We are about to launch a new video podcast called “Swedenborg Room,” where Rudy Caseres and I will have casual discussions on Swedenborgian topics. This reflects a new direction of our ministry, as we increase our online visibility and original content creation.
The mission of Our Daily Bread is to publicly share content which reflects the distinct “flavor” of our particular branch of Swedenborgianism, characterized by open spiritual inquiry, radical inclusiveness, and a willingness to critically engage the treasure that is our tradition.
At a time when we see a continuing emergence of excellent outlets of Swedenborgian content and discussion on the internet, it is important as ever that we offer public voices which reflect the kind of discourse valued by and cultivated within our denomination in particular. Our conversations will not shy away from such issues as a critical interrogation of our own beliefs, addressing topics like sexual ethics, LGBTQ-inclusion, and other contemporary societal topics, and honoring the many diverse expressions and interpretations of Swedenborgian theology and spirituality present in our movement, focussing on free individual discernment over dogmatism, orthodoxy or uniformity.
We will begin with a series of “Swedenborgianism 101” episodes, in which we will explore basic Swedenborgian concepts, such as the life and works of Swedenborg, the nature of God, the inner worlds, regeneration, the afterlife, angels etc., which will serve as both an introduction to newcomers, as well as a platform and impulse for conversation and reflection within our denomination.
The second phase of our video podcast will be focused on engaging a variety of Swedenborgian voices in conversation, with guests from diverse backgrounds sharing their unique experiences, approaches, spiritual practices and ministries.
We hope you will stay tuned as we roll out this exciting new project. Videos will be shared both on our website, spiritualquesters.org, and on various social media platforms, as well as YouTube. We have begun recording and editing, and plan on releasing our first episode in September.
If you have ideas for topics or guests (perhaps even yourself!) please email me at odb@swedenborg.org.
Rev. Thom Muller is pastor at the Swedenborgian Society of the East Bay at Hillside, an Urban Sanctuary, in El Cerrito, CA, as well as senior editor of Our Daily Bread. His passions include the intersection of spirituality and psychology, interfaith theology, and the Western esoteric tradition. Rev. Muller was ordained into the ministry of the Swedenborgian Church of North America in 2016, upon receiving his theological education at Bryn Athyn College and the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.