(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.) Read Hosea 2:14 Long before God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, he had another son, Ishmael. God had promised Abram…
(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.) Read Hosea 2:1-13 In America, committed Christians are now a “ worldview minority ” in an increasingly anti-Christian culture….
(Photo: Unsplash) **This article is in response to this piece from The Gospel Coalition. As a past TGC contributor, as an act of good faith, I did express my concerns directly to TGC before posting my article here. ** No, Martin Luther Was Not a Deconstructionist. And neither was Jesus....
(Photo: Unsplash) (To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.) More than a thousand years before Hosea, there lived a nomadic farmer who was out in the middle of nowhere minding his own business when God started speaking to him. And what God said wasn’t easy. God...
(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.) I will never forget the first time I saw the face of my newborn daughter. She was my first child, and apparently I was expecting to give birth to a carbon copy of myself because I was surprised when...
(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.) God: “Name your kid Jezreel.” I promised it was about to get good! In the last post, we learned that God commanded Hosea to marry an immoral woman (most likely a prediction that she would be unfaithful to Hosea...
The internet is buzzing about the new movie, Redeeming Love, which is based on the biblical book of Hosea. Due to the steamy scenes in the movie, many Christians are asking whether or not Christians should watch sex scenes if they are necessary to the story, or point to redemption....
Did Hosea love her? Well with all the Redeeming Love hullabaloo, I’m momentarily stepping out of 1 John and into Hosea. (If you are unaware of what I’m talking about, I’ll link my short video about it in the comments) Something I didn’t articulate in the video is a point...
John Hedger 7/3/2022 09:43:27 pm You both kind of mention a general experience of hell as the worst possible outcome and experience for a human being, but you also say that there will be differing degrees of suffering for different people. If the experience of anyone in hell will be...
(wow, sorry this is so long) I think you guys misapplied Matthew 18 here: it's not the way to deal with the pastor in this situation. When a pastor publicly invites apostasy or aberrant teaching into the church community (as was apparently done with a NAR speaker) and you guys...
Contemporary Christian Music has grown into a multi-million dollar industry in which the waters have become murky on what individual CCM artists believe. Public stories of deconstruction, and several CCM artists speaking out in favor of redefining the historic Christian ethic on sexuality and gender have left many CCM fans...
Costi Hinn joins me for a candid discussion about his upbringing as the nephew of Benny Hinn, and his rejection of the prosperity gospel. He opens up about spiritual abuse, and the failings of the seeker sensitive mega church model. Watch on YouTube: Pearl 9/23/2021 12:43:08 am Wow and wow...
Ken Samples, an expert on St. Augustine and all things Original Sin, joins me to respond to the 5 most significant claims against the doctrine of Original Sin argued by Progressive Christians. Professor Samples will answer the following claims: 1. St. Augustine made up Original Sin to explain his personal...
Podcast 117, the first Podcast from Alisa that I've watched was so inspirational. I couldn't have picked a better "first" Podcast to introduce her to me. The Cooper's and the Camp's displayed what a Christ follower looks like, thinks like and feels. Though I'm not familiar with Skillet, John and...
Hi Alisa, I have been blessed to find you amongst other passionate teachers of the gospel such as Mike Winger, John Cooper and always looking forward to seeing your videos. I recently was reading one of my favorite pastors, A.W. Tozer, and thought his words, though written nearly 80 years...
Danielle 7/20/2021 09:05:21 pm Alisa, I know you don't like to name names when you don't have to and I respect that. I was intrigued by the comments made on this episode regarding Relevant Magazine/Podcast, etc. I've been a long time listener to their podcast and after beginning to listen...
It's no secret that many colleges and universities can actively undermine the Christian beliefs of students. Some professors even admit that this is their goal. How can Christians students think critically about the ideas they will encounter when they go off to college? Dr. Michael Kruger joins me on the...
Thank you for your podcast. I just discovered it, though I did hear you on another podcast. Just a few observations from this and the other podcast with Dave. We must always remember that Satan is said to masquerade as an angel of light. He will give you just enough...
Erwin Lutzer joins me on today's podcast to discuss how Christians can live out our convictions in a growing tide of hostility. In a culture of outrage and victimhood, how can we recognize and reject the toxic responses secular culture disguises as solutions while continuing to publicly testify the truth...
The author of Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth, Thaddeus Williams joined me for a live Q&A on YouTube recently. We covered questions surrounding biblical justice and how to lovingly interact with friends who may be buying into the current trend toward critical social justice. Watch on YouTube: Read Thaddeus'...
My dad has had truly one of the most interesting lives. As a successful studio singer in Los Angeles as a young adult, rubbing elbows with The Beach Boys, to becoming a hippie living in Hawaii, he encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ at a little country church after searching...
Many people report bad church experiences as one of the reasons they walk away from the faith. Jon McCray joins me to talk about his bad church experience, and how that almost led him into progressive Christianity. Watch on YouTube: Read Alisa's book on progressive Christianity: April Holthaus 4/15/2021...
In an online environment where deconstruction stories from contemporary Christian music artists seem to be the norm, Dave Stovall, of the Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline, shares his story of deconstruction into progressive Christianity and back to a historic faith. Dave's unusual story of meeting a local pastor who discipled...
The claim is often made that the Canaanite Conquest in the Bible was genocide by divine command. But is there more to the story? What's really going on in the book of Joshua when God commands Israel to wipe out the Canaanites? Clay Jones joins the podcast to talk about...
Dawain Atkinson, founder of the B.A.R. Podcast Network, is a former "Apostle" in the New Apostolic Reformation Movement. He joins us today to tell his story of becoming and Apostle, and how God led him out of that movement and into biblical Christianity. Watch on YouTube: Lisa Simmons 3/4/2021...
Subscribe: iTunes | RSS The Alisa Childers Podcast · #97 What Sets Progressive Christianity Apart from Historic Christianity? With David Young David Young, author of the book, "A Grand Illusion: How Progressive Christianity Undermines Biblical Faith," joins me to talk about the history of progressive Christianity, specifically traced through the...
Do babies go to heaven when they die? Can a Christian live in sin and still be saved? Does the Bible support slavery? How is the prosperity gospel unbiblical? Allen Parr joins us to answer these questions and more!Watch on YouTube: Read Alisa's book: David 2/15/2021 08:45:43 am I...
Former New Ager Steven Bancarz joins me to explain the concept of the Cosmic Christ and Universal Christ, and analyzes Richard Rohr's popular book, The Universal Christ. Steven demonstrates how Rohr's theology does not align or originate with the Bible but with New Age ideas, and runs contrary to biblical...
Wow, Alisa you're always hosting such timely, relevant interviews, including this one with Josh Morris. I love how he thought Greg Koukl's book "Relativism: Feet Planted Firmly in Mid-Air" was going to help him *defend* relativism to his parents(!). The "mid-air" phrase is Francis Schaeffer's—and it's amazing how Schaeffer influenced...
William Dennis Muir Celorio link 11/7/2021 09:33:16 am Manny of the same things we saw in Cuba in 1959/60 are happening here today. We had the incredable opportunity to come to the US, where are we going to go? We have to fight. I included above an interview I did...
Hi Alisa, I'm a youth pastor in Atlanta, GA. I stumbled upon "AG: Christ Crucified" recently and enjoyed hearing your testimony. I ended up inviting some of our students over to my house to watch (it was my second time). I've been in ministry for 13 years and have seen...
Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest, author of several books, and the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His teachings are gaining influence, especially among millennials who grew up in the Evangelical church. He is particularly influential in the progressive Christian movement and...
Recently, a progressive Christian meme made the rounds that stated 22 beliefs about God, Christians, the nature of heaven and hell, and the exclusivity of Christianity. I asked Mike Winger to join me to help us think through these statements and analyze them through a biblical lens. Here's part 2!...
Alisa, I remember seeing your dad when he was in Love Song singing at Calvary Chapel in the early 70s. He knows me as the artist of the Hollywood Free Paper for a period of time, and I lived and pastored a church in the San Fernando Valley (Hope Chapel),...
Ex-New Ager Melissa Dougherty joins me to discuss certain New Age ideas that are being marketed to the church as "Christian." What are the buzzwords, catch phrases, and teachings that are coming to a church near you?Watch on YouTube: Click to purchase Alisa's book, Another Gospel: Alisa, I...
Tracy grew up in the church, but when her identification as queer contradicted her Evangelical upbringing, she decided she no longer fit within that tradition. Through the teachings of Richard Rohr, she found a spiritual home with the practice of contemplative spirituality. Tracy’s experience mirrors that of many millennial ex-Evangelicals...
In this podcast, Allie Beth Stuckey joins us to analyze the popular ideas promoted by self-help gurus like Jen Hatmaker, Glennon Doyle, Rachel Hollis, and Brene Brown. We discuss questions like, am I enough? Do I have to love myself before I can love others? What is the cult of...
Former Cru colleague of Rhett and Link, Shelby Abbott joins me on today's podcast to talk about the phenomena of Christian celebrity deconstruction and what key factors we might be missing in the conversation. Watch on YouTube: Buy Shelby's book: Buy Alisa's book: Richard Mackenzie 11/12/2020 04:22:49 pm Really...
On today's podcast, we tackle some difficult questions surrounding false teaching, critical race theory, and how critical theory intersects with progressive Christianity. Krista Bontrager, Monique Duson, and Neil Shenvi join me to address these controversial topics. Order my new book, Another Gospel? A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to...
The following is an excerpt from my book, Another Gospel? The curve of the rocking chair arm dug into my hip as I held my restless toddler, singing a hymn into the darkness— darkness so thick it felt as if it were made of physical matter, choking the cries...
Original article published at Bible Study Tools I’m convinced that one of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind is the discovery of all things dairy. Cream-top milk, full-fat cheese, grass-fed butter, rich gelato, and whipped heavy cream are some of my favorite indulgences. Can you imagine the bitter...
Original article published at Risen Motherhood When my daughter was young, I would make quinoa, oatmeal, and flax seed “waffles,” and she loved them. It wasn’t until we were visiting family in California that she experienced the hotel breakfast bar and loudly exclaimed, “Mom, these waffles are so much BETTER...
I'm over all Well Watered Women today with a post I've been wanting write for a while. Check it out: "YOU SHOULDN'T JUDGE." Once upon a couple of years ago, there was a wildly popular book written by a self-professed Christian author. It was released by a Christian publishing...
Have you ever been listening to your favorite Christian podcast, only to be stopped in your tracks by a confusing statement the speaker makes about the Bible? Have you uncomfortably shifted in your pew as your pastor preaches a sermon that seems to cast a negative light on the atoning...
I had the privilege of writing a 5-part series about progressive Christianity for Impact 360. I wanted to link them all in one place, so here are the links with excerpts: Post #1: How We Got Here: A History of Progressive Christianity There is a growing movement in the church...
Is the Enneagram a harmless personality test or is it something that could be spiritually harmful to Christians who use it? On today's video I talk with ex-Astrologer Marcia Montenegro, who is now a committed Christian about the New Age influence of the Enneagram and it's rapid growth within the...
It seems like every time we turn around there is another high-profile Christian who announces they've lost their faith. Why does this seem to be happening now? Sean McDowell joins me to talk about his conversations with deconstructed Christians, the nature and pressure of being a public Christian, and what...
Eric Castellon 10/17/2020 10:39:26 pm Great podcast Alisa. It's amazing to me how many professing Christians are offended by or, at least uncomfortable with, the idea of penal substitutionary atonement. It's definitely scriptural. I think what many people fail to realize is that God is taking our punishment on Himself...
I'm Christian, I have heart disease, my father too; my mother has breast cancer, and my sister it's dying from cancer. Last month some friend died from cancer. I'm really sad and in some way scary. I have anxiety and depression. My psychiatrist prescribed me a different medicine for my...
Hi Alisa, thank you so much for this very insightful analysis of Glennon Doyle's book. First, let me confess I've never read her books and have only had a glancing awareness of her in the last year. Second, I'm a late in life believer and follower of Christ, having been...
A. W. Tozer once wrote about the problems he saw in the Christianity of his day. To counteract the “phrases and mottos that on the surface look great but are not rooted in Scripture or that mostly bolster one’s self-image,” he suggested that Christians demand scriptural proof from every teacher...
Alisa unpacks why she uses the term "Historic Christianity" to designate the opposite of "Progressive Christianity." Holly G 7/14/2020 09:17:29 am My cousin is LDS and I have a friend who is JW – they both believe in Jesus and that he died for our sins. Would they then be...
Timothy J Stoner 6/26/2020 01:58:15 pm I listened to your podcast, my first, with some trepidation as these conversations can so easily lend themselves to self-congratulation and insider back-slapping. I was grateful for the absence of judgment and that snide, grating spirit of superiority. I was delighted with Ian's admission...
Monique Duson, founder of the Center for Biblical Unity joins me on todays podcast to discuss racism, biblical justice, and some of the words and phrases we're seeing in our social media newsfeeds like "white fragility," "whiteness," and "social justice."Listen on iTunes Watch on YouTube: Savio Carvalho 6/10/2020 11:29:41 am...
I am so happy to bring you this conversation with Becket Cook, which puts the beauty of the gospel on full display. Listen as I talk with Becket about his life as a sought-after set designer in Hollywood to his encounter with a group of Christians at a coffee shop...
***This article originally published on The Gospel Coalition*** Glennon Doyle’s Untamed has captured the hearts and minds of American women, hovering around the #1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list since its release. From her roots as a Christian mommy blogger to her rise to fame as a...
I am an evangelical Christian who is wrestling with what it means to say that the Bible is true, and whether this is different than saying that it is in all ways at all times 100% accurate in all its details. The best way I know to try to explain...
This week, we continue our discussion about Christianity and same-sex relationships with Alan Shlemon. We specifically discuss the Reformation Project, an organization that exists to reform the church's teachings on sexual orientation and gender. Alan walks us through their ten talking points, and provides biblical answers to their interpretations and...
Alan Shlemon from Stand to Reason joins me on today's podcast to discuss whether or not it's biblical for Christians to "agree to disagree" about issues relating to LGBTQ. We also discuss the Reformation Project, an organization which exists to change the minds of Christians on this issue. We talk...
Richard Howe joins me on today's podcast to discuss the role of philosophy in the Christian life. Is Philosophy a pagan system or is it actually an integral part of doing good theology? What did the Apostle Paul mean when he wrote, "Let no one take you captive by philosophy…"...
What should Christians make of all the deconstruction stories we find our social media newsfeeds? I invited apologist Matthew Mittelberg on the show to talk with me about the recent deconversion stories of Rhett and Link of the Good Mythical Morning YouTube channel. Matthew grew up in an environment of...
This article was originally published on The Gospel Coalition: Confession: When I was a kid, I was in love with Ricky Schroder. He was the only one for me. (Except for a short hiatus after The Karate Kid, when Ralph Macchio was my all in all for a few months.)...
There is no shortage of deconstruction stories on the internet. Podcasts, videos, and blog posts deliver stories of lifelong Christians who begin to question and doubt everything they were taught about the faith they grew up with. From the Gungors to Joshua Harris to the most recent, and possibly most...
Recently, I filled in for Frank Turek hosting the I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist show on the American Family Radio Network. I asked Mike Winger to join me in answering moral objections to the atonement. For two thousand years, Christians have understood the death of Jesus...
Lately I've noticed a trend of Christians referring to God as a "she," or with female pronouns. Is this a biblical way to think about God? What about feminine metaphors for God in Scripture? Is there a tradition in church history we can trace this to? What about the personification...
I spent approximately twelve years in the trenches fighting against progressive Christianity, alongside many other ministry endeavors. I recently, due to health reasons, "retired" from ministry, including directly fighting against this movement. I wrote about this in my final blog article on my website that I will be leaving up...
After receiving several emails from concerned people, I began to wonder if the worldwide ministry MOPS was beginning to adopt progressive Christian theology. Thankfully, my friend and fellow apologist Krista Bontrager played the role of investigative reporter to find out what MOPS is teaching, and what's behind their recent shift...
This article originally published at The Gospel Coalition: “Do not hide your face away from me, for I would gladly meet my death to see it, since not to see it would be death indeed.” — Augustine Confessions is an autobiography, yet it’s much more. It’s a theological treatise, though...
In the past couple of years, Jen Hatmaker has received quite a bit of attention, not only as a New York Times best-selling author and social media sensation, but also as one of the most high-profile Christians to affirm same-sex marriage. This ignited a controversy that lit up the blogosphere...
Joseph Covert 1/11/2020 05:24:40 pm Great podcast and thank you for including links germane to your discussion. You’re doing an awesome service to the body of Christ. I’m blessed to share and repost to help educate the saints who have 1) no idea what liberal/progressive christianity is and/or 2) how...
MaryJo Sharp stops by the podcast today to talk about her conversion to Christianity from atheism, and some of the obstacles she encountered in the church. She also tells us about her new book, Why I Still Believe which comes out this week. margie 11/6/2019 05:26:44 pm Really enjoyed this...
Alisa, this conversation was in part an answer to my prayer for a more compassionate and merciful heart… thank you and Dominic both for the grace-filled and inspiring conversation. It balanced out some thoughts I've had on doubt and brought a fuller, deeper understanding of other's experiences and how to...
This past week I was honored to have a conversation with Lisa Gungor on Justin Brierley's Unbelievable Podcast. Here is the synopsis from the Unbelievable website: ‘Deconstruction’ has become a buzz word for many people questioning Christian faith. But what happens when we try to reconstruct? Lisa Gungor and...
Amy M Cooper 9/11/2019 04:38:11 pm Alisa, thank you for your ministry! I was wondering if you had heard about the podcast by Aaron Niequist (husband of Shauna)? I listened to the one he recorded with Sarah Bessey because I was curious about what orthodox beliefs they did or did...
In light of my recent podcasts on penal substitutionary atonement (PSA), I'm thrilled to welcome Clark Bates to guest post on the blog today about Isaiah 53, a scripture that is often used to support the idea that Jesus took the punishment for our sins on the cross. Often referred...
On today's podcast, I continue my discussion about the atonement with Mike Winger and his analysis of Brian Zahnd's "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God." We talk about the biblical points Zahnd uses to make his case that the classic understanding of the atonement is something more like...
Today's podcast centers around a book by Brian Zhand called, "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God," in which Zhand suggests that substitutionary atonement makes God into a divine child abuser. Mike Winger joins me to talk about the book, different atonement theories, and why substitutionary atonement is not...
I'm happy to welcome Anne Kennedy back to the podcast to discuss her impressions of the beliefs, worldview, and theology of Jen Hatmaker. After reading her books and listening to a year's worth of podcasts, Anne helps us understand what Hatmaker is communicating about the cross, the gospel, and the...
In today's episode, I talk with Hillary Ferrer of Mama Bear Apologetics about her new book, "Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies." As a contributor to the book, we discuss what the writing process was like, and talk about how we can teach our kids to...
Anthony Barber 6/6/2019 04:06:44 pm Beautiful ladies! Vicky 6/6/2019 06:33:21 pm Wonderfully & kindly done!! Truth spoken in love…I appreciate you ladies & thank you for being salt & light in these confusing days. I want to add that I learned something too – (Prescriptive & Descriptive). Alisa. I post...
Richard Rohr is a Franciscan Friar who is captivating a generation of spiritual seekers and progressive Christians. Recently, Jen Hatmaker had him as a guest on her podcast, and in today's episode, Marcia Montenegro and I analyze their discussion. Person 4/26/2019 03:08:47 pm I took one of their “ tests”...
(Guest post by Teasi Cannon) I like to start a non-fiction book by identifying the promise it makes. In other words, what does it pledge I’ll walk away with by the time I turn the last page? I do this for a couple of reasons: first, it helps me decide...
Eric Norman 4/22/2019 03:03:07 pm I just finished listening to the second podcast on panentheism. Personally I've been out of the loop for a while in terms of keeping up with the latest "quirks" the last podcast was the first time I've heard of the word, and after this second...
[Originally published on thegospelcoalition.org] With recent church sex-abuse scandals, unprecedented numbers of Christian couples living together before marriage, and the #ChurchToo movement, there’s no doubt the church needs reform on sexual issues. But what kind of reform? Nadia Bolz-Weber, founder of the House for All Sinners and Saints, The New...
[Originally published on thegospelcoation.org.] “Oh Jesus! Jesus!” My spirit sprung to prayer with catlike reflexes as I watched my 2-year-old daughter tumble down the 15-step staircase. I stood helpless as her little body hurled toward the hardwood floor. She stood up without a scratch . . . but my soul...
Excellent episode: on point, timely, relevant, and well done—(as usual)!! Most Christians have no idea what critical theory is, or how many Christians have already adopted critical theory as a false worldview. Memorable quote: "once you see it, you can't un-see it." Christians need to come up to speed on...
When my daughter Dyllan was a toddler, I exercised quite regularly at the YMCA. (And by "exercised," I mean that I read a book on the stationary bike and pedaled as slowly as possible while I enjoyed an hour of free childcare. Not gonna lie.) One day when I picked...
I have some exciting news! For almost the whole of last year, I have been buried in research. (Don't worry, that's not the exciting part. Wait for it.) I've been reading progressive and liberal books, listening to lectures and podcasts, and generally trying to immerse myself in the progressive world....
This week, Dr. Christopher Yuan, co-author of Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope, shares his story of redemption, and talks with us about his new book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand...
Mitch Harpur 12/14/2018 10:57:43 pm Thanks again for a thoughtful and centered response. The arguments against true Christianity, as given by the Apostles, are increasingly full of cunning and straw men. Nowdays, it is not always easy to answer without being regarded as ignorant, foolish and ironically even immoral. At...
This was an engaging podcast, so thanks to you both. Obviously, what one person finds interesting may not be what someone else does. But for my own part, I find Acts to be one of the most interesting books of the New Testament, second only to the Gospel of Mark....
[Originally published on thegospelcoalition.org] “Listen. I gotta break it to you . . . I’m post-Christian. . . . I don’t believe it anymore. I don’t believe any of it.” These are the words former Christian minister Bart Campolo recalls speaking to his famous evangelist father, Tony Campolo, after leaving...
On today's podcast, I talk with Costi Hinn, the nephew of televangelist Benny Hinn. Costi shares his story of leaving the mystical/miracle movement and rejecting the prosperity gospel he grew up with. We also cover the topics of healing, and being "slain in the spirit." Jody Jeffers 11/5/2018 03:22:51...
You might recognize the name Lisa Gungor as one half of the singer/songwriter duo, Gungor, who have written and recorded widely beloved songs such as "Dry Bones," and "Beautiful Things." A few years ago, the Gungors made headlines after revealing they no longer believe in biblical historical narratives such as...
Wow, what a fantastic podcast. I’m so thankful to both of you for your work. I’ve stayed away from this site for a while as I know I can be a bit too fiery sometimes. But I really appreciated what both of you said about what a lonely fight this...
How do we know we have an accurate copy of the New Testament? Why don't we have any original manuscripts? What about all the differences between the manuscripts we do have? How can we be sure that what we're reading is what they originally wrote? I was thrilled to get...
"Once upon a time, there lived a girl with a magic book." The opening line of Rachel Held Evans' new book, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again—resonates. Like Evans, I grew up in the Evangelical subculture of the eighties and nineties, replete with sword drills,...
I once sat with another parent at a playground making small talk about religion. (I know, right?) He was a Progressive Christian who didn't believe in Original Sin. He pointed to his daughter playing sweetly with another girl and said, "See her? She's innocent. She has to be taught to...
This podcast left me a bit frustrated. I know it's a tough topic, but I didn't think the responses were convincing enough for street or kid level conversations. I think the exploration and attempts to describe the interplay of God's attributes just seemed a bit like circular reasoning, that confused,...
"I've got bad news and good news." I'll never forget sitting in the dentist's office awaiting "the news." For the record, I am an utter wimp when it comes to my teeth. Sure, I gave birth to two babies with nothing more than a stick to bite on, but threaten...