149 episodes
Messages from Douglas UCC Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
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- Religion & Spirituality
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4.6 • 10 Ratings
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This podcast features homilies delivered by Pastor Sal Sapienza at Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ -- a progressive, inclusive, open and affirming faith community located in Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan. To learn more, visit https://www.douglasucc.org
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What is Pentecost?
Pentecost takes place on the fiftieth day after Easter. Pastor Sal talks about how the apostles were filled with the flame of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost and what it means for us today.
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The Ascension: Did Jesus Defy Gravity?
Luke tells how the disciples watched in astonishment as Jesus was lifted up into the heavens. Did Jesus really defy the Law of Gravity? Pastor Sal talks about spiritual ascension to a place of higher consciousness.
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God, Our Mother
Religious teachings have led most of us to think of God as a man: an authoritative, judgmental Heavenly Father. How would our world be different if we viewed God as a nurturing Heavenly Mother? Pastor Sal continues to explore the question, ‘Who is God?’
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What is “One-ing”?
Medieval mystic Julian of Norwich used the term ‘one-ing’ to describe our relationship with God. Pastor Sal talks about becoming one with the One, sharing wisdom from Eckhart Tolle, Marcus Borg, and Michael Berg.
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Road to Nowhere – The Emmaus Story
Two confused and sad disciples encounter a stranger who enlightens and consoles them. Later, in the breaking of bread, they recognize the stranger as Jesus. How often on the road of life do we fail to recognize God's presence in our midst?
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Why You Should Be a Doubting Thomas
At first, the apostle Thomas didn’t believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. We've all been led to believe that doubting is an obstacle to faith, but the real obstacle is certainty. Pastor Sal explores the benefits of doubt.
Customer Reviews
Eisegesis, Not Exegesis
I have listened to a few of Sal’s sermons, and while his conclusions might appear groundbreaking in progressive circles, he does not engage the text as plainly written, and most of what he deduces is deeply anachronistic. I have noted on a number of occasions where I had to go back into earlier parts of his sermon so as to ensure that I was reading the same text. I myself have been a minister for more than fifteen years, with an MDiv and an Advanced Degree (meaning that I took and passed all doctoral work, but was unable to complete my dissertation due to an extended family emergency), so I do have extensive theological training. I say none of this as a means of being cruel. Rather, I have great concern for what is being taught here. It does not reflect historic Christianity in any tangible way, and rather than allowing the Biblical text to define the sermon, Scripture is poorly applied (sometimes only referring to five words of a verse) to a sermon that is often synchronistic, heterodox, and long set held in Sal’s ethic before the Bible was ever opened.