Central is a healing and inclusive spiritual community for those hurt by religion and seeking the sacred. We are a fully affirming community that discusses challenging spiritual topics, reflects through progressive Christian liturgy, communes over food and drink, and serves our neighbors.
11/1/26: Reformation, Resistance, and the Modern Church
This episode explores the 509th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther's critique of church corruption, and how the Reformation's ideals of questioning authority and embracing reform connect to modern progressive Christianity. The host traces the lineage from Renaissance humanism to the Reformation and onward to contemporary deconstruction movements, critiques Christian nationalism ahead of the midterms, and encourages courage, conviction, and ongoing reform in faith and public life.
18 Oct 2026
10/18/26: Making the Cut: How to Hold Spiritual Experience and Reason
This episode explores Rene Descartes' famed mystical "Night of Visions" and how spiritual experiences and rational inquiry can coexist.Using Jeff Kripal's idea of "making the cut," the host explains how to distinguish subjective meaning from material claims while honoring both, and outlines three community types—psychotic, perverse, and neurotic—that illustrate different ways people balance faith and reason.
12 Oct 2026
10/11/26: Weak Theology, Big Truths: Choosing Stories Over Miracles
In this episode Aaron discusses Matthew 12’s “sign of Jonah,” arguing that Jesus and biblical miracle stories are best read as parables. The talk contrasts "strong" theology (literal miracles and an all-powerful deity) with "weak" theology (mystical, relational, and story-centered understandings of God), and explores how stories, films, and rituals shape spiritual life.
The conversation opens to the audience on reclaiming sacred narratives, deconstruction, faith-trauma, and contemporary cultural stories — ending with hope, a benediction, and an invitation to keep wrestling with meaning together.
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