Send us a text ** LISTENER SPONSORED EPISODE ** This episode is sponsored by listener (and Jen fan) Tricia! Ever find yourself questioning the "dos and don'ts" that sometimes pop up in Christian culture? Why is it that some believers are fine with cracking open a cold one or letting a swear word slip, while others see these actions as strictly off-limits? Is this a case of personal freedom, or are we missing something when it comes to our moral compass? Get ready to pull up a chair with Jesse, E...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 96
Send us a text Navigating the complex topic of the current war in Israel is no easy feat. How do we sift through the layers of history, politics, and faith to understand the deep-rooted issues? Even more so, what's the role of misinformation and disinformation in shaping our perspectives? And, perhaps most crucially, what should our response be as Christians in the face of such conflict? Join Jesse, Evan, and Jen as they unpack the historical context of the ongoing war in Israel, and highlight t...
Oct 25, 2023•59 min•Season 4Ep. 95
Send us a text When it comes to church discipline, we often find ourselves walking a fine line. How do we balance the need to uphold our community's values with inclusivity? How do we differentiate between a loving correction and an outright rebuke? And at what point does someone's actions warrant being asked to leave the community? Throughout church history, the approach to discipline has varied from one denomination to the next. Yet, its essence always remains the same: striking a balance betw...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 94
Send us a text Ever wrestled with the idea of universalism? Does everyone, regardless of faith or deeds, get a pass into the eternal afterlife? Is God's love and grace truly universal, or are there some boundaries we shouldn't cross? How does this theological stance fit in—or clash—with mainstream Christian doctrine? Join us as we unpack the intricate and often controversial subject of universalism. We're cutting through the religious jargon, questioning long-held assumptions, and diving into so...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 93
Send us a text Ever ponder the complexities of salvation? Is it merely a one-way ticket to heaven, or is there more to it? Can you lose your salvation once you've got it? And if so, is there a comeback route? How about the role of prayer—should we keep reciting "the prayer" as an eternal insurance policy? Hop down the rabbit hole with us this week on the Christian AF Podcast, where we'll deconstruct the multi-layered notion of salvation. We're peeling back the layers, challenging popular beliefs...
Sep 13, 2023•56 min•Season 4Ep. 92
Send us a text Did you hear the news? Just in case you've been living under a rock for the last month (much like our friend Evan), it seems as though the possibility of extraterrestrial life is looking more like a reality than ever before. With the recent congressional hearings, a spike in unexplained sightings, and more intentional eyes on what used to be dismissed as absolute malarkey, we just might be on the cusp of an unprecedented unveiling that we are, in fact, not alone in this universe. ...
Aug 16, 2023•57 min•Season 4Ep. 91
Send us a text Have you ever heard someone use the saying "#blessed" or talk about how "blessed" they are every chance they get? What does that really mean? Is it vocabulary we should be using? Is there any harm in casually throwing that hashtag around? Let's discuss! EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY - Woodford Reserve Versailles, KY 9-YEAR BOURBON WHISKEY - Knob Creek Clermont, KY Support the show –––––––– BUY US A DRINK https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ChristianAFPodcast BE A MO...
Aug 02, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 90
Send us a text In part two of our conversation with Philippe we're getting personal! Philippe challenges the CAF crew to answer these two questions: 1. Where are we suffering and avoiding in our personal lives? 2. How are you designing your life to stay healthy? Answer them for yourself or reflect on them with a friend if you're ready for a little constructive introspection. EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: TECHNICAL ECSTACY - 2nd Shift St Louis, MO Czech-Style Pils | 5.4% PAVO REAL - Prairie Street Brew...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 89
Send us a text Have you ever noticed yourself sweeping your problems under the rug, hoping they will just disappear? Have you caught yourself blaming others for your shortcomings, without daring to look inwardly and ask the tough questions? Perhaps you've realized that denial and avoidance have become your subconscious defense mechanisms. Or, maybe you've begun to ask yourself why the same issues seem to crop up again and again in your life, never truly resolving. If any of these thoughts resona...
Jul 05, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 88
Send us a text On today's episode, we're talking about church branding. We know this topic may not be the most interesting to some of our listeners, but we think it's an important conversation to have! We promise to still be our entertaining selves despite the potentially "boring" (to some of you) topic. So, what's the deal with church branding? Do churches really NEED a brand? What are they selling anyway? What makes a church brand stand out and where do they fall short? Let's discuss! EPISODE ...
Jun 21, 2023•48 min•Season 4Ep. 87
Send us a text There's a new documentary about Hillsong Church & Carl Lentz out (check out the trailer here ), so of course we had to take a few minutes to chat about it. If you haven't watched "The Secrets of Hillsong" yet, you can find it on Hulu (or FX if you still have the cable). Remember, these are our opinions on the documentary, so watch it yourself to form your own! EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: COORS BANQUET BEER Golden, CO PIG MINDS BREWING CO. - Punch Patch No. 3 Machesney Park, IL Fru...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 86
Send us a text Curious about the profound messages embedded in Jesus' stories and their impact on your spiritual path? Join us for an episode of Christian AF where we delve into the captivating realm of parables. Together, we'll explore their purpose, the insights they offer, and how they differ from fables and allegories. Discover effective approaches to understanding Jesus' teachings by unraveling the significance of parables in the Bible. We'll discuss how parables transform abstract truths i...
May 31, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 85
Send us a text Do you ever find yourself staring at the news, shaking your head, and wondering, "Why does the world seem like it's on a non-stop rollercoaster ride downhill?" Is it just us, or do the headlines seem to shout louder and grimmer each day? Are we staring down the barrel of the prophesied "end times," or is this all just a bleak mental perspective that we've collectively adopted? And in the midst of all this madness, where the heck can we find a little peace? In this episode, your tr...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 84
Send us a text Have you ever wondered why some people drift away from their faith and find themselves drawn to more esoteric belief systems, including New Ageism, cults, and other alternative spiritual paths? In today's conversation, our friends Raphael, Margaret, and Creig join us as we delve into the complexities of vulnerability and shame, and the role they play in pushing people away from their faith. We emphasize the importance of genuine connections, listening, understanding, and walking w...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 83
Send us a text Have you ever witnessed someone speaking in tongues and found yourself perplexed or intrigued? Perhaps you grew up in a church where it was a common practice, or maybe you stumbled upon it unexpectedly, leaving you with a mix of emotions and unanswered questions. Speaking in tongues has long been a controversial and captivating phenomenon, sparking curiosity and debates among believers and skeptics alike. In this episode, we are excited to welcome back Greg Hall, an adjunct Bible ...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 82
Send us a text Today we've got Michael Chanley , on the podcast! Michael is a pastor & author who went from living life on staff at a megachurch to being the lead pastor of a small local church. We discuss the hurt he faced, the transition and challenges between megachurch life and small church life, and so much more. Grab a drink, and bring your questions! BOOK LINKS: Escape – The Traps of Christianity NEW RELEASE – The Art of Parenting EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: GUINNESS Dublin, Ireland Stout...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 81
Send us a text Welcome to another Bible Breakdown episode! This month we're discussing the four gospels found in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Why were they included in the Bible? Why are there four of them? What makes them different? Why are they important? And so on! Our beers for this episode are spoiler alerts for coming episodes so there are no drinking notes for this week, but let's sit back, relax, and start asking questions anyway! Support the show –––––––– BUY US A ...
Mar 29, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 80
Send us a text Let's chat about church loyalty, shall we? Is it important? Is it expected? Is it an antiquated idea? Is there really any harm in "church shopping"? The CAF Crew attempts to tackle a few of these questions in this week's episode. Grab a drink, and bring your questions! LINKS Rebuilders Podcast **Get 10% Off Your Purchase of the "Sex Ed for Parents" Curriculum with Code CHRISTIANAF23 EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: ROSSA - Lavazza Coffee Torino, Italy 14-YEAR BOURBON BARREL SCOTCH - Glenfi...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 79
Send us a text Today we've got our new friend, Gregory D. Hall, on the podcast! Greg is a podcaster, author, and professor whose new book "Rethinking Rest: Why Our Approach to Sabbath Isn't Working" sets out to challenge the way we think about the word and practice of Sabbath. Grab a drink, and bring your questions! LINKS Rethinking Scripture Rethinking Scripture Podcast Rethinking Rest EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: PRAIRIE STREET IPA - Prairie Street Brewing Co. Rockford, Illinois IPA | 6.4% ABV Spec...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 78
Send us a text “Mawwiage. Mawwiage is wot bwings us togeva today. Mawwiage, that blessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam. And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva. So tweasure your wuv.” We know not all marriages can be as perfect as Westley & Princess Buttercup's likely was but we can sure as heck try. Most marriages today start with some kind of pre-marital counseling but for some reason, we aren't given the advice to continue that counseling throughout our relationships until it's too...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 77
Send us a text Let's talk deconstruction! Is it dead and dying? Is it the future of Christianity? Is it a necessary part of a strong faith? We're talking through the history and future of deconstruction, where we think the church might be heading, and the dangers of deconstruction without reconstruction. Grab a drink, and bring your questions! EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: IPA - Moor's Brewing Co. Chicago, Illinois IPA | 6.7% ABV American Apple - Blake's Hard Cider Armada, MI Imperial Hard Cider | 8.0...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 76
Send us a text Have you ever felt like your faith is more based around your belief system? What happens when you realize there are issues with your beliefs? Are they too rigid to change and flex as you grow in your faith? What does it look like to live a life built on practice BASED on your belief system? In this episode of Christian AF Podcast, Jesse, Evan, and Creig Day will explore the relationship between beliefs and practices in the Christian faith. They will discuss the importance of under...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 75
Send us a text In this episode, we explore the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the many ways in which it has been understood and interpreted throughout history. We also touch on the importance of exegesis (the critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture) and the dangers of misguided interpretations. Grab an eggnog, a spiced wine, or a holiday sipper, and get ready for the final episode of season 3! (Christian AF will be taking a short break and will ...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 74
Send us a text Today, we're talking secrets! Should churches use NDAs or non-competes? Should certain things be "hidden" from the congregation? Do secrets really hurt anyone? Is there a time and place in the church for secrecy? EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: STEEPLE BREWING - Hastings, NE A Time to Retire Mango Milkshake IPA (6.9%) Some pastors ran out of things to say five years ago. Sometimes folks are just playing out the string, counting the days until retirement. This smooth mango-infused IPA will...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 73
Send us a text The day has finally arrived! The CAF crew is doing a LISTENER STORIES episode (well, at least half are listener stories). Join us as we read through a few situations you have experienced and a few others from Reddit. If you'd like to submit your own stories go to the contact section on our website or send an email to [email protected] EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: Sketchbook Brewing Co - Common Culture Oatmeal Stout (5.5%) Evanston, IL Support the show –––––––– BUY US A DRINK...
Nov 29, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 72
Send us a text Have you ever wondered if you have a purpose? Or maybe asked yourself what your calling is? Does purpose define us? Should it define us? Or maybe you've pondered what our purpose as Christians might be? If you've ever considered any of the above thoughts then today's episode is for you! Today we have Jason Todd joining us, Jason is a podcaster and author who is local to us so we were lucky enough to have him in the studio. We're talking all things "purpose" with him on this episod...
Nov 15, 2022•59 min•Season 3Ep. 71
Send us a text In today's episode, we discuss the taboo topic of sex (and the stigma around sex) within the church. Joining us for this discussion is Brandi K. Harris. Brandi is a professional counselor, author, speaker, teacher, and coach. She also recently released a workbook titled " The Truth About Holy Sex | A Workbook for People Who Love Jesus and Want to Love Sex ". –– LINKS–– BOOKS FOR KIDS Good Pictures Bad Pictures Where Did I Come From? BOOKS FOR ADULTS Bonk: The Curious Couple of Sci...
Nov 01, 2022•59 min•Season 3Ep. 70
Send us a text On today's episode, we are chatting about all things witches, Harry Potter, the occult, and the supernatural. Why? Because it's October, obviously! EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: PRAIRIE STREET BREWING - Prairie Street IPA India Pale Ale (6.4%) Rockford, IL MIKERPHONE BREWING - Kick, Push, Prost! German-Style Oktoberfest Lager (6.0%) Elk Grove Village, IL GREAT LAKES BREWING - Nosferatu Imperial Red IPA (8.0%) Cleveland, OH –––––––– LINKS AND SOCIAL MEDIA Website • Facebook • Instagram E...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 69
Send us a text Don't tell anyone but today we're talking about the dreaded D word. We know it's taboo in the church but we did it anyway because we're rebels like that. We've got our friend Jeff back on the podcast to talk about his divorce, the reaction from his family/friends/church, and how much tougher getting remarried was in his experience. EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: PRAIRIE STREET BREWING - Prairie Street IPA India Pale Ale (6.4%) Rockford, IL MIKERPHONE BREWING - Kick, Push, Prost! German-S...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 68
Send us a text All aboard the manipulation train! Today we're talking about all things manipulation. Is it avoidable? Is it necessary? Is every church service full of it? Can we prevent it? Can we avoid it? Let's crack a cold one and discuss! EPISODE DRINKING NOTES: PRAIRIE STREET BREWING - Prairie Street IPA India Pale Ale (6.4%) Rockford, IL BELL'S BREWING - Octoberfest Märzen Lager (5.5%) Kalamazoo, MI –––––––– LINKS AND SOCIAL MEDIA Website • Facebook • Instagram Email: christianafpodcast@gm...
Sep 20, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 67
