Jonathan Machnee, host of Christian on the Spectrum podcast, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World) with host Jake Doberenz to discuss the intersection of autism and the Christian faith. Jonathan shares his journey from growing up in church, through deconstruction and atheism, to then returning to Christianity with a renewed perspective shaped by his autism. He highlights how autistic Christians often approach faith with intellectual focus rather than emotional expression, why many autistic believers reject relational language for discipleship language, and how churches frequently marginalize autistic perspectives without realizing it. This episode is especially helpful for pastors, church leaders, and Christians who want to better understand and welcome autistic individuals into faith communities.

Key Takeaways:

Autistic Christians often practice faith through intellectual engagement, discipleship, and ethics rather than emotional or relational language.

Many church teachings and spiritual practices unintentionally center neurotypical experiences, sidelining autistic perspectives.

Churches can do better by learning about autism, listening to autistic voices, and making space for diverse expressions of Christian faith.

Important Links:

This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen by Tadeusz Borowski

Christianity on the Spectrum Podcast

Jonathan Machnee is an autistic researcher who has conducted the largest English language ethnographic study of Christians and ex-Christian autistics (autism 1, or what was formerly known as Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism). His research has included data mining over 26,000 autistic adults and conducting over 500 interviews with autistic Christians and ex-Christians in order to understand the unique intersection between autism and the practice of Christianity. Find him on X and at [email protected].

Follow this show and Jake Doberenz’s writings at jakedoberenz.substack.com.