It was a strange thing writing a book about freedom during the last year in the time of pandemic lockdown. But the book explores how we’ve confined Jesus to all sorts of prisons — theological, social, and political ones — and often by putting Jesus in such boxes, we wind up imprisoning ourselves. Thus, Freeing Jesus is a story about finding Jesus again and again, each time with a wider lens and more open heart. In lockdown, I found myself writing about liberation and experiencing a far more spacious spiritual presence than I had anticipated was possible.
In freeing Jesus, I’d set myself free.
We’re all hungry for freedom right now. Eager to move through the world without fear or constraint, longing to experience friendship and community once again. The pandemic is slowly winding down, and freedom is on the horizon. But we’re not quite there yet.
In upcoming weeks, we have time to reflect on what confinement has meant for our spiritual lives and what needs to be released. Freeing Jesus is about boxes, cages, and prisons; it is about doors, paths, and journeys. As I share in the narrative, I spent decades pursuing freedom — the kind that is birthed by letting go, watered with tears and loss, stumbled into through mistakes — and rediscovered the liberated and liberating Jesus who embodies God’s love.
I’m so glad to finally share this story with you.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be talking about Freeing Jesus on a number of podcasts. For release day, here are two rich conversations that explore questions raised by the book — and what it means to find spiritual freedom in these challenging days.
Please share these broadcasts with your friends!
THINGS NOT SEEN Radio with David Dault, Emmy-nominated writer and producer.
“An independent radio show and podcast that features in-depth interviews with nationally recognized guests. Each week, we welcome authors, musicians, politicians, filmmakers, and more….We are available nationally to NPR stations through PRX - the Public Radio Exchange. The podcast of our show is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Soundcloud.”
Take a listen to this thoughtful, theologically rich interview — originally aired pre-launch.
VICARS’ CROSSING with Kevin George, Rob Henderson, and Iain Stevenson
“Two irregular guys. clergy, and one incredible teenager who love to talk about faith, the Public Square, Sports, Pop Culture and more.”
Join us for a great book launch day conversation with a north of the border twist — and make some new Canadian friends!
To listen, click on one of the following links.
On Spotify (audio podcast):
On YouTube (video pod version):
