Christianity Without Compromise: Rebuilding Faith Around Jesus Alone

We may not bow down to golden statues, but our screens often hold the same power. Andrew Noble, PhD candidate in theology and host of What Would Jesus Tech? , joins Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Smashing Idols ) to discuss the hidden ways technology becomes an idol. With host Jake Doberenz, Andrew unpacks his journey from startup tech worker to theological researcher—and how his backgr...

Writer and storyteller Thomas Salerno joins host Jake Doberenz on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Smashing Idols ) to unpack the idols of achievement and purpose through his personal journey—from curating fossils at the American Museum of Natural History to discovering God-given gifts in writing and teaching. Thomas shares how divine providence redirected his dreams during the pandemic,...

Most Christians say they want church unity—but what does that actually look like? Author and Bible teacher Traci Rhoades joins Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) to share her multi-denominational journey, from Southern Baptist roots to Reformed churches to pursuing the Catholic Church. With host Jake Doberenz, she reflects on the beauty and mystery of the Church as on...

Jonathan Machnee, host of Christian on the Spectrum podcast, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) with host Jake Doberenz to discuss the intersection of autism and the Christian faith. Jonathan shares his journey from growing up in church, through deconstruction and atheism, to then returning to Christianity with a renewed perspective shaped by his autism. He high...

Payton Minzenmayer, pastor at Vero Beach Church of Christ and founder of Christian Story Lab, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) with host Jake Doberenz to explore how Christians can reclaim storytelling as a transformative spiritual tool. From hiding Pokémon cartridges as a kid to writing his first book Story on Purpose , Payton shares how story helped him surv...

We’ve built churches that run on doing and learning—but rarely teach believers how to rely on the Spirit. Dr. Mike Clarensau, author of A Spirit Empowered Life , joins host Jake Doberenz on Christianity Without Compromise (then called Theology Meets World ) to challenge the modern tendency to substitute knowledge for power. Drawing from Scripture and decades of church consulting, Mike explores how...

Scot McKnight, renowned New Testament scholar and author of the new book Invisible Jesus , is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World) with host Jake Doberenz to discuss the rise of faith deconstruction. Scot addresses how believers who leave rigid or politicized expressions of Christianity are often not abandoning faith but stripping away distortions to re-center on Jesu...

Churches are known for stepping up after a disaster—but what if the real calling begins before the crisis? Kiva Maxwell, disaster preparedness planner for the CDC in the Houston area, joins host Jake Doberenz on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World) to explore how faith, public health, and community resilience intersect. From her childhood obsession with Hurricane Katrina...

Churches rushed online during the pandemic—but few paused to ask what Scripture actually says about internet technology. Mike Van Goch, Canadian writer, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) with host Jake Doberenz to discuss what Christians get wrong about the internet, online church, and digital discipleship. They explore why treating the internet as a “place” cr...

Dr. Jared Stacy, a seasoned pastor and PhD researcher on conspiratorial thinking, joins host Jake Doberenz on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World) to explore how conspiracy theories—past and present—have shaped American evangelicalism and Christianity at large. Jared unpacks the structure of conspiratorial narratives: hidden actors, hostile intent, and a sense of holy st...

The church’s political entanglements didn’t come out of nowhere—but most Christians don’t know the history. Chris Staron, host of the award-winning Truce podcast, joins Jake Doberenz on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) to unpack how theology and social change collided with American politics, forming the complex landscape evangelicalism navigates today. Chris emphasi...

Joseph Holmes, film critic and co-host of The Overthinkers podcast, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets Word ) with host Jake Doberenz to discuss how Christians should engage with movies, entertainment, and pop culture. Raised by two ordained ministers who modeled how to connect theology with storytelling, Joseph shares how we brings those skills to the movies and TV tha...

Modern Christianity often idolizes fame and impact—believing God’s work is most visible through bold leaders, powerful pastors, or headline-grabbing ministries. But Melinda Fugate, children’s minister and author of Stories from the Sidelines , joins host Jake Doberenz on Christianity Without Compromise (then called Theology Meets World) to challenge that narrative. Drawing from her own shift from...

Loren Richmond, Jr, a pastor and nonprofit executive, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) to explore with host Jake Doberenz about how churches can navigate and participate in the growing world of social entrepreneurship. Loren outlines what defines a social enterprise and challenges the notion that profit must always take priority. Drawing from personal experien...

Stacy Knapp, grief companion, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) with host Jake Doberenz to address the idol of quick fixes in the face of grief. Stacy shares how the move from her lifelong home in Los Angeles to Phoenix revealed hidden layers of loss, leading her into the work of grief companionship. Drawing on her training, Stacy explains why every transition—...

Nathan Perrin, peace activist and co-chair of Community Peacemaker Teams’ steering committee, is on Christianity Without Compromise (formerly Theology Meets World ) with host Jake Doberenz to expose the overlooked connections between Western Christian theology and Middle East injustice. In this episode, Nathan shares the gripping story of how a cross riddled with bullet holes in an Assyrian villag...

Spencer Shaw, minister and host of Thinking Theologically , is on Christianity Without Compromise (then called Theology Meets World ) with host Jake Doberenz to discuss how church culture—whether toxic, apathetic, or unintentional—is shaping the future of discipleship in America. Drawing from his new book Cultivating Culture , Spencer identifies the church itself as a major factor in its own decli...