I had the honor of being interviewed by Jason Scott Montoya on his podcast a few weeks ago. Watch the YouTube version above.
Here’s how Jason wrote about it:
Feeling overwhelmed by today’s divisive climate and the pull towards political extremes? I spoke with artist-pastor Steve Thomason to dive deep into his insights connecting the good news of Jesus’ story to our modern “shadow of tyranny.”
We explore how Jesus navigated intense conflict, challenged power structures non-violently, and offered us a profound “third way” beyond the endless cycle of retaliation – a path centered on listening, humility, and radical love.
This conversation provides a desperately needed perspective for finding hope and acting constructively when everything feels polarized.
If you’re seeking practical, faith-grounded wisdom to navigate division without losing your soul or resorting to domination, watch this episode.
From the video description:
Inspirational Blog Post — https://www.stevethomason.net/2025/01…
Visit Steve’s Store — https://cartoonistbible.com/resources…
Get the book — I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times — affiliate link — https://amzn.to/4cgh8va
Video Index
00:00 Introduction to Steve Thomason and His Work
02:41 The Gospel of Luke and the Shadow of Tyranny
05:59 Understanding Lectionaries and Their Importance
08:38 Navigating Political Contexts in Pastoral Care
11:44 The Role of the Pastor in Political Discussions
14:23 Constructive Developmental Theory and Its Relevance
17:43 The Nature of Ideological Conflicts
20:30 The Importance of Dialogue and Humility
23:25 The Dynamics of Fear and Domination
26:29 The Spiral of Hatred and Its Consequences
29:22 Jesus’ Message in the Gospel of Luke
32:19 The Centered Set vs. Bounded Set Concept
35:09 Jesus’ Challenge to Power Structures
38:02 The Universal Promise of God
41:00 Conclusion and Reflections on Connection
41:28 The Spider Web of Interconnectedness
44:43 The Incarnation and Self-Giving Love
48:18 Navigating the Shadow of Empire
51:33 The Complexity of Nonviolent Resistance
58:53 Transforming Tension into Opportunity
01:18:24 Modeling Generative Conversations
Join us every Monday afternoon on Zoom for a visual text study of the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday. This is one of the perks of joining the network.
