Misfit Faith

In this episode of Misfit Faith I share a few suggestions for how to read the Bible without expecting it to play by the rules of a game it has no stake in (as in, it’s not a history book as we understand that term). I chat with author Derek Flood about his book, Disarming Scripture, and then take a call about why I don’t play my Catholic Card more often. I end the show with a challenge to Hollywood to do a better job mocking us.

Episode #16 of Misfit Faith tackles the issue of the New Testament canon — what good are concepts like biblical inspiration and inerrancy when we can’t even be sure which books to apply them to? I am joined by Mark Shea, who walks us through this thorny issue. I take a call about whether we should be open to including newly-unearthed texts in our existing Bibles (should they be discovered), and end the episode by insisting that I’m not a racist or misogynist, I swear.

In this episode we continue our series on the Bible, exploring issues such as whether God is in the business of mauling little children with bears or murdering innocent people because his prophet lost a bet. We are joined by Jared Byas, who shares his insight into how to tackle some of these Old Testament accounts that depict God as an unhinged maniac. With the help of a caller I rediscover my true pastoral calling, and end the episode with a rant about that thing of when showers just get way too fancy.

Episode #14 of Misfit Faith begins a short series on the Bible in which we will tackle questions like, “How do we know that Scripture’s Table of Contents is accurate?”; “Why doesn’t the New Testament condemn slavery?”; and in this episode, “Why does the God of the Hebrews seem so pissed off most of the time?” I speak with writer and scholar Brad Jersak about this issue, and then answer a listener’s question about Fake News. Lastly, I end the episode by politely declining your request for my tip.

Episode #13 of the Misfit Faith podcast addresses the dangers of the evangelical obsession with high-octane spirituality and in its place suggests pursuing a form of life that is a bit more mundane and earthy. I chat with Matt Polley (1/3 of the Inglorious Pasterds) about the divinity of tobacco and Scotch, after which I answer a listener’s question about Process Theology. Lastly, our “Jason Needs a Minute” segment coins the terms “shell shards” and “nut dust.”

In episode #12 of Misfit Faith we turn our attention to the "new sexual revolution" and the hookup culture it generates. I chat with actor and writer Donna Provencher about her perspective on masculinity, femininity, and whether random relationship-less sex is really satisfying for those who engage in it. I answer a listener's call about how sexual Jesus actually was, and then end the episode with my "Jason Needs a Minute" segment in which I address the recent school shooting in Florida. 

Episode #11 begins with a continuation my reflection on what spirituality would look like if built from the ground up, this time applying the thought-experiment to Catholicism in particular. I chat with pastor and free-thinker Bryan Stupar about which theological ideas have helped him dignify, rather than vilify, the other, and then take question about social justice in Scripture. Lastly, my “Jason Needs a Minute” segment addresses how hard some Christians make it not to drop dead of a massive stroke.

In episode #10 of the Misfit Faith podcast I suggest a thought experiment according to which we build our theology from the ground up rather than it being imposed from the top down. I chat with my Drunk Ex-Pastors co-host, Christian Kingery, and then take a call from a listener about the hypocrisy of the so-called Pro-Life movement. Finally, in my "Jason Needs a Minute" segment I call for a uniform definition of what "bite-sized" actually means, because this is getting ridiculous.

In episode #9 of Misfit Faith I address the topic of a supposedly all-powerful God and the existence of suffering and evil in the world. I chat with the infamous pastor of Eastlake Church, Ryan Meeks, about this issue (and what he has to say may surprise you). I answer a listener's call about Pope Francis's recent remarks about the victims of sexual abuse, and our "Jason Needs a Minute" segment laments how damn old I am getting. 

In episode #8 of Misfit Faith I tackle the issue of what happens when American Christianity screws the pooch, craps the bed, jumps the shark, or whatever other colorful metaphor you want for losing its credibility and moral authority. I chat with long-time friend John Terranova about his own loss of faith, and then answer a question about so-called divine guidance. Lastly, our “Jason Needs a Minute” segment highlights the plight of the modern day cigar smoker.  

When episode #7 drops I will be on the Drunk Ex-Pastors cruise, but rather than leaving you all high and dry I thought I'd dust off an old sermon and put it out there so all of you could mock me. Enjoy!

Our New Year's Day episode of the Misfit Faith podcast focuses on the issues of unity and division. I share my frustration with my own shortcomings in this department, and receive a free therapy session from my guest, writer and TV personality Cash Peters. I take a call from the 909 about grace and humanity and then share an excerpt from my forthcoming book, "Our Daily Dread." And lastly, our "Jason Needs a Minute" segment laments how shallow and banal this culture of ours is. 

Episode #5 of the Misfit Faith podcast begins with a brief reflection on how the union of heaven and earth that we celebrate at Christmas has some pretty massive ramifications for how we relate to the world around us. I chat with author and church planter Peyton Jones about our former evangelical fear of all things secular, and then take a call about whether God and suffering can co-exist. I end with a rant about how the whole Israel thing just needs to stop.

The first annual Christmas episode of the Misfit Faith podcast begins with a brief meditation on the claim of many to be “spiritual but not religious.” I chat with author and speaker Mark Shea about what a truly earthly-minded religiosity might look like, after which I answer a listener’s question about why Mary is apparently such a big deal. I read an excerpt from my forthcoming devotional, Our Daily Dread, and then end the show with a rant about the so-called “War on Christmas.”

In this episode of the Misfit Faith podcast I focus upon what it means to be a spiritual vagabond and outsider. I chat with Sick Pilgrim founder Jessica Griffith about the community of misfit artists she is a part of, and then take a question from a listener about spiritual abuse. And finally, our "Jason Needs a Minute" segment laments how politicized everything has become in Trump's America. 

In episode #2 of the Misfit Faith podcast I focus on the issues of sin and guilt, reflecting on how the church often mythologizes certain activities by obsessive prohibitions which end up creating a kind of taboo allure. I am joined by Seth Taylor for a brief discussion of guilt and grace, after which I introduce a new segment called "Jason Needs a Minute." And lastly,I end the show by answering a listener's question about "Toxic Christianity."      

In episode #1 of the Misfit Faith podcast I recount the "fear of missing out" that initially lured me into the Christian faith. I have a brief discussion about the role of fear with Christian Kingery, and then answer a listener's question about the value of offering "thoughts and prayers" to those suffering tragedy. I end with a brief entry from my forthcoming devotional, Our Daily Dread, titled "The Virtue of Foolish Atheism."