It's Tough, Dude

In this conversation, I am joined by my good friend Caleb Earle to discuss his experience of doubt, unlearning and relearning, and why questions don't keep us from God but actually draw us deeper into mystery, beauty, and goodness. While the particular Christian culture that Caleb and I were raised in tends to advocate for certainty and a sense of control, Caleb and I have both found that a liberating faith is one that is willing and able to change, adapt, and evolve. We discuss cognitive dissonance, the benefits of asking questions, and why being honest about the "disorientation" that so many of us feel (or have felt) in regard to faith can be very uncomfortable and, at times, lonely. I think this is a really good conversation for anyone coming from a conservative and evangelical background who is looking for the freedom to be able to be honest about the various questions, emotions, concerns, and belief changes they may be having. Caleb lives in Northern Italy with his wife, Eva, and is the co-host of the Rethinking Christianity podcast with Blake Fine. My Instagram: jakejohnson2194 Caleb's Instagram: itscalebyo_ Rethinking Christianity Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zW1WYvLurdrSYPRZG73C1?si=8399b6ad536940ec

In this episode, I read my Psychology of Religion dissertation that I wrote last Spring. Although not an intensive dissertation by any means, I attempt to make the argument that the God we see revealed in Jesus is not -- and never has been -- retributive. I plan to address this topic more fully in the future, particularly in relation to eschatology. However, for the purpose of the paper, I focused more on psychological rather than theological ramifications.

In this episode, I am joined by my good friend Nya Abernathy, who is the Founder of the Dignity Effect. She works as a public educator, curriculum designer, and peacemaker who focuses on emotional learning and living for adults. While you'll find her criticizing societal issues such as racism, grind culture, and patriarchal hierarchy, she chooses to define her posture with less "anti" language -- what she's against -- and speaks for what she's for: listening, learning, and being "pro-dignity." She is a woman of faith who is decolonizing what that looks like, and her favorite way to connect with people is through conversation and food. Instagram: @nyasabernathy @thedignityeffect

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Cameron Bogan to have a light-hearted conversation around our inspirations for writing, the tornado that ripped through Newnan a few weeks ago, my celebrity crushes, and the existential struggles we all feel but too often hide from.

In this episode, I am joined by my Aussie mate Jarrod McKenna to discuss nonviolence, the beauty of Jesus, and 1 John 4. This conversation is filled with grace, and my prayer is that it might be as life-giving for you as it was for me. Instagram: @jarrodmckenna Twitter: @jarrodmckenna

In this episode, I am joined by Professor Wye Huxford of Point University to discuss the good news of Jesus, and how it might be more beautiful (and subversive) than you think. We specifically address the platonic dualism that is so often masqueraded as Christianity, as well as address the ways in which the Kingdom of God (and the King) operate very differently than the kingdoms and kings of the world. In other words, we discuss how the power of love triumphs over the love of power. The gospel truly is good news, but we might have to rethink a lot of our own preconceived notions and presuppositions about Jesus and his mission in order to see the Kingdom of God among us (Luke 17:21).

In this podcast, my friend Anna and I discuss the Pixar movie Onward and how its story is all of our stories. We all long for adventure, and we all long to be fathered. The world has a way of drowning out the magic and mystery of life, but this movie is one of those that just might make you believe in fairy tales again.

In this episode, I am joined by my friend Logan Hudson to talk about our mutual love for the Chronicles of Narnia and why every person longs for a story.

“Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things — trees and grass and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it.” — Puddleglum, in The Silver Chair, by C.S. Lewis

In this episode, I discuss that peculiar commandment about not taking the Lord’s name in vain. Could it be that we have misunderstood it?

In this episode, I share a story about a homeless man I met at Barnes & Noble. The world truly has been turned upside down, and God offers forgiveness to all, inviting all of us to join the party.

There is a problem in our lives when our endless hurry prevents us from enjoying our coffee. In this episode, I share a blog I wrote a few months ago about our need to learn to rest. In the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”