Let's talk US politics and culture from a progressive Christian perspective. Author and former pastor Desimber Rose, along with progressive theologian and author Dillon Naber Cruz, are here to make you think - and laugh - about the madness that ensues when we mix faith and politics.
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Quoircast Podcasts
The Unbelief Podcast is your space to question, explore, and release the beliefs that no longer serve you—or maybe even caused harm. Hosted by Jeremy Steele, the Skeptic Pastor, this podcast dives deep into deconstruction, offering progressive and thoughtful insights on ancient spiritual texts like the Bible. Through interviews with leading scholars and candid conversations with those navigating their own faith journeys, the Unbelief Podcast invites you to rethink, rediscover, and rebuild yo ...
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Deadly Faith is a true crime podcast that explores the world where religion and crime collide. The world in which some people take their religious beliefs a tad too far. Maybe they hide their evil behind their 'Man of God' persona. Maybe they start a cult, commit murder, or even believe they're the second coming of Jesus Christ himself. It's not a world full of sunshine and rainbows, but it's a world that needs to be explored. That's where Laci and Lola come in. So get ready for some deep di ...
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In-depth conversations that explore the critical issues surrounding faith and spirituality "outside the boxes"... beyond ideologies and institutions. Hosts Mark Dilcom and Kelly Wilson talk with fellow thought leaders in this upbeat, non-judgmental, radically inclusive space. For more information, visit www.radicallovelive.com. [Views expressed here are solely those of the Radical Love Live team and our guests. Also, if you see an "EXPLICIT" warning here, it's probably the hosts getting salt ...
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Writing the Revolution: Unrepentant and the Future of Sacred Justice | Radical Love Live 233
33:18
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33:18Kelly and Mark sit down to discuss Unrepentant: Our Manifesto of Queer Divinity and Sacred Justice — a revolutionary text calling faith communities to end religious abuse and bring accountability into the Church. Mark opens up about the creative process, the vision behind the manifesto, and the courage required to confront systems that wound. Hear …
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Tower of Babel vs. Linguistics: What Really Happened to Our Languages?
49:12
49:12
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49:12If you still think the Tower of Babel explains why Spanish exists, this episode might hurt your feelings. Jeremy and linguist Gabby break down how languages actually evolved, why “proper” English is just colonization in disguise, and how Babel’s real message might be about human pride, not divine punishment. Spoiler: God wasn’t mad at skyscrapers. …
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#065: Rereading Revelation with Guest Host Greg Carey
1:07:46
1:07:46
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1:07:46Join hosts Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose for an engaging evening of theological discussion! Featured Guest: Author Greg Carey We'll dive deep into Greg Carey's compelling work, Rereading Revelation: Theology, Ethics, and Resistance, exploring fresh perspectives on one of the Bible's most misunderstood books. What does Revelation really say ab…
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The Theology of Algorithms (and Why Church is Boring)
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50:13If you think church has to happen in a building, brace yourself. There's no need to stream a guy in a guitar and a video of people sitting in pews... because that isn't community. In this podcast the tables are flipped and Jeremy is interviewed on the theology of algorithms, how to deal with social media comments and answers the question, "what is …
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No Historical Evidence that Jesus Existed?
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40:00No, we don’t have Jesus’ mugshot from a Roman archive. Also no, that’s not how ancient history works. We track the real markers: Paul’s letters, Gospel tradition layers, two grumpy non-Christians (Josephus and Tacitus) who mention him, and archaeology that matches the story’s stage. Then we run the historian playbook—embarrassment, dissimilarity, c…
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#064: The Fake Ceasefire and Government Shutdown
1:17:13
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1:17:13The Squad is Back to chop it up with current events, the government shutdown, the Fake Ceasefire and all the shenanigans and shams that make up the present day reality in these United States of America. Tune in with Dillon & Desimber for your weekly dose of faith, sanity, and politics! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com f…
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Deconstructing Satan, Demon Possession and Halloween
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42:07
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42:07From youth-group exorcisms to YouTube deliverance rabbit holes, we trace how demon talk replaces science—and why that harms real people. We do a text-level audit (Job’s ha-satan, Isaiah’s “morning star,” and the God-of-the-gaps habit), contrast Catholic exorcism rules with charismatic chaos, and ask whether “the devil made me do it” just dodges res…
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Episode 99: Arne Cheyenne Johnson | The Devil Made Me Do It Trial
1:31:27
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1:31:27In 1981, a small Connecticut town became the epicenter of one of the most chilling legal battles in American history. When Arne Cheyenne Johnson brutally murdered his landlord, he claimed something no U.S. courtroom had ever heard before—the Devil made him do it. Trigger Warnings: Murder Demon Possession Exorcism Religious Trauma Alcohol Abuse Dead…
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Who Are The “Real” Christians?: Who do We Reject and Who do We Correct?
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54:39
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54:39In this era when politics and Christian identity are so tightly wrapped around one another, it’s common to see people arguing that the people across the aisle aren’t “real” Christians—because of what or who they support or defend. But is this division between Christians helpful, or even true? What if they ARE real Christians—and they are our respon…
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Does Jesus say people are going to Hell and Do I Have to Believe in the Bible to Believe in God?
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28:52What if the real scandal isn’t doubting hell—it’s discovering Jesus didn’t preach it? We push back on evangelical proof texts, tour the Bible’s vocabulary (Sheol = all the dead, Gehenna = a real valley, Hades = Greek myth), and read John 14:6 without pretending Jesus defined “through me” as “agree to our statement of faith.” Then we talk adult fait…
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Episode 98: Charity Miranda-Martin | Mother, Sister & the Exorcism Gone Wrong
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1:00:05Charity Miranda Martin’s family claimed they were fighting a demon — but by the time the struggle ended, someone was dead. What was meant to save her soul turned into a night of terror that even seasoned investigators struggled to understand. Was it faith, fear, or something far darker that took Charity’s life? dg Trigger Warnings: Murder Exorcism …
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What if youth group wasn’t about dodgeball, purity rings, and trauma bonding over mission trips? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Andrew Zirschky about Progressive Youth Ministry—what it looks like to raise teenagers in a faith that’s inclusive, justice-oriented, and actually reflects Jesus. We unpack the damage done by purity culture, gender role…
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#063: No Kings Day and Outlandish Military Displays
1:02:18
1:02:18
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1:02:18We are back with another God Squad, and even though Desimber Rose is still on vacation, fear not because author, farmer, and publisher Matthew J. Distefano is here to fill in to discuss the latest in the world of politics. The Young Republican group chat has been leaked, JD Vance is planning a military display on No Kings Day, and lots more to disc…
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Episode 97: Vilma Trujillo | Fire, Faith, and Femicide
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57:56
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57:56Deep in the isolated jungles of Nicaragua, a young mother’s desperate plea for help turned into a nightmare of fire and fanaticism. What began as a search for healing ended with Vilma Trujillo bound to a tree as flames devoured the night. This is a story of blind faith, fear, and a community pushed past the edge of reason. Trigger Warnings: Violent…
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#062: How Do We Stay Sane in Today's Political Climate?
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56:31
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56:31We are back with another God Squad, and even though Desimber Rose is still on vacation, fear not because author, farmer, and publisher Matthew J. Distefano is here to fill in to discuss how we keep on keeping on in the midst of this exhausting fascistic takeover of the United States. Tune in and talk it out with Dillon & Desimber (and sometimes Mat…
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Stopping the Exodus of Young Adults from the Church
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42:21This episode is a checklist of why young adults bounce. We tell the story of a would-be missionary crushed by the hell doctrine, trace early Christian views that weren’t eternal-torment, and drag the hypocrisy of flag-waving “martyr” talk. Finally, we map out how to rebuild—open-handed spirituality, evidence-honoring skepticism, and a supportive di…
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Episode 96: Joan & Ralph Vollmer | Bound by Faith, Lost to Madness
1:29:38
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1:29:38By Lola Robbins, Laci Bean
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If the Bible were a Netflix show, this episode would come with a “viewer discretion advised” warning. Ruth takes the lead, flips gender roles, and all under the cover of darkness. Turns out the Bible’s big sex scene is also one of its most feminist. It’s possibly the sexiest, most subversive story in Scripture—and it pushes back hard against purity…
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#061: Dystopian Military Speeches and Continued Civil Rights Violations
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1:01:00We are back with another God Squad, and even though Desimber Rose is on vacation, fear not because author, farmer, and publisher Matthew J. Distefano is here to fill in. Pete Hegseth delivered a dystopian and cringe speech to the US Military brass and the fundamentalist f***wittery presses on from the Religious Right. Tune in and talk it out with D…
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John Fugelsang: "The Separation of Church and Hate"
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40:56John Fugelsang is a fierce advocate for the “separation of church and hate.” This week, the irreverent host of Sirius XM’s “Tell Me Everything” takes on Christianity in the US, which he says has been hijacked by those who misunderstand or misuse the Bible in ways that are controlling, oppressive, and destructive. With sharp humor and intellect, Fug…
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Fictional Deconstruction with Brian McLaren
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41:26
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41:26What if you stripped faith down to its essence—no megachurch stage lights, no fear-based sermons, no evangelical gatekeeping? That’s what Brian McLaren does in his new novel set on Mars. We talk about how families fight over religion, why the fight doesn’t have to mean dehumanizing, and how spirituality survives once the institutional scaffolding i…
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What Really Happened in Jesus’ Last Hours and the Female Disciples of Jesus
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45:39
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45:39The gospels aren’t journalism—they’re theology. Dr. Helen Bond helps us dig into what the stories of Jesus’ final hours really meant to the earliest Christians. Along the way, we uncover the often-overlooked women who followed Jesus, the strange ending of Mark’s gospel, and what ancient burial customs can tell us about Good Friday. patreon.com/skep…
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Episode 95: The Lamb Funeral Home | A Mortician or A Monster
1:43:08
1:43:08
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1:43:08Today we’re heading to California to talk about a case that shook a quiet community. It started with grieving families and a trusted funeral home — but ended with headlines no one saw coming. Grab your coffee, because this story will leave you questioning who you can trust when saying goodbye. Trigger Warnings Desecration of a Body Possible Murder …
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The “historical Jesus” isn’t the same as the Sunday school Jesus. Dr. Mark Goodacre shows us why there’s so little hard evidence, how scholarship challenges evangelical readings, and why most pastors never share this from the pulpit. Plus: Jesus as an apocalyptic prophet and the one book you need to make sense of the gospels. patreon.com/skepticpas…
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A Conversation with Brian E. Pearson Part 2
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53:13In this two-part adventure, Mark talks with Brian E. Pearson, priest, musician, and author, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about vocation, soul, and joy. Brian reflects on his years of ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada, including his time as rector of St. Stephen’s in Calgary—and the moment that nearly cost him his calling when he…
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#060: The First Amendment Under Fire
1:15:35
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1:15:35We are back again with this week's news and the state of our nation under an ever-increasing oppressive administration. The First Amendment is under attack, corporations are bowing the knee to a thin-skinned President who doesn't believe networks should have a license if they don't have nice things to say about him... specifically. Where do we go f…
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Brian E. Pearson: Joy, Vocation, and Talking to the Trees
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46:25
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46:25In this two-part adventure, Mark talks with Brian E. Pearson, priest, musician, and author, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about vocation, soul, and joy. Brian reflects on his years of ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada, including his time as rector of St. Stephen’s in Calgary—and the moment that nearly cost him his calling when he…
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Pharisees Are Good Guys and Jesus Gender Bending
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29:14
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29:14If you grew up thinking Pharisees were hypocrites and Jesus was all about purity culture, buckle up. Dr. Amy Jill-Levine joins us to dismantle the myths: Pharisees were good people, the Bible doesn’t record “what happened,” and the New Testament has space for asexuality, transgender identity, and radical body positivity. patreon.com/skepticpastor N…
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#059: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Rise of Political Violence
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58:22
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58:22Join hosts Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose as they address the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and the alarming rise of political violence in America. How does faith call us to respond to political violence? What is the church's role in healing our divided nation? Where do we go from here? Let's tal…
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Why People Are Leaving the Church and How to Stay Engaged in Spirituality After Leaving
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48:27
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48:27People aren’t leaving the church because they “hate God.” They’re leaving because the church keeps begging for cash, propping up patriarchy, justifying abusive marriages, and trashing LGBTQ people. In this episode, we talk about the real reasons people walk away and how to stay rooted in spirituality through safe, inclusive community that actually …
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Episode 94: Rodney Alcala | “The Dating Game Killer”
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1:34:08He was charming, intelligent, and even won a spot on a popular TV dating show. But behind the smile, Rodney Alcala was hiding a dark secret. Join us as we delve into the chilling story of the man who became known as "The Dating Game Killer." Trigger Warnings: Murder Torture Rape Deadly Faith PATREON: https://patreon.com/DeadlyFaithPodcast?utm_medi…
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What it Really Means to Focus on the Family | Radical Love Live 129
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56:19What should “family” look like within the context of Christianity? How could a godly parent reject their own child for not meeting their community’s standard of “goodness?" Mark and Kelly reflect on their own enriching experiences with inclusive Christian communities—the "family of God," so to speak—but also comment on the devastating legacy of the…
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#058: Process Theology with Bruce Epperly
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1:02:25Join Dillon & Desimber an interview with theologian, minister, and author, Bruce Epperly, one of the leading process theologians in the United States. So, what in the world is Process Theology? How does it impact modern religious doctrine and practice? Let's find out together! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform…
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#057: Provocative Content and Woke Walks with Kellie Snider
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1:08:16The God Squad welcomes Kellie Snider to The God Squad Podcast. Kellie is a celebrated author, award-winning artist, and provocative content creator whose bold, politically-charged art and commentary challenge the dominant narratives about history, privilege, and democracy. Across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, Kellie weave…
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Virginity Rocks: Deconstructing Purity Culture
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35:45Virginity isn't real. We unpack how purity culture weaponized the concept of virginity to control women, why the biology doesn’t back it up, and how the shame attached to sex has wrecked entire generations. Bonus: we share some memes that are funnier than your youth pastor’s abstinence sermon. patreon.com/skepticpastor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsW…
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Episode 93: Tony Jones & The New Evangelicals | Abuse, Denial, and Accountability in Progressive Faith Spaces
2:32:03
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2:32:03In this episode, we dive into the controversy surrounding Tony Jones, the Emergent Church, and The New Evangelicals. From past allegations of abuse and manipulation to the recent GRACE investigation into Tim Whitaker and TNE, we examine how power, silence, and image protection can cause deep harm—even in progressive faith spaces. This is a story of…
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Bradley Jersak: God's Love, With Nobody's "BUT" In the Way
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47:17How many times has somebody's “BUT” gotten in the way of God’s love? "God loves us BUT”…He is also Just. But we can’t affirm that behavior. But we can't just accept that sinner. What if...God's love is "BUT"-less? Kelly talks with author/teacher Bradley Jersak about a love that is not the opposite of mercy, a love that is not retributive, a love th…
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This isn’t your Sunday school Ruth. Naomi sends her in to seduce Boaz and secure a future for them both. It’s raw, risky, and very much not the evangelical “wait until marriage” narrative. We talk about how this story reframes grief, highlights the resources we already have, and smashes the purity-culture lie that sex is the enemy of holiness. patr…
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#056: Queer and Christian with Brandan Robertson
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1:05:12The God Squad is BACK! And we've got Special Guest Brandan Robertson, Author of "Queer & Christian: Reclaiming The Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table" joining us this week. Tune in for an in-depth discussion about what it means to be Queer and Christian... is that even possible? What does the Bible really have to say about it? Author, Act…
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What happens when theology is weaponized? We talk with someone actually getting a PhD in religious trauma—yes, that’s a thing—and leading a support group for people recovering from it. We unpack how this kind of abuse isn’t “just church hurt” but complex trauma, rooted in communities where doctrine gets twisted into control. And of course, it would…
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Oh My [BLEEP]: Who is this God Person Anyway?
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1:02:26Who or what is God? When one says “Oh, my God” in awe, or mutters “Jesus…” in a moment of trouble, what power are they invoking? Is it a curse, a prayer, an invitation to co-create with the divine? This week, Mark and Kelly examine what we are talking about when we talk about God. Is God close or distant? Powerful or codependent? Intelligent or int…
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Boaz feeds Ruth like she actually belongs—because she does. That’s the point. His generosity breaks the scarcity mindset and shows what it means to embody God’s social safety net. We’ll unpack how Ruth’s full basket challenges us to look at our own hospitality: who gets left out of our tables, and how can we change that? By the end, Naomi finally s…
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Jesus Unarmed aka Make Jerusalem Great Again
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37:04When Jesus said “turn the other cheek,” He wasn’t telling us to be doormats—He was giving oppressed people a blueprint for resistance. From civil rights history to modern data, we’ll show why non-violence works and why the church needs to stop worshiping at the altar of the sword. patreon.com/skepticpastor thequollective.com Code: UnBelief Hosted b…
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Episode 92: Jon & Shamika Hayes | When Parenting Crosses the Line
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49:03When Jon and Shamika Hayes claimed they were “teaching” their teenage daughter about sex, the reality was far more disturbing. What unfolded was a horrifying case of parental betrayal, abuse, and manipulation disguised as education. ** Trigger Warning ** Sexual Assault Rape Deadly Faith PATREON: https://patreon.com/DeadlyFaithPodcast?utm_medium=unk…
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Love beyond tolerance: The true meaning of giving “grace"
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1:00:58What is “Grace,” and can we humans offer it to one another in a divided, cutthroat world? Can we love those of whose behavior we do not agree or approve? Can we love without agreement or approval? Mark and Kelly delve into the multifaceted concept of grace, exploring its definitions, implications in personal growth, and its role in navigating socia…
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Ruth: The Holiness of Social Welfare and Hard Work
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32:41
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32:41Forget the “God helps those who help themselves” nonsense. Ruth’s story proves God built a social welfare system and stamped it holy. In Ruth 2, she walks into a stranger’s field, risks her safety, and outworks every man there—because God’s law said the rich were required to share. Your favorite “hard work” preacher would hate this chapter. patreon…
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#055: Star Spangled Jesus with April Ajoy
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1:05:12This Thursday, August 7th at 8PM EST, The God Squad Podcast welcomed the one and only April Ajoy! Join Dillon & Desimber as we highlight April’s powerful deconstruction journey from Christian Nationalist Evangelicalism to Ex-Conservative advocate for Social Justice as we discuss her bold new book, Star Spangled Jesus -- a timely, thought-provoking …
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Q&A: Buddhist Christians, Inclusive Reading of the Bible, Hell Isn’t in There, and the True Translation of the Bible
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46:44You asked, we answered: How do you make sense of the Bible after learning how it was written? Can someone follow Jesus and also find truth in Buddhism? Is hell biblical—or just a scare tactic? And what’s the most trustworthy Bible translation? It’s all in here. Patreon.com/skepticpastor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com …
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Jon Carl Lewis: the Gospel of Erotic Love Part 2 | Radical Love Live 124
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48:49CONTENT Alert: Explicit talk about sex. What are churches saying about robust, spirit-led erotic love and sexual flourishing? (If they talk about it at all.) Beyond talk of sexual purity versus fornication or enforcing heteronormativity versus embracing queerness, Queer/Liberative theologian Jon Carl Lewis opens the door to grander conversations to…
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Ruth: The Relationship We Are All Looking For
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35:53Sometimes God feels absent. Bitter, even. Naomi gets that. But Ruth shows us that when everything collapses, the right person by your side can be sacred. This episode is about that kind of love—the loyal, no-matter-what kind—and what it teaches us about faith and friendship. patreon.com/skepticpastor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pc…
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