In episode 23 of Unconditioning Love, Robert shares his story of faith, doubt, and ultimately, liberation. His family joined the 2x2 faith community when he was just two years old. Soon after they converted, his family began hosting a Wednesday night meeting, immersing them deeply in the church’s traditions. At age 13, Robert made his profession of faith.
As he started college to pursue a career as an EMT, church workers warned Robert about the potential risks of his chosen path, cautioning that it could lead him astray. This was one of his first encounters with doubt, but it wasn’t until later, during a family crisis, that he began to see the cracks in the support system he had long trusted. When Robert’s father was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia in his 50s and lost his job, Robert’s family needed support more than ever. Yet, the church community that had once felt like a family fell silent, failing to offer the help they desperately needed during this low point.
Around this time, Robert also met and started dating Emily, who would later become his wife. Emily’s thoughtful questions challenged him to examine his beliefs more deeply, gradually leading him to see things in a new light. These two events—a crisis within his family and Emily’s influence—sparked Robert’s journey of questioning and ultimately stepping away from a life of rigid beliefs, choosing instead a path that embraced authenticity, love, and personal freedom.
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