The Unlearning Podcast

This gospel that Jesus proclaimed is a gospel of liberation – not a gospel of hell fire and brimstone. This is why liberation theologies are so important. Liberation theologies like black theology or feminist theology or womanist theology or queer theology are theologies of liberation, ways of looking at Scripture and at the character of God that support spiritual and physical freedom from oppress...

It doesn’t matter what evangelical pastors say – Scripture is for everyone. We can all approach the Bible using our own context or through the lens of our own liberation and allow God to strengthen us, fill up our soul and strengthen our connection to the Divine no matter who we are or what context we find ourselves in.  On today's Friday Field Notes, Ashley talks about how to read the Bible...

Welcome to the Unlearning Podcast – a gentle deconstruction podcast dedicated to helping you learn to love Jesus and your neighbor through healthy life-giving theology. I am your host, Ashley Lynn Hengst and I’m so grateful you are checking out the show. I am a graduate of Claremont School of Theology and I’m passionate about helping people understand and practice the Christian faith in a healthy...

Your life is so much more than what you give and do for other people. The abundant life that Christ talked about is not limited to service of others. It’s about living joyfully in your spirit and enjoying the healthy pleasures of life knowing you are unconditionally loved.  What would you love to do if time and money were not a problem? What would you love to do if you were in the best physical sh...

"Man does not live by bread alone but by every word from the mouth of God." This was Jesus' response to the Devil when he presented him the temptation to use God's power for selfish gain.  On today's episode, Ashley walks us through some of the questions that come up for progressive Christians when looking at the temptation of Jesus. Is the Devil real? Is there evil in the...

Today marks the very first Friday Field Notes segment : a *new*  weekly segment dropping every Friday dedicated to help[ing you reconstruct a healthy Christian faith experience.  How do we build our faith? What are some healthy faith practices (or spiritual disciplines) that we can adopt? What are some healthy Christian living books that we can read? How do you find a healthy church? Why is servin...

In this episode, Ashley continues her series on the Gospel of Luke walking listeners through the beauty of baptism and repentance. Healthy repentance is not rooted in shame or despair but hope in the grace of a loving God.  Ashley Lynn Hengst is the host of the Unlearning Podcast. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com

In this sermon, Ashley talks about "Pleasure & Purity: Healthy Christian Sexual Ethics" as part of a two part talk given at Central Avenue Church in Glendale, CA on June 19th. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram & Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com

In this sermon, Ashley gives her second talk "Pleasure & Purity: Healthy Christian Sexual Ethics" at Central Avenue Church in Glendale, CA on June 26th.  You can connect with Ashley on Instagram & Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com

Today's episode is in response to the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.  In this episode, Ashley outlines the importance of being "prayerfully pro-choice." She talks about the history of Roe vs. Wade , recent statistics on abortion and what Scripture has to say about the issue. Ashley also shares Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry's statement as well as a stat...

On today's episode, I sit down with Andre Jacinto, a wonderful man of God in the Los Angeles area. Andre talks about his coming out journey and experiencing  God's love at a tent revival in the '60s. Andre also shares about his journey with fatherhood and offers encouraging words for parents struggling with coming out.  Andre speaks at length about the amazing ministry of Pastor Jer...

Welcome to a *new segment* on the Unlearning Podcast called "The Briefing: News and Events from a Progressive Christian world view. Joining me this month is Andrew Janey. Andrew is a poet,  preacher,  actor and a beloved Christian leader in the LGBT community in the Los Angeles area. On today’s episode, we  talk about Abbott Elementary, Amber Heard, the recent shootings, the War in Ukraine an...

On today's episode, Ashley interviews Rev. Brian Gaeta-Symonds of the Presbyterian Church, USA. Pastor Brian is the Associate Pastor for outreach at Claremont Presbyterian Church in California. On this episode we learn about Brian's coming out journey, his call to ministry and his journey with fatherhood.  You can learn more about Brian's ministry at: https://www.pastorbgs.com/ http...

On today's episode, Ashley shares about her trip to Guadalajara, graduating from Claremont School of Theology and two new segments she hopes to add to the line of up episodes on the Unlearning Podcast.  In the coming weeks, Ashley is launching a segment on the show called "Friday Field Notes" which will be specifically on reconstruction - how to rebuild your life and your faith afte...

On today's episode, Ashley completes her 4 part series on Christena Cleveland's  essential book "God is a Black Woman." In this episode Ashley talks about evangelicalism's tiny terrifying circle of acceptability, Tim Wise's book "Between Barack and a Hard Place" and how white women use their femininity to silence the needs and concerns of black women. This p...

In today's episode, Ashley continues her series on examining key concepts in Dr. Christena Cleveland's new book "God is a Black Woman." Be sure to purchase a copy of her book and to support Dr. Cleveland work by visiting her website: https://www.christenacleveland.com/ In this episode, Ashley unpacks what Cleveland describes as the "beauty shame game" of white suprema...

In today's episode, Ashley continues her series on examining key concepts in Dr. Christena Cleveland's new book "God is a Black Woman." Be sure to purchase a copy of her book and to support Dr. Cleveland work by visiting her website: https://www.christenacleveland.com/ According to Dr. Cleveland, the whitemalegod of the evangelical Church has "adopted toxic masculinity’s i...

One of the best ways to maintain that healthy understanding of God is to understand God as a Black woman, who, as Christena Cleveland powerfully explains: "declares that all living beings are sacred. She is the God who smashes white patriarchy and empowers us to join in her liberating work. She is the God who has a special love for the most marginalized because she too has known marginalizati...

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:52.   In today's episode, Ashley walks us through two moments in the life of young Jesus. She also unpacks Luke 2:52 and offers a new way of looking at "spiritual disciplines." You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst and through her website at ashleylhengst.com

In today's podcast, Ashley talks about the beauty of Holy Week and the hope of Easter. She walks us through the traditional theology of substitutionary atonement and offers another way to think about the cross of Christ. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or reach out through her website at ashleylhengst.com To check out Pastor Jerrell's church visit http...

On today's episode, Ashley reviews the new documentary "Hillsong: Megachurch Exposed" (2022), a three part documentary on the scandals and cover ups of the Hillsong megachurch empire. In this episode, Ashley mentions this New York Times article on how the recent scandals have affected the American Hillsong church plants. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashle...

This week, I have the privilege of interviewing pastor Aaron Van Voorhis of Central Avenue Church in Glendale, CA. To learn more about Aaron's ministry, you can visit Central, listen to "The Central Cast" podcast and check out his book "A Survival Guide for Heretics."

In today's episode, Ashley unpacks theological gems within what we call "the infancy narratives." She explores the similarities between the nativities of John the Baptist and Jesus and deconstructs how we understand sexuality among the elderly and with the "virgin" Mary.  The phrase "creed behind all creeds" comes from the theological work of Fred B. Craddock. Cr...

On today's episode, Ashley begins her series on the Gospel of Luke and talks about the composition of the gospel itself. She discusses the "Two Source Hypothesis" and how the ethnicity of Luke influences certain themes in his gospel. This will be a wonderful series for anyone who has been hurt by the use of Scripture as a sacred weapon. You can contribute to Ashley's St. Baldri...

On today's episode, Ashley sits down with Pastor Hannah Sims to discuss a healthy understanding of pastoral ministry. Pastor Hannah shares about her own unlearning journey, her view on developing a healthy sexuality and the importance of authentic leadership. She also reads a #metoo lament that she shared with New City Church during the height of the #metoo movement.  Subscribe to hear more p...