For a second time, Ken welcomes Rev. Ben Cremer to the podcast for Season 5. Ken starts by thanking Ben for that first interview, "Myths We Believe," which is far and away the most downloaded podcast of Ken's more than 300 episodes (exceeding the former first-place interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez). Ben is a prolific author, just finishing up the manuscript of his first book. He has a big audience for his newsletter, which is delivered weekly on Sunday mornings. He calls it "Into The Gray." It's a resource of books, podcasts, and then a thoughtful essay of his own around important issues of the day. Ken chose three to discuss on this podcast - first, "A Troubling Conversation" highlighting the commonly held doctrine of Total Depravity. The second contemplates the common default answer when Christians encounter those who hold opposite views. They'll say, "Well, they aren't REAL Christians." The third addresses a spiritual discipline that is widely ignored in the traditions both Ben and Ken grew up in - lament. Ben brings fresh, sometimes provocative thinking to all three issues. Ken predicts that this conversation will be another that breaks records. SHOW NOTES
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The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com
Reprise: aired January 3, 2023
Rev. Ben Cremer, Campus Pastor at Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise, Idaho, has a social presence that is getting a significant and growing response. Ken stumbled across his lengthy essay Ben called, "Myths We Believe" in which he details things he was taught to embrace, but he's had to unlearn. The article beautifully tracks Ken's journey, too. Ben was Home-schooled (K-12) in "a deeply conservative environment in rural Idaho - as far right politically and theologically as you can imagine." Today, he pastors a satellite campus of a progressive, affirming United Methodist congregation in a conspicuously red state. Just recently, Ben appeared on the local ABC Affiliate (Channel 7) in politics and religion piece in which a local television journalist gave extensive interviews to two Pastors: Blaine Conzatti and Ben Cremer. Conzatti, a very conservative pastor (The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches) and political activist (President of Idaho Family Policy Center), and Ben. Ken and Ben unpack his long journey from those early home-school years (with a curriculum rooted in the "Christian Identity" movement that denied the Holocaust, argued that slavery was good because it introduced Africans to Christianity, and separation of the races is God's design, and much more) and on through college and graduate school where he learned to read books and pursue his curiosity. His passion for ministry took him through seminary and into a small, traditional, conservative church that mirrored Idaho's deep red conservatism. Lonely, underpaid and full of questions, Ben slipped into a dark spiritual depression. In this vulnerable and open interview, he tells his story of recovery, redemption and transformation - finding a faith that is open, fresh and alive. SHOW NOTES
Become a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you!
The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com
Rev. Ben Cremer, Campus Pastor at Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise, Idaho, has a social presence that is getting a significant and growing response. Ken stumbled across his lengthy essay Ben called, "Myths We Believe" in which he details things he was taught to embrace, but he's had to unlearn. The article beautifully tracks Ken's journey, too. Ben was Home-schooled (K-12) in "a deeply conservative environment in rural Idaho - as far right politically and theologically as you can imagine." Today, he pastors a satellite campus of a progressive, affirming United Methodist congregation in a conspicuously red state. Just recently, Ben appeared on the local ABC Affiliate (Channel 7) in politics and religion piece in which a local television journalist gave extensive interviews to two Pastors: Blaine Conzatti and Ben Cremer. Conzatti, a very conservative pastor (The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches) and political activist (President of Idaho Family Policy Center), and Ben. Ken and Ben unpack his long journey from those early home-school years (with a curriculum rooted in the "Christian Identity" movement that denied the Holocaust, argued that slavery was good because it introduced Africans to Christianity, and separation of the races is God's design, and much more) and on through college and graduate school where he learned to read books and pursue his curiosity. His passion for ministry took him through seminary and into a small, traditional, conservative church that mirrored Idaho's deep red conservatism. Lonely, underpaid and full of questions, Ben slipped into a dark spiritual depression. In this vulnerable and open interview, he tells his story of recovery, redemption and transformation - finding a faith that is open, fresh and alive. SHOW NOTES
Become a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you!
The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com
Ben Cremer is the Amity campus pastor at the Cathedral of the Rockies. He has been serving in ministry since 2005 serving most of that time in Idaho, where he was born and raised.
He and his wife Rebecca have one son Foster, a devoted boxer named Ripley and six chickens.
Master Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.), Church History & Christian Thought 2010 – 2012
Master of Arts, Spiritual Formation
2008 – 2010
Bachelor of Arts, Christian Ministries; youth studies
2004 – 2008
READ Ben’s Newsletter
Hate Masquerading As Christian Love
What Do We Mean By “Revival?”
Not Everything Happens For A Reason
Watch as Ben Cremer is interviewed after Pastor and President of Idaho Family Policy Center, Blaine Conzatti.
More Pending
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