Part 2. Dr. Richard N. Soulen asks the questions….What do I believe? Why do I believe it? What you believe and why you believe has its origins in your “Social Location”…..
Author: rnsoulen
2. Who is Dr. Richard N. Soulen?
Part 1. Dr. Richard Soulen asks the questions….What do I believe? Why do I believe it? What you believe and why you believe has its origins in your “Social Location”…..
1. Introducing Soulen and Soulen – Letters to the Inquiring Mind on Theology and Scripture
This is the first podcast of Soulen and Soulen – Letters to the Inquiring Mind on Theology and Scripture. Dr. Richard Soulen provides a brief overview of the podcast, how it came to be, and what will come next!
98. Wisdom is a Feminine Noun
In both the Old Testament (written in Hebrew) and in the New Testament (written in Greek), the word Wisdom is a feminine noun and therefore considered a feminine principle. The following sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen was delivered on Mother’s Day in the 1990s reflects on the role of Wisdom in our lives. Today, we see an assault on women’s rights not only in Afghanistan but across the globe and here in America as well. So… what is Wisdom? https://soulenandsoulen.com/
97. Saints and other characters
We can easily be dismayed by the hate and cruelty that exists in the world. But the response can be very simple: We are God’s children. We believe in love for our neighbor. We hope and pray for a bright future. And so, Christ is the image that we must pattern our lives after. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
96. Two 20th Century Theologians. A Methodist and a Muslim.
In the previous podcast series, Dr. Richard N. Soulen studied two theologians of the 18th Century: John Wesley and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb. Both born in the same year and dying just months apart. As part of research for that series, he discovered another coincidence… two 20th Century Theologians both born in the same year (1933) and in the same month (April): Dr. Richard N. Soulen and Seyyed Hossein Nasr. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
94. 5. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wesley Part 2)
John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
93. 4. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wesley Part 1)
John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
92. Living takes a lot of Forgiving
The Apostles’ Creed is a symbol of faith for Christians. Belief in the forgiveness of sins is part of this creed. Yet unlike the Lord’s Prayer, which can be recited at any time, the Apostles’ Creed is typically voiced in church, in union with other people. For the “Forgiveness of Sins” does not just mean OUR sins, but our ability to forgive others, a symbol of self-giving love. A sermon meditation by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
91. Praise the Lord!
In all things, Praise the Lord. Yes… but how? A sermon meditation by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
90. 3. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wahhāb Part 2)
John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
89. 2. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Wahhāb Part 1)
John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
88. 1. Two 18th Century Theologians. (Introduction)
John Wesley (1703-1791) founder of the Methodist church and Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (1703-1792) founder of Wahhabism, were born in the same year and died less than a year apart. What were the factors that influenced these two significant theologians to understand belief in God and expression of faith in such radically different ways? Dr. Richard N. Soulen delivers this multipart podcast series. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
87. The Mother’s Mind
Our culture has been too long dominated by the aggressive, assertive, self-seeking desire to control and dominate. And not open to a caring, compassionate, and self giving nature.
Dr. Richard N. Soulen was pastor at Duncan Memorial Methodist Church in Ashland, Virginia from 1988 to 1995. This is a sermon recording selected from this time period. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
86. Darkness and Light
The following meditation by Dr. Richard N. Soulen focuses on the prison industry in Virginia during the 1990s. The rising prison population was the result, in part, of sentencing guidelines that are being reversed in many part of the country today. But the fundamental question remains. How do we as Christians help others that are in desperate need of help? https://soulenandsoulen.com/
85. Native Awareness
One of United Methodism’s six special Sundays with offerings, Native American Ministries Sunday equips and empowers Native American pastors, congregations and seminary students to do what only they can do: authentically worship and serve Jesus. The following sermon delivered by Dr. Richard N. Soulen in the 1990s highlights issues that still strongly resonate today. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
84. Works of Peace
In the Methodist Church, Peace with Justice Sunday is a call for us to love our enemies, seek
justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict. In this sermon from the 1990s, Dr. Richard N. Soulen raises issues that are even more relevant today. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
83. John’s Question
How can the Christmas story be made meaningful for adults? Christmas celebrates God. God with us. The divine in the midst of the human. Just like the Christ Child, we were all infants at one time. And we were all totally dependent on the love of a mother and of a father and of the many others that nurtured us into adulthood. An Advent sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
82. To walk with the Lord
The United Methodist Church uses an itinerant system to appoint pastors to different congregations. The following sermon is a personal reflection by Dr. Richard N. Soulen about the faith of ministers and congregations, that stretches across the generations. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
81. The Truth shall set you free
The following sermon was delivered in the early 1990s. The topic of truth, or the wanton assault on truth, is critically important today as we grapple with campaigns of misinformation. On the personal level, Dr. Richard N. Soulen discusses the “dimensions of truth” that exist between you and God. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
80. A plan for the fullness of time
What does the future hold for us? What will happen in 2021? We just don’t know. We can’t know. But as Christians, we do know this: It is God’s will that in the fullness of time we shall be the children of God. The following is a sermon meditation by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
79. Personal Holiness
If you feel the call of the spirit, be Holy. If you can’t be Holy, be perfect. If you can’t be perfect, be good. If you can’t be good, be wise. If you can be none of these… A sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
78. What is Sin?
What is the nature of sin? How does sin and the meaning of Christmas go together? A sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
77. The transience of Life
Our time on this earth is limited. This is the transience of life. Do not live in the past. The past is the past. Admitting that something is over is a necessary part of living into the future. So live now, make a difference now, love your neighbor now and become part of the Kingdom of God. A sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
76. I believe
As Christians, we begin our profession of faith with the words, “I believe.” While not spoken or declared, just as important for the person of faith is what we do NOT believe. A sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
75. What does it mean to believe in God?
What does it mean to believe in God? If you were asked this question, how would you answer? What is the faith that is within you? Can you describe it? Dr. Richard N. Soulen is followed by Dr. R. Kendall Soulen in exploring the question. God has a purpose. God has a purpose for each and every one of us. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
74. Did we do enough?
As people of faith, we believe we are called to make a positive difference in the lives of the people around us. During such times of difficulty and sadness as these, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. The following sermon by Dr. Richard N. Soulen was delivered before the pandemic, but addresses a natural question. “Did we do enough?” https://soulenandsoulen.com/
73. What’s New?
The following sermon was delivered in the early 1990s, when “surfing the web” was a new thing. Today, technology continues to advance in ways both wonderful and terrifying. Yet God’s presence in our lives is a new and more powerful creation. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
72. Today is the day of Salvation
Now. Today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Today is the day of Salvation. Today is the day of God’s grace. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
71. The Personal God
Someone once asked, “What is God?” But that is the wrong question. The better question is, “Where is God?” We declare that the answer to that question is in Jesus of Nazareth. And also, in you and in me. Dr. Richard N. Soulen discusses the Personal God in the following sermon meditation. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
70. The Human and the Divine
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the Disciples a new commandment. This new commandment was to “Love one another as I have loved you.” In the following meditation, Dr. Richard N. Soulen provides a deeper understanding of the Last Supper and what that gift means for each of us today. https://soulenandsoulen.com/
22. The Mystery of the Universe
The universe… with it’s billions of galaxies and trillions of stars… doesn’t know it exists, except in the mind of God. And in our minds… made in the image of God. We have a gift. The gift of self-awareness and the power to comprehend. But it is not simply a gift – it is a responsibility! https://soulenandsoulen.com/
9. Defining The Biblical Jesus. The Man Who Lives. Part 3.
The Biblical Jesus refers to the Jesus one meets when reading the Gospels and writings of the New Testament.
8. Defining The Biblical Jesus. The Man Who Lives. Part 2.
The Biblical Jesus refers to the Jesus one meets when reading the Gospels and writings of the New Testament.
7. Defining The Biblical Jesus. The Man Who Lives. Part 1.
The Biblical Jesus refers to the Jesus one meets when reading the Gospels and writings of the New Testament.
6. Defining The Earthly Jesus. The Man Who Lived.
What is the generally recognized factual core of the life of Jesus around which declarations of faith are built?
5. The Defining Jesus Series: The Earthly, the Biblical, the Historical, and the Real Jesus, and How Not to Confuse Them
The introductory episode of the Defining Jesus Series: What do you mean when you say “Jesus”? Who, exactly, are you referring to? The Defining Jesus series is about the semantic content of the name Jesus and how it is used (and misused) in biblical studies, the church, and the popular press.
Soulen and Soulen 