This season Paul Joslin, Larry Renoe, and Alyssa Frisbie are pulling apart Christian beliefs and talking about the process of deconstruction. They're covering the most questioned topics within Christianity (atonement, purity culture, patriarchy, suffering, etc.) and dissecting Scripture, in hopes that it will help all of us better understand what we believe.

Notes:

Today, we’re having the uncomfortable conversation about living our life in pursuit of comfort. It seems that our culture has bought into the idea that an easy life is a fulfilling life. When we dig a little deeper we have some questions and wonder how often we walk the empty path of least resistance rather than the path that leads to a more fulfilling life with Jesus. 

Notes:

In this episode we’re exploring our tendency to obtain or keep power. Whether this power is within our jobs, relationships, or socio-economic status we are hard-wired to strive for it. Then, once we have it, we tend to approach life out of fear of losing it.

In this episode we’re exploring the big “C” Church and our emphasis on marriage and families. It seems that we’ve defined the ultimate fulfillment of the Christian life as getting married and having a family rather than advancing God’s kingdom and glorifying Him. How do we recognize when we might be holding on too tightly to this cultural expectation and allow the freedom that Jesus has to offer to let go of this idol? Listen to the conversation today!

This season of the Monday Morning Phone Call podcast we’re exploring the effects of having too much of a good thing. Here in the U.S. we live in a culture that pulls our attention by encouraging us to be independent, strive for personal success, achieve happiness, all the while maintaining our comfort through the path of least resistance. Is this the life we’re called to seek? Today, we’re exploring the reasons why we might be motivated to live a life focused on ourselves and why God calls us to something bigger. How do we recognize when we might be holding on too tightly to a cultural expectation and allow the freedom that Jesus has to offer to let go of our American idols? Let's dive in.

Today, our final episode of this season based on fear, we’re discussing an epidemic – not of Covid necessarily, but of loneliness. It’s known that more and more Americans are feeling lonely and that was before we were told to social-distance and lockdown within our own households. If we take a look inside, this epidemic affects all of us. Most of us either find ourselves feeling lonely, or living in a way to try and protect ourselves from feeling lonely. So how do we escape from this cycle and how did Jesus confront this during his time on earth? We invite Dr. Beth DeWeese to join our conversation and share her wisdom and expertise. Take a listen today!

In today's episode we’re discussing a fear that wreaks havoc in our society and prevents us from achieving unity and peace with one another. The fear of other is generally being afraid of someone who is different than us or is part of a group that is perceived to be a threat to our way of life. In this conversation we aim to identify whether or not we harbor this fear toward a certain people-group and how we can move our hearts toward to seeing and loving the world as God does.

The first two episodes of this season we addressed fear of death and fear of government corruption –- two types of fear that stem from being afraid. In this episode we’re pivoting and discussing the fear of God. The type of fear that is displayed through reverence and respect. We live in a culture where the name of God is spoken so casually that we could question if most of us have any idea who we speak of when we utter the words, “Oh my God” or “For God’s sake.” These phrases in contrast to the Jewish people of the Bible, who wouldn’t even speak His name might make us wonder, do we understand or make time to contemplate God -- His glory, judgment, and unconditional love? Join us as we discuss the Fear of God with Paul Joslin, Alyssa Frisbie and Larry Renoe.

Resources:

The Idea of the Holy by Rudolf Otto

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

According to Chapman University’s survey of American Fears, this one has topped the list for several years in a row. As a culture we have been increasingly skeptical of the information provided to us from the White House and mainstream media, and concerned about the potentially overreaching nature of the government into our private lives. As interconnectedness increases through technology, how do we know that we are in safe hands? And what is the best response from a Christian perspective? Join hosts Paul Joslin and Alyssa Frisbie, along with guest, Brad Heykoop, for this discussion.

Today on this episode we are beginning a new season. A season all about fear. We live in a fear-driven society and it is the motivation to so many of our decisions. Why is that? As people of faith we are told 365 times – a time for each day of the year – throughout Scripture to “fear not” and yet, it secretly grabs a foothold in our life. In this episode we’re addressing a universal fear and that is the fear of death. Throughout each of our lives we know and understand that death is imminent, and yet, we spend very little time talking about it. So, we invited our friend and colleague, Caley Buxton to share her story and perspective as she navigates life with a terminal diagnosis.

Resources:

Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis