Oatmeal Raisin Theology - Easter 5A (May 3, 2026)

CPTB is a conversational, funny, and thoughtful take on this week's Bible readings — for preachers, church leaders, deconstructors, and curious listeners who still love scripture, even when they're not sure what to do with it. We explore the text with humor and theological depth, without certainty, outrage, or easy answers.

What do cookies have to do with the resurrection? More than you'd think. Resident Comic Theologians Abby Evans (@itsabbye) and Erick Williams (@comicaledubs) join Pastors Eric and Bob for a short take on John 14:1–14 — the "I am the way, the truth, and the life" passage — and end up somewhere between funeral theology, grief policing, and Thomas asking Jesus to please just answer the question.

• Why "do not let your hearts be troubled" is one of the most misused lines in funeral history
• Thomas as the pragmatist apostle who does not sign documents without clarification
• The I AM tradition in John's gospel and why soldiers fell down at the arrest
• "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it" — and why pastors quietly skip that verse
• Abby's story about a priest who compared death to getting an oatmeal raisin cookie when you wanted chocolate chip

"I believe you, Jesus. But at the time you said this, school shootings weren't a concept in anyone's mind." — Abby Evans

---

John 14:1–14 (NRSVue)

"Jesus said to his disciples, 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.' Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father"? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.'"

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

Join the community!
Email us at cptbpod@gmail.com.
Find us at @cptbpod on most social media platforms.
More at linktr.ee/cptbpod

Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.