It’s the first show of 2023! Did you make resolutions this year? (I did not!) Have you kept your resolutions? Either way, I want to talk about joy today. Because religion is often joyless. But Jesus says he came that our joy might be complete. But what is joy? Let’s explore in this episode of One Question!

Join Pastor Adam and Dr. Dana Robert Hicks as they discuss Dana’s book, “The Knot: How to Secure Healthy, Modern Relationships While Not Being Tied to Marriage’s Past.” You can keep up with Dana’s work at the following links : www.danahicks.blog https://www.facebook.com/danaroberthicks/ https://twitter.com/DanaHicksAuthor https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23037125.Dana_Robert_Hicks Here are links to The Knot: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Knot-Secure-Healthy-Relationships-Marriages/dp/B0BNWG23VQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F4GE1B8GVFUU&keywords=dana+robert+hicks&qid=1670256671&sprefix=%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1

Classical theology emphasizes God’s omnipotence, or Power. As Jonathan Foster says in his book, “Theology of Consent” this makes God the “All-Powerful God of Power.” But is the idea that God is all-powerful helpful? Is it even true? Join Pastor Adam and Rev. Dr. Jonathan Foster as they discuss Jonathan’s latest book, “Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe.”

Can a person be gay or transgender and Christian? Of course! We will talk with Declan and Suzanne about their work with the “Where True Love Is” movement, which provides a Bible based defense of the validity of LGBTQIA+ Christian faith. Check out the “Where True Love Is” social media pages and their many books, including “Where True Love Is: An affirming devotional for LGBTQIA+ Christians and their Allies.”

We have a crisis in masculinity. Many think the answer is to double down on a manhood that emphasizes burying your emotions to “stay strong.” But what if that is destroying men and their relationships? What if there is a healthier way of being a man that includes vulnerability? What if that’s where men can find their true strength and healthier relationships? Join Pastor Adam and Romal Tune with your comments and questions as they discuss Romal’s latest book, “I Wish My Dad.”

Many think the Bible is a hopelessly violent book. No doubt the Bible has violence within it, but what if the Bible’s violence is there so that it can subvert and transform violence? After all, the only way to solve a problem is if we can name it. The problem that the Bible names is human violence. And over its pages, it reveals God’s complete nonviolence. Join Pastor Adam and Tony Bartlett with your comments and questions as they discuss Tony’s latest book “Signs of Change: The Bible’s Evolution of Divine Nonviolence.”

The Bible is a big confusing book, with all kinds of stories and teachings. Are we supposed to take everything literally? Or are we supposed to take everything metaphorically? And is it heretical to even ask such questions? You may be surprised that people of faith have been asking these types of questions about the Bible for thousands of years. Join Pastor Adam as he discusses some of the surprising history behind biblical interpretation in this episode of One Question!

In this episode of One Question, Pastor Adam talks with Seba, the Southern Fried Witch, about her path in becoming a witch and what being a witch means to Seba. For more, check out Seba’s website: https://southernfriedwitch.com/ "One Question with Pastor Adam" is back for Season 3! Tune in to the live broadcast on the Pastor Adam Facebook page on Thursdays at 11a Pacific Time. Podcast episodes will become available the following Monday. Have a question you'd like to see answered on the podcast? Submit it via email to aericksen@ravenfoundation.org.

Many of us are wondering if we should stay Christian or break from the shackles of this religion. What are the reasons for leaving? What are the reasons for staying? And no matter what we choose, how best do we live with the decision we make? Join Pastor Adam and Brian McLaren with your comments and questions as they talk about Brian's latest book "Do I Stay Christian?" "One Question with Pastor Adam" is back for Season 3! Tune in to the live broadcast on the Pastor Adam Facebook page on Thursdays at 11a Pacific Time. Podcast episodes will become available the following Monday. Have a question you'd like to see answered on the podcast? Submit it via email to aericksen@ravenfoundation.org. Photo Credit: Hannah Davis at Wild Artistry Photography

Some Christians refer to Matthew 19 to say that Jesus affirmed Genesis 1 - that God made humans “male and female.” They do this criticize our transgender siblings. But in the same chapter, Jesus says that some people are “born eunuchs for the kingdom of God.” A eunuch was someone who didn’t fit the “male and female” binary, but was seen as a third gender. Jesus didn’t quote Genesis to say that God only makes humans into male or female because he knew that God’s creation is far more diverse. Check out this episode of One Question with Pastor Adam for more! "One Question with Pastor Adam" is back for Season 3! Tune in to the live broadcast on the Pastor Adam Facebook page on Thursdays at 11a Pacific Time. Podcast episodes will become available the following Monday. Have a question you'd like to see answered on the podcast? Submit it via email to aericksen@ravenfoundation.org.