Did God create evil? What is evil? If God didn't create evil, where did it come from? Don and Tana explore the origins of evil, concepts of justice, and what it means for the world to have both light and darkness.

Previous podcast episodes referenced:

• Should We Focus on Sin? (Episode 113)
• Adam & Eve's Eviction: The True Story (Episode 108) - this is what we referred to as a "garden theology"

Bible passages referenced:
Genesis 2: 9
Isaiah 45: 7
Micah 6: 8

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What if God could retell your story? For today's episode, we are sharing a teaching of Don's from 2011 called The Great Reteller. This recording is from a guest speaking slot at Genesis Church in Toledo. It is a simple yet profound message about how the stories of the Bible demonstrate time and time again that God is interested in helping us reframe our stories.

A few notes: 
--Don mentions Food for Thought - that is a nonprofit in Toledo, Ohio he founded.
--Don calls N.T. Wright the greatest theologian of our time. While Don still thinks Wright is a great theologian, he has been disappointed by some harmful views Wright has expressed in the years since. So we would offer a warning to anyone seeking out Wright's information.

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Do Christians need the church? What should the church be today? Don and Tana discuss the status of the Church in the U.S., what it is, what it isn't, and what it could be.

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Why do Christians seem to hate social justice? Why does it feel like they'd dislike Jesus if they met him in real life? In this episode, Don and Tana explore the "warnings" against social justice language in churches, starting with Glenn Beck in 2010 and moving to today. Ultimately, they note how racism, economic issues, and the pursuit of power affect how today's evangelicals interpret churches that, to them, are too "woke."

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Is the Great Commission about evangelism or discipleship? What does it truly mean to be a disciple? Don and Tana discuss the meaning of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and explore the difference between evangelism and discipleship. 

Come for the intellectual discussion, stay for a description of Bald Eagle Jesus.

Book recommendation: Paul Was Not a Christian by Pamela Eisenbaum

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Did Jesus really abolish the law? What does it mean that he "fulfilled" it? And what does that mean for us? Tana and Don the example of Jesus and what it means to keep an active faith.

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Did Judas really betray Jesus? Or was he trying to accomplish something else? Don, Sarah, and Tana discuss how the traditional explanation of Judas' betrayal doesn't quite make sense, uncover Judas' true motivations, and reconsider his place in biblical history. Hang around for a listen if you'd like to challenge your pre-conceived notions of who Judas was and why he did what he did.

Passages discussed:
Matthew 26
Mark 14
Luke 22
John 18
Matthew 27: 3-8

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What is a "biblical marriage?" What do people mean by that NOW, and what did it mean THEN? Don, Sarah, and Tana discuss the economic system of marriage in the bible, Paul's desire for singleness, and how many of the directives of God about marriage are actually meant to protect women.

Bible Passages/Stories Mentioned:
Psalm 127: 3
Abraham and Sarah
Jacob and Leah and Rachel
Adam and Eve

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What is the best way to keep the Sabbath? Are "Sabbath" and "The Lord's Day" the same thing? Don, Sarah, and Tana discuss the true definition of Sabbath and how it has been changed over the years. By exploring it in context and contemplating the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith, we hope to uncover what a "true Sabbath" is.

Bible Passages Discussed:
Exodus 20: 8-10
Isaiah 58

Books discussed:
Sabbath as Resistance by Walter Brueggemann 
Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs 

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What does it mean to have faith the size of a mustard seed? What does it mean to be faithful? Don, Sarah, and Tana explore the idea of "faith" vs. "faithfulness," the missed potential of "faithful Christians," and the question that plagues many people who are deconstructing: do I maintain my faith, or do I abandon it and move on?

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