The Spiritual Brewpub
by spiritualbrewpub, Michael Camp
Use sound history to critique, rethink, and rebuild faith. A safe haven for anyone deconstructing evangelicalism, ex-evangelicals, or anyone spiritually restless. Hear from people who make valuable contributions to the conversation about deconstruction, spirituality, restorative justice, and rebuilding faith with love as a foundation.
Episodes
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Jesus & Lao Tzu - The Way of Love
What if Jesus and the ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu (circa 400 BC) met beside a campfire? Michael interviews Gregory T. Smith on what that conversation might be like as Smith explains in his book, Jesus & Lao Tzu: The Way of Love. Jesus speaks of loving enemies, losing your life to find it, and...
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How to Save Yourself From Spiritual Narcissists
Becky Garrison joins Michael to discuss her new book, Gaslighting for God: A Satirical Guide to Save Yourself from Spiritual Narcissists. Per Becky's research, self-styled spiritual saviors are out hawking salvation and spiritually abusing church members. Why are such spiritual narcissists drawn…
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10 Dangers of the New Apostolic Reformation
What is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and how does it perpetuate toxic charismatic revivalism and Christian nationalism? Pia Hugo joins Michael to share her story of domestic and spiritual abuse within the church that helped start NAR. Learn how she got sucked in, suffered abuse, and...
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Weapons of Worship: How Evangelical Songs Foster Extremism
Over decades, evangelical worship songwriting became an industry with more and more lyrics depicting spiritual warfare and conquest. Rick Pidcock, a former evangelical and charismatic worship leader for 20 years, joins Michael to talk about how lyrics like "Praise is the water my enemies drown…
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Love Plus Nothing Else! Says a Recovered Evangelical
Educator and Historian, Dan Henderson, joins Michael to discuss his new book, "Reflections of a Recovered Evangelical: Love Plus Nothing Else." How does one outgrow evangelicalism? Is it possible to follow Jesus outside Christianity? What is the history of the early first century Jesus movement?...
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Take the Bible Back from Fundamentalists & Frauds
Michael and guest, actor/comedian John Fugelsang, talk about John's new book, The Separation of Church and Hate, which reveals how the Bible has been co-opted by evangelicalism and Catholicism to control the religious masses and access political power. Fugelsang’s message starts with taking down...
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Stop Worrying About Hell. Start Focusing on Love.
When evangelical pastor Brian Recker began questioning the rationality of a loving God consigning non-Christians to eternal damnation, it turned his world upside down. But, in the process, a lot of harmful beliefs and evangelical sacred cows began falling to the ground and a refreshing…
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Reading Romans Right: Restoring Paul's Original Intent
For the longest time, Paul's Epistle to the Romans has been used to justify misogyny, homophobia, eternal conscious torment, and blind allegiance to the State. But the truth is that the Apostle Paul never intended his letter to Jesus gatherings in Rome to teach any of those things. Authors Keith...
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The Evangelical Distortion of Christianity - Eric English
Today, we discuss a very important book with our guest author Eric English. It's "The Kingdom of Man: Evangelicalism and the Distortion of Christianity." Eric and I discuss the history of the evangelical movement, what the milestones were when things went south, how we got to where we are today,...
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Gaza Ceasefire Update - And Why You Should Care
I’m excited to have Kathy Shihadah back with us. Kathy is a Writer/Editor/Researcher at "If Americans Knew"—a media organization focused on the Middle East. She’s also a Blogger at Patheos with the title, Grace-Colored Glasses. Moreover, she has close family living in Gaza and at least one family...
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Heretic Too! with Matthew Distefano
Matthew Distefano joins Michael to talk about the sequel to his book "Heretic," called "Heretic Too." It's provocative, insightful, humorous, and healing. We discuss the book and the many issues he addresses therein as an exvangelical, including what it means to follow Jesus, sexuality, women in...
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Discover Life After Toxic Religion with Laci Bean
Today, we are in for a special treat with our guest, Laci Nikita Bean. Laci is a Certified Religious Trauma Recovery Coach, a co-host of the Deadly Faith Podcast, and Author of the recently released book, "Leaving the Sanctuary: Discovering Life Beyond the Boundaries of Religion." You'll learn…
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The Christian Movement Threatening Our Democracy - Matthew Taylor
Matthew Taylor is a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies. As a specialist in American Christianity, Islam, Christian extremism, and religious politics, he wrote the newly released book, The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That is Threatening...
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Meet God's Ex-Girlfriend! On Loving and Leaving the Evangelical Jesus
Michael chats with Gloria Beth Amodeo (goes by Beth) on her journey into and out of evangelical Christianity. Learn how a charming, insecure girl from a troubled family became a NYC evangelist for a Christian fundamentalist movement that sought to govern her every thought and action. We discuss...
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The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World - Larry Jordan
Michael has a conversation with Larry Jordan, author of The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World. Larry deconstructed conservative Christianity, left 25 years of investment banking, and then dedicated his life to serve the world. Working for the Red Cross, helping Veterans, teaching...
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How Do You Fix a Flawed Criminal Justice System? Dorsey Nunn
Get Dorsey's book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Kind-Bird-Cant-Fly-ebook/dp/B0CKZKDHYF/ Visit his organization, Legal Services for Children of Prisoners: https://prisonerswithchildren.org/ Visit The Spiritual Brewpub: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com/
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Take the Spiritual Journey to Anti-Racism
A former educator in evangelical and public schools, Dan Henderson joins Michael to discuss his new book and "The Spiritual Journey to Anti-Racism: A Travel Guide for White People." Dan explains a subtle, normally overlooked version of white privilege and the critical distinction between being...
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Quantum Sayings of Jesus - Decoding a Lost Gospel with Keith Giles
Find Keith's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Sayings-Jesus-Decoding-Gospel-ebook/dp/B0CW1FXSF2/ Find Keith's new podcast, The God Squad: Faith, Politics, Sanity here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-god-squad/id1754574318 Visit The Spiritual Brewpub here:...
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Liberating You From Bad Ideas About God
Learn more about JD Myers and his books here: https://redeeminggod.com/ Learn about Michael's book on exposing retribution and violence in popular theology here: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com/
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Was Last Days Ministries a Cult? Former Members Enlighten Us - PART 2.
Find Part 1 here: https://the-spiritual-brewpub.simplecast.com/episodes/was-last-days-ministries-a-cult-former-members-share-their-story-part-1 To get more details about Sharon and Tracey's experiences, visit their podcast: https://www.confessionsofthecultsisters.com/ To learn more about…
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Was Last Days Ministries a Cult? Former Members Share Their Story - PART 1
To get more details about Sharon and Tracey's experiences, visit their podcast: https://www.confessionsofthecultsiste... To learn more about Michael's journey, visit: https://www.spiritualbrewpub.com/
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Former Evangelical Christian Radio Host and Survivor Contestant Tells Her Story
Today, Leslie is a Faith & Life Transition Coach and host of the Honoring the Journey Podcast. To learn more about Leslie's faith coaching services, visit: https://www.leslieneasecoaching.com/ To hear Leslie's podcast, visit: https://honoring-the-journey.simpleca... To learn more about Michael's...
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Spiritual Anxiety and Religious Trauma - Tiffany Yecke Brooks
To find the newly released Holy Ghosted, visit Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Ghosted-Spiritual-Religious-Language-ebook/dp/B0CDL39X7H/ To find Gaslighted by God and her other books, visit: https://tiffanyyeckebrooks.com/ To learn more about The Spiritual Brewpub, visit:...
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Reclaiming a Non-Violent Atonement with Jonathan Foster
Jonathan's books include "Indigo: The Color of Grief," "Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe," "The Reconstructionist," and "Questions About Sexuality that Got Me Uninvited from My Denomination." Find his books here: https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com/ or on...
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Palestinian and Israeli Stories
What's really going in Palestine and Israel? Lamis Diab shares first hand experience being shot at by the Israeli army, what the apartheid conditions are like, the dehumanization of a people, what the bombing of Gaza is like, and some of the solutions being proposed. Also includes stories of...
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Evangelical Deconstruction: Harmful or Healthy?
Is deconstructing evangelical theology harming people and tearing them away from Jesus? Is it untrue to the historical and biblical record? Or, is it actually a natural healthy process of questioning certain doctrines and discovering a more "biblical" and historically accurate paradigm on Jesus…
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Holy Hell! Methodist Pastor Debunks Eternal Damnation
Join Reverend Derek Kubilus and Michael having an amazing conversation on the doctrine of hell and how Derek came to reject it as a mistranslated, misinterpreted, and illogical concept that totally contradicts God's love. Derek addresses these questions below. Don't miss his insightful answers: *...
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Deconstructing Your Faith Without Losing Yourself
One day Angela Herrington had an epiphany. She loved God but realized the conservative Christian movement she was in was teaching some really toxic stuff. Join Michael and Angela’s conversation about what faith deconstruction is, why it’s so crucial, and how to address its critics. Angela shares...
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A Refugee Family's Quest for Survival in Gaza
A journalist for "If Americans Knew," Kathy Shihadah has a deep connection to Palestine through her Palestinian relatives living in Gaza. Drawing on her experience as a professional researcher of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as a progressive Christian blogger, and and her personal…
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Marine Turned Pacifist Debunks Redemptive Violence
Meet the Tattooed Theologian. Dillon Naber Cruz experienced trauma in his childhood and during his service in the Marine Corps. After coming to grips with his PTSD and how the US military wages war and trains recruits, Dillon went back to the teachings of Jesus and addressed the cognitive...
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The NakedPastor on Religious Deconstruction
David Hayward is the "NakedPastor." He is a cartoonist, author, and former charismatic/evangelical pastor who deconstructed his faith and rebuilt a new refreshing spirituality that still embraces the wisdom of Jesus... but without the religious baggage. Michael and David discuss their journeys…
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A Palestinian Christian on the Israel-Hamas War and More
Daniel Bannoura is a Palestinian Christian who grew up in the West Bank and taught at Bethlehem Bible College. Now a PhD candidate at Notre Dame, Daniel joins Michael to discuss the Israel-Hamas War, the wider Palestinian-Israel conflict, and his Palestinian Christian roots. There's so much…
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What People of Faith Need to Know About Israel & Gaza
Kathy Shihadah, a Christian and ex-evangelical, is married to a Gazan Muslim who has family in Gaza. She joins Michael to share her very personal and gripping story about her spiritual journey, a multi-faith marriage, and insights on the plight of Palestinians. Kathy and Michael share empathy for...
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Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies
American democracy is in danger. How do we protect it from authoritarian reactionary Christianity? David Gushee joins Michael to discuss his new book, Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies. Gushee makes a robust case for a renewed commitment to democracy on the part of Christians—not by...
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Science Denial Among Evangelicals - Janet Ray
Why do so many evangelicals deny vaccine science? Why are so many suspicious of the science behind climate change? Why do most evangelicals reject theistic evolution? Michael talks to Janet Kellogg Ray to get answers. This evangelical antipathy to modern science turned deadly during the COVID-19...
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10 Facts that Disentangle Jesus from Christianity and the Church
There is one very important thing that my evangelical deconstruction taught me about Jesus: With a few exceptions, modern Christian churches have tangled Jesus up in a huge wad of unhistorical beliefs, doctrines, and practices. I learned that by doing a sound, non-sectarian study of history, we…
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Tom Oord on the Power of Un-Controlling Love and the Death of Omnipotence
Thomas Jay Oord, scholar, theologian, and professor at Northwind Seminary, joins Michael to talk about his new book, The Death of Omnipotence and the Birth of Amipotence. They discuss whether God is all powerful or not and what is a better, more "biblical", and philosophically logical way of...
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Jim Palmer on Non-Religious Spirituality
Special guest Jim Palmer joins us on The Spiritual Brewpub. Jim is a former mega-church pastor, a master of divinity graduate, a humanist chaplain, a certified spiritual director, and the founder of the Center for Non-Religious Spirituality. Jim and Michael talk about Jim's deconstruction and...
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Laci Bean on Recovering from Religious Trauma
Laci joins Michael in a fascinating conversation about her work as a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach (CTRC) focusing on helping people overcome religious trauma. Learn her story how she got caught up in an evangelical cult ministry, started deconstructing, and finally caught a vision to help…
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Karen Shock’s Sacred Thoughts Said Out Loud
Michael and Karen have a conversation about her story described in her new book, "Too Much and Not Enough: Sacred Thoughts Said Out Loud." Karen shares with a refreshingly brutal honesty about her experiences growing up under the influence of toxic theological systems that left her doubting her...
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Desimber Rose on Toxic Church Culture
Author, poet, spoken word artist, and former pastor of The Restoration Center and the The Rock Worship Center, both in South Carolina, Desimber Rose joins Michael to talk about toxic church culture. It’s time to expose the dark underbelly of institutional church and Desimber is equipped to do it....
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Heather Hamilton on Returning to Eden
Food to benefit your spiritual journey. Heather Hamilton, author of Returning to Eden: A Field Guide for the Spiritual Journey, joins Michael to discuss her story deconstructing evangelicalism and rebuilding a surprisingly refreshing new paradigm. Heather has a knack for sharing spiritual and...
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Liberating Theologies with Mason Mennenga
Mason Mennenga joins Michael to discuss his journey surviving Veggie Tales (an evangelical children's animation franchise), an evangelical mega church and its theology, and how he came to question it all and discover a liberating and more historically-honest faith. As a podcaster, YouTuber, and...
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Kick Toxic Religion to the Curb with Angela Herrington
Angela Herrington joins Michael to discuss her work as a Faith Deconstruction Coach, workshop presenter, and author of a forthcoming book, "Kicking Toxic Religion to the Curb: Deconstruct Your Faith Without Losing Yourself." Hear about Angela's journey and the abundant content she has developed...
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Brad Jersak on Faith After Deconstruction
Brad Jersak joins Michael to discuss his latest book, After the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction. Their conversation includes Brad's deconstruction journey, both his support and critique of today's mass deconstruction, and examples of historical deconstructionists like Voltaire,...
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Jennifer Bird: A New Paradigm on the Bible
Biblical scholar Jennifer Grace Bird joins Michael in a fascinating conversation about the importance of knowing original meaning and thinking for oneself when it comes to the Bible. Jennifer shares her insights found in her book "Permission Granted: Take the Bible into Your Own Hands" and her...
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Maria French: A Post-Christian Journey
What does post-Christian mean? According to Maria French, it doesn't automatically mean post-Jesus or post-faith. Join Maria and Michael as they discuss why the ideas in Maria's book are so critical to the conversation about deconstruction. The community of post-evangelicals, or even those who…
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Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical - Deconstructing & Rebuilding Faith
Dan Henderson joins Michael to discuss his book, Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical, which chronicles his journey of alienation and frustration with traditional evangelical Christianity. Many like Dan are "Nones" and are often traumatized by the transition from a rigid religious world view…
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Rob Schenck, Evangelical Minister, Exposes a Disturbing Gun Culture and the Lies Inside the Pro Life Movement
Rob Schenck had at least three conversions. One, to Christ, two to a highly politicized faith, and three from the Religious Right back to Jesus' teachings. Michael and Rob have a fascinating conversation about his journey and how evangelicals turned their backs on Jesus' love ethic by justifying...
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Going Gay and Other Stories that Expose the Harmful Ex-Gay Movement - Tim Rymel
Can you be a Christian and be gay? Tim Rymel spent nearly 20 years emphatically answering no to that question. Born into the fundamentalist, Pentecostal Christian faith, he went into the ministry at 15-years-old, pleading with God to make him straight. His desperate journey led him into…
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About this show
Use sound history to critique, rethink, and rebuild faith. A safe haven for anyone deconstructing evangelicalism, ex-evangelicals, or anyone spiritually restless. Hear from people who make valuable contributions to the conversation about deconstruction, spirituality, restorative justice, and rebuilding faith with love as a foundation.
Hosted by
spiritualbrewpub, Michael Camp
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