Listen to the after show where we talk about favorite books, women missionaries, and being anti-academia Olivia Jackson interviewed hundreds of Christians about their deconstruction experience. We talk about why people changed their faith. Is it different in America compared to the UK, Australia, etc? Olivia's book. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected] Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month 2. All...

Listen to the after show where Nate & Shelby talk about Tim's more traditional beliefs... Why did they have Tim on? Tim Alberta reflects on how his Christian upbringing shapes his approach to politics, emphasizing critical thought over tribalism. He advocates for a church response that mirrors Christ's love and grace, facing societal challenges with a focus on the eternal kingdom of God. This episode explores restoring the church's mission as an agent of healing and social welfare. Tim's...

Listen to the after show where Nate & Shelby debrief and shore more thoughts about this conversation with Tiffany Tiffany Yecke Brooks discusses her evolution from fundamentalist roots, questioning long-held doctrines, and identifying spiritual anxiety as a trauma response. She advocates for reinterpreting biblical stories and emphasizes the importance of self-trust and questioning authority within religious contexts. Her insights encourage a deeper, more personal exploration of faith,...

Listen to the Utterly Heretical after show episode that Nate & Shelby recorded debriefing this conversation with Thomas Jay Oord Dr. Thomas Jay Oord delves into open relational theology, highlighting a non-controlling, relational God and rethinking traditional omnipotence. Check out his book God After Deconstruction with Tripp Fuller. We addresses deconstruction, the afterlife, and inclusivity beyond Christianity. Oord's perspective challenges conventional views on prayer, spirituality,...

Listen to the 20-minute Utterly Heretical after show episode that Nate & Shelby recorded debriefing this conversation with Dr. Laura Anderson Dr. Laura Anderson tackles religious trauma, explaining it as our physiological response to religious experiences, distinct from the events themselves. She critiques purity culture for its detrimental effects on personal development and relationships, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the Bible and recognizing its flaws. The...

Listen to the extra 20-minute Utterly Heretical episode that Nate & Shelby recorded debriefing this conversation with David. Does Hell or even annihilationism mean that God's love is coercive? David Fitch (author of Reckoning With Power) debates with Nate and Shelby about whether we can call God's love "non-coercive". Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected] Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month 2. All...

Elaine Pagels presents the compelling theory that the Gospel of John might have intentionally silenced the Gospel of Thomas. This interview not only explores the hidden gospels but also challenges us to rethink the foundational narratives of Christianity through the insights of Elaine Pagels. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected] Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month 2. All full-length episodes 3....

We sit down with philosopher and theologian Peter Rollins to explore the intricate landscape of faith, doubt, and the philosophy of deconstruction. Rollins discusses the importance of embracing our uncertainties and the transformative power of questioning traditional religious narratives. Through a deep dive into philosophical theology, we uncover how deconstructing our beliefs can lead to a more authentic and profound understanding of our spirituality and ourselves. Thoughts, questions,...

Listen to the full, unedited episode with extra 15 minutes Anna Gazmarian shares her profound journey of doubting faith, getting fired from a church, sexual assault, and confronting her mental health diagnosis within the church. How does faith intersect with the challenges of Religious OCD, scrupulosity and mental health? Discover her path to understanding and acceptance. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected] Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes of Utterly...

If the Bible isn't about being true or false, then what is the point of stories like Noah's Ark? Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected] Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month 2. All full-length episodes 3. Access to our private community of 350+ listeners Become a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curious about the Nephilim and the "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4? Join Nate and Shelby as they delve into ancient texts like the Book of Enoch, exploring the implications these stories have on gender dynamics and biblical narratives. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected] Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month 2. All full-length episodes 3. Access to our private community of 350+...

→ To support the show, visit patreon.com/almostheretical. Thank you for your support! (Supporters get bonus episodes, ad-free show, private Facebook group, and more!) Join us as we delve into Genesis 3 and explore its long-lasting impact on women. We'll tackle big questions like: Did God really say what we've been told? And why isn’t the serpent identified as Satan? We’ll discuss how much of what we believe comes from Paul's interpretations and how this story has shaped women’s experiences,...

→ To support the show, visit patreon.com/almostheretical. Thank you for your support! (Supporters get bonus episodes, ad-free show, private Facebook group, and more!) Notes: Is Genesis 2:24 an institution of heterosexual marriage? Does it matter? In this episode, we tackle these questions and play devil's advocate to help you respond to the pushback you may be facing. We challenge traditional views and ask: How should we use the Bible today? Tune in as we navigate the complex landscape of...

→ To support the show, visit patreon.com/almostheretical. Thank you for your support! (Supporters get bonus episodes, ad-free show, private Facebook group, and more!) Did you ever wonder why Satan is never mentioned in the Garden of Eden? Prepare to have your mind blown as we dive into the untold complexities of Genesis 2:1-18. This episode uncovers surprising interpretations, challenges common myths, and may forever change the way you look at the creation story. Don't miss out; it's time to...

What have we been missing in the creation story? What does the Sun being created before “Light” mean? Why do we have two different creation stories? Join us as we reexamine Genesis 1:6-31. ★ Support our work and get: 2 bonus episodes each month, a montly Zoom call with Nate, Shelby and other listeners, an ad-free version of the show, and access to the private Facebook Group with hundreds of other listeners! Find out more here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive deep into spirituality and societal transformation with Rainn Wilson, renowned actor and author of Soul Boom. Join us as we explore the pressing need for a spiritual revolution in today's challenging world. Discover practical spiritual tools for personal and collective growth, as Rainn shares his insights on the lost essence of spirituality, the power of early Christian movement in Acts, the impact of societal movements like Black Lives Matter, and the importance of hope in an...

Listen to a whole hour of Neil deGrasse Tyson talking about the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity in a way you've probably not heard before. Neil is the author of Starry Messenger, host of StarTalk and director of the Hayden Planetarium in NYC. We discuss: What does Neil think about being raised Catholic? Why do we always hear about radical conservative Christian ideas? Does Neil have spiritual experiences? What does he think about that term? ★ Support our work and get: 2 bonus episodes...

(Listen to Part 2) – In Genesis 1:1-5, we encounter intriguing aspects that invite deeper reflection. We explore the use of the pronoun "us" in the early chapters, raising questions about its connection to the Trinity and the presence of Jesus in the garden. Additionally, we debunk the notion of strict sentence structure when reading the passage in Hebrew, uncovering its poetic nature. And we challenge the idea of a perfect heaven by considering alternative perspectives. Join us on this...

In this episode of Almost Heretical, we dive into a candid conversation about sex and purity culture with special guest Sheila Gregoire, author of "The Great Sex Rescue." Join us as we explore the harmful effects of purity culture, its impact on individuals' relationships and sexuality, and the importance of a healthy and holistic approach to sexual education. Key Topics Discussed: Understanding the origins and consequences of purity culture Examining the harmful messaging and shame...

In this episode, we speak with Sarah Bessey about the idea of evolving faith and its accompanying challenges. We dive into what it means to have faith during times of change and whether there are any limits to that change. Additionally, we explore the influence of Rachel Held Evans on Sarah's personal faith journey and what insights we might be missing from Rachel's voice in the present day. Finally, we discuss how evolving faith intersects with the idea of Christian orthodoxy and the role of...

(Listen to the second half of this chat with Sam here.) The final episode of the Worship series, with Sam Hedrick - a worship leader at Cascade Church in Portland, Oregon and songwriter who has been going through a process of deconstruction while continuing to write music for the church. Sam shares his experience of grappling with doubts and difficult questions while also feeling a sense of responsibility to provide a space for worship and connection for others. They discuss the tension...

(Watch the full uncut version of this episode). What does worship look like when you're questioning, leaving, or changing your faith? How can we bring everything back to our humanness, and what role does incarnation play in that? And what happens when we stop chasing after revival and focus on the wildness of the Spirit of God? Join us for a conversation with William Matthews (Spotify | Instagram), former worship leader at Bethel, as we explore these questions and more on Almost Heretical. ★...

Welcome to the Worship series. After our faith evolution, we now have a complicated relationship with worship music. Join us as we sing three songs (The Heart of Worship, How He Loves, and The Stand) on the worship songs that once filled our hearts and churches. Delve into how our changing theology and feelings have transformed our relationship with these songs. Embark on a musical journey that reflects our faith's evolution and reexamines the role of worship in our lives. ★ Support our work...

In honor of #InternationalWomensDay, we're dedicating this episode to highlighting some of the lesser-known women of the Bible. We'll share a list of 16 of our favorite women who have been largely unheard of. We'll explore the Second Temple period and the narrative text of Joseph and Asinith, as well as the prophet Miriam and her mentions in the Dead Sea Scrolls. We'll also discuss the Apocrypha, a collection of texts that were removed from the Protestant Old Testament, and highlight the...