Jesus, the Old Testament, and the Struggle for Moral Clarity - Seismic Mike Responds to Godless Part 1

Episode • Sep 14, 2016 • 1h 0m

Can a non-affirming Christian hold space for LGBTQ+ voices with humility and grace? Can thoughtful atheism provoke deeper faith? Mike and Andy reflect on powerful listener feedback—one from a 20-year-old gay Christian named Jeremy, and another from “Godless,” an atheist guest host—and begin a deep dive into the critiques both raised about the Bible, theology, and the church's engagement with real people.

Through Jeremy’s compelling and vulnerable email, the conversation explores the complexities of same-sex attraction, love, repentance, and the experience of God’s presence even when clarity doesn’t come. Their exchange reveals a profound ability to disagree while honoring the faith journey of another human being. Then, responding to “Godless,” Mike begins to unpack why he still finds belief in God intellectually, historically, and existentially plausible—even in light of some of the Bible's most difficult passages.

This two-part reflection asks: What’s the better explanation for morality, consciousness, beauty, and meaning—God or chance? And does Jesus, who proclaimed he fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, actually challenge the interpretive misuses of the Old Testament in revolutionary ways?

Key Takeaways: •   Listening with Humility – Why Mike and Andy gave Jeremy the last word in their conversation on affirming vs. non-affirming theology, and what thoughtful disagreement looks like. •   A Complex Faith Journey – Jeremy’s story highlights how trauma, love, and the Holy Spirit can reshape assumptions about what it means to follow Jesus as a gay Christian. •   Maintaining Theological Tension – The Vox team emphasizes that positions on sexuality are deeply nuanced and must be held with gentleness and openness to critique. •   Why Mike Still Believes in God – Using an "inference to the best explanation" framework, Mike outlines how the existence of God better accounts for morality, consciousness, and purpose than material atheism. •   Jesus vs. Old Testament Morality – Introducing a robust critique of how Jesus actually differentiates himself from the legalism of his time and invites disciples into a more radical, coherent ethic centered on love, justice, and mercy.

Resources Mentioned: •   Oriented to Faith by Tim Otto – A third-way perspective from a celibate gay affirming pastor. •   Hen’s Teeth and Horse’s Toes by Stephen Jay Gould – A scientific work that challenged Godless' Christian views. •   Matthew 5:17 – Jesus’ statement on fulfilling the Law and the Prophets. •   The Sermon on the Mount – Read through the lens of first-century Judaism and Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees. •   Dallas Willard – Insights on moral self and human flourishing. •   N.T. Wright’s Theology – On the Jewish roots and richness of Jesus’ ethical teachings.

This episode acts as a bridge between radically different viewpoints—atheistic skepticism and LGBTQ+ Christian faith—and the tradition of following Jesus in truth and love, without simplistic answers or defensive postures. Part two continues this exploration into Jesus, the Old Testament, and how we interpret divine morality in tension with real life.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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