Episode Details

What's the difference between the religion OF Jesus and the religion ABOUT Jesus? A lot, and for those deconstructing Christianity, the difference means so much. This is Episode 2 of our 4-part series, Christian Deconstruction and Reconstruction: Finding Faith Again.

The religion OF Jesus is a spiritual path of radical compassion. It emphasizes love of neighbor, welcoming the outcast, questioning power, and personal transformation. The religion ABOUT Jesus is what happened when Empire, oppressive hierarchy, and economic control co-opted that message. From the Edict of Milan and the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) to biblical inerrancy and Christian Nationalism.

In this episode, we reframe:

• Sin as "a failure to bother to love" — not a rulebook
• Repentance as returning from exile and changing your mind
• Salvation as ongoing transformation, not a transaction
• The Kingdom of God as already among you — not a future apocalypse

We also discuss how Paul blurs the distinction between a religion of Jesus and a religion about Jesus, why Biblical Inerrancy is practically brand new (early 1900's), and how Jesus touching the ritually unclean was a radical act of inclusion and how this connects to trans people, immigrants, and disabled folks today.

This is Episode 2 of our 3-part series on Deconstructing & Reconstructing Christianity. Please check out episode 104, Faith Deconstruction Explained, if you haven't listened to it already!

Listen to the full sermon series playlist by Rev. Dr. Carter: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPGxCVGYVnrA

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Links mentioned this episode:

1. US Government creates video games about capturing immigrants- Arcade.gov
2. Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman- https://www.beacon.org/Jesus-and-the-Disinherited-P1781.aspx
3. World Map Change: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/04/nx-s1-5958611/africa-world-map-un-vote

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