Saving Faith with Eric Sentell of the Backyard Church Blog

Saving Faith thanks all the listeners and guests since it launched (under the name Metamorphosis) in March 2020. While future episodes are unlikely, existing episodes will continue to be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms. Thank you, and God bless. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and...

What's it like to fear losing your job -- nay, your calling -- because of your sexual orientation? Reverend Keith Turner answers that question, and more, in this episode. Read Keith's powerful essay, " My Church Finally Caught Up to Me: A Gay United Methodist Pastor Tells (Most of) His Story ." Then read Keith's insightful response to "sincerely-helf beliefs," &quot...

Last episode, Eric tried to recreate Tom Oord's answers. This episode, listeners get the real deal! Tom graciously agreed to come back for another conversation. We talk about " God After Deconstruction ," " Why the Church of the Nazarene Should Be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming ," and Tom's other faith-transforming, life-changing ideas. Check out ThomasJayOord.com . Saving Fait...

Dr. Thomas Jay Oord's latest book, "God After Deconstruction," helps religious "nones" reconnect with God. Learn more about Dr. Oord's work at ThomasJayOord.com . Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell intervi...

Why are people leaving Christianity? Why not ask some of those people. Brandon Flanery, author of the spiritual memoir "Stumbling," surveyed his social media following and analyzed the responses to find out why people are leaving Christianity. The results are both unsurprising and surprising. Learn more about Brandon and his writing at BrandonFlanery.com . Saving Faith creates space for...

Is David French right that colleges tolerate protests from "preferred groups" but not other groups? No. No, he's not. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks th...

Have you heard of ChatGPT, or have you been living under a rock? In this episode, Eric reflects on the analysis of Daniel Susskind, author of "A World without Work," and how AI might change the way we work both outside and inside the church. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they...

John Michael Talbot is a multi-platinum selling, Grammy / Dove award winning Contemporary Catholic Christian Music pioneer. He joins Eric to talk about his 59th album and 38th book, both titled "Late Have I Loved You." John shares some of his remarkable spiritual journey, including multiple mystical experiences. Learn more about John Michael Talbot's books, albums, and ministries at:...

" But God Can: How to Stop Striving and Live Purposefully and Abundantly " will help you get unstuck and pursue the spiritual purpose and abundance that comes from a deep relationship with Jesus. Eric chats with its author, Becky Kiser , an author, podcaster, and ministry leader who is passionate about inspiring women in their faith and daily lives. You don't have to be enough, Becky...

Many people have a difficult relationship to the Bible. This episode offers some practical advice for rebuilding that relationship. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks th...

What has experience taught you about God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Experience is an important part of both deconstructing and reconstructing faith. Experience causes the former, but it can also help with the latter. In this episode, Eric explores how experience can help rebuild a stronger faith and reflects on the Apostles following their experience instead of their scriptures and traditions. Savin...

In this episode, Eric talks about the Christians who inspire other people to become, or remain, followers of Jesus. Leave a review and share who inspires your faith, or post a link to this episode to social media and share your faith inspiration. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can f...

When reconstructing faith, experience of the supernatural - the part of reality beyond our senses and measurements - can open us up to the limits of human perception and knowledge and, thus, open us up to God. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host E...

Faith deconstruction is a necessary part of maturing one's faith. But how do you reconstruct faith? Based on personal experience and conversations with other Christians, Eric suggests beginning the journey by focusing on your "core belief" that helps you firmly believe in God no matter what. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to r...

Kim Jenne returns! She gives us an insider's perspective on the United Methodist Church's ongoing debate about LGBTQ inclusion and shares some of her personal theology on the topic. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell intervie...

The Race and Culture project of Missouri's United Methodist conference is working toward racial reconciliation and inclusion. Kim Jenne shares some of that project's work and resources in this conversation on Saving Faith. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in t...

Gratitude is a choice. Eric shares his struggles witih choosing gratitude and offers a prayer for Diana Butler Bass to help us choose to give thanks this Thanksgiving. Grateful by Diana Butler Bass The Cottage newsletter by Diana Butler Bass Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow...

"Suppression leads to depression. Expression leads to emotional resurrection." Ron Greer helps us mourn devastating loss in his book, " The Quiet House ," and in this interview on Saving Faith. Greer speaks from 40 years of experience in pastoral counseling, as a father who lost a young son, and as a husband who recently lost his wife. Get "The Quiet House" at his chu...

" Nice Churchy Patriarchy " is still patriarchy, is still harmful to women and men, and is the title of Liz Jenkins' book. In this interview, Jenkins shares some of her experiences of church patriarchcy and discusses why and how Christians should change patriarchial structures. PRE-ORDER "Nice Churchy Patriarchy" at Bookshop , Amazon , or Barnes and Noble Connect with Liz J...

When is war moral or immoral? Christianity's "Just War" tradition offers insights into that difficult question. Eric references the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Just War Theory throughout this episode. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s...

How can Christians, who follow a preacher of non-violence, respond to the self-defensive war of Israel against Hamas? How can they make sense of the Israel-Hamas War and the problem of evil? Eric Sentell tries his best. Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s worl...

Saving Faith creates space for Christians: to deconstruct harmful beliefs and attitudes; to reconstruct a faith that works; and to explore how they can follow Jesus in today’s world.  Host Eric Sentell interviews guests, offers Christian commentary on events, talks theology, and riffs on following Jesus day-to-day. He is a regular contributor to the popular Medium blog, " The Backyard Church...

Eric talks about making some changes to revamp Metamorphosis and build its audience. Metamorphosis is the podcast of Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont, Missouri, where we share the unchanging love of Jesus to change people’s lives. Learn more about Trinity UMC in Piedmont, MO, at www.umctrinity.org Contact Eric at jamesericsentell@gmail.com Podcast Author: Trinity United Methodist Church...

In the National Bestseller, " Disobedient Women " journalist Sarah Stankorb tells the stories of the women who uncovered abuse in Evangelical communities through their bloggin, social media, and online communities. Sarah shares with Metamorphosis some of these stories and her analysis of the theology and structure that lead to abuse. Metamorphosis is the podcast of Trinity United Methodi...

Shannon Kearns is the author of In the Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey through Scripture . He shares some of his faith and trans journeys and explains how a trans (or queer) lens can illuminate scripture for everyone. Check out Shannon's book at www.shannontlkearns.com as well as Shannon's podcast and other work at QueerTheology.com . Metamorphosis is the podcast of Trinity United...