#012 Brad Jersak: Asking the Toughest Questions About God and Jesus (A More Christlike God)

#012 Brad Jersak: Asking the Toughest Questions About God and Jesus (A More Christlike God)

What are some of the toughest questions you have ever asked about God and Jesus?

You see, if you grew up in the church like me, chances are, at some point in your life, you started asking some difficult questions about God that your friends and family couldn't answer to your satisfaction. Did it matter? Well, maybe.

Here's the thing: questions have the capacity to strengthen your faith, or possibly even destroy it.

In this episode, I interview Brad Jersak. Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He's on faculty at Westminster Theological Centre (Cheltenham, UK), where he teaches New Testament and Patristics. He serves as adjunct faculty with St. Stephen's University (St. Stephen, NB). And he's also the senior editor of the CWR (Christianity Without the Religion) Magazine, which is based in Pasadena, CA. Some of his books include Can You Hear Me?, Her Gates Will Never Be Shut, and A More Christlike God.

IN THIS EPISODE, BRAD ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING:

• Can you tell us a little bit about A More Christlike God and why you wrote it? • Is there such a thing as "the God of the Bible"? • Is it possible that we find the kind of God we want to find in the Bible (God of peace/grace/anger/war)? • Humans have produced a vast pantheon of gods, how do we know what God is like? • There seems to be as many versions of God as there are people. How is your God the right one? • Are our ideas of God simply glorified projections of ourselves? • Walter Wink said, "atheism is the first step toward true worship." What exactly does that mean? • In your opinion, what are some of the false images of God? • Why does the "God of the Bible" seem so un-Christlike? • Why did it take so long for God to reveal himself perfectly in Jesus? • Mark Driscoll said he can't worship a Jesus he can beat up. What is your response? • How do we know your understanding of Jesus isn't just an upgraded version of yourself? • Did God punish Jesus for our sins on the cross? • What does the cross demonstrate about the nature of God? • How is the cross a response to the problem of suffering? • Who or what is Jesus saving us from? • In what sense do you believe Jesus died for us? • Can Jesus truly identify with a person who has been married, divorced, molested, or raped? • Isn't it arrogant to talk about God's nature? Who are we to say? • Is God free to do whatever he pleases (even things considered to be evil in our eyes)? • Why is God so violent? Didn't he even command genocide in the Bible? • Does God have a dark and wrathful side that balances out his goodness and love? • If God is in control, then why is there so much chaos in this world? • If God is such a loving Father, then why is there so much suffering? • Why doesn't God protect us from natural disasters? • Desmond Tutu says that "God does nothing without a human partner"? Do you agree? • You say that God operates in the world by consent. What do you mean by that? • According to you, what is "The Beautiful Gospel"? • What is "The Gospel in Chairs"? • Hector Avalos argues, in The Bad Jesus, that Jesus is flawed. What is your response?

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LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

bradjersak.comBrad's new book More Christlike God Brad Jersak on YoutubeBrad Jersak on FacebookBrad Jersak on TwitterBrad Jersak on InstagramClarion Journal of Spirituality and Justice

Jaksot(674)

What About God's Wrath and Judgment? Q&A With Joshua Tongol and Andre Rabe

What About God's Wrath and Judgment? Q&A With Joshua Tongol and Andre Rabe

http://joshuatongol.com/support/ (Joshua's ministry) http://hearhim.net/wordpress/ (Andre's ministry) (Q&A Session) Date: March 15, 2013 Location: Sausalito, CA -Is God's love and wrath in conflict with one another? -Does God punish people? -What does "fire" mean in the Bible? -Is faith necessary for salvation? -How should we approach the Bible? Listen in as Joshua and Andre share their hearts and answer questions on these very subjects. It might give you a different perspective on things.

7 Touko 201359min

Is God a Moral Monster? | Making Sense of the Bible

Is God a Moral Monster? | Making Sense of the Bible

[The views shared in this video do not necessarily represent the views of the community] In March 2013, Joshua Tongol was invited to speak to a community in Santa Cruz, CA. Aside from his preaching, he requested for intimate gatherings where people can discuss topics that are usually not brought up in the "church." Many questions came up. Nothing was too sacred to mention in this meeting. The purpose was to ask the "WHAT IF?" question and to also offer alternative explanations of certain ideas. Whenever a "new" idea was proposed to the community, the question was asked, "IS IT POSSIBLE?" No one, including the speaker, claimed to have it all figured out. But all were invited to participate in the conversation. Sadly, many religious fundamentalists (Christian and non-Christian) tend to be very dogmatic concerning certain theological doctrines. Yet there is much diversity among them. That being the case, IS IT OK TO QUESTION? Questions to think about: -What do you really believe? -Why do you believe? -Can your "truth" withstand scrutiny? -Can you listen to a different opinion other than yours without being offended? -Can you disagree with another person and still unite in love? -Can you feel safe enough in a gathering to share your heart without having to feel judged or condemned? Josh has always envisioned gatherings where people can come together--with all their differences--yet still unite in love. As you watch these videos, try to have an open heart and mind. And no matter what you may have been taught about God and/or the Bible...don't forget to THINK for yourself. Bless you on your journey...

6 Touko 201332min

Who is the Cosmic Christ? | Beyond the Historical Jesus

Who is the Cosmic Christ? | Beyond the Historical Jesus

[The views shared in this video do not necessarily represent the views of the community] In March 2013, Joshua Tongol was invited to speak to a community in Santa Cruz, CA. Aside from his preaching, he requested for intimate gatherings where people can discuss topics that are usually not brought up in the "church." Many questions came up. Nothing was too sacred to mention in this meeting. The purpose was to ask the "WHAT IF?" question and to also offer alternative explanations of certain ideas. Whenever a "new" idea was proposed to the community, the question was asked, "IS IT POSSIBLE?" No one, including the speaker, claimed to have it all figured out. But all were invited to participate in the conversation. Sadly, many religious fundamentalists (Christian and non-Christian) tend to be very dogmatic concerning certain theological doctrines. Yet there is much diversity among them. That being the case, IS IT OK TO QUESTION? Questions to think about: -What do you really believe? -Why do you believe? -Can your "truth" withstand scrutiny? -Can you listen to a different opinion other than yours without being offended? -Can you disagree with another person and still unite in love? -Can you feel safe enough in a gathering to share your heart without having to feel judged or condemned? Josh has always envisioned gatherings where people can come together--with all their differences--yet still unite in love. As you watch these videos, try to have an open heart and mind. And no matter what you may have been taught about God and/or the Bible...don't forget to THINK for yourself. Bless you on your journey...

6 Touko 20132min

Are You Afraid to QUESTION Your Religious Beliefs?

Are You Afraid to QUESTION Your Religious Beliefs?

[The views shared in this video do not necessarily represent the views of the community] In March 2013, Joshua Tongol was invited to speak to a community in Santa Cruz, CA. Aside from his preaching, he requested for intimate gatherings where people can discuss topics that are usually not brought up in the "church." Many questions came up. Nothing was too sacred to mention in this meeting. The purpose was to ask the "WHAT IF?" question and to also offer alternative explanations of certain ideas. Whenever a "new" idea was proposed to the community, the question was asked, "IS IT POSSIBLE?" No one, including the speaker, claimed to have it all figured out. But all were invited to participate in the conversation. Sadly, many religious fundamentalists (Christian and non-Christian) tend to be very dogmatic concerning certain theological doctrines. Yet there is much diversity among them. That being the case, IS IT OK TO QUESTION? Questions to think about: -What do you really believe? -Why do you believe? -Can your "truth" withstand scrutiny? -Can you listen to a different opinion other than yours without being offended? -Can you disagree with another person and still unite in love? -Can you feel safe enough in a gathering to share your heart without having to feel judged or condemned? Josh has always envisioned gatherings where people can come together--with all their differences--yet still unite in love. As you watch these videos, try to have an open heart and mind. And no matter what you may have been taught about God and/or the Bible...don't forget to THINK for yourself. Bless you on your journey...

6 Touko 20136min

Quantum Physics and Healing

Quantum Physics and Healing

Is healing available to EVERYONE? For several years Joshua Tongol has been empowering others to heal. He has taught on healing based on the Bible and has also demonstrated its reality through his seminars, conferences, and daily life. But what does SCIENCE have to say about "spontaneous" healing? What is all this talk about QUANTUM PHYSICS? Aren't "miracles" and "supernatural" healing a VIOLATION of the laws of nature? Can science and healing be bridged? Josh gives a resounding "YES!" Joshua shares some of the latest (and ancient) groundbreaking discoveries from some of this generation's leading-edge voices. These include nuclear physicists, doctors, cell biologists, chiropractors, and pioneers in the field energy healing. These new revelations in physics and biology will revolutionize our understanding of the link between mind and matter. But not only that, they will forever change the way we look at the world. Listen as he shares information that reveals science's re-discovery of God's goodness to ALL of humanity. It's time to question, challenge and rethink much of what we thought we knew about healing. This teaching will create a huge paradigm shift for many people who are open to this new science. Here are the things that will be covered in the message: -Do Christians have a monopoly on healing? -How we've misunderstood healing -Miracles and techniques -What about distant healing? -The power of your thoughts -The power of your words -The power of real faith -The power of visualization (imagination) -What is resonance and entrainment? -What is cellular memory? Recommended resources: "The Biology of Beliefs" by Bruce H. Lipton "The Healing Code" by Alexander Loyd "The Spontaneous Healing of Belief" by Gregg Braden "The Reconnection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself" by Eric Pearl "The Healing Code" by Alexander Loyd "Quantum-Touch: The Power to Heal" by Richard Gordon "God Is Not Dead" by Amit Goswami

6 Touko 201358min

Identity and Purpose | How to Live in the Present

Identity and Purpose | How to Live in the Present

[The views shared in this video do not necessarily represent the views of the community] In February 2013, Joshua Tongol was invited to speak to a community in New York. Aside from his preaching, he requested for intimate gatherings where people can discuss topics that are usually not brought up in the "church." For several days, in these gatherings, many questions came up. Nothing was too sacred to mention in these meetings. The purpose was to ask the "WHAT IF?" question and to also offer alternative explanations of certain ideas. Whenever a "new" idea was proposed to the community, the question was asked, "IS IT POSSIBLE?" No one, including the speaker, claimed to have it all figured out. But all were invited to participate in the conversation. Sadly, many religious fundamentalists (Christian and non-Christian) tend to be very dogmatic concerning certain theological doctrines. Yet there is much diversity among them. That being the case, IS IT OK TO QUESTION? Questions to think about: -What do you really believe? -Why do you believe? -Can your "truth" withstand scrutiny? -Can you listen to a different opinion other than yours without being offended? -Can you disagree with another person and still unite in love? -Can you feel safe enough in a gathering to share your heart without having to feel judged or condemned? Josh has always envisioned gatherings where people can come together--with all their differences--yet still unite in love. Try to have an open heart and mind. And no matter what you may have been taught about God and/or the Bible...don't forget to THINK for yourself. Bless you on your journey...

6 Touko 20139min

Why Did Jesus Die? | Romans and Wrath

Why Did Jesus Die? | Romans and Wrath

[The views shared in this video do not necessarily represent the views of the community] In February 2013, Joshua Tongol was invited to speak to a community in New York. Aside from his preaching, he requested for intimate gatherings where people can discuss topics that are usually not brought up in the "church." For several days, in these gatherings, many questions came up. Nothing was too sacred to mention in these meetings. The purpose was to ask the "WHAT IF?" question and to also offer alternative explanations of certain ideas. Whenever a "new" idea was proposed to the community, the question was asked, "IS IT POSSIBLE?" No one, including the speaker, claimed to have it all figured out. But all were invited to participate in the conversation. Sadly, many religious fundamentalists (Christian and non-Christian) tend to be very dogmatic concerning certain theological doctrines. Yet there is much diversity among them. That being the case, IS IT OK TO QUESTION? Questions to think about: -What do you really believe? -Why do you believe? -Can your "truth" withstand scrutiny? -Can you listen to a different opinion other than yours without being offended? -Can you disagree with another person and still unite in love? -Can you feel safe enough in a gathering to share your heart without having to feel judged or condemned? Josh has always envisioned gatherings where people can come together--with all their differences--yet still unite in love. Try to have an open heart and mind. And no matter what you may have been taught about God and/or the Bible...don't forget to THINK for yourself. Bless you on your journey...

6 Touko 201334min

Is the Bible Inerrant? | Is God Violent?

Is the Bible Inerrant? | Is God Violent?

In February 2013, Joshua Tongol was invited to speak to a community in New York. Aside from his preaching, he requested for intimate gatherings where people can discuss topics that are usually not brought up in the "church." For several days, in these gatherings, many questions came up. Nothing was too sacred to mention in these meetings. The purpose was to ask the "WHAT IF?" question and to also offer alternative explanations of certain ideas. Whenever a "new" idea was proposed to the community, the question was asked, "IS IT POSSIBLE?" No one, including the speaker, claimed to have it all figured out. But all were invited to participate in the conversation. Sadly, many religious fundamentalists (Christian and non-Christian) tend to be very dogmatic concerning certain theological doctrines. Yet there is much diversity among them. That being the case, IS IT OK TO QUESTION? Questions to think about: -What do you really believe? -Why do you believe? -Can your "truth" withstand scrutiny? -Can you listen to a different opinion other than yours without being offended? -Can you disagree with another person and still unite in love? -Can you feel safe enough in a gathering to share your heart without having to feel judged or condemned? Josh has always envisioned gatherings where people can come together--with all their differences--yet still unite in love. Try to have an open heart and mind. And no matter what you may have been taught about God and/or the Bible...don't forget to THINK for yourself. Bless you on your journey...

6 Touko 201313min

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