philemon

On the road again, we stop today in the book of Philemon.  Even though it is a very short book, it is powerful and holds strong lessons for us as Christians.  Philemon was a convert of Paul and a leader in the church of Colossae.  Philemon had an unresolved relationship with a previous slave that had done him wrong.  The slave, Onesimus had become a brother in Christ and Paul was sending him back to Philemon with a plea to accept Onesimus back as a brother.  This letter holds deep lessons for us concerning forgiveness and true brotherhood in the Lord.

In this final episode of our journey, Satya begins by reading Jung’s Epilogue to the Red Book from 1959. 

Satya and Carol discuss Scrutinies, which Sonu Shamdasani considers the third book of "The Red Book." They talk about the recent synchronistic publication of "The Black Books." Satya breaks down the history of Scrutinies and The Seven Sermons of the Dead.

Satya explores Richard Wilhelm and the Secret of the Golden Flower, and Jung's emerging understanding of Alchemy.

Carol shares the horoscope from this time and the shift from the 12th house to the 1st house astrologically. Jung is beginning to translate this journey into a psychology, rather than a religion. Carol and Satya read through Jung’s “Seven Sermons of the Dead” from 1916 and the strange experiences in Jung’s home, in which the Christian dead visit Jung’s home. They explore how Philemon has changed since “The Magician”. Satya concludes by returning to the beginning.

Chapter: “Scrutinies.” THE END!

Astrological Charts:

• Scrutinies - Dark Crowd / Worm

Learn More:

• Salome Institute: SalomeInstitute.com
• Carol: CarolFerrisAstrology.com
• Satya: SatyaByock.com
• Satya's book: Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood

Recorded October 25, 2020 

Carol Ferris read’s from "the Magician" and illuminates the intersection of healing, time, and space, weaving in the mythology of Philemon and Baucis as she and Satya explore the union of opposites with Philemon and Baucis, and Elijah and Salome. Satya tracks the feminine in Jung’s "Red Book" as Baucis stands in the kitchen. Carol discusses the coming into form of the yin yang pair of opposites. Jung asks where does one go to learn magic? Carol incorporates the Six Conformations of Chinese Medicine and Satya discusses the history of Jung’s psychology as it leads to Taoism and the union of the opposites. Satya & Carol discuss the Ego-Self Axis, Jedi’s, the Force, Karate Kid, and the importance of practice in connecting to the divine and the rhizome-like nature of the unconscious. Carol discusses the thinker and magician, David Abram. Carol speaks to the Age of Aquarius, The Great Ages (see chart), and when the “I” becomes “We.” Q&A touches on Tecumseh’s Curse, Baucis in the Kitchen, Jung & Quantum Physics, a return to our animal selves, the etymology of anima, and the somatic of Jungian Psychology.

Chapter: "The Magician" Pt. 1

Astrological Charts:

• The Magician January 27, 1914

Learn More:

• Salome Institute: SalomeInstitute.com
• Carol: CarolFerrisAstrology.com
• Satya: SatyaByock.com
• Satya's book: Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood

Recorded on October 18, 2020

We continue our "One Hit Wonders" series with a look at the book of Philemon. This is Paul's shortest letter but it packs quite a punch! Join us as we learn some important gospel truths in these 25 verses.

Paul’s letter to his Roman colleague, Philemon, delicately balances Roman expectations for enslaved people, their masters, and the new egalitarian ideas in the Christ communities. Learning the lifestyle of ancient Rome in families and households, listeners are invited to imagine what Onesimus, Paul’s enslaved friend, must have felt when Paul’s letter was read aloud to his master, Philemon. The tension concerning the authority over a runaway slave is palpable, but not spoken.

Paul is so inspired by Philemon's faith and love. He appeals to him to accept a former slave back and forgive an debt owned by the slave Onesimus.

He appeals to Philemon's genuine love of Christ to let this brother in the Lord be useful to him now, whereas he wasn't before.

He doesn't demand this, but ask Philemon to consider, with mercy, how he was in debt to Paul, for his belief in Christ as well.

Paul says, he believes Philemon will do more than asked.

Music by Scott Holmes, intro and outro, (Corporate Uplifting)

Theme music by P C lll, Music for a Weary World Vol 1, The Rest Album

Scripture Reading: Philemon 1-25

Of Paul's thirteen New Testament letters, the letter to Philemon may be the most personal.  It is the shortest book in the New Testament and contains no explicit theology or command for its readers.  This warm, heartfelt letter highlights the beauty of forgiveness as it illustrates God's forgiveness of those who seek Him in humility and faith.

Paul writes this letter to Philemon, his dear friend, about Onesimus.  Onesimus was a slave belonging to Philemon and had run away, probably having stolen money from his master (v 18).  Onesimus traveled to Rome where he met with Paul, probably having sought Paul out.  It is possible that Onesimus had seen Paul at Philemon's house in Colossae, when the church in Colossae gathered there.

In his conversations with Onesimus, Paul led him to Christ (v 10) and now sends him back to Philemon, his master.  Paul's appeal is that Philemon will receive Onesimus back "no longer as a bondservant, but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother" (v 16).  The implication is that Paul is encouraging Philemon not only to receive Onesimus, but to forgive him and maybe even to free him from being a slave. 

Based on the fact that we have this letter in the Bible, we can conclude that Philemon did what Paul was asking him to do.  This is a beautiful illustration of God's forgiveness.  Jesus intercedes for us and the Father, based on Christ's work, takes away the penalty God's justice requires.  Philemon could have, legally, punished Onesimus.  Instead he showed him mercy.  God could have, legally, punished all of us.  Instead, in mercy He sent His Son to free us from the bonds of sin and death.  His grace is beyond description.  We simply bow down in wonder and humility and gratitude.

Philemon

During his imprisonment in Rome, the apostle Paul taught in his own home group and also sent a letter to Philemon, the leader of a home group in Colossae. The message was the same: that God's people, meeting and worshiping in groups, are being transformed into a divine community formed around the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon by Growth Groups Director Joe Leavell.

What you are about to hear in this PODCAST is a masterful, masterful example of how two apostles—Peter and Paul—addressed a thorny issue that confronted the first generation of Christ-followers.

The issue of slavery.

Paul in particular will seize upon a teachable moment, presented to him by a runaway slave, and use this moment spectacularly to develop an entire New Testament theology of slavery. AND what it all has to do with us today when it comes to our own thorny social issues which threaten to divide us.

Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play.

God bless you richly as you listen.