Paradox

An Economics of Goodness and Grace by Zane Yi

Zane Yi looks at Jesus’ parable of the landowner who pays workers the same thing, although they have worked different lengths of time—from 1 hour to 12 hours—in his vineyard. He draws three main points from this parable—Jesus’s affirmation of 1.) human equality, 2.) God’s goodness, generosity, and justice, and 3.) his gracious invitation for us participate in the meaningful work of what God’s is doing here and now. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

But What about Artificial Intelligence? | 1 Samuel 17 David & Goliath | Craig Hadley | Paradox

Padmini and David ask the question, "What about the insights from the scriptures guide our understanding of the ethical consideration and potential challenges posed by artificial intelligence advancements?” This leads Craig on a discussion about Joshua, David, Goliath, Galileo, and more. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Reconciliation, Authority, and Excommunication: A Children’s Story | Esther Loewen | Matthew 18

Esther’s sermon explores Matthew 18 and the problematic ways in which the church has exercised authority in recent and distant memory. She’ll likewise reflect on the failures of the vapid impulse toward blind approval, “live and let live.” Her presentation suggests a nuanced way, inviting listeners into a harder but ultimately life-giving alternative. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

But What about the Way, the Truth, and the Life?

David and Becky Crees asked Pastor Craig the following question, “Growing up in the church, one of the foundations of our belief is when Jesus says, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ “As Christians, this is encouraging and belief affirming. But what about those tho never heard the name of Jesus Christ?” “How can we reconcile God’s unconditional love with conditional salvation?” This leads into a discussion about big rational thoughts about God, Jesus Christ's relationship will ALL religions, the Four Gospels, John 13-17, and John 14:6 specifically. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

But What about Original Sin? | Genesis 3 | Pastor Craig Hadley

Laurel and Christian asked, "Did Adam and Eve understand the concept of evil prior to eating the fruit? Otherwise, how would they even understand the gravity of sin/all the consequences that came afterward? To us, it seemed a little puzzling that sin could be such a severe punishment if they didn’t fully understand that yet. This brought to question as to whether humanity truly had a fair choice/chance prior to the introduction of sin? How can someone make a moral/immoral decision without fully understanding what morality is, especially because God is the one who allowed Satan to enter the garden of Eden in the first place? "

Pastor Craig talks about the story of Adam and Eve, the history of the doctrine behind this question, his own personal faith journey, and his return to a belief he once let go.

Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

But What about Those Outside the Ark? by Craig Hadley

Pastor Craig Hadley answers a question from a seven-year-old at Paradox, who is concerned about the people outside the ark in the story of Noah and the Flood. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Wrestling with the Invisible | Rabbi Lindy Reznick | Genesis 32

Rabbi Lindy Reznick discusses the story of Jacob wrestling with... well, who is it exactly? Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Our World is Absurd by Olivia Moses

Dr. Olivia Moses talks about what it means to be a Christian in today's day and age. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

When You Wish God Wasn’t There by Matthew Korpman

It is common in worship to request God's presence, but the story of Jacob reminds us that sometimes we may wish like Job to pray that God leaves us alone. By comparing Jacob's awe of God's presence on that starry night in Bethel with his terror as he fought for his life by the Jabbok river, might we discover something important about the journey of faith when the Spirit leads us into what seems like even more troubled waters? God promises to bless us like he did Jacob, but what sort of blessing is he promising us and how are we to make use of it when at times it might feel more like a curse? Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Jacob and Esau | Pastor Craig Hadley | Genesis 25-35 | Paradox Church

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses one of his FAVORITE stories in all of the Bible, and shares what the lives of Esau and Jacob can teach us today about forgiveness. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Is Jesus Drunk? | Matthew 11 | Craig Hadley | Paradox Church

Craig discusses the accusation that Jesus Christ drank too much alcohol.

Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA.

We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025.

We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism.

If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

The Ordinary and Progress by Braeden Storkersen

Braeden explores one of the darkest stories in scripture, and how morality has changed over multiple generations. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Sons Against Fathers & Mothers against Daughters | Matthew 10:24-39 | Craig Hadley | Paradox Church

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses one of the most unsettling teachings of Jesus, in which Jesus is against peace, against families, and against... love? Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Jesus and Healthy Masculinity

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses Matthew 9 and 10, and what it means to be a good and healthy male in 2023. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Psalm 33--God’s ExtraOrdinary Earth

Pastor Craig Hadley reimagines the 33rd Psalm in today's language with the intended audience of atheists.

Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

God in the Ordinary | Genesis 1, Matthew 28, & 2 Corinthians 13 | Craig Hadley | Paradox Church

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses the season of Ordinary Time and why we celebrate it in 2023 Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

The Astonishment of Pentecost | Acts 2:1-21 Craig Hadley | Paradox Church

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses the festival of Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian Church. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

The Legacy of NO | Jen Strickland | Paradox Church | Esther 1 and 2

Pastor Jen Strickland Vashti, Esther, and the influence our actions have on others. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Rediscovering Mary Magdalene | Sally Burton | Paradox Church

Sally Burton talks about the history of Mary Magdalene, and the importance of her life in the Christian tradition. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Jesus and Mansions | Craig Hadley | John 14:1-14

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses the words of Jesus speaking about mansions, rooms, or dwelling places. Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Jesus and Abundant Life | Craig Hadley | John 10:1-10 | Paradox Church

Craig Hadley discusses the words of Jesus in Gospel of John, how those words got to us today, and what it all has to say about how we experience eternity now.

Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Jesus and the Road to Emmaus

Craig Hadley discusses one of his favorite stories in scripture, Jesus, Cleopas, and Mary on the Road to Emmaus.

 

Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Tabitha and Kim

Kim Carter discusses how she sees her story in Tabitha's story, and the inspiration her faith gave her to help others in a radical way.

 

This sermon was delivered at Paradox on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Jesus and Palm Sunday | Matthew 27:62-66 | Craig Hadley

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses the oft-forgotten day of Easter weekend, and what it means for us in 2023.

 

Paradox Church was founded in 2016 in Redlands, CA. We are currently in a three-year series through the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary that will end in 2025. We are affirming for all LGBTQIA persons, we celebrate and empower women, and we prioritize the sacred work of anti-racism. If you'd like to know more about our church, please visit our website at www.paradoxredlands.com

Jesus and Palm Sunday | Matthew 21:11 | Craig Hadley

Pastor Craig Hadley looks at the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the implications of this seemingly benign act for our lives in 2023.

 

This sermon was given at Paradox Church on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Jesus and Mary of Bethany

Pastor Craig Hadley talks about Jesus and Lazarus, Jesus and Mary of Bethany, and Jesus and grief, and what it means to weep while we are still people of faith.

 

This sermon was given at Paradox on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Jesus and Disability Theology

Pastor Braeden Storkersen discusses John 9, and the remarkable story of a Jesus encountering a blind beggar, and what steps we should take as Christians in 2023.

 

This sermon was given at Paradox on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses a heroine the Christian faith, and why she is often overlooked by Christians today.

 

This sermon was given at Paradox Church on March 11, 2023.

Jesus and Nicodemus

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses John 3:16, the most well-known verse in Christianity today. Even though it is well-known, the context is often ignored. Craig explores the beauty of this verse, and talks about what it means for us today.

 

Pastor Craig Hadley gave this sermon at Paradox on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

The Temptations of Jesus

Pastor Craig Hadley looks closely at a bizarre statement from Jesus in Matthew 26, the bewildering temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4, and the life of Jesus in the twenty-two chapters between those two events.

 

This sermon  was given at Paradox on Feb. 25, 2023

Going Against the Grain-Learning from the Lives and Experiences of Richard Allen, Jarena Lee, and Henry McNeal Turner.

Dr. Julius H. Bailey, from the University of Redlands, gave this teaching at Paradox Church on Saturday, February 18, 2023.

What Jesus Taught Us about Anger

Pastor Craig Hadley's sermon from Paradox Church on February 11, 2023.

Salt and Light Matthew 5

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses the Sermon on the Mount and tells stories from Langston Hughes, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Martin Luther, and what all of it has to do with us in 2023.

Sermon from February 4, 2023 at Paradox Church

Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly

Paradox Church Sermon given by Esther Loewen from our worship service on January 28, 2023.

Episode 238-Repent! For the Kindom of Heaven Is At Hand!

Pastor Craig Hadley, Sermon at Paradox Church on January 21, 2023

Episode 237-What Does It Mean to Trust in God?

Pastor Craig Hadley, Sermon at Paradox on Saturday, January 21

Episode 236-An Introduction and Overview of 1 Timothy

Pastor Craig Hadley offers an introduction and overview to 1 Timothy.

 

www.paradoxredlands.com

Episode 235-The Bible‘s Contradiction

Pastor Craig Hadley takes a look at his lifelong relationship with the Bible in an attempt to answer the question, "If the Bible is filled with contradictions, then what value does it have for us today?"

 

www.paradoxredlands.com

Episode 234-Paul‘s Contradiction

Pastor Craig Hadley looks at the contradiction contained in Colossians. 

Episode 233-The Gospel Contradiction

Pastor Craig Hadley looks at contradictions between the four gospels. 

Episode 232-The Proverbial Contradiction

Pastor Craig Hadley looks at the Biblical Contradiction in Proverbs 26:4-5.

Episode 231-Experiencing Hope

Pastor Craig Hadley offers a commentary on Lamentations 3, a surprising and authentic poem of hope.

 

www.paradoxredlands.com

Episode 230-Experiencing Betrayal

Pastor Craig Hadley offers an audio commentary on Lamentations 2.

 

www.paradoxredlands.com

Episode 229-Experiencing Lamentations

Pastor Craig Hadley discusses the first of five poems in the book of Lamentations. 

 

www.paradoxredlands.com

Episode 228-The Judgment of Samson's Mother

Pastor Craig Hadley takes a look at the story of Samson's Mother in Judges 13, and sees a lot of parallels between this ancient story and a recent movie. 

Episode 227-The Judgment of the Concubine

Pastor Craig Hadley looks at Judges 19, one of the most tragic and gruesome stories in the entire Bible. This commentary looks at the ethics of masculinity and what happens when women's humanity is rejected.

 

www.paradoxredlands.com

Episode 226-The Judgment of Jephthah's Daugther

Pastor Craig Hadley offers an audio commentary on Judges 11, and looks closely at the tragic story of Jephthah's daughter and our promises to God. 

Episode 225-The Judgment of a Certain Woman

Pastor Craig Hadley offers an audio commentary on Judges 9, the story of Abimelech and a Certain Woman with a millstone, and looks at the idea of heroes intersected with the ethics of violence.

Episode 224-The Judgment of Jael

Pastor Craig Hadley offers a commentary on Judges 4 and 5, the story of Jael, Deborah, Barak, and Sisera, and shares why he believes that Judges is a deceptively progressive book from the Bible.

Episode 223-The Resurrection of God

Pastor Craig Hadley offers the final part of our Easter 2021 series with a close look at the resurrection. He asks the question, "What does the resurrection mean to me today?" which is a question that every Christian should be asking.