Marc Jolicoeur (aka "Jolly Thoughts")

A repository for reflections on life, God, the Bible, etc.
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This feed is a grab bag of thoughts, reflections, and tomfoolery. The Bible will be talked about, other books will be talked about, concepts will be wrestled with, Jesus will be made much of. marcjolicoeur.substack.com

  1. 2D AGO

    Did Jesus Really Say He Was God?

    Did Jesus really say He was God? Belief in Jesus’ divinity is generally held to be a core Christian belief (if you need a refresher on the Nicene Creed, you can check out last year’s conversation with Dr Jerome Van Kuiken), but recent survey data out of the US seems to indicate that roughly 43% of American evangelicals do not necessarily believe He was God… which is mindblowing, yes, but perhaps not entirely surprising, since biblical scholars have been chipping away at the criteria for this case for a long time now. However, it’s also not the question we’re asking here. The question isn’t “Was Jesus God?” or even “Did Jesus’ earliest followers believe He was God?”, but “Did Jesus really say He was God?” This is the question that apologist, scholar, and doctor Mikel Del Rosario pursues in his new book of the same name. In this ranging conversation, Mikel walks us through the basic claims of his book, some of his journey with apologetics, and what a coffee shop conversation with Bart Ehrman might look like. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 05:47 - Understanding Apologetics 09:39 - Engaging with Bart Ehrman’s Perspectives 15:46 - Analyzing Key Biblical Scenes 18:40 - Clash of Authority: Jesus and Jewish Leadership 24:42 - The Authority to Forgive: A Historical Perspective 28:32 - The Trial of Jesus: Claims of Divine Authority 34:26 - Understanding Merism: Authority in Context 41:10 - Faith and Scholarship: Balancing Belief and Critical Inquiry Keywords: Jesus Christ, Divinity, Mark Gospel, Apologetics, Historical Jesus, Biblical Reliability, Christian Faith, Jesus Claims, Gospel of Mark, Religious History Resources: Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? by Mikel Del Rosario || https://www.ivpress.com/did-jesus-really-say-he-was-god Bart Ehrman’s Book ‘How Jesus Became God’ || https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Jesus_Became_God Mikel Del Rosario’s Profile || https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeldelrosario/ Moody Bible Institute || https://www.moody.edu/academics/faculty/mikel-del-rosario/ Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    49 min

  2. MAR 20

    Letting The Catechesis Outta The Bag

    -“…despite a relatively high bar for entry, the young church grew rapidly…” (pg 30 of Making Disciples by Alex Fogleman ) Some churches offer what is sometimes called “spontaneous baptism” (an opportunity for someone to show up on a Sunday morning who had not planned to get baptized to get straight into the water that very morning), while some churches have a 2-3 year waiting period between when a person expresses a desire to be baptized and when they can actually go through the waters. How can we have such a wide range between these criteria? What makes a person “ready” for baptism? Traditionally, the church has called this gap (however wide or narrow) “catechesis”. If you grew up or around the kind of church tradition I did, though, it’s possible this is a term you have never heard. Good news, though; Alex Fogleman has written a wonderfully accessible and helpful book on the topic! He’s not a stick in the mud, and he doesn’t bog down on terminology, but he’s a helpful conversation partner in the process of coming to grips with how we become (and make) disciples of Jesus Christ in the here & now. If you find this conversation helpful, please consider checking out Alex’s book, Making Disciples, wherever books are sold… and consider sharing this pod with a friend that came to mind whilst listening! Alex Fogleman → https://tas.edu/people/dr-alex-fogleman Making Disciples → https://www.amazon.ca/Making-Disciples-Catechesis-Theology-Practice/dp/0802883850/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:55 Background of Alex Fogleman 05:10 The Journey to Anglicanism and Catechesis 08:04 The Importance of Discipleship in the Church 11:22 Understanding the Catechumenate 14:18 The Role of Catechesis in Early Christianity 17:16 The Evolution of Catechesis Through the Centuries 20:10 Augustine’s Approach to Teaching and Catechesis 23:18 The Process of Becoming a Catechumen 26:12 The Church’s Role in Education and Inclusivity 29:05 Historical Overview of Catechesis from Early Church to Present 32:31 The Historical Context of Catechesis 38:45 Evangelicalism and the Challenge of Catechesis 43:29 Authentic Christianity: Belief, Behavior, and Experience 51:39 Moral Formation in Contemporary Christianity 59:00 The Role of Catechesis in Modern Faith Practices Keywords: catechesis, early church, Christian formation, discipleship, theology, church history, Wesleyan, Anglican, spiritual growth, religious education Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 4m

  3. FEB 19

    The Courage of Retreating

    “Oversaturation is not the same thing as abundance.” - Alyson Pryor In this lenten episode of the pod, I am blessed to have been able to have this timely conversation with Alyson Pryor (who holds degrees in psychology from both the University of Southern California and Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot Seminary). Alyson currently serves as a staff spiritual director and adjunct faculty member at Biola University, from whence she was able to publish this brand new guide to spiritual retreats, Come Away & Rest. The book is not just an apologetic case for the idea of retreat, but an actual step-by-step guide to said retreats. I was so grateful to have been able to have access to Alyson’s wisdom for this conversation, and I think you too will appreciate her insights into the good, bad, and ugly of retreating. BOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/come-away-and-rest EXCERPT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Downloads/Excerpts-and-Samples/A1122-excerpt.pdf BIO: https://www.ivpress.com/alyson-pryor VISIT HER WEBSITE: https://alysonpryor.com Chapters: 00:00 - Opening 03:30 - Alyson’s Journey to Rest 09:10 - Understanding Retreats in a Christian Context 12:12 - Practical Elements of Retreats 18:02 - The Call to Redemption and Personal Worth 20:49 - The Journey of Rest and Intimacy with God 23:40 - Creating Retreats: Structure and Support 25:22 - The Importance of Content in Retreats 28:23 - On-Ramps and Off-Ramps: Preparing for Retreats 34:16 = Lent: A Season of Reflection and Preparation 37:18 - Jesus as Our Model for Retreat and Resilience keywords: spiritual retreats, Christian practices, rest, Lent, personal growth, silence, solitude, spiritual direction, mindfulness, prayer (ai) summary: In this episode of the Jolly Thoughts podcast, Marc Jolicoeur and Alyson Pryor discuss the significance of spiritual retreats in the Christian faith, particularly in the context of Lent. They explore Alyson’s personal journey towards finding rest and the importance of creating structured retreats that allow individuals to connect with God. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern life that hinder true rest and the necessity of preparing for and reflecting on retreat experiences. They also highlight Jesus as the ultimate model for retreating and the transformative power of silence and solitude. Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    41 min

  4. 12/05/2025

    Drunk In The Spirit? Charismatic Experiences Then & Now (with Merrill Greene)

    In Drunk In The Spirit, Dr Merrill Greene gives us a behind-the-scenes and BANANAS look at the ways that charismaticism is not only lived out today, but is rooted in some truly weird experiences outlined in our holy texts. I had Merrill on a few years ago (ep 39), and now that this conversation is done, I can’t wait to have him on again! Oh, for reference to the How God Works podcast ep I was referencing on shamanism, it’s right here. Thanks for reading Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts)! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 10m

  5. 11/21/2025

    Religious Freedom, Canadian Government Overreach, and other super-chill topics

    For this episode of the pod, I wanted to hear from someone who is both a friend & brother in Christ and has also fallen on the other side of where I have on a variety of ideological lines. Oh, and if he can be funny too, bonus. Cue Phil Hutchings. We only get the briefest snapshot of Phil’s story in this podcast, but rest assured, it’s a wild one. In this generous conversation, Phil knowingly walks into chats he knows I largely differ with him about (civil disobedience, religious liberty, the primacy of “tongues”, and the taboo topic of “biblical prosperity”), and yet he engages thoughtfully & gracefully (if not also “pointedly”). Did Phil convince me on these topics? No. Am I more of a fan of Sean Feucht’s music now than I was before? No. But am I glad to have been able to talk like this? You better believe it! Chapters: 00:00 - Opening 08:03 - Building a Community and Church Ownership 11:27 - Musical Connections and Shared History 15:15 - Podcasting and Conversations 16:47 - Sean Feucht’s Controversial Visit to Canada 24:04 - Revival in Canada: Perspectives and Experiences 26:52 - The Nature of Religious Persecution 29:56 - Revival and the Church’s Power 34:44 - Government Overreach and Church Response 38:42 - The Church as a Rescue Center 43:21 - Healing, Blessing, and the Holy Spirit 52:55 - Understanding Prosperity in Faith 55:38 - The Purpose of Prosperity 57:30 - Money as a Tool for Impact 1:00:38 - The Hypocrisy of Anti-Prosperity Preachers 1:03:28 - Understanding Prosperity in the New Testament 01:06:13 - The Role of the Church in Financial Blessings 01:10:08 - The Power of the Holy Spirit and Prosperity 01:12:07 - Unity in Diversity of Beliefs keywords: church, revival, Sean Feucht, COVID-19, prosperity, faith, community, podcast, music, civil disobedience, jesus, religious freedom Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 12m

  6. 11/14/2025

    From Eden To Zion: How Elevation Can Help Us Better Read The Bible

    “...the Bible is from God, and God exists outside of time. When we enter into the Bible, we are entering into the life of God, and this enables us to make the past and future of the Bible our present, to read ourselves into its stories and see our life through its pages…” - Michael Niebauer, Four Mountains This is one of my favourite kinds of conversations; a chat about the Bible with a wise & gifted person who has spent intentional time viewing it from an angle I’m unfamiliar with. Michael was generous with his time & perspective, and we’re the better for it. We discuss his book, Four Mountains: Encountering God In The Bible From Eden To Zion, which provides a framework for understanding the whole of scripture in a way that shows us Christ on the opening pages of the book. This conversation is just the briefest snapshot of the book, so if you find you’ve enjoyed the chat, I’d highly encourage you to check it out. Chapters:03:03 - Journey to the Anglican Faith05:27 - Church Planting and Ministry Focus08:36 - Theological Education and Writing Journey11:35 - Understanding Mountains in the Bible14:30 - Figural Readings and Early Christian Interpretation17:35 - Mountains as Spiritual Encounters20:38 - The Significance of Eden as a Mountain23:28 - Exploring Mount Sinai and Its Importance26:37 - Cultural Context of Mountains in Religion29:17 - Understanding Zion: A Complex Concept34:51 - The Tabernacle: Climbing the Mountain of Worship39:23 - Hierarchy in Worship: Individual vs. Corporate Experience48:17 - Mount Tabor: The Transfiguration of Jesus56:01 - Interpreting Scripture: Balancing Tradition and ExplorationKeywords: Jolly Thoughts Podcast, Michael Niebauer, Four Mountains, Biblical Theology, Church Planting, Anglican Ministry, Encountering God, Systematic Theology, Spiritual Growth, Worship Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 1m

  7. 10/23/2025

    Can Strawberries & Bannock Be "Communion"?

    If worship is for God and not for humanity, is there any real argument for worship to be “contextual” (look different at different times and in different places)? If such arguments do exist, how much flexibility is there? The music? The architecture? The sacraments? Is anything sacred… or is everything sacred? In this mind-bending conversation with Dr Kenneth Wallace Jr, we talk about his work in ethnodoxolgy, and we graze around our theological fields trying to determine which of the cows are sacred. From questions about the necessity of “wine” for the Eucharist to the questioning of water being required for baptism, this conversation is enough to make anyone’s head spin, but (hopefully) also help us see the importance of connecting our rituals to meaning. I’m curious: What did you think? 👇 Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction to the Jolly Thoughts Podcast 05:43 - Exploring Ethnodoxology and Worship Contexts 13:06 - Kenny Wallace’s Journey and Background 19:03 - Understanding Ethnodoxology 24:39 - Cultural Expressions in Worship 31:26 - The Need for Ethnodoxology 37:13 - Accretions in Worship Practices 44:42 - Cultural Context and Worship Practices 47:38 - Curiosity and Respect in Interactions 51:44 - Engaging with Indigenous Ceremonies 56:17 - The Meaning Behind Rituals 1:00:13 - Contextualization of Communion 1:05:25 - Understanding Baptism in Different Cultures Keywords: ethnodoxology, worship, cultural expressions, Kenneth Wallace, Jolly Thoughts Podcast, worship practices, church history, cultural heritage, worship studies, community engagement, cultural context, worship practices, curiosity, respect, indigenous ceremonies, communion, baptism, ethnodoxology, spirituality, Christianity Takeaways: * Ethnodoxology is about worship in local contexts. * Cultural expressions of worship are essential to understanding faith. * Kenny Wallace’s journey reflects a diverse background in worship studies. * The importance of contextualizing worship practices in different cultures. * Historical church practices have influenced modern worship. * Accretions in worship can dilute the core message of the gospel. * Cultural heritage can enrich worship experiences. * Trust and respect are vital in community and worship settings. * The role of curiosity in understanding different cultural practices. * Worship should reflect the diversity of God’s creation. Self-mutilation and sexual immorality are not acceptable in Christian worship. * Technology can dehumanize individuals, affecting our respect for them. * Cultural items in worship must be critically evaluated against scripture. * Curiosity about others fosters respect and understanding. * Engaging with indigenous ceremonies requires sensitivity and awareness. * The function of a ritual can change based on cultural context. * Communion can be expressed through various cultural forms without losing its meaning. * Baptism can be contextualized using indigenous practices like sage smoke. * Understanding the meaning behind rituals is more important than the form they take. * Building relationships is essential for effective ministry. Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 10m

  8. 10/10/2025

    The Myth Of Good Christian Parenting

    “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, King James Version) Is that verse a promise or an observation? For over half a century now, Christian parenting books have been banking on (and banking from) it being the former. In their own book (The Myth of Good Christian Parenting), Marissa Franks Burt & Kelsey Kramer McGinnis raise the question anew, and ask us to do the same. This was a hard conversation for me, in many respects. Not because the authors of the book were anything short of pleasant, and not because their work is anything less than well-executed, but because engaging with it caused me to look pretty deep inside & question some of my own presuppositions & unexamined feelings about the parent-child relationship. Maybe I’ll be alone in that. Maybe not. Below you’ll find bios for both authors, links to follow them online, and opportunities to order the book (which launches in Canada on October 14th, 2025). You can also leave a comment or reach out with any of your own thoughts. Oh, and for a video version of this convo, here’s the YouTube link. Chapters: 00:01 - Intro 03:11 - Exploring Parenting Dynamics and Backgrounds 04:44 - The Genesis of a Collaborative Project 07:56 - The Myth of Good Christian Parenting 10:55 - Understanding Parenting Expertise and Experience 13:40 - Promises and Threats in Christian Parenting 16:39 - Methodology and Research Insights 20:04 - Key Themes in Christian Parenting Resources 23:01 - Authority and Obedience in Parenting 25:54 - Rhetorical Choices and Language in Parenting Discussions 28:21 - Authority and Parenting Dynamics 33:54 - Discipline: Rethinking Approaches 47:35 - The Role of Authority in Parenting 58:55 - Cultural Influences on Parenting Practices Keywords: Christian parenting, parenting promises, discipline, authority, evangelical families, parenting resources, child development, parenting methodology, parenting insights, parenting challenges, bible Marissa Franks Burt (MA in Theological Studies, Columbia International University) is a novelist, editor, teacher, and cohost of the At Home with the Lectionary and In the Church Library podcasts. She lives in a small town in Washington’s Snoqualmie Valley with her husband, six children, and heaps of books. Kelsey Kramer McGinnis (PhD, University of Iowa) is a musicologist, educator, and correspondent for Christianity Today, writing on worship practices and Christian subculture. She is an adjunct professor at Grand View University in Des Moines and previously worked at the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights. The book is available for pre-order across platforms: Find the book on Amazon Order from Baker for guaranteed release day delivery Bookshop book link Audible link * Instagram: @mburtwrites | @kelseykmcginnis * Threads: @mburtwrites | @kelseykmcginnis * Facebook: @mburtwrites | @kelsey.kramermcginnis * Bluesky: @mburtwrites | @kkramermcginnis * TikTok: @mburtwrites | @kelseykmcg * Substack: @mburtwrites | @kelseykramermcginnis * YouTube: @mburtwrites * Website: Marissa | Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 7m
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About

This feed is a grab bag of thoughts, reflections, and tomfoolery. The Bible will be talked about, other books will be talked about, concepts will be wrestled with, Jesus will be made much of. marcjolicoeur.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    A repository for reflections on life, God, the Bible, etc.
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Marc Jolicoeur
  • Show Website
    Marc Jolicoeur (aka "Jolly Thoughts")

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