Fractured Faith: A Mosaic of Belief

In the years after Jesus’ resurrection, his followers weren’t building a system—they were trying to make sense of something that had happened to them. Faithful Jews began proclaiming that Jesus was Lord, yet they refused to abandon the God of Israel. That tension sparked one of the most profound theological struggles in history.This episode traces how the early church wrestled with the question: Who was Jesus? From Marcion’s rejection of the Old Testament to debates about whether Jesus was truly God, truly human, or somehow both, each answer tried to resolve a mystery that refused to be simplified.Rather than grasping for power, the early church councils were working to protect that mystery—to hold together what experience had revealed: that in Jesus, God had truly come near without ceasing to be God, and humanity had truly been taken up without being erased.We also explore why these ancient “heresies” are not just historical—they are still with us today, often in ways we don’t even recognize.Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash.

In this episode of Fractured Faith, Joshua Hopping—Cherokee lay theologian and author—examines the history, theology, and modern impact of Christian nationalism, defined as the belief that the United States is fundamentally a Christian nation. Drawing on historical scholarship and contemporary analysis, Hopping explores how this ideology has intersected with race, Manifest Destiny, slavery, demographic fears, and current culture wars. Speaking from both a Christian and Cherokee perspective, he argues that Christian nationalism differs from the teachings of Jesus and raises concerns about religious freedom, pluralism, and Indigenous spiritual sovereignty.Sources:https://www.freedomforum.org/what-is-christian-nationalism/https://kettering.org/five-elements-of-christian-nationalism/https://jemartisby.substack.com/p/a-virtual-roundtable-on-the-threat

In this episode of Fractured Faith, Joshua Hopping — Cherokee author and lay-theologian — examines the question: Is Christianity inherently colonial in nature? With nuance and candor, he explores what is meant by both “Christianity” and “colonialism,” tracing the faith from Genesis through Jesus and Paul while acknowledging its historical entanglement with empire. Offering a “no, yes, maybe” response, Hopping considers the biblical mandate to proclaim Christ, the painful reality of Christianity being used to dominate Indigenous peoples, and the scriptural witness that portrays God at work among all nations (Amos 9:7). He also reflects on how European-American Christianity often developed alongside imperial power and argues that decolonizing the faith is not about abandoning Christ, but disentangling the gospel from empire. Drawing on Trinitarian theology, early church voices, and marginalized theologians, he invites listeners to imagine a shift from control to communion — and to consider what it would mean for Christianity to look more like Jesus himself.

Can Christians follow Jesus and kill? This episode starts with Jesus’ teachings and example of nonviolence, then shows how many early Christian writers insisted believers could not shed blood. We then recover a forgotten chapter of U.S. history: early Pentecostalism—including major denominations—was widely committed to pacifism and conscientious objection. Finally, we examine how WWII, the Cold War, and Christian nationalism reshaped American Christianity into something far more comfortable with war. Additional resources: - Pentecostals & Charismatics for Peace and Justice - "The Hidden History of Pentecostal Pacifism" article by Paul Alexander- Pentecostal Pacifism by Jay Beaman (affiliate link)

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase Christian mystic? In this episode, Joshua Hopping—Cherokee Christian theologian, author, and podcast host— explores what mysticism is often assumed to mean and what it has meant within the Christian tradition from the beginning. Rather than visions or spiritual escapism, Christian mysticism is about learning to live attentively in the nearness of God, shaped by Jesus and grounded in love, patience, and presence. This episode invites listeners to see mysticism not as a strange fringe of Christianity, but as one faithful way of following Jesus.

What if the Incarnation was never God’s backup plan? In this episode, Joshua Hopping—Cherokee Christian theologian, author, and host of Fractured Faith—explores the ancient Christian conviction that Creator always intended to become human, not simply in response to sin, but out of love and desire for communion. Drawing on Scripture and early Christian voices, this reflection reimagines Christmas not as divine damage control, but as the fulfillment of a promise older than time.Copyright free photo by Jon Carlson on Unsplash.

In this episode of Fractured Faith, host Joshua Hopping—writer, former pastor, and lay Indigenous theologian—explores how Penal Substitutionary Atonement reshaped our vision of God—from a loving Creator into a wrathful judge appeased by blood. He also uncovers how PSA’s foundation in original sin and total depravity distorts not only God’s character but our own sense of worth. For those of us from relational, earth-rooted traditions, this “guilt-and-ledger” theology rings hollow. What if the cross isn’t about a God keeping score, but a God restoring connection? What if we were never separated to begin with?

What is hatred, really? And why does Scripture warn so fiercely against it?In this episode, we explore the biblical story of hatred — not just as emotion, but as alienation from love itself. From Leviticus to the letters of John, from Jesus’ command to love our enemies to the wisdom of Gregory of Nyssa and the Desert Fathers, we trace how the early church understood hatred as a wound that disfigures the image of God — both in others and in ourselves.You’ll hear reflections on:The roots of hatred in the heartWhy Jesus links enemy-love to divine sonshipThe early church’s warnings against slander and contemptHow hate speech is more than legal or social — it’s spiritualThe invitation to “resurrection speech”: words that bring life, not deathA contemplative journey through Scripture, history, and the human heart.“The opposite of hate speech isn’t polite speech. It’s resurrection speech — words that make room for love to rise again.”

What if the atonement is about restoring harmony rather than paying a debt? In this episode, Cherokee Nation citizen and theologian Joshua Hopping shares the Cherokee story of how disease entered the world and explores how it reshapes our understanding of Jesus’ death—not as punishment, but as cosmic healing for all creation.Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash.

In this episode, host Joshua Hopping — former pastor, church planter, and lay theologian — takes listeners on a 30–minute journey through the many ways Christians have understood the cross throughout history. From the early church’s vision of liberation and union, to medieval debates about satisfaction and love, to Reformation emphases on justice, and even modern explorations of scapegoating and nonviolence — this conversation opens space for those questioning their inherited faith to discover that the story of atonement is far bigger than a single theory.If you’re deconstructing, doubting, or simply curious, this episode invites you to see the cross not as one rigid explanation but as a mosaic of meaning, with room for wonder, paradox, and hope.

In this special episode of "Fractured Faith," Joshua Hopping addresses a listener's question about the 1,000-year reign of Jesus and "Satan's little season" mentioned in Revelation 20:6-8. He provides an overview of the four major end-times views: historic premillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism. Joshua also discusses how each perspective influences our daily lives. Additionally, he touches on inaugurated eschatology (the "here and yet to come") and references his book, "The Here and Not Yet: What is Kingdom Theology and why does it matter?" (https://amzn.to/45TeMka)

As a child, author and former pastor Joshua S. Hopping grew up surrounded by Zionism – both in the church and through his family. However, as he grew up and started to study both the Scriptures and history, he discovered that the Faith is much more mysterious and nuanced than the end-time charts of Zionist dispensationalism premillennialism. In this episode of Fractured Faith, Joshua unpacks the core doctrine behind dispensationalism and how this view doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

In this week’s episode of Fractured Faith, host Joshua Hopping talks about the history behind the creation of the bible. Namely he dives into questions like: Where did we get the 66 books of the bible? When were they bound together as one volume, i.e., the Scriptures? Does all church tradition have the same bible? If not, what are the differences? Are there books missing from the bible? Etc. Lots of questions with a lot of nerdy answers from our local bibliophile. And as always, make sure you subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and/or Apple Podcast to make sure you don’t miss an episode. (Cover art photo by Aaron Burden via Unsplash)

The nations of Israel and Iran have been in the news a lot recently along with lots of people talking about the end times and biblical prophecy. In this special episode of Fractured Faith, host Joshua Hopping is joined by Dr. Juan Lopez (biomedical engineering) from central Mexico to about Christians in the US and Mexican are responding to the wars. And, true to form, there is a bit of history about the origins of dispensationalism and Zionism thrown to keep things interesting.A video recording of this episode can be seen exclusively on YouTube Podcast.

For many people within conservative Evangelicalism the only parenting advice they ever received was “don’t spare the rod.” In this episode of Fractured Faith, Angel Ford (mother, mental health expert, and pastor) and Joshua Hopping (father and former pastor) talk about their journeys in shifting from only knowing about corporal punishment (spanking) to embracing a gentle parenting style. Angel also drops some amazing mental health knowledge while unpacking the infamous Proverbs 13:24 - “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” So, buckle up and listen to another safe and non-controversial episode.

Are children born evil? In this episode, Joshua Hopping shares his story about having to rethink the doctrine of total depravity which taught to him that his children were born evil and full of sin. Drawing on church history and the scriptures, Joshua unpacks this doctrine while offering an alternative rooted in the bible.

How does Adam’s sin affect us today? Is sin physically passed down from generation to generation? If so, how? The doctrine of ‘original sin’ was developed in the 4th century partly as a response to these questions along with some others. However, not every tradition within Christianity has agreed with the answers provided by ‘original sin’ nor have they agreed upon the definition of ‘original sin.’ In this episode of Fractured Faith, host Joshua Hopping will attempt to provide some biblical and historical background to the doctrine of original sin while also exploring the practical implications of the doctrine. Hang on to your hats and sunglasses as it is about to get a bit nerdy but not too much so hang in there and join the conversation.

Tithe and offerings are a standard part of many churches in the US as money is required to keep the lights on, care for staff members, or just to feed the hungry. Yet the manner in which churches (and other non-profit organizations) ask for money can be harmful and, in some cases, downright spiritual abusive. In this episode of Fractured Faith, Joshua and Angel talk about the biblical view of giving as well as their own personal feelings towards the subject. As with most topics they tackle, the results are far from traditional!

What happened to Jesus between his death on the cross and when he walked out of the tomb on Easter Sunday? Was he just dead? Or was he up to something else? And, perhaps even more importantly, how do these questions help us reindigenousize hell? In this special Easter episode Joshua Hopping talks about the Harrowing of Hell from a Cherokee perspective to decolonize the afterlife. Enjoy and don’t forget to like and subscribe to catch each episode!

Hell – a place of eternal conscious torment in the afterlife for people who do not follow Jesus – is typically seen as a core doctrine of the Christian faith. But is it? Is it possible to be a Christian that does not believe in hell? In this episode of Fractured Faith, Joshua Hopping and Angel Ford dive into the doctrine of hell to better understand the biblical and historical origins behind the fiery location. They also explore other possibilities including hell being a non-torturous void, ceasing to exist (annihilationism), and Christian universalism. So, buckle up and come to hell with us!

According to Gallup poll, church attendance has been dropping in the US since 2009 with COVID being the last straw for a lot of folks. To repopulate churches, pastors have begun to talk more and more about the importance of church attendance. Yet for some, organized religious gatherings bring up painful memories or just don’t seem relevant anymore. Join co-host Joshua Hopping and Angel Ford as they talk with special guest Emily Hopping (former worship/children pastor and church planter) about shifting church habits and deconstructing what it means to go to church.

For decades the American Evangelical church and the far-left atheist community have both belittled and demonized anyone who does not adhere to their view of family planning. Rather than helping reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, this culture way has removed the nuances, struggles, and pain associated with family planning. Not ones to stay away from controversial topics, Joshua Hopping ( Indigenous author and mystic) and April Ford (mental health expert and pastor) dive into the conversation by asking the questions like, “Is it is possible to be pro-choice and a follower of Jesus?” or “When does life begin?” And in true Hopping fashion, Joshua can’t help but bring up the history behind the pro-life movement as well as how other cultures answer the question of life. Trigger warning: This episode may not be for everyone as it deals with abortion, death of young children, and other potentially triggering subjects.

What happens when a pastor deconstructs? In this episode of Fractured Faith, Angel Ford interviews Joshua and Emily Hopping about their journey from Third Wave Evangelical pastors to being skeptical of the church gathering itself along with moving to a LGBT affirming position of marriage. Though the conversation goes on longer than pervious episodes, every minute is valuable as the Hopping’s journey is one that many people today are traveling. Far from being a cussword, deconstruction when led by the Holy Spirit can lead to healing and a deeper relationship with the Creator.

Are humans able to hear the voice of ‘God’? How do we know the voice belongs to the Creator and not another being? What about mental health disorders? In this episode of the Fractured Faith podcast, hosts Angel Ford and Joshua Hopping tackle all these questions and more while Angel share an experience she had as a seven-year-old child that changed her life. For those curious souls, below is the book Joshua references within the episode: "When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship With God" by T.M. Luhrmann (affiliate link)

While it may seem obvious, defining the term ‘Christian’ is a lot hard than it seems! Lots of people today and throughout history have claimed exclusivity when it comes to determining who is ‘in’ and ‘out’ of Christianity. Hosts Joshua Hopping and Angel Ford discuss this history while offering their own options on how to define ‘Christianity.’ Plus learn why Joshua doesn’t like evangelism! Lots of fun and excitement on the second episode of Fractured Faith.

It is here! Join Angel Ford and Joshua Hopping for the launch of the Fractured Faith: A Mosaic of Belief podcast. Within this introduction episode, they share a bit about why they are starting a podcast while touching on topics such as deconstruction, political elections, and changing beliefs. Someone gets called a heretic so you know it must be good!

New podcast starting Monday, January 13th! Fractured Faith seeks to rethink the way of Jesus through exploring the biblical and historical context for different church doctrines along with thinking about the practical implications these doctrines have had on the mental health of believers, methods of evangelism, and people leaving the church. Hosted by mental health expert and pastor Angel Ford and Indigenous author and mystic Joshua Hopping (Cherokee Nation), this podcast explores the cracks surrounding the Faith in the US while seeking to better understand the Way of Jesus.