Exploring Faith, Pursuing Grace

E65: Faith and Sexuality - Sally Gary

In this episode Kevin and Lee are joined by Sally Gary, lifelong Christian and member of the Church of Christ, Communications and Speech and Debate professor, Attorney at law, and is the founder of CenterPeace Ministries. Sally has written about her upbringing and life in the Church of Christ and her struggles with her sexuality in two memoirs; "Loves God, Likes Girls" and "Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church". 
 
CenterPeace is a ministry that focuses on providing resources to LGBTQ+ people of faith, their parents, and churches, with a focus on ensuring that everyone has a place to belong. www.centerpeace.netHave questions? Holler at us! exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
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E64: From Legalism to Grace - Lee Grant

One of Kevin and Lee's main objectives in this podcast has been to discuss how they've changed their walk with God from a legalistic paradigm to a grace-centered, truly Christ-centered paradigm. It hasn't been easy, and some of the feedback received from our listeners has enumerated just how difficult it can be to reconstruct something in the place of that deconstructed legalistically driven faith.
In this episode, Lee revisits his legalistic past, but then goes into detail on how he was able to reconstruct his faith by getting to know Jesus.
Enjoying the podcast? Let us know what you think! Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
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E63: Romans 14 and Christian Liberties

Romans 14 (and 1Corinthians 8) are passages that have been misused by many Christians to insist that others need to either stop or start engaging in some behavior that is either considered offensive or essential, respectively. Some Christians will insist that a practice or behavior a brother or sister engages in must stop, that liberty must be curtailed so that their conscience won't be violated. 
Is Romans 14 and 1Corinthians 8 really about curtailing Christian liberty, or is there more to it than that? (Spoiler: there's more to it than that)
Enjoying the podcast? Let us know what you think! Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
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Article referenced in this episode can be found here.
 
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E62: When Jesus was 'Corrected' - Josh Scott

Pastor Josh Scott returns to the EFPG podcast to discuss an interesting passage in Mt 15 when it appears as though Jesus is 'corrected' by a Canaanite woman. This is a passage well-known to many Christians, and in this conversation Pastor Josh, Kevin, and Lee take note and discuss some interesting contextual and cultural undertones that often go unnoticed by many students of the Bible (at least they went unnoticed by Lee before this episode).
Enjoying the podcast? Let us know what you think! Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Want to join in the conversation with other listeners? Join our facebook group here!
 
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E61: Intentional Christian Community - Dr. Alden Bass

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alden Bass, PhD to discuss Christian community, and pursuing community in an intentional way.
 
Have questions for us? Suggestions? Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com!
 
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E60: Tensions (Contradictions) in the Old Testament - Dr. Grant Testut

Often when a Christian comes across verses that contradict each other, that Christian looks to harmonize or reconcile those contradictions in order to maintain their faith. Sometimes, those tensions become insurmountable and that Christian's faith is shaken. Joining Kevin and Lee is Dr. Grant Testut, professor of Old Testament at Oklahoma Christian. 
In this conversation, Dr. Testut, Kevin, and Lee discuss some well-known (and not so well-known) tensions and blatant contradictions that are found in the OT, why they might be there, and why Christians shouldn't fear these tensions, but embrace them and accept them as a part of the scripture that God gave mankind.
Have questions? Holler at us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
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Q&A 8: Is it Wrong to Cuss?

In this episode, Kevin and Lee discuss cuss words and their etymology, their use, and the concept of whether or not saying curse words is a sin or something Christians should do.
Due to the topic discussed, listener discretion is advised.
Have questions? Comments? We love hearing from you! Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
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E59: Lessons from the Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known of Jesus' parables, and within that story we find layers of truth that unfold before us. In this episode, Kevin and Lee discuss this parable, it's context, and some of the implications it may teach that often go unnoticed (at least they did to Lee prior to this episode).
 
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Join our discussion group on facebook here!
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