A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar

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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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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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Cheers!

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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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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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Cheers!

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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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Cheers!

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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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Cheers!

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Jeff Cook is back with us to dive deeper into deconstruction, inspired by our interview with Keri Ladouceur, the Executive Director of the Post-Evangelical Collective. We discuss the nature of deconstruction, its corporate, personal, and ethical dimensions, and what it implies about what's next. And because we're nerds, we also touch on ecclesiology and postmodernism.

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].

[Note: episode image generated with AI.]

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Psychologist and author Richard Beck joins us to discuss his recent book Hunting Magic Eels: Recovering an Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age. Richard is an engaging critic of some forms of contemporary "disenchanted" spirituality. He's also a fun dialogue partner and a good sport, who was willing to roll with Kyle's annoying philosophy questions. Some stuff we discuss in this conversation:

• Is our age really disenchanted?
• Does enchantment need to be transcendent?
• What's wrong with consumerist spirituality?
• What about the "spiritual but not religious" crowd?
• Are Catholics more enchanted than Protestants?
• What do dancing gorillas and paying attention have to do with God?
• What about mystical experiences?
• Is Kyle a narcissist and/or a sociopath?

And more!

The whiskey we taste in this episode is 4 Roses single barrel 18 year old bourbon.

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Cheers!

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David Gushee is back on the show to discuss his book Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies, an erudite, timely, and disturbing take on American democracy, its struggles with authoritarianism, and its place on the global political stage. We discuss such questions as: How are government and morality related? What does the United States have in common with France, Germany, Hungary, or Brazil? How close to fascism are we? How concerned should we be? Can we be in relationship with those who support authoritarian leaders? What is ARC and why can't we remember what it stands for? And a lot more!

This is also our first ever in person interview! In case you're wondering, David is even more fun in person.

Content note: This episode has some adult themes.

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Cheers!