The Progressive Christians Podcast

What's the difference between the religion OF Jesus and the religion ABOUT Jesus? A lot, and for those deconstructing Christianity, the difference means so much. This is Episode 2 of our 4-part series, Christian Deconstruction and Reconstruction: Finding Faith Again.The religion OF Jesus is a spiritual path of radical compassion. It emphasizes love of neighbor, welcoming the outcast, questioning power, and personal transformation. The religion ABOUT Jesus is what happened when Empire, oppressive hierarchy, and economic control co-opted that message. From the Edict of Milan and the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) to biblical inerrancy and Christian Nationalism.In this episode, we reframe:• Sin as "a failure to bother to love" — not a rulebook• Repentance as returning from exile and changing your mind• Salvation as ongoing transformation, not a transaction• The Kingdom of God as already among you — not a future apocalypseWe also discuss how Paul blurs the distinction between a religion of Jesus and a religion about Jesus, why Biblical Inerrancy is practically brand new (early 1900's), and how Jesus touching the ritually unclean was a radical act of inclusion and how this connects to trans people, immigrants, and disabled folks today.This is Episode 2 of our 3-part series on Deconstructing & Reconstructing Christianity. Please check out episode 104, Faith Deconstruction Explained, if you haven't listened to it already!Listen to the full sermon series playlist by Rev. Dr. Carter: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPGxCVGYVnrA🎙️ New episodes every Friday, on all platforms.💛 Support the show! Your tax-deductible donation keeps this ministry going https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct📩 Watching on YouTube? Like and subscribe. Listening on Apple or Spotify? Rate, subscribe, and leave a comment — it genuinely helps the algorithm find more people like you. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Links mentioned this episode:US Government creates video games about capturing immigrants- Arcade.govJesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman- https://www.beacon.org/Jesus-and-the-Disinherited-P1781.aspxWorld Map Change: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/04/nx-s1-5958611/africa-world-map-un-vote#ProgressiveChristianity #DeconstructingChristianity #ReligionOfJesus #FaithDeconstruction #KingdomOfGod #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

Is deconstructing Christianity the end of your faith — or the beginning? This is Episode 1 of our 4-part series, Christian Deconstruction and Reconstruction: Finding Faith Again.If you grew up in church and something started feeling off — like the Christianity around you didn't match the Jesus you read about — this is for you. In this episode, we share when our questions began, why doubt isn't failure, and how to rebuild a faith big enough to hold mystery, grief, and justice. We discuss what deconstruction is and what it isn't, Adam Grant's Think Again hierarchy (cult leader → learner), Fowler's Stages of Faith (why stage 4 questioning is maturity, not rebellion), Jesus in Mark 2:13-17 redefining sin as a failure to bother to love, betrayal trauma in the church, the horseshoe of shame after purity culture, and why some people walk away while others stay to rebuild. Plus: why Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" reality show perfectly captures the fear of being "brainwashed" by college, and why Dolly Parton's radical hospitality might be the best sermon you'll hear this week. This is a 4-part series tied to Dr. Carter's 7-week sermon series at The Loft - links below.💛 Support the show! Your tax-deductible donation keeps this ministry going https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_directSocial links - https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians📧 Ideas for the show? [email protected]🎧 Available on all podcast platforms — new episodes every FridayShow Notes:Think Again by Adam Grant https://adamgrant.net/book/think-again/ Hierarchy of Thinking Styles https://wheatandtares.org/2022/07/13/adam-grants-thinking-styles/ The Religion of Whiteness- https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-religion-of-whiteness-9780197746288 Singers of Soul- https://www.instagram.com/singersofsoul/?hl=en https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/cities-terminate-flock-contracts-at-record-pace-in-august/ 

It feels like the end times - Christian Nationalism, war in Iran, and we can't even trust that our food is safe to eat anymore. A lot of people are carrying summertime sadness and doom-loop anxiety. Given this, what does eschatology actually teach, and how does bad end-times theology fuel fear? In this episode, we unpack eschatology (the study of the end times) beyond Left Behind theology. We map pre-millennial vs. amillennial vs. realized eschatology, explain why Revelation is resistance literature, not a prophecy chart, and trace how apocalyptic fear is used to justify Christian Nationalism, war, and "invasion" rhetoric about immigration — and how a progressive eschatology of hope teaches salvation as a way of life lived in community. We get honest about doomscrolling, heat waves, and why tech billionaires build bunkers while the rest of us just feel tired — and offer 3 practices to hold sadness without spiraling. 💛 Support the show! Your tax-deductible donation keeps this ministry going https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct CHAPTERS: 0:00 Cold Open - Why Everything Feels Like the End 4:45 Book Contest Winners! 7:10 Why Everything Feels Apocalyptic 13:47 What Is Eschatology & The Dangers of Misinterpreting Revelation 18:33 Reading Revelation as a Resistance Narrative 24:55 Different Ways of Thinking About Eschatology (The End Times) 29:26 Premillennialism vs Postmillennialism 40:50 How fear-based Eschatology fuels Greed, Christian Nationalism & War 51:10 Hope as practice: salvation as a way of life 1:06:24 Shout Out to Michael - Our Listeners Give Us Hope 🎙️ New episodes every Friday, on all platforms. 📩 Watching on YouTube? Like and subscribe. Listening on Apple or Spotify? Rate, subscribe, and leave a comment — it genuinely helps the algorithm find more people like you. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

In this episode, we unpack the Texas Senate race between State Rep. James Talarico and State Attorney General Ken Paxton as a theological case study, rather than a political race. Both say they were sent by God - they're reading the same Bible, and yet, two very different Christianities emerge. In their own words: "I truly believe that God just delivered me, not because I'm a great person because God is sovereign and he does what he wants to do." — Ken Paxton "Scripture says you can't love God and hate other people. You can't love God and abuse the immigrant. You can't love God and bully the outcast. You can't love God and oppress the poor." — James Talarico Can both be faithful readings of the same Jesus? We trace the debate through: • Providence vs. partnership — is God delivering election results, or inviting us into co-creation? • Christian Nationalism on the ballot — why Talarico called the Texas Ten Commandments bill "idolatrous, exclusionary, and arrogant," and why Rev. Blair calls it "not about the content, it's about the imposition of belief." • The Civil War as a Theological Crisis — how pro-slavery Christians proof-texted "slaves, obey your masters" while abolitionists asked what God reveals about human flourishing, and why we're having the same fight 160 years later. • The sin of dehumanization — "Unless and until we address the sin of dehumanization, we're going to have the same argument over and over again" CHAPTERS: 0:00 Cold Open 4:25 Two Visions of Christianity in Texas 11:32 The Theology of Providence 18:30 James Talarico - Exegesis, Not Culture War 22:05 Unpacking Ken Paxton's Theological Claims 26:04 How Whiteness is framed as Divine 37:02 The Dangers of Divine Election Allied with Political Power 48:02 The Roots of the Talarico & Paxton Theological Debate Are In The Civil War 1:00:00 The Debate US Christians Refuse to Have - Christianity & Dehumanization 1:14:40 Good News! A Victory for Gender-Affirming Care Show Notes Ken Paxton and James Talarico- https://religionnews.com/2026/08/13/paxton-talarico-tap-contrary-versions-of-god-and-christianity-in-appeal-to-texas-voters/ White Too Long by Robert P. Jones- https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/White-Too-Long/Robert-P-Jones/9781982122874 Undoing Conquest by Kate Common- https://orbisbooks.com/products/undoing-conquest-ancient-israel-the-bible-and-the-future-of-christianity The Civil War as Theological Crisis by Mark Noll- https://uncpress.org/9781469621814/the-civil-war-as-a-theological-crisis/ Maine Protects trans healthcare for youth- https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/maine-continues-gender-affirming-care 🎙️ New episodes every Friday, on all platforms. 💛 Support the show! Your tax-deductible donation keeps this ministry going https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct 📩 Watching on YouTube? Like and subscribe. Listening on Apple or Spotify? Rate, subscribe, and leave a comment — it genuinely helps the algorithm find more people like you. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast #JamesTalarico #KenPaxton #ChristianNationalism #TexasSenate

Is wellness culture actually spiritual, or just another consumer trend? If you identify as spiritual but not religious, there is no shortage of wellness trends promising peace and health without the "baggage" of religion. But when you remove the religious meaning from practices like yoga, you are left with a pretty shallow spiritual practice. This week we sit down with scholar and author Liz Bucar to dig into her new book, Beyond Wellness. Liz's argument: wellness culture — Goop, energy healing, "manifesting your best life" — runs on Protestant theology with the "god" quietly removed. To go mainstream, every wellness practice had to be "Protestantized": individualized, interior, something you do alone. We go deep on: * The "Not God" problem — Liz's candid story about her father's alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous, and why the hardest and most theological step in recovery is simply admitting I am not the higher power. *Why individualism fails us — Liz's case that real community isn't just who shows up for you, it's who you show up for, and that comes with actual obligation Tech-bro eschatology — how a pessimistic belief that "AI is going to kill us all anyway" quietly gives billionaires permission to stop being ethical right now * Race, whiteness, and wellness culture — why Liz naming her own entitlement as a white scholar matters, and how that framing lands differently than when marginalized voices are forced to do it alone * Discomfort vs. danger — the distinction that growth requires sitting in discomfort, and that our instinct to avoid it is really a desire for control This conversation also continues a real dialogue between our two projects: our take on one of Liz's Substack essays shaped an earlier episode of ours on State Rep. James Talarico — and Liz wrote a follow-up essay directly responding to what we said. Read both: "What if Trevor Noah is right about..." and her response, "Your Eschatology Is Showing." Chapters: 0:00 - Cold Open & The Hidden Religious Roots of Wellness Culture 5:18 - Meet Dr. Liz Bucar, author of Beyond Wellness 7:25 - Social Media & The Evolution of Theological Discourse 11:44 - Why We Need to Talk About Religious Appropriation 16:00 - How Do We Navigate Boundaries in Spiritual Spaces? 20:42 - Defining "Religion" in the Modern Era 33:12 - The Radical Act of Accepting That You Are Not God 56:34 - Detaching Shame from Our Relationship with Food 1:08:30 - Closing thoughts & Good News! 🎙️ New episodes every Friday, on all platforms. 💛 Support the show! Your tax-deductible donation keeps this ministry going https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct 📩 Watching on YouTube? Like and subscribe! Listening on Apple or Spotify? Rate, subscribe, and leave a comment — it genuinely helps the algorithm find more people like you. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show notes: Liz Bucar can be found on Instagram and TikTok as @LizBucar, and you can subscribe to her Substack at https://lizbucar.substack.com/. You can find all of her books on her website at https://www.lizbucar.com/books. Brian Johnson's religious roots- https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/2/4/bryan-johnson-says-he-wants-to-live-forever-what-does-he-really-want Crime Rates fall in New York City- https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/news/PR009/nypd-fewest-murders-shooting-incidents-shooting-victims-recorded-history-the NYC Affordable Housing- https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/mamdani-affordable-housing-lift-tracker

We're celebrating 100 episodes 🥳 and marking it with a book giveaway! And by discussing the kind of accusation that led us to start this podcast in the first place. If progressive Christians disagree with conservative Christians about what the core of the faith requires, does that make us not Christian? A new report from Religion News Service shows Republican politicians questioning whether Democratic clergy are "real" pastors or "real" Christians at all. This is an old tactic, and in this episode we discuss this specific story and how to respond to the accusation that if you're a progressive Christian then you're not a real Christian. We unpack the theological history behind who gets to claim "real" Christianity, and rearticulate the vision that's carried this podcast for 100 episodes: progressive theology isn't a departure from 2,000 years of Christian history. It's rooted in it. Whether you've been with us since episode one or you just found us this month, this one's for you. 📚 Book Giveaway! 📚Leave a comment on YouTube describing one thing you've learned from listening to this podcast over the last 100 episodes. We'll select 5 random commenters to win a book selected by a member of the pod with a personal note. We will announce the winners on our August 14th episode. 🎙️ New episodes every Friday, on all platforms. 💛 Support the show! Your tax-deductible donation keeps this ministry going https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct 📩 Watching on YouTube? Like and subscribe. Listening on Apple or Spotify? Rate, subscribe, and leave a comment — it genuinely helps the algorithm find more people like you. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! Chapters 0:00 Cold Open/When Your Faith Is Questioned 3:58 Intro & Celebrating 100 Episodes 10:31 Why Do Conservatives Question Our Faith? 18:53 Deconstructing Conservative Views of the Christian Way of Life 28:28 Why Progressive Ideas Feel Threatening 42:39 Book Giveaway! 44:50 Why We Started This Podcast 58:25 The Mission and Vision of Our Podcast & What's Next 1:04:20 Good News & Closing

This episode is for all of our book lovers! We're big readers here, and we're always getting questions about what we're reading and what we would recommend. Join our biggest readers: Rev Blair, Dr. Carter, and Julia - as we discuss our faves from fiction to nonfiction, political to fluff, old and new. And drop your faves in the comments! (*Frequent listeners will know that Julia's 'pastor' status is a hotly debated inside joke on the pod, but Julia is currently getting her MDIV so she is pursuing the educational path of a pastor) Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Audiobook Vs. Physical 6:50 - Julia's Fav Fiction 12:00 - Blair's Fav Fiction 16:00 - Dr. Carter's Fav Fiction 22:00 - Julia's Fav Nonfiction 25:30 - Blair's Fav Nonfiction 29:00 - Dr.Carter's Fav Nonfiction 41:00 - Good News! Show Notes: -Book Publisher's Lawsuit: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/106RoOj7pQS_sevr0KVa-ftU6-QdnIo1zlsYVuPaB7-0/edit?usp=sharing The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347 CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889 OneLicense.net # - A-712504 CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

What does the Bible say about billionaires and wealth accumulation? Quite a bit, actually! In this episode, we discuss economic inequality and the rising demand for wealth taxes, and explain why hoarding wealth is a sin and what Christians should do about it. Dr. Carter is a fan of Gary Stevenson @garyseconomics and his documentary "How to Get Filthy Rich" helped inspire this episode. During our conversation, we examined his economic arguments for a wealth tax before addressing the strongest theological and social counterarguments, including conservative interpretations of the Parable of the Talents, private property as a divine gift, and the question of whether wealth taxes even work. From James 5 to Jubilee to the California ballot box, loving our neighbors must include supporting policies that prevent wage theft and wealth hoarding. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Cold Open 4:30 - Sick Kids are WMD's 7:09 - Hoarding Wealth Is A Sin 19:46 - The Prosperity Gospel 22:50 - Gary Stevenson Documentary 32:37 - Why Do Working Class People Defend Billionaires? 41:36 - Jubilee Exists Beyond The Bible 45:08 - Proposed Wealth Taxes in the US & UK 48:41 - Zakat (Muslim Economic Principles) 53:46 - Responses To Common Theological Arguments Against Taxes 1:10:00 - What Can Local Churches Do 1:18:14 - Closing Show Notes: - Data center moratorium: https://www.reuters.com/world/new-york-becomes-first-state-impose-data-center-moratorium-2026-07-14/ - Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel by Kate Bowler: https://garyseconomics.org/ - This link is to Gary's YouTube page and his four-part (~1h45min) "Understand The Economy" course: ​​https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXuOBKrmFYbKytq9mkcd62sJPb6w12vpU&si=cAzbGDHpOuSF5-Go - Gabriele Zucman, French economist whose most recent book, We Need To Tax Billionaires," was released in May: https://gabriel-zucman.eu/ - Our previous episode on the book Poverty, by America: https://youtu.be/W5o8x1OzATM - What is a jubilee?: https://www.yesmagazine.org/issue/living-economies/opinion/2002/10/01/it-shall-be-a-jubilee-unto-you The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347 CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889 OneLicense.net # - A-712504 CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast #BillionaireTax #WealthTax #garystevenson #CaliforniaBillionaireTax #TaxTheRich #ChristianSocialJustice #ProgressiveChurch

If you've been involved in political discourse at all over the last month, you've doubtless heard the panicked predictions or joyous celebrations (depending on who you're listening to) about the Democratic Socialists of America. But who are these Socialists? What do they stand for, why is it surprisingly Biblical - and what does this mean for the future of the Church? We actually have a few DSA members here at the pod, so enjoy this deep dive and let us know what you think in the comments. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Cold Open 5:00 - What Is The DSA? 23:00 - When Did The Church Forget About Socialism? 35:00 - Break 36:00 - The Theology Of Solidarity 40:00 - Christianity And Capitalism 45:00 - Christian Socialism 55:00 - Prophetic Imagination 1:02:00 - Good News! Show Notes: - Democratic Socialists keep winning primaries: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/01/mamdani-new-york-democratic-socialist - Mamdani and The DSA: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nyc-primary-results-analysis-mamdani-dsa/ - Mayor sleeps at a homeless shelter: https://sentinelcolorado.com/metro/first-person-mayor-coffman-sleeps-at-aurora-homeless-shelter-to-gain-insight/ - Democratic socialists ride wave of momentum in primaries from New York to Colorado: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/01/mamdani-new-york-democratic-socialist - Mamdani and the DSA Just Sent a Seismic Message: The Revolution Is Here to Stay: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nyc-primary-results-analysis-mamdani-dsa/ - Democratic Socialists of America: https://www.dsausa.org/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347 CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889 OneLicense.net # - A-712504 CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

Bethany Christian Services, the nation's largest Protestant adoption and foster care agency, has decided that all staff, board members, foster families, and adoptive families must sign a belief statement defining marriage as "a covenant between one man and one woman." The change takes effect in June 2027(happy pride!) Obviously, this is unacceptable. But somehow, Bethany Christian Services is defending their discrimination with the Bible. How can they make this claim without the cognitive dissonance breaking their brain? Why did they make this change? What does the Bible actually say about this, and what will the effect be on our society? What will the effect be on these children? Join us to break down this insanity and more, and learn about what you can do to fight back. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Cold Open 6:00 - Bethany Christian Services Homophobia 20:00 - Evangelical Christianity + Adoption 28:00 - The Statement Of Faith 40:00 - "Biblical Family" 49:00 - Olmstead Decision 1:04:00 - Good News :) Show Notes: Bethany Christian Services Commits to Homophobia Over Helping Kids 1: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/22/is-bethanys-break-with-lgbtq-people-a-bellwether-for-foster-care/ Source 2: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/christian-adoption-giant-reverses ACLU Statement On Olmstead: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-statement-on-doj-memo-threatening-the-right-to-community-living-for-people-with-disabilities Overview of Olmstead Decision: https://thearc.org/blog/doj-opinion-on-olmstead-threatens-the-right-of-people-with-disabilities-to-live-in-the-community/ Lost In America: ‎Lost in America - Apple TV RFK Says kids should go to "wellness camps" https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5798733/rfk-jr-addiction-treatment-centers Coral Reef Resilience: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-identify-swaths-of-coral-reefs-that-might-be-able-to-withstand-climate-change-offering-new-avenues-for-conservation-180988976/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

What if the story of Jacob wrestling with God has always been a story about identity, transition, and transformation — and we just didn't see it? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter brings a queer theological lens to Genesis 32, unpacking what happens when Jacob refuses to let go of a divine being until he receives a blessing. At the center of this story isn't just a wrestling match; it's a name change. A transition. A declaration from God: "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel." These transitions have always been present in Scripture but often go unseen: the stories of Abram becoming Abraham, Simon becoming Peter, Saul becoming Paul — these are stories of transition and transformation. They have always been there. This episode is for anyone who has wrestled with who they are — and needs to hear that God is with them in the limping, in the transition, and in the resurrection into who they are truly called to be. Happy pride, and we hope you enjoy this little bonus ep! The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347 CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889 OneLicense.net # - A-712504 CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

The Southern Baptist Convention just voted 6,028 to 2,026 — a 3-to-1 margin — to advance a constitutional ban on women serving as pastors or preaching to their congregations. Dr. Carter and Rev. Blair responded to this news with a theological and biblical analysis of the SBC's arguments, and unsurprisingly, came to a vastly different conclusion. In this episode, we discuss what the SBC actually voted on, the THREE biblical passages they used to justify their restriction of women in ministry, how reading the passages in Greek changes everything, and argue that the real issue the SBC is concerned about is power, not scripture. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ The SBC Vote 10:00 - Their Arguments 17:00 - Greek Translation 23:00 - Why Do They Make This Argument? 28:30 - Break 29:40 - Feminism and Christianity 37:00 - Blair's Final Message Show Notes: - SBC Banning Women Pastors: https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptist-convention-evangelicals-women-pastors-7d85ddc4cc13f3c90a05c1ce3de196b3 - SBC Banning Women Pastors 2: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/06/southern-baptist-constitution-ban-women-pastors/ - The Response to SBC Banning Women Pastors: https://abcnews.com/US/southern-baptists-vote-ban-women-pastors-sparks-outcry/story?id=133747095 The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347 CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889 OneLicense.net # - A-712504 CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

Join us this week to celebrate 70 YEARS OF WOMEN'S ORDINATION in the Methodist Church! Rev. Blair and Dr. Carter are joined by their boss, Reverend Molly Vetter, and everyone's boss, Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, to discuss their experiences during different eras of women's rights in the church. One of the most common hate comments we get is from people claiming that women can't be pastors - so just this once, haters - this one is for you. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Celebrating 70 Years Of Female Ordination 7:00 - Discussion Begins 9:45 - Call Stories 29:00 - Different Eras Of Sexism 38:30 - What Would You Tell Young Folks? 42:00 - Responding To Sexism 54:00 - HOPE Show Notes: - Why the 1956 vote matters: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/why-the-1956-women-clergy-vote-matters - Resource UMC's Podcast on the 70th Anniversary: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/utm-70th-ordination-live-podcast The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347 CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889 OneLicense.net # - A-712504 CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

HAPPY PRIDE! We have another special guest this week: Representative Leigh Finke! The first openly transgender Representative in Minnesota's history, she is a founding member and current chair of the Queer Caucus, and she helped to pass the "Trans Refuge Bill," protecting access to gender-affirming care for Minnesotans. Leigh Finke is also a practicing Christian, and an author that wrote "Queerfully and Wonderfully Made," a handbook for LGBTQ youth in Christian families. Join us for an incredible conversation on faith, community, and how to build a future that's worth fighting for. AND HAPPY PRIDE! 0:00 - Intro/ Introducing Leigh Finke! 6:00 - Queerfully And Wonderfully Made 15:00 - What Made Christianity Stick? 22:20 - Break 23:45 - Fighting For Gender Affirming Care, And Rights Of Minors 32:00 - Transitioning Is Both Physical And Metaphysical 35:00 - What Does Pride Mean To You? 41:00 - Power Is Obsessed With Trans People 46:20 - Advice For Queer Kids, And Hope 58:00 - Good News! Show Notes: - Leigh Finke: https://www.leighformn.com/ - Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens- https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506465241/Queerfully-and-Wonderfully-Made - Trans Theologian Austin Hartke: https://austenhartke.com/ - The Pryde: https://www.lgbtqseniorhousing.org/the-pryde-full The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347 CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889 OneLicense.net # - A-712504 CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

This week, we are honored to be joined by the one and only Dr. Abdul El-Sayed! As he loves to remind us, Dr. Carter is from Michigan, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is currently running in a three-way Democratic primary to be Michigan's Senator against Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow. If he wins, he would not only be an unprecedented Progressive voice in Congress, but he would also be the first Muslim Senator in United States History. Dr. El-Sayed has also been vocal about how his religious views are part of his holistic philosophy - shaping his time growing up in America and the way he is committed to loving his neighbors. You guys have been asking for some more interfaith collaboration on the podcast, and we felt that there was an incredible opportunity for some interfaith religious construction here. Spoilers... Dr. Abdul El-Sayed totally blew us away. (disclaimer: this interview was recorded the week of May 17th, so our political discussions focus on last week's news cycle) Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Introducing Dr. Abdul El-Sayed 5:00 - How Christians Can Fight Islamophobia/ How To Build A Better Society 8:00 - Successful Muslim Progressives 12:30 - Is Being Progressive Radical or Religious? 16:30 - What Gives You HOPE? 20:35 - Dr. Abdul's Medical Experience and Medicare For All 25:00 - The Black Church 29:00 - How To Support Abdul 32:00 - Break 33:00 - Post Interview Freak Out/ Debrief 44:00 - "Rededicate 250" 1:08:40 - Good News! Show Notes: - Find out more about Abdul: https://abdulforsenate.com/ - San Diego attack: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/18/us/live-news/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting - Green Nobel Prize: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D7tWNrETNQXfIYUu17qjgj3k2QB_IpRsF45skAHlvZo/edit?tab=t.0 - Rededicate 250- https://freedom250.org/celebration/rededicate-250-a-national-jubilee-of-prayer-praise-and-thanksgiving - RNS News Review of Rededicate 250- https://religionnews.com/2026/05/17/trump-allies-lead-thousands-in-prayer-to-rededicate-america-to-god-on-national-mall/ - The Convocation Unscripted- https://convocation.substack.com/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was born from the Black church. It wasn't just a political achievement — it showed the world the courage and resilience of Black people, the theology of the Civil Rights Movement, and the conviction that loving your neighbor means protecting your neighbor's voice. SCOTUS gutting it isn't just unconstitutional — it's un-Christian. In this episode, we're breaking down the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais and what it means for democracy, racial justice, and American Christianity. It's just Julia, Dr. Carter, and Westley today - so get ready for a crazy one! No punches pulled - even Jesus showed that leaning into our holy anger is sometimes what we need. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Southern Baptist AI Chatbots 4:45 - The VRA Being Gutted 17:00 - John Roberts and the Civil Rights Era 24:00 - The Black Church 38:00 - Break 40:00 - Jesus' Thoughts? 49:30 - What To Do With SCOTUS Show Notes: - AI "Faithbot" : https://www.christianpost.com/news/imb-sees-over-600000-people-use-ai-tool-faithbot.html - Montgomery and Selma protests: https://alabamareflector.com/2026/05/16/thousands-attend-protests-in-selma-and-montgomery-for-voting-rights/ - Supreme Court Ruling: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/supreme-court-louisiana-vra-callais/ - Timeline of the Voting Rights Act: https://www.naacpldf.org/voting-rights-act-history-timeline/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

We are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Melissa Borja this week, to discuss her new podcast "One Million Neighbors!" The podcast follows the story of the largest refugee resettlement in American history - when Midwestern Christians resettled "One Million Neighbors." Obviously, this is very relevant to our current immigration panic, so we dive deep into the strange role that Christians have played here - and what our theology tells us to do next. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Golden Trump Statue 8:00 - "Tax The Rich" is a Slur? 11:15 - Introducing Melissa Borja 16:00 - One Million Neighbors 28:30 - Americans and Missionaries 38:00 - Coastal Elitism vs. Midwestern Coalition Building 44:00 - Matthew 25 50:00 - Refugee Resettlement is Culturally Beneficial 57:30 - Immigrants vs. Migrants vs. Asylum Seekers 1:05:00 - Good News! Show Notes: - Check out One Million Neighbors: https://www.axismundi.us/podcasts/one-million-neighbors - Politics is for Power by Eitan Hersher: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Politics-Is-for-Power/Eitan-Hersh/9781982116798 - Billionaire says "tax the rich" is a slur: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/business/mamdani-taxes-real-estate - The Trump Gold Statue: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/11/donald-trump-gold-statue/90029751007/ - UK emissions at 150 year low: https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-emissions-fall-2-4-in-2025-as-coal-hits-400-year-low/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

Raise your hand if you've had a clip from James Talarico come across your page in the past year 🤚 We've been following this race closely, and now that he won the Democratic nomination, we have a lot of thoughts. His unique use of Christianity and Christian language in politics has set him apart. It's brought a lot of momentum, but it's also brought a lot of hate - even from the president. We're here to adress this question - Why is the Right so afraid of James Talarico? Timestamps: 0:00 - Cold Open/ Come To Our Baseball Game! 1:29 - Intro/ The World 5:00 - Why Do They Hate Talarico? 30:00 - Of Course Race Is A Part Of This 33:20 - Jasmine Crockett 43:30 - Break 45:00 - Trevor Noah On Religious Imagination 1:02:00 - The Audacity Of Hope 1:12:40 - Good News! Show Notes: - Baptist News On Talarico - https://baptistnews.com/article/why-are-evangelicals-freaking-out-over-james-talarico/ - Religion Unplugged on Talarico - https://religionunplugged.com/news/james-talarico-and-the-struggle-over-christianity-in-us-politics - Trevor Noah on Religion - https://lizbucar.substack.com/p/what-if-trevor-noah-is-right-about - The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggeman - https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506449302/The-Prophetic-Imagination - Imagining Argentina by Lawrench Thornton - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/178530/imagining-argentina-by-lawrence-thornton/ - Beloved by Toni Morrison - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/117647/beloved-pulitzer-prize-winner-by-toni-morrison/ - Mills drops out - https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/30/janet-mills-maine-senate-dropout-00899664 The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

After the newest assassination attempt, we noticed that the manifesto of the perpetrator had a lot of Bible references. Between this, the Trump admin's use of the Bible to justify violence, and the new trend of abusive men bringing their bibles to court, we wanted to speak on violence, nonviolence, and where Jesus fits in all of it. Show Notes: - The manifesto: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXpoVeOE5sk/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== - Erica Chenowith: Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/why-civil-resistance-works-the-strategic-logic-of-nonviolent-conflict_erica-chenoweth_maria-j-stephan/3292394/item/26513110/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_new_condition_books_high_14637440387&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=545679999522&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14637440387&gbraid=0AAAAADwY45iwsuDihZsb4ADJDPDwD0CZ9&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2MbPBhCSARIsAP3jP9x1VoRUqR9jDTeQ2xRir0ZN09Cf_5On32MExb4wmliEsdsHv36JDWkaArFxEALw_wcB#idiq=26513110&edition=7970609 - Russell Brand can't find a passage in the bible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCIqF7K3lE - Gerlyn Henry on the abusive man to Christian pipeline: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVjLmdzDSEC/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== - Guatemala stops oil drilling in the Maya Biosphere Reserve: https://peterschulte.org/good-news/guatemala-maya-forest-rewilding-oil-fields/ - Rhinos Return to Uganda: https://peterschulte.org/good-news/uganda-rhino-reintroduction-wild-kidep The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

As Americans, we tend to focus a lot on an American perspective - so this week, we are blessed to be joined by a friend who is helping to provide a wider angle! Jonty Langley is co-host and founder of the Beer Christianity podcast, as well as editor of S(h)ibboleth Magazine. Jonty joined us from across the pond to talk about The American Imperial Boomerang, how leftism and Christianity intertwine, and what to understand about America's role in the wider world. Show Notes: - AOC Quote: "I thought that fascist takeover attempts were going to be architected by evil geniuses. I was not expecting how unearned, nepotistic, mediocre and just dumb so many of the people architecting this were going to be" - Shibboleth Magazine: https://shibbolethmag.com/ - Beer Christianity Podcast: https://www.beerchristianity.co.uk/ - Hope Without Optimism: Terry Eagleton https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/4948/ - Greenbelt Festival- https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/ - The North Sea Energy Network: https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/north-sea-states-aim-worlds-largest-energy-hub-major-offshore-wind-investment-plan The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

This week, the Pope Leo vs. Trump news has been insane. How did this happen in an administration that claims to be deeply Christian and Catholic? We discuss the historical precedent of political popes, the wild escalation of conflict that has happened, and where the theology simply doesn't make sense. Show Notes: - Hungarian Election: https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/12/world/live-news/hungary-election-orban-magyar - Cardinals Speak Out: https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/04/13/us-cardinals-60-minutes-trump/ - Our "Biblical vs. Christian" episode: https://youtu.be/MqJgG5JXDiM - Belle Hooks Communion: https://bookshop.org/p/books/communion-the-female-search-for-love-bell-hooks/f218116ab5383b77?ean=9780060938291&next=t - Belle Hooks "Appalachian Elegy": https://bookshop.org/p/books/appalachian-elegy-poetry-and-place-bell-hooks/9bfc4384a9d46ab6?ean=9780813136691&next=t - Pope's Plane: https://cruxnow.com/church/2015/09/fun-facts-and-more-about-life-aboard-the-papal-plane The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We've got the whole team back for this one! As you may have heard, this week Paula White likened Trump to Jesus (we know, right?). This outrageous statement sparked so much backlash from Christians, it was impossible for us to miss. This week, we don't just want to talk about her words, but WHY Evangelicals find it so important to do something so explicitly blasphemous. We also want to take this holy week to do some theological construction - where does Easter land in all this chaos? How can we use this time of spiritual rebirth as Progressive Christians? We hope this episode brings you some joy in these trying, yet holy, times. Show Notes: - Paula White Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iHjbG3jtHM (1:47-2:48 (end of the video)) - Artemis Mission Names Craters: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-nasa-astronaut-names-moon-crater-for-late-wife/89488427007/ - Mamdani's Real Cost of Living Plan: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/04/mayor-mamdani-releases-preliminary-citywide-racial-equity-plan-a The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We are thrilled to be joined by Pastor Joe Smith this week! We originally found Joe because of his work on Instagram, and quickly realized that his work combating White Christian Nationalism is essential to the work of Progressive Christianity. We had Joe on to discuss his journey as an Exvangelical pastor, his thoughts about the state of American Christian Nationalism, and how we can move forward with bringing the message of a homeless Palestinian socialist to the people who refuse to hear it. Show Notes: Find Joe - https://www.instagram.com/therealjoe.smith/ The Slippery Slope - https://slipperyslope.shop/ Homeowner calls ICE - https://uk.news.yahoo.com/maryland-homeowner-accused-calling-aiding-181658420.html No Kings Protests - https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/03/28/no-kings-protests-marches-record-turnout/ The passage on the Syrophoenician woman - https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark%207:24%E2%80%9330&version=nrsv Dr Carter preaches on the Syrophoenician woman - https://theloftla.libsyn.com/loft-gathering-breaking-the-patriarchal-reading-of-the-bible The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We've been promising bonus content… Here it is! We were inspired to make this episode by Rev. Katie with the Young Adult group at Hyde Park Community UMC in Cincinnati, Ohio, who reached out to tell us they had been using our podcasts for some of their lessons. In honor of how much this means to us, this episode is dedicated to all of them! They wrote us some great questions that they've been dealing with while trying to deconstruct and reconstruct their Christianity into something that more closely mirrors Jesus. Please join us on this fun, less formal dive into our personal beliefs on some of the most difficult Progressive Christian topics. Show Notes: - This is the episode playlist that Rev. Kate Smith used with the young adult group: 28: Do Progressive Christians Believe in the Bible? 29: What is Sin and Why Do Most Conservatives Get it Wrong? 36: Failing the Group Project: The Problem with Evil with Dr. Becky Copeland 19: What Do Progressives Believe About Evangelism? 34: What Do Progressive Christians Believe About Salvation? 23: Women, Patriarchy, and the Bible with Claire McKeever-Burgett 3: What does progressive Christian masculinity look like 27: Sex, Gender, and Christian Theology 54: I Was a Christian Nationalist and Didn't Know It w/ April Ajoy 47: Debunking MAGA's Biblical Argument Against a Government Social Safety Net 38: How Do We Hold On to Hope in Times of Crisis? 40: Why Are You (Still) A Christian? - Dr. Prathia Hall Biography: https://www.ugapress.org/9780820361710/freedom-faith/ - Dr Prathia Hall Sermons: https://herringbonebooks.indielite.org/book/9780820361772 - Elephant Seals: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/southern-elephant-seals-recover-in-southern-africa-but-global-picture-is-mixed/ - UK Geothermal Power: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewzg77k721o The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

When the Trump administration began its immigration crackdown in Chicago, teenage brothers Ben and Sam Luhmann became a part of a rapid-response network of volunteers that documents ICE raids and assists families of those detained in the arrests. In the first half of this episode we talk with Ben and Sam about their activism and the role that their Christian faith played in inspiring them to put their faith into action. Then we chat with their mother Audrey and discuss how their faith journey and growing awareness of injustice led them all to reimagine what it means to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Show Notes: - "Teens Tracking Ice" News Coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKSgM0G1xQ https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2026/01/31/suburban-teen-brothers-on-ice-watch-in-minneapolis-this-is-nothing-like-chicago-this-is-so-much-worse https://religionnews.com/2025/11/25/how-one-conservative-christian-family-is-pushing-back-against-ice/ - Audrey's Social Media: https://x.com/LuhmannAudrey https://www.instagram.com/audreyluhmann/ - Caste: https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/ - The Tears of Things https://thetearsofthings.com/ - EU bans destroying unsold clothes: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-eu-rules-stop-destruction-unsold-clothes-and-shoes-2026-02-09_en The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

If you grew up in certain Christian circles, there is a specific type of music that we all know by heart. But why? Where did it come from? What messages might have been hidden inside this music? This week, we meet with Dr. Leah Payne, author of "God Gave Rock and Roll to You," to discuss the surprisingly long, dark, and conservative history of our modern "Contemporary Christian Music" genre. If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: - Leah's website: https://www.drleahpayne.com/ - God Gave Rock and Roll To You: https://www.drleahpayne.com/god-gave-rock-and-roll - Ireland's UBI for Artists: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv389dnk5o - Former Inmate Buys Prison: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/former-inmate-buys-prison The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. We have a Substack! Check us out here: https://substack.com/@theprogressivechristians?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We just launched the Love Your Neighbor Newsletter on Substack! Scroll down for more info! As if we didn't mention it enough, here is your periodic reminder that we are based in Los Angeles, California... And the Oscars are this week! This year, themes of faith and Christianity were huge for the biggest nominees. Julia and Blair, our most movie-connected hosts, invited some filmmakers from our congregation to have a passionate discussion about movies, faith, and these best picture nominees in particular. (spoiler alert: we're OBSESSED with Sinners!) Also, for real spoiler alert: there will be spoilers. The first edition of the Love Your Neighbor Newsletter drops on Saturday, March 14th! The Love Your Neighbor newsletter is an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Our connection to The Movies 14:00 - New Rules 18:50 - General Thoughts On This Year 30:30 - Break Show Notes: - Oscars new rules: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/oscar-voters-academy-email-honor-system-watching-movies-rcna243328 - The Oscars: https://www.oscars.org/ - Separation of Church and Hate: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Separation-of-Church-and-Hate/John-Fugelsang/9781668066898 - Support our work! https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

A lot of times we discuss the disturbing rise of MAGA Christian Nationalism on this podcast - but today, we are featuring a progressive politician that has literally flipped that narrative. Joanna Whaley was formerly a conservative evangelical pastor, but had a spiritual journey that culminated in a bid for Michigan State Representative - where she could be the first openly transgender representative in Michigan's history. How does a story like this unfold? How did Joanna's religious experience lead her to run for office? What does she stand for, and how would she represent the people of Michigan? Find out all that and more in this very special episode! (And for Michiganders - make sure you're registered to vote for your August 4th primary!) If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: - Support Joanna - https://www.joannawhaley.com/ - Joanna's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joannawhaleyofficial/ - Joanna's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannawhaleyofficial/ - Joanna's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@joannawhaleyofficial - Huffington Post article about Military and end times prophecy - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/troops-being-told-to-prepare-for-armageddon-in-iran_n_69a6ffe3e4b076ac5d63c82c - FedEx class action lawsuit - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fedex-tariff-refunds-lawsuit-consumers/ - Ticketmaster lawsuit - https://apnews.com/article/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-trial-ecfd6cb3e77459412584ed002653bc8f The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

It's the beginning of the Lenten season! Dr. Carter is gone, so Everest is leading us on a journey through the history of Lent all the way to the modern political implications of the holiday. Join us for an especially meditative and spiritual episode of exploring discipline, tradition, and why we practice Christianity the way we do. If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: - A brief history of lent: https://groundworkonline.com/blog/a-short-version-of-the-long-history-of-lent - American women break Olympic record: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/record-setting-winter-olympics-6-152329010.html The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

There's been a lot of talk about "deconstruction" in Progressive Christian circles, but we've been hearing that y'all want more talk of "constructing" beliefs. A major philosophy that serves as constructive for many Progressive Christians is known as Liberation Theology. Stemming from marginalized communities in the Americas, Liberation Theology focuses on Jesus' teachings on "the least of these." Join us for a fun, educational breakdown of this philosophy! We discuss the many origins, the biblical basis, the ways it has been modernized, and even some criticisms of Liberation Theology. And don't forget to let us know what you think! Show Notes: - Trump's approval ratings: https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/article/poll-trumps-approval-rating-hits-new-low-as-immigration-backlash-grows-and-ice-withdraws-from-minnesota-204723473.html - Michigan's lawsuit against Big Oil: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/05/michigan-oil-climate-crisis-energy-cost - The Kristi Noem Plane Stuff: https://www.thedailybeast.com/ice-barbies-mile-high-privacy-with-alleged-lover-exposed/ - The Marxist Roots of Black Liberation Theology: https://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2008/04/02/marxist-roots-black-liberation-theology - What is Black Liberation Theology (bad): https://www.gotquestions.org/black-liberation-theology.html - Gustavo Gutierrez - A Theology of Liberation - James Cone - A Black Theology of Liberation - Cover Art: Jesus of the People by Janet Mckenzie - https://janetmckenzie.com/joppage1.html The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians

Project 2025 was all over the news when Trump was first elected. But now that we're a year in - what about Project 2026? The Heritage Foundation hasn't released an official "Project 2026," but they have put out their political priorities for the year, and they look about as bad as you would expect. This episode, we go through all nine of them, and focus on the ways that the Trump administration is coming after women. From attacking voting rights, to medical autonomy, to trying to force women to be nothing but baby incubators - it's no doubt that they are looking to strip women of their rights in this country. The Heritage Foundation is obsessed with this idea of "The American Family," and in their pursuit of forced conformity to this idea, women and queer people are their first targets. Show Notes: Rebecca Copeland Entangled Being - https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481321426/entangled-being/ Marriage Improves Men's Health Outcomes - https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health Marriage Reduces Health Outcomes for Women - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5397241/ Women Lose Earning potential by becoming mothers - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4041155/ Empowered Women Can Transform the World's Poorest Communities - https://time.com/collections/time100-voices/7016128/women-uplift-poorest-communities/ Bad Bunny's Halftime Show numbers - https://www.thebiglead.com/most-watched-super-bowl-halftime-shows-bad-bunny-v/ NASA was saved by grassroots campaigns - https://www.planetary.org/articles/advocacy-success-fy2026-nasa-budget NASA source #2 - https://www.astronomy.com/science/congress-passes-nasa-budget-rejects-trump-cuts/ The Heritage Foundation issues a report on "America's Family Crisis." - https://michiganindependent.com/politics/heritage-foundation-report-families-marriage-education-infertility-fetal-personhood/#:~:text='%E2%80%9D,for%20women%20than%20for%20men.%E2%80%9D The Heritage Foundation Wants to Send Women Back a Century - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/opinion/heritage-foundation-women.html#:~:text=The%20report's%20authors%20know%20they,children%20reared%20primarily%20at%20home.%E2%80%9D The Christian Nationalist Plot to Disenfranchise Women Voters - https://newrepublic.com/article/191420/christian-nationalism-save-act-voter-suppression The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

The massive political polarization of today can make fighting for change seem impossible, but there is an extra layer when you're someone responsible for kids. This week, our friend Claire McKeever-Burgett returns to discuss parenting in our Fascist reality. We discuss children's radically empathetic nature, ways to help them (and you) find their place in the resistance, and the importance of keeping an open mind - especially in the last places you would think. This episode is for everyone, not just parents. As Blair says: "everyone is in relationship with children, because children are a part of society." Take a load off and rest with us, knowing you're not alone in this journey. Support our work here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: - Claire's website: https://www.clairemckeeverburgett.com/ - Claire's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairemckeeverburgett/ - Claire's Substack: https://clairemckeeverburgett.substack.com/ - Spain approves legal pathway for 500,000 immigrants to gain residency https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62n6gw1dp9o - Revolutionary therapy treats "untreatable" blood cancer: "A few years ago this would have been science fiction." https://www.positive.news/society/revolutionary-therapy-treats-untreatable-blood-cancer/ - California court hears two cases to protect kids from the effects of social media: https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2026/01/social-media-addiction-suits-in-california/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

We have all been flooded with the horrifying stories out of Minnesota recently. This week, we discuss Alex Pretti and the children who have been kidnapped, along with some of the incredible stories of resistance and community from Minneapolis. Join us to rage, cry, grieve, hope, and plan. And remember, in a world full of evil - Be Good. Show Notes: Anti-trans riders COMPLETELY removed from final house appropriations bill. Everyone say thank you Sarah!!! https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/anti-transgender-provisions-stripped Judge threatens contempt ruling to ICE head: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/ice-chief-todd-lyons-minnesota-court-contempt.html Minnesota Superintendent comments: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/they-are-circling-our-schools-superintendent-says-after-5-year-old-detained-by-ice Hatred as Numbness, Listener Ben's Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-185636768 John Abernathy's story and photography: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/throwing-camera-thing-photographers-behind-140000257.html People killed by ICE in 2026: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/27/us-witnessed-many-ice-related-deaths-in-2026-here-are-their-stories "Jesus Saves" Picture: https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/apr/7 Ground News: https://ground.news/ Our "they like the lying" episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1EJZsATPo8rPramZmOJSLw?si=CDGjRT9USEG2dfxzb1-8Xg Our empathy episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UeVUgafrOQRskCVcFjF0l?si=f69648c9ede44d32

You've asked for it, and it's here! Our first ever Q+A! But first, we have a big announcement. We have decided to adopt a donation (rather than subscription) model to support the podcast. You can find more information about how to support the podcast further down in the show notes! This episode is quite out of the ordinary for our podcast, and we tried to keep it very light and fun. Potential topics include: Our views on Heaven and Hell, our favorite (and least favorite) movies and TV shows, why we are Methodists, what the best place in the world to live is, what a Progressive Christian is, our most controversial hot takes, our thoughts on substitutionary atonement, and Dr. Carter's ADHD. Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in with questions! If we didn't get to your question, it's probably because it was too meaty for a Q+A and we would like to save it for a full episode. It's the downside of having such wise and insightful listeners! Please comment below to further burden us with this terrible curse <3 Please sign up to be a monthly supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! A one-time donation would be great, or you could sign up to be a monthly supporter. We don't want to deny anyone access to the great content we plan to create, but we need your support to continue and hopefully grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: Our salvation episode: (episode 34) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XGSDmaS2k12ni1Cuo0T4I?si=e2e71af3c1884f80 Our episode about reading the Bible: (episode 28) https://open.spotify.com/episode/70u494d2LLgXRu2jNsTzKe?si=933a9d2e12bb4e81 Our episode about being sinful: (episode 29) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3u7TleMsTrtB6vpV1mnTyN?si=7ffc4307d2f4426c GOOD NEWS: Education Department dropping their lawsuit against universities with "DEI:" Education Department drops appeal over anti-DEI funding threats | AP News Donate here to support our work: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Only two weeks into 2026, things already feel overwhelming and out of control. In this episode, we discuss how the conservative evangelical understanding of sin as a failure to be obedient to authority figures is being weaponized to justify the shooting of Renee Nicole Good and ICE's violent treatment of protestors and innocent bystanders. Through the lens of the Just War Theory, we try to understand the mindset that allows someone to justify - and even champion - the murder of this young poet. - Ice Shootings Tracker: https://www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immigration-ice-shootings-guns-tracker/ - White Property, Black Trespass by Andrew Krinks: https://nyupress.org/9781479823857/white-property-black-trespass/ - Just War Principles: https://www2.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/materials/engl/Bessho/Summer05/101/PrinciplesJustWar.htm - Mamdani Supporting Universal Childcare: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/01/mayor-mamdani---governor-hochul-to-launch-free-child-care-for-tw - Renee Good's Award Winning Poem: https://poets.org/2020-on-learning-to-dissect-fetal-pigs - The lack of training these ICE agents have: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15345295/ICE-campaign-hire-deportation-officers-unfit-violent-illiterate.html - Legal refresher sent out to ICE agents after Renee Nicole Good's murder: http://youtube.com/post/UgkxPNe-FPJUxRR5RHd0lkwHJEDyKYtyNTFS?si=QjFdGoCJ-gsorYIs - The murder of James Reeb (CORRECTION: NOT EUGENE DEBS. They both just have funny last names): https://www.npr.org/2019/04/30/718647599/the-murder-of-the-rev-james-reeb - White Lies Podcast - True Crime podcast about the death of James Reeb. In 1965, Rev. James Reeb — a Unitarian minister and civil-rights activist — was killed during the voting rights movement in Selma. After three men were tried and acquitted for his murder, the city's white community buried the truth. More than 50 years later, two native Alabamians return to Selma to uncover the truth about who killed James Reeb, and to delve into the systems of oppression and violence that allowed it to happen: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp-wXwmbv3z8HO5FT1SGJrwCU19qWdSn- The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Christians should not believe IN the bible, we are called to believe in the living God revealed to us THROUGH the bible. This week, we're releasing a special video minisode to celebrate the New Year (and let our hosts take a vacation)! Join Dr. Carter for a discussion on the similarities - and differences - between being "Biblical" and being "Christian." Is following and/or doing what you believe the bible tells you to do, enough to call an action or policy, or a position on a social subject, Christian? Remember, the devil can quote the Bible. Time is seriously running out (we mean it this time) to ask us your questions for the Q+A! Comment below, and feel free to ask anything on your mind - not just biblical questions! The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians

Time is running out to submit your questions for the Q&A! Comment below or email us to have your questions answered. We encourage silly and personal questions too, not exclusively "serious" or "theological" ones! This week, we continue our discussion from last week about Artificial Intelligence. In our previous episode, we focused more on the material impacts of AI. This week, we shifted to a more spiritual and metaphorical investigation. We also addressed Everest's original question - is AI ANTI CHRISTIAN? Don't worry, we make sure to look at all angles, and even end with some good news. CORRECTION: THE "FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT" HOME WE DISCUSSED IS ACTUALLY A "ZIMMERMAN" HOME Show notes: Overview of Mimetic Theory: https://violenceandreligion.com/mimetic-theory-2/#:~:text=Mimetic%20theory%20is%20an%20interdisciplinary%20research%20program,that%20can%20lead%20to%20violence%20and%20destruction https://www.datacenterwatch.org/report https://www.techpolicy.press/the-real-race-for-an-ai-moratorium-stopping-data-centers/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Have y'all heard about this crazy new thing called Artificial Intelligence? Just kidding, of course you have - it's been impossible to avoid for the last few years. Our co-host Everest felt inspired to talk about the ethics of AI because of a discussion they led during Sunday School a few weeks ago, and oh boy, did we get into it - so much that we had to split the episode into two parts! This week, we tackle the more "worldly" concerns - AI's impact on ecosystems, people's neighborhoods, people's livelihoods, copyright, education, and the way that AI can change our brains. The ethics of how we use new tools are essential, and we try to approach them with a nuanced yet decidedly Progressive Christian approach. Next week, we are going to dive into Everest's argument that AI is anti-creation, and possibly even ANTI-CHRISTIAN!? Show Notes https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/candace-owens-erika-kirk-podcast AI Figures Out Protein Folding- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/one-of-the-biggest-problems-in-biology-has-finally-been-solved/ https://substack.perfectunion.us/p/how-data-centers-are-driving-up-your More Perfect Union Data Centers Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGjj7wDYaiI More Perfect Union Data Centers Danger- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN6BEUA4jNU Data Center Report from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy- https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/land-lines-magazine/articles/land-water-impacts-data-centers/ https://www.seroundtable.com/chatgpt-google-aio-sources-39578.html#:~:text=Barry%20Schwartz%20/%20Executive%20Editor,Forum%20discussion%20at%20X. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

This episode goes out to everyone who is feeling anxious about going home for the holidays this week. We get you, and we are you! Here are our thoughts on how to handle toxic family dynamics and ideally improve family communication on contentious topics. We discuss the cognitive dissonance around loving people who hate you, how to stay in community and conversation with them, and even break down specific techniques for the types of conversations you might be having. We finish with a sample conversation and getting to the root of what causes all this tension in the first place, and how to take care of yourself in the middle of it. We love you guys, Jesus loves you guys, and you got this. Don't forget to leave a comment or email us for the upcoming Q+A! The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dhs-secretary-kristi-noem-confronted-veteran-contentious-hearing/story?id=128325824 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07555m4710o https://bookshop.org/p/books/disarming-leviathan-loving-your-christian-nationalist-neighbor-caleb-e-campbell/b1873183abfa677d?ean=9781514008515&next=t

On this week's episode, we wanted to talk about some of the current stressors on our queer listeners. We discuss the Oklahoma University "bible essay" situation with Samantha Fulnecky, and the way that Conservative Christian grifters use the bible to leverage hatred for profit. We answer listener questions on how to talk to family members with regressive social views during the holidays. Finally, we talk to our queer listeners and make sure everyone in our community knows how beloved they are. And, as a bonus - this episode has all of the podcast super friends! Show Notes: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/04/sport/soccer-world-cup-peace-prize-trump-intl Assignment criteria: https://archive.is/Iiocy The Paper Itself: https://archive.is/2Rog1 The TA and Teacher's Notes: https://archive.is/LT0r1 Media Strategy of the Fulnecky women: https://www.readtpa.com/p/same-script-different-target?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share https://religionnews.com/2025/12/04/oklahoma-university-instructor-on-leave-after-failing-bible-based-essay-on-gender/ https://religionnews.com/2025/12/08/was-a-university-of-oklahoma-teacher-unjustly-punished-for-anti-christian-bias/ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

In today's episode, Rev. Blair and Rev. Dr. Carter talk with Ben Stringer - an attorney and pastor in Springfield, Missouri. In 2024, Trump won Missouri with almost 20% over Harris. Though Springfield is often referred to as "having a church on every street," Progressive Christianity has often struggled to find advocates in the area. We talk with Stringer about his experience growing up in a Conservative Baptist family, becoming a Civil Rights Lawyer to live out his calling as a Christian, how the courts are being used to help and hurt people in this turbulent time, and how he eventually heard the call to go into ministry late in his career. In this episode, Ben challenges us on how to define ministry, especially when living in a politically hostile environment. We also discuss how to be an authentic, effective advocate for Jesus' teachings in a world that tells us to do exactly the opposite (often, in the name of "Christianity"). This episode is dedicated to all of our red area listeners out there - we see you, we hear you, and you are not alone. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

If you're a Christian and you're American, you've probably been taught that socialism is unbiblical. That capitalism is God's chosen economic system. That Jesus would be against redistributing wealth, and the early church in the book of Acts was nothing more than a group of friends sharing their stuff. The election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani and Rev. Blair's viral TikTok in response to Mamdani's election, which appeared on Jesse Watters' nightly Fox News show, prompted us to ask: Should Christians be socialist? Are Christian ethics really at odds with socialism? Or have many of us been taught a version of Christianity that was blended with modern conservative political and economic ideologies that have little to do with the radical call of Jesus Christ? Digging into the bible, we question the idea of capitalism as God's chosen system, offering a different perspective on socialism explained through the lens of Christianity and faith. Show Notes: Dead Internet Theory Def - https://www.vice.com/en/article/dead-internet-theory-is-back-thanks-to-all-of-that-ai-slop/ What Makes Us Free- Throughline on NPR https://www.npr.org/2025/07/10/1255443727/what-makes-us-free-07-10-2025 Parable of the Talents- Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard- Matthew 20:1-16 Sharing things in Common Acts 2:44-47 Ananais and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11 Working for Bread 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Good Fortune Movie- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/good_fortune Leith Ross- I Can See the Future https://leithross.com/ Syrophoenecian Woman- Matthew 15:21-28 The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Conservative figures like podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey and theologian Joe Rigney are leading a campaign against a feeling they consider dangerous and are weaponizing against Christians—empathy. They argue that empathy has been hijacked and can become toxic and sinful. In this episode, we'll explore their distinction between what they call "toxic empathy" and "biblical compassion." We analyze their arguments, their use of the Bible, and how they overlook the teachings and ministry of Jesus to justify their claims. Ultimately, the conservative opposition to empathy helps explain some of the cruelty emerging from the Trump administration and their willingness to starve women and children to make a political point. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Show Notes https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/texas-megachurch-tiktok-baby-formula-b2863291.html https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/woman-called-lakewood-church-asking-132510186.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADQCTJ57PswQV8JV_QLVUpSRj7VFB1g5_NgeMdCVwiqEllHyZ4kvwlCNGUh-3QM2FM4VzDmI0Zr3FXb8QGQ3RpMpNXs1UoEwNuWHnnIRqkrYEgB1y9hvyJWa44QFpJQ-oMdgO5PXqHIKZwGJs-UfRPkHi9vQyoVEPxRfxNDq2L4d The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Vice President JD Vance wants to be the next leader of the MAGA movement. Speaking during a recent Turning Point USA event at Ole Miss, he cast a vision for America that blends Christian Nationalism, white supremacy, and conservative populism. In this episode, we discuss Vance's beliefs about immigration, how his wife, Usha Vance, got caught up in the rhetoric, and how Pope Francis and Pope Leo offer a very different Roman Catholic perspective on how we are to love our immigrant neighbors. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Show Notes https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/03/great-gatsby-book-fitzgerald-race-interpretation/672778/ Gina Zurlo- https://ginazurlo.com/ https://www.rev.com/transcripts/vance-speaks-at-turning-point-event Usha Vance interview with Meghan McCain- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwpR0yUWgvY https://www.thelettersfromleo.com/p/why-two-popes-told-jd-vance-he-was https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/jd-vance-wrong-jesus-doesnt-ask-us-rank-our-love-others https://katarmas.substack.com/p/the-pope-shared-my-article-and-the The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

This is the second episode in a three-part series on Christian Nationalism and its role in Donald Trump's White House. In this episode, we discuss Pete Hegseth and how his theology is influencing the Department of Defense. Hegseth was affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) in Nashville before his appointment, and he has stated that he affirms the teachings of Doug Wilson, a pastor and co-founder of the CREC. Wilson openly endorses Christian Nationalism and believes that America, and indeed the entire world, should be governed by biblical principles—specifically, his own interpretation of those principles. Show Notes https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-the-archconservative-church-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-attends https://theconversation.com/what-is-crec-the-christian-nationalist-group-has-a-vision-for-america-and-defense-secretary-pete-hegseths-support-258273 https://religionnews.com/2025/07/14/with-pete-hegseth-in-the-pews-a-christian-nationalist-outpost-launches-in-dc/ https://youtube.com/shorts/JGoymv33ZWc?si=0Czzwd_D6msjk0gx https://youtu.be/qFeIO0ZjdF8?si=KnSmLODBeVQ2JTCA The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

This is the first of a three-episode series on Christian nationalism and its influence in Donald Trump's White House. In this episode, we define Christian Nationalism and describe how Christian Nationalists use religion to shape American politics. We specifically discuss the impact of Stephen Miller and Russ Vought and how their policies on immigration, border protection, the government shutdown, and public services cannot, in good faith, be called Christian. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes Southern Poverty Law Center Profile of Stephen Miller https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/stephen-miller/ The Top 5 Most Awful Things You Need To Know About Stephen Miller https://www.commoncause.org/articles/top-5-most-awful-things-you-need-to-know-about-stephen-miller/ What You Should Know About Russ Vought, Trump's Shadow President https://www.propublica.org/article/about-russell-vought-trump-shadow-president#:~:text=1.,Hill%20colleague%20of%20Vought's%20said. The Shadow President https://www.propublica.org/article/russ-vought-trump-shadow-president-omb

In this episode, we are joined by Claire McKeever-Burgett, author of In the Beginning Were the Women, to explore some of the well-known and lesser-known women in the Bible. From the mystics to the brave to the misunderstood and overlooked, these women played essential roles in their communities and our faith tradition. Throughout our conversation, you will gain a deeper understanding of how these stories are relevant to our lives today. Show Notes: Young Republicans group chat article - https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146 https://chalicepress.com/products/in-the-beginning-were-the-women?srsltid=AfmBOorso8YVfRoE0GBsK3Uq2cioci5SHk0Ghmn9OArVJYZ1UWWZK4ma https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/news/new-study-finds-single-women-are-happier-single-men https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/5-types-of-people-who-can-ruin-your-life/202403/is-marriage-good-or-bad-for-women The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on YouTube and all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

"A Progressive Christian is an oxymoron" is probably the most popular (simple-minded and incorrect) critique that we receive from people trolling our YouTube comments and Apple Music reviews. Given the frequency of the comments, we figured that our amazing listeners probably hear the same comments from people in their own community. So, in this episode, we address five common myths about progressive Christianity. From the bible, to sin and salvation, we wanted to bring some clarity to the conversation. We have discussed a lot of these topics already, and we have listed each myth and the corresponding episode title where we discussed it below. Please click here to find links to our previous episodes. Myth 1 - Progressive Christians don't believe in the bible. Episode 28 - Do Progressive Christians Believe In The Bible? Myth 3 - Progressive Christians don't believe in sin. Episode 29 - What Is Sin? Episode 36 - The Problem of Evil with Dr. Becky Copeland. Myth 4 - Progressive Christians don't believe in "real" salvation. Episode 34 - What Do Progressive Christians Believe About Salvation? Episode 56 - Beyond the "Thin Blue Line": Exposing The Religious Roots of Mass Incarceration. Myth 5 - Progressive theology was created to normalize sinful behavior. Episode 27 - Sex, Gender, and Christian Theology The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Join us as we delve into a nuanced discussion on purity, shame, and "biblical" marriage—topics often surrounded by controversy and misinformation, especially within traditional religious circles. Using the perspectives of liberation, feminist, and womanist theologies, we analyze how religion, economics, and politics have always intertwined, shaping our views on purity, marriage, and divorce. As progressive Christians, we aim to approach this conversation with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the damage that shame and judgment can cause to individuals, particularly women and members of the LGBTQ community. Whether you're seeking to unlearn purity culture, engage in conversations with conservative friends, or are simply curious about progressive Christian perspectives on intimacy, this episode is for you. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/ Just Love- Margaret Farley https://www.google.com/books/edition/Just_Love/L6p9ZVblRNwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover The Purity Myth- Jessica Valenti https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Purity_Myth/rQ10AIsHNa4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing by Mark Sandlin https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/ Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality by Walter Wink https://reconcilingworks.org/images/stories/downloads/resources/003_Homosexuality_and_the_Bible-Wink.pdf The Great Sex Rescue- by Sheila Wray Gregoire https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Great_Sex_Rescue/x2caEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

In this episode, we explore the complex factors that lead individuals to depart from their faith communities and the experiences and desires that ultimately bring them back. We explain why progressive Churches are well-equipped to meet the needs of people who are searching for an authentic faith community that engages the social and political realities of our time. We close out the show by answering questions from listeners on gender roles and progressive views of the afterlife. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].