Episode 85: Institutional Christianity—Reasons to Leave. Reasons to Stay. Part II Latter Day Struggles

This is part TWO of a five part series analyzing Brian McLaren’s book “Do I Stay Christian”.

In each of these episodes, Val and Nathan go through McLaren’s 10 compelling reasons to LEAVE institutionalized Christianity and 10 compelling reasons to STAY.

In this episode the two reasons discussed to LEAVE are as follows:

3) Because of the huge world-wide death toll and life toll due to Christian imperialism/ colonization, and

4) Because of perpetual issues with loyal Christian “company men” who value loyalty to institution over loyalty to those whom they are serving who come to worship God and find healing community.

The two viable reasons to STAY in institutional Christianity discussed in this episode are:

3) Because those who value the rhythms of community worship will find that there is no human-run institution that will be exempt of the complexities of human-run institutions, and

4) Because when speaking relative to the creation of the universe, Christianity is in its infancy and very young things are very underdeveloped by necessity.

Val and Nathan respect McLaren’s straightforward, honest look at our Christian history and share in his trust that each of us is wise enough to look truth straight in the eye in order to forge our own path towards spiritual health and wholeness.

Books referenced in this episode:


Do I Stay Christian?: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned, by Brian D. McLaren
The Creation of Patriarchy, by Gerta Lerner

——————————————————————————————————————

SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠a paid subscription ($9.99/month)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

——————————————————————————————————————

SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

——————————————————————————————————————

SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Details about availability on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!

     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

——————————————————————————————————————

COURSES: Now available! “⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠” parts I and II. See what else is offered on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

——————————————————————————————————————

CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches a