus on food, feeding and Kingdom economics today. We will spend some time discussing the implications of Holy Communion in the broader perspectives of the Bible, justice and peace. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - …
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Episode 65: How many people have you fed?
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Today’s episode begins another 4 part focus on a theme - we pick up from the last episode (the feeding of the 5000) and move into a series that reflects on food, feeding and Kingdom economics. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so ple…
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Episode 64: Unlikely sources of blessing - feeding the 5000
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A constant theme in this journey though the Bible is how God uses unlikely persons, and simple faith, to bring justice, wholeness and peace. Today we reflect on another such story - the feeding of the 5000. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday morn…
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Episode 63: Money, money, money... AND justice!
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Today we will discuss one of the most difficult, and contentious, issues in our lives - the relationship between money and justice! Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a short sponsorship…
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What is justice? Today we consider an aspect of the notion of justice. We do so by focusing on justice as love distributed. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a short sponsorship - I hop…
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Episode 61: Manna for all! Every person is important
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I frequently loose perspective. It is a challenge to keep my eyes fixed on Christ and my actions directed towards others. Thankfully, God is gracious and forgiving. And, thankfully, God allows us to partner in the work of salvation. Today we discuss the notion of manny for all and consider how and why every person - even the most undesirable or unl…
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Episode 60: Followers of Christ, not just admirers
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Today’s episode was released on 1 January 2021. I was once again reminded of the great importance of living lives with the fruit of love, and the virtues of courage and consistency in order to see God’s peace and justice realized in the coming year. 2020 was not an easy year - may 2021 be better, and May you be used by God, empowered by the Spirit …
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We are to be like the God whom we love, and who loves us. Grace and mercy are surely characteristics of God’s nature and character in dealing with all of creation, indeed all of history, in love. Perhaps you may find some encouragement in your life, work, and witness from today’s episode? Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do mak…
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This episode is being released on Christmas Day 2020. Alan and I want to wish all of our listeners a blessed Christmas. It is very apt that we focus on the theme ‘The life that Christ brings’ today. I was inspired by this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. “When God chooses Mary as the means when God himself wants to come into the world in the manger …
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So, why do you follow Jesus? This is a very important question to answer. We will consider some aspects of this important question in today’s episode. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included …
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Episode 56: God loves everyone! Stretching the congregation
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In today’s episode we hear that we’ll know message of God’s love - but we hope that you heart it with ‘new ears’ and a ‘new heart’! Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also included a short sponsorship…
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In today’s episode we consider Jesus’ first sermon! This is an episode that is not to be missed - in it we see how Jesus’ own life and ministry sets the tone for our lives and witness. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do c…
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Episode 54: Even Jesus wrestled with temptation
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In today’s episode we focus on Jesus’ wrestling with temptation. It is a comfort to know that Christ also faced temptation, as we do. It is also a great source of hope to know that he overcame it through faith, courage, and love. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (…
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Episode 53: Jesus and the tempter, wrestling with God
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Today we turn to the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. There is a great deal that we can learn about life, love, fullness, and grace from this narrative. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) - so please do check back! Today we also i…
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Episode 52: Ah, that’s my child! The baptism of Jesus
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Today we turn to Jesus! We focus on that wonderful narrative of Jesus’ baptism, and some of the sights, sounds, people, and events that surround it. There is a wonderful inspiration in today’s message! You are invited to be with those whom God loves (of course in safe ways during the Coronavirus pandemic!) Have you got any questions or feedback for…
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Episode 51: Salvation, not safety - John continued
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Thanks for listening to today’s podcast - we continue to focus on New Testament narratives today as we consider what we can learn from the life and witness of John the Baptizer. There may be a tiny bit of background noise in the intro and conclusion - apologies for that! I had to record them in a public space because of time. Have you got any quest…
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Today we continue to discuss the life and witness of John the Baptizer. He paid a high price for the sake of truth and justice. It is important that we don’t gloss over that. I hope that you will find some encouragement and insight that can guide you to living faithfully, no matter the cost, for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom and God’s justice and lo…
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Episode 49: John the Baptizer and the courage to live foe truth!
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For the next 4 weeks we will be focusing on the witness we find in the life of John the Baptizer. Today we reflect on how he lived with integrity, courage, and truth. This is an invitation to all of us to do the same. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and …
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Episode 48: The Song of Mary - it has already been achieved for you
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Where do you find God? Today we look at the Song of Mary - it is a wonderfully instructive text in the New Testament that shows us where and how God is busy working for good! It also invites us to join God there and find life! Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tue…
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Episode 47: Not power, wealth or position - obedience and love! The example of Mary
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In today’s episode we continue to focus on the ways in which God achieves God’s will for love, life, and blessing for all of creation and humanity. We do so by focusing on Mary. God chooses a young, poor, unwed woman - the lowest and least powerful of her time - to bring Jesus into the world. God can use any of us, just where we are! Have you got a…
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Episode 46: Reading the New Testament in a ‘Jesus context’
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Isn’t it remarkable how easily we forget that Jesus is the lens through which we should read the texts of the New Testament? Today we set the scene for such a reading of the various books of the New Testament. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tuesday and Friday m…
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Episode 45: Turning to the New Testament: Manna and Mercy and some context
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Regular listeners may have noticed that this episode is a day or two late! My apologies for that! It is Masters and Doctoral submission ‘season’ and I have a number of students completing and submitting their research! So things have been a little hectic! Well, back to today! In this episode we turn from the Old Testament to begin our journey into …
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Episode 44: Finding yourself by going to your Nineveh - Jonah part 3
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In today’s final episode on Jonah, we talk about how often people need to return to their ‘Nineveh’ to find themselves. If you haven’t listened to the first 2 episodes in this 3 part series, please listen to episodes 42 and 43. Have you got any questions or feedback for us? Please do make contact!At this stage we are releasing 2 episodes a week (Tu…
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