In this episode, we reflect on the first season of the podcast and set the stage for the upcoming second season. Dan discusses the importance of addressing questions about Christianity, the personal growth he experienced in his faith journey, and the plans for future episodes that will explore Christian history, marriage, and parenting. Additionally, he introduces a discussion on common critiques of Christianity, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and exploration of these topics.

Dan briefly discusses the problem of hell, biological and geological critiques, and the problem of suffering. He also goes more in depth in to the meaning of Genesis 3 and how it is foundational to our understanding of the rest of scripture.

Critiques of Christianity that were posted as a comment to one of our episodes:

1. The Problem of Evil – An all-loving, all-powerful God cannot logically coexist with unnecessary suffering, natural disasters, and moral atrocities if He could stop them but doesn’t.

2. The Problem of Hell – Eternal torture for finite sins is infinitely unjust; this contradicts divine “justice” and “mercy.”

3. Omniscience vs. Free Will – If God knows every future choice, free will is impossible; if humans have free will, God cannot have exhaustive foreknowledge.

4. Omnipotence Paradox – “Can God make a stone so heavy He can’t lift it?” exposes incoherence in the concept of unlimited power.

5. Contradictory Attributes – God is said to be immutable (unchanging) yet reacts emotionally (anger, regret, love). Logical inconsistency in His nature.

6. Divine Hiddenness – A loving God who desires belief and salvation hides Himself from billions. Nonbelief, if sincere, becomes morally blameless — but still “punished.”

7. Moral Inconsistency – The God who commands genocide, slavery, and child sacrifice in the Old Testament contradicts His supposed goodness and immutability.

8. Incoherent Trinity – One being who is simultaneously three distinct persons violates basic logic (Law of Non-Contradiction).

9. Infinite Regress of Causes – Claiming “everything needs a cause except God” is special pleading, not logic.

10. Prayer Paradox – Millions pray for conflicting outcomes; the results are statistically random. A personal, interactive God should not yield outcomes indistinguishable from chance.

11. Cosmology and Evolution – Genesis creation accounts contradict established cosmology, geology, and evolutionary biology.

12. No Evidence of Global Flood or Exodus – Archaeology and geology refute both the worldwide flood and the mass desert migration of Hebrews.

13. Failed Prophecies – Biblical prophecies (e.g., imminent return of Jesus, destruction of Tyre) demonstrably failed.

14. Inconsistent Gospel Accounts – The four Gospels conflict on fundamental points (resurrection details, genealogies, timelines), suggesting human, not divine, authorship.

15. Absence of External Historical Corroboration – No contemporary Roman or Jewish records of miracles, resurrection, or even Jesus’ trial events.

16. Biblical Cosmology as Bronze Age Science – Flat earth, firmament, and stars as “lights” show human-level understanding, not divine revelation.

17. Euthyphro Dilemma – Are actions good because God commands them, or does He command them because they are good? Either option undermines divine morality or omnipotence.

18. Dependence on Ancient Texts – A perfect God’s ultimate truth depends on fallible human transmission, translation, and interpretation — all error-prone.

19. Multiplicity of Religions – The diversity and mutual exclusivity of world religions suggest gods are human cultural constructs, not objective realities.

20. Evolution of the Concept of God – Historical study shows the biblical God evolved from earlier Canaanite and Mesopotamian deities — evidence of cultural, not cosmic,...

"I found myself speaking in tongues and casting out demons." In this conversation, Audra discusses the authority given to believers to confront spiritual challenges, emphasizing the importance of faith and the journey of understanding God's will. She highlights the calming nature of deliverance through prayer and worship, and reflects on the continuous discovery of faith through reading the Bible and seeking God's guidance.

Chapters

03:00 Introduction to Faith and Authority

04:21 Importance of Early Discipleship

04:41 Personal Journey and Vulnerability

15:31 Understanding Baptism and the Spirit

27:57 Equipping for Spiritual Challenges

32:13 Hearing God's Voice

40:03 Addressing Doubts and Suffering

51:54 Encouragement for Believers

#faithjourney #christianity #prayer #jesuschrist #godspeaks #spirituality #faith #demons #speakingintongues

In this conversation, Jared Anderson explores the intersection of music, faith, and community. They discuss the challenges of podcasting, the formation of Desperation Band, and the complexities of church culture. Jared shares his personal journey of navigating faith, leadership, and parenting, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and relationships in both church and family life. They also touch on the significance of supporting marginalized communities, particularly those with Down syndrome, and the impact of genuine connection in fostering a healthy environment.

Find Jared's music anywhere you stream your music and check him out on Instagram at @jaredanderson.

Check out Friends of Club 21 at https://friendsofclub21.org/

Chapters

00:00 The Journey into Podcasting

02:54 Musical Aspirations and Early Influences

05:56 Navigating Faith and Identity

08:37 The Formation of Desperation Band

11:38 Challenges of Church Leadership

14:29 The Disconnect Between Promise and Delivery

17:14 Untangling Faith and Community

20:10 Reforming Faith in a Changing Landscape

22:59 Mixed Messages in Church Culture

26:05 The Role of Community in Faith

28:54 The American Christian Narrative

33:03 Navigating Leadership Challenges in Faith Communities

38:28 The Balance of Grace and Moralism in Christianity

42:31 Parenting and Faith: A New Approach

50:11 The Role of Worship in Community

56:10 Supporting the Down Syndrome Community

#worshippastor #worship #church #faithjourney #spirituality #christianity #parenting #faith #downsyndrome