evancynical's podcast: Recent Episodes
Eric Schwartz
Evancynical - someone who has been let down by the evangelical church. Join us as we dive deep in to the stories of real, everyday people and how the church has let them down and where they are now in their spiritual journey.
Join other "Cynics" at patreon.com/evancynical
Mikayla and I discuss the etimology of our surnames, her desire to pastor while being in a denomination that does not ordain women to be pastors, and her eventual transition in to the Moravian denomination!
Cristabelle discuss how a traumatic brain injury shaped and continues to shape her spirituality and theology.
My old friend stops by to discuss her unique journey in finding Christ through a campus ministry which may have been a cult.
Geoffrey and I discuss his roles in higher education and hospital administration in order to bring solutions and global change. Geoffrey also gets candid in sharing his coming out journey and how his faith continues to inform his story.
If Christianity is essentially a branch of Judaism, which does not have a notion of Heaven, Hell, or Salvation, how did we to a place whether you're in or you're out? That's what frequent guest Dr. Steve Simmons and I discuss in today's episode!
Ryan, Mike, and I discuss what community looks like whether you're in the church or have left it.
For the first time in almost 4 years Ryan Keller, Mike Petrow, and I are back together! Listen in for a great conversation about what community looks like when you're in and have left the church.
Author and speaker, Brian McLaren returns to discuss the future of the church in the light of recent cotroversies and the political climate.
Old friend and fellow nerd, Marc and I discuss everything from Broadway week to his conversion back to Catholicism from Evangelicalism.
Even though I absolutely love every episode, I thought I would share one of my favorite conversations!
Lucas Wilson and I discuss his new book "Shame-Sex Attraction" which chronicles various painful stories of conversion therapy. Below is more info about the book.
"We are survivors.
We were subjected to dehumanizing practices by people who sought our erasure.
We believe telling our stories is both powerful and political.
This edited collection brings together the experiences of those who have been subjected to queer conversion therapy - it is an effort to expose conversion practices for what they are - pseudoscientific, bogus, ineffective, and wildly traumatic - and to recognise and listen to survivors. With contributions from Gregory Elsasser-Chavez, Chaim J. Levin, Lexie Bean, Syre Klenke, and many more from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum - this is an attempt to ensure that what happened within these pages cannot - and will not - happen to future generations"
Find the book here
Author Liz Charlotte Grant stops by to discuss her new book "Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible" amongst other evangelically stuff. Purchase the book below or from your favorite local book store!
Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible
My good friend Nate Smith, who you met on Episode 24, returns with a life update. He and I once again toy around with idea of starting a point/counterpoint about the merits and qualities of the Fast and the Furious franchise!
In this episode Heather, Mark, and I discuss how golden retrievers are like Ted Lasso and more importantly their new book Lunchroom Theology.
"In a world fraught with polarization and division—where we form separate tables based on political beliefs, skin color, economic status, theological ideas, and personal preferences—can we find a way to live differently, more aligned with the ways of Jesus? In Lunchroom Theology, Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson confront our societal and theological rifts, and by weaving together scriptural and sociological insights, they expose the many ways our contemporary divisions are mirrored by the church today. Drawing extensively from the life of Jesus and the practices of his early followers, they propose a better way to live in the lunchroom. They beckon us to embody Jesus’ John 17 prayer for oneness and to think faithfully and creatively about how to push tables together in our fractured world."
Click Here to Purchase Lunchroom Theology
My good friend Jessica Morris shares some life updates specifically her perspective on church.
Sue returns to discuss one of the issues that leads to deconstruction and how we can practically interpret the doctrine of Hell.
In this week's episode, my guest Flux and I discuss how his mental health has impacted his perception of reality and where spirituality, neuroscience, and philosophy have helped him develop a model and framework for his life.
In light of the Robert Morris scandal, Dr. Riddick Weber is back, to discuss how denominational churches differ from non-denominational in their approach to accountability for their pastors.
Dr. Riddick Weber, Moravian professor extraordinaire, stops by to discuss an observation he's made about deconstruction journeys, and how they are less about theology and more about soteriology(doctrine of salvation).
James and I discuss banana slugs, his time in the Orthodox Church, and his coming out after being in a straight marriage.
Dr. Heather and I discuss the recent developments in the Robert Morris abuse scandal.
Below is a link to a very helpful interview, which we referenced, with Bob Hamp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWawzm11P74
Start this one off with a bang...actually a whisper. Jim and I make it through a recording snafu and finally discuss his history growing in mainline christianity, to his time in youth group with yours truly, and ultimately to a place of atheism.
My good friend Rick Dobrowlski and I discuss the pros and cons of the megachurch movement.
My good friends, Dr. Heather Evans and Catherine Wallace discuss where the church has gone wrong in addressing mental health and how it can do it better.
The man that started it all, Johnny Walsh returns to chat where he is on his spiritual journey since we recorded the very first episode of Evancynical.
Nashville pastor, Josh Scott and I discuss why people are afraid of faith shifts, why he still pastors, and his recently released book "Context".
https://www.amazon.com/Context-Putting-Scripture-Its-Place/dp/1791032095/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3APUSJKE6JFJV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cMGkDRh3U8TDajze0gano7cb8Tby8GhSpnqj5KOf683wQY0UMGNx9Tw0DrYLBapiKw9HfjAm__F9L85qDdtjztNyOszhm4jw-vSWnNYvVoEmKm7qySBSKZgLOlJWHdLadbYKmmH9PG3c1Z1OXCEppBxDaK6-yVZIpaF6EZjN6BzW_zoOn5ntDcct9te6feIyKit62pVlkLasw3ZI7Jy2JA.1MAMNVHZh_u06fgQoUYFTqe3vWRVTQwK8vZSbnuxymI&dib_tag=se&keywords=josh+scott+context&qid=1712945324&sprefix=josh+scott%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1
In this episode I chat with you about Matthew 18:20 and why Jesus is only present when there are two or three of you!
Theologian in residence, Dr. Steve Simmons guides us through the muddy waters of different atonement theories.
What does a good church look like? That's what Cindy and I discuss, among other myriad of topics from a bit of purity culture to complementarianism(the idea women can't be pastors).
Adam and I discuss our favorite Friends characters, speaking in tongues, mystery, and his journey of being in heterosexual marriage while struggling with his sexuality.
The purity culture series continues as we discuss what is purity culture, their experiences, and its impact on young people.
Jeremy and I discuss purity culture, its spiritual ramifications, and his experience with it as he struggled with his sexuality.
Megan and I discuss purity culture and her experience of being in a marriage with a partner who was struggling with their sexuality.
Naomi and I discuss growing up in the church, purity culture, her time in a toxic relationship, and how she finally escaped.
My good friend Austin stops by(finally!) and we discuss his life as a pastor's kid, his time as a youth pastor working in an unhealthy environment, and being the lesser halves in our marriages.
Sue and Steve return to discuss their important book about religious "nones" and "dones", Hear Us Out.
https://www.amazon.com/Hear-Us-Out-Questions-Belonging/dp/1506489192/ref=sr_1_1?crid=268QOKUK8PN56&keywords=hear+us+out+six+questions+on+belonging+and+belief&qid=1694095975&sprefix=hear+us+out%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1
We start out this heavy episode with a riveting conversation about Christian education sports, the proper way to pronounce basil, and a plea to send me an email.
Heather, Maria, and I discuss our favorite coffee tumblers and episode two of The Secrets of Hillsong.
Dr. Heather Evans, Maria Greco and I discuss our takeaways from episode 1 of The Secrets of Hillsong.
My good friend and I discuss his journey as a bisexual Christian and clobber verses used to marginalize gay Christians.
Matt and I discuss his upbringing in an evangelical denomination, how theology enlarged his faith, and the intersection of deconstruction and reformed theology.
Rachel, Maria, and I chat about the ramifications of burning turkey bacon and more importantly, students are deconstructing their faith and how they are faring.
Beth and I discuss her time growing up in a dysfunctional family, her conversion and ultimate deconstruction out of Evangelicalism, Star Wars(of course), and her new book God's Ex-Girlfriend(link below).
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Ex-Girlfriend-Memoir-Leaving-Evangelical/dp/1632461471/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24BC85SDRXEZ6&keywords=god%27s+ex-girlfriend&qid=1683818838&sprefix=%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1
Father Andrew and I discuss what drew him to Orthodox Christianity from the Baptist tradition, beauty, and Chick tracks(if you know, you know).
Here are some links to Father Andrew's work...
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-areopagus/id1227136686
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lord-of-spirits/id1531206254
https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-God-Encountering-Orthodox-Christianity/dp/1936270994/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682519951&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-God-Ignatius-Antioch-God-Bearer-ebook/dp/B077JGJLRB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682519951&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Arise-God-Gospel-Christs-Defeat/dp/1955890021/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682519951&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/Orthodoxy-Heterodoxy-Complicated-Religious-Landscape/dp/1944967176/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682520242&sr=8-5
Faith and I discuss her time as an intern for our coffee slurping, mutual friend, and former guest Jason Burson, why she considers herself a jaded Christian, and her foster dogs.
Sue and I discuss what inspired her to start an alternative faith communities and her forthcoming book about spiritual "Nones" and "Dones".
Pastor Mike and I discuss what it historically means to pastor and the reasoning behind his provocative social media statement "Your megachurch pastor doesn't care about you".
In a world of narcissistic clergy, there's something unexpected that seems to hinder accountability...the calling.
Molly and I talk about her apprehensions about but ultimately falling in love with pastoring. We also discuss in an age of the celebrity pastor, what does it look like to really pastor?
Jason and I continue our conversation about his time in Christian revivalism and his time working as a youth pastor in a toxic church environment.
Jason and I discuss his time in punk bands, Christian revivalism of the early 2000's, and his time as a youth pastor working in a toxic church environment.
Dr. Evans and I discuss her work with Souther Baptist Convention task force for handling sexual abuse, sexual and spiritual abuse in the church, and how churches and leadership should respond.
Caleb and I discuss growing up with the high expectations of going in to ministry and ending up being a counselor and professor. Caleb also shares with us the challenges and paint of attending a conservative church and what affect that had on him after his daughter came out.
Caleb and I discuss his time growing up in conservative evangelicalism and his deconstruction while attending a Jewish seminary.
Brittany and I discuss the neurological illness which transformed her theology and spirituality.
Kristen and I discuss her upbringing in Christian schools, her nomadic spirit, and purity culture.
In this episode Josh gets us off on the wrong foot with his disrespect for the NY Giants. We also discuss his conservative Christian school education and how it formed his misogyny, how he eventually realized his unhealthy perspective, and how previous Evancynical guests have spurred on some hard faith questions.
Podcaster and Tik Tok influencer, Tim Whitaker and I discuss Christian nationalism and what inspired him to start The New Evangelicals. He also judges me for wearing a Ben & Jerry's t-shirt but not a huge fan of ice cream. (I know, I know. It's justified.)
Just in time for Election Day, Dr. Steve Simmons gives us a crash course in Christian Nationalism - what it is, why it's dangerous, and how we should respond. Below are some helpful resources Steve offers to help us is in our journey.
Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism (New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019)
Beth Allison Barr, The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2021)
Jim Wallis, Christ in Crisis? Reclaiming Jesus in a Time of Fear, Hate, and Violence (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 2020)
Philip S. Gorski and Samuel Perry, The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to Democracy (New York: Oxford University Press, 2022)
Family Research Council https://www.frcblog.com/2022/01/religious-freedom-day-biden-administration-failing-uphold-our-first-freedom/
Uncivil Religion:https://christiancentury.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4857105f0936d1dde6abbfa19&id=4eda13f68e&e=b58fb7ee03 (Particularly about the civil insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6)
Religion Dispatches https://religiondispatches.org/
Christians Against Christian Nationalism https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/endorsers
“Honest Patriotism” (approved by the 223d General Assembly, 2018) https://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/Honest-Patriotism.pdf
The “Jericho March” https://religiondispatches.org/the-freedom-convoy-is-inspired-by-a-biblical-account-of-divine-massacre-welcome-to-the-jericho-march/
Faithful America https://faithfulamerica.org/
Reclaiming Jesus http://www.reclaimingjesus.org/
Vote Common Good https://www.votecommongood.com/
Part two of my conversation with two of our closest friends discuss their experiences in local evangelical churches, working at one of the biggest and most influential churches in the country, Willow Creek, and coming back home to work with and ultimately be traumatized by their home church.
Two of our closest friends discuss their experiences in local evangelical churches, working at one of the biggest and most influential churches in the country, Willow Creek, and coming back home to work with and ultimately be traumatized by their home church.
Brian and I discuss the shock he experienced both culturally and theologically after moving from Texas to Pennsylvania, the loss of his father, and the hope he still has for the Church.
Jessica and I discuss her life as the child of alcoholic, pastor, addiction recovery, and her sinful hatred of Star Wars.
Going off the beaten path here a bit with my conversation with Bradford as we discuss his experience as a Catholic, coming out, and we may dive in to some of the problems with the DC cinematic universe.
Keidre and I discuss the culture of shock of moving from a small, community based, midwestern, church where her grandfather was her pastor, to Knoxville based megachurch.
In this short bonus episode I make a special announcement and quick chat about why we do what we do.
In part two of my conversation with Mike, we dive deeper in to his time as a fan of Mark Driscoll and eventual departure. Mike also discusses why he says "your megachurch pastor doesn't care about you".
In this week's episode Mike shares his experiences growing up in the Charismatic Movement, his time serving a megachurch pastor in South Africa, and his time diving in to reformed theology.
Author of books “A New Kind of Christian” and “Faith After Doubt”, stops by, along with friend of the pod Mike Petrow, to chat about Brian’s new book “Do I Stay Christian?”.
https://www.amazon.com/Do-Stay-Christian-Disappointed-Disillusioned/dp/1250262798/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A676B9AKNZG6&keywords=do+i+stay+christian+by+brian+mclaren&qid=1652990282&sprefix=Do+I+s%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1
Khadijah and I discuss the challenges of growing up in church as a pastor's kid while struggling the chronic illness of her father, her own sexuality, and anger.
Dr. Evans and I discuss spiritual trauma.
Here are some resources referred to and recommended in this episode.
- This Little Light - Christa Brown
- When Narcissism Comes to Church - Chuck DeGroat
- Redeeming Power - Diane Langberg
- Jesus and John Wayne - Kristin Kobes Du Mez
- A Church Called Tov - Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer
- Something's Not Right - Wade Mullen
- Is it Abuse? - Darby Strickland
In a special crossover episode with my friend Brian Savary of the Shared Space Podcast, we discuss the benefits of the Enneagram with spiritual director and Evancynical alum, Kim Denyes.
Today I have a conversation with a friend who asked to remain anonymous, so we're addressing him as Michael...and you'll find out why.
Carey and I discuss her time as teenager in a traveling Christian singing group and how Native American spirituality has changed her life.
Nate and I discuss his love and my disdain for the Fast and the Furious and how his time deployed in Afghanistan continues to impact his views on Scripture.
Jim and I sit down to discuss his time in the military, the complicated relationship with his father, and how the 12 Steps are great template for church.
Sarah and I discuss poser hydro flasks, growing up in a Calvinist church, being a Christian camp counselor, and her experience of being "outed" at this camp.
Matt and I converse about evangelism as MLM, growing up gay in the church, and you get to listen in on my embarrassing senior moment.
Maria, a licensed counselor, and I discuss mental health, Biblical counseling vs. "real" counseling, and the evils of daylight savings.
Christy and I chat about being the daughter of a Navy chaplain, a church planter's wife, and the drama which ensued after her and her husband decide to downsize their successful church.
Sara and I discuss her experience as the daughter of a church planter and why she plans on giving me a bad review.
Lauren and I discuss everything from theology of Hell, parachurch organizations, and untested pizza.
Drew drops by to discuss his book of poetry, God Speaks Through Wombs, and the black experience in church.
Pick up God Speaks Through Wombs here...
https://www.ivpress.com/god-speaks-through-wombs
Christy and I discuss our favorite Apple products, spiritual mountaintop experiences, and how the church dramatically impacted her identity.
Brian and I discuss his job in library technology, my jealousy over a friend's podcast with Brian Mclaren, and his journey from evangelicalism to mainline Christianity.
Kinsey shares how she is a goose super hero, massage therapy, and her robust history in the church.
Kim and I discuss her experience as a PK(Pastor's Kid), contemplative theology, divorce, and spiritual direction.
"All this has happened before and all this will happen again." These famous words uttered by the series Battlestar Galactica is the inspiration for today's episode. Dr. Craig Atwood (Moravian theologian and historian) and I discuss patterns throughout church history which are prevalent in today's evangelicalism.
Mike and I discuss deconstruction, contemplation, Hell, etc. So, not too much.
Mike works with the Center for Action Contemplaton, which was founded by Richard Rohr and offers lot of good resources for deconstructing evangelicals, including Richards daily meditations. Mike can be heard on the Learning How to See podcast with Brian McLaren, and the Cinemartyr podcast, and works as a spiritual director and also teaches with the Guild For Spiritual Guidance.
Note: Even PhDs make mistakes. At 22:30 Mike states that Justin Martyr quoted Origen, where Origen quoted Justin Martyr. Oh, Mike. For the record Mike did catch the mistake and would really like it if you forgave him.
Fallon and I discuss the MCU and her time with Hillsong NYC and where she is now with the evangelical church.
My friend Kristy joins me to discuss her rich history in the church, abuse, and spiritual direction.