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Jesus gave away power. What does that actually mean...?

What does it really mean to have power—and what happens when we hoard it? In this thought-provoking conversation, historian and theologian Dr. Bradley Melle (Freestyle Theology) sits down with international human rights advocate Rev. Joash Thomas to explore the anatomy of power: why it’s hoarded, how it corrupts, and how Jesus’ life offers a radically different way to use it.

Together, we trace power from ancient empires to today’s oligarchs, unpack the fear and fragility behind political and economic dominance, and ask why “more” never feels like enough. Joash shares global perspectives from his work defending the poor from violence, while Brad draws on church history—from the early Christians caring for plague victims in North Africa to the ways Christianity has too often blessed empire instead of resisting it.

We wrestle with big questions:

• Why do the powerful seem so insecure?
• How does fear drive greed, colonialism, and endless expansion—whether into land, markets, or even outer space?
• What does it mean when Jesus “gives away” power?
• How can the church recover the courage to stand with the untouchable and marginalized?

This episode blends history, theology, and activism to challenge the way we think about power, from the Roman Empire to Elon Musk, from settler colonialism to the Gaza crisis. It’s a call to move from fear-based hoarding to Spirit-empowered liberation, rooted in love, justice, and the conviction that no one is truly secure until we all are.

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Can meditation heal spiritual wounds? In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Brad and Brielle unpack their journeys with depression, anxiety, meditation, and spiritual growth. They explore how mindfulness, breathwork, and even sung Scripture can help Christians reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a gentler, richer spiritual rhythm, all while healing from religious trauma.

Whether you’re in therapy, deconstructing, or simply craving a more authentic connection with God, this conversation will invite you to explore meditation as a practice that bridges faith and nervous system healing—without the baggage of fear-based theology.

We also share how meditation helped us rediscover the beauty of prayer, embrace embodied spirituality, and let go of religious perfectionism. Plus, a hint about a resource we've created to help you bring calm, clarity, and connection back into your spiritual life.

Tune in and discover a different kind of Christian practice.

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In this raw and wide-ranging episode, Brad is joined again by Rev. Joash Thomas to explore the emotional and spiritual roots of what Brad calls the “evangelical tantrum”—the reactive, fear-fueled backlash of white conservative Christianity in the face of cultural change. Why do some Christians in America act as if they’re being persecuted, even while holding power? What are they so afraid of losing—and have they even lost it?

Together, Brad and Joash dive into history, theology, trauma, and personal stories. Joash opens up about his past as a rising political consultant in Georgia’s Republican Party, his moment of reckoning, and the journey that brought him to international human rights work and ordained ministry. Along the way, the two reflect on the immaturity of much of Western Christianity, the seductive illusion of cultural dominance, structural racism, and the healing power of surrendering control.

If you’ve ever felt disoriented by white evangelical fragility or longed for a more mature, liberating Christianity—this one’s for you.

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What if the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S. isn’t just political—but the fruit of a long, coordinated theological strategy?

In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Dr. Bradley Melle sits down with Margaret Bronson, the force behind Deconstruction Doulas, to uncover the disturbing roots of America’s new religious extremism. From growing up in a high-control cult to witnessing those same ideas go mainstream, Margaret brings both lived experience and prophetic insight into what’s really happening beneath the surface of today’s culture wars.

Together, we explore:

• What “theonomy” is—and how it’s reshaping American politics
• The disturbing return of Christendom logic and crusader theology
• Why high-control religion thrives in times of cultural insecurity
• How spiritual abuse warps the body, mind, and soul
• Why cult logic is quietly infiltrating churches, schools, and legislation
• What we can learn from people escaping these systems—and how to help

Whether you’re tracking Project 2025, rethinking your relationship with church, or trying to understand why so many Christians are choosing authoritarianism over compassion, this episode connects the theological dots behind today’s headlines—and reminds us why curiosity is the opposite of colonialism.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.
📬 Got thoughts? Email Brad at freestyletheology [at] gmail.com or DM @freestyletheology on Instagram.

🔗 Learn more about Margaret’s work or support her directly:
🌐 Website: www.deconstructiondoulas.com
❤️ Patreon: Deconstruction Doulas on Patreon
🙏 GoFundMe: Build a Survivor Care Network
📰 Article on Moscow, Idaho church community: Read here

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What If Colonialism Lives On—in Our Bodies, Beliefs, and Churches?

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Bradley Melle is joined once again by Rev. Joash Thomas for an in-person deep dive into Christianity, colonialism, and inherited trauma. From intergenerational disease to theological rigidity, they explore how the legacies of empire aren’t just historical—they’re physiological, spiritual, and still deeply active in the life of the church.

Together, they ask:

• What does it mean to decolonize theology without turning it into another empire?
• Could our inherited ideas of sin and salvation be more about trauma than rebellion?
• How do colonized peoples carry intergenerational wounds in the body—and how do colonizers carry the trauma of violence, too?
• Why do some deconstructing evangelicals seek refuge in ancient traditions—and what’s really behind the trend of converting to Eastern Orthodoxy?
• What can the Law of St. Thomas teach us about pluralism, humility, and the expansive reach of Christ?

Whether you're working through religious trauma, questioning the Western church's obsession with control, or just curious about how history shapes theology, this episode invites you into a richer, more embodied conversation about faith, power, and healing.

🎧 Tune in and join the dialogue.
📬 Got thoughts? Email Brad at freestyletheology [at] gmail.com or DM @freestyletheology on Instagram.

What do you think? Text me and let me know!

Why does everything feel so fractured—and has it always been this way?

In this solo episode, Dr. Bradley Melle dives deep into the 500-year story of fragmentation in the Western world, from the shattering of medieval consensus in the Reformation to today’s tribalism, polarization, and nostalgia-fueled politics. But this isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a challenge to embrace the disorientation of modern life as an opportunity for truth, empathy, and a new kind of unity.

Today we'll explore:

• Why modern life feels so fragmented—and why that’s not all bad
• How nostalgia fuels dangerous political and religious movements
• What we lost after the medieval world—and what we gained in return
• Why the longing for “simpler times” can be a trap
• How fragmentation may actually help us love our neighbour better

Whether you're wrestling with Christian nationalism, deconstructing your faith, or just trying to make sense of our chaotic world, this episode offers historical insight with real-world relevance. It's an invitation to face reality as it is—and build something new in the cracks.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.
📬 Got thoughts? Email Brad at freestyletheology [at] gmail.com or DM @freestyletheology on Instagram.

What do you think? Text me and let me know!

Church historian Bradley Melle chats with Rev. Joash Thomas about Christian supremacy, colonialism, and trauma in the church. Brad and Joash dive into how Christianity's history—from Constantine to today's Christian nationalism—has often prioritized power, dominance, and control, leading to deep historical wounds and ongoing struggles.

Drawing from personal experiences, historical examples, and current events, they unpack how beliefs in Christian supremacy have shaped global Christianity, suppressed spiritual diversity, and contributed to injustice worldwide. They explore stories of colonial missions in India, Christianity's troubling alliance with political power, and how religious trauma continues to influence church communities today.

Listeners will discover how intergenerational trauma affects contemporary Christian life and gain practical insights into creating a healthier, more compassionate, and trauma-informed faith. This conversation is perfect for anyone curious about church history, religious trauma, Christian nationalism, and the journey toward a more authentic and humble Christianity.

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In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Dr. Bradley Melle and Brielle Goheen dive into the complexities of love and its manifestation within church communities. They explore the idea of love as a multifaceted and often misunderstood concept in religious circles, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, honesty, and dealing with awkward and painful experiences as expressions of love.

Melle and Goheen discuss how love is often conflated with service, yet true love involves deeper elements like knowing one's role in the body of Christ and recognizing the diverse ways love can be enacted. They draw parallels between different parts of the body of Christ and the various functions individuals have in expressing love, from being the hands and feet to the less obvious but equally vital roles.

The conversation also touches on the fruit of the Spirit, particularly how love is the driving force behind joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. They stress the importance of discipline, not just in a Western sense of self-control but as a holistic approach to structuring one's life to facilitate a gentle, loving existence.

A significant part of the discussion revolves around the necessity of creating communities of safety within the church. They argue that historical fear of judgment and rejection has poisoned many church environments, making them unsafe and unwelcoming. By fostering communities where people feel truly loved and accepted, free from fear, shame, and constant adrenaline-driven alertness, churches can become spaces of genuine love and growth.

Melle and Goheen also explore practical ways to cultivate such communities, emphasizing the role of clear communication, conflict resolution, and setting up simple, effective systems. They highlight the importance of transparency and accountability, using the metaphor of a Sunday school room with a glass door to symbolize openness and safety.

The episode delves into historical and theological insights, discussing how early Christian communities thrived on a story of love and acceptance, contrasting this with the often fear-driven narratives of modern Christianity. They explore how the early church's systems of security and reconciliation contributed to their resilience and appeal, suggesting that contemporary churches can learn from these models to build healthier, more loving communities.

Ultimately, Melle and Goheen advocate for a reexamination of how churches operate, encouraging leaders and members alike to prioritize love, discipline, and safety. By doing so, they believe that the church can better reflect the true spirit of Christ and become a beacon of hope and healing in the world.

Tune in to hear this enriching conversation that challenges conventional notions of love and discipline in the church and offers practical insights for cultivating communities that truly embody the fruit of the Spirit.