Rethinking Faith

This is another audio essay that can be found on my Substack. Recently I had an idea… a very Emogelical idea. What if I attempted to read “Unanswered” by Suicide Silence as a Radical Prayer? Don’t get me wrong, I’m under no impression that Mitch Lucker intended the kind of reading that I offer. However, the crazy thing about language and texts and meaning is that they often do something to you that the author never intended… So what happens when “Unanswered” is filtered through the Radical Theology lens of Jack Caputo with the help of Nietzsche, Camus, and Kierkegaard? You get a Radical prayer that is deeply honest, and deeply human. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Subscribe to my Substack HERE! It's FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had the honor of being joined by Dr. bart Ehrman for an engaging conversation about his latest book, "Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West". We ask the question of altruism... is true altruism even possible? Next we take a look at the Moral Philosophy and Ethics of the Greek and Roman world prior to Jesus coming on the scene. We then compare and contrast the teachings of Jesus with the world that he came from. As it turns out, he had some pretty radical ideas. Unfortunately, shortly after the death of Jesus, the early Christians abandoned the teachings of Jesus and returned to the more commonly heald views the Greek and Roman world at the time. Despite this, Jesus and his teachings still had a major positive impact on the West as we know it today! Enjoy. RESOURCES: Love They Stranger (Book) The Bart Ehrman Blog BartEhrman.Com THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026: Come nerd out with your geek out! Get your tickets HERE. *Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week my good friend Will Rose joined me to discuss the intersection of faith and science through the lens of Will's new podcast, 'Your Matter Matters.' We explore themes of curiosity, the importance of community dialogue, and the ongoing questions surrounding faith and science. The conversation highlights the significance of asking questions, the role of wonder in faith, and the insights gained from various discussions on evolution, cosmology, and the future of faith in a scientific world. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Your Matter Matters (Podcast) THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026: Time to nerd out with your geek out! Get your tickets HERE. *Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, & Dan Koch. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Saturday friends! Here is another audio essay from my Substack. In this essay, I attempt to bring together the voices of Alfred North Whitehead and Alan Watts to argue that perhaps the universe does give a shit after all. If you enjoy it, would you consider hoping over to Substack and subscribing to my feed? It's FREE! (Re)thinking Faith Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was joined by my new friend Ryan Cagle, an ordained minister and eco-justice advocate. Ryan put out and awesome zine called "Crucified Earth" that offers a fresh approach to the Stations of the Cross. We discussed Ryan's journey into Eco-Justice work, the interconnectedness of various crises such as climate change, economic issues, and health crises, the role of faith in addressing these challenges, and the theological underpinnings of Eco-Justice. Ryan shares insights from his community work, including Narcan distribution and building resilience in rural communities. Overall Ryan advocates for the need for a fundamental change in how we relate to the Earth and each other, calling for a collective response to the climate crisis. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Seeds & Sabatoge | Theology In A World On Fire (Substack) Crucified Earth /// An Eco-Stations of the Cross Zine THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026: Come hang out with us in Kansas City October 8-10! Get your tickets HERE. *Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys. <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a Friday night... I was just hanging out not doing much and received a text message from a friend. It was Tripp and he was asking if I would still be up in an hour and if I wanted to hang out and do some late night podcasting. Obviously I said yes, and this was the result. I know we had fun! I hope you do too. Enjoy! THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026: Come join the random late night conversations with us at Theology Beer Camp October 8-10. Get your tickets HERE *Special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy." - Albert Camus In this audio essay I wrestle with the very real and very heavy philosophical question of suicide. To help me, I invoke the voices of Simon Critchely, Jaques Derrida, and John Caputo. Enjoy. FOLLOW MY SUBSTACK: If you enjoyed this audio essay, would you consider following me on Substack? Its Free! CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had the honor of talking to one of my favorite Philosophers, Simon Critchley! We take a deep dive into profound themes surrounding death, suicide, tragedy, and the role of philosophy in understanding these concepts. We explore how philosophy begins with the contemplation of death and how the fear of death can enslave individuals. The discussion also highlights the intertwined nature of comedy and tragedy, the importance of theater in addressing existential themes, and the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of suicide. Additionally, we take a look at the impact of technology on mental health, the influence of generational trauma, and the complex relationship between hope and courage in the face of tragedy. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Notes on Suicide (Book) The Book of Dead Philosophers (Book) Tragedy, the Greeks, and Us (Book) I Want to Die, I Hate My Life (Book) Mysticism (Book) Simon-Critchley.Com THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026: Come nerd out with your geek out! Get your tickets HERE *Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch! Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast I sat down with Matt Garza, a recent graduate with a passion for philosophy and theology. We explore various aspects of worship, including its definitions, the importance of intentionality, and the complexities of worshiping Christ in light of classical theism. The conversation delves into the dual nature of Christ, the challenges of rational worship, and the implications of worship worthiness models. Throughout the discussion, we reflect on personal experiences with worship and the evolving understanding of God in contemporary theology. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Subscribe to My Substack... It's Free! Join My Patreon! *A special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Dr. Will M. Gervais joins the podcast to talk about his new book, "Disbelief: The Origins of Atheism in a Religious Species". Dr. Gervais discusses his research on atheism, the psychology of belief, and the cultural evolution of religion. He shares what he calls the dual inheritance model, which combines insights from both Cognitive Science of Religion and Cultural Evolution in understanding religious belief and disbelief. The discussion also touches on the misconceptions surrounding atheism, and the importance of finding common ground between theists and atheists in addressing real-world issues. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Disbelief: The Origins of Atheism in a Religious Species (Book) *Special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys! <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Rethinking Faith podcast, I welcome Micah Voraritskul, author of "Human is the New Vinyl." The conversation dives into Micah's diverse background, including his experiences as a teacher, pastor, and founder of the organization Verified Human, which aims to differentiate human-created content from AI-generated material. Micah discusses the implications of AI on creativity and education, expressing concerns about how generative AI could impact the arts and learning processes. He emphasizes the importance of human authenticity in a world increasingly dominated by technology, drawing parallels between the resurgence of vinyl records and the value of human creativity in the face of AI advancements. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Human is the New Vinyl (Book) Human is the New Vinyl (Audio Book) VerifiedHuman Join my Patreon for just $5.00 / month! Join my Substack for FREE! *Special thanks to Josh, Marty, and Dan. Love you guys! <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had the privilege of talking with Bill Kole about his new book, 'In Guns We Trust.' The conversation delves into the complex relationship between White Evangelicals and firearms, exploring themes of hypocrisy, fear, and the political landscape surrounding gun ownership. Kole shares his personal journey from Evangelicalism to investigative journalism, highlighting the challenges and contradictions within the Evangelical community regarding gun culture. The discussion also touches on international perspectives on gun violence, the role of Christian Nationalism, and hopeful initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence in America. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Bills Website Join my Substack. It's Free! Join my Patreon for $5 a month. *A special thanks to Josh, Marty, and Dan. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! We made it... we made it somehow to 2026. To help me bring in the new year, I invited my friend Tim Whitaker to come hang out and play my little 20ish Q's game. As fate would have it, Billie Hoard texted me 45 minutes before Tim and I were set to record... so of course I invited her to join us on the podcast! We had a great time and covered a lot of ground! Enjoy! RESOURCES: Billie's Substack Tim's Substack Josh's Substack *Special thanks to Josh, Marty, and Dan. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joshua Noel and Josh Patterson dive into the graphic novel "The Goddamned" by Jason Aaron in this episode, exploring its audacious take on biblical narratives. Right from the get-go, they challenge the conventional interpretations of Cain's story, discussing how Aaron flips the script on themes of punishment and divinity. The hosts share their thoughts on the graphic novel's raw portrayal of a dark, violent world and how it reflects real-life struggles with faith and morality. They engage in a lively banter about the implications of the narrative, examining how the depiction of characters and their actions raises questions about the nature of God and the morality of those who claim to act in His name. With a mix of humor and insight, they invite listeners to rethink not just the comic, but the very foundations of belief and the narratives that shape our understanding of good and evil. (RE)thinking Comic dives deep into the world of radical theology and comic book narratives in their latest episode, where hosts Josh Patterson and Joshua Noel explore the chaotic themes in Jason Aaron's graphic novels, "The Goddamned: Before the Flood" and "The Goddamned: Virgin Brides". With a casual vibe and plenty of witty banter, they tackle heavy topics like the nature of God, the implications of biblical narratives, and the intersection of theology and popular culture. Patterson, a former pastor turned brewer, shares his journey of reconciling faith with radical theology, while Noel, a comic book aficionado, highlights how stories from graphic novels often resonate on a personal level more than traditional religious texts. The hosts invite listeners to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about these complex themes, emphasizing that while they may not always agree, they respect the diverse narratives that shape their understanding of God and humanity. This episode showcases their unique approach to examining how ancient stories still hold relevance in contemporary society, making for an engaging listen for theology nerds and comic book geeks alike. Takeaways: Joshua and Josh delve into Jason Aaron's 'The Goddamned', exploring its themes of morality and divine justice. The podcast highlights the contrast between the biblical narrative and Aaron's provocative retelling of Cain's story. Listeners are invited to consider how personal interpretations of scripture influence their understanding of comics. The discussion reveals the complex relationship between faith, literature, and the human condition, showcasing how stories shape belief. The hosts share their thoughts on the impact of graphic novels as a medium for exploring deep theological questions. The episode emphasizes the importance of questioning traditional narratives, urging listeners to rethink their own perspectives on faith and storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I welcomed my friend Dr. Andrew Davis back to the podcast! Andrew recently finished a new introduction to the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and it is fantastic! In my experience introductions to Whitehead are either too philosophically dense and hard to follow for a beginner or they water down his thought so much that vital aspects of his philosophy are lost. Andrew managed to bridge the gap and write an intro that is approachable without sacrificing philosophical depth and rigor. We take a deep dive into Andrew's prismatic approach to Whitehead's philosophy viewing it from the Historical, Philosophical, Cosmological, Theological, and Civilizational perspectives. Enjoy! RESOURCES: Andrew's Website WhiteheadsUniverse.com *special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was happy to welcome back my friend Jonathan J. Foster. We talk about The Curian Network (formerly the Open Table Network). We also take a look at Jonathan's new Micro-Theology series and take a deep dive into his working definition of love. Enjoy! RESOURCES: The Curian Network Jonathan's Substack *A special thanks to Marty, Josh, and Dan. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Dr. Thomas Jay Oord returns to the podcast to discuss his latest project... A Systematic Theology of Love. Tom proposes 15 new ideas for Systematic Theology and I invited my former student Julian Oetinger on to help keep Tom honest... Enjoy! RESOURCES: Tom's Substack *A special thanks to Josh, Marty, and Dan. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the (Re)thinking Faith podcast, I had the privilege of reconnecting with Dr. Drew Hart, an associate professor of theology and an author deeply engaged in discussions around racial justice and faith. Our conversation delves into Dr. Hart’s journey through the Black church, Anabaptism, and how these experiences shape his understanding of justice in today’s world. Through personal stories and academic insights, Hart invites us to rethink our faith in light of the challenges facing our communities today. Key takeaways include the importance of community engagement, the need for honest conversations about race within faith traditions, and the potential for combining different theological perspectives to foster a more just world. Enjoy! RESOURCES: DrewGIHart.com Inverse Podcast Making it Plain (Book) *Special thanks to Marty, Josh, and Dan. Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alright friends this week I have a special treat for you... Emogelicals is a show I record once a month with my good buddy Jed over at Church and Other Drugs. Typically this is released for Patrons only, but this week you get a sneak peek into what you are missing out on. Enjoy! JOIN MY PATREON: Click HERE to join. <3 *Special thanks to Marty, Josh, and Dan! Love you guys <3* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So we're LIVE at the Common Market in Charlotte, drinking craft beverages and fielding questions from the Speaking to a Modern World conference, which means we're ping-ponging between topics faster than your algorithm-addled attention span. Josh starts us off playing voice of the people, then we trade him for Leah Robinson, who's delightfully willing to interrupt me when I get too deep in the philosophical weeds. We tackle everything from what the hell "modernity" actually means (hint: it's not just Protestants arguing about beliefs), to why religion emerged before language as a solution to mammalian cooperation problems, to how process theology offers a different way through deconstruction than Nietzsche's lonely child-making. Tom and I explain why we think classical theism's omnipotent God is actually less helpful than you'd think, we get into the weeds on sacrificial language and atonement theory, and Leah keeps us honest about whether all our philosophical specificity is just academic masturbation or actually useful for people trying to figure out how to live. Plus we discover that getting kicked out of the Nazarenes gives you mixed feelings but doesn't automatically make you drink beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices