Jesus didn’t come to start a religion. He came to ignite Presence. Before theology, before empire, there was fire—an awakening that cracked open hearts and rewrote destiny. This post reclaims the living core of the Gospel and exposes what we’ve lost.
Thanks for revealing the core, the fire, and pointing out the domestication. William Placher called it the domestication of transcendence. Karl Barth said the church kept studying the crater of impact rather than having impact. I'm grateful for your focus here.
I abandoned Christianity in 1988 (age of 33), and paradoxically resumed self-identifying as a Christian (very broadly construed) and started attending a very left-field Episcopal church in 2015 (age 60) as a consequence of first reading Cynthia Bourgeault and then Richard Rohr. I started with Cynthia B's best-known book which is "The Meaning of Mary Magdalene" but I then went on to her book "The Wisdom Jesus" which is her overall interpretation of what it means to her to be a Christian. In addition to my Episcopal church, I am a member of a Thursday night Kabbalah study group and an early Sunday morning (semi-monthly) Tarot study group. But paradoxically, Cynthia B got me back to standard church attendance.
Church for me has become a kind of dojo for ego training. If someone’s judgment triggers me, I assume that person just got assigned as my next inner guru. Not because they’re wise, but because they press the exact bruise I need to notice. And if I can sit through some uninspired theology without combusting or correcting it out loud? That’s a whole new level of silent alchemy.
We are all drawn from Divine Consciousness, every single living entity on earth is drawn from the Divine. And our highest priority is to promote the highest earthly and spiritual good of every living entity human or other. That’s what Jesus came to say.
This past Sunday, the priest's sermon was re: the gospel according to Luke where Jesus sends out the 70, and "the Kingdom of God is near" and how that translates to the world we're living in today. The priest emphasized that in the understanding of the Episcopal church there is no coercion in the Way as there is with, well we know who (hello, Christian Nationalists). At the end of the sermon, as the priest and I greeted one another, I said, "the Kingdom of god isn't only near but also within." And it feels like those who are hating on Christianity as well as the coercive forces within are missing out on what the Way is that Jesus spoke of. Bless you for shining that light on us and for us, as always (and apologies for the longish comment).
Many religions over the years keep trying to distance people from Jesus. Almost making an obstacle course to get to Him.
We are humans often wanting "instructions". Wefall for people that say they have it.
Combined we ended up with actions without "fire", just compliance.
Unfortunately Christian Nationalism (which in the name alone is idolatry) takes our desire for "instructions" and replaces the fire of Love with the fire if hate.
We are in dire need of rekindling and a longing to relate to Jesus individually.
If you’re new to Cynthia Bourgeault, start with The Wisdom Jesus. It’s the best entry point into her work—accessible, profound, and completely reimagines who Jesus is, not as a distant savior but as a teacher of transformation.
She blends contemplative practice, nondual insight, and the ancient Christian wisdom tradition without watering any of it down. Think: Sermon on the Mount meets mindfulness, but with the heart turned all the way up.
If you want mysticism without the fog machine and theology with an actual heartbeat, that’s the one.
From there?
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening (for your daily practice)
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene (if you’re ready to rewire your image of the Divine Feminine)
The Wisdom Way of Knowing (for the bigger picture of the path)
Excellent. This happened because humanity was already centuries-deep into a patriarchal ideology and newly capitalist. He was unable to compete with the violence of men and with humanity's own greed. I am going to read her now.
Thanks for revealing the core, the fire, and pointing out the domestication. William Placher called it the domestication of transcendence. Karl Barth said the church kept studying the crater of impact rather than having impact. I'm grateful for your focus here.
This writing is pure ecstasy — best understanding of Jesus I’ve ever heard.
Yes, I believe this is what Jesus meant when he said, "I am the way". He led by example.
I abandoned Christianity in 1988 (age of 33), and paradoxically resumed self-identifying as a Christian (very broadly construed) and started attending a very left-field Episcopal church in 2015 (age 60) as a consequence of first reading Cynthia Bourgeault and then Richard Rohr. I started with Cynthia B's best-known book which is "The Meaning of Mary Magdalene" but I then went on to her book "The Wisdom Jesus" which is her overall interpretation of what it means to her to be a Christian. In addition to my Episcopal church, I am a member of a Thursday night Kabbalah study group and an early Sunday morning (semi-monthly) Tarot study group. But paradoxically, Cynthia B got me back to standard church attendance.
Church for me has become a kind of dojo for ego training. If someone’s judgment triggers me, I assume that person just got assigned as my next inner guru. Not because they’re wise, but because they press the exact bruise I need to notice. And if I can sit through some uninspired theology without combusting or correcting it out loud? That’s a whole new level of silent alchemy.
Celtic Shamanism. Very cool!!!
PS I grew up in a very left-field progressive Methodist church
We are all drawn from Divine Consciousness, every single living entity on earth is drawn from the Divine. And our highest priority is to promote the highest earthly and spiritual good of every living entity human or other. That’s what Jesus came to say.
This past Sunday, the priest's sermon was re: the gospel according to Luke where Jesus sends out the 70, and "the Kingdom of God is near" and how that translates to the world we're living in today. The priest emphasized that in the understanding of the Episcopal church there is no coercion in the Way as there is with, well we know who (hello, Christian Nationalists). At the end of the sermon, as the priest and I greeted one another, I said, "the Kingdom of god isn't only near but also within." And it feels like those who are hating on Christianity as well as the coercive forces within are missing out on what the Way is that Jesus spoke of. Bless you for shining that light on us and for us, as always (and apologies for the longish comment).
Yes!
Many religions over the years keep trying to distance people from Jesus. Almost making an obstacle course to get to Him.
We are humans often wanting "instructions". Wefall for people that say they have it.
Combined we ended up with actions without "fire", just compliance.
Unfortunately Christian Nationalism (which in the name alone is idolatry) takes our desire for "instructions" and replaces the fire of Love with the fire if hate.
We are in dire need of rekindling and a longing to relate to Jesus individually.
What would be the best book by Cynthia Bourgeault to start reading?
If you’re new to Cynthia Bourgeault, start with The Wisdom Jesus. It’s the best entry point into her work—accessible, profound, and completely reimagines who Jesus is, not as a distant savior but as a teacher of transformation.
She blends contemplative practice, nondual insight, and the ancient Christian wisdom tradition without watering any of it down. Think: Sermon on the Mount meets mindfulness, but with the heart turned all the way up.
If you want mysticism without the fog machine and theology with an actual heartbeat, that’s the one.
From there?
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening (for your daily practice)
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene (if you’re ready to rewire your image of the Divine Feminine)
The Wisdom Way of Knowing (for the bigger picture of the path)
Great. I just bought all three books.
❤️🔥
Excellent. This happened because humanity was already centuries-deep into a patriarchal ideology and newly capitalist. He was unable to compete with the violence of men and with humanity's own greed. I am going to read her now.
This is so wise—so very wise.
Amazing work. I'm so glad I found you. ☺️