Uncut

By Cameron Lienhart, Luke MillerReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Uncut episodes

September 11, 2023What's the Deal with Christian Nationalism?
In this episode of the Uncut Podcast, we discuss the role of conservative evangelicals in politics and the dangers of mixing politics and religion. Why does politics so often become a primary issue for Christians? What is at the heart of this shift, and how is it affecting those who don't fall in line?
(00:06) - Introducing the Uncut Podcast, honest conversations about faith and life.
(03:37) - Different preferences for consuming podcasts.
(06:12) - The Lack of Nuance in Political Discourse
(09:35) - The Intersection of Religion and Politics
(12:30) - Shifting Perspectives: A Global View of Christianity and Politics
(14:12) - Identity and Faith in a Political World
(18:07) - Mixing Politics and Religion: The Danger of Synonymizing Candidates with God
(27:15) - Cultural Divide: Urban vs. Rural America
(29:48) - Frustration and Cultural Differences in Rural America
(33:15) - Being a Christian is not dependent on a political candidate
(34:13) - Trump's appeal to Christians and Christian values
(36:17) - Fighting for the Kingdom of God
(43:51) - Religious Freedom and Underground Churches in Oppressed Nations
(49:08) - Frustration and Uncertainty in Conversation
(49:23) - Trump's Election and the Deconstruction of Christianity
56 min
September 04, 2023Do Jesus & Politics Mix?
What do we do with our faith and our political convictions? Does the Bible dictate all of our political beliefs? Is Jesus American? This week, pastor Cameron and Luke wade into the charged waters of politics and faith. They tackle questions like can we mandate our religious beliefs through laws, and where are the lines?
(00:04) - Introducing the Uncut Podcast and its hosts
(03:36) - Learning how to make a proper cup of English tea
(06:51) - Reflecting on the growth of their podcast and audience
(11:11) - Impact of camera on politics and public personas
(15:20) - The authority and trust placed on online voices
(19:26) - Seeking Guidance from Jesus in All Aspects of Life
(23:06) - Jesus' Avoidance of Political Power and Influence
(31:29) - Questioning the Existence of Something
(31:49) - Questioning the Political Identity of Evangelical Christians
(37:53) - Church and Israel: Are They the Same?
(39:25) - Working for the Good of the City and Political Advocacy
(43:35) - The Struggle of Surrendering to Jesus
(43:45) - The Question of Abiding by Christian Morality
(44:21) - Debate over prayer in schools and religious freedom
(48:08) - Imposing Christian values vs. loving our neighbors
(51:59) - The Justice of God and Genocide in Scripture
(01:00:48) - Nationalism and Deconstruction in Politics
1 hr 4 min
August 28, 2023Reading the Bible When Deconstructing
Cameron and Luke discuss a trend they notice in people who are deconstructing their faith. Many times, people are reacting to harsh, heavy-handed preaching. Too often, the Bible is used as a club. What if Bible preaching was meant to respect the nuances and ambiguity of the text. Cameron and Luke share their perspective on biblical interpretation and preaching.
(00:08) - Introduction to the Uncut Podcast
(02:26) - Frustration with Lack of Feedback in Podcasting
(08:53) - The Challenge of Interpreting Biblical Theology
(09:59) - The Challenge of Preaching on Eternal Topics
(10:38) - The Confusion Surrounding Biblical Figures: Satan, Antichrist, and More
(11:35) - Symbolism and imagery in religious texts
(12:19) - Connecting Revelation to Historical Moments and Persons
(20:48) - Challenging Non-Negotiable Christian Theology
(22:51) - Personal Theological Journey and Non-Commitment to Systematic Theology
(34:07) - Misinterpretation of Deborah's Role as a Judge
(34:47) - The debate on spanking as a form of discipline
(37:04) - Pastors as a source of authority versus the authority of the word
(38:59) - Trusting the message based on the speaker's title
(42:26) - Jesus' Parables: Communicating Spiritual Reality
(45:05) - Bible Questions and Expertise
47 min
August 21, 2023Definitions of Success
Cameron & Luke discuss how they define "success" in their lives. Inspired by "Leveling Up" by Ryan Leak, the weave between the personal and the professional in search of a way to understand the goals they pursue. They wrestle with ambition in ministry and reflect on how "success" looks in their personal relationships.

(00:05) - Introducing the Uncut Podcast: Faith, Life, and Ministry
(02:28) - Finding Time for Personal Growth at the Gym
(11:10) - Pursuing Growth as a Writer and Preacher
(15:56) - Transitioning to Marriage: Goals as a Husband
(23:59) - The Art of Rhetoric in Speaking vs. Writing
(25:50) - Finding Value in a Brother in Christ
(26:43) - The Evolution of Preaching and Writing
(33:29) - Defining the True Heart's Desire for Ministry and Calling
(35:07) - Searching for Examples of Christ-like Figures in Life
(39:19) - Ambitions as a Writer and Pastor of Pastors
(40:46) - Impacting Lives through Preaching and Ministry
(43:13) - Providing a Faithful and Authentic Presence for Transformation
(45:09) - A Season of Writing in the Future
(47:59) - Exploring the Meaning of Success
(49:48) - Reflecting on the conversation and its benefits
53 min
August 14, 2023Leading with Consistency
In this episode, we discuss our experience attending the Global Leadership Summit in Chicago. We reflect on the benefits of attending in person and highlight key speakers. We delve into the importance of attention to detail and authenticity in leadership. We also share our personal challenges and desire to serve without seeking temporary accolades. Listen in for more insights and join the conversation!
(00:09) - Introducing the Uncut Podcast and Recent Travel
(02:35) - Watching Conference Online: Cost-effective and Travel-free
(03:55) - The Catalyst conference experience and its impact
(06:26) - The presence of loved ones and favorite speakers
(10:02) - Mentioning notable speakers and their talks
(14:35) - Attention to Detail in Bicycles and Sin
(16:23) - Fixing Leaky Faucets and Restoring Water Pressure
(17:13) - Anita's Story: F1 Racing Team Transformation Begins
(18:01) - A Manager's Unusual Approach to Training Custodian
(19:27) - Elevating the Importance of a "Menial" Job
(28:03) - Transparency, Empathy, and People-Centered Leadership
(31:53) - Balancing Discouragement and Encouragement in Leadership
(33:38) - Integrating Leadership Principles without Feeling Overwhelmed
(35:36) - Aiming for Long-Term Change: Long Obedience in the Same Direction
(36:25) - The desire for long-lasting impact as a pastor
(38:13) - The emptiness of seeking praise from men
(41:06) - Wrapping up the conversation and expressing gratitude
43 min
August 07, 2023Sin & Suffering
In this episode of the Uncut Podcast, we continue our discussion on theological neglected theological topics. We talk about Sin and the significance of understanding the image of God, the misconceptions about suffering, and the stages of love in the Christian life.
(00:03) - Introducing the Uncut Podcast and its Purpose
(01:16) - The Importance of Forgiveness and Divorce in Christian Theology
(03:14) - Bad Theology Surrounding Sin and Equating Sins
(05:27) - Wesley's Emphasis on Grace
(08:16) - The Lessening of the Pervasiveness of Sin in Mainline Denominations
(08:43) - The Unraveling of Modern Denominations
(10:54) - The Role of Biblical Authority in Guiding the Church
(12:02) - The concept of sin and its definition
(14:23) - The challenge of defining harm and its recipients
(17:21) - The struggle of utilitarianism and moral philosophy
(20:07) - The value and dignity of being human
(24:23) - A Robust Theology of Suffering
(26:48) - Misconceptions of Spiritual Growth and Faith
(31:49) - Consolation, Desolation, and Stages of Love in Christian Life
(36:43) - The Temptation to Constantly Seek Spiritual Stimulus
(38:01) - The Problem with "Hype Church" Culture
(40:10) - Frustration with the Cycle of Emotional Peaks and Valleys
(40:23) - The Immature Conception of the Spiritual Life
(41:17) - Reflecting on personal experiences and perspectives
43 min
July 31, 2023Missing Theology
We start with an engaging question, "what are the theological truths that are missing from our modern understandings?"
In this episode of the Uncut Podcast, we examine the significance of forgiveness in the New Testament. We debunk misconceptions and emphasize that forgiveness is a personal choice rooted in the gospel. We explore the connection between forgiveness and God's forgiveness towards us, while addressing the weight of unforgiveness in our lives. Additionally, we touch on the misuse of scripture and its impact on understanding complex topics like divorce. Join us as we continue to explore these important topics in future episodes.
(00:01) - Introducing the Uncut Podcast with Pastor Luke and Pastor Cameron
(02:23) - The Challenges of Big Questions
(02:43) - Different Perspectives on Broad Topics
(03:06) - The Importance of Forgiveness
(05:04) - The Lord's Prayer and the Concept of Forgiveness
(06:21) - The Struggle with Forgiveness
(07:31) - Forgiveness and Love: Understanding the Connection
(09:11) - The Misconceptions of Forgiveness and its Consequences
(12:23) - The Importance of Forgiveness for Personal Liberation
(12:59) - Wisdom and protection: When to end a relationship
(19:40) - The power of forgiveness: Nailing offenses to the cross
(21:24) - Unforgiveness and relational strife: A generational issue
(23:12) - Surrendering hurt to the Lord: Trusting His carrying power
(25:35) - Forgiveness as an Existential Question
(27:25) - Relationship with God - Part One
(28:22) - A Moral Handbook with Multiple Directions
(28:35) - Diluting the Context of Scripture for Social Acceptance
(38:43) - The Complex Nature of Marriage and Divorce
41 min
July 24, 2023A New Ministry & Podcast
Welcome to the Uncut Podcast! Today, we discuss the challenges of opening up without fear of judgment. We explore the concept of expertise and its connection to time and dedication. We introduce our new ministry project, Rooted Life Change, offering support and growth from a gospel-centered perspective. Join us as we dive into topics of rootedness, addiction, and stepping out of denial. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share the episode. Thanks for joining us!
Check out Rooted:
https://bio.site/rootedlifechange
(00:05) - Introducing the Uncut Podcast: Faith, Life, and Ministry
(01:56) - Reflecting on Almost a Year of Podcasting
(08:17) - Reflecting on 19 Years of Experience
(11:37) - The Multidisciplinary Work of Pastoring
(13:08) - Balancing Ministry Hours and Podcasting
(19:17) - Exploring Different Self-Transformation Programs
(20:18) - The Discontinuity Between Recovery Programs and Desired Offerings
(22:20) - The dangers of over-interpreting the Bible for self-help purposes
(24:53) - The complexity of interpreting the Book of Job
(29:58) - The Modality of the Program: Taproot and Capillary Roots
(32:20) - The image of the Blessed Man in Psalm 1
(34:08) - Introducing the Rooted Life Change program and podcast
(37:49) - Numbing the bad things versus embracing the good things
(39:21) - The underlying problem beneath addiction
(44:09) - Acknowledging the effort and looking forward to future changes
45 min
July 17, 2023Cringe Pastors on the Internet
In this episode of the Uncut Podcast, we discuss the troubling trend of pastors behaving inappropriately during church services, the lack of accountability among church leaders, and the impact of social media. We explore the blurred lines between entertainment and worship, critique abusive church leadership, and emphasize the importance of focusing on Christ rather than charisma. We advocate for wise social media use and consuming content that aligns with our dedication to Christ.
Mentioned in the podcast:
Research on church size and attendance
(00:04) - Introduction to the Uncut Podcast
(01:29) - Lack of Accountability in Congregations
(04:26) - Outrageous Behavior in Smaller Independent Churches
(06:34) - A Disruptive Encounter in the Church
(08:37) - Excessive pre-workout leads to a morning devotional disaster.
(09:27) - Revealing the True Character of a Pastor
(15:11) - Challenges of Reporting Church Misconduct
(17:28) - Majority of Christians shifting towards attending big churches
(20:43) - Church size context: Small vs big varies by location
(22:29) - The Influence of Social Media on Church Perception
(25:36) - Matching Success with Character: A Higher Standard
(28:00) - Controversial Clips vs. Preaching the Gospel
(29:36) - A Cowboy, Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus in Church
(42:26) - The Influence and Character of Church Leaders
(45:14) - The Need for Greater Accountability and Change in Churches
(48:40) - The Challenge of Attending a Church with Subpar Preaching
(51:06) - Not All Pastors Are Like the Outrageous Ones on Social Media
(54:16) - The Dangers of Ministries Focused on Exposing Others
(57:23) - Guidelines for social media use and avoiding arguments.
1 hr
July 10, 2023Me, Jesus & My Phone
We discuss the impact of technology and social media, reflecting on the addictive nature of smartphones. We share our struggles and provide strategies for limiting phone usage. Please share your thoughts and experiences with us!
Resources mentioned in the episode
Book: Stolen Focus
OPAL APP
BRICK APP
(00:06) - Milestone Reached: 2,000 Downloads
(03:21) - The Impact of Technology on Solitude and Focus
(07:57) - First Encounter with the Internet and Intriguing Discoveries
(11:10) - From Bag Phones to Personal Cell Phones: Technological Advancement
(15:23) - The Temptation of Phone Distractions
(17:02) - Feeling victimized by social engineering and distractions
(24:23) - The Distraction of Phones during Spiritual Retreats
(27:08) - The Dynamic of Phone Usage and App Preferences
(28:50) - The allure of potential and the fear of missing out
(34:05) - The neurochemistry behind phone addiction and seeking behavior
(37:28) - Escaping shame through excessive drinking
(40:13) - The normalization and impact of social media addiction
(47:27) - Big Tech and Conscience: Leaving for Ethical Reasons
(50:52) - Balancing meaningful connections and maintaining contact information
(01:00:10) - Exploring the Impact of Social Media and Technology
1 hr 3 min