Folding Chair Theology: Recent Episodes
Bruce Pagano II & Justin Mercier
Theology for everyone. The name Folding Chair Theology carries with it a double meaning. On one hand, it is meant to poke a little fun at those who claim the title "armchair theologian," of which I (Bruce) am guilty. It also points to the fact that most of what I've learned about following Jesus, in meaningful and practical ways, was learned in small groups and circles in homes and coffee shops, most often while sitting on a folding chair. Sometimes the best seminary is a living room full of other Christians. Our goal is to offer an understanding of the bible and the study of God in a way that is accessible to everyone, not just the "educated elite."
WE DID IT! 100 EPISODES!In this episode, Bruce and Justin recap the last 99 episodes over 5 1/2 seasons!
Here's the break...
Top 5S4E2 - #50 - Book Review: The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, & Joanna Sawatsky | S4E2 DL: 223
S4E11 - #59 - Let's Talk About Sex, Baby... Well, Christian Sex Anyway: Interview with Sheila Gregorie | S4E11 DL: 138
S5E12 - #77 - Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed Documentary Discussion, Pt. 1 | S5E12 DL: 123
S5E13 - #78 - Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed Documentary Discussion, Pt. 2 | S5E13 DL: 62
S414 - #62 - Misplaced Allegiance: Remembering the Insurrection | S4E14 DL: 60
Bruce's FavesS4E8 - #56 Magin Makes the Heart Grow Heavy
S5E9 - #74 Deconstructing Deconstruction
Justin's FavesS6E4 - #94 Christian Nationalism Pt. 2 | The Folding Man Mashup
S4E5 - #53 - Mac & Cheese & Worship: Interview with Isaac Blitchok, Awaken Church Worship Director
Honorable MentionsEpisodes 29 to 47, The whole Sermon on the Mount Series
S5E18 - #83 James 2:14-26, Faith that Works
Straight White American Jesus - Charismatic Revival Fury Ep 1
In this mid-season finale, Bruce and Justin discuss whether or not there are any actual cases in which a Christian can condone or use violence to advance their political agenda, turning their discussion toward two verses: Luke 22 and Matthew 10
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss what real unity in the church could and should look like.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss practically theology and what bad theology looks like.
Criteria for Bad Theology - Dr. Leah Robinson
- Limits Flourishing of Humans
- Oppressive
- Doesn't Permit Reflection
- Creates Us v. Them Mentality
- Isolates
- Does Not Seek or Pursue Justice or Equality
Book:Bad Theology Kills: Undoing Toxic Belief & Reclaiming Your Spiritual Authority - Kevin Garcia
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss Oswald Chambers's devotional about being God's own possession and what it means for us as disciples.
Check out the devotional here: His!, My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers
Originally, Bruce and Justin recorded a whole hour's worth of discussion to wrap up this three-part series. Somehow, likely user oversight, the file disappeared or was never recorded.
But, you're in luck, because this final part was intended to describe what living out the kingdom of heaven on earth should look like and we've done two exhaustive series (one on the Sermon on the Mount and the other on the book of James) that details this reality.
So, this episode will just be a reposting of our SOTM wrap-up episode from season 3.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin invite the hosts of The Grey Man Podcast, Mike Sian and Jim Mueller to discuss the geopolitical and theological implications of a Christian nation-state.
If you're interested in personal defense and world events" shared from the perspective of a retired counter-terrorism agent and his best friend as they discuss life, exercise, diet, and whatever else they find interesting, check out The Grey Man Podcast.
In part 1 of this 3 part series on Christian Nationalism, Bruce and Justin break down the history of the American Redoubt, located in the inland PNW, and its connection to Christian Nationalism.
Some information was pulled from The Reader-Redoubt Series
In this episode, Bruce breaks down the difference between telling people who they are versus telling people who Jesus is and why it matters.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss why Christian Nationalism is anti-Christ and dangerous. This is the introduction to the American Redoubt short series.
Articles
- Global Project Against Hate and Extremism: The Great Replacement Conspiracy Theory
- Christians Against Christian Nationalism
- Religious News Network: When will their churches condemn the Christian nationalism of MAGA politicians?
- Red Letter Christians: Christian Nationalism is Dangerous to Christians
In the opener to season 6, Burce and Justin just catch up and shoot the sh... breeze, while trying to figure out what they're doing this season.
Bruce and Justin wrap up their series on James with a discussion about faithful prayer and confessing our sins to each other as presented in James 5:13-20.
James 5:13-20, The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Bruce and Justin continue their series on James with a discussion about what it looks like to wait on the Lord, complain about your fellow Christian, and swear oaths as presented in James 5:7-12.
**James 5:7-12, Waiting for the Lord
7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8** You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. 11 See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Truthful Speech
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.
Bruce and Justin continue their series on James with a discussion about the dangers of wealth as presented in James 5:1-6.
James 5:1-6, Warning to the Rich
1Come now, you rich people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days. 4 Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous, who does not resist you.
Bruce and Justin continue their series on James with a discussion about God's will and man's will and doing good as presented in James 4:13-17.
James 4:13-17, Our Will and God’s Will13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.
15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.
Bruce and Justin continue their series on James with a discussion about pride, humility, and being friends with the world as presented in James 4:1-12.
James 4:1-12, Proud or Humble
4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?
6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says:
God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.
7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
11 Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Episodes on Judging Each Other and Others
The Voxology Podcast Judging Episode - #281
Our previous episode on Judging - #43
Bruce and Justin continue their series on James with a discussion about the wisdom presented in James 3:13-18.
James 3:13-18, The Wisdom from Above
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
Bruce and Justin continue the series on James with a discussion about controlling the tongue (James 3:1-13).
James 3:1-13, Controlling the Tongue
3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers,[a] because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. 3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed[b] among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin continue their series on the book of James with a discussion of James 2:14-26 and what it means when James says faith without works is dead.
James 2:14-26, Faith and Works
14 What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Bruce and Justin continue their discussion through the book of James. This week's discussion involves chapter 2, verses 1-13, and deals with the sin of favoritism.
Bruce and Justin talk through James 1:12-27 and continue their discussion about living as Kingdom citizens.
Bruce and Justin start their series on what it looks like to live as Kingdom citizens with a discussion about James 1:1-11.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin explore and discuss what the Nephilim were and what they represent.
In part 2 of 2, Bruce and Justin discuss the new documentary, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed.
In part 1 of 2, Bruce and Justin discuss the new documentary, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed.
Bruce and Justin tackle what the Apostle Paul meant by his thorn and being strong in weakness. But first, they sidetrack on the Hillsong documentary on Discovery+ and celebrity pastors.
Overview of 2 Corinthians, The Bible Project
Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed (Documentary)
In this episode, Bruce and Justin tread way too close to the discussion of defining a woman. Instead, they try to delineate what conversations we (Christians) should be having with the world and with each other.
Bruce and Justin talk through what it means when a Christian says they're deconstructing and why most pastors get it wrong.
In this episode, Bruce and Just look at the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and what it took for the disciples to be a part of it.
Bruce and Justin lament and share their support for the people of Ukraine and then talk about what it means when Christians say God is in control.
Bruce and Justin wrap up with part 3 of their 3 part discussion on Kingdom masculinity. In this episode, they talk about what that looks like to be a dad.
Bruce and Justin continue with part 2 of their 3 part discussion on Kingdom masculinity. In this episode, they talk about what that looks like in marriage.
In this first of three parts, Bruce and Justin discuss what it means to live out authentic masculinity from a Christian perspective.
Bruce and Justin talk about what it means to put love into action. And Justin Reads 1 Corinthians 13.
THIS IS SEASON 5! Bruce and Justin are back and as always, they rant a bit. But they also share their hopes for season 5.
In this FCT Segment, Bruce considers whether we are putting too much pressure on our kids to be disciple-makers.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin have a merry and cheerful discussion about the war on Christmas and reflect on the purpose of Advent.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss Jesus's words in Matthew 6:15 about forgiveness. Specifically, they talk through whether unforgiveness is an unforgivable sin.
Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin talk through the idea of justice in America and how it contrasts with biblical justice.
Nonviolence: The Revolutionary Way of Jesus, Preston Sprinkle
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss the importance of confession and what it could look like in a Christian community.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin remember the January 6th insurrection, based on a HBOmax documentary, Four Hours at the Capitol, and how it is objectively not Christian.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss spiritual gifts.
They do reference a lot of the information provided by Ken Fish during his interview on the Coffee, Theology, & Jesus podcast.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss the correlation between Nehemiah's presentation of the idea that the walls of Jerusalem were strong, but that the people inside the walls were collectively weak and today's, often typical, lack of discipleship within many of our churches.
We are SO excited to turn the show over to our wives, Sarah Pagano and Jessica Mercier so they could interview Sheila Gregorie, author of The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You've Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended. They also invited Sarah's friend, Rachel Mast (who was one of the 20,000 women who participated in Sheila's research survey), to co-host the episode.
In addition to all the great conversation and really important information, Sheila shared some exclusive content with them so FCT could be the first to break it. Make sure you listen after the ladies say bye to Sheila because there's like 10 or 15 minutes of bonus content.
About The AuthorsSheila Wray Gregorie is the face behind ToLoveHonorandVacuum.com, which was the largest single-blogger marriage blog until she invited Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach and Joanna Sawatsky to join her. She’s also an award-winning author of nine books, including The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex, and a sought-after speaker.
RebeccaGregorie Lindenbachis a psychology graduate, Sheila’s daughter, and the author of Why I Didn’t Rebel. Working alongside her husband, Connor, she develops websites focusing on building Jesus-centered marriages and families.
Joanna Sawatsky has a master’s degree in public health and is a trained microbiologist, epidemiologist, and biostatistician.
How can I connect with Sheila?
Sheila's Blog
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
WE'RE BACK! Man, that was a little bit of a weird and unexpected season. We promise, as much as possible, that we won't take off 7 weeks in the middle of a season again.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss the phenomenon of celebrity pastors within the Evangelical Industrial Complex. More specifically, those pastors who build huge platforms, for their own benefit, and then use that platform to control and abuse those in their congregations that they should be serving and caring for.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss the differences between the belief in eternal conscious torment (ECT) as punishment in hell and annihilationism. They also get into why Bruce leans heavily toward the annihilation.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin tackle the idea of magic in the book of Exodus and the Egyptian magician's ability to duplicate the first few plagues. But, the conversation took a really interesting turn toward talking about God making Pharaoh's heart hard.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss what it means to lament and why it's an important part of being a Christian.
Bruce did a switcheroo for this topic. In this episode, Bruce and Justin talk about a bunch of topics, including what is currently happening in Afghanistan and the complete withdrawal of US troops. It seemed appropriate and necessary to post it this week versus next.
The guys also talk through Jesus's call to serve others and what makes you a goat or a sheep.
For this episode, Bruce and Justin are joined by Isaac Blitchok to talk about worship and taste test mac & cheese.
Isaac is the Worship Director at Awaken Church located in Nampa, ID.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin tackle the topic of speaking words of criticism or critique toward the Christian Church and whether or not it's permissible.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin tackle the topic of prosperity. But not just the obvious giants like Copeland and Osteen, but mostly the more subtle versions.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin invite their wives, Sarah and Jessica (respectively), on to the show to talk about the new book by Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, and Joanna Sawatsky, The Great Sex Rescue.
The book is written as an answer to how badly the church has handled, and hurt people (primarily women), when it comes to the issue of sex and purity.
This is it! This is the first episode of season four! In this episode, of course, we talk nonsense for about 20 minutes, but then we actually talk about actual stuff. Really, we just wanted to share our hopes for the season and what you have to look forward to. It's going to be a great season.
Oh... and we have our first sponsor.
Growing Hope Counseling is our first sponsor!
Music on the sponsor ad:
Adaptation (Instrumental), by Anthem of Rain
Mentions:
Preston Sprinkle, Theology In The Raw
Voxology Podcast
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by Dr. John Gottman
The Great Sex Rescue, by Joanna Sawatsky, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, and Sheila Wray Gregoire
For this episode, Bruce invited his wife, Sarah, on to talk about their journey through and out of the Evangelical purity and modesty culture over the last 10 years of their marriage.
This conversation was prompted by a social media post that Sarah shared about the contrast between our honeymoon in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Islands, and our 10 year anniversary in Cancun, Mexico. Here's what she wrote:
***On my honeymoon ten years ago, Bruce told me he didn’t want me to wear a bikini because he didn’t want men looking at me.
Fast forward to this week on our ten-year anniversary and I wore three different bikinis- all cheeky and fabulous- and he loved it and didn’t even care what other men thought.
I share this to put it out there how far we’ve come, he and I. We’ve become so aware of the toxic purity culture we’d been indoctrinated with as we grew up. This trip was amazing for us but I got the bonus of finding freedom from “modest is hottest”.
And mostly importantly I threw off the shackles of shame. I haven’t shown my belly button in 13 years! But this week I ignored those voices telling me I need to hide my body and I did 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 exact 👏🏻 opposite 👏🏻 And you know what happened? I found so much freedom! I felt sexy and confident and so free from shame or responsibility for what other people do with their eyes and their minds.
I accepted my body with all of her stretch marks and loose skin and sheer jiggly sex appeal. And every part of my soul was at peace.***
After it got 20K+ reactions and hundreds of comments, I thought it was worth us talking about the path we took. I know it may seem like a little thing to go from "don't wear a bikini" to wearing three, but it really is an important thing and we thought it was worth sharing our journey.
Bruce and Justin talk through what they think is the purpose of a Sunday morning church gathering. Then Justin goes off on a tangent about tithe and sucks Bruce into his madness.
Justin is back for another segment of Justin Time. In this episode, he shares the story of his journey to becoming a strong man. It isn't what you think.
Shout out to Berserker Strength & Conditioning Gym (Justin's home gym).
Bruce and Justin wrap up their series on the Sermon on the Mount. This was a really impactful study for both of them and they share their thoughts on it.
Bruce and Justin wrap up their series through the Sermon on the Mount with a discussion about Jesus's declaration about entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 7:13-29
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Road to Emmaus, Jason Upton (song)
Beautiful Outlaw, John Eldredge (book)
The Chosen (TV series)
The Grey Man Podcast, Mike Sian (podcast)
The Vox Podcast with Mike Erre (podcast)
Neat (documentary)*
*correction: I said Neat was on Netflix, but it's on Hulu.
Bruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what it means to ask, seek, & knock with a mindset of treating others how you desire to be treated.
Matthew 7:7-127 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets.
Bruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about one little verse. What did Jesus mean when He talked about giving what is holy to dogs and casting our pearls before swine? What this about giving the gospel to people who won't listen?
Or was it more in line with what He's been talking through for 2 chapters now? How do dogs and pigs and pearls of wisdom have anything to do with seeing people as image-bearers and restoring relationships?
Bruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus talked about when it comes to judging others and the beam in our eye.
Bruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus talked about when it comes to worrying about material things.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add a single cubit to his height[o] by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith? 31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the idolaters[p] eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God[q] and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Mentioned in this Episode:
In this episode, Bruce and Justin take a break from the SOTM series and invite Rick Hicks, the host of Red Pill or Blue Pill.
We invited Rick on to the show to talk through some racial and societal topics. As a black man, living in Idaho and married to a white woman, he has a unique perspective on these issues.
Mentioned in the episode:Glenmorangie Whisky
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
Bruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He talked about treasures in heaven and trying to serve two masters.
Matthew 6:19-24
19 “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures[n] on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness—how deep is that darkness!
24 “No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.
We did take a ton of information from The Vox Podcast episode on this subject. But, Mike Erre hits on a TON of other stuff that is SO good. Listen here...
The Vox Podcast w/Mike Erre: Ep 277, A Singular Devotion
Bruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He told us how to pray and how we're forgiven.
And bonus, we had an in-studio, LIVE, audience. Well, we had one person watching, but it was our good friend, a friend of the show, and our biggest fan, Daniel Hall. It was great having him there.
Matthew 6:5-15
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mentioned in the Episode:With God Daily (Devotional), Skye Jethani
The Holy Post Podcast
In this episode, Bruce talks through the connection between Jesus's parables about The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son. While it may seem like they have nothing in common, what if I told you that they were almost the same story? Well, they are. Check out why...
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Bruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He talked about giving to the needy. It has so little to do with money... you're not going to believe it.
Matthew 6:1-4
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! 3 But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Bruce and Justin continue their discussion on Jesus's sermon on the mount with a wrap-up of chapter 5 and a fun little talk on loving your enemy.
Matthew 5:43-4843 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Vox Podcast with Mike Erre
Faith Improvised, Timothy Gombis
Justin is back for another Justin Time episode where he shares how his and his daughter's births are connected and how God redeemed his birth through his daughter's birth.
Bruce and Justin continue their discussion on Jesus's sermon on the mount and his teaching on retaliation.
Matthew 5:38-42
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[h] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Mentioned in this episode:Nonviolence (Book), Preston Sprinkle
The Vox Podcast with Mike Erre
The Divine Romance (Book), Gene Edwards
Three Commands (Book), Bruce Pagano II
Bruce and Justin continue through Jesus's Sermon on the Mount with a discussion about oaths and the use of religious language as manipulation.
Matthew 5:33-3733 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. Mentioned in the Episode:
The Vox Podcast, with Mike Erre: Episode 262
Bruce takes a moment to share what he's processing through in the area of people's demand for justice and how Kingdom mercy is the answer.
Bruce and Justin discuss Jesus's teaching on divorce from Matthew 5:31-32.
Matthew 5:31-32
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss Jesus's dealing with adultery and lust, from Matthew 5:27-30.
Matthew 5:27-30
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin talk through Jesus's teaching on anger and how it impacts our relationships.
Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
In the last few years, I (Bruce), like many of you, have been processing a ton of stuff having to do with the American Christian Church. My journey has brought me face to face with a number of sins that the Church has either been complicit in or ignored and allowed to grow unchecked.
These are sins that have hurt real people, had dangerous outcomes, and damaged our witness for Jesus. I had a friend mention that he wished the church would take this upcoming Lent season as an opportunity to lament and repent from these sins. Because I had already been exploring what that could and should look like, I did some brainstorming and got my fingers typing and then came up with a Lent schedule of prayer and reflection focused on lamenting and repenting from those things that have damaged our ability to invite people into Jesus's Kingdom.
This "episode" is my invitation for you to join me starting tomorrow, February 17 (Ash Wednesday) for the next 6 weeks.
All information you need can be found at the below link:
Lent 2021 Prospectus and Schedule
Additionally, that link will be updated with each week's reading schedule and it will be presented daily on my and FCT's Instagram: @bpags2 & @FoldingChairTheology
I hole you'll join me.
In this episode, we're short one Justin, so Bruce walks us through what it means that Jesus came to fulfill the law.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Coffee, Theology, & Jesus Podcast: Ben Cremer Interview
The Vox Podcast: Light and Heavy Episode
Three Commands: Jesus Fulfillment of the Law Through Love by Bruce Pagano II
Tim Whitaker, New Evangelicals Instagram
Ben Cremer, Instagram
In this episode, Justin shares his thoughts and heart around justice and oppressed peoples.
Bruce and Justin talk through what Jesus meant when he called us salt and light. It's important to understand that this, and all the rest of the sermon, was intended to be built on the characteristics that Jesus blesses at the beginning of the sermon (the beatitudes).
Matthew 5:13-1613 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Bruce and Justin begin their series on the Sermon of the Mount. The SOTM is Jesus's declaration of what it means and looks like to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The SOTM starts in Matthew 5 and this episode is dedicated to the first 12 verses that are often referred to as The Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:1-12
1 When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them, saying:
The Beatitudes
3 “The poor in spirit are blessed,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
4 Those who mourn are blessed,
for they will be comforted.
5 The gentle are blessed,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed,
for they will be filled.
7 The merciful are blessed,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 The pure in heart are blessed,
for they will see God.
9 The peacemakers are blessed,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
11 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Shout out to The Vox Podcast with Mike Erre for their influence and invitation to call Christians up to a place in which they are committed to living within a Kingdom politic.
My Book:
Three Commands by Bruce Pagano II
Bruce takes a moment to discuss the difference between biblical counsel and mental health counseling.
I (Bruce) wanted to address this from a personal point of view. It’s been two weeks since the violent insurrection that took place on January 6. I spent this time praying, reflecting, and thinking deeply on an appropriate response to those events. After the insurrection, I made the intentional decision to wait to publish an episode in which we talked about it. This decision was based on the hope that any response we had would be thoughtful.
This event is personal for me for two reasons. The first revolves around the fact that I knew the Capitol Police Officer, Brian Sicknick, who was murdered by those domestic terrorists. I was stationed with Brian in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan for eight months in 2002/2003. And while I had not kept in contact with him, it's impossible to spend 8 months living, eating, and serving with someone and not having an impact on a personal level. The second reason has to do with the number of Christian emblems that were present at a violent interaction. The Jesus that those domestic terrorists presented is not the Jesus of my Christianity. My concern is that I've heard Christians close to me spout the same rhetoric that I heard on those videos of people bent on hurting others while they stormed our nation's capital. Not only am I not okay with it, it infuriates me that my savior would be co-opted and married to an idolatrous ideology. That's not the Jesus of the Bible.
With that said, we had planned an entire season of topics that we wanted to discuss. But, it seemed inappropriate to just move on as if nothing had happened. So, inspired by The Vox podcast with Mike Erre, I thought the best thing we could do would be to call Christians up. I want to call Christians to the same place that Jesus calls us to. I want to call Christians to kingdom living; to live out the life that Christ has placed before us. With that in mind, for the remainder of the season, we will be talking through, what we believe to be the politics of the kingdom of heaven, as laid out by Jesus. For the next 10 or 13 episodes, we're gonna walk through the sermon on the mount. Please join us as we explore what it means to live as kingdom citizens, devoid and apart from worldly ideologies.
Here are the podcasts that have been influential for us:
The Holy Post Podcast: Ep 439
The Vox Podcast with Mike Erre
- So...About That Riot
- Where Do We Go From Here
- When Unity Isn't Enough - with Dr. Timothy Gombis
Timothy Gombis: Faith Improvised
Bruce and Justin tackle the topic of Hell. They talk through the Idea of eternal conscious torment (ECT) and annihilationism (aka conditional immortality, terminal immortality).
Resources:
Preston Sprinkle Article: Biblical Support for Annihilation
Preston Sprinkle Podcast Episode
Rethinking Hell Podcast
Mentioned In Episode:
Erasing Hell, Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle
Love Wins, Rob Bell
In this new segment, Justin talks about his experience with the refugee process while on a mission trip.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss what it means to follow Jesus with those who are oppressed and marginalized in view. They also talk through the church's role in undoing it.
This week Bruce and Justin invite Justin's wife, Jessica Mercier, onto the show to talk about the often tumultuous relationship between the Church and mental health.
You can connect with Jessica at the following links:
Twitter: @jessjmercier
Instagram: @mrsjessicamercier
Blog: jessjmercier.blogspot.com
If you're struggling and having thoughts of suicide, please reach out. Here are a couple of numbers you can call to find human connection and help:
Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline: (208) 398-4357National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
In this episode, Bruce and Justin welcome their very first guest, ever, to the podcast. We are excited to welcome Tim Whitiker, co-host of Coffee, Theology, & Jesus Podcast, to talk through the process of deconstruction his Christian faith and what it looks like to reconstruct it.
Bruce and Justin dive into the super simple and totally easy topic of sin. Maybe most of what we think about sin isn't what it means.
John Walton - Wheaton College
Mike Erre - Vox Podcast
Bruce and Justin dive into what It means to walk through trials as a Christian and share in the suffering of Jesus.
Bruce and Justin talk through the themes of the book of Hosea.
Book of Hosea (Bible Link) (Bible Project Video)
Bruce's Book
Three Commands: Jesus' Fulfillment of the Law Through Love (Ink Publishing) (Amazon)
Justin Is back and a reigning flag football champ. Him and Bruce finally get to discuss the marriage seminar they attended and talk through some not so helpful historical Christian assumptions and views about marriage.
In this episode:
The Grey Man (Mike Sian & Producer Jim)
Colkegan Whiskey
Kanye West
Andy Stanley
Preston Sprinkle (Podcast: Theology in the Raw, Books: Fight and People to Be Loved)
Justin is out being a football champion, go local football team! So, Bruce decided to share what he was invited to share with our church's young adult group. Bruce shares a different view of mercy, not as a withholding of God's punishment, but rather as Jesus communicated it, which was the compassionate care of someone In distress.
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, Bryan Stevenson (Book)
Just Mercy (Movie)
Justin had a football scheduling conflict, so Bruce took the opportunity to plead with his fellow Christians to play nice during this election season. It might have turned Into a little rant.
Holy Post Podcast Video:
Why do White Christians Vote Republican, and Black Christians Vote Democrat?
Bruce and Justin compare and discuss the differences between the presented Christian life and the reality of what It means to follow Jesus. Contrary to popular belief It Isn't all blessing or persecution. It's more In the middle; suffering and glory.
Bruce and Justin talk through a very loose and scattered history of the Christian Church In an attempt to figure out how we got to what we see as church today.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss popular Christian cliches and why they're not helpful or biblical. Cliches like, "God will never give you more than you can handle" are not only damaging but also have no grounding in biblical truth.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss what It means to know the will of God and what that looks like In a person's calling
Drink of the night:
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Teremana Tequilla (Blanco)
In this season 2 opening episode, Bruce and Justin tackle the question, "Does everything happen for a reason?" But, we approach It from the direction of God causing v. God purposing.
This is it... the conclusion to the series on Bruce's book, Three Commands, and the end of season one!
Bruce and Justin wrapped up with a live episode and a discussion about what the whole point of the book was... spoiler alert, it's love.
Bruce and Justin wrap up Bruce's book, Three Commands, by discussing the last chapter. In this discussion, your hosts talk through how we, as Christians, should view those who are not Christian. They talk a lot about mercy and what we should be addressing in the area of sin.
In part two of this two-part episode, Bruce and Justin discuss the rest of chapter 8 of Bruce's book, Three Commands.
In this episode, they discuss Jesus's model for discipleship and what It looks like to move from Gospel Centered Community (GCC) into Gospel Centered Missional Community (GCMC).
In part one of this two-part episode, Bruce and Justin discuss the opening of chapter 8 of Bruce's book, Three Commands, and what It means to equip God's saints for the work of the ministry.
They also talk through some other stuff that might make you mad... or not, but probably will.
Bruce and Just start toward the wrap up of this season as they lead into part 3 of Bruce's book, Three Commands. In this episode, they talk through chapter 7 and Introduce the idea of living In Gospel-Centered Community and the principles of Connection and Challenge.
Bruce and Just wrap up their discussion of part 2 of Bruce's book, Three Commands. In this episode, they talk through chapter 6 and dig deep Into what It means to love your neighbor as yourself.
What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Join Bruce and Justin as they talk through Chapter 5 of Burce's book, Three Commands: Jesus' Fulfillment of the Law Through Love.
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss chapter 3 of Bruce's book, Three Commands: Jesus' Fulfilment of the Law Through Love.
Bruce and Justin introduce and talk through the primary chapter of the book and why It was so important for Jesus to give us the new command, to love each other.
You can get your at Ink Publishing House.
Two Roads video by John Lynch
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss chapter 3 of Bruce's book, Three Commands: Jesus' Fulfilment of the Law Through Love.
Bruce and Justin talk through the importance of understanding that God loves you, how we are made lovable, and how we can experience God's love.
You can get your at Ink Publishing House.
Divine Romance by Gene Edwards
In this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss chapter 2 of Bruce's book, Three Commands: Jesus' Fulfilment of the Law Through Love.
Bruce shares the Old Covenant cycle that we tend to get stuck In when relating to God and how that can cause us to wrongly view God as a Harsh Taskmaster, Angry Father, and Merciless Judge as opposed to a Gentle Inviter, Loving Father, and Compassionate Healer.
Three Commands is currently on sale for Father's Day and you can get it at Ink Publishing House for 20% off the cover price.
Bruce and Justin discuss chapter 1 of Bruce's book, Three Commands: Jesus' Fulfilment of the Law Through Love.
Bruce uses a definition for love that he heard Dick Foth give, which is, "The accurate estimate and adequate supply of another person's need," but add, "without expectation." Bruce uses this definition for the main premise of the rest of the book.
Three Commands is currently on sale for Father's Day and you can get it at Ink Publishing House for 20% off the cover price.
In this debut episode, we get to meet co-hosts Bruce Pagano II & Justin Mercier.
Then they discuss the first chapter, My Invitation, of Bruce's new book, Three Commands: Jesus' Fulfillment of the Law Through Love.This is part 1 of a 10 part series that is focused on working through each chapter of the book.
Connect with Bruce:
FB: @brucepagano2
Insta: @bpags2
Twitter: @bpags2
Web: brucepagano.com
Email: bruce@brucepagano.com
Connect with Justin:
FB: @foldingchairtheology
Insta: @justinmercier13