CU Wesley Podcast

“Space exploration leads directly to religious and philosophical questions” – Carl SaganListen to some of the theology involved in UFOs and and extraterrestrials from a Christian perspective. This is a good place to start if you are trying to figure out the implications for alien life and how it effects your life of faith.If you would like to learn more about this topic, there are additional resources listed below. If you would like to join in on our discussions, email us at director@cuwesley.org.Some additional resources:Compass Podcast on the United Methodist Churches understanding of UFOs: https://www.umc.org/en/content/ufos-extraterrestrials-and-faith-compass-85 A Christian theological description of the societal implications of astrobiology: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20161215-if-we-made-contact-with-aliens-how-would-religions-react Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis, first book of the Space TrilogySummary of Christian Theology in CS Lewis Space Trilogy books: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/june-web-only/cs-lewis-warned-us-about-close-encounters-of-evangelical-ki.html 

This is the really late follow up discussion for the theology of testimony discussion. Ashley Williams is a friend of the CU Wesley. She is getting her counseling license and loves to share about her faith. She found that sharing in therapy and sharing you testimony has a lot of similarities. We were blessed with her presence as our discussion leader for this fun topic. Take a seat at the table and listen in to the conversation.If you have any questions or concerns, email us at director@cuwesley.org.

Join us for season two of the CU Wesley Podcast as we discuss the topics of Testimony. This week, we are looking at how do we share our life of faith with others? This episode is the lesson portion of the topic and the next episode will cover the discussion questions. You'll get to hear from our in-person discussion in the next episode.Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 3:15-16Referenced Books and Resources:Faith-Sharing: Dynamic Christian Witnessing by Invitation by  H.Eddie Fox and George E. MorrisExplanation of United Methodist call to witness:https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/giving-witness Examples of witnessing:https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/to-be-a-witness-united-methodist-style ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Music Credits:Pray by Anno DominiPorches and Universes by Puddle of InfinityTea Time by OfshaneCutting It Close by DJ Freedom

Join us for season two of the CU Wesley Podcast as we discuss the topic of Christian Disagreement.  What do we do when we disagree with people within our own Christian faith?Scripture Reference: Romans 14Additional Resources:Definition: Full communion is when two denominations develop a relationship based on a common confessing of the Christian faith and a mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing of the Lord’s Supper. This does not mean the two denominations merge; rather, in reaching agreements, denominations also respect differences. These denominations worship together, may exchange clergy and also share a commitment to evangelism, witness and service in the world. Each entity agrees that even with differences, there is nothing that is church-dividing.  Denominational Transition Team Educational Resources https://www.okumc.org/dtt-educational-series?fbclid=IwAR3ckmPvmhfGfED67WW26ZUrRnrb4DfLPTIhOSdn04ZlxvwgDcDje2tR9CI List of Full Communion Partners with UMChttps://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/ecumenicaldetail/list-of-umc-partnerships-12822590 12 Principles of Disagreeing with other Christianshttps://www.crossway.org/articles/12-principles-for-disagreeing-with-other-christians/ Biblical Examples of Early Church Disagreementshttps://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1979/02/when-christians-disagree Acts 15 Christian Disagreementhttps://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/godly-people-disagree-lessons-acts-15/ Music Credits:Intro Music: Pray - Anno Domini BeatsSupport by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Scripture  music: Porches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Lesson music: Come On Out by Dan Lebowits––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Transitional music: Storms by Stayloose––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Outro music: Go On Going On by Stayloose

So in the last episode we heard the theology of pluralism, but this leaves us with quite a few questions. So today, we’ll turn the conversation over to the group for discussion. Take a seat at the table and here a snippet of our discussion.Discussion Questions:• What does it mean to live in a multi-faith world? • How can we respectfully have conversations about those things that matter most to us? • How do we live together well, with people who share very different core beliefs from one another? • Are all religions the same? Is it fair to say that when each seem to have some very unique beliefs? Are we doing a disservice trying to say they’re the same? Music Credit:-Pray by Anno Domini Beats-Come with Us by Net Keefe and Hot Buttered Rum-Believe (Instrumental) by Neffex

Join us for season two of the CU Wesley Podcast as we discuss the topics of Pluralism. This week, we are looking at what is means to be a Christian in a world where there are multiple religions?This episode is the lesson portion of the topic and the next episode will cover the discussion questions. You'll get to hear from our in-person discussion in the next episode.Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:19-20Referenced Books and Resources:The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Lesslie Newbigin • An explanation of ecumenical worship etiquette: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/ecumenical-etiquette-worshiping-with-and-toward-others • Tips on Interfaith relationships, especially in concerning areas of justice: https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/called-to-be-neighbors-and-witnesses-guidelines-for-interreligious-relationships-3291  • Pluralism Project (Diana Eck, Harvard): http://pluralism.org Music Credits:Intro Music: Pray - Anno Domini BeatsSupport by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Scripture  music: Porches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Lesson music: Thunderer by US Army Band––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Transitional music: Mi Dispiace by The Mini Vandals35,000 Feet by The Mini Vandals––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Outro music: The Battle Hymn of the Republic by US Army Band________________________________________________________________________Watch the video on Youtube at:https://youtu.be/Q8yPmktlWAA 

So in the last episode we heard the theology of tithing, but this leaves us with quite a few questions. So today, we’ll turn the conversation over to the group for discussion. Take a seat at the table and here a snippet of our discussion.Discussion QuestionsWhy do people tithe?How did you hear about money and faith when growing up? Do you still hold to that understanding of money and faith?We talked about tithing in the Old Testament, but Jesus made a new covenant with us in his death and resurrection. What do you think the New Testament adds to this understanding of money and faith?Does the way we give effect change in our communities? Why or why not?What are some ways that you give? Money, time, talent…? 

Join us for season two of the CU Wesley Podcast as we discuss the topics of Tithing. This week, we are looking at why people tithe? Where does this practice come from within scripture and church history? And how can we live into a healthy and faithful relationship with God and our money?This episode is the lesson portion of the topic and the next episode will cover the discussion questions. You'll get to hear from our in-person discussion in the next episode.Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 14: 12-26Referenced Books:An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture by Peter Block, Walter Brueggemann, and John McKnightMoney and Possessions by Walter BrueggemannIn Pursuit of The Almighty's Dollar: A History of Money and American Protestantism by James Hudnut-BeumlerMusic Credits:Intro Music: Pray - Anno Domini BeatsSupport by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Scripture  music: Porches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Lesson music: Intellect by Yung Logos––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Transitional music: Hot Coffee by Ghostrifter SoundCloud:https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-official/hot-coffee-relaxing-study-music YouTube: https://youtube.com/watch?v=6WqPKfW_S1s ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Outro music: Believe (Instrumental) by Neffex––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Watch the YouTube Video at:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWGkxqXhQy_VpHm-VL-SVcw 

We're back from winter break with updates about our new Pub Theology schedule and style. We'll be meeting in-person on the first Thursday of the month with topic themed discussions.Also in this episode, Michael Ely shares about this great summer job opportunity with Project Transformation Oklahoma. See the link below for more information on how to apply. https://projecttransformation.org/oklahoma/

If you would like to receive the worksheet for Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman, reach out to us at director@cuwesley.org Below is the registration link for Young Adult Winter Retreat.https://okcamps.campbrainregistration.com/?fbclid=IwAR3EGmODhj0JMyqJNydNeq9q4l_rlwP50ww7dv-auQPkJFX3eEWrhmhfVKE

Join us as we discuss the topics of grace with Phoebe Palmer. This week, we are looking into the transformation process of sanctifying grace. How much does a person change and how quickly? Be sure to have a journal to write or a person to discuss with for the discussion questions which are written below. Discussion Questions:1.How does church camp worship compare to worship at church every Sunday?2.Have you had a mountain top experience of worship? How did that feel? Is that how you experience every worship service?3.How do you balance the enthusiasm and the formalism? Outward expression of passion versus restraint and discipline?4.Can sanctification be instantaneous? Why or why not?Share what you discussed with us through email or reach out to us on our social media. Intro/Outro Music: Pray - Anno Domini BeatsSupport by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Transitional music: Hot Coffee by Ghostrifter SoundCloud:https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-official/hot-coffee-relaxing-study-music YouTube: https://youtube.com/watch?v=6WqPKfW_S1s ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Outro music: Wood by Dan HenigSupport him at: https://www.patreon.com/ncalib––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Redemption Missions https://www.cjamm.org/redemption/ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Watch the YouTube Video at:https://youtu.be/RfZDBfWBjzA

Join us as we discuss the topic of grace throughout the month of October. This is a complex theological topic so we are devoting the whole month to the different perspectives surrounding God's grace. This week is a Halloween edition so we are talking about Free Grace from the perspective of Anne Hutchinson who was accused of being a witch and tried by the same judge that presided over the Salem witch trials.Be sure to have a journal to write or a person with whom to talk with during the discussion portion. The discussion questions are listed in the video and here.Discussion Questions: 1.What movie or book witches do you think of when you imagine them? The Crucible? Hocus Pocus? Harry Potter?2.What are some good works that you have done recently? For the community or for someone else?3.Should we completely ignore good works? Why or why not?4.If good works and God’s grace were a math problem, how would you balance the equation in a way that equals your salvation?Share what you discussed with us through email or reach out to us on our social media. Intro/Outro Music: Pray - Anno Domini BeatsSupport by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Transitional music: Lucky Witch by Hertz––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Join us as we discuss the topic of grace throughout the month of October. This is a complex theological topic so we are devoting the whole month to the different perspectives surrounding God's grace. This week we are looking at John Wesley's understanding of "growing in grace". Be sure to have a journal to write or a person with whom to talk with during the discussion portion. The discussion questions are listed in the video and here.Discussion Questions: Did you experience God’s love (grace) before you became a Christian? How?Is it easier to apply God’s grace to yourself or to other people? Explain your reasoning.Have you ever seen people with unshakeable faith like the Moravians? Who were/are they?How are you still growing in grace? How can we help you to grow? Share what you discussed with us through email or reach out to us on our social media. 

You may know him from his secular work with children’s novels that involve Lions, Witches, and Wardrobes. Tonight’s discussion will cover the theological work of C.S. Lewis with a particular focus on Evangelism. We're also honored to have a Friend of the CU Wesley, Pastor Tom Trautman, on the podcast to share about his faith growing through the life and writings of C.S. LewisDiscussion questions are available upon request.Transitional music is "Hot Coffee" by Ghostrifter Official https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-of...Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2CMqiz0Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Y30VQPGtxOs

We’ll be looking at the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He has a lot to say about the importance of theological education. Since we are talking about theological education, we have a guest speaker here from a theological school. Reverend Doctor Tiffany Nagel Monroe is an Executive Director from Saint Paul School of Theology which is where I received a Master in Divinity. We recently met on Zoom to discuss the importance of Theological Education from the perspective of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.There are no discussion questions in the recording but they are available upon request.If you would like to learn more about theological education opportunities at Saint Paul School of Theology, go to the link below. Rev. Dr. Nagel Monroe can be reached at the Oklahoma City Campus.https://www.spst.edu/