Exploring Faith, Pursuing Grace

E90: ”Gaslighted by God” - Dr. Tiffany Yecke Brooks

Every Christian faces trials in their life that can challenge their faith. When our experiences contradict what we've been told about God, Christianity, the Bible, and what faith is, our faith can begin to come unravelled. Many who deconstruct their faith don't really know how to re-construct their faith from the ashes of their doubt, because their perception of God doesn't allow them to do so. 
In her book "Gaslighted by God", Dr. Tiffany Yecke Brooks offers hopeful solutions and answers to questions that so many Christians have when their perception of who God is no longer makes sense. This book is for any Christian in any season of faith, and Kevin and Lee's conversation with Dr. Yecke Brooks in this episode will provoke thought.
More information about Dr. Yecke Brooks can be found on her website.
"Gaslighted by God" is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and anywhere quality books are sold.
Have questions? Comments? Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com. 
Thanks for listening! 

E89: Christian Ultranationalism

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
This passage is often utilized to teach the principle that if America would only return to her Christian roots, so much of the calamity and chaos that exists within our borders would come to an end and America would prosper once again. But is that really what this passage is teaching?
Is it wrong to love your country? Is it wrong to be proud to be an American? Has America EVER been a Christian nation? 
Kevin and Lee discuss these ideas and more in this episode.
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E88: Why Christians Can (and Should!) Question God

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." --Isaiah 55:8-9
For many people the above passage demonstrates a fundamental facet of God's nature, that He alone is absolutely sovereign, and to question God is to audaciously disrespect His divine wisdom. In the eyes of many, questioning God is something a Christian should never, ever do. After all, His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts greater than our thoughts.
When we find ourselves at a crossroads in our spiritual journey, often we begin to feel guilt and feel that questioning our theological or doctrinal positions is akin to challenging God himself, and in doing so we then often feel a sense of dread; will the most-high, almighty God of Heaven tolerate such thinking?
Kevin and Lee discuss how questioning God is actually a Biblical concept, and is something Christians shouldn't fear, and is actually something God invites us to do.
 
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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). 
 
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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?
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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.
 
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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. 
 
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