Supernatural Skepticism
Dec.11, 2008 in
Podcast Episodes
While questioning institutional church practices and traditions, do we ever reach a point that should be left beyond inquiry? At what point do we “cross the line” with our skepticism, or is there a line to begin with? In this episode Steve and Ray respond to regular listener sidfaiwu’s idea submission regarding skepticism and the supernatural. We would love to hear from you too! What do you think? Is there a point at which our questioning goes too far and if so, where is that boundary for you?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:35 — 27.2MB) | Embed
December 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hey Guys,
Thanks for tackling this topic. It’s challenging but very interesting. You guys approach your beliefs with an astounding mixture of enthusiasm and intelligence. As I listen, I’m amazed at how well you anticipate my next question and then proceed to answer it. It enabled you to cut straight to the heart of the issue. You can color me impressed… again. You did answer my questions beyond my expectations. This has prompted me to write quite a long response that I’m editing into a blog post for my site. It’s a bit too long for a comment. I’ll place the link in a future comment once I have it posted.
I’m glad you both appreciate my participation here. I’ve commented on other Christian sites that were superficially welcoming. I can tell yours is genuine. I certainly enjoy commenting. I am definitely learning a new perspective within Christianity. Consider me the loyal opposition. 😉
I do have the technology to participate remotely and am able to meet up in person. Let me know if you’d like to arrange something. I’m actually in Charlotte, but with planning, it’s not too far of a road trip. I’ll warn you, though, that I’m much better at expressing myself in written format than when speaking (which is why I blog as opposed to podcast).
December 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
My response has been posted.
December 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am
This is a repost from what I wrote on sids blog if you don’t read it – and you should.
My brain hurts.
You dudes are very intelligent, knowledgeable, and worth learning from. But my brain hurts. My only point to all of the wonderfully written ideas here is you all seem to leave out the simplest point. Jesus came to save people. Be it whatever you want to call him – he dealt with people all the time infallibly (my big word to make me feel a part of the gang.) He didn’t establish rules, he didn’t worry about the bible or doctrine, and only quoted scripture when the discussion was pulled into it by others like the pharisees.
To me faith is simply living what you believe instinctually. The science of Sagan’s balance seems to draw away from your ablilty to feel the truth. I have found that if I feel like somethings wrong religiously or otherwise to trust that feeling and do my research. I know man was involved in interpreting the bible, and I believe that God is supreme. I know that 90% of the points in the bible that we argue don’t really matter ultimately.
I gotta ask to the science folk – Did you use Sagans balance or some other scientific method to determine if you loved your significant other? How about to determine if they love you? And to any faith or religious ones did you “recieve confirmation from God” or did you just know?
Science sometimes seems to strive to take away the humaness of us as does religion. I strive to reinsert that in faith or in science if you forget to actually live – like Jesus “lived” his life – then none of these arguments matter. What is life without living? What is knowledge without application? What is love without pain? And what is faith without constant testing?
Thank all of you being open to discussion and putting forth some really good points. I have learned some things here today and look forward to further education.
November 4th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
I listened to your podcast and loved it. I pray you will be able to continue sharing your spiritual inspiration. You both are John Calvin’s of our time, but more importantly, you offer a personalized, faith building source of Christ focused encouragement to people like me who are disillusioned with church. You refreshed me today as I feel alone and deeply frightened by the politics in the church today. I am fighting to hold on to Christ and let go of the rest. Your points are biblicaly sound. Keep on, brothers! I ask in Jesus name, that He will bless and watch over your ministry.
November 4th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
D., thank you for your kind words! You have been an encouragement to me in the past, and I’m glad to know that we can return the favor 🙂 I love how you articulated “I am fighting to hold on to Christ and let go of the rest.” That is a great summary of where Ray and I have been walking. Keep listening and commenting, my dear sister.
November 5th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Hi D. Barbee,
It’s great to have you with us! Just as with Steve, I too have appreciated your encouragement in the past and it is a blessing to know that you are listening.
I understand your disillusionment with the church. I am tired of the political agendas and positioning to. Keep up the fight to “hold on to Christ and let go of the rest”! Like Steve said (am I just repeating him 🙂 ) we are in the struggle with you too.
Thanks for taking the time to join in the conversation and I hope that we will here from you more around here 🙂