Episode 817
Subversive Wisdom: A Critical Examination of Spiritual Authority | 817
This episode delves into the profound insights presented in the Gospel of Luke 10:21-24, where Jesus exclaims the joy of divine wisdom being revealed to the unsuspecting rather than the intellectual elite. We explore the implications of this subversive wisdom, which challenges contemporary notions of religious and theological authority, positing that true understanding often emerges from marginalized voices rather than established institutions. Furthermore, we examine the exuberance of Jesus in the Spirit, highlighting the transformative potential of divine joy in disrupting entrenched hierarchies of knowledge and power. Our discussion extends to the responsibilities bestowed upon those who witness such revelations, urging a commitment to action in the face of injustice and oppression. Ultimately, we are called to embrace humility and openness, fostering a spirit of inquiry that remains receptive to new truths and perspectives in our spiritual journeys.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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An exploration of the profound insights embedded within Luke 10:21-24 reveals the subversive nature of divine wisdom as articulated by Jesus. In a remarkable moment of exuberance, Jesus expresses gratitude to God for revealing truth to the innocent and marginalized, rather than to those who consider themselves wise. This passage serves as a poignant critique of the intellectual and religious elitism that pervades contemporary society, challenging the notion that true wisdom is exclusively the domain of the educated and the powerful. Instead, it underscores the importance of listening to voices often overlooked, indicating that genuine knowledge frequently emerges from lived experiences rather than formal theological training. The conversation invites us to reflect on our own positions of authority and knowledge, urging a humility that recognizes the value of diverse perspectives in our spiritual journeys. As we navigate the complexities of faith, we are called to examine our assumptions and to embrace the transformative power of divine joy in recognizing wisdom from unexpected sources.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the significance of divine wisdom being revealed to those deemed as innocent newcomers, contrasting it against the know-it-alls of society.
- Jesus's exuberance in the Holy Spirit illustrates a profound joy in overturning established hierarchies of knowledge and power.
- Listeners are encouraged to examine their own tendencies to act as know-it-alls and to seek out marginalized voices within spiritual communities.
- The discussion highlights the responsibility that accompanies privileged insight and urges action against systems of oppression.
- A focus on subversive wisdom suggests that true insights are often found in lived experiences rather than formal education.
- The episode reinforces the notion that God delights in dismantling structures that centralize spiritual authority among a select few.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:That's me.
Speaker A:What a pleasure to be with you.
Speaker A:As every day we get into the New Testament Scripture which is selected for this very day from the Revised Common Lectionary, a three year cycle of reading through the entire Bible.
Speaker A:We're in Year C, the Epiphany season.
Speaker A:We bring the Bible to you in a way every day that is understandable.
Speaker A:We read the New Testament from the from the message translation Irrelatable.
Speaker A:It gives you some points to punch, ponder to think about applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do it all in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by our website voiceofgodaily.com the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:Our lesson today is From Luke chapter 10, verses 21 through 24.
Speaker A:Reading from the message at that Jesus rejoiced exuberant in the Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:I thank you Father, Master of Heaven and Earth, that you hid these things from the know it alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers.
Speaker A:Yes Father.
Speaker A:It pleased you'd to do it this way.
Speaker A:I've been given it all by my Father.
Speaker A:Only the Father knows who the Son is and only the Son knows who the Father is.
Speaker A:The Son can introduce the Father to anyone he wants to.
Speaker A:He then turned in a private aside to his disciples.
Speaker A:Fortunate the eyes that see what you're seeing.
Speaker A:There are plenty of prophets and kings who would have given their right arm to see what you were seeing, but never got so much as a glimpse to hear what you were hearing but never got so much as a whisper.
Speaker A:A profound statement here in this scripture for the day.
Speaker A:Jesus is celebrating divine wisdom and it was divine wisdom which was revealed to unexpected recipients.
Speaker A:And this gives us some really powerful insights about knowledge, power and spiritual awakening.
Speaker A:Let's take a look at a few points to ponder some teaching points about this.
Speaker A:The first one is about subversive wisdom.
Speaker A:Jesus's celebration of wisdom being hidden from the know it alls is what it says and revealed to the innocent.
Speaker A:Newcomers is a radical critique of intellectual and religious elitism in our present day context.
Speaker A:This challenges the gatekeeping of theological education, religious authority and spiritual expertise.
Speaker A:True wisdom often emerges from marginalized voices and lived experience, not just formal credentials or institutional power.
Speaker A:Another point is about divine joy in disruption.
Speaker A:Here's the image of Jesus.
Speaker A:It says he's exuberant in the Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:It shows a divine delight in upending hierarchies of knowledge and power.
Speaker A:This isn't just about individual revelation, but about systematic transformation.
Speaker A:God's joy is found in dismantling structures that concentrate spiritual authority in the hands of a few privileged experts.
Speaker A:One more point.
Speaker A:It's about privileged witness.
Speaker A:When Jesus tells the disciples they're seeing what prophets and kings longed to see, he's not creating a new spiritual elite.
Speaker A:Rather, he's highlighting the responsibility that comes with witnessing transformation today.
Speaker A:This might speak to our responsibility when we become aware of injustice or understand systems of oppression.
Speaker A:Of oppression.
Speaker A:It has to do with an awareness that demands action.
Speaker A:Here is your action.
Speaker A:Step.
Speaker A:Examine where you might be acting as a know it all rather than as an innocent newcomer.
Speaker A:Choose one area where you need to listen more than speak, particularly to voices often marginalized in the religious world.
Speaker A:This might mean attending a worship service led by a community different than your own.
Speaker A:Or reading theology written from perspectives that are a little bit unlike what you're used to, or sitting, tumbling and listening with someone whose spiritual journey may challenge your assumptions.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a moment, but I did want you to know that we have just a wonderful resource for you.
Speaker A:It's a free gift for you.
Speaker A:It is a Bible study guide for the guide your daily Bible reading, which you do apart here from the from the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is the reading I really want you to do on your own.
Speaker A:You get the Bible and you use this resource.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guidelines.
Speaker A:And you get started.
Speaker A:You can find it@voiceofgoddaily.com that is our website where you can find not only this resource, the ABC123 Bible Study Guide, but over 800 episodes of Daily Bible Refresh that is here for you.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God.
Speaker A:We we are just thankful for divine wisdom.
Speaker A:And we confess our addiction to expertise, our need to be right, our tendency to close our hearts when we think we've figured it all out.
Speaker A:Thank you for holy surprises that shake our certainties and open us to new truth.
Speaker A:Help us to find joy like Jesus did in unexpected revelations and wisdom from unexpected places.
Speaker A:Give us courage to question our own authority, humility to learn from those we might have dismissed, and wisdom to recognize truth wherever it emerges.
Speaker A:Make us both brave enough to witness and humble enough to wonder.
Speaker A:Both confident in your love and open to your surprises.
Speaker A:May we become people who, like the innocent newcomers, remain ever open to your revelation and ever ready to share with your love.
Speaker A:Well, thank you for joining us here today on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We love being with you.
Speaker A:We love to share the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and we do that every single day.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am why don't you come join me tomorrow?
Speaker A:I'll be here and bring a friend this time and we'll have enjoy the scriptures that are read to you in a way that is understandable, relatable and applicable.
Speaker A:Until then, I'm Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:And reminding you that God's loyal love doesn't run out, his merciful love doesn't dry up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
