Faithful Dissent

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian talk through the strange and revealing reaction to a simple John Piper tweet about loving the foreigner and what it says about the state of American evangelicalism. What should have been an unremarkable citation of scripture instead became a flashpoint, exposing just how deeply politics and ideology now shape what many Christians are willing to hear from the Bible. From there, the conversation widens. They look at the backlash to Kirk Cameron for questioning eternal conscious torment, the fallout from another pastor scandal closer to home, and the larger pattern underneath it all: a version of evangelicalism that has traded theological depth for tribal certainty, spiritual maturity for celebrity, and faith for ideology. Together, they explore: Why John Piper’s tweet provoked such a strong reaction from MAGA evangelicalsWhat the Kirk Cameron controversy reveals about theological rigidity and fearHow celebrity pastor culture creates unhealthy systems and protects strongman leadershipWhy church planting movements can drift into cults of personalityThe difference between conviction and ideological captureWhether the current evangelical crisis might also become a moment of reckoning and renewalThis is a conversation about power, theology, personality, and the kind of church America has built and whether something more honest and more faithful might still emerge from the wreckage. 

Send us Fan Mail After a brief hiatus and a new baby in the house, Brian and James return to tackle a big question: Is Hollywood dying? From the golden age of the studio system to the Marvel era, the American film industry has shaped global culture for more than a century. Movies didn’t just entertain us — they exported American imagination around the world. But between streaming, shrinking theater audiences, corporate risk-aversion, and the rise of AI-generated visual production, something feels different. In this episode, Brian and James explore: How COVID and streaming permanently altered movie-going habitsWhether AI will democratize filmmaking — or cheapen itThe decline of scarcity and what that means for artistic valueWhy superhero fatigue might be more than just franchise burnoutWhether this is technological evolution — or cultural decayIs this just another industry shift, like silent films giving way to talkies? Or are we witnessing the collapse of something irreplaceable — a form of art that once commanded global attention? And deeper still: is the real problem technology… or us? A conversation about spectacle, virtue, attention spans, and whether we still know how to value what is good. 

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of Faithful Dissent, we run through the crazy start to 2026. We talk through the ICE shooting in Minnesota, Gunboat diplomacy in Latin America and its broader implications, and a larger pattern we keep bumping up against: how Christian leaders across contexts sometimes fall short of the moral clarity they’re called to embody. It's not been an easy start to the New Year, but we're here to talk it out with each other and we're glad you're hanging out with us on the ride. 

Send us Fan Mail In this New Year’s grab bag episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian look back on 2025 and talk through the moments that shaped it—personally, politically, and spiritually. From dogs at Barnes & Noble and surfing lessons to sports rivalries, holiday traditions, AI anxiety, and the ongoing unraveling of American evangelical politics, this conversation moves where real life tends to move: between the meaningful and the mundane. Along the way, they reflect on: What brought joy and surprise this year—and what simply helped them survive itWhy politics feels exhausting, confusing, and unavoidableHow AI is reshaping truth, trust, and daily life (for better and worse)What faith looks like in a culture obsessed with success, wealth, and certaintyWhy slow practices, embodied life, and attention to what really matters still matterThis episode isn’t a manifesto or a hot take—it’s a year-end table conversation about what we’re carrying with us into the new year, what we’re trying to let go of, and why hope still feels possible. 

Send us Fan Mail What do people actually mean when they talk about “deconstruction”? In this laid-back, unscripted conversation, James and Brian sit down to talk honestly about doubt, faith, abuse, certainty, and why so many people feel like the version of Christianity they inherited no longer works. They trace how “deconstruction” has shifted over time—from backsliding, to honest questioning, to full-blown internet industry—and ask what healthy deconstruction might actually look like. Along the way, they wrestle with church hurt, certainty culture, conspiracy thinking, power, leadership failure, and why Christianity keeps confusing confidence with faith. This isn’t a takedown and it isn’t a defense. It’s a conversation about staying honest, staying human, and figuring out what faith looks like when easy answers stop working. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian talk with pastor and theologian Gino Curcuruto—co-founder of The Table Philly, prison theology instructor, doctoral student, and co-owner of Habitat Coffee Roasters. Gino shares his journey through suburban evangelicalism, church-plant trauma, and the slow, relational, deeply human work of rebuilding Christian community from the ground up. Together, we explore: Why speed, scale, and performance shape most American churches—and how that harms real relationshipsThe Table’s commitment to slow presence, neighborhood rootedness, and meaningful boundariesThe emotional and spiritual cost of open-door ministry models, especially for families and kidsWhy megachurches thrive in American suburbia—and why they often form us away from the way of JesusHow Christian nationalism has reshaped public perceptions of the churchWhat gives Gino hope: small, faithful, unseen communities living out the kingdom in ordinary lifeFull of honesty, humor, and hard-won wisdom, this conversation offers a fresh imagination for what church can be after Christendom—a community rooted in place, moving at the speed of love, and shaped by the presence of God rather than the pressure of success. Links to Gino:https://thetablephilly.org/Substack https://t.co/g5Ei3FwTyhX: https://x.com/ginoc

Send us Fan Mailhttps://buymeacoffee.com/faithfuldissent?new=1 In this off-the-cuff episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian take a break from theology to talk about the strange, collapsing circus of American politics. From Tucker Carlson’s platforming of white nationalists to the generational weirdness fueling Gen-Z extremism, they walk through the coalitions, catastrophes, and casual bigotry shaping the moment we’re all stuck in. This is not a formal analysis — it’s two friends thinking out loud about the unraveling of the American Right and why the “big tent” that Trump held together with spite and entertainment value was always destined to fall apart. Together, they get into: Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, and the GOP’s increasingly porous boundariesWhy Gen-Z racism and antisemitism are both baffling and deeply predictableThe internal contradictions of a coalition united only by its enemiesWhy no future Republican can replicate Trump’s insult-comic superpowerWhether Democrats’ greatest strength is simply not being in chargeHow economics, identity, and media chaos warp political loyaltyAnd whether any of this gives us reason for hopeFunny, bleak, curious, and surprisingly thoughtful — this is a politics episode for anyone trying to make sense of a political moment that feels genuinely unhinged. Check out this article from Rod Dreher's substack for useful background. Note: (we DO NOT endorse Dreher's opinions or support for various politicians, in the US or outside) 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian sit down with author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior to trace the story of American evangelicalism—from its idealistic roots to its current identity crisis. Drawing on her own journey through fundamentalism, academia, and activism, Karen reflects on how the movement that once shaped her faith has fractured under the weight of politics, celebrity, and cultural power. Together, they explore: Karen’s early life in New England and her path into evangelicalism.The legacy of missions, activism, and moral reform in the evangelical imagination.How movements like the Moral Majority and the “evangelical industrial complex” reshaped the church.What the Trump era revealed about faith, power, and the limits of charity.Why literature, beauty, and truth still matter for spiritual renewal.How believers might reclaim calling and culture without losing the gospel in the process.This conversation is part memoir, part cultural history, and part theological reflection—an honest look at what evangelicals built, what broke, and what might come next.Here are some LINKS to Karen's Substack, and her books on Amazon. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore what it really takes to build peace after violence. Drawing from Brian’s recent study trip to Northern Ireland and Scotland, they revisit the story of The Troubles—a decades-long conflict marked by division, loss, and fragile hope—and ask what the church can learn from those who chose reconciliation over revenge. Together, they discuss: The hidden costs of peace and why reconciliation always begins at the ground level.How storytelling and listening can dismantle generations of hatred.The emotional and spiritual weight of forgiveness after violence.Why violence is easy—and peace demands faith, patience, and sacrifice.What it means to be a prophetic community in a world that profits from division.Through stories of loss, courage, and the slow work of rebuilding trust, this conversation reminds us that peace is not a moment—it’s a discipline, and often, a cross to carry. 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian begin a new series exploring one of the most debated and fascinating corners of Christian faith — the charismatic gifts. From speaking in tongues to miraculous healings, from holy laughter to dreams and visions, they trace how Christians have wrestled with the Holy Spirit’s power through history and in their own lives.Together, they explore:What Scripture means by “spiritual gifts” and how different traditions understand them.The tension between skepticism, superstition, and sincere faith.Their own experiences of the miraculous — and what makes them cautious believers.Why ecstatic experiences can both deepen and distort our spiritual lives.How to pursue the presence of God without confusing emotion for encounter.Whether you come from a Pentecostal background or have only watched these moments on YouTube, this episode invites you to consider how the Spirit still moves — sometimes mysteriously, sometimes controversially, always unpredictably.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James, Brian, and James’s father take on one of the most complicated forms of love — the love of country. Patriotism can inspire courage, service, and unity — but it can also slide into pride, denial, or even idolatry. So what does it mean to love a nation honestly? Together, they explore: Whether patriotism is a virtue or a temptation in Christian life.How love of country can both strengthen and distort our moral vision.The difference between devotion to ideals and allegiance to power.What it means to tell the truth about a nation you still hope for.How faith redefines belonging — not by the flag we wave, but the kingdom we serve.At a time when nationalism and cynicism compete for our hearts, this conversation invites listeners to consider a third way: a patriotism rooted not in triumph, but in truth. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore how the digital revolution has reshaped church life—from livestream services during the pandemic to the ongoing debate about what counts as real worship. Is online church an extension of embodied faith, or does it diminish the communal and physical nature of Christian life? Together, they discuss: The history of televised and streamed services before and after COVID-19.The creativity and strain of leading worship online during the pandemic.Communion in a digital space—what was gained and what was lost.Why some churches embraced livestreaming while others shut it down.Theological reflections on embodiment, discipleship, and formation in a digital age.The enduring tension between accessibility and the need for in-person community.This conversation wrestles with the costs and opportunities of digital church, asking what it means to pursue embodied faith when screens are always just a click away. You can find the link to the Tish Warren article we referenced in the notes here:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/30/opinion/church-online-services-covid.html

Send us Fan Mailhttps://buymeacoffee.com/faithfuldissent?new=1 In this episode of Faithful Dissent, we explore how the assassination of Charlie Kirk became more than a news story — it became a mirror. Everyone sees it differently: as evidence of cultural decay, political hatred, or spiritual warfare. But what does that say about us? And what does it mean to seek truth when our own desires shape the stories we tell? Together, we discuss: How perception is shaped by ideology, fear, and tribal loyalty.Why violent events expose not just divisions, but the lenses through which we interpret the world.The spiritual and cultural costs of turning everything into confirmation of our side.Biblical wisdom for cultivating sight that goes beyond the mirror of self-interest https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-bluesky-ization-of-the-american

Send us Fan MailLeave a tip and buy us coffeeIn this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian are joined by author and speaker Justin Lee to unpack the complex legacy of Dr. James Dobson. For decades, Dobson’s Focus on the Family shaped evangelical households with resources on parenting, sexuality, and faith. His warm voice and practical advice influenced millions — but so did his forays into the culture wars, funding of ex-gay ministries, and eventual role as a political powerbroker.Together, we discuss:How Dobson’s early work as a family psychologist offered empathy and practical guidance.The tension between his compassion on some issues and his harsh rhetoric on LGBTQ people.The rise of Focus on the Family as both a trusted resource and a political machine.The ways Dobson helped merge evangelical identity with Republican politics in the 1990s and 2000s.What his support for figures like Trump means for his legacy today.Dobson remains a figure both beloved and criticized — a reminder of how charisma, media reach, and the lure of power can shape faith communities for generations.We have some links for this episode.  First we mentioned a Youtube link where you can see Dr. Dobson from the 80s.  This is a great video for understanding how he came to prominence in Christian EvangelicalismSecond, Justin has written some books: you can find them here at this website:https://geekyjustin.com/books/And the books Justin Lee recommeds are The Chaos Machineand Christlike Acceptance across Deep Difference

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Faithful Dissent, we explore what it means to live in a world where truth often takes a back seat to ideology, certainty, and spectacle. From social media echo chambers to cultural figures who speak with authority regardless of accuracy, our public discourse increasingly rewards performance over honesty. But what happens to our communities, churches, and relationships when truth is treated as optional?Together, we discuss:How ideological labels and attacks shut down meaningful conversation.The rise of media voices who profit from distortion and certainty.Why the erosion of truth in public life spills over into families, friendships, and churches.Biblical models of discernment, like Acts 15, that embrace tension, humility, and communal wisdom.Practical ways Christians can resist outrage culture and embody honesty, mercy, and patience.In an age where deception spreads faster than ever, this conversation invites listeners to rediscover what it means to live faithfully, humbly, and truthfully—even in a post-truth world.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Faithful Dissent, we sit down with Tommy Givens to explore the lasting influence of John MacArthur—one of the most prominent evangelical voices of the past half-century. Known for his uncompromising teaching and strong positions on scripture, authority, and culture, MacArthur has shaped generations of pastors, churches, and theological debates. But what has his legacy meant for the broader church?Together, we discuss:How MacArthur’s ministry defined certain streams of evangelical identity.The theological convictions that made him both a respected leader and a divisive figure.The cultural and political stances that amplified his reach beyond the pulpit.What the church can learn from both the strengths and the limits of his influence.Whether you view MacArthur as a stalwart defender of truth or a polarizing figure, his impact is undeniable. This conversation with Tommy Givens invites listeners to reflect critically on how leaders shape the church we inherit—and the one we hope to build.

Send us Fan MailPolitics and faith have always been uneasy neighbors — but what happens when a pastor crosses the line and tells you who to vote for?In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore:The history of the Johnson Amendment and why the IRS has rules about politics in churchThe risks pastors face when they endorse candidates from the pulpitHow politics and faith intertwine — for better or worse — in American ChristianityWhy spiritual authority can be corrupted when it’s tied too tightly to political powerAlong the way, we share stories, laughter, and a few “golden mango” moments as we ask: what role should pastors really play in shaping your vote?🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you walk 500 miles across Spain with nothing but a backpack, a pair of shoes, and an open heart? In this episode, James and Brian dive into the surprising, funny, and deeply moving lessons learned from walking the Camino de Santiago—a centuries-old Christian pilgrimage.Along the way, you’ll hear stories about unexpected friendships, the beauty of simplicity, and why the journey matters more than the destination. Whether you’re curious about the Camino or simply looking for inspiration to live with more openness and trust, this conversation will change how you see your own life’s path.Topics include:The history and meaning of the Camino de SantiagoHow pilgrimage changes your prioritiesStories of grace, serendipity, and unexpected encountersWhy letting go of control is essential for spiritual growthLife after pilgrimage—how the lessons stick

Send us Fan MailAfter 30 years, our church home, Raleigh Vineyard, left Vineyard USA to become Rivertree Church.  This move was in response to a reorganization of the Vineyard by denominational leaders that left churches unrepresented in the church polity.  We unpack this move, discuss the history of the Vineyard,  explain what makes the Vineyard special, and talk about what it's like to reluctantly leave your home. Join us for a lively discussion and leave feedback if you have any questions.Some links:Vineyard Website:  https://vineyardusa.org/Rivertree Church:  https://rivertreeraleigh.org/Our statement on leaving the  Vineyard:   https://tinyurl.com/Rivertree-Church-transitionJohn Wimber 1995 interview: https://youtu.be/9I9YCue3Fkk?si=ClJEbQoSodWgKypEAs always if you've enjoyed this episode please leave us a 5-star review and share with your friends!

Send us Fan MailToday on a Faithful Dissent, James Farlow and Brian Metzger talk about why people have left the church, and why they (might) be ready to start coming back.  If you're a part or not a part of a church, we'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment!  If you like our podcast, please leave a 5-star review wherever you get your podcasts!

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Faithful Dissent!  In our debut episode, hosts James Farlow and Brian Metzger talk about what is means to make friends across political divides, and how social media is poisoning our souls.  They also discuss their backgrounds and how the church life is affected by our deep political divide.Thoughts? Comment below!If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a 5-star review on your podcast platform.