Control Freak Christianity

Do you ever wonder if God is waiting to take away things that we love more than Him? Does he take sadistic delight in our sometimes painful process of sanctification? It often feels that way, yet we see a different picture in Scripture. Joe and Rachel discuss their own beliefs, and how they've experienced God's kindness. 

Most of us feel like we shouldn't defend ourselves and are limited by unspoken rules that tell us to be nice. What is God's heart for us when we are faced with horrific evil? Rachel and Joe discuss how to begin to unravel unravel difficult situations where aggressive actions are needed. Support us so we can continue making this Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity

Gospel + Safety + Time has been a helpful formulation for how a healthy Gospel culture should work and function. Join Rachel and Joe's conversation not just articulating the Gospel but living it out in a healthy and helpful way.

In communities with strict gender roles, men are given near ultimate power over others. Yet women often end up the ones that initially drive families into these cultures and often end up quietly controlling families and churches. Joe and Rachel discuss observing this and why this is such a factor in Authoritarian Fundamentalism.  

Many have gone through a deconstruction of faith that leaves them going to the world to define their Christianity, or they leave Christianity altogether. Rachel and Joe discuss their own deconstruction and how they came out closer to Jesus on the other side. 

Sometimes we are helped by people out of an abusive situation, only to be dragged by those very same people into a different abusive situation. Rachel and Joe discuss the complicated nature of abuse and give some thoughts on how to navigate difficult situations. 

God's nature has often been described in goofy ways, yet the doctrine of the Trinity has some beautiful truths. These truths help us dismantle views of God that cause suffering, confusion, and sometimes even abuse. Joe and Rachel start to scratch the surface on this doctrine, and how it's led them to more joy and trust in God. 

There is holiness, and then there is an appearance of holiness. They are not the same. The focus on appearing holy but using arbitrary human standards to measure that external holiness causes massive trouble in people, families and communities. 

Hosts Joe and Rachel lay out the case that sexual abuse is common in many families, churches and organizations that claim Christ. Why is this evil so common? And what can we do about it? Through it all we can have hope that Jesus is bigger than evil and He can help us.

Many tactics are used by Spiritual Abusers to control, manipulate and wear out others. Joe and Rachel use a letter from their own past as an illustration of these tactics. 

Joe and Rachel talk about how crazy life is and our need to press into Jesus. 

Joe and Rachel take a step back from looking at spiritual abuse to examine the horrific abuse and murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers. 

To some, women's purpose is wrapped up in their roles as wife and mother. But the Bible teaches differently, that identity for women should be who they are in Christ, not what they do for their families.  Support us today: patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity

Many single Christians impacted by Fundamentalism feel lesser for being unmarried. Joe and Rachel discuss the terrible ideas that made their singleness harder and how local churches should treat single Christians. They talk about the fear of missing out on sex and how we should hope in the future marriage of Christ and His Church.

Joe and Rachel speak directly to abusers in this powerful episode that demonstrates the Gospel and a firm reminder of God's hatred of abuse. Most abusers fake repentance when it's convenient, but true repentance is still possible. Listen and hear the Gospel at work in abusive situations. 

When a person is abused, they often are tempted into becoming abusers themselves. Rachel and Joe discuss why abuse is so damaging and why it can draw its victims into continuing cycles of hurt and destruction. Only the gospel of Jesus allows us to break free from abuse cycles and into freedom and joy.  Join the support to keep us making this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/controlfreakchristianit...

We want to live in peace with others. Sometimes, unhealthy people will create a type of false peace that ends up controlling or manipulating us. To be free would be to break the "peace" they have created. Joe and Rachel discuss how to break false peace in order to create true peace. Help us create more episodes and support us: patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity

Courtship is a common method in Authoritarian Fundamentalism to replace dating. Rachel and Joe discuss their own experiences and go through ten ways they've seen courtships go wrong.  Support us so we can continue to discuss these important issues. patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity

When a person is being dominated, ruled or controlled by another why does it cause so much damage? Control isn't just about who gets their way, it's about the value of a human being and God's design.  Support us at Patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity so we can continue to produce these episodes!

Cheapness is not often talked about. But cheap parents can unintentionally lie about the character of God, teach us to view God and ourselves wrongly, and destroy the generous attitude God designed us to have. Joe and Rachel discuss their own experiences with cheapness and how God's grace, most clearly seen in the gift of Jesus, is bigger than any lack of provision we have experienced.  Help us co...

Some families operate as though they were the ultimate end of mankind. But is this how God designed earthly families to act? Join Rachel and Joe as they discuss the proper focus of family.  Support us so we can continue to create episodes https://www.patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity  

The very skills that keep people alive in danger can also trap a person. How can we step away from the coping mechanisms that allowed us to survive, so that we can move on into healing and growth? Support us on Patreon so we can continue to make this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity

Joe and Rachel discuss the importance of both doctrine and culture that is driven by the gospel of Jesus. Culture is both more difficult to define, and often missing from churches that emphasize doctrinal truth. 

In this episode, we discuss true and false forms of authority and lay some groundwork for understanding authority as Jesus taught it.