Exploring Faith, Pursuing Grace

E87: Leaving Legalism: What I Wish I Would Have Done Differently

When leaving legalism, a lot of awkward and difficult conversations can ensue with those who are still within a legalistic system. There will be those who are truly concerned and who feel you have left the faith simply because you no longer believe the way you once did. How should one navigate those conversations? In this episode, Kevin Pendergrass discusses tips and lessons he has learned about how to have profitable conversations with others when leaving legalism (and when and how to avoid conversations that are not fruitful). 
 
Enjoying the podcast? Drop us a line at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com.
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E86: Finding Meaning and Application in Prophecy - Daniel Rogers

This is episode 100! (Yeah, it says E86, but that doesn't count Q&A episodes!)
 
In this episode, Daniel Rogers joins Kevin and Lee to answer this question; if the Bible isn't 'playing out right in front of our very eyes', then what is one to make regarding prophecy in scripture? If prophecy wasn't supernatural fortune telling, if prophecy had a specific purpose to serve in the day and time in which it was written, then what are Christians to make of the prophetic books and apocalyptic literature found in scripture? What purpose do they serve for the modern Christian in our here and now?
Have questions? Comments? Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
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E85: Are We In the End Times?

The 'Left Behind' series is one of the best-selling Christian Fiction series of all time. Each generation has lamented that the signs of the times all point to the beginning of the end, that Christ's return is imminent.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has stoked those fires anew, and it's becoming more common to see memes, articles, and graphics posted to social media declaring that 'the Bible is playing out right before our eyes'. 
Daniel Rogers returns for a discussion of these themes and the passages that many cite to declare that The Great Tribulation is upon us.
 
Have questions? Comments? Reach out to us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
Thanks for listening!

E84: Maintaining Christian Unity amid Political Diversity

What do Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump all have in common?They're the best (or worst) president America has ever had.It depends on who you ask. Far, FAR too many Christians are defining themselves based on the political party they place their faith in rather than Jesus Christ. Christians (in America, especially) have allowed themselves to become divided along political party or policy lines, and as a result the kingdom of God suffers. How can we remain united in Christ in spite of our political diversity? Kevin and Lee discuss this concept in this episode.Have feedback for us? Drop us a line at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.comThanks for listening!

E83: The Canaanite Genocide - Dr. Grant Testut

"...in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you." - Deuteronomy 20:16-17
After Israel's exodus from Egypt and their sojourn in the wilderness, the time finally arrived for Israel to take the land promised to the patriarch Abraham. The instructions from God were clear regarding the land's inhabitants; kill everyone. 
The genocide passages have troubled Christians for hundreds of years. After all, how can we reconcile a God of love, mercy, grace, and compassion with the orders to plunder the land and kill everyone who inhabits the land?
In this episode, Hebrew Bible scholar Dr. Grant Testut returns to discuss the historicity of these passages and various ways they have been and can be understood within the context of the Old Testament, and within the context of Jesus. 
 
Have feedback for us? Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!

E82: Religious Trauma: A Response

Our previous episode with Krystal Shipps has by far generated more response than any other episode we've done in the few short weeks following its release. The overwhelming majority of the feedback Kevin and Lee received was positive, but some listeners also shared some concerns they had regarding the tone of the episode. Enough constructive feedback was received that Kevin and Lee thought it would be beneficial to publish a follow-up discussion dealing with both the positive and not-so-positive comments received.
 
Have more feedback for us? Holler at us! We love hearing from everyone, even from folks who disagree with us. exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
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E81: Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

You've waited 4 months, and your wait is over! This episode is part 2 in our series discussing the Fruit of the Spirt, in which Kevin and Lee discuss Joy. 
 
Email us your questions and comments to exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
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E80: Sincere Thinking vs. Critical Thinking

Why do you believe what you believe? Why do you think the way you think? The opinions people hold, the values people possess, and the conclusions people draw are always (or almost always) held sincerely. For many of us, we don't think too hard or too deeply about those things, they simply are. But what would change if we started to think more critically about things? How could that improve our outlook, and even our lives?
In this episode, Kevin and Lee discuss the difference between sincere thinking and critical thinking, and map out ways we can all begin to think more effectively.
 
Send us you questions at comments at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!