From Following Rules to Following Christ with Christy Lynne Wood
Season 1, episode 10 of Theology on Purpose
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
Show Notes
The heart of the episode:
In this episode, Christy Lynne Wood shares her journey out of a fundamentalist Christian cult. She discusses how her personal encounter with the real, living presence of Jesus at age 15 ultimately led her away from rigid, behavior-based religion and into a deeper, relational faith.
She opens up about the spiritual abuse she and her husband experienced in a mainstream evangelical church, which catalyzed a deeper season of deconstruction and rebuilding. Christy explores how her understanding of theology shifted as she embraced the tension and mystery of faith, learning to say “I don’t know” and rest in both/and paradoxes.
Together, we talk about:
The human craving for certainty and security that often draws people into rigid religious systems
The difference between religion as control versus a relationship with a pursuing God
How experiences of spiritual abuse can lead to meaningful reconstruction
Living with theological humility and the courage to hold mystery
Embracing a holistic relationship with God—heart, mind, body, and spirit
Why she wrote Religious Rebels as an encouragement to others who are questioning or leaving behind toxic faith structures
Christy reminds us that the real Jesus is worth finding, and that He is not confined to theological boxes or church systems. Whether your faith is shifting, unraveling, or healing, this conversation offers hope and grace for the journey.
Mentioned in this episode:
Religious Rebels: Finding Jesus in the Awkward Middle Way by Christy Lynne Wood
The Church in Dark Times by Mike Cosper
Thankfully, we don't put our relationship with the Lord into a box. It is ever growing, expanding, shifting. And hopefully we become more like Him in the process.