Faith after Faith

·S1 E13

Jesus, the Devil, and Hell — Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

September 15
58 mins

Episode Description

Sarah Hinlicky Wilson has never doubted that God loves her. (She's doubted whether God exists at all—but she's always assumed that if there is a God, God is loving and kind.)

So what does she do with the devil and hell? How does she understand what the atonement is all about?

Spoiler alert: she says don't start with any of those questions.

Sarah is a Lutheran pastor and theologian, founder of Thornbush Press, and co-host of Queen of the Sciences, a podcast she makes with her dad, theologian Paul Hinlicky. She is also one of Katie's closest friends.

The conversation covers "aura salve," why high-demand religion is frivolous about sin, what Paul actually means by justification, how little the Bible says about the afterlife, and a Japanese convert who explained hell better than any theologian.

To support Faith After Faith, visit faithafterfaith.com. A recurring donation of any amount will give you access to exclusive bonus content and full, unedited conversations.

Chapters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Sarah Wilson

01:53 The difference between threat-based and grace-based faith

04:00 Understanding sin, death, and the devil as conditions, not caricatures

06:52 The evolution of Lutheran beliefs and the center of the gospel

10:01 The atonement: from cosmic debt to healing and restoration

18:11 Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as the core of Christian hope

21:51 Reframing salvation: from getting in to being healed

29:57 The nature of heaven and the life to come

34:59 The concept of the devil and evil spirits in scripture

39:50 Hell: a place of refusal of healing and estrangement from God

50:13 Trusting in God's love and the sturdiness of the gospel

56:02 Faith after faith: testing, loss, and renewal

57:00 Conclusion: God's grip, not ours, sustains faith

Resources

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