Saving Faith with Eric Sentell of the Backyard Church Blog

Saving Faith with Eric Sentell of the Backyard Church Blog

By Eric SentellReligion & Spirituality
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Saving Faith with Eric Sentell of the Backyard Church Blog episodes

  • Saving Faith Finale

    Saving Faith thanks all the listeners and guests since it launched (under the name Metamorphosis) in March 2020. While future episodes are unlikely, existing episodes will continue to be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.

    Thank you, and God bless.

    Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

    • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

    • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

    • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

    • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

      Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

      Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

      6 min
    • A Gay Methodist Pastor Tells His Story - An Interview with Rev. Keith Turner

      What's it like to fear losing your job -- nay, your calling -- because of your sexual orientation? Reverend Keith Turner answers that question, and more, in this episode.

      Read Keith's powerful essay, "My Church Finally Caught Up to Me: A Gay United Methodist Pastor Tells (Most of) His Story."

      Then read Keith's insightful response to "sincerely-helf beliefs," "Critique of Sincere Belief."

      Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

      • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

      • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

      • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

      • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

        Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

        Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

        1 hr 25 min
      • Tom Oord for Real! - An Interview with Dr. Thomas Jay Oord

        Last episode, Eric tried to recreate Tom Oord's answers. This episode, listeners get the real deal! Tom graciously agreed to come back for another conversation. We talk about "God After Deconstruction," "Why the Church of the Nazarene Should Be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming," and Tom's other faith-transforming, life-changing ideas.

        Check out ThomasJayOord.com.

        Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

        • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

        • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

        • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

        • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

          Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

          Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

          1 hr 3 min
        • "God Can't" and other life-changing ideas with Dr. Thomas Jay Oord

          Dr. Thomas Jay Oord's latest book, "God After Deconstruction," helps religious "nones" reconnect with God.

          Learn more about Dr. Oord's work at ThomasJayOord.com.

          Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

          • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

          • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

          • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

          • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

            Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

            Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

            57 min
          • A Gay Ex-Pastor Asked People Why They Left Christianity - Here's What They Said

            Why are people leaving Christianity? Why not ask some of those people. Brandon Flanery, author of the spiritual memoir "Stumbling," surveyed his social media following and analyzed the responses to find out why people are leaving Christianity. The results are both unsurprising and surprising.

            Learn more about Brandon and his writing at BrandonFlanery.com.

            Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

            • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

            • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

            • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

            • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

              Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

              Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

              54 min
            • Israel, David French, and Campus Protests

              Is David French right that colleges tolerate protests from "preferred groups" but not other groups? No. No, he's not.

              Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

              • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

              • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

              • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

              • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

                Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

                Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

                21 min
              • Generative AI and the Future of Work and Faith

                Have you heard of ChatGPT, or have you been living under a rock? In this episode, Eric reflects on the analysis of Daniel Susskind, author of "A World without Work," and how AI might change the way we work both outside and inside the church.

                Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

                • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

                • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

                • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

                • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

                  Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

                  Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

                  30 min
                • Late Have I Loved You - An Interview with CCM Legend John Michael Talbot

                  John Michael Talbot is a multi-platinum selling, Grammy / Dove award winning Contemporary Catholic Christian Music pioneer. He joins Eric to talk about his 59th album and 38th book, both titled "Late Have I Loved You." John shares some of his remarkable spiritual journey, including multiple mystical experiences.

                  Learn more about John Michael Talbot's books, albums, and ministries at:

                  • https://www.johnmichaeltalbot.com/
                  • https://littleportionbakery.org/
                  • https://www.inner-room-school.org/
                  • https://troubadourforthelord.net/store/ols/categories/books
                  • https://www.amazon.com/Late-Have-I-Loved-You/dp/B0CQPP1SSP
                  • https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/late-have-i-loved-you-john-michael-talbot/1144660193
                  • Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

                    • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

                    • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

                    • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

                    • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

                      Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

                      Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

                      42 min
                    • But God Can - An Interview with Becky Kiser

                      "But God Can: How to Stop Striving and Live Purposefully and Abundantly" will help you get unstuck and pursue the spiritual purpose and abundance that comes from a deep relationship with Jesus. Eric chats with its author, Becky Kiser, an author, podcaster, and ministry leader who is passionate about inspiring women in their faith and daily lives. You don't have to be enough, Becky says, because God is already more than enough.

                      Find the book and Becky's other work at:

                      • https://www.beckykiser.com/
                      • Follow Beck on Instagram @beckykiser

                        • (https://www.instagram.com/beckykiser/)
                        • Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

                          • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

                          • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

                          • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

                          • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

                            Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

                            Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

                            57 min
                          • Reconstructing Faith: A Better Relationship to the Bible

                            Many people have a difficult relationship to the Bible. This episode offers some practical advice for rebuilding that relationship.

                            Saving Faith creates space for Christians:

                            • to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes;

                            • to reconstruct a faith that works; and

                            • to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world. 

                            • Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, "⁠The Backyard Church⁠," and a moderator for the ⁠blog's online community⁠.

                              Contact Eric at [email protected]. Learn more about Eric’s church, Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at⁠ www.umctrinity.org⁠

                              Podcast Author: Eric Sentell and Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, MO

                              18 min

                            About Saving Faith with Eric Sentell of the Backyard Church Blog

                            From the publisher's feed

                            Saving Faith deconstructs Christianity to reconstruct a faith that works. Eric Sentell, regular contributor to the popular Backyard Church blog, tackles tough theological questions and interviews amazing guests. Past interviews include Kristen Kobes du Mez (Jesus and John Wayne), Beth Allison Barr (The Making of Biblical Womanhood), Jared Byas (Love Matters More) John Williamson (The Deconstructionists Podcast), and many more.