Jonathan's books include "Indigo: The Color of Grief," "Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe," "The Reconstructionist," and "Questions About Sexuality that Got Me Uninvited from My Denomination."  Find his books here: https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com/ or on Amazon.  Learn more about The Spiritual Brewpub here: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com ..read more

What's really going in Palestine and Israel? Lamis Diab shares first hand experience being shot at by the Israeli army, what the apartheid conditions are like, the dehumanization of a people, what the bombing of Gaza is like, and some of the solutions being proposed. Also includes stories of Israeli historians and former IDF soldiers and their journeys to uncover the myths of the day. It's not so black and white folks. These are stories Americans need to hear. Learn more:   HISTORY Israeli historian Ilan Pappe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1PKlV1JMBU&t=4s    Jewish polit ..read more

Is deconstructing evangelical theology harming people and tearing them away from Jesus? Is it untrue to the historical and biblical record? Or, is it actually a natural healthy process of questioning certain doctrines and discovering a more "biblical" and historically accurate paradigm on Jesus and the Bible? Get answers from four commentators who have in-depth experience on both sides of this issue, as former missionaries, pastors, and leaders in the evangelical movement.   Desimber Rose: https://us.amazon.com/Church-Can-Hell-Overcoming-Brokenness-ebook/dp/B0B2ZB6VX9/ Angela Herrington ..read more

Join Reverend Derek Kubilus and Michael having an amazing conversation on the doctrine of hell and how Derek came to reject it as a mistranslated, misinterpreted, and illogical concept that totally contradicts God's love. Derek addresses these questions below. Don't miss his insightful answers: * How are some people haunted by hell? * What are the major glaring contradictions of the notion of a hell that is created and maintained by a loving God? * If Christians truly, really, honestly believed in hell and truly, really, honestly loved their neighbors, how would they live their life? * What ar ..read more

One day Angela Herrington had an epiphany. She loved God but realized the conservative Christian movement she was in was teaching some really toxic stuff. Join Michael and Angela’s conversation about what faith deconstruction is, why it’s so crucial, and how to address its critics. Angela shares from her heart and the wellspring of wisdom in her new book, Deconstructing Your Faith Without Losing Yourself. Learn why deconstruction is not just the latest trend, what toxic religion is, and what you need on a deconstructing journey to ensure you’re not losing yourself and not warping historical fa ..read more

A journalist for "If Americans Knew," Kathy Shihadah has a deep connection to Palestine through her Palestinian relatives living in Gaza. Drawing on her experience as a professional researcher of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as a progressive Christian blogger, and and her personal relationship with Gaza residents, Kathy shares this story of "A Refugee Family’s Quest for Survival." Learn what's going on in Palestinian territories through the eyes of Gazan residents. Here are some of the resources both Michael and Kathy mention toward the end of the podcast: Kathy's Blog with stories on her ..read more

Meet the Tattooed Theologian. Dillon Naber Cruz experienced trauma in his childhood and during his service in the Marine Corps. After coming to grips with his PTSD and how the US military wages war and trains recruits, Dillon went back to the teachings of Jesus and addressed the cognitive dissonance he felt. Join Dillon and Michael as they discuss how Dillon became an aspirational pacifist and why redemptive violence---the belief that violence can be used to bring order to society---doesn't work in the world. If you're weary of cycles of violence, the dehumanization of "the other," and retribu ..read more

Daniel Bannoura is a Palestinian Christian who grew up in the West Bank and taught at Bethlehem Bible College. Now a PhD candidate at Notre Dame, Daniel joins Michael to discuss the Israel-Hamas War, the wider Palestinian-Israel conflict, and his Palestinian Christian roots. There's so much context and history to learn here. A very illuminating interview during this critical time. To get the most out of this episode, check out all these RESOURCES on the subject: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ec98509ea936a6584b3cecb/t/653c07a34ffa986c65bc9d0b/1698432933843/Palestine-Israel+Resources.p ..read more

Kathy Shihadah, a Christian and ex-evangelical, is married to a Gazan Muslim who has family in Gaza. She joins Michael to share her very personal and gripping story about her spiritual journey, a multi-faith marriage, and insights on the plight of Palestinians. Kathy and Michael share empathy for all who are suffering in the Israel-Hamas War, both Israelis and Palestinians. People of good will denounce the attacks by Hamas and the taking of hostages. Yet Kathy's and her Muslim husband's family's perspective brings critical context to the wider conflict and helps explain the drive behind Hamas ..read more

American democracy is in danger. How do we protect it from authoritarian reactionary Christianity? David Gushee joins Michael to discuss his new book, Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies. Gushee makes a robust case for a renewed commitment to democracy on the part of Christians—not by succumbing to secular liberalism, but by drawing on Christianity's own best traditions. Any concerned Christian or post-evangelical will walk away with eyes wide open to the dangers of our current form of political engagement. Listeners will gain insight into what democracy is truly meant to be and why ..read more