We’ve got a special treat for you today. We’re diving deep into the murky waters of faith, spirituality, and the church with none other than Nat Turney, the author of the provocative book “Seeds of De(con)struction.” Trust us, this is one episode you don’t want to miss. The Book That’s Shaking the Foundations “Seeds of De(con)struction” is not your typical faith book. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at the complexities of spirituality, the church, and the human experience. Nat Turney... Read more
9/11, the day that stopped the clock on American innocence and set us on a path of “righteous” retaliation. Sure, this Sunday, churches all over America will lower their flags, hum ‘God Bless America,’ and hold those signature moments of silence. It’s theatrical patriotism at its best, but let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t a Christian reaction, this is a political one. Before we get lost in the ceremony, let’s remember that Christ was the guy who told us, “Put your... Read more
Hey, Snarky Faith fam! If you’re looking for a book that will shake up your spiritual world, look no further than Seeds of De(con)struction by Nat Turney. This isn’t just another faith book; it’s a spiritual manifesto that challenges, enlightens, and uplifts. Let’s dive in, shall we? The Drips of Wisdom One of the most captivating aspects of this book is the metaphor of “drips.” Turney brilliantly uses this to symbolize the gradual accumulation of wisdom and enlightenment. Forget the... Read more
The Unholy Alliance: Faith and Firepower Yesterday marked the first day of school for Carrboro and Chapel Hill, towns that surround UNC. Kindergartners, on their first day, found themselves huddled in classrooms under lockdown, along with the rest of the school district. This wasn’t a drill; it was an actual emergency situation, triggered by a shooting on the UNC campus—just 4 miles from my house. A faculty member lost their life, and others were injured. All because of another school... Read more
In a world increasingly fractured by ideological divides and existential crises, the philosophies of Viktor Frankl and Dietrich Bonhoeffer offer a refreshing antidote. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, championed the search for individual meaning. Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi dissident, emphasized ethical living within a community. While they approached life’s questions from different angles, their ideas intersect in a way that provides a robust framework for living a meaningful life in a complex society. The Quest for Meaning... Read more
A Desert Adventure with a Twist Leaning Forward isn’t your typical spiritual guidebook. It’s a desert adventure, a wrestling match with beliefs, and a therapy session all rolled into one. Karl Forehand takes us on a journey that’s as unpredictable as a drainage ditch exploration in Oklahoma. Remember those childhood days of murky ponds and freshwater crayfish? Karl does, and he’s not afraid to drag us back there to make a point. Wrestling with Beliefs – A No-Holds-Barred Match The... Read more
A Brief History of Escapism: The Rapture’s Origins The rapture, a concept more at home in a Kirk Cameron (or Nic Cage) movie than in sound Christian theology, is a relatively new kid on the theological block. Emerging in the late 1800s, this escapist ideology was popularized by John Nelson Darby, a prominent figure in the Plymouth Brethren movement. It’s as if traditional Christian teachings were too bland, and they needed to spice things up with a dash of science... Read more
The Paradox of Conservative Christian “Wokeness” In a world where the term “woke” has become a buzzword, a paradox emerges from the conservative Christian camp. The very group that once vehemently opposed the idea of wokeness now seems to be embracing it—or at least, they’re waking up to the concept. Take Chick-fil-A, for example, a fast-food chain often supported by conservatives for its Christian roots and prior donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. Recently, the company’s decision to employ a vice president... Read more
The Carrots and Sticks of Faith In the grand circus of American Christianity, we’ve become enamored with the dazzling lights of heaven and the ominous shadows of hell. They’re the proverbial carrots and sticks that guide our spiritual journey, but have we ever stopped to ask ourselves what’s really driving us? If we take heaven and hell out of the equation, how many people would actually show up to church on a Sunday? I’d wager that the teachings of Jesus... Read more
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The Art of Twisting Scripture: How Evangelicals Like Mike Pence Get It Wrong
The Bible as a Prop, Not a Sacred Text Ah, the evangelical art of Bible twisting—where Scripture is less a sacred text and more a prop for ideological theatrics. If you’ve ever wondered how politicians like Mike Pence manage to contort biblical verses to fit their agendas, you’re in for a treat. Inspired by a recent Salon article, let’s dissect this masterclass in bad exegesis, shall we? Stitching Together Verses Like a Frankenstein Monster Ah, Mike Pence, the man who... Read more