What do Jen Hatmaker, Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Bart Ehrman, and many others have in common? They’ve, in some form or another, deconverted from their once “evangelical” Christian faith. We know this because they’ve publicly made it known. Now, they probably wouldn’t call it a “deconversion” story, but nevertheless, they’ve taken to the blog-podcast-video-internet world to make their stories known. Now, it’s in their stories that we find a kind of outline – a few points that they seem to hit on. We have with us this week author and professor Dr. Michael Kruger to help us see the plot line of the deconversion story. He also helps us see the general beliefs of liberal theology, and provides an encouragement and call for people to stand on a the only solid truth-foundation – the Bible.

 

Who is Our Guest?

Dr. Michael Kruger is the President and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC. In addition, Michael is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and serve as an Associate Pastor (part-time) at his home church, Uptown PCA. He is married to Melissa Kruger, Women’s Ministry Coordinator at Uptown PCA.

Episode Links

The article we’ve been talking about that Michael wrote is called The Power of De-Conversion Stories: How Jen Hatmaker is Trying to Change Minds About the Bible. Also, here’s the first article in his new series: The 10 Commandments of Progressive Christianity.

 

You can find Michael’s blog, Canon Fodder, here.

 

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Isaac:

With me today is Dr. Michael Kruger. Michael is President and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. Michael is married, he’s written many books, he’s lectured at various places, and also serves part-time as an associate pastor. It’s good to have you today, Michael.

Michael:

Thanks so much, good to be on the program.

Isaac:

The first thing we want to ask is simply, who are you? You’re going to be, obviously, educating us a little bit about some of these issues, but before we hear you educating us, let us know a little bit about who you are, maybe how you came to Jesus.

Michael:

Yeah. My current sketch you laid out just a second ago, which is that I’m the President and New Testament professor here at Reformed Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, and have been here for about 17 years. As far as my background, I became a believer at a young age ’cause I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home and heard the Gospel at a young age, and I have believing parents and a believing brother, and thankful for a Christian family. I never really went to a Christian college or university. I graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and then on to seminary and Ph.D. work, but was grateful to grow up in a Christian family.

Isaac:

That’s awesome, that’s so good.

You’ve written a lot, you’ve done a lot of kind of deep theolog...