Shows
Crucible of ThoughtA Discussion of Individual Eschatology - part 3 of 4This 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...2024-02-1639 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Discussion of Individual Eschatology - Part 2 of 4This 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 pro...2024-02-1423 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Discussion of Individual Eschatology - Part 1 of 4This 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 pro...2024-02-1223 min
Crucible of ThoughtDogmatism and Shunning - An Unholy PairDogmatism 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/dogmatism2024-01-2912 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Conversation about Deconstructing Simplicity and becoming comfortable with MysteryWelcome 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...2024-01-191h 00
Crucible of ThoughtA Conversation About TithingThis 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...2024-01-1447 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Perfectly Imperfect BibleThe 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-bible2024-01-0619 min
Crucible of ThoughtOn Babies, Baptism, and Universal SalvationThis 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-salvation2024-01-0115 min
Crucible of ThoughtPartnering Despite DifferingI'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/2023-12-0516 min
Crucible of ThoughtWhen You Look at A Nation You Should See Human BeingsWhen 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-individuals2023-11-1714 min
Crucible of ThoughtAbout Those Maps of a Shrinking Palestine…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/2023-11-0715 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Different Kind of TestimonySome 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/2023-11-0411 min
Crucible of ThoughtPeace Through Superior LoveConsidering 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/2023-10-3117 min
Crucible of ThoughtSubjective TruthI'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/2023-10-2514 min
Crucible of ThoughtTrajectoryThe 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
2023-10-0516 min
Crucible of ThoughtThere is Joy in DisconnectionWhen 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/2023-09-2815 min
Crucible of ThoughtBetrayalBetrayal 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.pdf2023-09-2321 min
Crucible of ThoughtBecoming MultilingualAs 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-multilingual2023-08-2609 min
Crucible of ThoughtPreaching Fear Instead of Taking ActionThe 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/2023-08-1110 min
Crucible of ThoughtLabelsA 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/labels2023-08-0119 min
Crucible of ThoughtIs the Bible the Final Word?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/2023-07-1227 min
Crucible of ThoughtWho's Your Enemy?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/3PfDKCx2023-06-2510 min
Crucible of ThoughtA New Kind of TestimonyOur 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/2023-06-1013 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe End of My EvangelicalismIt'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/2023-05-2113 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Rainbow of FaithFaith 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/2023-05-0513 min
Crucible of ThoughtShoot First, Ask Questions Later: The Morality of Preemptive ViolenceDo 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/2023-04-3017 min
Crucible of ThoughtAn Incomplete BibleLately 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/2023-04-2321 min
Crucible of ThoughtShedding my Dragon SkinRecently 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/2023-04-0613 min
Crucible of ThoughtAm I Going to Heaven When I Die?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.2023-03-3030 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe Preservation of EvangelicalismWhat'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/
2023-03-2519 min
Crucible of ThoughtHow Revelation Warped My TheologyJesus 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/2023-03-1523 min
Crucible of ThoughtWhat Defines Biblical Marriage?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/2023-02-2517 min
Crucible of ThoughtEverybody Wants to Rule the WorldToo 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/2023-02-1413 min
Crucible of ThoughtOutrage as Social CurrencyToday'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/2023-02-0911 min
Crucible of ThoughtIt's Best Not To AskIt'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/2023-02-0209 min
Crucible of ThoughtCan Homosexuals be Christian?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/2023-01-2524 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe ChatGPT AI Pastor of the FutureA 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/2023-01-2112 min
Crucible of ThoughtIs the Bible the Word of the Lord?"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/2023-01-1822 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe Gospel According to JesusThe 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/2023-01-1114 min
Crucible of ThoughtWas the Bible Created, Intelligently Designed, or Evolved?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/2023-01-1023 min
Crucible of ThoughtRejecting A Jonah SpiritJonah 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/2022-12-2718 min
Crucible of ThoughtDeadly ContemptTreating 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/2022-12-2309 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Caleb GenerationThe 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/2022-12-2015 min
Crucible of ThoughtCounting the Cost of ChangeIt'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...2022-11-1915 min
Crucible of ThoughtIf We REALLY are a Christian Nation...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/2022-11-0414 min
Crucible of ThoughtWhat Revival Really Looks Like"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
h...2022-10-2523 min
Crucible of ThoughtPart 4: Becoming Affirming: 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 the final part of a 4...2022-10-2225 min
Crucible of ThoughtPart 4: Becoming Affirming: 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 se...2022-10-2141 min
Crucible of ThoughtSelf-Appointed GatekeepersSelf-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/2022-10-1909 min
Crucible of ThoughtPart 2: Becoming Affirming: 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 2 of a series...2022-10-1729 min
Crucible of ThoughtPart 1: Becoming Affirming: 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...2022-10-1334 min
Crucible of ThoughtHanging On For Dear LifeThe 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/2022-10-0708 min
Crucible of ThoughtFor Two Billion Years...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...2022-09-2411 min
Crucible of ThoughtPeter's Vision: An Inclusive GospelPeter'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/2022-09-0119 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe Best-Kept Secrets in the WorldTop 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/2022-08-2704 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Man Shall Leave His Father and MotherOn 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/2022-08-1414 min
Crucible of ThoughtIs It Worth It?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/2022-08-1319 min
Crucible of ThoughtTaking The Easy Way Out - Thoughts on Becoming LGBTQ AffirmingI'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/2022-08-0920 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Matter of Righteousness and JusticeI 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/2022-08-0416 min
Crucible of ThoughtHow would You Like Your Milk - Rare, Medium, or Well Done?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/ 2022-07-2613 min
Crucible of ThoughtOn a Basis of FearFor 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/2022-07-0408 min
Crucible of ThoughtBoundariesBoundaries 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/2022-06-2908 min
Crucible of ThoughtCome Let Us Mourn and Rejoice TOGETHERWhat 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/2022-06-2717 min
Crucible of ThoughtWhat is Salvation, Anyway?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...2022-06-2328 min
Crucible of ThoughtRelicsFaith 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/ 2022-06-0808 min
Crucible of ThoughtWho's Actually Grooming?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/2022-06-0606 min
Crucible of ThoughtTo Be A Christian in BabylonTaking 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/2022-05-2111 min
Crucible of ThoughtFurther Up and Further InPerhaps 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/
2022-05-1609 min
Crucible of ThoughtOn a Donkey, Not a War HorseIt'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/
2022-04-2211 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe Women of PassoverJesus 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/2022-04-1304 min
Crucible of ThoughtMilitary-SpeakWe'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/2022-04-0416 min
Crucible of ThoughtBillions and Billions ServedIt 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/2022-03-3015 min
Crucible of ThoughtProtect the BrandOne 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/
2022-03-2422 min
Crucible of ThoughtExposed by ChangePerhaps 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/2022-03-2310 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe Impractical Gospel“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 di...2022-03-2308 min
Crucible of ThoughtState by StateCan 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/2022-03-1113 min
Crucible of ThoughtWorks Of FaithDeconstruction 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/2022-03-0822 min
Crucible of ThoughtE Pluribus UnumOur 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/2022-03-0417 min
Crucible of ThoughtVisiting a Black Church During Black History MonthOn 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/2022-02-2806 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe Best-Qualified CandidateSometimes, 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/2022-02-2608 min
Crucible of ThoughtCan Queer and Transgendered Persons Represent the Image of God?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.2022-02-2136 min
Crucible of ThoughtIn Guns We TrustI 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-trust2022-02-1607 min
Crucible of ThoughtLet Us Agape One AnotherToday, 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/2022-01-1808 min
Crucible of ThoughtRoller CoastersRoller 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/2022-01-1016 min
Crucible of ThoughtDoctrinal HumilityIt'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/2022-01-0414 min
Crucible of ThoughtRabbis and Spiritual FathersAs 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/2021-12-2408 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe One Ring of Political PowerThe 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/2021-12-2414 min
Crucible of ThoughtExponential ChristianityI'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/2021-12-2126 min
Crucible of ThoughtCinderblocks of FaithI'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/2021-12-1017 min
Crucible of ThoughtDeconstruction or Repentance?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/2021-11-2319 min
Crucible of ThoughtSmall Groups and SynagoguesDo 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. 2021-11-2018 min
Crucible of ThoughtLet's Not Take Brandon to ChurchIt'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/2021-11-1720 min
Crucible of ThoughtWhat I Feared Did Happen - And That's GoodThere 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.
You can also read this episode at https://crucibleofthought.com/what-i-feared-did-happen-and-thats-good/2021-11-0914 min
Crucible of ThoughtThe Womb in the WildernessThe 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.com2021-11-0707 min
Crucible of ThoughtFear and AccusationEpisode 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/)2021-10-2609 min
Crucible of ThoughtHow I Learned EmpathyA 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/)
2021-10-0713 min
Crucible of ThoughtA Collective Identity(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 wa...2021-09-3010 min
Crucible of ThoughtSafe Places and UntouchablesWhen 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/2021-09-2420 min
Crucible of ThoughtCOVID ContradictionsEpisode 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.2021-09-1906 min
Crucible of ThoughtIntroduction to the PodcastHi, 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...2021-09-1904 min