We are thinking big thoughts with author and philosopher Pierce Marks, as we talk about the modern crisis of meaning, how the concept of a moral paradigm can re-establish a sense of meaning, and how a few of the deep, elemental visions of Christianity, including love of being and the intrinsic value of creation, led Marks to see life in a new and meaningful way.
Marks is the author of the recently released “A New Way Of Seeing: Meaning in Life and the Christian Vision of Nature,” published by Quoir and available wherever books are sold.

Pierce Alexander Marks is an Eastern Orthodox philosopher and photographer out of Washington. He holds an MA in Philosophy. His main research interests are in Existential-Metaethics, Philosophy of religion, and confirmation theory.

We are honored to have a visit from Rita L. Houlihan, who is a passionate advocate for telling the true story about the life and ministry of the “mysterious” Mary Magdalene–and why it matters for the modern church’s understanding of the Gospels. She is also on the Board of Directors of FutureChurch, an organization dedicated to seeking “changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life, ministry, and governance,” including, among other reforms, “s return to the Church’s earliest tradition, modeled on the inclusive practice of Jesus, of recognizing both female and male leaders of faith communities” Rita is committed to restoring our historical memory of early Christian women leaders with a special focus on Mary Magdalene and the women omitted from our Sunday Lectionary readings. She is also a patron of the arts, carrying through her mission by commissioning new artworks which “counter centuries of negative images of Mary Magdalene.” A fascinating look at a much-misunderstood but very important figure in Christian history.

PART 4 of 4: Many Christians wonder how it is possible to be LGBTQ+ affirming in light of what most people assume to be a clear anti-Gay message in the bible. This episode summarizes all the verses we’ve studied so far, and weighs them against the larger backdrop of the Biblical principles of Love, Grace, and how we are called to treat others. In this special 4-part series, Kelly examines how affirming Bible scholars view the 6 verses in the Bible that deal with same-sex relationships in the context of their time and place, and ask whether these really are sweeping prohibitions of all same-sex relationships, or are about specific issues in a certain time–including violence, idolatry, and religious difference–that may not apply to modern LGBTQ+ people and relationships. (TW: Sexual Assault, Rape, Incest, Slavery, Infanticide)

PART 3 of 4: Many Christians wonder how it is possible to be LGBTQ+ affirming in light of what most people assume to be a clear anti-Gay message in the bible. This episode wrestles with ROMANS 1, and the VICE LISTS in 1 Corinthians and 1 TIMOTHY. In this special 4-part series, Kelly examines how affirming Bible scholars view the 6 verses in the Bible that deal with same-sex relationships in the context of their time and place, and ask whether these really are sweeping prohibitions of all same-sex relationships, or are about specific issues in a certain time–including violence, idolatry, and religious difference–that may not apply to modern LGBTQ+ people and relationships. (TW: Sexual Assault, Rape, Incest, Slavery, Infanticide)

PART 2 of 4: Many Christians wonder how it is possible to be LGBTQ+ affirming in light of what most people assume to be a clear anti-Gay message in the bible. This episode continues this exploration by taking on the story of Sodom, and investigating what are the “abominations” in the laws of Leviticus. In this special 4-part series, Kelly examines how affirming Bible scholars view the 6 verses in the Bible that deal with same-sex relationships in the context of their time and place, and ask whether these really are sweeping prohibitions of all same-sex relationships, or are about specific issues in a certain time–including violence, idolatry, and religious difference–that may not apply to modern LGBTQ+ people and relationships. (TW: Sexual Assault, Rape, Incest, Slavery, Infanticide)

PART 1 of 4: Many Christians wonder how it is possible to be LGBTQ+ affirming in light of what most people assume to be a clear anti-Gay message in the bible. In this special 4-part series, Kelly examines how affirming Bible scholars view the 6 verses in the Bible that deal with same-sex relationships in the context of their time and place, and ask whether these really are sweeping prohibitions of all same-sex relationships, or are about specific issues in a certain time–including violence, idolatry, and religious difference–that may not apply to modern LGBTQ+ people and relationships. (TW: Sexual Assault, Rape, Incest, Slavery, Infanticide)

We talk with the editors of the volume “ Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God: Sermons, Essays, and Worship Elements from the Perspective of Open, Relational, and Process Theology” about what process (or open and relational) theology is, how it answers many questions that modern believers struggle with, and how this rich collection of writings can help introduce people and churches to an innovative way of thinking about God and their own role in God’s work. Featuring Jeffry Wells, Vikki Randall, and Thomas Jay Oord.

: Mark talks with Brother Timothy Jolley, a life professed monk of the Order of the Holy Cross, an Anglican Benedictine monastic community of men, associated with The Episcopal Church, located in West Park, New York. Br. Timothy joined the monastery over 50 years ago with a calling to serve a vocation dedicated to children’s education, spiritual evolution, and spiritual direction. Our conversation covers how Br. Timohty was called to become an Anglican monastic, his work with the formation of the Holy Cross School in Grahamstown, South Africa, what can happen when we show radical welcoming to a guest, and how he lives out the founder’s mission statement: “Love must act as light must shine forth and fire must burn.” Find out more about Holy Cross, their beautiful campus on the banks of the Hudson River offering many types of retreats, and the monastic life at www.holycrossmonastery.com. Please support the Love Must Act and the Holy Cross School by visiting www.lovemustact.org.

This week Kelly talks with Lori Adams-Brown, who has an amazing story of resilience and healing after religious abuse from her work in a prominent megachurch. As this podcast is launching, the Southern Baptist Convention is having their annual meeting to talk about, among other things, the role of women in the church (and honestly, the role of women in life!) Lori is unique in that she has had a role of “Pastor” in a church that said it was pro-women, but found it was a front for exclusion, aggression, and abuse. In addition to her healing journey, Lori also talks about the work she does now, as a consultant and coach, bringing her spiritual lessons with her as she works for inclusion in that other sacred space–the workplace–and creating safe avenues for whistleblowers to make their voices heard.

Lori Adams-Brown is a business and nonprofit executive and inclusivity specialist with 30 years experience of living and working abroad in Central & South America, Asia and the San Francisco Bay Area. Lori is is a combination of international speaker, business executive, podcaster and relief and development expert. She hosts the popular podcast “A World of Difference,” celebrating humanity’s unique differences and encouraging us all to make a difference around the world.