Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
on suffering | AJ Mitchell, Jenn Johnson, & Brian Williams

on suffering | AJ Mitchell, Jenn Johnson, & Brian Williams

Last updated on: December 5, 2021 at 8:00 am by Rev. Jared V. Ingle

on suffering | AJ Mitchell, Jenn Johnson, & Brian Williams 2021-12-04T18:21:18-05:00 Rev. Jared V. Ingle

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How do people in the arts speak to suffering? This is a topic found in the Bible and often spoken of by Christian scholars. However, there may be more on the topic in the arts than we expect.

I’m sharing what I have from last week. I jot down a few things to share on social networks. Sometimes by the end of the week, I realize I’ve covered quite a bit of ground so I offer some of the thoughts on Patheos.

The only distinct theme last week is perhaps suffering. Mitchell unveils a suffering relationship. Johnson talks about the suffering of Job. Williams shares about the very depths of Hell from the classic work by Dante. Although suffering could be a unifying theme, in each of the three videos, there is hope for rescue or change.

suffering in marriage vs. speaking to the issues

To a certain extent all couples have fair fighting rules, and experience a good tiff now and then.

However, I am not sure this is the premise of the song. The fight and the making up seem to be the bond keeping the relationship together. At least one person is speaking up for change… and the vocals are tremendous!

Elihu gives Job perspective on his suffering

Someone asked, “Have you heard of Bethel Redding?” in Wednesday night Bible study. She talked about their Open Heavens conferences each October. She said she’s been there.

So I looked up Open Heavens and found this gem. Jenn Johnson is speaking, and as she wraps up, she introduces a new song with Chris Quilala. Chris was with the old-school Bethel Redding group that went on to become Jesus Culture. He has also done his own album. You’ll also see Dante Bowe, Brian Johnson, and other All-Stars on stage.

It’s a great Word by Jenn, and beautiful song with Chris. I’m not Elihu or Job, but I’m ready to speak into a transition, experience it, or both!

It’s been so long since I’ve been there that I’m forgetting what driving into town is like. I haven’t got to go to Bethel Redding yet or to Open Heavens. I have co-taught a marriage and family evening event at another church in town.

The lady at Bible study said Open Heavens is so large they have to use the Civic Center, but they still have to limit the seats

Dante’s understanding of suffering in the afterlife

Join the largest Dante reading group in history. We’ve been journeying through the various layers of Inferno (Hell). We are crossing into Purgatorio (Purgatory) in this Canto (chapter).

Before my Evangelical friends dismiss Dante’s work because of Purgatory, please know that many Evangelical scholars have interpreted this part of Dante’s work as a form of ongoing sanctification. For those who are from a little more Reformed Theology stream, it may interest you to know that in Dante’s Purgatory, everyone eventually makes it to Heaven (Paradisio).

However, this is the lowest level of Hell and the crossover into Purgatory. Dante and his guide Virgil actually interact with Dante’s depiction of the devil himself.

Brian A. Williams, D.Phil., sets this Canto up masterfully, also the end of the book the Inferno, as well as the point of crossing over into Purgatory. Brian is the Dean and Assistant Professor of Ethics and Liberal Studies at the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University. Interestingly, my counseling Supervisor knows the previous Dean of the Honors program, the very same school.

There is plenty of time to catch up. I love these pieces for each Canto, explaining what we are about to read. If you binge watch these and read, the group believes you can easily catch up over the course of 1 weekend. Also, this is a good place to join if you only want to go on from Purgatory to Paradise.

Take a look at 100daysofDante.com

Previous Post

December 2, 2021

Ecclesiastes, pt. 13 | decisions of wise men and fools

Next Post

December 8, 2021 Ecclesiastes, pt. 14 | one is to invest and work, trusting God for increase

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Communion Cruz Ingle Crystal Ingle Early Church Engaging Culture Ethics & Society Family Formation History In Dialogue Jared & Crystal Kingdom of God Majority World Church Mateo Ingle Messenger College Mission Narrative Pentecostal Church of God Prayer Shepherding The Sermon The Writings Theology Theology & Psychology Traverse City Uncategorized Vernell Ingle Word Study

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 May 2017 March 2017 March 2014 February 2013 January 2013 October 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 August 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the cupbearer to the king who fasted and prayed for Jerusalem?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Nehemiah Zerubbabel Haggai Ezra