Mid-faith Crisis

Yes! The brothers have reconciled and the podcast band is back together. So, in this week's show we talk about redeeming the word 'religion', what it is that we can give to the church, whether Jesus was a bit smitey (again) and in the words of one contributor, the 'ready brek feeling of the warmth that Jesus can bring with that desire to be a better human being'. Also, we touch on the dangers of satire and we start to discuss some aspects of a twenty-first century faith. Phew!

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This week's episode is all about money. Why are we so embarrassed by it? Why do we fear dealing with it? Is ethical investing worth it? And do we really have to tithe? Thanks to Sian MacInnes FPFS for her great input on today's show.

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We talk about the benefits of belonging, and not belonging, to a church. Are there perspectives and opportunities that we can get from a church that we can't get elsewhere? When is it right to leave? And, most importantly, is there anyone is not able to sit?

Yes, we're talking again about the Bible, this time discussing how the Bible was compiled and what Paul meant by the line 'All the writings are God-breathed'. Also, we have a truly wonderful final email, and loads of feedback on whether our listeners are friends, companions, pilgrims, fellow community members, paying punters or family members. We don't know, but we're very grateful for all of you!

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A mixed bag this week. We talk about Christian outrage over the Olympics, about the need to belong (without being defined by our belonging) and how Joe actually found himself singing worship songs. Also we consider whether our listeners are really our friends, or, as Nick so tenderly puts it, 'potential threats'. Whatever the case, thank you for being… something or other.

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In this episode we dive deep into the idea of the wrathful God. Can we understand it in a different way? And what do we do with all the bits in the Old Testament where the almighty gets all smitey? Are the accounts of the tribal, violent, Old Testament God real? Or are they stories? And if they are, how do we read them? Meanwhile, Nick has been spending time with hundreds of dead people, and Joe thinks that all Independent Financial Advisors are out to get him.

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We're back! And after a long break there is a lot of catching up to do. Has Nick really stopped watching the news? Is there actually such a thing as a Purple Hairstreak Butterfly? Is the Mid-faith Crisis Podcast the Kendal Mint cake of spirituality? And what happened when Joe took Nick to the theatre?

Also - our friend Andy is carrying out some research looking at how podcasting is becoming a significant resource for those who are going through some sort of faith shift in their lives. Will you help by taking part in a short survey? Go here.

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Joe interviews friend and fellow celebrant Claire Bradford about her experiences walking the Camino. They discuss the importance of doing things when you can, the Joy of Missing Out and and how the pilgrimage, far from being about solitary detachment, led to an amazing sense of community and connection.

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Joe talks to friend of the podcast Dave Tomlinson about his book 'OMG, A Bad Christian's Prayer Book'. Dave also chats about prayer, and about the need for us to be committed to hope or, as he terms it, 'defiant imagination'.

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We discuss the concept of the sabbath, mainly because Nick has heard an interesting sermon on the topic. What if we see sabbath as the start of the week and not the end? How does it help us escape the world of 'things'? And is it obligatory to have a bath? Also, we touch on whether you can have 'Stage 4' churches, talk a bit about demons and exorcism, and ponder whether mysticism, far from being an escape from reality, actually helps you to see it more clearly.

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