Podcast
The Deconstructionists
Hosted by John Williamson · EN
A podcast about building new faith. Its all about construction, but sometimes that means you have to deconstruct a little. Questions, exploration, mystery...
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 239 - Dr. Bart Ehrman "Love Thy Stranger" pt. 2
1w ago00:24:35Tap to summarizeIn Part 2 of our conversation, Bart Ehrman returns to discuss his latest book, Love Thy Stranger, and the lasting impact Jesus’ teachings had on moral thought in the Western world.We continue exploring how ideas surrounding compassion, forgiveness, charity, and care for outsiders emerged within early Christianity — while also wrestling with the ways institutions and political movements have often failed to embody those same values.In this episode we discuss:The tension between the teachings of Jesus and modern political ChristianityImmigration, nationalism, and “loving your neighbor”How moral frameworks evolve over timeThe role Christianity played in shaping Western ethicsHistorical misunderstandings about the ancient worldWhy empathy and human dignity remain central themes in Jesus’ messageBe sure to check out Dr. Ehrman’s new book, Love Thy Stranger, available now wherever books are sold.Guest BioBart Ehrman is a New Testament scholar, historian of early Christianity, and the author of numerous bestselling books including Misquoting Jesus, Heaven and Hell, Jesus Interrupted, and How Jesus Became God. He is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Support The DeconstructionistsIf you enjoy the show, there are several ways to support us:Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus content, educational videos, study guides, and moreCheck out our merch store for brand-new designs and returning favoritesLeave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platformShare the episode with a friendMore info at: www.thedeconstructionsts.org Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 238 - Dr. Bart Ehrman "Love Thy Stranger" pt. 1
2w ago00:44:55Tap to summarizeDr. Bart Ehrman – Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West (Part 1)In Part 1 of our conversation with renowned New Testament scholar and historian Dr. Bart Ehrman, we dive into his latest book, "Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West".For centuries, people have debated whether Christianity has been a force for compassion or division. But what if one of the most radical moral ideas in human history came directly from the teachings of Jesus himself?In this episode, Bart explores how concepts like caring for the poor, loving enemies, and extending compassion beyond one’s tribe were not common moral assumptions in the ancient world—and how the teachings attributed to Jesus helped reshape Western moral imagination over time.We also discuss:What morality looked like in the ancient Greco-Roman worldWhy compassion was often viewed as weakness in antiquityThe historical context surrounding Jesus’ teachingsThe difference between Jesus’ message and later Christian institutionsWhether modern secular morality still carries the fingerprints of ChristianityWhy many people misunderstand the historical JesusThe tension between the teachings of Jesus and modern Christian nationalismHow history complicates simplistic narratives about religion’s role in societyAs always, this conversation approaches faith, history, and culture through the lens of scholarship, curiosity, and honest dialogue.About Dr. Bart EhrmanDr. Bart Ehrman is one of the world’s leading scholars on the New Testament and early Christianity. He is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the author of numerous bestselling books including:"Misquoting Jesus""Jesus, Interrupted""Heaven and Hell""Armageddon"His work focuses on the historical Jesus, the development of early Christianity, biblical manuscripts, and how religious ideas evolve over time.Support The DeconstructionistsIf you enjoy conversations like this and want to help support independent podcasts and educational content, there are several great ways to support the show:Join Our PatreonWe recently relaunched our Patreon with brand-new content and community features including:Ad-free episodesBonus episodesEducational videos and study guidesMonthly book clubMembers-only discussions and chatExclusive behind-the-scenes content👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedeconstructionistsMerch StoreWe also launched brand-new merch designs along with returning fan favorites.👉 Merch Store: https://thedeconstructionists.printify.me/Leave a ReviewOne of the easiest free ways to support the show is by leaving a positive review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more people discover the podcast.Connect With UsWebsite: https://www.thedeconstructionists.orgBart Ehrman LinksOfficial Website: https://www.bartehrman.comBooks & Courses: https://www.bartehrman.com/books/Blog: https://ehrmanblog.orgThank you for listening to The Deconstructionists Podcast.Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Bart Ehrman will be available soon.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 237 - Lillian Daniels "Failure, Accountability & the Future of the Church" pt. 2
Apr 1600:45:44Tap to summarizeIn Part 2 of our conversation with Lillian Daniel, we move deeper into the tensions at the heart of her story—and the bigger questions it raises for the modern church.If Part 1 explored what happened, this episode asks what it means.We talk about accountability, institutional systems, and whether the church is actually capable of handling failure in a way that leads to healing rather than harm.📚 About Lillian DanielLillian Daniel is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and currently serves as a Conference Minister, overseeing churches and clergy across Michigan.She has taught preaching at institutions including Yale Divinity School and the University of Chicago, and is the author of multiple books on faith, ministry, and the evolving role of the church.Her latest book, Defrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church, explores her own experience with discipline, failure, and restoration—and what it reveals about the systems meant to hold leaders accountable.🔗 Stay Connected • Website: https://www.thedeconstructionists.org • Patreon: Support the show and get ad-free, extended interviews: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast • Follow along for more conversations with scholars, authors, and thinkers exploring faith, doubt, and everything in betweenAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 236 - Lillian Daniel "Defrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church" pt. 1
Apr 900:33:18Tap to summarize📝 Episode SummaryDrawing from her new book, Defrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church, Lillian shares her journey through ministry, the unexpected challenges she encountered, and the moments that forced her to rethink long-held assumptions about leadership, faith, and belonging.This episode is an honest look at what happens when certainty begins to crack—and why that might not be the end of faith, but the beginning of something more real.📚 About the BookDefrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better ChurchA candid and often humorous reflection on ministry, failure, and the possibility of a more honest and compassionate church. Lillian Daniel offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at pastoral life—challenging assumptions while pointing toward a healthier future.👤 About the GuestLillian Daniel is a United Church of Christ minister, author, and speaker known for her wit, honesty, and thoughtful critique of modern church culture. Her work often explores faith, doubt, leadership, and the evolving role of the church in contemporary life.🔗 Resources & Links • Find Lillian’s book wherever books are sold • Learn more about her work and writing: www.lilliandaniel.com 🎙️ Support the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, you can support The Deconstructionists Podcast by: • Joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and educational videos: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast • Checking out our merch store (ships worldwide): https://thedeconstructionists.printify.me/ • Leaving a rating & review—it really helps others find the showAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 235 - Dr. Cristy Carr "Reclaiming the Forgotten Self" pt. 2
Apr 100:39:24Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the version of you that survived… isn’t the version of you that’s whole?In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Cristy Carr, we move deeper—beyond awareness and into the work of healing. Together, we explore what it looks like to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that were silenced, shaped, or suppressed by trauma, religious systems, and the need to belong.This episode isn’t about quick fixes or easy answers. It’s about the slow, often uncomfortable process of becoming whole again.Dr. Cristy Carr is a therapist, speaker, and author of The Forgotten Self. Her work focuses on trauma, identity formation, and helping individuals reconnect with their authentic selves—especially those navigating faith transitions and deconstruction.❤️ Support The ShowIf you found this conversation meaningful, there are a few ways to support The Deconstructionists Podcast: • ⭐ Leave a rating & review • 🔁 Share this episode with someone who might need it • 👕 Check out our merch store (ships worldwide!) www.thedeconstructionists.org • 🎥 Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and educational deep dives:👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheDeconstructionistsPodcastSpecial music provided by: Forrest Clay from the Recover EP. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 234 - Dr. Cristy Carr "The Forgotten Self" pt. 1
Mar 2600:31:13Tap to summarize🧭 Episode SummaryWho were you… before you were told who to be?For many of us—especially those shaped by religious systems—identity isn’t something we discovered. It’s something we inherited.Beliefs. Roles. Expectations.All layered over time until the line between who we are and who we were told to be becomes hard to see.In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we sit down with Cristy S. Carr to explore the core ideas behind her book The Forgotten Self—and what it means to lose connection with ourselves in the pursuit of certainty, belonging, and faithfulness.This episode is less about what we believe…and more about who we’ve become in the process of believing.📚 About the GuestCristy S. Carr is an author, theologian, and speaker whose work focuses on identity, spirituality, and the process of reconnecting with the self. Her book The Forgotten Self explores how we lose touch with who we are—and how we begin to find our way back.Grab a copy of her new book: https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Self-Remember-Who-Truly/dp/B0G51WPJZN🔥 Support the ShowIf you want to support The Deconstructionists Podcast:🎥 Join our PatreonGet access to exclusive content, deep-dive educational videos, and bonus conversations👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast 👕 Check out our merch storeNew designs + classic favorites🌎 Ships worldwidewww.thedeconstructionsts.org ⭐ Leave a reviewIt helps more people find the showAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 233 - Violence and the Bible
Mar 1800:29:32Tap to summarizeEpisode: Violence and the Bible – What Do We Do With It?🧭 Episode SummaryViolence is everywhere in the Bible—and for many, it’s one of the most difficult aspects of scripture to reconcile with the idea of a loving God.In this episode, John explores one of the most pressing and personal questions facing modern readers of the Bible:What do we do with the violence in scripture—and what does it mean for us today?Prompted by a recent discussion group and unfolding global events, this episode wrestles with: • Whether violence is ever justified • The ethics of war, self-defense, and state power • How ancient texts have been used—and misused—to justify modern violenceRather than offering easy answers, this conversation leans into the tension, drawing on biblical scholarship, theology, and ethical philosophy to better understand what the Bible is—and what it is not.📚 Scholars & Works Referenced🧠 Foundational Biblical & Ethical Scholarship • Peter Enns — How the Bible Actually Works→ Argues that the Bible reflects the perspectives of ancient people trying to understand God, rather than functioning as a rulebook dictated from heaven. • Greg Boyd — The Crucifixion of the Warrior God→ Proposes that violent portrayals of God in the Old Testament are refracted through human understanding and ultimately point toward the nonviolent revelation of God in Jesus. • Eric A. Seibert — Disturbing Divine Behavior→ Explores troubling depictions of God in scripture and argues that not all portrayals of God in the Bible should be accepted as morally authoritative. • John J. Collins — Does the Bible Justify Violence?→ Examines how biblical texts have historically been used to justify violence and urges careful, contextual interpretation. • Miroslav Volf — Exclusion and Embrace→ Reflects on violence, justice, and reconciliation in light of human conflict and the Christian call to forgiveness.🧠 Ethical & Philosophical Perspectives • Jonathan Sacks — Essays on Ethics→ Engages deeply with moral questions surrounding violence, responsibility, and the misuse of religious texts. • Stanley Hauerwas — The Peaceable Kingdom→ Advocates for a distinctly Christian ethic rooted in nonviolence and the teachings of Jesus. • Reinhold Niebuhr — Moral Man and Immoral Society→ Explores the tension between personal ethics and collective political responsibility, including the justification of force.💬 Join the ConversationWhat do you think?Is violence ever justified? How do you interpret the difficult passages in scripture?Join us on social or continue the conversation on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/c/TheDeconstructionistsPodcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 232 - Dr. Michelle Keener "Comfort in the Ashes" pt. 2
Mar 900:32:29Tap to summarizeThe Deconstructionists PodcastGuest: Dr. Michelle KeenerIn Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Michelle Keener, we go deeper into the themes of her book, Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors, and what it means to engage scripture after certainty has cracked.If Part 1 explored how harmful interpretations take root, this episode focuses on what comes after—especially for those navigating trauma, deconstruction, and the loss of familiar frameworks.In this episode, we discuss:How trauma reshapes identity, faith, and one’s image of GodWhy grief, anger, and protest are not spiritual failuresHow Job’s refusal to accept easy answers can be a model for honestyWhat it looks like to reconstruct meaning without rushing toward certaintyDr. Keener brings both scholarly depth and deep compassion to this conversation, offering language and insight for experiences many people struggle to name.If you’ve ever been told your pain needed a theological explanation…If you’ve been pressured to “trust God” instead of being heard…Or if you’re learning how to hold faith with open hands—This conversation is for you.Guest Bio:Dr. Michelle Keener is a scholar, writer, and educator whose work centers on biblical interpretation, trauma-informed theology, and care for those harmed by religious systems. Her book Comfort in the Ashes explores how the Book of Job can be reclaimed as a companion for trauma survivors rather than a weapon used against them.https://www.michellekeener.com/For all things Deconstructionists: www.thedeconstructionsts.orgPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheDeconstructionistsPodcastSpecial Music Provided By: Forrest Clay from his Recover EP.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 231 - Dr. Michelle Keener "Comfort in the Ashes" pt. 1
Mar 200:36:18Tap to summarizeIn this first part of our conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Michelle Keener, author of Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors.The Book of Job is often cited in conversations about suffering—but just as often, it’s been used to minimize pain, rush people toward answers, or reinforce harmful ideas about God, blame, and endurance. In Comfort in the Ashes, Dr. Keener offers a different approach: one that reads Job through the lens of trauma, care, and lived human experience.In Part 1, we focus on foundations:How the Book of Job has traditionally been taught—and why those interpretations often fail trauma survivorsThe difference between theological explanation and pastoral careWhy certainty can feel safer than honesty, even when it causes harmHow questioning inherited beliefs can be an act of survival, not rebellionThis conversation isn’t about solving suffering or defending doctrine.It’s about slowing down, listening well, and making room for pain without trying to explain it away.Guest Bio:Dr. Michelle Keener is a scholar, writer, and educator whose work centers on biblical interpretation, trauma-informed theology, and care for those harmed by religious systems. Her book Comfort in the Ashes explores how the Book of Job can be reclaimed as a companion for trauma survivors rather than a weapon used against them.https://www.michellekeener.com/For all things Deconstructionists: www.thedeconstructionsts.orgPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheDeconstructionistsPodcastSpecial Music Provided By: Forrest Clay from his Recover EP. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →Ep. 230 - John Dominic Crossan & Michael Okinczyc-Cruz "Jesus and Justice" pt. 2
Feb 2400:50:55Tap to summarizeIn Part Two of our conversation with John Dominic Crossan and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, we move from historical foundations to present-day consequences.Once Jesus is understood within the realities of Roman imperial power, the implications become unavoidable — especially in a moment when Christianity in the United States is increasingly entangled with political authority, violence, and domination.In this episode, we explore:The meaning of the “Kingdom of God” in contrast to imperial powerNonviolence, resistance, and the cost of discipleshipHow Christianity shifted from challenging empire to aligning with itThe difference between domination systems and distributive justiceWhy these ancient tensions feel so familiar todayThis isn’t about telling listeners what to believe politically.It’s about asking whether Christianity still resembles the movement it began as — or whether comfort and power have rewritten the story.Why This Conversation Matters NowThe questions raised in this episode aren’t abstract or theoretical. They echo loudly in today’s debates about nationalism, violence, faith, and identity in the United States.By grounding the conversation in history, Crossan and Okinczyc-Cruz offer listeners tools — not talking points — to think critically about how faith operates in the real world.Continue the ConversationIf this episode resonated with you, we encourage you to explore the works linked above and join us for ongoing discussions at www.thedeconstructionsts.org where you can join our Patreon, read our blog, and listen to our entire back catalogue of over 200 episodes! Special music provide by: Forrest Clay from his Recover EP.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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