Beyond Sunday

Is the Christian Left making a comeback? Following recent election victories by progressive Christian candidates like James Talarico and Adam Hamilton, we're asking what role faith should play in American politics. For years, the Christian Right has faced criticism for becoming too closely tied to political power and partisan loyalty. But as progressive Christians find a stronger political voice,...

With Election Day just around the corner, political divisions seem deeper than ever—even among Christians. This week on Beyond Sunday , we discuss a Christianity Today article asking how Christians can confront injustice without demonizing those we disagree with. Can we stand firmly for what we believe while still loving our political opponents? How do we balance justice, reconciliation, and Chris...

Monsters aren't just for Halloween—they're in the Bible too! From Leviathan and Behemoth to terrifying angels and the beasts of Revelation, Scripture is filled with some pretty strange creatures. This week on Beyond Sunday , we explore what these biblical monsters reveal about our fears, our understanding of evil, and even God himself. Plus, why do we tend to make the Bible a little less scary tha...

The new Narnia adaptation has sparked some strong reactions, especially over the decision to have a woman voice Aslan. But why do changes to beloved stories sometimes feel like challenges to our faith? This week on Beyond Sunday , we discuss book-to-movie adaptations, Christian traditions, and the things we sometimes treat as sacred that might not be. How do we distinguish between what's holy, wha...

This week on Beyond Sunday, we’re asking what churches really mean when they say, “Everyone is welcome.” Inspired by The Inclusivity Trap , we talk about the difference between being welcoming and creating real belonging, whether churches sometimes confuse being loving with being nice, and what happens when inclusion actually requires us to change.

It’s spooky season on Beyond Sunday! Join us as we explore three of the Bible’s strangest and creepiest stories: Saul’s mysterious visit to the medium of Endor, Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, and the terrifying handwriting on the wall in Daniel. What’s really happening in these stories, and what are we supposed to make of them today? Grab some Halloween candy and join us for a fun dive into the we...

In this episode, we discuss the tragic story of Mica Miller and what it reveals about power, accountability, and leadership in the church. What happens when a pastor has authority but little meaningful oversight? Can someone receive forgiveness and grace while still facing consequences or being disqualified from leadership? We explore how churches can protect vulnerable people, recognize unhealthy...

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life—and increasingly, part of the church. This week, we discuss an article from Mere Orthodoxy that asks why many christians have been so quick to embrace AI. We explore questions about technology, truth, certainty, and what might be lost when we outsource more of our thinking to machines. What does faithful use of AI look like, and what can te...

What happens when ideas about biblical authority, gender roles, and politics collide? In this episode of Beyond Sunday , we look at a growing conversation among some Christian leaders questioning women’s right to vote. We explore the false theology behind these arguments, how Scripture is incorrectly being used to support them, and what happens when our interpretation of the Bible becomes a bluepr...

The Bible tells a powerful story of God freeing people from slavery—but it also contains laws that allow slavery and New Testament passages telling enslaved people to obey their masters. So what do we do with these difficult texts? In this episode of Beyond Sunday , we wrestle with slavery in the Old and New Testaments, how these passages have been used throughout history, and what they can teach...

What does it look like to live out your faith without making a show of it? This week on Beyond Sunday , we talk about Dolly Parton, the faith that has shaped her life, and the way she has navigated fame, generosity, conviction, and kindness in the public eye. What can her example teach us about living our own faith authentically in the world?

What happens when Christian faith gets tangled up with political power? In this episode, we discuss a Christianity Today article on blasphemy laws in religious institutions and government. We explore religious freedom, the role of government, and the danger of confusing protecting Christian faith with protecting Christian power. How can Christians remain faithful without confusing the kingdom of G...

What happens when the faith you grew up with no longer seems to fit? In this episode, we talk about deconstruction—what it is, why it can be such a difficult part of a person’s spiritual journey, and why asking hard questions doesn’t necessarily mean walking away from God and the grief that comes with it. We explore the idea of “reconstruction” and what it might look like to rebuild a faith with g...

Apparently, some Christians say we’re supposed to be tougher on sin. More hellfire. More brimstone. Less “How does that make you feel?” 😬 But what if empathy doesn’t make us softer on sin—it actually helps us understand it better? This week on Beyond Sunday , we dive into Russell Moore’s provocative argument that empathy is deeply connected to the way Scripture confronts sin, calls people to repe...

What is the unforgivable sin? Did Jesus really say there's one sin God won't forgive? And should Christians today be worried they've committed it? In this episode of Beyond Sunday , we continue our Hard Things in the Bible series by diving into Jesus' warning about "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." We explore the biblical context, unpack what Jesus was saying, and compare how different Christia...

Christian history is full of beliefs and practices that seem strange to us today—from pillar-dwelling monks to sin eaters and everything in between. In this episode, we explore some of Christianity's forgotten traditions and ask a bigger question: What beliefs or practices do we hold today that future Christians might find just as unusual? Join us as we separate the timeless truth of the Gospel fr...

Every summer across the world there are kids heading to summer camp. For many, those camps are geared towards spiritual formation of youth and adults. This week, Pastor David sits down with Josiah Canto to talk about life, camp, ministry, and how the church can put its best foot forward in reaching the next generation.

This week we're taking a look back to dive into two of the biggest faith and culture stories making headlines while we were on hiatus. First, we turn to the Southern Baptist Convention's recent vote regarding women in ministry. Why did they need to make a new vote when... nothing seemed to change and why we disagree with their theology on this one? Then we unpack Texas' new Bible initiatives in pu...

Why would Jesus seem to praise a dishonest manager? In one of the most puzzling parables in the Gospels, Jesus tells the story of a shrewd manager who appears to be rewarded for his questionable actions. Is Jesus encouraging dishonesty, or is there something deeper going on? In this episode of Hard Things in the Bible , we unpack Luke 16:1–13, explore several of the leading Christian interpretatio...

This week we're tackling one of the hardest stories in the entire Bible: Abraham and Isaac. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? What was the purpose of this test? And what are Christians supposed to do with a story that still makes many readers uncomfortable today? We'll explore the historical context, different Christian perspectives, and how this strange and powerful story points us...

Sports betting is everywhere—but what happens when the “casinofication” of culture starts shaping the church too? This week we dive into a thought-provoking article from Christianity Today and ask whether churches are losing community, identity, and formation in a world built around algorithms, individualism, and constant dopamine hits. We talk sports, gambling, discipleship, and what it means to...

On this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how Gen Z is reframing one of Christianity’s oldest questions. Instead of asking, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” many young adults today are asking, “Why don’t bad people ever seem to face justice?” We unpack the rise of cynicism, social media-fueled outrage, the longing for judgment, and how the way of Je...

What if aliens are real—and two U.S. presidents have already hinted at it? More importantly… would it actually change anything about Christian faith? In this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how believers might respond to the reality of extraterrestrial life. Would aliens need salvation? Does the gospel extend beyond Earth? And why does this idea feel less s...

God commands destruction in one part of the Bible… and tells us to love our enemies in another. So what’s going on? In this episode, we explore the tension between Old Testament violence and the teachings of Jesus, taking an honest look at difficult passages and what they might mean for how we understand God today.

Maybe you’ve been in this scenario: you’re going through a particularly hard time, your emotions are all over the place, you don’t feel like yourself, you’re worried something is wrong. You reach out to a trusted friend or pastor and what’s their advice: “Sounds like a spiritual battle that you should pray about.” Are they right? Is it always that? Is every crisis we face a manifestation of the sp...