Mar 12 2024 36 mins 3
Joining Stephanie on the show today, guest Chris Hall shares deep insights from his spiritual journey and his book "A Different Way." His emphasis on the importance of preparing for death with an awareness of the limited time we are given sets the stage for a powerful exploration of trust, transformation, and a recentered life with Jesus.
Chris Hall highlights the gift of years and the challenge to prepare for death with both awe and awareness. That preparation is not rooted in fear, but rather recognition of the limited time we have been given. This perspective challenges us to embrace each day as a gift and live intentionally, aligning our lives closely with Jesus' teachings.
Chris' latest book, "A Different Way," is a call to recenter our Christian lives around following Jesus. He speaks to seekers, disillusioned Christians, and those seeking congruence between their words and actions. This recentering invites us into deeper intimacy with Jesus, transforming not just our beliefs but our very way of life. He invites listeners to explore internal landscapes to encounter God and correct our perspectives. This call to spiritual introspection and the correction of our views aligns with the need to make the world make sense through corrected perspectives. This deep internal work can lead to a more profound encounter with the divine and a life-lived congruent with the teachings of Jesus.
Chris Hall emphasizes the importance of trusting God, even when life is difficult. Trusting God may not guarantee an easy life, but it promises a life full of His presence. His emphasis on the need to help others explore a different way with God underscores the transformative power of vulnerability, trust, and dependence on the divine. He shares personal experiences of suffering and the profound embedding in the love and care of God. This recognition of God's trustworthiness amidst life's challenges emphasizes the importance of trust and the development of character. His story serves as a reminder that God’s presence and providential care can be found, even in the midst of life's most difficult moments.
Chris Hall's wisdom and insights leave listeners with a profound invitation to embrace life's challenges with trust, knowing that each trial can be an opportunity for growth and a deepening of our relationship with Jesus. His recent life-threatening medical crisis brought into focus God's providential preparation throughout his life. This shared experience serves as a powerful reminder that each moment is part of a greater tapestry, even when we may not fully understand it at the time.
As we reflect on Chris Hall's journey and the wisdom he shared, we are reminded of the invitation to trust, to explore a different way of living with Jesus, and to recenter our lives around following Him. His story becomes a beacon of hope, inviting us to embrace spiritual transformation and a life filled with the presence and guidance of Jesus. Chris Hall's journey serves as a compelling call to embrace spiritual transformation, leaning into the challenges and opportunities that life presents, all the while rooted in the trust and love of God. As we carry his insights with us, may we be inspired to live a life that reflects the love, grace, and transformative power of Jesus Christ.
MEET CHRIS HALL
Christopher A. Hall is author of a four volume set on the Church Fathers: Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, Learning Theology with the Church Fathers, Worshiping with the Church Fathers, and Living Wisely with the Church Fathers, all published by IVP Academic. He also was associate editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (29 volumes: published by IVP Academic). His newest book is A Different Way (HarperOne).
Chris previously served at Eastern University for twenty-four years in several roles, including chancellor, provost, dean of Palmer Theological Seminary, dean of the Templeton Honors College, distinguished professor of theology, and director of academic spiritual formation.
Dr. Hall possesses a B.A. from UCLA in history, an M.A. in biblical studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Regent College, and a Ph.D. from Drew University. He has served in the pastorate overseas (France, 5 years) and in Canada (British Columbia, 2 years). He has also served as Director of Pastoral Care at New Jersey’s only state gero-psychiatric hospital.
Dr. Hall has ministered in Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, the Middle-East, Canada, and the United States. He served on the editorial board of Christianity Today. He has published articles and book reviews in Christianity Today, Catalyst, Christian History, inMinistry, Books and Culture, Christian Scholars Review, Modern Theology, and Crux.
He and his wife Debbie reside in Philadelphia and have three children and three grandchildren.
Chris's entire 22-lesson course on the Foundations of Christian Spirituality is available free of charge at this YouTube address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQSuZ_ztcgU&list=PLtFHThcqLiofWQ8V7EGOzCZXi-31yykbC
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