Overcoming Moral Chaos with the Beatitudes: Rediscovering True Blessing in a Self-Obsessed Culture - w/ Jonathan Dodson)

May 18, 2020

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How the Beatitudes in Matthew reveal a radical, countercultural path to human flourishing—offering a lasting peace and joy our culture can’t replicate. Mike, Tim, and Bonnie welcome pastor and author Jonathan Dodson for an in-depth conversation around his book “Our Good Crisis: Overcoming Moral Chaos with the Beatitudes.” Together, they unpack the meaning behind Jesus’s powerful moral vision, juxtapose it with America’s obsession with self-fulfillment, and explore how spiritual poverty, grief, meekness, and peacemaking lead to deeper blessing and healing.

Key Takeaways: • Redefining Blessing Through the Beatitudes – Jesus calls “blessed” those who mourn, are poor in spirit, and persecuted—not the empowered, comfortable, or self-sufficient. • The Age of the Big Me vs. Spiritual Humility – Exploring how modern culture promotes pride through activism, therapy, and personal branding, while Jesus invites us into humble dependence on God. • Peacemaking vs. Performative Outrage – How followers of Jesus are called to enter cultural conversations with empathy, humility, and a longing for full reconciliation—not just online posturing. • Embracing Mourning and Lament – Finding comfort not by escaping grief, but by embracing it as part of the Christian journey. Learning how lament brings healing and integrates loss into our lives. • The Power of Meekness in a Hostile Age – Why true strength looks like restraint, listening, and self-sacrifice—and how this radically subverts traditional narratives about leadership and influence.

Guest Highlights: Jonathan Dodson – Founding pastor of City Life Church in Austin, TX, and author of Our Good Crisis. Jonathan shares inspiring stories, biblical wisdom, and a timely challenge to embrace the beauty of the Beatitudes in the midst of cultural confusion and moral upheaval.

Resources Mentioned: • Our Good Crisis by Jonathan Dodson – Amazon • Jonathan Dodson’s writings and blog – jonathandodson.org • City Life Church, Austin – citylifeaustin.org • The Road to Character by David Brooks • Be the Bridge (Latasha Morrison) – bethebridge.com • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk • Podcast on Lament – [Link to previous Voxology episode on lament]

Join the conversation and rediscover how the Beatitudes can help you reclaim hope, humility, and purpose in the chaos. Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a review, and follow along on social media to stay present in this journey.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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