Episode 31 - Cosmic Christ, Concrete Jesus with Kevin Sweeney

In this episode of the Liturgical Rebels podcast, Kevin Sweeney shares his transformative journey from a conservative Christian background to a more progressive and radical perspective. He discusses the significance of the Black prophetic tradition in shaping his faith and the importance of understanding the Cosmic Christ as a universal force. The conversation also delves into the role of the Concrete Jesus in calling believers to action and the limitations of traditional creeds in addressing love, justice, and liberation. In this conversation, Christine Sine and Kevin explore the significance of embodiment in faith, the limitations of creeds, and the transformative power of mysticism. They discuss how the teachings of the mystics can guide individuals towards a more experiential understanding of God. The conversation emphasizes the importance of love, community, and personal transformation in the journey of faith.

Takeaways

• Kevin's graduation moment symbolized a challenge to institutionalized white supremacy.
• The Black prophetic tradition profoundly shaped Kevin's Christian imagination.
• Experiencing God can happen outside traditional church settings.
• The Cosmic Christ represents a universal force present in all creation.
• Creation itself is seen as the first incarnation of Christ.
• The Concrete Jesus emphasizes action and involvement in the world.
• Faith should be about transformation and direct experience with God. The creeds focus on beliefs but neglect embodiment.
• Mystics offer a deeper, experiential understanding of God.
• Being seen by God liberates us from seeking validation from others.
• The cosmic Christ invites us to trust in a loving reality.
• Personal transformation is rooted in direct experiences of God.
• Community and love are central to the Christian journey.

Kevin Sweeney was co-founder and lead pastor of Imagine Church for almost ten years. Imagine was an urban church in Honolulu that was welcoming of all people. Kevin was co-founder of the Honolulu based creative collective The (un)Commons, spoke at Hawai’i Contemporary’s premier art Biennial, and helped lead “Saying Grace,” a curated gathering of dinners and stories between the church and the LGBTQ community in Honolulu. After receiving Masters Degrees in Theology and Intercultural Studies (with a focus on Black and Womanist theology) Kevin is fascinated with and committed to creating environments for creativity, cultural innovation, social healing, communal cohesiveness, and personal transformation.

Kevin is the host of podcast “The Church Needs Therapy” and is a best selling author. His three books are "The Cosmic Christ and the Concrete Jesus", “The Making of a Mystic: My Journey with Mushrooms, My Life as a Pastor, and Why It’s Okay For Everyone to Relax,” and “The Joy of Letting Go." He currently lives and surfs in Honolulu with his wife and co-founder of Imagine, Christine, and their two kids, True and Mikayla. 

You can connect with Kevin Sweeney at his website www.kevinsweeneynow.com or on Instagram

Find out more about Christine Sine on
Walking In Wonder on Substack
and on her website Godspacelight
And on social media:
Instagram

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