Brain Damage with Scott

Episode 9: How God unReformed, deCalvinized, and Set Me Free from USA Evangelicalism

Just before I turned 30, I graduated with a Masters of Divinity [M.Div.] from TEDS, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; now called Trinity International University. I was and am still not a "master" of divine things or beliefs. This is my story of being set free from the angry Father doctrines espoused by John Calvin, Martin Luther, the Roman Catholic Church all by way of Saint Augustine and his sin controlling theology. I thank Papa that He set me free from the punishment view of sin to the physician view of healing us all from that disease and the delusion that we are separated and disappointments to God. Come along and learn the Papa is just like Jesus and always has and will love you.

Episode 8: Some of My Background Story

Who the heck am I?! Why do I think the way I do? What influenced me to become who I am? Which leads to why I am recording these podcasts.

Episode 7: What the (bleep) Heck is LOVE?

Grok answer:
The early Christian Church, from the time of the apostles to around 400 A.D., developed a rich theology concerning the love of Jesus Christ and God the Father, rooted in Scripture and expounded through apostolic teachings, writings of the Church Fathers, and early Christian practices. Below is a concise summary in bullet points, based on historical Christian texts and traditions from this period:
• Apostolic Teaching (1st Century):
• The apostles, following Jesus’ teachings, emphasized God’s love as the foundation of salvation, exemplified in John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son”).
• Jesus’ commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34) was central, with love reflecting Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.
• Paul’s epistles, such as Romans 5:8 (“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”), taught that Christ’s love reconciles humanity to the Father.
• The Eucharist, instituted by Christ, was seen as an expression of His sacrificial love, uniting believers with God (1 Corinthians 11:23–25).
• Post-Apostolic Era (100–200 A.D.):
• Early writings, like the Didache and Epistle of Barnabas, stressed living out Christ’s love through charity, forgiveness, and community life, reflecting the Father’s love.
• Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 A.D.) described God’s love as revealed in Christ’s incarnation and passion, urging believers to imitate this self-giving love (Letter to the Romans).
• Justin Martyr (c. 150 A.D.) highlighted God’s love as universal, extending to all humanity, with Christ’s death as the ultimate proof, contrasting pagan philosophies (First Apology).
• Church Fathers and Theological Development (200–300 A.D.):
• Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 A.D.) taught that God’s love is shown in the incarnation, where Christ recapitulates humanity to restore it to the Father (Against Heresies).
• Clement of Alexandria (c. 200 A.D.) described God’s love as pedagogical, guiding humanity through Christ’s teachings toward divine wisdom (Stromata).
• Tertullian (c. 200 A.D.) emphasized the Father’s love as the source of creation and redemption, with Christ’s obedience on the cross as its fullest expression (On the Flesh of Christ).
• Love was expressed practically in Christian communities through almsgiving, care for the poor, and martyrdom, seen as imitating Christ’s love.
• Pre-Nicene and Early Nicene Period (300–400 A.D.):
• Origen (c. 250 A.D.) taught that God’s love is eternal, flowing from the Father through the Son to humanity, and that human response to this love is participation in divine life (On First Principles).
• The Church’s response to persecution underscored Christ’s love as empowering martyrs to face death, reflecting the Father’s love for the world (e.g., Martyrdom of Polycarp).
• Athanasius (c. 350 A.D.) in On the Incarnation explained that the Father’s love prompted the Son’s incarnation to restore humanity from sin, emphasizing divine love as restorative.
• The Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) indirectly reinforced teachings on love by affirming Christ’s divinity, ensuring that His love is understood as divine, not merely human.
• Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa (c. 370–400 A.D.) linked God’s love to the Trinity, teaching that the Father’s love is expressed through the Son and Spirit, fostering unity and charity among believers (Letters of Basil; Life of Moses by Gregory).
• Practical Expressions of Love:
• Early Christians practiced love through communal sharing (Acts 2:44–45), hospitality to strangers, and care for widows and orphans, as seen in texts like Shepherd of Hermas.
• The Church’s emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation, as taught by Christ (Matthew 18:21–22), was a hallmark of imitating divine love.
• By 400 A.D., monastic movements (e.g., Anthony of Egypt) emphasized asceticism as a response to Christ’s love, seeking union with the Father through prayer and sacrifice.
This summary draws from primary sources like the New Testament, writings of the Church Fathers, and early Christian practices, reflecting the consistent teaching that God’s love, revealed through Jesus Christ, calls believers to a life of love, sacrifice, and communion with the Father. If you’d like me to expand on any point or source, let me know!

Episode 6: Power, Tyranny, Control, Propaganda, Manipulation

Grok answer: Politicians, business leaders, and church leaders can misuse power in similar ways to maintain control over their organizations, finances, and people, often leading to corruption. Below is a breakdown of how this occurs across these three domains, focusing on control, financial exploitation, and the impact of corruption.
1. Politicians
Control Over Organization and People:
• Manipulation of Systems: Politicians may manipulate electoral processes, gerrymander districts, or suppress votes to maintain power. For example, they might push laws or policies that favor their re-election or entrench their party’s dominance.
• Patronage and Nepotism: They appoint loyalists to key positions, ensuring control over institutions. This can include rewarding supporters with jobs or contracts, creating a network of dependency.
• Media Influence: Some politicians control narratives by aligning with or intimidating media outlets, spreading propaganda, or discrediting opposition to shape public perception.
Control Over Money:
• Misuse of Public Funds: Politicians may divert public resources for personal gain, such as through inflated contracts to allies or skimming budgets meant for public services.
• Campaign Finance Abuse: They might exploit loopholes in campaign finance laws, accepting illicit donations or using political action committees to funnel money for personal or political gain.
• Bribery and Kickbacks: Accepting bribes for policy favors or awarding contracts to donors undermines public trust and prioritizes personal enrichment.
Corruption’s Impact:
• Corruption erodes democratic institutions, as politicians prioritize self-interest over public welfare. It leads to inefficiency, with funds misallocated or stolen, causing infrastructure decay or inadequate services. Public disillusionment grows, fostering cynicism or unrest, while corrupt politicians may double down on authoritarian tactics to retain power, perpetuating a cycle of abuse.
2. Business Leaders
Control Over Organization and People:
• Authoritarian Management: Some CEOs or executives centralize decision-making, sidelining dissent or independent voices to maintain dominance. They may fire or demote those who challenge their authority.
• Corporate Loyalty Schemes: Leaders cultivate loyalty through selective promotions, bonuses, or perks, ensuring employees prioritize the leader’s agenda over the company’s long-term health.
• Manipulation of Boards: They may stack boards with allies or weaken oversight mechanisms, reducing accountability and entrenching their control.
Control Over Money:
• Financial Manipulation: Leaders may engage in insider trading, falsify financial reports (e.g., Enron’s accounting scandals), or inflate stock prices to boost personal wealth through bonuses or stock options.
• Embezzlement and Fraud: Diverting company funds for personal use, such as lavish lifestyles or offshore accounts, is a common abuse.
• Exploitation of Resources: Some prioritize short-term profits over sustainable practices, cutting corners on employee wages, safety, or environmental standards to maximize financial gain.
Corruption’s Impact:
• Corruption undermines trust in businesses, leading to stock price drops, legal penalties, or bankruptcy when exposed. Employees suffer from toxic workplaces or job losses, while consumers face subpar products or services. Corrupt leaders may resort to cover-ups or scapegoating, further damaging the organization’s reputation and stability.
3. Church Leaders
Control Over Organization and People:
• Spiritual Manipulation: Some leaders exploit religious authority, using doctrine or fear of divine judgment to control followers’ behavior, discouraging dissent or questioning.
• Hierarchical Dominance: They may centralize power within the church, sidelining lay members or lower clergy to maintain influence over decisions and messaging.
• Cult of Personality: Charismatic leaders often foster devotion to themselves rather than the institution, creating dependency among followers.
Control Over Money:
• Misuse of Donations: Church funds, often collected as tithes or offerings, may be diverted for personal luxury, such as private jets or lavish homes, rather than community welfare or church maintenance.
• Lack of Transparency: Many religious organizations lack financial oversight, allowing leaders to siphon funds without accountability.
• Exploitation of Followers: Some leaders pressure congregants to donate beyond their means, framing it as a spiritual obligation, while funneling money for personal gain.
Corruption’s Impact:
• Corruption in churches erodes faith, as followers feel betrayed when leaders prioritize wealth over spiritual guidance. Scandals (e.g., televangelist fraud or clergy abuse cover-ups) damage institutional credibility, reduce membership, and alienate communities. Leaders may double down on control tactics, such as shaming critics or invoking divine authority, to maintain power.
Common Themes and Corruption’s Broader Effects
• Power Preservation: Across all three domains, leaders misuse power to preserve their status, often prioritizing personal gain over the organization’s mission. This includes silencing critics, manipulating systems, or leveraging loyalty.
• Financial Exploitation: Money is a central tool of corruption, whether through public funds, corporate profits, or religious donations. Lack of transparency and accountability enables this abuse.
• Erosion of Trust: Corruption undermines the legitimacy of institutions, whether governments, corporations, or churches. It fosters public cynicism, reduces participation, and can lead to social or economic instability.
• Cycle of Abuse: To stay in power, corrupt leaders often escalate their tactics—cracking down on dissent, manipulating narratives, or exploiting legal loopholes—perpetuating a cycle of corruption that’s hard to break.
Differences in Context
• Politicians face public scrutiny and electoral accountability, but their access to state resources amplifies their potential for large-scale corruption.
• Business Leaders operate in a profit-driven environment, where market pressures and shareholder expectations can incentivize unethical shortcuts.
• Church Leaders exploit spiritual trust, which can make their abuses particularly insidious, as followers may feel morally or divinely obligated to comply.
Conclusion
In all three spheres, the misuse of power stems from a desire to maintain control and access resources, often at the expense of the organization’s purpose and its stakeholders. Corruption thrives in environments with weak oversight, unchecked authority, or blind loyalty. Its consequences—distrust, inefficiency, and institutional decay—harm societies, economies, and communities, while corrupt leaders cling to power through increasingly desperate measures. Breaking this cycle requires transparency, accountability, and active engagement from those within and outside these systems.

Episode 5: why are [people afraid to be authentic, vulnerable, transparent?

People fear authenticity, vulnerability, and transparency because they worry about judgment, rejection, or being misunderstood. Opening up risks exposing flaws or emotions that others might criticize or exploit, especially in a world where social media and public scrutiny amplify every misstep. Many feel safer hiding behind a curated image to protect their ego or avoid conflict. Trust issues also play a role—being vulnerable requires confidence that others won’t use it against you. On the flip side, some avoid it because they’ve been conditioned to prioritize stoicism or perfection over genuine expression. Yet, embracing vulnerability often builds deeper connections, as it signals honesty and invites mutual openness. It’s a gamble, but the fear stems from potential loss outweighing perceived gain.

Episode 4: WTF! What The Family!

How can we become a healthy person and have healthy relationships? Most psychotherapists are nuts: lots of unresolved mommy and daddy issues. Is there still such a thing as a nuclear family? Is everything redefined about family? Don't we still need two parents to help us learn and grow into maturity? Where are we headed? Why are things so messed up? How do we handle our trauma? Where is the hope? And the love?

Episode 3: Fear - a four letter word

A lot of people love four letter "F" words; well, maybe just the main one. But this one; FEAR, is a huge problem and probably behind many of the uses of the other "F" word. Join us as we explore a bunch of the problems Fear cause, create, and combust. There will need to be follow up episodes to deal with more aspects of this problem that often overwhelms many a soul and locks folks up in prison cells of dread, terror, hiding, explosive rage, and more. Put away your shopping cart. Use your turn signal properly. Hug your mom, if you can. Let's get started.

Episode 2: What the Bleep is Normal?

What is normal? Who is normal? What does the word normal mean? Does it have any relevance anymore? Let’s dig in and wrestle with some wild concepts. Maybe we need to change how we think and the way we think and behave. Because we all be brain damaged!

Episode 1: Why this Podcast? My Motives!

Why am I doing this? What are my motives? What are we talking about? Why does any of this matter? Who cares? Who or what are the problems? How are we all brain damaged? Why is this rated R? Don’t tell my mom.
Let’s figure out how to discover truth amidst all the lies we have been programmed to believe are The Truth. We will address health, fitness, nutrition, doctors, medicine, health care, politics, violence, religion, us vs them, Christian doctrines I no longer hold to and why, what I believe about Trinity God and why that affects all of us. And lastly for fun and safety we will discuss how to drive safely and not be an oblivious jerk or idiot. Hahaha. LFG!!!

Episode -29AD; Is Father God Violent or Punishing? Does Jesus want sacrifices? Apr 22, 2025

I spent 30 years in the evangelical church world in the USA. Most of that was under the influence of Reformed Calvinist theology. I struggled with the teaching about Father God being angry, judgmental and punishing. If Jesus Christ is perfect love and 1 John 4 states Father God IS Love; how could the Hebrew scriptures really teach the angry Zeus and Janus-like god in the sky? What is God truly like? How did we get to this angry god? Which view is right, correct?