Humor and Fun? Or Sober-Mindedness?

Control Freak Christianity

Control Freak Christianity

39:06

"So I think this whole idea of cumulative culture is a way to make humans exceptional. But it's clear to me that humans are exceptional, and seeing it through baboon glasses, I can understand in a different way why they're exceptional. But many of the things that we think are uniquely human are actually present in other animals." - Dr. Shirley Strum Dr. Shirley Strum is a groundbreaking anthropologist who has spent over five decades living alongside wild baboons in Kenya. Her work has transformed our understanding of these intelligent, socially complex animals — their relationships, their adaptability, and the intricate societies they create. In her new book, Echoes of Our Origins , Shirley challenges long-held beliefs about evolution, the human-animal divide, and what it truly means to coexist. This conversation is about science — but it’s also about humility, hope, and the messy, beautiful complexity of life on Earth. Links: https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/53757/echoes-our-origins https://anthropology.ucsd.edu/people/faculty/faculty-profiles/shirley-strum.html…

5 years ago 25:19

MP3•Episode home

Many self-righteous people are miserable, and many sub-cultures of Fundamentalism have limited understandings or expressions of humor. Rachel previews her comedy show, followed by Joe and Rachel discussing humor with its uses and misuses.

80 episodes

Humor and Fun? Or Sober-Mindedness?

19 subscribers

published 5 years ago

MP3•Episode home

80 episodes

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Control Freak Christianity

1
What the Exodus Teaches Us After Trauma and Oppression 40:18

7 weeks ago40:18

40:18

What does God’s rescue of the Israelites from Egypt have to do with your healing from trauma or spiritual abuse? In this live episode, we explore how the Exodus wasn’t just about escape—it was about transformation. God’s first command to His people after slavery was to rest. Why? Because He was teaching them to live as sons, not slaves. If you’ve come out of a controlling, legalistic, or abusive environment, this truth can change everything. Join us as we unpack the deep connection between Sabbath, identity, and healing in Christ.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
CFC 2.0, The Return of The Tenneys 34:32

8 weeks ago34:32

34:32

We return, older, wiser, and more sleep deprived than ever to discuss the tough stuff around spiritual abuse in Christianity.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Why Are We Called Control Freak Christianity? 14:50

2 years ago14:50

14:50

Why are we called Control Freak Christianity and why are we here? We recognize the reality that there are control freaks who love to use the name of Jesus and His church for their own selfish purposes. It's all over the Bible, though it's rarely talked about in churches. Joe and Rachel introduce this topic and why we need to address control freaks in Christianity, today.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
7 Thoughts on Christmas Theology 45:37

3 years ago45:37

45:37

Listen in as Joe and Rachel talk through seven devotional thoughts Rachel wrote for Advent after being disappointed by the advent devotionals she picked up this year. Whether you love or hate Christmas, we hope that digging a little deeper into the theology of Christmas encourages your heart this season. WARNING: May contain nerdy tangents and the bashing of Gnostic heresies. _____ LINKS: WATCH this episode as a video on YouTube! https://youtu.be/WVfGS8Rurh8 Watch Rachel's full advent video series here: bit.ly/advent-biz-devotionals Support Our Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/controlfreakc...…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Survivor Reacts to Doug Wilson's Letters to a Broken Girl 1:07:34

3 years ago1:07:34

1:07:34

In a series of letters to a fictional girl, Doug Wilson gives advice on how to handle being a victim of sexual abuse. Joe and Rachel are joined by Bethany Tenney, a real survivor, to discuss the quality of that advice in light of her experiences and the hope she has found in God and the Scriptures. Support Our Channel: https://www.patreon.com/controlfreakc... Original Source of "Letters to a Broken Girl" by Doug Wilson: https://dougwils.com/tag/letters-to-a...…

Control Freak Christianity

1
John MacArthur 49:12

3 years ago49:12

49:12

This episode contains various accounts of abuse against women and children. John MacArthur is a well-known pastor of Grace Community Church, as well as an author and commonly heard voice on the radio. Recently, troubling details of a church discipline, carried out by John MacArthur in 2001, indicates poor judgment and improper use of church discipline. Joe and Rachel discuss how the legacy of John MacArthur has impacted their own lives and how they are thinking through the issues that arise from these allegations.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Imago Dei 34:07

3 years ago34:07

34:07

We are created in the Image of God. What does this mean, and how does it impact how we live? Join Joe and Rachel as they discuss ways we get Imago Dei right, and ways we can get it wrong.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Holiday Boundaries 39:02

4 years ago39:02

39:02

The holidays can bring with them a lot of expectations, especially from family. Joe and Rachel talk about their different perspectives on holiday cheer, how to have healthy boundaries over the holidays, and examples of Jesus' boundaries in Scripture.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Our Hardest Episode Yet 56:29

4 years ago56:29

56:29

Joe and Rachel share news of recent spiritual abuse and how it's affecting them, their church, friends, and even the podcast.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Killing Productivity 55:29

4 years ago55:29

55:29

Many raised in Authoritarian Fundamentalism struggle to be as productive as they believe they should. Have they been set up for failure with shame, fear, idealism, and perfectionism eating away at their abilities? Joe and Rachel discuss this along with their own struggles to work well.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Review: 'What are you doing?' by Vaughn Ohlman 54:23

4 years ago54:23

54:23

Courtship led to some crazy stories, right? And yet, even more bizarre ideas are trying to take root out in the world of Authoritarian Fundamentalism. Joe and Rachel go through a book written to convince Christians of the virtues of betrothal and arranged marriages.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Putting the Cult in Culture 48:19

4 years ago48:19

48:19

Cults can be wildly different in beliefs, organization, teachings, and operations. But the culture of cults can be in things that seem innocuous on the surface. Inside Christianity, whether in churches, movements, families, or organizations, cult-like practices can cause incredible damage. Join Joe and Rachel as they discuss twelve things that can demonstrate cult-like behavior in a community.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Some Thoughts on Sex 57:37

4 years ago57:37

57:37

Already we live in a world that mishandles sex. The Church can run the range of ignoring sex in embarrassment and shame, to glorifying it similarly to how the world does. Do men have a visual Rolodex? Should sex be pleasurable for both men and women? How does pornography and self-pity play a part in Christians' understanding of sex? Joe and Rachel talk about some of the ways they understood sex to how they understand it now.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Mind of an Abuser in Courtship 1:36:06

4 years ago1:36:06

1:36:06

A letter, written to Rachel's father, demanding her hand in marriage is a perfect example of spiritual abuse in a Christian courtship. Rachel relives her past anguish in this episode as she, along with Joe, read and comment on a real-life letter as an example of manipulation and narcissism.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Toxic Tactics 44:49

4 years ago44:49

44:49

Most people caught in abusive relationships have trouble navigating the many tactics that abusive people use to control, manipulate, and confuse. Joe and Rachel cover a list of tactics they've observed, and how those tactics work.

Control Freak Christianity

1
The Dursley Effect 17:52

4 years ago17:52

17:52

Why do abusers who have hatred for those whom they abuse, try to hang on to them and keep them around? This effect is exemplified in the popular 'Harry Potter' books. Rachel nerds out on Harry Potter while Joe hangs on for the ride as they discuss how this dynamic is common in abusive situations.

Control Freak Christianity

1
The Way We Dated 1:00:23

4 years ago1:00:23

1:00:23

What happens when dealing with abusive people and a friendship that started on the internet blend together? Romance of course! Well, at least it did for Joe and Rachel. Join them in this lighthearted episode as they recount their dating story and what they learned along the way.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Elsie Dinsmore 38:47

4 years ago38:47

38:47

The popular book series for girls by Martha Finley written over a century ago continues to be a phenomenon for many in fundamentalist and home-educated circles. They are beloved by many and hated by many more. Joe and Rachel discuss different excerpts from the books and give their own evaluations.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Ba'al in Israel Part 3: How it Ends 40:31

4 years ago40:31

40:31

Elijah fought against Israel's slide into Ba'al worship, but there didn't seem to be any impact from his work. God tells him the three men who will bring an end to Ba'al worship but the consequences are staggering. Join Joe and Rachel as they discuss this dark part of Scripture, and how we still see glimmers of hope.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Ba'al in Israel Part 2: Elijah Runs 40:31

4 years ago40:31

40:31

Elijah, who had been so faithful was on the run because Jezabel wants him dead. He runs and has a conversation with God. We can see how Elijah's wrestling can help us when our faithfulness leads us to suffer. Join Joe and Rachel as they discuss Elijah, God, and how we can heal well in our darkest moments.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Ba'al in Israel Part 1: Elijah's Triumph and Despair 37:10

4 years ago37:10

37:10

How can we change massive societal evils? What can we do to face unfaithfulness in God's people. We are not the first to face these challenges. We have heard a lot about Elijah the prophet. He mocked false gods, prayed and God sent fire from heaven. But Elijah was attempting to end the practices of Ba'al worship that plagued Israel. Join Joe and Rachel as we look at his struggle, what it cost him, and what we can learn from how God worked through Elijah.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
When Victims Turn on Victims 24:56

4 years ago24:56

24:56

You might think that people who've endured terrible abuse would be kind and understanding to others who face similar abuse, but this is often not the case. Joe and Rachel talk through some of the reasons some victims are obstacles for healing for others, and why it's hard to help others with their trauma when you haven't dealt with your own.…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Abuser's Favorite Bible Passages: Matthew 18 34:18

4 years ago34:18

34:18

Using the Bible for wrong purposes is common, and perhaps no passage has been misused more than Matthew 18:15-20. Joe and Rachel give a few thoughts that shed light on this important section of Scripture and show how abusers misuse this passage.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Russell Moore's Letter 59:28

4 years ago59:28

59:28

It's already created quite the impact. A letter, written over a year ago from a well-known theologian and ethicist, Dr. Russell Moore, has been leaked. The letter includes some very troubling allegations that, if true, would demonstrate corruption in the heart of the largest conservative denomination in America. Joe and Rachel discuss the letter, how they and others are thinking about it, and how it lines up with their own understanding of what's going on in American churches. Read the letter in full: https://religionnews.com/2021/06/02/leaked-russell-moore-letter-blasts-sbc-conservatives-sheds-light-on-his-resignation/ Support our work! https://www.patreon.com/controlfreakchristianity We are grateful to our affiliates for their help and support www.bytesizedtheology.com/forte…

Control Freak Christianity

1
The Things We Wore 35:40

4 years ago35:40

35:40

Joe and Rachel are completely unscripted as they spill the tea about their past fashion faux pas while growing up in homeschooling sub-cultures. Have you ever wondered why you can spot a homeschooler in a crowd? This episode is a light-hearted conversation about some of the reasoning behind why homeschoolers dress the way they do. A special thanks to Forte Music Academy for supporting us. Check out their online catalog of composer training! www.bytesizedtheology.com/forte…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Bad Counsel in the Book of Job 37:26

4 years ago37:26

37:26

Job received bad counsel from his friends in the midst of his suffering. What are some of the bad things that Job's friends told him and does it sound like advice we give today? Join Joe and Rachel for this episode to explore what kind of advice makes God angry, and what we can say instead.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Cleanse the Temple 39:59

4 years ago39:59

39:59

Jesus will cleanse His bride. How does this truth affect how we should see the church and address evils inside the church? In this episode, Joe and Rachel talk of how to take part in the work of Jesus, while relying on Jesus' promises for His church.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Josh Duggar 44:12

4 years ago44:12

44:12

Former TLC star from "19 Kids and Counting," Josh Duggar has been charged in Federal court with possessing Child Pornography. He is yet another conservative Christian that has shown a horrific willingness to abuse others. Joe and Rachel discuss how they used to hold similar beliefs as the Duggars. God has helped Joe and Rachel come to freedom, perhaps He will show the same grace to members of the Duggar family. Previous episodes mentioned: Episode 22, 'Why is there so much Sexual Abuse in Authoritarian Fundamentalism?' https://controlfreakchristianity.libsyn.com/why-is-there-so-much-sexual-abuse-in-authoritarian-fundamentalism Episode 47, 'True or Cheap Repentance' https://controlfreakchristianity.libsyn.com/true-or-cheap-repentance Episode 49, 'The Quiverful Movement' https://controlfreakchristianity.libsyn.com/the-quiverfull-movement…

Control Freak Christianity

1
Spiritual Warfare 37:06

4 years ago37:06

37:06

Spiritual Warfare is often either over-emphasized or ignored. Joe and Rachel discuss their own experiences, Jesus' dealing with temptation, and the confidence Christians can have against the enemy.

Control Freak Christianity

1
Racist Doctrine and Neo-Confederacy in the Church 52:17

4 years ago52:17