The Reckoning

Reading time less than 1 minute.January 25, 2021.

Following the Capitol Insurrection we look at the role the American Church has played in the events and what preceded it. In this episode, Mike & Amera explore how those events may change the religious landscape.

American Civil Religion

Reading time less than 1 minute.October 10, 2020.

Is the separation of Church and State possible when the two are the same? This week, we discuss how and why American Civil Religion performs Christian faith and how the two are radically different.

New Listener Primer

Reading time 4 minutes.April 6, 2019.

We’re closing in 100 episodes! For those who are new to the show or may not have caught every episode, here is a list of good places to jump in (or catch up). These episodes provide a glimpse into what we do on Faith Uncut. Whether it’s your first time hearing them or a refresher, […]

Sex in the Bible: Non-Monogamy & Polyamory

Reading time less than 1 minute.September 22, 2018.

This week we were joined by Ev’Yan Whitney of the Sexually Liberated Woman podcast as we explored non-monogamy & polyamory in the Bible. We trace the history of and reasons for non-monogamy, the rise of monogamy and the resurgence of an expression that was and maybe still is common. Ev’Yan shares her experiences transitioning from […]

Social Justice is the Gospel

Reading time less than 1 minute.September 15, 2018.

We are back! To kick off season 3, we are addressing The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel signed by John MacArthur and thousands of other faith leaders. We discuss some of the affirmations and denials contained in the statement, how and why a statement like this is made in the year of our […]

Vacation Bible School w/ Jas Hands

Reading time less than 1 minute.July 21, 2018.

This week we’re joined by Jas Hands of The Brown Liquor Report as we discuss the history, benefits and impact of the yearly summer church tradition, Vacation Bible School. We cover our own experiences and answer the question ‘is it indoctrination?’

Church Hurt

Reading time less than 1 minute.July 14, 2018.

We have to address Church Hurt. It is real. We get real with it this week.

The ‘Faith-Based’ Plan for Separated Immigrant Children

Reading time 5 minutes.June 21, 2018.

The Trump administration continues to assert they have no plan for reuniting children separated from their parents at the U.S. border with their families but they do have a plan. Upon hearing the children were being transported to various states, I wondered if there were any children shipped to my state. I spoke with my […]

What Keeps the Church from Apologizing for Harm?

Reading time less than 1 minute.June 16, 2018.

On the heels of an attempted biblical justification of separating children from their parents, we consider the times the bible has been used to justify harm against groups of people. Why is it difficult to do the work of restoration? What does it take to resolve those situations and begin to repair the harm done? […]

The Border We Cannot Cross

Reading time 9 minutes.June 16, 2018.

This has happened before. The United States is currently tearing children away from their families at border crossings. The children are detained in a repurposed Walmart warehouse, given 3 meals a day, forced to take classes in English and U.S. Civics, with no guarantee they will be reunited with their parents. The cannot be guaranteed […]

Let’s Talk About Israel

Reading time less than 1 minute.June 2, 2018.

Does it seem like speaking about Israel is only acceptable at certain times? Is there a blind allegiance to Israel? Why is our support of Israel seeming inseparable from our faith? Do you feel like it is difficult to have any conversation about Israel without crossing a line of anti-Semitism? We’re discussing those questions and […]

Sex in the Bible: Queer Theology Pt. 2

Reading time less than 1 minute.May 26, 2018.

This week, we continue our exploration of Queer Theology with Nick Gaines. We discuss cultural impacts on human development and sexuality and how that informs how we partner and parent. Churches that have been inhospitable to the LGBTQIA community cannot be confused when that community, who has supported the church, has to create some distance […]

Come Sunday

Reading time less than 1 minute.April 22, 2018.

This week, we’re discussing the Netflix film Come Sunday, the story of Carlton Pearson and his doctrinal shift regarding hell. What was the big deal? Why did it matter? Was he right? There are minor spoilers here but nothing that was not public information prior to the release of the film.

Did Jesus Have to Die for Our Sins?

Reading time less than 1 minute.April 1, 2018.

This Easter, we’re discussing ‘what is it that Jesus actually did?’ What happened on the cross and the days after? Why did it have to happen that way? These questions have been asked for thousands of years. These questions, and whatever answers are available, are important. Not all people view it the same way and […]

Good Church

Reading time less than 1 minute.March 18, 2018.

What makes a good church? This week Mike, Amera, & J.W. discuss what goes into planning a new church, being ‘called’, how existing churches adapt to changing conditions, and the overall purpose of the church. It may not be what you think.

Bibles & Guns

Reading time less than 1 minute.March 11, 2018.

We have a gun problem. Many of the same people who fight against reform profess a strong faith backed by the bible. This week, we’re discussing if these two topics can coexist.

Gen Xodus

Reading time less than 1 minute.February 18, 2018.

Gen Xodus is what we call the exodus of Generation X from our churches. A lot of attention is paid to millenials leaving but we also see Gen X’ers as a valuable bridge to the next generation. This week, we welcome Mark, a fan of Faith Uncut into the studio to help us understand the […]

Testimony Goals

Reading time less than 1 minute.January 5, 2018.

We’re back from the holiday break with new goals. But first, we have to deal with A Very Special Testimony that generated a lot of discussion. It is an opportunity to have some uncut conversation about how we view sex, respectability, and ultimately, the people we’re called to love.

The Purpose of Prayer

Reading time less than 1 minute.December 17, 2017.

Amera Bee officially joins the Faith Uncut podcast this week as a regular host! Just in time for us to discuss the Purpose of Prayer. We dig into the Harvard Prayer Study, the effectiveness of prayer, prayer weirdos, God’s omniscience, meditation and Neil Degrasse Tyson. It is a lot but all of it helps us […]

Extended Cut – Alabama Election

Reading time less than 1 minute.December 14, 2017.

In this Extended Cut, Amera joins us again to weigh in on the Alabama election results. We’re talking Black women, Evangelicals, and what Doug Jones’ victory in Alabama means for 2018.

In Politics Name We Prey

Reading time 6 minutes.December 12, 2017.

It wasn’t always this way. There was a time when God was trusted to provide. When David described God as a fortress and refuge. When Martin Luther prayed for bravery to stand defiant against the daunting might of the Church. When Martin Luther King Jr. challenged the nation to have its actions match its ideals. […]

In The Beginning…

Reading time less than 1 minute.November 19, 2017.

So much of the Christian faith hinges on what happened in the beginning. This week, we discuss whether there are two separate creation stories in Genesis, the first marriage, if the description of creation literal or figurative, and all of these questions are pivotal to your faith.

God’s Sexual Assault Allegations

Reading time 8 minutes.November 13, 2017.

The world is discovering what sexual assault victims have long known. There are predators among us and those predators are legion. When we’re honest, many people who have never been a victim have also known. With each new allegation of sexual assault, the conversation is broadening. It is impossible to reasonably argue this epidemic of sexual […]

Unfit Christian (w/ D. Danyelle Thomas)

Reading time less than 1 minute.November 12, 2017.

This week, we’re joined by D. Danyelle Thomas of the Unfit Christian. Danyelle walks us through her process of becoming an Unfit Christian and the journey, leading a new type of community in their path to discovery. It isn’t easy building a community of people with varying beliefs and life experiences but Danyelle is succeeding […]

Evangelicalism is Colonialism

Reading time less than 1 minute.October 21, 2017.

Why does the approach of evangelicalism look similar to colonialism? We’re discussing the history and where we think things have gone wrong. We challenge a common understanding of the Great Commission as we explore if Jesus really asked us to convert everyone. If not, then what did he mean?

The Case for Trans

Reading time 9 minutes.October 5, 2017.

Whenever I hear Christians discuss their feelings about transgender men and women, the conversation usually finds its way back to Genesis. This usually happens after they have failed to articulate their protest in a way they feel is effective. The retreat to Genesis serves as their safe space. After all, ‘who can argue with the […]

When The Parents Are White, The Child Is Black, And The Churches Are Segregated

Reading time less than 1 minute.October 1, 2017.

Anyone who looks a little — or a lot — different from their parents is used to being asked nosy questions: Whose kid are you? Where did you come from? Where do you belong? Those questions can be even more pervasive when you don’t look like anyone in your community. So is there anything parents […]

Good Christian

Reading time less than 1 minute.October 1, 2017.

In this episode we’re discussing what it means to be a good Christian. What does it look like, in practice? What should we be saying or not saying? And we look at a ridiculous example from Mr. Left Behind himself, Kirk Cameron.

The Church is Not God’s House

Reading time 5 minutes.June 28, 2017.

When people remind you “this is the Lord’s house” in church, it is usually said in hushed tones or through clenched teeth because you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing like talking, chewing gum or showing too much ankle (what’s up, Patriarchy?). This is simply untrue. The church is not God’s house. God created a […]

Richard Rohr on White Privilege

Reading time 1 minute.June 16, 2017.

White privilege is largely hidden from our eyes if we are white. Why? Because it is structural instead of psychological, and we tend to interpret most things in personal, individual, and psychological ways. Since we do not consciously have racist attitudes or overt racist behavior, we kindly judge ourselves to be open minded, egalitarian, “liberal,” […]

Christianity’s Lack of Diversity Problem

Reading time 4 minutes.June 15, 2017.

Christianity certainly has a lack of cultural diversity. Within the Southern Baptist Conference (SBC), 85% of Christians are white and only 6% are black. The followers of Jesus have an even larger diversity problem. The virtual absence of diversity of Christian thought is leading to the decline in membership numbers across Western Christianity. Churches are […]

Christians Are Given Hijabs by Muslims in Marawi to Help Them Escape ISIS Militants

Reading time less than 1 minute.June 15, 2017.

Muslims have been helping Christians to escape ISIS-affiliated Maute Group attackers in the devastated city of Marawi in the southern Philippines. More than three weeks after the fighting started, around 1,000 residents remain trapped in the besieged cities as fighting rages between the Philippine Army and Islamist rebels. Fighters from local groups including the Maute […]

Episode 15 – License to Sin

Reading time less than 1 minute.May 25, 2017.

What does Jesus’ sacrifice really mean for us? Did he cover everything to include things you haven’t done yet. Is your behavior important in how we’re ultimately judged? Join us as we explore the often unclear idea of ‘grace’.

The Silent Stigma of Mental Illness in the Church | Sojourners

Reading time 1 minute.May 22, 2017.

Many churches don’t have a robust theology that accounts for those who live with experiences of mental illness. Rev. Alba Onofrio, spiritual strategist at LGBTQ justice oriented Soulforce, said that salvation-focused strains of Christianity — like evangelicalism, which emphasizes “tests of faith” on the way to being “born again” into a sinless life — don’t […]

When Did Christians Become Comfortable with the Loss of Truth? | Sojourners

Reading time less than 1 minute.May 22, 2017.

It’s curious that in our culture of ‘alternative facts,’ so many Christians seem comfortable with a loss of truth Read the entire article: When Did Christians Become Comfortable with the Loss of Truth? | Sojourners

On Earth as it is in Heaven

Reading time 3 minutes.May 21, 2017.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, he gave them their assignment in these 7 words. There are many interpretations of this phrase. It is often equated to events like Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to his arrest and subsequent crucifixion. “Yet not as I will, but as you will…. may your […]

Episode 12 – Blended Faith Families

Reading time less than 1 minute.May 19, 2017.

This week, we’re joined by Aisha Berkeley as we discuss navigating different beliefs within the family. She shows us how a loving family manages the challenges while still managing to maintain the love. Intro: Sly and the Family Stone – Family Affair Outro: Frankie Beverly feat. Maze – Before I Let Go

Episode 4 – Coexist

Reading time less than 1 minute.May 19, 2017.

In this episode, we discuss interacting with people of faith (and non-faith) and why it’s important.