Episodes
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Dana Hicks: Trading Conservative Dogma for Liberal Dogma
Dana Hicks, a retired pastor and the author of The Quest for Thin Places, talks about spirituality beyond the church. Dana shares his personal story of deconstruction—how stepping away from his role as a pastor opened the door to rethinking faith.…
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Garrick Allen: Revelation Isn’t What You Think
In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Dr. Garrick Allen (link), Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow and expert in New Testament manuscripts and paratexts. We delve into the complexities of the Book of Revelation,…
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Jon Foreman: Leaving the Christian Label
Summary Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (link) discusses the journey of faith, doubt, and the rejection of labels. We delve into the topics of deconstruction, being hurt by people claiming Christianity, and the complexities of using “Christian” as an adjective. We also…
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Candida Moss (Part 2): Uncovering Biblical Authorship Mysteries
Candida Moss continues to uncover the hidden complexities of the New Testament in part 2 of our riveting conversation, diving deeper into her latest book, God’s Ghostwriters: Enslaved Christians and the Making of the Bible. What were the actual processes and…
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Candida Moss (Part 1): Enslaved Authors of Christianity
Candida Moss reveals the hidden contributions of enslaved Christians to the New Testament in part 1 of our riveting conversation where we talk about her latest book God’s Ghostwriters: Enslaved Christians and the Making of the Bible. What roles did these…
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Frank Kenny: Unveiling the God of War
Frank Kenny delves into the historical and theological evolution of Christianity, shedding light on the conflicts and contexts that have shaped the faith over centuries. In his book, The God of War: How an Ancient God Shaped a Modern World (link),…
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Brian McLaren: Christianity Beyond Belief
Brian McLaren discusses the evolution of the conversation around faith and deconstruction over the past 20 years. They explore the rise of the deconstruction movement, the impact of Donald Trump on the faith community, and the need for change and awakening…
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Olivia Jackson: Why Christians Deconstruct
Olivia Jackson shares insights from her extensive research into faith deconstruction, which is detailed in her book (Un)Certain: A Collective Memoir of Deconstructing Faith (link). She discusses the common patterns and surprising findings among Christians who have undergone significant shifts in…
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Tim Alberta: Reject Trump, Embrace Jesus
Tim Alberta (link), a political commentator and author, discusses his Christian upbringing and how it has influenced his views on politics. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and discernment, urging people to avoid blindly subscribing to a particular camp or…
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Tiffany Yecke Brooks: Spiritual Anxiety & Religious Trauma
Tiffany Yecke Brooks (link) shares her story of deconstruction and the cracks she started seeing in her fundamentalist evangelical upbringing. She discusses the concept of being gaslighted by God and the pressure to conform to a specific formula of faith. Tiffany…
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Thomas Jay Oord: Open Relational Theology
In a compelling discussion with Thomas Jay Oord, we are introduced to the intricate concept of open relational theology, which presents a refreshing divergence from traditional views of the divine. Oord meticulously unpacks this perspective, illustrating a God who is deeply…
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Dr. Laura Anderson: Sex, Dating, Courtship and Trauma
Dr. Laura Anderson discusses the topic of religious trauma and its impact on individuals. She explains that religious trauma is not the thing that happened, but rather the way our bodies and nervous systems respond to religious experiences. Dr. Anderson emphasizes…
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David Fitch: Is God’s Love Coercive?
We venture into an illuminating yet challenging dialogue with David Fitch, a seasoned pastor and professor at Northern Seminary. His latest book, Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power, serves as the backdrop…
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Elaine Pagels: Trump and Doubting Thomas
Listen to the renowned religious scholar Elaine Pagels (link). Known for her profound work on the Gnostic Gospels and early Christian history, Pagels brought her unique insights into the contentious dynamics of early Christian texts, particularly focusing on the potential rivalry…
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Peter Rollins: The Philosophy of Deconstruction
How can philosophy help those deconstructing Christianity? Explore the transformative potential of embracing uncertainty in your spiritual journey.
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Anna Gazmarian: Religious OCD and Mental Illness
We delve into the complex intersection of faith, mental health, and religious OCD with Anna Gazmarian, author of Devout: A Memoir of Doubt. Anna shares her personal journey through the challenges of confronting her mental health diagnosis within the church, her…
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Did Noah’s Ark Actually Happen?
In this thought-provoking episode of Almost Heretical, we tackle the intriguing query: “Did Noah’s Ark Actually Happen?” Join us as we navigate through the depths of biblical stories, their historical credibility, and their profound impact on contemporary faith. Our journey is…
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Genesis 6:1-4: Nephilim Secrets Unveiled
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.
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Eve and the Apple – Genesis 3
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…
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Genesis 2:24 – Marriage, Gender, and Homosexuality
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…