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This episode was recorded live at Theology Beer Camp 2024. We sat down with Brian McLaren and Tim Whitaker (from The New Evangelicals podcast) to discuss Brian's history in the emerging church movement, the current progressive religious movement (of which we're a part), the Christian nationalist backlash, and our political moment. For those of us who think of ourselves as progressive Christians, it's tempting to feel like we're carving a brand new space out of the ashes of evangelicalism, but of course there's a long history to what's happening now. Brian helps us think about where we've been, where we are now, and what might come next. This conversation was very impromptu, off the cuff, and occasionally raw. There are warnings but also hope and (from Brian at least) wisdom. We hope it's meaningful to you.

The books mentioned in this episode are:

• Prequel by Rachel Maddow
• A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan

Check out the (unedited) video of this conversation here.

Content note: This episode contains profanity.

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Jeff Cook is back with us to dive deeper into our conversation from a while back about the soul and why Kyle is a materialist (and why Randy thinks he's silly for it). We discuss the difference between the claim that God is non-physical and the claim that humans are, Jeff's reservations about materialism, the mystery of the Incarnation and Christ's dual natures, reduction in science, and a lot more.

If you'd like to ask a question about a recent episode to be featured on one of these bonus segments, email us at [email protected].

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After more than three years, Kristin Kobes Du Mez is back on the show to discuss her new short film For Our Daughters, which examines the connection between the culture of submission and sexual abuse within the evangelical church and the Christian nationalist effort to influence the 2024 presidential election. It tells harrowing stories of survival and coverup and puts a spotlight on the theological and ecclesial structures that facilitate abuse and wield enormous power in our society. Randy and Elliot chat with Kristin about the film, as well as what she's been up to with the explosion of Jesus and John Wayne since our last conversation.

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More Jim Stump!

We hope you loved Part I of our conversation with Dr. Jim Stump as much we did. Here's Part II! In this one, we talk about the problem of evil and more about AI. Also...aliens! 

Seriously.

Cheers!

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Are Christianity and evolution compatible? Can a person trust God and trust science at the same time? Jim Stump wrote a book called The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to Deeper Faith, and we are very much here for it.

In this interview, we chat about the Bible, science, evolution, the soul, afterlife, and many other juicy topics. We actually had so much to talk about that we had to make this a two-parter. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

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Welcome to Season 5!

We're joined by Sarah McCammon, a National Political Correspondent for NPR and author of The Exvangelicals, an insightful and empathetic look at the stories of those who have left white American evangelicalism. Sarah is also an exvangelical herself, so she has a unique perspective that blends both personal experience and rigorous journalism.

The Exvangelicals examines the complex dynamics of leaving a faith community that has deeply influenced one's upbringing and worldview and what it means to build a life after.

In our conversation, we explore how evangelical communities interact with broader American culture and the internal narratives they construct about the world. We also discuss identity, personal transformation, the impact of evangelical teachings on concepts of morality and discipline, the practice of corporal punishment, and the effects of these experiences on parenting and trauma.

Sarah's dual role as observer and participant brings a nuanced perspective to the discussion and allows her to offer an unusually informed and compassionate look at both the people navigating their way out of evangelical communities and those still inside.

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How do we grow and steward our children's spirituality when we've deconstructed so much of the spirituality that we were raised with? And even if we figure that out, how do we guide and encourage our kids on their spiritual journeys when there are so few quality resources and books that don't get all cheesy and cringe? We aren't the only ones asking these questions, are we?

Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor wrote and illustrated The Book of Belonging: Bible Stories for Kind and Contemplative Kids, and it is an absolute treasure. The Book of Belonging is a children's storybook Bible that is told in a way that will expand your kids' (and your own) love for God and humans, drawing them into the story and filling them with wonder, identity, and beauty. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. Also, the creators are fun and hilarious. Buckle up and preorder your copy of The Book of Belonging today.

To preorder The Book of Belonging, click here.

To check out the weird art and iconography Rachel mentioned, here you go:

• Weirdly Buff and Manly Baby Jesus
• Awkwardly Manly Baby Jesus 
• Baby Jesus with a Six Pack 
• Baby Jesus Breastfeeding 
• And this explainer from Vox: "Why Babies in Medieval Paintings Look like Ugly Old Men"

You're welcome. Cheers!

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Good, Bible-believing Christians should just automatically be Republicans. Everybody knows this.

Have you heard that sort of argument or been led to believe that this is just the "biblical" way? If so, that probably means you've been given a hearty serving of propaganda. Our friend and philosopher Scott Coley wrote Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power and the Ideology of the Religious Right to expose the rhetoric of the religious right for what it often is--propaganda that serves an underlying motivation. In this episode, we chat with Scott about how everything from politics to science, gender, racial issues, and more are propagandized by the religious right to build fear and shut down arguments. Fascinating--and terrifying--stuff.

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Evangelical megachurch pastors saying cringe things is nothing new, right? However, there's a point when cringe turns destructive and abusive. That's what this episode is about.

Dallas/Ft. Worth megachurch pastor Josh Howerton said some very ugly and destructive things, and then doubled down with a weak (plagiarized) apology. Our friend Sheila Gregoire has some powerful, insightful, and important things to say about what Josh said and the culture that is being cultivated in churches like this.

We're so grateful for Sheila's willingness to engage with us about this important topic.

Cheers!

Content note: This episode contains discussion of sex, abuse, and some profanity.

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We speak with Bruce Reyes-Chow about his recent book Everything Good about God Is True, a primer on what it means to choose faith in the midst of a bleeding world and an often broken church. We discuss the Christian ethic of loving enemies, listening, having compassion across ideological division, embodying faith in the public square, biblical literalism, Christian formation, soteriological exclusivism, the eucharist, missions and colonialism, and that time Bruce hung out with Desmond Tutu.

You might notice we're experimenting with some new formatting in this episode. We'd love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a line at the address below or on our social media pages and let us know what you think. Or send along a voice memo to be potentially featured on the show.

Content note: this episode contains some profanity, as well as a monologue from John MacArthur, which is worse.

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The best way is to subscribe to our Patreon. Annual memberships are available for a 10% discount.

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Cheers!