Episodes

Mar 3, 2019

53 min

In this week's episode I sit down with my philosophy professor from Nyack College, Dr. James Danaher, to talk about his newest book "Truth, Prayer, Identity, and the Spiritual Journey".  
Show Notes:
Truth, Prayer, Identity, and the Spiritual Journey 
Patreon.com/WhatIfProject
What If Project 
Before Jane
- iTunes
- Spotify

Feb 24, 2019

47 min

In this week's episode I sit down with one of my favorite Bible scholars to talk about his new book, "How The Bible Actually Works".  Regardless of where you are on your journey of faith, this book will give you some good insight into being a more faithful reader of the good book.  Check it out.
Show Notes:
Pete's Website
Pete's Podcast
The What If Project
The What If Project on Patreon
Before Jane on SPOTIFY and iTUNES
 

Feb 17, 2019

19 min

This is the final installment of Burn Those Books and we're talking about Julia Duin's book Quitting Church.  It's not a book that encourages people to leave church, but explores some reasons as to WHY people are leaving and WHAT to do about it.  I share some of my own story of pastoring churches as well the season my family is currently in in regards to church involvement.  Be sure to check out the What If Project Patreon page (** link below) and have an incredible week!
Show Notes:
Quitting Church by Julia Duin
What If Project Blog
Patreon Page

Feb 10, 2019

29 min

It's part 2 of our 3 part series, "BURN THOSE BOOKS!" where I'm sharing with you the 3 books that impacted me the most in 2018 - books that likely wouldn't be looked too highly upon in your typical church.  Last week we looked at Brian McLaren's book, "The Great Spiritual Migration" and this week we're looking at John Pavlovitz's "A Bigger Table" and how it prompted me to think a little deeper about my own season of deconstruction / reconstruction and how my theology and thoughts about God, church, spirituality, etc. got to where it is today.  
A Bigger Table - https://www.amazon.com/Bigger-Table-Authentic-Spiritual-Community/dp/0664262678/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=a+bigger+table&qid=1549680947&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/whatifproject 
Blog - https://www.whatifproject.net/blog 

Feb 3, 2019

25 min

This is week 1 of a 3 week series called "Burn Those Books" where I'm sharing with you the 3 books that impacted me the most in 2018 ... books that most likely wouldn't be welcomed in your typical church.  The first book is Brian McLaren's "The Great Spiritual Migration" and in this episode I share with you one of my biggest takeaways from the book and the impact that it's made on me and what's coming out of the What If Project.
Show Notes:
Blog
The Great Spiritual Migration
What If Project

Jan 27, 2019

1hr 12 min

This is part 2 of the 2 part series, "Instant Replay" where we're looking back at the 2 most dowloaded episodes of season 1. This week we replay the MOST downloaded episode, my conversation with Dr. Phil Snider about what the Bible really says about homosexuality. I hope it challenges you and blesses you as much as it did me!

Jan 20, 2019

1hr 3 min

This is week 1 of a 2 part series called "Instant Replay" where we're looking back at the 2 most downloaded episodes of season 1 and replaying them.  The second most downloaded episode was an interview I did with Dr. Alexander John Shaia about his book "Heart and Mind" where he looks at the 4 Gospels and talks about how they are a picture of the seasons that every human being passes through on life journey.  
Check out the episode, go get the book, and give the What If Project some love on iTunes.
Show Notes:
Dr. Alexander John Shaia
Heart and Mind
What If Project on iTunes

Jan 13, 2019

1hr 24 sec

Today we talk to theologian and author Thomas Oord about his new book, "God Can't".  If you've ever wondered WHY bad things happen, WHY bad things happen to good people, or WHERE God was when ________, AND if you're tired of the easy answers of "God has a plan" , "everything happens for a reason" , "God is sovereign and this tragedy is all part of His plan to make your mess His message" - this episode and book are for you.
--
Thomas Oord
God Can't
Theologians And Philosophers Using Social Media
The Sin of Certainty by Pete Enns
Divine Echoes by Mark Karris

Jan 6, 2019

45 min

Welcome to Season 2 of the What If Project podcast!  This week I sit down with one of my favorite authors and thinkers, Brian McLaren, to talk about some thoughts from his latest book, The Great Spiritual Migration.  We talk about hell, why reading the Bible as if it were a constitution is a bad idea, and why Jesus was really terrible at representing an exclusive God.
Show Notes:
The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McLaren
Brian's Website
Is Jesus the Only Way? by Brian McLaren
Saving Paradise by Rebecca Ann Parker
Yung Citizen on iTunes

Dec 30, 2018

43 min

In this final episode of 2018 I talk through a piece of the theology paper I wrote for my last class at Alliance Theological Seminary.  We've been talking about the Gospel of Mark over the last 5 months at the What If Project and so my paper is kind of a capstone on that study where I talk through 6 different observations about Jesus as He was presented by Mark in his Gospel.  Check it out, be challenged, and enjoy!
Show Notes:
Read the Full Paper HERE.
Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers
Mark for Everyone by NT Wright
Heard and Mind by Dr. Alexander John Shaia

Dec 23, 2018

16 min

This is the last bonus episode for the season of Advent and we're talking about the early Celtic Christians and how their understanding of darkness and light being friends as opposed to enemies led to the formation of the Advent season and can help bring deeper meaning to our understanding of Christmas in 2018.
Show Notes:
Dr. Alexander John Shaia on the RobCast
Dr. Alexander John Shaia on the What If Project
Dr. Alexander John Shaia
WhatIfProject.net/blog

Dec 18, 2018

11 min

This is the 3rd bonus episode for the season of Advent and rather than talk about the significance of the people who WERE present at Jesus' birth (Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, etc, etc) we're talking about the significance of the people who were NOT present at His birth - the temple leaders, the rich, the powerful, etc.  Why is that important?  And what's it mean for us today? (HINT: a WHOLE lot).
Show Notes:
Blog - whatifproject.net
 
Devotions for Advent by Richard Rohr 

Dec 16, 2018

14 min

Today we talk about the significance of Jesus being crucified in between 2 thieves and how Jesus' Kingdom is one that lifts up the downcast while casting down the prideful, bringing in the outsider, and giving honor to those who the world would think are least deserving.  Not only is that Good News for you and me, but it's also a challenge for you and me to make our world more like His all inclusive, loving Kingdom.  
Show Notes: 
Mark for Everyone by NT Wright
Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers
Heart and Mind by Alexander Shaia
Website: whatifproject.net 

Dec 11, 2018

10 min

In this week's bonus episode we talk a little more about the Advent season and explore how in the Gospel of Luke John the Baptist isn't referred to as John the Baptist, but as John the Son of Zechariah. John's father was a priest and as a priest's son John would have had special privileges as Jewish Royalty.  BUT, instead of growing up to wear a crown of sorts, he dressed like a hippie and headed out to the desert where he served the community.  Why is that important?  And what's it have to do with Christmas?  And with you and me?  Let's talk about it.
Show Notes:
Blog - whatifproject.net
Homebrewed Christianity
Heart and Mind by Alexander Shaia
Episode 8: Alexander Shaia and the Four Gospels
Devotions for Advent by Richard Rohr 

Dec 9, 2018

20 min

In this week's episode we talk about the Last Supper that Jesus served to His disciples, what communion has come to mean for us today, and how the church has taken what Jesus intended to be the most inclusive place in the universe (His Table) and made it into an exclusive club that requires people to believe a certain way and live in a certain way before they are welcome to come and take the bread and drink the wine.  
Show Notes:
The Our Bible App
What If Project Blog
Episode 3: What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Post 3: My Apology To The LGBTQ Community