Freestyle Theology

Let's Talk About: Power

What do you think? Text me and let me know! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2072188/open_sms] Jesus gave away power. What does that actually mean...? What does it really mean to have power—and what happens when we hoard it? In this thought-provoking conversation, historian and theologian Dr. Bradley Melle (Freestyle Theology) sits down with international human rights advocate Rev. Joash Thomas to explore the anatomy of power: why it’s hoarded, how it corrupts, and how Jesus’ life offers a radically different way to use it. Together, we trace power from ancient empires to today’s oligarchs, unpack the fear and fragility behind political and economic dominance, and ask why “more” never feels like enough. Joash shares global perspectives from his work defending the poor from violence, while Brad draws on church history—from the early Christians caring for plague victims in North Africa to the ways Christianity has too often blessed empire instead of resisting it. We wrestle with big questions: * Why do the powerful seem so insecure? * How does fear drive greed, colonialism, and endless expansion—whether into land, markets, or even outer space? * What does it mean when Jesus “gives away” power? * How can the church recover the courage to stand with the untouchable and marginalized? This episode blends history, theology, and activism to challenge the way we think about power, from the Roman Empire to Elon Musk, from settler colonialism to the Gaza crisis. It’s a call to move from fear-based hoarding to Spirit-empowered liberation, rooted in love, justice, and the conviction that no one is truly secure until we all are.

Let's Talk About: Meditation

What do you think? Text me and let me know! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2072188/open_sms] Can meditation heal spiritual wounds? In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Brad and Brielle unpack their journeys with depression, anxiety, meditation, and spiritual growth. They explore how mindfulness, breathwork, and even sung Scripture can help Christians reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a gentler, richer spiritual rhythm, all while healing from religious trauma.  Whether you’re in therapy, deconstructing, or simply craving a more authentic connection with God, this conversation will invite you to explore meditation as a practice that bridges faith and nervous system healing—without the baggage of fear-based theology. We also share how meditation helped us rediscover the beauty of prayer, embrace embodied spirituality, and let go of religious perfectionism. Plus, a hint about a resource we've created to help you bring calm, clarity, and connection back into your spiritual life. Tune in and discover a different kind of Christian practice.

Let's Talk About: Today's Evangelical Tantrum

What do you think? Text me and let me know! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2072188/open_sms] In this raw and wide-ranging episode, Brad is joined again by Rev. Joash Thomas to explore the emotional and spiritual roots of what Brad calls the “evangelical tantrum”—the reactive, fear-fueled backlash of white conservative Christianity in the face of cultural change. Why do some Christians in America act as if they’re being persecuted, even while holding power? What are they so afraid of losing—and have they even lost it? Together, Brad and Joash dive into history, theology, trauma, and personal stories. Joash opens up about his past as a rising political consultant in Georgia’s Republican Party, his moment of reckoning, and the journey that brought him to international human rights work and ordained ministry. Along the way, the two reflect on the immaturity of much of Western Christianity, the seductive illusion of cultural dominance, structural racism, and the healing power of surrendering control. If you’ve ever felt disoriented by white evangelical fragility or longed for a more mature, liberating Christianity—this one’s for you.

Let's Talk About: The New American Theocracy

What do you think? Text me and let me know! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2072188/open_sms] What if the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S. isn’t just political—but the fruit of a long, coordinated theological strategy? In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Dr. Bradley Melle sits down with Margaret Bronson, the force behind Deconstruction Doulas, to uncover the disturbing roots of America’s new religious extremism. From growing up in a high-control cult to witnessing those same ideas go mainstream, Margaret brings both lived experience and prophetic insight into what’s really happening beneath the surface of today’s culture wars. Together, we explore: * What “theonomy” is—and how it’s reshaping American politics * The disturbing return of Christendom logic and crusader theology * Why high-control religion thrives in times of cultural insecurity * How spiritual abuse warps the body, mind, and soul * Why cult logic is quietly infiltrating churches, schools, and legislation * What we can learn from people escaping these systems—and how to help Whether you’re tracking Project 2025, rethinking your relationship with church, or trying to understand why so many Christians are choosing authoritarianism over compassion, this episode connects the theological dots behind today’s headlines—and reminds us why curiosity is the opposite of colonialism. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. 📬 Got thoughts? Email Brad at freestyletheology [at] gmail.com or DM @freestyletheology [https://instagram.com/freestyletheology] on Instagram. 🔗 Learn more about Margaret’s work or support her directly: 🌐 Website: www.deconstructiondoulas.com [https://www.deconstructiondoulas.com/] ❤️ Patreon: Deconstruction Doulas on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/deconstructiondoulas] 🙏 GoFundMe: Build a Survivor Care Network [https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-bronsons-build-a-survivor-care-network] 📰 Article on Moscow, Idaho church community: Read here [https://www.vice.com/en/article/inside-the-church-that-preaches-wives-need-to-be-led-with-a-firm-hand/]

Let's Talk About: Christianity & Colonialism

What do you think? Text me and let me know! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2072188/open_sms] What If Colonialism Lives On—in Our Bodies, Beliefs, and Churches? In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Bradley Melle is joined once again by Rev. Joash Thomas for an in-person deep dive into Christianity, colonialism, and inherited trauma. From intergenerational disease to theological rigidity, they explore how the legacies of empire aren’t just historical—they’re physiological, spiritual, and still deeply active in the life of the church. Together, they ask: * What does it mean to decolonize theology without turning it into another empire? * Could our inherited ideas of sin and salvation be more about trauma than rebellion? * How do colonized peoples carry intergenerational wounds in the body—and how do colonizers carry the trauma of violence, too? * Why do some deconstructing evangelicals seek refuge in ancient traditions—and what’s really behind the trend of converting to Eastern Orthodoxy? * What can the Law of St. Thomas teach us about pluralism, humility, and the expansive reach of Christ? Whether you're working through religious trauma, questioning the Western church's obsession with control, or just curious about how history shapes theology, this episode invites you into a richer, more embodied conversation about faith, power, and healing. 🎧 Tune in and join the dialogue. 📬 Got thoughts? Email Brad at freestyletheology [at] gmail.com or DM @freestyletheology on Instagram.