What do you do when you’re attracted to Jesus but disappointed by the church?
In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with author and ministry leader Scott Bessenecker to discuss his new book Bad Religion, Good News. Together they explore church hurt, deconstruction, Christian nationalism, missions, grief, disappointment with God, and why faith often grows deeper when we stop chasing certainty.
Scott shares lessons learned from 40 years in one city, one church, and one ministry role, offering a compelling alternative to a culture obsessed with constant movement, achievement, and influence.
Whether you’ve wrestled with disappointment in the church, questioned your expectations of God, or wondered how faith and work connect in everyday life, this conversation offers a thoughtful and hopeful perspective.
In This Episode
- Why staying in one place can be a spiritual practice
- The pressure of productivity and achievement culture
- Church hurt, deconstruction, and Christian nationalism
- Why younger generations are skeptical of institutions
- Disappointment with God and moving beyond platitudes
- Grief, lament, and the presence of God in suffering
- The hidden dangers of success and significance
- Missions, colonialism, and the good and bad of missionary history
- Why ordinary Christians spread the gospel long before professional missionaries
- Learning from Christians living in poverty around the world
- How faith can transform the way we approach our work
- Why self-examination matters more than outrage
Quotes from the Episode
“I don’t think this generation needs a hero story. They just want an honest one.”
“God being with me may be more precious than being rescued.”
“Recognizing my mediocrity and embracing it is a healthy spiritual journey.”
“In 150 years, no one will remember this podcast—and that’s okay.”
Resources Mentioned
- Bad Religion, Good News by Scott Bessenecker
- Overturning Tables by Scott Bessenecker
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Mother Teresa
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Connect
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