http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com Two guys thinking out loud about life beyond the box of institutional religion Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:12:40 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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! http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/12/merry-christmas/ 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 ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/12/leaving-the-institution/ 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, ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/12/upgrading-in-progressplease-be-patient/ 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 ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/12/supernatural-skepticism/ In a recent <a title="Beyond the Box Idea Submission page" href="http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/idea-submission/">idea submission</a>, 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 ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/12/learning-to-discern/ 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 ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/11/right-or-righteous/ As Bruce Shelley states in <strong>Church History in Plain Language</strong>, "<em>Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God</em>".  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 ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/11/learning-to-lose-control/ Is Homosexuality a sin?  With debate raging around the country about California's Proposition 8, Steve &#38; 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 ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/11/what-about-homosexuality/ 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 :) http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/11/taking-the-week-off/ 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 ... http://www.beyondtheboxpodcast.com/2008/10/christian-superstition/