Sacred Skeptics

Are Adam (and Eve) historical people, or mythical figures meant to convey ideas about humanity? People of faith often puzzle over how to reconcile what Genesis says with what they are hearing from various scientific disciplines, feeling forced to choose one or the other or compartmentalize their faith. Mike talks with Pastor Bryan Hurlbutt about this issue and the nuances of the book of Genesis as ancient near east literature set in a context much different than our own.

Are Adam (and Eve) historical people, or mythical figures meant to convey ideas about humanity? People of faith often puzzle over how to reconcile what Genesis says with what they are hearing from various scientific disciplines, feeling forced to choose one or the other or compartmentalize their faith. Mike talks with Pastor Bryan Hurlbutt about this issue and the nuances of the book of Genesis as ancient near east literature set in a context much different than our own.

Is it just smart to be concerned about Muslims in America and immigration issues, or have Christians bought into a media narrative that distorts reality and causes us to fear those that we should be welcoming to? In this episode, Mike Bell interviews Shane Bennett, a man that has been interacting with Muslims all over the world for many years (and is currently involved in predominantly Muslim refugee engagement in Sicily). Mike and Shane discuss the realities of Muslim belief and practice, and some of the hot potato issues related to Islam from a Biblical point of view.

What does a person of faith do when they face an unimaginable tragedy; the loss of a child? In the case of Pastor Stewart White, the reality of the sudden unexpected death of his adult son confronted him with the most serious of questions: will the Christian faith that he has held his whole life sustain he and his family through the darkest time of their lives? Stewart shares insights and reflections drawn from his four-year journey since the passing of his son.

Welcome to Sacred Skeptics, a podcast available on the KSL Newsradio app. Jen and Brandon Hatmaker are the latest evangelical thought leaders to catch public condemnation.  They join the unhappy club of formerly loved evangelicals, along with Rachel Held Evans and Rob Bell.  Mike Frost, the professor, author and Christian blogger has called foul on Evangelical culture for being exclusive and unhealthy. Pastor Rick Henderson, along with guest co-host Rob Lambert respond in part two of this conversation.

Pastor Rick Henderson and guest co-host Rob Lambert delves into the fall of Jen and Brandon Hatmaker, the latest evangelical thought leaders to catch public condemnation. They join the unhappy club of formerly loved evangelicals, along with Rachel Held Evans and Rob Bell. Mike Frost, the professor, author and Christian blogger has called foul on evangelical culture for being exclusive and unhealthy.

Jen and Brandon Hatmaker are the latest evangelical thought leaders to catch public condemnation.  They join the unhappy club of formerly loved evangelicals, along with Rachel Held Evans and Rob Bell.  Mike Frost, the professor, author and Christian blogger has called foul on Evangelical culture for being exclusive and unhealthy. Pastor Rick Henderson, along with guest co-host Rob Lambert respond.

In part two of our video episode, Pastor Rick Henderson welcomes guest co-hosts Becky Bruce and Rob Lambert to talk about the viral hashtag from self-proclaimed Jesus Feminist, Sarah Bessey - #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear. The hashtag erupted on twitter, with observations about women being relegated to service but never leadership, comments about infertility and family planning, and much more. Does it indicate a real cultural or doctrinal problem in churches? Is religion somehow inherently sexist? Does faith accidentally encourage abuse? What does all of that mean for the battle of the sexes? 

Jesus Feminist Sarah Bessey's hashtag, #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear created a twitter firestorm - and it's still catching. After the last episode's discussion about a role for Christian leaders in helping repair bad relationships, Pastor Rick Henderson got an earful on Facebook about domestic violence and women in the church. He welcomes guest co-hosts Becky Bruce and Rob Lambert to help better understand where victims of abuse are coming from and how his words might have been perceived, even if that's not what he meant. 

Jesus Feminist Sarah Bessey's hashtag, #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear created a twitter firestorm. Is there a cultural problem or a doctrinal problem in churches that makes religion inherently sexist? Is it both or something altogether different? Does faith unintentionally encourage abuse? Pastor Rick Henderson admits he was wrong, as he welcomes guest co-hosts Becky Bruce and Rob Lambert to give their perspective.