Mid-faith Crisis

There are some really horrible bits in the Bible. How are we to read them? Should we just ignore them? Or is our very response to them telling us something from God? We discuss how to respond to passages which are violently opposed to contemporary attitudes today. Also we touch on the benefits of being kind to yourself, and propose a Midfaith Crisis devotional called ‘Carry on up Your Quiet Time’....

Some deep questions this week. Do miracles actually happen? And what about prophecy? Can we actually experience God's love? Has Joe filled in a proper annual leave request form? And is it ever right to call down fire and brimstone on double-glazing salesmen? Support the Podcast

After waiting hours for some printing to get done we revisit our statements on the good news and ask a key question: where did it all go wrong? Have we misunderstood the good news? Or is it just that we look on things differently in our times? We talk about belonging, inclusion, love, forgiveness and food. All this, plus an appeal for grandparents for Joe. Support the Podcast

Have you been mis-sold your personal salvation policy? In the midst of some pretty bongo-filled weeks, Joe and Nick finally get around to their versions of the good news. But not before we share some more excellent stuff from listeners. Warning: contains pith. Onward Woman at War Rob Bell: Introduction to Joy Joe’s good news Nick’s good news Support the Podcast

Never has so much feedback been packed into one podcast. We’ve had so many responses to our question about ‘what is the good news?’ that we decided to do a bumper selection from all the emails. There's loads of great stuff in here, so enjoy some actual content from our wonderful listeners. Renovaré: Finding Good Words to Share the Good News Support the Podcast

Last episode Nick posed the question ‘what is the good news?’ This week - predictably – they completely fail to answer it. So this is just the start of the discussion. Is the gospel different things to different people? Is it more than just reserving a place in heaven for when we die? Meanwhile, Joe is preaching the gospel of courgettes, and Nick has done some nerdy Bible analysis and inventing wo...

Back after a short break and we begin with an argument over courgettes of all things. After that, there’s some great feedback, with more on staying in churches when it’s difficult, why faith is like a jigsaw and how the moments of failure teach us about ourselves. Also we talk about the homogenous unit principle, Lewis Hamilton the Musical, and whether irritation should be included in Strengthsfin...

When is it right to leave a church? Is it ever right? Can you leave on good terms? A heartfelt email leads us into a discussion of how difficult it is to stay in a church when our fundamental beliefs change. Also, we talk about the need for personal encounter, what we can do when we no longer sense God, and the danger of elderflower-related injuries. Support the Podcast

Nick is being crushed by a deadline but fortunately we have feedback to come to our rescue. How do we deal people and churches who have caused us pain in the past? Are we often too cynical about the traditions from which we have come? It’s all about the importance of humility, kindness, compassion and finding community. Meanwhile, Joe has an Alan Partridge moment, and there are horrific revelation...

A great interview with Jeff Lucas. With his usual depth, humour and honesty, Jeff talks about prayer as a mix of gratitude and complaining, the need for honesty about our fragility and brokenness, and how disillusionment is gift to be cherished. Not to mention the difficulty of distinguishing between the voice of God and chicken tikka masala. Support the Podcast

The now usual batch of interesting, intelligent and often moving feedback. We look at beliefs versus action, beliefs versus knowledge, a four-person Trinity and speaking in tongues. Among other things. A mixed bag, then… We’re going live! Join us at 19:30 BST on 10 June for a a Mid-faith Crisis lockdown live special. A Boy called Sailboat The Feast - Guidelines

It’s Pentecost! And, in what must be the most disrupted podcast ever, we discuss the Holy Spirit, and how the church has never known quite how to approach the subject. Also Nick takes several phone calls, Ethel tells us what she’s been doing in lockdown, and we take our first steps into the exciting world of gardening innuendo. We’re going live! Join us at 19:30 BST on 10 June for a a Mid-faith Cr...

Does it matter what you believe? Welcome to part two of our discussion – well, round two, maybe, since we end up having an argument about it. But never mind that, we have another load of terrific feedback, including a quote from Hafiz (who was a Persian poet) and a poem from Dave Hopwood (who isn’t a Persian poet). And there’s a lot of people saying nice things which makes Nick very uncomfortable....

Some good feedback this week, including news from down under, another question about hell, and a question that brings up some important questions. How can we reconcile the humanity and the divinity of Jesus? Does it matter what you believe? Is it possible to be a Christian and not worship Jesus? And most important of all, did Gregory of Nazianzus make vegan sausage rolls? These, and many other que...

What is spirituality? Is it doing 'spiritual things' like praying, meditating, reading the Bible? Or is everything that we do spiritual? Also, some epic emails, we share more of our regular daily practices, and Joe seeks greater insight by wearing multiple pairs of glasses. Joe's extra pair of glasses Extraction Afterlife Grayson Perry's Art Club Episode 102: Stan has no authority here Ronald Roll...

We'd like to say that this is a deeply profound episode. but basically, it's us mucking about. There's a bit about quiet times, and we wonder whether Satan could reschedule. Meanwhile, Joe is getting wet both indoors and out.

What are the origins of Easter? Did Christians build their churches near sacred groves? We touch on Odin, the age of yew trees, and how a man called Gerald invented the entire Wicca religion. Yes, we’re continuing last week’s discussion of pagan myths and origins. Where do we go for the truth? And can we really believe in anything now that it is revealed that Nick does, actually respond to emails?...

We explore how scarcity and limitations make us more grateful, how we constantly need to re-learn forgotten skills and habits, and how we all need to cherish the small, often unregarded moments of joy. Also, we celebrate the wisdom of Saint Joni of Mitchell, think about what we are looking forward to doing when all this is over, and Joe enrages Nick with another historical fact. Midfaith Crisis Ep...

It’s Easter, everyone. We talk about celebrating the whole story – even the dark bits and, why, this year, Easter Saturday may be particularly relevant. Meanwhile, we look at how to annoy people into the Kingdom of God, share listeners’ film recommendations, and Joe makes Nick very VERY angry with his ‘fun historical fact’. Local Hero A River Runs Through It Contagion Groundhog Day Mad Max Mad Max...

We have an interview with Dave Hopwood, who talks about how he uses film to communicate and explore deep truths about Christianity. Meanwhile, Joe is awake, annoyed, and grieving. Nick discusses the morality of buying eggs. We touch on whether Australia actually retained the Ashes in 2019, and why Hugh Grant should actually be the Prime Minister. It’s a very long episode, but let’s face it, what e...

A mixed bag of poetry, prayer and lots of good feedback. We talk briefly about paying attention and its relationship to prayer, and touch on techniques that might help us learn how to slow down and look. Meanwhile, Joe’s pigeons have relationship issues and Nick is about to go on holiday in his own kitchen. And some listeners suggest that what this time of crisis really needs is a live-streamed Mi...

What can you say in the face of everything that is happening in the world? In a time of lockdowns and self-isolation, we have more great feedback about healing, and we explore what hope we can be sure of in these times. It’s all about buying a field, people. Meanwhile, Joe is grumpy and Nick has stockpiled the wrong things. And we hear from Ethel, who has her customary unique take on current event...

Loads of great response to Ruth’s interview in episode 104: lots of praise, some questions and a bongo load of mystery. We talk about why the questions and wrestling are important, and how we have to learn to live alongside grief, rather than get rid of it. Meanwhile, Nick has a sore throat and Joe has had a power nap. Episode 104: ‘Strength to walk the journey’ Megan Devine, It’s OK that you’re n...

We have an interview with author and speaker Brian Draper, about how experiencing nature can open up spaces for us to make a deeper connection between faith and everyday life. Brian talks about the soul, contemplative walking, labyrinths, mindfulness and how the natural world offers wisdom, beauty, wonder and healing. Brian Draper, Soulful Nature - A spiritual field guide Brian Draper Stefan Gillo...

How do we approach the subject of healing? Do miracles happen? Or is all of life a miracle anyway? We have a profound interview with Ruth Brown, about her response to her cancer diagnosis. Also Joe has problems with both his bowels and his toenails, Nick has been to a Japanese choir concert instead of the rugby, and we touch on the heart-warming kindness of John Wick 3. The Blind Side H.R. Vanston...