Episode #107- Tim Barnett On Deconstruction, Desire and Truth
What happens when cultural ideology reshapes how we read the Bible—especially when it comes to sexuality and identity?
In this compelling conversation, Tim Barnett—apologist, speaker, and co-author (alongside Alisa Childers) of The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond—joins us to unpack the growing trend of deconstruction today. Together, we explore how cultural ideology around identity, sexuality, and personal autonomy is shaping the way many believers approach Scripture, and why the biblical sexual ethic often becomes a flashpoint in the process of walking away from historic Christian faith. Tim thoughtfully addresses the rise of revisionist interpretations of Scripture, the philosophical undercurrents of deconstruction, and the ways in which church leaders can respond with both truth and grace. Whether you're wrestling with these questions yourself or leading others who are, this episode offers clarity, conviction, and hope for holding to a vibrant faith in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape.
Tim Barnett is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason (STR), an apologetics ministry dedicated to training Christians to think more clearly about their faith. Tim travels across the US and Canada, speaking to thousands of people each year. He’s also a frequent guest on podcasts and YouTube channels.
Before starting STR in 2015, Tim worked as a professional teacher, employed in both the private and public sector. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from York University, a Bachelor of Education from Ontario Tech University, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Between 2014 and 2022, Tim served on the pastoral staff at Cedarview Community Church.
In 2020, Tim began Red Pen Logic with Mr. B, an online ministry that assesses bad thinking on social media by using good thinking. Across all social media platforms, Red Pen Logic (RPL) reaches millions of people every month.
What happens when cultural ideology reshapes how we read the Bible—especially when it comes to sexuality and identity?
In this compelling conversation, Tim Barnett—apologist, speaker, and co-author (alongside Alisa Childers) of The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond—joins us to unpack the growing trend of deconstruction today. Together, we explore how cultural ideology around identity, sexuality, and personal autonomy is shaping the way many believers approach Scripture, and why the biblical sexual ethic often becomes a flashpoint in the process of walking away from historic Christian faith. Tim thoughtfully addresses the rise of revisionist interpretations of Scripture, the philosophical undercurrents of deconstruction, and the ways in which church leaders can respond with both truth and grace. Whether you're wrestling with these questions yourself or leading others who are, this episode offers clarity, conviction, and hope for holding to a vibrant faith in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape.
Tim Barnett is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason (STR), an apologetics ministry dedicated to training Christians to think more clearly about their faith. Tim travels across the US and Canada, speaking to thousands of people each year. He’s also a frequent guest on podcasts and YouTube channels.
Before starting STR in 2015, Tim worked as a professional teacher, employed in both the private and public sector. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from York University, a Bachelor of Education from Ontario Tech University, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Between 2014 and 2022, Tim served on the pastoral staff at Cedarview Community Church.
In 2020, Tim began Red Pen Logic with Mr. B, an online ministry that assesses bad thinking on social media by using good thinking. Across all social media platforms, Red Pen Logic (RPL) reaches millions of people every month.
Episode #104- Glen Scrivener On Why Consent Is A Christian Invention
In this episode of The Union Podcast, we’re joined by Glen Scrivener—author, evangelist, and CEO of SpeakLife—for a rich and thought-provoking conversation on how the gospel has shaped the way we understand sex, consent, and human dignity.
Glen is well known for his work with SpeakLife, a UK-based ministry that uses creative storytelling, media, and digital content to engage hearts and minds with the truth and beauty of Jesus. Whether it’s through spoken word films, interviews, or cultural commentary, Glen and his team are passionate about helping people see how the gospel speaks into every area of life—including some of the most difficult and sensitive topics in our world today.
In this episode, we dive into his book The Air We Breathe, exploring the surprising ways Christianity has influenced the moral foundations of Western culture. Focusing especially on the concept of consent, we look at how the Greco-Roman world understood sexuality—often marked by power, dominance, and inequality—and how the early church introduced a radically different ethic, one rooted in the worth and dignity of every person.
We talk about what made the Christian view of sex so distinct in that cultural moment, how the gospel reframed relationships not just with rules but with reverence, and why this matters deeply in our modern conversations around consent and human value. Glen also shares how the early church's faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus told a better story—one that brought hope and healing then, and still has the power to do the same today.
If you've ever wondered whether the gospel has anything meaningful to say about sex, relationships, and the deep wounds so many carry—this episode is for you.
Episode #99- Fredy Orozco On Young Adults Ministry & Effective Leadership
How do you lead young adults effectively in the current cultural moment we are in?
We are pumped to have Pastor Fredy Orozco, Young Adult Pastor at Northview Community Church, join us to tackle this very question. Fredy and his wife Rebecca have been married for 10 years and are the proud parents of three lively children: Isaiah (4), August (2), and Olive (1). For the past eight years, they have poured their hearts into serving at Northview Community Church, where Fredy has been pastor of young adult ministry for the last three years. Fredy deeply loves team sports, revelling in the excitement of soccer, football, and basketball games. He is also deeply committed to theology and has dedicated himself to teaching the Scriptures with clarity and passion to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
In this episode, we explore one of the most pressing and complex conversations facing Young Adult pastors today: how to lead with both truth and grace in discussions of sexuality and gender. We aim to equip pastors and leaders with biblical wisdom, practical strategies, and approaches to engage in these conversations without fear while remaining faithful to Scripture.
We explore how to create a welcoming space for tough questions, share the historic Christian view with clarity and love, and navigate these topics' cultural and emotional complexities. How can pastors balance theological integrity with genuine empathy? How can they prepare themselves for grace-filled discussions, especially when faced with disagreement or pain? And how can they help young adults discern biblical truth in a world shaped by deconstructionism and postmodern thought?
Join us as we unpack these questions and provide encouragement for leaders striving to reflect Jesus in every conversation.
Follow Fredy: IG-@fredy.bro.rozco
Episode 98- Bryan and Bonnie Pue On Orthodoxy & Orthopraxy In A Church Culture
In today’s episode, we’re diving into an important yet often misunderstood aspect of church life: the balance between biblical orthodoxy (right doctrine) and orthopraxy (right practice). It’s easy for churches to slip into one of two extremes. When we lack orthodoxy, our faith can turn into a shallow, “greasy grace” gospel—one that waters down the message to avoid discomfort. On the flip side, if we neglect orthopraxy, our churches might become stagnant pools of lifeless doctrine, where we know the truth but it doesn’t change our hearts or lives. God designed us to embrace both, blending sound theology with meaningful action to create a vibrant witness to the world around us.
As we look at a portion of 1 Peter 2 together, we’ll come face-to-face with a challenging truth: people stumble not over how great our preaching is, how warm our hospitality feels, or how clear our messages are. Instead, they stumble over Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith. The Gospel, by its very nature, challenges our pride and sin. As we strive to reach others, we must be careful not to dilute the truth or make it too soft just to keep things comfortable. Instead, we’re called to share and live out the full message of Christ, trusting that God’s Spirit will work powerfully through it.
We invite you to join us for a friendly and thought-provoking conversation about what it really means to combine good doctrine with proper practice in a way that reflects God’s heart for His church. Whether you’re a church leader, a devoted follower of Christ, or someone exploring the balance of truth and love in today’s world, this episode is here to encourage and challenge you to align your life and ministry with God’s timeless standards.
Attention, Youth Leaders!- Start The Youth Leader Course Today
Episode 36 - Fully Known: How Sexuality Is Not Separate From Our Walk With Jesus
There is this trend within culture today that is trying to separate the choices made in the areas of our sexuality and our relationship with Jesus. The lie is to think that the choices made in this area don't really matter because the other areas of our lives are following Jesus. The good news is though is Jesus calls us to live a life that is not compartmentalized and invites us into a life where we are fully known.
In this episode, Bonnie and Bryan Pue sit down with Mo Aiken to discuss her new book " Fully Known" and hear all about how the radical love of Jesus brings us into real freedom.
Episode 35 - Our Personal Stories And How We Got Here
Often we are asked why the topic of God’s design for sexuality and identity is so important to us. We decided that in this episode we would answer that question by sharing our own personal stories and how we ended up starting The Union. We hope you enjoy it.
Episode 30 - Being A Disciple And How That Effects Our Sexual Choices
Far too often we separate what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and the choices one makes in the realm of sexuality.
In this episode, Bryan sits down with Adam Narciso and they discuss how vital the connection between discipleship and sexuality really is.
Adam lives with his wife, Jenny, and their four children, in Franklin, Tennessee. He is the author of "New Identity: 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Transformation" and producer of multiple e-courses, as well as the Jesus Movement Now Podcast. Since 2009 Adam has trained and mobilized over 40 international evangelism teams and has equipped thousands in the areas of identity, hearing God and evangelism via seminars around the world. You can find him on Instagram @adamnarciso, or on his website www.adamnarciso.com
New Identity: 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Transformation
Episode 29 - A Biblical Perspective On Feminism
Where do you stand on the issue of feminism?
Some people hate the word and equate it with being a man-hater. Others embrace modern feminist philosophies without question, eager to throw off all traces of male leadership.
Instead of riding the waves of cultural trends, as followers of Jesus, we have to follow God’s heart, intention, and teachings.
In this episode, you will hear about:
⁃A basic overview of the history of feminism
⁃Where feminism shows up in the Roman Empire (where the early church was planted)
⁃How men can begin to think, serve, and lead like Jesus so that the women around them feel supported, not oppressed.
⁃How women can find identity as followers of Jesus, rather than as victims or goddesses
If you’ve enjoyed our podcast, we’d greatly appreciate it if you would share, subscribe, or review our podcast. It helps others find our podcast more easily.
Episode 26- The Porn Industry, Jesus, And New Beginnings.
One of the most amazing things about God is that He is able to make things new. Not just “like new” but brand new! He does it time and time again in our life. Bryan recently sat down with Richard and Brittni De La Mora to discuss how Jesus brought Brittni out of the porn industry, and how they processed those dynamics within their relationship to experience God’s new beginning.
Richard and Brittni De La Mora are parents, pastors, evangelists and oversee XXXchurch.com Life didn't always look like this for them. While many once knew Brittni as one of the world's most famous porn stars, Richard grew up in the church. They met in 2013 after Brittni started attending his uncle's church and got married in 2016. They recently founded Love Always Ministries, a ministry that helps people walk in their calling by discovering God's love and leading a victorious life through purity.
Connect:
Social Media- @Richardelamora , @Brittnidelamora, @X3church
www.xxxchurch.com
Fresh- Marriage Devotional
Fire- Marriage Devotional
Episode 21- The Link Between Trafficking And Pornography
Human trafficking and the pornography industry are not separate issues. They actually need each other to stay alive.
In this podcast, Bryan and Bonnie Pue discuss how these two modern-day travesties are connected and how we all can be a part of the solution.
IJM-International Justice Mission is an international, non-governmental organization focused on human rights, law and law enforcement.
Fight The New Drug- A non-profit that focuses on bringing education and awareness to the dangers of pornography.
A21- Founded by Christine Caine and focused to end slavery everywhere.
Joy Smith Foundation- Canadian organization founded by former MP Joy Smith, dedicated to ending human Trafficking
The True Story of Canadian Human Trafficking (Book by Paul Boge)
Episode 17 - Following God's Pathway For Purity
Bryan sits down with pastor, worship leader and fellow podcaster, Joel Ecklund and they discuss how God’s pathway for sexual purity is way better than yours.
Episode 14 - Keys to Leading with Hope in a Sexually Broken Culture
In this episode, Bryan and Bonnie talk about 4 Keys to Leading with Hope: finding personal healing, thinking generationally, leading preventatively, and recognizing the cultural temperature.
Episode 4- Making The Church Safe Again Part 2
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Pastor Mitch and Bonnie Borrows on how the church they lead is growing to have a healthy atmosphere, eliminating shame.
Episode 3 - Making The Church Safe Again. Part 1
In this episode, Bryan interviews guests Pastor Mitch and Bonnie Borrow of HillCity Church about how they have purposed to lead their community into a place of vulnerability, transparency, and safety for people dealing with sexual shame and guilt.
