Trump’s back in office, and it’s officially time to get serious. This week, we dive into what his return means for democracy, humanity, and faith, as we grapple with the fallout of an election fueled by evangelical hypocrisy and the erosion of decency. From reproductive rights to racial justice, LGBTQ+ protections to environmental survival, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But despair isn’t an option—resistance is. Join us as we unpack how to fight back with grassroots action and reclaim what matters.

Next, we wade into the madness of the Christian Crazy, where characters like Lance Wallnau and Kat Kerr remind us how far evangelicalism has wandered from the teachings of Jesus.

Finally, we sit down with Keith Giles to talk about his new book, Wintermoon and Coffeestain: Poems and Lyrics, a poignant collection spanning decades of love, loss, and restoration. It’s an insightful conversation about creativity, faith, and finding beauty amidst the chaos.

This episode is a rallying cry, a critique of the absurd, and a reminder to keep showing up, no matter how dark it gets. Tune in, and let’s start making trouble—the good kind.

Get Keith's book here:

https://amzn.to/3Cj2RQK

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

 

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

In this week's episode of Snarky Faith, we’re turning up the heat with a “Snarkfire and Brimstone sermon” that takes aim at the bizarre fusion of faith and authoritarian politics. First, we kick things off with the Christian Crazy segment, highlighting the most ridiculous soundbites from the week. Then, we delve into the so-called new Christian orthodoxy of MAGA-land, where Trump isn’t just a candidate; he's the chosen one. We’ll explore how this unholy blend of politics and religion has warped the gospel into a manifesto of power and privilege, all while tossing out little inconveniences like love, mercy, and justice. Tune in for a sermon that’s sure to leave both the pews and the patriots squirming.

Feel the burn—it's about to get snarky.

 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

In today's episode of Snarky Faith, we're venturing into a space that's often skirted around with discomfort or outright hostility. That's right—we're digging into the delightful mess that is religious diversity, but not in the way you might expect. We're not here to throw shade or to spotlight the foibles of faith; instead, we're talking about the rich gifts that diversity brings us, especially when we shut up and listen.

Our guidebook for this journey is none other than the recent release "Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree: What We Learn by Listening to Other Faiths." This isn't just your run-of-the-mill, kumbaya plea for peace. This is about tuning in to a symphony of voices from different faiths and belief systems that dare to speak to the transformative power of listening. It's about cracking open the door to perspectives that have long been shut out by the rigid gates of doctrinal fortresses.

We're joined by a panel of guests who are nothing short of pilgrims on this journey of cross-faith dialogue. Keith Giles, Duncan Pile, Caleb Gilleland, and Safi Kaskas—each an author and a story-weaver sharing tales of wisdom, transformation, and perspective shifts. Their narratives aren't just feel-good anecdotes; they're testaments to what happens when we learn from those who tread paths different from our own.

Forget the tired old trope of who's got it wrong in the world of religion. Our guests have set out to uncover where others get it right, engaging in the radical act of listening rather than preaching. The result? Insights that lead to understanding, connections that spawn friendships, and exchanges that birth peace.

Join us as we delve into the wisdom shared in "Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree," courtesy of Quoir Publishing and Patheos. Let's take this opportunity to step outside our comfort zones and into the possibility that the truth and beauty we seek might just be found in the faith community next door—or even one we've never heard of.

It's not about compromising your beliefs or losing your faith; it's about enriching it through the stories of others. So, let's drop the debate and pick up the dialogue. Tune in, listen up, and let's get ready to be transformed. This is Snarky Faith, and the conversation starts now.

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Links

Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree: What We Learn by Listening to Other Faith

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHZCBX7V
 

Author Links and Books:

Caleb Gilleland:

https://bahaiteachings.org/author/caleb-gilleland/

https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/caleb-gilleland

Safi Kaskas: 

https://www.amazon.com/Quran-References-Bible-Contemporary-Understanding/dp/099659244X/

Duncan Pile:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/duncanedwardpile/about/

https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Mage-Book-ebook/dp/B00CLOYOKA/

https://www.amazon.com/Who-Am-Judge-James-Bewley-ebook/dp/B086N27QWQ/

Keith Giles:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Keith-Giles/author/B0076E0UA8

 

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: 

Kent Christmas, Shane Vaughn, Greg Locke, Mike Johnson, and Mario Murillo. 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

I'm so tired of God's name being used as an advertising tool by conservatives when their version of love looks like repression. It's false, heretical, and antithetical to the gospel. It's bullshit. 

For too long, have the grifters of the gospel sold their faith like a telemarketer giving you a buy one get one free deal. "God told me this. God said to do that." It's Santa Clause and Tooth Fairy religion. It's superstition and urban-legend-level meaninglessness sold to the masses every Sunday.

Why do we buy the lies and put up with the charlatans?

P.T. Barnum's accredited with saying, "there's a sucker born every minute." P.T. only discovered what religious leaders have always known. Sheep want a shepherd regardless if the shepherd eventually eats them. It's not about truth. It's more about blind certainty. People seek certainty; regardless if it's false or not. Oblivion is the goal, and thinking is optional in these circles.  

Today, we'll delve into lies peddled in the name of God by his emissaries and/or infomercial hosts. They're all the same, hollow and unscrupulous. Nothing could be further from the nature of God. 

To listen to the liars is to miss out on the gift that you are the beloved of God. The center of Christianity is supposed to be love. God is love. This truth may seem forgotten but is not lost. We need to recover this precious narrative from the Kingdom of God and champion it. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

Www.SnarkyFaith.com

“And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.” ― Julian of Norwich

We live in a time where it seems all we have is bad news and fake news. When denial reigns, it's hard to know what to believe and what's real anymore. Too often are we swayed one way or the other by manipulative forces that obscure what is happening.

We easily believe half-truths or quick answers in the pursuit of ways to ignore the problems at hand. Religion even makes it worse when it blames the cause of physical problems onto mystical or spiritual ones. We deny reality and try to avoid problems because we don't like the solutions.

For all to be well, all of the faithful must be vigilant and ready to serve and help as needed. Politics and religion create distractions that obscure the simple solutions.

It's easier to deny a pandemic if you are too emotionally fragile to handle it. If you deny reality, then you can fight silly, little insignificant issues like wearing masks. If you think your faith suffers because you can't sing in a church, your god is impotent and small. This pandemic isn't about people's preferences. It should be about humanity's finest moment of coming together to fix a simple, yet complex issue.

Yet, stupidity dominates.

But we don't have to like it. There's always hope to push back lazy and inert thinking. Action and vigilance push us forward and inspire movement. Let's deny denial. There are better days ahead if we continue to move towards progress.

Keep on keeping on in this profoundly weird time in history. Peace.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

"It's far time I talk to ya'll about your relationship with Jesus."

- said every good Christian talking about 'vangelism.

Yes, it's that time. We need to have that important chat about salvation, but it's not the talk you think I want to have. Today, we're going to discuss salvation. Yes, many have heard it packaged in different ways and tracts, but the result is always the same. It's the processed food version of the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus saves you from hell with Twinkies. 

The Kingdom of God wasn't meant to be a sales pitch to grow your Ponzi scheme religion. The Kingdom of God exists to free people, NOT enslave them. 

The story of Jesus tells you that you're loved by God just as you are. God already gives you the grace to live and love in a redemptive way. God's Kingdom says we have worth and are accepted. It tells us the story of freedom. So why does Christianity often make "gettin' saved" sound more like a duty like paying your taxes?

Today, we're going to talk about salvation in human terms and not theological ones. We're going to get logical and not spiritual. There won't be scripture quoted, but we're going to look at it as it is and talking about it in plain terms. 

Join us as we look past the church history and practice into the real call of Jesus for us as humans to live as we are supposed to be. Anything other than that is falsehood. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

 

I hear that Oprah something called a "book club," so I figured if it was good enough for Oprah, it's good enough for Snarky Faith. Join us today, as we talk about some interesting gems that you may have missed. 

We'll talk about books, politics, and the Christian Crazy too. I'll even throw in a chat with author and artist, David Hayward, aka The Naked Pastor about his new book. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild and fun ride.  

Books featured in this episode:

 

Til Doubt Do Us Part by David Hayward

If changing beliefs are changing your marriage, you need to read this book where David Hayward speaks into the strain that deconstruction can cause in a marriage.  For those of us who have had huge faith shifts, this is like a roadmap to those tough, but necessary conversations that need to happen. 

 

Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints by Daneen Akers

"Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints" is an illustrated children's book about people of diverse faiths working for more love and justice in their corners of the world, even when that means rocking the religious boat. With original portraits from more than two dozen artists and engaging profiles of people from different faiths and different eras, these are stories that inspire, educate, challenge, and encourage.

Some of the people featured in this book are well known, like the beloved St. Francis of Assisi (a favorite of Hufflepuffs everywhere for his love of animals), who gave up a wealthy inheritance to serve the poor, Rumi, the Sufi poet, and Thich Nhat Hanh the beloved teacher who developed the concept of engaged Buddhism. Some are well known, but the deep faith motivating their work is lesser-known, such as Harriet Tubman, Florence Nightingale, and Mr. Rogers. Others are less known such as Bayard Rustin, an American Quaker whose role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s is often downplayed because he was a gay man; Maryam Molkara, an Iranian Muslim transgender rights advocate; and Regina Jonas, the first female rabbi to be ordained whose story was almost lost to history.

 

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix

A 2018 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Winner!

Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party is gaining strength and becoming more menacing every day. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor upset by the complacency of the German church toward the suffering around it, forms a breakaway church to speak out against the established political and religious authorities. When the Nazis outlaw the church, he escapes as a fugitive. Struggling to reconcile his faith and the teachings of the Bible with the Nazi Party’s evil agenda, Bonhoeffer decides that Hitler must be stopped by any means possible!

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

Www.Snarkyfaith.com

“And it was all that I needed...” ― The White Stripes - Take, Take, Take

When is enough, enough?

We live in a time where consumeristic impulses of culture look the same as the heartbeat of the institutional church. There's no difference in currency and values. We know what success looks like, and it doesn't look like Jesus, but that's okay. Forgetting Jesus hasn't stopped the church in the past.

Looking at the parables of Jesus, we can see broad strokes paintings of the Kingdom of God. The values, ethics, mission, and thrust all point to a different way of being. They tell us that a selfless way is sustainable, and anything counter leads to death and inequality.

Join us today as we talk through the ethics of the parables of Jesus and how they line up with the White Stripes. It's not what you'd expect and hopefully better than you deserve. ;)

We'll delve into a different way to live where we seek things of worth, value, and meaning. It takes looking at life through a different lens. As long as you don't mind a little swearing, hop in and join us. It'll be something interesting, and hopefully hopeful. We'll see.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

“Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God's being present in the mess of our unfixedness. (Messy Spirituality)” ― Michael Yaconelli

In Luke 14, Jesus tells a story about a wedding banquet where everyone was invited and welcome. It gives us a glimpse into the heart of the Kingdom of God. Imagine a God that has love and grace at the center of everything. How would that change the church and community if everyone was loved and treated with dignity? What if love and grace were as common as the air that we breathe?

Jesus said that there was a big table, big enough for everyone. It is a place where you are loved and accepted where you are. Grace is the currency and love like gravity. If they are constants in the Kingdom of God, why are treated like rare elements here on Earth?

Faith is messy because people are messy, but faith is also simple. Love God, love others, and live out grace. That is the Kingdom of God in a nutshell, yet we have made it complicated and perverted it. Though the road back is to where we should be is often seen as too simple and direct, so we stay where we are and remain.

Change happens when we embrace who and what we are. If we can accept ourselves, then hopefully we can accept others. If I am messy and you are also messy, then hopefully we can help each other to be less messy. Thus is progress. Thus is life.

If we want to change, we can. It requires a willingness to leave safety and journey into something new and unknown. That is the nature of change. It doesn't ask you to embrace it, but it's there waiting to be embraced if you're willing to do it. Change is only a decision away.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

One of the great sins of the American church has been its ability to normalize a myriad of sins. In a certain way, these sins have become part of an unstated and unwritten theology of practice. For too long has the faith system based on Jesus Christ has been associated with misogyny, ignorance, racism, abuse, and hate.

If your remove love from Christianity, you also remove Jesus from Christianity.

If that happens, what is left?

For the church to rectify itself and return to its roots, we must call out all that is opposed to love. For a faith-centered in the love of God and love of others, it has been perverted and mutated into something vastly different.

Following Jesus was never about political power, control, and influence, it was about making a tangible difference in humanity. If we're not loving more, then the Kingdom of God is not being advanced. If we're not loving others, the Kingdom of God is nothing more than a platform and talking points. If we don't see the humanity and image of God in others, we have forgotten who we are.

If any or all of this happens, what are we left holding?

The power of Jesus is in its ability to give up power. It exists in how it usurps influence from the mighty and gives voice to the lowly. Brokenness and injustice don't have to be normalized. They should be opposed. If you hold up things that are counter to Jesus, they should be castaway.

It may sound overly simplistic, but the ways of Jesus aren't that hard. They aren't that complicated. Just don't be shitty to other people and try to make the world a better place for everyone. Is that too much to ask for? It's orthodoxy, but that hasn't been orthopraxy in a long time.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SNARKYFAITH.COM

 

Cults and conspiracy theories are both founded on lies, but they also play heavily against people's fears and insecurities. You could say that cult leaders use misinformation and paranoia to manipulate others to follow blindly after them. It almost sounds like a lot of pastors too.

This isn't a new occurrence, a Ponzi scheme as old as time. There are always swindlers and suckers. And every time, the swindler makes the sucker believe that everyone else is the true idiot.

Christianity has a lot of willing idiots who have traded the simple message of the Gospel for complicated conspiracy theories about Satan hiding around every corner waiting to deceive you. The truth of this story is that we are our own Satan's deceiving ourselves. Yes, I said it and stand by it. Christians that believe in conspiracy theories or other nonsense like end times do it because doing the work of the Gospel is too hard and requires too much.

If we can delude and deceive ourselves that we're righteous, then we can live our lives unchecked and judge everyone else. It's Jesus that disrupts this lie. Life is better when we don't get our own way. When we learn to live as people called to help and heal, that's a vastly different reality than one lived in fear of sin.

One way is the freedom to live and love as Jesus did. The other one is to look at God's creation as dirty, evil, and broken. One way sees glory while the other sees desolation.

Conspiracy theories require mental gymnastics to fit into reality. They require us to suspend our disbelief and embrace paranoia and fear. The way of Jesus sees the face of God in others and calls us to love. Which do you want to follow?

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

The past few weeks on the show, we've been talking through the book, Tug of War by Wilmer Villacorta. This several-week discussion has centered around leadership in the vein of Jesus. 

We've talked about what biblical leadership should look like in juxtaposition to the modern church. We've seen how modern leadership is capitalistic, caustic, and antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus. The church today wields power through narrow systems of hierarchy that look more like corporations than communities. These systems narrowly allow certain people in positions of power, while others are overtly left outside. 

The power of community is the power of Christianity. There is great value in owning our personal selves and stories, but we must also be blended and woven within the stories of others. A family of faith should be diverse. Its beauty is in its uniqueness and diversity.

The movement from 'me' to 'we' is not one of losing power, but one much to the contrary. The process opening up to others is a road of vulnerability and humility, but ultimately one of great power as we collectively move together to make a better tomorrow that includes all people. 

To craft a better tomorrow means that we must work together. We can't do this alone, Jesus calls us to be better together. Our stories will never be complete without others. There is no me without we... and that's a good thing. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.Snarkyfaith.com

We are living in the glorious time of the cancel culture. Yes, most call it an overreaction to civil, cultural, and political events happening now, but I think it's a beautiful thing. Conservative Evangelicals created a cancel culture against anything deemed counter to the faith, and the tactics of public shaming and boycott are now coming back to haunt them.

After Louie Giglio's "white blessing" remarks, Christianity is in a downward spiral seeking to grab on to some semblance of relevancy in a time when so many stalwart institutions, voices, and symbols of faith are falling like Confederate statues.

Instead of seeing cancel culture as a problem, we should see it as an opportunity to change, repent, and distance our faith from systems of hatred and intolerance. Jesus calls us to a new way of dealing with power structures, where everyone is valued and has a voice. In the kingdom of God, everyone matters in culture and society. All are made in the image of God and are equal. All matter equally. This is the vision of the kingdom of God. Any other system that devalues humans isn't of Jesus and has nothing to do with the creator of the universe.

Good builds up all. Good gives all a voice. God is good.

Sin operates on hierarchical systems of inequality. Sin is selfish. Sin oppresses. Sin doesn't care about tomorrow.

What system do you want to be part of?

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SNARKYFAITH.com

Brace Yourselves, This is Theology Unfiltered

Hey Snarky Faith listeners, brace yourselves! We've got a treat for you—a theological espresso shot that'll jolt you awake, whether you're ready for it or not. I sat down with Dillon Naber Cruz, the mind behind Theological Musings: Collected Essays of a Tattooed Theologian, Vol. 1, and let me tell you, this isn't your run-of-the-mill theology talk. This is more like a high-speed chase through a maze of moral and existential dilemmas.

What We Cover:

1. Complex PTSD and Theology: You thought those terms couldn't be in the same sentence? Think again. Cruz explains how personal trauma shapes and complicates our theological landscapes. Spoiler alert: It's not pretty, but it's damn insightful.
2. Faith's Dark Corners: Cruz isn't here to spoon-feed you doctrine; he's here to tear down your theological house of cards and dare you to rebuild it. We delve into the questions most theologians prefer to ignore. You've been warned.
3. The Gritty Kind of Hope: Forget about that pie-in-the-sky optimism; Cruz talks about the hope that you earn, the kind that's been through the wringer and still stands. Can such hope exist in a world of chaos? Tune in to find out.

Why You Can't Miss This:

Look, if you're content with your sanitized, bubble-wrapped faith, this episode might not be for you. But if you're tired of simplistic answers to complex questions, if you're itching for a faith that engages with the real world, this is an episode you can't afford to miss. Cruz doesn't just push the envelope; he sets it on fire.

So grab your beverage of choice, and settle in for a ride. You'll walk away from this episode with more questions than answers, but trust me, you'll be better for it.

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!
 

Check out Dilllon's new book here. 

 

Show notes

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: 

Benny Hinn, Greg Locke, and Greg Laurie

 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

"The person who accepts his own suffering and does not try to repress it or push it away shows the power of hope."

- Jurgen Moltmann

As we continue in our series of reframing what power looks like in the mold of Jesus, we must begin at the beginning. There is no power outside of us owning our narratives. If we don't understand our story, how can we comprehend someone else's story? 

Owning your failures and successes, your achievements, and missteps make us human. We live in a culture that pushes us towards perfection, but perfection isn't a human attribute. We learn through failure. We grow through trials. There is no way to know who and what we are unless it's tested and tried. 

I have tried more than I have succeeded, but I have learned more from the trials than the successes. Being real. Being flawed. Being fully human is a new form of power. It scares people that aren't in touch with themselves. It doesn't operate under human systems of currency. It's not owned by cartels or politicians. You own it. It's yours given to you at birth. 

The real question is, will you use your story for good and wield it or will you forget it and live in the shadows of others? Jesus calls us to be uniquely ourselves. Owning your story is truly a different type of power. Go out, be fabulous, be yourself, and change the world. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SNARKYFAITH.com

" Our use of power will always be disoriented and destructive - will result in idolatry and injustice - unless we find a way to a restored relationship with the Giver of power".

- Andy Crouch

On, June 3, 2020, the President of the United States ordered militarized police to teargas and remove peaceful protesters who were hosting a "Solidarity Prayer Vigil" near St. John's Church in Lafayette Square. He did this as a show of strength to have a photo-op with a Bible in front of the church. It was excessive use of force and brutality that played like a love letter to his religious base. This authoritarian-lite stunt is like a Russian-hooker-threeway of Trump's worst impulses; his hubris, stupidity, and small-dick-energy. 

It's an interesting snapshot to examine. The President is using the church as a backdrop and Bible as a prop. It's the perfect example of what Christianity in America has become. Hollow images and symbols that should echo the ways of Jesus, but they don't. They've just become tools of a corrupt empire. 

To look at leadership through the lens of Jesus, we see a very different approach to power and greatness. His selfless death on the cross is a stark contrast to someone who teargasses a peaceful crowd of volunteers and clergy. Where Jesus would say, "Black Lives Matter," but to Trump, only his life matters. It's sad to see how the faithful have been willingly duped. Are we tired of winning yet? 

It's time to wake up and see the hypocrisy, lies, and empty promises. Christ calls us to engage with the world differently. Through his lens of love, humility, compassion, and vulnerability, leadership and power begin to look very different. Through walking in his example, we can begin to heal the wounds in our nation as we elevate diverse voices to seats at the collective table. We are better together than we are apart. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SNARKYFAITH.com

The world is on fire and my opinion doesn't matter right now. This isn't time for that.

As a white person in America, this is the time for me to be silent and listen to those that are hurting.

This is not a time to critique protesting or to offer alternative ways to seek justice and reform.

This is not the time to assume I understand what it's like to live within systems of racism where I fear for my life and fear the police.

This is time for me to listen.

When I listen, I can mourn, weep, and grieve with my brothers and sisters.

When I listen, I am reminded that the drumbeats of hate, ignorance, and bigotry still beat loudly.

When I listen, I am able to realize that there are not enough seats at the table and some of us need to step back to make room for others to speak, lead, create, and dream.

Change begins with listening. I am listening.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.Snarkyfaith.com

Time moves forward. Life changes constantly. We'll never be what we were before.

The Coronavirus pandemic has changed us all. Some are frantically trying to go back in time, while others are looking towards an uncertain future. We can't go back. We can only go forward. And that is not bad news.

Change is part of life. We either adapt to it or we don't. When we don't adapt, we become out of sync with reality and seek to idealize the past. We put on rose-colored glasses and look backward to the past that is only fantasy.

But we can't change the past. We can only accept it and learn from it as we move forward.

Things won't be the same anymore and that's exciting. New stories to tell. New adventures to embark upon. New dreams to realize.

As we seek a reprieve from the quarantine monotony and uncertainty, remember that the world is changing and you can be a part of that cultivating change if you keep looking forward bravely.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Power is overrated.

Yet, if you look around you, you see a world scrounging for it. We want to be leaders and influencers. We want to be successful and renowned. So we spend our lives seeking power and ultimately, what we see as power becomes our God.

When we look at the life of Jesus, we see a different type of leader. He didn't see prestige or care about titles. He lowered himself. He sacrificed himself for others. He was the opposite of Christian leaders today.

Today, we'll dive into a discussion on the downward ascent into the ways and power of Jesus where vulnerability, humility, and suffering are part of the journey. We need to rethink power and power structures to live a faithful existence.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.snarkyfaith.com

As weeks turn into months of the Coronavirus pandemic, we have many options in how we spend our time while under stay-at-home orders and quarantine. Some are Netflix and chilling, while others are using this time to learn new skills or take on begin new projects.

I've been focusing my time in contemplation, conversation, and recalibrating my perspective of many things. Embracing that notion, I've spent time in conversation with many of my virtual friends. These conversations have centered around deconstruction and reconstruction of certain assumptions about faith and church.

With that in mind, we'll be discussing different incorrect assumptions of modern-day Christianity concerning leadership, hierarchy, and prayer. Much of this misunderstanding comes from the sheep and shepherd parables and analogies from the Bible. It's amusing that pastors see themselves as shepherds of a flock when we're all just sheep. There's only one shepherd and he's not a celebrity pastor or author. We're all just sheep and that's okay. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.Snarkyfaith.com

Here's the exclusive interview with author Elizabeth Geitz from our recent show where we discuss her new book, Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

In a few short years, the phrase "Fake News" has earned a place in dictionaries, in the national discourse, and our daily lives. But Fake News is not new. Fake News began when people first interpreted the Bible to advance their agenda. Commonly-held beliefs about what the Bible says regarding women, LGBTQ folks, slavery, immigrants, and Jews trumpets Fake News that is destroying people's lives.

What is the best way to counter Fake News? With the truth. So today, we'll chat with Elizabeth Geitz about her new book, Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News, that sets the record straight on what the Bible really says regarding sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, and heterosexism. It is time for the Fake News about the Bible to come to a screeching halt.

Join me as I talk with Elizabeth about rereading and re-engaging the Bible with new eyes. It's a fun ride that you're sure to enjoy.

You can find Elizabeth Geitz's new book, Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News, here. 

You can also find out more about Elizabeth here.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

 

Christianity is weird, but it doesn't have to be. Now, sure, it seems like weirdness is on-brand with Christianity, but that wasn't the original posture. Yet today, the separation of church and reality is more distinctive and vast than the separation between church and state.

The Bible doesn't call for us to run away from truth and facts. Our faith doesn't tell us to ignore science and reality. Still, to the Christian mindset, logic and reason are often the enemies. It doesn't have to be that way. It shouldn't be that way. Christianity doesn't have to be weird.

It should be grounded in common sense and intertwined with humanity. Spirituality and faith don't have to be devoid of reason and reasonability.

The teachings of Jesus call his followers to be part of society and culture, not counter to it. They call us to care for others with compassion and humility. They call for sacrifice and effort.

Yet the faithful are often too obsessed with the hereafter as their cosplay hobby version of end-times escapism. A Christianity obsessed with its own weirdness is a lazy copout and an excuse to ignore the call of Jesus to love others. A common sense faith is possible, we just have to walk away from the weirdness. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

Too often do we get caught up in the fanfare of Easter. We're too busy celebrating the resurrection that we fail to miss the real humanity of the Easter story.

We like to do this in Christianity. We skip over the journey and go directly to the endgame. Doing this negates the process. It's the process that determines the 'how' and 'why' of the situation.

It's throwing a party and forgetting why you did it. Everyone likes parties, so you just ignore the 'how' and the 'why' because who doesn't like a party?

This is why our Easter celebrations feel unearned. We champion Jesus but ignore his journey. We like his deity and want to forget the humanity of the story. King Jesus sells better than servant Jesus.

Today, we'll talk about unspoken words and silence of Easter. Instead of jumping from his death to resurrection, we'll explore that space in between. I believe that the richness of the narrative is found in these small places of quiet despair because we've all had them in our journeys of faith.

In this time of quarantine and pandemic, these themes of silence, meditation, and contemplation are spaces of nourishment. We would do well to embrace them as the world goes mad around us.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

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The Forehands: Not Your Typical Spiritual Guides

Let's get one thing straight: Karl and Laura Forehand aren't here to sell you the same old, tired spiritual clichés. Nope, they're here to wrestle—wrestle with beliefs, wrestle with trauma, and maybe even wrestle with you a bit. So, buckle up, because this episode of Snarky Faith is about to get real.

Deconstruction: More Than Just a Buzzword

Ah, deconstruction—the buzzword that's been making the rounds in spiritual circles faster than you can say "heretic." But what does it really mean? And more importantly, what comes after? Karl and Laura are here to break it down, and trust us, they're not pulling any punches.

Pathways Forward: Because Stagnation is Overrated

We've all been there—stuck in the muck of outdated beliefs, toxic religious practices, and spiritual stagnation. But how do you move forward? Or should we say, how do you Lean Forward? Karl and Laura share their insights, and let's just say, it's not your grandma's spiritual advice.

Snarky Takeaways

Look, if you're here for a feel-good, Kumbaya moment, you're in the wrong place. But if you're looking for a raw, unfiltered, and yes, snarky take on spirituality, deconstruction, and the journey ahead, then this episode is a must.

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Leaning Forward is available now on Amazon

 

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Greg Locke, Kat Kerr, Jim Bakker, and more. 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

Without celebrating Easter services in churches, Christianity is basically done. Jesus is still in the grave. There was no resurrection. Nothing matters anymore because we can't have church in a building. It's a travesty and my faith may never recover.

I'm only kidding.

Easter has become nothing more than a marketing promotion and a show church pageantry. It's like heroin for Christians, they just can't quit Easter. Now with the Coronavirus, everything has become upended. What will the faithful do without their Easter fix?

We once had the war on Christmas and in the time of the pandemic, we now have a new war on Easter.

With so many Christians framing the stay-at-home orders as a violation of religious freedom, its a reminder that American Christianity had jumped-the-shark long ago. Faith doesn't mean testing positive for stupid.

Join us today as we examine Easter from a cultural standpoint and juxtapose it with why resurrection should matters now more than ever. When Easter has become the Super Bowl for Christianity, we have a problem. The spectacle is never fair trade for substance. And when the substance of Jesus is lost in the cries of 'victory' and 'hosannah', we should have just stayed with the crowds cheering on Palm Sunday. Resurrection isn't a celebration. Resurrection is all about the messiness of life where God likes to occupy.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

In the time of Coronavirus with churches morphing from buildings to becoming Livestream events, we should take some time to ask the question, 'What is church, anyway?'

Nowadays, the church seems to be more of a business than a movement. It values numbers and dollars over people. It's forgotten why it exists. Is it a product meant to be consumed via video? Is worship supposed to be entertainment?

In this grand time of pause (otherwise known as a pandemic), let's take time to examine and the role of the church. Does it still embody love, compassion, grace, and selflessness? If not, where did it all go wrong and how can we right the ship?

Join us today as take a hard look at the state of the church in the shadow of the Coronavirus. Contemplate with us what the future could be.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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Pandemics are like girlfriends, you always remember your first one.

The coronavirus has fundamentally changed the rhythms of culture and life. After all, it's not every day that your schedules come to a grinding halt and we're quarantined in our homes. Hopefully, this is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. With so much uncertainty at the moment, there is only one thing that is certain; the world will be fundamentally different once this pandemic is over. The person that entered quarantine will be different than the one that exits it.

If you can look past the grim realities of COVID-19 and the effects of social isolation, there is an opportunity here at present.

In these times of pause and pandemic, we have an opportunity to gain perspective about ourselves. We can look at our lives critically. We take a deep breath and ask ourselves those hard questions. Remember those dreams you had? Remember how you wanted things in life to be? These moments are an opportunity to course-correct and set a new path forward. What do you hold onto and what do you let go?

While the world takes a breath, take the opportunity to become something new.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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On a regular day, toxic masculinity is bad and unwelcome, but the shadow of the Coronavirus, it's downright criminal. Things like this only get worse when you sprinkle in conservative Christianity. From pastors peddling fake virus cures to megachurches staying open during a time of quarantine, it's all just a holy pissing contest.

On its' best day, the church has a terrible track record cultivating and preaching patriarchal systems of submission. Christianity is adept at perpetuating archaic gender roles and ties them to faith in God. The patriarchy reigned in the time of Jesus and there are still remnants alive and well today. The streak of toxic masculinity has gone on for far too long and needs to end.

You'll hear topics like, 'biblical manhood' and 'biblical womanhood' that strips us of our God-given uniqueness. It separates and divides us and toxifies marriages and positions of leadership in churches. It also gives us a distorted view of God.

Toxic masculinity is a cultural artifact from an age past and it needs to die. If we're all created in the image of God, we need to be able to celebrate and encourage our God-given uniqueness to change the world around us for the better.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Living life in the shadow of a pandemic is stressful. There's so much anxiety and unpredictability on the horizon and all we can do is separate and quarantine ourselves from one another. The isolation leads to more fear and becomes a vicious cycle filled with doubt and paranoia. So what is the path forward in the face of uncertainty? It's gratitude.

Sounds crazy right? People are dying. Resources are scarce. Jobs hang in the balance. So why gratitude? Well, we can become so obsessed with what's right in front of us and fearful of the unknown, that we forget our own stories.

If you've made it this far in life, it hasn't been without struggles and tough times. You've overcome things. You've learned from your mistakes. You've gotten better and wiser along the way.

These times when we're forced to slow down and stop can become a great place to regain perspective. Remember where you've come from. Remember what you've survived. Remember that you haven't done this alone and others have helped you along the way. Contemplating all of this can lead to gratitude and that gratitude can fuel us to push through this pandemic and look forward to a hopeful future.

So instead of hiding from the outside world with the next Netflix marathon, begin to think about what you're grateful for. With each breath, we are reminded that we're not dead yet and should live like there are better days ahead. Those around you need you awake, aware, and soberly alert of what is needed now and beyond.

In the midst of all of this pandemic, we need to become compassionate neighbors, keen observers, ardent contemplators, and hopeful dreamers. Remember what is good. Remember what is next. And if God is moving in the world today, where can we see her moving and how do we join her there? The first step is gratitude.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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When it comes to race, most white Americans are obsessed with two things: defending our own inherent goodness and maintaining our own comfort levels. Too often, this means white people assume that to be racist, one has to be openly hateful and willfully discriminatory—you know, a bad person. And we know we're good, Christian people, right? But you don’t have to be wearing a white hood or shouting racial epithets to be complicit in America’s racist history and its ongoing systemic inequality.

In Good White Racist?, Kerry Connelly exposes the ways white people participate in, benefit from, and unknowingly perpetuate racism—despite their best "good person" intentions. Good White Racist? unpacks the systems that maintain the status quo, keep white people comfortable and complicit, and perpetuate racism in the United States and elsewhere.

Join me as I wrestle with Kerry about how we're complicit in a culture of systemic racism. It's essential listening to a message that needs to be heard.

You can find Kerry Connelly's new book, Good White Racist, here.

You can also find out more about Kerry: www.kerryconnelly.com/

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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Damon Garcia is a leftist Christian living in Santa Maria, California. Through his vlogs, livestreams, and podcasts he's building an online community for post-religious, yet spiritually hungry nomads.

Damon grew up in the evangelical church and was on the road to becoming a pastor when things took a different direction. The more he studied the radical ways of Jesus the more he became convinced that the church had tamed Jesus. This was around the time he stumbled into liberation theology and its' critique of capitalism and it changed his world.

Join us today as we talk about his journey and how he's found an alternative way to minister according to his faith in an online community.

You can find Damon Garcia here:

YouTube channel Twitter Facebook Podcast

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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Socialism is the boogieman of American Politics. Brought again to the forefront by Democratic Socialist, Bernie Sanders, it's a topic that needs to be discussed in an intelligent manner that's not shrouded in stereotypes, half-truths or memes.

Today, let's have that discussion in regards to faith as we talk about Christian Socialism. This historical movement has been around since the mid-19th century and combined the fundamental aims of socialism with the religious and ethical convictions of Christianity. Do the tenants of Socialism gel with the teachings of Jesus? Join us as we try to find out.

In this age of misinformation, it's important to continue to be awake, aware and look past all of the noise to be sober-minded and educated. Whether socialism is bad or good, it's up to us to shine lights onto the rumors and hearsay in order to see the truth.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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Truth is a word that frequently gets thrown around in Christian circles.

"The truth is on our side."

"We alone know God's truth."

"I speak the truth in love."

"There is only one truth."

In those instances, the word is just used as a weapon against others. This kind of truth divides and it's not true at all. Over the centuries, faith leaders have learned how to harness the truth to manipulate others. Politics is the same way.

Now we are living in an age of misinformation where there's 'real news' and 'fake news.' People from both sides claiming absolute truth and calling the others liars. All of this leads us to division and ultimately chaos.

In a time where it's hard to know what and who to believe, we need to speak out. We need to learn to tell our stories and own our truth. It's an act of bravery and a simple one at that. For too long, we've let other people hold the microphone and tell us how to think or what to believe. It's about time, we start to take back our own stories and speak what we know. We need to learn again to speak the truth.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

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Oh, Christianity, what has happened to you?

When faith has become a game of preaching confidence, something is wrong. When there're answers for everything and we treat the Bible as a scientific textbook something is definitely wrong. It's all about certainty and we need to return to a place of mystery.

Real faith is drenched in mystery. To embrace the ways of Jesus requires risk, imagination, hope, grace, and adventure. It embraces the world with an open hand. It tells us to remain open and awake. It shows us that we should be known for what we are for and not what we aren't.

We need to return to our spiritual roots and rekindle the imagination as we embrace the mystery of it all. So be brave and courageous as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus and transcend the limits of religion.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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We've got a special treat for you today. We're diving deep into the murky waters of faith, spirituality, and the church with none other than Nat Turney, the author of the provocative book "Seeds of De(con)struction." Trust us, this is one episode you don't want to miss.

The Book That's Shaking the Foundations

"Seeds of De(con)struction" is not your typical faith book. It's a raw, unfiltered look at the complexities of spirituality, the church, and the human experience. Nat Turney takes us on a journey that's as unsettling as it is enlightening. He challenges us to question the status quo, to deconstruct our long-held beliefs, and to embrace the transformative power of faith.

The Scandalous Church

One of the most gripping parts of the book is Nat's critique of church leadership. He doesn't hold back, folks. From church scandals to the misuse of power, Nat exposes the underbelly of religious institutions. But don't get it twisted; this isn't a takedown. It's an invitation to dialogue, to question, and to reform. It's about recognizing that the church, like any other institution, is flawed but also capable of growth and transformation.

The Drips of Wisdom

Nat uses the metaphor of "drips" to symbolize the gradual accumulation of wisdom and enlightenment. It's a beautiful concept that resonates deeply. Enlightenment isn't a one-time event; it's a lifelong journey. It's about the small, consistent insights that accumulate over time, leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the Divine.

The Fear Factor

Another compelling aspect of the book is its exploration of violence and fear as tools for control within religious institutions. It's a critical view that many of us can relate to, especially those who have felt marginalized or oppressed by the church. Nat encourages us to challenge these fear-based tactics and to seek a faith that is rooted in love, compassion, and inclusivity.

The Power of Deconstruction

The book also delves into the concept of deconstruction, a term that's become somewhat of a buzzword in faith circles. But Nat gives it new life. He suggests that deconstruction isn't about tearing down; it's about breaking open. It's about dismantling the walls that confine us so that we can experience a more authentic, personal spirituality.

The Interview

In today's episode, we'll be sitting down with Nat to discuss all of this and more. We'll talk about his inspiration for writing the book, the challenges he faced along the way, and what he hopes readers will take away from it. Plus, we'll get into some of the more controversial topics he tackles, like the church's approach to violence and control. It's going to be a candid, thought-provoking conversation that you won't want to miss.



So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's get snarky. This is one conversation that's sure to challenge, inspire, and maybe even ruffle a few feathers. But hey, that's what Snarky Faith is all about, right?

Tune in, and let's get this conversation started.

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Show notes

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: JD Greer, Hank Kunneman, Jack Hibbs, and Robin Bullock. 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com
 

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Love is at the heart of the Gospel. As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our enemies even at the risk of our own safety. Christianity not driven by love isn't Christianity at all.As we see the faithful being driven more by fear than love and Christianity is becoming more and more inert and inwardly focused. So let us look to history as a reminder of what a non-violent, but powerful love looks like. This type of love can impact real and lasting change.

This week, as we remember and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us reflect on his teachings of non-violence and how his faith drove his actions. Join us as we look at Dr. King's powerful principles of non-violence that are steeped in the ways of Jesus. These principals have the power to change us and how we engage the world around us. This legacy of love started by Jesus must continue on in this broken and polarized world.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

www.SnarkyFaith.com 

The show today is part one of a two-part show. If you missed part one, YOU CAN FIND IT HERE. 

Join us as we continue to discuss the changing landscape of Christianity in American and abroad. From the beginning threads of Christian fascism to the recent assassination of a general in Iran, the Trump administration is not just pushing a political ideology, it's also pushing a theological one. Many of his advisors are end-times, apocalyptic nut jobs trying to tip the hand of fate and somehow trigger the second coming of Christ. It sounds crazy because it is. It would be easy to dismiss them as the conspiracy theory, far-right Conservative Christian lunatics, but they do have some influence over our clueless, bloated POTUS.

We must remain vigilant and awake as the religious right continues to wield its power in politics and push this end-times nonsense. What will the future hold? Well, it's up to you to stand firm and oppose this. None of this has to do with Jesus, so why does Christianity get so tied up in it?

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

The show today is part one of a two-part show

Join us as we discuss the changing landscape of Christianity in American and abroad. With the rise of Christian fascism in Europe, there's similar posturing under the Trump administration. Many in the administration's orbit continue to move more ideologically towards theocracy. This may sound extreme, but the seeds of change have been planted for years by the religious right and the Moral Majority. Theocracy's a crazy conservative fever dream that some buy into, either in practice or perspective.

We must remain vigilant and awake as the religious right continues to wield its power in politics. What will the future hold? Well, it's up to you to stand firm and oppose this. None of this has to do with Jesus, so why does Christianity get so tied up in it?

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

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When Christianity Today's editor, Mark Galli, published his editorial about why Trump should be removed from office it sent shockwaves through the conservative community. While trying to seem even-handed in his assertions about Trump, the editor committed the unpardonable Evangelical sin, trash-talking the Orange Bloated Messiah. While some of the arguments rang true, it was still too careful and calculated. In a moment, it was almost like the grew a par, but they seemed to stop just short.

Also, don't let the backlash against Christianity Today fool you. It's an exercise in missing the point too. To speak truth to power is a prophetic act, but Galli was speaking to the wrong persons of power. Trump's immorality and selfishness isn't the point. Trump's spent decades being a disgusting human being. The real issue should be about how Christianity lost its way and why they kowtowed so easily to the Grifter-in-Chief?

Oh, Christianity, what have you become?

It seems like Evangelical faith has become nothing more than a pro-life, pro-Israel and pro-religious liberty (for a select few) political organization. In its current form, the faith no longer lines up with the teaching of Jesus.

Jesus prioritized the faith in simple, yet, comprehensive terms when he called his followers to, ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ and to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’

For a faith grounded in love, where is the love now? That's really what Christianity Today should have been calling out. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

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Donald Trump ruins everything he touches and he always seems to know how to make things worse. I just that's just his spiritual gift. He's a King Midas that turns everything into 💩.

When he signed an executive order aimed at tackling anti-Semitism on college campuses at a White House Hanukkah reception, he made sure to include Pastor Robert Jeffress who has said on numerous occasions that all Jews are going to hell. This is also the same president that continues to allow Stephen Miller, a known and documented racist, to remain within his administration.

So today, let's take a deeper dive into Trump's new executive order and how it's corrosive, manipulative, and really has nothing to do with tackling anti-semitism. So while he's saying that he's a friend of the Jewish community, we've also seen anti-semitic attacks rise by 60% in the first year of his presidency. This is merely political double-talk that's being used to hide a racist president and the white nationalists base.

Hanukkah should be a time to remember God's goodness and faithfulness, it shouldn't be sullied in such a way. In the same sense, Christmas is also a time to remember God's presence in the margins with the people that have been forgotten by the empire. The message of both of these holidays is that God is still with us and all of his creation matters. Let us all remember this and continue to do the work of the Lord laid out in Isaiah 61,

""The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

  Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

www.SnarkyFaith.com

The advent season is filled with shopping, families, parties, gifts, and joy. We all seek the perfect picture of Christmas with presents under the tree and houses decorated to the hilt. This is the epitome of Christmastime.

Advent was never meant to be like this. The story of Christ's birth happened far away from the parties and festivities. It takes place in the gutter away from warmth and cheer. And yet, this story is about longing in a place of uncertainty and finding hope in hopeless times. It was a reminder to the forgotten that God is still with us and this was good news.

Let us not lose the story and call from the story of Jesus' birth in the midst of wrapping paper and eggnog. For advent to be good news to the world, we need to live incarnationally. We need to be Jesus to others. We need to embrace hope and bring that hope to those that are forgotten and marginalized. It is my hope that this time of year reminds us of that.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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Justin T. Miller was just a regular undergraduate college student when he felt the desire for something bold and extraordinary.

In his new book, Beyond Blood: Hope and Humanity in the Forgotten Fight Against AIDS, Justin lays out the story of how he met Duncan Kimani Kamau and Cornel Onyango Nyaywera, two men who had grown up witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in their own communities in Kenya. Though Kamau and Nyaywera grew up in opposite ends of the country and came from opposing tribes, they overcame prejudice and cultural expectations to bring healing to their communities. With Miller's help, their dream of empowering people to live a life beyond AIDS became a reality.

Once Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera realized their common purpose, CARE for AIDS was born. But it was only the beginning of their fight against AIDS, as they quickly discovered the fear and stigma that blanketed the disease. If their fledgling nonprofit was going to empower anyone, they would need help--and they found it, one local church at a time. As they slowly but steadily grew their network of friends and allies, Kamau, Miller, and Nyaywera discovered that the most complex problems can be solved through intentional, redemptive relationships.

Join me as I talk with Justin about the intersection between faith and advocacy. We'll also talk about ways that church can look beyond the Sunday service to integrate into the needs of the marginalized it the community. It's a great ride that you're sure to enjoy.

You can find Justin T. Miller's book, Beyond Blood: Hope and Humanity in the Forgotten Fight Against AIDS, here. 

You can also find out more about Justin and Care for AIDS here: Care for Aids and Justin T. Miller.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www. SNARKYFAITH.com

Why are Christians so uncomfortable with the idea of equality? It's laid forth so quickly in the first chapter of Genesis when it says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." We know this, yet, the tribalistic nature of modern Christianity has morphed it into a judgmental exercise of the pious degree.

People want equal rights because they don't have them, but those in positions of privilege feel that giving equal standing erodes their own position in the world. To the pious, others gaining freedom means they will lose an edge. This is merely an exercise of selfishness and pride and has nothing to do with the teachings and ways of Jesus.

Religion calls people to obedience. It's a control structure that is obsessed with the self. The faithful calling of Jesus leads to a journey fueled by wonder that focuses us on the needs of others.

Christianity needs to return to its roots because our faith shouldn't inhibit our creativity or imagination. Faith should be the trajectory that thrusts us forward in wonder. To freely give equality to all is the heartbeat of Jesus and the way forward. Faith shouldn't constrain, it should always inspire us for more. It should also inspire us to give more freedom and dignity to others because we're all created equal in the eyes of a loving God.

We can do better. We must do better.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

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By 2035, the US will no longer be a majority Christian nation. We're beginning to see, especially along generational divides, that the church is in the slow decline towards death. This isn't simply about the loss of platforms in culture or power in politics, it's people walking away from the faith altogether. So, if the death of the institutional church in America is imminent, what are we to do? Is it finally game over for Christianity?

In America, we also find ourselves in a very interesting place in history as the rift between ideologies and polarization gap continues to widen. There are two Americas that don't fundamentally understand one another.

To some, this can be a time of great frustration, fear, and uncertainty, but I think it's a glorious time of opportunity to make and dream something new.

The ways and teachings of Jesus no longer have to be forced to fit into the mold of institutional Christendom. The faithful can begin to imagine new ways outside the church building. There's great hope to be found within a faith that no longer has walls to cage it in. While the American church slides towards 'game over,' Christianity must always remember that resurrection is at the heart of the faith. There are new things ahead if we embrace them.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

www.Snarkyfaith.com 

President Donald Trump’s spiritual adviser Paula White has now officially joined the White House staff as Advisor to the president’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative. If you don't know Paula White, you really should. She's the thrice-married, prosperity gospel preaching televangelist that has decades of moral and financial scandals. So basically, she's perfect for the Trump administration. 

Oh and I forgot to mention that d she's currently married to the keyboardist from Journey. Yep, she's a spirit-filled dumpster fire. 

She's even peddling, in her recent book, the insane idea that Donald Trump's presidency is all part of a divine plan. If that's true, God help us. 

Join us today as we delve in this controversial figure that somehow makes sense for working with this three-ring circus of grifters and thugs that currently work at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

www.SnarkyFaith.com 

Join me again on Snarky Faith. Our guest is none other than Michael Camp, the author of "Breaking Bad Faith," a book that's as much a mental workout as it is a spiritual journey. Join us for our conversation - it's a fun ride. 

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the turbulent waters of religious and social issues, with Camp serving as our fearless guide. 

His new book, "Breaking Bad Faith," is not your typical Sunday school lesson. It's a deep exploration of Christianity and its intersection with societal norms. It's the kind of book that makes you question everything you thought you knew about religion, society, and the role of faith in our lives.

During our chat, we'll navigate through the intricacies of scriptural texts, societal norms, and the often-misunderstood facets of faith. It's like going on a road trip with a theologian, but the fun kind.  

Camp doesn't shy away from controversial topics. He delves into the interpretation of scripture, history, and the role of religion in shaping these norms. His unfiltered exploration of faith and society will undoubtedly provoke thought, stimulate discussion, and perhaps even incite a healthy debate or two.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a good intellectual workout. It's not light listening, but then again, who needs light listening when you can have your mind expanded and your preconceptions challenged? So, if you're up for a challenge and ready to see the world in a new light, tune in to our chat with Michael Camp. Your brain and faith will thank you. Eventually.

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!
 

Show notes

Episode Timestamp:

Christian Crazy: 2:00

Michael Camp Interview: 21:54
 

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Lauren Boebert, Hank Kunneman, Joshua Mills, and Lucas Miles. 

 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com
 

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) often acts as a mirror to modern-day Christendom. It sounds pretty and looks good, but it's just lots of empty words and vague phrasing. The truth is, both are all about celebrity and money and not the gospel. In CCM, Jesus is your boyfriend as long he doesn't do anything to rock the boat. The Tomlins and W. Smiths have worked so hard to neuter the faith and Crowns have been cast in order to make Christianity inert and impotent on the Third Day. Mercy Me!

Sorry, no more CCM puns. I apologize.

Today, we'll use Kanye West's descent into CCM (Crappy Christian Music) to speak to the faith's modern-day problems with money, fame, and politics. In the past, prophets and psalmists would use their voice as a weapon to inspire change, to call out abuses in power, and to remind the faithful about their role in the kingdom of God. Nowadays, in Christian music, the message doesn't matter as long as it sells and keeps the base happy. Politics and greed have made Christianity safe and malignant. It's cancerous and looks nothing like Jesus or his teachings.

When commerce has become the driving force behind Christianity we have a problem. The songs we sing, say something about us and contemporary Christians music is a hollow as it is malignant. It's a symptom of a faith that looks nothing like Jesus or his teachings. Grace may be amazing, but the faithful are only singing empty songs of self-worship in a time when the world needs revolutionary voices.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

 

www.SnarkyFaith.com 

For too long, Christians have allowed themselves to be duped by the resident charlatan of the week. Always looking for a messiah and never accepting personal responsibility. It's the sheep always seeking a shepherd mentality that continues to allow the faith to be lead astray.

Whether it be Kanye West's new money grab called Sunday Services or fake health insurance like Medi-Share, Christians are always suckers waiting to be duped. Jesus didn't call us to be idiots always being tempted by the nectar of things that seem Christian-y. He called us to be faithful.

Faith is about responsibility. It's about work. It's about doing the tough things that are required to help a hurting world. One of the reasons Christianity has gone astray is that congregants have let it go that way. Too many false prophets, too many schemes and too many wolves in pastors clothing. We must be awake. We must be aware to continue forward if we're willing to do what needs to be done. Otherwise, Christians will continue to be duped into following something that looks like faith but isn't.

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Throughout the history of Christianity, women have underestimated, underappreciated and downright oppressed. The playing field has never been level and men often twisted scripture to abuse, shame or subdue women. Sure, in ancient times, culture was patriarchal, but we are now thousands of years past the time of Jesus and these problems still exist within the church, especially within conservative circles.

There's no easy way to say it, but conservative religious men have a problem with women. Through their perspective, a women's value is in the home, making babies and tending to the work not deemed for men. The same thing happens in the church. Women can teach other women and children, but definitely not men. So, however you shake it, complementarianism is misogyny.

It's been an enduring cancer on theology and one of the many sins of the church. This has to change. Christianity has to change. If Jesus saw women as equal members of the faith, why do so many Christians not?

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com