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In this first episode John and Gregg talk about how this podcast came about and what’s behind it’s name and how it grew out telephone conversations Gregg and John have had over the years.
Often these conversations explored aspects of Christianity that John found puzzling or problematic and wanted to clarify. Somewhere along the way John had the crazy idea to record them, hoping that others would find the conversations as useful as he had.
Our first recordings discussed Kyle Idleman’s not a fan, a book popular in the evangelical community that we found unsatisfactory on a different levels. As we considered and grappled with Not A Fan we came to a deeper awareness of what we felt was missing and at times misguided in its message. These recorded discussions will form the basis for many of our first podcast episodes.
Gregg closes this episode out with some thoughts and counter-points to those that may feel our approach is too negative or critical.
Love that you guys are doing this. I haven’t read the books you guys are responding to. But, I think that there’s a place for what you guys are doing. I think of all the people that I met at L’Abri who had been unintentionally hurt by the church or by their Christian family or friends. My hope is that your podcast will reach people who are also grappling with these issues- and that they’ll feel less alone.
Hi Robin,
Thanks for your enthusiasm and encouragement: it has been great to work on this podcast with John. And, as you mention, it is our hope that by working through (literally “untangling”) some of the problematic ways Christianity is presented–and steering clear of the harmful ideologies that tend to crop up–that we can present something that is deeply Christian yet authentically healing and transformative. This has essentially been my faith journey.
You mentioned spending time at L’Abri. If you had to highlight one thing that you took away from that experience, what would it be?