Crucible of Thought: Recent Episodes
Brandon Munday
An exploration of current affairs - refining my mind, burning away impurities, in the forge of truth. Find me on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/crucibleofthght/
Today I had a chance to interview Rick Pidcock, who I've followed for some time on various social media platforms, and in particular his writing with Baptist News Global was what caught my attention. He's a very diverse thinker, covering a lot of different topics that are directly relevant to the church today, and I really wanted to get to know him a little bit, find out what makes him tick, and how his outlook has been formed. We cover a lot of different topics in this discussion, including his music under the Provoke Wonder name, a book he's writing on the topic of warfare and worship in the evangelical church, his writing for social media and for Baptist News Global, and a few rabbit trails into theology and politics. I really enjoyed our conversation, and I think you will too.
You can watch this as a video podcast at https://youtu.be/K8AnuMDDZdo
Enjoy this interview with Paul and Billie Hoard, talking about disgust theology, contamination, and a fascinating idea that they call eucontamination - how the holy actually removes contamination instead of being contaminated by it.Paul's Substack: https://paulhoard.substack.com/Paul's professional page: https://theseattleschool.edu/faculty-staff/directory/hoard-paul/Billie's Substack: https://billieiswriting.substack.com/Billie's Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillieiswritingBillie's Threads: https://www.threads.net/@billieiswriting
How on earth did I, a conservative evangelical straight man, ever become affirming? There were many reasons and steps in my journey and process; although it felt like an avalanche or landslide at times, it was worth it. So I wanted to share my story to give you hope that it's really okay to tell God that yes, you're willing to change and repent if God asks you to.
You can also watch this at https://youtu.be/q94L8J1MAEI and read it at https://crucibleofthought.com/how-i-became-affirming/https://crucibleofthought.com/how-i-became-affirming/
Working out our faith shares some similarities with an esoteric and advanced form of calculus called "transforms." Sometimes to solve a problem, you have to do the hard work in a completely different reference frame, and then transform the result back into our day-to-day frame.
You can also read this as a blog post at https://crucibleofthought.com/calculus-of-faith/
I recently realized that "born again" was the perfect description of my deconstruction and reconstruction. My faith doesn't look much like it used to; it's been such a dramatic change that it really feels like being reborn. But being born again is an ongoing process - "be being born again," continually.
You can also read this post at https://crucibleofthought.com/be-being-born-again/
The idea of finding safety in the long history of doctrine from the time of the Gospels until today is a false hope. The history of Christianity is much more messy and shaped by secular forces than I would like. I have to be comfortable with what the Holy Spirit is doing in my own mind and heart, even if it requires me to step away from a place of perceived safety, and to set aside some doctrine that my tribe was taught was immutable and eternal.
You can also read this as a blog post at https://crucibleofthought.com/safety-in-numbers/https://crucibleofthought.com/safety-in-numbers/
You can also watch this episode at https://youtu.be/hGWqa-yu5oI
There's a lot of really good fruit in the doctrine of universal reconciliation. I think it's worth carefully thinking through how our view of personal eschatology changes us and our witness to the world around us, and affects how we relate to one another as believers.
You can also read this on the blog at
https://crucibleofthought.com/the-good-fruit-of-universal-reconciliation/
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about a few topics, and I've suddenly begun to see that they're all interconnected. Specifically:
- the doctrine of hell (and heaven)
- fear as a foundational feature in certain doctrines
- how churches control people
- our modern (non-biblical) assumptions about church structure
- assessing doctrines based on their fruit
In this episode, I consider how all these tie together, and how the evangelical doctrine of hell is truly laden with bad fruit.
"Miche like quiche," as she says. I'm very pleased to bring to you an interview with Dr. Miche van Essen, of Transmission Ministry. I learned about her through Zach Lambert, after my interview with him in a previous episode of this podcast, and after watching some of her content on Instagram and other social media, was very interested in speaking with her. She graciously agreed, and we had a wonderful conversation for about an hour. I could easily have continued on, as I had so many more questions than time would permit, and I hope you'll find this conversation just as stimulating as I found it to be. We covered a range of topics, from ethnic identity and assumptions, to queer theology and intersectional theology, and it was deeply enlightening.
You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gutJsL4uNA
I repent of hell. I'm sorry that I believed a lie about God and how God deals with humanity. I see how that was harmful to both me and to others, and I'll change and do better in the future.
You can also read this in text form on the blog at https://crucibleofthought.com/repenting-from-hell
Deep dive on Infernalism:
https://crucibleofthought.com/a-discussion-of-individual-eschatology/
Book reviews related to salvation and the afterlife:
https://crucibleofthought.com/book-reviews-salvation-and-end-times/
Cover art from YongL at
https://www.deviantart.com/yongl/art/Hell-Or-Heaven-278094639
(Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives Works 3.0 License)
Today, I had the real privilege of interviewing Zach Lambert, pastor of the Restore Austin church in Austin Texas. Zach showed up on my radar in early 2022 as I began to seriously study the issue of LGBTQ rights and whether it was possible to be a Christian and affirming at the same time. I saw Zach's powerful sermon on the topic, which I'll link in the show notes, and it really impressed me and motivated me to study the topic harder. I reached out to Zach and asked him if we could speak on Zoom, and much to my surprise he agreed. Pastors are typically pretty busy and he was generous with his time, and we had a great conversation that gave me a sense that the nudging of the Holy Spirit in my heart might really need close attention. After many months of study I eventually concluded in late 2022 that I needed to be explicit about being affirming myself, so on the National Coming Out Day in October 2022 I posted a lengthy paper detailing my process and reasoning and the results of my own study of the scriptures. Since then I've continued to study the topic, and I realize constantly that I just don't know as much as I need to if I'm going to be an effective ally and to share my own convictions in a useful fashion. So I reached out to Zach a second time, and once again he graciously gave me an hour of his time. This interview is the result. It challenged me but also gave me a sense that I'm moving in the right direction.This is Zach's sermon that I referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3d_mhbTwL4Find us at https://crucibleofthought.com
What's the difference between a powerful testimony, and a sad story that we perceive as condemning the one who experienced it? Often, it's only our dogma. We listen and swing from "that's amazing" to "that's horrible" in moments, based on our preconceptions of how valid that story is. Maybe, though, we can learn quite a bit from people whose stories don't fit our existing framework of understanding.
You can also read this at https://crucibleofthought.com/the-conditional-power-of-testimony/
P.T. Barnum is famously reputed to have said "there's a sucker born every minute." I'd add a modern corollary that says "there's a grifter born every minute to feed those suckers," especially in today's social media world. The recent bridge collapse in Baltimore brought plenty of Barnum's minions out of the woodwork. What can we learn from this?
You can also read this episode at
https://crucibleofthought.com/barnum/
and watch it at
https://youtu.be/ONVeSdXBs_Q
Americans seem to worship efficiency and scale - and American Christians seem to apply Henry Ford's innovations to building Christians, just like he built the Model T. But maybe that's not the best way to advance the Kingdom of God.
This is episode #103 of the Crucible of Thought podcast. You can also read this in text form at https://crucibleofthought.com/henry-ford-christians/
and watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/zL0ZOvHRbwM
Is God's salvation truly limited to those with right beliefs? Or is Gal 2:20 better translated as living within the faithfulness of God's son? One puts the burden on us to believe correctly. The other rests in the completed work of Jesus. And that covers everyone, not just those who believe the right things.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/yes-them-too/
Other related posts:
- https://crucibleofthought.com/for-two-billion-years/
- https://crucibleofthought.com/every-created-thing/
- https://crucibleofthought.com/new-series-a-discussion-of-individual-eschatology/
This is part four of a four-part series on the various Christian doctrines of the afterlife.
I grew up in an evangelical church environment, and I don’t think it’s possible for any good evangelical to not know all about heaven versus hell, and streets of gold versus fire and brimstone, and to vigorously defend those concepts and then use them to convince people to repent and believe to avoid eternal punishment. But those views are not universal to Christianity, and I just began to realize this in the last couple years. So I’m making these videos to provide some awareness of the alternatives, and to discuss the doctrinal positions which I believe are probably more correct.
The following link is referenced in this video.
https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/the-severity-of-universal-salvation/
The text version of this video, with clickable links and all the Bible references in popup form is also available in blog form at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-discussion-of-individual-eschatology-part-4-of-4/
You can also watch this on YouTube at https://youtu.be/3sNnUw7Y4eU
This is part three of a four-part series on the various Christian doctrines of the afterlife.
I grew up in an evangelical church environment, and I don’t think it’s possible for any good evangelical to not know all about heaven versus hell, and streets of gold versus fire and brimstone, and to vigorously defend those concepts and then use them to convince people to repent and believe to avoid eternal punishment. But those views are not universal to Christianity, and I just began to realize this in the last couple years. So I’m making these videos to provide some awareness of the alternatives, and to discuss the doctrinal positions which I believe are probably more correct.
The following link is referenced in this video.
https://www.hopebeyondhell.net/articles/further-study/eternity/
The text version of this video, with clickable links and all the Bible references in popup form is also available in blog form at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-discussion-of-individual-eschatology-part-3-of-4/
You can also watch this on YouTube at https://youtu.be/pmpdSkc6Bww
This is part two of a four-part series on the various Christian doctrines of the afterlife.I grew up in an evangelical church environment, and I don’t think it’s possible for any good evangelical to not know all about heaven versus hell, and streets of gold versus fire and brimstone, and to vigorously defend those concepts and then use them to convince people to repent and believe to avoid eternal punishment. But those views are not universal to Christianity, and I just began to realize this in the last couple years. So I’m making these videos to provide some awareness of the alternatives, and to discuss the doctrinal positions which I believe are probably more correct.The following link is referenced in this video.https://www.naccanada.org/IMIS_PROD/NAC/Believe/Service_for_the_Departed/Salvation_after_death.aspxThe text version of this video, with clickable links and all the Bible references in popup form is also available in blog form at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-discussion-of-individual-eschatology-part-2-of-4/
You can also watch this on YouTube at https://youtu.be/84HlLjeFKoM
This is Part One of a four-part series on the various Christian doctrines of the afterlife.I grew up in an evangelical church environment, and I don’t think it’s possible for any good evangelical to not know all about heaven versus hell, and streets of gold versus fire and brimstone, and to vigorously defend those concepts and then use them to convince people to repent and believe to avoid eternal punishment. But those views are not universal to Christianity, and I just began to realize this in the last couple years. So I’m making these videos to provide some awareness of the alternatives, and to discuss the doctrinal positions which I believe are probably more correct.The following links are referenced in this video.https://theologyintheraw.com/biblical-support-for-annihilation/https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/what-does-bible-say-about-annihilationism/https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/hell-as-endless-punishment/https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2022/06/05/sometimes-eternity-aint-forever-aionios-and-the-universalist-hope-2/https://tentmaker.org/FAQ/forever_eternity.htmlhttps://hebrewwordlessons.com/2019/10/27/sheol-the-grave-gehenna-hades-hell/https://www.afterlife.co.nz/articles/history-of-hell/https://exploringthefaith.com/2021/11/16/considering-the-theological-case-for-universal-salvation/https://www.tentmaker.org/books/InFavorCh20.htmlThe text version of this video, with clickable links and all the Bible references in popup form is available in blog form at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-discussion-of-individual-eschatology-part-1-of-4/
You can watch this on YouTube at https://youtu.be/WOKE70TxluM
Dogmatism is often used to build a tribe, and strengthen its borders, often by threatening shunning for those who so much as question the dogma. But doctrinal humility and cheerfully welcoming uncertainty will ultimately build the Kingdom in ways that dogmatism cannot.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/dogmatism
Welcome to the second video podcast episode for Crucible of Thought. You can consider this a bit of an experiment; after about a hundred audio-only episodes, I've decided I'd really like to start interviewing people that have caught my attention and are saying things I'd like to understand further. So this is a sort of warm-up experiment using the technologies I'll need for future interviews. Bethany Alvey, from the Caraid Anam spiritual direction ministry, is a close friend, and we had a discussion about the stages of faith, and deconstructing our dualism and simplicity of faith. We talk here about our own experiences of rethinking and reconstructing our beliefs, and then Bethany shares about her ministry at caraidanam.com
This is the very first video podcast episode for Crucible of Thought. You can consider this a bit of an experiment; after about a hundred audio-only episodes, I've decided I'd really like to start interviewing people that have caught my attention and are saying things I'd like to understand further. So this is a sort of warm-up experiment using the technologies I'll need for future interviews.
So as a sort of practice video podcast, a close friend and I had a discussion about tithing. We both attended the same church for quite a few years, and both stopped attending that same church about the same time, as we both went through a time of rethinking the fundamentals of our faith and doctrines. We talk here about our own experiences in our former evangelical church and its teachings and practices around tithing, and some ways that those were harmful despite claiming to be biblical.
You can also find this video on the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiW1ANwwqQY
The Bible is full of apparent inconsistencies. What do we do with them, and is it possible that God actually is just fine with an imperfect collection of writings about the relationship between God and mankind? I think so, and here are some thoughts about why that is.
https://crucibleofthought.com/a-perfectly-imperfect-bible
This is Episode 93. Some thoughts on infant baptism and universal salvation. It no longer seems quite as alien an idea as it did when I was steeped in evangelical theology.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/on-babies-baptism-and-universal-salvation
I've been thinking about how I can safely and morally join with a church for missional work, even though I find myself fundamentally opposed to joining or building any institutional church. The word that came to me was "partnering," and here are some thoughts.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/partnering-despite-differing/
When we think about foreign policy, it's easy to forget that nations are made up of people, and how we treat individual people was incredibly important to Jesus, far more than national identities.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/nations-and-individuals
Those maps showing a shrinking Palestine are widely disputed by Zionism supporters, but there are some major problems with those counter claims. But there's a better way than political or military solutions.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/about-those-maps-of-a-shrinking-palestine/
Some kinds of testimony probably do more harm than good. Too often, a story about ourselves comes across as an accusation about the other, and actually harms our witness. We can do better.
You can also read this post at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-different-kind-of-testimony/
Considering Israel and Gaza in light of Isaac and Ishmael, peace is not gained through superior firepower, but superior love.
You can also read this post at https://crucibleofthought.com/peace-through-superior-love/
I've been in an interesting place for a while now, trying to come to grips with a God who turns out to not meet my old expectations, and watching a lot of people who call themselves Christian act rather unlike the Jesus I read about in the Gospels. So I've been thinking hard about the nature of truth, and the nature of the Bible itself.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/subjective-truth/
The Bible portrays a complex, changing view of God. To find the Truth of who God really is, I need to follow the trajectory of God's self-revelation to humanity.
You can also read this as a blog post - and find the graphic I referenced during the episode - at https://crucibleofthought.com/trajectory/
This is the image: https://crucibleofthought.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Trajectory.jpg
When we learn to release what other people think of our doctrine or politics or God, there's a real joy and freedom. I may be feeling betrayed, but I'm also feeling released and freed.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/there-is-joy-in-disconnection/
Betrayal causes a trauma response in humans. Institutions, not just people, can be the source of betrayal. A normal human response to betrayal trauma is to disengage completely from the institution. That's where I am in relation to several institutions I previously trusted and depended on for my identity.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/betrayal
Papers quoted:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796709002848
https://dynamic.uoregon.edu/jjf/articles/sf2014.pdf
As my religious understanding changes, I'm discovering that so does my language about religion. But to "be all things to all men, so that I may save some," I have to become multilingual - fluently speaking the native language of whatever tribe I am with.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/becoming-multilingual
The current trend of avoiding issues by using fear to cause division and boundaries and othering is incredibly problematic: it fundamentally opposes the very first two original purposes of God towards man: being a single unified body made of many individuals, and ruling faithfully over the creation that God gave to us. And that failing is causing deep harm to the Kingdom, by chasing people away from our God.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/preaching-fear-instead-of-taking-action/
A transformative moment for me recently was realizing that my compulsive need for labels to figure out how to treat people was harming my relationships, and keeping me from truly loving people who are very different than me.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/labels
Did God stop speaking at the end of the first century AD? Did He tell us literally everything we need to know in the Bible? I've been thinking about the various basic approaches to reading and understanding the Bible. It seems to me that there are at least two related methods of Bible interpretation, and their interaction results in some rather different outcomes depending on your assumptions.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/is-the-bible-the-final-word/
What is an enemy? Do we Christians really even HAVE enemies? For that matter, are we supposed to?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/whos-your-enemy/
The book I reference, Faith After Doubt, can be found at https://amzn.to/3PfDKCx
Our testimony isn't just for unbelievers. Sometimes it needs to be for our fellow Christians, inviting them to see a different perspective, expanding their existing awareness. And a gentle invitation is so much more effective than a demanding assault on what we see as error.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-new-kind-of-testimony/
It's taken a couple years, but I realized this week that I'm completely done with being called an Evangelical and a Republican. I simply cannot abide the toxicity inherent in both labels. Here's some thoughts about why.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/the-end-of-my-evangelicalism/
Faith perhaps, should be something like a basket of Easter eggs: each one colorful and unique and ornate in its own way, each containing something different and surprising, but all together comprising the totality of Christianity, in the promise offered by Easter Sunday.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleoffaith.com/rainbow-of-faith/
Do we as Christians have the moral right to preemptively use deadly force? And do we as Christians have the moral right to kill to defend ourselves or our property? Some thoughts.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/shoot-first-ask-questions-later/
Lately I've participated in several discussions about the fundamental nature of the Bible. A frequent refrain is the all-encompassing, totally sufficient, utterly complete, perfect nature of the Bible. But is the Bible truly everything we need to know about God and the universe and history and our lives?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/an-incomplete-bible/
Recently a friend asked me what it felt like to lose so much of my faith. I don't think I lost anything: instead, I feel like I've shed things that weren't mine to begin with. Let me tell you about my own encounter with Aslan.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/shedding-my-dragon-skin/
I've always believed that Christians go to heaven when we die. It's a staple of many people's faith. Where did that doctrine come from, and what does the Bible say about heaven? Join me as I survey the various verses that talk about heaven.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/am-i-going-to-heaven-when-i-die/
One of many articles discussing the Jewish doctrine of heaven can be found at https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4848230/jewish/Heaven-and-the-Afterlife.htm and I quote this web page in this episode.
What's more important? Evangelicalism, or Christianity? Lately I've seen a lot of people defending the former at the expense of what I believe is Jesus' example of how we should live as a community of faith.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/the-preservation-of-evangelicalism/
Jesus said we'd know a tree by its fruit, and perhaps we can also know a doctrine the same way. I grew up with an end-times doctrine that is widespread in the church, but which I now recognize is bearing a lot of bad fruit. Maybe it's time to recognize the harm.
You can also read this post at https://crucibleofthought.com/how-revelation-warped-my-theology/
I'm intrigued that for an institution so absolutely central to human life, the Bible has shockingly little information about the ideal marriage. Hardly any of the examples about marriage fit our modern Christian definition of "one man, one woman, for life, with the blessing of the church and the state."
You can find links to the sources mentioned in this episode on the Crucible of Thought blog at https://crucibleofthought.com/what-defines-biblical-marriage/
Too many Christians seem obsessed with power and control. But being oppressed was the very thing that helped the early church grow explosively. Are we pursing the wrong thing?
Good Faith podcast episode: https://thedispatch.com/podcast/goodfaith/learning-to-live-in-exile/
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world/
Today's media systems use outrage as a currency to drive engagement. But is outrage a poison pill that is tearing us apart? I suggest there's a better way to exist in this modern social media world.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/outrage-as-social-currency/
It's really hard when trusted people change dramatically. For the sake of our faith, often we don't really want to know why they changed. It might require us to change too.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/its-best-not-to-ask/
I've seen a lot of conservative Christians recently argue that gays cannot be saved, or cannot be Christian, specifically because of 1 Cor 6:9-10. What does that verse say, and is it relevant?
You can also listen to this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/can-homosexuals-be-christian/
A Jewish pastor read a sermon written by AI to his congregation, and they thought it was human-written. Can a robot or AI ever replace a human pastor? Perhaps that's the wrong question. Do most Christians today even understand what a pastor is supposed to be?
Read the article about that sermon here: https://www.jpost.com/jpost-tech/business-and-innovation/article-729
You can also read this episode here: https://crucibleofthought.com/the-chatgpt-ai-pastor-of-the-future/
"Which takes precedence - the Bible or Jesus?" On Twitter, this question has blown up into a rather ugly argument in the last couple days.
I've watched the dispute, occasionally chipping in here and there myself, but mostly learning from the various viewpoints thrown into the fight. There's a lot to be learned from it. Here are some thoughts about the Bible, and how it relates to Jesus, and who or what we worship.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/is-the-bible-the-word-of-the-lord/
The point of the gospel is not to get the work done. The point is accurately represent the Father. Jesus' charge in Matt 28:19-20 wasn't colonial; it was to be ambassadors in the fullest sense of the word - to personally BE an extension of the Kingdom and to fully embody Jesus to those around us. That looks a lot different than many approaches to the gospel.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/the-gospel-according-to-jesus/
The origins of the Bible are fascinatingly complex, much more than I had understood as a younger believer. Why would God let it be so complex?
You can also listen to this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/did-the-bible-evolve/
Jonah was so opposed to the people of Nineveh that he couldn't abide God's forgiveness of them. There are parallels with evangelical Christians' insistence that God punish people in a fiery hell for all eternity. Is that insistence righteous?
You can also read this post at https://crucibleofthought.com/rejecting-a-jonah-spirit/
Treating fellow believers with contempt is a sure way to shut down any ability of the Holy Spirit to use each other to grow us up into one Body, one Bride of Christ.
You can also listen to this post at https://crucibleofthought.com/deadly-contempt/
The younger generation of Christians are looking a lot more like Caleb and Joshua than like Moses. They're willing to go at risk with the Lord into a dangerous but bountiful new land. And it's stirring up a lot of anger among the elders.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-caleb-generation/
It's fascinating to look at the topic of "doubt" in Christian publications and web posts. In article after article, there are calls to recognize the incalculable cost of doubting, and the need for unquestioning belief at all costs.
But "doubt" and "unbelief" are most certainly not the same.
So here's my question: How often do we cling to something not because we believe it, but because we can't risk not believing it?
Two websites referenced in this episode:
https://christianity.org.uk/article/doubt
https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-cost-of-doubt-dr-bradford-reaves-sermon-on-doubt-250369
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/counting-the-cost-of-change/
If America is a Christian nation, and since “Christian” means “little Christs,” then it seems we Christians should be well-known for doing ALL the things that Jesus did and that He commanded His followers to do. And we should accept the corrections that come with being imperfect representatives of a holy and righteous and just God.
You can also read this blog post at https://crucibleofthought.com/if-we-really-are-a-christian-nation/
"This IS the revival that you were praying for. And you're calling it heresy." What if revival looks nothing like we think?
The following links are referenced:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRHn2Pdx/
https://www.cgi.org/call-to-revival
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-revival-and-where-do-we-find-it
https://harvest.org/resources/gregs-blog/post/what-is-revival/ says
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-revival.html
https://www.thetravelingteam.org/money-and-missions
https://www.thetravelingteam.org/stats
https://www.beunitedinchrist.com/wp-content/uploads/BS.Edwards.Marks_-2.pdf
https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/edwards/edwards_distinguishingmarks.html
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Distinguishing_Marks_of_a_Work_of_th/AjAG67KUIM
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/what-revival-really-looks-like/
“I’m coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of conservative Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably even worse than “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is October 11th 2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the LGBTQ community as “National Coming Out Day.”
And I’m coming out.
Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’ LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.
This is the final part of a 4-part series. In this final episode, I spend a few minutes talking about grooming, then discussing the charge that affirming LGBTQ behavior and identity will lead to a breakdown in society. I previously discussed whether LGBTQ people can represent the image of God, but this time I talk about how the church's current behavior towards LGBTQ individuals doesn't appear to represent God's character to a watching world. Then I wrap it all up with some thoughts about where we go from here, and I'll summarize my thoughts on the matter.
You can also read the paper itself here: https://crucibleofthought.com/coming-out-on-national-coming-out-day/
“I’m coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of conservative Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably even worse than “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is October 11th 2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the LGBTQ community as “National Coming Out Day.”
And I’m coming out.
Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’ LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.
This is part 3 of a series. In this episode we discuss homosexual identity versus behavior, transgender identity, cultural expectations, and pronouns.
The following links are mentioned in this episode:
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/us/group-that-promoted-curing-gays-ceases-operations.html
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/10/the-man-who-dismantled-the-ex-gay-ministry/408970/
https://www.thetaskforce.org/national-religious-leadership-roundtable-responds-to-closing-of-exodus-international/
https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/lgb-suicide-ct-press-release/
https://whatweknow.inequality.cornell.edu/topics/lgbt-equality/what-does-the-scholarly-research-say-about-whether-conversion-therapy-can-alter-sexual-orientation-without-causing-harm/
https://www.insider.com/more-lgbt-young-people-identify-nonbinary-2021-7
https://www.them.us/story/gen-z-millennials-queerest-generation-gallup-poll
https://www.newsweek.com/nearly-40-percent-us-gen-zs-30-percent-christians-identify-lgbtq-poll-shows-1641085
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus
There will be at least one more episode on this topic. Consider subscribing to the podcast to be notified of the next episodes. You can also read the paper itself here: https://crucibleofthought.com/coming-out-on-national-coming-out-day/
Self-appointed gatekeepers over our religious and moral systems are destroying the people's ability to connect with the Lord's Kingdom. What is our response supposed to be?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/self-appointed-gatekeepers/
“I’m coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of conservative Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably even worse than “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is October 11th 2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the LGBTQ community as “National Coming Out Day.”
And I’m coming out.
Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’ LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.
This is part 2 of a series. In this episode we discuss my hermeneutics, why this topic matters today, about taking the easy way out, and about the fact that certainly not everything happening in LGBTQ acceptance these days is good and righteous.
There will probably be two more episodes on this topic. Consider subscribing to the podcast to be notified of the next episodes. You can also read the paper itself here: https://crucibleofthought.com/coming-out-on-national-coming-out-day/
“I’m coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of conservative Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably even worse than “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is October 11th 2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the LGBTQ community as “National Coming Out Day.”
And I’m coming out.
Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’ LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.
The books mentioned in this episode include:
- “Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships” by James V. Brownson
- “UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality” by Colby Martin and Glennon Doyle Melton
- “Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology)” by Preston Sprinkle
- “The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical’s Change of Heart” by Mark Achtemeier
- “God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships” by Matthew Vines
- “Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships” by Karen R. Keen
- “Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends” by Mark A. Yarhouse PsyD
You can also read the paper itself here: https://crucibleofthought.com/coming-out-on-national-coming-out-day/
The 4th commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." uses the Hebrew words nasah, shem, and shav, and might equally be translated "Your life shall not demonstrate an inaccurate representation of the reputation and renown and fame of the Lord your God."
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/hanging-on-for-dear-life/
As with so many of my long-held evangelical beliefs, I’ve been carefully thinking about the doctrine of hell and eternal punishment. I grew up understanding it as an absolute certainty, and something that orthodox Christians had believed since Jesus apparently taught the doctrine in the Gospels.
But, I’m not so convinced any more.
Come along for a story that helped me reframe my beliefs.
Some useful links:
http://www.brazenchurch.com/hell-in-the-bible/
http://www.brazenchurch.com/hell-2-lake-of-fire-lazarus-gnashing-eternal-torment/
http://www.brazenchurch.com/how-hell-invaded-church-doctrine/
https://jefffig.wordpress.com/tag/bible-verses-support-universalism/
https://biblehub.com/greek/166.htm
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/for-two-billion-years/
Peter's dream of unclean food challenged his world view about who was acceptable to God. I find that God is repeating that in my life, challenging me to reconsider who the Lord accepts today.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/peters-vision-an-inclusive-gospel/
Top Secret classified documents are held under incredibly strict control. Every page of every copy is logged. It's laughable to assert that the FBI didn't know exactly what they were looking for.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/the-best-kept-secrets-in-the-world/
On this occasion of my 30th anniversary, I am finding that the most famous pair of Bible verses about marriage means far more to me than I ever thought possible, and it's not just about marriage. I am called to leave many things, not just my father and mother, as I pursue the Lord and His calling on my life.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-man-shall-leave-his-father-and-mother/
Political power... at what cost? A dark and dying world needs to see a tangible representation of a holy and righteous and just God. That's the role given to the Body of Christ. But it seems as if the goal of too many Christians these days is grabbing political power by any means necessary. Is it worth it?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/is-it-worth-it/
I've been thinking about the challenges of accepting the so-called "affirming" position on LGBTQ issues, and it seemed like time to address my thoughts on the topic at some length.
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/taking-the-easy-way-out/
I wonder, would it change us if we truly believed that God's provision for us wasn't dependent upon our righteousness? And how would it change us if we truly believed that God intended us to be the conduit of that exact provision for others of every station in life?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/a-matter-of-righteousness-and-justice/
There's a big difference between spiritual milk and solid food. As spiritual newborns, we were instructed to desire pure spiritual milk that we might grow. But later on, we're expected to desire solid food - spiritual meat, as it were. But I wonder, can we always tell the difference?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/how-would-you-like-your-milk/
For almost 250 years, our annual national birthday party has celebrated a splitting apart of people. And perhaps that legacy has unfortunate fruit.
You can read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/on-a-basis-of-fear/
Boundaries are a good thing. I'm adjusting my boundaries on social media, so I have better chances to learn from others, and to minimize the emotional arguments that so often pop up.
You can also read this episode on https://crucibleofthought.com/boundaries/
What if the very time we're supposed to mourn with those who mourn is when we're rejoicing over the very thing they're mourning? Or the very time we're supposed to rejoice with those who rejoice is exactly when we're mourning the very thing they're rejoicing?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/come-let-us-mourn-and-rejoice-together/
A friend asked a simple question during a recent Bible study - how do I know I'm saved? - and it was so fundamental that it took me aback for a moment – because it’s not something that my church ever directly addressed, perhaps assuming it was well-understood already. But when I thought about it for a moment, I realized it’s a question with widely varying answers across the Christian faith. Since our Bible study group has been delving deeply into “what do we really believe,” it seemed like a really good question which deserves a solid answer.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/what-is-salvation-anyway/
Faith isn't just carrying around someone else's bucket of old dusty relics; faith is doing the hard work of examining each one carefully to see which are worth keeping.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/relics/
For Pride Month, I was wrong about LGBTQ grooming. I'm not proud of my particular Christian heritage: it's been revealed as unloving. But I am deeply proud of my Savior who challenged His culture in how He loved the unlovely, the outcast, the sinner, and the oppressed.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/whos-actually-grooming/
Taking Native American land and life to secure European refugees the ability to worship God freely is deeply enshrined in the Christian Nationalism view of American history. But that seems to run counter to the nature and actions of God described throughout the Bible.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/to-be-a-christian-in-babylon/
Perhaps the biggest surprise for me in this season of my life is that faith itself is not static. We're being called to go "further up and further in" - as God reveals more to us, our understanding of faith and doctrine must be free to expand and grow.
You can also read this blog post at https://crucibleofthought.com/further-up-and-further-in/
It's Palm Sunday, and I've been thinking about what happened on that day when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The symbolism was clear to many of the Jews who saw what happened, but it wasn't what they were expecting. Do we think like the Jews of Jesus' day, hoping that our King would ride into Jerusalem on a war horse instead of a humble donkey?
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/on-a-donkey-not-a-war-horse/
Jesus seemed to go out of His way to challenge His culture's expectations about the role of women. A couple events on Passover weeks during His ministry caught my attention this week as we approach Easter.
You can also read this blog post at https://crucibleofthought.com/the-women-of-passover/
We're so accustomed to living at DEFCON-1 in the spirit realm, constantly being on a wartime footing against demonic forces and a culture that's falling apart, against unbelievers and misguided fellow believers, that we fail to see the bad effects that it's having on our culture and our unity and our peace. But Christ already won the victory - so why are we demonizing each other in the name of making America a great Christian nation?
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/military-speak/
It has occurred to me that most American Christians are just as much in love with a certain style of Christianity as they are with fast food, and for very similar reasons. It's fast, it's easy, it's cheap, and it requires no real personal involvement to get fed. But is it the right model?
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/billions-and-billions-served/
One of the most fundamental characteristics of a company is its brand - its very corporate identity. Companies work really hard to protect their brand. It seems that the church is very similar. But when Christians respond to critiques with such tactics of "brand protection", they block the possibility of repentance, and risk speaking against correction brought by the Holy Spirit.
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/protect-the-brand/
Perhaps the truest test of a relationship is what happens when one of the people changes. At some level, change is inevitable. Small changes and slow, steady changes are easy. But when the change is significant, it will stress a relationship. But change is also the best chance to learn and grow.
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/exposed-by-change/
“They will know we are Christians by our love.” This line ends each verse of a popular Christian hymn from the 1960s.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love
Our love is important. But I'm beginning to see a pretty stark divide in how different groups believe love is best expressed.
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/the-impractical-gospel/
Can 330 million Americans actually agree on anything? Did the Founders expect us to solve problems at a national level? Are those problems even solvable, or is our trust in a political solution misplaced?
Read this as a post on the Crucible of Thought blog at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/state-by-state/
Deconstruction is causing a sharp reaction in church circles. It's as if faith has become a form of works. It's paradoxical that not being unquestioningly faithful to what we were taught reveals a works-like tendency, among those who otherwise believe in justification by faith and not works. In those circles, apparently one must be "faithful enough" to remain saved.
You can also read this as a blog post at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/works-of-faith/
Our sense of individualism has become toxic, both politically and religiously. We organize ourselves into collective groups ever more strongly. And those groups actively oppose other groups that we perceive as infringing on our own collective's individuality.
You can read this as a blog post at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/e-pluribus-unum/
On the final Sunday of Black History Month, I attended a local Black church. I learned something valuable about today as I heard about history.
You can also read this as a blog post at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/visiting-a-black-church-during-black-history-month/
Sometimes, the best-qualified candidate isn't the best choice for a job. Actually, that's kind of an aphorism which serves my purpose, but isn't really what I mean to say. More precisely, sometimes the individual with the best technical qualifications isn't the best qualified candidate, because of non-technical qualifications.
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/the-best-qualified-candidate/
How should we think about the current meteoric rise in gender-fluid thinking and self-expression in today’s culture? Can LGBTQ+ people represent the Imago Dei, the Image of God? It's a pressing question for the church.
You can read this episode on CrucibleOfThought.com.
I ran across a fascinating image today. It's a picture of a wall-mounted gun cabinet disguised to look just like a rugged wooden cross, advertised as a great way to share your faith while simultaneously protecting yourself with those firearms.
You can read this as a blog post at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/in-guns-we-trust
Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I'm struck by two things: a peace that God has the entire world in His hands, even those who haven't heard about Jesus yet, and a determination that showing agape love to my immediate neighbors ought to be a primary focus. And I think Dr. King had a handle on how to show agape love.
You can read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/let-us-agape-one-another/
Roller coasters are really popular entertainment in amusement parks. But when life itself becomes a roller coaster, how will my heart and mind and soul respond to the sudden ups and downs and shaking? Here are some thoughts on finding joy, not just fun.
You can also read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/roller-coasters/
It's long intrigued me that many doctrinal positions are not universally held, and I started thinking about why we lock hard into clearly debatable positions. I think humans tend to latch onto an idea that comforts us, and then we build walls of doctrine around that idea. Let's explore that tendency.
You can read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/doctrinal-humility/
As I've been thinking about the topic of spiritual sonship, and wondering about how to practically live it out, I realized that the Jewish model of rabbis and disciples had some wisdom to offer our Christian understanding.
You can read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/rabbis-and-spiritual-fathers/
The parallels between today's America and 1930s Germany are striking. In "The Lord of the Rings" J.R.R. Tolkien describes The One Ring, a malevolant and active power which subverts and dominates anyone who wears it. I wonder if the recent pursuit of political power by the Evangelical church is akin to slipping on that ring.
Read this at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/the-one-ring-of-political-power/
I've been thinking about how to make an impact on the world. I think we all want to affect our world. For most of us, it's what drives our choices, maybe not day-by-day but at least over time. Naturally I want to have a large impact as quickly as possible. But I've begun to wonder if my impatience itself is keeping me from truly having an impact.
You can also read this episode here: https://www.crucibleofthought.com/exponential-christianity/
I've discovered that once you kick out some cinderblocks from a faulty foundation, many other previously-stable things tend to be disrupted as well. And maybe that’s not a bad thing.
Read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/cinderblocks-of-faith/
What if your life mission was to walk the streets of your city, visiting the street corners next to each church, and to cry "Repent, for the kingdom is at hand" - and what if the ones you were calling to repent were the church people who were actually faithfully and diligently living out what they'd been taught were the religious commands from holy scriptures?
This ought to sound familiar. If you did that you'd be following Jesus' example.
Read this episode at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/deconstruction-or-repentance/
Do small groups support Sunday services, or do Sunday services support small groups? That question is very relevant to the current concerns of many believers about American Christianity’s practices. To find an answer, it's instructive to consider the Jewish religious practices familiar to the New Testament authors.
You can also read this episode on the Crucible of Thought blog.
It's hard to imagine a more precise illustration of "the ends justify the means" - and a more ironic one - than a Christian reverting to very anti-Christian behavior in order to obtain or preserve political power for the church.
Read this as a blog at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/lets-not-take-brandon-to-church/
There are many things I feared would happen if I questioned what I believed. And all those fears came to pass. But from the other side of it, I'm so glad it happened, because I am finding out how wrong I had been.
The wilderness can seem deeply uncomfortable - but it's also a womb, a place of preparation and growth, bringing about what the Lord intends for us.
You can read this episode on the Crucible of Thought blog at https://www.crucibleofthought.com
Episode 6: "We cannot live in fear." It's been said over and over by pastors and prophets and pundits and politicians across America. And it's been said we're in a spiritual battle. Yes, it's a spiritual battle. But it's not a spiritual battle against COVID, and it's not against fear. And it's absolutely not against each other. 1 Corinthians 8 applies to this situation.
(You can also read this as a blog post at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/fear-or-accusation/)
A number of evangelical personalities are now calling empathy a sin and advocating that sympathy is the only Scripturally-appropriate way to deal with other people's difficulties. Over the last couple years, the Lord has been reworking my heart to restore an ability to empathize, so I share that testimony and challenge this unscriptural position.
(You can also read this as a blog post at https://www.crucibleofthought.com/how-i-learned-empathy/)
(Episode 4) With our individualist thought process, Americans seem prone to creating power structures where an individual is - or at least considers themselves to be - an absolute authority over a group. Any sense of accountability is often secondary to that sense of personal authority.
This American individualism applies to all walks of life - religious, civil, and family.
But much of the world - especially Asia and the Middle East - instead think about the group before thinking about individual rights. And I'm learning that's also true of the cultures into which the Bible was written and lived. As such, the Bible speaks to and teaches group ideals - where the group and its relationships are the focus, not the individual.
This has some intriguing consequences for my belief structures.
When the church does not provide a "safe place" for the hurting and confused, it effectively eliminates itself as a source of counsel and wisdom, not to mention a place of sanctuary and healing. But "safe places" and a shame-based discipline system are incompatible with each other.
Read this episode here: https://www.crucibleofthought.com/safe-places-and-untouchables/
Episode 2. The COVID epidemic has clearly exposed a number of contradictions in the thought process and the actions of many American Christians. The very group that is the most vocal about stopping abortion, preventing euthanasia, and denying "my body, my choice" is also the group agitating the loudest against masking and vaccination and activity restrictions. Isaiah 1 has some strong words for God's people in the face of their failure to look out for the vulnerable among them.
Hi, I'm Brandon. A few months ago I started blogging on my website https://www.CrucibleOfThought.com, and had several requests to release the content in audio format as well. So here it is.
I'd like to introduce myself briefly.
I've been hanging around conservative Christian circles since I was five years old, and pretty much all of that in evangelical spaces. The last 30 years have been in an Assemblies of God church, but only loosely affiliated with the AG denomination. Mostly, we're a Charismatic full-gospel church that believes in the Bible as the sole authoritative word of God, and Jesus as the only way to be reconciled to the Father. I was a church worship leader for 15 years, and a lay leader in my church for 30 years, including marriage ministry, audiovisual ministry, deacon, and core leadership team.
I've also been a devoted conservative Republican all my political life. I knew a few Democrats but never really understood them, and especially how a Christian could ever be a Democrat or a liberal.
In early 2019, a major life event happened for me - I discovered how I was broken emotionally, and I spent a year in discipline away from most of my church leadership duties, and six months in counseling learning how I had been emotionally wounded by many aspects of my personal history. The Lord rearranged quite a few things in my soul and my mind, and I came into 2020 restored to my leadership positions, with a brand new awareness, and a new ability to empathize with those around me.
Then, 2020 hit us all.
A big part of 2020 was George Floyd's murder, and for the first time in my entire life, I truly understood how others were being affected by a political or social situation. My awareness upended my Republican viewpoint, as I was able to hear the cries saying "Black Lives Matter" from a very new perspective. I began to hear the stories of my Black friends and churchmates with new ears.
Of course, COVID was another big part of 2020. Having spent nearly 30 years married to a nurse, and with an engineering and data analysis background, I approach understanding the epidemic from a very intellectual, science-based perspective. I tend to begin with the assumption that doctors and epidemiologists actually know what they're doing, and have our best interests in mind.
I'm generally conservative, although I have a bit of a libertarian bent - I tend to favor small and hands-off government, especially in fiscal areas, but in the past I have historically taken political positions that favor conservative Christian moral positions.
Recently, I have become rather discouraged by trends I see in evangelical churches, and I feel like the Lord is calling His people to repent of quite a few things that the American church has been doing over the decades, more out of habit and convenience than out of conviction. Many of the things you'll hear from me on this blog and podcast come from words I feel like the Lord is speaking to me about His people. I don't have much expectation that the non-Christian world will act Christian - but I do have a rather high expectation that the church should reflect the true values of its King. We should be light and salt to those around us, and lately I feel like even the world has begun to see what's wrong with the Church. When the world sees it, and begins to point it out, I think we need to pay close attention and seek the Lord whether we're missing something ourselves.
So that's my background, and I hope it gives some context for the kinds of topics and positions I discuss on this blog.
I'll talk to you again soon!