As Holy Week and Easter Sunday approach, we thought it would be helpful to visit with someone who could help us reflect on these sacred events in a new way. Our guest today, Dr. Kerry Muhlestein, recently wrote The Easter Connection, which dives into the biblical account of Holy Week and illuminates the theme of eternal unification. In this short book—you could read it in just one sitting—Kerry explores the various ways Jesus’s final week teaches us about disconnection, and the idea that through the atonement of Jesus Christwe can overcome the separation that seems to be at the heart of our suffering.
One of the things we appreciated about our conversation with Kerry is that, while his new analysis offers a fresh understanding of the atonement, he also leaves space for the mystery of the atonement, and the ways it surpasses our understanding. Holy Week is a time for contemplation, of sitting with the story of Jesus’ atonement and death on the cross and letting it transform us. While we always hope for new insights that increase our understanding, the magnitude of what we can’t comprehend about the story is part of what keeps us coming back to the story again and again. We appreciate Kerry drawing us to the beauty of mystery in the atonement.
We also appreciated the practical takeaways from Kerry’s book; when we see human suffering and sin as a product of separation and disconnection, it is easier to be merciful with people’s flaws and mistakes, not to mention our own. Kerry helps us see how love and unity are always what we are seeking, deep down.
Kerry’s book, The Easter Connection, is at Seagull, Deseret Book, and Amazon.
84. Elusive Unity at BYU — A Conversation with Tom Christofferson and Patrick Mason
83. Zion Earth Zen Sky — A Conversation with Charles Inouye
82. The Future of Women at Church: A Conversation with Neylan McBaine
81. Are You a Steward or an Owner? — A Conversation with Ganel-Lyn Condie
80. Challenging Terryl Givens — A Conversation About "All Things New"
79. Imaginative Discipleship — A Conversation with Robert Rees
78. Loving Without an Agenda — A Conversation with Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird
77. A Divided Church (Pt 2): Our Better Angels — Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury and Jeremy Spilsbury
76. Why Weepest Thou? — A Conversation with S. Michael Wilcox
75. A Divided Church: What's Going on in Arizona? — Mesa Mayor John Giles and Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury
74. Restoring the People of God: An Excerpt of "Restoration" by Patrick Mason
73. Belonging and Boundaries — A Conversation with Jennifer Finlayson-Fife
72. Is the Church as True as the Gospel? — A Conversation with Terryl Givens
71. Celebrating Our Divine Mother: A Conversation with Bethany Brady Spalding and McArthur Krishna
70. A Better Heart — A Conversation with Tom Christofferson
69. Constitution by a Thread (Part 2) — With Thomas B. Griffith, Kurt Francom, and Bill Turnbull
68. Is the Constitution Hanging by a Thread? — A Conversation with Thomas B. Griffith
67. Faith’s Dance With Doubt — A Conversation with Brian McLaren
66. Atonement: From Penal Substitution to Radical Healing — An Excerpt from "All Things New" by Terryl and Fiona Givens
65. OCD Isn't What You Think It Is — A Conversation with Bonnie Young
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)