Wayne Jacobson on Experiencing God's Love, Presence, and Freedom Beyond Performance | Face to Face Podcast Ep. 183

In this episode of the Face to Face Podcast, we interview author and former pastor Wayne Jacobson about moving from a transactional, performance-based faith to an experiential life rooted in God's affection, presence, and fullness. Wayne shares his background, ministry disillusionment, repeated experiences of betrayal, and how God's presence slowly meets people in pain and trauma.

He explains how a curative (not punitive) view of the atonement reshaped his view of the Father, argues that transformation comes through relational engagement with God rather than information alone, and critiques Christianity as a sin- or shame-management system. He discusses community as a gift cultivated through hospitality and friendship, points listeners to his book He Loves Me and his websites, and closes by praying for listeners to relax into the "unforced rhythms of grace."

00:26 Meet Wayne Jacobson

01:08 Level One Invitation

02:07 Trauma Course Preview

03:15 Why This Interview Matters

04:57 Wayne's Journey Begins

07:30 Betrayal and Presence

09:41 From Earning to Love

16:18 Atonement Reframed

20:16 Engagement Over Information

24:30 Belonging Before Behaving

28:00 Affection Presence Fullness

29:12 Rethinking Sin and Shame

30:29 Sin Management Trap

32:02 Righteousness as Justice

33:26 Relational Justice Through Love

35:49 God Inside Our Failures

37:08 Lifting the Legalism Veil

40:11 Unforced Rhythms of Grace

46:17 Engagement Over Doctrine

51:08 Fear of Hell and Salvation Now

53:25 Finding Real Community

58:26 Resources and Final Blessing

01:01:29 Closing Reflections and Outro