Constance Hastings has personal insight into the thinking of non-believers because she was one. Raised without a close tie to a church environment, it seems unlikely that Hastings would someday serve as a church deacon and author a Christian book. But Hastings has done this with her book, "The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations before You Walk Away," which she discusses while guesting on the Practical Faith Academy podcast.
Her book shows how Jesus encountered trouble but also caused trouble throughout his life, and how his life, death, and resurrection still cause trouble today. Hastings writes for non-believers with important information to consider before they reject Jesus, and she writes for believers who struggle with living into the challenges and demands that Jesus poses to us.
Highlights of the podcast:
2:18 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Hastings
3:27 Her origin story as a Christian outsider in a non-religious family and how Christian school gave her a start on faith
6:33 On her current role as a church deacon who works in mental health
7:46 Her understanding of the prodigal experience
9:53 Since her book is entitled, “The Trouble with Jesus,” what does Hastings want people to know about Jesus?
11:45 Hastings explains the book’s subtitle regarding considerations before we walk away from Jesus, mapping it to the story of the Rich Young Ruler
15:33 How she addresses both non-believers and believers in her book
17:46 How Hastings sees Jesus challenging believers, such as in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and how Jesus challenged her views on race
23:26 How Jesus challenges us in this day and time
27:58 How faith exists in tension with fear, and how we can gain strength in hard times
31:17 What is the hardest part about putting faith into practice?
32:29 How to follow Hastings and find her book
The podcast is available on major podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Audacy, iHeartRadio) and on Podbean. You can find links to the podcast at CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content or from our home page.
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