Faithful Dissent
Two voices, one conversation- faithfully interrogating the world. Hosts Brian Metzger and James Farlow explore changes in politics and culture through the lens of faith and the search for meaning. Faithful Dissent brings laughter, story, and fun debates to topics that can divide us but that we can't escape. No drama, no forced narratives, and everyone is welcome!
Episodes
21 episodes
Piper, MAGA, and the Evangelical Identity Crisis
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian talk through the strange and revealing reaction to a simple John Piper tweet about loving the foreigner and what it says about the state of American evangelicalism. What...
The Death of Hollywood
After a brief hiatus and a new baby in the house, Brian and James return to tackle a big question: Is Hollywood dying? From the golden age of the studio system to the Marvel era, the American film industry has shaped gl...
Politics with Brian & James: Minnesota, Maduro, and the Moral Failure of Christian Leaders
In this week’s episode of Faithful Dissent, we run through the crazy start to 2026. We talk through the ICE shooting in Minnesota, Gunboat diplomacy in Latin America and its broader implications, and a larger pattern we ke...
Looking Back, Looking Ahead: A New Year Conversation
In this New Year’s grab bag episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian look back on 2025 and talk through the moments that shaped it—personally, politically, and spiritually. From dogs at Barnes & Noble and surfing l...
Deconstruction at the Pub: Faith, Doubt, and What We Were Promised
What do people actually mean when they talk about “deconstruction”? In this laid-back, unscripted conversation, James and Brian sit down to talk honestly about doubt, faith, abuse, certainty, and why so many people feel like t...
Slow Church in a Fast World: Gino Curcuruto on Community and Discipleship in an Age of Christian Nationalism
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian talk with pastor and theologian Gino Curcuruto—co-founder of The Table Philly, prison theology instructor, doctoral student, and co-owner of Habitat Coffee Roaste...
Politics with Brian & James: Coalitions, Catastrophes, and Casual Bigotry
https://buymeacoffee.com/faithfuldissent?new=1 In this off-the-cuff episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian take a break from theology to talk about the stra...
Karen Swallow Prior and the Evangelical Imagination: Faith, Culture, and the End of an Era
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian sit down with author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior to trace the story of American evangelicalism—from its idealis...
The Cost of Peace: Lessons on Violence and Reconciliation from Northern Ireland
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore what it really takes to build peace after violence. Drawing from Brian’s recent study trip to Northern Ireland and Scotland, they revisit the story of The Tr...
The Spirit and the Strange: Charismatic Gifts, Miracles, and the Mystery of God
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian begin a new series exploring one of the most debated and fascinating corners of Christian faith — the charismatic gifts. From speaking in tongues to miraculous healings, from ...
The Virtue of Patriotism: Learning to Love a Country Honestly
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James, Brian, and James’s father take on one of the most complicated forms of love — the love of country. Patriotism can inspire courage, service, and unity — but it can also slide into...
Clicking on Church: Digital Worship and the Question of Presence
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore how the digital revolution has reshaped church life—from livestream services during the pandemic to the ongoing debate about what counts as real worship. Is online chur...
The Mirror We Choose: Seeing Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Through Our Own Lens
https://buymeacoffee.com/faithfuldissent?new=1 In this episode of Faithful Dissent, we explore how the assassination of Charlie Kirk became more than a news story...
Justin Lee and the Complicated Life of Dr. James Dobson
Leave a tip and buy us coffeeIn this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian are joined by author and speaker Justin Lee to unpack the complex legacy of Dr. James...
Truth in an Age of Ideology: Faith, Media, and the Search for What’s Good
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, we explore what it means to live in a world where truth often takes a back seat to ideology, certainty, and spectacle. From social media echo chambers to cultural figures who speak with authority re...
The Legacy of John MacArthur and Its Impact on the Church — with Tommy Givens
In this episode of Faithful Dissent, we sit down with Tommy Givens to explore the lasting influence of John MacArthur—one of the most prominent evangelical voices of the past half-century. Known for his uncompromising teaching and stro...
Should Your Pastor Tell You Who To Vote For?
Politics and faith have always been uneasy neighbors — but what happens when a pastor crosses the line and tells you who to vote for?In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore:The history of the ...
Life Lessons from Walking 500 Miles: Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago
What happens when you walk 500 miles across Spain with nothing but a backpack, a pair of shoes, and an open heart? In this episode, James and Brian dive into the surprising, funny, and deeply moving lessons learned from walking ...
Leaving the Vineyard
After 30 years, our church home, Raleigh Vineyard, left Vineyard USA to become Rivertree Church. This move was in response to a reorganization of the Vineyard by denominational leaders that left churches unrepresented in the church polity...
