Real Talk Christian Podcast

277: Coffee, Church History, and Crisis of Faith (Getting To Know Your Hosts) – RTC On The Road

Fresh off a wild two days at Revive Fest (complete with rainy weather, bubble machines, and listeners bearing gifts of zebra cakes), Marc & Fuller take a different approach in this episode by answering personal questions their community has been asking. What starts as lighthearted banter about coffee preferences and boxing matches quickly transitions into deeper territory as they tackle one of the most vulnerable questions they've received: what almost made them leave Christianity?
The conversation gets particularly raw as they discuss the struggle of watching genuinely moral people from other faiths and wondering about their eternal destiny.
Between missing turns in the dark Michigan countryside, getting pulled over (for a license plate light, not drunk driving!), and dealing with shot voices from two days of ministry, Marc & Fuller manage to have one of their most honest conversations yet about doubt, other religions, and what keeps them anchored in their faith when everything else feels uncertain.
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

276: Missing Church. Finding Church. Leaving Church. – RTC On The Road

In this candid car conversation, Marc and Fuller tackle some of the most common and difficult questions about church life that the RTC Online Facebook Community has been asking. They dive deep into the thorny issue of church attendance - when it's okay to miss and when you might be making excuses - while sharing personal stories about their own church search experiences. The discussion gets particularly honest when they explore the challenges of finding a new church home, including what to look for, how long the process might take, and the difference between healthy church transfers versus unhealthy "church shopping."
The conversation takes a personal turn as they share their own stories of leaving churches - one for doctrinal reasons and another for family reestablishment after major life changes. They also wrestle with one of the most challenging scenarios many couples face: what to do when your spouse, whether saved or unsaved, simply doesn't want to attend church. Their advice emphasizes patience, prayer, and having difficult but loving conversations while maintaining the importance of remaining connected to the body of Christ, even when circumstances make it complicated.
On, and we almost hit a deer.
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
36: What's Up With All of These Different Denominations?
121: Why Mega Church Pastors Fall
198: Is Church Membership a Real Thing?
217: Has the Church Become Too Corporate?
220: When Should I Leave My Church?
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org
 

275: Trust, Silence, and Hard Forgiveness – RTC on the Road

Conversation starts at 5:45
In this "RTC on the Road" episode (recorded after the Smith's wedding), Marc and Fuller tackle four challenging faith questions:
What does trusting God look like in everyday life?
How do you keep faith when life falls apart?
Have you ever felt like God was silent?
And when have you had to forgive someone who didn't deserve it?
The conversation gets real quickly as they explore the difference between first-world problems and genuine crisis, the balance between taking action and trusting God's sovereignty, and why basing faith on feelings can be dangerous during difficult seasons.
The discussion turns deeply personal when they address forgiveness. Marc shares his honest struggle with forgiving those who have hurt his family through divorce, while Fuller opens up about his own journey forgiving parents who ruled by fear rather than love. They examine the difference between forgiveness and restoration, the role of boundaries in relationships, and how the church should handle abuse and betrayal. This unscripted conversation offers raw, honest perspectives on faith's most challenging questions without easy answers or spiritual platitudes.
Learn More about RTC: https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/
Join the RTC Online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realtalkchristianpodcast

274: Getting Your Spiritual Armor From Cobwebs to Battle Ready – RTC On the Road at Revive Fest

Whether you want to admit it or not, you are in a battle. As Christians, we read that we are wrestle not against flesh above but against evil and spiritual forces beyond our comprehension, but so many Christians act as if nothing is happening around them.
In this episode of RTC, you will get to hear the workshop that Marc and Fuller taught at Revive Fest in Leonidas, MI, as we continue our series "RTC on the Road!"
Want to learn more about RTC, head over to our website at https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/.
And make sure you join the RTC Facebook community over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/realtalkchristianpodcast.

273: Biblical Convictions in Modern Dilemmas: Spiritual Armor, Same-Sex Marriage, and Passing on Faith – RTC on the Road

Conversation beings at 9:24.
What happens when your Christian convictions collide with today's cultural realities? How do you love people while staying true to biblical principles? And what do you do when you're too exhausted from ministry to actually live out your faith?
Marc and Fuller tackle some of the hardest questions facing Christians today while driving to a wedding in Peru, Indiana. From the RTC Facebook group, listeners asked about everything from spiritual armor to same-sex weddings to passing faith down to the next generation.
You'll hear Marc explain why the "belt of truth" keeps your pants up (literally and spiritually), while Fuller admits he's still working on that whole "gospel of peace" thing. They dive deep into the messy reality of LGBTQ wedding invitations - should you go or not? Marc shares a personal story about drawing loving boundaries, while Fuller wrestles with the ministry implications of saying yes or no.
But maybe the most honest moment comes when they open up about their current faith struggles. Marc's trying to figure out how to raise kids who own their faith instead of just inheriting it. Fuller's battling the exhaustion that comes with being an elder - turns out spiritual leadership can actually make your faith harder, not easier.
No easy answers here, just two dudes being real about the complicated business of living out biblical convictions in 2025. Join the conversation and see if you relate to their struggles.
Recorded on the road - because sometimes the best conversations happen between destinations.
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Learn more about RTC online at https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/

272: Spiritual Discipline 101 – RTC On the Road

Join Marc and Fuller as we start a new series called "RTC On The Road!" In this episode, Marc and Fuller are heading to an RTC listener's wedding and had some real, honest conversations. In this episode, they talk about three different questions, asked by RTC listeners. These questions are:
"What's one way to stay spiritually disciplined when traveling or outside of routine?"
"What's the difference between conviction and guilt in a Christian life?"
"What's one mistake you made in your faith journey that taught you a lot?"
You can learn more about our season 7 announcement by reading more below or visiting us online at https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com.
 
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A couple years ago, we changed up Real Talk Christian Podcast:
Tighter episodes
Less banter (that didn't last too long did it )
Every other week episodes
We know that many folks want either (a) more episodes (b) more honest conversations from the heart. Honestly, we can't provide (a), but we are gunna provide (b)!
 
For the first handle of episodes of season 7, we're trying something different! We are going to be doing "RTC On The Road" where Fuller and I record honest conversations while driving around to different places!
 
Sure, it may not have the same flavor (and we definitely don't have show notes in front of us), but we're hoping that by us getting back to the roots of "real talk," you'll be able to join us in the honest conversations and honest processing of the Christian faith.

271: Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and God: What Should Christians Think?

Show Notes::
Episode Starts: 12:11
Artificial Intelligence is on the rise in this day and age. Some say it will benefit mankind in unimaginable ways while others say it is the doom of the human race. But the question remains, should christians praise or fear it? Can it be used for furthering the kingdom of God, or is it some. new type of unethical idol? In this week's episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc Hyde and Chris Fuller look at the good and bad of AI and attempt to draw some lines so that others can see the risks and benefits of AI. Join in on this fun conversation.
 
//Resources Used In This Episode//
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/artificial-intelligence
https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/should-we-be-optimistic-about-technology/
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/011-parenting-in-the-digital-age-with-justin-herman/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/248-presenting-the-gospel-in-this-day-and-age/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/131-what-happens-to-those-who-dont-hear-the-gospel/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/096-idolatry-in-the-church/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/110-a-christians-response-to-the-world-around-us/
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

BONUS: Is God Still Good If He Predestined People To Hell For His Own Glory?

Last week, we received this question: 
"I have a question that has been keeping me awake at night. If god predestines people to hell for his glory, is he still good? I understand that hell exists as the ultimate absence of God and as the final form of giving people over to sin. However I don’t understand how god can allow sin to exist, knowing that he is sending his children to hell."
In this bonus episode, you'll hear Marc's answer to this question. 
Do you have a question that you'd like us to answer? Send us a DM on any of our socials or email us at realtalkchristianpodcast@gmail.com
Learn more about RTC at https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com.

270: Should Christians Believe In The Death Penalty?

Show Notes::
Episode Starts: 14:37
The death penalty. This has been a highly debated topic over the last 30 years, but where should Christians fall into that discussion? Should Christians be for or against the death penalty? In this week's episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc Hyde and Chris Fuller take a look at scripture and struggle with the debate of whether Christians should indeed be for or against the death penalty. Tune in
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/235-why-is-it-so-hard-to-share-my-faith/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/169-how-to-share-your-faith-with-unbelievers/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/224-what-does-it-mean-to-fear-the-lord/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/060-how-should-we-study-the-bible/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/178-what-is-the-trinity-and-why-do-we-believe-it-part-1/
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

269: Should Our Worship Songs be Theologically Accurate?

Show Notes::
Episode Starts: 9:55
Worship is such an important part of our corporate gathers and our everyday lives. But does it really matter if the lyrics are 100% biblically sound? Can there be poetic freedom? Can every song be played during a corporate gathering? In this week's episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc Hyde and Chris Fuller sit take a look at how worship can truly effect us and how we should take care in what we listen to and sing. Grab a hymnal and listen along.
 
//Resources Used In This Episode//
John 4:23-24, Matthew 15:8-9, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 96:1-3
 
//Other Episode You Might Enjoy//
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/065-beatless-worship/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/238-love-for-others-signs-of-a-mature-christian/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/005-christians-and-music-part-1/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/006-christians-and-music-part-2/
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/247-an-honest-dialogue-on-faith-and-family-with-christian-music-artist-jordan-st-cyr/
 
// Helpful Links //
https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast
The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com
Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com
Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com
RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com
Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com)
Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com
RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com
Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org