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In this episode, John Sherwood discusses the biblical and historical foundations of Christian nonviolence, exploring how early Christians responded to violence and how modern believers can understand and apply these teachings today.   00:00 Introduction to John Sherwood and his book 'The Unarmed Truth' 02:12 John's personal journey from violence to nonviolence 04:09 Historical overview of early Christian nonviolence 07:55 The influence of church history and tradition 11:53 The biblical basis for nonviolence and Jesus' teachings 16:50 The development of Christian views on violence through history 22:00 The impact of Constantine and Christian nationalism 26:53 Interpreting Romans 13 and the role of government 35:57 The resurrection as the foundation of Christian nonviolence 43:04 Living as citizens of heaven while in the world 49:59 Church engagement and community transformation 01:00:05 Practical steps for embracing nonviolence today 01:04:04 Conclusion and resources for further study

summary In this episode, Kristi Hickman, a former Miss Teen USA, shares her journey of discovering her true identity in God beyond societal and superficial standards of beauty. She discusses her new book, 'Finding Beauty Without a Mirror,' which guides women through a 40-day journey to embrace their unique worth and confidence rooted in faith.

This episode explores the characteristics of healthy church culture, emphasizing empathy, grace, truth-telling, people-first leadership, justice, Christlikeness, shared leadership, and healing. It offers practical insights for church leaders committed to fostering authentic, compassionate communities.

In this episode, we explore the infamous Rosenhan experiment that reveals how institutional bias and labeling can distort reality, with implications for mental health, social perception, and spiritual blindness. Join us as we dissect the experiment's shocking findings and reflect on how labels shape our understanding of others.   00:00 Introduction to the Rosenhan experiment and its significance 02:22 The setup: pseudo-patients and faking symptoms 04:17 The experience inside psychiatric hospitals 09:43 The aftermath: how pseudo-patients were released 14:45 The experiment's impact on psychiatry and public trust 17:20 The challenge to Rosenhan's findings and criticisms 20:26 The broader implications for social and spiritual labeling 29:27 The story's spiritual analogy and the story of the blind man 34:49 The danger of labels in social and religious contexts 43:20 Practical ways to combat labeling and bias

In this episode, the panel explores characteristics of toxic church culture, drawing from Scott McKnight's work, and discusses how these issues manifest and how to address them with love and honesty.   Chapters   Introduction to the episode and panel discussion Discussion on church leadership and theological errors The danger of fear-based control in churches Institutional protectionism and secrecy in church culture False narratives and cover-ups in church misconduct cases Criticism, dissent, and the culture of silence The problem of celebrity pastor culture and lack of transparency Systemic sin and cultural sickness in churches Marginalization of women and issues of gender in church leadership Summary and closing thoughts on church health and reform

In this episode, Michael and Jeff explore the principles of creating a healthy, Christ-centered community within the church. The discussion includes creating an atmosphere that fosters a non-anxious presence, safe spaces for exploration, addressing past harm, and the importance of humility and authenticity in leadership.   00:00 Introduction and personal updates 00:10 Discussion on Sasquatch and recent travels 00:17 The importance of non-anxious presence in community 00:35 Creating safe spaces for exploration and questions 00:43 Addressing religious trauma and past harm 00:51 The role of humility and acknowledging mistakes 00:54 Teaching biblical interpretation and discernment 01:14 The significance of Christ-shaped practices 01:26 Signs of a yes-man culture in churches 01:35 The centered set approach and diversity in community 01:56 Final thoughts and upcoming topics

In this episode, the hosts explore the nuances of faith deconstruction, leadership accountability, and community resilience within Christian faith. They share personal stories, biblical insights, and practical advice for navigating faith challenges and church dynamics.   Chapters   00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories 02:15 Encounter with a Mysterious Creature 06:20 Squatch Watch 09:23 Deconstruction and Construction in Faith 10:45 Healthy Deconstruction vs. Reckless Tearing Down 12:02 Deconstructing Faith and Traditions 16:39 Resurrection as an Anchor of Faith 18:21 Responding to Church Hurt and Leadership Failures 22:23 Grace, Doctrine, and Humility in Faith 27:38 The Path of Self-Emptying and Servanthood 39:24 Handling Difficult Church Situations 44:24 Maintaining Relationships and Patience 45:51 Church Leadership and Accountability 54:54 Forgiveness and Leadership Reinstatement 01:00:12 Deconstructing Cultural and Theological Norms 01:02:29 The Importance of Community and Wisdom 01:04:05 Closing Remarks and Future Topics

In this episode, Michael and Jeff explore the importance of community, the dangers of digital culture, and the significance of resurrection in shaping Christian faith and practice. They discuss how to build authentic, incarnational communities that resist superficial online influences and foster genuine spiritual growth.   00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 02:15 Upcoming Hiatus and Personal Updates 03:54 Encounter with a Shadowy Figure and Cryptid Theories 07:59 The Significance of Embodied Community 11:58 Formation and Deconstruction in Digital Culture 15:53 The Goal of Christianity and Resurrection Hope 20:59 The Danger of Christian Nationalism 26:01 The Call for Humility and Community in Faith 31:07 Counterforming Practices for Faith Formation 36:01 Understanding the Resurrection and Its Implications 43:57 Re-examining Beliefs and Theological Foundations 50:14 The Mission of the Church in the World 54:48 Practical Steps for Reconstructing Faith and Community

In this episode, we explore the fascinating phenomenon of the Mandela Effect, delving into famous examples, scientific explanations, conspiracy theories, and spiritual reflections. Join us as we question reality, memory, and the nature of truth.   00:00 Introduction to the Mandela Effect and its mysteries 01:48 Examples of the Mandela Effect: Nelson Mandela, Berenstain Bears, and more 04:07 Scientific explanations: parallel universes, CERN, dimensional bleed 06:59 Conspiracy theories and collective consciousness 12:53 Memory reconstruction and cultural influences 20:04 Biblical and spiritual reflections on truth and perception 32:05 Theories of alternate timelines and multiverses 36:54 Simulation theory and the fabric of reality 42:57 The danger of conspiracy thinking and staying grounded

In this episode, we explore the impact of digital culture on Christian community and faith formation. We discuss how incarnational practices and shared community construction are essential for authentic faith in a digital age.

In this episode, we explore the early church's approach to growth, community, and discipleship through the insights of Alan Kreider's book, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, emphasizing patience, transformation, and embodied witness over metrics and rapid expansion.   00:00 Introduction to Construction Ideas 08:59 Exploring the Early Church's Approach 18:22 Patience and Transformation in Church Growth 21:44 The Dangers of Achieved Identity 23:52 Embodied Witness of the Early Church 26:42 Transformation Over Performance 28:25 The Role of Metrics in Church Growth 34:16 Suspicion of Metrics and Growth Culture 47:02 Training for Transformation Before Baptism 58:00 Ongoing Formation After Baptism

In this episode, the panel explores the concept of construction in faith, emphasizing the importance of a slow, deliberate process rooted in biblical principles. They discuss how modern culture's obsession with growth can distort spiritual development and the need for a community-focused approach to faith formation.     00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 02:45 The End of News of the Squatch 08:21 Transitioning to Construction 11:01 Understanding the Gospel 16:43 The Kingly Nature of Jesus 23:12 The Gospel: A Call to Community 27:42 Constructing a New Creation Community 34:45 The Slow Process of Spiritual Growth 38:16 The Dangers of Growth-Centric Culture 41:14 The Role of Community in Spiritual Formation 44:52 Reassessing Church Construction Practices 48:13 The Challenge of Sustaining Spiritual Growth

Explore the intriguing theory that time is speeding up, its historical roots, scientific refutations, and biblical connections. Join us as we dissect the phenomenon and its implications for our perception of reality.    00:00 The Perception of Time: A Childhood Reflection 02:39 The 2012 Time Acceleration Theory 07:45 Historical Roots of Time Acceleration 12:39 The Internet's Role in Amplifying Theories 17:07 Cultural and Psychological Factors Influencing Time Perception 22:19 Modern Theories and Cosmic Forces 26:48 The Spiritual Connection: Sabbath and Time 30:57 Scriptural Evidence of Time Speeding Up 31:04 The Role of Nostalgia in Modern Life 35:51 Perceptions of Time and Aging 45:18 Theories on Time Speeding Up 50:48 Faith and the Perception of Time

Michael and Jeff explore the concepts of construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction of faith within the church, focusing in this episode on construction. What is construction and why is doing it with the right understanding vital to the process of healthy deconstruction that leads to mature reconstruction? They discuss how faith is built, the role of tradition and scripture, and practical ways to help believers grow spiritually.   00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 06:36 Exploring Spiritual Construction 26:30 Elements of Faith Construction 27:21 The Role of Study Series in Discipleship 30:06 Strengths and Weaknesses of Study Series 31:53 Using Study Series as a Tool 34:15 The Importance of Ongoing Construction in Faith 36:15 Understanding Iatrogenic Beliefs 44:08 The Process of Deconstruction and Reconstruction

This episode explores the complex journey of faith deconstruction, covering types, causes, and healthy ways to navigate doubt and disorientation.    Chapters   00:00 Celebrating Milestones and Personal Stories 08:48 Understanding Deconstruction: An Introduction 11:07 The Process of Deconstruction: Types and Perspectives 13:59 Discipleship as a Catalyst for Deconstruction 16:57 Authenticity in Leadership and Teaching 19:29 The Role of Institutions in Faith and Trust 22:10 Cultural Shifts and the Future of Faith 27:36 Affirmations and Humility in Discipleship 28:21 Navigating Disorientation and Wilderness Phases 30:15 Understanding Disorientation and Its Causes 33:24 The Role of Technology in Disorientation 37:02 AI as a New Form of Relationship 43:56 Deconversion: The Final Step of Deconstruction 47:33 Constructive Engagement in Faith Journeys