

Deconstructing the Myth
Deconstructing the Myth
A podcast exploring why those who grew up in the American Evangelical church are now leaving it behind.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 2min
71. Deconstructing the Trinity
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Today we discuss the historical and theological development of the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as some potential questions it brings up for those in deconstruction.Sources:"What is the Folioque Controversy?" by Hope Bolinger“What’s the Story behind the [Filioque Clause]?" by Tiffany Butler“The Trinitarian Councils - Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus" by Father Michael Van Sloun and Rebecca Omastiak"Trinity""Trinity" by Dale TuggyFor a detailed compilation of this season’s show notes in one place, check out Patreon and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 14min
70. Deconstructing Divorce
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Today we discuss how Christians think in varying ways about divorce.Marriage Resources:The Gottman InstitutePsychology Today (therapist locator)Research Resources:https://bibleproject.com/articles/divorce-bible-how-jesus-responded-debate/https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dont-get-divorce/https://millcreekchristiancounseling.com/divorce-in-the-bible-7-scripture-verses-for-dealing-with-divorce/https://baremarriage.com/2023/11/podcast-are-70-of-divorces-due-to-women-leaving-for-no-reason/https://pilgrimscampfire.substack.com/p/divorce-remarriage-and-abusehttps://baremarriage.com/2023/11/are-70-of-divorces-really-caused-by-women-divorcing-frivolously/https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2018/december/divorce-judaism-fishbayn%20.htmlhttps://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/divorce-in-judaism#google_vignettehttps://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/divorce-in-the-bible/https://baremarriage.com/2024/11/is-divorce-and-remarriage-permitted-in-cases-of-abuse/https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/understanding-annulments/https://catalog.obitel-minsk.com/blog/2023/01/rules-of-orthodox-christians-on-marriage-divorce-and-remarriageFor a detailed compilation of this season’s show notes in one place, check out Patreon and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

Jul 10, 2025 • 53min
69. Deconstructing Complementarianism and Egalitarianism
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Today we discuss two common beliefs in Christianity about human relationship structures—complementarianism (based on a hierarchical structure of power and defined roles among spouses) and egalitarianism (based on equal power dynamics and fluidity in roles). Resources listed:Christians for Biblical Equality at cbeinternational.orgThe Junia Project at juniaproject.comThe Marriage You Want by Sheila Wray Gregoire and Dr. Keith Gregoire Bare Marriage.comTheses on Women in the Church at whatdoesthismean.netExploring the biblical theology of Christian egalitarianism at margmowczko.comFor a detailed compilation of this season’s show notes in one place, check out Patreon and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

Jul 3, 2025 • 37min
68. Deconstructing Homosexuality Pt. 4 (Themes that Inform the Discussion--Lust, Purity, Shame)
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Today, host Liz Mall (MA of Christian Apologetics, Biola) brings you another research episode to help you on your deconstruction journey. In this episode we touch on three key concepts found in the Bible that tie into the homosexuality discussion: desire/lust, purity/impurity, and honor/shame. These concepts help us understand the "why" of the Bible passages that reference same sex activity, and are key to understand if we want to move forward with any sort of responsible application of the text for today's modern world. We reference the books Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships by James V. Brownson and Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God's Design for Marriage (Thoughtful Response) by Sean McDowell and John StonestreetFor a detailed compilation of this season's show notes in one place, check out Patreon and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

Jun 26, 2025 • 38min
67. Deconstructing Homosexuality Pt. 3 (Themes That Inform the Discussion--Patriarchy, "One Flesh," Procreation, and Celibacy)
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Today, host Liz Mall (MA of Christian Apologetics, Biola) brings you another research episode to help you on your deconstruction journey. In this episode we touch on four key concepts in the Bible that tie into the homosexuality discussion: patriarchy, "one flesh," procreation, and celibacy. These concepts, in addition to our understanding of "marriage," often deeply inform how we approach and apply passages concerning homosexuality in the Bible.We reference the books Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships by James V. Brownson and Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God's Design for Marriage (Thoughtful Response) by Sean McDowell and John StonestreetFor a detailed compilation of this season's show notes in one place, check out Patreon and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

Jun 19, 2025 • 26min
66. Deconstructing Homosexuality Pt. 2 (Understanding the Traditionalist and Revisionist Positions)
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Today, host Liz Mall (MA of Christian Apologetics, Biola) brings you another research episode to help you on your deconstruction journey. This episode is spent unpacking core themes and beliefs present behind the Christian traditionalist view and Christian revisionist view of homosexuality.We reference the book Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships by James V. BrownsonFor a detailed compilation of this season's show notes in one place, check out Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 6min
65. Deconstructing Homosexuality Pt. 1 (Unpacking the Relevant Scriptures)
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth--a season of deconstructing doctrines to help you on your deconstruction journey. Today we explore the passages that are commonly though to clearly address homosexual activity. Sources:ain Citation SourceMartin, C., & Pavlovitz, J. (2022). Unclobber: Rethinking our misuse of the Bible on homosexuality. Westminster John Knox Press. Sources with CounterargumentsDeYoung, J. B. (1992). THE SOURCE AND NT MEANING OF ARSENOKOITAI, WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND MINISTRY. The Master’s Seminary Journal, 3(2). DeYoung, K. (2015). A Biblical View of Homosexuality. Clearly Reformed. Keller, T. (2015). The Bible and same sex relationships: A review article. Redeemer. More in depth on Leviticus passagesJarosz, I. (2022). Homosexuality in Leviticus: A Historical-Literary-Critical Analysis. James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal, 9(1). Check out Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 6min
64. Deconstructing the Resurrection Pt. 3 (A Pastor's Fresh Perspective)
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth--a season of deconstructing doctrines to help you on your deconstruction journey. Today I interview Chris, a Christian pastor with a view of the resurrection narrative (and its importance in the Christian life) that challenges the Evangelical understanding.Check out Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

May 29, 2025 • 32min
63. Deconstructing the Resurrection Pt. 2 (Bias and Miracles)
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Liz Mall (MA of Christian Apologetics, Biola) and Jenny White (MA of Museum Studies, Harvard) join forces again to bring you another research season to help you on your deconstruction journey. Today we continue our deconstruction of the resurrection by looking at how personal bias and one's view of miracles informs the resurrection discussion after completing a historical analysis.SOURCE DISCUSSEDIs There Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? The Craig-Ehrman Debatehttps://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/debates/is-there-historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-the-craig-ehrmanFor a detailed compilation of this season's show notes in one place, check out Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

May 22, 2025 • 50min
62. Deconstructing the Resurrection Pt. 1 (The Historical Evidence For and Against)
Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Liz Mall (MA of Christian Apologetics, Biola) and Jenny White (MA of Museum Studies, Harvard) join forces again to bring you another research season to help you on your deconstruction journey. Today we begin our deconstruction of the resurrection by looking at it from a historical lens. SOURCES DISCUSSEDIs There Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? The Craig-Ehrman Debatehttps://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/debates/is-there-historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-the-craig-ehrmanThe Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach by Michael R. Licona For a detailed compilation of this season's show notes in one place, check out Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)