#241: Redefining God with Dr. Jennifer Bird, Heather Hamilton, and Angie Von Slaughter

Carl Jung's "Answer to Job" reinterprets the biblical Book of Job through the lens of analytical psychology. Jung challenges the traditional Christian interpretation, suggesting that God's suffering is not a mysterious plan but a consequence of God's own unconsciousness. The book explores the concept of God's 'shadow self' and the importance of confronting inner darkness for spiritual growth. Jung's analysis delves into the dynamics between the conscious and unconscious, highlighting the need for self-reflection and integration. Ultimately, "Answer to Job" offers a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and the human condition.

Published in 1993, 'Parable of the Sower' is a dark and vivid portrayal of a future where global climate change and economic crises have led to social chaos. The story is told through the diary entries of Lauren Olamina, a 15-year-old Black girl living in a gated community near Los Angeles. Lauren suffers from hyperempathy, a condition that makes her feel the pain and pleasure of others. As her community is destroyed by external threats, Lauren embarks on a perilous journey north, developing a new faith called Earthseed along the way. Earthseed's central doctrine is that 'God is Change' and cannot be resisted, but can be influenced. The novel explores themes of survival, faith, family, hope, and community in a world torn apart by environmental devastation, economic collapse, and violence.