Author: Aaron J. Smith
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ATMN: Terry J. Stokes-Jesus and the Abolitionists
The Rev. Terry J. Stokes is an anarchist theologian who seeks to foster political and spiritual radicalization through his writing and speaking. He holds degrees from Yale University and Princeton Theological Seminary, and was ordained by Park Avenue Baptist Church. They live on Munsee Lenape land (central NJ) and work with children and youth as… Read more
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ATMN Episode: Stephen D. Morrison-All Riches Come From Injustice
Friends, this week we get to talk to a new friend and theologian, Stephen D. Morrison. Stephen D. Morrison is a prolific American writer, ecumenical theologian, novelist, and literary critic. He is best known for the Plain English Series (Karl Barth in Plain English), which examines the work of modern theologians from the perspective of… Read more
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ATMN Episode: W. Scott McAndless-Retelling the Bible
Friends, this time we get to talk to a new friend, W. Scott McAndless. W. Scott McAndless is an ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He lives and works in Cambridge, Ontario in Canada. About a decade ago, Scott wrote and published the book “Caesar’s Census, God’s Jubilee,” which offered a new interpretation… Read more
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Call Him Here
The gatekeepers of this world stand proud, haughty, wielding power to keep their authority absolute. They keep people deemed unworthy, outside, marginalized, and unless you meet their strict criteria, you too become one of the shunned. Filled with ideas of propriety and decorum, the gatekeepers dictate when hoops you must jump through, what rules you… Read more
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Losing Your Life
It took me a long time to admit I wasn’t evangelical anymore. My theology was shifting—on days with exceptional clarity, I saw it had already shifted—further and further away from what I had had been taught was orthodox. I didn’t take the Bible completely literal anymore, let alone hold on to Sola Scriptura (the belief… Read more
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ATMN with Kerlin Richter- Polyamory and the Church
Hello friends! Today, we’re talking to a new friend, Kerlin Richter. Kerlin is a blue-haired ex-priest who talks about sex and other stuff too. website: https://kerlinrichter.com/ Friends, The Book of Common Words is 100% reader supported. Here we explore the Christian spirituality of being human through podcast, poetry, and prose about my life, art, and… Read more
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Eat This Flesh
I used to lead worship. What I mean by that is I used to be responsible for the music portion of the service or bible study or event at church. For years, I carefully curated (and sometimes crafted) songs to help people praise and worship God. I don’t know how exactly to describe what worship… Read more
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The Anxiety of God
I wonder if God ever gets anxious. Like not worried or nervous, but anxious. It’s that gut-wrenching feeling, the pit in your stomach, the racing heart, reticulating thoughts, shallow breath, “Oh God, am I going to die” feeling of a panic attack. Ya, that anxiety. It might seem silly to think of divinity as having… Read more
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How To Breathe While Drowning
I despair. It’s not that anything major is wrong. My health is relatively good. My family is mostly happy. I have what I need. My car works. All the things that would constitute a crisis are going ok. I can’t say great—who can say great with any sense of security or certainty—because there are things… Read more
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ATMN Podcast: Matt Tebbe – Mammon
New Podcast Episode!! This week we’re talking to Matt Tebbe about Mammon. Read more