MindShift Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Doug Wilson Part 5: A "Christian" Defense of Slavery (with David Johnson) Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

As we're nearing the end of our exhaustive--and potentially exhausting--deep dive into all things Doug Wilson, back in October of 2022 I reached out to former guest David Johnson, host of the Skeptics and Seekers as well as the Red Letters podcasts for some help. This episode has been a long time coming, but it's definitely worth the wait. David and I start with Wilson's book Southern Slavery as it Was and then branch out from there into both historical as well as modern defenses of slavery from a Christian point of view. We'll conclude the episode by taking a long look at some Old Testament passages--do they justify slavery and if so, how might those teachings impact on the modern Christian today in terms of a defense of slavery? Help support the show by becoming a Patreon supporter! Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Doug Wilson Part 4: His Toxic Theology Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

We're back for our inaugural episode of 2023, continuing our exploration of all things Doug Wilson, the controversial pastor/cult leader running a sprawling religious empire out of Moscow, ID. In this long-form episode, I'll cover three of Wilson's more controversial---and ultimately toxic--theological distinctives: the "federal vision" theology, general equity theonomy, and finally biblical patriarchy. In each case, not only will I explain the position itself as best I can, I'll also touch base on why exactly they are toxic, damaging to individuals, and lead to things like religious trauma syndrome and other forms of abuse. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

Doug Wilson Part 3: The Many Scandals Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

In this third instalment examining the controversial pastor Doug Wilson out of Moscow, ID, we're diving into the decades--yes, decades--of scandals and controversies that have been attached to him and his associated ministries. In our continuing investigation of all things Wilson, this episode demonstrates that not only has Wilson's teachings and leadership style created a culture that is rife for abuses, due to his nepotism, politicking and cronyism, Wilson has so far not only managed to evade all consequences, he's been insulated from any meaningful accountability. Despite all of these scandals, nonetheless Wilson continues to be platformed by leading evangelical leaders. As we saw in the first episode, due to his incredible reach into multiple evangelical homes and churches, his teaching is promoted widely. This episode will shed some light on the real Doug Wilson--buckle up and pour yourself a strong drink, because it's another long one! Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Doug Wilson Part 2 - Biblical Patriarchy: Power, Control & Spiritual Abuse (with Cait West) Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

As I was doing all of my research on controversial pastor Doug Wilson out of Moscow, Idaho, I came across his troublesome teachings on so-called "biblical patriarchy." That also led me to a disturbing movement called the "stay-at-home-daughters" (SAHD)--something which is also within Wilson's orbit.

This week's guest, Cait West, is a survivor of both. She grew up in a Christian homeschooling environment and also was also a part of the SAHD too. Having escaped both, Cait is not only speaking out and writing about her experiences and the trauma she suffered, she is now an advocate for those like herself who experienced forms of religious or other traumas.

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Find out more on Cait's Blog

Doug Wilson Part 1: Misunderstood Pastor or Cult Leader? Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

This episode marks the first foray into the sprawling religious empire created by Doug Wilson, pastor of Christ Church in Moscow Idaho. Already on my radar from several years ago when I did an episode with Mark Potok, formerly of the Southern Poverty Law Center, who investigated the controversial pastor back in 2004.

In this 2+ hour episode, we'll uncover Wilson's backstory: where did he come from? How did he become the pastor of Christ Church? How has he gone on to establish a controversial religious empire based out of Moscow? And finally, we want to start looking at the question: is he just a misunderstood pastor, trying his level best to get his version of the Christian gospel out there, or is he on the spectrum of cult leaders?

More content is coming soon--watch this space for more information on Wilson!

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The Big Lie and the New Apostolic Reformation: A Christo-Fascist Network? (with Jennifer Cohn) Nov 18, 2022

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This week's episode features a conversation with Jennifer Cohn, an investigative journalist who primarily writes for the Bucks County Beacon.

Through her work investigating issues such as election integrity in the runup to the 2016 election, Jennifer became aware of the NAR--the New Apostolic Reformation--and the key players who've been pushing Trump's "Big Lie" following the 2020 election.

In their quest to take dominion, these so-called "apostles and prophets" are pushing the Lie--but what's their motivation? Jennifer and I touch on this as well as numerous other related topics, key leaders, and influencers within this movement that is currently threatening American democracy in its aim to achieve dominion.

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Dominionism as a Strategy of Mobilization (with Dr André Gagné) Nov 04, 2022

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Returning guest Dr André Gagné from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, is an expert on the field of dominion theology, the New Apostolic Reformation, the Christian Right and what's going on in Trump world.

Thus: what better thing to do than to reach out to him after a few years to catch up on what's going on in that universe? The good news is that André's book on the evangelicals behind Trump will be soon translated into English--and I'm sensing another episode coming up!

Will the evangelicals promoting Trump's "Big Lie" go away anytime soon? What's their strategy for taking dominion? Find out the answers to those questions and more in this fascinating, if chilling, conversation.

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Follow André on Twitter @Andre_Gagne1

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From IFB Pastor to Atheist (with Bruce Gerencser) Oct 21, 2022

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Continuing our theme of speaking with ex-pastors, this week's conversation is another good one, featuring my friend Bruce Gerencser. A former Independent Fundamental Baptist preacher of several decades, Bruce has a lifetime's experience unpacking not only the church and the Bible, as an avowed atheist now, he has an incredible story to tell about his journey. In this chat Bruce and I swap stories of life as a pastor, break down the differences between fundamentalism and mainstream evangelicalism, and finally conclude by looking at helpful coping strategies to rebuild your life and reclaim your authentic identity after leaving religion behind. Visit Bruce's Blog here Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Details Follow Bruce on Twitter @brucetheatheist Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Childish Things (with Dave Warnock) Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

I'm super happy to be reconnecting with my good friend Dave Warnock of "Dying Out Loud"--it's been at least 3+ years since we last talked last, maybe more.

In the meantime, Dave has come out with a brand-new book called Childish Things: A Memoir. I listened to it on Audible, which I'd highly recommend as Dave himself reads the text. This makes his memoirs even more poignant, especially if you grew up in evangelicalism in the 1970s-1990s--the "Jesus Movement" and all that went with it.

Dave and I discuss his time as a Christian, including his stint as a pastor of several churches; how he ended up deconstructing, becoming an atheist, and dealing with a terminal illness. I hope you not only enjoy this conversation, but also get a lot out of it too.

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Follow Dave on Twitter @dwwarnock

Dave Out Loud Website

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TULIP: The Poisonous Flower of Calvinism (with Dr David D'Andre) Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

This week's episode features a fascinating discussion with returning guest, Dr David D'Andre, on the subject of his brand-new book entitled TULIP: The Poisonous Flower of Calvinism.

Why Calvinism, of all the theological systems that are out there? As David makes clear, this theology in particular has a number of problems associated with it, both historically and currently. For many of us who identify as "exvangelical," we came out of churches that preached various aspects of Calvin's theology. Just to name a few: biblical patriarchy, dominion theology, and Christian nationalism.

We will also conclude by discussing how you can recover and rebuild your life, if you've come out of this toxic system.

Find David's book on Amazon

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