Beyond Sunday is a weekly podcast that explores issues of faith beyond Sunday morning.
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What does it look like to live out your faith without making a show of it? This week on Beyond Sunday, we talk about Dolly Parton, the faith that has shaped her life, and the way she has navigated fame, generosity, conviction, and kindness in the public eye. What can her example teach us about living our own faith authentically in the world?
What happens when Christian faith gets tangled up with political power? In this episode, we discuss a Christianity Today article on blasphemy laws in religious insitutions and government. We explore religious freedom, the role of government, and the danger of confusing protecting Christian faith with protecting Christian power. How can Christians remain faithful without confusing the kingdom of God with the kingdoms of this world? https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/08/blasphemy-laws-doublespeak-ralph-elliott-sbc/?utm_medium=widgetsocial
What happens when the faith you grew up with no longer seems to fit? In this episode, we talk about deconstruction—what it is, why it can be such a difficult part of a person’s spiritual journey, and why asking hard questions doesn’t necessarily mean walking away from God and the grief that comes with it. We explore the idea of “reconstruction” and what it might look like to rebuild a faith with greater honesty, depth, and purpose. https://relevantmagazine.com/magazine/so-youve-deconstructed-now-what/
Apparently, some Christians say we’re supposed to be tougher on sin. More hellfire. More brimstone. Less “How does that make you feel?” 😬 But what if empathy doesn’t make us softer on sin—it actually helps us understand it better? This week on Beyond Sunday, we dive into Russell Moore’s provocative argument that empathy is deeply connected to the way Scripture confronts sin, calls people to repentance, and ultimately points us toward Jesus. So… can you preach about sin without being a jerk? And can empathy actually make the gospel hit harder? Let’s talk about it. https://www.christianitytoday
What is the unforgivable sin? Did Jesus really say there's one sin God won't forgive? And should Christians today be worried they've committed it? In this episode of Beyond Sunday, we continue our Hard Things in the Bible series by diving into Jesus' warning about "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." We explore the biblical context, unpack what Jesus was saying, and compare how different Christian traditions have interpreted this challenging passage. If you've ever wondered what the unforgivable sin is—or feared you might have committed it—this conversation is for you.
Christian history is full of beliefs and practices that seem strange to us today—from pillar-dwelling monks to sin eaters and everything in between. In this episode, we explore some of Christianity's forgotten traditions and ask a bigger question: What beliefs or practices do we hold today that future Christians might find just as unusual? Join us as we separate the timeless truth of the Gospel from the cultural expressions that have changed throughout history. Our Article: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/the-strange-christian-beliefs-that-time-forgot/
Every summer across the world there are kids heading to summer camp. For many, those camps are geared towards spiritual formation of youth and adults. This week, Pastor David sits down with Josiah Canto to talk about life, camp, ministry, and how the church can put its best foot forward in reaching the next generation.
This week we're taking a look back to dive into two of the biggest faith and culture stories making headlines while we were on hiatus. First, we turn to the Southern Baptist Convention's recent vote regarding women in ministry. Why did they need to make a new vote when... nothing seemed to change and why we disagree with their theology on this one? Then we unpack Texas' new Bible initiatives in public schools. What was actually passed? Will students be studying the Bible, reading Bible stories, or taking religion classes? We'll separate the headlines from the facts and discuss why Christians a
Why would Jesus seem to praise a dishonest manager? In one of the most puzzling parables in the Gospels, Jesus tells the story of a shrewd manager who appears to be rewarded for his questionable actions. Is Jesus encouraging dishonesty, or is there something deeper going on? In this episode of Hard Things in the Bible, we unpack Luke 16:1–13, explore several of the leading Christian interpretations of this confusing passage, and try to discover what Jesus is really teaching about money, wisdom, or is it something else entirely. Join us as we wrestle with one of Scripture's most challenging par
This week we're tackling one of the hardest stories in the entire Bible: Abraham and Isaac. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? What was the purpose of this test? And what are Christians supposed to do with a story that still makes many readers uncomfortable today? We'll explore the historical context, different Christian perspectives, and how this strange and powerful story points us toward bigger questions about faith, trust, and God's ultimate provision.
Sports betting is everywhere—but what happens when the “casinofication” of culture starts shaping the church too? This week we dive into a thought-provoking article from Christianity Today and ask whether churches are losing community, identity, and formation in a world built around algorithms, individualism, and constant dopamine hits. We talk sports, gambling, discipleship, and what it means to keep the gospel as the game itself instead of just another tool. Article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/04/against-casinofication-church-sports-gambling/?utm_medium=widgetsocial
On this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how Gen Z is reframing one of Christianity’s oldest questions. Instead of asking, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” many young adults today are asking, “Why don’t bad people ever seem to face justice?” We unpack the rise of cynicism, social media-fueled outrage, the longing for judgment, and how the way of Jesus challenges both despair and revenge in a world that often feels deeply unfair. Article: Gen Z Isn’t Asking Why Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Jared Dodson
What if aliens are real—and two U.S. presidents have already hinted at it? More importantly… would it actually change anything about Christian faith? In this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how believers might respond to the reality of extraterrestrial life. Would aliens need salvation? Does the gospel extend beyond Earth? And why does this idea feel less shocking than it probably should? With a mix of humor, curiosity, and thoughtful theology, we explore what first contact might mean—not just for science fiction, but for how we understand God, creation
God commands destruction in one part of the Bible… and tells us to love our enemies in another. So what’s going on? In this episode, we explore the tension between Old Testament violence and the teachings of Jesus, taking an honest look at difficult passages and what they might mean for how we understand God today.
Maybe you’ve been in this scenario: you’re going through a particularly hard time, your emotions are all over the place, you don’t feel like yourself, you’re worried something is wrong. You reach out to a trusted friend or pastor and what’s their advice: “Sounds like a spiritual battle that you should pray about.” Are they right? Is it always that? Is every crisis we face a manifestation of the spiritual realm? This week, Pastor David and Elise challenge the way we talk about “spiritual battles” and think about the dangers and benefits of facing the spiritual world. Along the way, we’ll explor
This week, we unpack Relevant Magazine’s “Everybody Has a Version of Jesus — Only One Holds Up,” and talk about how culture—and politics—can reshape Jesus into something more convenient. We also discuss the recent AI image of Jesus shared by Donald Trump, and what it reveals about how easily faith can be distorted. At the center of it all is a simple but challenging question: Are we following the real Jesus—or just a version we’ve created?
In this episode, we dive into an article by Timothy Keller exploring how the resurrection of Jesus speaks directly into seasons of fear and uncertainty. Drawing from his book Hope in Times of Fear, Keller argues that the resurrection isn’t just a past event—it’s the foundation for a living, present hope that shapes how we face suffering, pursue justice, and imagine the future. Together, we unpack what it means to live in an “already-but-not-yet” world, and why the promise of a renewed world still matters today.
In this episode, we respond to the article about why the Church needs a new “sex talk” and how many Christian teachings about sex have been shaped primarily from a male point of view. We talk about how this has affected women, relationships and sexual ethics in the Church, and why the conversation needs to change. Instead of fear, shame and control, we explore what a healthier, more mutual and more Christ-centered sexual ethic could look like.
Why did Jesus have to die? It’s one of the most important questions in Christianity—and one that has been answered in many different ways throughout history. In this episode, we explore the different biblical images used to explain the cross: sacrifice, substitution, ransom, victory over evil, healing, and love. Rather than just one explanation, the Bible gives us a bigger picture of what Jesus’ death accomplished and what it reveals about God. This conversation is part of our Challenging Stuff in the Bible series, where we wrestle with difficult questions and explore faith with honesty, curio
In this episode, our team takes a look at a recent New York Times article by David French highlighting Texas politician James Talarico and why he stands out in today’s political climate. We talk about what makes his approach different, why his voice is gaining attention, and what it might look like to engage politics with hope, kindness, and conviction instead of anger and division. Whether you love politics, hate politics, or try to avoid it altogether, this conversation is about finding a better way forward. Article from the episode: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/08/opinion/james-talarico-
This week on the Beyond Sunday Podcast, we ask a risky question: what happens to vocation if AI replaces most of our work? If your job disappears, does your calling disappear too — or have we misunderstood God’s purpose all along? Plus, there’s now a social media platform just for AI… and that raises some unsettling questions. All that and more.
This week we look at alarming reports of military commanders telling troops that Donald Trump has been “chosen by God” to spark Armageddon through war with Iran. We unpack why that kind of end-times rhetoric isn’t just dangerous politically—it’s also a serious distortion of Christian theology. Plus, we examine another disturbing development: the ranch milkshake. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Apocalyptic politics, bad theology, and questionable dairy decisions—this week’s episode has it all.
This week on the Beyond Sunday Podcast, we continue our monthly series on difficult passages of Scripture by exploring the death of the firstborn in Exodus. It’s a challenging section of the Bible, and we wrestle honestly with our discomfort while considering how God’s love might still be seen in the middle of a troubling story. Plus… are Reese’s tasting a little fake these days? All that and more.
This week on the podcast, we take a thoughtful look at Christian service and charity. Why do some Christians seem to prioritize worship over acts of mercy? And why does the perception persist that Christians aren’t very charitable when the data tells a different story? Plus, what exactly should Florida do when iguanas start falling from the sky? All this and more on this week’s episode.
This week on the podcast, we dive into the idea of redemption — how it actually works spiritually, and why we’re sometimes quick to declare someone “redeemed” even when there’s little evidence of real change. Using the public stories surrounding Pastor Robert Morris and Kid Rock’s halftime performance as starting points, we wrestle with what true repentance and transformation should look like. Plus: What are the odds you’d actually be abducted by aliens in Ohio? An article from the show: https://www.christianpost.com/news/god-has-forgiven-gateway-founder-robert-morris-says-protege.html
