Dr. Paul Eddy of Bethel University joins us for our “season finale” of sorts to discuss covenant – particularly the covenant of friendship. Paul lays out the components of covenant, including terms and signs and witnesses, and translates this particular covenant to the grander scheme of God’s eternal covenant with His people.
Afterward Tom, Ryan, and Aaron “debrief” the discussion: do we desire covenant friendships in our lives, or how likely do they seem? What are the draws and challenges of covenant friendship, and should we as gay/SSA believers be concerned about the perception of such friendships?
Enjoy the episode below, and we’ll be back soon with the start of a new season of the podcast!
COMMENT ON THIS EPISODE
Have you experienced the bond of covenant friendship? Do you desire covenant friendship, or does such a bond intimidate you or concern you at all?
About the Author
Covenant Friendship is an idea that’s very old. It’s a good idea if it’s taken seriously. Once we make a covenant with each other or our group of friends, we have to realize that Jesus is in it with us. Keeping the vows should therefore be taken very seriously. Vows must be kept. Having said that, I’m not sure I could do this sort of thing with a man I was physically attracted to or romantically interested in. It would need to be someone I loved, but that I was not in love with. St. Aelred of Rievaulx had an entire philosophy about this sort of thing. I’m not sure how it would differ from what Dr Eddy is purposing, but the notion of a covenant friendship seems both attractive and also way too much responsibility. I need to think about this more.
This was a great episode. Please have Dr. Eddy come speak again on the podcast!
I hope he’ll be back! He was awesome.