Wrestling With God

Wrestling with the Meaning of Church with Eli Irvin

September 13, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

Welcome friend of the pod, Eli Irvin! Eli and Gabriel have known each other for many years, and when I (Megan) met him at the Wild Goose Festival last year, I knew we were going to be friends! Eli is an Episcopalian and has devoted his life to loving people well, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community. We talked about the good and bad of the church, what it really means to love people well, and how love and Christianity are meant to be inefficient. This conversation felt like sitting o...

Wrestling with Infantilization in The Church

April 05, 2022 05:00 - 58 minutes - 54 MB

Do you feel like The Church uses language and manipulation tactics to infantilize people? Have you ever met Christians who seemed immature or unsure of themselves? In this episode, Gabriel and Megan talk about the ways they think the Church has kept Christians in a state of perpetual immaturity, the motivations for that manipulation, and how it plays out differently for men and women. They also talk about their own struggles with having to individuate and mature as adults and the discomforts...

Wrestling with Trauma-Informed Living

March 24, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 82.8 MB

In this episode, we interviewed trauma expert, Elizabeth Power, founder of the Trauma Informed Academy. Elizabeth talked to us about what trauma is, how we can become more resilient, and how we can learn to heal ourselves. She believes we can look to ancient texts for wisdom about how community can heal us and make us able to cope with trauma, and that community is something we are sorely lacking in our society. Elizabeth is special to both of us and we could have talked to her all day. We...

Wrestling with Mental Health

March 08, 2022 05:00 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MB

Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about suicide, drug overdose, and mental illness. Please take care while listening, or skip the episode if this content may be troubling for you. We are grateful that mental health is a topic that has entered the realm of public conversation. With the normalization of conversations around how we care for ourselves in that way, we have also become aware of the ways the church has failed people when it comes to treating and even just talki...

Wrestling with the Critics of Deconstruction

February 22, 2022 06:00 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MB

We're back! After our break, we spent some time catching up and talking about how important it is to take breaks from the difficult work of Deconstruction. We then discussed the critics of deconstruction, what they are tweeting, and how they have no authority in our lives. We also talked about how we have found peace and contentment that didn't seem possible early in our journeys. We hope this episode is a source of peace for you.

Why Choose Christianity?

November 10, 2021 04:09 - 1 hour - 56.2 MB

In this episode, Megan poses the question to Gabriel, "why do you choose Christianity?". After leaving his family's faith behind and wrestling with his doubts, Gabriel found a church that provided the perfect space to walk through deconstructing and reconstructing a new faith. He talks about what drew him to the Episcopal church, and what it was like having friends and mentors that provided love and acceptance. They also talk about the difference between unconditional love and unconditiona...

Wrestling with Kingship

October 27, 2021 23:58 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MB

What does it mean to say Jesus is king? Does it mean that he rules with strength and the sword? Does our salvation come from the wealthy trappings of kingship and the power of a heavenly empire? Or do we find salvation in the humanity of Christ? In the Christ that sweat and bled and had to feed and clean his mortal body? Is Jesus a warrior god, descending to earth on a white horse with a sword in his hand? Or is he Christ the Human, who collected dirt between his toes and wept salty tears? Is...

What even is Deconstruction?

October 12, 2021 12:22 - 53 minutes - 49.6 MB

In this episode, Megan and Gabriel talk about Deconstruction as a movement and why Millennials are hard-wired for it. They also talk about the ways in which Christians have co-opted the language of deconstruction to sell books and gain followers, and how to spot those tricks without giving them any money or influence. Is Deconstruction a movement? Does it need to have more or less structure? Or are we just projecting newness onto the current church exodus because of visibility due to the i...

Wrestling with the Wild Goose

September 28, 2021 04:00 - 55 minutes - 51.4 MB

In this episode, Megan and Gabriel share their experiences attending the Wild Goose Festival, as well as what it has meant to them in their personal and spiritual lives over the years. Links and References: The video parody about making Christian music was wrongly attributed to Trey Kennedy. It was actually made by John Crist, who I will not link on this platform. I also encourage listeners not to support him by watching his videos as he has been accused by several people of sexual miscon...

Wrestling with Gender Identity

August 31, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 88.4 MB

This episode features special guest and friend of the pod, Julie Ellis Washington! Julie is a nurse and a mother of five who lives in South Georgia. In this touching interview, she tells the story of how she and her husband adopted three of their children, what it's like having and advocating for a transgender child in a small southern town, and how that experience started the process of her faith deconstruction. We believe that everyone deserves to be both accepted and celebrated in their...

Wrestling with Embodiment

August 17, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 96.4 MB

The Church often teaches people to divorce themselves from their physical bodies and focus on their souls. The emphasis on heaven and god and the afterlife often means that followers view their physical bodies and lives on earth as fleeting, temporary, and even a temptation from a focus on the all-important soul. In this episode, Megan and Gabriel discuss the ways that this teaching is harmful, and also talk about their experiences and what they've done to heal themselves and become more emb...

Wrestling with Summer Catchup

August 03, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 82.9 MB

In this first episode of season two of Wrestling with God, Megan and Gabriel catch everyone up on what they have been up to this summer-- including things they have been observing and thinking through like critical race theory, original sin, morals, and lots more! Mentioned in this episode is First Stop Huntsville and @iblamebill. Megan recommends napping, landscaping, and socializing. Gabriel recommends Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Rachel Held Evans's new book Wholehea...

Wrestling with Addiction and Homelessness

May 11, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MB

What should the role of Christians be in response to the addiction and housing crises currently ravaging our country? In this episode, Gabriel and Megan speak with Kevin Nye, a writer and graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary who works as an advocate for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. As a Christian, Kevin works to bring the Church into a more grace-filled perspective on these issues and teaches online seminars on drug addiction, overdose, and practical solutions including...

Wrestling with Trauma Inside AND Outside of Church

April 27, 2021 05:00 - 53 minutes - 73.2 MB

On this episode, special guest Jim Cornfoot joins Gabriel to tell his story of deconstruction and construction. Jim is a queer Memphian musician, cyclist, and heavy-things connoisseur, and his experiences of trauma both inside and outside of the Church are something many folks can relate to today. Listen to Jim talk about his journey of pain and trauma toward healing and wholeness! In this episode, @jcorn104 recommends What It Is Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes and the Wild Goose Festi...

Wrestling with Prosperity Gospel Again: It's Not All About the Money

April 13, 2021 04:00 - 58 minutes - 54.3 MB

In this episode, Gabriel and Megan continue discussing the Prosperity Gospel, specifically about the ways is permeates our culture in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Our belief that health, wealth, and happiness are formulaic and can be achieved by simply making all the right decisions is pervasive in our society. So join us for a discussion on televangelists, faith healers, and Dave Ramsay. Gabriel is reading, Did God Kill Jesus?, by Tony Jones. He also recommends, The Cross and the Lynch...

Wrestling with Empire

March 30, 2021 05:00 - 51 minutes - 70.2 MB

In this episode, Megan and Gabriel sit down with Nashville activist, street chaplain and author to chat about her new book Praying with Our Feet. In the book, Lindsey recounts stories of her work with folks in Nashville experiencing homelessness, and particularly through her nonprofit Open Table Nashville. You can find Lindsey's book anywhere books are sold, and look for a chance to win a free copy of her book on our Instagram! Lindsey recommends We Do This 'Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba ...

Wrestling with Prosperity Gospel: An Introduction

March 16, 2021 04:00 - 34 minutes - 32.1 MB

When we talk about Prosperity Gospel, we usually conjure up images of pastors on TV begging for money for their ministry, or preachers teaching on the virtue of giving with a happy heart as they pass the plate around. While it has negative connotations for many, there are plenty of people who whole-heartedly subscribe to it as a legitimate theology. But what exactly is it? Where did it start? And why is it so reviled and yet so successful in the United States? This episode is an introducti...

Wrestling with Churchsplaining

March 02, 2021 05:00 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MB

It seems the Evangelical church is waking up to the Deconstruction movement and their response has been what it always is: to control the narrative. In this episode, Megan talks about the importance of defining deconstruction and reconstruction, why Christian Apologists are problematic and how to spot them, and how to protect yourself from Christians who want to control deconstruction. The church does not get to define deconstruction, and they certainly don't get to tell us how to go about i...

Wrestling with Conspiracy Theories

February 16, 2021 06:00 - 54 minutes - 74.6 MB

Ever wonder why Evangelical Christians seem to be so susceptible to conspiracy theories? So do we. In this episode, Megan and Gabriel discuss why conspiracy theories are so attractive to certain groups and how dangerous they are to the rest of us. Listen to hear their theories on why Evangelicals enjoy being the center of their own conspiracy theory. Also find out why Gabriel was once afraid of cracks in dirt and why Megan wasn't allowed to have a Save The Rainforest poster growing up. For...

Wrestling with Jewish Conversion

February 02, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 113 MB

In this episode, Megan and Gabriel chat with guest, Keven Lewis. Megan and Keven met in anthropology and history classes during their undergraduate years at Middle Tennessee State Univeristy and they kept in touch over social media (mostly with Megan admiring his reading lists!). Keven studies religious history and anthropology and is currently working on his Masters thesis, which is an ethnography of a local religious community in Middle Tennessee, in which he focuses on American Evangelica...

Wrestling with Anger

January 19, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MB

In this episode, Megan and Gabriel talk about the role Evangelicalism has played in the current state of affairs of American culture and government. Everything from the riots to systemic racism is discussed and processed. Mentioned in this episode: Richard Rohr, @RichardRohrOFM The Center for Action and Contemplation, @CACRadicalGrace Dr. Miguel De La Torre Megan recommends Embracing Hopelessness by @DrDeLaTorre and Your Honor, the miniseries. Gabriel recommends How to Be an Antiraci...

Wrestling with Fundamentalism

January 05, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 86.2 MB

In this episode, Megan and Gabriel discuss the far-reaching effects of fundamentalism Christianity on our culture: everything from how a pandemic is handled to capitalism to the prosperity gospel. Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Andy Thompson, @arhthompson Deconversion Therapy Podcast, @The_DeConverted Jimmy Cornfoot, @jcorn104 Megan recommends The Lazy Genius Way by @thelazygenius. Gabriel recommends Jerome Ellis, @ellisjerome, Jerome's episode on This American Life, and The Cross a...

Wrestling Deconstruction with Friends and Family

December 22, 2020 06:00 - 56 minutes - 77.3 MB

In this episode, Gabriel talks with his husband Casey about what it's been like navigating the deconstruction process with friends and family. Gabriel and Casey share what they have had to do to maintain healthy relationships with people they love as their changing approaches to God inevitably changed the dynamics of those relationships. Casey talks about some of his own spiritual practices like yoga and tarot and how he reconciled his widening spiritual approach with Christianity. This ep...

Wrestling Together: Deconstructing as a Couple

December 08, 2020 05:00 - 57 minutes - 53.3 MB

In this episode, Megan talks with her husband, Jeff about what it has been like to deconstruct faith as a married couple. Jeff talks about his extensive experience with volunteering in church, and how dealing with unemployment made him think differently about prayer. They both discuss what it looks like to respect your partner's journey as they go through the process of deconstruction. We hope you enjoy this special episode of Wrestling With God! Jeff recommends Born A Crime, by Trevor No...

Wrestling with Deconstruction

November 24, 2020 06:00 - 59 minutes - 81.2 MB

Megan and Gabriel discuss their deconstruction journeys in more detail, the strengths and weaknesses of Christianity, the loneliness of losing your faith, and why finding God is a lifelong process. Gabriel recommends Grace at the Garbage Dump by Jesse Zink (@jazink on Twitter). Megan recommends Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. For an enlightening conversation on early Christians and Christmas, check out Rob Bell with Alexander Shaia on the Robcast. Don't forget to follow us...