Yes! It’s the fifth anniversary of Japan’s 12th most-listened to Christian podcast. A big 'thank you' to everyone who supports us. This week we talk about loads of stuff, including reframing our viewpoint, accepting problems and difficulties, the unhelpful idea that the salvation button is on, and how physical actions can help us. Also, Nick has been ill, but in a good way. Support the podcastContact the podcast through your email machineOliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks

Mid-faith Crisis

Episode 173: Everything’s important, but none of it is very important

We talk about whether the stages of faith echo the stages of life. Is it possible to have your faith stage and your life stage out of sync? Does age bring wisdom and freedom? Also, some more on Genesis – do we place too much importance on this book? How do we read it responsibly? Finally we talk about how we use what power we have for good. Not to mention why the podcast is like a banana and how a poached egg is a sign of love. Support the podcastContact the podcast through your email machine Why do bananas ripen other fruit?A photo of BillMike McHargue, Finding God in the WavesMary Phil Korsak, At the Start, Genesis Made NewMary Phil Korsak, Eve Malignant Or MalignedEpisode 54: featuring interview with Bethany SollerederBBC Gardeners World

Episode 172: Using my power for good

It’s our Genesis episode. Or the beginning of our Genesis episodes, perhaps. We talk about why Genesis has such influence and power, reading it as a story, the freedom of creation and how we might read it afresh today. Also, do we become like the gods we worship? Nick can’t find the verse but is pretty sure it’s in the Bible. (It is. See below.) And Joe has been having trouble with his pollinators. Support the podcastContact the podcast through your email machineBlack widowWoman at WarAbba are backA bit of Nick preachingPsalm 115:3-8: Those who make idols will be like them…Paul Kingsnorth, The Cross and the MachineChiastic structure

Episode 171: In the beginning…

All the 'P's this week as we talk about pensions, prayer, paradox, people, priests, providence, patience and perspective. We talk about how 'mystery' helps us rediscover practices we have previously rejected. And we discuss the stories we tell ourselves and the concept of learned helplessness. Also Nick has been to more old churches (some with very peculiar carvings) and we discover that we are all, basically, just confused at a higher level. Support the podcastContact the podcast through your email machineSheela-na-gig, Kilpeck ChurchTerrance Tiessen, Providence and PrayerDerren Brown, Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine

Episode 170: ‘Literally a P frenzy’

If we don't believe in an interventionist God then why are we still driven to pray about world events? Why, despite the questions and the difficulties of prayer, do we still find ourselves on our knees in the face of what's happening in the world? Plus there is feedback on seeing good and evil within human beings, and whether the best prayer is 'thy will be done'. Also, Joe thinks that Nick might just have ruined his life. Christian aid prayer for Afghanistan

Episode 169: A deep desire to pray

Joe and Nick have been visiting lots of old churches, making one of us very happy. We discuss our different ideas of sacred spaces. Then tacklesome moving and challenging feedback – thank you for trusting us with your stories! Oh and there’s a truly angelic musical moment at the end. Medieval graffiti in churchesSt Botolphs ChurchCoombes ChurchChrist in the trenches 

Episode 168: It could do with some carpet

An episode in which Nick explains his aversion to the idea of Celtic spirituality. Following on from last week’s interview, we talk about whether new theologies have to appeal to ancient roots. Also we discuss ‘deep knowing’ and how we put it into action, and there is helpful feedback from listeners on coping with the endless deluge of bad news.  Support the PodcastChicken Tikka Masala Ian Bradley, Following the Celtic Way Positive news on the environment Harry Chapin – When in doubt, do something Economist Delayed Gratification Tim Harford, How to Make the World Add Up 

Episode 167: The Chicken Tikka Masala of Spirituality

We are joined by John Philip Newell, who talks about his new book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul. In a wide-ranging interview, John Philip talks about the sacredness of the earth and of every human being, the concept of original sin, and giving expression to what the soul already knows.  John Philip Newel- Earth and Soul 

Episode 166: An Interview with John Philip Newell

And we’re back. Interesting questions in the feedback this week. Is there is a one-size-fits-all salvation? Are we good citizens of the Kingdom of God or are we yobs? Is church just a good behaviour club for the anxious middle classes? And how can we live in a genuinely authentic way? Also, Nick has had a transcendent experience on Lindisfarne, Joe is anxious about the background noise and both of us hate bindweed. Episode 123 What is the Good News (Part One) Episode 124. What is the Good News (Part Two) Episode 125 What is the good news? (Part Three) Episode Episode 13: Values, not vision Mid-faith Explorers Group in Manchester 

Episode 165: Being authentically authentic

Among this week’s topics, we discuss renaming the Old Testament, speaking in tongues, and whether Joe is a druid. Also there is more feedback from the interview with Dave Tomlinson including ideas about original goodness as well as original sin, and the relationship of faith to salvation. Easy stuff, then. Support the PodcastTime, Jimmy McGovernEpisode 50: The Scandal of The CrossEpisode 51: The Mystery of the CrossEpisode 162: Dave Tomlinson 

Episode 164: I am a beloved wormy worm

Joe is back from holiday and has encountered a very angry version of the Lord’s Prayer. As well as the usual fascinating feedback, we talk about the interview with Dave Tomlinson, about the relationship between mid-faith crisis and rational enquiry, the gravitational pull towards uniformity and about what salvation might mean in practice. Normal levels of uselessness were achieved.We’ll be back in two weeks. Support the PodcastMark Cavendish wins stage 4 of the Tour de FranceMary Chrnalogar, Twisted ScripturesStina Kielsmeier-Cook, Blessed are the Nones

Episode 163: Practical salvation

This week we have an interview with Dave Tomlinson. Dave talks about Christian humanism, our ‘common origin in goodness’, the importance of holding your nerve, the absolute importance of rational enquiry and the empathy of apes. So, lots of stuff, then. We’ll be back in two weeks. Support the PodcastYouTube: The Holy ShedPierre Teilhard de ChardinAlfred Delp: Committed to Christ 

Episode 162: Dave Tomlinson on Christian humanism

Nick’s been listening to God and God, appropriately enough, has been telling him to listen. So this week, helped by some great feedback on the power of deep listening, we talk more about spiritual direction, about the conviction that God is active and present in every area of our lives and how we can help others hear from God. Also, Joe takes us through his quite boring pre-holiday ritual and we introduce a new part of the show consisting of Nick’s more thought-through responses. Stevie Wonder: Isn’t She LovelyRenovaré Seminar – Learning to Listen: Exploring the What, Why, and How of Spiritual DirectionSupport the Podcast

Episode 161: Give them a Damn Good Listening 2

This week’s feedback leads us to think about whether church is like a running club, how to use our stories and memories as soul places, and how mid-faithers should read the Bible. We talk about reading big chunks quickly, and small chunks slowly. But can we inhabit the text? And what happens if instead of wrestling with the text, we decide to dance with it. Meanwhile, Joe has suffered from a gas shortage and Nick thinks it’s weird being 60. Five steps to mental well-beingMidfaith Crisis Episode 36 (has stuff about children) Some interesting alternative Bible translations Mary Phil Korsak, At the Start: Genesis Made NewMary Phil Korsak, Glad News from MarkRobert Alter, The Hebrew Bible (also available as separate volumes)David Bentley Hart, The New TestamentN.T.Wright, The New Testament for Everyone

Episode 160: Dancing with the Bible

Joe has been traumatised by the dentist. Nick has had spiritual speech therapy. But apart from that we continue our discussion of soul places. What is it that makes something a soul place rather than just a ‘place’? Are there spiritual practices we need to renew? How do we rediscover the ancient paths that lead to rest for our souls? And has anyone got a 10,000 year plan? Jenni Talks Podcast: Faith and Doubt with Joe DavisSupport the Podcast 

Episode 159: ‘Give them a damn good listening to’

A podcast for every Christian who has ever asked ‘Is that it?’ Mid-faith Crisis explores the Christian faith with honesty and humour. If you feel that you have more questions than answers, if you feel as though your faith is changing, if you feel that if the worship leader sings that chorus one more time you will strangle him with his own guitar strap, then this is the podcast for you. Warning. Contains traces of theology and occasional innuendo.

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Mid-faith Crisis

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