Ep. 582: Considering Sparrows: A Conversation with Kevin Burrell

I’m not an avid bird watcher, but I’ve long been interested in the way birds intervene in our lives, our stories, our cultural myths. Think about the story of the raven and the dove in the Genesis account of the flood. Or the use of the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Jesus said that the foxes have their dens and the birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head to rest. He commanded us to consider the sparrows if we are to learn about the Kingdom of God. One of the most famous stories in western literature is a story told by the Venerable Bede more than a thousand years ago. He tells the story of a bird fleeing a storm and darkness by flying into a great hall. The bird then flies out the other side. The Venerable Bede says that the time the bird spent in the hall was like the span of our lives. Short, and surrounded by mystery. But the Christian story tells us what is beyond the boundaries of our lives, This story is credited with playing a major role in the Christianization of England.

The lessons of birds have concerned Pastor Kevin Burrell for years. And he has written a new book about his adventures with theology and with birds. Considering Sparrows: What Birds Teach us About Who We Are, Where We Are Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus. I love this book, and I am delighted to have Kevin on the program to talk about it.

Kevin Burrell is the co-lead Pastor of StoneBridge Church Community in Charlotte, North Carolina. An avid birder, Kevin’s pastoral heart and avian interests united with the formation of his blog, Ornitheology, where he utilizes birds as illustrations of the Christian life. He lives in Charlotte with his wife Beverly, three children, and five birdfeeders.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

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