Rethinking Faith

This week I had the privilege of talking with Bill Kole about his new book, 'In Guns We Trust.' The conversation delves into the complex relationship between White Evangelicals and firearms, exploring themes of hypocrisy, fear, and the political landscape surrounding gun ownership. Kole shares his personal journey from Evangelicalism to investigative journalism, highlighting the challenges and contradictions within the Evangelical community regarding gun culture. The discussion also touches on international perspectives on gun violence, the role of Christian Nationalism, and hopeful initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence in America. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Bills Website

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

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Happy New Year! We made it... we made it somehow to 2026. To help me bring in the new year, I invited my friend Tim Whitaker to come hang out and play my little 20ish Q's game. As fate would have it, Billie Hoard texted me 45 minutes before Tim and I were set to record... so of course I invited her to join us on the podcast! We had a great time and covered a lot of ground! Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Billie's Substack

Tim's Substack

Josh's Substack

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

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Joshua Noel and Josh Patterson dive into the graphic novel "The Goddamned" by Jason Aaron in this episode, exploring its audacious take on biblical narratives. Right from the get-go, they challenge the conventional interpretations of Cain's story, discussing how Aaron flips the script on themes of punishment and divinity. The hosts share their thoughts on the graphic novel's raw portrayal of a dark, violent world and how it reflects real-life struggles with faith and morality. They engage in a lively banter about the implications of the narrative, examining how the depiction of characters and their actions raises questions about the nature of God and the morality of those who claim to act in His name. With a mix of humor and insight, they invite listeners to rethink not just the comic, but the very foundations of belief and the narratives that shape our understanding of good and evil.

(RE)thinking Comic dives deep into the world of radical theology and comic book narratives in their latest episode, where hosts Josh Patterson and Joshua Noel explore the chaotic themes in Jason Aaron's graphic novels, "The Goddamned: Before the Flood" and "The Goddamned: Virgin Brides". With a casual vibe and plenty of witty banter, they tackle heavy topics like the nature of God, the implications of biblical narratives, and the intersection of theology and popular culture. Patterson, a former pastor turned brewer, shares his journey of reconciling faith with radical theology, while Noel, a comic book aficionado, highlights how stories from graphic novels often resonate on a personal level more than traditional religious texts. The hosts invite listeners to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about these complex themes, emphasizing that while they may not always agree, they respect the diverse narratives that shape their understanding of God and humanity. This episode showcases their unique approach to examining how ancient stories still hold relevance in contemporary society, making for an engaging listen for theology nerds and comic book geeks alike.

Takeaways:

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This week I welcomed my friend Dr. Andrew Davis back to the podcast! Andrew recently finished a new introduction to the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and it is fantastic! In my experience introductions to Whitehead are either too philosophically dense and hard to follow for a beginner or they water down his thought so much that vital aspects of his philosophy are lost. Andrew managed to bridge the gap and write an intro that is approachable without sacrificing philosophical depth and rigor. We take a deep dive into Andrew's prismatic approach to Whitehead's philosophy viewing it from the Historical, Philosophical, Cosmological, Theological, and Civilizational perspectives. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Andrew's Website

WhiteheadsUniverse.com

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

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This week I was happy to welcome back my friend Jonathan J. Foster. We talk about The Curian Network (formerly the Open Table Network). We also take a look at Jonathan's new Micro-Theology series and take a deep dive into his working definition of love. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

The Curian Network

Jonathan's Substack

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

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This week Dr. Thomas Jay Oord returns to the podcast to discuss his latest project... A Systematic Theology of Love. Tom proposes 15 new ideas for Systematic Theology and I invited my former student Julian Oetinger on to help keep Tom honest... Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Tom's Substack

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

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This week on the (Re)thinking Faith podcast, I had the privilege of reconnecting with Dr. Drew Hart, an associate professor of theology and an author deeply engaged in discussions around racial justice and faith. Our conversation delves into Dr. Hart’s journey through the Black church, Anabaptism, and how these experiences shape his understanding of justice in today’s world. Through personal stories and academic insights, Hart invites us to rethink our faith in light of the challenges facing our communities today. Key takeaways include the importance of community engagement, the need for honest conversations about race within faith traditions, and the potential for combining different theological perspectives to foster a more just world. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

DrewGIHart.com

Inverse Podcast

Making it Plain (Book)

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

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Alright friends this week I have a special treat for you... Emogelicals is a show I record once a month with my good buddy Jed over at Church and Other Drugs. Typically this is released for Patrons only, but this week you get a sneak peek into what you are missing out on. Enjoy!

JOIN MY PATREON:

Click HERE to join. <3

*Special thanks to Marty, Josh, and Dan! Love you guys <3*

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So we're LIVE at the Common Market in Charlotte, drinking craft beverages and fielding questions from the Speaking to a Modern World conference, which means we're ping-ponging between topics faster than your algorithm-addled attention span. Josh starts us off playing voice of the people, then we trade him for Leah Robinson, who's delightfully willing to interrupt me when I get too deep in the philosophical weeds. We tackle everything from what the hell "modernity" actually means (hint: it's not just Protestants arguing about beliefs), to why religion emerged before language as a solution to mammalian cooperation problems, to how process theology offers a different way through deconstruction than Nietzsche's lonely child-making. Tom and I explain why we think classical theism's omnipotent God is actually less helpful than you'd think, we get into the weeds on sacrificial language and atonement theory, and Leah keeps us honest about whether all our philosophical specificity is just academic masturbation or actually useful for people trying to figure out how to live. Plus we discover that getting kicked out of the Nazarenes gives you mixed feelings but doesn't automatically make you drink beer.

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Rethinking Comics kicks off with a deep dive into the emotional rollercoaster of Ice Cream Man issue #5, aptly titled "Ballad of a Falling Man." Right off the bat, the hosts, Josh and Joshua, explore the heavy themes of suicide, existentialism, and the complexity of human relationships, all wrapped in the chilling narrative of a man plummeting from a corporate skyscraper. As they dissect the juxtaposition between the protagonist's reflective descent and the obliviousness of those trapped in their mundane office lives, they shine a light on the often-ignored reality of mental health and the weight of our choices. With a blend of insightful commentary and personal anecdotes, they invite listeners to ponder what it means to live authentically in the face of mortality. This episode serves as a sneak peek into a special series, (Re)thinking Comics, enticing fans to join both the (Re)thinking Faith Patreon community and to become an official member Systematic Geekology for deeper, exclusive content that promises to challenge and engage comic lovers and theology nerds alike.

Rethinking Comics kicks off with a fascinating discussion about Ice Cream Man #5, where the hosts dive into the existential themes woven into this horror comic. Joshua Noel and Josh Patterson explore the complex characters that confront life, death, and the meaning behind their choices, particularly focusing on the character Bill, who jumps from a corporate building contemplating his life and the relationships he’s left behind. The juxtaposition between Bill's last moments and Veronica's frantic quest for survival serves as a poignant reminder of the weight of our choices and how we live our lives. With humor and heart, the hosts engage in a deep conversation about the implications of suicide, mental health, and how our lives are intertwined with those we love, even after they are gone. Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, the choices they make, and the legacy they leave behind, making it a compelling and thought-provoking listen.

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