Inverted Orthodoxy #344- AER on Bears, Must Reads, and Maybe More!

Inverted Orthodoxy

In this weeks episode, the pastors discuss the following:

*Please note this episode deals with the topic of sexual assault and abuse. Please take care while listening**

1. 1:45 into episode Further to your discussion on the man v. bear question, Kyle at one point said that when these discussions come out often the "good" guys end up shying away from the discussion for fear of being caught up in it. However, I would propose that is part of the issue. The "good" guys need to step into the discussion and prove that they're still out there. As the quote goes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The Bible itself says "Rescue the perishing; don’t hesitate to step in and help. If you say, “Hey, that’s none of my business,” will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses." (Proverbs 24: 11-12 MSG). I would question why "good" men are afraid of being caught up, though no one is perfect, if you're not part of the problem shouldn't you be part of the solution? Too many men sit back and watch while their friends and acquaintances make rude and demeaning comments about women (or other men) and don't step in and do anything - if men can't stand up to the people around them for the comments they're making then how "good" are they really? I'm not suggesting men (or anyone) needs to engage in the social media discussions but this matter is so prevalent in day-to-day real life, if your eyes are open to it. I think the larger problem here is that many men aren't willing to be inconvenienced by stepping in to conflict by calling out improper behaviour in the other men they are in relationship with, be that sexual or otherwise. There is an epidemic of men who are not rising to their potential or becoming the men that God has called them to be, in part because those God has placed in their lives aren't willing to call them on their unhealthy, lazy, destructive behaviours. I apologize that this ended up to turning into a bit of a rant but if I were to end it in a question, my question would be – how do we better encourage the “good” men to step into the fullness of life God has for them and get them to be the “protectors” they were created to be? Most of us no longer live in a society that requires men to physically protect from the wilderness and elements anymore but they can protect many with their words and character and stop allowing other men to perpetuate their “bad” behaviours.

2. 16:32 into episode In episode 343 Kyle talked about the men becoming apathetic to the issues facing women or feeling like they can’t win even if they are “good guys”. I think it’s worth noting that this is how women have felt for years, and that while not all men are “bad guys” statistically speaking women are more at risk with men they know, are related to, or in relationships with. I believe it’s worth reflecting that those you deem as good men have the same risk factors, and we need to support women who have been impacted by the behaviour of men and those deemed “safe men”. Just because you yourself would never fathom doing something violent to a women, doesn’t mean the majority of your male peers are the same, even if you think you know them well.

3. 30:48 into episode May 8 - What is/are your must read book/books?

Blakes picks:

- The Patient Ferment of the Early Church

- What if Jesus was serious?

-Holy Fire

- Canoeing the Mountains

- My sheep have ears

-Letters by a modern Mystic

Doug's Picks:

- Everybody Always

-Bruchko

-The Beast That Crouches at the Door

-Traveling Light

- The Blue Parakeet

-When Everything's on Fire

Kyle's Picks:

-The Patient Ferment of the Early Church

-The Blue Parakeet

-Practice Resurrection

-Desiring the Kingdom

- Cross Vision

- A Burning in my Bones