The Crowbar Massage Podcast

PODCAST · religion

The Crowbar Massage Podcast

Forays into Culture, Politics, and Religion meant to provoke you to think deeper, expand your understanding, and better equip you to engage the world around and within you. It's commentary like an Eastern bloc massage, Olga is there to help you, but sometimes it hurts.

  1. 50

    The Virgins Part 2: Single and Satisfied?

    Send us Fan Mail"...I wish everyone was single, just as I am." -the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:7 Single people in the modern church are often given a vision of being single as enduring purgatory until they can get to the heavenly state of marriage. We forget or are not reminded enough that Jesus was single and so were many of those who followed him in the centuries to come. How did we lose the glory of godliness experienced in a life devoted to the Lord body, soul and spirit? Support the show

  2. 49

    Thecla: a friend of Paul and an inspiration to the early Christians

    Send us Fan MailA story from the New Testament era of a young woman who took a different path. Support the show

  3. 48

    Comus and the Lady: John Milton's Tale of Virtue and Vice

    Send us Fan MailComus and The Lady by John Milton is an allegory pitting virtue (especially chastity and temperance) against vice. A virtuous young woman (called simply “the Lady”) becomes separated from her two brothers in a dark wood while traveling. Comus, disguised as a friendly villager, deceives her into following him to his “pleasure palace.” There, he immobilizes her with a spell (gluing her to an enchanted chair) and tries to seduce her into drinking his potion, delivering eloquent arguments for enjoying life’s pleasures without restraint — essentially advocating hedonism and excess over moral self-control.The Lady firmly rejects him in a famous debate, defending chastity, reason, and temperance as invincible virtues upheld by divine grace. She remains spiritually free despite her physical bondage. Milton’s Comus (first performed in 1634, published 1637) is one of his earliest major works, blending classical mythology with Christian morality in a lyrical, philosophical drama. If you’re reading it, the Lady’s speeches and Comus’s temptations are highlights for their poetic intensity.Read it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E4usjA9y8l-vs7_RNhWS6j2TgDAUkUOa20mi0FVu73w/edit?usp=sharingSupport the show

  4. 47

    Emerging from the Underworld

    Send us Fan MailShort reflections on the Lent devotional: 'Wardrobes and Rings' Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings wby Julia Golding, Malcolm Guite and Simon Horobin. Support the show

  5. 46

    Spring Comes to Narnia Reflection

    Send us Fan MailShort reflections on the Lent devotional: 'Wardrobes and Rings' Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings wby Julia Golding, Malcolm Guite and Simon Horobin. Support the show

  6. 45

    Turning Sorrow into Halting Words

    Send us Fan MailReflections on Lothlorien, pain, sorrow and poetry Support the show

  7. 44

    The Flow of Honey: NW Regions Beyond Church Leadership Gathering

    Send us Fan MailThis is a message I gave to our NW Regions Beyond Church leadership on October 11th 2025. Support the show

  8. 43

    ManCamp Rewind Interview

    Send us Fan MailA video Podcast where Aaron LeBlanc, Dustin Warwick and I discuss Four Fundamental Components of 14 years of ministry to men through our ManCamp Weekends. We've witnessed so many amazing moments working with men and wanted to come together and talk about our journey. We hope you will be inspired, equipped and activated to engage and gather men in your own context. We also want to encourage those leading men to stay faithful and fruitful in the work you are doing, no matter the size or place. Men Matter. Support the show

  9. 42

    Leviathan in Job 41

    Send us Fan MailA dramatic reading of one of the most cryptic beasts in the Bible. Many speculate on just what or who Leviathan is but in this reading, I just wanted to let the text be heard for itself in all its mythic and monstrous imagination. Support the show

  10. 41

    A highlight clip from the Wardens of the West episode

    Send us Fan MailA short clip from my Wardens of the West Podcast episode Support the show

  11. 40

    Wardens of the West

    Send us Fan MailDon't listen to the 'Bad Report' about the land. There are attitudes that influence  your actions in this hour. Men today need to be stirred by voices like Caleb and Joshua of Israel, Boromir of Gondor and Demosthenes of Athens. God is calling us to not retreat but advance. Support the show

  12. 39

    Don't make it difficult to turn to God

    Send us Fan MailMy thoughts on being a pastoral presence with those who are turning to God, particularly LGBTQIA individuals. A look at Acts 15 and the implications on helpful and meaningful ministry with people moving from conversion into sanctification and discipleship. Support the show

  13. 38

    Dante on Sexual Sin: Part 3

    Send us Fan MailIn Dante's Divine Comedy there are people in hell and heaven who were involved in heterosexual and homosexual sin. Understanding what the Bible teaches about sexual sin is critical to living a flourishing and fruitful life. Our sexual choices and actions matter for time and eternity. Support the show

  14. 37

    Dante's Inferno Canto 15: On homosexuality part 2

    Send us Fan MailIn this podcast I look at Act 10 and Acts 15 and how the Apostle's had to figure out how to handle all these pagans getting filled with the Holy Spirit and getting baptized. What now? How do you instruct them? What does a born again pagan do now? Stop fornicating and drinking blood was part of the answer! Support the show

  15. 36

    Dante's Inferno Canto 15: On Homosexuality part 1

    Send us Fan MailDante deals with homosexuality in The Inferno and Purgatory in surprising ways. In this episode I explore how his discussion about the sin, punishment and purification of sexual sin is refreshingly different than how most conversations on the subject go. Support the show

  16. 35

    Escaping the Siren: encouraging words from Dante on dealing with lust and temptation

    Send us Fan MailIn Purgatorio Canto 19 there is a profound and provocative dream that Dante has that I think provides a lot of help to anyone struggling with the sins of the flesh, temptations, pornography, lust and the shame and slavery they create. Support the show

  17. 34

    Dante's Inferno Canto 6

    Send us Fan MailWe make our way into the 3rd level of the Inferno and we encounter the mythic beast Cerberus who's an embodiment of the multi-headed sin of gluttony. Join me as we explore the many ways we give ourselves to the incessant barking and growls of gluttony of body and soul. Support the show

  18. 33

    Dante's Inferno Canto 5

    Send us Fan MailThe second level of Hell is for those given to the sin of incontinence...no, it's not that, its the old world idea of those who have a 'lack of self-restraint' or allow their reason to be subject to their lusts, desires and passions. Support the show

  19. 32

    Today, I Am Death

    Send us Fan MailReflections on my journey raising pigs from pen to plate. Support the show

  20. 31

    Dante's Inferno Canto 4: The Nobel Castle

    Send us Fan MailCanto 4: I discuss the opening lines of the Canto that describe Dante's physical experience of the supernatural world. We dig into the citizens of the 'rim' of Hell or Limbo where the "good people" go that's neither punishment or paradise. I discuss the issue of babies in hell and what the NT teaches about the subject. We end on the subject of the ancient world and the place of the 4 cardinal virtues and the 3 theological virtues of the the Christian tradition. Support the show

  21. 30

    Dante's Inferno Canto 3: The Choice of not Choosing

    Send us Fan MailThe Sad Souls that we encounter just pass the Gates of Hell are those who were neither Rebels or Faithful. We live in an era where indecision is the preferred decision, the mushy middle. In this Canto Dante faces the gates of Hell, the boatman of the river Acheron and the Bad Seed of Adam. Support the show

  22. 29

    Dante's Inferno Canto 2: The Hero's Journey: Refusal of the Call

    Send us Fan MailEveryone who is called to some kind of adventure, challenge, change or new endeavor will wrestle with courage. Many come to this point and talk themselves out of following through on their vision, obedience or dream.  Fear and anxieties can steal from us the new season God has for us. Trust in Heaven's Help is critical in the journey of faith. Support the show

  23. 28

    Dante's Inferno: Canto 1

    Send us Fan MailDante is lost in the dark wood of his midlife. He's facing beasts that want to devour him and he's in deep need of a help. So begins the epic journey of the Inferno. A poem that confounds many and is often misunderstood or never experienced with helpful guides. These podcasts hope to help you discover the meaning in the medieval macabre and see that the truths explored and experienced are true for us all in the many seasons of our lives. Support the show

  24. 27

    Parenting Prodigals

    Send us Fan MailLeeElla and I share our story about the challenges and opportunities discovered in parenting prodigal children. With the recent surrender of our eldest son to Jesus, we thought we would share our side of that decade plus journey. We hope to encourage friends and families who are working through these difficult chapters of life and see that God can do great things in us all, though it all. Support the show

  25. 26

    A Blessed Defeat: the testimony of Frederick and Jules coming back to Jesus

    Send us Fan Mail"Every story of conversion is the story of a blessed defeat." -C.S. LewisSupport the show

  26. 25

    Keys to your Prison

    Send us Fan MailThis is a sermon I preached at the Union Gospel Mission Men's Shelter on April 11th, 2023. Aaron LeBlanc gives the intro reading. There's some significant keys to experiencing the freedom of Jesus in this message for anyone seeking breakthrough in this season. Support the show

  27. 24

    JWC Podcast: Alliances

    Send us Fan MailSermon Supplement: King Solomon's Alliances and how we get out of step with the Holy Spirit in our lives. Support the show

  28. 23

    Baptized, Filled or Full of the Holy Spirit?

    Send us Fan MailThere's a lot of confusion about the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and a lot of it comes from failing to talk about the work of the Spirit in biblically clear ways. In this episode I share some of my own journey with the Holy Spirit and give three explanations of the the work of the Spirit that might be helpful to people struggling to understand what has happened to them or what might be waiting for them. Support the show

  29. 22

    You Need The Power Of The Spirit

    Send us Fan MailIf you receive the Holy Spirit when you are born again should you expect anything more from the Spirit after salvation? What is the baptism of the Spirit? Does the Spirit come upon us today? Why did the disciples need to wait for the Spirit in Jerusalem for the power of the Spirit if they were believers, trained by Jesus, did miracles in His name, had experiences of Divine encounter on the mount of transfiguration and had Jesus "blow upon them to receive the Holy Spirit" before Jesus Pentecost? Listen for more on this subject. Support the show

  30. 21

    What about the Asbury Revival? Awakening?

    Send us Fan MailLet's talk about what God is or isn't doing at Asbury University. Support the show

  31. 20

    The Golden Calf, Law and Judgment

    Send us Fan MailThe Levites slay 3000 of their own people at God's command, is it moral and just? Let's talk. Support the show

  32. 19

    Thoughts on Slavery, Racism and Justice

    Send us Fan MailThis podcast digs deeper into the subject of slavery that teaching on Exodus called for in light of our past, present and future as American Christians. Support the show

  33. 18

    MLK Jr. Day Thoughts

    Send us Fan MailWhen I was preparing for my sermon on the life of Joseph, I came to the place in Genesis 37:23-28 and 39:1 where he was sold into slavery. I realized that such a word demanded additional commentary than the sermon I was preparing. So this is a supplement to that sermon where I talk a bit about Joseph, Frederick Douglas, the letter to Philemon and a few stories from our journey living and pastoring in East Central Spokane. Support the show

  34. 17

    Musings on Myth, Monsters & Meaning Episode 3: Werewolves

    Send us Fan MailOn this episode we delve into the dark and macabre histories, stories and possible explanations given around the tales, trial accounts and mysteries surrounding  Werewolves. Support the show

  35. 16

    Musings on Myth, Monsters & Meaning Episode 2: Vampires

    Send us Fan MailWe believe there are truths to learn in revisiting the tales of myths and monsters. This podcast is our musings on Vampires from various cultures, literature and popular culture. We hope you find this conversation as interesting and meaningful as we did, enjoy! Podcasts hosts: Jonathan Brodhagen and Eric Blauer with special guest Anah Brodhagen Support the show

  36. 15

    Episode 3: The Wheel within the Wheel

    Send us Fan MailThe prophet Ezekiel had a vision of the eternals where Christ dwells and in that vision He experienced a fantastical tour of the “living beings” that make up the throne of God.  In his wild descriptions we find some archetype-like imagery that Christ himself embodied and all men can look to as a template to think about how they are living out four different spheres of the masculine life.  Support the show

  37. 14

    Episode 2: Embracing the Wildman

    Send us Fan Mail Every man has a unique wildness that needs to be discovered and discerned. This episode digs into what is real masculinity apart from the common stereotypes. How does a man get to the deep places of his soul and become the man that Christ has designed him to be? Why is this a work that we need other men to help us with? Why was Jesus baptized by John the Baptist? Support the show

  38. 13

    Episode 1: Alone

    Send us Fan MailIn episode one of the podcast series: The Last Adam: Christ and the New Paradigm of Masculinity I discuss how Jesus modeled a counterculture masculinity that made all relationships subservient to the Kingdom of God. This new order of man is both liberating and challenging when it pushes back against the demands and desires of our covenants and commitments but Jesus calls us to put Him first. Support the show

  39. 12

    Musings on Myth, Monsters & Meaning Episode 1: Sirens & Mermaid

    Send us Fan MailWe believe there are truths to learn in revisiting the tales told of myths and monsters. This podcast is our musings on Sirens and Mermaids from various cultures, literature and popular culture. We hope you find this conversation as interesting and meaningful as we did, enjoy! Podcasts hosts: Jonathan Brodhagen and Eric Blauer Support the show

  40. 11

    The Fisher King Episode 6

    Send us Fan MailThe Man and His Mother. Every man has to leave the house of his mother but that leaving is far more deep and complicated than it may appear. In this episode I look at some of these challenges and opportunities as they are touched on in the Fisher King story and the Christian Scriptures. Support the show

  41. 10

    The Fisher King Episode 5

    Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are introduced to the holy Grail in the story. I discuss four elements of the story that compel men to live a life worthy of the King's choice. Support the show

  42. 9

    The Fisher King Episode 4

    Send us Fan MailThe Prince becomes the king and what has happened to him begins to impact the kingdom. This episode is packed full of searching questions about what keeps a man back from becoming the man he wants to or needs to be. What is holding you back? You may be surprised with the answers. Take a listen and hopefully you will discover the way to rule with wisdom born from the wound. Support the show

  43. 8

    The Great Litany

    Send us Fan MailA deep and rich prayer from the The Book of Common Prayer. I wanted to make this available for people to reflect upon the many important parts of life that are included in this prayer. I hope this prayer will become another tool in people's toolbox to help them build a simple and meaningful life of prayer. Support the show

  44. 7

    The Fisher King: Episode Three

    Send us Fan MailWe continue our ManClan Tale series looking at The Fisher King from the Arthurian Legends. In this episode we dig into the part of the tale where the young Prince receives his 'wound'. All men face moments in their lives where they have received a wound. How we get to those moments, how to avoid them or how to heal from them is critical in growing into a healthy and helpful man. Support the show

  45. 6

    Episode 2 The Fisher King

    Send us Fan MailOn this episode I discuss the power of the woodlands to provoke men to listen to their own souls, one another and even the voice of their Creator. Profound opportunities await men who will dare to explore the world around them. Let's go adventuring! Support the show

  46. 5

    The Legend of the Fisher King: episode 1

    Send us Fan MailA series of podcasts discussing the Legend of the Fisher King for the ManClan Summer Gatherings. Support the show

  47. 4

    Episode 2: The Crowbar Massage Podcast

    Send us Fan MailCommentary on possible nudity and sex in the new Amazon series based on the Lord of the Rings, review of the HBO show Raised by Wolves, pontifications about our Governor, Biden on guns and judges, Gang shootings in our neighborhood, and the relevancy of the book of Leviticus. Support the show

  48. 3

    Episode 1: Maiden Voyage...not the Titanic version

    Send us Fan MailMen's Work with Beowulf, first Presidential debate recap, a few short movie reviews, and  little more. Support the show

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Forays into Culture, Politics, and Religion meant to provoke you to think deeper, expand your understanding, and better equip you to engage the world around and within you. It's commentary like an Eastern bloc massage, Olga is there to help you, but sometimes it hurts.

HOSTED BY

Eric Blauer

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