Holy Heretics

This week we talk to Dr. Phillip Nikao! He tells his story of life as an Amish boy who left, became homeless, then became a word of faith preacher who then walked the road of the heretic.....How he broke church and then went on to get a doctorate in psychology and masters in Neuroscience.   We talk about how to navigate through the loss of "God." For one on one counseling and training go to www.phillipnikao.com   CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics   FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... www.twitter.com/holyheretics www.instagram.com/theholyheretics Email: theholyheretics@gmail.com   DON'T FORGET... Rate, Review, and Subscribe!  

This week, (Bishop) Jim Swilley visits the podcast to chat with Scott and Jon about his journey. Jim was the founding pastor of Church in the Now near Atlanta, Georgia which grew over many years to be a popular megachurch in the Southeast. However, all of that changed when Jim revealed to his megachurch congregation that he was gay and preached for the inclusion of all people into the Church. What followed was a whirlwind of change and ultimately the megachurch closed. Jim chats with Scott and Jon about that experience and what he's doing now (Spoiler alert: he's still a spiritual leader/pastor and even an artist!). Jim's story is truly inspirational and a must listen. CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT JIM SWILLEY - Purchase Jim's artwork here - Purchase on of Jim's many books on Spirituality here - Connect with Jim Swilley via facebook and twitter - Visit Jim's web site and blog here   CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT THE HOLY HERETICS   PURCHASE THE SPIRITUAL MISFIT T-SHIRT - $20  Available September only - click here Or

This week, Carlos Rodriguez joins Scott and Jon to chat about his new book Drop the Stones. Carlos in a pastor and author based in Raleigh, NC where he lives with his wife and children. Carlos is also the founder and CEO of Happy Sonship, which is a very successful online magazine that discusses Christian culture and leadership among other things. Carlos also found a non-profit called The Happy Givers that supports needs of poverty stricken individuals and families. In this episode, Scott, Jon and Carlos chat about the origins of his Christian journey and his new book. Drop the Stones invites followers of Jesus to drop their religious rocks, and, with open hands, engage in the rewarding lifestyle of a Jesus-styled love. By the way, this book releases today, so buy a copy now! CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT CARLOS RODRIGUEZ - Purchase a copy of Drop the Stones here. - Visit www.happysonship.com and www.thehappygivers.com - Connect with Carlos Rodriguez via facebook, twitter, and instagram.   CONNECT WITH AND SUPPO

Kent Dobson is the former teaching pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he initially served as the worship director while Rob Bell was the lead pastor. He's also been a Religion teacher, scholar and has been featured on Biblical programs for the History Channel and the Discovery Channel. Kent lived and studied in Israel which expanded his world and helped unravel parts of his faith. He currently leads retreats and wilderness programs designed to cultivate human wholeness and pursue the perennial questions of the soul. He also guides pilgrimage adventures to Israel and occasionally speaks and lectures. In this episode, Scott, Jon and Kent talk all about his new book, "Bitten By A Camel: Leaving Church, Finding God."   CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT KENT DOBSON - Purchase Kent Dobson's new book Bitten By A Camel here. - Connect with Kent Dobson via facebook, twitter, instagram, and his website. - Purchase Kent Dobson's NIV First Century Study Bible here.   CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT THE HO

Bart Campolo joins Scott and Jon this week to talk about his journey from Evangelicalism/Christianity to Secular Humanism. Bart's story is really intriguing, especially given that he is the son of famous evangelist, Tony Campolo. Bart chats with Scott and Jon about how he now views the world and how one can still spread goodness and peace in the world without a supernatural belief. Can we be good without God? Can we simply be good for goodness' sake? How does a secular humanist understand afterlife concepts? Scott, Jon, and Bart chat all of this and more.  Also, Bart and his father, Tony, recently released a book called "Why I Left, Why I Stayed" which explores how they have navigated this journey of changing beliefs together. We highly recommend this book if you are experiencing a change of belief, but maybe those you love are not. This book can help you to navigate these changes in peace with others.    - Order Bart Campolo's new book: "Why I Left, Why I Stayed" via Amazon Online - Connect with Bart Campol

It's back! Part 2 of You Might Have Grown Up Evangelical If! Once again, Scott and Jon are doing what they do best: bringing you their own stories as they work out their theology in real time. This week, Scott and Jon yet again reflect back on many of the doctrines and dogmas of their younger days and tell stories of what it was like to have grown up evangelical in the Bible Belt of America. With their unique brand of whit and sarcasm, they cover strange evangelical doctrines that they grew up both hearing and believing. Hang on to your seats ladies and gentleman, this is going to be good! And lets get this trending on Twitter: #youmighthavegrownupevangelicalif   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics   FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... Twitter: @HolyHeretics Instagram: @theholyheretics Email: theholyheretics@gmail.com   DON'T FORGET... Rate, Review, and Subscribe!

  Brian Zahnd, founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, joins Scott and Jon this week to chat about his new book Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God. This book is theologically rich and explores a number of concepts that the Church is rethinking today: biblical literalism, the doctrine of hell, the doctrine of salvation and so much more. Scott and Jon dive into these topics and more in their discussion with Brian. Brian's new book releases today and we've got the links below so you can purchase it with ease. Make sure to not only purchase his newest book, but check out his previous books as well.   CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT BRIAN ZAHND - Purchase Brian Zhand's new book Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God here. - Connect with Brian Zahnd via facebook, twitter, instagram, and his website. - Visit the website for Word of Life Church here.   CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT THE HOLY HERETICS       DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics   FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... www.twitter.com/holyheret

In this episode, Scott and Jon respond to heretical questions from listeners. Questions include: - Do you ever wonder if how and what you believe about God is wrong? Do you ever panic that the religious belief you were raised in is the right way? Do the religious fear and scare tactics you were raised on ever apprehend you? - This year marks 500 years since the Protestant Reformation. What are some ways the Church needs reformation today? With their usual humor and insight, Scott and Jon seek not to objectively answer the questions but to simply give their own subjective responses with the hope of helping those who listen to continue to navigate their spiritual journey.   NEXT WEEK (08/15): Episode 33 | Brian Zahnd: Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics    FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... Twitter: @HolyHeretics Instagram: @theholyheretics Email: theholyheretics@gmail.com   DON'T FORGET... Rate, Review, and Subscribe!

Jen Hatmaker joins Scott and Jon this week to chat about her journey over the last year. In 2016, Jen publically affirmed the LGBTQ community and felt the sting of the Christian machine as a result. Lifeway Christian Bookstores dropped her books and so many others distanced themselves from her. Even though Jen was deeply wounded, she is now more determined than ever to proclaim a message of love and hope for the world, a love that she believes is rooted in the Jesus message. In this chat, Jen shares openly and honestly about her journey and it is sure to encourage those who have also been wounded by the Christian Machine. Scott, Jon and Jen also chat about her new book, "Of Mess and Moxie." Make sure you enter the contest to win the book! Winner announced on Twitter on August 9th.   - ORDER JEN HATMAKER'S NEW BOOK - OF MESS AND MOXIE Of Mess and Moxie via Amazon Online   - CONNECT WITH JEN HATMAKER Social Media www.twitter.com/jenhatmaker www.facebook.com/jenhatmaker www.instagram.com/jenhatmaker Web Site ww

This is the live episode recorded at the 2017 Wild Goose Festival with the Pastor of the Resistance Movement, John Pavlovitz. Scott, Jon, and Pav sat down and discussed his new book, A Bigger Table, in front of a live audience who participated near the end with questions. This episode is a great one with a lot of fun extras. It even features a regular listener of the show named Ukulele Tracy who joins in on the fun near the end as she performs her soon-to-be hit single, "Them Donald Trump Blues." Read below to discover how to connect with and support John Pavlovitz and also how to pre-order his new book, A Bigger Table. - PRE-ORDER JOHN PAVLOVITZ'S NEW BOOK - A BIGGER TABLE A Bigger Table via AMAZON ONLINE   - CONNECT WITH JOHN PAVLOVITZ Social Media www.twitter.com/johnpavlovitz www.facebook.com/johnpavlovitzofficial Blog www.johnpavlovitz.com (Stuff That Needs To Be Said)   - SUPPORT JOHN PAVLOVITZ www.patreon.com/johnpavlovitz     DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... www.twitter

Worlds are colliding! Scott and Jon team up this week with the good brothers from the Inglorious Pasterds podcast to talk all things heretical. Naturally, they discuss their respective journeys into podcasting as well as random theological topics. Basically, in this episode, they solve the problems of the world so you really must listen to this one!   CONNECT WITH THE INGLORIOUS PASTERDS  Web Site: www.ingloriouspasterds.com Twitter: @PasterdsPodcasts Instagram: @IngloriousPasterds Facebook: @PasterdsPodcast   SUPPORT THE INGLORIOUS PASTERDS  Patreon: www.pateron.com/pasterdspodcast   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics    FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... Twitter: @HolyHeretics Instagram: @theholyheretics Email: theholyheretics@gmail.com   DON'T FORGET... Rate, Review, and Subscribe!

In this episode, Scott and Jon are doing what they do best: bringing you their own stories as they work out their theology in real time. This week, Scott and Jon reflect back on many of the doctrines and dogmas of their younger days and tell stories of what it was like to have grown up evangelical in the Bible Belt of America. With their unique brand of whit and sarcasm, they cover evangelical doctrines and topics like: the rapture, true love waits, secular music, hell, God's wrath, and much more. Hang on to your seats ladies and gentleman, this is going to be good! And lets get this trending on Twitter: #youmighthavegrownupevangelicalif   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics   2017 WILDGOOSE FESTIVAL The Holy Heretics will be at the 2017 WildGoose Festival and podcasting LIVE on-stage. Want to be there? Visit: www.wildgoosefestival.org for tickets.   FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... Twitter: @HolyHeretics Instagram: @theholyheretics Email: theholyheretics@gmail.com   DO

Diana Butler Bass, public theologian, author, and Religion PhD, joins Scott and Jon in this episode to talk themes from her latest book, Grounded. Scott, Jon and Diana also dive into other topics including the intersection of Christianity and politics. Diana gives seasoned wisdom on being grounded in this ever-changing world.   CONNECT WITH DIANA BUTLER BASS Twitter: @dianabutlerbass Website: www.dianabutlerbass.com   BUY DIANA BUTLER BASS' BOOKS ON AMAZON Click Here to Purchase ***Watch for Diana's new book coming soon!***   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics   2017 WILDGOOSE FESTIVAL The Holy Heretics will be at the 2017 WildGoose Festival and podcasting LIVE on-stage. Want to be there? Visit: www.wildgoosefestival.org for tickets.   FOLLOW THE HOLY HERETICS... Twitter: @HolyHeretics Instagram: @theholyheretics Email: theholyheretics@gmail.com   DON'T FORGET... Rate, Review, and Subscribe!

This episode features Scott and Jon chatting with Steve Stone. In 2016, Starbucks debuted an original content video series called Upstanders. Upstanders highlighted ordinary people doing extraordinary things to create positive change in their communities to inspire others to be better citizens. Steve Stone was a featured personality in one of these short story videos. At that time, Steve pastored a United Methodist Church in Memphis, TN called Heartsong. As pastor, Steve challenged his congregation to follow the teachings of Jesus, but then... an Islamic Community Center purchased property across the street from the church and began building a facility. Steve faced a challenge on how to respond to this Muslim community because American Christianity generally calls such groups outsiders. Steve decided that the teachings of Jesus called him to embrace his new Muslim neighbors, not as evangelistic targets, but as equals. Steve encouraged his congregation to do the same. Scott and Jon's chat with Steve is both a

In this episode, Scott and Jon respond to heretical questions from listeners. Questions include: - Is Satan a real, literal being or is Satan metaphor? - Is questioning the gospel a matter of searching the biblical scriptures or is it a matter of "itching ears?" How can you be safely open to new teaching? - Why was man sent to live in "Satan's prison?" What's to keep man from falling again after Christ returns? - If Christianity isn't meant to be a formulaic religion and a keeping of rules, what might an authentic relationship with God look like? With their usual humor and insight, Scott and Jon seek not to objectively answer the questions but to simply give their own subjective responses with the hope of helping those who listen to continue to navigate their spiritual journey.   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics   2017 WILDGOOSE FESTIVAL The Holy Heretics will be at the 2017 WildGoose Festival and podcasting LIVE on-stage. Want to be there? Visit: www.wildgoosef

Jennifer Knapp joins Scott and Jon again to talk more about the inspiration behind her new album, Love Comes Back Around. Jennifer also chats with Scott and Jon about the challenges she faced, both personally and professionally, once she decided to go public with being gay and gives some words of encouragement to the LGBTQ community. Scott, Jon, and Jennifer conclude their chat by discussing the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting that happened on June 12, 2016 and how the American Church missed the mark on loving the LGBTQ community well following such a tragedy.   CONNECT WITH JENNIFER KNAPP Web site: www.jenniferknapp.com Twitter: @Jennifer_Knapp Instagram: @jenniferknappmusic Facebook: Jennifer Knapp   PURCHASE JENNIFER KNAPP'S NEW ALBUM Love Comes Back Around: Click Here #LoveComesBackAround #LCBAtour   PURCHASE THE HOLY HERETICS "hUmaNITY" T-SHIRT. Available through the end of June only. 50% of proceeds donated to GLAAD. To Purchase: Click Here   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS   DONATE www.pat

This episode is the first of a two-part installment where Scott and Jon talk with Jennifer Knapp. Jennifer was once a musician and artist in the Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) industry where she achieved great success including a Grammy nomination and numerous Dove awards. However, in 2004, after years in the limelight of the stage and the gaze of the public eye, Jennifer decided to take a hiatus from the music and embark on a personal journey of renewal and self-discovery. Several years later, Jennifer announced her return to music and also that she was gay (as seen on Larry King Live on CNN). This time though, Jennifer decided to go mainstream with her music, her orientation, and her faith. In this episode, Scott, Jon, and Jennifer discuss her journey and much more, including her new album, Love Comes Back Around.   CONNECT WITH JENNIFER KNAPP Web site: www.jenniferknapp.com Twitter: @Jennifer_Knapp Instagram: @jenniferknappmusic Facebook: Jennifer Knapp   PURCHASE JENNIFER KNAPP'S NEW ALBUM Lo

This week, Scott and Jon talk with Peter Rollins. Peter is a writer, philosopher, storyteller and public speaker who has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and forming “churches” that preach the Good News that we can’t be satisfied, that life is difficult, and that we don’t know the secret. Scott, Jon, and Peter dive right into these ideas in this episode as they discuss how Christianity is actually absurd (which is good news!) and how Christianity is similar to punk rock. They also discuss other various topics like: doubt, certainty, uncertainty, the end of meaning, and how all of it is really good news! Seriously, it is really good news. Enjoy! CONNECT WITH PETER ROLLINS Web site: www.peterrollins.com Twitter: @PeterRollins Instagram: @peter_rollins Facebook: Peter Rollins   PURCHASE PETE'S BOOKS Amazon: Click Here   SUPPORT PETE ON PATREON AND KICKSTARTER Patreon: Click Here Kickstarter: Click Here   SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH THE HOLY HERETICS

This week, Scott and Jon talk with Dr. AJ Levine, who is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Department of Religious Studies, and Graduate Department of Religion. AJ is widely known for Feminist theology. A noted and acclaimed author, AJ has also been featured on various media outlets (including CNN) where she lends her expertise to biblical topics.  In this episode, Scott, Jon, and AJ discuss several topics including: - How does misunderstanding Jesus' jewish culture make for a weak reading of the Bible? - What is the biblical idea of salvation? - What does the Bible really have to say about topics like Hell and the Book of Revelation? - How do we miss the point when reading the parables of Jesus? All of this and so much more! Make sure to check out the link below to purchase any of AJ's books, including her brand new children's book: "Who Counts?: 100 Sheep, 10 Coins and 2 Sons."   CONNECT WITH AJ LEVINE Bio: Vandebilt Divinity Sc

Rob Bell visits the show to talk about his new book "What Is The Bible?" And by the way, this book has the most epic subtitle ever: "How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything." That is quite a claim and Rob is here to chat about the truth of that statement with Scott and Jon. In this episode, Rob, Scott and Jon discuss questions like... - How do Americans misread the Bible? - Why do we need to begin with the human factor when reading the Bible? - Are doctrines like inerrancy and infallibility valid? Scott, Jon, and Rob discuss all of this and so much more! If you enjoy this interview, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe to this podcast in iTunes.   BUY ROB BELL'S NEW BOOK AND GET ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT HIS BOOK TOUR AND UPCOMING BIBLE BELT TOUR... Web site: www.robbell.com   CONNECT WITH ROB BELL Instagram: @realrobbell Twitter: @realrobbell Facebook: @realrobbell   DONATE www.patreon.com/holyheretics   2017 WILDGOOSE FESTIVAL The H