277: Brian Zahnd and the Beauty of Christ

Brian Zahnd is a pastor, author, and America mystic. Today, Brian shares his first experience with Jesus, the season when he began to “renovate his theological house,” and how to think about deconstruction. Through his writing, Brian has become one of the pastors shining light on the path for those ready to leave American Evangelicalism but not ready to leave Christ. His latest book, When Everything’s On Fire, is his latest spotlight on the path toward Christ.

Listen to Brian’s story now!

Stories Brian shared:

Growing up passively going to church
His spiritual experience when he was 15
When David Wilkerson prayed for him
The history of thought from the Enlightenment
How the Jesus Movement influenced him
What Eugene Peterson told him about his pentecostal background
The men who influenced him as a pastor
How his church began to grow
Why he started to feel uneasy and what he began to read
Praying “God, show me what to read.”
The “risky” period as he sought Jesus
What might have happened if he missed that train
How he thinks about deconstruction
Why he likes the term “water to wine” better than deconstruction
How love factors into spiritual life

Great quotes from Brian:

America is a tough place to be a mystic.

If anything, I felt like I was front-sliding not backsliding.

You can do bad theology in good faith.

I need to find a Christianity that was worthy of the Christ who captured my heart.

Trust Christ and his beauty to win the day.

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