In this episode, we explore how we implicitly interact with our theology and how using different metaphors can give us a renewed access point with God. Sometimes we have to use our hard and painful moments to sense God’s nearness. This is a valid and important experience to note and be curious about in your life! That’s because God is so very near to our suffering, as we talked about in Episode 01. However, there is a case to be made for why and how we can also access God’s nearness in the best moments. Elisa shares a personal story about one of those moments today.
Throughout our discussion, we specifically look passages of scripture that depict God as a mother. We also talk about what it means to see God as a father in an ancient context. Lastly we talk about the two accounts of human creation (in Genesis 1 and 2) and what it means to prioritize the first.
——
Bible References
Luke 13:34 (NIV): Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
Isaiah 42: 14-16 (NIV): For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back.But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hillsand dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 49:15 (NIV): Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
Isaiah 66:13 (NIV): As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.
——
Related Resources
Megan K. DeFranza - Sex Difference in Christian Theology: Male, Female and Intersex in the image of God
Henri J.M. Nouwen - In the Name of Jesus: Reflections of Christian Leadership
——
This podcast is a production of Worship Lab, and recorded in Brooklyn New York. Our executive producer is Armistead Booker. Our technical director and engineer is Gareth Manwaring. And our sound designer is Oleksandr Stepanov. Music by penguinmusic - *Better Day* from Pixabay.
Share your ideas with us! You can email questions@theexileproject.com. Thanks for listening!
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.