Sanctus Forum

There are different theories for understanding Jesus' life, especially the miracles. On one hand there is Spirit Christology which holds that Jesus did the extraordinary things he did by the power of God the Holy Spirit. On the other hand there is what Michael Stewart Robb calls Giant Christology which is the idea that Jesus doesn't really know how to do what he does he's just a big oaf with extra powers. And then Dallas Willard has this idea that Jesus actually understood chemistry and physics as well or better than our chemists and physicists. That's this episode's topic. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

Have we really come up with anything better than Jesus' view of ultimate reality since Jesus' first taught it? There is a general cultural presumption that we have. But when you ask for details, names and citations, the crickets can be heard. In this episode Michael Stewart Robb discusses Dallas Willard's claim that Jesus knows spiritual reality (ultimate reality) better than anyone else we might mention. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

Dallas Willard speaks of a "cultural reality" which keeps people from understanding what Jesus' spirituality is. Michael Stewart Robb refers to this cultural reality as the great indifference to Jesus which stretches across Europe. And in this episode Mike shares Dallas's idea of what's behind this great indifference and what holds it in place. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

It is a great challenge for followers of Jesus in Europe to believe in God. The reason for this is because, as Dallas Willard puts it, our souls are soaked in secularity. And therefore we need to work really hard to rely on God in this life. Michael Stewart Robb ponders Willard's words on how this comes about and what we can do about it in this episode. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

Jesus invites us to see the world upside down in order to find peace in this world, peace amidst our circumstances whatever they may be. Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy calls this "The Great Inversion" and Michael Stewart Robb explains what he means and how it is gospel to those who are down and out. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

Having explained what "death" really is, Dallas Willard takes that insight and applies it to life now. The fuller consciousness that we get as we transition into God's full world is actually something which we can use to make sense of our world now. What is small and insignificant in the one context is actually very important in the other context because the other context is the one in which God is active. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

Since Jesus's friends never taste death, what will happen? In The Divine Conspiracy Dallas Willard gives some important teaching on that matter in part out of his work as a philosopher and in part out of his childhood as a Missouri hillbilly. Michael Stewart Robb also reads a story about a near-death experience which he found in the Missouri hills - one with a curious connection to Dallas Willard. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

While it used to be common knowledge in Europe and North America that death wouldn't happen, now it is taken for granted. One is possibly unwise to not write a bucket list and pursue all the good things that death makes impossible. Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy shows how Jesus pioneered wise living in light of the fact that death wasn't going to happen and Michael Stewart Robb explains why you don't need a bucket list. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​

Our phones and laptops are portals into this world. And we get into thinking that this world is all there is. But Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy writes of how for Jesus's friends this is nonsense. Michael Stewart Robb comments in this episode about thoughts of the next life have disappeared from view. Perhaps because we all have phones in front of our faces. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute

Look at this world of goodness and it is hard to not be filled with despair at how it decays and dies. But Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy calls this the "mind of the flesh" for it does not see that "all that is good is preserved." Michael Stewart Robb explains that as "ceaselessly creative beings" we will be satisfied by nothing less than a constant participation in the good world of God - beyond death and decay. BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute/​