Adam and John spend time with author Tad Delay. Tad's specialty is Psychoanalytical Theology (I know, right?)which is primarily concerned not with what we believe, but how our beliefs function. We are still mentally recovering from this enlightening, provocative and mind bending conversation! Enjoy! If you are benefiting from this podcast please support us by making a small donation at: https://squareup.com/store/thedeconstructionists Tad DeLay is a PhD student of philosophy of religion at Claremont Graduate University and holds an MA in theology and Biblical studies from Fuller Theological http://taddelay.com God Is Unconscious: Psychoanalysis and Theology https://www.amazon.com/dp/1498208495/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_QZtkxb139FS0J Featured music in this episode by: http://civiliansounds.squarespace.com "Fear and trembling, warming up, and civilian." Other sounds/ambient sounds by Anderson Cale.

We have a blast talking to the always interesting and informative Mike McHargue of Ask Science Mike and The Liturgists. Songs on this episode by Son Lux - if you haven't started listening to Son Lux yet... you're missing out http://music.sonluxmusic.com/ http://mikemchargue.com/ask-science-mike/ Mikes forthcoming book Finding God In The Waves can be pre ordered here www.findinggodinthewaves.com Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike) is an author, podcaster, and speaker focused on the science behind spiritual experiences. Mike lost his faith via atheism as an adult, but rediscovered God in cosmology and neuroscience–a journey that lead to his life's mission: helping people reconcile their faith with modern science. Mike cofounded The Liturgists with Michael Gungor of the award winning band Gungor. Together they assembled a diverse cast of contributors including Rob Bell, Shauna Niequist, Amena Brown, Rachel Held Evans, Pete Holmes, Sleeping At Last, and All Sons and Daughters. Part of The Liturgists' work is a curiously popular podcast, The Liturgists Podcast. By examining topics through the lenses of science, art, and faith with a commitment to open, honest discussions, The Liturgists Podcast has attracted hundreds of thousands of listeners of remarkable diversity including not only a broad swath of Christianity, but also the religiously unaffiliated–including agnostics and atheists. Mike also hosts a weekly questions-and-answer podcast called Ask Science Mike. Ask Science Mike is a safe space for people to share questions they've always been afraid to ask about science, faith, and life. Mike also blogs on his website, in addition to writing for RELEVANT, Don Miller's Storyline, and BioLogos. Mike loves sharing ideas in person, and is an in-demand speaker at conferences, churches, and colleges. He's recently spoken to sold-out crowds in New York about the science of addiction, explained the science of storytelling at Storyline in Chicago, and shown people how Christianity can embrace the modern world at Belong in London. Mike lives in Tallahassee, FL with is wife Jenny and two beautiful daughters. Other music on the episode provided by Anderson Cale If you would like to dontate to The Deconstructionists click the link: https://squareup.com/store/thedeconstructionists

Theologian and author Greg Boyd joins Adam and John to wade into some hot topics including: The myth of christian nationalism pacifism Doubt/deconstruction Open theism and much more Greg Boyd is an internationally recognized theologian, preacher, teacher, apologist and author. He has been featured on the front page of The New York Times, The Charlie Rose Show, CNN, National Public Radio, the BBC and numerous other television and radio venues. Greg received his Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary (summa cum laude 1988), his M.Div. from Yale Divinity School (cum laude 1982), and his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota (1979). He was a professor of theology for 16 years at Bethel University (St. Paul, MN) where he received the Teaching Excellence Award and Campus Leadership Award. Greg is the co-founder of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota where he serves as Senior Pastor, speaking to thousands each week. Greg has authored or co-authored 20 books and numerous academic articles, including his best-selling and award-winning Letters From a Skeptic and his recent books Repenting of Religion and The Myth of a Christian Nation. His apologetic writings and public debates on the historical Jesus and the problem of evil have helped many skeptics embrace faith, and his writings and seminars on spiritual transformation have had a revolutionary, freeing impact on thousands of believers. Greg passionately believes that faith and reason are not mutually exclusive, but that the mind and heart were made for congruity. He boldly defends a Christian faith that embraces science, rejects religion, transcends politics and nationalism, and that calls for a radical, socially engaged form of discipleship defined by the self-sacrificial love of the Cross. Greg and his wife Shelley have been married for 36 years. They have three children and five grandchildren and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. One more thing: in his spare time, Greg plays drums for Not Dead Yet, a Twin Cities cover rock band that donates all of its proceeds to a non-profit organization called Kòt a Kòt (Haitian Creole for “side by side”), a home in Haiti for at-risk girls. Music on this episode provided by Serpent and Dove. If you have connected and benefited from this podcast, please consider making a small donation here https://squareup.com/store/thedeconstructionists

Adam and John spend some time with singer / songwriter / producer / remixer / noistrade founder / agitator Derek Webb talking about doubt, honesty, art, liturgy, community and much more. A 20+ year veteran of the music industry, Derek Webb has sold millions of albums as a founding member of Texas-based folk/rock band Caedmon’s Call, and ruffled political & spiritual feathers alike as a solo artist. He is also Co-Founder & President of the revolutionary tribe-building platform, NoiseTrade. Derek is expected to release a new album in 2016. Visit www.derekwebb.com for tons of information and free music! Visit www.noisetrade.com for tons of free music from thousands of amazing artists Albums and songs appearing on the episode: (In order of appearance) Stockholm Syndrome - Opening Credits, Black Eye, Feedback (Instrumental Contemplative Album) - Multiple tracks The Ringing Bell - A Love That’s Stronger Than Our Fears I Was Wrong I'm Sorry and I Love You - Heavy I See Things Upside Down - Medication Ctrl - And See The Flaming Skies Stockholm Syndrome - What Matters More (Final track on this episode) We hope that you enjoyed this episode. We love each and every one of you and you all have a place here with us. We are not looking to get rich or become professional podcasters. We would, however, love to be able to afford the microphones, books and beer without causing our wives anxiety and potential panic attacks! You can make a small donation HERE - https://squareup.com/store/thedeconstructionists

We talk with philosopher/theologian Pete Rollins about the true meaning of belief, deconstruction, pyro theology, backwards evangelism and so much more Peter is a provocative writer, philosopher, storyteller and public speaker who has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and forming “churches” that preach the Good News that we can’t be satisfied, that life is difficult, and that we don’t know the secret. Challenging the idea that faith concerns questions relating to belief Peter’s incendiary and irreligious reading of Christianity attacks the distinction between sacred and secular, blurs the lines between theism and atheism and sets aside questions regarding life after death to explore the possibility of a life before death. Peter gained his higher education from Queens University, Belfast and has earned degrees (with distinction) in Scholastic Philosophy (BA Hons), Political Theory (MA) and Post-Structural thought (PhD). He is the author of numerous books, including Insurrection, The Idolatry of God, and The Divine Magician. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, currently lives in Los Angeles and will die "somewhere as yet not known". visit www.PeterRollins.net for loads of free content and to learn more about Peter's work.

John and Adam conclude the 3 part Bible series with some final thoughts, rants, opinions, suggestions and some great recommended readings! James K.A. Smith - Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? Chapter 2 John Sailhammer - NIV Compact Commentary ANYTHING by Walter Brueggeman - specifically his short book “Struggling with Scripture” Karen Armstrong - The Bible: The Biography (and God: A Biography, The Case for God) Marcus Borg - Reading the Bible again for the first time Edmund Clowney - The Unfolding Mystery N.T. Wright - Scripture and the Authority of God Alexander Shaia - Heart and Mind John Shelby Spong - Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism Rob Bell - Jesus Wants to Save Christians Abraham Joshua Heschel - The Prophets Robert Alter - The Art of Biblical Narrative

Adam and John bring the Bible series to a close with Dr. Alexander FREAKING Shaia! Alexander discusses his beautiful perspectives on the four Gospels which introduce a new (yet ancient) way of seeing these accounts of Jesus the Christ. Are the Gospels merely biographies of the life of Jesus? Are we supposed to find some significance in the facts of his life? Maybe there was a deeper, richer, more inviting, disturbing and transformative meaning there from the very beginning. What if memorizing facts isn't the point? What if the point is to enter into the journey and be transformed? Check out Dr. Shaia's work at www.quadratos.com and find him on facebook for more information: Alexander John Shaia. If you have connected with this podcast and would like to support us please click the link below. Thank you so much. Every dollar helps bring down our wives blood pressure! https://squareup.com/store/thedeconstructionists Thank you to all of you who have been so encouraging. We run on your feedback (positive and negative) as well as any donations you are willing to make to keep this space open and keep the material coming! We love you all and we are so grateful you have entered into this sacred space with us. Invite others! Keep deconstructing! Music on this episode by Anderson Cale

Continuing their series on "The Bible", John and Adam spend some time with the brilliant and kind Dr. Timothy Mackie of The Bible Project. Dr. Mackie talks about what the Bible says it is. He focuses mainly on the Old Testament and invites us to consider that perhaps our 21st century, western christian way of approaching The Bible might be wrong. In fact, Dr. Mackie admits that we must be willing to admit at any moment that we could be wrong about all of this. This series is only an intro series. Meant to get some good conversation going so we can plan many more episodes on this divisive book call Scripture. There is so much left to talk about. Send us your thoughts. [email protected] or hit up our forum and start some conversations at www.thedeconstructionists.com Please check out more by Dr. Timothy Mackie at www.jointhebibleproject.com or www.timmackie.com The commentary Tim recommends in this episode is The Compact NIV Commentary by John Sailhammer. You can find it for a couple bucks on amazon. Grace and peace friends. (and for those of you who think we are too excited and enthusiastic or that we should challenge our guests, thank you so much for the feedback in your itunes reviews, but we're not going to be changing that. It's who we are. We haven't built this space to dial ourselves down or challenge our guests. If you come on the show we'll be just as excited about it!)

John and Adam kick off part 1 of a 3 part series on deconstructing how we view THE BIBLE. This book (which isn't really a book) is divisive and problematic. It was written thousands of years ago and has been interpreted over and over. Can we trust it? Should we just throw it out? Do we have to take it seriously? What does that mean? Adam and John try to take us to a place where we can ask: "Is it possible to bring this all down a few notches and chill a little?" Say tuned for the next 3 weeks as some HUGE expert-guests weigh in on what the hell we should do with this "book"

Rob Bell joins us to talk about doubt, faith, getting it wrong and wrestling to get it right. We talk about his new book, as well as many other topics! There is never a dull or uninspiring moment when Rob is dropping some knowledge on us! This will be the first of many with Rob. Check out his new book "How to be HERE: Notes on the art of thriving" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZCl4uMVrmI http://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Here-Creating-Living/dp/0062356291 ABOUT ROB Rob Bell is a bestselling author, international teacher, and highly sought after public speaker. His books include The New York Times bestseller Love Wins, along with What We Talk About When We Talk About God, The Zimzum of Love, Velvet Elvis, Sex God, Jesus Wants to Save Christians, Drops Like Stars. At age 28 he founded Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan, and under his leadership it was one of the fastest-growing churches in America. In 2011 he was profiled in Time Magazine as one of their 100 most influential people. Rob was featured on Oprah’s 2014 Life You Want Tour and has spoken at events all over the world. He and his wife Kristen have three children and live in Los Angeles. To get more info about Rob, visit his website, robbell.com