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jonathan_foster

85 episodes

I write, have a doctorate in mimetic theory and open and relational theology, help non-profits, have a beautiful wife, three kids, and as it's turning out, an intense if not interesting life. Check out jonathan_foster on substack or patreon.

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1 The One About Non Sacrificial Love being Our Only Hope

1 The One About Non Sacrificial Love being Our Only Hope

1-The One About How Non-Sacrificial Love is our Only Hope Let’s see how dramatic I can make this. OK, maybe the most important discovery of my lifetime is the idea that Jesus died neither to gain God’s attention nor to get him to forgive us. I try and introduce that idea in this episode while letting you know you the personal reason why I was desperate to locate God’s proximity on Good Friday. The entirety of my faith (including how I interact with LGTBQ+) now grows out of a non-violent, non-sacrificial view of God. -Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile and make sure to sign up for my substack newsletter. Thanks everyone!

2-The One with Dr Johan Tredoux, the Divine Embrace, Early Church Fathers, and Love

2-The One with Dr Johan Tredoux, the Divine Embrace, Early Church Fathers, and Love

This is the first of a two-part conversation with Johan Tredoux. He has his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester. He’s the author of Mildred Bangs Wynkoop: Her Life and Thought. Find it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Mildred-Bangs-Wynkoop-Life-Thought/dp/0834136511(and hey, you might as well purchase through smile.amazon and designate LQVE as the benefactor.) Johan has been a strong theological influence in my life, and after you listen to both of these episodes, you’ll understand why. Buy his book, and oh, if you like what you hear, check him out the first Sunday night of the month, 5 pm, at missionchurchonline.com at the Praxis gathering. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile! And if you’ve read this far you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a fascinating relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most under-developed areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org.

3-The One w/More Dr Tredoux & Maybe the Truest Reason I’m No Longer w/My Former Ecclesial Hierarchy

3-The One w/More Dr Tredoux & Maybe the Truest Reason I’m No Longer w/My Former Ecclesial Hierarchy

This is the second of a two-part conversation with Dr. Johan Tredoux. We unpack theology in a way that reveals maybe the truest reason why I’m in favor of viewing everyone as worthy of God’s unconditional love and how my former ecclesial hierarchy couldn’t quite embrace that idea. I’m thankful you get to listen in on what we talk about here, and I hope it makes you think. Johan has his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester. He’s the author of Mildred Bangs Wynkoop: Her Life and Thought. Find it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Mildred-Bangs-Wynkoop-Life-Thought/dp/0834136511 (And hey, you might as well purchase through smile.amazon and designate LQVE as the benefactor.) If you like what Dr. Johan has to say, check him out the first Sunday night of the month, 5 pm, at the Praxis gathering at missionchurchonline.com. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. And if you’ve read this far, you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most remote areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org.

4-The One Where I Talk about Scapegoating and Give Evidence of My Own Hypocrisy

4-The One Where I Talk about Scapegoating and Give Evidence of My Own Hypocrisy

I’m not sure I would have ever been able to arrive at new ideas about God (which I desperately needed) without wrestling with Rene Girard’s mimetic theory and scapegoating. There are a growing number of resources out there revolving around the ideas of Rene Girard. Some of my favorites include books like, “I See Satan Fall Like Lightning,” (Rene Girard/William James) “Reading the Bible with Rene Girard” (Michael Hardin), “Evolution and Conversion” (Rene Girard), the ravenfoundation.org, and anytime Dr. James Alison interacts with Girardian thought, which he does a lot in his writing and on his website at jamesalison.co.uk. I have way too much fun with music on this episode. It’s amazing what one can do with garage band and a few loops from landr.com. If you moderately enjoy any of these episodes consider leaving some stars and some reviews. Moderately enjoy… I’ve set the bar fairly low there. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. Have you seen LQVE.org? LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most interesting areas of the Western Hemisphere.

5-The One with Lindsey Paris-Lopez, Mimetic Theory and Playing the Word “Scapegoat” in Scrabble

5-The One with Lindsey Paris-Lopez, Mimetic Theory and Playing the Word “Scapegoat” in Scrabble

On this episode I get to talk to Lindsey Paris-Lopez. Find out more about her (and Rene Girard) at www.ravenfoundation.org. There is a growing number of resources out there either about the life of or revolving around the ideas of Rene Girard. Some of my favorites include books like, “Reading the Bible with Rene Girard” (Michael Hardin), “Evolution of Desire” (Cynthia Haven) and “Stricken by God? (edited by Brad Jersak and Michael Hardin). There’s a series of audio files that are really interesting at https://auticulture.com/the-skapegoat-rene-girard-cbc-series-mp3-downloads/ Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. And since you're here, let me just introduce LQVE to you. LQVE.org is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the poorest areas of the Western Hemisphere. Check it out.

6-The One Where I Try to Give Encouragement about Interacting w/the Religious People in Your Life

6-The One Where I Try to Give Encouragement about Interacting w/the Religious People in Your Life

I take a slight side trail this episode trying to give some support to lots of us who are dealing with friends, family members, collogues, mentors, or just religious people in general who are struggling with the choices we are making. It’s interesting… what we need from them is the very thing they need from us. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. Have you seen LQVE.org? LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most interesting areas of the Western Hemisphere.

7-The One About Hell

7-The One About Hell

Well, I’ve talked a lot about love in the last couple years of my life, but the more I talk about love the more the religious people want to talk to me about hell. It’s strange to me, but this podcast helps me understand better what’s going on. I hope it will help you as well. (Spoiler alert: If hell is the deepest thing in your life you will be forced to send people there. I just happen to think there’s something deeper than hell.) If you want to think upon this topic more (and who doesn’t) please read, “Her Gates Will Never Be Shut” by Brad Jersak, or the hell chapter in “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God” by Brian Zahnd or hey, how about one of my top 5 books of all time: "The Great Divorce" by CS Lewis. You should probably check out rethinkinghell.com as well. There’s some interesting stuff there. (I'd be remiss not to mention David Bentley Hart's book entitled, "That All Shall Be Saved." Hart is a preeminent theologian, though I must admit, the average reader will struggle with his verbosity!) Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile. Don’t forget to take a moment and check into LQVE.org. It’s a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most challenging areas of the Western Hemisphere.

8-The One Where I Introduce the New Book!

8-The One Where I Introduce the New Book!

Hey, the new book is live! Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks. In this episode I talk about the three reasons I decided to write, “Questions About Sexuality that Got Me Uninvited from My Denomination.” And when you purchase the book you can find a handy discussion guide, plus a handful of really strong resources in the bibliography section. (and IDK why the cover isn't showing up right now. but, it's there. just taking the amazon bots a while to get it populated for some reason.) Feel free to track me down with questions and comments at the sites listed in my profile! And if you’ve read this far you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the most challenging areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org. Oh hey, buy the book through amazon.smile and support LQVE! Great idea.

9-The One Where I Interview Dr Tom Oord, Open Theism, Essential Kenosis and the Powers

9-The One Where I Interview Dr Tom Oord, Open Theism, Essential Kenosis and the Powers

It’s great to be with Dr. Oord this week. Find out more at www.thomasjayoord.com, including his most recent book, “God Can’t.” Dr. Oord has been super helpful for me, both with my general theological thinking and also personally with endorsing my latest book. I hope you are aware of LQVE.org. It’s our relationship with Haitians. Haiti is going through extremely challenging times right now, but we continue to forge ahead. I’m super proud of all that we’re doing through LQVE, and of Shay Foster and his commitment to helping me make this happen. (Hey, consider using smile.amazon and plugging in LQVE as your 501c3 group to support.) Fee free to reach out. We’re trying to create dialogue in this little corner of the world wide web. I’ll do my best to answer and respond to everything you shoot my way unless you just want to get angry at me. If that’s the case, ha, it’s probably best I don’t respond.

10-The One where I Wrap Up Season Uno with some Q&R

10-The One where I Wrap Up Season Uno with some Q&R

Wow, season uno is concluding. 10 weeks went by fast! Thanks for playing a part. This episode attempts to give some quick responses to some of the more common questions I get about the Bible and the whole topic of homosexuality. But honestly, you need to be reading/listening to Pete Enns, Will Gafney, Barbara Brown Taylor, John Walton, James Alison, Denny Weaver, Walter Brueggemann and lots of others to get better handles on how to approach scripture. Thanks to everyone who's been so supportive. I recognize some of you have had to remain anonymous. Here's to the day coming when there are no more reasons to remain anonymous... and I do believe that day is coming!

In between season one and two I give you Interlude. It's an attempt to offer some prayers, some ancient, some brand new to help us all enter into the pain of this world. There is no hope around the pain, there's only hope through the pain. The anxiety we feel over the current virus is debilitating to many. May these prayers help you calm yourself, listen to yourself, and allow love to be embodied within you.

Praying and Covid19 (Thomas Jay Oord)

Praying and Covid19 (Thomas Jay Oord)

A timely conversation with best selling author, Dr Thomas Jay Oord about praying, dealing with Covid-19, miracles and partnering with God. Find more about Tom at http://thomasjayoord.com and @thomasjayoord. Meanwhile, Season 2 of the podcast is in production. I've got some great interviews, and ideas, and most important... music!

Season 2: Introduction (Peter Rollins)

Season 2: Introduction (Peter Rollins)

Welcome back to another season of the podcast! We’re obviously in a very difficult time in the life of our world right now. I hope that some of the stuff I offer up here will help you shift or re-think your role or God’s role in the middle of all that is going on. These episodes weren’t created with Corona Virus in mind, but I do think there’s thinking here that might help the Christian faith be more sustainable now and in the future. In this introduction episode, I lay out some of the thinking going into season 2 and introduce some of my guests. I’m grateful each of these folks has allowed me to take bits and pieces of audio and spread them out over a few episodes. Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk Cindy Wang Brandt, https://cindywangbrandt.com Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, https://pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com I hope you find time to look into each of these people. I’ve been reading James and Peter, if I can call them by their first names, for 3-5 years now. Their writings and talks have helped me shift and re-shift my theology toward something which I consider much healthier. I can’t recommend them enough. Cindy and Julia are newer friends. Cindy is an author and podcaster. She has an online conference called https://www.parentingforwardconference.com that I highly recommend. And Julia is an author, professor and speaker that you will find has keen insight. As always, like, share, review, follow, or whatever you do on your particular podcasting platform. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments you might have. And if you’ve read this far you should know about our non-profit organization LQVE. LQVE is a really interesting relationship that has developed with Haitian people, for Haitian people in some of the poorest areas of the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at www.LQVE.org. Obviously, the Corona Virus could potentially be bad anywhere, but I can’t even imagine what would happen if it hits such a densely populated area like Port au Prince. I’m praying for them and for all of us.

Season 2:1 Condition Requiring Illusions (James Alison, Cindy Brandt, Julia Moore, Peter Rollins)

Season 2:1 Condition Requiring Illusions (James Alison, Cindy Brandt, Julia Moore, Peter Rollins)

This is the first of a two part episode (1 and 1A) that begins to lay out ideas about why we feel the need to pretend but why pretending is pointless! It's the greatest news. That's right, grace wrecks the illusion we have to be better than we are. And grace wrecks those who perpetuate the condition that requires illusions. And who might they be? Sigh, mostly, the church. I know, it's wild. Thanks to my guests who appear here and on a handful of different episodes this season... Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk Cindy Wang Brandt, https://cindywangbrandt.com Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, https://pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson I hope you find time to look into each of these people. I’ve been reading James and Peter, if I can call them by their first names, for 3-5 years now. Their writings and talks have helped me shift and re-shift my theology toward something which I consider much healthier. I can’t recommend them enough. Cindy and Julia are newer friends of mine. Cindy is an author and podcaster. She has an online conference called https://www.parentingforwardconference.com that I highly recommend. And Julia is an author, professor and speaker that you will find has keen insight. As always, like, share, review, follow, or whatever you do on your particular podcasting platform. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments you might have.

Season 2:1A The Condition Requiring Illusions continued (Rollins, Alison, Brandt, Moore)

Season 2:1A The Condition Requiring Illusions continued (Rollins, Alison, Brandt, Moore)

1A is a continuation of the episode 1 that begins to lay out ideas about why we feel the need to pretend but why pretending is pointless! It's the greatest news. That's right, grace wrecks the illusion we have to be better than we are. And grace wrecks those who perpetuate the condition that requires illusions. And who might they be? Sigh, mostly, the church. I know, it's wild. Thanks to my guests who appear here and on a handful of different episodes this season. They are authors, speakers, professors, podcasters and people who are doing a lot of great work. Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk Cindy Wang Brandt, https://cindywangbrandt.com Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, https://pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson I hope you find time to look into each of these people. I’ve been reading James and Peter, if I can call them by their first names, for 3-5 years now. Their writings and talks have helped me shift and re-shift my theology toward something which I consider much healthier. I can’t recommend them enough. Cindy and Julia are newer friends of mine. Cindy is an author and podcaster. She has an online conference called https://www.parentingforwardconference.com that I highly recommend. And Julia is an author, professor and speaker that you will find has keen insight. As always, like, share, review, follow, or whatever you do on your particular podcasting platform. Feel free to track me down with questions and comments you might have.

Season 2:2 Pick up the Living Flowers (Peter Rollins)

Season 2:2 Pick up the Living Flowers (Peter Rollins)

The title of this episode borrows yet another line from Karl Marx. We’ll go further into “the texture” that is, the life and anti-life that I imagine is woven into the fabric of everything. We'll also talk about what the serpent might have been and where it came from in Genesis 3 and how defining sin is a very difficult endeavor. The highlight, of course, is hearing from Peter Rollins. He’ll talk about, among other things, his idea of sin and the object of desire vs the object cause of desire. I hope you take the time to look him up at peterrollins.com. He’s got a lot of great things to say and I’m thankful he’s agreed to be a part of this season. (As always, he may not agree with everything I say. You’ll have to read him to find out what you think.) Thanks everyone. Follow, like, share, thumbs-up, or whatever it is you feel inclined to do.

Season 2:3 No Future without Forgiveness (Peter Rollins, Julia Robinson Moore, James Alison)

Season 2:3 No Future without Forgiveness (Peter Rollins, Julia Robinson Moore, James Alison)

In this episode we talk about racism, scapegoating, reparations, our imitative desires, Rene Girard and more. Yes, it’s a full one. I’m thankful you get to hear Peter Rollins, James Alison, and Julia Robinson Moore weigh in on these subjects. Their input here and in their writings are helping me decide what it is I’m believing. Make sure you find out more about them at their respective websites, and/or searching Amazon for them. (Btw, if you use Amazon you might as well use smile. amazon and plug in LQVE.org as your non-profit to support!) Dr. Peter Rollins, https://peterrollins.com/ Dr. James Alison, http://jamesalison.co.uk/ Dr. Julia Robinson Moore, pages.uncc.edu/julia-marie-robinson If you want, make sure to share, like, follow, and leave reviews. You can find me at jonathanfosteronline.com and also on my facebook page by searching for jonathanfosterauthor.

Season 2:4 The Key of Lament

Season 2:4 The Key of Lament

As of this posting, it is Holy Saturday, that strange and awkward day in between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. In some ways, I think we are all "Holy Saturday People." We're all living in the in-between time. During this time, it's important to grieve what we've lost. Not to make us feel bad, but to help us see our limits, name pain, and define the reality in our lives. To that end, today's episode is a bit different. I read a chapter of "Death, Hope & the Laugher of God" about lament. It's probably some of the more important stuff I have to say, but also some of the least popular. Ha, how's that for advertisement? Grief and lament are just not fun topics. But, in the time and age we are currently in... Covid-19... a lot of people are experiencing loss. And so, this just might be the time for you to enter into rather than run away. Thanks, everyone. Blessings. Can't wait for the Resurrection of all things.

Season 2:5 Keep People Free for God and God Free for People (Cindy wang Brandt)

Season 2:5 Keep People Free for God and God Free for People (Cindy wang Brandt)

I interview Cindy Wang Brandt this week about parenting, shame, and embodiment this week. Please find out more about Cindy and her parenting conference and book at https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Season 2:6 The Sacred Games We Invent (Brian Zahnd)

Season 2:6 The Sacred Games We Invent (Brian Zahnd)

I'm talking with Pastor Brian Zahnd about Fred Nietzsche on this episode. (Fred sounds so much more gentle, doesn't it?)Please check out Brian at https://brianzahnd.com. He's the author of several books. I've read them all. They are all worth your time. If you haven't read him before, lets see, I'd say start with "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God." Though my favorite is "Beauty will Save the World." So, thanks to Brian for his time and his work. Hope you all dig this. And find it helpful. And share it with a friend. Meanwhile, be strong, which I think means, be weak. Something that would drive Nietzsche crazy. (Maybe it did.) Check out LQVE.org if you don't have anything better to do. Important stuff going on there!

Season 2:7 Untranslating the Misconception for Atheists [and Christians]

Season 2:7 Untranslating the Misconception for Atheists [and Christians]

Let's get further into some thoughts about the new atheist movement, which is billed as an intellectual movement. I'm (scratching my head now) not sure I agree. There are definitely reasons not to believe in God, but for me, most of those reasons stem from unhealthy Christian theology, not from ironclad philosophical reasoning. I don't think there's anything ironclad in this universe (or multiverse) except... love. Then again, I don't really have a problem with most atheists that I've met. At least they fight back against unhealthy theology. That's better than most Christianity in the West!

Season 2:8 Reconstructionists

Season 2:8 Reconstructionists

This is an episode where we talk a little about some of the things you may be feeling as you deconstruct and reconstruct your thinking about faith, life, and love. And to be clear, the idea is to reconstruct, to find the beauty that’s been there all along. But to get to beauty sometimes you need to go through anger, fatigue, confusion and doubt.

Season 2:9 Two General Western Views (James Alison)

Season 2:9 Two General Western Views (James Alison)

Talking with Dr. James Alison helps me consider the two dominant Christian views in the West: -We're separate from God and gotta get back. -And we're already at one with God with no need to return. I lean toward the latter, but only after I get to talk a little about what it might mean to be "at one with God." I love this whole subject, and the thoughts I share here have helped me tremendously in dealing with loss and life, but I will say that trafficking in these kinds of ideas has cost me some friendships. So, I guess, listen and apply gently and judiciously. God bless.

Season 2:10 Beyond our Desire for God is God's Desire for Us

Season 2:10 Beyond our Desire for God is God's Desire for Us

Hey, we’re wrapping up Season 2 with this, the 10th episode! I know man, it’s sad. But, surely there will be more seasons ahead. We’ll talk a little George Orwell, Jacques Lacan, how similar Christianity in the West is with consumerism in the West, the hammer of God, not to be confused with the Hammer of Thor, and, yes, of course, love. Cuz if it’s not about love, I’m not sure what the point is. Thank you for playing a part and interacting with this podcast. And special thanks to James, Peter, Julia, and Cindy for appearing throughout this season (and Brian and Thomas). Yes, I’m on first name basis with all of them. I hope to continue to hear from you on my Facebook page or on Amazon or wherever. I’m jumping back into some education endeavors so that’ll keep me busy, along with mission church stuff, and LQVE, and my boy’s college football games (hopefully there’s a season this year!), and hanging out with my wife (BTW, 30th anniversary in two weeks. How crazy is that?) I’m also going to be messing around with some new music. I’m throwing it up on Soundcloud under the enigmatic name of Gransville. Ooh, I know, super interesting. Peace everyone, J

The Patreon Episode (Substack too)

The Patreon Episode (Substack too)

An in-between season 2 and 3 episode introducing my new Patreon page. Check it out at patreon.com/jonathan_foster. It's a new thing. Hopefully, you can subscribe, get involved, and help us all start other new things! (You can also find me at Substack.)

Season 3:1 Why I Still Pray

Season 3:1 Why I Still Pray

A question I receive pretty regularly goes something like, "If God doesn't control, or if God doesn't know the future, what is the point of praying?" In fact, I know a lot of people who after going through the faith deconstruction journey no longer pray at all. Well, I don't have all the answers, but maybe it'll be helpful for you to hear why it is that I still pray. Hope to hear from you at patreon.com/jonathan_foster. Thanks!

Season 3:2 Why I Still Church

Season 3:2 Why I Still Church

That’s right; this episode dares to name a few reasons why I think it’s still, despite all the deconstruction that many of us have been through, worthwhile to try and be a part of a church. However, I only do so if we can agree that church should first be a community of people pursuing non-sacrificial, non-violent love and second, want to be known more by what they’re than what they are against! And I dare you to check out patreon.com/jonathan_foster. Thanks, everyone!

Season 3:3 Why I Still Bible

Season 3:3 Why I Still Bible

Contained in this episode are four reasons why I still read the Bible despite how much my faith has shifted and morphed. Whatever your reason, I encourage you to read Scripture with humility and intellectual honesty. That will make all the difference in the world. Ultimately, don’t worship the words; rather, worship the one to whom the words point! Just a few of the books that have been resources for me over the past five years when thinking about the Bible: Christian Smith (The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism Is Not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture), Richard Rohr (What do we do with the Bible), Rachel Held Evans (Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again), Leslie Newbigen (A Walk thru the Bible), and Peter Enns (How the Bible Actually Works: In Which I Explain How an Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers - and Why That's Great News)

Season 3:4 Why I Still Christian

Season 3:4 Why I Still Christian

All right, wrapping up the mini-season four with this episode. Again, this one proved to be more difficult than I imagined it would be when I first sat down to record. I write about this stuff all the time so IDK why it's so difficult. I guess because the old "tried and true" answers are no longer applicable. So we're trying to create a new language or adapt old language. Anyhow, hope it's helpful. Track me down on Patreon (jonathan_foster) if you want to interact more. New writing is happening. We'll see where it all goes. Peace!

Season 4:1 Story

Season 4:1 Story

Welcome back. The theme for season 4 is "story." Story is super important. The powers don't want us to think so. They'd rather us interpret all our truth by way of their facts. Thankfully story/metaphor/story all get in the way of their "facts." In the end, I actually think story truth is gospel truth. For example, did God need King Saul to wipe out the Amalekites? Or was the prophet Samuel, the guy Saul took counsel from, a grumpy old man projecting his prejudice and bitterness onto God? Story, bro. Story. It's about the story we're telling ourselves. It's startling to realize this, but the sacred text we call the Bible will read you as much or more than you will read it. (e.g., Rorschach Test) There's been some psychological work done by guys like Paul Zak and others that suggest that stories bring brains together. Apparently, stimulating the brain stirs up oxytocin that creates empathy, which is a crucial component in humans building relationships with each other. Wow, story is powerful. Thanks for listening. Reach out if you want. Lots of good things happening. Find me at jonathanfosteronline.com or patreon.com/jonathan_foster. Peace!

Season 4:2 Hovering

Season 4:2 Hovering

Hey, thanks for tuning in and supporting me on Patreon.com/jonathan_foster. Also, don't forget to sign up for the newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com Today I read one of the short stories from a forthcoming collection of short stories I'm calling, "The Hope and Melvin of Humanity and Other Surprising Short Stories." It'll be out in digital stores soon. Though, obviously many of you are tuning into this later than the release date, so, by the time you hear it the book will be out! So, check it out on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Apple, you name it, it should be there.

Season 4:3 Linda Kay Klein Interview

Season 4:3 Linda Kay Klein Interview

Grateful I was able to connect with my new friend, Linda Kay Klein on this episode. Linda (she/her/hers) is the founder and president of Break Free Together, a nonprofit storytelling organization dedicated to helping people release shame and claim their whole selves. She's also a deconstruction & purity culture recovery coach. Her work in this area was born out of 16 years of research for her award-winning book, Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free. Buy the book. Listen to the podcast. And find out more at www.lindakayklein.com If you haven't signed up for the newsletter yet, do so at www.jonathanfosteronline.com or, if you want to go next level, subscribe to patreon.com/jonathan_foster. Thanks everyone!

Season 4:4 What is the Truth?

Season 4:4 What is the Truth?

Hey, today's episode is all about truth, art, beauty, and story. It's inspired by something Plato said a long time ago (obviously he said it a long time ago!) "Poetry is more believable than history." Yes, I think so. Because poetry is willing to live in the gray, to blend the verifiable and the unverifiable to get to the truth. I have discovered over the last year or so that I approach this all with a very open and relational philosophical mindset. O/R is something of a subset of process theology. It’s a way of understanding the world that brings together lots of different experiences. A. N. Whitehead would say something like that it's wrong to think that perceiving, knowing, feeling the world is reducible to the senses. Rather, we should be radical empiricists. We learn about truth in grieving, laughing, being skeptical, religious, new approaches to thinking, etc... they are all doorways into learning about the nature of things. So, let's do it. Let's walk through all the doorways to get at the "nature of things." Thanks for listening. Sign up for the newsletter at www.jonathanfosteronline.com and or find me at www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster.

Season 4:5 Question the Box (Derrick Logan conversation)

Season 4:5 Question the Box (Derrick Logan conversation)

Questions built into answers. Countermands built into commands. Imperfection built right into perfection. That's the pattern that's always unfolding. And my friend, Derrick Logan kinda embodies all of this. One can’t get any higher on the evangelical-worship-scene-ladder than Derrick was, and yet, the questions just continued to accompany him. And it’s not as if you can’t ask some questions in that context. As Derrick said, “It’s okay to question the questions in the box. The problem is when you begin to question the box itself!) So, not surprisingly, he pulled at some threads. Knocked on some doors. Followed some trails. And got himself escorted out of the system but… he’s finding life! I dare you to search for derricklogan on twitter and be aware of how his story is unfolding. And meanwhile, if you want to, give a star, a thumbs up, a like, a whatever it is your particular platform wants for this podcast that would be great. And don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter at www.jonathanfosteronline.com. Have a great day!

Season 4:6 Bit of a Rant (Also An Interesting Conference about Sexuality)

Season 4:6 Bit of a Rant (Also An Interesting Conference about Sexuality)

IDK how to describe this one. Turn the mic on and talk about deconstruction and frustration with the powerful religious system and introducing the conference we got coming up in October called, wait for it... "An Interesting Conference About Sexuality." Yeah, that about describes it and yeah, you should join us for the conference! www.aninterestingconference.com is the website. Thanks everyone. Like, star, review if you dig what you're hearing. Signup for newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com if you want. Have a great day!

Season 4:7 The Journey to Somewhere New (Conversation with Rajeev & Bonnie Rambob)

Season 4:7 The Journey to Somewhere New (Conversation with Rajeev & Bonnie Rambob)

Hey, everyone, today shall be fun. My guests are my friends, Bonnie and Rajeev Rambob. As exvangelical, unfundamentalists, Bonnie and Rajeev draw from their backgrounds to co-lead several outreach ministries to spiritual travelers who are migrating out of fundamentalist Christianity. They are co-hosts of HaystacksPodcast.com - A Podcast for Fringe & Former Seventh-day Adventists & along with three friends, co-host Irenicast, a progressive Christian podcast. If that wasn’t enough, they co-pastor Parkside Community Church in Sacromento, CA. Rajeev is a graduate of Berkeley School of Theology and Bonnie is a graduate from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkley. And most importantly, they are partners in ministry and in life. They have two young adult sons, Julian and Nik. If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com, now is the time. There is some fun stuff coming down the pipe (or is it down the pike?). So, you’ll want to jump in on the e-news so you know what’s up. Thanks everyone!

4:8 Hope and Melvin of Humanity!

4:8 Hope and Melvin of Humanity!

Search for The Hope and Melvin of Humanity and Other Surprising Short Stories at all digital retailers. You could even do it while you are listening to this episode. It'd be the classic multi-task move. Thanks everyone! And if you're cool with it, leave it a decent amount of stars. https://smile.amazon.com/Melvin-Humanity-Other-Surprising-Stories/dp/1737664909/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=hope+melvin+humanity&qid=1631505530&s=books&sr=1-1

4:9 Partnering with God (Tom Oord, Bonnie Rambob, Fran Stedman, Tim Reddish)

4:9 Partnering with God (Tom Oord, Bonnie Rambob, Fran Stedman, Tim Reddish)

We're talking about my chapter in the book, "Partnering with God," as well as hearing from its editors: Thomas Jay Oord, Tim Reddish, Fran Stedman, and Bonnie Rambob in this episode. If you're looking for a fresh way to process biblical ideas (and life) I would highly encourage you to be aware of the "Partnering with God" book and open and relational theology in general. Like, star, thumbs up, follow, whatever it is you do on your podcasting platform and don't miss out on the JF newsletter. You can sign up at jonathanfosteronline.com and for a limited time I'll be giving copies of my latest book away for free to those who sign up for the newsletter. Crazy. Also, thanks to all the patreon folks at patreon.com/jonathan_foster. Peace!

4:10 Talking with Mark Karris

4:10 Talking with Mark Karris

We're wrapping up season 4 with a conversation with my friend, Mark Karris. Mark is a therapist, best selling author, and a musician. Make sure to stick around to the end of the episode to hear Mark's latest single, which you can also find at https://youtu.be/IM6hg27pQyM. Find out all that he's involved in at www.markgregorykarris.com. Subscribe to the e-news at www.jonathanfosteronline.com and if you're really crazy, go to www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster. Thanks everyone!

NEW Writing: The Reconstructionist

NEW Writing: The Reconstructionist

"The Reconstructionist" with Quoir Publishing comes out TOMORROW. (Unless you're listening to this after Dec 6 then it's ALREADY OUT.) The first 100 people during launch week who purchase – and hopefully leave a review – then email me at jonathanunderscorefoster@gmail.com will get a copy of my cartoon book, “Mimetic Cartoonery” FREE. I know, I’m outta control. LOTS of people are dealing with deconstruction. Understandably. Stuff needs to be deconstructed. But, wouldn’t it be great if we could reconstruct? Yeah, tear some stuff down, but figure out how to build something deeper, more gracious, more substantive. Our world needs it. So, go for it. Search for Jonathan J Foster or the book title tomorrow on Amazon. Thanks everyone!

Hey, welcome to a little “in-between” episode as we say. I snagged this one from some of the stuff I’ve done on the Wisdom app. It’s all about open and relational theology. ORT has been super helpful for me. I’m actually working on a dissertation right now where I’m attempting to bring Mimetic Theory and ORT together. Yes, super interesting! You should make sure you know all about how that is playing out by subscribing to my patreon page at www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster and/or my newsletter, which you can do at www.jonathanfosteronline.com. But, now that we’re talking about it, I have no idea why you wouldn’t just do both! Anyhow, work on the dissertation has meant I haven’t been able to podcast in a while. Or do anything in a while! I’ll be back in a couple of months, but man, it’s a lot of work right now. Thanks for listening to this one. As always, reach out with any comments and questions. I hope you are doing well!

Season 5:1 Introduction to F.A.Q.'s

Season 5:1 Introduction to F.A.Q.'s

This is episode 1 of a new season we’re calling F.A.Q.'s! It’s all about the copious amounts of questions I received recently... questions about meaning, church, relationships, parenting, deconstruction, and more. I’m taking these questions and running them through my brain, which has most recently been saturated with my dissertation work on open and relational theology as well as the work of Rene Girard. Yeah, it’s going to be good. It comes out in Oct of ’22, so mark your calendars now. That’s right, just mark the whole month. You can’t be too prepared for these things. On this introductoin episode I’m introducing the season, setting up how I think things are going to go, and making sure you know about how I’m taking some of the conversation onto my www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster page. You’ll wanna be a part of that! It’s great to be back. I’m having fun with the music, our voice over talent, and in general, these really interesting themes and concepts. (Oh, and my therapist, pastor, spiritual guide type friends on Patreon.) Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com. The main music for this season’s show is from Velveteen / “Losing It” / by way of epidemicsound.com A bunch of the samples and other music comes from Landr.com or me.

5:2 Meaning Making (along with Lauren Kilber)

5:2 Meaning Making (along with Lauren Kilber)

Episode 2 is all about meaning making. In most of Americanized Christianity, it’s too often just assumed that once you pray the prayer (e.g., get God inside of you, get saved, do the thing, drink the juice, or whatever) that meaning will just naturally show up. Turns out, meaning making is much more difficult. And I personally don’t think God is just going to fix it for you. Because God is a relational God, which among other things, means S(H)e’s not going force anything upon you. God is love. And love doesn’t control. Don’t forget to join me with my licensed counselor friend, Lauren Kilber over at www.Patreon.com/jonathan_foster. If you don’t find what she says helpful, email me, so I can reply with a shocked face emoji. Resources and some sites that I mention on this episode… -PEW Research on Meaning: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2018/11/20/where-americans-find-meaning-in-life/ -Christopher Nolan’s film, The Prestige. As I mention, if you’re looking for a director that brings mimetic thinking into his shows? Yeah, Nolan is your man. -For more on the Girardian neologism, “individuality” see, The Genesis of Desire by Jean-Michel Oughourlian -This week’s open and relational/process book I want to highlight is Process-Relational Philosophy An Introduction to Alfred North Whitehead by Robert Mesle. -Some philosophical/psychoanalytic people I try to listen to/read include my friend Tim Suttle. Check his stuff out at timsuttle.com. I also read Peter Rollins, and yeah, I think I’ll just include Peter as a friend. I mean, he was on my podcast once. Why not? Also, I try and learn as much as I can from The Why Theory Podcast with Todd McGowen and Ryan Engley. Neither Ryan nor Todd is my friend. Sad. -And my new book is coming out in October of ’22 with SacraSage Press called A Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe. Thanks everyone! Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com. The main music for this season’s show is from Velveteen / “Losing It” / by way of epidemicsound.com A bunch of the samples and other music comes from landr.com or me.

5:3 Relationships (along with Derrick Logan)

5:3 Relationships (along with Derrick Logan)

Welcome to the relationship episode where I do my best to offer a response to the question, “How do I be in relationship without being judgmental?” And also, “How do I be in relationship when I’m the one being judged?” Idk if I give great answers or not, but I definitely give some things to consider. -Don’t forget about my follow up conversation on my Patreon page (search for jonathan_foster to sign up). This week’s video is with my friend Derrick Logan who’s doing some good work helping folks process change, grow in love, and be better human beings. -Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com. -Some resources or sources I cite… *Quantum Fields: The Real Building Blocks of the Universe https://youtu.be/zNVQfWC_evg *Brene Brown and Russell Brand https://youtu.be/SM1ckkGwqZI *Summa Theologica https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_Theologica *And this week’s Open and Relational book I want to highlight is Uncontrolling Love by Thomas Jay Oord. -The main music for this season’s show is from Velveteen / “Losing It” / by way of epidemicsound.com. A bunch of the samples and other music comes from Landr.com or me.

5:4 Deconstruction (along with Tim Suttle)

5:4 Deconstruction (along with Tim Suttle)

Today our topic de jour is deconstruction. I don’t even scratch the surface of this subject, but I imagine you’ll get some stuff here that you might not with most low budgets podcasts. Ha, cuz that’s what this is! Yeah, we talk a bit about Girard and deconstruction as well as some of my frustrations with the church’s approach in general (surprise, surprise) all while giving some input regarding deconstruction when it comes to the bible and prayer. -And… the best thing is, I take the discussion further with my friend and intellectual, Tim Suttle. Tim is a great resource in this area. But, you’ll have to go to www.patreon.com/Jonathan_foster to find that video. It’s worth it! You can also find out more about Tim at timsuttle.com. -Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and of course sign up for my newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com. -The open and relational resource I want to highlight this week is “Omnipotence and Other Theological Mistakes” by Charles Hartshorne. It's a small but good one. And I suppose I should start highlighting Girardian works as well. Since “Theology of Consent,” which gives a nice overview of mimetic theory is not yet out, I’m going to suggest you head over to ravenfoundation.org. There’s a lot of great Girard stuff there. -The main music for this season’s show is from Velveteen / “Losing It” / by way of epidemicsound.com. A bunch of the samples and other music comes from Landr.com or me.

5:5 Church: How'd We Get Here? (along with Letiah Fraser)

5:5 Church: How'd We Get Here? (along with Letiah Fraser)

On this episode I took a group of questions I got recently about church and boiled ‘em down to one: How did we get here? There are a handful of different topics to work through in order to answer that question well, but here’s a bit of my take filtered as it is through mimetic theory, open and relational theology. So, we’ll talk about Omnipotence some, plus the scapegoating mechanism, some evangelicalism and Donald Trump, control, sacrifice, immutability, and a bunch of other super fun topics! -And don’t miss my conversation with my friend, Rev. Dr. Letiah Fraser on the subject of the church at https://www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster -Helpful sources and/or things I cite… -Paper on Panentheism and Panexperientialism for Open and Relational Theology https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9783957437303/BP000019.xml?language=en -Open and Relational Theology https://www.amazon.com/Open-Relational-Theology-Introduction-Life-Changing/dp/B096WM4PQN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UT60AGDLIUDA&keywords=open+and+relational+theology&qid=1660654400&sprefix=open+and+relational+theology%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1 -R,.T. Mullins Podcast Page: https://www.rtmullins.com/podcast Kristen Du Maze John Wayne and Jesus, https://kristindumez.com/books/jesus-and-john-wayne/ -Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com. -The main music for this season’s show is from Velveteen, entitled, “Losing It,” and on this episode there’s a tune from OTE called “Riding Lower.” Both of those songs come to us by way of epidemicsound.com. And then a bunch of the samples and other music comes from Landr.com or me.

5:6 Church: Is it Still Helpful? (along with Libby Teder Hugus)

5:6 Church: Is it Still Helpful? (along with Libby Teder Hugus)

On this episode I respond to questions about moving forward with the church. One young person put it this way: “What is even the point? Given how many people have been hurt, is church even helpful any longer?” So I give some open and relational theological thoughts, some stuff that’s been influenced by those who are influenced by Bill Hegel, some stuff to rethink omnipotence, mystery, and the misguided but oft-parroted phrase, “everything happens for a reason.” I also talk a bit about my own personal journey of trying to figure out theology and ecclesiology (i.e., church) after we went through the intense event of losing our daughter. Yeah, that event pretty much colors everything in my life. -And then I take the discussion about church further with my friend, the Rev. Libby Teder Hugus. She’s a pastor at https://www.thetablecasper.org in Casper, WY. (Sorry, I think I said Idaho in the podcast!) There’s a couple minutes with Libby here, but then I talk longer with her on my patreon page which is at… https://www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster For as little as three bucks a month you can get access to that interview, others, and a whole bunch of other helpful stuff. So, check it out. -Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and of course sign up for my newsletter at www.jonathanfosteronline.com. -The open and relational resource I want to highlight this week is “Face of the Deep” by Catherine Keller. Dr. Catherine might label herself more process than ORT, and for sure, she would call herself a feminist theologian, but either way, I love this book and all her writing. She says more in one sentence than I do in a whole chapter. -The main music for this season’s show is from Velveteen and is called “Losing It." It comes to us by way of www.epidemicsound.com, though, strangely, I didn’t use it on this episode. Instead, I went with some stuff I made and/or downloaded at www.Landr.com.

5:7 Church: Positive Dominant

5:7 Church: Positive Dominant

I think the truest thing we can say of God is that S(H)e is love. And the fundamental characteristic of love? It's consent. It feels week, but I suspect it’s the weakness that makes it strong. The weakness of consent is the strength of love. And it’s the thing that can help us move from a negative to positive dominant mindset in the church. -Some resources I reference on this episode: Mary Douglas - Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo, https://www.amazon.com/Purity-Danger-Routledge-Classics-93/dp/0415289955 Richard Beck - Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality. Negative Bias - http://www.wisebrain.org/media/Papers/NegativityBias.pdf Cultural Psychology: Essays on Comparative Human Development https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=9wxc-Xs78Q8C&oi=fnd&pg=PA205&dq=Nemeroff+Hitler+sweater&ots=1VcZ2cFk4r&sig=bNLDU1MJrRNykOXyBv7iWvR3xAM%2523v=onepage&q=Hitler&f=false -Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and of course sign up for my newsletter at www.jonathanfosteronline.com. -The Girardian resource I want to highlight this week is the online site http://girardianlectionary.net. If you teach or preach, it is an indispensable resource. -The tunes “Losing It” and “Part of the Game” by Velveteen are both used on this episode. You can find those at epidemicsound.com. Other samples and music are provided by landr.com or me.

5:8 Some FAQ's with Dr Thomas Jay Oord

5:8 Some FAQ's with Dr Thomas Jay Oord

On this episode I respond to questions by going next level. That’s right, I’m bringing in one of my mentors, the Dr. Thomas Jay Oord to answer questions about the bible, the validity of different religions, sexuality, and finding personal meaning. Plus, at www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster I continue the conversation by talking to Tom about randomness, God controlling the future, love, and bonus topic: The Princess Bride. All you gotta do to hear the rest of the talk is to subscribe to my patreon page for as little as 3$ a month. What a deal! -To find out more about Tom, his books, his doctorate program, his blog, please check out www.thomasjayoord.com. -Feel free to leave a review on your podcasting platform, share the episode with a friend, and of course sign up for my newsletter at www.jonathanfosteronline.com. -The open and relational resource I want to highlight this week would have to be something by the aforementioned TJO, so I’m going with “Uncontrolling Love." It was a really helpful book for me and I’ve referenced many times over the past five years. -The main music for this season’s show is from Velveteen and is called “Losing It." It comes to us by way of www.epidemicsound.com. Other samples and music are provided by me or stuff I found at www.Landr.com.

5:9 Parenting: Connection over Correction (along with Ryan & Jess Lambros)

5:9 Parenting: Connection over Correction (along with Ryan & Jess Lambros)

Questions about parenting within the paradigm of uncontrolling love is the theme of this episode. It’s a super important subject. I hope to bring a few ideas to the conversation, and a bit of my time with Ryan and Jess Lambros, but also point you to the full zoom dialogue I had with (as well as my conversation with Libby Tedder-Hugus) on my patreon page. Just search for www.Patreon.com/jonathan_foster. What all these young parents are talking about is important. I hope you’ll check it out. -Ryan is a life coach with www.thetablecoach.com and working through his doctoral dissertation in open and relational theology and Jessica, LPC, is the owner and clinical director of Stories Counseling. www.storiescounseling.com. -This week’s open and relational/process book I want to highlight is Rob Bell’s “Everything is Spiritual.” It’s true, Bell isn’t necessarily an ORT theologian, however, this book as much or more than any other he has written, fits really well with ORT themes. It’s my favorite Rob Bell writing. -Thanks everyone! Feel free to leave a review and/or share this with a friend. Meanwhile, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at www.jonathanfosteronline.com. -The main music for this season’s show is from an artist known as Velveteen. The song is called “Losing It.” It comes by way of www.epidemicsound.com. And a bunch of the samples and other music comes from landr.com or me.

5:10 Theology of Consent Book

5:10 Theology of Consent Book

Big day today: Theology of Consent-Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe is out everywhere. It’s the culmination of almost 3 years, or almost 8 years, or almost 50 years depending on how we quantify these things.  Pick up a copy. Leave a review. Join the party! -Here’s the Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3Db7rOB -I kinda like the tune I use to open and close today’s episode. It’s called “Sunrise in El Born” and it’s by Matt Large from epidemicsound.com. Other music and samples are by me or stuff I’ve snagged from Landr.com. -You should share this show with someone. Go for it. And while you’re at it, just give it some stars, or likes, or thumbs up, or whatever your podcasting platform asks for.

5:11 lovehaiti.org (along with Shay Foster)

5:11 lovehaiti.org (along with Shay Foster)

Episode 11 is me hanging out with my man, Shay Foster who is the co-executive director at www.lovehaiti.org. If you don’t have a non-profit to plug into, you should check it out. -We talk some theological change, church stuff, and life, but mostly we talk about Haiti, it’s history, our involvement, and why humans in the Global North should be aware of what's happening there. -Don’t forget to join me with authors, theologians, pastors, doctors, and licensed counselor friends over at www.patreon.com/jonathan_foster. There’s a bunch of good resources happening there. -Thanks everyone! Feel free to leave a review, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com.

5:12 Artificial Intelligence (along with Sheri Kling)

5:12 Artificial Intelligence (along with Sheri Kling)

Here’s a bit about AI (artificial intelligence), technology, evolution, post-humanism, and what religion (Christianity specifically) probably needs to change in order to assist AI (and all of us) in learning values. //I mention Ilea Delio a couple of times in this episode. If you’re interested in this subject matter, you should certainly check out her work, including “Re-Enchanting the Earth: Why AI Needs Religion.” Also, my stuff about amipotence can be found in Thomas Jay Oord’s really helpful book “Pluriform Love.” I also reference “Nature Technology and the Sacred” by Bronislaw Szerszynski, “Religion in the Making” by Alfred North Whitehead, and “How We Became Post Human” by Catherine Hales in this episode. //Search for MidJourney on Discord to partner with AI to “create” your own images. // Don’t forget to join me and my friend, Dr. Sheri Kling having a conversation at www.Patreon.com/jonathan_foster. You can find out more about Dr. Sheri at https://www.sherikling.com. I’m currently reading her book, “A Process Spirituality,” and enjoying it very much! //Music for today’s show is a bunch of stuff from me and/or Landr.com as well as the theme song for this season which is called “Losing It” by Velveteen. It can be found at epidemicsound.com. //Thanks everyone! Feel free to leave a review and share it with a friend.

5:13 Wrapping up Season Five (Along with Dana Hicks)

5:13 Wrapping up Season Five (Along with Dana Hicks)

Hey everyone, I believe this will be the last of season five! Unless I change my mind. Then it won't. Thanks for hanging out with me this season. It's been a lot of fun. --Feel free to review, like, star, thumbs up and more if you've found anything helpful here. Sign up for my newlsetter at jonathanfosteronline.com and as always, find videos with my full conversations like the one I had on this episode with Dana at patreon.com/jonathan_foster. --Speaking of Dana... Dr. Dana Hicks is an Amazon best-selling author and has written a new book, the one we'll talk about today called "The Knot: How to Secure Healthy, Modern Relationships While Not Being Tied to Marriage's Past." I've read it. It's good. It's not like anything you've probably read alng the lines of marriage and relationship. Which is one of the reason's why it's good! --Dana has been a church planter, pastor, professor, and leadership developer for over 30 years now and his doctorage from the Beeson Pastor Doctoral Fellowship at Asbury Theological Seminary. --Peace everyone!

6:1 Wolf Spiders and Truth (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

6:1 Wolf Spiders and Truth (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

An audio file from my weekly newsletter which is really my substack publication which is really my patreon publication. Find me at https://fosterj.substack.com Peace

6:2 A Comical Theology (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

6:2 A Comical Theology (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

An audio file from my weekly newsletter which is really my substack publication which is really my patreon publication. Find me at fosterj.substack.com Peace

6:3 Of Convenience Stores and Beauty (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

6:3 Of Convenience Stores and Beauty (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

An audio file from my weekly newsletter which is really my substack publication which is really my patreon publication. Find me at fosterj.substack.com Peace

6:4 Show Me What I'm looking For (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

6:4 Show Me What I'm looking For (Substack/Patreon Newsletter Publication)

An audio file from my weekly newsletter which is really my substack publication which is really my patreon publication. Find me at fosterj.substack.com Peace

6:5 Whatsup with the World Lately? (Substack/Patreon Newsletter)

6:5 Whatsup with the World Lately? (Substack/Patreon Newsletter)

An audio file from my weekly newsletter which is really my substack publication which is really my patreon publication. Find me at fosterj.substack.com Peace

7:1 People I'm Lisening to - Peter Rollins

7:1 People I'm Lisening to - Peter Rollins

-Here’s my conversation with the always kind and interesting Peter Rollins. And if you want to find the video rather than the audio, check it out on substack.com/jonathan_foster or patreon.com/jonathan_foster -Find out more about Pete, his writing, film making, conferences and all the really interesting stuff he’s up to at peterrollins.com. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the years and was really grateful he joined me again as we talked loosely around themes that connect thinkers like Jacque Lacan and René Girard. -And hey, speaking of Girard, for only $19.99 you can get in on the Girardian Intersections Online Conference Thomas Jay Oord and I are hosting in August. That price, as of this posting, is only good for another month. Here's the shortened link: https://rb.gy/izadv -Peace,

7:2 People I'm Listening To - Jennifer Garcia Bashaw

7:2 People I'm Listening To - Jennifer Garcia Bashaw

Great to be with Dr. Jennifer Garcia Bashaw. Jennifer will be one our presenters at the upcoming "Girardian Intersections online Conference." Copy and paste following URL to get tickets https://rb.gy/izadv -Jennifer teaches at Campbell University, works with the Bible for Normal People, and has a book out entitled, Scapegoats: The Gospel through the Eyes of Victims. -Some of today’s music can be found at epidemicsound.com. This tune is called “Sunkissed” by Daniel Fridell. -Hey, why not leave a cool review or share with a friend?

7:3 People I'm Listening to - Brian Zahnd

7:3 People I'm Listening to - Brian Zahnd

Good to be with Brian Zahnd again today! Brian's a pastor and author. My favorite book of his is probably "Beauty will Save the World." And he'll be a part of our online Girardian Intersections online conference. Copy and paste following URL to get tickets rb.gy/izadv. (And BZ's website is www.brianzahnd.com.) -Some of today's music can be found at epidemicsound and the opening little tune is by Coma Svensson. -Like, subscribe, review and also make sure to subscribe to my substack newsletter by going to jonathanfosteronline.com and well, click on the substack newsletter link!

7:4 People I'm Listening to - Andre Rabe

7:4 People I'm Listening to - Andre Rabe

Here's me and my friend, Andre Rabe, talking about Girardian inspired things. It was a GREAT conversation. -Find out more about Andre at https://alwaysloved.net and if you're listening to this in August of '23, sign up for our online conference by clicking or copying and pasting rb.gy/izadv. If you're listening after August of '23, well, it sucks to be you. -Hope you've joined the substack newsletter at https://fosterj.substack.com

7:5 People I'm Listenting to - Ilia Delio

7:5 People I'm Listenting to - Ilia Delio

It was a great to be with one of my favorite people today, Ilia Delio. Ilia has a lot to say about evolution, A.I., science, fear, consciousness, and love. And now you know why she’s one of my favorite voices. Ilia currently holds the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University She holds PhDs in Pharmacology from Rutgers University and in Theology from Fordham University and is the author of more than 20 books. You should read them. All of them. Find out more about her at https://christogenesis.org. -If you’re a super nerd join us at Ilia’s Whitehead/Teilhard conference. Info can be found here https://christogenesis.salsalabs.org/whitehead-teilhard-conference/index.html -Music for today’s episode is either me or a tune called “Sunkissed” by Daniel Fridell from epidemicsound.com. -Hey, why not leave a cool review or share with a friend? Peace everyone.

7:6 People I'm Listening to - Keith Giles

7:6 People I'm Listening to - Keith Giles

7:6 People I'm Listening to - Keith Giles by jonathan_foster

7:7 People I'm Listening to - William Paul Young

7:7 People I'm Listening to - William Paul Young

It was great to be with Paul Young today. He's the author of a little book... let's see, what was the name again? Oh, yeah, The Shack. Paul and I got introduced to each other a couple of months ago, which then led to this conversation, (and also led to his endorsement of my forthcoming book, but more on that later). Not suprisingly, Paul is a really genuine guy and I had a great time interacting with him. Find out more at his site, https://wmpaulyoung.com. Meanwhile, find out more about the aforementioned book, and other things, at https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com Music for today’s episode is either me or a tune called “Encore” by Sarah the Instrumentalist from https://epidemicsound.com. Hey, why not leave a cool review or share with a friend? Peace everyone!

7:8 People I'm Listening to - Heather Hamilton

7:8 People I'm Listening to - Heather Hamilton

Today's conversation is with my friend, Heather Hamilton. She's someone who's been on a journey... life, parenting, church, and reintepreting the bible. Her book is called Returning to Eden: A Fieldguide for the Spiritual Journey. Her website is returningtoeden.com and I hope you check it out, jump on her newsletter, and see what she's up to. Meanwhile, we're a part of the QuoirCast Network now, so you'll be hearing ads from time to time (like Heather's at the beginning of this show), and at some point, other ads will pop in. I'm sure none of us would sign up to hear more ads, but many of us would sign up to be a part of a community and potentially have our work monetized, so that's what's happening here. ;) Find me at jonathanfosteronline.com. I got a new book coming out sometime this fall and you can sign up for updates there. Oh, and also, you should check out my brand new fictional short story section on my substack page. Music for today's show is either by me or Victor Lundberg by way of epidemicsound.com Thanks everyone. Right before you head to Heather's site, you should like, review, or share with a friend. Or maybe all three!

7:9 People I'm Listening to - Cornell Ellis

7:9 People I'm Listening to - Cornell Ellis

Hey, I'm happy to introduce you to my friend, Cornell Ellis. Cornell is the executive director of theblockc.org , which exists to increase the number of black male educators in our school systems. It's a super important job and I'm really proud to be a part of theblockc's effort. I hope you'll take time to click on the link and find out more. Make sure to jump on my substack and even more sure to check out the pre-launch news about my newest book. Music for today's show happens by way of me or some strong musicians at epidemicsound.com.Hey, here's a thought: share, like, and leave a review. :) Thanks everyone!

7:10 People I'm Listening to - Meredith Miller

7:10 People I'm Listening to - Meredith Miller

It was outstanding to be with Meredith Miller on this episode. We have lots of points of interest, not the least of which is ways to help kids grow up in the faith that are healthy. Her book is called Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From and I hope you pick it up. Soon. Like, right now. I really enjoyed this conversation and hope Meredith, her partner, and kids all the best in what they are doing in So Cal. Oh, and while you're on substack reading up on my posts, make sure subscribe to Meredith's page (like I do), which is called The Kids + Faith Community. Meanwhile, you might as well leave a review, some stars, likes, follows, whatever your platform is looking for and share this with a friend. If you're listening to this before Oct 17, 2023, get in on the pre-launch goodness for my new book called indigo: the color of grief. If it's after the 17th? Well, you can find the actual campaign and support the book, or go to Amazon and find it. :) Today's music is from epidemicsound.com, myself, or some combination of both. Thanks everyone. Have a great day!

7:11 People I'm Listening to - Sarah Stankorb

7:11 People I'm Listening to - Sarah Stankorb

It was an honor to have Sarah Stankorb on the show today talking about her really important book, Disobedient Women: How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoning I hope you'll pick up a copy and share it with a friend because what Sarah does is important and takes courage. We would all do ourselves a service by reading it. Because of a vocal condition, Sarah's voice cracks a bit. She does an amazing job with it, but I also attempted some transcription for this show to ensure you caught everything she was saying. I think it worked pretty well, there are a few things off, but overall, it should help. To access that, just click this link. Please like, review, and share the show. And if you haven't already, make sure you're on my substack publication. It's probably where I hang out the most online, although I have been hanging out a lot at the Indiegogo crowdfunding site because my newest book will be offered there beginning Oct 17th. But you can sign up for all the news about that now by going here. I hope you join me for this one because I am going to need you. Thanks everyone. Music for this episode comes from epidemicsound.com, or me, or a combination of both.

the NEW book that drops NEXT week

the NEW book that drops NEXT week

Hey, my podcast-listening friends. Thanks for tuning into this short episode that introduces my forthcoming new book, indigo: the color of grief. This surprising little book will be launched into the world Tuesday, Oct 17th, via this Indiegogo crowdfunding site link. For what it's worth, Brian McLaren said the writing is "Simultaneously heart-breaking, heart-opening, and heart-expanding," Peter Rollins called it "Stunning," Oh, and Richard Boothby said it's "An understated masterpiece." And other folks had good stuff to say about it as well, but good grief, I don't want to overdo it here! When the campaign launches, there will be opportunity to get the book in digital, audio, and both signed and unsigned physical forms. And if that wasn't enough, we've got some other "perks" we're also working on. Yeah, it'll be a little something for everybody. I hope you can particpate. Thanks everyone! Some of the music for today's episode comes from epidemicsound.com.

With James Baldwin by way of Greg Garrett

With James Baldwin by way of Greg Garrett

Hey friends, if you like James Baldwin, you will love this episode with my friend and author extraordinaire Greg Garrett. Gregg's latest book is called The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America's Great Prophet Can Teach Us about Life, Love, and Identity. Please pick a copy up because it's an outstanding read about one of America's (the world's) most remarkable civil rights activists and theologians. Also, my latest book indigo: the color of grief, is out Tuesday, Oct 17th. You may be listening to this after that date, but no problem, head on over to my crowdfunding campaign and see why lots of really nice author types, like David Gushee, Brian McLaren, Catherine Keller, Paul Young (and more!), have gone out of their way to endorse this book. The campaign will be happening until Nov, and then we'll be working the book into the Amazons, Apples, Barnes and Nobles, and those kinds of places. Thanks, everyone. Hope you can like, review, and share this special Greg Garret episode The music for this episode is brought to you by epidemicsound.com, me, or a combination. :)

Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree

Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree

Nice to sit down today with Keith Giles, Fred Stella, Kevin Sweeny, Caleb Gilliland, and Gregory Smith, who are representing a new book of essays called Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree: What We Learn by Listening to Other Faiths brought to you by Quoir Publishing. I hope you'll check it out. And don't forget to check out my substack page as well as my newest book, indigo, which, as of this episode release, is happening as a crowdfunder. Music for this episode comes to us by way of epidemicsound.com

With John D. Caputo

With John D. Caputo

I had the best time being with the one and only Dr John (Jack) D. Caputo on this episode. Jack is a philosopher, author, and a really important figure connected to postmodern Christianity and continental philosophy. He's also the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion Emeritus at Syracuse University and the David R. Cook Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Villanova University. His new book is called What to Believe About God: 12 Brief Lessons in Radical Theology. His "Weak Theology" writing has influenced me quite a bit and it's no suprise that I quote him quite a bit in Theology of Consent as well as my brand new book, indigo: the color of grief. Thanks everyone, hope you can like, star, and review this one. Peace.

With Jim Palmer

With Jim Palmer

Jim Palmer is, among other things, an author, retreat speaker, certified Spiritual Director, and the founder of The Center for Non-Religious Spirituality. I am really impressed with the consistent way Jim's gone about telling his story and helping others evolve in their faith journey for a lot of years now, and I'm really glad to call him a friend. We talk about all kinds of things including his own story, megachurch, faith crisis, relationally, gen z, deconstruction, and the compassion he's learning to bring into his spiritual journey. Make sure to check out his website at jimpalmerauthor.com and his podcast called Non-Religious Spirituality. Jim's voice is an important one to be aware of. Meanwhile, after a successful crowdfunder indigo:the color of grief is now available for preorder on Amazon (and other places). I hope you'll check it out. Our offical launch date is Dec 5, 2024. Thanks everyone. Like, star, thumbs up, and share this with a friend!

With Rick Boothby part I

With Rick Boothby part I

So glad I'm able to have this conversation with my friend, Dr. Richard Boothby. Rick is an author who teaches at Loyola Univ of Maryland. He has an interest and expertise in Psychoanalysis and Philosophical Psychology as well as religion, Christianity, and love. His two recent books have influenced me: Embracing the Void: Rethinking the Origin of the Sacred, which we'll refer to more in a part II conversation, and Blown Away: Refinding Life After My Son's Suicide. If you're thinking that neither of these books sounds particularly hopeful, let me encourage you to avoid jumping to that conclusion. Love, for those looking for it, is woven throughout the pages of both works. Pretty interesting. Make sure you're on my newsletter, which can be found at jonathan_foster on Substack. And I hope you've picked up a copy of indigo: the color of grief. A colleague of mine emailed a bit ago and said, "This is the most embodied, healing work on grief I've ever read." So, that's cool. I hope you'll take the time to check it out. Music today comes by way of epidemicsound.com

With Rick Boothby part II

With Rick Boothby part II

This is something like a part ii of my conversation with the professor, author, and Lecanian expert, Dr. Richard Boothby. In this episode Rick and I talk more about going through unspeakable loss as fathers, about the work born out of such loss, like Rick's book Embracing the Void: Rethinking the Origin of the Sacred , Hegel, LeCan, Freud, Jesus, and our commitment to love. I've really enjoyed having these conversations and if you're interested in psychoanalytics, philosophy, and love, there are few people who you are going to find more interesting than Rick. Some of the music for this episode comes by way of epidemicsound.com Hope you'll take time to give some stars, follows, and thumbs up, or whatever your platform asks for with respect to this podcast, oh, and while you're out on the internet, you might as well subscribe to my substack publication. Thanks everyone!

Cool to be with Rob Bell on this episode that wraps up season #7. You may have heard of Rob, you know, through creative works like Love Wins, Velvet Elvis, Everything is Spiritual ( my favorite RB book btw), the NOOMA video series, and his latest, Where'd You Park Your Spaceship?. We talk about loss, family, identity, creativity, writing, and a whole bunch of stuff. It was a lot of fun. (We also spent a minute talking about indigo: the color of grief , which he was gracious to reference.) Hope you can leave some stars and share this one with a friend. Music for this is episode, per normal, is a mixture of stuff from epidemicsound.com, myself, or samples from landr.com. Hope you have a great holiday season. I'll see you (or talk to you) in the new year!

MiddleEarth, Mimesis, and Matthew Distefnao

MiddleEarth, Mimesis, and Matthew Distefnao

It's outstanding to be back churning out the audio goodness on the jonathan_foster show. Today, I have my friend Matthew J. Distefano with us talking about his brand NEW book entitled, The Wisdom of Hobbits: Unearthing our Humanity at 3 Bagshot Row. It is a really nice read about yes, all things MiddleEarth, but also, all things Mimetic Theory. So, I encourage you to pick up a copy. Matthew is the author of many other books, including the wildly popular Heretic! and From the Blood of Abel. He is an audio engineer, the producer of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast, cohost of Apostates Anonymous, runs Quoir publishing, and is a regular columnist at Patheos. Find out more about Matthew at allsetfree.com. Meanwhile, if you are liking this show (and could you not?), why not leave some stars, or thumbs up, or whatever your particular podcasting provider is looking for? That would be nice. I hope you'll consider signing up for my newsletter on substack (that's right, jonathan_foster), and don't forget the brand new patreon page that is supporting a handful of podcasts connected through QuoirCast. Thanks everyone!

Why it's a Good Time to go Open/Relational with Andrew Davis

Why it's a Good Time to go Open/Relational with Andrew Davis

Really fun to have Dr. Andrew Davis on the podcast today. Andrew is an author, theologian, and process philosopher and a reknowed expert in all things Alfred North Whitehead. Most importantly, Andrew is a friend! Please check out his website at andrewmdavis.info and don't forget to subscribe to his youtube channel at @AndrewMDavis-yo3mm. I loved this conversation and I can prove it to you because I first heard Andrew talk along these lines almost two years ago. That's right, in the summer of 2022 I heard AD give a presentation on Whiteheadean transitions and I've not forgotten it. So, when I decided to do an entire season around open and relational theology, I knew I wanted to kick it of with this conversation. These are the ten transitions we talk about and all of them have huge implications: From exception to exemplification from being to becoming from mechanism to organism from independence to mutual imminence from force to persuasion from dogmatism to dynamism from passivity to creativity from decadence to adventure from pessimism to possibility from solitude to divine world loyalty Meanwhile, if you like the show, great, let your podcasting community know about it! Share, subscribe, give it stars! Also, find out what I'm up to at jonathanfosteronline.com. Want to hang with me at Persuade Conference in April? ORTcon in July? Theology Beer Camp in Oct? Then click the links. BTW, if you're going to Theology Beer Camp use the promo code: FOSTERFRODO to get some money off your ticket. How great is that? Thanks everyone. Peace!

The Dynamism of Open/Relational Theology with Thomas Jay Oord and Libby Tedder Hugus

The Dynamism of Open/Relational Theology with Thomas Jay Oord and Libby Tedder Hugus

Hey, my podcast listening friend, thanks for tuning in today as we have the one and only Dr. Thomas Jay Oord back on the show to talk all things open and relational. We live in a day and age that is ripe for a new approach to theology, and I think ORT is that new approach! I I hope you'll check out Tom's site at c4ort.com and all of his resources, including his latest book, The Death of Omnipotence and the Birth of Amipotence. My co-host and conversational partner for this episode is the Rev. Libby Tedder Hugus. Libby is a mental fitness//mental flourishing coach at resonatenow.live, a pastor, writer, communicator, wife, and mom. I've had her on in recent seasons and really enjoyed having her back with Tom and me. As you'll hear, she brings something very dynamic to the table, I mean, to the mic. If you haven't signed up for my substack and/or patreon newsletter, well, you should do it. Just go to jonathanfosteronline.com and click the appropriate links. It'd be great for us to stay connected in that way. Also, speaking of connected you should come to the Persuade Conference in April, or ORTcon in July, or Theology Beer Camp in October. Regarding that last one, make sure to use the FOSTERFRODO promo code to get $25 off when you register. :) Don't forget to like, subscribe, give stars for this show and podcast because it just helps spread the word. Thanks everyone! J

Genetic Flourishing and Open and Relational Theology with Shaleen Kendrick

Genetic Flourishing and Open and Relational Theology with Shaleen Kendrick

Man, this is a great conversation with my friend, Shaleen Kendrick, about neurotheology, integrated ideas of salvation, well-being, and the adaptivity of open and relational theology. Plus, about 40 minutes in or so, we get into cognitive linguistic shame tactics that the religious system engages in (crap, I've probably engaged in them as well), which I found to be really helpful. Shaleen works in the world of Corporate Culture Coaching and Theology. She's also a podcast host at Desert Voices, an Enneagram-certified Culture Consultant, and a doctoral candidate. In her dissertation, Shaleen is writing about adaptive leadership and redefining it as a daily, three-fold integrative practice for well-being where she's merging mind, body, and spirit with insights from neurotheology, polyvagal theory, and ORT. Find out more at shaleenkendrick.com. Thanks, everyone. Don't forget to leave a review, some likes, or some stars. I hope you'll check out jonathanfosteronline.com for more info about what I'm up to and, if you're up for it, pick up a copy of my latest work called indigo: the color of grief. Peace, J

The Quantum Sayings of Jesus and Keith Giles

The Quantum Sayings of Jesus and Keith Giles

Please welcome Keith Giles back to the show. Keith has a brand new book dropping today, actually, April 23 and it's called The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas. I really enjoyed reading the book, learning more about the backstory with The Gospel of Thomas, and my conversation with Keith. I hope you'll pick up a copy of the book and/or find out more about Keith at his patheos site. Keith and I (and others) are a part of the QuoirCast Patreon page. We'd love for you to be involved. Jump in, support it as you can, which will help us do some advertising. :) Hope you take opportunity to sign up to my newlsetter at jonathanfosteronline.com. Once there you can go patreon or substack for your newsletter. How coool would that be? Also, while you're there you can learn more about some of my writing (or all of my writing... why not?). To think through open and relational theology (ORT) and mimetic theory see Theology of Consent. To think ORT and grief, see indigo. For ORT (are you seeing a pattern?) and reconstruction see The Reconstructionist. Etc, etc. :)

Preaching and Open and Relational Theology

Preaching and Open and Relational Theology

It was fun to work on SacraSage's latest book Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God: Sermons, Essays, and Worship Elements from the Perspective of Open, Relational, and Process Theology. And, not only that, but to contribute an essay, which is really a sermon, as the point of this book is to help give some examples of messages that could be given from an open and relational framework. If you're a pastor type or someone who has influence within your local faith community, this is going to be a nice resource for you. Today's conversation is with the editors: The Rev Jeff Wells, The Rev/Dr Nichole Torbitzky, and the Rev/Dr Vikki Randall. After you pick up a copy of Preaching the Uncontrolling Love , make sure to sign up for my substack newsletter at jonathanfosteronline.com. In addition to weekly writing, you'll get access to fictional stories and some essays around theology and sexuality. Of course, detractors like to think my theology around sexuality is a ficitonal story, haha, but I'll let you be the judge of that! :) If you like todays show, make sure to subscribe, share, and like. Thanks everyone! All my best, Jonathan

Open and Relational Theology with Mark Feldmeir and Hyemi Jones

Open and Relational Theology with Mark Feldmeir and Hyemi Jones

Lookin' for a great book from an author and pastor? Oh, you should know about Mark Feldmeir and his book Life After God: Finding Faith When You Can't Believe Anymore. Really enjoyed having a conversation with Mark about love, church, relationality, theology and his journey. It was also great to have my friend, Hyemi Jones as our conversational partner on this episode. Both Hyemi and Mark are from the United Methodist flavor of Christianity, so it was cool to get their take on how open and relational thinking can play out within their perspective. Hey, thanks for supporting this particular show by joining up with the QuoirCast Patreon page. And I hope you've had a chance to get in on my newlsetter by subscribing to my Substack Publication. Leave a review, a like, a star or whatever. Thanks everyone! J_F

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