How To Talk To Conservatives About Politcs & Religion
The Progressive Christians Podcast
Release Date: 04/04/2025
Failing the Group Project: The Problem of Evil with Dr. Becky Copeland
The Progressive Christians Podcast
We are entangled in systems full of wicked problems that we cannot solve on our own. For Dr. Copeland, sin is the most appropriate theological language for naming what has gone wrong in the world and for beginning to repair those wrongs, despite modern resistance to the use of sin-talk. In this episode, we discuss sin, suffering, and the problem of evil with Dr. Copeland, whose new book, offers a vision of how we might imagine and build a future where we continue to re-solve our society's most wicked problems. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a worship community of . If...
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How Christian Authoritarian Parenting Helps Explain Our Response To The Disappearing Of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
The Progressive Christians Podcast
“Authoritarian parenting—especially the evangelical variety—isn’t just abuse. It’s training. It teaches kids that love = fear. That power = safety. That obedience is the highest virtue, and questioning authority gets you a backhand and a one-way ticket to Hell,” writes journalist Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. In this episode we discuss the psychological consequences of authoritarian parenting and how it can help us understand why some can view Trumps immigration policies, lies, and his abuse of power as a type of “love.” The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a worship...
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What Do Progressive Christians Believe About Salvation?
The Progressive Christians Podcast
How do progressive Christians interpret Christ’s life, death, and resurection as reconciling human beings to God? What are the theological implications of conservative Christians viewing Trump as a “messiah” figure? In this episode, we discuss the historical approaches that Christians have used to interpret Jesus’ role in mediating salvation for human beings. We also discuss the dangers of conflating specific political outcomes (i.e., Trump was saved from assassination due to God’s providence) with theologies of salvation. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a...
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How To Talk To Conservatives About Politcs & Religion
The Progressive Christians Podcast
In our polarized culture, it has become increasingly difficult to talk across political or religious differences. Yet we know that in order to get people to see the merits of—or even begin to practice—progressive Christianity, we must speak to them and invite them to do so. In this episode, we are joined by to discuss her approach to talking to religious and political conservatives. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a worship community of . If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].
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Adolescence, Doechii, and the Wisdom of Youth
The Progressive Christians Podcast
In this pop culture minisode, Rev. Blair, Juila, and Westley discuss aspects of arts and culture rattling in their brains this week. We offer our recommendations for what to watch and listen to and close with some more serious reflection on the challenges and opportunities of being in a relationship with emerging generations. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a worship community of . If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at . Links from this episode: Doechii- Alligator Bites Never Heal
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Project Esther & The Crackdown On Speech That Is Critical of Isreal
The Progressive Christians Podcast
Why was Mahmoud Khalil, a legal resident of the US arrested, and why has his arrest led to hundres of protests across the country? What does it have to do with Project Esther, a policy created by the Heritage Foundation (the same foundation that created Project 2025) to curb speech that critiques Isreal and the US policy on Palestinian civil rights? In today’s episode, we discuss the weaponization of deportations as a tool to police speech and its relationship to Christian Nationalism. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a worship community of . If you have an idea...
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They Like The Lying: Trump’s Lies & His Support Among Conservatives
The Progressive Christians Podcast
A significant percentage of Trump supporters are conservative Christians, and in this episode we ask - how can they support him despite all of his lies? Using Trump’s joint address to Congress as a starting point, we examine the current conservative movement’s moral flexibility around what is “technically true” and what “feels true.” We end our conversation on a high note by discussing some good news from each podcast co-host. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a worship community of . If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us...
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What Is Sin & Why Do Most Conservatives Get It Wrong?
The Progressive Christians Podcast
Failing to bother to love is the scriptural concept of sin Jesus teaches in the gospels. In this episode, we build on this concept of sin and discuss why moral injury can make it difficult for progressive Christians to talk about sin constructively. We then discuss our theology of sin in light of President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the defunding of USAID. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of , a worship community of . If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at . Links to articles and books we...
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Do Progressive Christians Believe In The Bible?
The Progressive Christians Podcast
Christians should not believe in the bible, they should believe in the living God attested by the bible. This statement used to be reflect an orthodox (i.e., traditional) approach to the bible, but now belief in the bible is often a litmus text for how serious a Christians faith is. In this episode, we describe some of the problematic approaches to the bible, notably the biblicist approach and the belief that the bible is inerrant. We then describe a progressive Christian's approach to the bible and the importance of reclaiming the bible from those who use it as a bludgeon to harm others. The...
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Sex, Gender, & Christian Theology
The Progressive Christians Podcast
Can you be queer and Christian? Does gender and sexuality even matter with respect to your theological beliefs? In today’s episode we address the surprisingly recent disagreement about whether Christianity can accept the full participation of persons in same-sex relationships and persons whose gender identity does not match the one assigned at birth by medical authorities. We were grateful to be joined by special guest Everest Harvey. If you’d like to connect with Everest about starting a Queer Group at your place of worship, please email them at . Links we mentioned in this episode ...
info_outlineIn our polarized culture, it has become increasingly difficult to talk across political or religious differences. Yet we know that in order to get people to see the merits of—or even begin to practice—progressive Christianity, we must speak to them and invite them to do so. In this episode, we are joined by Malynda Hale to discuss her approach to talking to religious and political conservatives.
The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].