Deconstructing the Myth

The account of Sodom and Gomorrah is often dubbed as a “clobber passage” by the LGBT community, as it is commonly cited as a clear example of the Bible condemning homosexual practices. But is the point of Genesis 18-19 really to illustrate that God doesn’t approve of homosexual behavior, as so many of us have been taught our whole lives? Or have we missed some important details along the way?

Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct this passage together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages.

For today’s outline and show notes, and access our sources, check out

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/181qr3hq7hrtxbnm6hokn/DTM-2.1-Sodom-and-Gomorrah.docx?dl=0&rlkey=4yqjht484jkke6jdahiziflgf

What can you expect in Season 2 of DTM the podcast? This season we are joined by Jenny White, a recent Harvard graduate and M.A. in Museum Studies. We will be unpacking the history, archaeology, and theology around some of the Bible’s most difficult passages.

I wanted to introduce you to a gem I found online! Makcum Novikov can be found at @makcum.novikov on Instagram. He talks about growing up Evangelical, leaving Christianity entirely after discovering he was gay as a child, and eventually finding his way back to his Christian roots but within an entirely different framework. We discuss whether or not Christians should be political, how he decided what to keep and what to discard from his former faith, and how to survive awkward holiday conversations when you are deconstructing. References:

“God does not punish sin, sin punishes sin.” -Sister Joan Chittister

“I do not think you should get rid of your sin until you have learned what it has to teach you.”

-Richard Rohr

@monkindocs Mark Gladman

New Eden Ministries

In our final episode this season, listen to your host’s own story of deconstruction and her current spirituality, as well as what she found to be Christianity’s most compelling arguments. We also share what to expect in season 2 of DTM. Elizabeth references The Resurrection of Jesus by Michael Licona.

Amanda Smith is my guest today, and we discuss her experience living in the middle of deconstruction, what she needs (and doesn’t need!) from the church right now, and how her journey was deeply impacted by sexism and sexual harassment in the church. She mentions the book, “Out of Sorts” by Sarah Bessey and “A Woman Called” by

My guest Nathaniel Schweinberg returns this week and presents his top 5 Bible objections. We discuss why they are important, how they impacted his deconstruction journey, and the Christian responses to each one. Resources Nathaniel mentions and/or recommends:

Holy Koolaid’s “Christianity’s Fatal Flaw”

Religion for Breakfast

Pete Enns’ book ‘How the Bible Actually Works’

Resources Elizabeth mentions and/or recommends:

Jonathan Morrow “Questioning the Bible”

Robert Wright “The Evolution of God”

The Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic mentioned in “Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals” by William J. Webb

Nathaniel shares why injustice in America led to him reevaluating everything he believed to be true about God. We explore the question, “Can God be real, good, just, and all-powerful and still allow evil and suffering?” Nathaniel references YouTube Channels Holy Koolaid and Religion for Breakfast.

My guest Kenny White (not to be confused with his wife Jenny from earlier this season!) discusses being part of a church plant gone horribly wrong and why the structure of non-denominational Evangelical churches so often harms its members, focuses on the wrong aspects of Christianity, and eventually fails.

My guest Stephanie discusses growing up Evangelical and seeking to follow hard after Jesus even after trauma and unanswered questions. Eventually though, the political landscape of America caused her to turn her attention towards whether or not her faith was based in truth.

Jenny White discusses purity culture from a Christian perspective, including the topics of modesty, abstinence before marriage, and Christian men objectifying women. She discusses ways we might move forward as Christians from the damaging effects purity culture has left on our society. Jenny references Sheila Wray Gregoire who wrote “The Great Sex Rescue,” “A Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex,” and “A Good Guy’s Guide to Great Sex.”

She also references Marg Mowczko whose work can be found at https://margmowczko.com