Deconstructing the Myth: Recent Episodes
Deconstructing the Myth
A podcast exploring why those who grew up in the American Evangelical church are now leaving it behind.
How can being present impact our deconstruction? Today I share my personal experience with cultivating presence in this season of life. I reference the podcast Mindfulness+ with Thomas McConkie that you may enjoy checking out! Thank you for joining me for a season 3 bonus episode! These episodes are a sampling of the weekly solo episodes I provide at Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and I hope you will consider joining us there for more content like this and exclusive community opportunities.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
Nondualism is one of my favorite concepts that I’ve gleaned during deconstruction. Today I share my own story of embracing this concept over the past few years and I share its ongoing importance in my deconstruction journey and life. Thank you for joining me for a season 3 bonus episodes! These episodes are a sampling of the weekly solo episodes I provide at Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and I hope you will consider joining us there for more content like this and exclusive community opportunities.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
Recently I was asked how to have "fruitful dialogue with Evangelicals" as I navigate my own deconstruction. I think it is absolutely possible and beautiful when it happens! Today I share what that dialogue looks like for me personally.Thank you for joining me for a season 3 bonus episodes! These episodes are a sampling of the weekly solo episodes I provide at Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and I hope you will consider joining us there for more content like this and exclusive community opportunities.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
Today I share thoughts about the concept of "returning home" and what that looks like currently for me in deconstruction.Thank you for joining me for a season 3 bonus episodes! These episodes are a sampling of the weekly solo episodes I provide at Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and I hope you will consider joining us there for more content like this and exclusive community opportunities.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
Today’s guest is podcaster, speaker, former pastor, and musician Matt Kendziera who shares his story of being kicked out of the urban church he started and suddenly finding himself on the outside looking in and deciding to try a new approach. We discuss his new book Bring it Home: The Adventure of Finding Yourself after Being Lost in Religionand on how to keep joy in the middle of our deconstruction experiences.
Check out www.mattkendziera.com
Podcast: Chasing Goodness https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chasing-goodness-formerly-jesus-never-ran-faith-that/id1456202761
Amazon Link to “Bring it Home” https://a.co/d/2ECZ2C8
Audible Link https://www.audible.com/pd/Bring-It-Home-Audiobook/B0BVPQ46M4?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
Today’s guest is Keith from @unnecessarynoisesman . As a neurodivergent who found the Evangelical environment he grew up in to be extremely detrimental for his mental and social health/development, Keith shares some of his darkest moments, how he found the way through them, and how he hopes to build a brighter future for those who may find themselves in similar situations through a unique community called Arcem. We discuss his views on the dangers of corporate religion, the importance of personal spirituality and development, and new ways to think about religion outside of the framework we’ve always known. Follow him on Instagram at @unnecessarynoisesman--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
My conversation today is with Cynthia Vacca Davis about her book “Intersexion: A Story of Faith, Identity, and Authenticity” concerning her intersex friend Danny. We discuss how seeking to bring Danny’s story to the public caused unique tension in the Evangelical spaces Cynthia was a part of, as well as how to navigate the grey spaces of our faith by pressing into the core call to love others well. cynthiavaccadavis.comLake Drive Books Author’s Page:https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/#authorsAmazon link:https://www.amazon.com/Intersexion-Story-Faith-Identity-Authenticity/dp/1957687061?nodl=1&dplnkId=b1cc8725-c085-46b3-beba-5bb3eb2f6150Barnes and Noble Link:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intersexion-cynthia-vacca-davis/1141792977--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
Welcome to Season 3! Today’s guest is a prolific writer who has been a source of comfort and wisdom for me and so many others experiencing deconstruction.
Liz Milani from the Practice Co. discusses the power of nuance, the importance of naming and unnamming things during deconstruction, and how deconstruction intersects with parenting.
Connect with Liz at www.thepracticeco.com
Instagram: @thepracticeco
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In today’s episode we answer questions we received during this past season about the podcast and our own spiritualities.
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Today we have something a little different for you—a deconstruction meditation! Meditation has been invaluable on my (Liz) personal deconstruction journey. Today’s practice is helpful for dealing with anxiety that accompanies so many of us on our deconstruction journey. For more meditations visit https://youtube.com/@DeconstructingtheMyth
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Nervous about discussing your deconstruction journey with critical relatives and friends? This episode is for you! We unpack 8 tips that can help you navigate uncomfortable conversations based around deconstruction.
- Take honest inventory of the situation
- Reframe your goal in “coming out” about deconstruction so it’s not based on their response alone
- Be educated
- Remember you don’t have to share everything all at once
- If there is a boundary you want to set, rehearse it ahead of time
- Say how you would like to be supported
- Circle back to common ground
- Have someone safe you can follow up with afterwards
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
In our final episode of Season 2 we deconstruct the concept of slavery in the Bible concerning how it compares to chattel slavery in America and how Christian leaders and preachers have incorporated the Bible in their arguments for and against slavery. Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct slavery in the Bible together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. Check out our show notes at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1itk0mgw9pmeWXCir1C7YW076N6KjJPQ8ksdoWL6Eb1w/edit--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
“Should I read my Bible during deconstruction?” This week your host Liz Mall shares her thoughts and experiences concerning this commonly asked question. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtmpod/support
In this week’s episode we discuss a confusing passage found in 2 Numbers 2:23-24 where the prophet Elisha curses a group of boys who just insulted him for being bald, which is followed by two bears emerging and mauling 42 of the youths.This passage brings up issues concerning translation errors and modern interpretative lenses imposed on an ancient text, as well as touching on the controversial topic of divine vengeance. Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct this passage together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. Check out our show notes and resources at:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rDUb53KOLBSqBDOsNf2A0ovjbgFRkcxvZv-tjSXJL5w/edit
Today we discuss a troublesome Bible passage found in Genesis 22 where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering, and Abraham nearly carries out the command. While Isaac is spared at the last moment, this passage raises a lot of moral and theological questions, as well as questions about Abraham’s mental health and relationship to God. Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we ask the tough questions and provide resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages and concepts.For our resources check out our show notes here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p8qUeBZB5RibRnDEDbgbx7s9oTghScuwo5Zl3YQrgkM/edit?usp=sharing
This week, we take a break for our usual deconstruction series as Liz Mall shares her views on why deconstruction is so important for Christianity and NOT the enemy of the Evangelical church—unless the church insists on making it the enemy.Liz Mall has her Masters in Christian Apologetics and shares a vision for a new way of using apologetics to engage well in the faith deconstruction space, as well as exposing ways Evangelical biases are keeping the church from responsibly and lovingly interacting with those who bring up big questions about God and Christianity. Check out our show notes here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TxGZoaREOGjzT90S-fcEqEPxMnayNpqWmkG_JWNQcqI/edit
How does the concept of hell impact our minds and mental health, and how do our minds and mental health impact our view of hell? Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct the psychology of hell together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of this difficult Bible concept.Check out our show notes and resources at:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Js9T9k2ns6At_m2Ke8bTaM_4ytfd7XKlK1X6vw9ECy0/edit
For many who deconstruct, the Christian concept of hell is a big problem. In this three part series, we will deconstruct the concept of hell alongside you! For today’s episode, we discuss how people from different worldviews systemize ideas about judgement, evil, and cosmic justice. We look at views from atheists (naturalism), world religions, Judaism and early Christianity, and then we dive into historical ways Christians have explained who goes to hell and why they will.Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct this passage together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. Check out our show notes and resources at:https://docs.google.com/document/d/11j9Hm-EaZ4V3jda0vy3pfTiGCsowQwjfPt5l5AhtpqQ/edit
For many who deconstruct their Evangelical faith, the topic of hell is a hot button topic—for good reason. The historical, logical, and moral issues surrounding the topic of hell are important for any Christian to dissect, whether they are deconstructing or not. For today’s episode, we discuss words and phrases that are commonly translated as “hell” in the Bible or are closely associated with the concept of hell.We also look at three common Christian views of hell: infernalism, annhialationism, and universalism.Have we been taught hell all wrong? Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct hell together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. Check out our show notes and resources at:https://docs.google.com/document/d/11j9Hm-EaZ4V3jda0vy3pfTiGCsowQwjfPt5l5AhtpqQ/edit
In 1 Corinthians 15:29, a confusing and often ignored Bible passage refers to baptizing dead bodies. Is this a passage Christians conveniently ignore? Does it have implications for baptism? Does baptism itself have implications of a cosmic fear of hell? Join Jenny White and Elizabeth Mall as we deconstruct this odd Bible passage. Check out our show notes and resources at https://www.dropbox.com/s/34ddyikxua2wl1h/Baptism%20of%20the%20Dead_OUTLINE%20and%20NOTES.docx?dl=0
In 1 Corinthians 11 we read Paul telling women to cover their heads as well as giving commentary on marriage and gender. While many churches are intent on taking Paul’s commands seriously, the command on head covering is usually ignored. Why? And what are we to make of the rest of Paul’s thoughts on gender, women, and marriage in this controversial chapter?Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct this passage together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. Check out our show notes and resources at:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cq7pearmdjan7wl6vkrji/DTM-2.3-Head-Coverings.docx?dl=0&rlkey=1o3icn2trjmf9j9lo3e8gyfeu
Some would consider accounts of genocide in the Old Testament to be the greatest hurdle to the Bible’s (and Christianity’s) validity. It raises big theological questions about Biblical inerrancy, the character of God, and the morality of mass killings. But has the key to correctly interpreting these passages been lost due to our misunderstanding of ancient literary and journalistic conventions? Or do these violent passages truly reveal a vindictive, blood thirsty god no different than the “gods” of Israel’s surrounding ancient civilizations? Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct Deuteronomy 7:1-6 together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. For today’s paper reference and access our sources, check out: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EOwc6PQ4-PRCinjY1Gs9HP2w4qQwIsYuDeDnRMXxy_s/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1EOwc6PQ4-PRCinjY1Gs9HP2w4qQwIsYuDeDnRMXxy_s/edit?usp=sharing
The account of Sodom and Gomorrah is often dubbed as a “clobber passage” by the LGBT community, as it is commonly cited as a clear example of the Bible condemning homosexual practices. But is the point of Genesis 18-19 really to illustrate that God doesn’t approve of homosexual behavior, as so many of us have been taught our whole lives? Or have we missed some important details along the way? Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct this passage together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of digging below the surface of the Bible’s toughest passages. For today’s outline and show notes, and access our sources, check out https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/181qr3hq7hrtxbnm6hokn/DTM-2.1-Sodom-and-Gomorrah.docx?dl=0&rlkey=4yqjht484jkke6jdahiziflgf
What can you expect in Season 2 of DTM the podcast? This season we are joined by Jenny White, a recent Harvard graduate and M.A. in Museum Studies. We will be unpacking the history, archaeology, and theology around some of the Bible’s most difficult passages.
I wanted to introduce you to a gem I found online! Makcum Novikov can be found at @makcum.novikov on Instagram. He talks about growing up Evangelical, leaving Christianity entirely after discovering he was gay as a child, and eventually finding his way back to his Christian roots but within an entirely different framework. We discuss whether or not Christians should be political, how he decided what to keep and what to discard from his former faith, and how to survive awkward holiday conversations when you are deconstructing. References:“God does not punish sin, sin punishes sin.” -Sister Joan Chittister “I do not think you should get rid of your sin until you have learned what it has to teach you.”-Richard Rohr@monkindocs Mark GladmanNew Eden Ministries
In our final episode this season, listen to your host’s own story of deconstruction and her current spirituality, as well as what she found to be Christianity’s most compelling arguments. We also share what to expect in season 2 of DTM. Elizabeth references The Resurrection of Jesus by Michael Licona.
Michael Gungor shares his spiritual story with Nathaniel Schweinberg and me today, as well as discussing the intersection of spirituality and creativity and why it’s important to let go of our spiritual labels. We discuss songs and concepts from his new album “Love Song to Life” coming out 11/11/22.
https://linktr.ee/gungormusic
Amanda Smith is my guest today, and we discuss her experience living in the middle of deconstruction, what she needs (and doesn’t need!) from the church right now, and how her journey was deeply impacted by sexism and sexual harassment in the church. She mentions the book, “Out of Sorts” by Sarah Bessey and “A Woman Called” by
My guest Nathaniel Schweinberg returns this week and presents his top 5 Bible objections. We discuss why they are important, how they impacted his deconstruction journey, and the Christian responses to each one. Resources Nathaniel mentions and/or recommends: Holy Koolaid’s “Christianity’s Fatal Flaw” Religion for Breakfast Pete Enns’ book ‘How the Bible Actually Works’
Resources Elizabeth mentions and/or recommends: Jonathan Morrow “Questioning the Bible” Robert Wright “The Evolution of God” The Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic mentioned in “Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals” by William J. Webb
Nathaniel shares why injustice in America led to him reevaluating everything he believed to be true about God. We explore the question, “Can God be real, good, just, and all-powerful and still allow evil and suffering?” Nathaniel references YouTube Channels Holy Koolaid and Religion for Breakfast.
My guest Kenny White (not to be confused with his wife Jenny from earlier this season!) discusses being part of a church plant gone horribly wrong and why the structure of non-denominational Evangelical churches so often harms its members, focuses on the wrong aspects of Christianity, and eventually fails.
My guest Stephanie discusses growing up Evangelical and seeking to follow hard after Jesus even after trauma and unanswered questions. Eventually though, the political landscape of America caused her to turn her attention towards whether or not her faith was based in truth.
Jenny White discusses purity culture from a Christian perspective, including the topics of modesty, abstinence before marriage, and Christian men objectifying women. She discusses ways we might move forward as Christians from the damaging effects purity culture has left on our society. Jenny references Sheila Wray Gregoire who wrote “The Great Sex Rescue,” “A Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex,” and “A Good Guy’s Guide to Great Sex.”
She also references Marg Mowczko whose work can be found at https://margmowczko.com
My guest Jenny worked at an evangelical church and experienced spiritual manipulation and abuse. She discusses how someone can tell it’s time to leave their church and what it’s like for her now as an Eastern Orthodox Christian.
Rachel Harrold was happy with her Evangelical faith and not looking to deconstruct in the least, but deconstruction snuck up on her. She shares her journey to Catholicism and some beautiful lessons she’s learned along the way. She mentions “Mama Bear Apologetics” by Hillary Morgan Ferrer and “Evangelical is Not Enough” by Thomas Howard.
Maria Stewart is my guest today, and we dive into the background of purity culture and why it’s so damaging in the church today, as well as why we so often misunderstand and misapply the Bible. Maria mentions the podcast “Unbelievable” and the books “How (Not) to Read the Bible” by Dan Kimball and “Pure” by Linda Kay Klein
Today, my guest Dillon Stewart describes his spiritual background growing up in the Church of Christ, his thoughts on hell and science vs. religion, and what happens when religion becomes our basis of identity.
Resources and quotes mentioned in today’s episode:
Richard Dawkins Demonstrates Laryngeal Nerve of a Giraffe
https://youtu.be/cO1a1Ek-HD0
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” -Arthur Schopenhauer
Reasons to Believe (Gap Theory Argument) reasons.org
The Kalām Cosmological Argument by William Lane Craig
What is Deconstructing the Myth the podcast all about? We dive into what to expect this season!