Why does one small crack, one honest question, bring down an entire belief system? In this episode of Untamed Grace, Jeromy sits down with Julie Ferwerda, the author of Raising Hell: Christianity's Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire, for a candid conversation about evangelical deconstruction, spiritual abuse, and what happens when you stop believing in hell. Julie grew up in a Nazarene church steeped in hell-and-damnation theology, in a home that was anything but safe. She spent years as a committed evangelical leader in youth ministry, women's ministry, and worship team, feeling like "a salesman who didn't believe in my own products." Then came a walk in the rain, a friend, a new way of reading the Bible, and one honest question: "What if I'm wrong?" Hell went first. Julie shares how studying the Bible from Jewish perspectives, a single verse about Adam and Christ, and a year of research led her to Christian universalism and universal reconciliation, and to the conviction that there's no such thing as "lost." Then the Trinity came down too, replaced by an image she received on a silent monastery retreat: you were on the inside looking out, not the outside looking in. Her house of faith turned out to be a house of cards, and yet, in her words, "nothing bad happened." Along the way we get into Richard Rohr, non-duality, the Kabbalistic shattered mirror, a parent's picture of oneness with God, and why she put Jesus on the shelf for years until A Course in Miracles brought him back. Then it gets adventurous. Julie makes the case for reclaiming the "taboo" tools religion taught us to fear (astrology, reincarnation, New Thought, and the Law of Attraction), arguing the tool isn't the problem, the consciousness you bring to it is. She also shares her take on life as a playful simulation, and the one test she asked God for in the early days of her deconstruction: does this lead to the love and liberation of all people? For the finale, she reads Jeromy's birth chart live, touching on identity, old wounds, and the question of building a sense of home within yourself. Whether you see astrology as a soul blueprint, a mirror, or just a good conversation starter, it makes for a surprisingly tender ending. Whether you're deconstructing, already on the other side, questioning hell, curious about non-duality and Christian universalism, or wondering if it's okay to explore what you were told to fear, this conversation is for you. You can't get lost. Bring your curiosity, and clutch your steering wheel. JULIE SUBSTACK: https://julieferwerda.substack.com/RAISING HELL BOOK https://raisinghellbook.com/ Once grace is tamed, it ceases to be grace. Grace doesn’t hold back. She breaks the rules, softens hearts, and loves without apology. The open, universal, unapologetic love of God. Together we’re building a braver, more honest space. Thanks for your support and for listening. Got a story, question, guest suggestions, or topic idea? Email me.Please share if you believe this show and its message of grace is important in our time—keep it spreading!Be sure to follow on whichever podcast platform you use.Untamed Grace Facebook Group Episode partnered with QuoirCast, and written, hosted, edited and produced by Jeromy Johnson. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
