We’re not called to win an empire. We’re called to make disciples. In this episode, I respond to an email about Charlie Kirk, “common sense” politics, and whether America was founded on Christian values. We unpack Jeremiah 29:7 in context, ask what actually reduces harm (from abortion to gender transitions), and confront a hard truth: politics is downstream of culture. If laws can’t change hearts, then discipleship—slow, messy, neighbor-level discipleship—must lead the way. I also talk frankly about Trump, calling out evil on both sides, and why I don’t vote so I’m free to pastor people rather than defend a party. Agree or not, I’d love your feedback and stories from your community. Chapters 00:00 Context to an Email I Received 08:56 Exploring American Culture and Christian Values17:13 The Role of Political Ideologies in Christian Values28:11 Evaluating Leadership and Moral Integrity in Politics29:55 Engaging with Compassion and Conviction35:54 Politics and Culture: The Interconnectedness40:40 The Role of Christians in Cultural Impact47:31 Discipleship Over Political Activism52:35 The Call to Make Disciples

In this episode, I discuss the recent scandal involving two executives from the company Astronomer who were caught in an affair at a Coldplay concert. The conversation explores the implications of infidelity, the public's reaction on social media, and the importance of maintaining intimacy in marriage. Intimacy requires effort and sin can destroy connections between spouses. What if instead of mocking or defending people during this time we chose instead to reflect on our own relationships and the importance of emotional health?     Referenced in this episode is the Esau McCaulley Podcast.     Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have six different tiers of membership with different resources available depending on what you're looking for. Check it out here.     Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes.     Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | @unfeignedchristianity X | AsherWitmer Threads | @asher.witmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

Many people wonder why I speak out about immigration. Some ask, “Why didn’t you speak up about abortion or LGBTQ+ issues?”   Here’s the truth: I believe in legal immigration. I care deeply about obeying Jesus. And I’ve spent most of my adult life among immigrants—so this isn’t just politics to me. It’s personal.   In this video, I share: -Why undocumented doesn’t always mean “illegal” -What we’re missing when we label immigrants as “criminals” -How our politics have shaped us more than the Gospel -And what it really looks like to follow Jesus in this moment This isn’t about siding with Trump or Biden. It’s about being faithful to Christ.   Watch now. Think deeply. Let’s grow in being theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, and loving others well. Chapters: 01:12 Personal Context and Cross-Cultural Experiences 04:02 Navigating the Abortion Debate and Christian Responses 08:49 Discipleship and Political Engagement 10:34 Legal vs. Illegal Immigration: A Personal Perspective 16:47 Understanding the Complexity of Immigration Issues 20:36 The Human Side of Immigration: Empathy and Understanding

As a dad of five, I've been thinking a lot about how to nurture strong mental health in my kids. In this video, I share three essential truths that children need to hear every day—truths that shape their identity, sense of belonging, and purpose. These insights come from my own journey, my studies in emotional health, and what I wish I had known earlier. If you're a parent or mentor, I hope this encourages you! Let’s raise emotionally healthy kids together. Subscribe to join the journey in becoming Christians who are theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, and loving others well! #childmentalhealth #emotionalhealth Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Mental Health in Children 02:37 Three Essential Truths for Children 11:32 Fostering Identity and Contribution in Kids

Hello friends! It's been nearly a year since I published anything. Today, I share my personal journey through a mysterious health crisis and the challenges of seeking medical help for it. I reflect on the impact of this experience on my life, work, and relationships, which has helped me realize the importance of understanding and empathy in the face of chronic health issues. Then I look at the interplay between physical health, emotional stability, and God's grace during difficult times. Finally, I wanted to share the renewed vision God has given me for this work, focusing on being theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, able to love others well. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update02:59 Health Struggles and Mysterious Symptoms05:51 The Impact of Illness on Daily Life08:46 Seeking Medical Help and Testing12:11 Navigating Uncertainty and Mental Health15:00 The Role of Family and Community Support17:54 Exploring Possible Diagnoses20:52 The Neurologist's Insights and Diagnosis24:13 Reflections on Recovery and Ongoing Challenges40:23 Navigating Health Challenges and Spiritual Insights45:09 The Impact of Physical Health on Mental Well-being51:42 Understanding God's Grace in Suffering56:24 Reflections on Blogging and Podcasting Journey01:01:51 Reawakening Vision for Church Engagement

Hey friends, I just wanted to pop in here and say "Thank you!" to all of you who've reached out and expressed that you're praying for me and my family with the health issues that have come up in the last couple of months. I'm grateful that I am feeling better. My energy is recovering and the last several weeks have been quite a bit better all around. Here's a bit of an update. Please continue to pray for us as you think about it.

Hello friends,   This month has been a pretty difficult month for us as a family. I've been hit with some fairly significant health issues and it has led us to put pretty much everything on hold as we seek out some answers. Here's an update on everything.   We envy your prayers and thank you for your participation in this work!   Grace and peace. Asher

Sometimes we mistakenly center ourselves in the story of the Bible, as though the Bible is all about answering our questions and giving us direction for life. But the Bible is not simply about helping us navigate through life successfully.  It could be said the Bible is about God—who he is, what he has done, and what he is doing. More specifically, the Bible is Messianic literature. It’s about the Messiah: the God who became human. Therefore, it’s about US—God and Man. Following Jesus is about becoming him, becoming a part of His body. Why might it be important for us to see the Bible as a story of humanity becoming the body of Christ as we read it? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. To access the early-bird enrollment of the Live Free video series, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

I recently published an article, Is It Sinful to Use “Transgender Pronouns”? In the article, I explored how Rosaria Butterfield recently “repented” from using what she calls, “transgender pronouns.” Why is she doing that? Should you feel the same way? A few people responded with some questions that I thought were worth responding to in a specific episode. So that's what we dive into today. How do you think we can best build bridges with folks choosing to identify as transgender? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

How does the rest of the world view the Christianity that comes from the West? David Swartz does a wonderful job giving us reminding us that evangelical networks not only go out to, but also come from, the ends of the earth as he shares stories of resistance, accommodation, and cooperation in his book Facing West. Then we dive into the third paradigm shift that helps us better understand the story of the Bible. That is that Jesus saw himself embedded within a large story. Why is it important to understand that the Old and New Testaments are not separate messages but one continuous message climaxing in Jesus? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

God Doesn't Waste a Thing! That's the book I talk about at the beginning of this episode. Even when life has changed in inconvenient ways, God will use it to further his purposes, as Luke Chance shares in his beautiful testimony of redemption. After the blurb about the book, we dive into the second paradigm shift that helps us better understand the story of the Bible: it's made up of many pieces of writings written by many different authors.  Since the Bible was written by many different people, what implications does this have for how we read and study the Bible? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

This week I discuss two books I've been reading, Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard and Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and an important lesson I was reminded of as I've read them. Then, we dive into everything it does and doesn't mean that the Bible is a story. Does the fact that the Bible is a story mean we don't have follow any of its rules? We get into all that and more in this week's episode. What is your biggest question about the Bible being a story? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

Hey friends! Welcome to 2024! To kick things off, I'm going to be sharing a series of episodes with you that addresses how we ought to interact with scripture. It'll be a paradigm shift for many of us: the Bible is a story, not a reference book. Today's episode introduces it all. Enjoy! How does viewing the Bible as story instead of as a reference book change the way you approach it? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

As an end of year roundup, I discuss the interviews I did in 2023 that were highlights to me plus share my top 5 reads of the year. Here are some time-stamps for the episode: The birth of our daughter (0:32). My three favorite conversations from the last year (1:56). Quarterly guided studies coming up in 2024 (24:42). WAP in 2024 (27:43). My five favorite reads (29:33).  What are your favorite reads of this past year? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. If you would like to become a member of Unfeigned Christianity, click here.  Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Dive Deeper: Become a member and access expanded podcast episodes and deep-dive essays sorting through issues Christians face so you can better love God and others from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. Order your copy of Live Free: Making Sense of Male Sexuality. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com Support Asher's Work: The best way to support Asher is to become a member. Venmo | @Asher-Witmer

This episode is exclusively for our valued patrons on Patreon. In this episode, I dive into three valuable lessons I've learned the hard way about spiritual abuse. These lessons aren't just "failures vs. successes," but rather insights gained through challenging experiences that can benefit us all. Access the episode here. Here's what you can expect: Raw discussion: I've gone through some experiences that were pretty tough to sort through and I share about the disillusionment that comes with that. Practical lessons: As a result of those experiences however, I've learned a lot about having greater self-awareness when it comes to spiritual leadership, church dynamics, and disciple-making. Three key lessons and responses: We're not just going to look at the negative side but offer a healthier way forward as well. If you're interested in this episode and haven't already joined the Unfeigned Christianity Patreon community, I invite you to explore the benefits of membership: Access exclusive member-only content like this episode. Support the work of Unfeigned Christianity. Join a community of like-minded Christians seeking deeper understanding. Try out our membership for free for seven days! This allows you to access this episode and experience the benefits firsthand. Thank you for being a part of Unfeigned Christianity. Together, we can continue exploring what it means to live faithfully in our current cultural moment. Please note: This episode is only accessible to members of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon.

In this episode, I share some reflections on being a part of the Christian community, particularly relating to my experiences with the challenges of maintaining faith within flawed institutions. I opened up about my previous experiences with panic attacks, depression, and dealing with some personal and systemic issues in church communities, which sometimes led me to ask raw questions about faith and the role of the church. What I've discovered, however, is that despite the faults and failings, the church is not as terrible as it might seem. It is filled with people who are on their own complex faith journey and who are also striving to live a more Jesus-embodying life. Contrary to my assumptions coming out of some really difficult experiences, there are people willing to have open-minded conversations about differing perspectives and issues within Christian communities. While our experiences may cause us to doubt, it is important to remember our experiences are just a small part of the larger picture. There is hope for healthier Christian communities. What makes you the most hesitant to open to people? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Get cash back on all gas purchases: This free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code ASHER52753 to get a $7 bonus on your first purchase. https://upside.app.link/ASHER52753 Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Dive Deeper: Become a member and access expanded podcast episodes and deep-dive essays sorting through issues Christians face so you can better love God and others from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. Order your copy of Live Free: Making Sense of Male Sexuality. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com Support Asher's Work: The best way to support Asher is to become a member. Venmo | @Asher-Witmer

It's been three months since I released an update. I share why in this personal update.  What would you like to see from this channel going forward?? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. If you'd like to check out the Dwell App, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you thought. Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Dive Deeper: Become a member and access expanded podcast episodes and deep-dive essays sorting through issues Christians face so you can better love God and others from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. Order your copy of Live Free: Making Sense of Male Sexuality. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com Support Asher's Work: The best way to support Asher is to become a member. Venmo | @Asher-Witmer

It was a pleasure to sit down with Dorcas Smucker and discuss all kinds of things, not the least of which included parenting. We spent a good bit of time in the expanded version reflecting on some of the broken systems we've been a part of and talking about what to do when we realize we are currently participating in such a system. You can access that version here. Be sure to check out Dorcas' blog and her books for yourself. What are things you've learned about parenting? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. If you'd like to check out the Dwell App, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you thought. Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Dive Deeper: Become a member and access expanded podcast episodes and deep-dive essays sorting through issues Christians face so you can better love God and others from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. Order your copy of Live Free: Making Sense of Male Sexuality. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com Support Asher's Work: The best way to support Asher is to become a member. Venmo | @Asher-Witmer

I had the honor of talking with Kristi Mast about her experience in Bible college, discovering the whole scope of Scripture more in-depth, and the importance of women getting this sort of Bible training. Kristi serves on staff with Sattler College, and has recently published a Bible study specifically designed for guided women through the process of studying the Bible for themselves. You can check it out here. How do people view women getting theological training in your church setting? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. If you'd like to check out the Dwell App, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you thought. Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Dive Deeper: Become a member and access expanded podcast episodes and deep-dive essays sorting through issues Christians face so you can better love God and others from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. Order your copy of Live Free: Making Sense of Male Sexuality. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com Support Asher's Work: The best way to support Asher is to become a member. Venmo | @Asher-Witmer

I am SO EXCITED to tell you that we've opened enrollment once again to ​Finding My Place in God's Story​. I share the full scoop in today's episode of Unfeigned Christianity. Finding My Place in God's Story walks you through a 5-part process for understanding scripture and discovering your life's purpose. You can learn all the details about the course and how to sign up through this link. Don't wait -- enrollment isn't open for long! P.S. Enrollment is open until Friday. However, the first 20 signups get to join me for an exclusive live meetup at the end of Module 1. ​Sign up today​ to secure your spot. You can read a transcript of this episode here. If you'd like to check out the Dwell App, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you thought. Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Dive Deeper: Become a member and access expanded podcast episodes and deep-dive essays sorting through issues Christians face so you can better love God and others from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. Order your copy of Live Free: Making Sense of Male Sexuality. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com Support Asher's Work: The best way to support Asher is to become a member. Venmo | @Asher-Witmer