Finding God in Everyone and Everywhere w/ Philip Clayton and Andrew Davis
Aug 30, 2018
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Philip Clayton, an author at the intersection of religion and science, joins Andrew Davis, a doctoral student focusing on spirituality, for a thought-provoking discussion. They explore how evolving beliefs can reshape relationships with religious traditions and highlight diverse spiritual experiences from their anthology. The conversation covers topics like the connection between mysticism and panentheism, personal narratives transitioning from fundamentalism, and a modern, inclusive understanding of the divine that embraces ambiguity and interfaith dialogue.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of non-conformity in Christian practices, encouraging followers to adopt a 'weird' identity in line with scriptural teachings.
It highlights a collection of personal narratives in the anthology 'How I Found God in Everyone and Everywhere', exploring diverse spiritual transformations across various religious traditions.
The discussion addresses the evolving nature of faith and spirituality, urging individuals to embrace ambiguity and re-engage with their beliefs through new experiences.
Deep dives
The Call to Keep Christianity Weird
The episode argues that many Christians and churches fall into a pattern of complacency, conforming to societal norms rather than embracing the unique, eccentric vision presented in Scripture. It emphasizes that followers of Jesus are called to be different, to be seen as 'weird' in their faith and practices, as a crucial part of their identity. The discussion asserts that conformity is detrimental and that one should seek out those who actively foster and promote a non-conventional faith environment. Ultimately, it encourages listeners to resist conventionality and to embrace a more adventurous and distinct take on their Christian beliefs.
Insights from 'How I Found God in Everyone and Everywhere'
The conversation shifts to an anthology titled 'How I Found God in Everyone and Everywhere,' which features spiritual memoirs from individuals across diverse religious traditions. This anthology aims to explore personal experiences of spiritual transformation, highlighting how various authors encountered God in unconventional ways. The episode brings forth contributions from notable figures, including Matthew Fox and Richard Rohr, delving into the unique perspectives each author provides on their relationship with the divine. It serves as an invitation to reflect on one’s own spiritual journey and to discover the shared themes of transformation and connection among people from different faith backgrounds.
Exploring the Relationship Between Mysticism and Tradition
A keen focus is placed on the evolving nature of religious traditions and how they adapt or dissolve over time, particularly through mystical experiences. The discussion posits that as individuals from different traditions confront questions of faith, there emerges a redefinition of their understanding of God and spirituality. Exploring themes such as panentheism and the impact of science on faith, the episode suggests that personal narratives tell a story of continuous evolution away from strict dogma. Experiences of the sacred become central to reimagining traditional faith, allowing for richer, more inclusive expressions of spirituality.
The Importance of Community in Spiritual Growth
The need for communal engagement and the sharing of personal spiritual narratives is highlighted throughout the episode. It discusses how individual experiences enrich a collective understanding of spirituality, allowing for deeper connections among community members. The shift from a purely doctrinal approach to one that values personal stories aims to create a more welcoming environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated. The episode contends that building a community that listens and values personal testimonies of faith is essential for spiritual growth and mutual understanding.
Rediscovering God Amidst Loss
The episode emphasizes the theme of rediscovery in the context of faith and spirituality, particularly during times of personal or collective crises. Discussion revolves around how many individuals experience a breakdown of their previous beliefs, leading to a journey of seeking out a clearer understanding of the divine. This process of rediscovery often involves re-engaging with faith through new lenses, as people learn to appreciate how God can be present in diverse experiences and backgrounds. The call for embracing ambiguity and realizing that the spiritual journey is not linear emerges as a critical step in personal transformation.
The Role of Jesus in Modern Spirituality
The episode explores the figure of Jesus as a central character in navigating contemporary spirituality, with discussions around his teachings on love, acceptance, and belonging. It challenges listeners to reconsider the traditional views of Jesus solely as a divine being and instead view him as a representation of the divine presence in every individual. The concept of finding God in others is highlighted, suggesting that embracing this perspective fosters deeper connections with diverse beliefs and traditions. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the potential for Jesus' teachings to inspire a more inclusive understanding of spirituality that transcends boundaries.
The number of people with doubts, questions, and experiences that send them out from the religious tradition of their birth is growing. For many religion is left behind completely, opting for an untraditioned spirituality, and others find the idea of God, Ultimate Reality, or any other substitute for the transcendent as intellectually incompatible with our scientific age. In Philip Clayton and Andrew Davis' new book you get to hear a collection of personal narratives from some of the most brilliant contemporary thinkers about their return to God. In How I Found God in Everyone and Everywhere you will see a variety of starting points, twists, turns, and conundrums, but a broad network of conclusions that testify to an emerging picture of a deeper spiritual realit
In this conversation I get to talk to my dear friend and mentor, Philip Clayton, and one of his lucky current students and scholar, Andrew Davis. We tackle a host of topics from mysticism, panentheism, the viability of theism, the relationship between historic religious traditions and philosophical affirmation of the divine, and some other exciting goodies. The book itself includes chapters from Deepak Chopra, Richard Rohr, Matthew Fox, Rubert Sheldrake, Cynthia Bourgault, Ilia Delio, John Cobb, Loriliai Biernacki, Marjorie Suchocki, and Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson.
This episode is sponsored by the brand new book Keep Christianity Weird by Michael Frost. Check it out and get ready for Michael's visit to the podcast.