In this kickoff episode of The Eremos Podcast series on Zach's new book, Deconstruct with Jesus, hosts Zach and Brian discuss the inspiration behind the book, the journey of faith and doubt, and why deconstruction doesn’t have to mean walking away from God. They explore how Jesus actually encourages questioning and rethinking, break down misconceptions about deconstruction, and set the stage for future episodes walking through the book chapter by chapter.

📖 Grab your copy of Deconstruct with Jesus at https://www.eremosnashville.com/books .

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share to help others on their faith journey!

Deconstruction and AI with Scott Simpson, Part 2 of 2

Part 1 was published on Monday, January 13th.

We continue the discussion on deconstruction, Scott's use of AI in creating this album, have a tangent on Parker Palmer, and more. Hear two more songs from the upcoming album, which will be available on Friday, January 17th, wherever you get your music.

Scott Simpson

⁠Hymnautica⁠

kamala

Parker Palmer

8:50:  Song: Baptizin’ the American Dream

12:23:  Discussion on AI and new Album

40:28: Song: Intimate Stranger

Stone Campbell Revue album “Deconstructin’”

1.     Deconstructin’

2.    My Paradox to Bear

3.    Baptizin’ the American Dream

4.    Rock and a Hard Place

5.    Remnant Theology Blues

6.    Thanks, but No Thanks

7.     Questions, Questions

8.    Circle ‘Round the Center

9.    The Pro-Choice God

10. Appearance or Substance

11. Intimate Stranger

12. Forget the Fine Print

13. The Great Escape

Educator, poet, and musician Scott Simpson sat down with Brian and Paula to talk about his deconstruction journey, and how he has used AI to create a Deconstruction Manifesto and an album about deconstructing.

Scott Simpson Music

Hymnautica

A Manifesto for Deconstructed Christianity                

By Scott Simpson

I. Faith Beyond Certainty: Embracing Doubt and Mystery

We commit to:

 • Holding space for unanswered questions.

 • Living the paradox of belief and doubt.

 • Trusting that God’s reality is larger than human comprehension.

 II. Jesus Above Doctrine: Following a Living Christ

We commit to:

 • Prioritizing Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection over denominational distinctives.

 • Viewing salvation as a lived experience of love, not a future escape plan.

 • Practicing self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and peacemaking as central acts of worship.

III. Deconstructing Ecclesial Power: Church Without

We commit to:

 • Building communities rooted in grace, not rules.

 • Practicing radical hospitality toward those society excludes.

 • Sharing power and amplifying marginalized voices within spiritual communities.

IV. Faith in Action: Rejecting Capitalist Christianity

We commit to:

• Resisting economic and political systems that exploit the vulnerable.

 • Redistributing wealth and resources in ways that reflect God’s economy.

 • Living simply so others may simply live.

V. Open Questions, Open Hearts

We commit to:

 • Welcoming hard questions without fear or judgment.

 • Honoring the spiritual journeys of others, even when they differ from our own.

 • Living in humility, knowing that we are all seekers in the presence of divine mystery.

Conclusion: Living the Way of Jesus

Deconstructed Christianity is not a rejection of faith—it is

May we follow Jesus not into comfortable pews or theological security, but into the wilderness of grace, where love reigns, and all are welcomed at the table.

Amen.

In this festive episode of The Eremos Podcast, Zach, Brian, and Kayla dive into a fun and thoughtful Christmas mailbag Q&A. From humorous hypotheticals to meaningful reflections, this episode has it all.

Highlights include:

With plenty of laughs and moments of depth, this episode invites you to reflect on how to keep the spirit of Christmas alive amidst chaos, while also reminding you not to take things too seriously (especially when it comes to figgy pudding).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Eremos Podcast! 🎄🎙

Tom shares about the loss of his mother 60 years ago and

Bible Project: Advent Word Study Video Series

The Anticipated Christ by Brian Zahnd

Book of Common Prayer: Year C

In this second episode of the series, Jenna shares her journey of grief following the loss of her ex-husband in 2022, shortly after the family discovered he had a brain tumor. Brian and Jenna discuss the experience of grieving both with family and in solitude, near-death experiences, dream visitations, and the importance of generational growth as a way to honor our deceased loved ones by addressing generational trauma.

In this solo episode, Zach takes a moment to process the 2024 Presidential election results with you, sharing some personal reflections on the ups and downs of post-election emotions. Whether you’re feeling disappointed or hopeful, let’s talk about how to hold space for both perspectives as people of faith.

He dives into some practical ways to keep our peace in a tense time—like managing media consumption and practicing self-care—while also exploring deeper, more lasting sources of hope that go beyond politics. Drawing on wisdom from Ignatian spirituality and personal experience, this episode is about staying grounded, compassionate, and open-hearted, no matter where we stand.

Finding Serenity in Election Week

As election week 2024 unfolds, Zach and Brian tackle the question of how to engage with the news and political conversations in a way that protects our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. What does it look like for a grounded person of faith to navigate this intense week?

We discuss practical ways to stay informed without getting overwhelmed, why it’s essential to avoid a constant media loop, and how focusing on love over political power can bring clarity and peace.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on staying steady through the chaos.

Links:

In this special Halloween-themed episode, Zach and Brian dive into the Christian origins of Halloween, exploring the holiday’s spiritual roots and how it evolved into the celebration we know today. They also open up their “fan mail” to answer some fun, spooky questions: from favorite Halloween memories to must-watch movies. Plus, they get creative with a discussion on which Bible stories could make the best horror movies! Join us for a mix of theology, nostalgia, and a few chills.