Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What if the path to healing our divided world isn’t found in power or politics—but in realizing that we belong to each other? But what does that look like?
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the Crazy Amazing Humans Podcast, we sit down with Rev. David Carpenter, senior pastor of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, to explore how faith, inclusivity, and a radical sense of interconnectedness can heal our divided world. Reverend Carpenter is a deeply compassionate and forward-thinking leader who has been reshaping the conversation around faith. With an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a current doctoral thesis in progress at Duke Divinity School, Rev. Carpenter brings deep theological insight and global perspective. From the philosophy of Ubuntu to confronting Christian nationalism, and from spiritual deconstruction to climate change and biblical stewardship, this conversation is a must-listen for seekers, believers, and changemakers alike.
Together with hosts Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim, Rev. Carpenter explores what it truly means to live out the gospel in today’s world—and why it's more radical, inclusive, and revolutionary than often portrayed.
Highlights from the Episode:
*Faith as Relationship, Not Religion: Rev. Carpenter shares his transformative spiritual journey that began with a hillside moment in high school and ultimately led him from pre-med at Tufts to a life in ministry.
*The Decline in Church Attendance: Why millennials and Gen Z are leaving organized religion, and why the Church must take responsibility for becoming judgmental, hypocritical, and out of touch.
*What is Ubuntu & Imago Dei? We take a deep dive into Rev. Carpenter’s thesis on Ubuntu, a South African philosophy meaning “I am because we are,” and how Archbishop Desmond Tutu infused it with Christian theology through the lens of Imago Dei—the belief that each of us is made in the image of God.
*The Dangers of Christian Nationalism: A candid conversation on how political movements have co-opted Christian identity, often in contradiction to the teachings of Jesus.
*Interfaith Harmony: Rev. Carpenter reflects on the beauty of shared values across major religions and how faith leaders like Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and the Buddha might just walk out of a bar as best friends.
*What the Bible Really Says About Climate Change and Environmental Care: A new (and ancient!) understanding of humanity’s relationship with the environment—how serving the garden, not dominating it, reflects God's love for all creation.
*Ubuntu in Action Today: What would it mean if we all truly believed we were interconnected? Why should we create inclusive communities of faith in a modern, multicultural world? How could that shift politics, climate action, religion, and relationships?
*Practical Ways to Live More Meaningfully—whether you’re religious or not!
Big Ideas & Quotes:
“They’re not running away from the church because they think we’re hypocritical… they’re running because we are.” – Rev. David Carpenter
“If we really lived the way Jesus taught, the FBI would be in our balcony every Sunday.”
“Ubuntu means your good is my good. It’s the best form of self-interest.”
“God so loved the cosmos—not just humans. The entire creation is God’s masterpiece.”
“Christian nationalism has nothing to do with Jesus. It’s cultural, not spiritual.”
“We’re either going to rise together or die as fools.” – MLK Jr. (quoted by Rev. Carpenter)
Listen Now on CrazyAmazingHumans.com
🔹 Subscribe on YouTube to be the first to see our full podcast interviews!
🔹 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & more!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/crazyamazinghumans)
Thanks for being a vital part of our Crazy Amazing Humans Community.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why Young People Are Leaving Church
01:16 – Meet Rev. David Carpenter
02:48 – Rev. Dave’s Personal Faith Journey
04:40 – Creating a Welcoming Church Community
06:09 – Why Church Attendance is Declining
08:23 – The Church’s Responsibility & Jesus’ Radical Gospel
09:18 – Christian Nationalism vs. True Faith
11:02 – Rev. Carpenter’s Doctoral Thesis on Ubuntu
11:37 – Ubuntu Explained: “I Am Because We Are”
13:49 – Community vs. Individualism in Global Faith Traditions
15:23 – Ubuntu + Imago Dei: Everyone is Sacred
16:46 – Science Confirms Our Interconnectedness
18:41 – Interfaith Harmony: One God, Shared Humanity
20:11 – Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Buddha... Walk Into a Bar
21:12 – Ubuntu and Environmental Stewardship
24:00 – What the Bible Really Says About Climate Change
25:07 – “For God So Loved the *Cosmos*...”
26:24 – Image of God = Caring for Creation
27:32 – How We Move Forward: Rethinking Faith & Capitalism
29:58 – For the Spiritually Curious: Ask the Big Questions
31:17 – Owning Your Own Faith
32:41 – How to Connect with Rev. Carpenter and BPC
33:24 – Final Thoughts: Walk With Us, Wherever You Are
34:14 – Stay Crazy Amazing!
What if the path to healing our divided world isn’t found in power or politics—but in realizing that we belong to each other? But what does that look like?
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the Crazy Amazing Humans Podcast, we sit down with Rev. David Carpenter, senior pastor of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, to explore how faith, inclusivity, and a radical sense of interconnectedness can heal our divided world. Reverend Carpenter is a deeply compassionate and forward-thinking leader who has been reshaping the conversation around faith. With an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a current doctoral thesis in progress at Duke Divinity School, Rev. Carpenter brings deep theological insight and global perspective. From the philosophy of Ubuntu to confronting Christian nationalism, and from spiritual deconstruction to climate change and biblical stewardship, this conversation is a must-listen for seekers, believers, and changemakers alike.
Together with hosts Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim, Rev. Carpenter explores what it truly means to live out the gospel in today’s world—and why it's more radical, inclusive, and revolutionary than often portrayed.
Highlights from the Episode:
*Faith as Relationship, Not Religion: Rev. Carpenter shares his transformative spiritual journey that began with a hillside moment in high school and ultimately led him from pre-med at Tufts to a life in ministry.
*The Decline in Church Attendance: Why millennials and Gen Z are leaving organized religion, and why the Church must take responsibility for becoming judgmental, hypocritical, and out of touch.
*What is Ubuntu & Imago Dei? We take a deep dive into Rev. Carpenter’s thesis on Ubuntu, a South African philosophy meaning “I am because we are,” and how Archbishop Desmond Tutu infused it with Christian theology through the lens of Imago Dei—the belief that each of us is made in the image of God.
*The Dangers of Christian Nationalism: A candid conversation on how political movements have co-opted Christian identity, often in contradiction to the teachings of Jesus.
*Interfaith Harmony: Rev. Carpenter reflects on the beauty of shared values across major religions and how faith leaders like Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and the Buddha might just walk out of a bar as best friends.
*What the Bible Really Says About Climate Change and Environmental Care: A new (and ancient!) understanding of humanity’s relationship with the environment—how serving the garden, not dominating it, reflects God's love for all creation.
*Ubuntu in Action Today: What would it mean if we all truly believed we were interconnected? Why should we create inclusive communities of faith in a modern, multicultural world? How could that shift politics, climate action, religion, and relationships?
*Practical Ways to Live More Meaningfully—whether you’re religious or not!
Big Ideas & Quotes:
“They’re not running away from the church because they think we’re hypocritical… they’re running because we are.” – Rev. David Carpenter
“If we really lived the way Jesus taught, the FBI would be in our balcony every Sunday.”
“Ubuntu means your good is my good. It’s the best form of self-interest.”
“God so loved the cosmos—not just humans. The entire creation is God’s masterpiece.”
“Christian nationalism has nothing to do with Jesus. It’s cultural, not spiritual.”
“We’re either going to rise together or die as fools.” – MLK Jr. (quoted by Rev. Carpenter)
Listen Now on CrazyAmazingHumans.com
🔹 Subscribe on YouTube to be the first to see our full podcast interviews!
🔹 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & more!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/crazyamazinghumans)
Thanks for being a vital part of our Crazy Amazing Humans Community.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why Young People Are Leaving Church
01:16 – Meet Rev. David Carpenter
02:48 – Rev. Dave’s Personal Faith Journey
04:40 – Creating a Welcoming Church Community
06:09 – Why Church Attendance is Declining
08:23 – The Church’s Responsibility & Jesus’ Radical Gospel
09:18 – Christian Nationalism vs. True Faith
11:02 – Rev. Carpenter’s Doctoral Thesis on Ubuntu
11:37 – Ubuntu Explained: “I Am Because We Are”
13:49 – Community vs. Individualism in Global Faith Traditions
15:23 – Ubuntu + Imago Dei: Everyone is Sacred
16:46 – Science Confirms Our Interconnectedness
18:41 – Interfaith Harmony: One God, Shared Humanity
20:11 – Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Buddha... Walk Into a Bar
21:12 – Ubuntu and Environmental Stewardship
24:00 – What the Bible Really Says About Climate Change
25:07 – “For God So Loved the *Cosmos*...”
26:24 – Image of God = Caring for Creation
27:32 – How We Move Forward: Rethinking Faith & Capitalism
29:58 – For the Spiritually Curious: Ask the Big Questions
31:17 – Owning Your Own Faith
32:41 – How to Connect with Rev. Carpenter and BPC
33:24 – Final Thoughts: Walk With Us, Wherever You Are
34:14 – Stay Crazy Amazing!
