Veterans of Culture Wars

Zach Lambert, pastor of Restore Church and author of 'Better Ways to Read the Bible', shares his journey from Southern Baptist roots to advocating for inclusion and healing through scripture. He discusses the complexities of biblical interpretation, emphasizing the harmful effects of a literal approach and the importance of diverse lenses. Lambert challenges inerrancy claims, critiques exclusionary practices, and illustrates how to foster a flourishing church that embraces all people. Through engaging anecdotes, he redefines faith as a journey rather than a certainty.

Alycea (AKA Transvangelical) returns to the VCW to talk about her new book On Your Knees: The 69-Day Irreverent Devotional. It's equal parts funny and serious linguistic scholarship, and we have a good discussion about it. We also discuss her thoughts as a trans woman and former military member on Pete Hegseth's tenure at the so-called "Department of War".Buy the book here: https://www.transvangelical.com/on-your-kneesBluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.socialZach: @muzach.bsky.socialDave: @davelester80.bsky.socialDave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748ddCheck out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Paul and Billie Hoard return to the show to receive their Three-Timers Club jackets and talk about their brand-new book Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life.Buy the book here: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385213726/eucontamination/Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.socialZach: @muzach.bsky.socialDave: @davelester80.bsky.socialDave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748ddCheck out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Talia Lavin joins the VCW to talk about her new book Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America. We talk about the Satanic Panic, Dr. Dobson's influence in creating generations of evangelical families built on ritualized violence, and how that has led to so many Americans embracing authoritarianism.Follow her on Bluesky: @swordsjew.bsky.socialBluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.socialZach: @muzach.bsky.socialDave: @davelester80.bsky.socialCheck out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Katherine Stewart (The Power Worshippers) returns to discuss her latest book Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, which details the rise and increasing influence of anti-democratic forces on the right - who they are, who's funding them, and what they are doing to fundamentally reshape America. We talk about "cultural Christian" Elon Musk and nazi salutes, the Claremont Institute, Opus Dei, and more.Buy Katherine's book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/money-lies-and-god-9781635578546/Follow her on Bluesky: @katherinestewart.bsky.socialBluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.socialZach: @muzach.bsky.socialDave: @davelester80.bsky.socialCheck out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Our 5th annual pre-Oscars look at at our favorite films of the past year is back and we managed to cover them all in only one (long) episode this time. Film critic, professor, and author Jeffrey Overstreet joins as usual, and we also have first-time VCW guest, film critic and programming director of The Pickford Film Center, Melissa Tamminga. We discuss the Oscars briefly, then get into each of our top ten lists and some favorite memories of the year in movies.Follow Jeffrey: @overstreet.bsky.socialFollow Melissa: @oneaprilday.bsky.socialDave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4QBluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.socialZach: @muzach.bsky.socialDave: @davelester80.bsky.socialCheck out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

In our first episode since November, Tori Williams Douglass returns to the VCW hall to talk about *gestures wildly* allllll that, with a particular emphasis on the stated goal of the Trump administration to destroy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and their efforts thus far to do that.Follow Tori on Bluesky: @toriglass.bsky.socialListen to her podcasts:White Homework - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-homework/id1481083774Go Home Bible, You're Drunk - https://www.irreverent.fm/show/go-home-bible-youre-drunk/Support the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/vcwpodDave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4QBluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.socialZach: @muzach.bsky.socialDave: @davelester80.bsky.socialCheck out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Sergio Gonzalez and Lloyd Barba stop by the VCW to talk about their new podcast series Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State, which is part of the Axis Mundi network. We talk about the immigration crisis and how the US government has, historically, been a contributing factor. We discuss Sanctuary cities as well as religious sanctuary. Finally, we explore some of the factors for why Trump grew his vote share with Latino voters. Listen to the podcasts series "Sanctuary": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sanctuary-on-the-border-between-church-and-state/id1767030116 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q Come find us on the Blue Sky App! Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Award-winning author Liz Charlotte Grant joins the VCW hall to discuss her new book "Knock at the Sky" (out January 7, 2025 from Eerdmans). We talk about her faith journey, Biblical inerrancy including the 1978 Chicago Statement of Inerrancy and why she wanted to write a book about Genesis. You can order the book by Liz Charlotte Grant right here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802883759/knock-at-the-sky/ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q Come find us on the Blue Sky App! Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Returning guests Dr. Paul Hoard and Billie Hoard share with us their thoughts and feelings on the recent presidential election and our serious concerns regarding the future of the country, in particular the existential threat to trans people and other marginalized people. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com