[SUMMER REPOST w/ Reader’s Notes] “The (Only) Holy War” - Episode 1 in the series, "Letter to the Ephesians”

Dear Friends,
Below you will find an excerpt of the Reader’s Notes posted within our Patreon community platform. Each summer we invite listeners anew to join us on Patreon. For as little as $3 USD a month, listeners can receive early access to weekly podcasts and a searchable archive of over 380 episodes; interact with Jonah, Patrick and other listeners via comments; receive exclusive access to support materials, and have seminary news delivered directly to your inbox. It is through the generosity of our patrons that we move closer to our goal of a priest-training fully subsidized by the free gifts of individuals. For more information on how to become a patron of The Light in Every Thing, click here.

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Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has been a source of inspiration for both Patrick and Jonah, as it beautifully describes God’s vision of a new community, a community of human beings united in and through Christ Jesus. Our first episode delves into Ephesians 6: 10-20, where Paul describes the spiritual forces of evil which threaten humanity with enmity and division. Paul goes on to reveal the armor of God that bestows His strength and power—truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation. These virtues act as living spiritual armor, transforming our souls. When we “put on” these spiritual forces each day, we can begin the practice of recognizing the enemy within us, and by following Christ’s example. And we can wage a different kind of battle—one that allows true healing and blessing to flow out into the world.

Reader’s Notes

As with all things, how we approach something is the key. As readers, the thoughts we take in are landing in “the soil of our soul.” Therefore, our mood, our attitude, our open-mindedness — or the reverse — allow for more, or less, to be revealed. We have included the beginnings of a “Biblical Studies Reader” for you with guidance on this “inner approach.” Reading over and taking in deeply the following words can help:

”These holy pages will summon up the living image of His mind. They will give you Christ Himself, talking, healing, dying, rising, the whole Christ in a word; they will give Him to you in an intimacy so close that He would be less visible to you if He stood before your eyes.” - Erasmus of Rotterdam on the Gospel

If you would like a helpful overarching orientation to scripture, we gladly send you over to the people at Bible Project and their wonderful series called, “The Paradigm.” These 14 episodes are worth the listen, if you have the time. For those of you ready for a deep dive and orientation to the Apostle Paul, we highly recommend Emil Bock’s book, St. Paul. An excellent commentary, in the traditional sense, for the whole letter is the one by Lynn H. Cohick, which has incredible up-to-date information on recent research into first century Ephesus.