Faith is More than Belief - Kevin Sweeny

In this conversation on the Smashing Idols podcast, host Jake Doberenz interviews Kevin Sweeney about moving beyond belief-based Christianity toward a faith rooted in experience, love, and justice. Kevin, a former pastor, mystic, and author, challenges the Western Christian tendency to prioritize cognitive belief over embodied spiritual practice. Drawing from his personal awakening and his newest book The Cosmic Christ and the Concrete Jesus, he reflects on his formative influences from Christian mystics and the Black prophetic tradition, emphasizing a holistic faith that both encounters the divine and confronts systems of injustice.

Key takeaways from this episode:

1. Belief is not the foundation of faith—Kevin argues that elevating belief above other aspects of faith distorts Christian spirituality and reduces it to a cognitive exercise.

2. The Cosmic Christ represents divine presence and love, while the Concrete Jesus calls for active solidarity with the oppressed—both are necessary for a full expression of Christian faith.

3. Spiritual transformation requires silence, embodiment, and liberation—practices like contemplative prayer and collective justice work ground faith beyond doctrinal correctness.

Important Links:

• The Cosmic Christ and the Concrete Jesus on Amazon

• Kevin Sweeney’s website

• Kevin on Instagram (@KevinSweeneyNow)

Kevin Sweeney is a writer, speaker, and former pastor based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. He holds master's degrees in theology and intercultural studies and is the author of The Making of a Mystic, The Joy of Letting Go, and The Cosmic Christ and the Concrete Jesus. Kevin integrates mystical spirituality with social consciousness, drawing from the contemplative tradition and liberation theology to inspire a more holistic Christian path.

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Follow this show and Jake Doberenz’s writings at jakedoberenz.substack.com.

Smashing Idols is a part of the KFM Broadcasting network.