10 Big Questions
1. How do you define God?
Beau Hoffman
God is Love. See 1 John 4:7-10. While we often try to use human conduct to describe God (anthropomorphisms), these attempts only make sense if we understand that they flow forth from God as perfect Love. The clearest revelation of God is Agape Love—other centered, self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering Love, which casts out all fear.
Jared Capello
God is the source of all life and is in all life. God is also that knowing within each and every one of us that comprises the truth of our uniquely divine “I am-ness”. God is also the external Love around us, compelling us to recognize and live from the truth of that uniquely divine, “I am-ness”. God is in the voice that calls us deeper into relationship with our true inner being and is in the voice that tells us we are loved as we are, for who we are and is constantly reminding us of who that really is. God is the peace, joy and love in their undeniable forms.
Jed Epler
My first thought is to say that I have no idea how to define God. But to give my best attempt, I would define God as EVERYTHING. I believe that God is everywhere....in everything and in everyone. Afterall, how could we separate ourselves from the one which we spawned? With that being said, it's not easy for me to let go of the God-in-the-sky construct. This was the god in the box I grew up with, and I don't believe it is an accurate portrayal. I believe that God is the Earth, God is our bodies, God is the crazy thoughts we think in our mind, and God is even the bad things that happen. God simply IS. There's nothing that can exist apart or outside of God. Everything is God and God is Everything...no separation.
2. What is the meaning of life?
Beau Hoffman
I think the purpose of life is to pursue the restoration of all things. I believe mankind was created good, in the image and likeness of God (Love) and intended to live in perfect harmony with each other, all of the created order and with God. I think life is a journey to know and understand God, realize that we are absolutely loved, and to reciprocate that Love toward all creation. In so doing, we assist in ushering in the kingdom of heaven, here and now, allowing peace and love to rule the world.
Jared Capello
To continually discover the depths of the fullness our identity in being made in the image and likeness of God.
Jed Epler
I have no idea. This whole thing might just be totally random or there might be a very specific purpose to it all. I think part of it is to be a good person to everyone you come in contact with and treat them in the same way you would want to be treated. I think part of the meaning of life is to do what you feel passionate because you will inevitably make the world a better place by getting in touch with the deep YOU. We so often live on the surface and are living under the societal chains of conformity and greed. But deep down inside of each one of us, there's that REAL YOU. The YOU whispers to you while you live the American Dream, "Hey...remember me??".
3. What happens after we die?
Beau Hoffman
“When I die and they lay me to rest,
gonna go to the place that’s the best,
when they lay me down to die,
goin’ up to the spirit in the sky.” – Norman Greenbaum
I love that song. I have not abandoned my belief that Jesus is necessary for salvation. In simplest terms, I think we all may go through a purification or restorative judgment, whereby we are restored to our original design as perfect Love, which I assume will be a painful process (being stripped of my accumulated pride, anger, malice and bitterness, undoubtedly, will not be a pain free process). I would classify myself as a Hopeful Inclusionist.
Jared Capello
I don’t know but here’s my best guess. The kingdom of Heaven is within us all and that is not something I believe to be temporal. Therefore, we enter into this spiritual realm after death without our physical being. I also think this state, place or whatever it is is 100% euphoria all the time. Unless of course you end up in the other place! Yikes!
Jed Epler
Maybe something that is similar to what's going on here. Or maybe it's a much better place. I'm hoping it's better. I think we eventually all end up in the same place or state of being, but the path people take to get there might be different. I try not to worry about it much anymore. I care more about what is now, in this exact moment because just like the great Eckhart Tolle says, "There will never be anything else than what is NOW (my paraphrase)."
4. How would you describe your spiritual beliefs?
Beau Hoffman
Eastern Orthodox with a layer of charismania. So…Christian, but I agree with the early church beliefs, and understand that there is a lot of room for disagreement, which frees me from having to “get it right” or defend any form of religious certitude.
Jared Capello
They are a simple set of operating instructions developed mostly through experience and also through ideals that when followed, bring me great joy, peace and love.
Jed Epler
"It's Complicated." Some days I think I know what I believe and other days I feel like I don't believe anything at all. I believe in a Higher Power who is somehow behind Everything. I'm a spiritual & religious pluralist, so I believe there are many different paths to God or Enlightenment or whatever name you give to the Big Thing. I enjoy learning about the different nuances to the religions and applying some to my own beliefs and way of life.
5. Do you have any core spiritual practices?
Beau Hoffman
Contemplative, formative prayer. I seek to be formed by the Love of God in prayer and allow that Love to direct me to be Love throughout my day.
Studying scripture, inclusive of its original language, genre and historical context.
Writing. I find that writing helps me refine my beliefs about God more than anything.
Worship. I am quite analytical, so finding worship songs I can agree with is a challenge, but I really enjoy meditating while music is playing, thinking of the magnitude and all-inclusive Love of God.
Jared Capello
Meditation. Prayer (Laying hold of what has already been given to me by God whether it be a better state of mind, $ or something else I think I need). Spending at least a day a month with community who also know that they are spiritual beings having a human experience.
Jed Epler
At the moment, not particularly. I'm a wanna-be-meditator, but for some reason I have trouble sticking with it. I do make it a daily habit to try my best to live in the moment and not be too future-focused. I'm an avid reader; I suppose that is a core practice for me since my reading does heavily influence the way I view Everything. Being in nature us key for me. Sometimes I just need to be alone with the birds and the trees. Doing that makes me feel refreshed and more connected to Everything. Sometimes I wish I was a more structured individual, but that's just not me. Thought it probably would make for a more interesting answer to this question.
6. Describe a specific moment when you felt a special divine connection:
Beau Hoffman
I once had a vision (or dream) and saw Jesus walk down the steps to the basement where I was sleeping, and dive into the floor in front of me. I was drawn down into the floor after Jesus. We went down into hell where we were surrounded by dead bones, which were being picked at by vultures. I noticed Jesus was radiating light, and that standing in Jesus’ presence made me radiate with light as well. As I turned and looked at the bones, Light shined from me onto the bones and they were restored to fully formed, healthy living people.
[I try to replicate this, to no avail, each time I finish a dozen chicken wings.]
Jared Capello
Wow. There have been many but the most memorable was probably in Atlanta about 10 years ago. I got “baptized in the Holy Spirit” and started “speaking in tongues” and felt “the weight of God’s glory” in my hands. Felt like 2 small duckpin bowling balls that had been warming by a fire overnight in the palms of my hands. I use ““” to express that the terminology around this experience when it happened was very charismatic. For me, this was simply a moment when I realized that God was a lot bigger than I had ever given “Him” permission to be. Since then, God, Love has only grown further beyond my paradigms. Most of my divine connections these days come through synchronicities of thoughts manifesting into things.
Jed Epler
In my early 20's I had what I describe to be a "mystical experience." I was at church and suddenly sensed that the Spirit was "speaking" to me telling me that I had no peace in my life because I wasn't connected to Spirit. I responded in my heart by saying that I was open and ready for that connection. I was so desperate for a change. This happened at a very low time in my life when I was depressed and having terrible panic attacks. This experience marked my life in a very drastic way and I'll never forget it. I became a totally different person in a matter of minutes. Putting it into words does it so little justice, but it is a day that I will never forget- January 6, 2008.
7. What is the purpose of religion and spirituality?
Beau Hoffman
I believe the purpose of religion (which really is just spiritual practices), is to connect us and teach us about the Love of God, and aid us with living in peace with all of creation. Unfortunately, it has been distorted and used to do the exact opposite, too often.
Jared Capello
I believe the purpose of religion is to awaken people to God and draw them into relationship with Her. That’s what it’s supposed to do anyway...I think. Ascribing a purpose to spirituality is a greater challenge for me because I don’t think it’s something created by man, like religion, it’s truly who we all are at our cores. There’s an element of spirituality in everything from trees to oceans to humans. So I think the purpose of spirituality for humans is to awaken us to the knowledge that our identity is to be more spiritual than physical and also awaken us to the fact that everything is connected spiritually from plants to molecules in the rubber sole of a shoe. Spirituality’s purpose is then to awaken us to the sacredness of all that is.
Jed Epler
To lead people on a path of positive transformation. Positive, not negative; religious fundamentalism has a way of giving people some of both. Usually a concoction of fear, hate, and love. There are obviously varying degrees of fundamentalism and we see it also in our politics as well as gender and racial issues. So the purpose of religion and spirituality are to make one a more Awake human being. Waking up the from the slumber of cultural norms and from all the brainwashing that happens from constant advertising. Religion and Spirituality should be a jolt to us, like having cold water splashed on your sleeping face.
8. What makes you happy?
Beau Hoffman
When I see peace established in the midst of chaos. I really like redemption stories, particularly when redemption comes through radical love in the midst of seemingly impossible situations. It’s one reason I have made a commitment to non-violence, and seek to allow Love to have a shot at performing a miracle instead of resorting to my natural, reflexive violent way. And whiskey.
Jared Capello
At the risk of sounding superficial, manifesting things I desire. Desire literally means, “of the Father” so I think when I tap into and see my desires fulfilled I am living my best self and this, therefore, brings me the most happiness.
Jed Epler
9. What do you wish for the world?
Beau Hoffman
I wish mankind realizes that it all shares a common ancestry, learns to focus on our similarities and not our differences, and recognizes that we are entrusted with caring for (nurturing and stewarding, not plundering and pilfering) all creation.
Jared Capello
To start loving ourselves first and believe that we are loved at our cores and then go about doing whatever it is knowing that this truth will profoundly influence every other aspect of our lives for the much, much better.
Jed Epler
For everyone to get along better and be more open to new ideas and new people groups. I wish that the poor could no longer thirst or hunger. I wish that people would no longer have to suffer in all those terrible ways that we hear about all the time. I wish that we would all get better at caring for one another, even for those who may be strangers. I do my best to take baby steps forward, but I certainly have plenty of room for growth.
10. What is your greatest fear?
Beau Hoffman
Myself. I am pretty insecure. My default is to feel unloved, abandoned and unworthy. These thoughts can often haunt me, which is a pretty depressing state of mind. I used to compensate with narcissism and being a bully, but thankfully God has shown me a healthy form of confidence that is not just a façade of my own arrogance, but that rests in the Love of God and the truth of being a valuable and unique part of creation and restoration.
Jared Capello
My greatest fear is living a life where I settle for less than my potential.
Jed Epler
My greatest fears stem from my self-doubt. Fearing big groups of new people, speaking in front of crowds, starting a new job, or attempting to fix something at home. I have difficulty understanding why people like me and I especially struggle comprehending why people care what I have to say. That fear has kept me quiet most of my life. And I am such peacemaker that I get scared that not everyone will like me, which I know is ridiculous. I often doubt that I have any real talents to offer the world, or even to those closest to me. In the back of my mind I'm always wondering, "What do I even have to offer?" Sometimes this question motivates me, other times it paralyzes.
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