Ken welcomes Ed Oxford, key researcher and contributor to the film 1946 - The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture. Ed, who identifies as a gay Christian, graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Talbot Theological Seminary in New Testament. In the years that followed, his study of the original languages and the many English translations of the Christian scriptures brought him to the undeniable conclusion that the “Bible has been weaponized against the LGBTQ+ community.” A case in point is a passage from I Corinthians in which the 1946 Revised Standard Version (RSV) erroneously translated a Greek word, introducing the term “homosexual” to the Bible for the very first time. The film’s trailer begins with Rev. John MacArthur quoting from his pulpit, “Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals shall inherit the Kingdom of God.”

Along with colleague Kathy Baldock, Ed won access to the archives at Yale University. He and Kathey explored the source materials: the translator's notes and records used to produce the New Testament. In the original documents, they uncovered the debate over this word choice and finally the admission of the error. The revised RSV changed the word in 1974. But too late. Subsequent translations repeat the error: e.g. The Living Bible (promoted by Billy Graham), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and most recently, the English Standard Version (ESV - promoted by John MacArthur). Homosexuality became synonymous with “perversion” - and weaponized. Ed shares his personal experience as a gay man in the evangelical church that includes reparative therapy and finally the story of his involvement in the film - a timely and important corrective. SHOW NOTES

Watch the Film on Amazon

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When Adey and Tom Wassink launched a Vineyard Church in the university town of Iowa City (IA) twenty-five years ago, it didn’t take long to fill the worship center. A winsome and intelligent couple, they brought a love for the church, an intense engagement in the wider community and a focus on their own education. Tom, a medical doctor, when on to certify as a psychiatrist. Adey pursued and completed her doctorate at Fuller Seminary. In time, Adey was officially recognized as Senior/Lead Pastor. When the Vineyard denomination affirmed a policy prohibiting the ordination of women, the church left and changed its name. When Katie Imborek, M.D., attended, to her surprise, she warmed to the community and the worship. But she wasn’t at all certain that it would be a “safe place.” Would she, her spouse, Paula, and her children be accepted by the congregation? Or would they face the harmful prejudices and coded messages all to often found in church? She wrote to Pastors Adey and Tom with direct questions about their attitude towards same-sex marriage, the clobber passages in the Bible, and the general attitude of the congregation to individuals and families like Dr. Katie’s? That sent Tom and Adey into a period of deep reflection, introspection, study of their Scriptures, and open conversations with their people. They became Sanctuary Church. Ken and Dr. Tom explore the story told in their book, Sanctuary: Queering the Church in the Heartland.

Brian McLaren says, “[This book] is a gift – a series of often humorous, often poignant, sometimes heartbreaking, and always well told stories and reflections – to help us all rethink what is normal or queer, what is sacred or scandalous, what is bad or good. We may just become better people in the process. May it be so!”

SHOW NOTES

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Dr. David Gushee returns to continue the timely discussion of his new book, The Moral Teachings of Jesus. Ken and David expand on the Golden Rule. Gushee’s doctoral work at Union Seminary focussed on ethics and the Holocaust. His work on the horrors of torture got the attention of Christianity Today when the horrific American abuses against prisoners held at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay came to light. Christian military officials asked the magazine for guidance. In reponse, David was commissioned to write CT’s extensive cover story. In it, he clarified, “the prohibition on torture in international law admits no exceptions,” and then offered an ethical treatise rooted in Jesus’ teaching. Dr. Gushee expands on Jesus’ emphasis on what we do over what we say - “By our fruit” we will be known. He points to the heavy implications that relate to money and wealth in Jesus’ direct challenge. No one can serve both God and money. “Where your heart is, there will your treasure be.” It’s a lively, insightful conversation filled with wisdom, humor and common sense - especially valuable for those sorting out the demands of toxic religion from the potent, life-altering teachings of the Rabbi from Nazareth. SHOW NOTES

The Moral Teachings of Jesus: Radical Instruction in the Will of God

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As promised, here is the heartwarming, personal story - when Mark Bodnarczuk reached out to Philip Yancey’s brother Marshall. Phillip shared Marshall’s story in his memoir and on the podcast. The two brothers responded to their father’s early death and their hyper-fundamentalist church in their own unique way. Philip became a prolific writer of Christian books. Marshall began as a young musical prodigy. Many who knew him expected that he would entertain audiences as an accomplished concert pianist. Instead, as Philip attests, Marshall dropped out of college and became one of the “first real hippies in Atlanta.” Through the decades, he suffered some serious health issues. Today from his wheelchair, he has difficulty communicating. A serious stroke has affected his speech. He understands what people say, but his responses are labored. When Mark Bodnarczuk’s job at Stanford put him close to Marshall’s home, he reached out to Philip’s brother. The two have become mutually supportive friends. In this special episode of the podcast, both Philip and Mark share their versions of this touching story. SHOW NOTES

March 2024 Podcast with Mark | Purchase the Book on Amazon | Mark’s Official Website

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The Two Kens are back with their take on the Presidential Debate. Just a few days later, the spin masters have already had their impact, obscuring Kamala Harris’ blistering victory over her opponent, Donald Trump. Most everyone agreed, including Republican politicians and pundits, that Harris won. Kemp and Fong recorded the day after the debate, with fresh commentary from start to finish. Harris took command from the beginning, with a confident handshake and greeting to a surprised and hesitant Trump. Some 67 million viewers watched the debate. The Two Kens celebrate “the sweet smell of hope” as Harris keeps the high energy enthusiasm alive. She invites the television audience to take in a Trump rally to see the madness for themselves. Trump takes her bait, reverting to crowd size, tropes about immigration, Project 2025, and insane asylums. Perhaps his most outrageous Trump comment was his self-assured claim that immigrants “are eating the dogs!” When challenged by a fact-checking moderator, he doubled down. This false claim has sparked a huge controversy and put the town of Springfield, Ohio in the crosshairs of bomb threats and racist attacks. Trump pathetically visited the “Spin Room,” claiming a victory that was not his. It’s a lively retrospective on an historic night.

Ken’s Substack Article - “They’re Eating the Dogs”

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Ken welcomes Mark Bodnarczuk back to the podcast. As he shared with Ken in March of this year, the fentanyl crisis in our country is real - and made an unwelcome visit to his home. Thomas, Mark’s then 17-year-old son, took a pill he bought on the Internet that he believed was Xanax. He died a short time after swallowing the tablet. The autopsy showed that it was fentanyl - a deadly dose in a single pill. It’s the subject of his new book (to be released October 15) - Finding New Life After the Death of My Son: Grace and Forgiveness in the Age of Counterfeit Pills and Fentanyl Poisoning. Mark shares his faith journey, and the impact of this unthinkable tragedy on his understanding of God, the Bible, science, and his years of therapy. A graduate of a Christian school (Wheaton College), his career has taken him to Stanford University and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, which is currently building the largest digital camera for space exploration ever made. Mark’s keen interest in science, from the atom to the cosmos has also been influenced by the work of famed psychologist Carl Jung. Mark shares how psychology and science have shaped his faith, his love for the Bible, and his capacity to forgive. It’s a very personal story that takes us from the courtroom to the mountains of Colorado to the labyrinth - both inner and outer. Ken and Mark talk about significant authors including C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, John Ortburg, and Philip Yancey (who write the Foreword to Mark’s book). SHOW NOTES

March 2024 Podcast with Mark | Purchase the Book on Amazon | Mark’s Official Website

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David Gushee - author, ethicist and global influencer - returns to talk about his new book entitled The Moral Teachings of Jesus: Radical Instruction in the Will of God. Professor Gushee, like Ken, interacts with many folks of all ages and stages who have become disillusioned with Christianity - particularly the evangelical version that has become identified with political conservatism. Often, while deconstructing religion, these same people will report - Jesus’ life and teaching remain relevant and compelling. Ken takes the opportunity to ask some questions he’s had for a long time: Why did my tradition focus way more on Paul than Jesus? Since the four gospels were written years after Jesus, how can we rely on them as an accurate account of the teachings of Jesus? Has the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28 been misrepresented and misunderstood to justify colonialism? Imperialism? To make the world like us? What about Matthew 25? Was Jesus influenced by the community at Qumran? Ken and Dr. Gushee review a collection of Jesus’ teachings that are surprisingly relevant today. They include a review of Gushee’s graduate school mentor, Glen Stassen’s reading of the Sermon on the Mount, “no one can serve both God and mammon;” the “Golden Rule;” the house built on a rock; the rich man, Lazarus and “eternal conscious torment;” the woman caught in adultery; the Samaritan woman at the well, and more. Dr. Gushee finishes with a surprisingly powerful conclusion. SHOW NOTES

The Moral Teachings of Jesus: Radical Instruction in the Will of God

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Ken welcomes Darcy McKenzie back for a follow-up conversation post-DNC (Democratic Convention). When Tim Walz made his acceptance speech on Thursday Night, Darcy contacted her considerable network of political activists in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area to come to her home for a Tim Walz watch party. Local ABC affiliate Eyewitness News (Channel 5) sent a crew to Darcy and Dane’s home to interview her and her guests. Ken and Darcy talk about the enthusiastic celebration in her backyard as the Minnesota Governor accepted the nomination to be Kamala Harris’ Vice President as Gus cheered. They also offer a post-convention review. Ken checks in on Darcy’s reaction to Jill and Joe Biden, Michelle and Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Pete Buttigieg, Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly, Governor Josh Shapiro, Maya Harris, and finally, Kalama’s acceptance speech. Darcy is a genuine insider - with insights and perspectives that bring clarity, conviction, and contagious excitement. SHOW NOTES

VIDEO - Minnesotans gather at watch parties to watch Walz DNC address

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