Series Title: A Two-Hundred Year Old Mirror: How the Faith Expansion Journey has Always Made Christian Leadership Sweat! [Episode II of II]
In this thought-provoking episode, Valerie and guest Casey McFarland dive into part two of their series comparing the dynamics between orthodox leadership and progressive membership in both the early Christian church and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
They explore the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels and how their divergent beliefs sparked friction with orthodox leaders of the time. The conversation addresses the parallels between historical and contemporary challenges, such as the struggles around authority, the role of women, and the push and pull between rigidity and progressive thought.
The fascinating conclusion: What we are experiencing is utterly predictable, has happened before, and is more about the frictions around community, cohesion, and the inevitability that some souls much grow...even in a correlated space!
Did you hear their announcement about the Latter Day Struggles 2026 trip to Italy? Listen in and catch up if you didn't!
Previous episodes referenced:
159: LDS University Students Pressured to Not Ask Hard Questions
160: Why Scientific & Academic Inquiry IS Spiritual Seeking!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:20 Comparing Modern and Early Christian Dynamics
01:12 Recap of Last Episode
01:21 The Gnostic Gospels and Early Christian Writings
03:45 Role of Women and Educated in Early Christianity
06:40 Evolution of God and Spiritual Development
07:38 Historical Parallels in Religious Thought
10:38 Authority and Questioning in Faith
18:11 Modern Reflections on Historical Religious Tensions
24:54 Inclusivity and Development in Faith Traditions
26:42 Contradictions in Logic and Authority
28:16 The Role of Satan in Early Christian Debates
31:30 Personal Experiences and Institutional Authority
34:05 The Struggle for Inner Authority and Faith Development
38:27 The Tension Between Tradition and Progress
50:15 Invitation to Italy: Exploring Early Christian History
53:38 Closing Remarks and Future Plans
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