m. scott peck

Ken welcomes back author and psychologist, Dr. Brian Rush McDonald to continue their conversation around his book A Long Surrender... his memoir detailing his spiritual and academic journey in which he sheds a toxic version of fundamentalist religion and devotes his life and career to helping others through psychotherapy. They unpack the malady of religious trauma, relating their personal stories. They discover in their quest, that both of them stumbled across an internet social site that pulls together clergy atheists. You read it right: working ministers who have given up on a belief in God. They share their reaction and their experience on the site. Their view of religion impacts their view of the Bible, too. Ken and Brian talk about literalism, inerrancy and the way in which their understanding and appreciation for the Bible has evolved. These two new friends from opposite ends of the nation have found much in common.  If you are struggling with your faith, your church, your religious tribe - listen in. SHOW NOTES

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Dr. McDonald's Official Site - https://www.brianrushmcdonald.com/

Recorded on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Other scripture cited: Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43-48.

Ken welcomes Dr. Brian Rush McDonald, former pastor, missionary, musician, author, and now a psychotherapist. Dr. McDonald found Ken's podcast, and the two connected. After Ken read Brian's book, A LONG SURRENDER - A Memoir About Losing My Religion, the two connected. From Alexandria, VA, Brian tells his story of awakenings - from high school "Jesus Freak" to Bob Jones University, on to Taiwan as a GARB missionary, back to Jerry Falwell's Liberty University for graduate work, and after six years pastoring a church (preaching in Mandarin and English), a Ph.D. at The College of William and Mary. It's a journey of evolving faith. They talk about M. Scott Peck's stages of faith development. For Dr. McDonald, it's a journey from religion to freedom. SHOW NOTES

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Today I want to dive into listening, why it's so difficult, and offer some tips to make it easier to truly hear when you listen.

When you listen to a podcast, for example, your mind probably wanders, or you get distracted by something. Neurologically speaking, our brains can really only do one thing at a time for the most part, but we're great at zoning in and out of multiple activities. You listen to a few words, look at the road ahead, check your mirrors, hear a few more words, and so on. It all happens so fast that we think we're driving and listening when, in fact, we're flitting between the two activities.

Keep listening for some ways to approach listening.


Resources mentioned:
The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Many around the world labeled the events of September 11 as “evil.” President Bush in his recent State of the Union speech described “an axis of evil.” But what does the word mean? It is a subject of enduring theological debate, even of scientific argument. It drives to the heart of the question: What does it mean to be human?