Christianity Unpacked in ”Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen” with Domenic Scarcella

The Bad Roman

Are we forgetting the rebellious, defiant nature of Jesus? Have we overlooked his active resistance to the political and religious hierarchies of his time, and his challenging calls for us to be good neighbors rather than good citizens? That's what we'll be unpacking in our fascinating conversation with our guest, Domenic Scarcella, author of the book "Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen".

Domenic provides an intriguing reading of Jesus' teachings, bringing to light the elements that often get overlooked in contemporary Christianity. We dissect the Stations of the Cross, Jesus's nonviolent resistance, and how to use his book as a tool for contemplation.

As we journey through these narratives, we confront the controversial topic of police violence and its relationship to the Christian faith. This episode holds some challenging viewpoints that question the traditional support of law enforcement and military by modern Christians. The non-violent teachings of Jesus and his brutal treatment by the 'good cops' of his day serve as the crux of this discussion. We highlight that violence, be it personal or outsourced, remains a contradiction to the teachings of Jesus, and is thus a sin.

We also carve out time to talk about the unfathomable nature of God, and the significance of the Holy Spirit, offering some new food for thought on the intersection of faith and politics. Domenic gives us a glimpse into his new sub-stack, extending an invitation to join the ongoing conversation about Christian ethics. As we round off, we reflect on the essence of community, shared faith, and why being both a good neighbor and a bad citizen, as Jesus was, might just be the unconventional perspective we need today. This is one episode that is sure to challenge your perspectives and spark spirited discussions. Tune in, and let's question together!

Connect with Domenic:

Get the book!

Follow his Substack - Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen

Twitter (X) @GoodNeighBadCit

Starting Points:

(00:00) Jesus' Way of the Cross
(12:07) Stations of the Cross in Christianity
(26:02) Contemporary Christianity and the Nature of Christ
(34:28) Cross and Nonviolence
(45:05) Reflections on the Cross Stations
(53:35) Correcting Bad Theology, Bible Importance
(56:59) Good Cops and Violence in Christianity
(01:07:22) Holy Spirit and Book Promotion
(01:11:28) Faith and Community Conversation

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