The Wood Between the Worlds: A Grotesque Beauty

Do you believe in ghosts? The disciples may have. Upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, they wrongly assumed he was a ghost. This opens the door for Jesus to assure them(and us) that he has risen indeed. If Jesus has been raised, then death has been defeated, and we need not fear. Therefore, Jesus continues to ask "Why are you frightened?".

One way to think about the resurrection is to see it as Jesus’ first step towards ascension. Another way is to think of the resurrection of Jesus like a wormhole, a tunnel through time and space. From this perspective, Jesus went into death creating a passageway from this broken down world into God’s new world where all things are new again. In stepping through that doorway into the place where God the Holy Spirit is making all things, we have the opportunity to participate with the Spirit. We participate by stripping off everything associated with our old sinful nature and putting on our new nature created to be like God. We strip off everything that doesn't look like Jesus so we can be like the God revealed in Jesus. A new life is waiting for you. Are you ready for it?

Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.-W.B. Yeats, The Second ComingIn him all things hold together.He is the head of the body, the church.He is the beginning,The firstborn from the dead.-St. Paul, Colossians 1:17–18

ABOUT THIS PODCASTBrian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Jacob Taylor discuss The Harrowing of Hell in this special Good Friday episode. This is the last episode of conversations based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. We hope you have enjoyed this series and invite you to subscribe for future related content.GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahndhttps://wolc.com/twbtw

Jesus Christ—the Logos made flesh—is the true icon of the living God. The world has at last truly seen God. And what is the climactic, definitive moment of God’s self-revelation in Christ? It’s the central event in the gospel story—the crucifixion. The cross is the pinnacle of divine self-disclosure.

ABOUT THIS PODCASTBrian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Jacob Taylor explore themes from the Lord of the Rings epic by J.R. Tolkien and more specifically how power should be handled by those who follow Christ. This episode continues conversation based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahndhttps://wolc.com/twbtw

ABOUT THIS PODCASTBrian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Derek Vreeland discuss the wild images and stunning message of the book of Revelation. This episode continues conversation based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahndhttps://wolc.com/twbtw

ABOUT THIS PODCASTBrian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Derek Vreeland explore topics ranging from the betrayal by Judas to the Protestant presumption that there can be no salvific work after the moment of death. This episode continues conversation based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahndhttps://wolc.com/twbtwFIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordoflifechurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordoflifechurchYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wolctvPASTOR BRIAN ZAHND ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianzahndInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianzahndTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/brianzahndCONNECT WITH A PASTORDo you need prayer? Are you new to Word of Life Church? One of our pastors would love to connect with you. Fill out the form at https://www.wolc.com/connectABOUT WORD OF LIFE CHURCHWord of Life is located in St. Joseph, MO. We are seeking to be an authentic expression of the Kingdom of Jesus in the 21st Century. You can learn more at https://www.wolc.comGIVETo make a financial contribution to the ministry work of Word of Life Church visit https://www.wolc.com/give

ABOUT THIS EPISODEBrian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Jacob Taylor discuss the role of beauty in the Christian faith. This conversation continues to discuss themes from Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.Watch this episode on at Youtube.com/wolctv.FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordoflifechurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordoflifechurchYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wolctvPASTOR BRIAN ZAHND ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianzahndInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianzahndTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/brianzahndCONNECT WITH A PASTORDo you need prayer? Are you new to Word of Life Church? One of our pastors would love to connect with you. Fill out the form at https://www.wolc.com/connectABOUT WORD OF LIFE CHURCHWord of Life is located in St. Joseph, MO. We are seeking to be an authentic expression of the Kingdom of Jesus in the 21st Century. You can learn more at https://www.wolc.comGIVETo make a financial contribution to the ministry work of Word of Life Church visit https://www.wolc.com/give