We take a deeper dive into the Bible to look at how gender and sexuality is talked about in scripture and its interpretation.

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

The dominant viewpoint within many church traditions is that there are two genders, male and female, and that men should play the leading role. If this is the hierarchy God intended, why do so many people not fit the mould? Can church communities create space for people who don’t conform to traditional gender roles?

A quick parish notice

We are really aware that many listeners will want us to cover LGBTQ+ inclusion in church communities. We’re keen to talk about it too, but as a team we know we’re lacking the kind of lived experience needed to do the conversation justice. With that in mind, we will be returning to the topic soon, in conversation with people who can speak directly from their lives so please stay tuned.

Coming up

Part 2 will be released next Monday 23 March. We’ll be taking a deeper dive into the Bible to look at how gender and sexuality is talked about in scripture and its interpretation.

Our Q&A will then follow on Monday 30 March. Please get your questions on gender and sexuality by this Friday 20th March to feature - you can message us via our Substack, Facebook or Instagram. You can also email us at agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

The dominant viewpoint within many church traditions is that there are two genders, male and female, and that men should play the leading role. If this is the hierarchy God intended, why do so many people not fit the mould? Can church communities create space for people who don’t conform to traditional gender roles?

A quick parish notice

We are really aware that many listeners will want us to cover LGBTQ+ inclusion in church communities. We’re keen to talk about it too, but as a team we know we’re lacking the kind of lived experience needed to do the conversation justice. With that in mind, we will be returning to the topic soon, in conversation with people who can speak directly from their lives so please stay tuned.

Coming up

Part 2 will be released next Monday 23 March. We’ll be taking a deeper dive into the Bible to look at how gender and sexuality is talked about in scripture and its interpretation.

Our Q&A will then follow on Monday 30 March. Please get your questions on gender and sexuality by this Friday 20th March to feature - you can message us via our Substack, Facebook or Instagram. You can also email us at agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

We're responding to your questions on our latest episode, 'Do christians just need a good wank?'

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

Can sex toys and pornography help people to become more confident, empowered and sexually aware? And should churches be encouraging congregations to use these in their own sexual fulfilment.

Coming up

Episode 8 – Two genders and a spectrum walk into a bar – is released on Monday 16 March. Few issues within christendom are more divisive than that of sexuality. Many mainstream, global churches are facing existential collapse while they try to reconcile progressive and traditionalist voices.

While the battle rages, we examine the cultural and biblical claims that make up the debate and explore whether the church can embrace an inclusive view of sexuality and gender.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

Now that the average age of marriage in western societies north of 30, is sexual purity really worth two decades of bottled up urges and internalised shame?

If I never get married should I just pretend those bits aren't there? And what about whiplash of a culture that expects women to go from chaste and pure to innate pleasure seekers at the sound of an 'I do'?

Coming up

Our next Q&A episode is on Monday 2 March, so if you’d like to ask a question on anything you’ve heard from the podcast so far, then make sure you get your question to us by Friday 20 February to feature. Contact us via email, social media or our Substack page.

Episode 8 – Two genders and a spectrum walk into a bar – is released on Monday 16 March. Few issues within christendom are more divisive than that of sexuality. Many mainstream, global churches are facing existential collapse while they try to reconcile progressive and traditionalist voices. While the battle rages, we examine the cultural and biblical claims that make up the debate and explore whether the church can embrace an inclusive view of sexuality and gender.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touchEmail: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelieveinInstagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

We’re responding to your questions on our latest episode, ‘Why do abusers thrive in church?’

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

What does safeguarding look like in practice? What are the signs that a pastoral relationship has become abusive? And how should communities respond when allegations of abuse come to light?

Coming up

Episode 7 – Do Christians just need a good w**k? – is released on Monday 16 February. Now that the average age of marriage in western societies north of 30, is sexual purity really worth two decades of bottled up urges and internalised shame? Perhaps we all might be better off for enjoying a good shame-free w**k every now and then.

The following Q&A is on Monday 2 March – make sure you get your questions to us by Friday 20 February to feature.

Then on Thursday 12 March, we’re joined in person by Revd Dr Helen Paynter for a live event in Leeds on Christianity and the Far Right. Subscribe to our substack page or keep an eye on our socials for more information.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We're examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you're a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you've never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touchEmail: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelieveinInstagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

We discuss how theology, patriarchy and Christian cultures conspire to create the conditions that silence victims and expedite redemption for abusers.

What does this modelling say for abuse within our own relationships and has the theology of forgiveness become an accomplice? And what needs to change to make our churches safe spaces where abusers can’t hide in plain sight?

Coming up

Our next Q&A episode is on Monday 2 February, so if you’d like to ask a question on anything you’ve heard from the podcast so far, then make sure you get your question to us by Friday 23 January to feature. Contact us via email, social media or our Substack page.

Episode 7 – Do Christians just need a good wank? – is released on Monday 16 February. Now that the average age of marriage in western societies north of 30, is sexual purity really worth two decades of bottled up urges and internalised shame? Perhaps we all might be better off for enjoying a good shame-free wank every now and then.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

Can God-talk ever be redeemed from patriarchy? Where have we seen patriarchy at work in our lives and are there any positive principles for relationships we can derive from the Bible in spite of its patriarchal context?

Coming up

Episode 6 – Why do abusers thrive in church – is released on Monday 19 January. Is there something inherent to Christianity that means that abusive preachers can hide in plain sight? Why are we still surprised? We examine a few recent examples to explore if its just a few bad apples, or the canary in the coalmine of a wider system of abuse.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

We get to the heart of the matter, exploring patriarchy and what it means for the Christian worldview. Did God really put men in charge? Is God even male? Can Christianity be redeemed from a hierarchy that consistently privileges and places men over women.

Coming up

Our next Q&A episode is on Monday 5th January, so if you’d like to ask a question on anything you’ve heard from the podcast so far, then make sure you get your question to us by Friday 26 December to feature. Contact us via email, social media or our Substack page.

Episode 6 – Why do abusers thrive in Church? – is released on Monday 19 January. High profile churches across the world have been rocked by stories of abuse and cover-ups at the very heart of their organisations. We ask why, instead of siding with victims and survivors, the first instinct of these institutions is to close ranks?

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touchEmail: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelieveinInstagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein