The episode begins (1:30-5:30) with an exploration of shalom in five spheres of life, experience, existence (mono, micro, meso, macro, mondo) before turning (6:15-12:35) to an exploration of how such talk of holistic and “nested” spheres might illuminate thinking about our experience–philosophically and practically, on the one hand, biblically and theologically, on the other. In particular, it creates a holistic and integrated (rather than instrumental and sequential) faith, whether in thought or practice.
We then (12:35-21:05) explore how “sphere thinking” might inform faith practice–biblically and theologically “filling in the gaps” of faith thinking and engagement. For example–how do we think, from within the shalom circle, about meso and macro organization and institutionalization. There will be elements/manifestations of shalom well-being, compassion, care; but what that looks like in each sphere might have unique features, different characteristics. This is explored with regard to the Covid-19 virus pandemic.
Opening the second half (21:30-32:50) of the episode, Tim responds to Noel’s comments about the relational quality of shalom. He agrees with this and notes how this pushes against the atomistic and autonomous sensibility of western culture. If we are essentially relational, in contrast, then the five spheres of life are interconnected and interpenetrating–they are not separable from one another. At the same time, shalom relationship thinking makes more sense of the biblical world view, which is not dualistic.
The episode then concludes (32:50) with Tim’s reflections on shalom and hope.
