Gunger is a Christian worship musician turned cult leader and this podcast reflects that’s change. I can only assume they are high when recording as there the talk in the calm, chill “believe me, I’m enlightened” voice while thinking they are deep yet using circular statements (think people that say “it is what it is”. Some highlights of his belief are that we are all the Christ. Salvation is being connected to ourselves and sin doesn’t really exist but if it does it’s just us clamping down on ourselves and not being in us. Jesus is all about love and so we need to love by being others and being enlightened. When Jesus offers people eternal life; it was a “Jesus con” and he’s “selling snake oil” because we and them are already eternal…. And it goes on and on and on…. Oh yeah; and sex with many people is good (the classic points of a cult: “you are god”, “become enlightened”, “you are me and we must have our community”, and “have sex with everyone”.

The production is great but I truthfully have a hard time listening to Michael G. He sounds like he is being real but there is also this sense of being disingenuous and artificial. But when you throw in a couple songs and notes that tug on your heart string, you start to feel goosebumps and I think that is where people fall into this trap of thinking this show is quality. It is very deceptive. Also, could you please find someone who disagrees with your points? It loses credibility when you are being so one sided. And this was so telling when Lisa Gungor made an appearance on the ‘Unbelievable?’ Podcast and had no real answers to what was being objected. I think there would be a lot less followers if you actually had someone who had a different opinion.

I have been on a journey exploring my faith and spirituality and I recently stumbled upon this podcast. This has been such a wonderful resource for me. The December 2021 episode with Briana Lynn was fantastic and I shared it with a few friends.

So moving - thank you. I still don’t know how to think about my former faith - but I probably will never be able to shake the feeling. Familiar words that connect me with the parts of myself I can never be again but - of course- are still me somehow.

I love listening to the podcasts. I was just curious if there was anyone else out there that still loves reading the Bible, but could also point me in the direction of a translation that uses the most non dual language.

Love the honesty and thought provoking dialog. Don’t agree with it all, don’t disagree with it all, don’t have to. Appreciative of your continued work. Thank you!!

An hour-long segment interviewing a PhD in communications about obesity. A subject she isn’t remotely qualified to speak about. Not a single mention of the actual pathophysiology of the disease process. A fabricated argument based on semantics (e.g. “evolution is just a theory” level arguments). You can have a meaningful discourse about weight stigma, bias, and predatory behavior of diet industry, sure. But when you interview someone without a basic science or medical degree regarding physiology, whose best argument is “correlation not causation?” You should be ashamed of yourselves. Interview a physician on the topic of obesity before you allow someone on your show to claim that doctors diagnose obesity strictly for monetary gain (because physicians in Britain and other monopsonies don’t dx obesity and advocate weight loss …). Complete and utter nonsense. 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are obese. Has nothing to do with stigma, and everything to do with inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance. Read a textbook.

I found this podcast in the middle of a breakdown/enlightenment/reassociation to my body/deconstructing my evangelicalism all by myself after being cut off by my friend group at church. I have been more lonely than any season of my life, and with more physical panic in my body coming out. What a terrifying place to be. And no money to hire a spiritual director to help me come out not being completely insane. To find a group of people talking about ALL the questions and thoughts and fears I had repressed all my life while also including the science of neuroscience, psychology of trauma and common sense gave my body a place to rest and let out a held breath. I know you’ve lost listeners and you may feel discouraged (maybe not), and I want you to know you’ve also gained me. You’ve been a friend walking with me through this terror of tearing down and replacing my foundation and I have tears running down my face while I write this. Just thank you. Thank you for keeping on. Thank you for walking your journey. There are so many who are on this journey of asking questions, and I refer them to this podcast to get a completely different perspective of love than of shame in behaviors. I’m going to check out embodiment dance bc I’m not afraid anymore to try new things. 🤍

The latest season has been the most enjoyable to listen to and to learn from. They aren’t trying to be “woke” Christians. They are having honest researched conversations about what post evangelical non-literal faith can look like. If you want to be challenged and open your heart to a fuller understanding of what Christianity was, is, and can be, then listen to this podcast.

This is my favorite podcast.

This podcast has evolved (or devolved depending on your perspective) from progressive Christian to no longer being Christian at all. I know deconstruction is the order of the day, but something must be said for someone abandoning Christianity altogether for something different. I would not encourage people to listen if they want to remain in historic Christianity. The podcast seems to want to remain Christian while also (yes I’m using the word) apostatizing. The most recent episode seemed to even acknowledge that it’s gone off the proverbial deep-end, while also wanting to retain its core listeners. You can’t do both.

thoughtful man!

At times I agree wholeheartedly, at times I’m squirming in my chair, confused, lost…or feeling understood for the first time in my life. At times laughing, crying, contemplating…but always feeling so much love from the Liturgists. I truly believe this podcast has made me a more loving person. Whether you agree or disagree with the content (and trust me, you can’t listen without having opinions) this podcast is so special and SO valuable. It's the most well done and beautiful example that I've ever witnessed of the one skill I think our society needs more than anything else—the ability to disagree with productive articulation, peace, and love. A beautiful, unique, academic, hilarious, loving, offensive, thought-provoking, brilliant and absurd delight. Thank you Liturgists!

Shalom, Every voice on this pod has given itself to the greater good of THIS experience. I’m especially grateful for Michael in his consistency through think and thin in this space called “the liturgist”. Thank you liturgist team for gifting this package of more love and less suffering to the world on a monthly basis. - JT, Us , Everybody.

I once got advice from a best-selling author to be a half-step ahead of your audience, but not a full step. I feel like MG’s unforgivable sins and bad reviews have been because he’s unapologetically a full step ahead. It has cost him audience numbers, but his integrity holds, and I am here for it. He is by no means perfect, and I miss the friendship and synergy between him and Mike McHargue, but I applaud what he’s continued to create and effort to get things right. The last episode where he takes great care and dignity to lovingly engage someone who strongly disagrees with him- class act. What an interesting conversation and a model for so many of us struggling to communicate with dissenters (family!) Keep going MG, cheering you on.

To all the folks putting this together and out there. Especially Michael. I love your soft heart. You have led me into direct experience of the joy and beauty of the one that is so much wider and deeper than the box I was born in. I think that instead of “robbing God of worship he is due” as your last guest worried about that rather you have expanded and returned the glory and worship due to what is.

I have loved this current season more than all of them. It’s been thought provoking and deep. It takes us to a realization of our tiny vantage point into all things spiritual. Thanks for being the catalyst into a whole new world.

I have now listened to all of the podcasts, and some of them more than once. I appreciate your honesty, questions, and the topics and ideas you address. I appreciate how your podcasts stimulate my thinking and help me to consider ideas. I do not always agree, but if two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary. Thank you for feeding my soul and making me laugh, cry and ponder. That was the review I wrote two years ago. Sadly, I no longer feel that way. I love Michael Gungor. I have tried listening to This, and I just do not get it. This season of The Liturgists has lost me almost completely. For me, the topics are not interesting nor do they help me think about my faith or help me to grow. I am NOT an Evangelical, but this journey to make Christianity non dual is a road too far for me. I have gone through a lengthy deconstruction and left church for twenty years, but I still consider myself a Christian. If there is life with God after this one, I will not be surprised to find Buddhists or Muslims or other faiths there, but for me the path and the answer is Jesus and the Triune God. I have not pulled my financial support, but I am strongly considering it. I just do not feel like I fit in this new Liturgists’ universe. Thank you for the good.

This was one of the best. It helps to understand the church and worldview that I left, in an insightful and respectful way. I love the metaphors.

I loved this podcast in the early days. It was thought provoking, insightful, and relatable. As a Christian who’s grown up in the church, I felt like I was listening to like minded individuals who had hurts, hang ups, questions, good and bad memories, and overall common goals to mine. As it’s progressed it’s turned in to something very different. It should definitely no longer be labeled Christian, it’s anything but. Michael Gunghor is off the deep end, very sad to see him so confused, so egotistical, and misleading so many. This show could have been so great.

Where’s Peter Rollins to talk about how Hegelian dialectics relate to the trinity on the Trinity episode?

The Liturgists podcast has radically changed my perspective on so many things, and it has done so in an educated, welcoming, peaceful, and thoughtful way. I cannot say enough good things about this podcast. It has walked with me through my deconstruction, validated my concerns with Christianity, and allowed me to send episodes to open up conversations with people who have never been exposed to this material. I am living differently because of these hosts and the information they’ve so eloquently shared, and I am extremely grateful.

Stay away from this podcast. I’ve listened to as much as I can and it’s just a ton of nonsense based on feelings and Western logic. The guy says in one episode he has no idea if Jesus is a real person, but that what Jesus taught is true…ehhhh yikes. It’s a lot of the type of “teaching” that is in this format: “I’m not sure…I don’t know…I may be wrong…but here’s why I am definitely right and the church has been wrong for all times but I know the truth now.” It’s labeled “Christianity” but it’s not. It’s more mystical and I’m sure they’d agree.

Totally misses the supernatural peace and power that comes through intimacy with Jesus. Not sure why this is even under Christianity. Completely looking in the natural realm.

This show lost a very important perspective once Science Mike left the show. Hasn’t been the same since.

I discovered this podcast right as I left the church. And for a time I wondered if I would have deconstructed as much as I did without it. I probably would not have. This podcast gave me so much information and the other perspectives I needed to finally be able to say, “ok, I’m done” and walk away. That may sound bad to some. As if this podcast led me astray. But I was already heading that way. I am on my own path now. Though I do pop back in every now and then for a listen just to see what the topic is. This podcast was there for me when nothing and no one else was. I am excited to see where this new season goes, and best of luck to all the past hosts.

A group of well-meaning leaders wanting to provide a safe space for those hurt by the church instead established a misery-loves-company online support community. But, because things don’t move towards chaos, they find themselves forming a religion that is Christianity without the Christ, one comprised of the exact opposite of Christianity, a doctrine of belief that a majority of their listeners could get behind. This is a podcast where the exploitative, confused blind lead the vulnerable, raw, and newly hurting blind.

I started listening to the liturgist podcast early on when they first started and looked forward to the conversations on the podcasts. It was stimulating and thought provoking at the beginning to hear various perspectives on different issues. It felt open and inclusive like everyone was welcome at the table. They had guests on to share both progressive and traditional views on things. There was space for doubt and questioning. It was beautiful, deep and and life giving. Unfortunately I have observed a huge shift over the years.... I have actually stopped listening to the podcasts altogether. Deconstruction may be apart of a spiritual journey but living in that place as a destination lead me into mental and spiritual depression. What they teach now is not a progressive view of Christianity. It is not mysticism. It is not even humanism. It is anti Christianity. The people around me who I have observed who follow them have followed in this way from stances of progressive thought to mockery and anti Christianity. They preach everyone should be accepted ( aside from Christianity ). The mockery is when I really started to move away. So full of pride, hypocrisy and mockery. This podcast does not represent acceptance, grace or safety for people to question. The people on this podcast are more anti Christian than anyone I know who hold to various religious or world views. I have seen this deconstruction process over and over again not make people more gracious and accepting but mockers and and full of bitterness pointing the finger and blaming Christians for any pain they deal with today. I have gone to a secular counselor for years and have learned I cannot live in my trauma. I have to face it and move forward with it. Religious trauma is a very real thing. This podcast enables people to continually live in that trauma and it is not healthy. I would highly recommend anyone looking for an alternative or mystical form of Christian spiritually to look into Richard rohr and the writings of Thomas Merton! They have really beautifully impacted my spiritual life allowing for acceptance and love to grow rather than bitterness toward the past.

I’m a podcast junkie, love to listen and have hosted several. I am beyond thrilled that I found The Liturgist. The stories, conversations, music, all of it is so masterful. Each episode is a thought-provoking experience. Season 7 is my favorite season so far, and I’ve listened to and shared each episode more than once. Thank you for this incredible podcast!!!

If you’re a deconstructing Christian you will find many of the topics and discussions engaging, and even comforting to hear like minded people. If you are a more traditional evangelical you may feel disappointed and even frustrated at interpretations of the Bible and theology that you will find absurd. You may also be generally turned off to the liberally orientated nature of some opinions expressed on the show. Personally I really got a lot of life from hearing the stories, doubts, and sometimes beautiful realizations of people on the podcast. I do wish there were more guests invited onto the podcast to defend traditional views in a more coherent way, even though I’m more liberal. I also wish they spent more time exploring aspects of spirituality that are good, in stead of mainly deconstructing. I want to hear some “reconstruction”.

As someone who was raised Christian, this podcast is everything I need to unlearn problematic beliefs and ideologies, as well as to question religious institutions. Thank you :)

This podcast is yet another place in society where people are departing from Faith and Reason. These two are not at odds with each other. They are inextricably intertwined. I’m truly sad that I listened to this for a time. By the grace of God I did not stay on this path. This kind of subjective faith led to some truly terrible problems in my life. Praying for my brothers and sisters that make this podcast!

Long time listener of the show. Fell off for a while. BUT if this new episode that came out is any indication of the quality of this podcast now, you HAVE to listen. Michael had a large team with him before and for whatever reasons, they’re not there anymore. I see why. Michael’s approach for analyzing Christianity is one of the most creative, perspective shifting, and entertaining ones that I’ve heard in a long time. Love it!!

Please, save yourselves, if you want the content this podcast offers in a less ridiculous, slightly less self satisfied format just go buy Richard Rohr books. Another example of deconstructing self styled “reformers” thinking they have all the answers while saying “look we don’t have all the answers!”

I think this podcast is a reflection of the deconstruction phases many Christians are transitioning through and could not be more relevant in my life. Thank you for these discussions and the community that has formed around this.

This group will give you something to think about

I was a fan of this podcast for several seasons, but recently the content has lost its credibility with me. The hosts and most guests do not have training in Biblical literature, and the title “reverend” that many guests have really doesn’t hold up. Give me an hour online and I could have a certificate that calls me Reverend. I agree with many ideas that were conveyed early on, especially when Science Mike was still a part of it, but the pursuit of nonduality has led the podcast to become something that is based on everyone’s feelings and emotions, and left very little time to tell what the teachings of Jesus are and what the Bible says. If the Bible is our holy text as Christians, they should be able to reference it when calling for reform.

After our COVID 2020 I/we need a reformation.

Wonderful podcast. Not sure where I’d be without it. Thank you Michael.

Listen: it was a great concept, but they’ve really deviated. The first hand full of episodes were about art, science, and faith, and then they quickly dropped off. Science Mike kept it pretty well centered, but then they started during fewer and fewer curated episodes (highly recommend the LGBTQ and the Abortion episodes!!). But after he left, it’s really gone downhill. It’s more about the hosts than giving people resourced to deal with very real faith transition and crisis. There’s plenty more pods out now about deconstruction and faith in the modern world (Deconstructionists, Prophetic Imagination, Ravel, Nomad). This isn’t really about Christianity or faith anymore. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fascinating listen if you have time to listen to it all: it’s basically an audio documentary of how a small handful of people shift their beliefs over time. Not here to judge any of the hosts, I’ve met the Gungors, and followed this show since the beginning, but it doesn’t fit the bill anymore and needs a drastic rebrand. Hope you guys are doing well!

I’m all for asking questions and exploring doubts, but I think this podcast is too cynical of the church and traditional interpretation of scripture. I agree, there are a lot of problems with white evangelicalism, but maybe we should be seeking to learn more from the global church instead of reinterpreting scripture and writing off orthodox faith values, calling all people that hold to them bigoted. Maybe what the church needs is not a revisionist view of scripture, but to get back to the core of our faith and to be faithful in prayer, help the poor, and pursue justice.

💔 I wish this podcast didn’t exist.

Victim culture and sad bitterness, very little about the life-giving hope for all humankind you find in Scripture. It seems in their search for meaning and hope they have lost the plot of Jesus and humans. If you are a new Christian, or a searching Christian, I promise there is more hope and less politics in actual Christianity.

Your last guest was anti-science just to virtue signal.

For people who are so “cerebral” or “spiritually in tune”, they sure do sound like they don’t question anything outside their biases. The differences in discussion and thought between season 1 and season 6 is insufferable. “Life-giving” is an accurate description of season one’s discussions and content. Season 6 sounds like a bunch of smarmy California leftists who only read HuffPo or Vice get together and fluff each other up over how “woke and enlightened” they are when they regurgitate a bunch of buzz words that mainstream media has told them are truths. This podcast has degenerated from a great discussion and analysis on Biblical Christianity in modern times to a flat-out left wing propaganda show.

I cannot express how much this podcast has done for me. It’s so life giving and refreshing. They’re people of integrity who Perdue intellectual honesty and won’t shy away from the hard questions and aren’t afraid to be themselves and love people. This is a community for you!

I came to this podcast with an open mind, but all it left me feeling was concerned. It seems the hosts are dealing with a lot of resentfulness, bitterness and there also seems to be a very strong victim mentality. I don’t like how, even though they would never claim to be experts, they speak about Jesus and the Bible as if they were experts. They dismiss anything that doesn’t fit in their worldview instead of investigating deeper and considering the possibility their interpretations could be wrong. As a side note, the Bible was never meant to be simply a rule-book. These are texts meant to be wrestled with. Through critical thinking and inserting ourselves into the stories, we discover the character of God and who we are in the process. In other words, doubts are part of the journey and if God isn’t afraid of them neither should we be. Also, I’m a Christian and I also love learning about science. I don’t know why this is such a novel concept. There are plenty more of us out here in the real world than this podcast would have you believe. Lastly, I don’t think they understand that following Jesus isn’t about “mantras” or church-culture or religion, or America, or evangelicals or whatever the hell else. It’s about him, period. For anyone who is struggling with their faith, I would be hard pressed to recommend this. It feels pretentious, empty, and deeply negative to my soul. (Also what’s with the host making fun of that one church they were invited to? I don’t remember the exact episode but it was a really jerk move)

I really used to love this podcast, these days I find in almost entirely insufferable.

I just finished listening to “What’s Next” (Season 6 Episode 21) and all of you spoke wisdoms, hope, and made some incredible connections. This episode are those boots I needed to get me though a dark day. Bless you all and especially to William. Your words, insight, and beautiful singing broke me in the best possible way ... better said opened me. Sending love to you all.

I just listed to episode 34: Racism in America for the second time. I had to hear it again to take notes and slowly digest everything. Thank you so much for a fantastic conversation that brought together everything that I have been learning and helping me to reconcile it all with church teachings past and present. This was an excellent episode for this moment, for me, for our nation. Yes, it is 4 years old, but the lessons are timeless. We have a chance to redeem ourselves. Listen, learn, change. It is not too late.