Between Glory and Ashes 5: Distributed Fire - Episode 161

In this episode, Carey connects the “fire series” to a bigger question: what does it mean for God’s holy presence to be “distributed” through the Church—and even into the world—often in spite of us?

From Genesis to Pentecost to Paul’s “corporate temple” language, we explore how God’s glory spreads through a holy people, and why the refiner’s fire is not just about individual sin—but about community formation, church worldliness, and shared discipleship.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Glory filling the earth as a creation purpose (Genesis 1; Habakkuk 2:14)
• Pentecost as Sinai-going-public: Spirit fire, covenant presence, and commissioning
• Why the Church isn’t a bunch of private temples: one Spirit, one holy dwelling
• Refiner’s fire as compatibility with holiness: exposure + purging, not mere “punishment”
• Malachi 3 and the “prosperity gospel” misunderstanding: corporate justice and care for the poor
• “Milk vs. solid food” as a formation diagnosis, not only an education level
• Why the “marketplace of ideas” is never neutral: it forms desires, attention, identity, and instincts
• Practical implications: treat community life as sacred space, pursue unity, justice, integrity—without moral superiority

Scriptures referenced

Genesis 1:26–28; Habakkuk 2:14; Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 3; Ephesians 2:19–22; 1 Peter 2:9–10; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Malachi 3; Hebrews 5:11–14 (and additional allusions to Acts 17; Jeremiah 29; “salt and light”).

On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  

Website: genesismarksthespot.com   

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot   

Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan

Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/  

Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan