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. May 22

    Talk on AI, Songwriting, and Worship Leading with Paul Baloche

    “Just for a moment Can we fix our eyes on Jesus? There is no other reason We stand and sing these songs” from Magnify (Just For A Moment) by Paul Baloche I have not seen the adjective “pastor” attached to Paul Baloche very often, but I can tell you that there are few people I’ve met in the wider world of worship leading who are more pastoral than he. I was blessed to have him on the pod way back in 2022 (episode here), where we talked about… -crazy online worship leading experiences during Covid -extremes on the left AND the right within the church -how we may have gone “far enough” with multitracks This time around, we talked about.. -his excellent (and about to be revamped book) God Songs (which we’ve been using in class @ Kingswood) -his journey as a songwriter that led him to write songs for the likes of the late great Ron Kenoly -the theology of the guitar solo, and how AI may (or may not) be able to worship God I hope you’ll enjoy the conversation, and if so, I hope you’ll share the love! (If you prefer to watch than listen 👇) Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 05:40 - Transition to Faith and Music 06:10 - The Journey to California and Music School 09:27 - Learning from Mentors and Songwriting Beginnings 15:42 - Writing for the Local Church 21:17 - Transitioning to Professional Songwriting 26:42 - Understanding the Congregation’s Needs 31:31 - Updating ‘God Songs’ for a New Generation 34:42 - The Process of Creating a New Album 38:26 - Exploring Belief and Doubt in Worship 40:11 - The Philosophy of Guitar Solos 47:12 - AI and Songwriting: A New Frontier 59:33 - The Importance of Authentic Worship Resources: God Songs by Paul Baloche and Jimmy & Carol Owen - https://www.amazon.com/God-Songs-Contemporary-Worship-Book/dp/083412278X Integrity Music - https://www.integritymusic.com Christ for the Nations Institute - https://www.cfn.edu Marty Nystrom - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Nystrom Guest Links: Website - https://paulbaloche.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/paulbaloche Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulbaloche/ Keywords: worship music, songwriting, Paul Baloche, AI in worship, worship leading, song creation, church music, worship songs, music ministry, worship innovation Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 8m

  2. May 15

    "Just" is a Four-Letter-Word: The Eucharist & You

    How did we get from the gospels recording Jesus’ words as “Take, eat, this is my body broken for you” to Youth Pastors offering donuts & Coca Cola as “communion”? How did the primary locus of mystical Christian worship become “just a symbol”? How did the evangelical church get here, and (in the adapted register of The Clash)... should we stay or should we go? [to watch this video, either scroll down or visit the pod on YouTube] In his recently defended PhD thesis, my friend & Kingswood co-labourer (and newly minted doctor) Axel Kazadi traced a bit of a history of the eucharist, specifically bringing in a triumvirate of early protestant conversation partners, and then putting those considerations in conversation with John Wesley… and eventually with Wesley’s denominational children, which includes the host of this podcast. Have I done a geekier, more “theological-dictionary-required” episode than this? I’m honestly not sure… so BUCKLE UP AND ENJOY THE RIDE! Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the episode’s focus on Eucharistic theology 02:15 - The role of historical debates: transubstantiation, memorialism, and sacramental union 06:45 - The significance of Christ’s presence—material, spiritual, or symbolic 10:22 - Examining the Eucharist as a sacrifice, thanksgiving, and act of almsgiving 15:42 - Influence of the Reformation on Eucharistic doctrine 20:12 - Wesleyan perspectives: how Wesley approached communion and real presence 24:39 - Practical implications: integrating Eucharist into worship and community life 30:45 - Handling mystery and faith: accepting doctrines beyond full human understanding 36:28 - The importance of frequent communion in Wesleyan practice 44:39 - Structuring worship to emphasize the Eucharist’s grace and communal aspect 51:02 - The role of ordination and church authority in administering communion 58:11 - The continuity of Eucharistic tradition from early church to today 63:36 - Encouragement for worship leaders to deepen Eucharistic practice 73:07 - Connecting Eucharist with acts of love and social justice 77:21 - Practical steps for incorporating Eucharist intentionally in services 81:22 - Final thoughts: Eucharist as a celebration of thanksgiving and a corporate act of sacrifice 83:50 - Reflecting on the mystery of Christ’s presence and theological humility Recommended Resources: The Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann Sacramental Theology: Wesleyan Perspectives Book of Common Prayer Key Words: Historical development of Eucharistic theology, including transubstantiation, consubstantiation, memorialism, and sacramental union || The significance of Christ’s real, spiritual, or symbolic presence in the Eucharist || The relationship between Eucharistic sacrifice, thanksgiving, and the church’s outward acts of love (almsgiving) || Practical ways to re-emphasize the Eucharist’s role as a means of grace and a corporate act of worship || Theological reflections on the nature of Christ’s presence and the importance of mystery and faith in Eucharistic understanding || The influence of the Reformation on the diversity of Eucharistic beliefs and Wesleyan practice Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 27m

  3. May 8

    What’s the matter with the Church? (or, rather, “Does the Church still matter?”)

    “From the beginning, the Israelites were a multi-ethnic family whose most prominent members often married foreigners. Later laws against intermarriage are focused exclusively on protecting Israelite worship rather than trying to maintain the purity of the Israelite bloodline.” (pg 30) Just one of the many wonderfully provocative snippets that litter Dr Carmen Joy Imes’ third book, Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters. But Carmen is not a provocateur. This book (like the others in the trilogy) is aimed squarely at helping us think Biblically about the topic at hand, which in this case is the nature of the “people (or ‘family’) of God”. Carmen’s last time on the pod (which, wildly enough, was back in May/June 2022, on the day she clicked “send” on the manuscript for her 2nd book, Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters). At that time we talked about her visit to Southeastern, Critical Race Theory, the distinction between gender & sexuality… all the fun stuff. Throughout this new conversation, Dr Imes unpacks the scriptures with acumen & ease, shedding light in dark areas and clarifying my own misunderstandings of the nature of The Church. Hopefully you’ll appreciate it as much as I have! If you’d prefer to watch rather than just listen… keywords: Church, Biblical Theology, Old Testament, New Testament, God’s Covenant, Community, Adoption, Family of God, Eschatology, Christian Life key topics: The birth of the church and Acts 2 The Old Testament roots of the church The significance of God’s covenant and presence The metaphor of adoption and family in Scripture The expansive nature of God’s people and inclusion of foreigners The relationship between vertical (God) and horizontal (people) relationships The role of the church in social responsibility and justice The eschatological hope for the end of nations and kingdoms chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 05:22 - The Importance of Church Community 08:28 - Understanding the Church’s Origins 11:35 - The Role of the Old Testament in Defining the Church 14:28 - Continuity Between the Old and New Testament 17:32 - The Nature of God’s Covenant with His People 20:34 - The Expansive Nature of God’s Family 23:40 - The Dynamics of Church Membership 26:32 - Adoption and Relationships in the Church 31:22 - The Metaphor of Adoption in Faith 33:00 - Living as Children of God 34:50 - Cultural Contexts and Family Systems 36:02 - God’s Wrath and Social Responsibility 43:09 - The Kingdom of God vs. National Identity 52:42 - Women in Ministry and Gender Dynamics Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 2m

  4. Apr 3

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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

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  • Creator
    A repository for reflections on life, God, the Bible, etc.
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Marc Jolicoeur
  • Show Website
    Marc Jolicoeur (aka "Jolly Thoughts")

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