What should we tell our kids about Santa Clause? Is there a place for Santa and Jesus in Christmas celebrations?

Recommended Resources:
https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/podcast/naked-bible-195-is-christmas-a-pagan-holiday/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/should-you-tell-your-kids-santa-claus-is-real/id1510271421?i=1000543253525
https://pambarnhill.com/why-advent/
https://podtail.com/en/podcast/myths-and-legends/18-st-nick-rusty-chains-and-candy-canes/
https://sallyclarkson.com/podcast/2018/12/2/episode-221-keeping-advent-hope-for-a-dark-world-with-malcolm-guite

We have a great time with Rebecca Davis, discussing her books (especially her new release) that examine scriptures that are often misused by abusive churches and Bible teachers.

Recommended Resource: Untwisting Scriptures, Book 3: Your Words, Your Emotions - https://amzn.to/3rpvVhx

Rebecca's Blog: https://heresthejoy.com/
Confusion to Clarity: https://www.confusiontoclaritynow.com/
Called to Peace: https://www.calledtopeace.org/
Heart for Survivors (Rebecca's Charity): https://heresthejoy.com/heart-for-survivors/

Giveaway Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CW60PyZgRsF/?utm_medium=copy_link

We continue our discussion of what the Bible actually teaches about who has spiritual authority and what that means. This time we focus on the epistles, and particularly some passages that have been misused in order to control people.

* we apologize for the audio quality on some of these episodes, we are working on improving our setup *

The Naked Bible Podcast with Dr. Michael Heiser: https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/

Recommended Resources:
The Bible Unfiltered by Michael Heiser: https://amzn.to/2QstGWl
I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible by Michael Heiser: https://amzn.to/3cdKOuG
Untwisting Scriptures, book 2 by Rebecca Davis: https://amzn.to/3qCNElv

The beginning of a mini-series on the topic of spiritual authority - the misuse of which is one of the foundational errors that leads to spiritual abuse. We give some examples of what it looks like when spiritual authority is misused, and we look at what Jesus taught about spiritual authority.

We talk about our experience with the particular extreme courtship practices of the church we were in. Even more than "typical" courtship practice it's particularly detrimental to faith and relationships both at the time, and in the future.

Rebecca Davis' book on Patriarchy: https://amzn.to/3paofyC
Rebecca Davis' Website: www.HeresTheJoy.com

 

We discuss the teaching and methodology of courtship in more detail, and it turns out it's not really about faith and spirituality at all - it's about being able to control young people, even in major life decisions.

Podcasts by ThatMom on Patriocentricity:
http://thatmom.com/podcasts/patriarchy-patriocentricity-series/
http://thatmom.com/podcasts/patriarchypatriocentricity-series-two-2010/

Rebecca Davis' book on Patriarchy: https://amzn.to/3paofyC
Rebecca Davis' Website: www.HeresTheJoy.com

We discuss some myths about dating commonly taught by people who teach "courtship" in the IFB. Most people probably date, but in the circles we were in it was taught as wrong, using several of these myths.

We discuss the worst part of our experiences in spiritually abusive churches. "Inside every cynical person is a disappointed idealist" (George Carlin)

Chris's Letter to BCM in 2019: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10tV0Czw6C1l92zvTxdI_y6rm6qdbz2uC/view?usp=sharing
Rachel's Letter to BCM in 2019: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oJLswM-TkgGLLOcJNDJ_VJYdjhFf_y7i/view?usp=sharing

We share the first part our of story - how we came to be in spiritually abusive churches; but also how we met and were set up to accept an abusive and controlling church/school environment. ...And how Chris got away with breaking rules at college.

We discuss the end results of legalism, as well as whether legalism is really dangerous in isolation. We also discuss the ramifications of legalism, shame, and toxic churches on individual believers.

Recommended Resources:
1. Soul Repair by VanVonderen & Ryan: https://amzn.to/2YUy5Vg
2. Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson: https://amzn.to/2Wn2pKs
3. Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson : https://amzn.to/2M8AFVU

Other books referenced in this episode:
Toxic Faith by Arterburn & Felton: https://amzn.to/2WvRuxS
Tired of Trying to Measure Up by Jeff VanVonderen: https://amzn.to/2K8aBrj
Families Where Grace is in Place by Jeff VanVonderen: https://amzn.to/2Wn0plq