Saving Faith with Eric Sentell of the Backyard Church Blog

What is Christian Nationalism? Why is Beth Moore going out of her way to talk about politics? This episode briefly defines Christian Nationalism and explores Beth Moore's response to the Jericho March and other manifestations of Christian Nationalism.

https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/statement

https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/resources

Learn what's coming up next from Metamorphosis: Sharing the Unchanging Gospel with a Changing Culture

It’s never too late to text @tumcadvent to 81010 to sign up for our Advent texts. Also text @UMCTrinity App to 77977 to download our church app and access our podcast, YouTube channel, and more in one convenient place.

The “Best of 2020” episode includes:

Jon Steingard, former lead singer of Hawk Nelson, on Instagram @jonsteingard, www.steingardcreative.com, San Diego, CA.

Dan Foster, founder of The Backyard Church, cohost of The Backyard Church podcast, @danfoster_63798 on Medium, Brisbane, Australia.

Jared Byas, cohost of the Bible for Normal People podcast, author of Love Matters More, Philadelphia area.

Ben Cremer, Facebook at Ben Cremer, @brcremer on Twitter, Euclid Community Church-Nazarene, Boise, ID.

Jessica Sentell, Facebook at Jessica Polk Sentell, @jpolksentell on Twitter, Piedmont MO.

Excerpt from Eric’s solo episode, “Political Idolatry, or how to wake up feeling ok on Nov. 4.”

Dr. Dion Clark, @drdion on Medium, @drdionclark on Twitter, Caesarea Worship Center, Fayetteville, NC.

Mark Hackett, founder and director of Operation Broken Silence, a non-profit that helps Sudanese refugees, @MCHackett on Medium, @MChackett on Twitter, Facebook at Mark C Hackett or Operation Broken Silence.

Excerpt from Eric’s solo episode, “Reading the Bible from the Margins,” adapted from the Bible for Normal People’s interview of Miguel de la Torre.

Excerpt from Eric’s solo episode, “How do we as Christians respond to Racial Strife?”

Excerpt from Eric’s solo episode, “SBC President JD Greear, Veggie Tales creator Phil Visher, and Dharius Daniels on Racial Justice.”

Excerpt from Eric’s solo episode, “Love and Truth,” a meditation on Jesus Christ as Truth, Truth as Love, and our, er, Pilate’s, inability to recognize it.

Excerpt from Eric’s solo episode meditating on advent, “The Meaning of the 5 Advent Candles.”

If you have suggestions for future episodes, feedback on this season, or want to come on for an interview, please contact Eric at [email protected].

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Subscribe or follow us so you’ll get our next episode in early January!

Shareable Quotes:

Listening well is not affirmation of sin. – Ben Cremer

Posture matters so much more than position. – Jon Steingard

We need to be discipling young people into being okay with not knowing, with mystery. – Dan Foster

If I can tell the difference between friends and enemies, then I’m not loving well. Love is indiscriminate. – Jared Byas

God decided to advance the all-important message of the Gospel through imperfect messengers. That’s encouraging to me!” – Dr. Dion Clark

It’s not about being right or wrong. It’s about doing right or doing nothing at all. – Mark C. Hackett

Eric interviews Dr. Dion Clark, pastor of Caesarea Worship Center in Fayetteville, NC, and a prolific writer on Medium. She has worked in government and taught in higher education, giving her unique insight into matters of faith. Connect with her on Medium @drdion, on Twitter @drdionclark, and on her church's website, http://caesareaworshipcenter.org/

Eric meditates on the meaning of the 5 advent candles and related scripture.

Jessica's Advent texts will help you encounter Christ daily as you look forward to the celebration of his birth. Just text "@tumcadvent" to the phone number 81010! Or click here to sign up: www.remind.com/join/tumcadvent

Download Trinity UMC's new app by texting "@umctrinity app" to the phone number 77977. You'll have a portal to recent episodes of the podcast, the church's YouTube channel, and much more.

Not sure if you want the texts? Watch Jessica's promo video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMcYm8-FH…epX8U9tmuBhOdvdNg

Eric and Jessica Sentell discuss the new Advent texting program that Trinity UMC now offers, using technology to reach Millennials and Gen Z, and making the church a more welcoming, accepting, and loving place.

Jessica's Advent texts will help you encounter Christ daily as you look forward to the celebration of his birth. Just text "@tumcadvent" to the phone number 81010! Or click here to sign up: https://www.remind.com/join/tumcadvent

Download Trinity UMC's new app by texting "@umctrinity app" to the phone number 77977. You'll have a portal to recent episodes of the podcast, the church's YouTube channel, and much more.

Not sure if you want the texts? Watch Jessica's promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMcYm8-FHGA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0zAzeFK7H_7epooxxcs38E04Qx_HB3LYw5fmGTjXepX8U9tmuBhOdvdNg

Eric interviews Ben Cremer, a Nazarene pastor in Boise, ID, who wrote a viral Facebook post earlier this year lamenting the state of American Christianity and politics. Eric and Ben discuss his faith journey, the "identity crisis" of the church, and how to engage Millennials, Gen Z, and skeptics.

To better understand, or go deeper with, some of the discussion topics, listen to our episodes on "Political Idolatry," "Love and Truth," and "Defining Deconstruction with David."

The discussion also touches on "Christian Nationalism." To learn more about it, we highly recommend the podcasts "Powers and Principalities" with Blake Chastain and "Protestants and Politics" with Napp Nazzworth. And of course, sign up for "The Cottage" newsletter from the incredible Diana Butler Bass.

Pilate famously asked Jesus, "What is truth?" The truth (and the way and the life)stood in front of him in the person of Jesus. But what does that really mean? And how do we apply it to love?

Eric interviews Mark Hackett, founder and executive director of Operation Broken Silence, about his views on the Millennial-Boomer fault line in the American church and the kind of leadership vision necessary to navigate it. Their mothers told them to not discuss politics or religion, so of course, they talk about both in this conversation. Learn more about Mark and his work with the Sudanese people at operationbrokensilence.org.

Jessica gives a devotion adapted from Grace Fox's devotion for First 5 Plans.