What is the legacy of one, single sermon? Even though Jonathan Edwards, the famous American theologian, preacher, missionary and pastor, is well-known in academic circles for his volumes of work, most people know him only from one sermon he preached in 1741: "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." But did toxic theology affect Edwards personally? It certainly had an impact both on his personal life, and this famous sermon also. That this one sermon still resonates down through the centuries is testimony to not only its rhetorical power, but the after-effect on so many things: political and religious discourse, Calvinist theology as it developed in America, evangelism, missions, and revivals. In this episode, I unpack the historical context of both the Puritans as well as Jonathan Edwards, the man. What led him to preach such a sermon, and what has been its legacy? Find out in this episode!

What's it like to grow up in a strict Christian, fundamentalist home? The effects of growing up being "sheltered from the evil world" can linger with people, long after they've grown up, left home, and are raising families of their own. Sometimes they never do get out, and are still within "the system."  My sister Valerie Cunningham and I got together and recorded this episode sharing our stories of growing up, and surviving, a fundamentalist Christian upbringing.  Valerie also shares her heartbreaking story of becoming pregnant at just 17, giving up her child for adoption, and dealing with the fallout of the many decisions that were made for her at the time. If any of these issues relates to you, or describe your own journey, then you are not going to want to miss this podcast episode!

Did Jesus ever do, or say, anything wrong? This is the major question posed by Dr Hector Avalos in his book, The Bad Jesus: The Ethics of New Testament Ethics, and this forms the basis of the discussion in Part 2 of this episode. Perhaps the real question is this: can such a question even be raised without offending large swathes of Christians worldwide? If Jesus was supra-human (both human and divine), as most Christians hold, then he lived a sinless life--and should be viewed as the paragon of virtue and as a substantive base for ethical behavior. If, however, he was human, then surely he must have had flaws--as do we all. Can you question this? Don't miss this episode, as Dr Avalos and I explore these questions and more.

Are you prepared to deconstruct your faith, beliefs and presuppositions?  If so, then you won't want to miss this episode, as I talk with Dr Hector Avalos, professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University. Dr Avalos is a "New Atheist"--one who isn't trying to disprove the existence of God, but rather seeks to warn people about the dangers inherent within religion--and religionism. In this first episode, Dr Avalos discusses what it means to be a New Atheist, biblical literacy and society at large, and other topics that will challenge some of the things you think you believe and know about God and the Bible.

What kind of an impact can a single sermon have on the lives of people? Not much, or a great deal? Historically, in 1095 AD Pope Urban II preached a sermon in Clermont, France, that launched the bloodshed of the Crusades to the Holy Land. Not only were hideous atrocities committed, the legacy of that sermon resonates down through the centuries. Even today, Christians, Jews and Muslims alike are still living in the shadow of the actions caused by--one sermon. In the second half of "Preaching with a Bias," Gary and I examine in more detail the sociological impact of sermons on the lives of ordinary churchgoers, and how the use--or abuse--of Scripture can lead to a lot of toxic theology that does incredible damage in the lives of people. We'll also take a look at the legacy of fundamentalist preaching and interpretation of the Bible, and how certain theological and interpretative commitments work themselves out in the real world.

What effect does listening to years of sermons have on a person's psyche, behavior, and mental health? In this episode of the newly-named "MindShift" podcast (formerly "The Preacher's Forum podcast"), Gary Hayes and I tackle the subject of preaching, and its effects on people. If you're a preacher, then you will benefit from this episode! Question your biases, presuppositions and hermeneutical commitments. If you are a listener of sermons in churches, then you will also benefit from this episode! Deconstruct your beliefs in God, the Bible, and what you hear regularly from the pulpit.  

Overheard in church: "God doesn't have emotions...and neither should you!" What constitutes a good Christian, anyway? Someone who is spiritually mature, is the common answer. But what if that person is emotionally immature? What then? This is precisely what I and Marc Alan Schelske, author of The Wisdom of Your Heart: Discovering the God-Given Purpose and Power of Your Emotions, discuss in this episode. Should you trust your emotions, or ignore them? Treat them as fickle and frivolous? The fact is, though, that most of us are not truly in touch with our emotions. We've come to exalt human reason over emotions, but the fact is that without emotions, reason is crippled. Don't miss this thought-provoking and challenging episode! 

Reflect on the irony of the statement, "Leaving the church...to find God." And what is the church, after all, but a collection of individuals striving to do just that--find God? To find themselves, to discover their own humanity? It's hard to separate out, however, the oftentimes sordid history of the church in the past, and also what it has become today. In the midst of the formulaic religion, the rote performances, and the whole affair of "going through the motions," God can get lost in the mix. Therefore you may find yourself contemplating the radical--and ironic--notion of "leaving the church...to find God." He's not in the black-and-white, bullet-point doctrinal statements or theological tomes; he's not even to be found in the pages of Scripture. He's a real, living person, with whom we can actually have a relationship. But sadly, so many people have to leave the church...to find him. Join Gary and I for the second half of this thought-provoking and challenging episode!

Why would anyone even contemplate the idea of leaving the church in order to find God? Surely the church is where one goes to...find God, right?  But the truth is that for many, God can easily get lost in the midst of all of the rituals and traditions, formulaic worship, toxic or just bad theology, and rote practices. Besides, isn't God everywhere? He doesn't actually dwell in a building made by human hands. So for some, it may well be that in the journey to "find God," that they may well have to leave the church in order to do just that. Perhaps new forms of thinking, new experiences and freedom, are to be found outside the walls of a local church. If that sounds intriguing to you, then join Gary and I for the first half of this thought-provoking conversation. You may well start your journey to find God...as you leave the church behind.

"You can't be a Christian...and crazy!" says Steve Austin of the CXMH podcast and the iamsteveaustin.net website. He's my guest on this latest episode of the MindShift podcast series. There is unfortunately a stigma attached to mental health and the church. Throw in some questionable--or downright bad theology--like "the magic Jesus pill" (say a prayer and you're all better), and you've got a toxic mix that is destined for causing a lot of damage. Steve and I have a great discussion about these issues and more. Don't miss this episode, where he shares his near-successful suicide attempt, his recovery and efforts to help others on the road to health, healing and wholeness.