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A Former Atheist and the Bad Reputation Some Christians Give a Good God: With MaryJo Sharp— The Alisa Childers Podcast #58

11/6/2019

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MaryJo Sharp stops by the podcast today to talk about her conversion to Christianity from atheism, and some of the obstacles she encountered in the church. She also tells us about her new book, Why I Still Believe which comes out this week.

9 Comments

margie

11/6/2019 05:26:44 pm

Really enjoyed this podcast. Some great insights. I think I'm going to like this book. My story is a bit backwards from Mary Jo. I grew up Christian in rural Ohio, had some great experiences as a teen with other Christians. It wasn't until later that the legalists tried to rope me in and I got all the criticism. Learning to avoid majoring in the minors and insignificants is a big challenge to all of us. I have found that just because the Bible says so isn't enough for some people, sometimes me included, and that there are some really good apologetic works out there that reassure us it's not some fable or fairy tale (To quote either Keith Green or 2nd Chapter)

Alisa Childers

11/7/2019 09:06:43 pm

Thanks, margie!

11/7/2019 08:52:32 pm

Alisa, Thanks to your lifeboat, and the grace of God - I'm on the other side of doubt and progressivism. I'm reading the Bible and listening to the Bible Recap and other podcasts to strengthen my faith and grow in knowledge. Now I am trying to figure out within Christianity what I believe. Obviously, I want to believe nothing but the truth. I'm so confused between Calvinism, Reformed, Dispensationism, Cessasionism, Continuationism...I just don't know what's the truth. I was raised fundamentalist/charasmatic and I am so wary of some of that stuff. But I've been listening to a Reformed Theology podcast, and I'm just not sure. Can you tell me what resources you find helpful? I've already discovered Mike Winger, but got in trouble while trying to discuss his views with some Calvinist gals...

Alisa Childers

11/7/2019 09:04:17 pm

Hi CJ, Wow I praise God that He kept you as you persevered through doubt and progressivism. The first piece of advice I would give you would be to focus first on the "essentials," and then you can figure out what you think is the most biblical view of the secondary issues like the ones you listed in your comment. I found this video incredibly helpful. Regarding the other issues, the best thing you can do is start working through each issue one by one (don't bite off too much!) and read/listen to the strongest proponents of each view to help guide your thinking. I find debates to be very helpful as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjdy-VWXrik

11/7/2019 09:26:57 pm

Thanks so much Alisa. I will take your advice for sure.

Nick

6/21/2021 04:36:03 pm

Calvinists behave that way because Calvinism is a cult. I am not reformed, do believe in dispensationalism, and do believe in continuitionism, and I sure as heck reject the cult of predestination or the lack of free will playing any role in your decision to accept or reject Jesus Christ. Only a Calvinist would fill you with confusion like this. Like all cultists they demand 100% conformity to their heresies, and if you read the NT you'll find out who the author of confusion is. HINT: It starts with SA and ends with TAN. Bottom line: Just repent of your sins, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, leave your sins at the Cross where he came into the world to die for your sins, then read your Bible (The Word of God) when you can. The more you read His Word the closer you will get to God. Lastly, find a god Non-Calvinist church where they don't tell you all of your efforts are in vain if God hadn't chosen you since birth. Jesus said He came to heal the sick (sinners), not the self-righteous like the Pharisees. If we have modern day Pharisees in the Christian church, and I believe we do, most definitely it's the Calvinists.

Larry Waddell

11/14/2019 04:13:48 pm

Mike Winger is a great resource and is very biblically sound in his teachings. I would also recommend Trinty Radio with Braxton Hunter. Additionally I recommend Soteriology 101 as a resource.

Nick

6/21/2021 04:11:15 pm

If you read the NT it becomes apparent that Jesus the downtrodden like they were special. The sick, the poor, the poorly dressed et al., the more they needed Him and they knew they needed Him, the more he went out of His way to make them especially welcomed. He NEVER would have embarrassed or humiliated them over their attire, the way that Pastors wife did. Instead he would have found her a seat at the front. If I was in that church and had witnessed that Pastors wife making that remark, I would have walked out to find a new church and strongly suggested that was NOT Christ-like and this woman (and her husband) should turn around and leave with me to find a new church.

Christine Bolla

7/21/2021 02:35:17 pm

Hi Alisa. I just wrote an email to you in response to reading your terrific book, Another Gospel?
Then I discovered that the address was for blog posts.
Do you have an email address so I can send you my letter?
Thanks, Chris

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A Former Atheist and the Bad Reputation Some Christians Give a Good God: With MaryJo Sharp— The Alisa Childers Podcast #58

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