Crazy Faith Talk

Continuing today the ongoing discussion of "What is Christian Hope?" Steve and Drew take a stop off at Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. They explore and unpack chapter 4 which is often cited as evidence of "The Rapture." By looking at what the text says (and doesn't say) and considering the original Greek language and Paul's historical context, they hope you'll walk away from today feeling a bi...

When folks think about "end times" they often flip to the end of the Bible and read Revelation. And while Revelation is correctly placed in the discussion of eschatology (final things), it is often taken far out of its original context and understanding. Steve and Drew look at chapter 1, chapter 5, and chapters 21 and 22 to understand many of the keys to reading this text for all its worth and hol...

To continue their discussion of Christian Hope, Steve and Drew pause for a moment to provide a helpful and necessary lens through which to read the Bible's Apocalyptic Literature (Revelation and Daniel, for example). In our world of intriuge, scandal, and doubt, we often get caught in the trap of reading Biblical texts for more than what they're actually saying. By using tools that allow us to ent...

Last Things...Eschatology...Christian Hope. Many words, same ideas. Pastors Steve and Drew own their own traditions and show that they come from theological places that rarely speak or consider these ideas. However, they jump into the conversation because discussions and ideas of "last things" come up often in discussions of what it means to be a people of God. By starting at Genesis and weaving i...

Picking up where they left off last week with the warrior and gym teacher views of God, Steve and Drew this week look at two interrelated but wholly different other "popular" views of God: God the therapist and God the cosmic vending machine. These two have become broadly seen across the culture, in both the church and the broader society, which cause us to misunderstand and misdirect our thinking...

Steve and Drew address the misguided thinking that we sometimes have about God...that God is an evil, mean, bloodthirsty killer or God is an overly critical gym teacher for whom nothing is ever good enough. This is part I of two where our two resident theologeeks unpack, discuss, and redirect our often misfired views of God. Steve and Drew fully embrace the fact that many of these "missing the mar...

Today's episode takes a bit of a detour from our standard format as Steve and Drew try their hand at roleplay acting. By channeling his former agnostic self, Drew explores very valid questions that folks around us have: Why do I HAVE TO go to church? Why are church people often not at all like the God they worship? And many others! If you've ever heard these questions (or maybe even asked them you...

Since the time of the Ascension of Jesus, the Church has been arguing with itself about which group of Christians is most right and who is teaching the correct way. There have been battles and feuds. There have been wars and separations. So, it leaves which us all wondering...which group is correct? Pastor Steve and Pastor Drew jump into this conversation, with stories from history and the present...

While centuries of church history and people waaaay smarter than Steve and Drew have attempted to answer the question, "What does it mean for God to be three and yet one? To be one and yet 3" we are left with the grandest of grand mysteries. We find our metaphors and try to make sense out of something that isn't all that sensible. Tune in for another foray into the mist and trying to make sense of...

In this week's foray into the Christian world, Steve and Drew leave the Bible slighty to the side and try to explore and explain why there are so many festivals, celebrations, colors, and everything else associated with these in the life of the church. By the exploring the general notion of such festivals, looking to Biblical examples, and give a healthy dose of reminder that God is not impressed...

The familiar and spooky story of Pentecost from the New Testament Book of Acts leaves many people wondering and confused at what this all means. By leaving the traditional thinking and interpretations of this moment, Steve and Drew venture off in a new direction to explore the understanding of what it actually means to receive the Holy Spirit. They look at the ancient, old, modern, and future impl...

40 days after the Resurrection of Jesus comes this story (told both at the end of Luke's Gospel and the beginning of Luke's Book of Acts) when Jesus is described as "going up into Heaven." Pastor Steve and Pastor Drew explore what this actually means (while always keeping in mind the cosmic impact of Christ's raising from the dead) and how it impacts our present and future. While not often underst...

Following last week's discussion of the grand, cosmic revolution of the Resurrection, Pastors Steve and Drew bring this conversation home to you...and what it all means for you. By looking at the resurrection's impact (again, think big picture) they look at what it means to be a person who lives each day impacted by the resurrection. Through their usual silly banter, they unpack the idea of resurr...

By returning to the story of resurrection, Steve and Drew walk around and explore the bigger implication of Jesus rising from the grave on the third day. In previous episodes, they explored the what and how. And now they look around the why. They handle questions like, "Did Jesus die so we can go to heaven?" and "What does it mean for us to go to heaven?" and "What does Jesus rising REALLY mean fo...

In the Gospel of John 20: 24-31 a story is told about a disciple who questions the validity of the other disciples' claims of having met a resurrected Jesus. Centuries of tradition have named him "Doubing Thomas." In today's episode, Steve and Drew wrestle with the wrestling match of faith vs. doubt and show them to be more related than many will have us believe. Through today's discussion, they u...

Looking at each of the four Gospels of the New Testament, Pastor Steve and Pastor Drew look at all the differences and similarities of how the four Gospel writers tell the story of Jesus' resurrection on Easter. By framing it with the saga of Batman and referring to Tommy Boy, they look at how these four writers are telling the same story, but with their own flavors. Join them in this funny, fast-...

Easter is here....Christ is Risen!...and now its time to talk about it. Pastor Steve and Pastor Drew jump in to understanding this story as far more than just, "Yep, he rose" and looking at the world shaking, reality destroying, and hope granting new life of Jesus. By looking at the story through many different lenses (and peppering in their usual nerdy humor and pop culture references) they show...

After last week's journey from Palm Sunday to the Last Supper, Steve and Drew follow up this week by jumping in with both feet to the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. By looking at the Gospel stories and and asking the questions you probably want to ask about these stories too! Get comfortable and tune in for the completion of the Holy Week journey.

Pastor Steve and Pastor Drew dig in to the beginning of Holy Week. By walking through all the little details and nuances of Palm Sunday and then Maundy Thursday, they look at what it means for Jesus to ride a donkey and what God is saying through Jesus by taking bread and wine and washing feet. There's a lot more going on than you may have ever noticed before. Take a listen!

Pastor Drew and Pastor Steve took everyone on an odd journey in the last episode while discussing Abraham and others. However, in their quest for perfect nerdiness, they missed a few things. This week, they explore the radical love of God that is set forward in God's covenants all throughout the Bible with his people and becomes embodied in Jesus. As Lent comes to a close and Easter is on the hori...

Pastor Steve and Pastor Drew are back to their usual nerdy antics. This time, they're making sense of how Lent and especially Easter are really just a continuation of a much older story. By walking nearly cover-to-cover through the Bible, Steve and Drew reflect on how the stories of the Old Testament are not a distant story, from a distant people. Instead, they show how the Old Testament is the st...

In this week's episode, numero 4, Steve and Drew pause their forward progress on the "what" and "how" of Lent and go back to the "why." Looking at the history of the festival (including Easter) they look to the reasons for these 40 or so days. And then they go even further...all the way back to Genesis...to understand the death and resurrection of Jesus. All of this while framing the conversation...

In this week's episode, Steve and Drew dive into the world of Lenten Disciplines and try to answer: Why do I have to pray more/eat less/do more good stuff during these 40 days? By looking at three disciplines...prayer, fasting, service (or doing more), they hope to explore the whys and what-fors of this 40 day journey. Peppered with the usual equal amounts of nerd and humor, you're invited into th...

Steve and Drew are back at it for the second episode. This time...they're trying to answer the plaguing question: Why all those black smudges walking around? They look at the history of this crazy looking celebration, the God-words (theological) reasons, and how it speaks to our need for God and our willigness to accept God's love. Join them for a disussion that ranges from the days of the early c...

An open invitation is issued to join the crazy mess that sometimes is Christian theology. Hosted by two pastors, from two traditions, Pastor Steve (Lutheran) and Pastor Drew (Presbyterian). This pilot episode launches our entrance into an ages old discussion from two humorous, often nerdy, and fun loving guys of the cloth. Join us!