Episode 3: Missional Priesthood: Cleansing the Earth through Confession, Healing, & Exorcism

Summary: 

In this episode of "Between Heaven & Earth,” hosts Justin and Amy Howard discuss the essential role of the priesthood in the spiritual journey of believers, framing their conversation through a biblical lens. As they navigate topics such as the priesthood’s historical context, the relationship between sin and contagion, and the implications of Jesus as the ultimate high priest, they aim to illuminate how followers of Jesus today can embody these principles in their own lives. The Howards explore the challenges of communicating spiritual health in a broken world and advocate for active participation in community confession and healing. Employing a practical model called the Four R’s—Repent, Renounce, Release, and Receive—they provide listeners with actionable steps to engage in directed confession, thereby fostering a vibrant Christian community where believers can support and nurture one another emotionally and spiritually.

  Highlights

•  Hosts Justin and Amy Howard explore the significance of the modern priesthood and its foundations.
•  The podcast serves to empower listeners to cultivate their spiritual understanding amidst societal challenges.
•  The Four R’s of directed confession: Repent, Renounce, Release, and Receive, are proposed as tools for believers.
•  The concept of holiness and contagion is critical in understanding the role of priests from biblical times to today.
•  Jesus is presented as the ultimate High Priest, breaking the barriers of shame and sin for all believers.
•  Discussion includes the necessity of community and vulnerability for true healing in Christian life.
•  The hosts emphasize the priesthood of all believers and the call to practice this ministry in everyday relationships.

Key Insights

•  Historical Context of Priesthood: The origins of the priesthood in the Bible serve a dual role: enabling communion with a holy God and facilitating a healthy community. The Levites were tasked with ensuring the land was a habitable space for God’s presence by managing sin and preparing the people spiritually to engage with divinity. This historical lens underlines the ongoing relevance of priestly functions today, as they lay the groundwork for understanding the dynamic between humanity and holiness.

•  Sin as Contagion: The discussion centers on the metaphor of sin as contagion, indicating how unaddressed spiritual sickness can affect the collective moral and emotional landscape. The priestly role historically included diagnosing and addressing these issues within the community, highlighting the contemporary need for communal accountability and active engagement in nurturing one another’s spiritual health.

•  Jesus as High Priest: Unlike ancient priests who were made unclean through contact with sin and death, Jesus embodies a new paradigm where His holiness is contagious and transformative. This transition emphasizes that believers can now approach God without fear, enhancing the understanding of direct engagement with the divine in personal and communal practices.

•  Empowerment through Community Confession: The podcast advocates for community confession to break the cycle of isolation and shame. It emphasizes that believers can support each other through confession and shared vulnerability, ultimately moving toward healing and restoration. This communal aspect of confession is crucial for overcoming feelings of alienation that arise from sin.

•  The Four R’s model: Repent, Renounce, Release, and Receive function as practical steps for directed confession. This model is framed not as a mere formula but as an invitation to personally engage with God’s Grace, transforming remorse into tangible actions that promote spiritual growth and healing.

•  The Nature of Spiritual Growth: The podcast encourages patience in spiritual development, portraying sanctification as a journey rather than a destination. Engaging in community confession, guided by the Four R’s, shows that spiritual maturity is a shared experience requiring humility, openness, and grace from one another.

•  Application Beyond the Individual: The implications of engaging in priestly ministry extend beyond individual practices to foster a healthier church culture. The conversation underscores the call for all believers to actively participate in the process of healing and restoration, reinforcing the idea that spiritual health is communal and interdependent. As believers, they are collectively responsible for embodying the priesthood role within their communities.

Through lively dialogue and thoughtful insights, Justin and Amy Howard’s podcast encourages listeners to embrace their identities as modern-day priests, actively participating in the work of God’s kingdom on earth. They advocate for vulnerability, compassion, and practical tools that empower individuals to navigate the complexities of faith and community in the contemporary world.

 

For more info on the expansion of the early church through exorcism and healing read:

"The Rise of Christianity," by Rodney Stark

"The Patient Ferment of the Early Church," by Alan Kreider

"The Deepest Place," by Curt Thompson