How to Stay Christian | Season 4 Wrap-Up of “Learning How to See”

Have you experienced doubt in your faith? The fourth season of “Learning How to See” grapples with the “how” question from Brian McLaren’s book “Do I Stay Christian?” Brian revisits his previous seasons of this podcast, which build on this very question. 

Joining Brian in conversation are Center for Action and Contemplation staff members Mike Petrow, Gigi Ross, and Dawson Allen. You’ll also hear from Barbara Brown Taylor, Todd Wynward, and Rev. Jacqui Lewis on special guest episodes. 

At the end of this season, we reflect and respond to questions the listeners submitted. 

Highlights from “Learning How to See” Season 4

On this season of “Learning How to See,” Brian McLaren and guests explore what we do, say, and believe after we have begun to question aspects of our faith. 

These episodes serve as guideposts for negotiating a new relationship to Christianity when we are ready to leave limiting beliefs behind: 

• An Introduction to Season 4 — Brian revisits previous seasons of “Learning How to See,” which explore the question “Do I stay Christian?” 
• Include and Transcend (feat. Barbara Brown Taylor) — How have you experienced the grief of growth? 
• Start with the Heart (feat. Jacqui Lewis) — How do we remind ourselves that Love is the center of our lives? 
• Re-Wild (feat. Todd Wynward) — Discover how spending time in the wilderness can fill your heart with new meaning. 
• Find the Flow (feat. Jacqui Lewis) — Rev. Jacqui Lewis and Brian envision a new way of living Christianity. 
• Re-Consecrate Everything (feat. Barbara Brown Taylor) — Unpack the profound work of reconsecrating your life; spiritually and ecologically. 
• Renounce and Announce (feat. Jacqui Lewis) — How do you stand for what you believe without making others wrong? 
• Stay Loyal to Reality (feat. Barbara Brown Taylor) — Explore the importance of embracing “what is.” 
• Stay Human — How do we retain the courage to see the world as it truly is? 
• Listener Questions: Actions and Beliefs, and God’s Intervention — A community member asks: “Does God intervene? Does Jesus heal?” 
• Listener Questions: Community — “If I support my grandson who is gay, what do I do with my Catholic faith?” asks a listener. 
• Listener Questions: Jesus and Theology — Brian and the CAC team discuss the differences between “fact” and “truth.” 
• Listener Questions: Navigating Faith Shifts in Marriage and Relationships — Have your spiritual views impacted your romantic relationships? 

Transcripts are available for each episode. 

A “Learning How to See” Listener Story 

It’s always an honor to hear from our CAC community members, who offer insights about how podcasts like “Learning How to See” impact their lives. While season 4 was airing, we were moved by this deconstruction story from a community member named Tim: 

“I am not a church-goer. After serving 30 years in one of Chicago’s largest Evangelical churches, my marriage crumbled, and I was ‘uninvited’ from the worship and drama teams I loved so much. I walked away in judgment. But 16 years later, I miss my devotion. This led me to explore CAC’s resources, and I’m enjoying opening my heart to the Spirit’s presence again.  

I still don’t go to church, but I do want to thank Brian for his writing — especially ‘Do I Stay Christian?’ — which unapologetically shares the unvarnished truth of the ‘no,’ the ‘yes,’ and the blessed ‘how’ of that question for me. My humanity remains intact, and I am learning to honestly lament in my songwriting.” 

If you are also on a journey of deconstruction, does music play a role in your journey? 

Have you also been impacted by the “Learning How to See” podcast? We would love to hear your story.  

In every season of Learning How to See, listeners are invited to discover new perspectives and experience transformation. New episodes are coming soon! 

We hope you’ll subscribe on your favorite podcast player or explore our “Learning How to See” playlist on YouTube.