Making Sense of Faith isn't your typical religious podcast. Join Adam Hamilton, bestselling author, speaker, and pastor, as he tackles life's biggest questions ...
When Cancer Strikes Twice: Lessons on Life and Faith When Times are Tough
In this powerful episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with Matt Stewart, a Kansas City news reporter, who shares his family's incredible journey through dual cancer diagnoses. Matt's wife Chrissy was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer in 2021, and while serving as her caregiver, Matt received his own devastating diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his brain, lungs, and spine. Rather than surrendering to despair, the couple embraced a philosophy of "all the things" – saying yes to life's opportunities and leaning deeply into their faith. This conversation explores how facing mortality can transform our perspective on life, faith, and purpose in profound ways. Matt's compelling story shows how adversity can strengthen faith rather than diminish it, offering listeners authentic insights into finding hope and meaning during life's most challenging seasons.Episode Highlights:All the things" approach to living: Discover how Matt and Chrissy's decision to say "yes" to every opportunity after their diagnoses, including a wedding vow renewal that became a beautiful celebration of life and love for their entire family.Faith in the face of mortality: Hear Matt's candid reflections on how his cancer diagnosis deepened rather than diminished his faith, and how he finds comfort in knowing "where he's going" while still praying for more time.From football to fighting cancer: Learn how Matt's experience as a walk-on football player at Northwestern, where persistence transformed him from fifth-string to scholarship athlete, prepared him mentally for his cancer battle.Supporting loved ones with cancer: Get practical, honest advice about what to say (and what not to say) to someone facing cancer, with Matt's refreshing perspective on avoiding the "head tilt" of pity and focusing on authentic connection.Finding purpose through adversity: Explore how Matt uses his platform as a news reporter to inspire others facing similar challenges, controlling his attitude when he couldn't control his diagnosis.This episode embodies what Making Sense of Faith is all about – wrestling with life's biggest questions through the lens of authentic faith. Whether you're facing your own health crisis, supporting someone through illness, or simply questioning how faith works when life gets hard, this episode offers genuine perspective from someone living in that difficult space. It's a powerful reminder that faith doesn't require checking your brain at the door – it can provide genuine comfort and purpose even in life's darkest moments.
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28:48
What Did Jesus ACTUALLY Teach?
In this thoughtful, concise episode of "Making Sense of Faith," Adam Hamilton explores what was at the heart of Jesus' teaching: the Kingdom of God. While many assume Jesus primarily taught about love, Adam reveals that Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God four times more frequently. This concept isn't just historical theology—it's a practical framework for how we live our daily lives. In just 15 minutes, Adam unpacks this profound idea that shapes our understanding of faith, purpose, and relationship with God.What is the Kingdom of God? Adam explains that the Kingdom of God has three dimensions: God as the rightful ruler of everything in existence, our personal choice to live according to God's will, and a future reality when God's kingdom will fully come on earth as it is in heaven.The Daily BattleWhile God is the rightful king of everything, we all face a daily decision: will we be king in our own lives, or will we let God reign? Adam shares his personal morning practice of kneeling in acknowledgment of God's authority.The Lord's Prayer as a Kingdom Prayer Adam unpacks how the Lord's Prayer is fundamentally about yielding to God's sovereignty—praying "thy kingdom come" rather than "my kingdom come"—and how this prayer can reorient our hearts toward God's will for our lives.Living with Divine Interruptions Through personal stories of hospital visits and grocery store encounters, Adam illustrates how Kingdom living means being attentive to God's presence in everyday moments and unexpected interruptions.The Paradox of Loving God First When we make God our priority rather than ourselves or others, Adam shares how we actually end up loving others more genuinely and living more fulfilling lives than if we had put ourselves first.This episode speaks directly to those who feel pulled between competing priorities and wonder what it means to live a life of faith in practical terms. Whether you're spiritually curious, wrestling with doubts, or seeking to deepen your faith, Adam's exploration of the central message of Jesus offers a refreshing perspective that bridges intellectual understanding with heartfelt application. By the end, you'll understand why New Testament scholar Gordon Fee said, "You are zero on Jesus if you don't understand [the kingdom of God]." The invitation is clear: start each day by acknowledging God as king and watch how it transforms your relationships, purpose, and perspective. Listen to the full episode to discover how this ancient concept can revolutionize your modern life.
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16:08
Are All Non-Christians Really Going to Hell?
In this powerful episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles one of Christianity's most challenging questions: "Are all non-Christians really going to hell?" With his signature blend of intellectual depth and pastoral compassion, Adam explores different Christian perspectives on salvation, eternal life, and God's boundless mercy. Drawing from scripture, church history, and personal experience, he offers a fresh perspective that speaks to both skeptics and believers wrestling with questions about faith, judgment, and divine love.Beyond Simple Labels: Understanding Christian Views on SalvationAdam unpacks three main perspectives on salvation - Christian exclusivism, Christian universalism, and Christian inclusivism - offering nuanced insights into how different traditions understand God's saving work through Christ.Finding Biblical Truth in Unexpected PlacesThrough careful examination of both Old and New Testament passages, Adam reveals how scripture often points to a more expansive view of God's mercy than many traditional interpretations suggest, while maintaining the uniqueness of Christ as savior.Building Bridges Across Faith TraditionsDrawing from his own friendships with Jewish rabbis and Muslim leaders, Adam shares how interfaith relationships can deepen rather than diminish our Christian faith, leading to richer spiritual practices and broader understanding.Rethinking Hell and Divine JusticeUsing insights from C.S. Lewis and John Wesley, Adam presents a view of judgment and hell that emphasizes human choice and God's persistent mercy rather than divine vengeance.The Heart of EvangelismAdam offers a compelling alternative to fear-based evangelism, explaining why sharing our faith should flow from experiencing Christ's transformative love rather than anxiety about others' eternal destiny.Whether you're a skeptic who's struggled with traditional Christian teachings about hell, a Christian grappling with questions about loved ones of different faiths, or someone simply seeking to understand God's love more deeply, this episode offers fresh insights and hope. Adam's measured approach demonstrates how you can hold onto Christian truth while embracing a more expansive view of God's mercy. By the end, you'll discover a perspective that honors both divine justice and grace, while providing practical wisdom for relating to people of different beliefs. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and points toward a more hope-filled understanding of God's love for all humanity.
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39:49
A Love Letter from Auschwitz: Herb Kohn's Story of Survival and Hope
In this powerful episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with Holocaust survivor Herb Kohn, whose journey from Nazi-occupied Europe to becoming a Kansas City legal legend spans over eight decades. Through intimate storytelling and profound reflection, this conversation reveals how faith, resilience, and love can persist even in humanity's darkest moments. The episode culminates in a deeply moving reading of a final love letter written from Auschwitz, offering a timeless testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the power of love.Key moments from this remarkable conversation:From Survival to Success: When the Nazis invaded Holland, four-year-old Herb and his family fled by bicycle, narrowly escaping capture through his mother's quick thinking and the kindness of strangers. Moving from hiding place to hiding place, they eventually found sanctuary with Catholic nuns who risked their lives to protect them.The Price of Prejudice: As Adam explores how Hitler rose to power, Herb reflects on the dangerous pattern of scapegoating that emerges during economic hardship - a pattern he sees echoing in today's rising antisemitism. His insights offer a sobering warning about how quickly prejudice can transform from undercurrent to mainstream.A Letter of Eternal Love: The episode's most powerful moment comes when Herb shares his grandfather's final letter from Auschwitz, written knowing he faced death in the gas chamber. His words of devotion to his wife of 36 years remind us that love transcends even the most horrific circumstances: "Forever and however it will be, my heart and soul will always be with you."Building Bridges Through Understanding: Drawing from his successful career in mediation, Herb discusses how finding common ground between conflicting parties offers lessons for healing today's political and social divides. His insights reveal how understanding "even the thinnest pancake has two sides" can lead to reconciliation.The Power of Purpose: At 84, Herb launched a new mediation practice, challenging conventional notions of retirement. His continued dedication to serving others demonstrates how purpose and meaning enrich life at any age.For anyone wrestling with questions about faith, hope, and humanity's capacity for both cruelty and compassion, this episode offers profound insights from someone who has lived through history's darkest chapter yet emerged with an unwavering spirit. Adam's thoughtful exploration of Herb's story reminds us that even in our most challenging moments, love and hope can prevail. Don't miss this powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.
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39:22
Human Origins, Science and Faith
In this eye-opening dialogue between science and spirituality, Adam Hamilton takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the Smithsonian's traveling exhibition on human origins at St. Paul School of Theology. With his characteristic blend of intellectual curiosity and spiritual wonder, Adam explores the relationship between science and faith while examining the compelling evidence of human evolution. Far from seeing conflict between scientific discovery and religious belief, he illuminates how understanding our origins can deepen our sense of awe about God's creative work in the world.Key moments from the episode:Ancient Connections Revealed: Learn how humans share 60% of our DNA with banana trees and 99.9% of our DNA with each other - a humbling reminder of our deep interconnectedness in God's creation.Evolution Through God's Eyes: Experience how viewing evolution through a spiritual lens can enhance rather than diminish faith, as Adam describes God as taking "delight in the development of species" over billions of years.The Power of Human Community: Discover touching evidence of compassion from 1.78 million years ago, where early human communities cared for elderly members who could no longer feed themselves - a powerful testament to our inherent capacity for kindness.Science and Faith in Harmony: Explore why many Christians, including historical figures like Isaac Newton, have embraced both scientific discovery and deep faith, finding that each enriches the other.Questions That Matter: Join the conversation about what it means to be human, as Adam demonstrates how wrestling with life's biggest questions can lead to deeper spiritual understanding rather than conflict.Whether you're skeptical about religion, curious about faith, or wondering how to reconcile scientific understanding with spiritual belief, this episode offers fresh perspectives without asking you to check your brain at the door. Adam shows how exploring human origins can fill us with wonder at both scientific discovery and divine creativity. The exhibition is open to the public at St. Paul School of Theology until May 15th, offering a chance to engage personally with these profound questions. This is an invitation to explore life's deepest questions with both intellectual rigor and spiritual openness.
Making Sense of Faith isn't your typical religious podcast. Join Adam Hamilton, bestselling author, speaker, and pastor, as he tackles life's biggest questions with intellectual depth and genuine compassion without asking you to check your brain at the door. Drawing from his experience as an author, speaker, and pastor with decades of conversations asking questions about faith, Adam explores faith that's both deeply rooted and forward-thinking. Here, doubt isn't the opposite of faith—it's part of the journey.
Listen to Making Sense of Faith with Adam Hamilton, The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames) and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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