James Spurgeon

The Texas Baptist Crucible

Religion EN ↓ 105 episodes

Stories and testimonies from former members of the Longview Baptist Temple in Longview, Texas, along with commentary and humor from the author of the book which goes by the same name.

Author

James Spurgeon

Category

Religion

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Millstones and Woodchippers- A Conversation with Joshua Hirner (part 2) 10.04.2026

Part 2 of my conversation with Josh Hirner in which he talks about the day they came to arrest his dad, what happened afterward, how he's adjusted to life afterward, and many other things you're going to want to hear about. it's a great story.

Worldliness - Correcting Bad Teaching (4) 1 John 2:15, 2 Cor. 6:17 07.04.2026

What does it really mean to be separate and worldly? Comparing the teaching of LBT to what the Bible actually says.

Ripe for Abuse - A Conversation with Joshua Hirner (part 1) 03.04.2026

Another compelling witness to the system of abuse that was set up for the kids growing up at the Longview Baptist Temple--a system that not only abused them, but left them ripe for even more.

Lack of Gospel Focus 31.03.2026

In this episode I address one of the biggest problems with the ministry of the Longview Baptist Temple, especially the pulpit ministry.

A Second Chance - A Conversation with Doug Bearden 27.03.2026

Doug Bearden tells the story of how he went from favored kid to not fitting in to be singled out to be told "Don't call me when you fall."...then what happened to him afterwards. You don't want to miss this one!

On Forgiving - with Douglas Pietersma 24.03.2026

Some thoughts on biblical forgiveness and what it actually means.

Jenny Tmouh Unfiltered - A Conversation with Jenny Tmouh (part 2 20.03.2026

Part 2 of my conversation with Jenny Tmouh--her thoughts on LBT now as well as some other memories of her experiences there along with her continuing education and life in Switzerland.

God's Will (part 2) - Correcting Bad Teaching (3) Rom. 12:1-2 17.03.2026

Attempting to explain what Romans 12:1-2 is really saying--a continuation of last Tuesday's episode.

Problem Child - A Conversation with Jenny Tmouh (part 1) 13.03.2026

What do you do when the adults in your life make one bad decision after another? Part 1 of a tremendous conversation I had with Jenny Tmouh.

God's Perfect Will - Correcting Bad Teaching (2) Rom. 12:1-2 10.03.2026

How they used a misunderstanding of Romans 12:1-2 to instill fear and keep people under control.

Average Joe Preacher Boy - A Conversation With Douglas Pietersma 06.03.2026

Doug was a student at TBC in the early 90s and he offers great insight into what was wrong with LBT's entire approach to ministry.

Abstain From Bob Gray - Correcting Bad Teaching (1) 1 Thess 5:22 03.03.2026

Part 1 in a series putting back into context verses that were taken out of context and misused to abuse the flock.

Darkness and Confusion - A Conversation With Wayne Mixon 27.02.2026

What you don't know can be used against you.

"It always costs something."--A Conversation with Daniel Hamilton (part 3) 24.02.2026

Today is a Friday-like episode of Tuesday length in which I finish my conversation with Daniel Hamilton. What a powerful finish to his powerful witness of how God can and does work his grace in spite of and even through human error and frailty. Give it a spin and let Daniel's witness to the goodness of God speak to you.

Pushed Over the Edge - A Conversation with Daniel Hamilton (part 2) 20.02.2026

From being spiritually abused by egomaniacal control freaks to being pushed to the depths of despair, this is part 2 of Daniel's story.

A Reckoning (part 2) 17.02.2026

What if they did mend their ways? What would that look like? This is part 2 of a topic we broached beginning last Tuesday, and a call to repentance to those who took part in the atrocity that was the Longview Baptist Temple.

Followship - A Conversation with Daniel Hamilton 13.02.2026

Groomed to be followers. That's what Daniel says they were at the Longview Baptist Temple. There's a lot of common sense and practical wisdom in part 1 of this conversation.

A Reckoning (part 1) 10.02.2026

What if they did mend their ways? What would that look like? What would we have to see before we believed it were genuine?

Grace and Perspective - A Conversation With Janet Kammerdiener Noe 06.02.2026

Janet was basically a lifer, until she and her husband decided to take a different direction in life. Listen to her story and then decide for yourself whether she made the right choice or not.

A Culture of Sexual Abuse 03.02.2026

The number of cases of sexually predatory behavior coming out of LBT was not by coincidence.

"We Were Freaks"--A Conversation With Rebekah Fancher 30.01.2026

The life and times of a girl raised at LBT by parents who were bought in, and the absurdities that entailed.

Reasonableness 27.01.2026

What Scripture calls us to in our response and our overall demeanor toward outsiders, especially as ministers of the gospel, and how LBT and Bob Gray were the opposite

The Forgotten - A Conversation with Karen Coblentz 23.01.2026

A wife and a mom tells her story of life at LBT and the day that changed everything.

Taking the Lord's Name In Vain 20.01.2026

What it actually means to take the Lord's name in vain and other thoughts on Bob Gray Sr. and the Longview Baptist Temple--including some highlights on what's to come.

Finishing Well - A Conversation with Curt Mathis (part 2) 16.01.2026

Part 2 of my conversation with Curt Mathis. Bro. Mathis talks about his ministry in Thailand and how much he delights in it and how different it is from what we experienced at LBT.

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