Songs & Stories Podcast

Dave Chapelle gave us a gift in a couple of holiday specials, we were treated to lots of joyous laughs. Isn't that just outright good? Some people are still upset for him not being politically correct or sensitive enough. We're going to start regulating laughter? We're getting back on track with our diet but that all ends at the BadChristianCon.com. Lastly, Matt has a whopper, something along the...

We are constantly changing in our faith, persistently holding on to personal experiences we've had, but many times, we come at potentially scary crossroads of doubt. Joey is scared of religion scarring his kids, and Matt thinks it's crazy when parents marvel at how different their kids' personalities are.   Links & Sponsors: badchristiancon.com badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com Stamps.com:  stam...

Actor Stephen Baldwin from the films The Usual Suspects, BioDome, and a new TV show Great American Pilgrimage explains how he became the "Jesus Freak of Hollywood," and tells us why God ordained Trump to be President.    Links & Sponsors: badchristiancon.com badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com Stamps.com: stamps.com code BADCHRISTIAN MVMT: mvmt.com/BCPOD Tooth and Nail Christmas Sales: solidstate....

Our friend Chad Johnson came on today to talk about his new book One Thousand Risks, and they talk death after his dad passed away this weekend. Before that, Matt gets on a rant about how we're messing up our kids' lives by putting them online: i.e. the bullied kid whose video went viral this past week when his mom posted it to the public.   Links & Sponsors: badchristiancon.com badchristianmedia....

Author of "The Myth of a Christian Nation" and founder of ReKnew.org answers some of Matt and Toby's questions about what Open Theism's believes about God differently from Calvinism and Arminianism. We talk a lot about the omniscience of God and predestination. He also helps explain the problem with the Calvinistic view of Christians as The Elect.   Links & Sponsors: badchristiancon.com badchristi...

There was an ugly and embarrassing thread on Twitter this weekend. Many of you observed it, and many participated in it. It was primarily in regards to the inclusion of Preston Sprinkle at BadChristian Con. Some feel that he is a bigot and his views are tantamount to violence and that BC is implicated by giving him the stage.    I (Matt) think it's a tragic look and insight into the negative side...

Jake Meador, author of the article "Ecclesiology and the Zombie Pastors Problem," joins to discuss issues with pastors like Mark Driscoll (among others) coming back to ministry after being disqualified. Jake points out that the process of reconciliation between pastors and ministry is either to short and easy, or non-existent.  We also  announce the first BadChristian Conference, with featured gue...

After months of self-discovery, Lecrae wrote his best and most honest album to date. White Evangelicals couldn't handle it though, and want him to stay in the safe lane they're comfortable with. #lecrae@yourchurch   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com Wonderbly: wonderbly.com code BCPOD Naturebox: naturebox.com/BADCHRISTIAN solidstate.merchnow.com toothandnailrecords.merchnow.com...

We've got a lot to talk about on this one. The bible isn't clearly against multiple sex partners, or at least not clear enough, laments Joey. Matt, Toby, and Joey lose a college friend way too early. Is sexual identity an overblown concept? How does society act as a software that keeps humanity in check?   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com MVMT: mvmt.com/BADCHRIS...

Toby's thoughts on psychics and their manipulation tactics ruffles Joey's feathers when he tried to extent the criticism to pastors. Matt makes a case for needing colorful characters in the world through an example of a keyed up hockey coach.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com Wonderbly: wonderbly.com code BCPOD Stamps.com : code BADCHRISTIAN

It seems that these days everyone expects a consensus view from everyone else. That is nonsense. We suggest a nice dose of taking yourself and everyone else less seriously.  Take a deep breath and try to enjoy YOUR life and worry a bit less about other people's lives.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com Phinehas Album "Dark Flag" Out Everywhere Nov 17th Honey: jo...

Today we (Matt, Toby, and Joey) find ourselves in a conversation about the Biblical cannon, and if it is forever closed, and why we think it is or isnt.  If we're honest, it can't be as simple as, "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it."   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com BeachBody: test BADCHRISTIAN to 313131 ProFlowers: proflowers.com code BADCHRISTIA...

Many Atheists, Agnostics, and Christians, despite their stark differences, have the common ingredient of being “Ex-Evangelical.” Within the faith of Christianity, the scales have been tipped (credit the November 2016 Presidential Election) to cause a large sect of Christianity to bow out of evangelicalism. How important is it for this movement to grow? Self-identified nerd and Ph. D. in Russian hi...

NewSpring Church, according to Toby's Damn News, has declining attendance and income due to its parting with founding Pastor Perry Noble, who is now getting a divorce. Is Perry a "bad guy?" Is he a victim? Either way, we wish him well, and truly feel bad for what he is going through. Toby can't stop eating Halloween candy, but wonders if Halloween traditions will go away soon.   Links & Sponsors:...

Cops escorted Pastor and author Jonathan Martin off the Liberty University campus during a JOHNNYSWIM show while he was hanging with his friends in the greenroom. He was banned for life from Liberty University for planning a prayer meeting and opposing Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr. What’s the condition of the church when opposing points of view aren’t even welcomed?  What role does authoritarianism...

Movie director, Spencer T. Folmar, wants to use film to present the hope he’s found in Jesus.  Many Christians aren’t buying his intentions however given the colorful language, including the monstrous “F word,” that’s replete through his films.  We talk “constructive nudity,” “senseless violence,” “The Passion of Christ” and the potential of Christians making REAL movies.   Links & Sponsors: gener...

Author and host of radio show and podcast “Unbelievable?” talks faith, atheism, and how the two groups misunderstand one another.  He’s maintained an open mind to learn, and has had his faith stretched by some of these brilliant atheists, but still maintains his Christian faith. Justin, along with Matt, Toby, and Joey talk significantly about moral relativism. Toby realizes just how much he believ...

Making what you believe clear is something that you'd think all churches would like, but apparently George Mekhail's "Church Clarity" project has stirred up some unrest among churches since they score a church's transparency on where they stand with LGBTQ issues. Joey claims the hashtag #thatsnotme after coming out as no longer Evangelical.   Links & Sponsors: churchclarity.org badchristianmedia.c...

Shame, pain, and humiliation shouldn’t be words commonly used by women to describe sexual encounters. Teen girls shouldn’t feel obligated to return the favor by sexually fulfilling boys who take them out on a fun date.  Labiaplasties (surgery of trimming the labia) shouldn’t be on the rise, but even that sex education class in middle school discusses “ejaculation and orgasms” for guys, but “risk a...

Matt’s logical brain was discombobulated by a synergistic experience he had this weekend at a Kings Kaleidoscope show which made him realize there might be more to this human experience than can be emulated by AI despite having tried VR for the first time just two days prior. Toby takes Matt’s explanation of reality farther than most would, but reveals the inevitable generational gap where “back i...

Despite his conservative upbringing, Brandan Robertson’s first book deal was canceled due to him being vocal about affirming LGBTQ after studying the topic intensively for two years. He eventually came out as bisexual himself, and has become an influential writer for TIME Magazine, Huffington Post, NBC, as well as the author of multiple books on sexuality. Also on this episode, we talk Harvey Wein...

Toxic masculinity, good and healthy masculinity, men and women's ministries; do we pigeonhole folks to a certain brand of masculinity and femininity? Can this be harmful? One thing is for sure, thinking through all of this is much more complex than we give it credit for. Toby ends things with a “things that make me mad list,” including his laments on not being able to let out “sad farts."   Links...

There's no need to go to the Bible for an explanation on fossil records or insight on cancer research. It's equally pointless turning to science for data on how to solve your moral dilemmas. Jim Stump, Senior Editor at Biologos and author of "Science and Christianity: An Introduction to the Issues," invites the church to see the harmony between science and biblical faith as he and his organization...

With the shooting in Las Vegas, it seemed weird to be “business as usual,” advertising products, laughing, cutting jokes, but isn’t laughing good for the soul? We share some jokes in which we’ve taken things too far, talk about Matt Chandler’s decision to only pastor one church with one location, reflect on Trump’s presidency in times like these and brag on (once again) Seacoast Church.   Links &...

There’s a lot of movement in Christianity and it's not always movement away from belief in Jesus, but rather the extraneous practices, beliefs and approaches to life that over time have become synonymous with Christianity. Maybe those Christians who stand up and say "Not anymore! We won’t be known for this!" are post-Christians? We also discover the apple not falling far from the tree in the Svend...