PODCAST · religion
Mid-faith Crisis
by Nick Page & Joe Davis
A podcast for every Christian who has ever asked ‘Is that it?’Mid-faith Crisis explores the Christian faith with honesty and humour. If you feel that you have more questions than answers, if you feel as though your faith is changing, if you feel that if the worship leader sings that chorus one more time you will strangle him with his own guitar strap, then this is the podcast for you. Warning. Contains traces of theology and occasional innuendo.
Episodes
-
Episode 387: Not a Bible study
The big announcement this week is the Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend 2027. All the details in the link below. Meanwhile, in a possibly ill-advised move, we explore a Psalm together. We talk about sacramental moments, what fulness of life really means, find out the names of Joe's enemies, and...
-
Episode 386: Make faith great again
We're back! Nick is back from Canada and Joe has forgotten to read the Bible. In our continuing tour of the house of faith, we revisit the attic but also consider the bar and even the playroom. Also, there are some very important announcements and an update from Denmark. Support the podcast…
more -
Episode 385: Reimagining the Landscape of Faith – an interview with Mary and Charles Hippsley
Joe talks to Mary and Charles Hippsley about their excellent book, Reimagining the Landscape of Faith. What is our map of faith - and what do we do when the map is no longer helpful? How can we find new pathways? Who will help us on our travels? Mary and Charles share their own experience of...
-
Episode 384: The stuff in our spiritual attic
We're coming to the end of our season of spiritual decluttering, and taking a look at some of the things that we have hidden away in the attic. What practices have we stored away up there, hoping they might come in useful again some day? Also, we check in on our themes and Nick has been thinking...
-
Episode 383: Communion – ritual and grace
In a slightly unexpected moment, we delve into the ritual of communion. Last week we talked about it as a key Christian activity, but what is our understanding of it? We discuss the importance of ritualism, but also the dangers of exclusion. Also, we announce new ways of supporting the podcast…
more -
Episode 382: Decluttering church
We continue our journey unpacking the rooms of faith by looking at 'church' – a big word, with so many meanings. But what is it really? Is it just people talking about God? What about things like communion? We discuss the necessity of community, the fundamental practices of faith and, most...
-
Episode 381: Jesus is my drinks package
More on the theme of worship, but this week we focus on the why. Why do we worship? What is the role of gratitude? Is God really that needy, or are there other gods who are a lot more needy than the Divine? Should worship songs be sea shanties? We explore what the Bible actually says about…
more -
Episode 380a : A Summer Repeat with Brian McLaren
So, Joe is still away, but here's a little something from the vaults – an interview with Brian McLaren about his book Life After Doom. Given all the extreme weather we're experiencing at the moment, this seemed like a good episode to revisit! We'll be back with you next week. In the meantime,...
-
Episode 380: Decluttering Worship
This week's episode brings us to worship. How do we define it? Is it just music, or does worshipping God involve more than just warbling? What are our places of worship, and do we still have to sing? Also we talk about death and head injuries, just to cheer everyone up a bit. Support the podcast...
-
Episode 379: The Bible might come in handy some day
We're back in the library as we continue to sort out our house of faith. This time we're thinking about books we don't use as much, and why it's worth keeping old bits of the Bible around, because you never know which bits are going to come in handy. Also, Joe has had some issues with paint, and...
-
Episode 378: The big MFC bookshelf
As we continue our journey around our house of faith we've come to the library. And this week, we're restocking the shelves with your book recommendations. You can find a full list on our website. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page...
-
Episode 377: Decluttering prayer part 2
We continue our discussion about prayer, this time focusing on our current approach to prayers and praying. We talk about the role of personality, about confession and the need to be 'meeked', and about finding simple ways to trigger moments of stillness and prayer. Also, Nick reveals his...
-
Episode 376: Decluttering prayer
In the first of our sort-of series on decluttering faith, we look at the prayer room. We discuss the mystery of intercession and think about prayer as 'primary speech', as an art more than a science. Prayer is crucial in our journey of understanding, both of God and of ourselves. So what needs...
-
Episode 375. Two old men discuss their ailments
Joe has a sickness bug. Nick has a bad back. In this short and utterly inadequate episode, we talk a little bit about well-meaning but tone-deaf sermons and what really might bring us happiness in the life to come. Also we think a little about books for mid-faith crisis. What are your favourites?...
-
Episode 374: A weekend of decluttering
We're back with our reflections on the Mid-faith Crisis weekend. We discuss the theme of spiritual decluttering and the joy of generous conversation. Also Nick wonders if he's actually had a mid-faith crisis and Joe is accidentally biblical. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your...
-
Episode 373: Expert opinions on heaven
We talk, in an incredibly expert way, about the afterlife, about nostalgia and longing, about a new heaven and a new earth and about the different dimensions of existence. Also, is Nick the worst Anglican ever, and should Joe be the new Knepp-based host for Springwatch? Support the podcast…
more -
Episode 372: Talking to Ruth about death
We have a very special interview this week. Joe talks to our friend Ruth about how she is facing terminal cancer. She talks about focusing on what matters, about the normality of death, and about the importance of talking about grief, loss and mortality. There is hope. And there is, above all…
more -
Episode 371: Venting more than lamenting
We talk about the power of vulnerability, about how noisy fear can be, and about those times when we vent instead of lament. Thanks for all your feedback - it really meant a lot this week! Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's…
more -
Episode 370: The challenge of change
We talk about change and the anxiety which often accompanies it. How do we live in that space where one thing is ending, but a new thing has yet to begin? Also, Joe has been listening to frogs and Nick turns out to be a great evangelist for atheism. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through...
-
Episode 369: Talking about transcendence
How do we talk about mystical or transcendent experiences without appearing to be nuts? More than that, what is the motivation for talking about them in the first place? We discuss the problems with loaded words, the desire to call people into deeper experiences and whether we are refugees from...
-
Episode 368: ‘What if they were a bit saved already?’
We think more about the personalisation of the good news. What is the evidence for fullness of life in our lives? Are we the best judges of our own spiritual development? Does salvation look different for different people? Also, Joe has been birdwatching and Nick has had enough joy, thank you…
more -
Episode 367: Emmaus experiences
We discuss truth and fakery, the simplicity and complexity of the good news, and about how we can encounter the risen Christ through art, music and, crucially, other people. Also Nick gets annoyed and Joe hasn’t put in his holiday request form yet. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through...
-
Episode 366: Defiant hope
After a false start last week, Joe is back with a bit of clarity about his theme for the year. Also, as we approach Easter, we think about what it means for us in this year of uncertainty and conflict. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook…
more -
Episode 365: Happy New Year 2026
Yes, it's the fabled Mid-faith Crisis New Year's episode. We talk about how our themes worked out last year (spoilers: not so good) and what we want to focus on for the next 12 months. How appropriate for episode number 365! Also Nick eats a doughnut and Joe has been to a play. Support the…
more -
Episode 364: Joice at something you’ve never joiced at before
Mid-way through Nick's writing month and it's time for a catch up. Nick has an apology to make and Joe wants to be Supreme Leader. Also we think more about all that sheepy and goaty stuff, and we discuss how best to prepare for the official Mid-faith Crisis New Year themes episode. Support the...
-
Episode 363: A case of the mubble fubbles
In this week's episode we think about goals and training, coping with overwhelmingly needy emails and, most importantly, dealing with the mubble fubbles. Also, Nick has an epiphany and Joe has dressed up for the occasion. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine…
more -
Episode 362: Full of the joys of Lent
We revisit genial sin, consider discipleship as an investment account and revel in the origins of the word 'Lent'. Also, Nick shows off and Joe is actually fully clothed. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in…
more -
Episode 361: Cherish your twiddly buttons
As we enter Lent, how can we make space in our lives to hear from God? In this episode we talk about the role of the wilderness in our lives and how it can actually be a place of encounter and change, a place where you hear the voice. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email...
-
Episode 360: The one where we carry on talking about friends
More feedback this week on the key questions: are we friends of Jesus or are we followers? Can we really be friends with a tree? What is a soul friend? Just how great is Kate Bush? And what happened to Nick's head? So many questions… Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email...
-
Episode 359: What a friend we have in Jesus?
In this episode we think about the metaphors we use for our relationship with Jesus. Are we friends of Jesus? Or followers? Or slaves? Does the relationship feel different at different times in our faith? And will Joe and Nick's relationship survive the revelations about tea? Support the podcast...
-
Episode 358: ‘We’ve invented a new category of sin’
We return to the subject of grace, forgiveness and justice. Are all sins really the same? If so, what do we make of 'serious sin'? Is the evangelical view of sin secretly Catholic? And has Nick accidentally created a new category of sin? Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email...
-
Episode 357: Sitting on an enormous grace hill
We talk about self-understanding (and our apparent lack of it), and reflect on whether you can have seasons of spirituality. And, in the light of revelations about another major Christian teacher, we discuss how you can never fall from grace, you can only fall into it. Support the podcast Contact...
-
Episode 356: No, you can’t get an Amen
New year, new podcast. But same old us, sadly. Anyway, good to be back with you. This week we visit some old emails and talk about the 'right' way to grieve, how names for God are a bit like old streets, and why Jesus might be a dance teacher. Normal service has resumed, then. Support the podcast...
-
Episode 355: So, what have we learned?
In our final (probably) podcast for 2025, we each look back on the three things we've learned this year. Which doesn't, apparently, include (a) watching the Ashes and (b) not eating mince pies while recording. Happy Christmas everyone and a massive thank you to everyone who has supported the...
-
Episode 354: Who do you say you are?
Joe is back from Mexico and Nick has recovered from man flu. We talk about who we really are as individuals, and how that affects our relationship with others. Also, we think about what it is that we really need to prepare for Christmas, and the difference between entertaining people and...
-
Episode 353: The birds and the bees with Ros Gleadow
Joe talks to Professor Ros Gleadow, Emerita Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University, Australia. They discuss the scale and impact of the climate crisis and, crucially, what we can do to make a difference. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email…
more -
Episode 352: Repairing the world with Dave Tomlinson
We have an interview with Dave Tomlinson. Dave and Joe discuss some of the difficult questions people have about God and faith and talk about how we, as Christians, can be part of the repair of the world. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook...
-
Episode 351: Fact-checking Christmas
Jesus gives us a crucial challenge: 'Who do you say that I am?' We discuss our answers to that question. Meanwhile, Joe launches MFC verify to examine some claims about Christmas and Nick talks about Bible translation and why there are unicorns in the King James Version. Support the podcast…
more -
Episode 350: Jesus has gone all yoke
This week, we spend a lot of time discussing the spiritual lessons to be learned from Traitors. Also, we talk about heavily paraphrased Bible verses and Joe has had a near-death experience in the toilet. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook...
-
Episode 349: One of our least worst episodes
Joe is not very well this week. So here's just a little something to keep you going: an edited excerpt from an episode done many years ago on Nick's book The Badly Behaved Bible. As Nick says, it's not so much a 'greatest hit' as one of our least worst efforts. We talk about the inspiration of...
-
Episode 348: Boshing the Bible
This week we mainly talk about the Bible. we touch on how it was put together and we share with listeners the Bible verses and stories which mean the most to us. Along the way, Nick does a quick history lesson and Joe reckons that Jesus spoke like a market trader. Support the podcast Contact the...
-
Episode 347: Happy birthdays and hard questions
It's our ninth anniversary! So, for a nice, relaxed, party-like topic we talk about Israel. Why is it that so many Christians support modern Israel so strongly? How can we respond when there is so much violence and hatred on all sides? Where is the Kingdom of God in all this? Also Nick has...
-
Episode 346: You’ve got five minutes on the problem of evil
In a packed feedback episode, we consider time, baptism, re-writing scripture, the omniscience of God and the problem of evil. Among other things. Also Nick has his nerd buttons pressed, and Joe has a new heretical disorder. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine...
-
Episode 345: The uncontrolling God – an interview with Thomas Jay Oord
Joe interviews Thomas Jay Oord. Theologian, philosopher and, it seems, Joe's new BFF, Tom directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He share his faith journey with us and discusses the idea of an uncontrolling God, the limits of both science and religion, and how the idea of love…
more -
Episode 344: Anger, and what to do with it
In a follow up to last week's episode we think more about how to process anger. Joe interviews psychotherapist Becky Francis and we talk about the need for reflective practice, and digging into the anger produced by grief and loss. And in a shock move, Joe ends with a Bible passage. The Wombles...
-
Episode 343: Being a person of peace
In what has been a brutal week, we think again about what it means to be a peaceful presence in our world. What practices will help us? What actions should we take? How do we stand up for what is right, without demonising our opponents? Book Now! The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend 2026 - Rydal...
-
Episode 342: An interview with a very famous author
Yes, we're back. And this week Joe interviews a surprise special guest on the podcast who tells us all about an article wot he wrote. Also we have BIG NEWS about the Mid-faith Crisis Church Away Weekend 2026! Join us in the Lake District for a weekend of conversation, relaxation and reflection.…
more -
Episode 341: The Prayer Babel Fish
Nick is (momentarily) back from holiday, Joe has (surprisingly) been in a prayer meeting and we talk (randomly) about the importance of small moments of joy and kindness, and the necessity of creating everyday rituals to enrich our lives. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email...
-
Episode 340: Redeemed Elected Christian Truth Using Men
Lots of feedback this week. We talk about prayer and ritual, about what labels we use to describe ourselves and about finding joy in giving. Most of all, we touch on the hard work of transformation and the need to celebrate the small successes of our spiritual and emotional lives. Also, Joe has…
more -
Episode 339: Revisiting nonviolence
We revisit Joe's theses and in particular discuss nonviolence – in many ways the forgotten element of Jesus' teaching. We discuss the early church's adoption of nonviolence, how we can so easily 'other' people and treat them as subhuman, and what we can do to be a non-violent presence in the…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast for every Christian who has ever asked ‘Is that it?’Mid-faith Crisis explores the Christian faith with honesty and humour. If you feel that you have more questions than answers, if you feel as though your faith is changing, if you feel that if the worship leader sings that chorus one more time you will strangle him with his own guitar strap, then this is the podcast for you. Warning. Contains traces of theology and occasional innuendo.
HOSTED BY
Nick Page & Joe Davis
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...