[131] Keeping Christianity weird with Dr Richard Beck

Compass Podcast: Finding the spirituality in the day-to-day

Join us as Dr. Richard Beck discusses mysticism in daily life, and how enchantment can transform our view in “Hunting Magic Eels.”

Feeling world-weary? Richard discusses how moral beauty & acts of kindness can awaken awe. Explore the mystical in the mundane on the Compass Podcast!

Richard is a Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University, and he is the author of the popular blog Experimental Theology: The Thoughts, Articles and Essays of Richard Beck. His latest book is called “Hunting Magic Eels: Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age… it is out now. As an experimental psychologist and a practicing Christian, Richard attempts “to integrate theology with the experimental social sciences.”

In this episode:
(00:00) Compass podcast embraces awe and mystery.
(06:15) Enchantment focuses on experiential perspective, openness to surprise.
(07:44) Yearning for enchantment amid shifting religious beliefs.
(12:12) Vocational crisis due to moral questioning.
(14:48) Natural beauty not main trigger for awe.
(18:28) Small local churches offer moral beauty weekly.
(22:38) Biking to work, sunrise, prayerful start.
(24:42) Embracing the little way in daily life.
(30:16) Criticism about depending solely on God’s aid.
(33:39) Using poetry to find meaning in life.
(34:58) Seek joy, God’s witness, widen divine encounters.

More episodes and show notes available at umc.org/compass

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.