Rooted Identity: Living from Our Position in Christ
In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J sits talks with Steve Sommerlot, one of the original planters of Riverview Church back in 1977 (and one of Dr. J’s personal Yodas), for a deep dive into identity, grace, and what it actually means to live from your position in Christ. Drawing from the roots of the Jesus Movement and the early days of Riv, Steve reflects on a cultural moment that impacted American Christianity and continues to influence how believers understand calling, community, and the Gospel today. Together, they dig into one of the most foundational (and most overlooked) themes of the Christian life: the distinction between our condition and our position. Through conversations about Romans, sanctification, and the relentless tug-of-war between feelings and truth, Steve traces how embracing our identity in Christ frees us from guilt, loosens the grip of individualism, and creates space for transformation that sticks.
The discussion moves between history and discipleship, personal stories and theological clarity, returning often to the freedom that comes when Christians see themselves as God does. From the no-condemnation reality of Romans 8 to the gritty work of forgiveness, Steve shows how grace reshapes our relationships, empowers our witness, and steadies the church for the future.
If you’re drawn to conversations that mix wisdom with a laugh, this episode offers grounding, hope, and a reminder that your position in Christ isn’t just a doctrinal footnote; it’s the engine that drives everything else.
- Book: The Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Ministry in a Secular Age): Why Spiritualities without God Fail to Transform Us by Andy Root
- Book: The Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Ministry in a Secular Age): Why Spiritualities without God Fail to Transform Us by Andy Root
- Book: The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford
