Real Bible Rob: Affirming Christianity Podcast Real Bible Rob - Inclusive Christianity Discussions Real Bible Rob | PCUSA Min

Rob Christ | Inclusive Christianity
  • 4.7 (12)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Exploring Bible interpretation and modern Christian faith, I am a Presbyterian USA minister who interprets the Bible in all of its messy and varied voices. I teach and preach spiritual growth to people who want an open and affirming Christianity. My social media tagline is "People say lots of things about the Bible that aren't really there."  My full-length sermons and live stream are available on YouTube: @robchrist8999 and @edmondspresbyterian132Contact me at: epc-pcusa.org, pastorepc@frontier.com

  1. 3D AGO

    Daniel is the Last Book of the Old Testament

    Send us Fan Mail Daniel is such a fun book. It has the men with funny names thrown into the fiery furnace. They are saved without even the slightest burn and with an angel appearing in the fire with them. It has Daniel thrown into the Lion's Den by King Belshazzer in a fit of rage. Then the lion's mouth is shut. These miraculous stories are amazing. A follower of mine said, "why don't you talk about Daniel's dreams in Chapter 7?" So I will tell you about this amazing dream because it connects the two parts of Daniel: the first part with these amazing stories and the second part with all these crazy images, just like Revelation. Dreams are such a big part of the Bible. Daniel was the last book of the Old Testament written between 167 and 165 BC. That is confusing, because our Bibles put Malachi last, but they did this to link the Old Testament with the New Testament. Even though Daniel was written about things that happened 400 years before, it's story telling tells us so much about the people living just before Jesus. If you could take your Bible apart and put it back together, you should put Daniel last. I explain how this timeline is so interesting and how it helps to make this weird dream make sense. Reference: "Strong As Death Is Love" by Robert Alter

    28 min

  2. MAY 2

    Depravity Porn: Psychological warfare of evangelists using Proverbs 3:5 and Jeremiah 17:9

    Send us Fan Mail Does your pastor tell you “the heart is deceitful” and “lean not on your own understanding” to get you to not trust yourself or your intuition? This is pure gaslighting and you should run away from them. It’s often a trick played by dominant men to push down women and minorities. I call it depravity porn and you don't have to fall for it. The verses Jeremiah 17:9 and Proverbs 3:5 are grossly misused for this. They mean the opposite of what these pastors use it for. In this episode, I explain what these verses mean in context, looking at Hebrew and its interpretation. I also talk about the psychological manipulation that reformed evangelists like Paul Washer use. Like boot camp, the goal is to weaken and breakdown a person and then fill them with your perspective. Depravity porn is their main tool for psychological gaslighting. The NET does by far the best job of translating Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it? I, the Lord, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done." Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

    29 min

  3. APR 25

    No Doubting About Thomas: How John showed his importance

    Send us Fan Mail Thomas was one of the most impressive apostles for a number of reasons. He is the instigator of change and perception in the Gospel of John. He is unfairly called Doubting Thomas to highlight his saying he wouldn't believe in the risen Christ until he put his hands on Jesus’s wounds to believe Jesus had risen. Without we would not have had such a clear physical manifestation of Christ. Thomas shows up 3 times in the Gospel of John. He also inspired the Gospel of Thomas which many people thought should have been in the Bible. The “doubting” was really more about being practical and smart than about unbelief. In this episode I explain why we should look up to Thomas. Also why many people really admire him even today.

    28 min

  4. APR 18

    Exodus Trauma Shapes Levitical Law with @literallythebible: Biblical Interpretation, Modern Faith

    Send us Fan Mail How does trauma shape sacred law? In this episode, Rob explores trauma responses woven through Exodus and Leviticus with Elle @literallythebible, examining how the Israelites' PTSD from slavery informed the Levitical legal codes. Discover how codifying law wasn't oppressive rule-making—it was communal healing. A trauma-informed Bible interpretation for affirming Christianity, showing how understanding biblical trauma reshapes modern faith and pastoral care. I wish more people would read the Bible like Elle does. I highly recommend following her on TikTok @literallythebible.

    51 min

  5. APR 10

    Importance of Biblical Studies focused on Gender and Sexuality with @mattiemaemotl

    Send us Fan Mail I am so excited to welcome Mattie Mae Motl to the podcast. She has made a big splash on social media. With lots of knowledge and some considerable sass in her videos, she is changing the conversation about biblical scholarship for a popular audience. This is incredibly important to reclaim rationality in Christianity especially for young people. There is so much disinformation about scriptures. She is a PhD candidate in Biblical Studies focused on Gender and Sexuality in the New Testament at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. I ask about her research, especially around the changing ideas about marriage and consent. How does this relate to our use of scripture versus historical uses? I explore where she wants to take this and how it will impact the future of the church especially as young people reject the patriarchal church of the past.   Resource:  The Emergence of Sin: The Cosmic Tyrant in Romans by Matthew Croasmun, 2019

    1h 4m

  6. APR 4

    Gideon and God's Guerillas: Bible Interpretation of Judges 6 & 7 in Modern Christian Faith

    Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, we explore the story of Gideon from Judges 6 & 7 through the lens of inclusive Christianity and affirming faith. This narrative of 'less is more' not only reflects the underdog spirit embedded throughout the Bible but also offers profound lessons for modern Christian faith and spirituality. As a Presbyterian USA minister, I delve into Bible interpretation that challenges imperial and persecution myths historically prevalent in Christianity, emphasizing a subversive, anti-empire perspective. Join me this Easter season for a personal reflection on how the story of Gideon sustains and inspires a truly inclusive, affirming Christianity in today's context. Less is more when it comes to warfare. This is often the case with faith. Apologists load up theology with proofs. Churches load up worship with entertainment. The story of Gideon is the ultimate less is more story in the Bible. In this highly personal episode, I describe how the story of Gideon is sustaining me during this Easter season. The Bible is a story of underdogs from start to finish. The Israelites were always on the verge of extinction. The Jewish people continued this legacy through the ages into modern times. It is tricky to take these stories for encouragement while avoiding the common persecution myth that is so prevalent in Christianity. This myth is behind all imperial forms of Christianity from Constantine to the Crusades to the American Christian Nationalism. But if we take it to heart the story of Gideon is always subversive and sneaky. When read in context, it is always anti-empire.

    40 min

  7. MAR 28

    Rejecting Grief and Lament: Evangelical Shame and Psalm 88 – An Affirming Christianity Perspective

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the challenging topic of grief and lament within evangelical communities, focusing on Psalm 88 as a powerful expression of authentic sorrow often suppressed in favor of performative happiness. Drawing a contrast with the commonly used Psalm 23 at funerals, this discussion delves into how evangelical teachings can shame genuine feelings, impacting spirituality and individual grief processes. As a Presbyterian USA minister committed to affirming and inclusive Christianity, I examine how these dynamics reflect broader issues within modern Christian faith and the cultural wars surrounding empathy. Join me to uncover why embracing true lament is essential for spiritual growth and healing within the church and beyond. This is a companion to my episode about Psalm 23. Wanting to keep it peaceful, I saved my ranting for this episode. Why aren't you allowed to feel? Erika Kirk, the wife of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is a case study in case study in evangelical Christian performance covering up genuine feelings. Ask anyone who has deconstructed from high control religion and they will say the first thing they say is that it was all a lie. They don't mean spirituality or even Christianity itself. They mean the substituted feelings and performative happiness. It is an exaggeration of the American ethos of individualism. Even the choice of the most beautiful Psalm 23 for funerals belies the substitution. Real grief comes in the form of Psalm 88. I explain where this comes from. Then I explain how the war on empathy is also a war on grief and lament, and how this is driving so much of the division in the Culture Wars. Two John Piper quotes that show this. Previous episodes: S2 E5 "Misreading Scripture to push Fascist Ideology - Inclusive Affirming Christianity Romans 13 & Jeremiah 17" S2 E12 "Psalm 23's Beauty: An Affirming Christian Interpretation Beyond Grief"

    30 min

  8. MAR 21

    Psalm 23's Beauty: An Affirming Christian Interpretation Beyond Grief

    Send us Fan Mail In this peaceful and soulful episode of 'Real Bible Rob,' an affirming Christian and PCUSA minister delves into the incredible beauty of Psalm 23, exploring its rich imagery through a fresh, inclusive interpretation. Often read in times of grief, this Psalm offers more than comfort—it reveals God's boundless love and grace through intimate Hebrew language and modern Christian spirituality. Join us as we reinterpret David's famous Psalm, unpacking its biblical depth and spiritual significance in the context of affirming Christianity and inclusive faith practices. Featuring insights from Robert Alter's 'The Book of Psalms' and a unique translation by Rob Christ, this episode highlights how scripture can speak to contemporary seekers of spiritual growth and understanding within the PCUSA ministry framework. Rob Christ's translation of Psalm 23 from the original Hebrew: A song of David: The Lord is my shepherd, I will lack nothing He causes me to sprawl on fresh grass, He leads me to waters of calm He saves my life, He guides me on the right paths on account of his name. Even though I walk through ravines of deep darkness, I will not fear danger, because you are with me; your club and your shepherd crook bring me comfort. You prepare a lavish meal before me in front of my enemies, you honor me with oil on my head, my wine cup is always full. Surely goodness and loyal love will pursue me all my days: and I will stay in the Lord’s house all my life.

    30 min
See All (97)

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Exploring Bible interpretation and modern Christian faith, I am a Presbyterian USA minister who interprets the Bible in all of its messy and varied voices. I teach and preach spiritual growth to people who want an open and affirming Christianity. My social media tagline is "People say lots of things about the Bible that aren't really there."  My full-length sermons and live stream are available on YouTube: @robchrist8999 and @edmondspresbyterian132Contact me at: epc-pcusa.org, pastorepc@frontier.com

Information

You Might Also Like