The Deconstructionists

• Ep. 209 - The History of the Bible: How We Got the Scriptures We Have Today

  Episode SummaryThe Bible is often treated as if it arrived perfectly bound, leather-covered, and gold-edged, straight from heaven. But the reality is far more complex—and far more interesting.In this episode, we dig into the real history of how the Bible was formed—from its earliest writings to the process of canonization, from the Apocrypha to translation controversies, and why no one alive today has ever held an original manuscript.We’ll talk about:• When the books were likely written• Who scholars think wrote them• Why certain books were included or excluded• The political and theological forces that shaped the canon• How translation is never neutral• Why inerrancy is a recent idea in Christian historyBy the end, you’ll see the Bible not as a static, untouchable artifact, but as a living record shaped by people, history, culture, and language.Key Topics Covered• The Bible as a library, not a single book• Timeline of Old and New Testament composition• The development of the Jewish Scriptures and Christian canon• The role of councils and church politics in determining canon• The Apocrypha—what it is and why it’s in some Bibles but not others• How the Dead Sea Scrolls changed what we know about biblical history• Why we don’t have original manuscripts, and how scholars reconstruct the text• Major translation milestones—from Jerome’s Latin Vulgate to the King James Version to modern editions• How the concept of biblical inerrancy only took root in the late 19th–early 20th centuriesPrimary Sources & ScholarshipThe research for this episode draws from respected biblical scholars, historians, and textual critics, including:Canon Formation & Authorship• Bart D. Ehrman – Jesus, Interrupted; Misquoting Jesus; Lost Scriptures• John Barton – A History of the Bible: The Story of the World’s Most Influential Book• Bruce M. Metzger – The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance• Lee Martin McDonald – The Biblical Canon: Its Origin, Transmission, and AuthorityDating & Historical Context• Paul’s letters: c. 50–60 CE• Gospel of Mark: c. 65–70 CE• Matthew & Luke: c. 80–90 CE• John: c. 90–100 CE• Revelation: c. 95 CE• John J. Collins – Introduction to the Hebrew BibleDead Sea Scrolls• Lawrence H. Schiffman – Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scrolls• James VanderKam – The Dead Sea Scrolls TodayExcluded & Apocryphal Texts• Marvin Meyer – The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus• Karen L. King – The Gospel of Mary of Magdala• Timothy Michael Law – When God Spoke Greek: The Septuagint and the Making of the Christian BibleTextual Criticism & Manuscripts• Daniel B. Wallace – works on New Testament textual variants and manuscript dating• Eldon Jay Epp – Perspectives on New Testament Textual CriticismTranslation History & Inerrancy• Peter Enns – The Bible Tells Me So• Kenton L. Sparks – God’s Word in Human Words• Mark Noll – The Civil War as a Theological CrisisSpecial music by Forrest Clay from the Recover EP. Find it anywhere you find your music! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Ep. 208 - Bailey Krawczyk "Lights, Camera, Control: Hillsong from the Inside" (Part 2)

  🧵 Episode Summary:In Part 2 of our conversation with Bailey Krawczyk, we move from the experience of life inside Hillsong to the harrowing process of getting out. Bailey opens up about the aftermath of leaving, the emotional toll of speaking out in the Hillsong documentary, and the backlash from those still inside the movement.We also explore the broader systems that allowed abuse and control to flourish unchecked—and why naming these systems is the first step toward healing.🔑 Key Themes:The trauma of leaving a high-control religious groupPsychological aftermath: shame, guilt, grief, and recoveryThe media spotlight and what it didn’t showHow systems of power protect abusive leadershipDeconstructing your faith after spiritual betrayal🧑‍💼 About the Guest:Bailey Krawczyk continues to advocate for survivors of spiritual and institutional abuse. Her story has resonated with thousands of others who have walked away from toxic faith environments in search of something more whole, more honest, and more human.📌 Resources Mentioned:Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed [Discovery+ / Hulu]https://www.instagram.com/baileykrawczyk/Film: https://vimeo.com/1088719956[Book recommendation] When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat[Podcast] Leaving Hillsong[Resource] ICSA: International Cultic Studies Association – www.icsahome.com🔁 Follow & Subscribe:If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review The Deconstructionists wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who might be ready to hear it.Special music by Forrest Clay from the Recover E.P.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Ep. 207 - Bailey Krawczyk "Lights, Camera, Control: Hillsong from the Inside" (Part 1)

  🧵 Episode Summary:In this first of a two-part conversation, we sit down with Bailey Krawczyk, a former Hillsong member who bravely spoke out in the Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed documentary. Bailey shares what initially drew her to the movement—its music, its energy, its promises of purpose—and how that promise slowly unraveled.From inside the worship team to behind-the-scenes control tactics, Bailey gives us a raw, unfiltered look at life inside one of the most influential—and controversial—church brands in the world.If you’ve ever felt conflicted about your time in a megachurch, or questioned how power and performance intersect with faith, this episode is for you.🔑 Key Themes:How Hillsong built an emotionally immersive cultureThe fine line between community and controlThe spiritual cost of performance-based faithEarly red flags that often go unnoticedWhat “high control” church culture really looks like🧑‍💼 About the Guest:Bailey Krawczyk is a former Hillsong member and whistleblower featured in the Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed documentary. Her advocacy work now focuses on empowering survivors of spiritual abuse and raising awareness about high-control religious environments.📌 Resources Mentioned:Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed [Discovery+ / Hulu]https://www.instagram.com/baileykrawczyk/Film: https://vimeo.com/1088719956[Book recommendation] When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat[Podcast] Leaving Hillsong[Resource] ICSA: International Cultic Studies Association – www.icsahome.com🔁 Follow & Subscribe:If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review The Deconstructionists Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who might be ready to hear it.Special Music by Forrest Clay from the Recover E.P.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Ep. 206 - Zionism, Gaza, and the Western Church: Untangling a Complicated History

  🔍 Episode SummaryIn this episode, we step into one of the most emotionally and politically charged issues in modern history—the war in Gaza and the roots of Zionism. With so much confusion around the history, theology, and current events, we take a step back to examine how we got here and why it matters.We trace the origins of modern Zionism, the rise of the state of Israel, and how Western Christianity—particularly American evangelicalism—has shaped both the theology and the politics that continue to impact real people on the ground. This episode isn’t about taking easy sides. It’s about understanding the deeper story beneath the headlines.🎧 Key Topics CoveredWhat is Zionism and where did it come from?The Balfour Declaration and British colonial influenceThe founding of the state of Israel in 1948The Nakba and its lasting impact on Palestinian peopleHow American evangelicalism helped shape U.S. foreign policy toward IsraelThe role of Dispensationalism and the Scofield BibleChristian Zionism vs. ethical Christian responsibilityThe ongoing humanitarian crisis in GazaWhy understanding this history matters for people of faith today📚 Resources & Recommended ReadingBooks & Articles“The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine” by Ilan Pappé“A Wall in Palestine” by René Backmann“Zionism: The Real Enemy of the Jews” by Alan Hart“Blood Brothers” by Elias Chacour“The Bible and Zionism” by Nur Masalha“The Iron Cage: The Story of the Palestinian Struggle for Statehood” by Rashid Khalidi“Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon?” by Stephen Sizer“The Bible, The Jews, and the Death of Jesus” by Adele ReinhartzDocumentaries & MediaThe Law in These Parts (documentary)Al Nakba (Al Jazeera English documentary series)Occupation 101 (2006 documentary on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict)With God On Our Side (Christian Zionism documentary by Porter Speakman Jr.)Other ResourcesB’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied TerritoriesJewish Voice for PeaceIfNotNow MovementKairos Palestine Document (2009)🧠 Listener ChallengeAsk yourself: What narratives have shaped the way I view this conflict? Whose voices have I been taught to prioritize—and whose have I never heard?🙏 Support the ShowIf this episode challenged or inspired you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with a friend.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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• Teaser Episode: History on the Margins - The Corpse Synod

  Episode Description:In the year 897, Pope Stephen VI ordered the rotting corpse of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, to be dug up, dressed in papal robes, propped up on a throne, and put on trial.Yes, this actually happened.This bizarre and macabre moment in church history—known as the Cadaver Synod or Synodus Horrenda—is one of the most infamous (and grotesque) episodes of the medieval papacy. In this episode, John Williamson dives deep into the political chaos of 9th-century Rome, explains how the corpse trial came to be, and breaks down why the church literally put a dead pope on the stand.Get ready for a tale of revenge, power, posthumous punishment, and one of the most unhinged trials in recorded history.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Who Pope Formosus was, and why his enemies hated him• Why Pope Stephen VI risked total scandal to hold the corpse trial• What actually happened during the Synod—from propping up the corpse to cutting off its fingers• How this event caused riots, a papal overthrow, and a historical backlash that shaped future church policy• How the corpse trial symbolizes the violent politics of the medieval churchSources & Research References:1. Duffy, Eamon. Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes (Yale University Press, 1997).2. Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy (Random House, 2011).3. Mann, Horace K. The Lives of the Popes in the Early Middle Ages, Vol. IV (1902).4. Partner, Peter. The Pope’s Men: The Papal Civil Service in the Renaissance (Oxford University Press, 1990).5. Collins, Roger. Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy (Basic Books, 2009).6. De Rosa, Peter. Vicars of Christ: The Dark Side of the Papacy (Crown, 1988).7. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913 edition) – “Pope Formosus” and “Cadaver Synod” entries8. New Advent: “Synod Horrenda” entry9. History Extra – BBC History Magazine: “The Cadaver Synod: Why a Pope Went on Trial After Death”10. JSTOR Daily – “The Time the Catholic Church Put a Dead Pope on Trial”11. Atlas Obscura – “The Cadaver Synod: The Time a Dead Pope Was Put on Trial”Listener Questions & Reactions:Have thoughts on the corpse trial? Theories? Favorite pope gossip?Drop John a message at [email protected], or join the conversation online using the hashtag #CorpseSynod or #HistoryOnTheMarginsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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