JTG - Does God Really Like Me? A Conversation with Geoff Holsclaw

 🧠 Episode Summary:
 In this thought-provoking conversation, Dan sits down with Dr. Jeff Holsclaw, co-author (with his wife, Cyd Holsclaw) of Does God Really Like Me? Discovering the God Who Wants to Be With Me. This episode dives deep into the transformative idea that God not only loves us but also genuinely delights in being with us—and what that means for our theology, relationships, and everyday life.
 Geoff shares the journey of shifting from a theological framework focused solely on God’s love to one that also emphasizes His joy and delight. Using vivid metaphors, biblical narratives, and attachment theory, Jeff reframes our understanding of God’s presence, the nature of sin, and the redemptive storyline of Scripture. The discussion includes reflections on parenting, marriage, identity, and how we can mirror God’s delight in our relationships with others.
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 🔑 Key Takeaways:
• “Love is built from a thousand little likes.” Shifting language from “God loves you” to “God likes you” often draws people in and resonates on a deeper emotional level.
• Attachment & Theology: Holsclaw connects attachment theory with biblical narratives to explain how God’s presence and purpose form the secure foundation of faith.
• Rewriting the Narrative of Sin: Instead of viewing sin as moral failure alone, Jeff frames it as a rupture in our capacity to remain in God’s presence—one that God actively works to repair.
• Parenting as Presence & Purpose: Fathers and husbands are encouraged to embody both high care and high challenge—to build joyful relationships while nurturing confidence and agency.
• Idol Language Reclaimed: The Genesis image of humans as “little gods” or living idols reframes identity as active representation of God’s nature in the world—not as something static or 2D.
• Reconciliation as Family Business: The episode closes with the idea that salvation is about repairing ruptures—God’s delight includes restoring us, and we’re invited to model that in our own relationships.
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 📚 Resources & Mentions:
• Does God Really Like Me? by Geoff & Cyd Holsclaw
• Prodigal Christianity by Geoff Holsclaw and David Fitch
• Upcoming book: Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Change Your Faith
• Related thinkers: Dr. Jim Wilder, Karl Lehman, Michael Cusick
• Scripture Focus: Genesis 1–3, Luke 15 (The “Good Father” story), Temple theology, themes of joy & presence
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 👤 About the Guest:
 Dr. Geoff Holsclaw
• PhD, Marquette University
• Co-Pastor of Youth and Families, Vineyard North
• Affiliate Professor of Theology, Northern Seminary (Lyle, IL)
• Author, speaker, and podcaster focused on the intersection of neuroscience, attachment, and Christian formation
 📬 Contact & More from Geoff:
🌐 Website: https://embodiedfaith.life
🎧 Podcast: Attaching to God
📝 Substack: Found via website
📘 Google: “Geoff Holsclaw” (with a G!)