Exploring Faith, Pursuing Grace
The EFPG podcast was started by Kevin Pendergrass and Dr. Lee Grant. After 105 episodes, Kevin and Lee needed a break, so they turned the reigns over to their good friend Daniel Rogers. Daniel is a co-minister at the North Broad Church in Albertville, Alabama. His website is https://danielr.net.
Episodes
Episodes
Thursday May 05, 2022
E93: Fruit of the Spirit; Peace - Lee Grant
Thursday May 05, 2022
Thursday May 05, 2022
Part three of our non-sequential series on the Fruit of the Spirit. In this episode, Lee discusses how when faith is deconstructed, Christ and the Fruit of the Spirit are our best guides toward reconstructing a faith, and how a legalistic faith can rarely (pretty much never) bring about the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Enjoying our work? Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
E92: Why We Stayed Christian
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
In our last episode Kevin and Lee (and Daniel!) interviewed Brian McLaren and discussed his upcoming book "Do I Stay Christian?", which is currently available for pre-order everywhere Christian books are sold.
This week, Kevin and Lee follow up with a candid conversation about why they have stayed Christian in spite of their questions and doubts.
Enjoying the podcast? Have questions? Let us know at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
E91: Do I Stay Christian? - Brian McLaren
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Joining Kevin and Lee on the podcast this week is international best-selling author Brian McLaren, author of 'The Great Spiritual Migration', 'Faith After Doubt', and the excellent upcoming book 'Do I Stay Christian?'.
In this episode, Kevin, Lee, Daniel, and Brian discuss Brian's new book, some of the challenges Christians face in navigating their deconstruction, and how every Christian can find comfort in spite of their doubts.
Enjoying the podcast? Reach out to us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!
Thursday Apr 14, 2022
E90: ”Gaslighted by God” - Dr. Tiffany Yecke Brooks
Thursday Apr 14, 2022
Thursday Apr 14, 2022
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!
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
E89: Christian Ultranationalism
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
“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.
Like our work? Head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe!
Want to ask a question or let us know how much you love what we're doing? Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
E88: Why Christians Can (and Should!) Question God
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
“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.
Have questions? Comments? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel! We're working hard to reach more people who are looking for freedom in Christ, and we appreciate your help!
Thanks for listening!
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
E87: Leaving Legalism: What I Wish I Would Have Done Differently
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
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.
Thanks for listening!
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
E86: Finding Meaning and Application in Prophecy - Daniel Rogers
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
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
Thanks for listening!
What does it mean to Explore Faith?
Everyone has a belief system. We believe what we believe in large part because of what we've been taught by our parents, grandparents, pastors, and faith leaders.
But what happens when our inherited belief systems no longer serve us? What happens when our faith divides rather than unites, causes strife instead of peace, and brings angst and anxiety in place of freedom and joy?
Kevin Pendergrass and Lee Grant found themselves asking these questions and began the process of exploring their belief systems in search of something better than what had been handed down to them. In their exploration of their faith, they found a God that loves all, whose grace is far bigger than they could have ever imagined.