What If Project

In this week's episode we sit down with my friend Karl Forehand to talk about his book "Apparent Faith."  Get the book, find him on Social Media, and show him some love. SHOW NOTES: Patreon What If Project Community Apparent Faith The Desert Sanctuary Special Music: YUNG CITIZEN

In this week's episode we wrap up 2019 by talking to Dr. Philip Jenkins about his book "The Lost History of Christianity".  Dr. Jenkins is a professor at Baylor University and the author of a number of different books.  If you want to know more about the history of the early church and how the church came to be, this is a great place to begin.  Enjoy! Patreon What If Project Community Lost History...

In this week's episode we talk to Alexander John Shaia about the origins of Christmas.  We talk Celtic Christianity, Winter Solstice, Christmas Trees, Darkness, Boxing Day, and MORE.  Enjoy, and MERRY CHRISTMAS. SHOW NOTES: Patreon What If Project Community Quadratos Heart And Mind by Alexander DONATE FOR OUR CHRISTMAS PROJECT - Send money via PAYPAL: gsiepert@me.com - Send money via CASH App: $gs...

It's part 2 of our series we're doing for Christmas called "Keep Christ in ChristIAN" and this week get ready to have your mind blown and your faith stre-e--e---e----e-----e-----etched as we talk about the birth of Jesus as told by Matthew and explore some possible ways that Matthew might have embellished the story and added a bunch of details that likely never happened. Eh? Go listen! SHOW NOTES:...

It's week 1 of our new series called "Keep Christ in Christian" and this week we're taking a look at a story in Luke's Gospel where Jesus interacts with a man named Zacchaeus and we're challenging ourselves to live like Christ not just during the Christmas season, but all year long.   SHOW NOTES: What If Project Patreon What If Project Store What If Project Community

It's the FINAL INSTALLMENT of our series, "Setting the Bible Free" and this week we sit down with theologian and scholar, Matthew Korpman, to talk about his new book (releasing DECEMBER 13, 2019), "Saying No To God: A Radical Approach To Reading The Bible Faithfully".  In the episode Matthew talks to us about what deconstruction has looked like for him and explains to us how and why the Bible urge...

It's week TEN of our series "Setting the Bible Free" and today we're sitting down with my friend Bushi.  Bushi was at one time an evangelical Christian pastor and now he's a Buddhist Zen Monk.  In today's episode he talks to us about his own journey of deconstruction, what Buddhism has taught him about the Bible, and the importance of living the way of Christ in our everyday lives. SHOW NOTES: Wha...

In today's episode we talk to Doug Pagitt about his new book "Outdoing Jesus".  He talks to us about what it looks like to out do the Son of God and what John 3:16 really means.   Show Notes: Doug Pagitt Vote Common Good Outdoing Jesus Patreon What If Project Swag What If Project Community SPECIAL MUSIC: Will Retherford Further Info: As a straight white male, Will Retherford was compelled to write...

It’s part 8 of our series, “Setting the Bible Free” and today we’re sitting down with Austen Hartke to talk about his book “Transforming”.  Austen is a transgender Christian theologian who brings unique perspective to reading the Bible.  We also talk about how churches can be more welcoming to transgender people and Austen shares a special word of encouragement to our transgender listeners. Show N...

In this week's episode we talk to Dr. James Danaher about the Sermon the Mount and how it doesn't really line up very well with Evangelical Theology.  This one is a game changer! SHOW NOTES: Patreon What If Project Community What If Project SWAG Dr. James Danaher BOOKS Special Music: Yung Citizen

It’s part 6 of our series “Setting the Bible Free” and today we’re talking to my Old Testament professor from seminary about all things Old Testament (and some New Testament too).  Did you know that the passage in Isaiah where the prophet talks about a virgin giving birth isn’t about Jesus or Mary or Christmas?  And did you know that a lot of recent archeological discoveries show that many of the...

It's part FIVE of our series, "Setting the Bible Free" and today we sit down with Keith Giles to talk about his book Jesus Unbound.  He talks to us about how the Bible became the Bible, why the Bible isn't the Word of God, and what it really means to be a heretic.    Show Notes: Patreon What If Project SWAG Jesus Unbound by Keith Giles BK2SQ1 What If Project Blog What If Project Community What If...

It's part 4 of our series "Setting the Bible Free" and today we get to sit down with Thomas Oord.  Thomas is a scholar, theologian, and author who was on the podcast earlier this year to talk about his more recent book, "God Can't".  In today's episode he shares some thoughts about the Bible and takes some questions from our listeners as well. SHOW NOTES: Revelation (the document Thomas mentioned...

This is week 3 of our series, "Setting the Bible Free" and it's a solo episode where I talk to you about the story of Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus and rethink what it means to be "born again".   Are you deconstructing?  Reconstructing?  Experiencing a shift in your faith?   This is for you. SHOW NOTES: What If Project Patreon THIS WILL HELP YOU READ THE BIBLE BETTER LOVE EVERYBODY T-SHIRT  

It's week 2 of our series, "Setting the Bible Free" and today we're sitting down with Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev who recently wrote a book called "Te Liberating Path of the Hebrew Prophets: Then and Now" where he talks about who the prophets of the Bible were, what they were, and how we're all called to be prophets today.   This convo is a GAME CHANGER.  Enjoy! Show Notes: Developing Your Prophetic Voic...

This is part 1 of our 11 part series, "Setting the Bible Free".  In this episode I give some background and context to the series, explain what the name means, and give you a sneak peak behind the curtain at all the guests we have lined up for the show.  Over the course of the next 11 weeks we'll look at different ideas about what the Bible is, progressive ways of thinking about the Bible, and wil...

In this week's episode author, therapist, theologian, and former college classmate, Mark Karris, joins me to talk about his latest book, "Divine Echoes: Reconciling Prayer With The Uncontrolling Love Of God".  We talk specifically about how to pray during the process of deconstruction and tackle the question of what does it look like to pray to a God you are realizing you don't understand? Enjoy!...

In this week's episode we sit down with author and activist, Shane Claiborne to talk about his book "Irresistible Revolution", a book that made a big impact on me when I was younger.  Shane talks to us about what it was like to work with Mother Teresa in Calcutta and the importance of proximity when it comes to taking a stand on behalf of people who are oppressed.  This is a super fun episode, enj...

Last week the What If Project celebrated its ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY. This week I share some excitement around our 10,000th download, give some sneak peeks at 2 BIG upcoming series, and talk about a significant theological shift that's taken place in my life this past year. SHOW NOTES: What If Project Patreon What If Project Community

It's our last week of the Processing the Goose series and today we're sitting down with one of the main speakers of Wild Goose every year, Mike Morrell.  Mike is an author, teacher, and modern-day mystic who has come onto the show to help me process some of my biggest takeaways from Wild Goose and answer some of my own burning questions about Christianity and faith.   Show Notes: Mike Morrell The...

We're heading into part 3 of our series, "Processing the Goose" and this week we're sitting down with my friend Bob Gregory who I met at Wild Goose last year and connected with again this year.  He talks with me a little bit about my experience at the festival and shares with us some of his biggest takeaways as well.  Check it out and then go check his podcast over at GOD IS AN ELEPHANT (AND LEAVE...

It's part 2 of our series "Processing the Goose" where I'm talking through some of my biggest takeaways from this year's Wild Goose Festival.  This week we talk about the idea of "disowning God" and recognizing that Christianity (or any religion, for that matter) doesn't own the rights to God and how taking off my Evangelical Glasses has helped open up my eyes to a more inclusive reading of Script...

This is part 1 of our 4 part series, “Processing the Goose”.  Back in July I was able to attend the Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs, NC and came away with a LOT to process.  This week I’ll share a bit about (1) some areas of grief in my life as well as (2) how I’ve been dealing with some criticism that’s come my way as a result of the What If Project and (3) what it’s been like to experience an...

It’s the final installment of our series, “Glenn’s Friends”, and this week we’re talking to former pastor, life coach, author, podcaster - Jamal Jivanjee.  Jamal sits down to chat with us about his book, gratitude, and the actual message of Jesus.  Enjoy! Show Notes: Patreon LGBTQ Inclusion Tee Jamal’s Website Heretic Happy Hour Podcast The Love Cast Living For A Living Yung Citizen What If Projec...

It's week FOUR of our series, "Glenn's Friends" and today I'm sitting down with Pastor Danny Prada from Heartway Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Pastor Danny is not your typical pastor as he tackles topics from the pulpit that others might shy away from.  He's not afraid to talk about things like hell, eternal life, salvation, sexuality, etc. and come at the topics from a point of view that would...