S2E4 Be Sassy (Luke 5:1-11) PYNWJ 2

(This drawing is one of several self-portraits drawn by a girl named Layla. We loved this one because it embodied what we’re talking about as sassiness this week. We are grateful for letting us use it.)

This week, we consider the story of Jesus calling his first disciples, the non-institutional basis for his authority, the value of boldness, and how Jesus located the holy within people rather than places and structures. We discuss the nature of real spiritual authority, why a guru or clergy person might offer some insights, they don’t own you, and can’t do all your thinking for you.

Main Point: Jesus teaches with an authority that does not depend on power or official status, but instead is based on connection to deep spiritual truth, one that inspires his followers to boldness rather than a spirit of fear.

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Why don’t we tell people they don’t have to go to a religious community to save their souls more often and more explicitly? Money, power, and glory seem likely motivators.

“Jesus’ authority trumps every other religious authority in your life. So be bold.”

WeIf you are listening as someone who’s deeply embedded in organized religion, please don’t understand our discussion of whether one has to be a part of the institutional system (something we think Jesus denies) as anti-church. We just don’t like the idea that going to a religious community and tracking how many days and hours you do this either helps you avoid eternal punishment or earns you points toward heaven. We encourage people to think of the positive communities and practices in their lives more like the way we think of going on vacation or getting enough sleep: we might need it for our wellbeing, but we don’t need to participate or else. We agree clergy should usually be trained. This is good for everyone all around. We just don’t think it’s a given who gets to authorize them or train them. We agree that a church has the right to have high standards for who gets to be in leadership. Nonetheless, the individual believer always holds the right to veto bad ideas whatever the tradition, and whichever religious authority proffers them.

Note, for instance, that we simultaneously dig a high church aesthetic and also anabaptist freedom. We’re not trying to do precise ecclesiology here, but to empower the people, the people who are supposed to be served by the institutions, systems, and hierarchies.

One way to think about this teaching is the concept of “anti-clericalism,” something that respects the roles of religious leaders without giving them unquestioned authority. On the show, we mention Abbot Tryphon, our favorite Orthodox monk, who writes here about anti-clericalism. Also, check out this video explaining how Tryphon went from Lutheranism to atheism to Russian Orthodoxy:

We also mention the boldness of our friend Micah Bournes. Here’s one of his new poems: