Season 5, Episode 12 - Passover, Protests, and Post-Evangelicals Here after Passover, what was it like for a Jewish community to celebrate in the shadows of the Israel/Hamas war? Why are American college campuses using camping, protests, and occasionally violence to resist violence? After Brett's visit last episode, how would we assist those who are stuck in arrogant faith traditions? References from today's show: The Curve of Confidence versus Wisdom, Dunning Kruger Effect Rob Bell, Story, Podcast, "Something to Say" Seminar Can We Talk About Israel by by Daniel Sokatch and Christopher Noxon Tripp Fuller and Homebrewed Christianity __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 11 - Special Guest: Brett Terpstra Certain faith communities hurt their people in the name of God with their inconsistent theology and hypocritical beliefs. One way to get healthy is to deconvert and deconstruct your true self beyond the harms of your former religion and/or faith. Brett has gone through much of that journey, and is still going through it with many freinds suffering and struggling the same. How does your religion need to deconstruct to give people more room to hope and love? References from today's show: Brett's former podcast "Systematic" and current podcast "Overtired" Dan McClellan and his video on the scattered "third" creation story John Arthur's song "In the Sun" The section of Joel's sermon on the pushback from religious people and the amazing announcement from our Elder __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 10 - What do Jews believe? What do Jews believe? Do they expect a messiah? What qualities will that person have? What is the purpose of a messiah? Will the messiah come from government, military, a school or synagogue, poverty, inside or beyond Israel? Is there a reward for following the law? Is there a faith statement all Jews agree they believe? What about “life after death” (whatever that means)... is that a part of the obedience and/or messiah? Do Jews study Rabbi Jesus/the New Testament the way we study and read the Hebrew Bible (“Old” Testament)? References from today's show:   __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 09 - Tikkun Olam, Repair the World Tikkun Olam means something like "repair the world." Can a person be Jewish or Christian without working to repair the world? Is that the same as social justice? How do we move people's hearts and actions in line with God's justice? Do we actually make a difference? References from today's show:   __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 08 - Zion and Zionism, Again Does every Jew have to be a Zionist? Is Zionism a belief, a hope, a goal? How do Jewish and Christian definitions and use of Zion/Zionism differ? Is there a scriptural Zion, and if so, how does it differ from modern meanings? Do we aim too low when we settle for simpler Zions, instead of faithfully sacrificing and risking for God's Zion? References from today's show: The three pillars of Jewish Religious Zionism History of the term Zionism Israeli leader statements South Africa used in their case accusing Israel of genocide  "Can We Talk About Israel" by Daniel Sokatch and Christopher Noxon  Prophetic Verses on Justice, Compassion, and Righteousness Rev. Joel's Pub Theology book, "The World is About to Turn" by by Rick Rouse, Paul Ingram "The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 07 - Reclaiming Evangelical  The term "evangelical" is being used by media and many pundits and polling agencies. The greek term means "good news" but most of what evangelicals believe, say, and do doesn't sound very good. Could we reclaim the term in a way that sounds more like God? __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 06 - Angels and Demons (NOT the Book/Movie)  Who are the angels and demons in scripture? What role do they play in Judaism and in Christianity? Do we have to believe in these middle beings in order to believe in God? Did God create them, or did we imagine them to fill the gap between us and God? Do they even exist? Can we have a spiritual awareness without having to imagine or assign spirit-only beings like angels and demons between us? Other resources from this episode are linked below: Sefaria - Hebrew source and translations, with midrash __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 05 - Discord and Disagreement because of Religion  Would the world be better off without religion? Religion is often the source of anger, hatred, violence rather than wholeness, love, and peace. Is religion the reason we fight, or just a tool we use to fight? Does faithful commitment require us to build walls and exclude in order to be included ourselves? What changes does religion need? Or does religion need to die and be reborn?  Other resources from this episode are linked below: Paul Tillich - Dynamics of Faith   __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 04 - The Ten Commandments  Why does these ten commandments end up carved in stone and put in courthouses? What was their intention? Do we even know what they are today? Do we know what they mean, what they really mean? What would America, or the world, look like if we really expected them of ourselves? Is there a difference between obeying them ethically, religiously, or legally? Any other resources mentioned or supporting this episode are often linked below: The odd story of Fed VS. States rights Joel tried to remember __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 03 - Sacrifice  What is so important, or urgent, that we need to sacrifice something else? Is sacrifice a requirement of God? Does it change God or us or both? Is sacrifice still needed in religion?  Resources mentioned or supporting this episode: Eisenhower Decision Matrix Presbyterian Church of Chestertown "Annual Report" Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg Website: Safaria Reformation and Confronting Indulgences Reformation and Two (or Three) Uses of the Law/Torah __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 02 - Excommunication  Rabbi Eric and Rev. Joel answer a listener question... What is excommunication like in Judaism and Christianity? Who gets to decide who is in or out? Who has that power? The question is complicated, but we try to layout being in or out of: a) the religion as a whole b) a particular religious community c) the leadership of a particular religious community.   Resources mentioned or supporting this episode: Presbyterian Church USA Book II of the Constitution - The Book of Order __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Worship God, Follow Jesus, Led by Spirit, Partner with People. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 5, Episode 01 - We're Back, Israel/Palestine Rabbi Eric and Rev. Joel come back in 2024 to reflect on the HAMAS attack of Israeli citizens in Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, and the response of Israel against HAMAS and Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip. What is the history of this conflict? How do we talk about peace and justice in the face of multiple atrocities? How can we spend enough time teaching history and clarifying terms to help everyone come to some mutual understanding that leads to peace? Resources mentioned or supporting this episode: "You are Changing the World: Whether You Like it or Not" by David LaMotte "Can We Talk About Israel?: A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted" by Daniel Sokatch "Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001" by Benny Morris __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter/X @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter/X - Sorry yall, I am no longer supporting or available on the platform formerly known as Twitter Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 12 - The final episode of Season 4: What have we learned over these 4 seasons? Why did we start this podcast and what do we hope from its future? We remember the Jan 6 and the Tree of Life catastrophes, and wonder how big moments like these connect religion and faith to our lives. __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 11 - Listener Question! from a Jewish listener: "A friend is going through a really rough time with cancer, and I'm really amazed, impressed at the peace that my friend has because of her faith, and her belief in God's plans and God's will. I don't know any Jews like that. Why, what is it about Christianity that gives some people this incredible faith and comfort and peace that is enviable?" __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 10 - This week, the loaded words are Fear, Awe, Reverence of God. If God is good, then why does scripture imagine fear as our response?  What does the presence of God do to us? Which of these reactions are justified and wise, or immature and inappropriate? If we really know the real God, is it still fear, or does it become something else? __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 9 - This week, the loaded words are Holy and Profane, Sacred and Sacrilegious. Is it beautifully holy or inappropriately sacrilegious for a Christian to put a Jewish Mezuzah on their door? Does our religious identity define which beliefs and practices are holy or profane, sacrilegious or sacred? Or, do our practices guide us toward holy? Using examples from our own congregations, we find moments that were considered sacrilegious, but were they? If something offends the heart of a religious person, does that make it offensive, or can holy and sacred be quite offensive to the religious?  __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 8 - This week, the loaded phrases are Imago Dei (image of God), "original sin", the Garden of Eden, and paradise. What does it mean that humanity is created by God in the "image" of God? If we are created in God's image, how does sin/evil enter into the world? The doctrine of "original sin" suggests the first humans made a sinful choice that had immediate consequences (losing the garden, suffering, working) and long term consequences (sin being passed down to all descendants). What are the Jewish and Christian options for thinking about sin in the garden? What is paradise? Can we get back to it, or only go forward? __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 7 - This week, the loaded phrase is "Spiritual, NOT Religious." Why are generations laying down the religious communities, beliefs, practices, and disciples of their ancestors? What do people need from religion? Did we stop providing it, or did the needs change? What kind of religion proves itself to be consistent with the God of Scriptures AND relevant in modern life? __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 6 - This week, the loaded terms are money, mammon, tithe, and offering. What is the property gospel? Why do some Christians follow it, instead of Jesus? Does Judaism have an equivalent? Should clergy know what people give? Can't service and time replace our need to give money? What did jubilee, the 7th year shabbat practice of forgiveness of debts, mean to the poor and the wealthy? Whew, maybe that's why this episode is almost an hour! __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Season 4, Episode 5 - This week, the loaded terms are prayer, worship, ritual, tradition, and sacrament. What do these words mean across our different faith communities? Do we define them, use them, and practice them similarly or differently? A Wikipedia Table of Denominations and Scarments recognized available here __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: REALigionPodcast@gmail.com __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org) __________ How to follow Rev. Joel Twitter @treblotj Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert Presbyterian Church of Chestertown – Planted Deep. Growing Strong. Reaching Wide. (presbyterianchestertown.org) __________ Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)