Deeply Spiritual but Rather Uncertain - with Skip Collins

You've probably heard the term "Progressive Christianity" somewhere along the way. But it's likely it wasn't in a positive context. So what is Progressive Christianity? What do they believe? Is it even Christian at all? In this episode Skip unpacks some of the core tenets of Progressive Christianity and how it is lived out in the life of a Christian. 

In this episode, we explore the issues of gender identity, non-binary, trans, and more. Most importantly we look at what the Bible does not say and what it actually does say.   Email: skipinusa@gmail.com Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Threads: @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa

For all my life, I have understood God to be a personal being rather than some impersonal force. But in recent months the idea of God as a personal being has seemed a very limiting understanding of God. The understanding of God as Divine Presence has become more relevant and helpful for me. So which is it?  Personal God or Divine Presence?  Email: skipinusa@gmail.com Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Threads: @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa  

The philosophy of the modern mega-church is flawed. Christian Nationalism is dangerous. Jesus shares a very different message in the Beatitudes.    Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Threads: @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa Email: skipinusa@gmail.com

Have you ever considered the idea that Salvation in the Bible is not just "personal salvation"? That's what we are looking at in this episode. We talk about issues like systemic poverty, systemic racial inequality, guns control, voter repression, and other non-controversial stuff.  Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa Email: skipinusa@gmail.com

The words Salvation or Saved or Savior appears about 500 times in the Bible. For most of my life every time I read the word I assumed it was ultimately talking about going to heaven when you die.  In this episode, I want to explain why I believe that assumption is absolutely wrong!   Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa Email: skipinusa@gmail.com

Sometimes we think of faith only in terms of what we believe about God. But what if faith is much bigger and broader and more transformative than that? And what if what we believe about God, carries much less importance than we always thought? Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa Email: skipinusa@gmail.com  

It's pretty easy to come up with a list of things we disagree on.  But what about a list of things that we agree on?  Are there things that Progressives, and Evangelicals, and Mainline Churches all agree on?  I think there are! Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa Email: skipinusa@gmail.com

Is there anything more powerful in our world than story?  I don't think so.  And that is why I want to take some time to share stories of our LGBTQ+ siblings.  We start with a friend from South Africa.  Glenn worked with us in Youth for Christ when Sheila and I first moved to South Africa.  Like all of us, Glenn's story is full of ups and downs, victories and failures. I think you will be inspired and maybe even a little bit enlightened.  Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa Email: skipinusa@gmail.com

In this episode, we plead to the church to rethink its view!  Something has to change!   Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa Email: skipinusa@gmail.com

So far we have spoken about what the Bible doesn't say.  In this episode, we are talking about what the Bible does say.  This is at the very heart of the argument of the full inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community in the church.  Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa    

Today we look at the New Testament passages that seems to condemn same-sex relationships. Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:10.  It's not as easy as you might think.     Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Website:  www.skipcollins.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa    

This week we unpack 3 Old Testament passages that have been used in the argument against LGBTQAI+ inclusion.  The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22, and Leviticus 20:13.  The truth is that these verses have nothing to do with what we understand as LGBTQIA+.   Website:  www.skipcollins.com Patreon:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Instagram:  @skipcollins Twitter:  @skipinsa  

Finish this sentence. God created Adam and Eve not...  Yes, we've all heard the creation argument used against our LGBTQ friends.  But the truth is that it does not hold up at all in the question of gay marriage or gay relationships.  Join me as I unpack the creation story and how it has been wrongly used as a filter for everything Christians have believed about same-sex relationships. Patreon: www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Twitter:  @skipinsa Instagram:  @skipcollins Email: skipinusa@gmail.com Bible, Gender, and Sexuality - James Brownson

The Christian Church is facing a very serious crossroads around LGBTQIA+ inclusion.  Already major denominations are splitting over the issue.  When we say everybody is welcome, what do we really mean?  Is it everybody?  Or just those that meet our requirements?  This is the first in an ongoing series around this issue and shares my road to the full inclusion and affirmation of the LGBTQIA+ community.   

In this episode we continue our Both Sides Now discussion and look at how we see/understand/relate to God.   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Twitter:  @skipinsa Instagram:  @skipcollins Email: skipinusa@gmail.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/skipcollins  

It seems that the way we view and understand the Bible can become a massive stumbling block as we deconstruct our faith.  Today we look at how we view Scripture through the different stages of our deconstruction.   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Twitter:  @skipinsa Instagram:  @skipcollins Email: skipinusa@gmail.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/skipcollins  

In this episode, we explore the liminal space of deconstruction - the stage in your spiritual journey when you question and doubt - the stage that makes you wonder if everything you ever believed was just fantasy - the point at which you can't really tell if you're a Christian or an Agnostic.  My hope is to bring some insight on how to navigate those spaces in our lives.  

In this last of 3 interviews, I did with Tom Basson of Grace Family Church we speak of the unanswerable question of suffering.   Grace Family Church Website - www.grace.org.za Skip Collins Patreon page - www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Twitter:  @skipinsa Instagram:  @skipcollins Email: skipinusa@gmail.com

In this episode, Tom and I talk about Truth.  Is absolute truth really and thing and if it is can we know it?   Grace Family Church Website - www.grace.org.za Skip Collins Patreon page - www.patreon.com/skipcollins Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Twitter:  @skipinsa Instagram:  @skipcollins Email: skipinusa@gmail.com      

I had the chance to sit down with Tom Basson on Zoom recently.  Tom is the Co-Senior Pastor at Grace Family Church in South Africa.  This was actually for their podcast and goes with a sermon series they are doing called "Asking for a Friend".  But I thought it would be worth posting here as well.  In this episode, we talk about the damage the church has inflicted on so many people throughout history and sadly still continues to do so.   Grace Family Church Website:  www.grace.org.za My Patreon Page:  www.patreon.com/skipcollins  

All of my life I've been taught about holiness and purity.  Be Holy as God is Holy.  But what if compassion trumps holiness and purity?  In fact what if the politics of holiness is actually doing damage?  That's what we are talking about in this week's episode.  I would love to hear your thoughts after you listen.  Here's how to get in touch with me... Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skip.collins.927/ Twitter:  @skipinsa Instagram:  @skipcollins Email: skipinusa@gmail.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/skipcollins         

Several New Testament authors declare that Jesus is the light of the world.  But then Jesus says YOU are the light of the world?  It's interesting that he never said "You are the truth of the world" We get these confused way to often.  In this episode we will unpack what all that looks like.

Welcome to Season Five (I think)  In this episode I want to talk a bit about this idea of deconstruction.  Deconstruction is new language for something that goes all the way back to Jesus!  What if I told you we are all deconstructing - or if I told you that deconstruction is necessary to faith.  Check out this episode and then let me know if you think I'm wrong - or right.      

Trust is hard.  Control is easy.  That's all I have to say about that.   Not really!  Check out the podcast.     If you are able to support the podcast financially go to patreon.com/skipcollins If you would like to sign up for "In Black&White" CLICK HERE.  (I will not spam you I promise) Check out my website for Enneagram Meditations, Lectio Divina, and Mindfulness Meditations.  skipcollins.com  

Are we more in need of forgiveness or healing?  The answer might surprise you!    If you are able to support the podcast financially go to patreon.com/skipcollins If you would like to sign up for "In Black&White" CLICK HERE.  (I will not spam you I promise) Check out my website for Enneagram Meditations, Lectio Divina, and Mindfulness Meditations.  skipcollins.com    

The doctrine of original sin claims that all humans are "born into" sin.  In other words, you are inherently flawed, inherently bad.  And it's that inherent sin that separates you from God.  God is forced to reject you because of it.  This doctrine is pretty central to all of Christianity.  But what if it's wrong!  What if you are - in the words of Genesis 1 - VERY good!  What if you never were separated from God? If you are able to support the podcast financially go to patreon.com/skipcollins If you would like to sign up for "In Black&White" CLICK HERE.  (I will not spam you I promise) Check out my website for Enneagram Meditations, Lectio Divina, and Mindfulness Meditations.  skipcollins.com

For so many people deconstruction destroys Good Friday and Easter.  The reasons that are given as to why what happened, happened just don't ring true anymore.  It seems to me that the problem is that everybody speaks as if they REALLY KNOW!  Like this is a piece of absolute truth that they have a handle on.  What if nobody really knows for sure?  Check out this latest episode as I talk about why Jesus died.   If you haven't checked out the Patreon page GO HERE Do you want to receive the "In Black & White" content?  Go HERE Here are links to the books I speak about in the podcast. A More Christlike God - Brad Jerzak Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God - Brian Zahnd

Prayer is one of the most difficult things to manage during a time of deconstruction.  Should I do it?  Does it even "work"?  In this episode, I talk about my own journey with pray and why I quit!   For Patreon CLICK HERE To Sign Up for "In Black & White" CLICK HERE    

Welcome to season 4!  It's been a great break and we've got some great things planned for this season starting now!   Recently, a number of people have asked me how I got from where I was to where I am.  So in this episode, I attempt to share the highlights of that story.   To sign up for the newsletter AND receive the free Enneagram Mindful Meditations CLICK HERE To log into Patreon CLICK HERE

Isaiah calls Jesus the Prince of Peace.  So where is this peace?  It seems to me we are more divided than ever in 2020!  Where do we find this prince of peace?   If you would like to contribute to the ongoing of this podcast go to www.patreon.com/skipcollins. Also, check out the podcast Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/Deeply-Spiritual-but-Rather-Uncertain-with-Skip-Collins-113948533842872    

Advent is about hope.  But how do we find hope when all seems hopeless?  In today's episode, we look at the prophets that spoke hope into a very hopeless situation when the people of Israel were in exile.  Where did they find hope after they were taken from their homes and forced to live in a foreign land?   If you can help financially please go to www.patreon.com/skipcollins Also, be sure to check out the Facebook page for the podcast.  Just go to Facebook and search for Deeply Spiritual but Rather Uncertain.  

If anyone tries to tell you that the doctrine of Hell is very clear in Scripture, I'm sorry but they don't know what they are talking about!  And if they tell you that they believe what Christians have always believed, then clearly they have never studied it fully.  In this episode, I outline four different views that are held by Bible-believing theologians on this doctrine and why I can't buy into the traditional evangelical view of hell.   Be sure to subscribe on whatever platform you are using.   If you don't follow me on Facebook you can at HERE If you can support financially you can through Patreon click HERE

"The Kingdom of God is like..." is the way that Jesus often started his stories.  He was trying to paint a picture of what the Kingdom of God looks like.  In this episode, we are looking at the story that Jesus told (called parables) about the Wheat and the Weeds.  I've always viewed this as a story about who's in and who's out of the Kingdom.  But perhaps its more about how we live and work and treat each other!  

When Jesus wanted to explain to his disciples and the people around what the Kingdom of God was, he told stories.  He would say, "this was what the Kingdom of God is like... once upon a time"  We call these stories Parables.  Today we look at the Parable of the Vineyard Owner.  

All of my life I've been taught, and I've taught that the Kingdom of God is the place where God rules and reigns.  But what if that's not really right.  What if the Kingdom of God is about relationships rather than hierarchy?  What if it's the place where love reigns - where grace reigns - where inclusivity reigns?  

What if we are reading Romans all wrong?  What if it's not about how I get right with God so I can go to heaven when I die?  That's the discussion on this week's podcast. You might want to pull out your Bible for this one! If you want to help with the expenses of the podcast head to www.patreon.com/skipcollins 

For many that are deconstructing their traditional faith to a more progressive outlook Romans is a problem.  What do you do with it?  Just ignore it and hopes it goes away?  This is the beginning of a series to reframe the book of Romans.     Don't forget to check out my Patreon Page at www.patreon.com/skipcollins    

The question of the day... Do we interpret the Bible through science or science through the Bible?  Is Genesis 1 and 2 to be taken literally?  Does any of that have anything to do with my life here and now?  Check out this episode!   Don't forget to check out the Patreon Page at www.patreon.com/skipcollins.  It's a way you can support the podcast plus receive extra content.  

If you have been around Christianity for even a very short time you probably know what the Gospel is.  In Evangelicalism, it's Jesus taking our sin upon Himself on the cross and dying in our place.  It's about the fact those who accept Jesus' sacrifice will have eternal life in heaven and those who don't will be eternally tortured.   What if I told you that I think that Gospel has failed us?   Don't forget to check out www.Patreon.com/skipcollins

So often I hear people who are in the midst of deconstructing their faith talk about their struggle with spiritual practices.  The practices that used to make sense don't anymore.  The practices that used to help, don't anymore.  In this episode, I speak of some contemplative practices that have become much more meaningful to me as I've worked through my own deconstruction.   This week I have uploaded special content for our Patreon Community.  Check it out.  www.patreon.com/skipcollins

I have been a fan of the Enneagram for 25 years!  It's been absolutely transformational in my life through times of crisis as well as the journey of deconstruction. So I decided to do an episode that is an overview of this amazing tool and why I love it so much. Below are a number of links for great Enneagram resources.   Sleeping at Last The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective - Richard Rohr The Road Back to You - Ian Morgan Cron The Sacred Enneagram - Christopher Heuertz The Enneagram Institute Intigrative9  Also, check out EnneaApp.  A free app for your phone  

2 Kings chapter 5 is a story of the prophet Elisha and a guy by the name of Naaman who is the Commander of the armies of Aram.  In it, we see a beautiful contrast of the Empire, with the Kingdom of God that I think is incredibly relevant for our world today.  

God is in control.  It's a phrase we hear over and over in Christian circles.  But what does it really mean?  Is God really in control?  If so, then you can see why some people think he/she is doing a pretty lousy job of it!  On today's episode, we ask that exact question and we look at several competing theological views on the subject.  Don't forget to check out the Patreon page.  The link is below along with a few things I mention in the show.   Patreon https://www.edify-buildingthesoul.com/ God of the Possible by Greg Boyd A God Who Risks by John Sanders www.skipcollins.com    

Disruption is a regular activity of life.  Sometimes we volunteer for it - like when we have children or change jobs - sometimes it is thrust upon us without warning.  In the church, we have these regular activities like baptism, communion, and others that we call sacraments.  They are these physical things that impart God's grace in our lives and that hopefully leads us to a new normal - a better normal. What if we saw all disruption as sacramental?  And if we did what could we do to lean into the new and improved normal that disruption brings?   Don't forget to check out my Patreon page www.patreon.com/skipcollins.  If you can help it would be fantastic!  

I've been thinking a lot about my own need for certainty.  These times are crazy and I really want to know when it will end.  I really want to know what the "new normal" is going to look like.  I really want to know if my retirement fund will come back!  What we are all learning is that the things we were certain of just a few weeks ago are no longer certain. How about the Bible?  Certainly, we can find certainty there. I'm not so sure about that actually.  Check out this week's podcast as we talk about our need for certainty and control and what does all that have to do with the Bible?

For many years we have heard people weaponize the Bible against whatever would come against them.  We quote it at the enemy and if we do that we will be protected.  This wrong use of the Bible has been more prominent on Social media lately because of the Corona Virus.  So does it work?  Can I quote the verse, "No weapon formed against me shall prosper", enough times to keep the virus away?  Is that how we are supposed to use the Bible?  Does the Bible even have any relevance to the crisis that the world is facing?  Check out this weeks episode. Don't forget to check out my Patreon page if you are willing to help with as little as $1 a month!  Any help would be appreciated.  https://www.patreon.com/skipcollins

There are lots of questions around the Canonization of Scripture and does that process make the Bible less trustworthy.  Who decided what books to include and what gave them the authority to make that call?  That's what we are talking about in this episode.   Don't forget to check out my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/skipcollins.  Also if you would rate and/or comment below it would be helpful in getting this podcast out to more people. 

This is the story of a little girl who has challenged my thinking in a number of areas.  In this episode, I will share her tragic story and the lessons I learned in watching and loving her.  

What is there for a 66-year-old white man to learn from a little girl who was abandoned by her parents, contracted TB Meningitis, TB on the spine, and Hydrocephlis and then passed away at 15 months old?  I can assure you that it is more than you can learn in a lifetime.  Today I am sharing another of those things with you.   Also, I'm excited to announce that we have launched a Patreon page.  It means you can for as little as one dollar a month (or more) support this podcast.  Now that I'm retired and have no income it would be helpful to cover the costs of this podcast.  So if you can help go to www.patreon.com/skipcollins and sign up!  

Since the beginning of the church, women have been told that they are not allowed to lead in church world.  That role has been given to the men - by God himself.  Personally, I believe our churches are weaker because of it.  Today I talk to Mickie O'Donnell about her 4 decades in church ministry and her thoughts around female leadership in the church.  Below are a number of resources that Mickie mentions in this podcast.  Just click on the title.   Mickie's Web Site Jim Singleton talk  Lean In by Sheryl Sanburg    You Just Don't Understand by Deborah Tannen   Gender Roles and the People of God by Dr Alice Matthews    Paul and Gender by Dr Cynthia Westfall