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Challenging Christianity

by Rebecca Kinnestrand

Do you consider yourself spiritual but non-religious? Agnostic? Or maybe you grew up in a church but don’t believe what you were taught there anymore? Challenging Christianity exists in that space between being all-for or all-against religion. Join us in asking questions that challenge current notions of Christianity.

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Episodes

  1. Episode 44: Get the Tea on The Gospels

    You may think you know about the life and times of Jesus Christ, but did you know that Christmas almost didn't exist?! Pastor Gina and Rebecca go in-depth into the who, when, where and why of these cornerstone books of the New Testament.

  2. Episode 43: Who's Messiah?

    What makes a Messiah and why do we think Jesus is THE Messiah or is he? Turns out there's been a lot of them.

  3. Episode 42: The Lion's Den

    The Book of Daniel is about more than the lion's den. Come take a journey into this ancient political protest and see how it applies to your life today.

  4. Episode 41: Job's Tribulations

    New guest Pastor Gina takes us through the book of Job. What lessons does this simple man with a hard life have for us? Where else can you turn within biblical writings to find solace during a hard time?

  5. Episode 40: Faith Backgrounds

    What are the differentiating factors between Christian religions? What draws you to a theology? Hillary Haden is with us to discuss her journey from fundamentalism to Lutheranism.

  6. Episode 39: The Lenten Season

    Do you need Lent this year? Maybe not, but some day you will. Pastor Katy breaks down the who, what, when, where and why of Lent.

  7. Episode 38: Culture and Christianity

    How does a society's culture affect the teachings in the bible over time? Is God against our culture, and our world, or working within it?

  8. Episode 37: Christian Revolutions and Spiritual Leaders

    Has Christianity sold its soul for power and influence?

  9. Episode 36: Feathers in the Air

    : Does life in somewhat-post-pandemic-but-not-really have you confused? Us too. Pastor Katy brings her wisdom and discusses recent sermons and other biblical passages that bring context and meaning to this time in global life.

  10. Episode 35: Children and Church

    Is taking children to church indoctrination? Join the conversation about why, when, and how to engage children in spiritual life.

  11. Episode 34: Are you a None?

    This episode digs into the differences between spiritually seeking as an individual and dwelling as a part of a group. Rebecca and Danielle look into the growing group of the "religiously non-affliated."

  12. Episode 33: Coping with Grief

    “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.”C.S. Lewis. Join Pastor Rita Anderson as we discuss this overwhelming emotion.

  13. Episode 32: Not Your Childhood Christmas Story

    t Your Childhood Christmas Story What are we really waiting for during Advent? (hint, it's not the baby). And, isn't Christmas just a stolen pagen solstice holiday? Pastor Katy spills the secrets about the radical heart of Christmas.

  14. Episode 31: The Book of Revelation

    Apolocalypse might not mean what you think. Pastor Mike is back to reveal the hope in this oft mis-characterized book. https://www.hslckirkland.org/crossways-recordings

  15. Episode 30: No One: Politics & Religion. Podcast: Politics & Religion!

    Let's combine two explosive topics and see what happens. What does the bible say about it? Oh yah, and please exercise your right to vote.

  16. Episode 29: Plague and Uncertainty - The worst Jane Austin novel ever

    After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Rebecca, Danielle, and Pastor Katy are back in the (online) studio. We all agreed that this is a HARD time. Come join us in our cathartic, re-inaugural episode.

  17. Episode 28: Spiritual but Not Religious

    Join Danielle and Rebecca as they discuss what it means to label yourself as non-religious, but still have connections and ties to an inner life. They discuss a Vox.com survey of Americans in this category and tell personal stories of their own.

  18. Episode 27: Raised Evangelical?

    Pastor Mary-Alice joins us to talk about her journey from an evangelical background to becoming a Lutheran Pastor. Here about the theology and spiritual moments that moved her to make that decision.

  19. Episode 26: Holiday Edition

    Is Thanksgiving secular? What is the dream of Christmas? Just in time for the holidays, Pastor Mike, Rebecca and Danielle explore the mysteries of the season.

  20. Episode 25: Is it time to reform the church again?

    Pastor Mike lays out his 12 principles for reforming the church in the 21st century. Has the Christian message become distorted? Do you think we need another Martin Luther moment? You don't want to miss this one.

  21. Episode 24: Was Mary a virgin for realz?

    This episode we tackle listener questions that ask about Mother Mary, Doubt, and what happens if/when Christianity fades away? Pastor Mike proclaims church decline may be an opportunity to reclaim Christianity away from the emphasis on doctrine. Hear what else he has to say in answer to listener...

  22. Episode 23: Sanctuary Church

    The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America just announced it is a Sanctuary Church. What does that mean? Where did the idea of sanctuary come from and how is it being used today?

  23. Episode 22: He's Back

    The printing press really was the original Twitter. Pastor Mike gives us the lowdown on the Reformation.

  24. Episode 21: the Bible - The definitive word of God. Think again.

    Join us as we discuss different Bible translations and what it all means when ancient Hebrew and Greek get modern language updates.

  25. Episode 20: Sex and Christianity

    Is sex really a sin outside of marriage? What’s the deal with all the repression? Where do we get our ideas on sex as it relates to religion? Oh yes we did. We went there and it’s the episode you know you don’t want to miss.

  26. Episode 19: Cults vs Religions

    What is the difference between a cult and a religion?

  27. Episode 18: Youth Ministry - Indoctrination or Good Times?

    Danielle is our local youth minister, whatever that means. Find out her take on teaching kids religion and hear stories on youth in the church.

  28. Episode 17: Abraham and Sarah

    Abraham, Sarah, Hagar… who are these characters? Find out why is this story referenced so often and what it means to modern life. It’s part of our series on Bible basics.

  29. Episode 16: Sin

    Do we all have it? Do we all secretly like it? What the heck is sin anyway? This is not an episode you want to miss!

  30. Episode 15: All About Angels

    “We yearn for the divine, but in Christianity the most fundamental way that happens is not in other worldly beings but a flesh and blood Palestinian Jew who is born into a poor family and becomes a refugee, and has zero access to the power structure and is eventually executed as a terrorist.”…

    more

  31. Episode 14: Social Justice

    What does Jesus and the Bible say about social justice? Join Pastor Katy and the Challenging Christianity hosts as we explore what Cornel West calls, “what love looks like in public.”

  32. Episode 13: Hell, this time without Heaven

    Much of what we believe about Hell is not even in the Bible.

  33. Episode 12: Prayer

    Does prayer “work?” Learn what makes your hosts uncomfortable as they try to figure out just what is prayer anyway? Guest: Pastor Katy McCallum Sachse.

  34. Episode 11: Women and Christianity

    Pastor Katy McCallum-Sachse joins us to discuss why women would choose to be Christian or join a Christian church. We take on the patriarchy of the Bible and discuss feminism within its stories.

  35. Episode 10: What are you afraid of?

    Rebecca, Danielle, and Pastor Katy McCallum-Sachse discuss fear, it’s role in our life, and how to rid yourself of it’s debilitating effects.

  36. Episode 9: What's Wrong with Going to Church?

    Laugh along with Rebecca and Danielle as they talk about research on what young(er) people are looking for in organized religion.

  37. Episode 8: Are you going to Heaven or to Hell? Hint: there may be another option…

    Join this provocative conversation as Rebecca, Danielle, and Pastor Mike take on old and new meanings of just what is heaven and hell and why it matters to you now.

  38. Episode 7: Jerusalem--City of Hope?

    Listen to a crash course about the history of this city. It’s existence informs us about the nature of tribalism which is prominent in today’s cultural discourse.

  39. Episode 6: Architecture and Worship

    Architecture of a church flows out of the theology of the community that is gathered. In this episode, we talk about the history of the space that shapes worship and how worship shapes the space.

  40. Episode 5 - Moses the reluctant leader? Charlton Heston was miscast

    Dive into the parting of the red sea and listen to our take on what it means to be led to freedom.

  41. Episode 4 - Noah: two by two? Not so much.

    Think you know the story of Noah’s ark? We talk about it’s apocalyptic theology, leaning into kindness, and just what is “God’s will” anyway? Join us for a challenging take on this famous children’s story.

  42. Episode 3 - Suffering

    Pain is a problem. A big theological problem. If God is all good, why is there suffering? Join us as we tackle this very difficult question with very personal stories.

  43. Episode 2: The Most Terrifying Question

    We reveal the world’s most intimidating question. Have you ever been asked it? How are you supposed to react?

  44. Episode 1 - Did God really make the world in 6 days? Science and Religion

    Our inaugural episode sheds light on this misguided debate. Prepare to leave your assumptions behind as we reveal our thoughts on walking on water, evolution, and science.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Do you consider yourself spiritual but non-religious? Agnostic? Or maybe you grew up in a church but don’t believe what you were taught there anymore? Challenging Christianity exists in that space between being all-for or all-against religion. Join us in asking questions that challenge current notions of Christianity.

HOSTED BY

Rebecca Kinnestrand

Produced by Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

CATEGORIES

religion spirituality

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Challenging Christianity have?

Challenging Christianity currently has 44 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Challenging Christianity about?

Do you consider yourself spiritual but non-religious? Agnostic? Or maybe you grew up in a church but don’t believe what you were taught there anymore? Challenging Christianity exists in that space between being all-for or all-against religion. Join us in asking questions that challenge current...

How often does Challenging Christianity release new episodes?

Challenging Christianity has 44 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Challenging Christianity?

You can listen to Challenging Christianity on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Challenging Christianity?

Challenging Christianity is created and hosted by Rebecca Kinnestrand.
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