The Deconstructionists

Guest/Bio: This week we welcome Dr. Benjamin Laird! Dr. Laird serves as Associate Professor of Biblical Studies. He teaches a variety of courses in New Testament and Greek. He’s previously served in various capacities in the church including pastorates in Virginia and Scotland. His doctoral research examined the formation and circulation of the Pauline letter collection in early Christianity. In part 1 of our conversation we talk all about the books of the New Testament, their formation, and who wrote them. Guest (Selected) Works: 40 Questions About the Apostle Paul; Creating the Canon: Composition, Controversy, and the Authority of the New Testament; The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity: Its Formation, Publication, and Circulation; Five Views on the New Testament Canon. Guest Links: X: @BPLAIRD1 Special Theme Music: Forrest Clay X: @clay_k Instagram: @forrestclaymusic YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic Enjoy the music? Songs used on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music can be found! This episode of The Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson Stay on top of all the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a pint glass, or follow us on social media! We now have a brand new webstore with faster shipping, new products, new designs, and international shipping! Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionsts Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos & Designs are all created by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Special Theme Music: Forrest Clay X: @clay_k Instagram: @forrestclaymusic YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic Enjoy the music? Songs used on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music can be found! This episode of The Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson Stay on top of all the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a pint glass, or follow us on social media! We now have a brand new webstore with faster shipping, new products, new designs, and international shipping! Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionsts Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos & Designs are all created by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week’s guest is comedian Doug Smith. Doug is a former Jehovah’s Witness who is searching for silver lining in growing up inside a doomsday cult. We talk about how his family got involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and what it was like to walk away.  Check out Doug’s podcast: Jehovah Boy with Doug Smith Guest Website/Social Media:  www.dougsmithcomedy.com  Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, & YouTube: @whodougsmith  Special Theme Music by: Forrest Clay Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Twitter: @clay_k YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic  Songs featured on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Starting your own podcast? Try Riverside! https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-williamson Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week’s guest is Sarah Stankorb! Sarah is the author of the book Disobedient Women, which is a culmination of years reporting on women who used the internet to call out abuse within their evangelical communities. It is a book for and about people of faith and those who have walked away. The deeply researched work gives long-overdue recognition to the women who upturned their lives to speak out boldly, even as they were expected to submit and remain silent.  Sarah’s articles and essays have appeared in publications including The Washington Post Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, O Magazine, Longreads, Catapult, Slate, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The Atavist, CNNMoney, GOOD Magazine, Salon, KIWI, Babble, Geez, The Morning News, DAME Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, Brain, Child Magazine, Proto, Skirt, Bethesda Magazine, and Cincinnati Magazine.  Her beat spans politics, the environment, health, technology, religion and cultural commentary.  Guest (select) publications: Disobedient Women: How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoning.  Guest Website/Social Media:  www.sarahstankorb.com  Twitter: @sarahstankorb  Instagram: @sarahstankorb  TikTok: @sarahstankorb  Special Theme Music by: Forrest Clay Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Twitter: @clay_k YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic   Songs featured on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media. We have a brand new webstore with faster shipping, new products, new designs, and international shipping!  Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week’s guest is Sarah Stankorb! Sarah is the author of the book Disobedient Women, which is a culmination of years reporting on women who used the internet to call out abuse within their evangelical communities. It is a book for and about people of faith and those who have walked away. The deeply researched work gives long-overdue recognition to the women who upturned their lives to speak out boldly, even as they were expected to submit and remain silent.  Sarah’s articles and essays have appeared in publications including The Washington Post Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, O Magazine, Longreads, Catapult, Slate, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The Atavist, CNNMoney, GOOD Magazine, Salon, KIWI, Babble, Geez, The Morning News, DAME Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, Brain, Child Magazine, Proto, Skirt, Bethesda Magazine, and Cincinnati Magazine.  Her beat spans politics, the environment, health, technology, religion and cultural commentary.  Guest (select) publications: Disobedient Women: How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoning.  Guest Website/Social Media:  www.sarahstankorb.com  Twitter: @sarahstankorb  Instagram: @sarahstankorb  TikTok: @sarahstankorb  Special Theme Music by: Forrest Clay Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Twitter: @clay_k YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic   Songs featured on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media. We have a brand new webstore with faster shipping, new products, new designs, and international shipping!  Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week’s guest is Dr. Greg Garrett! Greg is a writer, speaker, musician, and professor. He’s the critically acclaimed author of over two dozen books of fiction and nonfiction including his latest, “The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America’s Great Prophet Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Identity.”  Greg studied at Oklahoma State University where he received his PhD in English. He then continued his education with post-doctoral studies in Holocaust Studies at the University of Oregon and later received his Masters in Divinity from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas.  Guest (select) publications: My Church is NOT Dying: Episopalians in the 21st Century; Crossing Myself: A Story of Spiritual Rebirth; We Get To Carry Each Other: The Gospel According to U2; Holy Superheroes; The Gospel According to Hollywood; The Other Jesus: Rejecting a Religion of Fear for the God of Love; Stories From The Edge: A Theology of Grief; Living With The Living Dead: The Wisdom of the Zombie Apocalypse; Entertaining Judgement: The Afterlife in Popular Imagination; The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America’s Great Prophet Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Identity  James Baldwin (select) publications: The Fire Next Time; Giovanni’s Room; Go Tell It on the Mountain; Notes of a Native Son; Another Country; If Beale Street Could Talk; Nobody Knows My Name Guest Website/Social Media:  Twitter: @Greg1Garrett  Special Theme Music by: Forrest Clay Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Twitter: @clay_k YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic  Songs featured on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! Check out Factor 75 and use my code deconstruct50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/ This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media. We have a brand new webstore with faster shipping, new products, new designs, and international shipping!  Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Starting your own podcast? Try Riverside! https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-williamson Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week’s guest is Dr. Greg Garrett! Greg is a writer, speaker, musician, and professor. He’s the critically acclaimed author of over two dozen books of fiction and nonfiction including his latest, “The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America’s Great Prophet Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Identity.”  Greg studied at Oklahoma State University where he received his PhD in English. He then continued his education with post-doctoral studies in Holocaust Studies at the University of Oregon and later received his Masters in Divinity from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas.  Guest (select) publications: My Church is NOT Dying: Episopalians in the 21st Century; Crossing Myself: A Story of Spiritual Rebirth; We Get To Carry Each Other: The Gospel According to U2; Holy Superheroes; The Gospel According to Hollywood; The Other Jesus: Rejecting a Religion of Fear for the God of Love; Stories From The Edge: A Theology of Grief; Living With The Living Dead: The Wisdom of the Zombie Apocalypse; Entertaining Judgement: The Afterlife in Popular Imagination; The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America’s Great Prophet Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Identity  James Baldwin (select) publications: The Fire Next Time; Giovanni’s Room; Go Tell It on the Mountain; Notes of a Native Son; Another Country; If Beale Street Could Talk; Nobody Knows My Name Guest Website/Social Media:  Twitter: @Greg1Garrett  Special Theme Music by: Forrest Clay Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Twitter: @clay_k YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic  Songs featured on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! Check out Factor 75 and use my code deconstruct50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/ This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media. We have a brand new webstore with faster shipping, new products, new designs, and international shipping!  Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week’s guest is the return of the amazing Rabbi Brad Hirschfield! We continue our discussion on stories from what we refer to as the Old Testament from the Christian and Jewish perspectives. This episode we cover the story of the great flood. Listed for many years in Newsweek as one of America’s “50 Most Influential Rabbis,” and recognized as one of our nation’s leading “Preachers & Teachers,” by Beliefnet.com, Fox News regular contributor, Washington Post blogger, and think tank President Brad Hirschfield is the author of You Don’t Have To Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism (Harmony, 2008). He also conceived and hosted two groundbreaking series for Bridges TV—American Muslim TV Network, Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today (three seasons), and American Pilgrimage. He is also the Co-founder and Executive Editor of The Wisdom Daily. An expert on religion and public life, Hirschfield offers a unique perspective on the American spiritual landscape and political and social trends to audiences nationwide. A regular on Lou Dobbs Tonight on the Fox Business Network, and The Washington Post’s Conversations: Live Q & A, he’s been a contributor on ethical issues for Tru-TV, co-hosted the weekly radio show Hirschfield and Kula and is frequently quoted in the press. A popular guest on such shows as The Dennis Miller Show, Lars Larson, and Fox News.com Live, he has appeared on CNN, PBS, MTV and NPR, among others, and was featured on PBS’s “Frontline: Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero,” and the acclaimed documentary, Freaks Like Me. A regular commentator for The Huffington Post and one of Patheos.com’s Experts, he contributes frequently to Fox News Opinion, writes a column, For God’s Sake, for the WashingtonPost.com’s “On Faith.” His blog, Windows & Doors, appears on Beliefnet.com (the net’s largest site for spirituality and inspiration), and was featured on the homepage of Digg.com. Rabbi Hirschfield is also an interfaith activist, he has inspired audiences from the Aspen Institute and the Washington National Cathedral, to the Islamic Society of North America and many leading universities and religious institutions. A featured speaker at Parliament of the World’s Religions in both Barcelona and Melbourne, he was recently invited by the Governments of the United States and the Republic of Indonesia to speak at the Jakarta Interfaith Dialogue Guest (select) publications: You Don’t Have to Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism  Guest Website/Social Media:  www.clal.org  Twitter: @BradHirschfield  Special Theme Music by: Forrest Clay Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Twitter: @clay_k YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic   Songs featured on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media. Check out our brand new print to order page with new international shipping and brand new designs and products! Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Starting your own podcast? Try Riverside! https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-williamson Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week’s guest is the return of the amazing Rabbi Brad Hirschfield! We continue our discussion on stories from what we refer to as the Old Testament from the Christian and Jewish perspectives. This episode we cover the story of Cane and Abel. Listed for many years in Newsweek as one of America’s “50 Most Influential Rabbis,” and recognized as one of our nation’s leading “Preachers & Teachers,” by Beliefnet.com, Fox News regular contributor, Washington Post blogger, and think tank President Brad Hirschfield is the author of You Don’t Have To Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism (Harmony, 2008). He also conceived and hosted two groundbreaking series for Bridges TV—American Muslim TV Network, Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today (three seasons), and American Pilgrimage. He is also the Co-founder and Executive Editor of The Wisdom Daily. An expert on religion and public life, Hirschfield offers a unique perspective on the American spiritual landscape and political and social trends to audiences nationwide. A regular on Lou Dobbs Tonight on the Fox Business Network, and The Washington Post’s Conversations: Live Q & A, he’s been a contributor on ethical issues for Tru-TV, co-hosted the weekly radio show Hirschfield and Kula and is frequently quoted in the press. A popular guest on such shows as The Dennis Miller Show, Lars Larson, and Fox News.com Live, he has appeared on CNN, PBS, MTV and NPR, among others, and was featured on PBS’s “Frontline: Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero,” and the acclaimed documentary, Freaks Like Me. A regular commentator for The Huffington Post and one of Patheos.com’s Experts, he contributes frequently to Fox News Opinion, writes a column, For God’s Sake, for the WashingtonPost.com’s “On Faith.” His blog, Windows & Doors, appears on Beliefnet.com (the net’s largest site for spirituality and inspiration), and was featured on the homepage of Digg.com. Rabbi Hirschfield is also an interfaith activist, he has inspired audiences from the Aspen Institute and the Washington National Cathedral, to the Islamic Society of North America and many leading universities and religious institutions. A featured speaker at Parliament of the World’s Religions in both Barcelona and Melbourne, he was recently invited by the Governments of the United States and the Republic of Indonesia to speak at the Jakarta Interfaith Dialogue Guest (select) publications: You Don’t Have to Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism  Guest Website/Social Media:  www.clal.org  Twitter: @BradHirschfield  Special Theme Music by: Forrest Clay Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Twitter: @clay_k YouTube: www.youtube.com/claykmusic   Songs featured on this episode were from the Recover EP You can find Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode is sponsored by Hello Fresh - America’s #1 meal kit! My daughter and I swear by it and have our favorite recipes that we make together every week! Go to www.hellofresh.com/deconstruct50 for 50% off PLUS free shipping!  This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Starting your own podcast? Try Riverside! https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-williamson Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: Part 2 of my conversation with the amazing Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray! Dr. Ray currently teaches biology at the University of North Texas and speaks and writes at the intersection of science, culture, and faith. We discuss the disconnect between faith and science and why science isn’t at odds with religion.  She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of North Texas in the Department of Biological Sciences. She holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Texas, a M.Ed. in Gifted Education from Hardin-Simmons University and a B.S.Ed. in biology from Abilene Christian University.  Guest (select) Published Works: Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark? The Bible and Modern Science and the Trouble of Making It All Fit; The God of Monkey Science: People of Faith in a Modern Scientific World Guest Links: www.janetkray.com  Instagram: @janetkelloggray  Twitter: @janetkelloggray  Facebook: @janetkelloggray  Theme music by: Forrest Clay  “Does God” & “Recover” can be found on the brand new EP, Recover  You can find Forrest Clay's music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Check out Factor 75 and use my code deconstruct50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy