Steve Barker tells us how theology and even "loving God" can become exhausting and what we can do about it.  Along the way Steve suggests I view Matthew 5 "the old American way" and we close the show by discussing The Shack.

Show Index

9:15- Matthew 5 "the old American way"

13:05- Theology that is exhausting

25:35- "Loving Jesus" can be exhausting as well

29:40- Fear as a tool for control

33:44- How shame keeps us in line

36:24- Discussing The Shack

Former church pastor Steve Barker sits down with Steve & Tammy to share how he left the "Sunday morning church" in order to find church in the life and people around him.

Show Index

5:50- God's "clear" Biblical model?

11:15- How "no manipulation" changed everything

17:58- It's all about relationship

21:03- The current system ain't so bad

29:28- Tammy's thoughts on leaving church

37:22- Releasing control

40:59- New thoughts on "grace"

RTHK Radio 3 film critic James Marsh sits down with Steve to discuss this year's Oscar race, review the Best Picture nominees, and give his predictions of what films will be taking home the gold at the 89th Annual Academy Awards.

Show Index

8:06- Arrival

18:14- Fences

21:16 Hacksaw Ridge

25:37- Hell or High Water

30:50- Hidden Figures

36:11- La La Land

42:56- Lion

50:45- Manchester by the Sea

1:03:41- Moonlight

1:11:05- Best Actor

1:12:45- Best Actress

1:16:51- Best Supporting Actor

1:18:35- Best Supporting Actress

1:21:25- Best Director

Part 2 of our conversation with Dave Griffiths has Steve & Tammy discussing what Christians are actually basing their faith on and what effect that has on the church today.  We also examine the challenges and risks faced by those pioneer ministers who are wanting to step out and be part of this new frontier of church in the 21st Century however "Being the Change" sometimes comes with a price.

Show Notes

6:30- What are Christians basing their faith on?

12:40- Is there a generational change happening?

18:00- The risks of ministers wanting to be part of the change

22:30- The church is going to need leaders with day jobs

U.K. singer / songwriter Dave Griffiths sits down with Steve & Tammy on his recent visit to Hong Kong to chat about where the church is heading in these changing times.  Can the New Testament church begin to shake off it's dependency on Old Testament structures?

Show Index:

5:10- Liberal, Emergent, or Progressive church?

7:30- Shaking off the Old Testament structures

14:25- Tammy's thoughts

17:08- Can church manipulation ever be good?

19:30- Wonderwall...as worship?

24:45- Next steps for the church?

David Young returns and discusses with Steve & Tammy the ethics involved with physician assisted suicide and his personal views as a person living with a terminal illness.  Along the way they discuss the nature of suffering and whether someone should be able to choose to "die with dignity".

Show Index

4:23- Rationals for / against assisted suicide

9:28- Why legal positions are changing

17:38- Is there value to suffering?

17:56- Tammy's thoughts

26:20- Steve's hope

39:04- Physician Assisted Suicide unpacked

Roundtable discussion with Tammy and singer / songwriter Dave Griffiths as they discuss Donald Trump's inaugural speech and the challenges Christians may (or should) have with an "America First" agenda.

Former evangelical missionary Adam Benner talks with Steve on why the church frequently gives into the temptation to grasp for political power highlighting the recent American election as an example.

Show Index

4:40- American evangelical patriotism

15:35- Why evangelicals voted for Trump

23:32- Putting the American Kingdom first

36:43- Street cred needed to critique evangelicalism

Adam Benner shares his journey from right wing evangelical missionary to a more Christlike faith.  Along the way he discusses politics, American patriotism, and the challenge of a changing faith when your financial livelihood depends on the evangelical structure.

Show Notes:

4:22- Are Christ's teachings of secondary importance?

12:00- An evangelical childhood

28:48- Evangelical response to Adam's change of belief

29:21 When your income is dependant on your belief system

37:00- Old school evangelicals vs. a new generation

Brian Zahnd, pastor, theologian, and acclaimed author of books that include "Beauty Will Save The World" and "Farewell To Mars", joins his wife, Peri, to talk with Steve & Tammy about their recent pilgrimage on Spain's Camino de Santiago. What follows are laughs, delightful stories an insights that will encourage and inspire you on your own faith journey.

SHOW INDEX:

7:20 - Brian shares why he and Peri walked the Camino

10:52 - The "Vibe" of the Camino

13:16 - "A 500 mile walk to church"

25:19 - Brian & Peri deal with conflict on the Camino

28:22 - La Sagrada Familia: Architecture as worship

32:08 - 3 realities of pilgrimage

35:35 - The kindness of people on pilgrimage

38:48 - The challenge of helping Christians see their faith as pilgrimage

Former police officer Samuel Lai shares with Steve his story of being a corrupt cop who used his position on the police force to subsidise his lifestyle and drug habit.  However his encounter with renowned missionary Jackie Pullinger sets him on a path to ultimate redemption.

Show Notes

6:52 - A life on drugs

7:32- Joining the police force

11:20- Life as a corrupt cop

23:03 - Arrested

27:35 - Meeting Jackie Pullinger

32:15 - A new life

Martin Daniel joins Steve at Little Mario's Pizzeria to analyse the 2016 election and get perspectives on the Donald Trump win from different folk around the world.

Episode Index

7:19- Jon Stewart's perspective

13:45- A Singaporean perspective

16:47- Seth Myer's perspective

20:30- A British perspective

25:50- Jonathan Pie's perspective

28:50- A Scottish perspective

45:50- Trevor Noah's perspective

56:00- An American perspective

Our Camino Tales series continues as Steve & Sharon Canale share how they decided to celebrate retirement...by walking Spain's 500 mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

Show Index:

7:37 - Inspired by "The Way" film

9:59 - Walking the Camino with your spouse

21:44 - Encountering protesters in Santiago

23:38 - How I almost left Gabriel on the Camino

25:53 - First day on the Camino

35:40 - Encountering a pilgrim with a terminal illness

David Young shares how his evidence based skeptical worldview shapes his life as well as discussing where there are some bridges of commonality with the Christian faith shared by Steve & Tammy.  

Podcast Index:

7:20 - How David became a skeptic

22:12 - Skeptics in the Pub

27:13 - Effects of Tribalism

35:11 - Morality & Ethics for a skeptic

41:00 - Bible & Morality

46:25 - Are we wired for Belief or Unbelief?

In this short bonus episode: While waiting for Tammy to arrive, Steve & David discuss their mutual love for podcasting as well as show a little non-love for the current U.S. election.  Enjoy!

Steve's friend David Young has recently been diagnosed with ALS or "Lou Gehrig's Disease"  It's a fatal degenerative illness of which there is no cure.  Over a couple cold beers and some fried rice Steve & Tammy talk with David about how he is coping with this tragic twist in his journey and find he plans to live the best life possible in the time he has left with family & friends.  Along the way David hopes the manner in which he faces this deadly illness can be a help for others finding themselves in a similar place.

Show Index:

7:45- Facing a Deadly Diagnosis

18:44: Why no cure for ALS

22:38- How David copes

32:41- Atheist in a Foxhole

36:15- Hope for an Afterlife?

39:55- Do Atheists go to Heaven?

Steve & Tammy continue their conversation with former pastor Giles Parker and end up examining "What is "Progressive Christianity"?  Along the way they discuss connecting for the first time at Pete Rollins event in Belfast, why their Sunday morning service attendance is a bit spotty these days, as well as meeting up last year on England's 200 mile Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk. 

Show Index:

Belfast 2014- 5:11

Is church something you attend?- 9:14

What is "Progressive Christianity?" - 20:47

Walking England's 200 Mile Coast to Coast - 31:45

Steve & Tammy talk with former pastor Giles Parker about his journey to a more progressive Christianity, how the church should operate in the world, and why sometimes God just seems to break his own rules.

Show Index:

3:30- New Book Recommendations

6:20- Drawn to leaders who pilgrimage

10:30 God breaks rules for relationship

14:06- Giles shares his story

23:35- Building church or building community?

25:27- Avoiding spiritual arrogance

With the tragic passing of actor Gene Wilder, Steve & Tammy explore links between his most iconic character and the Christian Gospel.  Join our adventure exploring the magical chocolate factory of Mr. Willy Wonka!

Show Index:

8:10 - Wonka & the Kingdom of God

15:34- Wonka & the Old Testament

18:00- Wonka & predestination

22:00- Wonka & our expectations of God

24:40- Wonka & walking without fear

26:25- Wonka & the Garden of Eden

31:50- Wonka & thinking God has failed us

36:50- Wonka & your inheritance

Adventurer Rob del Bosque shares with Steve & Tammy how his 500 mile pilgrimage across Spain on the Camino de Santiago has helped shape his faith and life.

Mark & Christine Cattanach share their unique story of how they came to faith in Christ and why, despite being friends with Steve & Tammy, they "still go to church".  Along the way they share how their faith helped them face the loss of their first child as well as why Christianity needs a more "Christ-like" God!

Beyond the Pale "Geek Correspondent" Martin Daniel returns to review the new Star Trek movie. But then things turn political as we discuss Donald Trump, Hillary, Bernie, as well as the pros and cons of having kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance 

What happens when you are part of a church leadership team and your spouse tells you he doesn't believe in God anymore?  Marylee Hackman shares the challenges and breakthroughs as she and her husband found a better, more "Christ-like" life, outside of religious belief.

4:35  Marylee shares about the walk where Andy told her he didn't believe in God anymore

9:50  Andrew shares how the church they helped establish ostracised them

18:00  Marylee shares how moving outside the evangelical system made them better people

20:25  How the next generation will have less religious baggage

22:20  The bad theology of Jack Chick comics

26:00  How to respond when your spouse begins to doubt

Steve & Andrew go off topic during their "basement discussion" with Tammy and talk race issues in America and why, despite the anger and heartache in the U.S. right now, there is reason to believe there is still hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

Steve's brother Andrew returns and chats with Steve & Tammy about his perspective on why Christians struggle to "grow up" and take responsibilities for their decisions.

2:00- The 10 Commandments vs. The Sermon on the Mount

8:39- Tammy's experiences questioning "pillars of her faith"

16:45- Why Christians should stop acting childish

21:35- Getting Christians to take responsibility for their decisions

27:20- Why some Christians have more in common with some atheists than with other Christians