The central theme of the interview is the reconciliation of faith with the complexities of real-world struggle, doubt, and the disruptive nature of following Jesus. It explores how faith is not an escape from trouble but a journey of being “stretched” through challenges to achieve spiritual growth.
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Interview Summary
Background and Journey to Faith
- Constance Hastings grew up in a non-religious household where her father owned a tavern.
- Her parents sent her to a small Christian school in the 1960s primarily to avoid the complications of school desegregation in public schools.
- While at this school, she felt included by teachers and peers, eventually coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
- She spent much of her early life reconciling the differences between her faith and her family’s non-religious lifestyle.
The Call to Ministry
- Before entering formal ministry, Hastings spent 25 years as an award-winning English literature and composition teacher.
- Despite resisting traditional church structures, she felt a powerful call from the Holy Spirit to enter formal ministry.
- She was inspired to join the church officially after reflecting on how Jesus remained committed to His religious community even in the face of betrayal.
- She eventually became an ordained deacon in the Methodist church, combining her ministry with professional counseling to serve people both inside and outside the church.
The Concept of “The Trouble with Jesus”
- Hastings authored a book titled The Trouble with Jesus, which uses the voice of a skeptic to examine the life of Christ.
- She explains that Jesus’ life was defined by “trouble” from the beginning, including his humble birth, the threat of King Herod, and his eventual betrayal and crucifixion.
- The interview highlights that following Jesus does not mean life will go as expected; rather, it means being led by God through challenges.
Faith, Doubt, and Fear
- Hastings argues that faith and fear exist in a state of tension, but doubt is not the opposite of faith.
- She describes doubt as the “exercising” and “stretching” of faith where the best spiritual growth occurs.
- In contrast, she defines fear as the force that causes individuals to walk away from their spiritual journey.
Final Wisdom for Believers
- She encourages listeners to engage with the Bible daily to facilitate personal transformation.
- She suggests a four-question framework for scripture reading: “What does it say?”, “What does it mean?”, “How does it apply?”, and specifically, how to apply those revelations to one’s personal life throughout the day.
Resources from this Episode
- Read Constance’s Book: The Trouble With Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away by Constance Hastings.
- Connect with the Guest: https://constancehastings.com/
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