Almost Heretical

Almost Heretical

Christianity isn’t about pretending to believe something you know isn’t true. Former pastor Nate Hanson and Bible scholar Shelby Hanson sit down with leading scholars and thinkers to hear their best case for Christianity. We bring the tough questions, the doubts, the pushback, and the "but what about…" not to tear it down, but to show why it’s worth holding on to. With over 2 million downloads, Almost Heretical has become a space for doubters, seekers, and believers to discover a faith built on reason, history, and hope. Join 1,000+ others for bonus episodes and our private community: almostheretical.com/subscribe Topics: faith and reason, christian belief, apologetics, faith and science, biblical studies, scripture study, science and faith, case for christ, richard bauckham

Episodes

#163 – Jeremiah Johnston: The Shroud of Turin Proves the Resurrection

July 16, 2025 • 63 mins
Could one ancient cloth change how we see the resurrection? Dr. Jeremiah Johnston joins us to unpack the Shroud of Turin, its baffling science, strange history, and the image that no one can explain. Does this relic prove Jesus physically rose from the dead, or is it just a misunderstood artifact? We explore what happens when modern science collides with first-century faith. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email  contact@alm...
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Bonus: Hell, Paul, and the Bible’s Authority

July 9, 2025 • 12 mins
To listen to the full episode, become a premium member here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-did-jesus-133702952 Shelby and Nate tackle your biggest questions about hell, Paul, and the authority of Scripture. Did Jesus really teach eternal torment? What do we do with parts of the Bible that no longer reflect our values? And are we all just picking and choosing? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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#162 – Why Didn't Jesus Write Anything Down?

July 2, 2025 • 28 mins
Shelby and Nate explore the intriguing question of why Jesus did not write anything down during his lifetime. They discuss the implications of this question on our understanding of faith and scripture, emphasizing the oral tradition of the time and the significance of Jesus' teachings in a present-tense context. The conversation also touches on the historical perspective of Jesus as a local rabbi and the lack of immediate written r...
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#161 – 6 Genesis Stories Read Politically

May 28, 2025 • 40 mins
What if the stories at the end of Genesis weren’t just family drama—but political storytelling? In this episode, Nate and Shelby revisit six key moments from Genesis 27 to 50—including Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing, Dinah and Shechem, Judah and Tamar, and Joseph’s rise in Egypt—to explore how these stories may have been written to explain Israel’s political identity, tribal dynamics, and national origin. We talk about: Why ...
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Bonus: Did Jesus Talk About Hell?

May 14, 2025 • 12 mins
Listen to the FULL episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/128901088 Listeners sent us 49 pages of questions and comments—and in this bonus episode, we tackle some of the best. We explore whether Paul’s theology rewrote the faith, how James and Paul define “salvation” differently, and why First Timothy might not even be Pauline. We also dive into whether Jesus really talked about hell more than heaven, what “saved through chil...
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#160 – 5 Ways to Follow Jesus Without Paul

May 7, 2025 • 50 mins
→ Download the Practice Christianity Without Paul reflection booklet here (https://www.patreon.com/posts/jesus-faith-and-128319083) → Access the Paul-Free Church Statement of Faith (https://www.patreon.com/posts/church-statement-128321301) What does it mean to be a Christian without Paul? In this series finale, we walk through five alternate paths the Jesus movement could have taken—and still can—without relying on Paul’s theolog...
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Bonus: Paul’s Shadow on Jesus

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...
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#159 – Paul Made Christianity

April 9, 2025 • 60 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...
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Bonus: Did Paul Get the Gospel Wrong?

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...
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#158 – Why Paul's Churches Won Early Christianity

March 26, 2025 • 45 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...
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#157 – James vs. Paul: The Battle in Early Christianity History

March 12, 2025 • 45 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 ...
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#156 – Paul vs Jesus

February 26, 2025 • 42 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 Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes and aftershows 2. All ful...
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#155 – Sodom and Gomorrah, The Binding of Isaac, and Lot’s Wife

February 12, 2025 • 45 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...
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#154 – Dr. Andrew Perrin: Unlocking the Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls

February 5, 2025 • 68 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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#153 – Abraham: Who the Heck is Melchizedek?

January 29, 2025 • 38 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...
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#152 – Tony Jones: Hunting for Spirituality (Pt 1)

November 27, 2024 • 33 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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Marianne Williamson (Full Episode)

November 25, 2024 • 70 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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#151 – Marianne Williamson: Choosing Love Over Political Division (Pt 2)

November 20, 2024 • 36 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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Liz Charlotte Grant (Full Episode)

November 14, 2024 • 59 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...
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#150 – Marianne Williamson: Jesus as Our Guide (Pt 1)

November 13, 2024 • 38 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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