One of the most disturbing and most misunderstood events in all of Western history is the Salem Witch Trials. Myths about the trials have spread for centuries, popularized by print and digital media that tries to share parts of the story in historical fiction. The problem is, people tend to take this fiction as rooted in some sort of fact.

In reality, the Salem Witch Trials is an important event that teaches us the importance of extending grace, the need for Christ-like community, and the dangers of using human government to replace the judgment seat of God against spiritual powers. Human institutions cannot unseat principalities and powers. The trials also warn us of the dangers of social contagion, mob mentality, and the sin of human vengeance.

The World was torn in two directions at the turn of the 20th century: One school of thought believed the world could be perfected through manipulation of science and genetics, resulting in practices like eugenics and lethal pharmaceutical drug testing in poor, racially diverse neighborhoods and adoration for technological exploration among all classes of people.

The other school of thought believed that the untapped powers of the mind could transform the world by grasping at and attaining a deeper understanding of the spiritual powers of the universe. This metaphysical approach to the world was driven by the New Thought Movement, which transformed society in the west with its philosophical and religious outlook on spiritual law. This episode takes a close examination into the life of one of the New Thought Movement’s most influential, and, controversial figures in the early 20th century, Father Divine.

As African Americans are migrating all across the country in search of a better life promised by the American dream, they are ready for the promises that the New Thought Movement will offer. Desperate for hope in the face of racial injustice and economic disparity, Father Divine will announce that the consciousness of the presence of the Spirit of God is operating in a new way in the world today, creating physical health, wealth, and material blessings for those who can get their mind to embrace God’s goodness in faith and expect transforming results.

The Power of Positive Thinking - Mindcure - Prosperity Theology - Self Care - These ideas have shaped the landscape of America over the last two centuries and caused incredible success and frightening philosophies since their inception. But where did these ideas come from? What caused Americans to be obsessed with self-mastery and human potential? Start Here, with the New Thought Movement!

Christianity has a wild, fascinating story throughout human history. Many christians think their view of the bible is clearly derived from how it plainly reads, and yet they wonder why there is so much division among what christians believe. The truth is, we've all been impacted by the lens through which we live and the tides of time and culture.