In this deeply thoughtful episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles some of the biggest questions that keep thinking people up at night: What will heaven actually be like? Is there really a literal hell? And perhaps most challenging of all—what happens to good people who follow other faiths? Adam doesn't shy away from the hard questions that have driven many away from traditional Christianity. Instead, he offers a fresh, honest exploration that respects both Scripture and human reason, providing the kind of thoughtful answers that don't ask you to check your brain at the door.Biblical Surprises About Hell and Heaven: You might be shocked to learn that the word "hell" never appears in the Old Testament, and Jesus only mentions it 12 times in the New Testament. Adam unpacks what Jesus actually meant by "hell" and reveals the surprising lack of detailed heaven descriptions in Scripture—and why that might be intentional.The Troubling Geography of Salvation: Why does your eternal destiny seem to depend so much on where you're born? Adam wrestles with the uncomfortable reality that most people's religious beliefs are largely determined by their birthplace and tackles the question that haunts many: does God really punish people for circumstances beyond their control?What About Gandhi, Buddha, and Your Hindu Neighbor?: Through powerful Old Testament stories like Jonah and the Ninevites, Adam explores whether God's grace might extend beyond traditional Christian boundaries. He shares his personal friendship with a Jewish rabbi and offers a perspective on salvation that honors both Jesus's unique role and God's universal love.The Real Story Behind "No One Comes to the Father But Through Me": This verse has been used to exclude billions from heaven, but Adam provides crucial context that changes everything. He explains how Jesus can be the only way to salvation while God's grace might still reach those who never had a fair chance to hear the gospel.A Hell You Can Actually Leave?: Drawing from C.S. Lewis's insights, Adam explores the possibility that hell's doors might be "locked from the inside"—a place for those who genuinely choose separation from God, but not necessarily a permanent punishment.This episode doesn't offer easy answers or ask for blind faith. Instead, Adam invites you into the kind of honest conversation that acknowledges both the beauty and the difficulty of traditional Christian doctrine. Whether you're skeptical, curious, or someone who's walked away from faith because these questions felt unanswerable, you'll find a perspective that takes both Scripture and human dignity seriously. Ready to explore what happens when ancient wisdom meets modern questions?[0:12] What will heaven be like? [4:16] Hell in Scripture: Old vs. New Testament[5:56] God’s View of Other Nations [7:03] The Story of Jonah and God’s Mercy [10:47] The Magi and God’s Inclusion of Gentiles [14:15] Jesus as the Only Way to Salvation[17:57] Understanding Heaven and Hell [23:57] CS Lewis’s Perspective on Heaven
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27:49
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27:49
Big Dreams? Expect Criticism (and here's how to handle it)
Ever wondered what it takes to make a real difference in the world? In this episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton takes us on a journey to Bristol, England, where he explores the very first Methodist building—the New Room, built in 1739. From inside this historic space where John Wesley launched a movement that changed Christianity forever, Adam unpacks the timeless lessons about pursuing big dreams, handling criticism, and staying true to your calling even when others push back. This isn't just a history lesson—it's a roadmap for anyone wrestling with whether to take bold steps for something they believe in.Takeaways from This Episode:"The World Is My Parish" - Why Breaking the Rules Sometimes Matters. When the Bishop of Bristol told Wesley to stay in his lane, the young preacher responded with one of history's most famous declarations. Adam reveals how this moment of holy defiance teaches us when it's okay to push the boundaries for something bigger than ourselves.Buildings as Tools, Not Monuments - The Original Purpose-Driven Church. The New Room wasn't just a preaching house—it was a seminary, food pantry, pharmacy, and community center all rolled into one. Discover how Wesley's approach to using space challenges our modern assumptions about what church buildings should actually do.Big Dreams Equal Big Criticism - And That's Actually Okay. Adam shares Wesley's famous quote: "If you have a big dream, you're gonna be criticized." Learn why criticism might actually be a sign you're on the right track and how to push through when people say "we've never done it that way before."When Faith Gets Political - The Sermon That Started a Riot. In 1787, at age 85, Wesley preached against slavery in Bristol—a city built on the slave trade. The congregation literally started fighting, breaking pews and throwing things. Adam explores what happened next and what it teaches us about speaking truth to power.The Power of Singing Theology - Why Music Matters More Than You Think. With Charles Wesley's 6,000 hymns, the Methodist revival happened as much through song as sermons. Adam explains why singing isn't just the warm-up act—it's how theology gets into our hearts and stays there.Considering a career change? Starting a business or ministry? Simply trying to live more authentically? This episode offers both historical wisdom and practical encouragement, and you’ll leave this episode with a clearer understanding of why taking risks for something you believe in isn't just acceptable—it's essential.
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13:28
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13:28
Anti-Racism, Women's Rights, Environmentalism, and John Wesley
Step inside the world's first Methodist building with Adam Hamilton as he takes listeners on a tour of Bristol's historic New Room, revealing how John Wesley's revolutionary ministry laid the groundwork for modern social justice movements. Broadcasting live from England, Adam uncovers the surprising progressive roots of Methodism that connected coal miners to causes we're still fighting for today.Episode Highlights:Wesley's Anti-Slavery Stand Nearly Started a Riot – Adam reveals the dramatic 1788 scene when Wesley preached against slavery in Bristol's slave trade capital, causing angry traders to literally break apart church pews and attack each other during the service. This wasn't just moral posturing – it was dangerous activism in the heart of England's slavery industry.Women's Rights Were Part of Methodism From Day One – While most churches excluded women from leadership, early Methodism embraced female preachers and leaders. Adam traces this progressive thread from Wesley's time through to the 1950s ordination of women in American Methodism, showing how social justice was woven into Methodism’s DNA.Environmental Activism in the 1700s – Long before climate change became a global concern, Wesley taught that humans were called to be stewards of creation. Adam explores the museum exhibits showcasing Wesley's early environmental theology and how it connects to today's creation care movement.From Coal Dust to Global Impact – Adam paints the vivid scene of Wesley preaching to thousands of coal miners who couldn't afford church pew taxes, watching tears cut through the coal dust on their faces. This moment of radical inclusion for society's outcasts became the template for Methodist social ministry worldwide.Adam's tour through Wesley's private apartment brings history to life in ways that make 18th-century activism feel surprisingly relevant. The New Room wasn't just a church – it housed food pantries, schools for poor children, medical clinics, and pastor training programs that served Bristol's most vulnerable populations.Whether you're interested in church history, social justice, or understanding how grassroots movements create lasting change, this episode reveals how one preacher's willingness to break religious conventions sparked a global revolution.
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14:49
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14:49
My 40-Year Friend Called Me "Evil". This is How I Responded...
When a longtime friendship ends over faith differences, how do you respond with love instead of defensiveness?In this deeply personal episode, Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most painful realities of our polarized world: what happens when the people closest to us see our beliefs as fundamentally wrong—or even evil. Through vulnerable storytelling and practical wisdom, Adam explores the messy humanity of biblical figures like Judas, while sharing his own heartbreaking experience of losing hundreds of church members and a 40-year friendship over his stance on LGBTQ inclusion. This isn't a typical religious podcast episode filled with easy answers—it's an honest conversation about the cost of conviction and the radical choice to love even when it hurts.Highlights:Did Jesus Know Judas Would Betray Him? Adam wrestles with the mystery of Jesus' humanity, questioning whether Christ knew from the beginning that his trusted disciple would sell him out for thirty pieces of silver, and what this means for our understanding of divine foreknowledge. The Three Days That Could Have Changed Everything What if Judas had waited just three more days before taking his own life? Adam paints a powerful picture of the forgiveness and redemption that might have been possible if Judas had encountered the risen Christ. When 800 People Leave Your Church Adam shares the devastating personal cost of preaching about inclusion in 2004, describing months of depression and the moment his wife asked the question that changed everything: "Is God calling you to leave, or are you running away?" Love Your Enemies—Even at Family Dinner Drawing from Dr. King's wisdom about wearing people down with love, Adam offers practical guidance for navigating relationships with family and friends who fundamentally disagree with your beliefs—without compromising your convictions. The Friend Who Walked Away In a raw moment of transparency, Adam recounts receiving a letter from a 40-year friend who called him and his church "evil" and "cancer" for their welcoming stance—and how choosing love over defensiveness became a powerful testimony.This episode doesn't offer neat, packaged solutions to the messy reality of human relationships. Instead, Adam invites us into the uncomfortable space where faith meets real life, where love costs something, and where the hardest commandment—to love our enemies—becomes not just a nice ideal but a daily choice. Whether you're struggling with family divisions, questioning your own beliefs, or simply trying to figure out how to love difficult people, this conversation will challenge you to see conflict through the lens of radical grace. It's a reminder that sometimes the most Christ-like response isn't to be right—it's to be loving, even when love feels like the hardest thing in the world.
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13:20
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13:20
If You Feel Far From God, Which One of You Moved?
Picture this: you're enjoying a peaceful evening at the lake when sudden fireworks send your beloved dog running into the woods, disoriented and afraid. For Adam Hamilton, this terrifying search for his lost dog Mabel became an unexpected window into understanding God's heart for each of us. In this deeply personal episode, Adam weaves together an impactful family story with profound biblical truths, revealing how we all sometimes find ourselves lost, running from the very love that wants to protect us. Through the lens of ancient shepherds and modern pet parenthood, Adam explores what it really means to come home to a God who never stops searching.Episode Highlights:The Real Reason We Run Away From God - Just like Mabel fled when she heard booming fireworks, we often run from God not because He's the source of our pain, but because life's "booms" disorient us and make us think the very place of safety is actually dangerous. God's Relentless Search Strategy - Adam reveals how the frantic neighborhood search for Mabel mirrors God's approach in Ezekiel 34: "I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak." This isn't passive waiting—it's active, determined love. The Question That Changes Everything - "If you feel far from God, which one of you moved?" This simple but profound question cuts through religious complexity to reveal a life-changing truth about who does the wandering in our relationship with God. Why Jesus Called Himself the Good Shepherd - Drawing from Luke 19:10, Adam unpacks why Jesus said he "came to seek and save the lost," connecting ancient parables about lost sheep to our modern experience of feeling disconnected and alone. The Joy of Being Found - The overwhelming relief and celebration when Mabel was discovered becomes a beautiful metaphor for the "joy in heaven" when a person comes back to God - revealing that coming home to God isn't about shame, but about celebration.Whether you've walked away from faith, never really had it, or are simply feeling spiritually disconnected, Adam's vulnerable storytelling and theological insight offer an honest exploration of how divine love actually works in real life. This episode captures that universal human experience of feeling lost while pointing toward the hope that someone is always looking for us. If you've ever felt spiritually disoriented or wondered if you've wandered too far from God, this conversation will speak directly to your heart and remind you that coming home might be simpler than you think.
Making Sense of Faith isn't your typical religious podcast. Join Adam Hamilton, bestselling author, speaker, and pastor, as he tackles life's biggest questions with intellectual depth and genuine compassion without asking you to check your brain at the door. Drawing from his experience as an author, speaker, and pastor with decades of conversations asking questions about faith, Adam explores faith that's both deeply rooted and forward-thinking. Here, doubt isn't the opposite of faith—it's part of the journey.
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