Rethinking Faith

We've all seen the news stories and heard the rumors. Maybe you have been hurt by a narcissistic church leader. It's easy to throw the term around and diagnose others from afar. But what is narcissism, really? And how does it infiltrate the church? This week, Chuck DeGroat joins the conversation. Chuck has been counseling pastors with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, as well as those wounded by narcissistic leaders and systems, for over twenty years. He knows firsthand the devastation narcissism leaves in its wake and how insidious and painful it is. DeGroat helps us to take a close look at narcissism, not only in ministry leaders but also in church systems. He offers compassion and hope for those affected by its destructive power and imparts wise counsel for churches looking to heal from its systemic effects. Enjoy!   RESOURCES:  When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse (Book) Chuck's Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Drew Hart joined the conversation to help us (re)think how the church views racism. In this deep and challenging episode, Drew helps us to see the racial hierarchy of not only our world, but also in the Church. He contends that racism is not just a sociological but also a theological issue as well. Will you join us in (re)thinking how we view racism? Enjoy.      RESOURCES:  Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism (Book) Drews Website   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the 3rd and final episode in our mini-series on atonement. This week we were joined by Dr. Tony Jones to discuss the atonement ideas he put forth in his book, "Did God Kill Jesus?"  A lot of Christians believe that God the Father demanded his only Son die a cruel, gruesome death to appease His wrath, since humanity is so irredeemably sinful and therefore repugnant to God. Tony Jones, argues that this understanding is actually a medieval invention and not what the Bible really teaches. Christians today must transcend the shame and guilt that have shaped conceptions of the human soul and made us fearful of God, and replace them with love, grace, and joyfulness, which better expresses what the cross is really about. Jones argues that how we understand the cross reflects directly what kind of God we worship. By letting go of the wrathful God who cannot stand to be in our presence unless he pretends to see Jesus in our place, we discover the biblical God who reaches out to love and embrace us while "we were yet sinners." Enjoy.     RESOURCES:  Did God Kill Jesus?: Searching for Love in History's Most Famous Execution (Book) Tony's Website    Tony's Podcast The Champion - Carman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by Josh McNall for part 2 of our Atonement series. Josh recently released a new book called "The Mosaic of Atonement". Modern debates of this doctrine have tended toward either a defensive hierarchy, (one model is singled out as most important), or a disconnected plurality, (multiple images are affirmed but with no order of arrangement). McNall pushes back against both of these approaches and argues for a reintegration of four famous "pieces" of atonement doctrine through the governing image of a Christ-shaped mosaic. While no one model is set above or against the others, Josh notes particular ways in which the "pieces"--the feet, heart, head, and hands--mutually support one another to form a more holistic vision of Christ's work. "This is my body," Jesus said to his followers, and by reintegrating these oft-dismembered aspects of atonement, we will note fresh ways in which it was given for us. Enjoy!   RESOURCES:  The Mosaic of Atonement: An Integrated Approach to Christ's Work (Book)  JoshuaMcnall.com Outpost Theology (Podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are kicking off our 4 Part mini-series on the Atonement. During this series, we will be approaching the atonement from a variety of angles and perspectives. For part one, we were joined by JD Myers. We discussed some of his ideas from his book, "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus". Enjoy!   Resources:  Nothing but the Blood of Jesus: How the Sacrifice of Jesus Saves the World From Sin (Book)  The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Compassion, and Interpretation (Book) RedeemingGod.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by rapper Nehemiah. Nehemiah has heard the 9 and seen the grind of the crime trap... but the good news is that he survived that! We had an awesome conversation detailing some of the songs of off Nehemiah's latest album, "Survivor". Nehemiah speaks truth and shares his story in his music... we were lucky enough for him to share some of his story with us this week. Enjoy!   Resources: NehemiahBuildingBlock.com I Survived That - Music Video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of the world’s three major religions, only Christianity holds to a doctrine of original sin. The fact that many Christians believe there is something in human nature that is, and will always be, contrary to God, is not just a problem but a tragedy. This week, Danielle Shroyer joined the conversation to help us (re)think the doctrine of Original Sin. Why does the doctrine’s assumptions of human nature so infiltrate our sermons and theological bookshelves? How is it so misconstrued in times of grief, pastoral care, and personal shame? How did we fall so far from God’s original blessing in the garden to this pervasive belief in humanity’s innate inability to do good? During this conversation, Danielle Shroyer walks us through an overview of the historical development of the doctrine and brings the primary claims of original sin to their untenable (and unbiblical) conclusions. Danielle shows us not only how we got this doctrine wrong, but how we can put sin back in its rightful place: in a broader context of redemption and the blessing of humanity’s creation in the image of God. Enjoy!   Resources:  Original Blessing: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place (Book)  DanielleShroyer.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are for sure in a crazy time amongst the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are claiming that God is behind COVID-19... Many believe that COVID-19 is the wrath of God or in some way a test or judgment from God. Many are calling forth biblical prophecies and making claims about the end times. So what up with COVID-19? Is this the wrath of God? Are we living in the end times? This week we are joined once again by New Testament Scholar, and Revelation expert Dr. Rob Dalrymple. Rob unpacks these questions and helps us to understand what the Bible and specifically the book of Revelation have to say about these times. Enjoy.   RESOURCES:  Articles: COVID-19 and the Love of God: Is COVID-19 and Act of God's Judgement? Are the Seven Seals of the Book of Revelation Unfolding Today?   Books:  Understanding the New Testament and the End Times Follow the Lamb: A Guide to Reading, Understanding, and Applying the Book of Revelation   Previous Episode With Rob:  Revelation and Why It Matters - With Rob Dalrymple   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all carry sexual shame to some extent. Whether you grew up in the midst of purity culture or not, all of us have been taught that sex, outside of a very specific context, is taboo. This week, Psychotherapist Matthais Roberts joins the conversation to help us rethink what it means to have healthy sex, helping us to overcome our shame in the process.  Roberts is a licensed mental health counselor associate and the host of Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being. He holds two master's degrees, one in theology and culture and one in counseling psychology. In his psychotherapy practice, he specializes in helping LGBTQ+ teens and adults live confident and fulfilling lives.  Enjoy!   RESOURCES:  Beyond Shame: Creating A Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms MatthiasRoberts.com  Queerology Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Meggie Lee Calvin joined us to discuss some of the ideas from her latest book, 'I Am My Own Sanctuary'. Meg is gifted at helping spiritually-attuned go-getters heal past wounds and reclaim their personal power so that they can have a life they love.  In this fun, humorous, helpful and sometimes irreverent episode, Meg shares with us some of her helpful ideas to aid us in spiritual, emotional and personal growth. Enjoy!   RESOURCES: I Am My Own Sanctuary: How A Recovering Holy-Roller Found Healing And Power (Book) MegCalvin.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices