Nate Labadorf
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When Divine Light Feels Like Darkness | St. John of the Cross, Book 2, Chapters 5–6
The Distracted Christian, with Nate LabadorfA production of Fresh Ground Theology What if God’s silence is not His absence, but… Read More
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Fire-Baptized Holiness Church Part 3 — Camp Meetings, Collapse, and Legacy
In this episode of Fresh Ground Theology, David, Wes, and Nate continue their dive into the explosive world of late… Read More
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The Dark Night of the Spirit — When God Loves Through Dryness
In this episode of The Distracted Christian Podcast, Nate continues a contemplative journey through Saint John of the Cross and… Read More
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Fire-Baptized Holiness Church, Part 2 — Dynamite, Fire, and Holy War
In this episode of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate, David, and Wes return for part two of their conversation on the… Read More
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The Dark Night of the Spirit Begins | Book 2, Ch. 1–2
Episode Summary After the first cleansing, the soul breathes easier. Prayer flows. God feels close. But Saint John of the… Read More
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The Fire Baptized Holiness Movement — Origins & Vision (Part 1)
Episode Summary Three guys, three mugs, and one of the most wild and fascinating corners of American church history. This… Read More
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The Dark Night of Sense | Book 1 Wrap-Up — St. John of the Cross
The Distracted Christian, with Nate Labadorf Episode Summary If your prayer life has gone quiet — no feelings, no fire,… Read More
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Demons, Darkness, and the Kingdom of God
In this episode of Fresh Ground Theology, David and Nate continue their discussion of spiritual warfare, this time focusing on… Read More
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Behemoth and Leviathan — Real Creatures, Real Glory
In this episode of The Distracted Christian Podcast, Wes Scott dives into one of the strangest and most fascinating sections… Read More
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Spiritual Warfare Isn’t What You Think
In this episode of Fresh Ground Theology, David and Nate dig into the Old Testament foundations of spiritual warfare. Instead… Read More
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Long Winded Preachers
In this episode of The Distracted Christian Podcast, Wes Scott continues the series “Strange Passages: Their Meanings and Applications” by… Read More
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The “Big Four” Spiritual Gifts
Episode Title: The “Big Four” Spiritual Gifts: Tongues, Prophecy, Healing, and Discernment of Spirits What if the most controversial spiritual… Read More
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What’s Dirt Got to Do With It?
In this “Strange Passages: Their Meanings and Applications” installment, guest host Wes Scott tackles a surprisingly theological question: what does… Read More
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The Spirit and the Kingdom
Episode Title: The Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God: Already Here, Not Yet Complete What if the Kingdom of… Read More
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Discipleship as Public Allegiance
Matthew 28:16–20 is a royal charter issued by the enthroned Christ. But the next question presses: what kind of human… Read More
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One Voice, Two Volumes: Rethinking the Unity of Isaiah
In the Jewish tradition, the prophet Isaiah was not merely a solitary seer with parchment in hand, but a figure… Read More
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Strange Passages: Saul, the Medium of Endor, and the Silence of God
Guest host: Wes Scott Series: Strange Passages — Their Meaning and Applications Primary text: 1 Samuel 28:1–19 When God is… Read More
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Is Your View of God Shaped by Your Childhood?
Episode Title: Is Your View of God Shaped by Your Childhood? Attachment Theory, the Holy Spirit, and Healing the Heart… Read More
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Ruth 3 Explained: The Strange Bible Passage That Reveals God’s Bigger Plan
What happens when the Bible gets weird—and why does it matter more than we think? In this powerful and thought-provoking… Read More
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What Are Spiritual Gifts Really For
Episode theme: Spiritual gifts aren’t about finding your thing. They’re about building the church—in love, order, and truth. What if… Read More
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Praying People from Point A to Point B
What if your small group’s biggest problem isn’t the discussion… but the fact that nobody is actually moving? Most groups… Read More
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Spiritual Gifts Aren’t for You
Episode theme: Spiritual gifts are not party tricks. They are relational bridges—between God and His people, and within the Church.… Read More
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The Left-Handed Assassin (Judges 3:15–30)
What do you do with a Bible story that sounds like it belongs in an action movie—complete with assassination, deception,… Read More
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Does the Spirit Work in Neurology?
Episode theme: Knowing the Holy Spirit as a Person—and why your brain might be part of the story. Coffee is… Read More
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Twelve Stones & the Forgotten Generation
In this first solo episode of his “Weird Passages of the Bible” series, guest host Wes Scott explores the miraculous… Read More
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All Authority in Heaven and on Earth
Matthew closes his Gospel not with epilogue but with enthronement. On a mountain in Galilee, the risen Jesus declares, “All… Read More
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Breath, Wind, Fire: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
What does it mean to encounter the Spirit of God in the pages of the Old Testament? In this episode… Read More
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From Truck Day to Tanakh: Introducing Wes Scott
Today’s episode marks a new chapter in The Distracted Christian. While Nate continues writing Part Two of “The Dark Night… Read More
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Who Is the Holy Spirit?
On this episode of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate and David dive deep into one of the most profound and often… Read More
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Good King Wenceslas
In this final Christmas episode of the year, Nate and David pour one last festive cup—pumpkin spice creamer, herbal tea,… Read More
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The Advent of God Made Flesh: Beyond the Flannelgraph
This Advent, Nate and David go beyond the flannelgraph and rediscover the staggering mystery of the Incarnation—God Himself taking on… Read More
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When Was Jesus Christ Really Born?
In this third installment of the Fresh Ground Theology Advent series, Nate and David welcome Wes Scott (soon to be… Read More
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St. Nick: Punch Heresy in the Face (Metaphorically)
Beyond the mall Santa is Nicholas of Myra—a fourth-century bishop remembered for hidden generosity, bold justice, answered-prayer miracles, and a… Read More
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Advent: Waiting for the Coming King
Advent isn’t just a countdown to Christmas—it’s the Church’s way of ordering time around Christ. Nate and David trace how… Read More
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When the Silence Speaks: Egoic Striving, Spiritual Stillness, and the Dark Night of the Soul
Welcome to The Distracted Christian Podcast, hosted by Nate Labadorf. In this deeply contemplative episode, we enter the quiet terrain… Read More
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Depression, Anxiety, and Hope in the Church — An Interview with Pastor Ken Kirkley
Episode Summary Today David and Nate pause their normal topical series to welcome Pastor Ken Kirkley for a candid, pastoral… Read More
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Into the Abyss: The Dark Night and the Death of Comfort
Episode SummaryIn Episode 10 of The Distracted Christian Podcast, we explore one of the most profound and unsettling experiences in… Read More
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Sacred Communion & Spiritual Allegiance: The Eucharist vs. Pagan Sacrifice
Episode Summary:In this rich and far-ranging conversation, Nate and David dive deeper into the spiritual mystery of the Eucharist by… Read More
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The Twin Shadows—Spiritual Envy and Sloth
Introduction: Envy at the Edge of EdenThere’s a moment in Paradise Lost when Satan stands at the edge of paradise,… Read More
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The Sacred Table, the Pagan Circle: Exploring Eucharist and Modern Pagan Rituals
Episode Summary:In Episode 9 of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate and David continue their thoughtful and reverent exploration of the Eucharist—this… Read More
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Spiritual Gluttony – When Hunger for God Becomes a Distraction
Episode SummaryWhat happens when our appetite for spiritual experiences outweighs our hunger for God Himself? In this episode, Nate Labadorf… Read More
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The Eucharist in Context: Sacrifice, Hope, and Sacred Meals
Episode Summary:In this episode, Nate and David continue their exploration of the Eucharist by widening the lens—pulling in insights from… Read More
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The Fire Within – Anger on the Spiritual Path
Episode SummaryIn this powerful and timely episode, Nate Labadorf takes listeners deep into the emotion that most Christians would rather… Read More
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Communion & the Corinthian Crisis: Paul’s Theology of the Table
Episode Summary:This week, Nate and David return to their multi-part series on the Eucharist, diving deep into the Apostle Paul’s… Read More
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The King We Follow
To announce oneself as a king is one thing. To prove it—by lineage, by authority, and by action—is another altogether.… Read More
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The Shadow Side of Joy – The Chase of Spiritual Luxury
Episode SummaryIn this revealing episode, host Nate Labadorf explores a hidden struggle in the Christian life: the temptation to pursue… Read More
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Augustine’s Manual for Meaning (Part II)
Augustine does not end On Christian Doctrine with a flourish. He ends with a commission. Having summoned the preacher to… Read More
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The Eucharist: Presence, Tradition & Mystery
In this first episode of a new multi-part series, Nate and David begin their exploration of the Holy Eucharist—also known… Read More
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Augustine’s Manual for Meaning (Part I)
There are books that whisper wisdom and books that throw open cathedral doors. Augustine’s On Christian Doctrine—more accurately rendered On… Read More
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Christ in the Midst of the Elohim
Long before empires rose and fell, before the rush of wind over Eden’s grass or the pounding of bronze on… Read More
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Is the Bible Really All About Jesus?
Today, if you spend much time in church or around Christian books, you’ll hear people say things like “the Bible… Read More
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The Boniface Option: A Book Review, a Challenge, and a Conversation Worth Having
Episode Summary:In this special edition of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate and David take a detour from their regular theological deep… Read More
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Fathers of the Soul: What the Orthodox Church Can Teach Evangelicals About Spiritual Leadership
In the Orthodox Church, there is a figure revered not for his charisma or public speaking, not for his visionary… Read More
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The Subtle Snare: Battling Spiritual Pride
Episode Overview:In Episode 4 of The Distracted Christian Podcast, host Nate Labadorf tackles one of the most uncomfortable—but essential—truths of… Read More
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The Humble Monarch
He never wore a coronet. Never sat on a jeweled throne or ordered legions into battle. His entourage was more… Read More
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Blessing Restored: The Abrahamic Covenant and the Reversal of the Curse
Episode Summary:In this powerful installment of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate and David bring the story full circle—from the curse in… Read More
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Jesus the Seed – The True Heir of Abraham’s Promise
Jesus is more than the Messiah — He is the seed promised to Abraham, the one in whom all nations… Read More
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Abraham’s Blessing – The Blueprint for Redemption
The Abrahamic covenant isn’t just an ancient promise — it’s the DNA of redemption. In this week’s podcast, the hosts… Read More
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The Crown and the Carpenter
In contemporary Christian imagination, Jesus is often cast in familiar, even colloquial roles: friend, brother, confidant. He is “gentle and… Read More
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The Lasting Flame
To read Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is to overhear a pastor with one hand on the parchment and… Read More
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The Blessing Still Stands – From Genesis 1 to Genesis 12
Is the blessing of Genesis 1 undone by the fall in Genesis 3? Not at all. Fresh Ground Theology made… Read More
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The Curse in Eden – Divine Restraint, Not Divine Rejection
Genesis 3 is often seen as the chapter where everything went wrong. And yet, the curse placed on humanity was… Read More
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Brewing Faith – A Conversation Over Coffee and Theology
There’s something almost sacred about sipping freshly brewed coffee while discussing eternal truths. On this week’s episode of Fresh Ground… Read More
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The Night of Sense: Unlearning Comfort, Discovering God
Episode Overview:In Episode 3 of The Distracted Christian Podcast, host Nate Labadorf explores the next phase of the Dark Night… Read More
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When the Sky Goes Silent
You remember when God felt close. You prayed, and peace came. You opened your Bible, and it came alive. But… Read More
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A Night More Lovely Than the Dawn?
St. John of the Cross called it “a night more lovely than the dawn.” But how can something that feels… Read More
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The Historian Between Worlds Part 2
Somewhere in the long corridors of late antiquity, when the empire’s old gods were losing their voice and a new… Read More
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When Faith Feels Like Nothing
There’s a kind of faith that burns like a wildfire, and there’s a kind that barely flickers in the dark.… Read More
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When Joy Is the Missing Piece
Some say spiritual growth only comes through suffering. That joy is a phase we grow out of. But the Psalms,… Read More
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For Those on the Long Road
Maybe the lights have gone out. Maybe you don’t feel anything when you pray. Maybe you’re still going to church,… Read More
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The Curse and the Kingdom: Divine Restraint, Human Rebellion, and Cosmic Consequences
Episode Summary:In Episode 3 of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate and David return to Genesis—this time focusing on Genesis 3 and… Read More
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The Historian Between Worlds (Part 1)
In the twilight between the empire’s pagan gods and the dawn of Christian orthodoxy, one figure roamed the intellectual borders… Read More
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Divine Restraint—Not Just Divine Wrath
What if the curse in Genesis 3 isn’t about vengeance, but restraint? In this week’s upcoming episode of Fresh Ground… Read More
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Shadows and Light: The Journey Through the Dark Night of the Soul
Episode Overview:In this second episode of The Distracted Christian Podcast, host Nate Labadorf continues our contemplative exploration of The Dark… Read More
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What If the Night Is the Doorway?
So often, we pray for the night to end and for God to bring the dawn. But what if the… Read More
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Suffering That Transforms
Next week’s Distracted Christian Podcast episode dares to ask a hard question: What if your suffering isn’t a detour in… Read More
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The Body, the Soul, and the Dark Night
Is the Dark Night of the Soul only about spiritual struggles? Next Tuesday on The Distracted Christian Podcast, we’ll explore… Read More
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Faith Is More Than a Feeling
What do you do when faith no longer feels like faith? When prayer feels dry, worship feels empty, and God… Read More
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The Prophet from Tekoa
He was not a prophet. He said so himself. No legacy of prophets trailing behind him, no institutional robes, no… Read More
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In His Image: Blessings, Curses, and Humanity’s Divine Calling
Episode Summary:In Episode 2 of Fresh Ground Theology, Nate and David explore one of the most foundational—and misunderstood—concepts in the… Read More
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Shadows and Light: The Journey Through the Dark Night of the Soul
Episode Summary: What happens when God feels distant—so silent that even prayer becomes unbearable? In this powerful first episode of… Read More
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The Dark Night and the Unseen Guide
There are moments in the life of faith when the familiar map dissolves. The landmarks of certainty, those well-worn markers… Read More
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FGT01 Reboot: Brewing Deep Faith in a Shallow World
Episode Summary In this premiere reboot episode of Fresh Ground Theology, hosts Nate and David invite listeners into a warm,… Read More
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Fresh Ground Theology: A Journey into Honest Faith
Launching July 1, 2025 Pull up a chair. Pour something hot. Listen close. This summer, something thoughtful stirs in the… Read More
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