Deconstruction Zone with Rev Karla Kamstra

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

This episode is brought to you by US. Cellular. Don't sacrifice a great experience for a great deal. Now, with US. Cellular prepaid, you'll get a new Samsung Galaxy A15 5G free without the hidden fees you get with other prepaid providers. So you can use US. Cellular's nationwide 5G coverage without sacrificing anything. Terms apply, visit uscellular.com for details.

SPEAKER_2 (0:24)

Don't freak out, but Monster tacos are back a jack in the box.

Classic Monster tacos are back with a crunchy cheesy vengeance, and you can get two for $3. Or try the new $3 Mummy Wrapped Monster taco, loaded with nacho cheese and bacon wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. Kind of makes you wish all mummies were this delicious and cheesy. Order now at Jack in the Box.

Karla Kamstra (0:53)

To come to that realization, like we were telling on each other, it's only out of Christian love that I'm going to tell you this, Sister Karla. Well, and you know I let the pastors know about this. This was just brutal.

Dan McClellan (1:12)

Hey everybody, I'm Dan McClellan.

Dan Beecher (1:14)

And I'm Dan Beecher.

Dan McClellan (1:16)

And you're listening to the Data Over Dogma Podcast, where we increase public access to the academic study of the Bible and religion and combat the spread of misinformation about the same. How are things, Dan?

Dan Beecher (1:28)

Things are good, man. Things are good. We're out here just deconstructing the world. We're we're we're we're we're actually going to learn a lot about what what deconstruction means in a modern context and a religious context. And that is because we have a really cool guest on the show. Dan, do you want to introduce our guest?

Dan McClellan (1:49)

Absolutely. Today we have with us Rev Karla Kamstra. She goes by at Rev Karla on TikTok. welcome to the show. Thank you so much for being here with us, Rev Karla.

Karla Kamstra (2:00)

It is such an honor to be here with you. I'm so excited. Thank you.

Dan McClellan (2:04)

Well, we're very glad to have you. And part of this is precipitated by the just publication. I think I saw a an unboxing video the other day of yours of your new book entitled deconstructing, Leaving Church, Finding Faith. So how did it feel to open up that box of copies of your new book?

Karla Kamstra (2:29)

It's surreal. As I said in the video, I let it set for five days. I can't open that. I can't open that. I finally opened it. And yeah, it's pretty surreal. And Dan, I don't know if you know, but you're on the cover.

Dan McClellan (2:42)

I was surprised by that. I watched the video and you turned it around and you stood the blurbs on the back and you mentioned some people. And then you turned it back around and then said my name as you were pointing to a blurb on the cover, which, wow, that was quite a position of honor to have on the book. I was a little surprised by that.

Dan Beecher (3:01)

Wait, a blurb, Dan. You're a blurbing master.

Karla Kamstra (3:06)

He is. They chose that and I'm glad they did. I'm glad they chose that.

Dan McClellan (3:11)

If that helps out the book, then I'm happy to have been able to hold that position. So thank you very much.

Dan Beecher (3:19)

I didn't get that one. We got the advanced readers copy.

And thankfully, you know what? I get enough of Dan, so I don't need Dan's quote on the front of mine.

Karla Kamstra (3:29)

I'll be happy to send it to you. That way you can have it. Put it on the wall.

Dan Beecher (3:34)

Yeah, exactly.

Dan McClellan (3:35)

Yeah, and we get the paperbacks, too. Probably a year before anybody else will get a paperback.

Karla Kamstra (3:41)

Yeah, that's right.

Dan Beecher (3:43)

So that's nice. We're very special. But let's talk, since the book has now been brought up, let's dive in.

Dan McClellan (3:51)

Oh, and actually, I just realized, I completely forgot to more thoroughly introduce you. I wanted to get right to the book, but I completely forgot to explain to our listeners and our one viewer who you are. For those of you who don't know Rev Karla, one, you should go follow her on social media. She's a former Southern Baptist, now deconstructing, and she likes to keep that in the active voice. This is an uncompleted action. Christian, she is an interfaith and interspiritual minister who was ordained through the One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in New York City. So, credentials out of the way. That is what makes it possible for you to write this book, and we are looking forward to hearing more about deconstructing and what it means. But I interrupted you, Dan.