The Dismantling Doctrine Podcast

How does a person go from evangelical Christian, studying at Bible college and seminary, to becoming an angry atheist and now an expert in paleolithic cave art? Believe it or not, this trajectory describes the life of this week's guest: Andrew Gurevich of Portland, OR, USA. A leading mythologist and teacher of world religions, Andrew is fast becoming an expert on not just ancient cave art, but also explores the connections between humanity, religion, spirituality, politics, and tribalism. In this first half, Andrew talks about his upbringing and how it's all come full-circle somehow, in this process of becoming who he is.

Part 2 of my conversation with "Seamus Clarke" (a pseudonym) continues our exploration of the deconstruction of his Christian faith. What happens when you mix the childhood trauma of sexual abuse, a distant father with major issues of his own, evangelical dogma, "spiritual bypassing," and life in a red-state, Trump-supporting Bible belt? Let "Seamus" tell his story of a man who is in the process of questioning all these things and more. Adding all those issues up, and then layering a veneer of Christian respectability and platitudes that are supposed to deal with trauma...then what you end up with is a particularly American brand of evangelical Christianity that desperately needs to be deconstructed.

This week's episode of MindShift podcast features a discussion with "Seamus Clarke," who feels the need to use a pseudonym to protect both himself and his family. Why use a fake name? This is actually quite a common theme--people raised in the evangelical or fundamentalist church feel that they cannot "be themselves" and tell their friends and family members still steeped in the church that they've gone down the road of deconstruction and discovery. Seamus is in a similar position...but just because he uses a pseudonym doesn't stop us from having a deep and meaningful conversation about his childhood, experiences of trauma, and how the church badly failed him.

Today's episode features a discussion with Richard Jacobson, author of Unchurching: Christianity Without Churchianity." Have you left the church behind? Perhaps you have, but still seek a sense of community. But if you've abandoned the "institutional church," yet still consider yourself a Christian who yearns for an authentic experience of church, where do you turn? Listen in as Richard offers a biblical and theological deconstruction of the institutional church, and lays out his vision of what he believes the church should be all about.

In the second half of my conversation with David Madison, we finish up talking about biblical inerrancy and move on to two tough problems facing Christianity: the problem of evil and the atonement. Theologians and scholars alike--both within Judaism and Christianity--have struggled to explain the problem of evil. Theodicy--a defense of a supposedly all-powerful, all-knowing and all-benevolent God--has long been a mainstay of both religions. David and I tackle this as well as discussing related issues with God requiring a human sacrifice so that human beings could go to heaven. Couldn't the God, who makes all the rules, just forgive everybody without requiring Jesus to die?

If you are someone who identifies as a Christian, do you feel you have the freedom to question what you think you believe, and what you think you know? Can you prove the existence of God and Jesus with 100% certainty? Is the Bible indeed inspired, inerrant (without error), infallible and totally trustworthy in everything it affirms? If you are in the process of deconstructing your faith, or just want to challenge your belief system, then don't miss this thought-provoking conversation with David Madison, author of 10 Tough Problems in Christian Thought and Belief: A Minister Turned Atheist Shows Why You Should Ditch the Faith. In this first half of 2 episodes, we discuss David's own faith journey from pastor to atheist, and challenge some of Christianity's sacred cows. Don't miss this conversation!

MindShift podcast is back for 2018! Since I never did a pilot episode when I started the podcast nearly a year ago, it's time to do one now! Originally called "The Preacher's Forum Podcast," a lot has changed over the last year. As I continue down the road on this journey of deconstruction, discovery and now reconstruction, will you join me in 2018? In this episode, I lay out 2 helpful models for those who have left the church behind. Where are you on the spectrum? Find yourself along the scale! Also, I explore a helpful analogy of a "kernel and husk" that will help you to think critically about Christianity--as a religion.

In this final episode of MindShift for 2017, Ray Gilford and I finish our discussion we began last week on the subject of biblical inerrancy--the fundamentalist belief that "the Bible is 100% error-free"--inerrant. In Part 2, Ray opens up about his own personal journey away from church. The idea of biblical absolutism--the teaching that the Bible is all that is necessary for faith and practice--permeates many a conservative evangelical church today. This, in part, has led Ray away from the mainstream church, and on a journey of deconstructing his own faith and belief systems. Perhaps this describes your own personal journey away from mainstream churches. If so, then you won't want to miss Part 2! MindShift will return in January 2018 so stay tuned for some outstanding interviews and conversations on a wide variety of topics related to God, the church, and spirituality. Join me on the journey of deconstruction and discovery!

What does the word "inerrancy" even mean? And in what possible way could that term apply to the Bible? Common among many Christians is the belief that not only is the Bible inspired (the human writers of Scripture were guided by the Holy Spirit), it is also inerrant (free from errors), infallible (completely trustworthy in all that it says), and on the basis of all of the above it is therefore authoritative in all matters of faith and belief. But what is the legacy of this doctrine? Has the church always believed the Bible to be inerrant? And how does that teaching affect the average Christian today in terms of beliefs and behaviors? In this episode, Ray Gilford and I discuss this issue and deconstruct it from both a scholarly and a practical point of view. Do not miss this edition of MindShift if you want to be challenged!

What would you do if you were told by your doctor: "You have cancer." How would you react to such news? Many people all over the world have indeed heard that prognosis. For Jeff and Karin Green, those words completely rocked their world just 7 months ago when he was diagnosed with leukemia. But rather than react out of despair or anger--completely understandable emotions--Jeff and his family have focused on finding the positive in the midst of this situation. This special episode gives them a chance to share their experiences, how they are dealing with life, and how they are now beginning to help others in need. This is an inspiring, heartwarming and amazing story!