Drop The Stones

Welcome to Season 2 of the Drop The Stones Podcast... Let's catch up! Today I'm joined by Ned Alexander. A friend and traveling partner who shares his thoughts and experiences in church, family-politics and poo. We talk about current events, our trips to Texas and Puerto Rico and the future of mission trips. Enjoy. The Drop The Stones Podcast is a conversation between people who think very differently but choose to be in conversation. Subscribe today so you can join me every week as we continue to explore matters of faith, culture, religion and relationship in honest interviews with Muslim friends, people in the LGBTQ community, atheists, those who have left the church, pastors, activists… and more. Email: carlos@happysonship.com

Brian Zahnd joins us to discuss hell, hades, sheol, and the eternal fires that burn hot... for them? for you? Maybe.  Maybe not. Listen as Brian talks about how the early church preached salvation, how his new book "Sinners In The Hands Of A Loving God" is stirring up this conversation and what (he thinks) Jesus meant when He talks about hell. Listen to understand. Listen to engage. Don't listen to judge. And get your copy of his new book here: http://amzn.to/2jYFe7i

A powerful interview with Anna Jane Joyner. She gives us scientific, political and theological reasons to at least talk about climate change. Then, we chat about her desire to share a different narrative than that of her father, evangelical/charismatic leader, Rick Joyner of Morning Star Ministries. A few tips on staying in relationship even when you seem to be in total contradiction to those you love most. Listen to understand. Listen to learn. Turn it off when you judge. 

A father who is facing deportation. A mother who is having to cover for two. A DACA recipient who fears for his future. And two sons who feel the pain. This is the story of the Chicas family. And it is a necessary reminder of how a political conversation can affect actual human lives. Listen to this interview which was recorded inside the sanctuary where the father lives in.

So yeah. I got Richard Rohr's number through a friend and I called him. We talked about non-dualism, staying sane in the midst of insanity and how to not be so angry (and partisan, and selective). We also talked about millennials, shared some charismatic testimonies (pentecostal style) and decided to stay in touch. Because you know... Richard Rohr is cool like that. Sorry for the terrible audio. Hope you enjoy. Support our non-profit work at HappySonship.com

This week we interviewed pastor and award winning peace activist, Jarrod McKenna. We talked about learning non-violence, transforming hospitality,  and then we went on a "know-yourself-know-your-story" rant that helped me massively. Hope it helps you too. Follow this incredible man on Twitter @jarrodmckenna If you have any questions, stories or suggestions, email me at carlos@happysonship.com 

Brian McLaren joins us to talk about his personal experience in Charlottesville during the Alt-Right demonstration on the weekend of August 11-12 2017. We discussed whether Christians should march and protest, how to address racial issues among liberals and conservatives, and ways to stay hopeful through the present troubles.  Visit his website at BrianMclaren.net where you can find all the books mentioned in the episode. DropTheStones.com

I do. And that's why I interviewed Douglas Campbell. A theological giant, who is a professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity and has studies the life and work of Paul for many, many years (And this is my way of saying that he's old). Douglas is a great friend who is vocal about the misrepresentations western Christianity has on the great Apostle. So here he is, setting the record straight on what Paul meant when he told women to shut up, when he sounded like a jerk and when he preached the wrath of God. You might disagree with Douglas, but remember this is Drop The Stones. And also remember, he has a Ph.D. on this stuff.  Enjoy. ThePeaceOfTheGospel.com - Use promo codes RDR00010 or CAM00010

This is a small gift for the Drop The Stones podcast family. The book comes out Sept. 19th but I wanted to share the audio version of Chapter 1 with you here. It's short and sweet and different to what we usually do here at the podcast but I know you'll enjoy it. For our Patreon partners, once the full audio is done... you will receive the official version (plus a signed copy of the book) as a benefit for your partnership.  If you're not a Patreon yet... Join them at Patreon.com/HappySonship   You can pre-order the book today at:   - The Happy Givers: https://thehappygivers.com/products/drop-the-stones-signed-copy - Amazon: http://amzn.to/2v5VlSw - Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drop-the-stones-carlos-a-rodr-guez/1126293111?ean=9781629119083 - Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Drop-Stones/Carlos-A-Rodrguez/9781629119083?id=6945983112204 - Powell’s: http://www.powells.com/book/drop-the-stones-9781629119083/61-0    

  This week we interview Michael Wear, the former Obama administration “ambassador to America’s believers”. We talk about the faith of the president, Michael's frustration and successes in the White House and his book Reclaiming Hope. He also discuss our thoughts on adoption, finding the Gospel in gospel music and the future of hope in American politics.  

Is it actually helping? When first world Christians go on mission trips to developing nations... are they doing more harm than good? Enjoy this intresting discussion with Caleb Durham about garbage dump parties, child soldiers, taking Americans to Palestine and working to end the disconnect between the world and the church. Connect with Caleb here: @calebdurham and @travelersguide.coffee - and take advantage of the discount they are giving to listeners to our podcast for any upcoming trip at GlobalCelebration.com.

If you have been hurt by the church (or you have been the one hurting others) then this is for you. This episode starts with a song, we then move into pain and we finish with hope (and more songs). Join Carlos as he interviews Max Johnson, a talented worship leader who stopped singing church music and is discovering the beauty of honesty and David's painful Psalms. His songs now reflect that very journey. And listening to his pain, might just bring healing to yours.  

Do people really get healed? Can you really start hundreds of thousands of churches? Is casting-out-demons still a thing... or is this all a show? Join Carlos as he interviews a church planter from the east (India) and a missions director from the west (Canada). They discuss supernatural manifestations as they happened in the life of Jesus and the life of the Apostles and (apparently) in their lives, today. A two part interview with Randeep Mathews and Steve Stewart from Impact Nations.

The God Mother? Is Jesus REALLY the only way? Should pastors get therapy? Was Jesus a capitalist? These (and a few more questions sent in by our listeners) get the Carlos-is-obviously-not-an-expert answers. So come join us for the first Mail Bag Episode and send us your questions for our next Q&A to carlos@happysonship.com. 

Hola. In this episode, Carlos interviews Pastor Alex Vaiz, a man who has dedicated his life to pastoring undocumented immigrants. Listen as they discuss the validity of immigration laws, what Jesus thinks we should do, and the ways presidents Obama and Trump approached the subject. It's a simple discussion with impossible implications. *Trigger warning: listen to understand not to judge.

In this episode, Carlos interviews a gay Christian man to learn about his journey from conservative family, to coming out, to where he's at right now. They discuss how Bible verses about homosexuality challenge him, how the church closes and opens doors to the LGBTQ community and how to engaged with other believers when there are legitimate reasons to stay disengaged. Drop the Stones at the door and listen to understand (even when you disagree).  

A conversation between people who think very differently but choose to be in conversation. Join pastor and author Carlos A. Rodriguez, as he explores matters of faith, culture, religion and relationship in honest interviews with Muslim friends, people in the LGBTQ community, atheists, those who have left the church, pastors, activists... and more.