"Who's It Hurting Anyway?"
What’s Primary, What’s Not, and Why That Difference Matters for Christians

In this episode of Weird Hill to Die On, Phoenix Hayes, Mary Jo Sharp, and Adam Coleman dive into the fuzzy world of primary vs. secondary doctrines—and why some "gray areas" have real consequences. Not every disagreement is a deal-breaker—but some are. So how do we know the difference?

This week, we ask: Who’s deciding what really matters in Christianity? And how do we stay faithful without falling into tribalism or theological apathy? We discuss the danger of theological duct tape, the difference between a loving disagreement and weaponized certainty, and why your hot takes might be missing the hermeneutic boat.

So pour your coffee, clutch your Bible and your epistemology textbook, and join us on a sacred side quest through theology’s weird hills and speed bumps.

🔑 KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED

• What defines a primary vs. secondary doctrinal issue
• Tertiary issues and cultural baggage
• Theological consequences of treating everything as secondary
• The language of sinful lifestyles vs. theological disagreements
• Paul vs. Peter (Galatians 2) and gospel integrity
• The gray zone: disagreement ≠ hate
• Building relational equity before offering correction
• Christian social media ethics vs. Jesus’ example
• Some of the personal 2020 racial justice fallout in apologetics

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED or IMPLIED

🧠 Theological Concepts

• Primary doctrines: The Trinity, bodily resurrection, salvation by grace
• Secondary doctrines: Baptism types, eschatology, women in ministry
• Tertiary views: Political affiliation, social customs, age of the Earth
  
  
  📖 Scriptures
• Galatians 2:11–14 – Paul confronting Peter
• John 14:6 – "I am the way, the truth, and the life"
• Genesis 1 – Imago Dei (Image of God)
• Matthew 28:19–20 – The Great Commission
• Matthew 23 / Luke 13:34 – Jesus weeping over Jerusalem
  
  📚 Books & Theories
• "Introduction to Biblical Interpretation" – Klein, Blomberg, Hubbard
• "Celebrities for Jesus" – Katelyn Beaty (originally mentioned in show, but didn't make the final cut; still recommended)
• Best Possible Worlds & Free Will Defense (Problem of Evil frameworks)
• Epistemic Overreach (philosophy of knowledge)

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Music licensing credit:
🎵 Music licensed through Envato Elements
Track: "This is Funky"
Artist: Tonydrumer
License ID: 497VL2ZNJX

Is “just me and Jesus” really a Christian approach—or a clever way to dodge accountability?

In this episode of Weird Hill to Die On, Phoenix Hayes, Mary Jo Sharp, and Adam Coleman tackle the rising trend of private, isolated faith in today’s culture. With a mix of humor, heart, and heresy alerts, they explore why Christianity was never meant to be a solo hike through life’s wilderness.

From biblical community and discipleship to church hurt and awkward small groups, this episode pulls no punches. Whether you’ve been burned by the church, are ghosting your small group, or just really like wearing that “Don’t Judge Me” hoodie—we’re talking to you.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The myth of “private faith” and why biblical Christianity is inherently communal.
• How Western individualism is shaping modern theology.
• The difference between being judgmental vs. speaking truth in love.
• Church hurt and how to begin healing without ghosting Jesus’ people.
• The theological importance of discipleship, accountability, and “one-another” verses.
• Why your brain (and your theology) need checks and balances.
• The personal vs. private distinction in faith.
• Real talk on community, conflict, and sanctification.

Follow Weird Hill:

• Instagram: @weirdhillshow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weirdhillshow
• Website: https://weirdhillshow.com
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/weirdhillspotify

🎵 Music licensed through Envato Elements
Track: "This is Funky"
Artist: Tonydrumer
License ID: 497VL2ZNJX

Is certainty a sin—or is it just getting a bad reputation these days?

In this episode of Weird Hill to Die On, Phoenix, MJ, and Adam wrestle with a growing discomfort around conviction in faith spaces. Is being convinced of a truth just code for being a jerk? Or can you actually believe something deeply without turning it into a weapon? We explore what it looks like to hold theological beliefs with both clarity and humility, and how to stay rooted in truth without losing compassion—or curiosity.

From internet debates to pastoral wounds, and yes, a few spicy moments, this episode asks how Christians can contend for the faith without becoming combative… and how not to mistake silence for unity.

📌 Key Topics Discussed:
- The “sin of certainty” and where the phrase came from
- When convictions help—and when they hurt
- The value of doubt, and when it stops being healthy
- Theological debate in an age of algorithm bubbles
- Jude 3, Proverbs 18, and the biblical case for charitable disagreement
- Orthodoxy, orthopraxy, and orthopathy
- Emotional intelligence in theological spaces
- Cultish conformity vs. true Christian unity
- Can you be committed and teachable?

📚 Resources & References:
📖 Jude 3 – “Contend for the faith…”
📖 Proverbs 18:17 – Let your claims be challenged
📖 2 Timothy 2:24–25 – Gentleness isn’t optional
📖 Luke 6 – Jesus’ radical ethic toward disagreement
📕 On Guard – William Lane Craig
📕 I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist – Geisler & Turek
🎭 Plato’s Cave – Shoutout to MJ’s inner philosopher
✝️ Martin Luther – Reforming theology with love… mostly

🪙 Toss a coin to your podcasters: https://www.maryjosharp.com/donate Because thoughtful theology and half-decent lighting setups don’t fund themselves.

🔔 Subscribe to stay curious and a little spicy: https://www.youtube.com/@WeirdHillShow 🎧

Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/weirdhillspotify
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🎵 Music licensed through Envato Elements Track:
"This is Funky"
Artist: Tony Drumer
License ID: 497VL2ZNJX

“You just have to believe.” Ever heard that? We have too—and we’re calling it out.

In this episode of Weird Hill to Die On, Mary Jo Sharp, Phoenix Hayes, and Adam Coleman take on the myth of blind faith. We dig into what Jesus actually taught about doubt, belief, and evidence—and why faith doesn’t mean turning off your brain.

From Thomas to TikTok clichés, we unpack how modern Christian culture has sometimes reduced faith to a vibe check or a guilt trip. But historically? Faith was grounded in trust, testimony, and truth—not vibes.

Whether you're reconstructing your own faith or trying to help a friend who’s deconstructing theirs, this episode gives you permission to bring your mind to the table. Because Christianity isn’t afraid of hard questions—and we already made it weird.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why Jesus didn’t demand blind faith from His followers
• What the story of Thomas actually teaches us
• How church clichés can misrepresent the nature of faith
• The role of evidence, experience, and tradition in belief
• Why intellectual honesty is central to spiritual maturity
• How to engage faith questions without fear or pressure
• What it looks like to rebuild trust in God after doubt

Instagram: @weirdhillshow
Facebook: facebook.com/weirdhillshow
Official Website: weirdhillshow.com
Spotify: tinyurl.com/weirdhillspotify
Apple Podcasts: coming soon!

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Weird Hill to Die On is a Christian podcast exploring faith, apologetics, theology, and cultural commentary, hosted by three voices navigating conviction, doubt, and spiritual formation in a chaotic world.

🎵 Music licensed through Envato Elements
Track: "This is Funky"
Artist: Tonydrumer
License ID: 497VL2ZNJX

What if the secret to great apologetics… is having low expectations?

In this episode of Weird Hill to Die On, MJ, Adam, and Phoenix dive into the tension between boldly defending your faith and admitting you might be wrong sometimes. Can we debate theology without needing to win? Can we stay rooted in truth without burning out—or burning bridges? From spicy debates to Chili’s appetizers, we explore why humility might be the best apologetic of all.

Key Topics Discussed:
- Why overstating your evidence can hurt your witness
- The spiritual benefit of denominational disagreement
- Confidence vs. arrogance in apologetics
- Social media, echo chambers, and intellectual humility
- Apologist burnout, aging experts, and public integrity
- Tex-Mex, cheese pizza, and the theological implications of Chili’s 🫠

Relevant Resources:
- John 20:29 (“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”) — referenced in the discussion of divine hiddenness and the role of faith.
- Proverb cited: “Better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt” (attributed to Lincoln, not Scripture, but noted).

Concepts & Theories:
- The Dunning-Kruger Effect (not "Dunner-Kruger" as MJ said)
- Beginner’s Mind (a posture of ongoing humility in faith and knowledge)
- Confirmation Bias & Political Echo Chambers (in the context of online dialogue)

Follow Weird Hill
Instagram: @weirdhillshow
Facebook: weirdhillshow
Official Website: https://weirdhillshow.com (under construction)
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/weirdhillspotify
Apple Podcasts: coming soon!

📝 Episode Transcript:

Prefer reading to rambling? **Transcript downloading forthcoming. Check back soon.

Weird Hill to Die On is a Christian podcast exploring faith, apologetics, theology, and cultural commentary, hosted by three voices navigating conviction, doubt, and spiritual formation in a chaotic world.

🎵 Music licensed through Envato Elements Track: "This is Funky" Artist: Tonydrumer License ID: 497VL2ZNJX

Kicking things off at Weird Hill to Die On, we ask whether Christian apologetics still matters in today's skeptical culture — or if it's just another battlefield for endless debates. We unpack the purpose of apologetics, why defending faith matters, why it sometimes feels cringey, and how unity in diversity shapes the conversation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What Is Apologetics and Its Biblical Foundations?
• Does Apologetics Work to Change Minds and Strengthen Faith? ​
• The Role of the Holy Spirit in Apologetics ​
• How to Start in Apologetics and Integrate It into Church Life ​
• Balancing Intellectual Arguments with Emotional and Spiritual Care
  

Relevant Resources:

​“Interview with Paul Gould” from the Moral Apologetics website

7 Reasons Why Apologetics Might Be Good by Paul Coulter

📝 Episode Transcript:

Prefer reading to rambling? **Transcript downloading forthcoming. Check back soon.

Follow Weird Hill:

• Instagram: @weirdhillshow
• YouTube Channel: Weird Hill to Die On
• Official Website: weirdhillshow.com

Weird Hill to Die On is a Christian podcast exploring faith, apologetics, theology, and cultural commentary, hosted by three voices navigating conviction, doubt, and spiritual formation in a chaotic world.