EP 10: Jesus and Reverend Dawn from Dance Moms

Today’s episode of Dance Dad is taking us to church! Reverend Dawn Lynn Check, a Dance Moms “Pre-OG OG,” joins host John Corella to talk about Jesus, the Bible, and the importance of reading between the lines. 

 

Many people misinterpret Jesus as “kumbaya,” explains Dawn (as she prefers to be called), forgetting that he was a human with a variety of emotions, including anger in the face of injustice. Others practice “proof texting” taking snippets of the Word and interpreting it to suit our own ends. 

 

Updates and changes made to different versions of the Bible can also alter the Word’s message, to disastrous ends. The two discuss the inclusion of the word “homosexual,” in the text—a change which was made only in 1946—and the implications of that change to generations of people. They also discuss the importance of standing up for what’s right even when we’re scared or facing persecution. 

 

Dawn shares what she loves most about Jesus, what led her to ministry, and early memories of reading Bible stories with her grandmother. Stay until the end for a surprise special guest and to join Dawn in loving prayer. 

 

Quotes

• “Sometimes we picture Jesus as this kumbaya character—kind, gentle Jesus. The reality is Jesus had a lot of emotions. But we have softened Jesus to the point that he doesn’t have power, and power doesn’t mean beating people up, or stomping on them or lording it over them—pun intended, maybe.” (5:45 | Dawn Lynn Check)
• “I think the word of God should be as accessible as it can be, however, to your point, you should always struggle with the Word. If you’re not struggling, you’re not doing it right.” (11:21 | Dawn Lynn Check)
• “As a disciple of Christ, throwing the tables, it’s my job as a disciple to talk to people and say, ‘Those tables need to be overturned.’ And by sitting here talking about it with you, I’m kind of saying, ‘This isn’t right.’ [Donald Trump] is profiting off of those bibles for his criminal and political campaign. That’s not right.” (14:56 | Dawn Lynn Check)
• “I have never felt such love, such completeness as listening to the word of God on my grandmother’s lap.” (16:29 | Dawn Lynn Check)
• “We are so uncomfortable with sexuality and sex, and there is so much sex in the Bible. You know, we’re banning books. Have we banned the Bible?” (30:40 | Dawn Lynn Check)
• “I don’t think people realize that I was the funny one. If you talk to any of them, I was the one that made them laugh.” (35:10 | Dawn Lynn Check)
• “I love that Jesus allows himself to be weak, and allows us to participate in our own redemption.” (38:02 | Dawn Lynn Check)
• “How do we stand up for what’s right, what’s good when we feel scared God isn’t going to protect us and we’re going to be put up on that cross? Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, ‘Do it, even if you’re shaking.’” (38:27 | Dawn Lynn Check)

 

Links

 

Connect with Reagan Check: 

www.instagram.com/Regancheck

 

1946 the Movie:

https://www.1946themovie.com/

Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm