Restorative Faith

Each season of Restorative Faith revolves around a specific theme that has caused people to walk away from the Christian faith. Season 3 is about discriminaton.

We will be discussing sexism, patriarchy, mental illness, racism, antisemitism, Christian Nationalism and defrauding the poor and destitute. Each episode includes human interest stories, experts in sociology and psychiatry, and biblical scholars.

Join us as we explore the ways in which the Christian faith needs to change and adapt to speak to the sexual ethics of the 21st century.

In the final episode of Season 3, we discuss the predatory practices of the prosperity gospel in targeting poor and desperate individuals. We hear the story of Lawrence Fardette who gave tens of thousands of dollars to televangelists over decades only to be rejected by them when his family was in desperate need. We interview Dr. Phillip Lucas, professor emeritus of religious studies at Stetson University, about the history of the prosperity gospel. Lastly, we speak with Pete Evans, the director of the Trinity Foundation and Barry Bowen, a staff investigator for Trinity, about their work to uncover the unethical and often illegal tactics employed by the ministries of prosperity gospel preachers.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Lawrence Fardette

Dr. Phillip Lucas

Barry Bowen

Pete Evans

In episode 5 of Season 3, we explore the connection between Christianity and nationalism. We begin by speaking with Nick Stutzman, a radio host who found himself sucked into the underground world of the QAnon conspiracy. We also interview Dr. Leigh Ann Perry, associate professor of psychology and behavioral science at the United States Naval War College, who explains the psychological factors undergirding the belief in conspiracy theories. Tying the episode together, we talk to Dr. John Wilsey, associate professor of church history at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, who discusses the connection between Christian Nationalism and Manifest Destiny.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Nick Stutzman

Dr. Leigh Ann Perry

Dr. John Wilsey

In episode 4 of Season 3, we discuss how the white Christian church is one of the primary drivers of racism in America. We speak with Dr. Bernard Lafayette, a central activist and leader of the original Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s. We also interview the Rev. Dr. Julian Cook, the Director of Houghton University Buffalo, who outlines the role of the white church and Christian theology in the development of systemic racism in American culture. In conclusion, we speak with Charmaine Pruitt, a black Christian who reflects on being part of a white evangelical church in Texas during Donald Trump’s rise to power.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Dr. Bernard Lafayette

Rev. Dr. Julian Cook

Charmaine Pruitt

In episode 3 of Season 3, we examine the role of Christianity in perpetuating anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish hate. We speak with Derek Black, a former White Nationalist, who illuminates the inner workings of the white supremacy movement. We also interview Rabbi Yehiel Poupko, a scholar at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, who talks about the long history of Christian oppression of the Jews. Finally, we speak with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, distinguished professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University, about the roots of anti-Jewish thought woven into the New Testament documents.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Derek Black

Rabbi Yehiel Poupko

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine

In episode 2 of Season 3, we consider the prejudice faced by those suffering from mental illness. We speak with Patricia Tomasi, a mental health advocate who spent most of her young adult life swinging between bouts of mania and depression. We also interview Dr. Frieda Fatouh, a clinical psychiatrist, who explains the neurological science behind mental illness. In the same vein, we interview Rev. Mary Jane Inman, the Director of Pastoral Services at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital about what happens when individuals with severe mental illness require hospitalization. Lastly, we talk with Ayana Lage whose severe anxiety and depression were seen as demonic forces by the Pentecostal church in which she was raised.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Patricia Tomasi

Dr. Frieda Fatouh

Rev. Mary Jane Inman

Ayana Lage

In our opening episode of Season 3, we explore the roots of sexism and patriarchy in the church. We speak with Jennifer Tillman, who grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness, about how the men in her church used their authority to control and suppress her claims of sexual abuse. We also talk with Dr. Elaine James, associate professor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, about the interpretation of gender roles in the Bible. Finally, we interview Rev. Susan Victor, the director of Women’s Space, a non-profit organization that specializes in helping those who are the victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Jennifer Tillman

Dr. Elaine James

Rev. Susan Victor

Each season of Restorative Faith revolves around a specific theme that has caused people to walk away from the Christian faith. This season is about sexuality.

We will be discussing premarital sex, marriage, divorce, adultery, rape, abortion and homosexuality. Each episode includes human interest stories, experts in psychology and anthropology, and biblical scholars.

Join us as we explore the ways in which the Christian faith needs to change and adapt to speak to the sexual ethics of the 21st century.

In the final episode of Season 2, we explore the future of sexuality in America and whether or not the Christian faith is able to speak to the changing sexual ethics of the 21st century. We speak with Tiffany, a student working towards becoming a physician’s assistant who is utilizing sex work to pay for her education. We also interview Dan Leal, a porn star/porn producer who has been a major player in the porn industry for 20 years. Finally, we return to many of the experts and scholars we interviewed in previous episodes to get their take on the future of human sexuality and how the church needs to change to remain a relevant force for good.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Tiffany (name changed to maintain anonymity)

Dan Leal

Dr. Agustin Fuentes

Dr. Melissa Perrin

Dr. William Jankowiak

Dr. Kate Ott

In episode 5 of Season 2, we explore the roots and impact of clergy sexual abuse. We speak with Larry Antonsen, a leader of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), who tells us his story of being abused by an Augustinian priest. We once again interview Dr. Melissa Perrin, who specializes in working with victims and perpetrators of clergy sexual abuse. Finally, we speak with Rev. Mark Francis, the President of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a member of the Clerics of St. Viator who discusses the vows of chastity and celibacy in contributing to clergy abuse in the Roman Catholic Church.

Featured Guests (in order of appearance):

Larry Antonsen

Dr. Melissa Perrin

Rev. Mark Francis