The Flipside Podcast with Joshua Tongol

Has defending the Bible made us unable to read it?What if the Bible isn't meant to be protected and defended? With all the messy, troubling, and weird things found in this ancient book, what if trying to make it behave itself can become a barrier to true faith?In this episode, I interview Dr. Peter Enns. He's a biblical scholar, theologian, writer and jokester. He's a contributor to the Huffington Post and Patheos. His books include Inspiration and Incarnation, The Evolution of Adam (where he questions the belief that Adam was a historical figure), and The Bible Tells Me So.IN THIS EPISODE, PETER ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING:• Where did your desire to study the Bible come from? When did it happen?• Why is there a lot of fear among Christians to share their honest questions about the Bible?• Some claim they became atheists because of the Bible. But if the Bible isn't the problem, what is?• Did your shift in thinking about the Bible affect your faith in God?• If the Bible isn't a step-by-step manual on how to live, then what value does it have for us today?• Christians claim to believe in one God. But does the bible affirm that there's only one God?• If the Bible isn't even clear about big issues like God (!!), should we read the Bible to know God?• What do you say to someone who tries to justify the violence in the Bible?• If some of the stories in the Bible aren't historically accurate, what should our approach be to the text?• How do you feel about Christians apologists defending the Bible? Are they not taking the Bible seriously?• Should we be surprised by the different versions of the same story in the Bible?• Are there any contradictions (not just apparent ones) in the four Gospels?• Do you consider the Bible to be the "Word of God"? If so, in what way?• Can our "sacred experiences" be added to the "Word of God"?• If it's not about historical accuracy, what about other religious books, such as the Koran?• How did Jesus read his Bible? Did he follow it like a rule book?SUPPORT THIS PODCAST TO HELP KEEP IT RUNNING!  • Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!)LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • peteenns.com• Peter Enns on Patheos• The Bible Tells Me So (FREE AUDIOBOOK download on Audible [type title in search])• Peter Enns on Facebook• Peter Enns on Twitter

Has defending the Bible made us unable to read it? What if the Bible isn't meant to be protected and defended? With all the messy, troubling, and weird things found in this ancient book, what if trying to make it behave itself can become a barrier to true faith? In this episode, I interview Dr. Peter Enns. He's a biblical scholar, theologian, writer and jokester. He's a contributor to the Huffington Post and Patheos. His books include Inspiration and Incarnation, The Evolution of Adam (where he questions the belief that Adam was a historical figure), and The Bible Tells Me So. IN THIS EPISODE, PETER ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING: • Where did your desire to study the Bible come from? When did it happen? • Why is there a lot of fear among Christians to share their honest questions about the Bible? • Some claim they became atheists because of the Bible. But if the Bible isn't the problem, what is? • Did your shift in thinking about the Bible affect your faith in God? • If the Bible isn't a step-by-step manual on how to live, then what value does it have for us today? • Christians claim to believe in one God. But does the bible affirm that there's only one God? • If the Bible isn't even clear about big issues like God (!!), should we read the Bible to know God? • What do you say to someone who tries to justify the violence in the Bible? • If some of the stories in the Bible aren't historically accurate, what should our approach be to the text? • How do you feel about Christians apologists defending the Bible? Are they not taking the Bible seriously? • Should we be surprised by the different versions of the same story in the Bible? • Are there any contradictions (not just apparent ones) in the four Gospels? • Do you consider the Bible to be the "Word of God"? If so, in what way? • Can our "sacred experiences" be added to the "Word of God"? • If it's not about historical accuracy, what about other religious books, such as the Koran? • How did Jesus read his Bible? Did he follow it like a rule book? SUPPORT THIS PODCAST TO HELP KEEP IT RUNNING!  • Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!) LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • peteenns.com • Peter Enns on Patheos • The Bible Tells Me So (FREE AUDIOBOOK download on Audible [type title in search]) • Peter Enns on Facebook • Peter Enns on Twitter

Are questions the answer?Well, many who left organized religion--those who are tired of trite answers--seem to think so.In this episode, I interview David Hayward (aka Naked Pastor). He is one of the most prolific cartoonists of the online world--describing himself as "a graffiti artist on the walls of religion."He's the author of books such as Without a Vision My People Prosper, The Liberation of Sophia, and his latest one, Questions Are the Answers. He also launched an online community called The Lasting Supper where people can learn and live in spiritual independence.IN THIS EPISODE, DAVID ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING:• How did you end up being called "Naked Pastor"?• When did you get into drawing?• Is there a tension between "intellectual integrity" and "just believing"?• What good can questions do for a person that "answers" can't?• What were the "3 stages of questions" you went through?• When was your first "crisis of faith" experience?• At one point you entered a "dark period" in life. What was going on?• How did your encounter with a street person dramatically impact you?• Tell us more about what your wife calls your "Gandhi phase."• How can theology hurt people?• When you were pastoring, what did your services look like?• What advice would you give to pastors who are facing a theological crisis?• When did you realize you were finally done with it all (ministry, attending church)?• Is it possible to criticize the church and still love it?• You had a dream where you heard the words "It's time!" What happened?• What is The Lasting Supper community?SUPPORT THIS PODCAST TO HELP KEEP IT RUNNING!• Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!)LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE• nakedpastor.com• thelastingsupper.com• David's new book Questions Are the Answer book • nakedpastor on Facebook• nakedpastor on Instagram• nakedpastor on Youtube

Are questions the answer? Well, many who left organized religion--those who are tired of trite answers--seem to think so. In this episode, I interview David Hayward (aka Naked Pastor). He is one of the most prolific cartoonists of the online world--describing himself as "a graffiti artist on the walls of religion." He's the author of books such as Without a Vision My People Prosper, The Liberation of Sophia, and his latest one, Questions Are the Answers. He also launched an online community called The Lasting Supper where people can learn and live in spiritual independence. IN THIS EPISODE, DAVID ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING: • How did you end up being called "Naked Pastor"? • When did you get into drawing? • Is there a tension between "intellectual integrity" and "just believing"? • What good can questions do for a person that "answers" can't? • What were the "3 stages of questions" you went through? • When was your first "crisis of faith" experience? • At one point you entered a "dark period" in life. What was going on? • How did your encounter with a street person dramatically impact you? • Tell us more about what your wife calls your "Gandhi phase." • How can theology hurt people? • When you were pastoring, what did your services look like? • What advice would you give to pastors who are facing a theological crisis? • When did you realize you were finally done with it all (ministry, attending church)? • Is it possible to criticize the church and still love it? • You had a dream where you heard the words "It's time!" What happened? • What is The Lasting Supper community? SUPPORT THIS PODCAST TO HELP KEEP IT RUNNING! • Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!) LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • nakedpastor.com • thelastingsupper.com • David's new book Questions Are the Answer book • nakedpastor on Facebook • nakedpastor on Instagram • nakedpastor on Youtube

Does hell exist?If so, how can a loving God allow millions of people to suffer in a place of eternal conscious torment?In this episode, I interview award-winning screenwriter, director and producer, Kevin Miller. And we discuss his provocative, critically acclaimed documentary Hellbound? which, in Kevin’s words, “seeks to discover why we are so bound to the idea of hell and what our views on hell reveal about how we perceive God, justice, the Bible and, ultimately, ourselves.”IN THIS EPISODE, KEVIN ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING:• Why do so many loving Christians still believe in hell?• When did you start questioning hell?• I once heard you say that the “belief in hell creates hell.” What did you mean?• Where does the imagery of hell (fire, darkness, torture) come from?• If someone believes in the Christian God, does he or she have to believe in hell, too?• Is hell part of the Christian message?• What did the early church believe about hell?• It’s often said that Jesus spoke more about hell than heaven. Is that true?• Why are so many people afraid to question hell?• Does it makes sense for God to give Hitler a free pass into heaven without any punishment?• Is eternal conscious torment the only view of the afterlife for Christians to hold to?• If there’s no eternal hell, then why the need for a savior?• How did the writers of Scripture know with certainty what happens after we die?• If there were no Bible, would people still believe in hell?• If people really believe in hell, then why aren’t they sharing their faith 24/7 to save people from it?• If we’re all trying to make sense of the world, does the idea of hell really make a good story?• As you toured the film and did Q&A’s, what were some of the responses?LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE• hellboundthemovie.com• Her Gates Will Never Be Shut by Brad Jersak• Kevin's Patheos Blog• Hellbound? Facebook Page• Hellbound? on Twitter• Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!)

Does hell exist? If so, how can a loving God allow millions of people to suffer in a place of eternal conscious torment? In this episode, I interview award-winning screenwriter, director and producer, Kevin Miller. And we discuss his provocative, critically acclaimed documentary Hellbound? which, in Kevin’s words, “seeks to discover why we are so bound to the idea of hell and what our views on hell reveal about how we perceive God, justice, the Bible and, ultimately, ourselves.” IN THIS EPISODE, KEVIN ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING: • Why do so many loving Christians still believe in hell? • When did you start questioning hell? • I once heard you say that the “belief in hell creates hell.” What did you mean? • Where does the imagery of hell (fire, darkness, torture) come from? • If someone believes in the Christian God, does he or she have to believe in hell, too? • Is hell part of the Christian message? • What did the early church believe about hell? • It’s often said that Jesus spoke more about hell than heaven. Is that true? • Why are so many people afraid to question hell? • Does it makes sense for God to give Hitler a free pass into heaven without any punishment? • Is eternal conscious torment the only view of the afterlife for Christians to hold to? • If there’s no eternal hell, then why the need for a savior? • How did the writers of Scripture know with certainty what happens after we die? • If there were no Bible, would people still believe in hell? • If people really believe in hell, then why aren’t they sharing their faith 24/7 to save people from it? • If we’re all trying to make sense of the world, does the idea of hell really make a good story? • As you toured the film and did Q&A’s, what were some of the responses?LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • hellboundthemovie.com • Her Gates Will Never Be Shut by Brad Jersak • Kevin's Patheos Blog • Hellbound? Facebook Page • Hellbound? on Twitter • Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!)

Is it possible to be an atheist and believe in God? Well, Frank Schaeffer seems to thinks so. And the description of his new book, Why I am an Atheist Who Believes in God, gives us a glimpse into this seemingly contradictory reality: Caught between the beauty of his grandchildren and grief over a friend’s death, Frank Schaeffer finds himself simultaneously believing and not believing in God—an atheist who prays. Schaeffer wrestles with faith and disbelief, sharing his innermost thoughts with a lyricism that only great writers of literary nonfiction achieve. Schaeffer writes as an imperfect son, husband and grandfather whose love for his family, art and life trumps the ugly theologies of an angry God and the atheist vision of a cold, meaningless universe. Schaeffer writes that only when we abandon our hunt for certainty do we become free to create beauty, give love and find peace. In this candid interview, Frank pulls no punches and points out what many of us sometimes think and feel--whether we wanna acknowledge it or not. So give yourself a break from trying to believe all the "right" things for a moment, and think about whether or not your beliefs now inspire you to give love, create beauty and find peace. Enjoy the show! IN THIS EPISODE, FRANK ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING: • Isn't calling yourself an "atheist who believes in God" a contradiction? • How has embracing paradox and uncertainty brought healing into your life? • Doesn't certainty give people hope? • Do you pray to a God on some days and live as an atheist on other days? • You feel connected to something bigger than yourself whenever you paint. Would you call that God? • Where do you find meaning? Is meaning something we create ourselves, or something we discover? • Why did you join the Greek Orthodox Church? Do you still go to church? • You talk a lot about your wife. What's her reaction to your theological evolution? LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • frankschaeffer.com • frankschaefferart.com • Why I am an Atheist Who Believes in God • Frank's Facebook Page • Frank's Youtube Channel • Frank's Twitter • Frank's Google Talk • FREE AUDIOBOOK download when you try Audible for 30 days • Order Signed Copies of So You Thought You Knew: Letting Go of Religion • Please support this podcast by making a donation at my Patreon page (any amount helps!)

Is it possible to be an atheist and believe in God?Well, Frank Schaeffer seems to thinks so.And the description of his new book, Why I am an Atheist Who Believes in God, gives us a glimpse into this seemingly contradictory reality:Caught between the beauty of his grandchildren and grief over a friend’s death, Frank Schaeffer finds himself simultaneously believing and not believing in God—an atheist who prays. Schaeffer wrestles with faith and disbelief, sharing his innermost thoughts with a lyricism that only great writers of literary nonfiction achieve. Schaeffer writes as an imperfect son, husband and grandfather whose love for his family, art and life trumps the ugly theologies of an angry God and the atheist vision of a cold, meaningless universe. Schaeffer writes that only when we abandon our hunt for certainty do we become free to create beauty, give love and find peace.In this candid interview, Frank pulls no punches and points out what many of us sometimes think and feel--whether we wanna acknowledge it or not.So give yourself a break from trying to believe all the "right" things for a moment, and think about whether or not your beliefs now inspire you to give love, create beauty and find peace.Enjoy the show!IN THIS EPISODE, FRANK ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING:• Isn't calling yourself an "atheist who believes in God" a contradiction? • How has embracing paradox and uncertainty brought healing into your life? • Doesn't certainty give people hope? • Do you pray to a God on some days and live as an atheist on other days? • You feel connected to something bigger than yourself whenever you paint. Would you call that God? • Where do you find meaning? Is meaning something we create ourselves, or something we discover? • Why did you join the Greek Orthodox Church? Do you still go to church? • You talk a lot about your wife. What's her reaction to your theological evolution?LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE• frankschaeffer.com• frankschaefferart.com• Why I am an Atheist Who Believes in God• Frank's Facebook Page• Frank's Youtube Channel• Frank's Twitter• Frank's Google Talk• FREE AUDIOBOOK download when you try Audible for 30 days • Order Signed Copies of So You Thought You Knew: Letting Go of Religion• Please support this podcast by making a donation at my Patreon page (any amount helps!)

What is the impact of religion on human sexuality? You see, growing up in the church, I was told all the dos and don'ts of sexuality for "Bible-believing" Christians. Yet, ironically, some of the preachers I'd listen to would contradict one another when it came to "how far" one can go sexually, both before and after marriage. And some would even commit the very "sins" they'd passionately condemn at the pulpit. Why was there so much hypocrisy going on in the church? And why were so many of my [natural] sexual desires considered "sinful" in the eyes of God? In this episode, I have an honest chat with psychologist and author, Dr. Darrel Ray. And let me tell ya, we don't shy away from any topics here. So put your kids to sleep (if you have any) ... and let's talk about sex, baby. IN THIS EPISODE, DARREL ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING: • Why are so many people afraid to talk about sex? • How has religion shaped our culture and sexual development? • How is religion often an excuse for bad behavior? • What's the difference between guilt and shame? • Why do even non-religious people struggle with guilt and shame when it comes to sexuality? • Talk about masturbation for a bit. Are there any benefits to it? • What are some ways parents can address the topic of sex to their kids? • What have you discovered in your research about porn and porn addiction? • What would you tell someone who's struggling with shame right now? LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • Recoveringfromreligion.org • Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality (FREE when you try Audible for 30 days) • The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture • Darrel’s Talk on “The Myth of Sex Addiction” • Sex Education For All Ages Interview With Dr. Melanie Davis • Kindle Countdown Promo for The Secret to Awesomeness (only for a limited time!) • Become a Patron and help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

What is the impact of religion on human sexuality?You see, growing up in the church, I was told all the dos and don'ts of sexuality for "Bible-believing" Christians. Yet, ironically, some of the preachers I'd listen to would contradict one another when it came to "how far" one can go sexually, both before and after marriage. And some would even commit the very "sins" they'd passionately condemn at the pulpit.Why was there so much hypocrisy going on in the church?And why were so many of my [natural] sexual desires considered "sinful" in the eyes of God?In this episode, I have an honest chat with psychologist and author, Dr. Darrel Ray. And let me tell ya, we don't shy away from any topics here.So put your kids to sleep (if you have any) ... and let's talk about sex, baby.IN THIS EPISODE, DARREL ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING:• Why are so many people afraid to talk about sex?• How has religion shaped our culture and sexual development?• How is religion often an excuse for bad behavior?• What's the difference between guilt and shame?• Why do even non-religious people struggle with guilt and shame when it comes to sexuality?• Talk about masturbation for a bit. Are there any benefits to it?• What are some ways parents can address the topic of sex to their kids?• What have you discovered in your research about porn and porn addiction?• What would you tell someone who's struggling with shame right now?LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE• Recoveringfromreligion.org • Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality (FREE when you try Audible for 30 days) • The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture • Darrel’s Talk on “The Myth of Sex Addiction” • Sex Education For All Ages Interview With Dr. Melanie Davis • Kindle Countdown Promo for The Secret to Awesomeness (only for a limited time!) • Become a Patron and help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

A Year Without God? Yup, at the end of 2013, former pastor Ryan Bell announced he was gonna "try on" atheism for a year. And boy, it didn't take too long for the media to take notice. So what made a life-long Christian, who pastored for nearly 20 years, do such a thing? Well, it's been over a year since his experiment began, and I had the opportunity to chat with him at his home in Pasadena, California. So get ready ... this episode is sure to get you thinking. IN THIS EPISODE, RYAN ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING: • What events led to your  "Year Without God"? • What difference does God make? • How do you respond to skeptics? • Did you ever "pray" during your atheist experiment? • Why not "A Year Without Christianity?" instead of God? • Why atheism? Why not deism? Pantheism? • How would you define the God you reject? • How did your "year without God" affect your family? • How did the atheist community influence your journey? • Do you ever miss the old notion of God you used to have? (e.g., a loving father, provider) • Do you ever feel like your religious years were all a waste? • What would it take for you to believe in God again? LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • Ryan'sBell Blog "A Year Without God" • Ryan's Facebook • (FREE Audiobook Download) God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything  • Help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

A Year Without God?Yup, at the end of 2013, former pastor Ryan Bell announced he was gonna "try on" atheism for a year. And boy, it didn't take too long for the media to take notice.So what made a life-long Christian, who pastored for nearly 20 years, do such a thing?Well, it's been over a year since his experiment began, and I had the opportunity to chat with him at his home in Pasadena, California.So get ready ... this episode is sure to get you thinking.IN THIS EPISODE, RYAN ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING:• What events led to your  "Year Without God"? • What difference does God make? • How do you respond to skeptics? • Did you ever "pray" during your atheist experiment? • Why not "A Year Without Christianity?" instead of God? • Why atheism? Why not deism? Pantheism? • How would you define the God you reject? • How did your "year without God" affect your family? • How did the atheist community influence your journey? • Do you ever miss the old notion of God you used to have? (e.g., a loving father, provider) • Do you ever feel like your religious years were all a waste? • What would it take for you to believe in God again?LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE• Ryan's Bell Blog "A Year Without God"• Ryan's Facebook• (FREE Audiobook Download) God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything  • Help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

What do you believe? Wait a minute, let me ask that question again. What do you really believe? In other words, have you ever claimed to “believe” in a particular idea or creed, yet in your heart, you really didn’t believe? Or have you ever tried to believe in something because you were supposed to believe in it, yet in your mind, it didn’t make any sense to you at all? IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR: • The senior project on “Christianity” that changed my life • Some possible reasons why we believe • Whether or not we choose our beliefs • How to recognize our blind spots • How our environment influences our beliefs? • Two powerful factors that impact a person’s belief • Is a God who demands you to “believe or burn” being unfair? LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  • FREE audiobook download + 30 day free trial at Audible.com (any book of your choice!)  • Become a Patron and help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

What do you believe?Wait a minute, let me ask that question again. What do you really believe?In other words, have you ever claimed to “believe” in a particular idea or creed, yet in your heart, you really didn’t believe?Or have you ever tried to believe in something because you were supposed to believe in it, yet in your mind, it didn’t make any sense to you at all?IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR:• The senior project on “Christianity” that changed my life• Some possible reasons why we believe• Whether or not we choose our beliefs• How to recognize our blind spots• How our environment influences our beliefs?• Two powerful factors that impact a person’s belief• Is a God who demands you to “believe or burn” being unfair?LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  • FREE audiobook download + 30 day free trial at Audible.com (any book of your choice!)  • Become a Patron and help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

What is behind every message you hear? In other words, what drives a person to share what they wanna share? And once a person responds to a certain message, what motivates him or her to do what they do? IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR: • The sad (yet funny) story of when I was "left behind" • How much of organized religion is running things • The problem with the "good news" • Why the so-called "unconditional" love of God is really conditional • The different motivations for belief • Why the "Christian" God is schizophrenic Please support this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/JoshuaTongol