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“...I’ve never heard a message, read an article, or even had a conversation in which I heard it said the genealogies demonstrate what great sinners the men were…” - Dr Sandra Glahn, from A Woman’s Place Is In The Story Conversely, both Dr Glahn and myself (and possibly you could chime in, too?) have heard SEVERAL sermons & teachings that have highlighted the (im)morality of women in the Bible at what seems like a much more pronounced level. Why is that? Are women actually “worse” than men? Are women merely a foil to the activity of male biblical characters? What’s going on here? In this book & conversation, Dr Glahn helps equip us with some helpful literary tools to approach the Bible better overall, and particularly so when it comes to understanding the role of the many women that fill the Bible’s pages. I have a copy of this book to give away, and trust me, you want it! How might you enter? Just leave a comment on this post or share the episode (while tagging me) online, and within the next few weeks I’ll allow a machine to randomly select a winner. The more comments / shares, the more entries! Shipping included as loooooong as you’re within North America (if you’re from elsewhere – we can talk about it). You can watch this video below, over here on YouTube, or on Spotify. Links: Sandra Glahn – http://www.sandraglahn.com/ A Woman’s Place Is In The Story – https://www.ivpress.com/a-woman-s-place-is-in-the-story Nobody’s Mother – https://www.ivpress.com/nobody-s-mother Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the biblical narrative and the role of women 02:13 Sandra Glahn’s background and motivation for the book 04:01 Overview of ‘A Woman’s Place is in the Story’ 05:13 Why the focus on women in biblical interpretation 06:35 The importance of character studies and narrative context 10:23 The significance of named and unnamed characters 17:14 The inclusion of women in Jesus’ genealogy 22:52 The story of Tamar and Judah as a case study 27:26 The story of Abigail and her role in biblical narrative 36:44 The story of Job’s daughters and the theme of suffering 44:25 The myth of Artemis and biblical comparisons 50:59 The importance of biblical characters for all believers Keywords: Biblical narrative, women in the Bible, hermeneutics, character analysis, biblical storytelling, Sandra Glahn, A Woman’s Place is in the Story, biblical interpretation, biblical characters, biblical hermeneutics Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

On Episode 102 of the Jolly Thoughts pod, I am beyond blessed to be able to share this wonderful conversation with Christian music veteran + current influencer + aaaaaall around nice guy, the one & only Jimi Williams Jimi is a worship leader with tons of pastoral experience. He’s also currently the president of Jesus Culture music. Before that, though, he was the longtime head of Worship Together, a popular worship resourcing site. It is primarily his tenure at WT that we talk about in this conversation, but we range from before his time at the imprint and on to his current pastoral hopes & concerns for the worship leaders he works with today. If you have any memories of Worship Together conferences or resources (whether it’s from the recent or distant past), would love to hear about it in the comments! You can watch the video of this conversation on my Substack or over here on YouTube. Links: Worship Leader Research - https://worshipleaderresearch.com/ Jimi’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jimi_williams/ Jesus Culture Music - https://jesusculture.com/music/ Worship Together - https://www.worshiptogether.com/ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Jimmy Williams’ background 06:02 - Jimmy’s musical background and early influences 12:18 - Journey into worship and early ministry experiences 17:33 - Transition from church worship to music industry 22:24 - The founding and growth of Worship Together 31:15 - Jimmy’s move to Jesus Culture and current focus 36:20 - The role of local church in worship music development 42:22 - Reflections on industry competition and resources 47:36 - The peak years of Worship Together and industry impact 1:00:49 - Final thoughts on worship, industry, and church connection Keywords: worship music, church resources, Worship Together, Jesus Culture, songwriting, church leadership, music industry, worship conferences, local church impact Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the pod, Ryan Dahl (founder & CEO of Praise Charts) and I sit down and geek out haaaaard over the relationship between what worship leaders say and how they behave. The impetus for this convo is our recent time together in Nashville at the inaugural Worship Leader Research conference, where Ryan unveiled this treasure trove of data (a treasure trove which he has agreed to share for a limited time with the listeners to this podcast, so… don’t sleep on it!) In this convo we cover Ryan’s backstory, what to do with tubas in modern worship, and what is the busiest time of the week for WLs to download chord charts (hint: it is not Wednesday afternoon). You can watch the conversation on YouTube or at the bottom of this post. Keywords: worship resources, church music, praise charts, data analysis, worship leading, song complexity, music trends, church growth, worship theology Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Ryan Dahl and Praise Charts 05:02 - Praise Charts’ mission and impact on worship 06:06 - Ryan’s journey from worship leader to data enthusiast 08:14 - The unique setting of the worship leader research conference 09:33 - The importance of data in understanding worship trends 11:02 - Ryan’s nerdy passion for musicology and design 15:55 - The diversity of worship teams and song choices 21:32 - The shift from analog to digital distribution of charts 22:23 - Saturday night panic and last-minute downloads 28:41 - The complexity of songs and their popularity 33:11 - The longevity of classic hymns and their continued relevance 38:07 - The shared song repertoire across churches 46:14 - The role of data in understanding church song turnover 48:31 - The surprising discoverability of new songs 53:25 - Praise Charts’ role as an intermediary in the worship ecosystem 56:28 - Future directions: theological insights and resource customization 57:39 - Closing remarks and appreciation for Ryan Dahl Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to episode ONE HUNDRED of the Jolly Thoughts podcast!!! After starting this thing on a whim nearly 5 years ago, I wouldn’t have suspected it would have gone on for this long. Nor could I ever have anticipated the scope & quality of conversation partners I’ve been blessed with. It’s been a wild ride… and I don’t think it’s over yet. Rather than look backwards, I’m happy to look forward down the barrel of many great guests ahead… including two great guests on this very 100th episode! Chris Hoklotubbe & Danny Zacharias are the fabulous coauthors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation. This book is a HUMDINGER! I have multiple underlinings on most pages: “How can I love my neighbor as myself when my theology has taught me to hate myself?” – Matt Leblanc (pg 22) “The earth, plants, and animals could all survive without us – but we could not survive without them.” (pg 34) “When the Word incarnated into Jesus, did this not include the water, the carbon, the oxygen, the minerals, and the community of bacteria that live within all human flesh?” (pg 51) “Indigenous followers of Jesus invite Christians to be more like Abraham than Joshua.” (pg 123) That said, I also had to wrestle with a lot of the content in here, sometimes because it was difficult to understand, sometimes because it confronted my own complicity & failings, and sometimes because I wasn’t sure it was correct, but (in my experience) things that we wrestle with usually end up being among the things we treasure most. This book is a blessing, as was this conversation with Chris & Danny. As always, I would loooooove to hear your own thoughts on this convo! You can either watch this conversation below or over here on YouTube. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Indigenous Hermeneutics and Turtle Island 05:54 - The Origins of the Book and the Collaboration of the Authors 08:00 - What is Turtle Island? Its Significance and Meaning 09:38 - Indigenous Interpretation of the Bible and Faith 12:07 - The Medicine Wheel and Wesleyan Quadrilateral in Hermeneutics 15:00 - Reclaiming Biblical Stories and Indigenous Traditions 18:45 - The Role of Visions, Dreams, and Vision Quests 23:41 - The Concept of Sin in First Nations Communities 30:19 - Visions, Altered States, and Cultural Practices 39:02 - The Balance of Seeking and Receiving Visions 43:45 - The Broader Understanding of Visions in Indigenous Contexts 45:58 - The Impact of Cultural and Theological Contexts on Interpretation 50:36 - Barriers in Evangelical and Mainline Christian Approaches 52:33 - Concluding Reflections on Light, Revelation, and Culture Keywords: indigenous hermeneutics, Turtle Island, asset-based theology, visions, rituals, First Nations, biblical interpretation, cultural perspectives, spiritual practices Key topics: Indigenous hermeneutics and biblical interpretation The significance of Turtle Island in indigenous worldview Asset-based theology rooted in Genesis 1 and 2 The role of visions and vision quests in First Nations spirituality The intersection of indigenous traditions and Christian faith The importance of relationships and community in interpretation The critique of Western individualism in spiritual practices The impact of colonization on indigenous religious expressions The importance of context and relationality in hermeneutics The challenge of integrating indigenous and biblical narratives Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

“Determining what is correct is a science. Truth is reality.” (pg 32 of Statistics & Faith, by Jason Wilson) Jason Wilson went to university for the math, stayed in university for the Bible, and somehow God seems to have ended up tying these passions together in ways that we can reap the benefits of in his book, Statistics & Faith. In this conversation, Jason patiently allows me to ramble through my half-formed thoughts on the inundation of stats in our world, and he helps me not only understand the nature of stats better, he also helps me see how they can help Christians better understand their world. We talk about measuring the likelihood that a prayer is answered, the dangers of eugenics, why David’s census was such a big deal… it’s a wild ride, so (unless you’re faint of heart), hop in! (if you’d prefer to watch rather than listen, look below or on YouTube) chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Personal Background 01:21 - Academic Journey and Dual Degrees 04:25 - Statistics and Faith: The Intersection of Disciplines 07:31 - The Evolution of Statistics 10:39 - Understanding Statistics: Definitions and Applications 13:15 - The Dark History of Eugenics and Statistics 16:29 - The Role of Statistics in Society 19:24 - Engaging with Statistics: Critical Thinking and Application 29:39 - The Role of Statistics in Technology 32:25 - The Impact of Values on Decision Making 35:13 - Statistics Through a Christian Lens 39:45 - Understanding Misuse of Statistics 44:46 - The Intersection of Faith and Statistics 50:04 - Intercessory Prayer and Statistical Analysis 53:58 - The Limitations of Data in Human Experience keywords: statistics, faith, data literacy, biblical worldview, truth, eugenics, scientific revolution, data analysis, Christian ethics, information literacy links: Jason Wilson - https://www.biola.edu/directory/people/jason-wilson Statistics & Faith - https://www.ivpress.com/statistics-and-faith Math Is Music (article) - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280114347_Math_is_Music_Statistics_is_Literature Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

“Your true home is a place you have not yet been but have sensed all along…” - Brian Zahnd, from Unseen Existences Brian Zahnd is no stranger to controversy, but it’s possible at this time that one of the most controversial things he could say is that there is a reality that neither science nor our senses can reliably define; existences that are unseen. This is the very topic of his latest book, and we that book as a launching pad to talk about the impact of Greek and/or Platonic thought on the New Testament, the microtonal rock of Angine de Poitrine, the potential exhaustion of revivalism, and much much more. While listening to the pod, check out Unseen Existences, Brian’s Substack (especially his four-part companion to Unseen Existences, The Reverend), and while you’re at it, bookmark The Silent’s relevant album, Unseen. To watch instead of just listen, either check it out on YouTube or click below. 👇 Chapters: 00:01 - Introduction and Setting the Scene 06:15 - Brian Zahnd’s Journey and Writing Career 09:12 - The Influence of Music and Pop Culture 14:11 - The Nature of Writing and Content Creation 19:15 - Exploring Heaven and Spirituality 24:23 - Philosophical Materialism and Its Implications 29:14 - Christianity and Platonic Thought 33:12 - Deconstruction vs. Transformation in Faith 37:16 - A Journey Beyond American Christianity 40:27 - Critique of Charismatic Christianity 43:21 - Navigating Political Landscapes in Faith 50:07 - The Exhaustion of Revivalism 57:04 - Living Ordinary Lives in Faith 01:05:03 - Understanding Our True Home Brian Zahnd - https://brianzahnd.com/ “Unseen Existences” - https://www.amazon.ca/Unseen-Existences-Heaven-Divine-Mystery/dp/1514005646/ Brian’s Substack - https://substack.com/@brianzahnd “The Reverend” (short story) - https://substack.com/home/post/p-196905954 “Unseen” (by The Silent) - keywords: Spirituality, Unseen Realm, Christian Orthodoxy, Culture, Faith, Theology, Book Review, Christian Life key topics: The unseen realm and its significance in faith The influence of culture and pop culture on spirituality The relationship between materialism and spiritual longing The role of Christian orthodoxy in contemporary faith The impact of revivalism and charismatic movements Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

“Just for a moment Can we fix our eyes on Jesus? There is no other reason We stand and sing these songs” from Magnify (Just For A Moment) by Paul Baloche I have not seen the adjective “pastor” attached to Paul Baloche very often, but I can tell you that there are few people I’ve met in the wider world of worship leading who are more pastoral than he. I was blessed to have him on the pod way back in 2022 (episode here), where we talked about… -crazy online worship leading experiences during Covid -extremes on the left AND the right within the church -how we may have gone “far enough” with multitracks This time around, we talked about.. -his excellent (and about to be revamped book) God Songs (which we’ve been using in class @ Kingswood) -his journey as a songwriter that led him to write songs for the likes of the late great Ron Kenoly -the theology of the guitar solo, and how AI may (or may not) be able to worship God I hope you’ll enjoy the conversation, and if so, I hope you’ll share the love! (If you prefer to watch than listen 👇) Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 05:40 - Transition to Faith and Music 06:10 - The Journey to California and Music School 09:27 - Learning from Mentors and Songwriting Beginnings 15:42 - Writing for the Local Church 21:17 - Transitioning to Professional Songwriting 26:42 - Understanding the Congregation’s Needs 31:31 - Updating ‘God Songs’ for a New Generation 34:42 - The Process of Creating a New Album 38:26 - Exploring Belief and Doubt in Worship 40:11 - The Philosophy of Guitar Solos 47:12 - AI and Songwriting: A New Frontier 59:33 - The Importance of Authentic Worship Resources: God Songs by Paul Baloche and Jimmy & Carol Owen - https://www.amazon.com/God-Songs-Contemporary-Worship-Book/dp/083412278X Integrity Music - https://www.integritymusic.com Christ for the Nations Institute - https://www.cfn.edu Marty Nystrom - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Nystrom Guest Links: Website - https://paulbaloche.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/paulbaloche Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulbaloche/ Keywords: worship music, songwriting, Paul Baloche, AI in worship, worship leading, song creation, church music, worship songs, music ministry, worship innovation Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

How did we get from the gospels recording Jesus’ words as “Take, eat, this is my body broken for you” to Youth Pastors offering donuts & Coca Cola as “communion”? How did the primary locus of mystical Christian worship become “just a symbol”? How did the evangelical church get here, and (in the adapted register of The Clash)... should we stay or should we go? [to watch this video, either scroll down or visit the pod on YouTube] In his recently defended PhD thesis, my friend & Kingswood co-labourer (and newly minted doctor) Axel Kazadi traced a bit of a history of the eucharist, specifically bringing in a triumvirate of early protestant conversation partners, and then putting those considerations in conversation with John Wesley… and eventually with Wesley’s denominational children, which includes the host of this podcast. Have I done a geekier, more “theological-dictionary-required” episode than this? I’m honestly not sure… so BUCKLE UP AND ENJOY THE RIDE! Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the episode’s focus on Eucharistic theology 02:15 - The role of historical debates: transubstantiation, memorialism, and sacramental union 06:45 - The significance of Christ’s presence—material, spiritual, or symbolic 10:22 - Examining the Eucharist as a sacrifice, thanksgiving, and act of almsgiving 15:42 - Influence of the Reformation on Eucharistic doctrine 20:12 - Wesleyan perspectives: how Wesley approached communion and real presence 24:39 - Practical implications: integrating Eucharist into worship and community life 30:45 - Handling mystery and faith: accepting doctrines beyond full human understanding 36:28 - The importance of frequent communion in Wesleyan practice 44:39 - Structuring worship to emphasize the Eucharist’s grace and communal aspect 51:02 - The role of ordination and church authority in administering communion 58:11 - The continuity of Eucharistic tradition from early church to today 63:36 - Encouragement for worship leaders to deepen Eucharistic practice 73:07 - Connecting Eucharist with acts of love and social justice 77:21 - Practical steps for incorporating Eucharist intentionally in services 81:22 - Final thoughts: Eucharist as a celebration of thanksgiving and a corporate act of sacrifice 83:50 - Reflecting on the mystery of Christ’s presence and theological humility Recommended Resources: The Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann Sacramental Theology: Wesleyan Perspectives Book of Common Prayer Key Words: Historical development of Eucharistic theology, including transubstantiation, consubstantiation, memorialism, and sacramental union || The significance of Christ’s real, spiritual, or symbolic presence in the Eucharist || The relationship between Eucharistic sacrifice, thanksgiving, and the church’s outward acts of love (almsgiving) || Practical ways to re-emphasize the Eucharist’s role as a means of grace and a corporate act of worship || Theological reflections on the nature of Christ’s presence and the importance of mystery and faith in Eucharistic understanding || The influence of the Reformation on the diversity of Eucharistic beliefs and Wesleyan practice Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

“From the beginning, the Israelites were a multi-ethnic family whose most prominent members often married foreigners. Later laws against intermarriage are focused exclusively on protecting Israelite worship rather than trying to maintain the purity of the Israelite bloodline.” (pg 30) Just one of the many wonderfully provocative snippets that litter Dr Carmen Joy Imes’ third book, Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters. But Carmen is not a provocateur. This book (like the others in the trilogy) is aimed squarely at helping us think Biblically about the topic at hand, which in this case is the nature of the “people (or ‘family’) of God”. Carmen’s last time on the pod (which, wildly enough, was back in May/June 2022, on the day she clicked “send” on the manuscript for her 2nd book, Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters). At that time we talked about her visit to Southeastern, Critical Race Theory, the distinction between gender & sexuality… all the fun stuff. Throughout this new conversation, Dr Imes unpacks the scriptures with acumen & ease, shedding light in dark areas and clarifying my own misunderstandings of the nature of The Church. Hopefully you’ll appreciate it as much as I have! If you’d prefer to watch rather than just listen… keywords: Church, Biblical Theology, Old Testament, New Testament, God’s Covenant, Community, Adoption, Family of God, Eschatology, Christian Life key topics: The birth of the church and Acts 2 The Old Testament roots of the church The significance of God’s covenant and presence The metaphor of adoption and family in Scripture The expansive nature of God’s people and inclusion of foreigners The relationship between vertical (God) and horizontal (people) relationships The role of the church in social responsibility and justice The eschatological hope for the end of nations and kingdoms chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 05:22 - The Importance of Church Community 08:28 - Understanding the Church’s Origins 11:35 - The Role of the Old Testament in Defining the Church 14:28 - Continuity Between the Old and New Testament 17:32 - The Nature of God’s Covenant with His People 20:34 - The Expansive Nature of God’s Family 23:40 - The Dynamics of Church Membership 26:32 - Adoption and Relationships in the Church 31:22 - The Metaphor of Adoption in Faith 33:00 - Living as Children of God 34:50 - Cultural Contexts and Family Systems 36:02 - God’s Wrath and Social Responsibility 43:09 - The Kingdom of God vs. National Identity 52:42 - Women in Ministry and Gender Dynamics Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

Did Jesus really say He was God? Belief in Jesus’ divinity is generally held to be a core Christian belief (if you need a refresher on the Nicene Creed, you can check out last year’s conversation with Dr Jerome Van Kuiken), but recent survey data out of the US seems to indicate that roughly 43% of American evangelicals do not necessarily believe He was God… which is mindblowing, yes, but perhaps not entirely surprising, since biblical scholars have been chipping away at the criteria for this case for a long time now. However, it’s also not the question we’re asking here. The question isn’t “Was Jesus God?” or even “Did Jesus’ earliest followers believe He was God?”, but “Did Jesus really say He was God?” This is the question that apologist, scholar, and doctor Mikel Del Rosario pursues in his new book of the same name. In this ranging conversation, Mikel walks us through the basic claims of his book, some of his journey with apologetics, and what a coffee shop conversation with Bart Ehrman might look like. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 05:47 - Understanding Apologetics 09:39 - Engaging with Bart Ehrman’s Perspectives 15:46 - Analyzing Key Biblical Scenes 18:40 - Clash of Authority: Jesus and Jewish Leadership 24:42 - The Authority to Forgive: A Historical Perspective 28:32 - The Trial of Jesus: Claims of Divine Authority 34:26 - Understanding Merism: Authority in Context 41:10 - Faith and Scholarship: Balancing Belief and Critical Inquiry Keywords: Jesus Christ, Divinity, Mark Gospel, Apologetics, Historical Jesus, Biblical Reliability, Christian Faith, Jesus Claims, Gospel of Mark, Religious History Resources: Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? by Mikel Del Rosario || https://www.ivpress.com/did-jesus-really-say-he-was-god Bart Ehrman’s Book ‘How Jesus Became God’ || https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Jesus_Became_God Mikel Del Rosario’s Profile || https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeldelrosario/ Moody Bible Institute || https://www.moody.edu/academics/faculty/mikel-del-rosario/ Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

-“…despite a relatively high bar for entry, the young church grew rapidly…” (pg 30 of Making Disciples by Alex Fogleman ) Some churches offer what is sometimes called “spontaneous baptism” (an opportunity for someone to show up on a Sunday morning who had not planned to get baptized to get straight into the water that very morning), while some churches have a 2-3 year waiting period between when a person expresses a desire to be baptized and when they can actually go through the waters. How can we have such a wide range between these criteria? What makes a person “ready” for baptism? Traditionally, the church has called this gap (however wide or narrow) “catechesis”. If you grew up or around the kind of church tradition I did, though, it’s possible this is a term you have never heard. Good news, though; Alex Fogleman has written a wonderfully accessible and helpful book on the topic! He’s not a stick in the mud, and he doesn’t bog down on terminology, but he’s a helpful conversation partner in the process of coming to grips with how we become (and make) disciples of Jesus Christ in the here & now. If you find this conversation helpful, please consider checking out Alex’s book, Making Disciples, wherever books are sold… and consider sharing this pod with a friend that came to mind whilst listening! Alex Fogleman → https://tas.edu/people/dr-alex-fogleman Making Disciples → https://www.amazon.ca/Making-Disciples-Catechesis-Theology-Practice/dp/0802883850/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:55 Background of Alex Fogleman 05:10 The Journey to Anglicanism and Catechesis 08:04 The Importance of Discipleship in the Church 11:22 Understanding the Catechumenate 14:18 The Role of Catechesis in Early Christianity 17:16 The Evolution of Catechesis Through the Centuries 20:10 Augustine’s Approach to Teaching and Catechesis 23:18 The Process of Becoming a Catechumen 26:12 The Church’s Role in Education and Inclusivity 29:05 Historical Overview of Catechesis from Early Church to Present 32:31 The Historical Context of Catechesis 38:45 Evangelicalism and the Challenge of Catechesis 43:29 Authentic Christianity: Belief, Behavior, and Experience 51:39 Moral Formation in Contemporary Christianity 59:00 The Role of Catechesis in Modern Faith Practices Keywords: catechesis, early church, Christian formation, discipleship, theology, church history, Wesleyan, Anglican, spiritual growth, religious education Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

“Oversaturation is not the same thing as abundance.” - Alyson Pryor In this lenten episode of the pod, I am blessed to have been able to have this timely conversation with Alyson Pryor (who holds degrees in psychology from both the University of Southern California and Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot Seminary). Alyson currently serves as a staff spiritual director and adjunct faculty member at Biola University, from whence she was able to publish this brand new guide to spiritual retreats, Come Away & Rest. The book is not just an apologetic case for the idea of retreat, but an actual step-by-step guide to said retreats. I was so grateful to have been able to have access to Alyson’s wisdom for this conversation, and I think you too will appreciate her insights into the good, bad, and ugly of retreating. BOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/come-away-and-rest EXCERPT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Downloads/Excerpts-and-Samples/A1122-excerpt.pdf BIO: https://www.ivpress.com/alyson-pryor VISIT HER WEBSITE: https://alysonpryor.com Chapters: 00:00 - Opening 03:30 - Alyson’s Journey to Rest 09:10 - Understanding Retreats in a Christian Context 12:12 - Practical Elements of Retreats 18:02 - The Call to Redemption and Personal Worth 20:49 - The Journey of Rest and Intimacy with God 23:40 - Creating Retreats: Structure and Support 25:22 - The Importance of Content in Retreats 28:23 - On-Ramps and Off-Ramps: Preparing for Retreats 34:16 = Lent: A Season of Reflection and Preparation 37:18 - Jesus as Our Model for Retreat and Resilience keywords: spiritual retreats, Christian practices, rest, Lent, personal growth, silence, solitude, spiritual direction, mindfulness, prayer (ai) summary: In this episode of the Jolly Thoughts podcast, Marc Jolicoeur and Alyson Pryor discuss the significance of spiritual retreats in the Christian faith, particularly in the context of Lent. They explore Alyson’s personal journey towards finding rest and the importance of creating structured retreats that allow individuals to connect with God. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern life that hinder true rest and the necessity of preparing for and reflecting on retreat experiences. They also highlight Jesus as the ultimate model for retreating and the transformative power of silence and solitude. Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

In Drunk In The Spirit, Dr Merrill Greene gives us a behind-the-scenes and BANANAS look at the ways that charismaticism is not only lived out today, but is rooted in some truly weird experiences outlined in our holy texts. I had Merrill on a few years ago (ep 39), and now that this conversation is done, I can’t wait to have him on again! Oh, for reference to the How God Works podcast ep I was referencing on shamanism, it’s right here. Thanks for reading Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts)! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

For this episode of the pod, I wanted to hear from someone who is both a friend & brother in Christ and has also fallen on the other side of where I have on a variety of ideological lines. Oh, and if he can be funny too, bonus. Cue Phil Hutchings. We only get the briefest snapshot of Phil’s story in this podcast, but rest assured, it’s a wild one. In this generous conversation, Phil knowingly walks into chats he knows I largely differ with him about (civil disobedience, religious liberty, the primacy of “tongues”, and the taboo topic of “biblical prosperity”), and yet he engages thoughtfully & gracefully (if not also “pointedly”). Did Phil convince me on these topics? No. Am I more of a fan of Sean Feucht’s music now than I was before? No. But am I glad to have been able to talk like this? You better believe it! Chapters: 00:00 - Opening 08:03 - Building a Community and Church Ownership 11:27 - Musical Connections and Shared History 15:15 - Podcasting and Conversations 16:47 - Sean Feucht’s Controversial Visit to Canada 24:04 - Revival in Canada: Perspectives and Experiences 26:52 - The Nature of Religious Persecution 29:56 - Revival and the Church’s Power 34:44 - Government Overreach and Church Response 38:42 - The Church as a Rescue Center 43:21 - Healing, Blessing, and the Holy Spirit 52:55 - Understanding Prosperity in Faith 55:38 - The Purpose of Prosperity 57:30 - Money as a Tool for Impact 1:00:38 - The Hypocrisy of Anti-Prosperity Preachers 1:03:28 - Understanding Prosperity in the New Testament 01:06:13 - The Role of the Church in Financial Blessings 01:10:08 - The Power of the Holy Spirit and Prosperity 01:12:07 - Unity in Diversity of Beliefs keywords: church, revival, Sean Feucht, COVID-19, prosperity, faith, community, podcast, music, civil disobedience, jesus, religious freedom Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

“...the Bible is from God, and God exists outside of time. When we enter into the Bible, we are entering into the life of God, and this enables us to make the past and future of the Bible our present, to read ourselves into its stories and see our life through its pages…” - Michael Niebauer, Four Mountains This is one of my favourite kinds of conversations; a chat about the Bible with a wise & gifted person who has spent intentional time viewing it from an angle I’m unfamiliar with. Michael was generous with his time & perspective, and we’re the better for it. We discuss his book, Four Mountains: Encountering God In The Bible From Eden To Zion, which provides a framework for understanding the whole of scripture in a way that shows us Christ on the opening pages of the book. This conversation is just the briefest snapshot of the book, so if you find you’ve enjoyed the chat, I’d highly encourage you to check it out. Chapters:03:03 - Journey to the Anglican Faith05:27 - Church Planting and Ministry Focus08:36 - Theological Education and Writing Journey11:35 - Understanding Mountains in the Bible14:30 - Figural Readings and Early Christian Interpretation17:35 - Mountains as Spiritual Encounters20:38 - The Significance of Eden as a Mountain23:28 - Exploring Mount Sinai and Its Importance26:37 - Cultural Context of Mountains in Religion29:17 - Understanding Zion: A Complex Concept34:51 - The Tabernacle: Climbing the Mountain of Worship39:23 - Hierarchy in Worship: Individual vs. Corporate Experience48:17 - Mount Tabor: The Transfiguration of Jesus56:01 - Interpreting Scripture: Balancing Tradition and ExplorationKeywords: Jolly Thoughts Podcast, Michael Niebauer, Four Mountains, Biblical Theology, Church Planting, Anglican Ministry, Encountering God, Systematic Theology, Spiritual Growth, Worship Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe