178 episodes

Are you ready to relearn what you thought you knew about the Bible? Almost Heretical invites you on a journey of reclaiming the Bible and revolutionizing Christianity as we know it. Led by Nate Hanson (a former Crazy Love pastor) and Shelby Hanson (MA Biblical Studies & Dead Sea Scrolls). We challenge traditional teachings and offer a sanctuary for those questioning and reshaping their faith. 7 years running, with over 2 million downloads, this is a space for authentic exploration and tough questions. You're not alone!
Join 850+ others and get bonus episodes and access to our listener-only community: https://almostheretical.com/subscribe

Almost Heretical - Deconstruct Christianity Almost Heretical

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.6 • 538 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Are you ready to relearn what you thought you knew about the Bible? Almost Heretical invites you on a journey of reclaiming the Bible and revolutionizing Christianity as we know it. Led by Nate Hanson (a former Crazy Love pastor) and Shelby Hanson (MA Biblical Studies & Dead Sea Scrolls). We challenge traditional teachings and offer a sanctuary for those questioning and reshaping their faith. 7 years running, with over 2 million downloads, this is a space for authentic exploration and tough questions. You're not alone!
Join 850+ others and get bonus episodes and access to our listener-only community: https://almostheretical.com/subscribe

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    #133 – David Fitch: Is God's Love Coercive?

    #133 – David Fitch: Is God's Love Coercive?

    Listen to the extra 20-minute Utterly Heretical episode that Nate & Shelby recorded debriefing this conversation with David.
    Does Hell or even annihilationism mean that God's love is coercive? David Fitch (author of Reckoning With Power) debates with Nate and Shelby about whether we can call God's love "non-coercive".
    Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.com
    Become a member and get:
    1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month
    2. All full-length episodes
    3. Access to our private community of 350+ listeners
    Become a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 59 min
    Nate and Shelby debrief the David Fitch interview

    Nate and Shelby debrief the David Fitch interview

    After we recorded Episode 133 with David Fitch, we had to debrief. David said that God's love is not coercive. But, to any of us who were taught about Hell, it sure felt coercive, didn't it? Also, did he tell Shelby that she can't understand Hell? We get into all of that.

    #132 – Elaine Pagels: Trump and Doubting Thomas

    #132 – Elaine Pagels: Trump and Doubting Thomas

    Elaine Pagels presents the compelling theory that the Gospel of John might have intentionally silenced the Gospel of Thomas. This interview not only explores the hidden gospels but also challenges us to rethink the foundational narratives of Christianity through the insights of Elaine Pagels.
    Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.com
    Become a member and get:
    1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month
    2. All full-length episodes
    3. Access to our private community of 350+ listeners
    Become a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 5 min
    He Gets Us - Super Bowl Ad

    He Gets Us - Super Bowl Ad

    What felt weird about the He Gets Us Super Bowl ad? Was it a waste of money? We answer your questions.

    #131 – Peter Rollins: The Philosophy of Deconstruction

    #131 – Peter Rollins: The Philosophy of Deconstruction

    We sit down with philosopher and theologian Peter Rollins to explore the intricate landscape of faith, doubt, and the philosophy of deconstruction. Rollins discusses the importance of embracing our uncertainties and the transformative power of questioning traditional religious narratives. Through a deep dive into philosophical theology, we uncover how deconstructing our beliefs can lead to a more authentic and profound understanding of our spirituality and ourselves.
    Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.com
    Become a member and get:
    1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month
    2. All full-length episodes
    3. Access to our private community of 350+ listeners
    Become a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 21 min
    #130 – Anna Gazmarian: Religious OCD and Mental Illness

    #130 – Anna Gazmarian: Religious OCD and Mental Illness

    Listen to the full, unedited episode with extra 15 minutes
    Anna Gazmarian shares her profound journey of doubting faith, getting fired from a church, sexual assault, and confronting her mental health diagnosis within the church. How does faith intersect with the challenges of Religious OCD, scrupulosity and mental health? Discover her path to understanding and acceptance.
    Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.com
    Become a member and get:
    1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month
    2. All full-length episodes
    3. Access to our private community of 350+ listeners
    Become a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
538 Ratings

538 Ratings

Volt LOD ,

I’m longer an island in the ocean

This is more than just a podcast. It’s a voice that helps me struggle with what we would consider life’s most important questions.

Piscilla B ,

I like it but…

I have loved listening to this podcast and have gotten so much out of it. I appreciate how they make me feel like I am not alone in my faith walk. However, I have been frustrated for the past several months because they now lump all of their episodes (both Almost and Utterly) into one long list which means that I cannot access a good share of them unless I am a paid subscriber. It makes it harder to find an episode I CAN listen to. I would love to become a paid subscriber, but I just cannot afford to. I’m on a tighter budget. To constantly have to read through the list of things I’m not allowed to listen to in order to find something that I can listen to is annoying! It feels like some special exclusive club (which I guess it is). That’s all fine well and good if only they would separate out the “members only” episodes into a different place. I know they probably want to temp people to join up, but for me it feels like a division between the “haves” and the “have nots” that is just in my face now.

Nem211 ,

Even worse than last time

After a year of ignoring this podcast after it went off the deep end with it’s crazy theories and clear demonstration that the hosts were not just almost heretical anymore I thought I’d see if it got any better. Nope! The latest episode I heard was ironic as the woman on the show was sounding exactly like the serpent she was talking about in the garden. “Did God really say…?” “No, as it never really happened”. I pray that the hosts come back to Christ and seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discernment in interpreting the Bible before it is too late for them and the countless people they have influenced with their ‘deconstruction of the Bible’.

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