Not Ashamed

Will breaking a Holiness standard (standards forbidding makeup, jewelry, women's pants, etc.) cause you to lose your salvation? Are all Christians who don't follow Holiness standards actually lost? Nathan Mayo (cofounder of Berean Holiness) argues that, no, Holiness standards are not gospel issues, and that elevating them to this level distorts a biblical understanding of the gospel. Luke Beets (Holiness evangelist) disagrees, claiming that Holiness standards are clear, biblical commands, that not following them is sin, and that all sin results in immediate loss of salvation (until specifically repented of). Thank you so much to The Every Day Christian Podcast for all their work hosting, moderating, and editing, and for making this debate possible!For a deeper study of these topics, check out Nathan's articles:https://bereanholiness.com/can-women-wear-pants/ https://bereanholiness.com/jewelry-on-trial/https://bereanholiness.com/can-godly-women-use-cosmetics/https://bereanholiness.com/identifying-gospel-distortions/"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." —Romans 1:16Questions or thoughts? Contact us at: info@bereanholiness.com

Have you ever caught yourself identifying more with your church group then with Christ? Did you experience an identity crisis after transitioning out of a high-control church or movement? In our final podcast episode of Not Ashamed Season #1, we dive into the topic of untangling group identity and learning to place our identity in Christ first and foremost. Our guest is Jonah McElhaney, author of There's No Such Thing As Dragons: Examining The Theology of The United Pentecostal Church. Jonah spent fourteen years in the UPCI and was involved in ministry for eleven of those years. It was only by studying Scripture and the grace of God that he came to see the error in many of their doctrines. He shares part of his testimony on this month's episode; you can find more in his book, as well as his blog. Also on the panel this month are Bethany, Andrew, and Natalie. Thank you for joining us as we rebuild theology in light of God's grace, love, and the true meaning of holiness! Other Resources: Christianity without the Cross: A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism by Thomas Fudge Directory of Resource for Apostolics "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16 Find more at: BereanHoliness.com

Have you ever been told that Oneness Pentecostalism (or a OP denomination) is currently one of the fastest growing church movements in the world? Were you led to believe that Catholics, Baptists, and other mainstream denominations are receiving the Acts 2:38 salvation plan and moving towards Oneness Pentecostalism? Did it feel like it wasn't adding up? In this month's episode, we listen to multiple clips from a sermon at the UPCI General Conference 2023 which made these claims. We go straight to the sources the minister cited and grapple with the glaring reality—the articles were about Trinitarian Pentecostal growth, not Oneness Pentecostal growth. In this discussion, we also look at the numbers for Pentecostal size and growth at large in comparison to Oneness Pentecostalism, breakdown the UPCI's statistics, contrast how Oneness and Trinitarian Pentecostals view each other in regards to salvation, explain their theological differences, and listen to Josh breakdown the history of their origin and split. So much is packed into this one episode, but if you're ready to dive into all things Pentecostal, this episode is for you! Sermons quoted in this episode: "Consumed by Zeal" by David K. Bernard, Sept. 2023 Strategic Growth Initiative Service, Derald Weber, Sept. 2023 Articles quoted in this episode: "Pentecostals: How Do They Keep Growing While Other Groups Are Declining?" Ed Stetzer, June 2023 "Pentecostals: Their Growth and the Implications for Evangelicalism" Ed Stetzer, July 2023 "Why has Pentecostalism grown so dramatically in Latin America?" with Andrew Chestnut, Nov. 2014 "The New Face of Global Christianity: The Emergence of 'Progressive Pentecostalism'" with Donald Miller, April 2006 Find our previous interviews with Josh Christensen on the Berean Holiness YouTube Channel The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: BereanHoliness.com "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16

Have you ever found yourself nervous to choose a new church, worried that you may end up in a spiritually abusive environment? Have you ever felt something was off in the church you were currently attending, but didn't know how to be sure? In this month's episode, we'll be discussing these questions and more, as we dive into our discussion regarding red flags of an unhealthy church. Our special guest for this month's panel discussion is Dulce Johnson. Dulce, along with her husband and children, left a G12 church that taught a prosperity gospel, Word of Faith, the "little gods" doctrine, and was very similar to hyper fundamentalism with its authoritarianism, elitism, and tribalism. Dulce shares her story of finding the true gospel, as well as what she learned along the way about recognizing red flags and green flags when evaluating churches. Joining her in this discussion are Andrew, Natalie, and for the first time on the Not Ashamed podcast, Natalie's husband, Cole. You can find Dulce with her handle "honestmessylife" on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: BereanHoliness.com "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16

Did you attend the Called to Freedom conference and would love to hear what others are saying about it? Were you unable to come but are excited to hear how it went? In this month's episode, we'll be discussing how God was present and faithful at Called to Freedom, encouraging and strengthening attendees through the content and fellowship. Our special guest for this month's panel discussion is Jennifer Brewer, joined by Andrew, Bethany, and Natalie. Together, they discuss their highlights and takeaways from Called to Freedom, read survey responses, and discuss the "'Freedom' is a New Name for Bondage" post that circulated during the event and was unfortunately weaponized (by some who shared it) against CTF attendees. You can find Jennifer Brewer on Instagram at @jenniferbrewerauthor, on Facebook, and at her blog, Finding My Freedom, Doing My Life. You can find her book, Free: From Legalism to Grace Breaking Out of the United Pentecostal Church, on Amazon. You'll also find her podcast, Amateur Faith Night, wherever you're listening now. The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: BereanHoliness.com "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16

Have you ever found yourself conforming to a group rather than following the leading of the Spirit? Have you ever struggled with prioritizing pleasing people over pleasing God? How does one practice spiritual disciplines in a healthy way? In this month's episode, we'll be discussing all these questions and more, as we dive into our discussion regarding what it looks like to have a personal relationship with Christ. Our special guests for this month's panel discussion are Jennifer Brallier and Liz Johnson, joined by Bethany and Natalie. While their backgrounds are in different groups—Holiness Pentecostalism, Oneness Pentecostalism, and Independent Fundamental Baptist churches—they experienced many similar misunderstandings about who God is and what it looks like to walk with Him personally. Together, they share their stories of how God was faithful to lead them out of hyper-fundamentalism and into a better understanding of the gospel of grace. You can find Liz Johnson on Instagram at @lizforchrist You can find Jennifer Brallier on Instagram at @jenbrallier Jennifer Brallier will be sharing her testimony in person at the Called to Freedom conference, July 28-29, 2023. Register today at BereanHoliness.com/conference The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: BereanHoliness.com "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16

Have you ever found yourself attending church services three, four, or more times a week, but with little time and opportunity to live out the Great Commission with other believers? Or, on the other hand, have you given up on church attendance altogether? Do you feel apart from God in seasons without a home church? Does attending a church service trigger anxiety and/or panic? In this month's episode, we'll tackle all these questions and more, as we dive into our discussion on the role of faith community and its overlap with church attendance. Our special guest for this month's panel discussion is Naomi Wright, founder and executive director of beEmboldened. Naomi is the daughter of a pseudo-Christian cult leader. She did not realize this was the case until she was 28, from which point she has sought after truth with a questioning mind, adamant to never find herself so lost again. Naomi holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University at Buffalo (Summa Cum Laude), is licensed in the state of Colorado, and completes a Master in Arts in Christian Studies from Denver Seminary this summer. Her areas of specialty include death and dying, grief and loss, spiritual abuse, including cult abuse, as well as biblical studies. Also on the panel this month are Andrew and Natalie. Thank you for joining us as we rebuild theology in light of God's grace, love, and the true meaning of holiness! Resources: Find beEmboldened resources at ⁠https://www.beemboldened.com/⁠ Follow beEmboldened on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Recommended Podcast Episode, "46. Healthy communities: How & why to find them." (Reclamation Podcast) Naomi Wright will be participating in a panel discussion at the Called to Freedom conference. Register at BereanHoliness.com/conference The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: BereanHoliness.com "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16

Sometimes, "Where do we draw the lines?" is asked out of sincere concern of falling down the slippery slope, especially in regards to believers who move away from hyper-fundamentalism. After all, if our pastor and church group don't draw the lines for us, who will? Other times, "Where do we draw the lines?" is asked as a way to use fear and shame to pressure believers into extra-biblical rules they are not "fully persuaded" of in their own minds (Romans 14:5). Either way, it's a question that deserves to be grappled with, and that's exactly what we do in this month's episode. Our guest is Nathan Mayo, cofounder of Berean Holiness and Network Director of True Charity. Also on the panel are Bethany, Andrew, and Natalie. Thank you for joining us as we rebuild theology in light of God's grace, love, and the true meaning of holiness! Have you registered for the Called to Freedom conference yet? Use promo code MAY50 for $50 off until May 31: BereanHoliness.com/conference Resources: "Where Do 'We Draw the Lines?" (Article) "Why Replace the Rules?" (Video) "Replacing Rules with Discipleship" (Article) "Looking Deeper into Discipleship" (Video) The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: BereanHoliness.com "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16

Have you ever started to share your story or your beliefs only to be cut-off with the accusation of "You're just bitter?" Have you ever wondered if maybe you are bitter, but you're not sure how to know, much less how to heal from it? Have you ever felt guilty for feeling disappointment, anger, or grief, wondering if these negative emotions are evidence of bitterness? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this episode is for you. Within hyper-fundamentalism, false accusations of bitterness are commonly used to silence and discredit those who share information, or a personal story, that makes a group uncomfortable. At the same time, bitterness, biblically defined, is a real issue for believers to grapple with and avoid. In this month's episode, we'll tackle how to process the false accusations of bitterness, as well as how to avoid and heal from the real thing. Our special guest for this month's panel discussion is Amber Jones, founder and president of GraceStory Ministries. Also on the panel are Bethany, Andrew, and Natalie. Thank you for joining us as we rebuild theology in light of God's grace, love, and the true meaning of holiness! Resources: Find Amber on Instagram at my_grace_story Find GraceStory Ministries on Facebook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Sign-up for Men's Conference (May 5-6) and find more resources at www.GraceStoryMinistries.com Recommended Podcast Episode, "45. The forgotten art of grieving and why embracing grief is a must." (Reclamation Podcast) The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: BereanHoliness.com "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16

Have you ever heard someone pressure extra-biblical standards by saying, "Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?" Have you ever struggled with the fear of not being able to do enough to please God? Or fear of not knowing how to please Him? Have you ever grappled with deep shame—feelings of being worthless, unwanted, even unlovable? Within hyper-fundamentalism, fear tactics and shaming are often resorted to as a way of enforcing strict standards. This can wreak havoc on members' view of God, themselves, and their understanding of salvation. In this month's episode, we will look deeper into how these tactics distort the gospel with fear and shame. We'll discuss overarching concepts, share personal stories, and examine nearly two dozen sayings that are real-life examples of how the gospel is skewed by those who are zealous to enforce strict standards. Our special guest for this month's panel discussion is Tracy Bowen, a fellow Berean Holiness volunteer. Tracy grew up in the Conservative Holiness Movement, but today she and her husband serve in full-time ministry at their non-denominational church in Florida. Also on the panel are Bethany and Andrew (both from Oneness Apostolic backgrounds), and Natalie (from a Trinitarian Holiness background). We're excited to come together and share how God is transforming our understanding of the gospel through the study of His Word. Thank you for joining us as we rebuild theology in light of God's grace, love, and the true meaning of holiness! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16 Resources: Find Tracy at The Hard Work of Hope on Facebook and Instagram "What is Scrupulosity? - Ryan Watters, Amber Jones, and Nate Davison" on GraceStory Podcast "Healing Religious Trauma with Dr. Diane Langberg" on Truth Trauma Theology The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: Bereanholiness.com Thanks for following on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Contact us at: bereanholiness@gmail.com Thank you for leaving us a rating and review! We appreciate your feedback.

Jesus prayed that believers would be one, unified in Him (John 17:10-11, 20-23). But with so many different churches, denominations, and beliefs, how can believers have this unity today? What does excellent Christian unity look like practically? Can we collaborate across denominational lines without compromising our convictions? In this month's episode, we dive into all these questions and more. We are honored to have had the opportunity to compare perspectives with a Holiness Pentecostal minister, Luke Beets, in a moderated discussion. Luke is a college campus evangelist. You can find his content on Wake the Bride Podcast and The Beets College Campus Ministry. Representing the perspective of Berean Holiness and the Not Ashamed podcast is Nathan Mayo. Nathan is cofounder of Berean Holiness and currently serves as the Network Director of True Charity. We enjoy having respectful, productive discussions with ministers and social media influencers who disagree with us and/or have a differing perspective. If you fit this description and would like to have a public discussion with us, the invitation is extended! You may submit a request for public dialogue here or on our website via the link on our "Contact" page. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16 Resources: A Closer Look at Christian Unity: Past, Present, At Home & Abroad Just How Christ-like is "Christian" Shunning? The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: Bereanholiness.com Thanks for following on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Contact us at: bereanholiness@gmail.com

Thanks for tuning in to hear our exciting news! Seats are limited, and tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis. Register before the end of February and receive $80 off general admission with promo code: EARLYBIRD80. Reserve your spot today at: bereanholiness.com/conference

What does the Bible teach us about holiness? What is it? How do we obtain it? How is holiness lived out practically? We'll be diving into all these questions and more in this month's panel discussion with special guest Josh Ratliff. Although Josh has family ties to both Independent Fundamental Baptists and Independent Holiness Pentecostals, he is now in the Wesleyan Church where he is an ordained minister and lead pastor. He holds a master's degree in Biblical Studies from Asbury Seminary. Also on the panel today are Bethany and Andrew (both from Oneness Apostolic backgrounds), and Natalie (from a Trinitarian Holiness background). We're excited to come together and share how God is transforming our understanding of holiness through the study of His Word. Thank you for joining us as we rebuild theology in light of God's grace, love, and the true meaning of holiness! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." —Romans 1:16 Resources: Called to Be Holy: A Biblical Perspective, by John N. Oswalt New Testament Evidences of Personal Holiness Danger! Beware of Compromising Holiness The "Not Ashamed" podcast is brought to you by Berean Holiness. You can find more of our content at: Bereanholiness.com Thanks for following on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Contact us at: bereanholiness@gmail.com