No Experts Allowed

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost (Year B) - 6/23/24

Do you have any unexpected relationships? Ones that make you think, "I don't know how this happened" or that you believe are misunderstood or misconstrued from the outside? In this week's episode, David and Jonathan seem to have an unexpected relationship. David is, at first, an outsider to the royal family and Saul is overtly antagonistic to him. Jonathan seems like he should be David's competitor, not his friend! What might their relationship tell us? How might it help us live in an increasingly antagonistic and divisive society? Can it offer us any hope as election season ramps into gear?

We're so glad you listen. And if this podcast has been meaningful for you, we'd appreciate it if you'd tell others about it, share it on social media, or write us a review. All of that helps spread the word - about this podcast and God's overflowing love.

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost (Year B) - 6/16/24

"What's good?" can be more than a greeting, but a way of thinking. In this Sunday's appointed lectionary text, Jesus tells short parables about seeds. In the first, someone scatters seed on the ground; it grows, and the sower harvests it. Next, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large shrub. Jonathan and Seth discuss seemingly small, positive actions happening today. What's good around the world that isn't getting enough attention? What's good that has the potential for a large impact? What's good and worth highlighting?

What's good in your life? We hope our podcast is part of that answer, but we're glad you listen wherever we rank in life's pleasures.

Third Sunday After Pentecost (Year B) - 6/9/24

There are various famous "falls": Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," The Fall of Rome, the fall season, etc. Theology has discussed a different kind of fall, one that affects not only the Usher family, a single civilization, or trees, but one that leaves a permanent scar on humanity. What does it look like to read the story of "The Fall" in context? What about reading it through a lens of grace rather than condemnation? Jonathan and Seth attempt to do just that as they wrestle with how the world was created as good and still groans for redemption.

We're so glad you listen. As much as Jonathan and Seth enjoy making these podcasts, they would be worthless without an audience!

Second Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 6/2/24

Are you a rule breaker? Jesus was. In the appointed Gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus claims that King David was, too. But they don't break just any rules, run stoplights, or commit petty theft. They break rules that prevent human flourishing. Jonathan and Seth discuss "making good trouble" and how prioritizing people grows from our calling as Jesus' followers.

This episode is a day late because Seth had his days mixed up. He apologizes! We're so glad you're with us nonetheless.

Holy Trinity Sunday/ The First Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 5/26/24

Does the Trinity matter? Does it exist only to give professional theologians minutiae to argue about? Is it a manifestation of male-dominated, political church councils that should be thrown into the dustbin of history? Jonathan and Seth think it does more than describe how the members of the Trinity interact; it also expresses how people should interact. So, it more than matters.

Of all our episodes, this one seems the most appropriate to solicit listener feedback. We'd love emails about how you see the Trinity mattering, your favorite trinitarian heresy, or the best description of the Trinity you've heard (or frankly anything else). We'd love to hear from you at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com

Pentecost (Year B) - 5/19/24

While each member of the Trinity plays an equal role in the Godhead (to say anything else has been heresy since at least 381), in practice, the Holy Spirit often gets the least attention in mainline circles. What would focusing on the Holy Spirit for a Sunday look like? What words could we use throughout the church year to expand our names for God? Jonathan and Seth discuss just this as we end the Easter season.

We just hit 5,000 downloads and we're overjoyed. We're consistently glad you're with us.

Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 5/12/24

Life's complicated. There's a myriad of choices to be made daily. Many we make unconsciously. Others keep us awake at night as we fret over the options. In the appointed psalm for this Sunday, there appears to be a clear distinction between those who are good and evil. How does one know, however, which category they're in? Jonathan and Seth discuss how we can tell if we're following God. Is it possible? If so, how can we correct course? Like many of our episodes, this one gets at the heart of discipleship.

In the background, you may hear Seth's wife, Patty, playing joyfully with their dog Marshall. We, too, are overjoyed you're with us!

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 5/5/24

One way to think about the Psalms is as ancient Israel's hymnody. Like more contemporary songs, from Bach to Beyonce, one doesn't have to understand every part of it to appreciate it. There are some opaque metaphors; others seem clear. In Psalm 98, the whole chorus of creation joins in on the hymn. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss ways that we can make worship sound more like this image. How can we get more people involved? How rowdy can worship be? What might this look like in different contexts? This episode may have a more practical focus than some of our previous ones. We hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

Thank you for listening, as always. We're overjoyed to have you with us, and you can reach us at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com.

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 4/28/24

"Love" gets thrown around all the time. "I love ice cream," says Seth. We've talked many times on this podcast about God's love. 1 John, again, emphasizes love this week. So, too, does the appointed Acts reading that narrates the Ethiopian eunuch's baptism. Jonathan and Seth ask: What does this story tell us about God's limitless love? Who are the eunuchs of today? Who are people who we, despite our best intentions, don't think belong in the church?

We're glad you're with us! We love making this podcast; the fact that anyone listens only adds to our joy.

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 4/21/24

Christian communities have read John’s account of Jesus identifying as the good shepherd for over 1,000 years. Unlike most Sundays, even the psalm relates to the gospel reading (rather than the first reading). So, true to form, Jonathan and Seth ask a lot of questions about shepherds: who are like modern shepherds? Can one identify an uncommitted hired hand? What if we focus on the sheep?

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