Folding Chair Theology
304 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago -Theology for everyone. The name Folding Chair Theology carries with it a double meaning. On one hand, it is meant to poke a little fun at those who claim the title "armchair theologian," of which I (Bruce) am guilty. It also points to the fact that most of what I've learned about following Jesus, in meaningful and practical ways, was learned in small groups and circles in homes and coffee shops, most often while sitting on a folding chair. Sometimes the best seminary is a living room full of other Christians. Our goal is to offer an understanding of the bible and the study of God in a way that is accessible to everyone, not just the "educated elite."
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Episodes
4 - A FCT Segment | A Spruce of Bruce: Our Trip was Part of Our Journey | Ep 4
June 27, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBFor this episode, Bruce invited his wife, Sarah, on to talk about their journey through and out of the Evangelical purity and modesty culture over the last 10 years of their marriage. This conversation was prompted by a social media post that Sarah shared about the contrast between our honeymoon in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Islands, and our 10 year anniversary in Cancun, Mexico. Here's what she wrote: ***On my honeymoon ten years ago, Bruce told me he didn’t want me to wear a bikini because...
A FCT Segment #8 | A Spruce of Bruce: Our Trip was Part of Our Journey | Ep 4
June 27, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBFor this episode, Bruce invited his wife, Sarah, on to talk about their journey through and out of the Evangelical purity and modesty culture over the last 10 years of their marriage. This conversation was prompted by a social media post that Sarah shared about the contrast between our honeymoon in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Islands, and our 10 year anniversary in Cancun, Mexico. Here's what she wrote: ***On my honeymoon ten years ago, Bruce told me he didn’t want me to wear a bikini because...
A FCT Segment | A Spruce of Bruce: Our Trip was Part of Our Journey | Ep 4
June 27, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBFor this episode, Bruce invited his wife, Sarah, on to talk about their journey through and out of the Evangelical purity and modesty culture over the last 10 years of their marriage. This conversation was prompted by a social media post that Sarah shared about the contrast between our honeymoon in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Islands, and our 10 year anniversary in Cancun, Mexico. Here's what she wrote: ***On my honeymoon ten years ago, Bruce told me he didn’t want me to wear a bikini because...
48 - Sunday Morning: What is it Good For? | S3E23
June 17, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBBruce and Justin talk through what they think is the purpose of a Sunday morning church gathering. Then Justin goes off on a tangent about tithe and sucks Bruce into his madness.
#48 - Sunday Morning: What is it Good For? | S3E23
June 17, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBBruce and Justin talk through what they think is the purpose of a Sunday morning church gathering. Then Justin goes off on a tangent about tithe and sucks Bruce into his madness.
Sunday Morning: What is it Good For? | S3E23
June 17, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBBruce and Justin talk through what they think is the purpose of a Sunday morning church gathering. Then Justin goes off on a tangent about tithe and sucks Bruce into his madness.
A FCT Segment #7 | Justin Time: The Strong Man | Ep4
June 10, 2021 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBJustin is back for another segment of Justin Time. In this episode, he shares the story of his journey to becoming a strong man. It isn't what you think. Shout out to Berserker Strength & Conditioning Gym (Justin's home gym).
4 - A FCT Segment | Justin Time: The Strong Man | Ep4
June 10, 2021 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBJustin is back for another segment of Justin Time. In this episode, he shares the story of his journey to becoming a strong man. It isn't what you think. Shout out to Berserker Strength & Conditioning Gym (Justin's home gym).
A FCT Segment | Justin Time: The Strong Man | Ep4
June 10, 2021 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBJustin is back for another segment of Justin Time. In this episode, he shares the story of his journey to becoming a strong man. It isn't what you think. Shout out to Berserker Strength & Conditioning Gym (Justin's home gym).
47 - Wrapping Up the Sermon on the Mount | S3E22
June 04, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBBruce and Justin wrap up their series on the Sermon on the Mount. This was a really impactful study for both of them and they share their thoughts on it.
Wrapping Up the Sermon on the Mount | S3E22
June 04, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBBruce and Justin wrap up their series on the Sermon on the Mount. This was a really impactful study for both of them and they share their thoughts on it.
#47 - Wrapping Up the Sermon on the Mount | S3E22
June 04, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBBruce and Justin wrap up their series on the Sermon on the Mount. This was a really impactful study for both of them and they share their thoughts on it.
Sermon on the Mount: Strait into the Kingdom | S3E21
May 27, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBBruce and Justin wrap up their series through the Sermon on the Mount with a discussion about Jesus's declaration about entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 7:13-29 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous w...
46 - Sermon on the Mount: Strait into the Kingdom | S3E21
May 27, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBBruce and Justin wrap up their series through the Sermon on the Mount with a discussion about Jesus's declaration about entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 7:13-29 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous w...
Sermon on the Mount: Asking, Seeking, & Knocking Toward Others | S3E20
May 20, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what it means to ask, seek, & knock with a mindset of treating others how you desire to be treated. Matthew 7:7-12 7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give hi...
45 - Sermon on the Mount: Asking, Seeking, & Knocking Toward Others | S3E20
May 20, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what it means to ask, seek, & knock with a mindset of treating others how you desire to be treated. Matthew 7:7-12 7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give hi...
Sermon on the Mount: Dogs, Pigs, Pearls, & Holy Things | S3E19
May 13, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about one little verse. What did Jesus mean when He talked about giving what is holy to dogs and casting our pearls before swine? What this about giving the gospel to people who won't listen? Or was it more in line with what He's been talking through for 2 chapters now? How do dogs and pigs and pearls of wisdom have anything to do with seeing people as image-bearers and restoring relationships?
44 - Sermon on the Mount: Dogs, Pigs, Pearls, & Holy Things | S3E19
May 13, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about one little verse. What did Jesus mean when He talked about giving what is holy to dogs and casting our pearls before swine? What this about giving the gospel to people who won't listen? Or was it more in line with what He's been talking through for 2 chapters now? How do dogs and pigs and pearls of wisdom have anything to do with seeing people as image-bearers and restoring relationships?
Sermon on the Mount: Judge and Be Judged | S3E18
May 06, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus talked about when it comes to judging others and the beam in our eye.
43 - Sermon on the Mount: Judge and Be Judged | S3E18
May 06, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus talked about when it comes to judging others and the beam in our eye.
Sermon on the Mount: Worry that Distracts | S3E17
April 29, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus talked about when it comes to worrying about material things. Matthew 6:25-34 25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than...
42 - Sermon on the Mount: Worry that Distracts | S3E17
April 29, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus talked about when it comes to worrying about material things. Matthew 6:25-34 25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than...
41 - Following Truth: Interview with Rick Hick from Red Pill or Blue Pill | S3E16
April 22, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 58 MBIn this episode, Bruce and Justin take a break from the SOTM series and invite Rick Hicks, the host of Red Pill or Blue Pill. We invited Rick on to the show to talk through some racial and societal topics. As a black man, living in Idaho and married to a white woman, he has a unique perspective on these issues. Mentioned in the episode: Glenmorangie Whisky The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
Following Truth: Interview with Rick Hick from Red Pill or Blue Pill | S3E16
April 22, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 58 MBIn this episode, Bruce and Justin take a break from the SOTM series and invite Rick Hicks, the host of Red Pill or Blue Pill. We invited Rick on to the show to talk through some racial and societal topics. As a black man, living in Idaho and married to a white woman, he has a unique perspective on these issues. Mentioned in the episode: Glenmorangie Whisky The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
40 - Sermon on the Mount: Your Pledge of Allegiance | S3E15
April 15, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He talked about treasures in heaven and trying to serve two masters. Matthew 6:19-24 19 “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures[n] on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 ...
Sermon on the Mount: Your Pledge of Allegiance | S3E15
April 15, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He talked about treasures in heaven and trying to serve two masters. Matthew 6:19-24 19 “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures[n] on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 ...
Sermon on the Mount: Praying the Kingdom Come | S3E14
April 08, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He told us how to pray and how we're forgiven. And bonus, we had an in-studio, LIVE, audience. Well, we had one person watching, but it was our good friend, a friend of the show, and our biggest fan, Daniel Hall. It was great having him there. Matthew 6:5-15 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they m...
39 - Sermon on the Mount: Praying the Kingdom Come | S3E14
April 08, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He told us how to pray and how we're forgiven. And bonus, we had an in-studio, LIVE, audience. Well, we had one person watching, but it was our good friend, a friend of the show, and our biggest fan, Daniel Hall. It was great having him there. Matthew 6:5-15 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they m...
A FCT Segment | A Spruce of Bruce: The Prodigal Samaritan | Ep 3
April 06, 2021 11:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBIn this episode, Bruce talks through the connection between Jesus's parables about The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son. While it may seem like they have nothing in common, what if I told you that they were almost the same story? Well, they are. Check out why... The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
3 - A FCT Segment | A Spruce of Bruce: The Prodigal Samaritan | Ep 3
April 06, 2021 11:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBIn this episode, Bruce talks through the connection between Jesus's parables about The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son. While it may seem like they have nothing in common, what if I told you that they were almost the same story? Well, they are. Check out why... The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Sermon on the Mount: Giving to the Needy | S3E13
April 01, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He talked about giving to the needy. It has so little to do with money... you're not going to believe it. Matthew 6:1-4 1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be ...
38 - Sermon on the Mount: Giving to the Needy | S3E13
April 01, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBBruce and Justin continue the SOTM series with a discussion about what Jesus meant when He talked about giving to the needy. It has so little to do with money... you're not going to believe it. Matthew 6:1-4 1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be ...
37 - Sermon on the Mount: Loving Your Enemy | S3E12
March 25, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBBruce and Justin continue their discussion on Jesus's sermon on the mount with a wrap-up of chapter 5 and a fun little talk on loving your enemy. Matthew 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love ...
Sermon on the Mount: Loving Your Enemy | S3E12
March 25, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBBruce and Justin continue their discussion on Jesus's sermon on the mount with a wrap-up of chapter 5 and a fun little talk on loving your enemy. Matthew 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love ...
A FCT Segment | Justin Time: Redeeming Babies | Ep3
March 23, 2021 11:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBJustin is back for another Justin Time episode where he shares how his and his daughter's births are connected and how God redeemed his birth through his daughter's birth.
3 - A FCT Segment | Justin Time: Redeeming Babies | Ep3
March 23, 2021 11:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBJustin is back for another Justin Time episode where he shares how his and his daughter's births are connected and how God redeemed his birth through his daughter's birth.
Sermon on the Mount: Turning the Other Cheek | S3E11
March 18, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBBruce and Justin continue their discussion on Jesus's sermon on the mount and his teaching on retaliation. Matthew 5:38-42 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[h] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give...
36 - Sermon on the Mount: Turning the Other Cheek | S3E11
March 18, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBBruce and Justin continue their discussion on Jesus's sermon on the mount and his teaching on retaliation. Matthew 5:38-42 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[h] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give...
Sermon on the Mount: Oaths | S3E10
March 11, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBBruce and Justin continue through Jesus's Sermon on the Mount with a discussion about oaths and the use of religious language as manipulation. Matthew 5:33-37 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King...
35 - Sermon on the Mount: Oaths | S3E10
March 11, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBBruce and Justin continue through Jesus's Sermon on the Mount with a discussion about oaths and the use of religious language as manipulation. Matthew 5:33-37 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King...
2 - A FCT Segment | A Spruce of Bruce: Mercy & Justice | Ep 2
March 09, 2021 12:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBBruce takes a moment to share what he's processing through in the area of people's demand for justice and how Kingdom mercy is the answer.
A FCT Segment | A Spruce of Bruce: Mercy & Justice | Ep 2
March 09, 2021 12:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBBruce takes a moment to share what he's processing through in the area of people's demand for justice and how Kingdom mercy is the answer.
Sermon on the Mount: Divorce | S3E9
March 04, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBBruce and Justin discuss Jesus's teaching on divorce from Matthew 5:31-32. Matthew 5:31-32
34 - Sermon on the Mount: Divorce | S3E9
March 04, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBBruce and Justin discuss Jesus's teaching on divorce from Matthew 5:31-32. Matthew 5:31-32
Sermon on the Mount: Relationships & Lust | S3E8
February 25, 2021 12:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBIn this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss Jesus's dealing with adultery and lust, from Matthew 5:27-30. Matthew 5:27-30 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And...
33 - Sermon on the Mount: Relationships & Lust | S3E8
February 25, 2021 12:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBIn this episode, Bruce and Justin discuss Jesus's dealing with adultery and lust, from Matthew 5:27-30. Matthew 5:27-30 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And...
Sermon on the Mount: Relationships & Anger | S3E7
February 18, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIn this episode, Bruce and Justin talk through Jesus's teaching on anger and how it impacts our relationships. Matthew 5:21-26 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering ...
32 - Sermon on the Mount: Relationships & Anger | S3E7
February 18, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIn this episode, Bruce and Justin talk through Jesus's teaching on anger and how it impacts our relationships. Matthew 5:21-26 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering ...
Lent 2021: A Call for the American Church to Lament and Repent
February 16, 2021 12:00 - 11 minutes - 8.09 MBIn the last few years, I (Bruce), like many of you, have been processing a ton of stuff having to do with the American Christian Church. My journey has brought me face to face with a number of sins that the Church has either been complicit in or ignored and allowed to grow unchecked. These are sins that have hurt real people, had dangerous outcomes, and damaged our witness for Jesus. I had a friend mention that he wished the church would take this upcoming Lent season as an opportunity to ...
31 - Sermon on the Mount: Jesus Fulfills the Law | S3E6
February 11, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBIn this episode, we're short one Justin, so Bruce walks us through what it means that Jesus came to fulfill the law. Mentioned in this Episode: Coffee, Theology, & Jesus Podcast: Ben Cremer Interview The Vox Podcast: Light and Heavy Episode Three Commands: Jesus Fulfillment of the Law Through Love by Bruce Pagano II Tim Whitaker, New Evangelicals Instagram Ben Cremer, Instagram