In a packed feedback episode, we consider time, baptism, re-writing scripture, the omniscience of God and the problem of evil. Among other things. Also Nick has his nerd buttons pressed, and Joe has a new heretical disorder.

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Minster in Sheppey
• Traitors BBC
• Marcion
• Thomas Jefferson bible
• The Long Walk
• Thomas Kelly - A Testament of Devotion
• Wild at Heart
• Episode 51: The Mystery of the Cross
• Episode 50: The Scandal of The Cross
• Episode 154: An interview with Brian McLaren – Part 1
• Episode 155: An Interview with Brian McLaren – Part 2
• John Smith - an excerpt from Nick's book A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Joe interviews Thomas Jay Oord. Theologian, philosopher and, it seems, Joe's new BFF, Tom directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He share his faith journey with us and discusses the idea of an uncontrolling God, the limits of both science and religion, and how the idea of love shapes everything around us.

• Thomas Jay Oord
• Thomas Jay Oord - Books
• God after deconstruction
• God Can't
• Open and Relational Theology
• Thomas Jay Oord on substack
• Centre for Open and Relational Theology

In a follow up to last week's episode we think more about how to process anger. Joe interviews psychotherapist Becky Francis and we talk about the need for reflective practice, and digging into the anger produced by grief and loss. And in a shock move, Joe ends with a Bible passage.

• The Wombles
• Rolf Dobelli | Stop Reading the News
• Norway's NRK broadcasts 12-hour wood burning programme
• Thomas Erickson | Surrounded by Idiots
• Becky Francis Therapy
• Gottman | The Four Horsemen: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling
• Vanstone | The Stature of Waiting

In what has been a brutal week, we think again about what it means to be a peaceful presence in our world. What practices will help us? What actions should we take? How do we stand up for what is right, without demonising our opponents?

Book Now! The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend 2026 - Rydal Hall

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• Contact the podcast through your email machine
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• Nick's Blog

Mentioned in this episode:

• Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - BBC iPlayer
• The Great British Sewing Bee - BBC iPlayer
• The Great British Bake Off - Official Website
• Pendon Museum
• This Present Darkness - Wikipedia
• John's Poem: One Consequence of Salvation (I hope)
• Dave Gregory | Divine Windows: Seeing God through the lens of science
• God Saw That It Was Good - Videos
• Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, UN commission of inquiry says - BBC News
• Contact your MP - UK Parliament
• Cartoon - Duty Calls

Yes, we're back. And this week Joe interviews a surprise special guest on the podcast who tells us all about an article wot he wrote. Also we have BIG NEWS about the Mid-faith Crisis Church Away Weekend 2026! Join us in the Lake District for a weekend of conversation, relaxation and reflection.

• The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend Away 2026 - Book Now!

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• Contact the podcast through your email machine
• Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page
• Nick's Blog

Mentioned in this episode:

• Inception Point — AI spam podcasts with no listeners – Pivot to AI
• The Mid-faith Crisis Church Weekend Away 2026
• Bryn Haworth
• We've learned all we can from US megachurches. Let's be inspired by the Global Majority Church | Nick Page

Nick is (momentarily) back from holiday, Joe has (surprisingly) been in a prayer meeting and we talk (randomly) about the importance of small moments of joy and kindness, and the necessity of creating everyday rituals to enrich our lives.

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• Nick's Blog

Mentioned in this episode:

• Great Dixter
• Shostakovich Fifth Symphony | Aurora Orchestra
• The Dark Night of the Shed | Nick Page
• The Ritual Effect | Michael Norton

Lots of feedback this week. We talk about prayer and ritual, about what labels we use to describe ourselves and about finding joy in giving. Most of all, we touch on the hard work of transformation and the need to celebrate the small successes of our spiritual and emotional lives. Also, Joe has an Egret hat-trick and Nick has some new cocktail glasses. Cheers!

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• Contact the podcast through your email machine
• Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page
• Nick's Blog

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Naked Gun
• Police Squad
• Little Egret
• Great White Egret
• Cattle Egret
• Nick & Nora (glass) - Wikipedia
• The Thin Man (film) - Wikipedia
• England vs India: Series has been best since 2005 Ashes, says Jonathan Agnew - BBC Sport
• Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes | William Bridges
• The Changing Mind | Daniel Levitin
• The 100-Year Life

We revisit Joe's theses and in particular discuss nonviolence – in many ways the forgotten element of Jesus' teaching. We discuss the early church's adoption of nonviolence, how we can so easily 'other' people and treat them as subhuman, and what we can do to be a non-violent presence in the world. Also, Nick takes credit for the Euros victory, and Joe has been to visit a rare tree.

• Support the podcast
• Contact the podcast through your email machine
• Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page
• Nick's Blog

Mentioned in this episode:

• Rare tree to flower for sixth time in 100 years at Borde Hill - BBC News,
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) - IMDb
• What is restorative justice? | Restorative Justice Council
• Mau Mau rebellion - Wikipedia