Today we talk to theologian and author Thomas Oord about his new book, "God Can't".  If you've ever wondered WHY bad things happen, WHY bad things happen to good people, or WHERE God was when ________, AND if you're tired of the easy answers of "God has a plan" , "everything happens for a reason" , "God is sovereign and this tragedy is all part of His plan to make your mess His message" - this episode and book are for you.

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Thomas Oord

God Can't

Theologians And Philosophers Using Social Media

The Sin of Certainty by Pete Enns

Divine Echoes by Mark Karris

Welcome to Season 2 of the What If Project podcast!  This week I sit down with one of my favorite authors and thinkers, Brian McLaren, to talk about some thoughts from his latest book, The Great Spiritual Migration.  We talk about hell, why reading the Bible as if it were a constitution is a bad idea, and why Jesus was really terrible at representing an exclusive God.

Show Notes:

The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McLaren

Brian's Website

Is Jesus the Only Way? by Brian McLaren

Saving Paradise by Rebecca Ann Parker

Yung Citizen on iTunes

In this final episode of 2018 I talk through a piece of the theology paper I wrote for my last class at Alliance Theological Seminary.  We've been talking about the Gospel of Mark over the last 5 months at the What If Project and so my paper is kind of a capstone on that study where I talk through 6 different observations about Jesus as He was presented by Mark in his Gospel.  Check it out, be challenged, and enjoy!

Show Notes:

Read the Full Paper HERE.

Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers

Mark for Everyone by NT Wright

Heard and Mind by Dr. Alexander John Shaia

This is the last bonus episode for the season of Advent and we're talking about the early Celtic Christians and how their understanding of darkness and light being friends as opposed to enemies led to the formation of the Advent season and can help bring deeper meaning to our understanding of Christmas in 2018.

Show Notes:

Dr. Alexander John Shaia on the RobCast

Dr. Alexander John Shaia on the What If Project

Dr. Alexander John Shaia

WhatIfProject.net/blog

This is the 3rd bonus episode for the season of Advent and rather than talk about the significance of the people who WERE present at Jesus' birth (Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, etc, etc) we're talking about the significance of the people who were NOT present at His birth - the temple leaders, the rich, the powerful, etc.  Why is that important?  And what's it mean for us today? (HINT: a WHOLE lot).

Show Notes:

Blog - whatifproject.net

Devotions for Advent by Richard Rohr 

Today we talk about the significance of Jesus being crucified in between 2 thieves and how Jesus' Kingdom is one that lifts up the downcast while casting down the prideful, bringing in the outsider, and giving honor to those who the world would think are least deserving.  Not only is that Good News for you and me, but it's also a challenge for you and me to make our world more like His all inclusive, loving Kingdom.  

Show Notes: 

Mark for Everyone by NT Wright

Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers

Heart and Mind by Alexander Shaia

Website: whatifproject.net 

In this week's bonus episode we talk a little more about the Advent season and explore how in the Gospel of Luke John the Baptist isn't referred to as John the Baptist, but as John the Son of Zechariah. John's father was a priest and as a priest's son John would have had special privileges as Jewish Royalty.  BUT, instead of growing up to wear a crown of sorts, he dressed like a hippie and headed out to the desert where he served the community.  Why is that important?  And what's it have to do with Christmas?  And with you and me?  Let's talk about it.

Show Notes:

Blog - whatifproject.net

Homebrewed Christianity

Heart and Mind by Alexander Shaia

Episode 8: Alexander Shaia and the Four Gospels

Devotions for Advent by Richard Rohr 

In this week's episode we talk about the Last Supper that Jesus served to His disciples, what communion has come to mean for us today, and how the church has taken what Jesus intended to be the most inclusive place in the universe (His Table) and made it into an exclusive club that requires people to believe a certain way and live in a certain way before they are welcome to come and take the bread and drink the wine.  

Show Notes:

The Our Bible App

What If Project Blog

Episode 3: What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

Post 3: My Apology To The LGBTQ Community

This is the first episode of a short mid-week series for Advent 2018 ... that I decided to put together while driving home from work the other night.  For the next 4 weeks we'll be exploring a few themes / ideas from Richard Rohr's book, "Preparing For Christmas: Daily Meditations For Advent" and challenging ourselves to think different and bigger and deeper about Christmas.  Today we talk about what it means to make room for Jesus in our world and our lives and how that room often comes from a very unlikely source.  

In this week's episode we talk about the story of the widow who threw her last 2 coins into the offering plate in the Temple and how Jesus' words aren't so much a challenge for us to be like her, but a challenge for us to be UNLIKE the teachers who told her that that's what she needed to do.  Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed for not putting money in the offering plate at church?  Or are you a pastor or teacher who has poured it on hard in an effort to get people in your congregation to give more?  Check out some different ideas around this well known story!

Show Notes:

Mark for Everyone by NT Wright

Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers

Heart and Mind by Alexander Shaia

A Warning About the Scribes by H. Fleddermann

Website: whatifproject.net