Dr. Dru Johnson explores the inescapable impact of ordinary and extraordinary routines. With examples ranging from tooth brushing to baptism, he encourages everyone to "examine our ritual lives."Those examinations can deepen our understanding about the traditions that define life and religion — the ways in which individuals and communities are different and similar. What You’ll Learn:Where to find rituals in everyday lifeThe importance of identifying why rituals are taughtHow Christians can learn from the traditions in other denominations and other religionsAbout the Guest: Dr. Dru Johnson is an Associate Professor of biblical and theological studies and the Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought at the King’s College in New York City.He is the author of several books including Human Rites: The Power of Rituals, Habits, and Sacraments.Before that, he was a high-school dropout, skinhead, punk rock drummer, combat veteran, IT supervisor, and pastor — all things that he hopes none of his children ever become.Scripture Related to Episode:Ephesians 5: 15-16; Making the Most of Time1 Thessalonians 5: 21; Examine EverythingExamples of Baptism in the Hebrew ScripturesLinks Related to Episode:Dru Johnson’s WebsiteCenter for Hebraic ThoughtThe Biblical MindDru Johnson - TwitterHuman Rites: The Power of Rituals, Habits, and SacramentsTimestamped Show Notes :01:11 - Topic: How Our Religious Rituals and Habits Shape Us and Our Beliefs02:20 - The Blessing of a Adoptive Family03:54 - Habits, Rituals and Rites that Shape Everyday Life04:28 - What Makes and Activity a Ritual08:24 - iPhones, Rituals and Stewardship09:27 - Do I Really Perform Rituals?10:16 - Rituals in the Human Experience10:38 - TikTok and the Way Rituals Effect Everyone12:01 - What Gives You the Right to Tell Me What to Do?13:09 - Taking Stock and Making Changes, Examples from Finance and Fitness15:25 - Improvising, Fitness and Rituals17:38 - Surprising Rituals in the Church18:18 - Prayer across Different Denominations19:54 - Improvising Weddings21:34 - The Meaning of Graduations21:58 - Which Denominations Got Communion Right?22:49 - Communion in the Time of Covid24:01 - Modern Day Interpretations of Rituals24:32 - Where Does Baptism Come From?27:02 - How All Religious Communities Benefit from Examining Rituals28:57 - Reframing Animal Sacrifice in Scripture30:06 - Purpose of Rituals in Scripture31:13 - Individualism and the Body of Christ33:46 - Similarities in Islam and Judaism35:37 - Learning from Muslim and Jewish People38:01 - A Dad Joke that Makes You Go Hmmm39:04 - Contacting Dru JohnsonDid you appreciate this podcast? Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the vision here: oururbanvoices.com