Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

What is your response when your faith tradition demands that you deny reality?Barbara Brown Taylor is back to discuss the importance of embracing “what is” more than adhering to our beliefs. This episode is based on 27th chapter of Do I Stay Christian?, Stay Loyal to Reality.Resources:The transcript for this episode can be found here.

How do you stand for what you believe without making others wrong?In this episode, Rev. Jacqui Lewis joins Brian again to discuss how we can declare our beliefs with love—and why it is essential for the healing of our communities and our planet. Resources:The transcript for this episode can be found here.Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org

Barbara Brown Taylor returns for a conversation with Brian McLaren about reconsecrating our lives spiritually and ecologically. They discuss leaving religion, finding harmony, understanding beliefs and passions, recycling biblical stories, and the importance of reconsecrating everything as holy and spiritual.

What gets you into the flow?  Rev. Jacqui Lewis joins Brian again in conversation to envision a new way of living Christianity in this episode talking about the 24th chapter, Find the Flow.Resources:The transcript for this episode can be found here.Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org

Where do we go to replenish our hearts? On this season of Learning How to See, we're exploring ways to reframe our Christian identity so that it reflects our lived reality.  In this episode author, wilderness educator, and Mennonite organizer, Todd Wynward, offers his perspective that spending time in the wilderness—physically and spiritually— can fill our hearts and minds with new meaning. Resources:The transcript to the episode can be found here.Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org

How do we remind ourselves that Love is the center of our lives?As we continue this season, Brian and the guests offer guideposts for negotiating a new relationship to Christianity when we are ready to leave limiting beliefs behind. On this episode, Rev. Jacqui Lewis explains that living from a space of love is an active calling: “Love that comes from the heart demands justice. It insists on wellbeing. It insists on caring for the vulnerable. And that’s fierce.”  Resources:The transcript for this episode can be found here.Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org

How have you experienced the grief of growth?  In this episode, Barbara Brown Taylor joins Brian for a stimulating conversation about the importance of emotional honesty on each step of our spiritual journey. As we outgrow religious ideas and practices, it’s tempting to bend the truth to make us comfortable—but that reaction slows the process of transformation. Resources:The transcript for this episode can be found here.Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org

As we kick off a new season grappling with the 'how' answer of Do I Stay Christian?, Brian wanted to revisit the previous seasons that built up and connect to this very question. Joining Brian in conversation are Center for Action and Contemplation staff members Mike Petrow, Gigi Ross, and Dawson Allen. At the end of this season, we'll come back together to reflect and respond to what the listener's submitted during the season.Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.orgA transcript for this episode can be found here.

On this Season 4 of Learning How to See, we continue to grapple with the question "do I stay Christian?" In Season 3, we looked at the "yes" and the "no" answer to that question. This season, we're asking: if you do decide to stay Christian without accepting the harmful elements of the Christian faith -- how are you going to do it? Join Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and others to explore ways we all can live good and full, meaningful, and just lives--whether we continue to identify as Christian or not.We'd love to hear from you throughout this season. We'll be doing an episode responding to what arises for you. Contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org

Could technology be key to deepening our faith experience? From the printing press to podcasts, the newest technology has been inviting people into faith conversations for centuries.On this episode, Brian is joined by theologian and podcaster Tripp Fuller as we embrace walking towards a fresh and vibrant theology that is accessible to everyone. Tripp is a self-described “theology nerd,” and brings his deep knowledge of Biblical history and a commitment to creating space for everyone to cultivate a more authentic relationship with their faith.Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Tripp's podcast, Homebrewed Christianity is available wherever you like to download podcasts. Brian and Tripp will be leading an online class on the book starting in September. Details here: https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/doistaychristian/ Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Tripp Fuller: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!