Almost Heretical
Are you ready to rethink the Bible and challenge easy answers? Join guests like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Marianne Williamson, Tim Mackie (BibleProject), Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Rainn Wilson (The Office), and Rob Bell as we dive into complex conversations about faith, moving beyond conservative and liberal camps. If you don’t fit neatly into either space, you’ll fit in just fine here. Hosted by Nate Hanson (former Crazy Love pastor) and Shelby Hanson (MA Biblical Studies & Dead Sea Scrolls), Almost Heretical invites you to explore Christianity without subscribing to tribal ideologies. With over 2 million downloads, this is a space for those asking tough questions and seeking honest answers. You’re not alone. Join 1,000+ others for bonus episodes and our private community: almostheretical.com/subscribe
Episodes
April 16, 2025 • 12 mins
This is a preview of one of our bonus episodes. To get the full bonus episode (37 minutes long), click here.
How did Paul’s teachings overshadow James’s vision for Christianity? Could a Paul-free faith have survived as a Jewish sect? Does the Didache reveal a Christianity untouched by Paul? Why do Paul’s words sometimes feel at odds with Jesus’? We also explore faith, works, and navigating today’s political divides.
Learn more a...
Mark as Played
April 9, 2025 • 64 mins
Bonus ep 1 - https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-what-is-123011688
Bonus ep 2 - https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-did-paul-125106095
Why does Paul’s voice dominate the New Testament? How did his letters become so central to Christian theology, and what happens when we begin to question that authority? Are all the Pauline epistles actually written by Paul? What if the Paul we know today is a constructed figure—reshaped by the chu...
Mark as Played
April 2, 2025 • 11 mins
This is a preview of one of our bonus episodes. To get the full bonus episode (43 minutes long), click here.
Did Paul’s vision of Jesus redefine faith, or did James’ focus on works hold the truth? In this bonus episode, we tackle your burning questions about faith vs. works, Paul’s outsized role in Christianity, and what might have been if the Jesus movement prevailed. Join Nate and Shelby as they dive into listener debates, chall...
Mark as Played
March 26, 2025 • 49 mins
What if Paul’s vision of Christ reshaped Christianity in ways Jesus’ own brother, James, never intended? In this episode, we explore the intense clash between Paul’s Christ movement and the Jesus movement, led by James in Jerusalem, as they battled over the faith’s direction. Paul’s independent gospel, born from a divine encounter, drove him to spread his message to Gentile cities like Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, outpacing the Jewi...
Mark as Played
March 12, 2025 • 49 mins
(Part 1 here) Who should guide your faith—James, Jesus’ brother, or Paul, the visionary apostle? We dive into early Christianity history to explore a battle of beliefs. James rooted his leadership in the Jewish roots of Christianity, blending faith with works. Paul preached faith alone, shaping a global faith. We uncover their clash—faith and works: Paul vs James—through the Didache and the Ebionites’ rejection of Paul. Tune in to ...
Mark as Played
February 26, 2025 • 46 mins
Paul contradicts Jesus, with the Apostles’ Creed skipping Jesus’ life... mirroring Paul’s letters that ignore his teachings and miracles. They share personal struggles with Paul’s towering influence on Christian theology and leadership, kicking off a must-hear series on Christianity’s origins.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email contact@almostheretical.com
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1. Bonus episodes and aftershows
2. All ful...
Mark as Played
February 12, 2025 • 49 mins
Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the Bible’s most infamous stories, but was its destruction really about homosexuality? What does the Bible actually say about the sin of Sodom? And why did Abraham nearly sacrifice Isaac—was child sacrifice common in his time? Plus, what’s the real meaning behind Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt? We unpack these troubling Genesis stories, explore their ancient context, and reveal how Jewish inte...
Mark as Played
February 5, 2025 • 72 mins
Listen to the after show with Dr. Perrin
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Andrew Perrin, an expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls, discusses the significance of these ancient texts and their impact on our understanding of the Bible. The dialogue explores the human element behind the texts, the intersection of faith and academia, and the importance of critical thinking in religious education. The conversation also touches on conspiracy t...
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January 29, 2025 • 42 mins
Listen to the Full Episode! Abraham’s story is packed with unexpected twists, but two figures often get overlooked—Melchizedek and Hagar. Who was Melchizedek, and why did New Testament authors care so much about him? What do the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal about his strange biblical role? And why does Hagar, an Egyptian slave woman, end up being the only person in the Bible to name God?
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email cont...
Mark as Played
November 27, 2024 • 37 mins
➡︎ Listen to the after show
Tony Jones opens up about his journey from the pulpit to the wilderness, sharing how personal struggles led him to rediscover spirituality in nature. He challenges the ethics of modern meat consumption, advocates for mindful hunting, and critiques the church’s failure to support struggling pastors.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email contact@almostheretical.com
Become a member and get:
1. Bonus e...
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November 25, 2024 • 74 mins
Listen to the after show
Marianne Williamson joins us to discuss the transformative power of love, her unique spiritual insights, and her take on political division in America. From her groundbreaking ideas in A Course in Miracles to being kept off the debate stage by the DNC, Marianne offers a thought-provoking conversation on faith, unity, and the path forward.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email contact@almostheretical.c...
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November 20, 2024 • 40 mins
Listen to the after show
Marianne Williamson opens up about her experiences running for president in 2020 and 2024, including how the DNC and media outlets like CNN silenced alternative voices, blocking fair competition for candidates like herself and RFK Jr. We also explore her perspective on choosing love over division in an era of political polarization, and the spiritual transformation needed to heal our fractured society. This...
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November 14, 2024 • 63 mins
Listen to the after show for our conversation with Liz Charlotte Grant as we explore deep questions around faith, gender, and scripture.
Liz challenges traditional views, examining God beyond a masculine lens and delving into the complexities of divine inspiration. Together, we discuss the struggles of women in ministry, the tension between tradition and spiritual independence, and the transformative power of therapy. Join us as we...
Mark as Played
November 13, 2024 • 42 mins
Listen to the after show: Is Jesus Just One Way?
Part 1 of 2: Marianne Williamson joins us to discuss her journey with A Course in Miracles and why its teachings are so relevant today. We dive into her reimagined view of Jesus, the meaning of salvation, and the role of love in shifting our mindsets. Marianne also challenges traditional views on heaven and hell, offering a perspective that’s both mystical and transformative. Find mo...
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November 6, 2024 • 38 mins
In light of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, we delve into the idea of “neo-fundamentalism”—the tendency to replace one rigid ideology with another after deconstruction. Join us as we explore how to hold space for complex, evolving beliefs and embrace wisdom and open dialogue over dogma.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email contact@almostheretical.com
Become a member and get:
1. Bonus epi...
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October 30, 2024 • 34 mins
Listen to the aftershow
Part 2 of 2: Liz Charlotte Grant returns to delve even deeper into faith and scripture, questioning the Bible’s patriarchal interpretations and exploring whether divine inspiration is real. Join us as we discuss how gender influences our view of God, the tension between tradition and spiritual independence, and what it truly means to seek God in unexpected places. Visit her work at lizcharlotte.com.
Thoughts...
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October 23, 2024 • 37 mins
Listen to the aftershow
Part 1 of 2: Liz Charlotte Grant joins us to challenge traditional views of faith, gender, and scripture. Together, we explore how God is portrayed beyond the masculine lens and dive into the transformative power of therapy, the struggles of women in ministry, and reimagining spiritual autonomy. Visit her work at lizcharlotte.com.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email contact@almostheretical.com
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October 9, 2024 • 66 mins
Listen to the aftershow where we talk about kids, iPads, and spirituality
Dana Hicks discusses the journey from conservative pastor to deconstructing faith and redefining spirituality. We delve into how deconstruction can lead to trading conservative dogma for liberal dogma, the role of psychedelics in spiritual experiences, and the importance of awe in cultivating a deeper connection with the divine.
Thoughts, questions, stories? ...
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September 25, 2024 • 56 mins
Listen to our after show where we talk about Garrick's thoughts on Pastors, Revelation and Hell
Dr. Garrick Allen uncovers truths about how the Book of Revelation has been misunderstood for centuries, reshaping our view of Scripture. Discover how ancient manuscripts and hidden texts challenge modern beliefs in unexpected ways.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.com
Become a member and get:
1. Bonus epi...
Mark as Played
July 17, 2024 • 53 mins
Listen to the Jon Foreman aftershow here.
Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (link) discusses the journey of faith, doubt, and the rejection of labels. We delve into the topics of deconstruction, being hurt by people claiming Christianity, and the complexities of using “Christian” as an adjective. We also explore the idea of embracing community over tribalism in today’s divided culture.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheret...
Mark as Played
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