Red Weather Christians

Sometimes? Wellness isn't good for us. Jen and Steve chat about how the wellness industry is just waiting to pounce on our desire for control over our bodies and minds. So how can we embrace wellness without falling into the wellness industry's trap? Listen as they tackle this question and more. We want to be well, yes, but we don't want to well the hell out of ourselves.  Let's keep the conv...

How about instead of striving for a life of convenience, we strive for opportunities to learn -- even when it's hard? Or awkward... Or embarrassing... As high school teachers, Jen and Steve chat about how learning is for everyone, not just their students. Some hilarious stories are shared as they learn their way through their own lives. Hopefully, you'll learn a thing or three listening as well.&n...

What do you consume in a day? You probably think about food and purchases, but what about consumption of time and information? Jen and Steve talk about the mindless consumer culture that is making us complacent and robotic, "stuck" in unhealthy lives. Listen to discover how to fight this consumer complacency. This episode might just be what you need to consume today. Article and Book References: L...

Staying alive -- it's important. And to that end, Jen and Steve banter about how being micromanaged, micromanaging others, and micromanaging ourselves lead to nothing but disaster. Join along in the laughs as they talk about life and death experiences, the importance of taking a poo without your phone, and, of course, Fat Albert.  Let's keep the conversation going! Instagram & Twitter: jk...

Who are you? But more importantly, how do you know who you are? Whether it is what you do, where you live, what you wear, your religion, or something else, it affects identity. But what happens if one or more of those things change? While trying to avoid identity crises, Jen and Steve explore the roots of identity and wonder if we've gotten all too comfortable putting ourselves and others into the...

When you’re late to the game, moving backwards, or hitting dead ends, how can that be seen as successful? And what if culturally defined success isn’t the end result at all? Can you make progress while not being successful? Jen and Steve tease through these questions, reminiscing about their marathon-running days, and realize that maybe progressing in life doesn’t have to be about success. Maybe t...

Call the passion police! There has been a crime of passion, and it is that we are not passionate enough -- in our jobs, in our hobbies, and in our lives. In this episode, Jen and Steve discuss the passion rhetoric that has infiltrated our entire philosophy of life and how it actually can be damaging. Who's to say we have to be passionate about our jobs? Who's to say we have to have a hobby that is...

How do you define the core values of your family? Are they inherently Christian? Jen and Steve recently had a conversation with some inquisitive students that forced these into reality for them. Then, they asked themselves how well they were actually doing at modeling these values to their kids and being intentional to voice these values, too. Suffice to say, a lot of good can happen when you stop...

The human longing for perfection is real. It may even be a reason for which we seek God. Humanity's assertion of inerrancy in this world, however, dredges up one of the worst parts of us--a willing of hypocrisy for the sake of power. Jen and Steve wonder why Christians strive for an inerrant Bible even when it has inconsistencies within itself. Great stories can still be good and true even if the...

Christians are commanded by God to forgive. And yet, who benefits most from forgiveness in this life -- the forgiver or the forgiven? Jen and Steve share stories from their lives about forgiving people and the complications that can arise from those situations. Are there still consequences after forgiveness? Can there be forgiveness without an apology or contrition? Are we also commanded to forget...

Ah, Christian media -- the music, the movies, the books, the christian-fluencers. What's not to love? Or, as Jen and Steve discuss, what is there to love? Listen in as they laugh and discuss all things media. (BABY GOT BOOK!) Wanna join the conversation? We'd love to chat! Instagram & Twitter: jknapp_jk  email: j4knapp1@gmail.com  Facebook: Steve Knapp

There is a long-standing problem with an omnipotent, omniscient, morally perfect Creator and the existence of evil in this world. While bringing the discussion and theoretical solutions to the table, Jen and Steve offer approximately zero concrete solutions. Perhaps a shoulder shrug is all they have, but they remind everyone that attempting to ignore the problem does not make it any less of one. C...

What happens when we're grieving and none of the well-intentioned advice is helping? Join Jen and Steve as they tackle this question and share their own stories of grief. We might realize that sometimes, people just don't have the right things to say. We might also realize that, contrary to popular Christian belief, grief may not be a temporary state. And, lastly, we might realize that we simply d...

Quick, judge them! Throw stones! Condemn! Or ... listen as Jen and Steve talk through some of the compelling points made by Matthew Vines in his book God and the Gay Christian to realize that the Bible does not actually condemn same sex relationships. Jen and Steve discuss how even if you believe homosexuality is a sin, what good comes from your judgment? "Every tree that does not bear good fruit...

The episode you didn't know you needed! Jen and Steve have candid conversations about what love is in their own relationship, what the five love languages are (and how they can be helpful and also detrimental), and the importance of communicating your needs (about dishwashers and weird smells). Laugh along to their awkwardness, and come away with some meaningful tid-bits to make your relationship...

Patriarchy is nothing new. Christian patriarchy, however, is not that old. Jen and Steve dive into the historical and biblical contexts in which patriarchy (read complementarianism for a more euphemistic term) reared its ugly head in the evangelical Christian church. While most of the information is taken from Beth Allison Barr's book The Making of Biblical Womanhood , they also share their perspe...

Let's talk about sex, baby! Jen and Steve chat about how sometimes Christians and non-Christians alike avoid or ignore the topic of sex education in their kids' lives and how harmful it is for everyone. Also avoided -- talking about sex in general with friends or even your partner! So Jen and Steve dive right in and discuss their own experiences with sex education growing up ("The waste line is th...

On this episode, Jen and Steve have the needed conversation about what it means to have an empathetic response to abortion. We chat about sex, birth control, miscarriage, and what the male responsibility should be in all of this. Overall, we want to emphasize empathy over ideals. Let's continue the conversation: email: j4knapp1@gmail.com Instagram & Twitter: jknapp_jk Facebook: Steve Knapp Or...

By what rules do you live? Where did you get them or how did you arrive at them? Jen and Steve talk about clear, absolute rules from the Bible and other aspects of life, wondering why people pick and choose which rules to follow at various times. Is it convenient to break the rules? Is it fun? Is it for a higher purpose? And why do some people allow themselves to become rule-following robots, beep...

What does it take to be a Christian man?  Does it even matter to have roles defined by gender within the Christian faith? Jen and Steve discuss Kristin Du Mez's book, Jesus and John Wayne , in conjunction with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. If nothing else, question the patriarchy that excuses harmful and unnecessary male behavior. Book Recs: Jesus and John Wayne, Kristin Du Mez; The Ninefold Pa...

What does unconditional love mean? Is it even Biblical? Jen and Steve discuss how God's grace and love may be a one-size-fits-all sales pitch for the sake of conversion, but it sure doesn't seem like that for those already within the faith. Sprinkled with funny stories from their college days and dating, false advertising is put on notice. Get ready to laugh and cringe and reflect as you listen to...

On this final episode of the season, Jen and Steve reveal why they named themselves Red Weather Christians . Also, they talk about cheese, again, with a tip for your thanksgiving mac & cheese. Wanna read with Steve and Jen over the next few weeks? Here's what's on their to-read list: Jesus and John Wayne , by Kristin Kobes Du Mez God and the Gay Christian , by Matthew Vines The Making of...

What is usually taboo at most dinner tables? Religion and politics. And that's exactly what we're talking about on this episode. Stare down your double standards and open up the conversation this Thanksgiving. Join the conversation: leave a voice message: https://anchor.fm/redweatherchristians/message email: j4knapp1@gmail.com Instagram: jknapp_jk

Jen and Steve discuss why 2014 was a turning point for them financially. Think parable of the talents meets the FIRE movement meets having more expenses (read kids) and purposely making less money, and some savvy advice sprinkled into the mix. Be content with less money, but not less time. Get in touch with us: leave a voice message: https://anchor.fm/redweatherchristians/message email: j4knapp1@g...

Money talks, and we're here for it! Jen and Steve lay bare their (sometimes embarrassing, but for only Jen of course) financial journey in the hopes that we can all feel a little more comfortable talking about money. So let's do it. Let's talk money. Join the conversation: leave a voice message: https://anchor.fm/redweatherchristians/message email: j4knapp1@gmail.com Instagram: jknapp_jk