S2 E21: Tom Rundel: Ask Me Anything: Bible Deconstruction


I solo riff on today’s pod and take on some more of the questions that y’all sent in as we talk about our approach to the Bible, how it has caused harm, and how we can change it going forward. The questions I take on are…


Erica: Is the Bible meant to be read as a set-in-stone manual to be taken literally? Is it multiple genres, full of allegory? If literal, how are readers meant to adapt it to modern life?


Jason: “If the Bible says all commandments boil down to love God and love neighbor as yourself why do churches seem to be focused more on do's and don’ts?”


Jason: “Is hell real and does it matter?”


Lance: What happens to people who never knew/heard about God when they die? Would a loving God punish someone for not accepting a truth they knew? What about babies/young children?


Time Stamps for the episode:


00:41 Introduction

02:53 The Metaphysics of Elisha

06:43 Evangelicals and Conspiracy Theories

12:22 Left Behind was a Conspiracy Theory, not a theology

18:20 Authoritarian Leaders Capitalize on Conspiracy

21:48 Does all Scripture have Equal weight?

26:19 Erica’s Question

32:10 The Problem with Fundies

37:03 4 Principles for your ongoing relationship to the Bible

41:04 The Sound of the Genuine

43:15 Jason’s Question

47:36 Is the Church human or divine? Yes

53:45 Jason and Lance’s questions: Is Hell real?

59:15 Conclusions


All Music for this episode is provided by Axeltree


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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree