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The Deconstructionists

The Deconstructionists

John Williamson 280 Episodes Aug 12, 2026

A podcast about building new faith. It's all about construction, but sometimes that means you have to deconstruct a little. Questions, exploration, mystery...

Episodes

Ep. 246 - Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray "Fish With Feet: Human Evolution and the Image of God" pt. 1
Ep. 246 - Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray "Fish With Feet: Human Evolution and the Image of God" pt. 1 Aug 12, 2026 2086 What if accepting evolution didn’t require abandoning faith?Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray returns to The Deconstructionists to talk about her new book, Fish with Feet: Human Evolution and the Image of God.Janet is a science educator, author, and Jesus follower who was herself raised within creationism. In her latest book, she tackles one of the most persistent points of tension between modern science and
What Comes Next: The Future of The Deconstructionists
What Comes Next: The Future of The Deconstructionists Aug 11, 2026 659 After more than ten years of conversations about faith, doubt, theology, identity, and the questions that reshape us, The Deconstructionists is entering its final chapter.In this special update, John reflects on how the show began, the philosophy that guided it, what has changed in the deconstruction space over the past decade, and why the time feels right to bring the weekly podcast to a close at
Ep. 245 - Rev. Sally Miller "The Modern Chaplain" pt. 2
Ep. 245 - Rev. Sally Miller "The Modern Chaplain" pt. 2 Aug 3, 2026 2202 What does it really mean to be present with another person?In Part Two of John's conversation with Rev. Sally Pelinka Miller, the discussion moves beyond defining modern chaplaincy and into the heart of spiritual care itself.Rather than offering easy answers or trying to fix people's pain, today's chaplains often practice something much more difficult: accompanying people through uncer
Ep. 244 - Rev. Sally Miller "The Modern Chaplain" pt. 1
Ep. 244 - Rev. Sally Miller "The Modern Chaplain" pt. 1 Jul 27, 2026 2423 What comes to mind when you hear the word "chaplain"?For many of us, it's an older Christian minister carrying a Bible into a hospital room to pray with patients. But what if that image no longer reflects the reality of modern spiritual care?In Part One of this conversation, John sits down with Rev. Sally Pelinka Miller, board-certified chaplain, ACPE Certified Educator, and Manager of
Ep. 243 - Jacob & Esau: The Misunderstood Brothers
Ep. 243 - Jacob & Esau: The Misunderstood Brothers Jul 1, 2026 3756 What if one of the Bible's most famous stories isn't really about a hero and a villain?For centuries, many of us have been taught to read the story of Jacob and Esau through a familiar lens: Jacob, despite his flaws, is God's chosen son, while Esau becomes little more than the cautionary tale of the brother who "despised his birthright." But what happens when we slow down, revi
Ep. 242 - Shelby Forsythia "Grief, Healing, and the Stories We Carry" (Part 2)
Ep. 242 - Shelby Forsythia "Grief, Healing, and the Stories We Carry" (Part 2) Jun 10, 2026 2661 In Part 2 of our conversation with grief coach, author, and podcaster Shelby Forsythia, we dive deeper into her brand-new book, Of Course I'm Here Right Now.Most of us want to help when someone we love is grieving. The problem is that we've never been taught how. Instead, we fall back on clichés, platitudes, and well-meaning advice that often leaves grieving people feeling even more isolat
Ep. 241 - Shelby Forsythia "Grief, Healing, and the Stories We Carry" (Part 1)
Ep. 241 - Shelby Forsythia "Grief, Healing, and the Stories We Carry" (Part 1) Jun 3, 2026 1700 What happens when grief changes not just your life… but your identity?In part one of this conversation, John sits down with author, grief guide, and speaker Shelby Forsythia to discuss her new book and the complicated, deeply human realities of loss, healing, and personal transformation.Together, they explore the myths we inherit about grief, why so many people feel pressure to “move on” too quick
Ep. 240 - Dualism — The Battle Between Spirit and Matter
Ep. 240 - Dualism — The Battle Between Spirit and Matter May 27, 2026 2221 What if one of the most influential ideas in modern Christianity… didn’t actually come from Jesus?In this episode of The Deconstructionists Podcast, we explore the history and impact of dualism — the ancient belief that spirit is good while matter, bodies, and the physical world are somehow lesser, corrupt, or evil.From Plato and Greek philosophy to Gnosticism and modern evangelical culture, we tr
Ep. 239 - Dr. Bart Ehrman "Love Thy Stranger" pt.  2
Ep. 239 - Dr. Bart Ehrman "Love Thy Stranger" pt. 2 May 13, 2026 1475 In Part 2 of our conversation, Bart Ehrman returns to discuss his latest book, Love Thy Stranger, and the lasting impact Jesus’ teachings had on moral thought in the Western world.We continue exploring how ideas surrounding compassion, forgiveness, charity, and care for outsiders emerged within early Christianity — while also wrestling with the ways institutions and political movements have often
Ep. 238 - Dr. Bart Ehrman "Love Thy Stranger" pt. 1
Ep. 238 - Dr. Bart Ehrman "Love Thy Stranger" pt. 1 May 6, 2026 2695 Dr. Bart Ehrman – Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West (Part 1)In Part 1 of our conversation with renowned New Testament scholar and historian Dr. Bart Ehrman, we dive into his latest book, "Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West".For centuries, people have debated whether Christianity
Ep. 237 - Lillian Daniels "Failure, Accountability & the Future of the Church" pt. 2
Ep. 237 - Lillian Daniels "Failure, Accountability & the Future of the Church" pt. 2 Apr 16, 2026 2744 In Part 2 of our conversation with Lillian Daniel, we move deeper into the tensions at the heart of her story—and the bigger questions it raises for the modern church.If Part 1 explored what happened, this episode asks what it means.We talk about accountability, institutional systems, and whether the church is actually capable of handling failure in a way that leads to healing rather than harm.📚 A
Ep. 236 - Lillian Daniel "Defrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church" pt. 1
Ep. 236 - Lillian Daniel "Defrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church" pt. 1 Apr 9, 2026 1998 📝 Episode SummaryDrawing from her new book, Defrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church, Lillian shares her journey through ministry, the unexpected challenges she encountered, and the moments that forced her to rethink long-held assumptions about leadership, faith, and belonging.This episode is an honest look at what happens when certainty begins to crack—and why that might not be

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