The Ballot and the Gospel

Karen Keen on Soul-Freedom, the Bible, and Authenticity in the Spiritual Life

We're talking about "Soul Freedom" in this episode where I interview writer, scholar, and contemplative Karen Keen. We discuss scripture as a tool formation (rather than as a rule book), cultivating a contemplative practice is a busy world, and engaging a faith that involves our whole selves. What I most appreciate about this episode is that Karen gives us permission to be unfinished, to embrace a faith that is still in process, and to trust that God will for us is exactly what we need (and want). Chapters: Introduction 00:00 - 04:26 Meet Karen Keen 04:26 - 09:38 The Bible Beyond Prooftexting 09:38 - 13:25 The Bible As Life-giving Word of God 13:25 - 19:51 Conscience and Contemplation 19:51 - 33:15 Christlike Acceptance in the Church 33:15 - 38:23 Karen's Book Recommendation and Gratitude 38:23 - 48:02 Reflection, Gratitude, and Closing 48:02 - 59:07 Resources Referenced and Recommended: By Karen Keen Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships The Bible and Sexuality Discussed During the Episode Brown Church by Robert Chao Romero Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport About Our Guest Karen Keen is a theologian, spiritual director, and author whose work focuses on biblical interpretation, spiritual formation, theology, and Christian ethics. She is the author of several books, including Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships and The Bible and Sexuality. Her writing is known for combining rigorous scholarship, pastoral sensitivity, and a deep commitment to Christian discipleship. Learn more about Karen on her website: https://karenkeen.com/ [https://karenkeen.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcushalley.substack.com [https://marcushalley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Ballot and the Gospel

The Ballot and the Gospel While renewing his driver’s license online, Marcus Halley lingers over a question about updating voter registration which sparks his exploration of Christian faith, voting rights, and how to live faithfully without surrendering the gospel to partisan identity. Drawing on his religious upbringing, family stories, and political formation in college, he argues that voting rights are primarily about human dignity. The Church's work in our time is to form disciples marked by courage, humility, compassion, and justice. In a moment shaped by January 6, weakened Voting Rights Act protections, and eroding democratic norms, he urges moral witness rooted in love rather than fear. 00:00 DMV Question Sparks Pause 02:25 Roots in Black Struggle 06:33 The Bible Is Political 12:03 Why Voting Rights Matter 19:55 Returning to the DMV Question 21:57 Gratitude and Farewell This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcushalley.substack.com [https://marcushalley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Cameron Nations on Discernment, Vocation, and Becoming Human

Cameron Nations on Discernment, Vocation, and Becoming Human In this episode of Everyday Liturgist, Marcus Halley interview Cameron Nation, Canon for Vocations and Community Engagement in the Diocese of Alabama. Together they draw the wisdom of Rowan Williams, Marcus's experience of public discernment in the Western Massachusetts bishop election, and Cameron's experience cultivating leaders in Alabama to reflect on the church as a prayerful community of mutual discernment and grace-filled giftedness. They discuss discernment as ongoing, communal, and transformative, not mere decision-making, and critique consumer approaches to ministry. The episode closes by reframing vocation as learning “to be” and reflect God’s love and joy rather than chasing happiness, inviting the question: “Who would you have me be?”00:00 Introduction 03:15 Meet Cameron Nations 04:40 Interview with Cameron Nations 08:00 Discernment is about clarity not ordination 17:40 What Discernment Means 21:39 Discernment and Discipleship 28:14 Universal Christian Vocation 35:48 Young Adults Seek Meaning 42:36 Gratitude and Closing 45:23 Reflection 53:00 Closing Gratitude and Blessing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcushalley.substack.com [https://marcushalley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

I Give Up

In this episode, Marcus Halley responds to a graduating student’s spiritual anxiety by asserting that surrender is the door to the spiritual life. Marcus shares that we all have a common experience of deep hunger: for meaning, connection, and love. He then contrasts trying to control God through formulas and practices with learning to surrender to God by cultivating practices of silence and listening. Drawing on Howard Thurman’s “A Seed Upon the Wind,” Marcus describes surrender as a long inner struggle that leads to a new life oriented toward God’s purposes. He suggests practices like community, contemplative prayer, spiritual direction, and gratitude as ways of embodying spiritual surrender. Leslie Odom, Jr.'s "I Surrender": https://youtu.be/V26iETMaj8E?si=NlH99PdhdAlq5hw4 [https://youtu.be/V26iETMaj8E?si=NlH99PdhdAlq5hw4] 00:00 Introduction 01:55 How do I develop a spiritual life? 05:58 Howard Thurman’s “Seed Upon The Wind” 11:22 Tilling the Soil of Spiritual Possibility 12:11 Gratitude and Final Blessings This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcushalley.substack.com [https://marcushalley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Easter is more than Brunch

In this episode of Everyday Liturgist, Marcus Halley shares an Easter Sunday sermon from Trinity College Chapel. Marcus frames human beings as God’s image-bearers called into partnership with God against the rebellious forces bent toward injustice and death. He argues that Jesus’ resurrection is not a return to normal life but the first sign of God’s new creation where domination ends and justice reigns. Christians respond faithfully by daily choosing to follow Christ in acts of love, humility, generosity, and justice, resisting systems that dehumanize. 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Sermon: Easter and the Christian Life 14:34 Reflection 20:59 Gratitude Practice and Final Blessing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcushalley.substack.com [https://marcushalley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]