Making Sense of Faith with Adam Hamilton

What really happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday — and what did Jesus say when it was all over? In this episode, Adam Hamilton opens up the cutting room floor from his Easter sermon, sharing the details that didn't make it into the pulpit but are too important to miss. Drawing from Matthew's gospel, Adam walks through the remarkable events surrounding the first Easter with the curiosity...

What does it look like to age without fear? In this deeply personal conversation, Adam Hamilton sits down with Alan and Kay Kimes—married for 64 years and still radiating joy at 86 years old. They share the honest truth about navigating every decade from their 50s to their 80s, from empty nesting to discovering deeper faith, from launching second careers to serving others in meaningful ways. If yo...

Should your faith shape your politics? In this candid episode, Adam Hamilton challenges the myth that religion and politics don't mix—and explains why staying silent on justice issues might actually contradict the teachings of Jesus. Drawing from a controversial sermon on immigration enforcement and political division, Adam shares powerful stories of fear in immigrant communities, explores the con...

Ever wondered what goes into a message that reaches the largest audience of the year? Adam Hamilton pulls back the curtain on his 36th Christmas Eve at Church of the Resurrection, revealing nine drafts, 30+ hours of research, and a stunning historical discovery at 2:20 in the morning that changed everything. The beloved Christmas carol "O Holy Night" wasn't just a pretty song. In 1855 Boston, it b...

What if a simple Google ad could lead you to save a stranger's life? In this powerful episode, Adam Hamilton sits down with Jeff Reisinger, a Church of the Resurrection member who became a living liver donor, and Dr. Sean Kumer, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Kansas Health System, to explore the remarkable journey of organ donation—from that first unexpected popup ad to the moment two...

In a world where news feels overwhelming and every headline seems designed to trigger an emotional response, how do we stay informed without losing our peace—or our ability to love people we disagree with? Critical Thinking as Spiritual Practice Adam explains why Jesus's command to love God with our minds is more relevant than ever. When Jesus said we should love God with heart, soul, and min...

Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most pressing questions facing modern spirituality: Do we really need church? With trademark honesty, Adam acknowledges the hurt and disillusionment many people feel about organized religion... and then makes a compelling, research-backed case for why faith community might be exactly what we're missing. Drawing from his own journey from teenage atheist to pastor of...

In this deeply personal episode, Adam Hamilton pulls back the curtain on his 43-year marriage to LaVon, sharing the honest, sometimes messy reality of how faith has held them together when everything else might have pulled them apart. After recently officiating his youngest daughter's wedding, Adam reflects on what it really means to build a lasting relationship - not through rose-colored romantic...

On the 35th anniversary of founding the Church of the Resurrection, Adam Hamilton takes us on an extraordinary journey back to October 7, 1990—when he was a nervous 26-year-old pastor standing in a funeral home chapel, wondering if anyone would show up. In this deeply personal episode, Adam shares the complete audio of his very first sermon, a message that tackled life's most fundamental question:...

When a South African preacher recently claimed Jesus would return on September 23rd or 24th, 2025, it made international headlines and filled social media feeds. This bold prediction sparked conversations worldwide about the Second Coming and the concept of "the rapture." In this week’s episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles these complex theological questions head-on, drawing fro...

In this deeply thoughtful episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles some of the biggest questions that keep thinking people up at night: What will heaven actually be like? Is there really a literal hell? And perhaps most challenging of all—what happens to good people who follow other faiths? Adam doesn't shy away from the hard questions that have driven many away from traditional Chr...

Ever wondered what it takes to make a real difference in the world? In this episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton takes us on a journey to Bristol, England, where he explores the very first Methodist building—the New Room, built in 1739. From inside this historic space where John Wesley launched a movement that changed Christianity forever, Adam unpacks the timeless lessons about pursuin...

Step inside the world's first Methodist building with Adam Hamilton as he takes listeners on a tour of Bristol's historic New Room, revealing how John Wesley's revolutionary ministry laid the groundwork for modern social justice movements. Broadcasting live from England, Adam uncovers the surprising progressive roots of Methodism that connected coal miners to causes we're still fighting for today....

When a longtime friendship ends over faith differences, how do you respond with love instead of defensiveness? In this deeply personal episode, Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most painful realities of our polarized world: what happens when the people closest to us see our beliefs as fundamentally wrong—or even evil. Through vulnerable storytelling and practical wisdom, Adam explores the messy hu...

Picture this: you're enjoying a peaceful evening at the lake when sudden fireworks send your beloved dog running into the woods, disoriented and afraid. For Adam Hamilton, this terrifying search for his lost dog Mabel became an unexpected window into understanding God's heart for each of us. In this deeply personal episode, Adam weaves together an impactful family story with profound biblical trut...

Did you know there are 120 species of animals mentioned by name in the Bible? In this fascinating episode, Adam Hamilton explores what our four-legged friends can teach us about one of humanity's most universal experiences: fear. Drawing from neuroscience, personal stories, and ancient wisdom, Adam reveals how dogs offer surprising insights into overcoming the anxieties that paralyze us. This isn'...

For anyone who has ever loved a pet deeply, the question "Will there be pets in heaven?" isn't silly—it's profoundly personal. In this episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles this question with both theological depth and genuine emotion. Drawing from his own heartbreak over losing his beloved beagle Maggie, Adam guides listeners through a thoughtful exploration of what Scripture re...

In this deeply personal episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles one of life's most agonizing questions through the lens of a heartbreaking letter from a listener whose husband is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. With the compassion of a pastor who has walked alongside countless hurting families, Adam doesn't offer easy answers or platitudes. Instead, he provides a thoughtful, ho...

Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most divisive questions in modern Christianity: Can you really separate faith from politics? Speaking from his peaceful retreat at the Lake of the Ozarks, Adam opens up about the intense reaction to his July 4th Facebook post discussing recent legislation and why he believes the church must speak when political decisions become moral issues. With over 600 comments...

In this captivating episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with 91-year-old Barnett Helzberg Jr., the legendary Kansas City entrepreneur who transformed a small family jewelry business into a national empire before selling it to Warren Buffett in one of the most remarkable chance encounters in business history. But this isn't just another success story - it's a profound explorat...

In this deeply moving episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with Bob and Kelly Pascuzzi to explore one of life's most challenging questions: How do we forgive when someone we love does the unthinkable? Through their raw and honest conversation, Adam reveals why forgiveness isn't just a nice spiritual concept—it's the most essential life skill you'll ever learn. Drawing from dec...

What if the most important theological debate in Christian history happened because faithful people were simply trying to make sense of confusing ideas? In this fascinating episode, Adam Hamilton takes us back 1,700 years to explore the Council of Nicaea and the creation of the Nicene Creed—a document that emerged from one of Christianity's most heated controversies. Far from being a dry academic...

In this timely episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles one of today's most challenging intersections: where faith meets politics, and where our deepest values collide with current events. Responding to the ICE raids and protests happening across California and other cities, Adam doesn't shy away from the hard questions that keep thinking people up at night. Instead, he offers a fre...

What happens when three young pastors decide to build churches that challenge everything people expect from organized religion? In this compelling episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with three remarkable young clergy who are reshaping what it means to be a pastor in today's world. Fresh from a gathering of United Methodist pastors, these emerging leaders share their deeply p...

Adam Hamilton sits down with leadership expert and bestselling author Tommy Spaulding for an honest conversation that bridges the gap between faith and leadership. What starts as a discussion about servant leadership quickly becomes a vulnerable exploration of forgiveness, relationships, and what it really means to live like Jesus in our everyday interactions. Tommy's transparency about his own st...