What is it with Evangelicalism’s obsession with sin? It seems that every time a Patheos article comes across my social media feeds with “Sin” in the title, it’s from the Evangelical page. Taking a look at the Desiring God website today – for the sole purpose of seeing how many articles featured sin – and I discovered two frontpage pieces about that bugger of a three-letter word. Listening to a conversation between Evangelical darling Alisa Childers and Sean McDowell in... Read more
Hell is not real. It’s also quite real. Hell is real in that it is an analogy for a certain state of mind or being in this life. Perhaps that even extends, to some extent, into the part of life that happens after our bodies die. But hell is not a place of torture we go to after we die. Nor is it a state of being that lasts forever and ever. After all, even Gehenna is nice this time... Read more
I grew up believing that the mark of the beast was something I may be forced to take under threat of violence. Some told me it would be a microchip that would be implanted in my arm and that it would be the only way to buy or sell goods or services. Some thought it would be an implant in the head that would do likewise. Some today believe it’s contained in a vaccine. Perhaps some believe it’s something that... Read more
Alisa Childers videos have been gaining in popularity. A lot of people have been sharing them far and wide. Many agree with her. Many are looking for ways to address what she is saying. In the latest episode of Apostates Anonymous, I sit down with fellow Patheos blogger and cohost of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast, Keith Giles, to talk about her video “What’s with all the deconstruction stories? With Sean McDowell.” To listen to the podcast, click my big,... Read more
Christians who have heard of universal reconciliation – the belief that all are or will be reconciled to God – love to hate it. If you don’t believe me, just read the back cover endorsements for my book Heretic! Or talk to your local Baptist pastor about whether everyone will be saved or not. Or ask Rob Bell what happened when he dared question the eternality of hell. If you are one of these Christians, maybe it’s best to not... Read more
If there is a show better than The Office, I’ve yet to see it. Just about every night, after our daughter goes to bed, my wife and I nod off to sleep with this award-winning comedy playing on the laptop. This has gone on for years. And years. And years. I know, I know; it’s an obsession. But it’s a good obsession. There are much worse things to be addicted to. But between the silly comedic “that’s what she said”... Read more
Now that Joseph R. Biden is President of the United States of America, I keep hearing something that is deeply troubling to me: “Now we can get back to normal.” NOW WE CAN GET BACK TO NORMAL!!!??? Given how bat-shit crazy the past 4 years were under FORMER President Donald J. Trump, I get it. Normalcy seems like a welcomed state of being. But it shouldn’t be. First off, “normal” led to the current state we are in. “Normal” led... Read more
Hey friends, readers, hate followers, shit talkers, podcast listeners, and everyone in between! The 4th volume of The Bonfire Sessions series of booklets is now available on Kindle for only 99 cents. I’d be super happy if you checked it out. As of writing this, it’s the number 1 new release in one of its categories, and the early reviews are super encouraging. Here’s what the booklet is all about: The Bonfire Sessions: Winter is a thought-provoking booklet that discusses: what... Read more
There seems to be a recent movement among some Christians who think that Jesus played nice. They’ll see what I write on Patheos or on social media, bristle at the words, and then conclude that I am not very Christlike (recently labelled “self-righteous”) because in their minds, Jesus was all about love, was all about meeting people where they are at, all about listening and not judging others. And look, to some extent, Jesus was all about those things. Sometimes. And... Read more
In today’s episode of Apostates Anonymous, I sit down with Brenda Marie Davies of the God is Grey YouTube channel to discuss the state of Christianity, her upcoming book, and so much more. Go ahead and subscribe to her channel at God is Grey. To listen to the interview, click my big, dumb face below: If you wanna get to know me better, please follow me on social media. I’m pretty active on all platforms: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Also, if... Read more
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