How to Read the Bible in Deconstruction - CourtneyR.dev's 2nd Brain

How to Read the Bible in Deconstruction ![rw-book-cover](https://img.youtube.com/vi/n_mzy2roJR0/maxresdefault.jpg) 🔗 **Source:** [How to Read the Bible in Deconstruction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_mzy2roJR0) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: #bible-study #deconstruction #progressive-christianity #religious-trauma #biblical-interpretation #faith-journey #spiritual-growth #biblical-criticism #christian-theology #evangelical-critique > author: Jordan Harrell > source: YouTube > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_mzy2roJR0 > date created: 2024-12-17 11:22 > > # 🏷️ Title: How to Read the Bible In Deconstruction >  ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Register for tonight's Bible reading course at 7pm Eastern — includes free one-on-one Zoom session #bible-study - [H2] Consider alternative Bible translations like NRSV or CEB instead of KJV — for more accurate interpretation #biblical-criticism - [H3] Explore "Not Church" community for deconstruction support — $3/month safe space for questioning faith #deconstruction ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [[#📝 Summary]] - [[#📖 Main Content]] - [[#🗒️ Notes]] - [[#📚 References]] - [[#🗣️ Paraphrase]] - [[#📰 Newsletter]] - [[#✅ Action Items]] - [[#🧪 Hypotheses]] - [[#📊 Methodology]] - [[#❓ Questions]] - [[#🔮 Future Research]] - [[#💡 Implications]] - [[#🧠 Learning Styles Assessment]] - [[#📊 Accessibility Assessment]] - [[#🌍 DEIB Assessment]] - [[#✅ Logical Validity]] - [[#🛡️ DARVO Analysis]] - [[#🎯 Conclusion]] ### 🔗 References - [How to Not Suck as a Christian (book)](URL) - [The Bible Says So by Dan McLellen](URL) - [Not Church Community](URL) ## 📝 Summary - Progressive Christian educator Jordan Harrell conducts a live stream discussing how to read the Bible during religious deconstruction - Covers problems with King James Version translation accuracy and political motivations - Addresses viewer questions about faith, fear-based Christianity, and abusive relationships - Promotes upcoming course on Bible reading tools for deconstructors with free one-on-one sessions - Features guest conversations about spiritual awakening and mystical experiences ## 📖 Main Content Jordan Harrell hosts an interactive live stream focused on helping people navigate biblical interpretation during religious deconstruction. He critiques the King James Version's accuracy due to limited manuscript access, political constraints from King James, and archaic language that was difficult to understand even when published. Harrell advocates for modern translations like the New Revised Standard Version and Common English Bible. The stream addresses common deconstruction challenges including fear-based theology, particularly around hell doctrine. Harrell argues that biblical concepts of hell (Gehenna, Hades) were metaphorical rather than literal descriptions of eternal conscious punishment. He emphasizes community support through his "Not Church" group and promotes practical Bible study tools for independent learning. ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=0) — [H1] Live stream introduction and course promotion - Key idea: Offering interactive Bible study course tonight at 7pm Eastern - Evidence: "Tonight I'm going to be doing a course on how to read the Bible during or after deconstruction" #### ⏱️ [05:30](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=330) — [H2] King James Version manuscript problems - Key idea: KJV based on limited ancient manuscripts compared to modern discoveries - Evidence: "We have many many many more ancient fragments and manuscripts that have been discovered since the King James version was translated" #### ⏱️ [08:15](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=495) — [H3] Example of manuscript evolution in Mark's ending - Key idea: Scholars identify later additions like Mark's "long ending" about snake handling - Evidence: "There's that whole section where it talks about holding snakes and stuff like that, drinking poison and that is not accurate" #### ⏱️ [12:45](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=765) — [H1] Addressing theodicy and free will - Key idea: God allows human choice even when it leads to suffering - Evidence: "God creates humanity in God's own image. And one of the really clear pieces of God's image is this ability to make decisions on our own" #### ⏱️ [18:20](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=1100) — [H2] KJV language confusion from publication - Key idea: Even original readers complained KJV was difficult to understand - Evidence: "When the King James version was released, the primary complaint of people was that they couldn't understand it" #### ⏱️ [25:10](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=1510) — [H3] Word meaning changes example in Jude 22 - Key idea: "Making a difference" meant something different in KJV era - Evidence: "Making a difference in the King James version meant to make a distinction, not to change someone's life" #### ⏱️ [32:45](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=1965) — [H2] Recommended accurate Bible translations - Key idea: NRSV Updated Edition is most accurate according to scholars - Evidence: "The most accurate version of the Bible on the market today, the most accurate English translation is the New Revised Standard Updated Edition" #### ⏱️ [38:30](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=2310) — [H1] King James's political constraints on translators - Key idea: Political motivations compromised KJV accuracy - Evidence: "He didn't want things in there that would help people justify rising up against the government" #### ⏱️ [45:15](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=2715) — [H1] Addressing fear-based Christianity and hell doctrine - Key idea: Eternal conscious punishment not biblically supported - Evidence: "The idea that God is going to send people to hell to burn forever... It's not supported by the Bible" #### ⏱️ [52:20](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=3140) — [H3] Gehenna and Hades as metaphorical concepts - Key idea: Biblical hell terms referenced actual places or mythology - Evidence: "Gehenna is like an actual place, the Hinnom Valley... Hades is the Greek mythology" #### ⏱️ [58:45](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=3525) — [H2] Not Church community for deconstruction support - Key idea: Safe space for questioning without judgment - Evidence: "All the things that they missed from church but nobody's telling them they're going to hell because they've got a tarot deck" #### ⏱️ [1:15:30](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=4530) — [H1] Guest discussion about Jesus's historical context - Key idea: Jesus would be rejected by fundamentalists if he returned today - Evidence: "Jesus was poor, immigrant, manual laborer, tan skinned, fighting for women's rights" #### ⏱️ [1:25:45](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=5145) — [H2] Progressive nature of Jesus's teachings in context - Key idea: Jesus advocated for women's rights within his cultural framework - Evidence: "Jesus's teaching actually allows women who are in abusive relationships to exit the relationships" #### ⏱️ [1:35:20](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=5720) — [H3] Guest shares spiritual awakening story - Key idea: Personal mystical experience at age 14 transformed understanding of divine connection - Evidence: "God please stand by my side... I felt it for the first time. It was so powerful and so liberating" ## 📚 References - [King James Version Bible](https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/King-James-Version-KJV-Bible/) - [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition](https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-Revised-Standard-Version-Updated-Edition-NRSVue-Bible/) - [Common English Bible](https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Common-English-Bible-CEB/) - [How to Not Suck as a Christian by Jordan Harrell](URL) - [The Bible Says So by Dan McLellan](URL) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - The King James Version is problematic due to limited manuscripts, political interference, and outdated language that was confusing even to original readers - Fear-based Christianity around hell doctrine isn't biblically supported when examining original contexts of Gehenna and Hades references - Jesus's historical context as a poor, immigrant, progressive advocate would likely cause fundamentalist rejection if he appeared today ## 📰 Newsletter Biblical scholarship reveals translation accuracy varies significantly between versions. The King James Version, while historically important, suffers from limited manuscript access and political constraints that modern translations address. For those questioning inherited beliefs, community support and proper hermeneutical tools prove essential for healthy faith development. Resources: [Bible Study Tools](https://www.biblestudytools.com/), [Biblical Archaeology Society](https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/), [Society of Biblical Literature](https://www.sbl-site.org/) ## ✅ Action Items #### Community - Deconstruction support: Not Church community for questioning believers - Education: Bible reading course with practical interpretation tools - Mentorship: One-on-one sessions for personalized guidance - Resources: Book recommendations and translation comparisons #### WordPress - Documentation: Create guides for faith-based content moderation - Accessibility: Ensure religious content meets diverse learning needs - Community: Support faith transition and questioning communities - Content: Develop theological discussion forums and resources ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Modern Bible translations provide more accurate manuscripts than historical versions due to archaeological discoveries - Fear-based theology creates religious trauma that community support can help address - Progressive interpretations of ancient texts require understanding original cultural contexts - Interactive learning environments improve biblical literacy more than lecture-based approaches ### 📊 Methodology - Comparative manuscript analysis between KJV and modern translations - Survey studies on deconstruction community effectiveness - Historical-critical method application to biblical interpretation - Engagement metrics analysis for interactive vs. passive learning ### ❓ Questions - How do translation choices reflect theological and political biases across different versions? - What role does community support play in healthy religious questioning versus isolation? - How can progressive Christians maintain faith while critically examining inherited beliefs? ### 🔮 Future Research - Longitudinal studies on deconstruction community mental health outcomes - Comparative analysis of biblical interpretation methods across denominations - Impact assessment of interactive theology education on faith development ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Need for critical biblical literacy in faith education - Policy: Community guidelines for supporting religious questioning - Education: Integration of historical-critical methods in biblical studies - Funding: Support for progressive Christian education initiatives ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 8th-9th grade #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Live stream format with guest interactions - Improve: Biblical manuscript comparison charts, translation timelines #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Full audio discussion format available - Improve: Podcast version with chapter markers #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Interactive Q&A, guest storytelling, definitional explanations - Improve: Glossary of theological terms, analogical explanations #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Interactive live chat, guest participation - Improve: Hands-on Bible study worksheets, translation comparison exercises #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Systematic critique of KJV, historical progression of manuscripts - Improve: Decision trees for translation selection, scholarly source hierarchies #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Community discussion, Not Church group promotion - Improve: Study group formation guides, peer mentorship programs #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Individual reflection prompts, personal story sharing - Improve: Self-paced study guides, journaling exercises #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Organic conversation flow, authentic personal narratives - Improve: Creation theology discussions, environmental stewardship connections ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear audio narration, guest introductions - Improve: Transcript availability, timestamp navigation #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Standard video player controls - Improve: Chapter markers, searchable content #### Contrast and readability - Present: Clear video quality, readable chat overlay - Improve: High contrast mode options, larger text sizing #### Text resizing and reflow - Present: Responsive video player - Improve: Adjustable chat text size, zoom compatibility #### Media and captions - Present: Clear audio throughout - Improve: Automatic captions, downloadable transcripts #### Forms and interactions - Present: Accessible chat interface - Improve: Screen reader compatible registration forms ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Diverse religious backgrounds welcomed, interfaith dialogue - Improve: Non-Christian perspective inclusion, global theology examples #### Inclusive language - Present: Gender-neutral God language, trauma-informed approach - Improve: Avoid Christian-centric assumptions, define theological jargon #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Multiple participation formats, patient explanations - Improve: Structured content organization, sensory considerations #### Representation - Present: Diverse guest voices, multiple faith journey examples - Improve: Varied cultural contexts, economic diversity acknowledgment #### Psychological safety - Present: Explicit anti-judgment stance, trauma awareness - Improve: Content warnings for religious trauma, clear community guidelines ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - Deductive strength: Manuscript evidence leads to translation accuracy conclusions - Inductive strength: Multiple KJV problems suggest overall unreliability - Causal reasoning: Political constraints caused translation compromises - Analogical strength: Modern fundamentalist behavior parallels historical patterns #### Fallacies - Appeal to authority: Heavy reliance on scholarly consensus without citing specific studies - False dichotomy: Presenting progressive vs. fundamentalist as only options #### Tone of voice - Overall tone: Conversational, empathetic, educational with occasional passionate advocacy ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis - Deny: No significant denial patterns observed - Attack: Mild criticism of fundamentalist positions without personal attacks - Reverse victim/offender: None observed - Emotional cues and rhetoric: Supportive, validating language for those experiencing religious trauma ## 🎯 Conclusion Jordan Harrell provides practical guidance for reading the Bible critically during religious deconstruction, emphasizing translation accuracy, historical context, and community support. His approach validates questioning while offering tools for independent study, particularly valuable for those transitioning from fundamentalist backgrounds to progressive Christianity. The interactive format demonstrates effective methods for creating safe spaces for religious exploration. ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix ### 📚 Literature Split Pad Purpose: Stage CEE units that become Literature notes. Split level: H3 ### [H1] King James Version suffers from limited manuscript access > [!quote] [How to Read the Bible In Deconstruction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_mzy2roJR0) by [[Jordan Harrell]] via [[YouTube]]. Published 2024. Accessed 2024-12-17. > "We have many many many more ancient fragments and manuscripts that have been discovered since the King James version was translated." Demonstrates how archaeological discoveries improve translation accuracy over time. [view highlight](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=330#H1) #xref #articleseed ID:rw_kjv_manuscripts ### [H2] Hell doctrine lacks biblical foundation in original languages > [!quote] [How to Read the Bible In Deconstruction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_mzy2roJR0) > "The idea that God is going to send people to hell to burn forever for whatever finite sins... It's not supported by the Bible." Challenges fear-based theology through examination of Gehenna and Hades contexts. [view highlight](https://youtu.be/n_mzy2roJR0?t=2715#H2) #xref ID:rw_hell_doctrine --- --- ## Full Transcript [00:00] you would like to be on the live stream [00:03] that I am doing right now, you can uh [00:07] post in the comments that you are [00:08] interested in that and um and I'm going [00:12] to try [00:14] to get you on the live stream, but [00:16] because we are streaming on multiple [00:18] platforms, [00:20] um it's going to require you to uh to [00:24] post that and I'm going to have to give [00:26] you a link in a DM uh to be able to make [00:30] that happen. And so if you are [00:32] interested in doing that, um, go ahead [00:36] and post that in the comments. And, uh, [00:38] and that's great. Tonight I'm going to [00:40] be doing a course on how to read the [00:42] Bible um, during or uh, after [00:46] deconstruction. Uh, and if you are [00:49] interested in that, uh, not only are we [00:52] going to be um, reading uh, are talking [00:56] about that, but anyone who uh, registers [00:59] to that is also going to get a free [01:00] one-on-one session with me to talk about [01:03] whatever issues that you particularly [01:05] have. Um, so that's going to be tonight [01:09] at 700 p.m. Eastern. But, um, today, uh, [01:13] we're talking about whatever you want to [01:14] talk about. And uh and if you are [01:16] interested in actually coming on live [01:18] stream, having your face up here and [01:20] talking with me, uh go ahead and post [01:22] that in the comments and I will send you [01:25] a direct link um to uh to uh on exactly [01:32] how to do that. Now this is my first [01:35] time uh doing that and so uh we are [01:40] we're trying something new here which [01:42] means I am I am going to be [01:46] doing my best to make that happen. Um [01:51] and uh sometimes I know how to do things [01:56] and sometimes I do not. So, we are going [01:59] to do our best to make that happen. Um, [02:04] and uh, yeah, so go ahead and post your [02:08] comments there in the chat and I'm going [02:11] to uh to to try to send you a uh a [02:17] direct message with that link. Uh so [02:20] yeah, I'm monitoring uh Instagram, uh [02:23] Facebook, YouTube, and um and Tik Tok to [02:28] be able to do this. But uh one of the [02:31] things that people will ask me um [02:33] oftentimes is about the King James [02:36] version of the Bible and um and whether [02:40] or not um and why I say that it is the [02:44] uh most uh inaccurate version of the [02:47] Bible. Um it the the Bible the King [02:51] James Bible has all kinds of problems. [02:53] The the very first problem is that it [02:55] was uh it was created a long time ago [02:58] and while some people will think oh it [03:01] was created a long time ago that means [03:04] that uh it's more reliable [03:08] uh the um that's not always the case. Uh [03:11] and especially not for the King James [03:13] version because it was created so long [03:16] ago. um we have many many many more [03:19] ancient fragments and manuscripts that [03:21] have been discovered since the King [03:23] James version was translated. And so [03:26] what that means is that um the the um we [03:31] can see more of a progression. We have [03:34] much more accurate understanding of what [03:36] the original manuscripts say. We don't [03:38] have any original manuscripts from the [03:41] Bible. We don't have something that like [03:42] Paul in Paul's handwriting or anything [03:45] like that. And so what scholars do is [03:47] when they uh discover manuscripts or [03:50] fragments of manuscripts, they um they [03:53] will uh put those in like a [03:55] chronological order. And as you do that, [03:59] you can see where there have been um [04:02] edits or revisions, sometimes whole [04:05] sections of uh added to the the text. [04:10] Um, and uh, and when when that happens, [04:14] um, they will sometimes even take a [04:16] verse out of the Bible when it's super [04:18] reliable. Um, you can, uh, you can see, [04:23] but but they'll also just like put [04:24] something in brackets or with an [04:26] asterisk and they'll say, "Oh, uh, this [04:28] likely wasn't in the the original [04:30] manuscripts." Um, you can see that the [04:32] easiest place to find that is the end of [04:34] the book of Mark. It's called the long [04:36] ending of Mark. And there's that whole [04:38] section where it talks about holding [04:39] snakes and stuff like that, drinking [04:41] poison and um and that is uh not [04:47] not accurate. So, um yeah, we do have a [04:51] question from potato. By the way, if [04:53] you'd like to join this live stream, um [04:56] just post that you would like to do that [04:58] in the comments and I will send you a [05:01] DM. And uh it has to be done that way [05:04] because I'm streaming on multiple [05:05] platforms. Never done this before, so [05:08] I'm gonna do my absolute best. But [05:10] Potato asks, "Why does God allow some [05:14] humans to have a child when he knows [05:17] they will be terrible parents or a [05:20] terrible parent?" [05:22] That is a really um it's a really [05:26] difficult question. Um and uh [05:31] and so I I'd say there's a couple of [05:35] things when you're talking about [05:38] um sort of these horrible things [05:41] happening in the world. Um it the the [05:45] horribleness relates to um [05:50] uh when we talk about God, it sort of [05:51] relates to our view of God and humanity. [05:55] And so there's a number of different [05:57] ways that that people um address that [06:00] issue. Um I I can just say there's not a [06:06] really great answer. Um all of the [06:08] answers that I've ever been given or uh [06:13] tried to find for myself [06:16] um [06:18] would are just disappointing. But I [06:21] think the one that uh helped me um has [06:24] been the closest to being helpful has [06:27] been um the uh this idea of free will. [06:33] So in the Christian tradition in the [06:36] book of Genesis when God creates [06:38] humanity [06:39] um God creates humanity in God's own [06:42] image. And one of the the really clear [06:47] pieces of God's image is this ability to [06:50] make decisions on our own. [06:54] Decisions that contradict what God would [06:56] want us to do. Decisions that um make [07:00] the world a worse place. And uh and so [07:05] it's really frustrating because [07:10] uh humans get to choose bad things, [07:12] right? In that uh in that story in [07:15] Genesis, uh Adam and Eve make a decision [07:18] to disobey God and uh experience really [07:23] horrible uh consequences of that. uh yet [07:28] um in in the midst of that [07:32] uh God is still present. And I think [07:34] that's that's something that's been [07:36] helpful to me, the idea that God is [07:38] still present even in difficult times. [07:41] But God doesn't remove the consequences [07:44] of their actions. [07:47] But uh God actually provides um [07:51] something [07:53] um helpful, something to to to [07:57] help them live in that world that they [08:01] created. Um and God doesn't stop them [08:05] from doing the bad things, right? Uh but [08:07] God gives them clothing and um and sends [08:10] them on their way. God continues to [08:13] engage with them. And this is I think a [08:18] a ph there's a phrase from the Bible [08:20] that that brings this to light that God [08:24] uh creates beauty from ashes. So God [08:26] doesn't leave people alone in the [08:30] negative consequences but God um is [08:33] present in those and is trying to bring [08:37] good uh from the ashes that we create [08:41] when we do awful things. Um, like I [08:45] said, none of them are are really uh are [08:50] really great explanations. [08:54] Um, but it is uh it is what it is. Uh, [09:00] all right. I had the first person ask me [09:03] to join the live stream, so I'm going to [09:05] do my best to uh try to invite this [09:09] person. Um, and uh, oh, this is so [09:14] Condor Tim, I think you're going to need [09:15] to send me a direct message and then I [09:18] can message you back on Instagram. Um, [09:22] but in the meantime, uh, is there a a [09:26] transcript or anything you can go back [09:28] to? This is Real Mosaics. Um there is [09:31] not a transcript of this but um there is [09:36] a um there is uh a way for you to [09:40] rewatch it on um Facebook. So uh [09:44] Facebook will have this whole thing [09:46] archived. You can go back to that. Um [09:49] tonight I am going to be offering a [09:51] course for how to read the Bible uh when [09:54] you are deconstructing. It's a short [09:56] course. The other thing is that for the [09:58] people who register for that course, [10:00] you're going to get a free one-on-one [10:02] session with me at some point after that [10:05] um where we can talk through your own [10:06] issues and help you work through what's [10:09] going on specifically um with uh in your [10:13] in your life. Uh I'm trying something [10:16] new here. Uh I am letting people who [10:20] would like to come on the the chat um uh [10:24] send me um send me a request and I'm [10:28] going to do my best to uh to bring you [10:32] on. So uh I have my first person that [10:37] has asked and so I'm sending them direct [10:39] message. we have to do direct messages [10:41] because you're going to I'm I'm [10:43] streaming on multiple platforms and so [10:45] you have to come into uh the app that I [10:49] um that I use to do the multiple [10:52] streams. Um but if you don't want to [10:54] join on the on the the the [10:58] stream and you just want to post a [10:59] question, you can do that in the chat [11:02] and um and that will uh that will be [11:06] wonderful. Um, all right. So, let let me [11:11] see. I'm going to pull up [11:13] the link. If you want to join, uh, just [11:16] shoot me a DM and let me know in the [11:19] comments that you've done that and I [11:20] will, uh, send you a link so that you [11:22] can actually be on. Um, I will tell you [11:25] that if you're coming on to just be [11:27] hateful or uh, you know, give me [11:30] homophobic slurs, I I'm gonna boot you. [11:34] But, uh, yeah. So, if you're interested [11:36] in that, go ahead and post that in the [11:38] chat on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, or [11:41] YouTube. And um and if you've just got a [11:44] question that you'd like me to answer, [11:46] you can uh go ahead and uh and do that [11:50] um uh right there in um right there in [11:56] the chat as well. So, um so yeah. Uh uh [12:02] Connor, I think, um it's uh Tim Condor. [12:07] I did send you that DM back with the [12:10] link. So hopefully we'll get to add our [12:12] very first guest on a live guest on a [12:14] live stream. Um uh we were talking for a [12:18] minute about how inaccurate the King [12:20] James version is. Another another thing [12:23] that is really inaccurate about the King [12:24] James version is the way that it is uh [12:28] worded. So this is fascinating. Um in uh [12:33] when the King James version was [12:36] released, [12:38] the um uh the the primary complaint of [12:42] people was that um they [12:47] they uh they couldn't understand it, [12:49] that people didn't talk that way. And [12:51] that's because of the way the King James [12:53] version like ordered the words. um it [12:57] was unclear. [13:00] Uh and so it's difficult for us to read [13:03] today for a number of reasons, but it's [13:05] actually never been e easy for people to [13:08] read. Um they uh people have been [13:12] complaining about that since the very [13:13] beginning. [13:15] All right, we are live on Tik Tok, uh [13:19] Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If [13:22] you'd like to um uh if you'd like to be [13:27] on this live stream, I'd love to uh um [13:33] uh [13:34] um I'd love to have you on. I'm since I [13:37] am uh [13:42] uh since I'm doing this on multiple on [13:44] multiple platforms, um we'll have to [13:47] give you um we'll have to send you a [13:50] link in a DM. So, shoot me a DM and I'll [13:53] I'll send you the link. [13:55] All right. So, our first guest, um, [13:59] we're going to see if this how this [14:01] works. Uh, Tim is joining us. Uh, and [14:06] Tim, I'm not sure if you can hear me. [14:09] Um, but, uh, but you're here. Hey, Tim. [14:12] How's it going? [14:13] >> Hi. Hey, thank you. I'm going doing very [14:16] well. [14:16] >> Absolutely. [14:19] >> So, what do you want to talk about? [14:21] Oh man, I didn't know I was going to get [14:23] put on the spot. [14:24] >> Oh no. Yeah. Well, I mean, you you asked [14:27] to be a guest on the live stream, so uh [14:29] so comments, questions, what do you got? [14:33] >> Let's come back to me. Um I I will let [14:35] me listen for a little bit, then I'll [14:37] engage. [14:37] >> Okay. Okay. Absolutely. I I'll I'll turn [14:40] you off and just uh shoot me another DM [14:42] and let me know when you are ready to [14:44] come on. Uh so yeah, if you would like [14:47] to come on the live stream, go ahead and [14:49] post that uh in shoot me a DM and um and [14:54] that will be uh that'll be a lot of fun. [14:57] We're trying something new today. [15:00] Um [15:02] uh so uh yeah, I am [15:07] I'm doing a a course today. If you've [15:09] ever wanted to uh really get some help [15:13] on you're deconstructing, you don't know [15:15] how to read the Bible, you see videos [15:18] like uh that I post, Dan Mlen post, and [15:21] you're like, "Well, how do I do this?" [15:23] I'm teaching a short course tonight at [15:25] 700 p.m. You can get the link in my [15:28] profile. Um but uh the other thing is [15:31] everyone who registers is also going to [15:32] get a free one-on-one meeting with me at [15:34] some point after the course uh so that [15:37] we can uh we can chat about whatever it [15:40] is that's going on in your life and see [15:42] how I can help you. Um okay. So uh if [15:47] you want to join uh join the the chat, [15:50] shoot me a DM and let me know in the [15:52] comments that you've done that and I [15:54] will send you the link so that you can [15:55] be on the live stream. All right, back [15:57] to the King James version. So, we've [16:00] talked about the fact that uh we've got [16:03] a lot more manuscripts that have been [16:05] discovered since it was translated. [16:07] That's one of the reasons that makes it [16:08] inaccurate. We've talked about uh the [16:11] way uh it it words things and how the [16:15] when it was originally released, people [16:17] had a hard time understanding it just [16:19] like they do today. [16:21] But the other thing that's really [16:22] interesting um about the King James [16:25] version is just the fact that um uh that [16:31] words change, right? The meaning of [16:34] words change. And uh and um and so uh [16:41] you can see this in uh in Jude uh verse [16:44] 22. It's only got one chapter. Uh, but I [16:47] do see Antonio, what's my number one [16:49] Bible to use? Well, scholars say that [16:53] the um the most accurate version of the [16:57] Bible uh on the market today, the most [17:00] accurate English translation is the uh [17:02] New Revised Standard Updated Edition. Uh [17:06] I also uh use the CEB is a little easier [17:09] to read, but I like I like both of them. [17:12] So, uh the King James version a good uh [17:15] example of the problems [17:19] um uh uh the the problems in it is uh [17:25] like with the language with the words. [17:26] So, um so words change, right? the [17:30] meaning of words change. And so in Jude [17:32] verse 22 it says uh but if some have [17:35] compassion making a difference. [17:38] Now we have this idiom making a [17:41] difference. And when we say making a [17:43] difference we mean like uh you did a [17:45] service project, you helped somebody [17:47] else. You you made a difference in their [17:49] life. And uh and so that is interesting [17:55] uh because that is not the meaning of [17:58] that phrase um back when the King James [18:01] version was translated. Uh that meaning [18:04] of the idiom make a difference doesn't [18:06] doesn't mean the same thing. It's a very [18:10] recent idiom. So when you read Jude 22 [18:14] in the King James version but of some [18:16] have compassion making a difference uh [18:19] you think oh if we have compassion on [18:22] someone it can change their lives but [18:26] that is not what it's saying making a [18:29] difference in the King James version in [18:32] the English of that day meant to like [18:35] make a distinction right so um so they [18:40] meant uh like have compassion on people [18:44] but be discerning [18:46] uh who you're having compassion on. But [18:49] that is still a bad translation because [18:52] um that verse is based on a uh outdated [18:57] uh outdated manuscript. And so, uh, when [19:01] you actually, um, uh, translate it [19:06] correctly, the real meaning of Jude [19:08] verse 22 is, um, have compassion on [19:12] people who are, uh, doubting and [19:14] questioning, right? Um, and so, yeah. [19:18] Oh, shady M. Uh, yes. Uh, the course is [19:21] 700 p.m. tonight. Um, and uh, and I'm [19:26] doing this course on how to read uh, the [19:30] Bible when uh, you're deconstructing. [19:34] And uh, and it's going to be a short [19:37] course. Uh if you've ever seen um uh if [19:41] you've ever seen [19:44] uh videos by me or by you know like Dan [19:48] Mlen and wondered okay yes I get that [19:51] but how do uh how do I do that myself? [19:54] This course is going to help you. The [19:56] other thing uh when you register for [19:57] that course you are going to be able to [20:01] have a one-on-one uh meeting with me [20:04] over Zoom at some point after the [20:06] course. So, if you're interested in [20:08] that, um you can go ahead and register [20:12] for that. There's a link in my profile [20:15] and uh and yeah. So, um yeah. Okay. So, [20:21] how do we know [20:23] uh Earl's 250 on Tik Tok? How do we know [20:27] Paul was not like uh Joe Smith? Um [20:32] I are you I'm not sure if you're meaning [20:35] like Joseph Smith from the Latterday [20:37] Saints tradition. Um and then Miles asks [20:42] on Tik Tok is is it record is the course [20:45] recorded? Um the the course is going to [20:48] be recorded. Um so uh but I sometimes [20:52] the recordings do well and sometimes [20:53] they don't. Uh so uh uh yeah, if you um [20:58] register, if the recording actually [21:00] works out well, I will send it out. Um [21:03] so I I'm guessing that Earl 250, you're [21:06] asking how how do we know that Paul [21:09] wasn't like Joseph Smith? And I I'm not [21:12] exactly sure um what you mean by that. [21:16] So, if you don't mind putting a little [21:18] bit um a little bit more into uh the [21:21] chat, I'll I'll give you an answer to [21:23] that. Um uh so, [21:28] no, Shady and Black, it's not a course [21:30] on making videos. It's a course on how [21:32] to read the Bible. And I that was a [21:34] little confusing. What I was saying is [21:35] that like if you've seen me or people [21:37] like Dan Mlen make videos about the [21:40] Bible uh giving like cultural background [21:42] or helping uh clarify what it means and [21:44] you're like that's great, that's [21:46] fascinating, but like how do I do that [21:47] myself? Um that's what this course is [21:50] going to be about. There's a bunch of [21:51] really simple tools that you can use um [21:54] when you're starting to think for [21:55] yourself or when you're deconstructing [21:57] that um that you can [22:01] that can help you read the Bible in that [22:02] new way, in a more accurate way. And so [22:06] that's what the course is going to be [22:07] about tonight. It's a it's a short [22:09] course. I'm going to teach for an hour, [22:11] do Q&A for 30 minutes for anybody who [22:13] hangs around. And anyone who registers [22:15] for the course is actually going to get [22:17] a free one-on-one meeting with me after [22:20] uh after the course um at some point [22:23] when you schedule that Zoom time. So uh [22:26] I'd love you to register for that. You [22:29] can uh go to the link in my profile and [22:31] register for that for that course. Um, [22:35] if you have a question, you can go ahead [22:38] and put it here in the chat um on [22:41] Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, YouTube. [22:44] If you'd like to come on, have your uh [22:48] mug on this live stream, you can um you [22:52] can uh shoot me a DM and put a note in [22:56] the chat and I'll send you a link to do [22:57] that. Um uh the jiu-jitsu, how much is [23:01] the course? Oh, the course is whatever [23:03] you want to pay. So, when you go to the [23:05] link of my profile, um you can it's a [23:09] there's lots of options. Uh you can even [23:11] get in for free. Uh because I try not to [23:15] make um teaching uh about God uh [23:19] something that you have to have [23:21] expendable income to afford, but at the [23:22] same time um funding the work that I do, [23:26] this is one of the ways that I that I do [23:28] that. Um so um yeah if you want to come [23:31] to the course link in the profile and um [23:35] and uh register it will cost uh whatever [23:39] you can pay and if that is free go ahead [23:43] and do that um uh because uh yeah like I [23:49] said uh this stuff shouldn't just be for [23:51] people who have um expendable income. If [23:54] you've got a question, [23:58] you can put it in the chat. If you'd [23:59] like to come on uh the live stream live [24:02] and ask a question or chitchat a little [24:05] bit, I'd love to to do that. And uh we [24:09] can hear your story. You can ask a [24:11] question, make a comment. Um uh all you [24:14] have to do is shoot me a DM and then put [24:16] in the the comments here that you did [24:18] that and I'll send you a link. I've got [24:20] to send you a link because uh we are [24:22] streaming on multiple platforms and uh [24:26] yeah, you've got to get into that [24:27] system. Uh it is we're on Tik Tok, [24:30] Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. And uh [24:34] yeah, I would love to um to uh to do [24:41] that. Uh and uh Kings Price on YouTube [24:45] says, "What's good? What's good, man?" [24:48] everything. My wife is only ever good. [24:53] Uh and uh yeah, but thanks for asking. [25:00] Um [25:01] yeah, so [25:04] we've been talking a little bit about [25:05] the King James version in between [25:08] questions and why the King James version [25:12] is the least accurate Bible translation [25:14] on the market. Um and uh and the other [25:19] thing that the King James version is [25:21] frust is frustrating about the King [25:23] James version is that King James also [25:25] had some rules that he gave his [25:29] translators that uh made it even [25:33] inaccurate based on the resources they [25:36] had. Like for example, he didn't want [25:39] things that were um in there that would [25:42] uh help people justify rising up against [25:44] the government. He wanted um the [25:48] language that they used to be Anglican [25:51] language. Um and when the King James [25:55] version uh came out, it was horribly [26:00] uh unpopular. Um and uh [26:04] and the only way that it actually was uh [26:08] able to be um uh to be [26:14] uh popular was King James Band, the [26:17] popular version of the Bible. All right. [26:19] Um I have a a question [26:24] um and you can post those in the chat, [26:26] but this person uh sent it to me in DM. [26:30] um dealing with a lot of anxiety and [26:33] fear uh of disease my whole life. I [26:37] think it stems from fear of dying. Uh I [26:41] guess my question is as a Christian, how [26:44] do I build up my faith in Christ and not [26:47] do it from a space of just trying to [26:50] appease fear? I feel like I've been in [26:53] deconstruction phase for like 10 years [26:56] now. [26:57] Okay, so this is a this is a really [27:01] great question. Um, Kayla, I would say [27:05] um [27:07] fear-based [27:09] uh Christianity is um is something that [27:14] has been programmed into us by um [27:18] generally unhealthy church situations. [27:22] And it can be really hard to um to let [27:26] go of that fear [27:30] uh because a lot of times that fear is [27:33] based in like eternal punishment, [27:35] eternal conscious punishment in hell. [27:38] And I can tell you that the idea that um [27:41] that God is going to send people to hell [27:45] to burn forever for whatever finite sins [27:49] that they uh they committed on earth. [27:52] It's not supported by the Bible. Um the [27:56] idea of hell is a much more modern uh [28:00] that idea of hell is a much more modern [28:03] interpretation. it it really was uh [28:07] fully formed became fully formed in the [28:10] Middle Ages. Um but uh you you can look [28:14] for my videos on hell. There's um like a [28:19] couple of words in the New Testament [28:21] that are used for hell. One of them is [28:22] Gehenna. And Gehenna is like an actual [28:26] place, the Henam Valley. It was a place [28:28] where people thought that uh the [28:30] tradition was that uh old kings of old [28:33] sacrificed uh children there and so it [28:36] was polluted. It was super sinful. And [28:39] so Jesus is using Gehenna to make a [28:42] bigger point. The other thing that [28:44] another word that's used is Hades. And [28:47] Hades is um is the Greek mythology, [28:51] right? [28:52] It's uh you know, you go to the river [28:54] sticks, you pay the toll, you get there, [28:56] there's sort of three levels. There's um [29:00] times where you're punished, there's [29:01] times when you get to hang out with [29:02] really cool people or or places. And uh [29:05] and that's exactly what you see depicted [29:07] in the the places where Hades is. So [29:10] Jesus isn't endorsing the Greek [29:13] mythology. Uh what Jesus is doing is [29:16] making using this thing that everybody [29:18] was famili familiar with to um uh to [29:24] make a bigger point. Um and then the [29:27] people will talk about revelation in the [29:28] lake of fire. Revelation is actually not [29:30] about the future. Uh the the book of [29:33] revelation is written to the people of [29:35] that time. It's a coded message to [29:38] comfort them in a time where uh [29:39] Christians were being deeply persecuted. [29:41] So letting go of this idea of eternal [29:45] conscious punishment is often a first [29:47] step for people. If you would like a [29:49] deeper dive into that, um I've got that [29:51] in my book, How to Not Suck as a [29:53] Christian, I also recommend Dan Mlelen's [29:56] book, The Bible Says So. Um the other [29:59] thing that I find is that when people [30:01] are in this processing space um it is [30:05] really really helpful to have a [30:07] community of people that are um are [30:11] working on the same things um that like [30:15] a non-judgmental space and that's [30:18] actually um what I've um [30:23] uh that's why I formed this group called [30:26] not church. Um we call it not church [30:30] because uh somebody said early on it's [30:33] like all the things that they missed [30:34] from church. Uh but nobody's telling [30:36] them they're going to hell because [30:38] they've got a tarot deck on their [30:39] bedside table. So we have a lot of [30:41] people in there from all kinds of [30:43] religious with all kinds of religious [30:45] identities and non-identities that are [30:47] in the same place as you and are [30:51] exploring together with this like [30:52] accepting and uh learning posture and [30:57] and it's a it's a beautiful place. I've [31:01] I've never had to moderate a discussion. [31:02] I've never had to boot anybody. Um and [31:06] uh and so I find that when you are in [31:09] that kind of space a lot of times you're [31:12] people are in a place where they can't [31:14] question openly. They can't discuss that [31:16] with the people around them either [31:18] because they might lose their social [31:20] connections or because um or or other [31:25] reasons um and so finding a safe place. [31:29] And so in not church um you can uh pe [31:33] there's all kinds of channels we are we [31:35] talk about the Bible we talk about um uh [31:40] the modern events we talk about [31:41] meditation [31:43] and we share pictures of our pets and uh [31:46] are really there for each other in hard [31:48] times like somebody was in the hospital [31:50] a little while ago and um people kept [31:52] checking in on them uh like people do at [31:56] church [31:57] and uh I love it. The one of the things [32:00] about Not Church is that um a lot of us [32:03] have had religious trauma being [32:05] manipulated out of money and so we don't [32:08] accept donations. It's a pay for what [32:10] you get system. It's three bucks a [32:12] month. You can find the link in my [32:13] profile. Um and if you can't afford uh [32:16] three bucks a month, just shoot me a DM. [32:18] I'll let you in for free. Uh because we [32:20] are not trying to uh only allow access [32:23] to spiritual community for people who [32:25] have expendable income. That's also the [32:28] case with the course that I am teaching [32:30] tonight um at 700 p.m. Eastern. It's a [32:34] course on how to read the Bible uh when [32:36] you are uh in deconstruction or uh after [32:41] deconstruction. [32:42] So um uh so [32:46] uh yeah, that's a a really [32:50] it's really helpful. Um, and it's a [32:53] short course. If you've ever seen me do [32:54] a video on the Bible or like Dan Mlen do [32:57] videos on the Bible and you think, "Oh, [32:59] yeah, but how do I how do I do that [33:01] myself?" That's really what this course [33:03] is going to be about. Um, uh, so, uh, [33:07] yeah. So, and and the other thing is [33:11] that if you are, um, if you register for [33:14] the course, you'll also get a free [33:17] one-on-one meeting with me over Zoom [33:18] after the course. Um, and like [33:21] everything I do, uh, you can't it's it's [33:24] like pay for what you get, but there's a [33:26] free option. So, whatever you can pay [33:28] for the course is great. The link is in [33:31] my profile. Um, I don't want people to [33:34] not be able to come because they they [33:36] don't have expendable income, but it's [33:38] also the way I fund my work, and so [33:40] that's uh that's really helpful. Um, if [33:44] you if you can pay something for it. So, [33:46] links in my profile for that. Hey, I'm [33:49] doing something uh new today and I am uh [33:54] I am letting people come on uh uh that [34:00] um [34:01] just come on live stream if you'd like [34:03] to come on live and with your camera and [34:07] talk to me chat um go back and forth. [34:12] Um yeah, I would I would love to have [34:16] you on. just shoot me a DM and let me [34:19] know uh then let me know in the chat [34:22] that you did that. I'll send you a link [34:24] and uh you can come on and we can chat. [34:28] Um uh so [34:31] I I'm looking and I see uh Shady, ever [34:35] since I've been watching Dan Mlullen and [34:37] your videos, I'm in the stage of [34:39] deconstructing. Uh you have his book. [34:42] Ah, that's great. Oh, hi uh River. It's [34:46] so good to see you. Yeah. Um uh yeah. [34:51] So, and yeah, I just want to recommend [34:53] River is actually part of our not church [34:55] group. She's in the or they're in the um [34:59] they're in the the Instagram chat and [35:02] they can tell you about not church. And [35:05] uh and I really feel like anybody who's [35:07] in this like processing uh [35:09] deconstruction phase uh having a [35:12] community of people who to do that with [35:14] that are all like accepting and just [35:17] hearing other people's stories and other [35:19] people's perspectives can be really [35:21] helpful and to have people that are [35:24] there supporting you not just in your [35:26] questions but just in life in general. [35:28] Um uh yeah, I I um I highly recommend [35:34] it. Um I think everybody should be part [35:36] of it. Um and uh so River is there. She [35:41] can tell you all about it. Uh RIP. Uh [35:44] River is also an author. Brilliant book. [35:46] You should definitely check them out. [35:48] And they're often uh donating part of [35:51] their uh royalties to charity. So really [35:54] wonderful person. Um, uh, Roselene says [35:59] on Instagram, "M"Most of my pain has [36:01] come from being told to be, uh, one with [36:04] my husband who is, uh, very emotionally [36:08] abusive." [36:10] Wow. Okay. Um, [36:13] I I am I am not a a marriage and family [36:16] therapist. Let's just put that out on [36:17] the table. But um [36:20] I can tell you that is not um that is [36:26] not the message of the Bible. That is [36:28] not um something that you need to uh [36:32] stay in abuse because of that. In fact, [36:35] one of the things, one of the passages [36:37] that people will use to talk about uh [36:40] and and try to manipulate people into [36:43] staying in um in abusive relationships [36:47] is this uh this teaching of Jesus about [36:51] um marriage and giving a certificate of [36:53] divorce and all of that. Um, and that [36:56] passage is interesting because [36:59] what Jesus is doing in that passage is [37:02] actually enabling women to uh leave [37:06] partners uh that are in an abusive [37:08] relationship because in that culture it [37:11] was um it they were not able to do that. [37:16] And so um so Jesus's teaching actually [37:20] allows women who are in abusive [37:22] relationships to exit the relationships [37:24] by giving them this way uh this pathway [37:28] of doing that that uh was rejected by a [37:32] whole lot of people at that time. Not [37:35] surprisingly the men who were in [37:36] control. It was something that was [37:38] allowed in certain groups. And so what [37:41] Jesus was doing was endorsing the groups [37:43] that allowed women to leave [37:45] relationships that were abusive. So like [37:49] I said, I'm not a marriage and family [37:51] therapist, but um uh yeah. So [37:57] um I hope that that I hope that that [38:00] helps. Um [38:03] uh we're doing something new uh today [38:06] where um if you want to join this live [38:11] um you can shoot me a DM and um and the [38:18] uh you can shoot me a DM and I I'll send [38:22] you a link and you can actually get on [38:24] uh the live stream. We can chitchat a [38:26] little bit. We can hear your story. Um, [38:29] and uh, and you can ask questions, [38:32] whatever it is. Um, so, uh, I'd love for [38:35] you to do that. Uh, if you are going to [38:37] do that, uh, shoot me a DM and let me [38:40] know in the chat that you have done that [38:42] and I will send you a link. Um, also [38:46] tonight at 700 p.m. um at 700 p.m. [38:51] Eastern time, I am going to be um [38:54] offering a course uh and the if you've [38:58] ever seen me do a video on the Bible or [39:00] Dan Mlen or those kind of people uh and [39:03] like where we reveal something really [39:06] interesting or unique um and you've [39:10] wondered like but how do I do that [39:13] myself? Um, there are some simple tools [39:15] that you can use and that's what I'm [39:16] going to teach tonight um at 700 p.m. [39:19] Eastern. There's a link to my profile. [39:21] Um, and if you uh get that uh if you [39:25] register for that event, you're also [39:26] going to get a one-on-one meeting with [39:28] me for free uh over Zoom at some point [39:31] after that. Um, the cost is whatever you [39:34] can pay. Um, I never want to limit [39:37] teaching uh to people who have [39:40] expendable income, but it's also uh a [39:43] way that I support what I'm doing. So, [39:44] whatever you can pay for that uh that [39:47] course, um that's how much it costs. So, [39:50] uh check out the link in my profile and [39:53] uh show up at 700 p.m. Eastern tonight [39:56] uh for that course. [39:59] If you would like to come on the live [40:02] stream, I would love that. If you just [40:03] have a question, you are totally welcome [40:07] to uh to put that question in the chat [40:12] uh if you don't want to do that. But if [40:14] you do want to come on and um and uh and [40:19] see [40:21] uh [40:22] uh if you don't want to come on and [40:24] chat, um I'd love to have you and uh and [40:28] I can send you the link. Um [40:32] uh I just had somebody [40:35] uh [40:37] DM me, so we'll see what happens. Um but [40:41] yeah, so [40:43] you know, one of the things that's [40:44] really helpful when you are reading the [40:47] Bible is to um Oh, actually, sorry. Uh [40:52] I've got uh the Enu BG game. Um can you [40:59] explain what is required for salvation [41:03] and what is just tradition and does [41:07] works [41:08] um a a must for salvation? [41:12] Um so [41:16] so this is something that changes from [41:19] tradition to tradition. So you know [41:22] basically if if I can't give you the [41:25] answer for that because um it depends on [41:28] um where uh where you are coming from. [41:34] Uh some traditions will tell you uh that [41:38] uh you have to just say a simple prayer. [41:40] Um some traditions will say that um that [41:44] salvation is about just following Jesus. [41:48] I lean more on that. Um where um Jesus [41:52] is the focus and um and it's not about [41:55] getting into heaven or not getting into [41:57] heaven. Jesus actually never says that. [42:00] He's never like, "Oh, hey, here's how [42:03] you get into heaven." Um uh it's uh it's [42:08] uh it's follow me, right? That's what [42:10] Jesus says over and over again. And so [42:13] the focus uh of our uh expression of [42:17] faith is about following Jesus. And so [42:20] um I guess your phrasing is is different [42:24] than I would phrase it, but what is [42:26] required for salvation? Uh following [42:28] Jesus. What is following Jesus? Uh read [42:31] the gospels and uh Jesus shows you what [42:33] that is. Um I hope that that helps. Um, [42:39] and uh, that's a really helpful thing. [42:42] Uh, Hannah says, "Thanks for your [42:44] amazing content." You are so welcome. [42:47] Um, thank you, Hannah. Uh, we do have [42:51] somebody that has asked to come on and [42:53] chitchat, which I'm really excited [42:54] about. This is our first time trying [42:56] that out. Um, and once they actually get [43:00] logged in, uh, we will chat. If you want [43:03] to do that, shoot me a DM and let me [43:05] know in the comments that you did if [43:07] possible and I will do my best to get [43:11] you um to get you the link so that you [43:14] can get in and we can chat live uh live [43:18] on the internet. [43:23] So, um [43:25] so yeah, we are uh we're doing that and [43:28] there's a course tonight. I'd love you [43:30] to come. Anyone who registers for the [43:32] course gets some free one-on-one Zoom [43:35] time with me. It's a pay for what you [43:37] get thing. It's at 700 p.m. Eastern [43:39] tonight. If you would like to join and [43:42] chitchat um live with your mug on the [43:46] screen, I'd love to I'd love to do that [43:48] with you. Just shoot me a DM. Uh, and [43:52] but if you have a question that you just [43:53] want me to answer, you can just throw [43:55] that in the chat and uh and I will be [43:59] answering those questions [44:01] um those questions live um here. Uh so [44:08] uh let me I'm I'm I need to make sure my [44:11] Instagram chat has has faded. So uh we [44:17] we're going to make sure we can see [44:19] that. um [44:22] Instagram [44:23] and click on my live [44:26] um so that I can just be in there. Um [44:30] okay, great. It looks like uh we have [44:34] Suzanne and uh so I'm going to bring [44:37] Suzanne on and we're going to talk a [44:40] little bit. Hey Suzanne, how's it going? [44:42] >> Oh, so nice. So happy to talk to you [44:44] this morning. [44:46] >> Yeah, it's great. It's great to actually [44:48] talk to you. So, tell me tell me what's [44:50] going on. What What do you want to talk [44:52] about? [44:53] >> Oh my goodness. What don't we want to [44:55] talk about? I [44:58] I'm just giddy. I don't think you can [45:00] see me. I'm not having a uh I'm having a [45:02] camera issue, so [45:03] >> Oh, no. I can see you. We can see you [45:04] fine. [45:05] >> Oh, great. Okay. Well, I look fantastic [45:07] this morning. Um [45:10] my question for you, my friend. Firstly, [45:12] I want to thank you for your work [45:14] because what you've been doing is [45:16] absolutely phenomenal. It's wonderful to [45:19] see somebody pragmatically break down uh [45:23] scripture knowledge um inspiration. [45:28] >> Wow. [45:28] >> And and I think that you're helping far [45:31] more people than you even realize, [45:33] >> man. Thank you so much. That's really [45:36] kind. I really appreciate that. [45:37] >> I get a lot of hate online, so any of [45:39] the compliments are always [45:42] >> Gosh [45:42] >> are always welcome. People are so quick [45:45] to be mean these days if just just [45:48] settle down, right? Just settle down for [45:52] a second. Take a breath before you blah. [45:56] >> Yeah. [45:57] >> What I'd like to ask you, my friend, is [46:01] um my husband and I have discussed this [46:03] for a very long time. Um [46:07] historically, [46:09] um [46:10] >> the uh Jesus um [46:15] was [46:17] a powerful philosopher, enlightened [46:21] person, son of God, [46:23] >> who instructed us that God is within us, [46:27] >> right? He [46:28] >> Yeah. [46:29] >> that we're not apart, [46:31] >> that there isn't, you know, dad upstairs [46:34] that we are all [46:35] >> right, [46:36] >> we have it within us. Mhm. [46:39] >> Do you think, and this is a really broad [46:43] open question? [46:45] >> Yeah, I love those [46:47] >> because I can just make up a broad open [46:49] answer. [46:50] >> Okay, perfect. [46:52] Do you think that if he were to appear [46:56] now as he did a couple of millennia [47:01] ago, [47:03] would very very fundamentalist [47:07] uh Christians recognize him? Would they [47:10] see him as the Messiah or would they [47:14] reject him as an alien, an immigrant? [47:18] Uh, [47:19] does does my question make sense? [47:22] >> Yeah. No, I get it. So, [47:24] >> the very people that use his name, the [47:26] very people that abuse his name, [47:29] would they recognize him if he stood in [47:33] the room with them? [47:35] >> Yeah. Uh, Suzanne, that's a great [47:38] question. And so just so that I've got [47:40] in my head, if Jesus came back, [47:45] um, oh goodness, [47:47] I disappeared for a second. That was [47:50] weird. Okay, so if so, just to clarify [47:53] your question, if Jesus came back the [47:56] way uh that he came in the first time, [47:59] not wearing robes or anything, but like [48:01] uh in that sort of same position, would [48:04] like fundamentalists recognize him or [48:06] reject him? Um so [48:10] yeah so Jesus came as a uh he was born [48:16] into a poor family. One of the ways we [48:18] know that is in uh in the book of Luke [48:22] uh he was the firstborn to the to Mary [48:24] and Joseph. So [48:26] >> they had to take him to the temple and [48:28] make a sacrifice for the firstborn. And [48:32] the sacrifice was normally a a goat. Um [48:36] but in Deuteronomy it says if the people [48:39] are poor then they can do two doves. And [48:43] so in the book of Luke, the writer of [48:45] the book of Luke actually adds this [48:47] random detail that most of us just sort [48:50] of gloss over that his family came and [48:53] they gave the offering of two doves, [48:55] which is Luke saying like Jesus was poor [49:00] and um and so uh so Jesus was uh poor [49:06] and um so right there the prosperity [49:09] gospel preachers are not going to be [49:10] okay. like that's not Jesus can't be [49:12] poor because right you know if he's that [49:15] blessed um then uh in one of the [49:19] versions of the story they have to flee [49:21] to Egypt and so then they come back from [49:25] Egypt uh they immigrate back in so we've [49:28] got a poor immigrant uh so that's that's [49:32] not uh okay um and then you have a poor [49:36] immigrant who um who then uh is he grows [49:42] up in a family who uh his father the the [49:47] word for his father father's profession [49:49] is tecton. Um people often the the [49:53] tradition traditional thing that people [49:56] sort of imagine is that he was a [49:57] carpenter but they didn't really use [49:58] wood much back then. So it's much more [50:00] likely that Joseph was a stonemason, [50:04] >> right? And that's also supported by the [50:06] fact that where they lived was close to [50:09] uh a place called Sepharus that had this [50:11] huge building project using stones going [50:14] on at the time. So Jesus was poor. He [50:19] immigrated back in and he was a manual [50:22] laborer um and born to a manual [50:24] laborer's family. Um also fun fact, [50:28] stonemasons are really jacked like they [50:30] have big muscles. So Jesus probably had [50:33] big muscles, but you know, whatever. Um, [50:36] so so we we've got Jesus being um now uh [50:40] poor immigrant uh manual laborer and uh [50:45] and uh he was uh tan skinned, right? He [50:50] was not white. Um and then [50:54] Jesus when Jesus preached and this is [50:57] something that I think is important for [51:00] people to realize because oftenimes we [51:01] will look on the teachings of Jesus as [51:04] like from our modern cultural standpoint [51:06] and actually this is one of the things [51:08] I'm going to be teaching about tonight [51:10] in the course at 7 p.m. Um that Suzanne [51:14] I hope you're going to come. um you you [51:16] pay whatever you want. 7:00 p.m. Eastern [51:18] tonight um leaning the profile. But we [51:21] often look at the Bible through our [51:22] modern cultural lens and our modern [51:24] values. So like if you're a progressive [51:27] today and you are uh like a women's [51:30] rights and um you know anti-ICE and all [51:35] of that kind of stuff, you you look back [51:37] on the Bible and you what what what [51:41] being pro-omen's rights means today. um [51:45] you don't see that. In fact, some of the [51:47] things you see is the opposite of what [51:49] we would consider that. But when you [51:52] understand the biblical culture, [51:54] actually what you see is Jesus and the [51:57] writers of uh of the gospels and and [52:01] throughout the Bible actually [52:04] fighting for women's rights at that time [52:07] in that culture. Right? So you know if [52:10] you imagine like women's rights on from [52:12] A to Z and maybe in the modern day were [52:15] somewhere around F right they were at [52:19] level C and Jesus is arguing for D right [52:22] but level C is so far back from level F [52:25] that we don't we don't see it so what we [52:28] what we now have is a poor immigrant [52:31] manual labor tan skinned fighting for [52:35] women's rights and um and pushing back [52:38] against all kinds of um injustice in [52:42] that world. Jesus was very progressive. [52:46] So if we want to ask well so I guess I [52:49] would ask you the question was if Jesus [52:52] came back today as he was then would the [52:56] fundamentalists accept him or reject [52:58] him? So um Suzanne Jesus was poor. He [53:02] immigrated back in. He was a manual [53:04] laborer, tan skinned, pro- women's [53:07] rights, and um uh and just sort of [53:11] politically progressive. What do you [53:13] think? [53:14] >> I have a very very clear answer to it. I [53:17] just wanted to hear your perspective. [53:20] >> Yeah. No, I think they'd reject him. I [53:22] think I think they would make moves to [53:25] uh to to uh call him a heretic. Yes. [53:29] >> To call him a wolf in sheep's clothing. [53:32] call him all of the all of the things [53:35] that people call me all the time. I'm [53:36] not Jesus. I am not Jesus. I am No, I [53:39] would never say that. But they would say [53:42] the things they say to me and worse [53:44] because um partially because Suzanne uh [53:49] I think one of the fundamental problems [53:51] with fundamentalists and evangelicals is [53:55] that they know that they're right. [53:58] >> Yes. And and I think that really the [54:03] posture for a person of faith is um is [54:07] the opposite, right? You need to go into [54:09] faith and life and spirituality knowing [54:12] that you're wrong. You just don't know [54:15] what you're wrong about. Um which means [54:18] that you will you're open to learning [54:22] and discovering. Oh that was like [54:26] I was so wrong. Like I have so many [54:29] things from my past that now I'm like, [54:32] "Oh my god, I I can't believe I did that [54:36] and I said that." Um [54:38] >> Yes. [54:38] >> Yeah. [54:41] >> Uh [54:43] yeah. So [54:46] I So I've So just a quick thing. Um we [54:50] just did some stuff with the Bible. If [54:51] you are interested in learning how to [54:55] read the Bible once you started thinking [54:56] for yourself, if you've seen videos like [54:58] and I put put out about the Bible or Dan [55:00] Mlen and you think like how do I do that [55:03] on my own? Um not how do you make the [55:05] videos? Somebody asked that earlier. [55:07] That's not what I'm talking about. How [55:08] do you read the Bible like that? Um [55:09] doing a short course tonight. There's [55:11] some simple tools that you can use to to [55:13] do that. Um, and anyone who registers is [55:16] going to get a free one-on-one Zoom with [55:18] me um sometime after the course. And you [55:22] pay what you can. So, if you can pay [55:24] nothing, it's free. Uh, but it is how I [55:27] support what I do. So, um, yeah. And I I [55:29] hope you'll be there, Suzanne. Suzanne, [55:31] do you have um do you have any other any [55:34] other things you want to talk about? I [55:36] I'm not seeing another [55:39] another DM right away. So, uh, you [55:43] you're still on the live. [55:46] >> Oh my goodness. I didn't anticipate [55:48] this. Okay, I have another question [55:50] because I I know when it happened for [55:52] me. When [55:53] >> Okay. [55:54] >> When did you And if this is too [55:57] personal, that's okay. You don't have to [55:59] answer it. [56:00] >> Go ahead. [56:00] >> When did you [56:03] because you certainly have. When did you [56:06] experience your spiritual epiphany? When [56:09] did your brain open? It's like, my [56:12] goodness, I was wrong. I get it now. How [56:17] was that delivered to you? How did it [56:20] happen for you? What was the moment of [56:25] uh knowledge, truth is a word that's [56:28] being bent right now a lot. [56:30] >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. [56:31] >> When did let's call it wisdom, knowledge [56:34] appear to you? the openness of spirit, [56:38] the openness of your mind. [56:41] >> Uh, [56:42] well, Suzanne, I I think that's a hard [56:47] thing for me to nail down. Um, partially [56:52] because like I am I don't know if you've [56:55] heard I'm a deep skeptic. [56:57] >> Yes. And uh I for me that's like a a [57:02] personality trait which means that my [57:04] whole life I have been like the person [57:07] who ask questions and not sure about [57:10] everything. And when I was younger like [57:14] I'm old like I grew up before the [57:16] internet and um I grew up in the Alabama [57:19] part of Florida. And so um that meant [57:24] that like the data that I was um I had [57:28] available to me was limited. Uh the [57:31] people who had advanced degrees in [57:34] theology and stuff like that was [57:35] limited. And so um I [57:40] uh being a deep skeptic for me means [57:42] wanting to base all of my beliefs, [57:44] religious or otherwise on um on reliable [57:48] data. And so like when I learned about [57:51] evolution in school and I asked my, you [57:53] know, pastor who had a seminary degree [57:56] about it, they gave me creation [57:57] pseudocience, right? [57:59] >> And uh and so I believed that. But um as [58:03] I grew older and I got access to more [58:06] data from more reliable sources, I uh I [58:10] changed different beliefs here and [58:12] there. And but part of it too is that [58:15] like um [58:17] when you're really like indoctrinated, [58:20] when you when you have what I call [58:23] inherited beliefs, like beliefs that [58:25] you've been told are correct and you've [58:26] just accepted, [58:28] >> um you it it's it's generally not the [58:32] case that all of the sudden you don't [58:36] believe any of it anymore. Um, [58:39] >> right. [58:39] >> For most people it's like you real like [58:43] for me like I I uh one of the early on [58:48] things for me was like this idea of um [58:53] creation science, right? [58:54] >> Little by little I started doubting that [58:57] and getting more data and eventually I [58:59] let go of that. Um, but I was 100% sure [59:04] that uh queer people were going to hell, [59:06] which was really problematic for me as a [59:08] queer person. Um, because uh because I [59:12] thought that my identity was a [59:14] temptation. [59:15] >> Oh, [59:16] >> and not who I was. Um, and so that took [59:20] a lot longer and it was at one point I I [59:23] got to there. um the pro-life, [59:26] pro-choice, that took a little bit [59:27] longer um for me to to deal with. And so [59:32] for me, it's been sort of this like [59:33] lifelong progression. [59:36] >> Um though, I know that for a lot of [59:38] people, there's something that happens [59:39] and they're like, "Okay, that that's it. [59:43] I'm done." [59:45] But that that wasn't me. The other thing [59:48] that's very strange I think about me is [59:51] that I am I'm both a deep skeptic and a [59:55] very mystical person. [59:57] >> Yes. [59:57] >> And and sometimes my mystical sense is I [60:01] want to label it spiritually and [60:03] sometimes this mystical these mystical [60:05] experiences I want to label [60:06] psychologically. I don't know that it [60:08] really matters either way. Um, and so [60:12] those experiences [60:14] really started for me when I was a [60:16] teenager, which is when it starts for a [60:19] lot of people because of the way the the [60:21] brain is functioning uh with the way it [60:24] it it releases all of the fun chemicals [60:27] of adolescence. But [60:29] >> that's great. [60:30] >> That's when it happened for me. What [60:31] What about you? When did it happen for [60:33] you? [60:34] >> Uh, it happened for me when um Oh, [60:37] goodness. This is almost uh uh this is [60:40] gonna cause a lot of uh doubt with some [60:43] people. That's uh [60:45] >> No, that's not okay. Pause. I'm sorry. I [60:48] I'm not going to be mean, but [60:51] sharing your own story does not cause [60:53] other people to doubt. It helps them on [60:56] their journey. We find our stories often [60:59] in the stories of other people. And it [61:01] helps. It helps. It helps. It helps. [61:03] Doubts are not a sign of uh doubts are a [61:06] sign of spiritual health. Um because it [61:08] means that you're thinking deeply. So uh [61:10] you're not wrong. I'm not being mean. [61:12] But just give yourself permission to [61:16] share the story uh knowing that it's a [61:19] good thing that you that you're doing [61:22] that. [61:22] >> All right. Here we go. I'll make it [61:24] quick. [61:25] >> Yes. [61:25] >> All right. Uh 14 years old. Um the [61:29] perfect target. my friends and I friend [61:33] uh decided [61:34] >> Oh, does this need a trigger warning at [61:35] all for people? [61:37] >> It requires no trigger warnings [61:38] whatsoever. [61:38] >> Okay, great. Great. Great. [61:39] >> There's no no danger, no nothing. This [61:42] is just wonderful. Wonderful. [61:44] >> Yeah. Um um but thanks for asking [61:46] because I don't want to upset anyone. [61:48] >> Um my friend and I decided that uh we [61:52] were going to use a Ouija board. Okay. [61:54] >> Oh, right. [61:55] >> Right. This is going to be great. We're [61:56] gonna have so much fun. Okay. So, um she [62:01] was to be trusted um through board. We [62:05] sure enough did contact something. [62:09] >> Um and that something intrigued us. So, [62:12] we went back and we did it again and we [62:16] did it again and then the messages we [62:19] were getting started to get creepy and [62:21] mean. Uh-oh. [62:24] So, we shut down the whole project. What [62:27] resulted was [62:30] a very lowle, I'm not going to use the [62:34] word demon, a very low-level bad entity [62:39] moved into my house [62:41] >> and um subsequently it would show up in [62:44] my bedroom at nighttime. It would look [62:47] scary. Uh it was black, shrouded. [62:51] >> Um it it started off by kicking my bed. [62:54] It would rattle the headboard. Um, it [62:57] pounced on me. It was [62:59] >> Oh my gosh, that's horrifying. [63:01] >> It was really, really bad. Uh, my [63:04] parents at the time were having a lot of [63:08] marital issues. I didn't want to add one [63:11] more [63:12] >> flame coal to the fire. [63:15] >> So, I kept it to myself. I thought, [63:17] "Okay, I gotta just deal with this. This [63:19] is my fault. I did this. I brought this [63:22] into our house." [63:24] >> It really was quite terrifying. It it's [63:26] it's um because I'm making this short [63:30] honestly as it built it was a very very [63:33] scary experience. Really bad. [63:35] >> Oh, I bet. [63:36] >> And so [63:39] I became emotionally exhausted by it. [63:43] >> I started I started with my Catholic [63:46] upbringing by using my grandmother's [63:48] rosary, praying every night, God, please [63:51] help me. Um that didn't work. Okay. and [63:55] uh it would rattle my headboard. You [63:57] would just shake it really, really, [63:59] really hard. Um so I put the rosary on [64:02] the headboard. Okay, this is going to do [64:04] it. And it rattled the headboard so [64:06] badly it knocked it off. [64:09] Pretty much saying, "Yeah, yeah, little [64:11] girl, this isn't going to work." So this [64:15] went on for a few months. Mhm. [64:19] >> One night, at this point, because of my [64:22] Catholic upbringing, God was extremely [64:25] distant, [64:27] uh uh unreachable, [64:30] um someone I couldn't talk to, [64:32] >> and it occurred to me, oh my goodness, [64:38] I can I can speak with him. This energy [64:42] is for all of us. We just have to [64:45] >> bring it in. I can't I don't know where [64:47] this I don't know where this came from. [64:49] I don't know how this information came [64:54] and I felt this sudden [64:57] beautiful confidence [64:59] and so I thought that's it. I'm going to [65:02] take care of this. I've got this. So I [65:05] prayed that night and I for the first [65:07] real prayer in my life. [65:10] >> God please stand by my side. I didn't [65:13] say within me. I didn't say around me. I [65:16] said right [65:17] >> by my side like a buddy. Right. [65:20] >> But what happened was I felt it for the [65:24] first time. [65:26] >> It was so powerful and so [65:30] >> liberating. And that night, sure enough, [65:33] this big bad awful thing showed up in in [65:36] my room and [65:38] >> and I sat up. I was waiting for it that [65:40] night. I didn't go to sleep. I was [65:41] waiting. I was like, "I know you're I'm [65:42] gonna get you." And [65:46] And it appeared [65:48] he and I there I was standing in my room [65:52] and I said, "You've got nothing. God's [65:55] by my side. You can't scare me anymore. [65:58] It's over. [65:59] >> You've got nothing." And I was over my [66:02] shoulder. God's by my side. [66:07] >> Wow. [66:08] >> It kicked my bed and left. And that was [66:11] the end of it. [66:12] Oh, what a wonderful story. [66:15] >> Last little, you know, yeah, but I'm [66:17] still big and bad. But that was my [66:21] moment. It was 14. I don't know how I [66:24] was allowed, given, offered this [66:28] information. Um, from then on, it [66:31] changed my life entirely. Now I had a [66:35] direct [66:37] >> communication and protection from the [66:39] divine. [66:40] Oh, I love that Suzanne. Thank you so [66:43] much for telling that story. That is so [66:45] beautiful. [66:46] >> Thanks. Um, [66:47] >> thanks. I haven't told anybody but my [66:50] husband and mom. So, [66:52] >> yeah, that's so great. Hey, you know, [66:55] one of the things I think um Yeah, just [66:58] thank you so much. I I've got a a [67:00] question I'm going to answer, but thanks [67:02] for coming on. and anyone uh give give [67:06] Suzanne a high five in the in the chat [67:09] and uh thank you so much. [67:12] >> Thank you so much. I appreciate it every [67:14] single moment and please keep continuing [67:17] being the light that you are and the [67:19] amazing work that you do. We love you so [67:21] much. [67:22] >> Thank you. Goodbye. [67:24] >> Bye-bye, my friend. [67:28] >> Okay, so um tonight I'm offering a [67:31] course. Uh if you've ever seen videos [67:34] about me uh videos by me or D Mlen on [67:36] the Bible and and you're like that sort [67:40] of help you unpack things and you're [67:42] like but how do I unpack that stuff on [67:44] my own? Um I'm going to teach you some [67:46] simple tools to to do that tonight at [67:49] 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Links in my profile [67:51] and uh it's pay what you can. So if it's [67:54] if you need free free there I don't ever [67:57] want my teaching to uh require somebody [67:59] to have expendable income. Uh, I have [68:01] one last question that I want to answer [68:05] um that is really dear to my heart and I [68:09] I'm going to try not to get emotional [68:11] but [68:13] um uh so it says my daughter is gay. She [68:18] has been in religious schools, Episcopal [68:21] and now a Je Jesuit high school. Each of [68:24] these schools have loved her [68:26] unconditionally and supported her 100%. [68:29] Even with this support, she would have [68:32] panic attacks sitting in weekly chapel [68:35] at the age of 10 and 11. [68:39] not because of what she heard there, but [68:43] um but what she [68:47] saw and heard Christians say on TV and [68:50] even our last church, which put a blurb [68:54] about heterosexual marriages in their [68:57] values page, [69:00] how can I help other Christians [69:02] understand the impact of outwardly [69:04] excluding people like this and the [69:07] impact that it has [69:10] we love God as a family but struggle to [69:12] feel like uh loved like we are promised [69:18] from other believers. [69:22] Um [69:25] this is wrong. This is evil. There [69:28] should be no reason that a 10-year-old [69:30] girl uh should be sitting in a church [69:35] having panic attacks because uh of what [69:38] people are saying about her identity and [69:41] who God made her to be. [69:44] Um [69:46] I I I sort of want to say two things. I [69:49] want to answer your question directly in [69:50] just a second, but I'd also like to say [69:53] um to you and everybody out there, there [69:55] are progressive affirming churches uh [69:59] that are w are actually welcoming to [70:01] everybody. Um and uh there's a couple of [70:06] websites you can go to. Uh gaychurch.org [70:09] is great and uh one of my favorites is [70:13] the reconciling ministries network. So [70:15] that's rmnetwork.org [70:17] or they've got a church locator there [70:20] and you can find a local church. One of [70:22] the things that I love about the the [70:24] reconciling ministries network uh gay [70:27] church like will also give you [70:29] gaychurch.org will give you like like [70:32] all of the churches in a denomination [70:33] that is affirming. Uh but RM network uh [70:36] these churches have to actively affirm [70:38] that they are inclusive and like a small [70:42] group within a church um can sign up [70:45] even if the whole church isn't super [70:46] accepting. So um yeah, I'd encourage you [70:50] and anybody else who's looking for that [70:51] to to go to rmnetwork.org or [70:54] gaychurch.org. They can find a community [70:56] like that. [70:58] So, how do you um [71:01] how can you help other Christians [71:03] understand the impact of outwardly [71:05] excluding the LGBTQ community? I there's [71:08] a couple of things. I think telling the [71:10] story is really helpful. I know that [71:12] these stories can be really emotional to [71:14] share. Um but sharing these stories is [71:18] really powerful. Um and if your daughter [71:20] would give you permission, like I would [71:23] say, uh post it online. In fact, if [71:26] you'd be open to telling that story on [71:29] my podcast, Unbelief, um you can shoot [71:32] me another DM and um and I'll interview [71:35] you there and uh that's nice because you [71:39] can uh we can edit it afterwards and um [71:42] make it what you and your your daughter [71:45] might be comfortable with. So, I think [71:47] telling those stories is important. [71:49] There's also a statistic by the Trevor [71:51] Project that I think is really helpful. [71:53] Um they found that um when uh LGBTQ [71:59] young people are rejected by churches or [72:02] family members on religious grounds, [72:05] they are twice as more like as like [72:07] twice as likely to attempt to unalive [72:11] themselves. Um this is not a I think [72:16] sort of shaking people into the reality [72:19] that this belief this action um is a [72:22] life or death situation. [72:26] Um and it carries ultimate consequences [72:31] and uh my feeling is that um our [72:39] none of our beliefs should put the life [72:42] of somebody else at risk. And if it [72:44] does, [72:46] uh we should let it go, reevaluate it, [72:48] or just not talk about it. Um because [72:53] that feels like a really low bar to [72:54] clear. Um, and I think when people [72:58] understand the consequences of this, it [73:01] can help. Um, but the other thing that I [73:04] would say is for people that are close [73:06] to you, um, I teach this method called a [73:09] thousand uh, a thousand interactions [73:14] where the idea is that you don't start [73:17] um, you're not going to change their [73:20] mind in one conversation. You don't have [73:22] to do everything in one conversation. [73:23] there are people that close to you that [73:25] you regularly interact with. You can [73:28] start with very small things, right? [73:30] Observations of a queer person or [73:33] whatever uh doing something wonderful in [73:36] the world and continue little by little [73:38] to have more and more conversations and [73:41] you don't have to talk about the Bible [73:43] for a 100red conversations, right? Like [73:45] you can wait until you're there because [73:48] moving people to a different place uh [73:50] takes time. The other thing that can [73:53] really help, especially when you have a [73:55] queer child that is dealing with maybe a [73:59] non-affirming family, you didn't say [74:00] that, but maybe maybe there is that is [74:03] um is to to talk to your family and say, [74:06] "Look, this is a life or death thing. [74:08] Tell them that uh when queer young [74:12] people are rejected on religious [74:13] grounds, they're twice as likely to [74:16] attempt to unalive themselves." [74:19] and then say, "So, right now what my uh [74:23] child needs is [74:26] uh people telling them [74:29] how wonderful they are, supporting them, [74:32] encouraging them to be the best version [74:34] of themselves. So, [74:37] here's what I want to ask you to do. [74:40] Whenever you interact with them, I want [74:43] you to name something in your life that [74:46] in their life that you are proud of, [74:49] something about them, something you've [74:50] seen them do. Every interaction that you [74:54] have to do that um this is good in a [74:57] couple of ways. Uh, one, um, it's good [75:02] for your daughter to have that kind of [75:04] support, but two, it actually moves the [75:07] conversation with the non-affirming [75:10] family members from um this like [75:13] objective biblical argument uh to uh [75:18] what is helpful and supporting your [75:21] child. Um, and I and I find that that [75:26] can also help people because what it [75:27] does is is it begins to help them see [75:32] that this queer person that they love is [75:36] doing wonderful things in the world and [75:38] it can sort of shift it into a different [75:42] space. Um, [75:44] yeah, I hope that helps. Thanks for [75:46] sharing that story. Um, one last thing. [75:51] Um, tonight, um, tonight we are I'm [75:57] hosting a, uh, a course at 7:00 p.m. [76:01] Eastern time. Um, if you've ever seen me [76:04] do, um, me do videos about the Bible or [76:08] Dan Mlullen do videos about the Bible [76:10] that, you know, unpack it and help you [76:12] understand it better once you've started [76:14] deconstructing or thinking for yourself. [76:16] And then you felt, okay, but how do I [76:18] unpack that stuff on my own? That's what [76:20] this course is about. Um, and uh, you [76:24] can register the link in my profile. Uh, [76:26] you can pay whatever you want. Um, I try [76:29] to make sure that I'm never requiring [76:31] people to pay uh, for teaching. And so, [76:35] but it is the way that I one of the ways [76:37] that I support what I do. So, if um, if [76:41] you whatever you can pay, go ahead and [76:44] pay. I'd love to see you tonight at 7 [76:45] p.m. And anyone who registers is going [76:47] to get uh free um one-on-one Zoom time [76:50] with me uh sometime afterwards when we [76:53] schedule that. So yes, I I thank you so [76:57] much for being here today. Um and uh I [77:01] will see you again soon. See you online.  📄 **Full text:** ![[Full Document Contents/Articles/How to Read the Bible in Deconstruction.md|How to Read the Bible in Deconstruction by YouTube]] ## Highlights - that happen. And so if you are interested in doing that, um, go ahead and post that in the comments. And, uh, and that's great. Tonight I'm going to be doing a course on how to read the Bible um, during or uh, after deconstruction. Uh, and if you are interested in that, uh, not only are we going to be um, reading uh, are talking about that, but anyone who uh, registers to that is also going to get a free ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6rb7wk1nyvft1xb7x6bw)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - Um uh so uh yeah, I am I'm doing a a course today. If you've ever wanted to uh really get some help on you're deconstructing, you don't know how to read the Bible, you see videos like uh that I post, Dan Mlen post, and you're like, "Well, how do I do this?" I'm teaching a short course tonight at 700 p.m. You can get the link in my profile. Um but uh the other thing is ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6rcdarb03d2b8dgv4wc8)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - on making videos. It's a course on how to read the Bible. And I that was a little confusing. What I was saying is that like if you've seen me or people like Dan Mlen make videos about the Bible uh giving like cultural background or helping uh clarify what it means and you're like that's great, that's fascinating, but like how do I do that myself? Um that's what this course is going to be about. There's a bunch of really simple tools that you can use um when you're starting to think for yourself or when you're deconstructing that um that you can ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6rff5rse2vxb21xnw1dw)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - that can help you read the Bible in that new way, in a more accurate way. And so that's what the course is going to be about tonight. It's a it's a short course. I'm going to teach for an hour, do Q&A for 30 minutes for anybody who hangs around. And anyone who registers for the course is actually going to get a free one-on-one meeting with me after uh after the course um at some point when you schedule that Zoom time. So uh I'd love you to register for that. You can uh go to the link in my profile and ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6rk04b1tegjwwbstxhcs)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - tonight um at 700 p.m. Eastern. It's a course on how to read the Bible uh when you are uh in deconstruction or uh after deconstruction. So um uh so uh yeah, that's a a really it's really helpful. Um, and it's a short course. If you've ever seen me do a video on the Bible or like Dan Mlen do videos on the Bible and you think, "Oh, yeah, but how do I how do I do that ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6rrdgh320gmrqck3cz5z)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - whatever it is. Um, so, uh, I'd love for you to do that. Uh, if you are going to do that, uh, shoot me a DM and let me know in the chat that you have done that and I will send you a link. Um, also tonight at 700 p.m. um at 700 p.m. Eastern time, I am going to be um offering a course uh and the if you've ever seen me do a video on the Bible or ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6rw8xrjs74e1wsw4ahjx)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - the gospels and uh Jesus shows you what that is. Um I hope that that helps. Um, and uh, that's a really helpful thing. Uh, Hannah says, "Thanks for your amazing content." You are so welcome. Um, thank you, Hannah. Uh, we do have somebody that has asked to come on and chitchat, which I'm really excited about. This is our first time trying that out. Um, and once they actually get ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6s3kyz1g33j1f13j11fa)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - see me. I'm not having a uh I'm having a camera issue, so >> Oh, no. I can see you. We can see you fine. >> Oh, great. Okay. Well, I look fantastic this morning. Um my question for you, my friend. Firstly, I want to thank you for your work because what you've been doing is absolutely phenomenal. It's wonderful to see somebody pragmatically break down uh scripture knowledge um inspiration. >> Wow. >> And and I think that you're helping far ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6sbfybvxjmkpxevx27zr)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - "Oh my god, I I can't believe I did that and I said that." Um >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Uh yeah. So I So I've So just a quick thing. Um we just did some stuff with the Bible. If you are interested in learning how to read the Bible once you started thinking for yourself, if you've seen videos like and I put put out about the Bible or Dan ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6sfskxwdajy097jh2s8b)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - Mlen and you think like how do I do that on my own? Um not how do you make the videos? Somebody asked that earlier. That's not what I'm talking about. How do you read the Bible like that? Um doing a short course tonight. There's some simple tools that you can use to to do that. Um, and anyone who registers is going to get a free one-on-one Zoom with me um sometime after the course. And you pay what you can. So, if you can pay nothing, it's free. Uh, but it is how I support what I do. So, um, yeah. And I I hope you'll be there, Suzanne. Suzanne, ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01krgq6smbjp6ma1wm1qpjczyp)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted