Making Sense of Faith with Adam Hamilton

• Faith vs. Reality: Finding Meaning in Crisis, Scripture, and Compassionate Action

  In this special 25th episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton explores how facing life's greatest challenges can transform our perspective and deepen our faith. Through powerful personal stories and insightful biblical analysis, Adam examines how we interpret Jesus's teachings and apply them to modern life. The episode weaves together intimate conversations about cancer, faith, and living fully into the biblical calls for justice and compassion. This is a conversation that bridges the gap between head and heart, offering both intellectual depth and emotional connection.Episode Highlights:Embracing "All The Things" - Discover how one couple's cancer journey taught them to say "yes" to life's opportunities, creating meaningful memories and living each day with intention rather than taking time for granted.Taking Jesus Seriously, Not Always Literally - Adam unpacks how Jesus often used prophetic hyperbole—exaggeration to make a point—and explains why understanding this speaking style helps us interpret challenging passages without missing their deeper meaning.Grace Beyond the Rules - Learn how Jesus's compassion for the Samaritan woman reveals that while he holds high standards, he offers mercy and grace when we fall short—teaching us to balance ideals with compassion.Justice and Righteousness - Explore the biblical concepts of "mishpat" (justice) and "tzedekah" (righteousness) and how they call us to care for the vulnerable in both our personal lives and our society.Common Decency and Common Justice - Adam challenges listeners to move beyond political divisions to embrace values that transcend party lines—creating a society that cares for those in need while practicing good stewardship.Whether you're questioning your faith, navigating a life’s challenges, or simply trying to make sense of Jesus's confusing teachings, this episode offers fresh perspectives that speak to both your intellect and your heart. Adam's honest exploration invites you into a conversation where doubt is embraced, difficult questions are welcomed, and faith becomes more authentic through the journey. By focusing on how we make sense of faith in real-world situations, this episode demonstrates that Christianity doesn't require checking your brain or your values at the door—instead, it invites you to bring your whole self to a faith that brings people together and transforms lives.

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  28:45
• 3 Things Every Person Needs

  In this impactful episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton explores three essential practices for meaningful connection in our increasingly disconnected world. Through personal stories and scriptural wisdom, Adam makes a compelling case that regardless of our personality type or life circumstances, we all need Jesus as a friend, relationships with others, and meaningful connections in our workplace. His gentle invitation to say "yes" to Jesus offers listeners a simple yet profound way to begin or renew their faith journey.Episode Highlights:The Friendship of Jesus - Adam explains that Jesus doesn't just call us servants but friends. The prayer of discipleship is simply saying "yes" to Jesus' invitation to follow him and allow him to walk alongside us in our daily lives.The Friendship Recession - We're experiencing what experts call a "friendship recession" with fewer people reporting close relationships than ever before. Adam shares how even as a pastor of thousands, he once felt deeply lonely until he intentionally cultivated meaningful friendships.Who Would You Call at 3 AM? - Drawing from the gospel story of friends who carried a paralyzed man to Jesus, Adam challenges listeners to identify who would carry them in crisis and encourages intentional relationship building through church community.Faith in the Workplace - Our greatest mission field may be where we spend most of our waking hours. Adam suggests that if coworkers don't see evidence of your faith in how you treat others, it might be time for reflection.The Power of Gratitude - Simple words like "please" and "thank you" can transform workplace relationships and reflect the fruit of the Spirit in our daily interactions.Whether you're skeptical about faith, curious about Christianity, or looking to deepen your spiritual journey, this episode offers practical wisdom for navigating life's complexities. Adam's conversational approach doesn't require checking your brain or values at the door—instead, he invites you into an authentic exploration of how faith and friendship intersect to bring meaning to our lives. This thought-provoking conversation might be exactly what you need to transform your approach to relationships and find hope in today's disconnected world.

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  19:09
• The 7 Statements That Changed the World

  In this thought-provoking episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton explores the profound "I AM" statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. With his characteristic blend of historical context, theological insight, and practical application, Adam invites listeners to consider their own answer to Jesus' timeless question: "Who do you say that I am?" Whether you're spiritually curious or a longtime believer, this concise exploration offers a fresh perspective on statements that have shaped history for over two thousand years.Episode Highlights:The Divine Connection – Discover how Jesus' use of "I AM" directly connects to God's revealed name to Moses at the burning bush, challenging listeners to reconsider who Jesus claimed to be.Bread of Life – Learn why Jesus' declaration about being "the bread of life" goes beyond physical nourishment to address the spiritual hunger we all experience in our increasingly disconnected world.Light in Darkness – Adam shares a powerful illustration about "punching holes in the darkness" that reveals how Jesus' statement about being "the light of the world" offers hope amid life's uncertainties.The Good Shepherd – Experience the powerful imagery Adam encountered in the Holy Land that brings new meaning to Jesus' promise of protection and personal care as both "the gate" and "the good shepherd."Life Beyond Death – Explore the radical hope embedded in Jesus' claim to be "the resurrection and the life," offering an eternal perspective that transforms how we view our current challenges.These seven statements invite us to see Jesus in a completely new light – not as a distant religious figure, but as someone offering practical wisdom for our deepest human needs: nourishment for the soul, guidance when lost, protection from harm, truth in confusion, and hope beyond death. By understanding these profound self-descriptions, you'll gain fresh perspective on life's big questions without having to check your brain or values at the door. Whether you're spiritually curious or skeptical, these ancient declarations still have the power to transform how you navigate life's complexities and find meaning in an uncertain world.

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  19:57
• A Life Redeemed: Overcoming Addiction, Prison, and Family Trauma

  In this deeply moving episode of "Making Sense of Faith," Adam Hamilton sits down for an intimate conversation with his uncle, Glenn Miller, a man whose life journey epitomizes the transformative power of faith. The episode traces Glenn’s remarkable path from addiction, crime, and federal prison to finding peace and purpose through Christ. With raw honesty, we hear about family trauma beginning with a mother's suicide, struggles with drug addiction, multiple prison sentences, and the gradual journey toward redemption. This powerful testimony speaks directly to those who wonder if their past defines their future or if genuine transformation is possible, showing how faith can bring hope even to those who feel beyond saving.Five Powerful Moments from This Episode:The Weight of Family Trauma - Learn how childhood wounds, including a mother's suicide and a difficult relationship with his father, set the stage for decades of struggle.The Spiral into Addiction - Hear the candid account of how promising opportunities were derailed by drugs, first as a user and then as a dealer.Prison and Rock Bottom - Discover the sobering reality of multiple prison sentences totaling nearly nine years and the decision point that finally led to change.Finding Faith - Experience the turning point that occurred when regular church attendance opened the door to a new understanding of forgiveness and purpose."These Are the Happiest Times" - Be inspired by the profound revelation that despite earlier wealth and success, true happiness came through faith in the love and grace of ChristThis episode speaks to anyone who's ever felt lost, broken, or defined by their mistakes. It addresses life's hardest questions with honesty and compassion, offering hope without easy answers. If you've ever wondered whether a troubled past can give way to a peaceful present, or if redemption is possible for those who feel they've gone too far, this conversation offers a thoughtful glimpse into how faith can transform a life from the inside out. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey—skeptical, curious, or somewhere in between—this story reminds us that transformation is possible for everyone.

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  31:20
• Does Everything Happen for a Reason?

  In this thought-provoking episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles perhaps the most challenging question people face on their spiritual journey: Does everything happen for a reason? Drawing from his pastoral experience, Adam offers a fresh perspective that bridges faith and doubt, challenging the common notion that God micromanages every detail of our lives. Instead, he presents a view of God who created natural processes and gave humans freedom, yet walks alongside us through our suffering. This conversation invites everyone to reconsider comforting but potentially harmful phrases like "everything happens for a reason" or "it must be God's will" when confronting life's painful moments.Key insights from this episode:God created processes, not puppets - Adam challenges the perception that God controls every detail at the cellular, cosmic, and personal levels. Instead, he suggests God created natural processes that generally work well but sometimes go wrong, and gave humans genuine freedom to make choices—both good and bad.Why "everything happens for a reason" hurts - Through powerful stories like Patty's experience after losing her two-year-old daughter, Adam reveals why well-meaning platitudes can actually increase someone's pain and anger toward God by making Him the source of suffering rather than comfort.Jesus healed, He didn't explain - If sickness were God's will, Adam points out, Jesus wouldn't have healed people—he would have told them to accept their illness as divine punishment or teaching. Instead, Jesus consistently worked against suffering, showing God's true desire.Prayer works, just not how we expect - Rather than always delivering dramatic miracles, God typically answers prayers through people, medicine, and compassion. Adam shares how he prays for both miraculous healing and for God to work through doctors, revealing a balanced approach to faith and practical action.Finding meaning without blaming God - Adam offers a powerful reframing of Romans 8:28, suggesting that God doesn't cause suffering but works to bring good from it—an invitation to ask "how can something meaningful come from this?" rather than "why did God do this?"When life's hardest moments leave us questioning where God is, this episode offers a lifeline of hope without sacrificing intellectual honesty. Adam stands firmly in what the Resurrection community calls "the radical center"—acknowledging the reality of suffering while affirming God's loving presence through it all. Whether you're wrestling with doubt, seeking deeper understanding, or supporting someone through grief, this conversation provides language and perspective to make sense of faith when life seems senseless. Listen to the full episode to discover a God who doesn't cause your suffering but promises to walk with you through it.

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