Real Bible Rob: Affirming Christianity Podcast Real Bible Rob - Inclusive Christianity Discussions Real Bible Rob | PCUSA Ministry Insights

Send us Fan Mail We really must decolonize Christianity if we are ever going to free ourselves from Christian Nationalism and help people grow spiritually. Romans 3 is the heart of the doctrine of Total Depravity and the Penal Substitutionary theory of Atonement. This came from Augustine, Anselm and then culminated in Calvin. But it depends on a deeply antisemitic reading of Romans 3 and the coopt...

Send us Fan Mail Israel is constantly in the news. Some people are very annoyed by this, others are dismissive, and others are hyperpartisan about it. While it feels like current events, Israel has actually had an outsized role for thousands. Israel has vexed some of the largest and most important empires throughout history. The Babylonians, Egyptians, Romans, the Catholic Church, Spaniards, Europ...

Send us Fan Mail Romans 6 begins the heart of Paul's letter. Paul speaks in an imaginary dialogue in his arguments to the Romans. He asks a rhetorical question like "Should we continue in Sin in order that grace may abound?" and then says "By no means!" again and again. Sin is portrayed like a character and Christ is the alternative that defeats Sin. We don't have to...

Send us Fan Mail The conquering of Jerusalem by the Babylonians was the worst thing that ever happened to the ancient Israelite people. Some of the people were dragged off to Babylon and many of them were left behind. For 50 long years, they were separated. Then suddenly King Cyrus allowed the people who were taken away to go home, back to Jerusalem. Would the people be able to get along with the...

Send us Fan Mail People take the Bible way too seriously. By reading it out loud and you can see the humor and irony. Paul was a master at using hyperbole to shake up his audience. He often uses "vice lists" where he throws the kitchen sink in obliterate a con  Romans 1:18-32 is the famous diatribe against pagan worship. While its audience is not clear, it purpose is. It sets up the rest...

Send us Fan Mail Bible publishing is big business. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on marketing both in advertising and promotion and giving away free copies every year. One way to build confidence in a Bible version is to say that it is the most word-for-word version and by implication the most reliable version. This is contrasted with meaning-for-meaning. The New American Standard Bibl...

Send us Fan Mail One of the strangest things you will hear when speaking about the Bible online is "I don't need to learn Hebrew or Greek to understand the Bible." I agree that you can do great work with good solid English translations, but there is always more to learn. In this practical episode, I speak about the strengths and weaknesses of different study methods. I describe how...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I tell about one of the most important people in the whole New Testament. There are only two verses about her, but her story is much deeper. She was a prominent Christian leader because she was a deacon and a benefactor. Mostly likely a wealthy widow, she was many who strongly supported the Christian mission and who were crucial in the spread of Christianity. She...

Send us Fan Mail Young Christians live in fear of committing the "unforgivable sin"—a false doctrine rooted in harmful theology that keeps people trapped in shame. In this healing episode, Real Bible Rob explores how affirming Christianity and modern Bible interpretation can free you from this fear. Whether you've struggled with intrusive thoughts about blasphemy or questioned punit...

Send us Fan Mail Daniel is such a fun book. It has the men with funny names thrown into the fiery furnace. They are saved without even the slightest burn and with an angel appearing in the fire with them. It has Daniel thrown into the Lion's Den by King Belshazzer in a fit of rage. Then the lion's mouth is shut. These miraculous stories are amazing. A follower of mine said, "why don...

Send us Fan Mail Does your pastor tell you “the heart is deceitful” and “lean not on your own understanding” to get you to not trust yourself or your intuition? This is pure gaslighting and you should run away from them. It’s often a trick played by dominant men to push down women and minorities. I call it depravity porn and you don't have to fall for it. The verses Jeremiah 17:9 and Proverbs...

Send us Fan Mail Thomas was one of the most impressive apostles for a number of reasons. He is the instigator of change and perception in the Gospel of John. He is unfairly called Doubting Thomas to highlight his saying he wouldn't believe in the risen Christ until he put his hands on Jesus’s wounds to believe Jesus had risen. Without we would not have had such a clear physical manifestation...

Send us Fan Mail How does trauma shape sacred law? In this episode, Rob explores trauma responses woven through Exodus and Leviticus with Elle @literallythebible, examining how the Israelites' PTSD from slavery informed the Levitical legal codes. Discover how codifying law wasn't oppressive rule-making—it was communal healing. A trauma-informed Bible interpretation for affirming Christia...

Send us Fan Mail I am so excited to welcome Mattie Mae Motl to the podcast. She has made a big splash on social media. With lots of knowledge and some considerable sass in her videos, she is changing the conversation about biblical scholarship for a popular audience. This is incredibly important to reclaim rationality in Christianity especially for young people. There is so much disinformation abo...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, we explore the story of Gideon from Judges 6 & 7 through the lens of inclusive Christianity and affirming faith. This narrative of 'less is more' not only reflects the underdog spirit embedded throughout the Bible but also offers profound lessons for modern Christian faith and spirituality. As a Presbyterian USA minister, I delve into Bibl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the challenging topic of grief and lament within evangelical communities, focusing on Psalm 88 as a powerful expression of authentic sorrow often suppressed in favor of performative happiness. Drawing a contrast with the commonly used Psalm 23 at funerals, this discussion delves into how evangelical teachings can shame genuine feelings, impacting spirit...

Send us Fan Mail In this peaceful and soulful episode of 'Real Bible Rob,' an affirming Christian and PCUSA minister delves into the incredible beauty of Psalm 23, exploring its rich imagery through a fresh, inclusive interpretation. Often read in times of grief, this Psalm offers more than comfort—it reveals God's boundless love and grace through intimate Hebrew language and modern...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep into the Book of Joshua, exploring its complex narratives through modern Bible interpretation. While highlighting the well-known story of the destruction of Jericho, we challenge traditional views held by many and examine the political and spiritual implications behind the first 12 chapters. As part of an affirming Christianity perspective, we reflect...

Send us Fan Mail We welcome New Testament Professor Lynn Huber back to the podcast to discuss how gender switching and the queering of the characters are a central crucial message of the Book of Revelation. In her amazing "Revelation: A Wisdom Commentary," Dr. Huber shows how the author of Revelation, John uses gender to describe, oppose, and mock Roman societal norms. We focus a few pas...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the nature of God through the story of Moses receiving the law on Mount Sinai, highlighting God's willingness to listen, change, and negotiate rather than rule as a dictator. As an affirming Christian and PCUSA ministry leader, I delve into how this narrative illustrates inclusive Christianity and challenges traditional views of God's immutabi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the complex interpretation of the story of the woman caught in adultery, a passage often misunderstood and misused by Christians. As part of my work in affirming Christianity and inclusive Christian faith, I explore how this woman's story has been subjected to abuse—both in the original context and through modern misapplication. We examine the h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the challenging questions surrounding free will and its role in inclusive Christianity. As an affirming Christian and PCUSA minister, I explore the intersection of modern science, theology, and spirituality, particularly how complex systems and uncertainty in physics offer new hope beyond determinism. We examine the surprising alignment between extre...

Send us Fan Mail Join me on the Real Bible Rob podcast as I welcome Pastor Bethany Nass Cseh, co-pastor of Arcata United Methodist Church and Catalyst Church Humboldt. In this episode, we dive into her inclusive and affirming approach to ministry that centers on a Jesus-centered faith. Pastor Bethany shares her unique storytelling style that brings the stories of Jesus to life in an accessible way...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep into the critical examination of how scripture, specifically Romans 13:1-7 and Jeremiah 17:9-10, can be misread to support fascist ideology. Through an affirming Christianity lens, we challenge these interpretations while emphasizing inclusive Christianity and the importance of nuanced Bible interpretation in modern Christian faith. Drawing on insight...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the complex intersection of Christian Nationalism and military chaplaincy with Leigh Larson, a theologian and former USAF Reserve Chaplain Corps candidate. Leigh discusses how Christian Nationalism, often aligned with conservative evangelical theology, influences the military chaplaincy and the spiritual care available to service members. We examine the...