How are so many Christians in this country voting Republican? How would Jesus vote and what did he really teach? When we remove the fear-tactics of the threat of Hell, what were the actual teachings of Jesus and how can we learn from them?

In this episode, we connect with Brian Recker, a former evangelical pastor who has been deconstructing his own faith and understanding of Christianity (his departure was catalyzed by Donald Trump’s rise in politics). We discuss Heaven, Hell, Sin, Abortion, Taxes, Trans rights, Healthcare and lots in between. And Brian and I connect on the essential threads of Jesus’s teachings based in acceptance, love, care for the marginalized, and interconnection.

TUNE IN TO EPISODE 10 TO HEAR:

• The true teachings of Jesus are about peace, love, acceptance and equality.
• What if there wasn’t fear of going to “hell,” and what if it doesn’t exist?
• How political tactics of some Churches can impact people’s faith and values.
• How some Christians are so focused on their own “kingdoms” of individualism.
• What Jesus might think about taxes, trans rights, abortion, and beyond.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Brian Recker is a former evangelical pastor who now offers pastoral reflections on deconstruction, toxic theology, and reclaiming a healthy spirituality. In addition to his regular posts on social media, he has a substack where he writes regular meditations, and his book HELLBENT is coming out in 2025 with TarcherPerigee. You can learn more about Brian on his website www.brianrecker.com where you can sign up for his substack, and follow him on Instagram @berecker. He also has a podcast called Sacred Counsel.

RESOURCES:

Follow Brian on Instagram @berecker

Sacred Counsel Podcast

BOOK: "scripture, ethics, and the possibility of same sex relationships" by Karen Keen

The Bible for Normal People Podcast

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In the second part of this two-part series, Rabbi Salem Pierce and I continue our discussion, focused on the emotional and complex realities of the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

TUNE IN TO EPISODE 9 TO HEAR:

• Rabbi Salem shares her personal experience and what she’s witnessed in Israel
• She shares insights about the impacts of generational trauma felt by both Jewish and Palestinian communities and the deep emotional impact of recent events.
• We explore the call for a ceasefire, emphasizing the need for diplomacy as the only viable path forward amidst ongoing violence.
• We discuss the moral tension between supporting the State of Israel and advocating for equality and the recognition of all lives as equally valuable.
• Rabbi Salem draws on Jewish teachings to highlight the importance of compassionate, open dialogue, even when confronting deeply polarizing issues.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Rabbi Salem Pearce is Director of Spirituality at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, serving communities all across the U.S. South as a "circuit-riding rabbi" from her home in Jackson, Miss., where she lives with her two cats. She was ordained by Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Boston in 2018 and has served as Director of Organizing at T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, in New York City, and Executive Director at Carolina Jews for Justice in Durham, N.C. Her rabbinate has involved justice work on a variety of issues: immigration, reproductive rights, workers rights, and Israel/Palestine. She is passionate about Torah, baseball, non-fiction, and travel. You can learn more about her at www.salempearce.com

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Rabbi Salem Pearce

breakdown of jewish denomination affiliation in 2020 - most recent I could find (9% orthodox)

Rabbis for Ceasefire

T’ruah - the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights

Gisha: Israeli not-for-profit organization, founded in 2005, whose goal is to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents.

B’Tselem: The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories

HIAS: Originally founded to assist Jews fleeing pogroms in Eastern Europe, today HIAS works around the world to assist displaced people of all backgrounds.

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Donate on venmo to support the podcast

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The first of a two-part series, in this episode, we connect with Rabbi Salem Pearce, a Jewish leader and activist, to explore the teachings, history, and practices of Judaism.

TUNE IN TO EPISODE 8 TO HEAR:

• The rich history and foundational teachings of Judaism as a religion of practice (and not always credo) including the importance of Shabbat, not only as a religious observance but also as a countercultural statement against the fast-paced nature of modern life
• How Judaism’s teachings inform Jews’ beliefs and values around policies such as abortion, gender and sexuality, climate change and especially caring for the vulnerable and marginalized, and how easily Jews can relate to other minorities and the vulnerable
• Why roughly 80% of jews vote democratic and how important a thriving multi-culture, multi-faith democracy is for American Jews and Jews all around the world.

In part two, we discuss the Israel-Palestine Conflict as well as what Judaism can teach us about having difficult conversations with people who don’t share the same opinions.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Rabbi Salem Pearce is Director of Spirituality at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, serving communities all across the U.S. South as a "circuit-riding rabbi" from her home in Jackson, Miss., where she lives with her two cats. She was ordained by Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Boston in 2018 and has served as Director of Organizing at T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, in New York City, and Executive Director at Carolina Jews for Justice in Durham, N.C. Her rabbinate has involved justice work on a variety of issues: immigration, reproductive rights, workers rights, and Israel/Palestine. She is passionate about Torah, baseball, non-fiction, and travel. You can learn more about her at www.salempearce.com

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Rabbi Salem Pearce

breakdown of jewish denomination affiliation in 2020 - most recent I could find (9% orthodox)

Rabbis for Ceasefire

T’ruah - the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights

Gisha: Israeli not-for-profit organization, founded in 2005, whose goal is to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents.

B’Tselem: The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories

HIAS: Originally founded to assist Jews fleeing pogroms in Eastern Europe, today HIAS works around the world to assist displaced people of all backgrounds.

LEARN MORE & SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Follow Rev Dev on Instagram

Follow Rev Dev on Facebook

Follow Rev Dev on TikTok

Sign up for the newsletter

Donate on venmo to support the podcast

Donate on paypal to support the podcast

Contact Rev Dev