Beyond the Box

Merry Christmas!

Steve — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:54:59 +0000

Ray and Steve are taking the week off from podcasting to enjoy Christmas with their families. We hope that all of our listeners have a very enjoyable holiday. We’ll be back next week!

Leaving the Institution

Steve — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:28:09 +0000

Listener Ben K. recently asked several really good questions on the Idea Submission page. Specifically, Ben asked questions revolving around the idea of leaving the institutional church. How does one communicate that decision to the pastor without appearing to be criticizing that pastor’s work? In this episode, Ray and Steve discuss some of their own experiences in leaving the institution, and attempt to give some guarded advice to people like Ben who are heading in the same direction.

Near the end of the episode, we mention the book “So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore”. If you’re interested in that book, you can go to www.JakeColsen.com.

Upgrading in Progress…Please Be Patient

Steve — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:54:42 +0000

Hey, listeners. Recently, the BtB site was hacked, and as part of our efforts to prevent this from happening again, we have had to upgrade our WordPress version to the newest. This, in turn, required us to change plugins that we were using for podcasting. As a result, there appears to be some strange behavior regarding the playing of podcast episodes on the site. You may or may not get redirected to the MP3 file itself rather than seeing a player on the page.

I (Steve) will continue to work on this problem. However, for the moment, I have to leave it as it is because of other commitments on my time.

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Box, and I hope you’ll bear with us through these technological changes!

Update Dec 13, 2008 - Well, I was having difficulties with the new podcast plugin, and tried going back to the old plugin. It appears to work, despite rumors of difficulties with WordPress 2.7. Go figure! So, for now, all appears to be well. If you have any difficulties with the site, please let me know. Thanks!

Supernatural Skepticism

Raborn — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:17:43 +0000

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?

Learning to Discern

Steve — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:58:10 +0000

In a recent idea submission, Gloria asked a question about knowing the difference between truth and trickery. How can we determine what is actually real and what is being put in our minds by manipulation. It’s one thing to look at a cult and see the manipulation that takes place. But what about within Christianity? Is there stuff going on that is more about the power of a leader to manipulate his/her followers?

In this episode, Ray and Steve bounce off Gloria’s question and discuss some ways that manipulation takes place. They also discuss the way that believers can be sure what they are hearing/seeing is truth.

Right or Righteous?

Steve — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:25:47 +0000

Is it possible to be right without being righteous? Are the two synonyms? Did Jesus call us to be right or to be righteous? Many times we equate being right in our knowledge with being righteous. However, Ray and Steve discuss concepts such as “The Good Samaritan” in Jesus’ teaching that seem to make heroes out of people who were viewed as not being “right” in their beliefs. Being right is good, but should it be the focus of our lives? Or should we be motivated by something other? What do you think?

Learning to Lose Control

Raborn — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:09:47 +0000

As Bruce Shelley states in Church History in Plain Language, ”Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God“. But, if this is so, why do believers in Jesus so frequently seek to exert power over others through politics or church hierarchies? In this episode Steve and Ray converse about learning to let go of the thirst for power and submitting to each other as Jesus taught and modeled. As always we would love your input and would enjoy dialoging with you!

What About Homosexuality?

Raborn — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:50:49 +0000

Is Homosexuality a sin? With debate raging around the country about California’s Proposition 8, Steve & Ray discuss how we as believers should respond. Should Christians seek to advance legislation that would outlaw same-sex marriage in order to “protect the institution of marriage”? Thanks to listener Big C for submitting this topic on our idea submission page! As always, we welcome your comments, questions, attaboys and disagreements in the comments section…and yes, you may burn us in effigy if you so choose!

Taking the Week Off

Steve — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:35:41 +0000

Ray and Steve are taking this week off from podcasting. Check back next Wednesday for a new episode. Better yet, if you’re relatively new to the podcast, use this “free week” to catch up on older episodes that you might have missed

Christian Superstition

Steve — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:06:37 +0000

How much of what we say or do as Christians amounts to “abracadabra” or just plain superstition? While Christians might be able to recognize the silliness of tossing salt over one’s shoulder or fearing a broken mirror, it doesn’t stop us from having our own equally silly beliefs.

With a great deal of humor and a willingness to laugh at themselves, Ray and Steve talk about a variety of practices and beliefs that they put in a category called “Christian Superstition”. Sure, toes will get stepped on, but Ray and Steve willingly and knowingly step on their own toes in the process!

Cue Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”…