Most modern debates about faith overlook a profound reality: the divine might be better understood as a dynamic process rather than a static entity. In this mind-expanding conversation, Dr. Brook Ziporyn reveals how mystical atheism, rooted in Chinese philosophy and critical reinterpretations of traditional concepts, offers a transformative lens for spirituality beyond the limits of classical theism. If you're questioning the nature of God, purpose, and meaning—whether religious or secular—this episode challenges the assumptions that keep us trapped in dichotomies of finite and infinite, purpose and purposelessness.

Join host Josh Patterson as he untangles the philosophical web connecting Spinoza, Nietzsche, Bataille, and Taoist thought, exploring how their ideas unlock new ways to perceive divinity without needing a personal, intentional God. You'll discover how this perspective emphasizes the fluid, oceanic interconnectedness of all things—where every moment, object, and experience is part of a vast, non-dichotomous flow. We break down the core concepts like the oceanic unity, the critique of purpose, and the role of mystical experience in dissolving rigid categories, paving the way for a richer, more inclusive spirituality.This episode is perfect for skeptics craving depth, seekers longing for a meaningful connection, and thinkers willing to challenge the very foundations of faith and atheism alike. If you're tired of binary thinking—either believing in a traditional God or rejecting all notions of the divine—you'll walk away with a new vocabulary: from the oceanic to the omnicentric—tools to reimagine the sacred as a fluid, generative process embracing ambiguity and multiplicity. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Brook Ziporyn

Experiments in Mystical Atheism (Book)

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

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*A special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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In this episode of the Rethinking Faith Podcast, host Josh Patterson engages with Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Bashaw and Dr. Aaron Higashi about their co-authored book, 'Serving Up Scripture: How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself and Others.' The conversation explores the importance of understanding biblical interpretation through various lenses, including the cooking metaphor, the significance of context, and the role of biases. They discuss the multi-vocality of the Bible, the authority it holds, and the necessity of recognizing different genres within scripture. The episode emphasizes the need for responsible interpretation and the value of engaging with scripture in a way that respects its complexity and richness. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Serving Up Scripture (Book)

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Time to nerd out with your geek out! Snag your ticket(s) HERE.

*Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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This week I was joined by Dr. Jon Ivan Gill to discuss his latest book, "MultiRaceLessNess: A Process Philosophy". What might a Process Philosophy of Race look like? While it has become widely accepted that race is a social construct, Gill argues that this insight doesn't go far enough. If race isn't "real" in any essential sense, why do we continue to organize our selves, and our world around it?

Jon pushes the conversation looking into the possibility of abolishing the category of race all together. Together we wrestle with the philosophical, theological, and ethical implications of us a proposal. What would it actually mean to dissolve race as a category of human identity? Would doing so heal or erase? Liberate or disorient? Is it even possible to end racism without first letting go of the category of race itself?

Without offering easy answers, this conversation invites listeners into a bold and necessary interrogation of the categories we have inherited and challenges us to imagine what might lie on the other side of them. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

SevenIvan.com (Jon's Website)

MultiRaceLessNess: A Process Philosophy (Book)

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP:

Come nerd out with your geek out! Get your ticket(s) HERE.

*A special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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This is another audio essay that can be found on my Substack.

Recently I had an idea… a very Emogelical idea. What if I attempted to read “Unanswered” by Suicide Silence as a Radical Prayer? Don’t get me wrong, I’m under no impression that Mitch Lucker intended the kind of reading that I offer. However, the crazy thing about language and texts and meaning is that they often do something to you that the author never intended…

So what happens when “Unanswered” is filtered through the Radical Theology lens of Jack Caputo with the help of Nietzsche, Camus, and Kierkegaard? You get a Radical prayer that is deeply honest, and deeply human. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Subscribe to my Substack HERE! It's FREE.

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This week I had the honor of being joined by Dr. bart Ehrman for an engaging conversation about his latest book, "Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West". We ask the question of altruism... is true altruism even possible? Next we take a look at the Moral Philosophy and Ethics of the Greek and Roman world prior to Jesus coming on the scene. We then compare and contrast the teachings of Jesus with the world that he came from. As it turns out, he had some pretty radical ideas. Unfortunately, shortly after the death of Jesus, the early Christians abandoned the teachings of Jesus and returned to the more commonly heald views the Greek and Roman world at the time. Despite this, Jesus and his teachings still had a major positive impact on the West as we know it today! Enjoy.

RESOURCES:

Love They Stranger (Book)

The Bart Ehrman Blog

BartEhrman.Com

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Come nerd out with your geek out! Get your tickets HERE.

*Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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This week my good friend Will Rose joined me to discuss the intersection of faith and science through the lens of Will's new podcast, 'Your Matter Matters.' We explore themes of curiosity, the importance of community dialogue, and the ongoing questions surrounding faith and science. The conversation highlights the significance of asking questions, the role of wonder in faith, and the insights gained from various discussions on evolution, cosmology, and the future of faith in a scientific world. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Your Matter Matters (Podcast)

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Time to nerd out with your geek out! Get your tickets HERE.

*Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, & Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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Happy Saturday friends! Here is another audio essay from my Substack. In this essay, I attempt to bring together the voices of Alfred North Whitehead and Alan Watts to argue that perhaps the universe does give a shit after all. If you enjoy it, would you consider hoping over to Substack and subscribing to my feed? It's FREE!

(Re)thinking Faith Substack

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This week I was joined by my new friend Ryan Cagle, an ordained minister and eco-justice advocate. Ryan put out and awesome zine called "Crucified Earth" that offers a fresh approach to the Stations of the Cross. We discussed Ryan's journey into Eco-Justice work, the interconnectedness of various crises such as climate change, economic issues, and health crises, the role of faith in addressing these challenges, and the theological underpinnings of Eco-Justice. Ryan shares insights from his community work, including Narcan distribution and building resilience in rural communities. Overall Ryan advocates for the need for a fundamental change in how we relate to the Earth and each other, calling for a collective response to the climate crisis. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Seeds & Sabatoge | Theology In A World On Fire (Substack)

Crucified Earth /// An Eco-Stations of the Cross Zine

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Come hang out with us in Kansas City October 8-10! Get your tickets HERE.

*Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys. <3*

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It was a Friday night... I was just hanging out not doing much and received a text message from a friend. It was Tripp and he was asking if I would still be up in an hour and if I wanted to hang out and do some late night podcasting. Obviously I said yes, and this was the result. I know we had fun! I hope you do too. Enjoy!

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Come join the random late night conversations with us at Theology Beer Camp October 8-10. Get your tickets HERE

*Special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy." - Albert Camus

In this audio essay I wrestle with the very real and very heavy philosophical question of suicide. To help me, I invoke the voices of Simon Critchely, Jaques Derrida, and John Caputo. Enjoy.

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If you enjoyed this audio essay, would you consider following me on Substack? Its Free! CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW

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