Growing up as a Christian, I have always considered myself an open-minded person … until I realized that I kept assuming–no matter what–one thing.
And this one thing kept me from truly learning from others. Let this video give you something to think about.
As someone who has helped pioneer and spread the “radical grace message” throughout the Philippines, some of my thoughts about it have changed. Listen as to why I believe the grace message hasn’t gone far enough.
(COPY AND PASTE THE LINKS BELOW)
Bookstore link: https://joshuatongol.com/store/
A Critique of Penal Substitution:
https://joshuatongol.com/was-jesus-punished-by-the-father-challenging-penal-substitution-joshua-tongol/
The problem with inerrancy (“Is God a Moral Monster?”):
https://joshuatongol.com/is-god-a-moral-monster-making-sense-of-the-bible-joshua-tongol/
Feeling stressed? Let this video encourage you today.
Questions to consider:
• What exactly is worrying?
• What’s the first thing you should do when you start worrying?
• What are some negative effects of worrying?
• How useful is worrying?
• Can worrying create your reality?
• How important are words when facing a tough situation?
• Do we live in a friendly universe?
• What are some tips when you hear “bad” news?
• How did you handle a discouraging situation in the past?
• What are some practical tips to help you relax?
• How powerful is the present moment?
Here’s an honest, straight-from-the-heart vlog.
Questions to consider:
• Where is God?
• Is God up in heaven?
• Why do people point up to the sky when thanking God?
• Where is God before He “shows up” to your religious meeting?
• Where is the Holy Spirit before a pastor says, “Holy Spirit come”?
• Do we need to reach out to God before He reaches out to us?
• Is God a deity apart (separate) from us?
• Where have you experienced God outside of “church”?
• Can you see and find God outside religion?
Here’s an honest, straight-from-the-heart vlog.
Questions to consider:
• Why do you believe in God?
• Why do you not believe in God?
• Do you believe God is good?
• Is your belief in God making your life better? Worse?
• Is atheism the only alternative to rejecting a fundamentalist version of God?
• It’s one thing to believe in God, but do you even LIKE the God you believe in?
• Does what you were taught about God contradict what you believe in your hear about love?
• What’s the problem with believing in an angry and violent God?
Hey folks, not too long ago I was interviewed in Santa Barbara by a ministry called The Golden Lampstand.
I hope it gives food for thought and encouragement to those who can relate with what I share.
The Golden Lampstand Production presents: “The Truth Revealed” Series
Date: October 8, 2014
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
An honest, straight-from-the-heart interview with Joshua Tongol.
(author “So You Thought You Knew” and international speaker)
1) What is the gospel?
2) How important is questioning?
3) What’s the problem with religion in general?
4) What are your thoughts about church?
5) What would you say to those struggling with their faith?
6) What’s a big division in the church?
7) How can unity come back into the church?
8) What would you like people to remember you and your wife for?
9) You say/use the quote gesture often when you speak. Why?
10) What helped you get out of the fear-based relationship with God?
11) Why did you start writing? And tell us about your projects.
12) Final thoughts?
Edited by: Ricardo Perez
Background music: “Without Limits” by Ross Bugden
Golden Lampstand channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClplvYbMZYEiPJh-NO3duXg
My name is Joshua Tongol.
I was raised a Christian.
For years I believed whatever I was taught by pastors, preachers and teachers. I was told what to believe, how to think, and how to live.
Honestly, I constantly struggled with my faith because, on the one hand, I believed in a God who supposedly “loved” me unconditionally, but, on the other hand, I also believed in a God who was hateful, exclusive, judgmental, and violent.
God, to me, seemed somewhat schizophrenic.
I had no security in God’s love whatsoever. His love and acceptance of me was based on what I believed and how “good” I was.
Thankfully, my life and views of God began to change (for the better) once I started to do what I’ll be sharing in this video.
Here are some things for you to think about:
*What if everything you were taught about Christianity (and religion) is wrong?
*Learn to think for yourself and don’t allow others to think for you
*Always be honest and true to yourself
*Are your religious beliefs creating a better you and helping make this world a better place?
*Do you have questions about your faith but are too afraid to ask them?
*Can you still be spiritual without having to be a Christian?
When it comes to discussing ideas, it’s commonly said that “everything is relative.” Many open-minded people conclude that, because there are so many differing views, there is no Truth.
But is truth relative? Can something be true for one person and not necessarily for another? Does everybody have their own “truth”?
Is morality merely a matter of taste? If so, would this belief be livable? Will the world succeed of we continue hurting others?
Yet, at the same time, is morality a rigid structure of dos and don’ts where it is always bad to make a certain choice? Can there be more than one [right] way to respond to any given situation?
Can there be, in a sense, an objectivity to human nature, which makes a successful and livable world?
Personal beliefs throughout history have definitely changed over time. And it does seem obvious, at least to me, that some things do evolve. But is everything subjective? And is “reality” always clear to individuals–especially in an evolving and creative quantum world?
G.K. Chesterton said, “Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.”
But is anything really SOLID?
Listen in as Joshua shares his heart and answers questions on important subjects. It might give you a different perspective on things.
What shift is happening all over the world today?
What TRANSCENDS every religion?
Which religion contains “The Truth”?
Have you ever encountered a street preacher (or anyone else) who condemned you for not believing in Jesus?
Has the message of God’s unconditional love been reduced to “turn or burn”?
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