The Beardless Jesus – Part 3 (The Excommunication Summons)

A continuation of The Beardless Jesus Series: In a Yale Religious Philosophy Class, Professor Steven Buck lectures on repentance and the evolution of Jesus's image in early Christianity. During class, an older student named Jim Hunt delivers a compelling critique of Facebook/Meta and modern control of perception. Buck connects this to the Greek concept of metanoia (repentance) - changing one's mind. Scarlett, a student with Mormon roots, learns that Professor Buck knew her grandfather Nolan Stancik as a mission president. She and her friend Peter invite Buck to lunch at Pulse 16, where they discuss the growing tensions between progressive and traditional Mormon thought. Buck describes himself as an "unsettled believer" who still loves attending church despite disagreements. The evening ends with Buck receiving notice of a disciplinary council that could lead to his excommunication from the Mormon Church. The charges stem from his book "The Beardless Jesus" and his public statements challenging church doctrine. He's given options to either defend himself, renounce his work, or accept excommunication.