Beyond the Box: Recent Episodes
Raborn Johnson and Steve Sensenig
For the last several months Ray has been working on a new project, The Mundane Revolution. The Mundane Revolution is a documentary-style podcast with original music where Ray will be focusing on reimagining a better world. This project is an outgrowth of Beyond the Box. So, no need to fear – Beyond the Box isn’t […]
Join Ray for a conversation with John Dear – peace activist, author, theologian, Catholic priest, and all-around amazing man! John has worked in homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and community centers; traveled in warzones around the world, including Iraq, Palestine, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, India, and Colombia; lived in El Salvador, Guatemala and Northern Ireland; been arrested over […]
Here it is – the second episode from the BtB Gathering 2014 in Nashville, TN! This episode was recorded at the first ever BtB Gathering, where we were joined by wonderful people from all over the US and Canada. It was three days filled with great conversations and virtual friendships finding connection in the physical […]
Here it is – the first episode from the BtB Gathering 2014 in Nashville, TN! This episode was recorded at the first ever BtB Gathering, where we were joined by wonderful people from all over the US and Canada. It was three days filled with great conversations and virtual friendships finding connection in the physical […]
Why is it so common for some to desire to exert control over others? In this conversation, Steve and Ray talk about control and the many manifestations it makes within the context of Christianity and religion. Prompted by a video (visit the website to view) of a church service that has been making the rounds […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Jim Douglass for a riveting recollection of a life lived for peace and justice in the way of Jesus. James W. Douglass is a longtime peace activist, theologian, and writer. He and his wife Shelley are co-founders of the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action in WA state, […]
What do the assassinations of Gandhi, John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy have to teach us today? Is there a thread that runs through the lives and deaths of these well-known victims of assassination? These are the questions that Jim Douglass has been asking through his eye-opening series of […]
In the (now almost) 6 years of the Beyond the Box Podcast, and in the years of personal conversation between Ray and Steve prior to the launch of BtB, one thing has stayed very consistent: A pursuit of meaningful and healthy expressions of faith in authentic relationships outside the institution or religion. In the evolution […]
UNITY. This seems to be a real buzz word in the Body of Christ, but seldom do we achieve it. What is unity? Does unity mean that we must all agree and affirm the same doctrines? Or, does unity mean that we must all lay aside our distinctive beliefs in an effort to not offend […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Jim Palmer for an exhilarating discussion about spirituality, suffering, and being human. Jim has a knack for making otherwise ethereal, spiritual concepts feel both meaningful and practical. He believes that the spiritual life is something to be embraced by everyone instead of a gift reserved for gurus and […]
The Chicken Manure Incident – It was supposed to be a quick and dirty solution. Early in the morning on June 4, 2013, workers from the City of Abbotsford, BC pulled up to a homeless camp on the side of the road and dumped a truckload of chicken manure on the site. Intended as a […]
[Note: This post first appeared in its original form on April 22, 2007 on Steve’s blog, Theological Musings] As most of you know, I’m a musician. And in the past, my “day job” during the school year was with Appalachian State University‘s School of Music. I was an accompanist there, mostly working with vocal students, […]
In this episode Ray is joined by author and fellow “Beyond the Boxer”, Jamie Arpin-Ricci, for a discussion about intentional community, issues of justice, Francis of Assisi, and his book The Cost of Community. Join us as we chat about living in community, radical hospitality, co-housing, “shoulds”, and a lot more! Check out Jamie’s book […]
Prompted by a suggestion from listener Joshua, Steve and Ray fire up a discussion about Panentheism and whether or not it could be a helpful idea in our journey with God. Panentheism is to not to be confused with Pantheism (the belief that creation itself is God), but rather is the idea that the entirety […]
It’s our first ever Groupcast! Groupcast is a new Beyond the Box feature that’s all about listening to and interacting with you, in order to explore life in Christ within the context of community. Speaking of community, in this first installment of Groupcast, that’s exactly what we talk about. Community – What does it mean? […]
In this episode, Ray is excited to be joined by Dr. Lee C. Camp for a discussion about his book Who Is My Enemy?, and the power of nonviolence to act as an apologetic for Jesus as the Messiah. Join us as we talk about double vision, the politics of Jesus, and the idolatrous nature […]
In this episode Shane Hipps joins Ray for a conversation about his book Selling Water by the River: A Book About the Life Jesus Promised and the Religion That Gets in the Way. Why is it that Christians feel we have the corner on God? Why do we protect the Kingdom like a guard instead […]
July 6, 2013 marked five years since Ray and Steve uploaded their first episode of Beyond the Box! And shortly before the anniversary of their first episode, Ray and Steve spent about 2-1/2 hours recapping some of the journey to this point. Filled with classic Beyond the Box style and humor, including the revival of […]
In early May, Steve traveled to Pennsylvania and decided to moderate a roundtable discussion with several friends of the podcast, including some former guests of the podcast and some new ones as well. The discussion, while a typical Beyond the Box exercise in rabbit trails, launches from the starting point of discussing the potential impact […]
Here is a great discussion with the insightful, charming, and witty Phyllis Tickle! Join Ray and Phyllis as they discuss Phyllis’ most recent book, Emergence Christianity. Strap yourself in as Phyllis takes us on a whirlwind tour of 2000 years of Church history, demonstrating how seemingly unrelated events have worked together to generate the spiritual […]
Join Ray as he talks with Anthony Bartlett about his book Virtually Christian. The good news is even better than we thought! Tony helps us understand that Jesus is about the business of actually changing what it means to be human in the here and now. More than preparing us for a transfer to a […]
Have you noticed that much of Christianity is recognized by the safe-guarding of borders and boudaries? In this discussion Ray is joined by Dr. Richard Beck as they explore together how we might move beyond a faith defined by purity and embrace a life of mercy as modeled by Jesus. Join us as we venture […]
In this episode Steve and Ray hit the road to join the people of “A Place To Talk” for a discussion about freedom, rights, and the Kingdom of God. Should followers of Jesus be concerned to protect their rights? Are our rights God-given, government-given, or some combination of both? Do we need freedom to proclaim […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Michael Hardin and Brad Jersak for a discussion on “the satan”. Who is the satan? What is the satan? Does a personal devil exist, or is satan an anthropological entity? These questions and more are addressed in this in-depth conversation on the nature of evil, and it just […]
In this episode Ray is joined once again by Tripp York for a discussion about Tripp’s book The Devil Wears Nada. In the book, Tripp embarks on a journey for God via searching for the devil. Sound crazy? Well get ready to laugh as you rethink who God is and who the devil isn’t. Check […]
In this conversation Ray is joined by Dr. Tripp York for a discussion about Christian nonviolence and the book A Faith Not Worth Fighting For: Addressing Commonly Asked Questions about Christian Nonviolence. Tripp helps us sort through some of the most difficult questions posed to Christian pacifists as found in the book. A Faith Not […]
In this episode Ray is excited to be joined by Brian McLaren for a discussion about Brian’s newest book Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? Brian’s book offers thought-provoking insights into living as a follower of Jesus in a pluralistic world, and in this discussion Brian answers questions like, “Is […]
Prompted by the recent endorsement of Mitt Romney by both Billy and Franklin Graham, in this episode Steve and Ray talk about the problem of using the Gospel to promote a political platform or candidate. As always the conversation takes “the scenic route” while stopping to explore a few rabbit trails along the way!
In this episode Ray is joined once again by Derek Flood for a discussion about Derek’s new book Healing the Gospel. Derek believes that restorative justice is the heart of the Gospel, and in this episode Derek shares his heart for healing the broken picture that many of us have of God and the Gospel […]
In this episode Ray hits the road to join the people of A Place To Talk, a fellowship of believers in Hickory, NC. The first hour of this episode is a live podcast discussion about nonviolence between Ray and Josh McDowell of A Place To Talk, which serves to set the groundwork for the last […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Dr. Peter Enns for a discussion about the ideas in his books Inspiration and Incarnation and The Evolution of Adam. What is the nature of Scripture? How are we to understand the balance between divine inspiration and human authorship in Scripture? Was Adam an historical person? Join us […]
In this fourth Loose At the Wild Goose podcast Ray speaks with Logan Mehl-Laituri about his journey from soldier to disciple of Jesus. Logan recounts his crisis of faith after realizing that his walk with Christ was a matter of convenience rather than discipleship. Logan’s new book Reborn On The Fourth Of July is now […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Dave Andrews for Part 3 of the Loose At the Wild Goose series recorded at the Wild Goose Festival. Dave is a practitioner of Christian Anarchy and someone known for his radical spirituality and incarnational ministry. Listen in as Dave shares with Ray his heart for Christian Anarchy, […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Derek Flood for Part 2 of the Loose At the Wild Goose series recorded at the Wild Goose Festival. Join in the conversation as Derek and Ray discuss how Paul reinterpreted the Old Testament in the light of Jesus, and how we are to follow the trajectory rather […]
In this first Loose At the Wild Goose podcast from the Wild Goose Festival, Ray is joined by Steve Berry, Kevin Miller, Brad Jersak, and Lorri & Michael Hardin for a lively discussion about the story of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5. Did God kill Ananias and Sapphira? What assumptions have we read […]
Fresh from the release of the second edition of his book, The Evangelical Universalist, Robin Parry pays a visit to Beyond the Box to talk to Steve about the current state of acceptance of Christian Universalism in evangelical circles and the effect this has had on other areas of theology within the body of Christ. […]
Prompted by a recent discussion on the Facebook page, Steve and Ray dialog about ideas surrounding how we understand holiness and mercy. Are holiness and mercy opposed or could they be synonymous? Are holiness and mercy competing characteristics within God or manifestations of the same desire? What does the “more” in the title refer to? Take a […]
In this episode Ray is joined once again by Dr. Richard Beck for a discussion of his “Slavery of Death” blog series which you can find at Richard’s blog, Experimental Theology. This is the third of a three part series summarizing the material covered in the “Slavery of Death” series. In this third part, Richard […]
In this episode Ray is joined once again by Dr. Richard Beck for a discussion of his “Slavery of Death” blog series which you can find at Richard’s blog, Experimental Theology. This is the second of a three part series surrounding the material covered in the “Slavery of Death” series. In this second part, Richard […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Dr. Richard Beck for a discussion of his Slavery of Death blog series which you can find at Richard’s blog, Experimental Theology. This is the first of a three part series surrounding the material covered in the Slavery of Death series. In this first part, Richard and Ray […]
In this episode Ray is joined once again by Brad Jersak for a discussion about Brad’s recent trip to Israel for the Christ At The Checkpoint conference. The aim of Christ at the Checkpoint is to “provide an opportunity for evangelical Christians who take the Bible seriously to prayerfully seek a proper awareness of issues […]
In this episode Steve and Ray discuss living with a theology rooted and grounded in love instead of one driven by fear or even hatred of the other. What are the practical implications? What does it look like? We aren’t exactly sure ourselves, but join us for a good discussion starter!
In this episode Ray is joined by Kevin Miller, writer and director of the upcoming movie “Hellbound?”. Kevin talks about the process of dreaming up and making Hellbound? and the impact the process has had on his life. Kevin and Ray discuss how our ideas of hell and death inform the rest of our faith […]
In this episode Ray is joined once again by Brian McLaren for a discussion about Brian’s newest book Naked Spirituality: A Life With God In 12 Simple Words. Brian shares about the four seasons of the spiritual life and helps us understand that, just as in a song, it’s not about getting to the end, […]
In this episode Ray is joined by Brian McLaren for a discussion about Brian’s book A New Kind of Christianity. In the book Brian presents ten questions which he believes are transforming the Christian faith. Brian and Ray focus on the first two questions dealing with the story and purpose of the Bible. Make sure […]
Michael Hardin is back! In this episode Michael Hardin talks with Ray about understanding eschatology and the book of Revelation in the light of the God who is love. Is Jesus coming back to kick butt and take names? Michael doesn’t think so, and he shares from the book Compassionate Eschatology why he thinks we […]
In this episode Steve and Ray talk about living free from the fear of rejection based upon performance. Should we focus on how to avoid sin? Are we just sinners saved by grace? Should sin even be an issue for a believer in Jesus? Steve and Ray discuss trusting in God’s love and the ironic […]
In this episode Ray talks with Brad Jersak about an idea that Brad is calling “A Theology of Consent”. Consent holds a lot of promise in helping us understand such questions as why do we pray? why is there evil in the world? how do we partner with God in manifesting His kingdom? This conversation […]
As a special Christmas treat to our listeners, here are a few tracks from Steve’s “Christmas Solitude” CD for you to enjoy and download free of charge. You may stream the entire album, if you wish, at Steve’s Indieheaven site. Additionally, the entire CD can be purchased as a digital download from iTunes. To download […]
In the institutional church, “discipleship” is a process only performed by professionals in the confines of the church program. Listener Judy Gale (who impresses us with her knowledge of the Chinese language during the intro) asked a question on the Facebook page about discipleship outside the institutional church. For those of us not in the […]
In this episode, Steve and Ray discuss the difference between a motivation of law and a motivation of love. Should our relationships be contractually based, or based on unconditional love? You probably know the answer, but have a listen anyway!
In this last segment of a two-part episode, Ray talks with Michael Hardin (executive director of PreachingPeace.org and author of The Jesus-Driven Life) about Mimetic Theory and reading the Bible through the lens of Jesus. In this episode Michael continues to explain the Mimetic Theory and tries to help us understand it’s potential significance for […]
In this first of a two-part episode, Ray talks with Michael Hardin (executive director of PreachingPeace.org and author of The Jesus-Driven Life) about Mimetic Theory and reading the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Rene Girard, developer of the Mimetic Theory, has said that Michael is “a gifted and effective advocate who is able to make […]
This is part 2 of a two-part conversation with Brad Jersak about his book Her Gates Will Never Be Shut. We encourage you to listen to part 1 before listening to this second half of the conversation. After talking about the etymology of hell and the two traditions surrounding the word “gehenna”, Brad and Ray continue […]
In this first part of a two part episode, Ray talks with Brad Jersak about his book Her Gates Will Never Be Shut. Brad and Ray talk about the history of the Hebrew and Greek words behind the word “hell”, the development of Gehenna, and more. Brad delves into the history of our ideas about […]
What started out as a response to the Brad Jersak interviews turned into a lengthy discussion that ended up becoming an episode of its own. If the opening sounds a little like it’s picking up in the middle of a conversation, that’s why! Steve’s “Maaaaan, that’s good stuff” is in response to the Brad Jersak […]
In this conclusion of Ray’s 2-part interview with Brad Jersak (part 1 is here), Ray and Brad continue their discussion about the atonement, our role in the death of Jesus, the role of the Father in the death of Jesus, and the implications of atonement theory on our view of the Father as well as […]
Continuing in our series of guests on the podcast, Ray welcomes Brad Jersak to Beyond the Box. This 2-part discussion revolves around the topic of a book edited by Brad entitled “Stricken by God?” which discusses atonement theories alternative to Penal Substitution. Bringing insight to some passages that are often skimmed over, Brad shares thoughts […]
While we have spent quite a few episodes on the topic of hell, and even more specifically on Francis Chan’s book “Erasing Hell”, we thought it would be very helpful to our listeners to hear more about the exegesis behind that book. Preston Sprinkle, the co-author of “Erasing Hell” was kind enough to come on […]
The doctrine of the Trinity (the Godhead is three-in-one, comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) has been considered to be “orthodox” doctrine since about the 3rd century. Partially developed at the Council of Nicaea, it was later codified in a creed of uncertain origin, the Athanasian Creed. Despite the fact that […]
If you haven’t already listened to part 1 of this discussion, please do so now. Ray and Steve continue this discussion in response to Francis Chan’s book “Erasing Hell”. Picking up where the last episode ended, the discussion ranges from different ways of looking at the term “gehenna” to concern over the way that Chan […]
No, this isn’t an interview with Francis Chan, although that would probably be a lot of fun! Rather, it is a lengthy critique of Chan’s new book, Erasing Hell: What God said about eternity, and the things we made up. Before this book was released, a promotional video was posted, to which we responded in […]
In this episode, after a brief introduction by Ray and Steve, Ray concludes his interview with Sharon Baker. Beginning where they left off last time talking about the atonement, Ray and Sharon blaze through territory including a fuller picture of what “salvation” is, alternative views of hell, universalism, etc. Both Ray and Steve wish to […]
In this first-ever interview on Beyond the Box, Ray interviews Sharon Baker, author of the book “Razing Hell: Rethinking Everything You’ve Been Taught About God’s Wrath and Judgment“. Dr. Baker’s views are very much in line with recent episodes that we have done on Beyond the Box, and yet she helps to drive the conversation […]
In this continuation (and conclusion) of the discussion began in the last episode, Ray and Steve continue to discuss the recent event at Elevation Church in Matthews, NC where a mom and her son with special needs were escorted from the service because of a vocal outburst by the boy. The situation at Elevation is […]
Jesus said, “Whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me.” And elsewhere he said, “Let the little children come unto me and do not prohibit them from doing so.” So when Ray and Steve heard about this newscast about events on Easter Sunday where an usher at Elevation Church […]
Continuing on in this conclusion to this 2-part episode, Ray and Steve respond to the promotional video for Francis Chan’s forthcoming book “Erasing Hell”. Much more than just a response to Chan, however, this episode touches on lots of thoughts related to revelation and how much we can know and understand about the Father. There […]
Author Francis Chan is releasing a new book soon called “Erasing Hell” and has released a promotional video. Unlike the Rob Bell video which raised a lot of questions, Chan makes some definitive statements (not necessarily about hell) in his video. And it is those statements to which Ray and Steve respond in this two-part […]
[A quick note of apology for the sound quality on Steve’s end. Lots of distortion this time around. Sorry, folks! 🙁 ] Whether it’s because you feel like your “testimony” isn’t good enough, or because you’re in a position of power that makes you feel like you have to be more than you really are, […]
In this conclusion of the discussion started last time in Part 1, Ray and Steve continue discussion the ramifications of the teachings of Jesus on our view of violence, national or otherwise. As part of the discussion, Ray and Steve discuss some examples of where non-violence actually won out over violence. Do we dare to […]
Sunday evening, May 1, President Barack Obama announced to the world that Osama bin Laden had been found and killed. And what resulted in terms of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media conversations was nothing short of amazing. Responses varied from sheer joy at the thought of bin Laden now being in hell for all […]
If you haven’t already listened to part 1 and part 2, you should go listen to those first for this episode to make the most sense. Ray and Steve conclude this three-part discussion on Ultimate Reconciliation. It may seem to some like we have hammered this entire topic well into the ground, and perhaps we […]
(If you haven’t already listened to part 1, please start there!) Continuing on with the discussion begun in part 1, Ray and Steve continue to discuss Ultimate Reconciliation. Theories about what happens after this life (especially with regard to the notion of post-mortem salvation opportunities) often go hand-in-hand with one’s view of the atonement, and […]
In a continuation of the general topic dealt with in the recent 2-part series related to Rob Bell’s new book and the controversy surrounding it, Ray and Steve continue to discuss the idea of Ultimate Reconciliation. This is not the first time Ray and Steve have dealt with this topic. Back in February, 2009, they […]
In this continuation of the discussion after a brief child-induced interruption, Ray and Steve jump right back into the discussion. If you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, you need to go listen to it first. It sets the framework for the heresy thoughts you’ll hear in this part! We certainly enjoyed batting around different […]
Lately, a controversy has been erupting in certain parts of the blogosphere, Facebook statuses (stati?), podcasts, etc. regarding the contents of a book that has yet to be released. Despite the lack of actual content to judge, judgment of the anticipated content has been given out quite liberally by many. While this two-part episode isn’t […]
It almost seemed like a joke when the news first came out that a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church gave his endorsement of an iPhone/iPad app that helps parishioners prepare for confession by stepping them through the 10 commandments and asking them questions to prompt their memory about sins they have committed. But it […]
Listener Shane asked a handful of questions regarding the glory of God, total depravity of man, and humanism. Ray and Steve saw all three questions as related to a central topic, and so in this episode, they discuss all kinds of thoughts related to these questions. Is man totally depraved? Did the Fall of man […]
Big C, one of our long-time listeners and friends of the podcast, submitted an idea for a show with a couple of questions relating to how we teach our children. Because Ray and Steve both live life with their families outside of institutional religion, is it possible that their children are getting a very limited, […]
Note: As we mentioned in the last post, this was originally one long episode that we edited into two episodes, so just as the last one ended without any type of “sign off”, this one starts without any type of “introduction”, picking up in the middle of the discussion. With that in mind, if you […]
Note: This is a part 1 of a lengthy episode that we split up into two episodes for listening convenience. Therefore, the ending of this recording may feel a bit abrupt to you, but will be continued in part 2 which will post in a few days. There are many Christians who believe that the […]
True to form, Ray and Steve have trouble staying on any one topic, but instead wax very passionately about several different topics, at least related in their own minds! 😉 Bouncing off comments made with regard to open theology a few episodes ago, this episode offers several thoughts that may cause mixed responses in the […]
Prompted by listener feedback and interaction, Steve and Ray respond to and continue the ongoing conversation about Open Theism and it’s ramifications for prayer, the sovereignty of God, and the problem of evil. In this part 1 of ?? episodes, Steve and Ray travel a few rabbit trails, interact with listener comments, and once again focus on Jesus as […]
For many conservative Christians, the notion of a God who might actually leave some details of the future up to us is a frightening prospect. Wouldn’t this logically mean that God is not in control? Couldn’t a God who doesn’t know the future possibly be defeated? In this episode, Ray and Steve pick up on […]
After more than eight months without an episode, Beyond the Box is finally back! In this very unique episode (what a way to return, huh?) Ray and Steve actually sat down together in person with a small portable recorder in a fast-food restaurant and talked about a wide variety of topics, including the inspiration of […]
What comes to mind when you hear the word “anarchy”? Does it sound like something that is compatible with Christianity? Well, there are some that say that “anarchy” can be defined in a way that actually makes the most sense of any understanding of the teachings of Jesus. After a humble explanation of why it’s […]
Recent events in Haiti have resulted in a huge outpouring of support, donations, volunteers, etc. to help the needy country. However, as often happens with any major tragedy of the type suffered in Haiti, there are those who want to voice their negative opinions over the cause of such tragedy. In the first BtB episode […]
It’s that time of year when evangelicals start complaining about a “War on Christmas”–the alleged attempt by the evil liberals to steal the baby Jesus out of the manger and replace him with a Richard Dawkins book. Well, since it’s what evangelicals are doing, Ray and Steve have something to say about it! 😉 And […]
Somehow, our western culture has become completely enamored with “experts”. Have a medical situation? Consult a doctor. Have a financial question? Consult an investment professional. Have a theological question? Consult a pastor. In the midst of this progression over the last couple of centuries, we have gotten to the point where we seldom even give […]
Communication…dialogue…conversation — these are not necessarily words that are used in conjunction with understanding theology. Too often, theology is set into codes, creeds, confessions and formats that serve to squelch dialogue about the particular issues. While many would view this as a good thing, giving us a firm foundation for our faith, it can often […]
A rather recent news article about an unnamed school in the eastern US prompted this episode. Ray and Steve discuss the use of prayer as a weapon in public (not Christian-specific) settings, and whether or not prayer should ever be used in that form of making one’s point. As often happens in the discussions on […]
After three episodes outlining various views of atonement theory, Ray and Steve conclude the series by wrapping up their thoughts on the subject and summarizing the views discussed. We hope you enjoyed this series, and that it has sparked some thinking about the atonement and why it can be very important in our view of […]
After devoting entire episodes to both of the two most widely-held theories, Ray and Steve present a potpourri of other theories in one episode. Four different views are presented in this discussion, including the third of the “top three” views of the atonement. Far from being a dry topic, Ray and Steve infuse their own […]
Continuing on in the series on views of the atonement, Ray and Steve turn their focus to what has been referred to as the “classic view”, allegedly held as the predominant view of the atonement for the first 1,000 years of western Christianity, and still widely held in the Eastern churches. This view, commonly called […]
Beginning first with a response to a listener question regarding the deity of Jesus, Ray and Steve then move into the first segment in what will be a multi-part series. In this series, they take a look at different theories of the atonement. While that may sound less than exciting for many people, Ray and […]
One of the side-effects of stepping out of the customary way of practicing Christianity, and exploring life in Christ outside of the institution, is a feeling of uncertainty as to where one actually fits in. For many of us, we were so accustomed to wearing certain labels, being “members” of certain organizations, and being identified […]
In a continuation of last week’s episode, Ray and Steve continue to talk about a variety of issues related to what we speak and how it affects what we believe and experience. If you haven’t already listened to part 1, go listen to that first. By the way, Beyond the Box has a new twitter […]
Ray and Steve begin a 2-part episode on the power of what we say…or something like that. There tends to be some tangential discussions here, but all somehow related (albeit distantly) to the subject of the power of our words. So often, the notion that what we say can actually affect our lives gets relegated […]
Following some lengthy banter, a recap of the Bearcrawling episode that Steve co-hosted, and some lousy voice impressions (!!), Ray and Steve jump into a somewhat rambling discussion about security. Riffing off of a quote by Martin Luther, the discussion covers several elements of western culture and our tendency to try to be secure in […]
Steve can’t remember what month it is, so the initial mentions about an upcoming guest-host slot on Bearcrawling say June 10, when it’s actually this coming Friday, July 10. Also, happy anniversary to Beyond the Box, now starting its second year of podcasting! In sort of a sequel to the last episode, Ray and Steve […]
For a long time, western Christianity has sat back and let the government fulfill mandates given to the body of Christ, including the care of the poor and orphans. And for a lot of Christians on the conservative end of the theological spectrum, “social gospel” was relegated to liberal denominations and was viewed as less […]
This week, Ray and Steve take up part 2 of the audio comment from John over at Jesus Geek. In this part of his audio comment, John asks a very pointed question about support (financial and otherwise) of the current state of Israel. This episode ties in with the most recent episode about eschatology. For […]
John from The Jesus Geek sent an audio comment to BtB that bounces off a passing comment Ray and Steve made in the last episode. Part 1 of his comment asks where they stand on their view of the end times. While both Ray and Steve agree with John that this issue should not be […]
Quite ironically, considering our recent podcasts about non-violence and the seeming (to us, at least) contradiction between the words and example of Jesus and the notion that violent means can be justified in some situations, a recent news story comes out regarding the murder of an abortion-performing doctor. News interviews have painted a picture of […]
In a follow-up to last week’s episode, Ray and Steve continue to discuss the importance of taking the words of Jesus seriously. It seems that the words of Jesus get so easily explained away or altered to be more palatable to our cultural conditions. But why don’t we just start with what he said and […]
We’ve talked many times on this podcast about things that Jesus has said. When we look at the teachings of Jesus, it seems that there are often inconsistencies with the way we actually live out what he taught. Statements like “Turn the other cheek” or “Don’t worry about what you will eat or drink” often […]
Beyond the Box returns this week with yet another focus on history. From Constantine’s vision of the symbol of the cross and an alleged promise of successful military advances under that sign to the Crusades, the Reformers, and modern political activists, “the church” has long utilized the sword, both figuratively and literally, to put opposition […]
This is an episode that we have wanted to do for a long time! And the time has finally come. Many believers are aware of church councils and creeds that exist in our “church history”, and many of them unknowingly (or even knowingly) use the decisions of those councils in their understanding of doctrinal issues. […]
In the words of Phil Vischer (creator of Big Idea Productions – home of VeggieTales), many Christians view “impact” for the kingdom in similar ways that corporations and businesses view success in their companies. Bigger is better, and anything that’s not reaching thousands or millions is “inefficient”. Continuing some of the thoughts in recent episodes […]
In the last episode (Christian Celebrity), Ray and Steve talked about the danger of putting leaders on a pedestal. The higher they are, the harder they fall, to paraphrase a saying. In a recent phone conversation between Jeff Roney and Steve, Jeff asked the question, “What do we do when leaders fall?” It’s a great […]
Western culture loves to put people on pedestals and make celebrities out of them. And the western church has bought into this mindset hook, line, and sinker. Ray and Steve discuss this approach in light of the words of Jesus and other New Testament writers. Additionally, they discuss the dangers that are inherent in the […]
In one of the more rambling episodes so far (and the longest one yet), Ray and Steve talk about a potpourri of thoughts before settling on the question raised in an email by Big C of bearcrawling.com regarding a church sign he saw. The title of the episode refers to that eventual discussion! 🙂 Thanks […]
In the same theme as a recent episode about the Old Testament, listener “Yabadabadoo” asked on our Idea Submission page how we know which verses in the New Testament are applicable to us today. Ray and Steve discuss this question, and discuss the idea that perhaps there is a different way of looking at it. […]
It seems that often, a certainty about a particular truth can lead to a lack of humility about that belief. While it’s true that certainty doesn’t always equal arrogance, it’s equally true that humility doesn’t equate to a lack of belief or certainty. So, when people express humility about their beliefs, or a willingness to […]
This question has appeared in various forms in response to some of the previous episodes. In the recent discussions here on the blog, it has surfaced again, and so this episode takes a stab at providing some thoughts on the role/purpose of the Old Testament. Ray and Steve discuss the implication of Jesus’ comments that […]
A listener recently emailed a question to us asking if we had considered the idea of ultimate reconciliation. As Ray and Steve talk about this concept, they also discuss some other views of what happens to unbelievers after this life. No hard conclusions here, but the usual look at how scripture might not say exactly […]
Just from the title of this post, one can probably guess that this will be a controversial discussion! 😉 But in their usual method of not shying away from tough questions, Ray and Steve discuss human definitions of God in light of the question of evil. If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t he stop evil, […]
Listener Chip asked some follow-up questions to our recent discussions regarding the institutional church. Specifically, Chip’s questions revolve around the “leadership” gifts in the New Testament (see Ephesians 4), and how they might play out in a less-structured, less-formal environment. Are there “offices” that need to be filled with specific people at all times in […]
In response to the last episode (“Leaving the Institution“), Scott Roche asked if there was any basis for the institutional church at all (at least in the opinion of Ray and Steve). Always enjoying responding to listeners, Ray and Steve devote this entire episode to giving their thoughts in response to Scott’s excellent questions. The […]
Listener Ben K. recently asked several really good questions on the Idea Submission page. Specifically, Ben asked questions revolving around the idea of leaving the institutional church. How does one communicate that decision to the pastor without appearing to be criticizing that pastor’s work? In this episode, Ray and Steve discuss some of their own […]
While questioning institutional church practices and traditions, do we ever reach a point that should be left beyond inquiry? At what point do we “cross the line” with our skepticism, or is there a line to begin with? In this episode Steve and Ray respond to regular listener sidfaiwu’s idea submission regarding skepticism and the supernatural. We would love […]
In a recent idea submission, Gloria asked a question about knowing the difference between truth and trickery. How can we determine what is actually real and what is being put in our minds by manipulation. It’s one thing to look at a cult and see the manipulation that takes place. But what about within Christianity? […]
Is it possible to be right without being righteous? Are the two synonyms? Did Jesus call us to be right or to be righteous? Many times we equate being right in our knowledge with being righteous. However, Ray and Steve discuss concepts such as “The Good Samaritan” in Jesus’ teaching that seem to make heroes […]
As Bruce Shelley states in Church History in Plain Language, “Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God“. But, if this is so, why do believers in Jesus so frequently seek to exert power over others through politics or church hierarchies? In this episode Steve and Ray converse about learning to […]
Is Homosexuality a sin? With debate raging around the country about California’s Proposition 8, Steve & Ray discuss how we as believers should respond. Should Christians seek to advance legislation that would outlaw same-sex marriage in order to “protect the institution of marriage”? Thanks to listener Big C for submitting this topic on our idea submission page! As always, […]
How much of what we say or do as Christians amounts to “abracadabra” or just plain superstition? While Christians might be able to recognize the silliness of tossing salt over one’s shoulder or fearing a broken mirror, it doesn’t stop us from having our own equally silly beliefs. With a great deal of humor and […]
Can believers today expect to actually hear the voice of the LORD? What does the voice of our Father sound like? Does God speak only to groups of people or can we expect to hear His voice individually? Join Steve and Ray as they “voice” their thoughts on the voice of the LORD! We welcome your comments […]
Most of us were taught at an early age how to pray: close your eyes, bow your head, fold your hands, start by addressing God, and finish with “in Jesus’ name, Amen”. Prayer became an event, something that had a definite start and a stop to it. Listener Heather posted on our Idea Submission page […]
In the first podcast episode directly in response to listener ideas, Ray and Steve discuss the idea that life in Christ looks a lot like everyday living. In a culture where hype is all too often built around spiritual things, and churches try to outdo each other and themselves with productions intended to usher in […]
In this conclusion to the two-part series about the atonement, Ray and Steve continue to discuss the implications — both pros and cons — of viewing the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as the means of paying ransom to Satan vs. appeasing an angry Father. Thoughts from our listeners in response to this topic […]
Ray and Steve begin a 2-part discussion about the death of Jesus on the cross. Was the death of Jesus the punishment of God taken out on Jesus in our place? Or was it a defeat of Satan? Or some combination of the two? Never ones to shy away from a controversial topic, Ray and […]
In this conclusion to a two-part discussion about God and politics, Ray and Steve discuss some of the effects brought about by political activism in the name of religion. Can we apply Christian standards (however we may define them) to a world that is not in Christ? Can we legislate in such a way that […]
After a brief hiatus, Ray and Steve return to Beyond the Box with a very timely, yet touchy, topic. The political atmosphere in the United States, especially during major election cycles, can get very heated. Unfortunately, much of the “heat” seems to exist within the body of Christ. Between claiming that certain candidates are “one […]
Did Jesus do certain miracles because of his deity? Was he able to walk on water because he was God? Despite frequent evangelical assertions that Jesus was “100% God and 100% man”, it often seems that we totally ignore the humanity of Jesus. Everything that he accomplished seems to be chalked up to, “Well, he […]
No, this is not a slam on Rick Warren! But many times, we are so consumed with finding our “purpose” that the result is a constant fear of “missing” something that our Father may have for us. Is purpose something that should be driving us? Or does purpose naturally develop out of relationship? Ray and […]
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” But what does it mean to “fear” the Lord? Ray and Steve discuss a view of God that causes us to be afraid of God. Being afraid of our Father has negative ramifications for personal relationship with him, but we have often projected our own […]
“God is good” is a statement that no Christian would argue with. But often, the way we actually talk about the goodness of God completely redefines the word “good”. Bouncing off some recent personal experiences, Ray and Steve discuss whether or not our human definition of “good” is accurate when it comes to describing our […]
Most of us are familiar with the term “priesthood of all believers”. But as Ray and Steve discuss in this episode, it often feels like a phrase that is only given lip service. What would it look like if we began to operate truly as if all of us were priests? The New Covenant is […]
Continuing their discussion on the role of the Bible in the believer’s life, Steve and Ray dig a little deeper as they try to understand the purpose and nature of Scripture. Is Scripture the “sufficient” guide for the believer? Is God’s primary revelation verbal in nature? Is Scripture our “objective” authority for understanding truth? Join Steve and Ray as they explore […]
With disclaimers abounding, Ray and Steve begin a series examining various beliefs and positions regarding the Bible. Questions discussed in this opening episode revolve around a discussion of the relationship of the written text to the revelation of God in Jesus, the role of scripture in a believer’s life, etc.
Beyond the Box launches with its first episode called “What Is the Box?” In this intro podcast, Ray and Steve discuss what “the box” is, and what it means to go “beyond the box”.