Faith Still Seeking

The Who, Where, and When of the origins of the four Biblical Gospels. Continuing in the series getting to the heart of the "good news," Kelly examines the historical context, authorship, and transmission of these core texts about Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection.Topics include:Authorship of the GospelsHistorical context of the GospelsTransmission of oral traditionsDifferences and similarities among the GospelsAre there contradictions in the Gospels?Theological significance of the GospelsCan we trust the authority of the Gospels?

We use the term “the Gospel” a lot in Christian circles, but how often do we think about what it really means? Yes, as we’ve all heard, it means “Good News,” but what is the CONTENT of that news? Throughout Christian history, theologians and ministers have interpreted the Gospel to mean different things. Is it individual salvation for the sinner? Entire sanctification and holiness of the believer? Access to miracles through the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Liberation for the poor and oppressed? Join me as I survey the landscape of Gospel interpretations.[This is Part 1 of a series on The Gospel]

A peace, love, and justice-loving progressive takes on traditional doctrines about an angry god--and makes some surprising discoveries along the way. I would love to just ignore all the mentions of wrath, but it would be hard to do without cutting the Bible to pieces. In this episode, I talk about the arguments for and against thinking about God’s attitude toward us as “Wrath,” as well as the places where my thinking overlaps with those who see us as sinners in the hands of an angry God—even as I want to stand up and shout them down in the middle of the church service.

Wars, weather disasters, plagues, technological threats...some interpret these as signs of the approaching end, specifically the Rapture & a futurist unfolding of the book of Revelation. But do these “dispensationalist” readings of the Bible miss the mark? Author/speaker/teacher Keith Giles joins me to unpack the short history of dispensationalist thinking, the ways that theologians viewed Revelation prior to a few hundred years ago, & the potentially traumatic & harmful ways these relatively recent interpretations of ancient prophecy impact our modern society.Keith Giles is a writer, speaker, teacher, & co-lead at Quoir, a publisher of books that take on life’s most important subjects & home of the independent news journal The Quollective (TheQuollective.com). Keith's most recent book is a collection entitled “The Unchristian Truth about Christian Nationalism,” available at Amazon. Keith is also the best-selling author of the “Jesus Un” book series on Deconstruction of the Christian faith (including “Jesus Unexpected,” which we discuss in this episode), as well as numerous other books. He’s a regular contributor to John Fugelsang’s Sirius XM Radio show, “Tell Me Everything”, the “God Squad” podcast, “Heretic Happy Hour Podcast”, and his solo podcast, “Second Cup with Keith.”

A meditation on superheroes and theology. Using the unboxing of my Daredevil action figure as a launching point (which many would say is blasphemous on its own--it loses its value out of the box!), I reflect on the superheroes I've admired through my life and how their stories intertwine with my faith. I consider the noble sacrifice of Superman, the torn nature of the Hulk, the broken faith of Captain America, the inner struggle of Daredevil, some issues with Batman and Punisher, and the powers to which we have access through the name of my biggest hero (someone named…Yeshua.)Image Credits:Batman,Superman (comics,film): DC Comics/Warner BrothersCaptain America (comics,film): Marvel/DisneyDaredevil (comics): Marvel/DisneyDaredevil (TV series): Netflix Daredevil:Born Again (TV series): Marvel/DisneyDoctor Strange (film): Marvel/DisneyHulk (comics, films): Marvel/DisneyIncredible Hulk (TV series): UniversalPunisher (comics): Marvel/DisneySpiderman (comics): Marvel/DisneySpiderman (film): SonySuperman (film): Warner BrothersPrince of Egypt (film): DreamWorksSmallville (TV Series): Warner BrothersJesus Action Bible: David C CookJesus tempted by the Devil (stained glass): St Germain-l’Auxerrois church, Paris via CatholicAnswers (catholic.com)The Resurrection of Christ (painting): Maerten de Vos,National Gallery of Ireland via Wikimedia CommonsLast Temptation of Christ (film): Universal PicturesJesus sign/worship service (photo): Matt Botsford viaUnsplashKneeling worship (photo): David Nieto via UnsplashJesus cleansing the Temple (painting): Carl Bloch,Fredricksborg Castle, Denmark via Wikimedia CommonsPunisher Tshirt man (photo): The Dallas Morning NewsBlue skull flag (product image): Via PikPng.com (earliestuse I can find, c. 2020)Punisher skull collage (video still): “The Punisher Logo:Origins, Evolution, and Appropriations,” video by Uniform History via YouTubeJesus hero/hippie (AI-generated images): created by KellyWilson using Firefly Brightheaded Warrior/Frequenter of Churches (AI-generatedimage): created by Kelly Wilson using ChatGPT"Martial arts” Jesus (painting): Noli me tangere,by Hans Holbein the Younger (detail), Royal Collection of the United Kingdomvia Wikimedia CommonsMoses Red Sea: Creator unknown (it has broadinternet usage, but I haven’t been able to find the original—if you have anyinfo, please let me know)Times Square Takeover (gif): HillsongYeshua definition (illustration): Southern California Shabbat FellowshipI AM THE WAY sticker (photo): Jon Tyson via Unsplash

You know all about Hell. Fire. Torment. Gnashing teeth. All the images we inherited from Dante, Milton, and "Chick Tracts." But where did those images come from? The Hebrew Bible has Sheol and the Greeks had Hades, but when Jesus said "Gehenna," it was a fiery new thing. What did he mean? Was it real or metaphor? Did his listeners know what he was talking about? How did the idea of justice in the afterlife evolve between Genesis and Revelation? And when we are faced with multiple visions of the future by the same Bible, which one do we choose? In this episode, I start off with statements about Hell by notable progressive Christian thinkers--Zach Hunt, Roger Wolsey, Bart Ehrman, Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Sharon L. Baker--and use those as the catalyst for an exploration of what Jesus did or did not say when he talked about Gehenna, what the Hebrew Bible said about the afterlife, and how the idea of divine retribution after death developed in the background between the Old and New Testaments.I’m also always grateful to Steev RX for his song “Purpose,” which is the theme for the show. Find his music on ⁠⁠SteevRX.com⁠⁠ and on streaming platforms everywhere.

Kelly is grateful to welcome Matthew Distefano and Keith Giles, co-authors of the newly released "Reading Romans Right" (Quoir publishing). For many Christians (and non-Christians as well), Paul's teachings in Romans and other New Testament letters have long been a source of tension. Yes, Paul introduces grace by faith, but at what cost? Paul has long been accused of misogyny, homophobia, fostering blind allegiance to the State, and a theology that says we are worthless and doomed. The authors explore the social, rhetorical, and literary context of Paul's writing to open up a new understanding of the apocalyptic--and possibly universal--salvation that he was trying to describe to the church in Rome. Distefano and Giles are co-publishers at Quoir publishing, an author-centered publisher that focuses on the biggest issues in the universe. They are also co-hosts of the popular Heretic Happy Hour podcast, and the principals of Quoir academy, which provides a range of education about mind, body, and spirit. Find out more about their work at https://quoir.com. Also, check out their phenomenal book "Reading Romans Right," exclusively available at Amazon. It's a must-have for any theological library: https://a.co/d/6OoZ69H

The KINGDOM is at HAND! It was so surprised to find out that's what the Gospels really said. After a lifetime of thinking of the Gospel as being focused on my sin and individual salvation, I finally read what Jesus said on the page and it was totally different than I thought. It was announcing the Kingdom of God, which is quickly approaching but also has already started, and establishes God’s rule over any king or leader of this world. In this episode, I use the recent sermon from Bishop Mariann Budde and her words to President Trump as a launching off point to talk about how yes, the Gospel is absolutely political, and yes, although it is an impractical way to run a country, Mercy is at the heart of what nations are supposed to do.

So if I want to find out what’s true about Christianity, where do I go? The Bible? The Church? Theologians and thinkers? Prayer and meditation? My heart? My MIND? In this episode, Kelly explores the Prolegomena of theology, namely, what assumptions and other prior knowledge one needs to know more. This episode specifically focuses on the sources of theology. Does it come from the Bible alone? What role does tradition have, or reason, or even (if we can trust it) EXPERIENCE. Kelly also talks about why, although he struggles with the Bible, there are also a lot of reasons he keeps coming back to it.(There's also a special bonus feature that I recorded for this episode, but I'm still waiting for permissions from the creator, so am putting out this shorter version--but please Subscribe and/or follow the podcast on FB or IG so you know when the bonus material is up!)I’m also always grateful to Steev RX for his song “Purpose,” which is the theme for the show. Find his music on ⁠SteevRX.com⁠ and on streaming platforms everywhere. Be sure to catch my enlightening conversation with Steev RX in our previous episode!00:00 Introduction to Faith Still Seeking00:47 Exploring Sources of Christian Truth07:00 Understanding Prolegomena in Theology18:01 The Role of Scripture and Tradition34:24 The Importance of Reason and Experience49:19 Conclusion: Embracing the Joy of Faith

I'm so glad to finally have a chance to talk with Steev RX, musician and entertainer, whose song "Purpose" is the theme song of this show! Steev RX is a talented musician, "blending his original southwest emo roots with current trap and alt pop music to create his own unique sound." He is also a longtime worship leader, and talks about his commitment to being an authentic presence in church, imperfections and all. It's really refreshing way to break through the phoniness of church folks and talk about something real. (Even if it means a profanity or two!)In addition to "Purpose," this episode also features clips of Steev RX's songs "Thoughts" and "Fold." To find more of Steev RX's music, visit his website at steevrx.com or find his music on most streaming platforms. To find out more about my work, you can find me at my website www.kellywilson.com, and I'm @kelywilsn on FB, Instagram, and X. Thank you for listening!

Faith Still Seeking--Christian Theology, No Certainty Required. A series about Christian Theology (by someone who doesn't have it all figured out yet--but it hasn't stopped me from trying!) Kelly Wilson is a writer, podcaster, and the co-creator/co-host of the podcast Radical Love Live. Kelly is a lifelong student of theology, a committed Christ-follower, and confirmed Episcopalian who lives in the space between the foundations of Evangelicalism and the inclusive expansiveness of mainline, Progressive Christianity. Despite the differences, he hopes that the world will come to know us Christians by our love.

Who or what is the Devil? Our culture has strong ideas about Christian teaching, and its view of Satan is no exception. We have seen the images our whole lives, from the red-skinned horned master demon ruling over Hell with his pitchfork to the sly serpent who sells us sinfully delicious deserts to the handsome seductive tempter who lures us with sparkling promises to our doom. We’ve heard of the angel Lucifer and his fall, how Satan has tempted and tormented mankind, and how the Devil and his angels will end up in the lake of fire. But where did this story come from? Using Milton’s Paradise Lost as a launching-off point, Kelly examines all the different stories in the Bible that have been woven together into this narrative, how they grew to be connected over time, and what it means if these diverse accounts of the Evil One don’t line up into a single, neat story. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Faith and Theology 02:45 The Nature of the Devil 11:50 Satan's Role in Human History 19:20 Cultural Representations of the Devil 30:14 Exploring Paradise Lost 49:11 Reevaluating the Concept of Evil

There is not just one way to read a Bible. I thought I had it figured out when I was a kid—our church had it right and everyone else’s had it wrong. I didn’t know how they could miss the plain truth. It was RIGHT THERE ON THE PAGE, if they would only read it with open, faithful eyes. And then it happened. I was introduced to MIRACLES. Never before had I experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but here I was, speaking in tongues, getting healed, and experiencing the possibility of real-world magic and power in this world. And it was all in parts of the Bible I had never read before, and which my pastor had never preached. What other secrets did the Bible hold that I had not yet seen, heard, or understood? Was there some OTHER “right” way of reading the Bible, which all of us had missed? This is the story about how miracles taught me that there was more than one way to read the Bible.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Faith and Theology 01:45 The Journey of Faith and Miracles 10:42 Exploring the Charismatic Movement 15:34 The Nature of Miracles and Belief 29:49 Experiencing Spiritual Gifts and Power 38:30 Experiencing Miracles and Healing 45:40 The Power of Faith and Spiritual Warfare 51:30 Rethinking Salvation and Miraculous Power 57:32 The Nature of Miracles and Personal Experiences 01:01:55 The Complexity of Faith and Suffering 01:09:09 Love, Freedom, and the Essence of Christianity

Are science and religion natural enemies? Or can the methods of scientific inquiry help measure the truth of religious claims, although they are mostly based in words and feelings? This is a wide ranging exploration of the compatibility of religious and scientific thought, and the potential for cutting through bias and assumptions to a resilient faith, featuring quotes from a variety of sources, including Steven Jay Gould, Richard Dawkins, Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Baruch Spinoza, St Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Pope John Paul II, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Matthew McConaughey's character from True Detective, Bible scholar Dan McClellan, theologian Thomas Jay Oord, the apostle Paul, William Shakespeare, and a sheep joke from a prominent mathematician. Set some time aside for this one, it's a lot of material! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Faith Still Seeking 01:28 Exploring the Nature of Theology 05:48 Science and Theology: A Complex Relationship 12:32 The Debate on NOMA and Its Critics 18:08 Interpreting the Bible: Science vs. Spiritual Truth 25:15 Questioning Everything: A Scientific Approach to Faith 32:51 The Complexity of Biblical Interpretation 41:00 St. Augustine: Embracing the Unknown 44:24 The Challenge of Belief and Observation 47:39 The Pursuit of Truth and Knowledge 51:33 Understanding Justice and the Concept of Hell 55:56 Cherry-Picking Scripture and Its Implications 01:00:19 The First Cause Argument and Its Critique 01:04:33 Exploring Alternative Theological Perspectives 01:10:20 The Nature of God and the Problem of Evil 01:14:23 The Provisional Nature of Scientific Findings 01:25:48 Integrating Science and Faith

When salvation as I understood it stopped working for me, I had work out my own salvation based on what I understood. In this episode I summarize the version of salvation I learned as a child, which is probably very familiar to anyone from conservative evangelical traditions. I examine the questions I had about the logic and mechanics and justice of salvation, which became major stumbling blocks to my faith. And I share my current understanding of salvation, based on what I've learned, thought about, and meditated upon over the years. 00:00 Introduction to Faith and Questions 02:13 The Nature of Salvation and Sin 10:00 Understanding Grace and Perfection 18:13 The Conflict of Desire and Faith 27:58 The Search for Meaning in Theology 33:52 The Problem of Human Desire and Divine Expectations 38:43 The Weight of Sin and Divine Justice 44:04 God's Holiness vs. Mercy 50:58 Understanding Salvation and Forgiveness 56:01 The Role of the Resurrection 01:03:24 The Nature of Salvation and Free Will 01:10:34 Growing Up: The Adam and Eve Story 01:16:19 Conjectures on Salvation and Future Exploration

(NEW EPISODE) This episode explores the dynamic tension between faith and reason. Religion asks us to believe things we can't prove with scientific evidence, but science doesn't rule out the mystical and experiential. How does a person have an honest faith that is also intellectually rigorous? Kelly Wilson is a writer, podcaster, and the co-creator/co-host (with Mark Dilcom) of the podcast Radical Love Live. Kelly is a committed Christ-follower and confirmed Episcopalian who lives in the space between the foundations of Evangelicalism and the inclusive expansiveness of mainline, Progressive Christianity. Despite the differences, he hopes that the world will come to know us Christians by our love. Kelly is also grateful to musician Steev Rx to be able to use the song "Purpose," as the theme song for this series. Steev RX is an alt pop/trap musician with roots in the Southwest emo scene in Arizona, and his music can be heard on Spotify and other platforms, as well as on his website at https://steevrx.com. [The first time I heard this song--the authentic questions, and the genuine faith that infuses it, raw language and all--I knew it had to be theme for this show!] To find out more about my work, you can find me at my website www.kellywilson.com, and I'm @kelywilsn on FB, Instagram, and X. To support my work, I'm at https://www.patreon.com/kelywilsn. Thank you for listening!

The first episode of the new podcast "Faith Still Seeking" from writer and perpetual student of theology, Kelly Wilson (he/him). This is the beginning of an earnest, curious, sometimes irreverent exploration of the core ideas of Christianity from the point of view of a faith that still has a lot of questions.In this episode, Kelly shares his background from fundamentalist Evangelicalism though intense questioning, passionate scholarship hoping to reveal the "real" Christianity (or disprove it once and for all), eye-opening revelations that showed new ways of looking at Jesus and the Kingdom, and what keeps him connected to Christianity--despite doubts, uncertainty, and the stuff that still doesn't make rational sense yet.Kelly Wilson is a writer, podcaster, and the co-creator/co-host (with Mark Dilcom) of the podcast Radical Love Live. Kelly is a committed Christ-follower and confirmed Episcopalian who lives in the space between the foundations of Evangelicalism and the inclusive expansiveness of mainline, Progressive Christianity. Despite the differences, he hopes that the world will come to know us Christians by our love. Kelly is also grateful to musician Steev Rx to be able to use the song "Purpose," as the theme song for this series. Steev RX is an alt pop/trap musician with roots in the Southwest emo scene in Arizona, and his music can be heard on Spotify and other platforms, as well as on his website at https://steevrx.com. [The first time I heard this song--the authentic questions, and the genuine faith that infuses it, raw language and all--I knew it had to be theme for this show!]To find out more about my work, you can find me at my website www.kellywilson.com, and I'm @kelywilsn on FB, Instagram, and X. To support my work, I'm at https://www.patreon.com/kelywilsn. Thank you for listening!