Last week Natalia and producer Matthew led an event called Renew and wanted to share a part of it with you all. On Sunday evening, April 21, we gathered 6 incredible speakers to share their thoughts on why they haven’t quite given up on the Bible, at least not yet. We decided to share 3 of the 6 with you this week. So here you have Joe Davis, Matthew Ian Fleming, and Dr. Anna Carter Florence, sharing from their own voices of persistence. 

Notes: 

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

www.churchanew/renew

Natalia welcomes friend of the pod friend of God Meta Herrick Carlson to answer some wide ranging “Ask Us Anything” questions submitted by listeners!

Links: 

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

www.metaherrickcarlson.com

Emmy and Natalia welcome our favorite producer Matthew to talk about his new book and the book of Revelation and why we all have unlearning/learning to do and sure it’s a scary book of the Bible but not for the reasons we think. 

Links: 

Pre-Order Matthew’s book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-end-is-the-beginning-matthew-ian-fleming/1144500240

Renew Event in Minneapolis: https://churchanew.org/voices

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener question about whether or not God picks favorites, and why we like to think this way, particularly in the face of difficult things. 

Links: 

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian

Blessed Holy Week to you, Cafeterians! In lieu of our usual episode, this week we wanted to share a sermon from friend and colleague Amy Courts Koopman. Amy is a gifted preacher and musician, and she often writes songs as sermons. This time, she wrote both, and it is just too good not to share with all of you. 

Links:

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  http://www.amycourts.com/   or follow Amy: https://www.instagram.com/amycourts/ 

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener request to talk through Atonement Theories (with a CC flair) which feels particularly relevant as we’re in Holy Week.

Links:

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Wikipedia page to do more digging on theories:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Atonement_in_Christianity

Instagram for Parenting through faith: https://www.instagram.com/meredithannemiller/

Emmy and Natalia talk about the challenges of Holy Week with our Jewish siblings - In this fraught and tender time, how can we go through Holy Week with the intention of honoring our neighbors faith and doing no harm? 

Links - 

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Video about the Trinity and St Patrick: https://youtu.be/KQLfgaUoQCw?si=_p-j__Pv3sXRMpBY

Emmy and Natalia talk about the “big tent” ideology that is prevalent in so many churches and why it might not be as good as we think it is to say “all are welcome.” 

Support the show at:

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener question about what to do when the Bible contradicts itself, and why there are four Gospels but one Jesus. 

Links: 

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy teaching at St John’s in Lakeville MN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYxdPUiURE8&list=PLkvWuOAW_KuQaEWbITdBF56T2RMcEg6Ce&index=4 

Natalia and Emmy tackle two news stories from the last week and what they have to say about our faith in public life and politics. It’s a longer episode, but both stories deserve the time and conversation. We hope you’ll continue talking with us about it in our facebook group or instagram. Also, note that this episode refers to infertility, IVF, abortion, and suicide, so if any of those topics are tender for you - please do what you need to do to care for yourself and your well-being.

Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia welcomes returning guest and friend of the pod Angela Denker. Angela is an author, pastor, and speaker with expertise in the area of “maga Christianity” and white Christian nationalism. As nationalism makes its way to a bigger platform during this election year, Angela helps us understand what it is we should listen for and speak against. 

Links: 

www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Angela’s website: https://www.angeladenker.com/ Angela’s substack: https://angeladenker.substack.com/ 

Rob Reiner Movie: Angela’s Recommended follow list: 

• Jemar Tisby - https://jemartisby.com/

• Anthea Butler - https://antheabutler.com/ 

• Dante Stuart - https://www.dantecstewart.com/ 

• Starlette Thomas - https://racelessgospel.com/who/