Vernacular is pleased to have Fr. James Martin as our first guest. Fr. James "Jim" is editor-at-large of America magazine, the nation's weekly Jesuit publication, and author of "The Jesuit Guide To (Almost) Everything". He answers a series of excellent questions about the recently-concluded Synod of Bishops. Jennifer discusses the need for future Synods to include women's voices, Charlie asks about how the Synod is perceived politically, and Jonathan critiques the Synods underlying concept of nature as "static". All of us get into the question of Church teaching on human origins as illustrative of that foundational concept. We stop just short of throwing chairs, as any good theological conversation should... Recommended Reading: Working English Translation of the Synod of Bishops Final Document http://www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Final-Relatio15-Final.pdf Email: [email protected] Follow: Charlie @nohiddenmagenta Jennifer @jamerjen Jonathan @jonathanlace

In episode 4, we follow up with the Democratic candidates, and almost get into a legitimate debate about the Synod of Bishops. Charlie argues against Jar-Jar and ponders the ethics of Rebel assault on the second Death Star, Jen explores a teaching chair for George Lucas, and Jonathan probes the conversion of Han Solo. Show Notes: Star Wars VII 2nd Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE UU congregation uses SW to teach youth group http://www.uua.org/re/youth/stories/star-wars Liel Leibovitz on cultural impact of SW mythology http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/89055/monomaniacal Amazon: Gospel According to SW http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/066423142X?keywords=theology%20and%20star%20wars&qid=1443964896&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 Luke Skywalker, Sith Lord https://medium.com/@robconery/luke-skywalker-sith-lord-f8a11072f246#.d2txat9mm