Control Freak Christianity

Job received bad counsel from his friends in the midst of his suffering. What are some of the bad things that Job's friends told him and does it sound like advice we give today? Join Joe and Rachel for this episode to explore what kind of advice makes God angry, and what we can say instead. 

Jesus will cleanse His bride. How does this truth affect how we should see the church and address evils inside the church? In this episode, Joe and Rachel talk of how to take part in the work of Jesus, while relying on Jesus' promises for His church. 

Former TLC star from "19 Kids and Counting," Josh Duggar has been charged in Federal court with possessing Child Pornography. He is yet another conservative Christian that has shown a horrific willingness to abuse others. Joe and Rachel discuss how they used to hold similar beliefs as the Duggars. God has helped Joe and Rachel come to freedom, perhaps He will show the same grace to members of the...

Spiritual Warfare is often either over-emphasized or ignored. Joe and Rachel discuss their own experiences, Jesus' dealing with temptation, and the confidence Christians can have against the enemy. 

For centuries, teachings of Kinism (and similar doctrines) have infiltrated the church justifying many evils. Joe and Rachel talk of their own upbringings and exposures to racist ideologies, along with some of their own thoughts on how to begin to think of racial issues. 

Politics have been crazy and Christians are all over the map when it comes to political involvement and positions. Joe and Rachel discuss their own political experiences and talk about what a healthy understanding of politics in the life of the Christian can look like. 

Joe and Rachel have a raw and unscripted conversation about a rarely addressed topic - that people have fantasies, imaginative worlds, and daydreams. Is that even ok? Join us for the discussion!

The Quiverfull movement, and similar movements, teach that all birth control is wrong, and families should produce as many children as possible. Joe and Rachel discuss some of the thoughts, beliefs, and arguments of the Quiverfull movement, along with the truth and freedom found in the Bible. 

In a world where internet experts and armchair theorists abound, Joe and Rachel discuss the importance of listening to people who actually live out their own ideas. How can we tell if somebody is a practitioner? How do we know if their practice is healthy and good? And what does a practitioner learn from engaging in real life? 

Co-hosts Joe and Rachel discuss the core Christian doctrine of repentance and how it is often dealt with cheaply. From abusers faking repentance to save face, to large numbers of Christians being gullible because they don't regularly walk in repentance, much discussion and work is needed on this topic.

The sexual abuse of famed evangelist and apologist, Ravi Zacharias, is in the open. We know he shamefully used his ministry for selfish reasons, harming and abusing others in the process. Joe and Rachel have an unscripted conversation on the ordeal and what it means for Christians and the Church. 

This episode contains a detailed account of abuse.  Joe and Rachel discuss an example of abuse from Joe's life and how God faithfully met Joe in many moments of darkness. 

A shallow understanding of suffering can easily lead to trite Christian sayings or quoting a Bible verse without compassion. Joe and Rachel discuss the heart of God, our need for comfort, and how we should seek to comfort others in their suffering. 

Abusers are not the only ones to blame for cultures of abuse. The enablers, those who stand by and don't resist abuse, bear culpability as well. Joe and Rachel touch on the biblical theology of Justice, discuss how we have all fallen short in acting justly, and give examples of how passivity against abusers hurts the abused. But for all of our failure in these areas, our hope is in Jesus who activ...

In another interview with Pastor Miguel Davilla, co-hosts Joe and Rachel discuss many of the challenges abused people face in the church, even as they need church. Everything from how to identify a healthy or unhealthy church, to when the police should be called in an abusive situation, this interview pulls on years of experience and wisdom from Pastor Miguel. 

Joe and Rachel wrap up some of their thoughts on Church Discipline, how it can be done well, and how God has given us tools to protect our local church communities. Don't miss Joe's nerdy addendum about Congregationalism, if you're into that kind of thing. 

Church Discipline is a practice not done by most churches. But when it is done, it's often down wrong. Rachel and Joe discuss real-life examples (including Rachel being church disciplined by a jilted ex-suiter) and the harmful ideas that use Church Discipline as a weapon.

An announcement!! Regular content returning soon.

Pastor Miguel Davilla joins Joe and Rachel to discuss how Pastors can help bring healing to those who've experienced spiritual abuse. God's grace through his ministry, and the work of his congregation, has helped many people walk the difficult road of healing in Christ.

Pastor Miguel Davilla joins Joe and Rachel to discuss how Pastors can help bring healing to those who've experienced spiritual abuse. God's grace through his ministry, and the work of his congregation, has helped many people walk the difficult road of healing in Christ. 

How we respond to life, with its highs and lows, can vary. Different generations have been formed in different contexts, each with their own shortcomings. Joe and Rachel use some inspiration from Netflix binging, a quick nod to Philosophy, and an overview of the Book of Ecclesiastes to give some thoughts on how to deal with all of life, good and bad. 

Many self-righteous people are miserable, and many sub-cultures of Fundamentalism have limited understandings or expressions of humor. Rachel previews her comedy show, followed by Joe and Rachel discussing humor with its uses and misuses. 

Idealism is a common theme in Authoritarian Fundamentalism and appeals to our desire for easy answers. In this episode, Joe and Rachel discuss how our God-given desires for perfection can lead us into harm when not anchored in the hope of Jesus alone.

When we've been burned by the morality of Authoritarian Fundamentalism, we look for other moralities that can replace what we've known. These moral systems can give identities and standards of right or wrong. Joe and Rachel talk about moral systems inside Authoritarian Fundamentalism and the world including what comes from politics. 

Most people who state they've been wronged end up being attacked for it. Joe and Rachel talk about what Victim Blaming is, why it is so common, and what we can do about it.