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Fireside Chats, Episode 23: Faith and Religion in the 21st Century (Patreon)

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2018-02-06 17:00:01
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2026-06
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Content

Meet Matt Patrick. Matt is a 25 year old Colin's Last Stand fan who also happens to be a Methodist Pastor. He reached out to me to see if we could chat about religion on the show, and naturally, I said yes. If you're looking for a deep-diving, philosophical, and thought-provoking chat on modern religion and the nature of faith, look no further.

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Comments

Alex Gates

I can’t say how much I really freakin loved this episode. I’ve lived in Texas for most of my life and grew up as a Christian as did most people I knew. However, over the last several years, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t have a fucking clue what life is about, if God exists, or if there is a point in life. I guess I’m just searching like everyone else cause I don’t know what to believe. But that’s what makes discussions like this one soooooo fascinating. Thank you, Matt, for reaching out to have this discussion and, Colin, please please please do more stuff like this. Really great stuff.

Phil Crone

I LOVED this episode! I did 13 years of Catholic school, so this one hit home with me. I had one fantastic scripture teacher that sounded an awful lot like Matt. One great thing she brought up that I never even realized: Gen 1 and Gen 2 are actually separate creation stories that don't even follow the same order! Loved it and really love to see community members highlighted. Keep it up Colin!

John Quinn

This episode was awesome! I identify as Catholic, I was raised that way and go to church sometimes, and I often am asking myself a lot of these kinds of questions regarding the church in the modern age. It was great to hear a discussion like this.

Adam Niksch

Loved this episode! I grew up in a Lutheran Church and still consider myself a Christian, though I don’t attend services very often anymore (maybe 5-6 times per year). I get where Matt is coming from. I realized a few years ago that my home church was actually quite progressive (especially for a Missouri Synod Church), despite some issues I’ve had with them. And it’s been hard to find something like that again. Funny enough, I came to some very similar conclusions as Matt did. I have an MS in aerospace engineering and work in the industry, so dismissing science isn’t something that I will ever do. It was nice to hear his perspective on things and how we both (separately) reached a similar level of understanding on how faith and science can coexist with each other.

Chad T.

I would argue there is a such thing as absolute truth. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jesus’ own words in the gospel of John). Now, one can choose not to believe what he says there but that doesn’t negate the absolutivity of the statement. He’s either absolutely wrong and there are other ways to the Father/Heaven (or perhaps no Heaven at all) or absolutely right and the only way is through Jesus. Either way, both can’t be true. And Colin, this points to the answer regarding “who would get in” at the end of the interview. The answer, according to Christian belief, is: the one who has put his trust into the hands of Jesus for securing entry. As a Christian, it’s not about what good one tries to do, because any good we try to do is still marred in selfishness typically. “We’ve all sinned” so to speak. All but Jesus that is...so it’s about what Jesus did in our place. Not that you didn’t already know that but, as good a discussion as this was, I felt the gospel wasn’t explained as plainly as it could’ve been. Really enjoy your work! Keep your head up man!

Peter Campbell

Was a little late in listening to this one but it was terrific. I'm always very fascinated by religion, even though I'm a non-believer, and this was a very interesting conversation.

Jordan Kirk

Awesome episode! Raised in OKC in a non denominational church. These, these are some of the questions. And all discussed in an intelligent respectful manner. Keep up the good work Colin!

Last Stand Media
>>9998419

I don't think it's a strange request to ask to see God, or evidence of his existence. Faith seems to be a copout for the inability to muster proof, which would be unacceptable in virtually every other avenue of our lives.

Last Stand Media
>>10002081

I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode. That brings a smile to my face! Keep searching. You'll find the answers. =)

Last Stand Media
>>10041765

Well, I'd disagree that there's a "Christian" perspective on entrance to Heaven. The various denominations would have different interpretations and ideas; as we discussed in the episode, the entire notion of Purgatory is purely Catholic. Your quote from the Gospel of John is a great quote, but the problem is its provenance. We don't know who wrote that Gospel, if it was really an eyewitness account of a conversation or event that took place, or even if Jesus existed (though, as I say on the show, Josepheus makes it pretty clear that he did). Nonetheless, I'm really glad you enjoyed the episode, and I appreciate your feedback!

strawhatninja

I really enjoyed this discussion. I'm a Conservative Christian myself and Matt had some very good thoughts, even if I didn't agree with everything that was said. I thought you guys did a great job even if you both come from two different sides. I always enjoy hearing different perspectives. Not all arguments and discussions can come to an agreement, but what's makes us great as humans and a society as a whole is that we can agree to disagree and still treat everyone with respect.

Will Caldwell

Excellent podcast. As someone who feels brainwashed growing up in the Mormon religion found this fascinating.

Last Stand Media
>>10067855

I agree. Respect is paramount. I'm glad that you got something out of the podcast, even if it didn't all resonate with you!

russell dornisch

Colin - Benn a huge fan since your early Beyond days and followed you since. My fiance who is also a Methodist pastor listened to this with me on a drive to visit family. She thoroughly enjoyed it and agreed with everything that Matt said. I think people sometimes get a bad idea about religion and Christianity as a whole. Matt exemplified what the new Methodist movement is trying to accomplish as leaders become younger and more progressive!

Ryan Harvey

This is far and away my favorite episode so far! Thank you both for an insightful conversation!

Jimmy Valentine

Great episode Colin. I struggle with this all the time. I'm not a very religious person, but I have faith. Sometimes I feel like I'm a Christian Deist. That could also be influenced by my thirst for knowledge about the founding fathers.

Chance McDaniel

I would love to see more region episodes!

Travis farmer

By far my fave episode to date. As someone who struggles with faith on and off in my daily life it was great to hear him answer your questions since many were some of my own. Matt brought a very unique perspective and honestly resonated more with me then anyone else in the church ever has. I really hate the everyone is going to hell shit people preach it's get old and pushes me away. To be honest the way he conducted himself as a pastor has actually brought me closer to faith then I ever have been before in my life. Matt if your reading this thank you and keep doing what your doing because it's the way the modern religion needs to be taught to progress imo. Colin as always keep up the great work!!!

Micheal Boudreaux

An absolutely fascinating conversation. As an academic (BA in Biblical Studies, MA in Medieval History) and a practicing Christian (born Catholic, but I've served in various positions in Baptist and non-denom churches, and currently am a communicant in the Anglican tradition) I had a few…quibbles. Christianity isn't really dying - worldwide it is growing in leaps and bounds in the Global South and parts of Asia, while in the US mainline denominations, like the Methodists, who have largely slid to the left and abandoned some central dogmatic claims of the Christian faith (which Matt shares, such the non-exclusivity of salvation to Christians, denying traditional authorship of biblical texts) are the ones who are dying off more rapidly, whereas more conservative, traditional, orthodox branches are pretty stable. The western European comparison is inaccurate entirely. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/01/04/liberal-churches-are-dying-but-conservative-churches-are-thriving/?utm_term=.212579705c9d" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/01/04/liberal-churches-are-dying-but-conservative-churches-are-thriving/?utm_term=.212579705c9d</a> <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/7/14/15959682/evangelical-mainline-voting-patterns-trump" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/7/14/15959682/evangelical-mainline-voting-patterns-trump</a> <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2018/01/22/new-harvard-research-says-u-s-christianity-not-shrinking-growing-stronger/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://thefederalist.com/2018/01/22/new-harvard-research-says-u-s-christianity-not-shrinking-growing-stronger/</a> The origin of the Pentateuch is debated - we don't have any OT texts from the Exilic period or before, and there exists no solid consensus on when these works were committed to print (though it is also notable that ancient people, Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, verbatim memorized whole libraries of works using memory techniques shown in modern science to be highly effective) because lack of evidence. Positions very pretty widely (composed pre-Exile as a whole, composed individually and partially bound together pre-Exile and then completed as an edited work post-Exile, entirely written and organized post-Exile becoming common options). On the nature of God and the supposed change between Malachi and Matthew…you don’t have to be “silly” to see the God of the Old and New Testament as the same. It’s the orthodox position…In fact, one of the earliest heresies, led by Marcion of Sinope, was predicated on a strong division between the divine in Old and the New. Jesus’ teachings are entirely in line with the Old Testament (which has such statements as God is slow to wrath, that he desires mercy and not sacrifice, and that one is to love your neighbor and treat strangers/foreigners well) and, if you look at Jesus’ statements on judgment ,Paul’s condemnation of those who event new ways to rebellion against God, or the book of Revelation’s visions of eschatological punishment for those who remain committed to evil, the “scary” and “wrathful” God of the Old Testament seems to be alive and present in the New Testament. The question of faith and alien life is probably the most intriguing bit here. We had some pretty in-depth conversations around this in seminary. In the Biblical narrative Earth is the center of God’s activities, as they relate to humans. As a Christian, you’ve got options: the aliens need the gospel, maybe (as Matt says) they have their own encounter with God that we should respect, and, last ditch, all is lost. Or maybe, for those more bloody-minded…take dominion over the aliens via conquest (because fighting beings that can travel FTL are clearly beatable). I would have never guessed that Colin would enjoy Joel Osteen! That is an incredible revelation…and while I abhor Osteen’s theology (or lack thereof) I am glad to hear there is someone, inarguably, who is uplifting in the life of Colin. #WeAllNeedEncouragement As for Colin’s question on is it what you do or what you believe – the Greek word in the New Testament that we translate as faith, pistis, encompasses both of those ideas. It is belief in something that spurs action – it isn’t just mental assent, and as Matt (and the book of James) rightly points out, faith without works is dead. It would have been very strange to the first century Christians to see people who verbally affirm the Christian beliefs but live life totally bereft of action. In defense of the Vatican – Catholic Charities and other organizations do a TON of amazing work for the poor and downtrodden.

Joshua Rei

This was super interesting to listen to as someone who grew up in a extremely conservative christian family from a very young age and had to find my own way since for years the concepts of no evolution and the world being 9000 years old never made sense to me. Was cool to hear a calm current conversation on the topic I feel like conversation's like this rarely take place anymore so thanks for that colin been extremely enjoying these fire side chats.

Ross Arbour

I'm a person of faith and the bible fascinates me. I learned a lot from Matt! Thanks!

BettyAnn Moriarty

Wow!!! What a fantastic conversation. Matt is an awesome individual- I think I'm going to adopt him as my pastor. Really. 👍🏻 You discussed SO many things and tied it in so well to the subject matter..I loved every minute of it. And, bud, you are not going to purgatory or hell but you are going to be 'boosted right over that wall' - like most of the rest of us. I love you. More of these, please?! They're a wonderful 'listen'. 😉❤️

Joey Finelli

great fire side chat. I do believe when the aliens come calling it wont be frustrating but devastating.

Carson Smith

This was a good discussion. Being one myself I really do appreciate hearing a Christian on the Fireside Chats. I particularly liked the back and forth around who gets into heaven. In the Bible we see a prime example of how far the grace of God can go. Right as Jesus was on the cross dying there were two other men on different crosses right near him. They were both criminals and one believed right at in the last moments of his life. This is an example of someone who was saved through belief rather than works. It all comes down to what you really truly are in your heart of hearts. Only you and God can know that. If you truly believe and have the chance to live, one should try and live through both belief and good works. While I seriously doubt Trump will be going to heaven I am not the judge on if he would.

Owen

Fascinating conversation. As a man who has faith, it was nice to hear someone acknowledge some of my issues with the church. Like science, like doing good to people and not dismissing them etc.

Jakeytar

My dad’s a pastor as well, can’t wait to hear this after I get off work!

desperateLuck

Really great episode! I'm glad you two were able to talk without needing to determine which side had all of the answers, and its great to know that even someone as dedicated to belief as a pastor can be logical and flexible.

Tyler Goll

I found this great to hear from both sides. You both were very respectful towards each other! I myself and Christian, and I grew up with both my parents in the ministry. My mom and dad were / are both leaders in their spheres of influence in the church. One thing I and my family have liked about Methodists is that they actually let women be pastors and leaders in the church. Would be great to hear more discussion on even those kinds of topics in the future!

Nevin

I greatly appreciate this Fireside chat. I come from a non denominational Christian background (think Hillsong church) and am the youth director of my church. While I don't agree with absolutely everything your guest said, which is true of any denomination, I am so happy that a levelheaded Christian was on the show to clarify things and speak truth. Thanks so much for being an open minded and respectful individual Colin. Always appreciate hearing you share your thoughts.

Edwin Garcia

This is my favorite of supporting you, I love these podcasts

Brogan Wassell

Dude colin .... I loved this episode but I gotta dm you about this lol

John Kamoulakos

This was one of my favourite episodes as well, interesting and diverse perspectives makes your show one of the best. Thanks

Chad Lewis

This is a fantastic episode for so many reasons. I love the fact you had one of us from the community on the show and that it was a great challenging conversation. Very uplifting.

Last Stand Media
>>9982623

I think he was a great ambassador for a youth-type Christian movement, and I'm glad the episode resonated with you. Thank you for listening!

Last Stand Media
>>9991802

I want to have more people from the community on! In fact, I'm recording another episode with someone from the community on Monday...

Hose A Contra Razz

Good episode, don't really agree on some of his beliefs as a christian. Our mind can't understand God's knowledge. We try to make sense at the world and bible though "people kind" eyes. I see your curiosity in God and see that you want answers to make sense of everything you can about God. Someday Colin you will get your answers and then it will all make sense, if not at least you tried.

Last Stand Media
>>9994547

The only thing that would make me believe is proof. Just like science. Still, happy to discuss it, always!

Michael Cline Jr.

This was a fantastic conversation! I do have some theological disagreements with Matt, but I still enjoyed the dialogue.

Luke Farinella

Good talk! Colin, asking for proof to have faith in something seems like a strange request. I have faith myself, but only after realizing that it's not the opposite of ignorance, just a belief in the absence of tangible proof. I don't have to believe everything that 'traditional' religion does to have faith that there is a God, or that Jesus is, in fact who he said he was. (the only way to truth and life) I also have some disagreements with some of the perspectives here about absolute truth, other religions and salvation (getting to heaven), but I am happy to hear you guys talking it out, and happy to hear your interest once again on the issues.