In Faith & Doubt

Nijay and AJ discuss how deconstruction can sometimes happen with a person in isolation and it is easy for their faith to disintegrate. Deconstruction can sometimes be healthy and lead to a stronger faith in the end, but often this requires a community journeying with that person and supporting them. 

Nijay and AJ have an "unscripted" and unplanned conversation. They ask each other: What are you wrestling with in your faith right now?  What tough issues keep you up at night? They get into lots of real life issues like raising kids, facing your own past, faith's "growing pains"—and aliens and Bigfoot are mentioned along the way. 

In Faith & Doubt is a podcast that "normalizes" a messy faith and the ups and downs of the Christian life, which includes times of deconstruction. AJ and Nijay talk about how deconstruction can be very good and healthy (like shedding bad theology). In this episode, they dialogue about the boundaries of healthy deconstruction, and where it might go too far into damaging our relationship with God. 

As we enter a season where it is safer to go back to church together in person, some committed Christians are hesitant to re-engage with a local church.  Nijay and AJ acknowledge the challenges and talk about the importance of taking slow steps forward in faith. 

This is not a full episode, but just a short discussion of Nijay's and AJ's favorite religion, Bible, and culture podcasts. If you are looking for some new suggestions for podcasts, this might give you some fresh ideas.

Some say "deconstruction" is just a fad, people are hopping on the bandwagon to seem trendy, smart, and anti-establishment. AJ and Nijay talk about the pros and cons to these criticisms against the faith deconstruction movement. There is always the temptation to do what is getting attention, but that doesn't mean people aren't going through real trauma, heartache, hurt by the church, and wondering and wandering that have been a centuries old part of the Christian story. 

The Bible is the most bought and owned book—that is rarely read. In this episode, AJ and Nijay explore how Scripture relates to knowing God and thriving in faith.  The Bible is not meant to be used as a political weapon, or a book of facts to memorize. It is "meditative" literature, living communication that has the power to open up living communion with God.  

AJ and Nijay have frank conversation about walking with friends who are going through doubt, deconstruction, and even de-conversion. What do you do? How do you cope? Is there a time and place to pushback? What if the friendship falls apart? What does it really mean to be a "good friend" to friends moving away from their Christian  faith when you are not in the same place? 

AJ and Nijay are back! In this episode they discuss "theological envy"—the inclination to find attractive aspects of other Christian traditions, which can lead to bitterness or spite towards one's own theological heritage. Learning from other traditions is a good and beautiful thing, but is there a place for "theological contentment" in a healthy and messy life of faith? 

In the last episode of Season 4, Nijay and AJ talk about habits and practices that keep their faith steady, even and especially in periods of doubt and apathy. (Find out what why AJ "hums" to strengthen his faith!)

How do you process difficult texts of the Bible? Texts that seem immoral or even antithetical to the fundamentals of Christian faith? AJ and Nijay reflect on "hermeneutics" (how we approach the Bible), using Philemon as a case study.

A.J. Swoboda wrote a book called AFTER DOUBT, which came out in early 2021. It has received hundreds of favorable reviews from readers, and it has generated rich conversations about faith, doubt, deconstruction, and walking with Jesus in the mess of real life. In this ep, Nijay and AJ chat about the kinds of questions that have emerged over 2021 as he has interacted with readers and other scholars.

Christian faith is an intellectual faith, but is it also emotional? Nijay and AJ talk about the importance of bringing not only our minds into our relationship with God, but also our emotional self. 

Often people's disappointment with the Bible and Christianity comes through hearing a weak and insubstantial message of "salvation." AJ and Nijay talk about a more holistic salvation, without ignoring the importance of forgiveness and personal reconciliation with God. This may be a helpful way for those who struggle with doubt to "see" God's presence and goodness in all contexts.

AJ and Nijay are back with a fourth series on "The Gospel for Doubters." They try to get back to the heart of the good news of Jesus Christ. Even with all the messiness that comes with this package of "Christianity," is there a Jesus there at the center that is still worth it in the end?

AJ and Nijay have a candid conversation about a moment in each of their lives when they have changed their minds on a theological issue. They want to normalize openness to learning, and humility in dialogue. 

In this "podcast short," AJ and Nijay put each other in the hot seat with a spontaneous and unplanned question and raw answers. 

What affect does our "instant" world have on our theology and our relationship with God? AJ and Nijay process the dangers of knee-jerk theological engagement on social media and the urge to resolve theological tensions in our lives in general. Does the Bible encourage slow formation? Why? How? To what end? 

One of the reasons that believers experience doubt relates to science and what seems like contractions between science and the Bible. AJ and Nijay share about their love for science and the Bible both. 

AJ and Nijay are not afraid to dialogue about sobering topics. In this episode, they talk about the biblical teaching on divine judgment and hell. Is the God who punishes worth believing in and worshipping? 

AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta talk about how churches managed the pandemic ("Online Church") and how the COVID-19 era has forced pastors to think afresh about what "Church" really means. Many people stopped going to church and may never go back. Others might be craving a physical community. As AJ says in this ep., "You gotta be able to smell each other!"

AJ and Nijay talk about how they reflect on "ugly Christianity," Christian leaders and systems that harm, abuse, and deceive. 

AJ and Nijay have raw and honest conversations about how they process suffering and Christian faith. 

A.J. and Nijay talk about how they process questions about the Bible.  Is the Bible true? Is the Bible really from God? Is it full of contradictions? Why don't English translations match up? These are hard questions, there aren't quick and easy answers, but changing our perspective on what the Bible IS (and is not) helps us read it faithfully and with purpose.

A.J. and Nijay talk about Jesus and doubt. What began as a controversial Christianity Today article developed into a beautiful conversation about the humanity of Jesus. 

We all need heroes, people that inspire us, keep us going, especially when we have doubt and can't see the way forward. Give this podcast short a listen to learn about AJ and Nijay's spiritual heroes.

AJ and Nijay talk about faith that can handle doubt and deconstruction—and the movement towards reconstruction. 

A.J. and Nijay continue to talk about deconstruction and doubt. Can doubt be good for the Christian life? Can deconstruction lead to a stronger faith?

AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta talk about the role of doubt and deconstruction in the Christian life.  Doubt seems to involve a loss of faith; but can doubt also lead to a deeper faith?

What does AJ brew at home? Does Nijay qualify as a Portland hipster? Get to know the co-hosts of In Faith & Doubt.

In this episode, A.J. Swoboda (Bushnell University) and Nijay K. Gupta (Northern Seminary) talk about why they wanted to start a podcast. A big catalyst for this podcast is the launch of AJ's new book, AFTER DOUBT (Brazos Press, 2021). What is the relationship between faith and doubt? Are doubts a sign of an unhealthy faith?