Cucumber Talks

Cucumber Talks

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Cucumber Talks episodes

  • Emily Weber - Fringe Seventh Day Adventism and Peculiar Christianity

    Today’s guest is Emily Weber, the host of the Adventist Millennial Podcast. 

    Emily grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and still identifies as an Adventist, although she now has more nuanced beliefs about the SDA church and its culture. 

    Here’s what we discussed:

    - Common stereotypes of Seventh-Day Adventists

    - How Emily would like to see the SDA church improve

    - Why the SDA church is losing the younger generation

    - The pros and cons of churches imposing strict rules on their members

    - Selflessness vs selfishness

    - And much more!

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Adventist Millennial Podcast

    The God-Shaped Heart by Dr. Timothy Jennings

    Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

    Books by Graham Maxwell 

    Contact Cucumber Talks

    Learn more about Bryce, David, and Marshall

    Have questions, feedback, or interested in coming on the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

    1 hr 44 min
  • Christianity and Psychedelic Drugs - Clint from The Psychedelic Christian Podcast

    Today’s guest is Clint, the host of The Psychedelic Christian Podcast.

    Clint founded The Psychedelic Christian Podcast as a way to spark conversations about psychedelic drugs and the Christian faith.

    Here’s what we discussed:

    - Clint's experiences with drugs and alcohol growing up

    - How Clint's first psychedelic experience helped him overcome shyness and cynicism 

    - Whether or not substance use is compatible with the Christian life

    - How to come out to friends and family about drug experiences 

    - And much more!

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    The Psychedelic Christian Podcast

    Drug Use for Grown-Ups by Dr. Carl Hart

    How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

    Ligare: A Christian Psychedelic Society

    Contact Cucumber Talks

    Have questions, feedback, or interested in coming on the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

    1 hr 53 min
  • David Ames - Atheism and Secular Grace

    Today’s guest is David Ames, the host of the Graceful Atheist Podcast.

    The Graceful Atheist Podcast takes a look at stories of faith transition, doubt, deconstruction, and how to live a graceful life post-deconversion.

    Here’s what we discussed:

    • David’s deconversion experience after attending Bible college
    • Why Atheists should be “for something” instead of just being against religion
    • The importance of challenging your beliefs and exploring doubt
    • What grace means in a secular context
    • And much more
    • Resources mentioned in this episode:

      • Graceful Atheist Podcast
      • Deconversion Annonymous Facebook Group
      • Doubt, A History by Jennifer Hecht
      • Universal Declaration of Human Rights
      • Contact Cucumber Talks

        Have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

        1 hr 28 min
      • Jon Adams - Christian Mysticism and Experiencing God Through Meditation

        Today’s guest is Jon Adams, the founder of the Discover Christian Mysticism With Jon Adams YouTube channel. Jon is also the pastor at Like Christ Mcallen church and author of Jesus: A Field Manual.

        Here’s what we discussed:

        • How Jon’s faith evolved to an experiential mystical Christian practice
        • Why Jon stopped giving traditional sermons at his church
        • What most churches get wrong when it comes to discipleship
        • Jon’s thoughts on meditation and psychedelics
        • And much more
        • Resources mentioned in this episode:

          • A Course in Christian Mysticism by Thomas Merten
          • The Doctrine of Deification by Normal Russell
          • Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman Richard J. Davidson
          • Christian Mysticism inspired music: @davidgl.music
          • God in our experience with Jon Adams Podcast
          • Like Christ Mcallen Church
          • Discover Christian Mysticism With Jon Adams YouTube channel
          • Contact Cucumber Talks

            Have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

            2 hr 28 min
          • Rev. Chris Rothbauer - What Is Unitarian Universalism?

            Today’s guest on Cucumber Talks is Rev. Chris Rothbauer, a Unitarian Universalist minister serving a congregation in Auburn Alabama.

            Here’s what we discussed:

            • Chris got involved in church as a teenager. However, the churches they attended said their sexuality was a sin. This pushed Chris to the brink of suicide and to leave the church altogether
            • While studying philosophy abroad in England, Chris was introduced to Unitarian Universalism
            • Chris quickly found meaning within the Unitarian Universalism community and felt called to go to seminary school
            • Michael Servetus was an early influencer of Unitarianism. His book The Errors of the Trinity suggested that the Trinity was non-Biblical
            • Unitarianism began spreading after Servetus was put to death
            • Universalism emerged as people began asking why an all-loving God would condemn some to hell
            • Unitarianism and Universalism merged in 1961
            • Unitarian Universalism is less about right belief and more about right action
            • the Council of Nicea’s vote narrowly came down on the side of the Trinity
            • Like many modern Unitarian Universalists, Chris doesn’t consider themself a Christian. Their practice leans toward religious naturalism these days
            • Some of the early US presidents and founding fathers as well as famous transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson were Unitarians
            • Humanism had a major influence on UU in the 20th century
            • UU is about people sharing similar values instead of the same beliefs
            • The structure of UU services is similar to traditional protestant churches
            • UU tends to not focus on evangelicalism. This is one of the reasons for its decline in popularity.
            • According to Chris, many UU members come from abusive Christian backgrounds
            • UU is very visible at social justice events
            • Chris believes that one of the strengths of UU is that they continually evaluate their values and allow them to evolve over time
            • The majority of UU members do not believe in hell and see it as a metaphor for when people are at odds on Earth
            • Chris’s church attracts many “spiritual refugees”, a term they use to describe people who have wounds from negative experiences in evangelical churches
            • UU believes that all people have inherent worth and dignity but some beliefs don’t
            • Chris believes that change rarely happens through intellectual discussions, but instead through relationship building
            • The biggest spiritual lesson Chris has learned is to ask yourself if you’re making the world a better place or not. This is religion and spirituality at its best
            • Resources mentioned in this episode:

              - Learn more about Chris: Revchris.faith

              - On the Errors of Trinity by Michael Servetus

              Contact Cucumber Talks

              Have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

              1 hr 24 min
            • Ex Hillsong Member's Story (Why She Left) - Jennifer of Jenncysworld

              Today’s guest on Cucumber Talks is Jennifer, a YouTube creator, model, and actress. Jennifer makes videos on her YouTube channel Jenncysworld about her Christian faith and what it’s like living in Seoul, South Korea

              Here’s what we discussed:

              • How Jennifer discovered Hillsong while living in London.
              • Why Carl Lentz, a former Hillsong pastor, originally attracted Jennifer to Hillsong.
              • How many Hillsong volunteers and staff get burnt out and eventually leave the church.
              • Why Hillsong attracts so many people who feel rejected or are going through hard times because they offer a feeling of belonging and community
              • Why Jennifer believes Hillsong is a church that has cult-like tendencies
              • An experience that made her question how Biblical the church was.
              • Why it’s so difficult to leave a church like Hillsong and how Jennifer found the courage to leave
              • Resources mentioned in this episode:

                - Jenncysworld YouTube Channel

                - Hillsong Church, God Goes Viral BBC Documentary

                Contact Cucumber Talks

                Have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

                1 hr 32 min
              • Who Are The Anunnaki And How To Wake Up To The Truth with Abraham

                Today’s guest on Cucumber Talks is Abraham, an expat currently living in Mexico who has been a part of the Truther community for over 15 years. 

                Here’s what we discussed:

                • Abraham is a Canadian-born expat currently living in Mexico. He grew up Christian but started questioning his beliefs after the September 11th attacks
                • Abraham defines the Anunnaki as an inter-dimensional species that came down to earth over 3000 years ago. They genetically modified humans in order to mine gold for them
                • According to Abraham, the Anunnaki interbred with humans. This created a bloodline that exists to this day
                • Truthers often use the word “They” to refer to families with generational wealth that have interbred with each other over the years to keep their bloodline “pure”, for example, the Rockefellers and the Duponts
                • Abraham was kicked off Twitter and Instagram for sharing memes related to these generational families
                • A small group of “bad” Anunnaki is manipulating us to keep us dumbed down. Their end game is to have control
                • The Anunnaki were a global civilization that expanded across all the early major civilizations.
                • Abraham believes there’s we’re in a spiritual battle for our mind right now.
                • It’s possible that the Anunnaki exist on a different dimension that’s not visible to most humans
                • Abraham is passionate about helping people wake up to the truth so that they can begin to manifest a more positive reality
                • Some truthers speculate that the Anunnaki intentionally keep humans at a lower vibration to feed off emotions and transmit them into “loosh”
                • Humans can raise their frequency by eating healthy, exercising, helping others
                • Major spiritual teachers throughout history such as Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammad had a message that runs counter to the Anunnaki - that we’re important and have a purpose
                • Abraham suggests starting with 9/11 and Jeffery Epstein conspiracies to people curious about the truther community
                • The bloodline families orchestrate large scale events like 9/11 and Covid in order to manipulate us and achieve their objective of keeping the masses in a low vibration
                • It may seem like the Anunnaki descendants have all the power, but in reality, we outnumber them. All we have to do is wake up and live outside of the low frequency
                • The Anunnaki communicate through symbolism in media and movies to give us hints of what’s coming in the future
                • At the end of the day, humans have free will and can make their own choice whether to live in darkness or the light
                • Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

                  Tin Foil Hat Podcast with Sam Tripoli 

                  The Midnight Gospel, Duncan Trussell

                  Contact Cucumber Talks

                  Have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

                  1 hr 34 min
                • Shara Drimalla of Bible Project - How to Read the Bible as a Unified Story

                  Today’s guest on Cucumber Talks is Shara Drimalla, a content writer for Bible Project, which is a nonprofit animation studio making the unified story of the Bible accessible to everyone everywhere.

                  Here’s what we discussed:

                  • How Shara used Bible Project videos while she was a high school Bible teacher and later achieved her dream of working at Bible Project
                  • Bible Project’s upcoming Paradigm series and upcoming app release. Paradigm is Bible Project’s breakdown for how to read the Bible
                  • How Shara reads the Bible differently now than when she was in her 20s.
                  • How as kids the Bible was mostly a collection of disjointed stories
                  • Some people, particularly seminary students, are reluctant to change their beliefs about the Bible
                  • What is the Bible NOT? Shara believes the Bible isn’t a rulebook, a theology dictionary, or a devotional grab bag. Despite good intentions, people who read the Bible in these ways are making it into something it’s not.
                  • Shara’s and Bible Project’s view is that the Bible is one unified story that leads to Jesus.
                  • The Bible is an ancient book written in multiple literary styles with a variety of authors and languages other than English. Applying a plain modern reading of the Bible is not an accurate way of truly understanding it.
                  • Why it’s important to read the Bible as one unified story, even if you’re not a Bible Scholar. Resources like Bible Project make the Bible’s story more accessible and easy to understand
                  • How to approach the Bible like you’re visiting a foreign country instead of approaching it with your cultural view of the world
                  • The Bible is full of design patterns that weave together an amazing story.
                  • Shara summarizes the entire Bible’s unified story from Genesis to Revelation
                  • There are different views on the atonement, what Jesus’s death and resurrection actually meant.
                  • The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) pointed toward Jesus. The authors in the New Testament show what Jesus’s death meant by referencing the Old Testament
                  • Jesus’s message was countercultural and multicultural. He introduced a new way to be human and invited everyone, not just Jews.
                  • Expanding the Kingdom of Heaven is about spreading the story of Jesus. The Kingdom of Heaven on earth exists wherever there are followers of Jesus
                  • Shara gives an overview of Bible Project’s 7 Pillars which describe their approach to reading the Bible
                  • The benefits of reading the entire Bible in Chronological order and Bible Project’s resources that help
                  • Openhanded and closehanded issues in Christianity, agreeing on the core beliefs every Christian should hold vs Biblical views that are more up for interpretation
                  • Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

                    The Lost World Series by John Walton

                    Bible Project - How to Read the Bible

                    Exploring My Strange Bible Podcast - The Amazing Jonah

                    More Bible Project videos:

                    Sacrifice and Atonement 

                    Tree of Life 

                    Gospel of the Kingdom

                    Heaven and Earth

                    Contact Cucumber Talks

                    Have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show? Shoot us an email: [email protected]

                    1 hr 30 min

                  About Cucumber Talks

                  From the publisher's feed

                  Cucumber Talks is a space for having honest conversations about faith, religion, and beliefs. Hosts David, Marshall., and Bryce all grew up Christian but are now at very different places when it comes…