Thank you for your answers. What do you think of the Amish?
I think there is a lot that the Amish do that is theologically unnecessary or works-based, but you do have to admire how seriously they take their religion.
Would you ever be willing to join a Christian mosh pit? And do you think you'd enjoy this? (check out 16:48 too)
--snip--
While I don't share the same reverence for the mosh pit that you do, I've definitely been to some energetic worship nights. It can be powerful to worship Jesus where there is a lot of energy in the room, but we have to also remember that the energy doesn't come from dancing or how loud we are, but who we are worshipping. But, that story is so sad, and I'm glad they prayed for the family.
What is your favorite time travel story?
I honestly don't know a ton of them, but I remember liking those baseball card books when I was a kid where the kid goes back to the time of the player on the card. I think they were called "Player's Name & Me".
Does your church's leadership think that Biden legitimately won the presidency in 2020?
I haven't heard my pastor directly address the 2020 election results. He leans conservative and will address issues (he's brought in speakers to address Israel and transgender issues and the church talked favorably about Roe being overturned), but he isn't bombastic or allowing the church to be "MAGA church". He's never brought up a conspiracy of the results being illegitimate. Our founding pastor was much more overtly political and likely didn't think Biden won the election in 2020. I didn't start primarily going to that church until after he'd stepped down as lead pastor, so I can't speak to what it was like when he led the church. From my understanding, I do believe that he was a faithful pastor, even if I think he possibly idolized politics a bit. I've been there, so no judgement for people who are there. We all have our struggles. Many people left my church in the year after he stepped down, unfortunately (especially after disagreements boiled over in service on a Sunday morning).
The split following that Sunday occurred about five or six months after I started going to my church on Sunday mornings and about a year after I started going to the young adult ministry (which went through our own split a few months delayed). It was one of the hardest times for me in the last few years, as I knew that people I loved and respected were going to make a different decision than I did (and, by that point, it had little to nothing to do with the 2020 election). I've tried to maintain relationships with everyone as best as I could, but, obviously after two and a half years, some people have drifted away.
How often does your church take communion? And do you view communion as purely memorial?
We take Communion congregationally on the last Sunday of every month. It's also available before service every Sunday to take privately if you are there 15 minutes ahead of service. We do view it as symbolic of Jesus's Sacrifice and use grape juice for it.
Thoughts on long-term future of college sports with all of the recent changes? Would be particularly interested on thoughts about conference realignment.
Iirc, you’re also an Eagles fan? Do you think Sirianni should’ve been fired? Any favorite players from growing up?
Some of the changes are needed. I've always found it wrong that players can't get any money when they bring in so much money for their schools (albeit the NIL is certainly showing growing pains right now). And, it's about time that college football is getting a real playoff, like every other American sport has. Conference realignment is a mixed bag. I actually like Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, which feels that it's reuniting a couple historic rivalries and could pit similar cultural schools. The West Coast schools going to the Big 10 (and Stanford/Cal in the ACC) will take more getting used to. My assumption is that only three power football conferences will survive. I imagine that the college football my kids and grandkids (Lord willing) know will be vastly different than what I first got into, but the game will still be enjoyable. I do mourn that bowls don't matter anymore (I loved them even 10-15 years ago) and wonder if it's time to put them out of their misery for a bigger CFP.
You are right that I am an Eagles fan. Even though I've mentioned it a handful of times, it's often forgotten that I'm not a native Tennessean and grew up on the Main Line (though my mom is from the South herself and has since partially moved back). I only moved here ten years ago for college and then got a job in Franklin when I graduated.
Personally, I wouldn't have fired Sirianni. We're still only a year out from having played in the Super Bowl (a game I think we could have easily won) and lost both of our coordinators after that run. Next year will rightly be a make-it-or-break-it year for him, but we still have the talent to be a good team. When I was a kid, I was actually at the famous 4th & 26 playoff game against the Packers, which was a cool thing to experience, even though I was a few months shy of my 8th birthday. I loved those McNabb & Westbrook teams (especially briefly with T.O. before that went bad. But, my individual sports heroes as a child were honestly more the Phillies teams from 2005-2011 with players like Jim Thome, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Roy Halladay. Also loved Allen Iverson when I was young. But, my favorite athlete might have been JJ Redick. Both of my parents went to Duke, so I was raised a massive Duke basketball fan. I don't think I was ever more heartbroken by sports than when that 2006 Duke team got upset in the Sweet 16.
What's your opinion of Peter Sonoski?
Maybe a "bad Atlas poster" moment, but I had to Google who he was. I agree with large chunks of his platform, and he seems like a decent enough person. Obviously, I wish he were an evangelical instead of a Catholic, but he seems to try to genuinely apply his faith to political issues (even when I reach slightly different conclusions).