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A Rabbi and a Reverend walk into a podcast... and talk REAL about religion. We are Rabbi Eric Linder and Reverend Joel Tolbert. We became colleagues and friends in 2012 when we both found ourselves serving congregations near Athens, GA. We were founding members of an area Interfaith group that grew from seven to over sixty clergy. Today, we live in different states but come together here to discuss faith, God, religion, entertainment, and tech. We'll dive into the social, cultural, political, and topical too. We have quick minds, sharp tongues, and good hearts, and we hope you enjoy being a part of these conversations!
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Season 4, Episode 2 - This weeks loaded terms are... Israel, Jew, Hebrew, and Semite. Each of these words has a scriptural and historical root, but those meanings get lost in today's discourse. How can we all be more careful with these terms, more sensitive to the people they represent, and call out those who accidentally or intentionally misuse them for dangerous purposes?
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
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How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Season 4, Episode 1 - We are BACK, and in this episode, we preview the selected topics for Season 4. And of course, we leave room for YOU, the listeners out there, to make suggestions for episode topics. So please, send us an email or DM with your suggestions!
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Season 3, Episode 15 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
A season recap, reflecting on where we've been, what we've discussed and learned, and why we keep gathering and publishing these conversations.
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday May 29, 2022
Sunday May 29, 2022
Season 3, Episode 14 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
Eric's issue - After the Uvalde shooting, do we have too much freedom? Are we using our personal freedom (rights?) in opposition to our own communities? How can we tip the balance back to where our communities support our healthy personal rights and freedoms, and our personal freedoms build up our safe and healthy communities?
Scandinavia and their Ability to Balance Freedom and Responsibility
Joel's issue - Has our work become our faith? Is work replacing faith/religion as our primary community of purpose? Do we measure our value on the planet by our work and pay instead of by our integrity, ethic, truth, and wholeness. Instead of making lives better, we immerse ourselves in making our product, service, or checking account better. What happens when this religion of work fails us? Where is grace in the corporate world?
Our Jobs are Filling in for our Faith
WeCrashed, the True Story of WeWork
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday May 22, 2022
Sunday May 22, 2022
Season 3, Episode 13 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
Eric's issue - Adults in Eric's congregation just went through a b'mai mitzvah, or an adult ceremony of joining the covenant people, followed by a lovely time of fellowship, the first in a few years. What do these rites of passage mean in faith traditions? Why do some people of faith stop learning and growing? What does it mean to celebrate adult rites of passage in faith?
B'nai Mitzvah tradition in Reform Judaism
Joel's issue - A journalist was most likely killed by Israeli security forces. Then Israeli security attacked her funeral procession. Is violence ever okay up at oppressive forces, or down from security forces against acts of rebellion? How do Israelis and Palestinians live beside one another in a new way? What is the responsibility of those in power to not use their power in violence against those under their authority? How can we hold those in power accountable when they use violence without due wisdom and restraint?
Journalist Killed in Israel/Palestine
Israel Police attack Funeral Mourners of Dead Journalist
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday May 15, 2022
Sunday May 15, 2022
Season 3, Episode 12 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
Joel's issue - A top executive at a brewery in NC discussed three key character traits needed in all who come together at the brewery... quality, integrity, and respect. Can a congregation abide by these three? What would it look like for our religious communities to have expectations of our people when they enter a religious community to show these three in order to have full access to the benefits of the community?
Article with Oscar at Highland Brewing on the Cultural Priorities
Eric's issue - The Jewish Congregation in Athens, GA is celebrating 150 years! Looking back, there are so many changes and innovations behind them. Does that mean change and innovation are inevitable? What reasons cause change? When does a congregation make the next big step? How do we as leaders inspire the movement from who we were through we are toward who we are being called to become?
Book mentioned in Eric's Intro "All Things Shining"
Congregation Children of Israel, Athens
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
Season 3, Episode 11 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
Joel's issue - In 2022, Christian Holy Week, Jewish Passover, and Muslim Ramadan fall beside one another on the same week. In Jerusalem, a divided multi-faith city, government forces interfered in religious worship services, and worshippers acted violently at their presence or in response. What can faith leaders do to move our people and leaders toward coexistence without violence?
More than 150 Injured in Violence at Jerusalem Holy Site
Eric's issue - A group of Christian broke into Jesus songs to a captive audience on a plane. Ilhan Omar wondered what would happen if Muslims did the same, then Vernon Jones attacked her. Why do Christian Americans get special privilege in public spaces, and cry foul when other religions expect equal treatment?
Christians singing on a plane, Ilhan Omar, Vernon Jones
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
Season 3, Episode 10 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
Eric's issue - At the Oscars, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. How do we process violence? Is there any justification for the verbal violence and physical violence? What is the religious responsibility to turn the other cheek and accept violence, while never doing violence upon one another?
Joel's issue - In an interview for a possible new Director of Music, Joel shares how a 20 year college student rejected the position because of the theology and practices of the church, things like ordaining women, interpreting scripture, standing for justice. How can faithful religious people avoid the stereotype of our fellow believers who are either too zealous and judgmental, or too timid and uncommitted? Is Scripture the core of our disagreements?
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Mar 20, 2022
Sunday Mar 20, 2022
Season 3, Episode 9 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
Joel's issue - Is the task of clergy, religion, theology to make the universal specific, or to stretch the specific toward the universal? If religion stays close to the context of the people, it will be comfortable but not point to a universal God. If religion doesn't fully enter the specific context of people, they will never sense the relevance that can invite them toward the universal. Is the point of religious community to "bind" us together, or to "bridge" us toward the wider mysteries of God and God's creation?
Chapter 9: “Confessing Jesus Christ in Context” « Project Augustine
Richard Rohr: The Cosmic Christ - Bing video
Eric's issue - How can someone do religion well? Is the role of clergy or congregation to help people do religion well? What does participation or membership in a religious community require of us, and what does it give back to us, or to the world through us? What's the connection between the practices of our religion and our religious identity? Is there a way to measure a person's religious conviction?
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
Season 3, Episode 8 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith.
Eric's issue - Are we clear that our time is limited? When we consider our own finitude, does that depress us, or motivate us? How we spend time clearly communicates our religious values. Our choice of time management and use defines who we are more than many of our beliefs or opinions. So, can we (do we) spend our time in ways that matter?
Obsidian, your second brain
Amazon.com: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals: 9780374159122: Burkeman, Oliver: Books
Task Management Software Built For Pros - OmniFocus - The Omni Group
Todoist: The to do list to organize work & life
Joel's issue - Where is the line between freedom TO speak and freedom FROM someone else's speech? Where is the line between freedom to personally exercise our religion, and impose our religion on others? One upcoming Supreme Court case lifts us the line between personal freedom and communal accountability.
__________
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
__________
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)