Episode 035: Confessions of a Former Evangelical Missionary with Adam Benner

 

 

 

 

 

Show Notes

Intro music: Ventura Tyler Bates

Featured Music: Missionary Man Eurythmics

Adam Benner’s Blog

Beyond the Pale response to Tim Keller’s N.Y. Times article

Hi Pilgrim,

This week’s episode is with Adam Benner who shares about his transition from a right wing evangelical to a more Christlike faith.  Adam is a former missionary to China who is now a blogger / teacher /  and fellow pilgrim on a journey.  He’s pretty cool for a number of reasons not the least of whichhe’s a white guy that speaks pretty fluent Chinese.

Funny thing is I met Adam about 15 years ago at his wedding…and then never saw him again.  He had married a friend and fellow missionary named Renee that Tammy and I had worked with back in the 90’s.  Probably would have lost touch except for the wonder of social media.  Tam and I reconnected with Renee on Facebook and then Adam.  I started to see some of Adams spiritual thoughts and comments.

He was good…

He was very good…

I saw a kindred spirit on pilgrimage and knew I needed to talk with him on Beyond the Pale.  In this first part Adam shares about his journey from a fundamentalist faith to a more Christ like expression and some of the challenges faced by people in ministry when their beliefs shift but are still financially dependant on your old structure.

It’s an episode I know you will enjoy.

Peace,

Steve

iTunes description: Adam Benner shares his journey from right wing evangelical missionary to a more Christlike faith.  Along the way he discusses politics, American patriotism, and the challenge of a changing faith when your financial livelihood depends on the evangelical structure.

Show Notes:

4:22- Are Christ’s teachings of secondary importance?

12:00- An evangelical childhood

28:48- Evangelical response to Adam’s change of belief

29:21 When your income is dependant on your belief system

37:00- Old school evangelicals vs. a new generation
Check out this episode!