Shows
Beards & Bible PodcastThe Ethics of AI: How Should Christians Use It?Artificial intelligence, in a broad sense, is any task performed by a program or a machine that, if a human carried out the same activity, we would say the human had to apply intelligence to accomplish the task. Things like planning, learning, reasoning, problem solving, knowledge representation, perception, motion, and manipulation and even, to a lesser extent, social intelligence and creativity can now all be performed, to a certain extent at least, by artificial intelligence systems.
But if we’re able to develop a technology that empowers machines to do anything a human can do, does this me...2025-07-091h 06Beards & Bible PodcastIsrael, Iran, and Jeremiah 49?On June 12, 2025, Israel launched a series of aerial strikes (codenamed Operation Rising Lion) into Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, Revolutionary Guard command centers, missile production sites, and officials — including nuclear scientists and senior IRGC leaders — citing an imminent nuclear threat. While Israel says the goal is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and degrade its missile capabilities, Prime Minister Netanyahu has also hinted at destabilizing President Khamenei’s regime and possibly provoking a broader regime change.
Iran has responded with missile barrages toward Israel, and the conflict has displaced many civilians in Tehran amid fears of escalation ...2025-06-191h 03Beards & Bible PodcastBe Not Drunk with Wine- Pt. 3: Tobacco and CaffeineThe Bible never directly mentions tobacco or caffeine. There's no verse that says, "Thou shalt not smoke" or "Thou shalt not be addicted to caffeine." Instead, we're left to discern principles from Scripture that guide us in making wise choices about our health and habits.
What does it means to honor God with our bodies and not be mastered by anything? What’s the difference between sinful actions and unwise decisions? And how does moderation and consideration for others play into our daily choices?
Let’s unpack these biblical principles and consider how they apply to o...2025-06-0458 minBeards & Bible PodcastBe Not Drunk with Wine- Pt. 2: Marijuana, the Christian, and to Puff or to PassIt’s fair to say we’re in the midst of what some might call a “cannabis craze.” With legalization spreading rapidly across the U.S. and other countries, cannabis (or marijuana) and other THC derivatives are becoming more mainstream—not just for medical use, but recreationally, and even in wellness products like oils, gummies, and skincare.
In the U.S., cannabis/marijuana use among adults has nearly doubled in the past 20 years. Over the same course of time, daily use of cannabis has grown more than fivefold and support for legalization rose from 34% to 70%. The legal c...2025-05-221h 10Beards & Bible PodcastBe Not Drunk with Wine- Pt. 1: A Biblical Theology of AlcoholIn today’s culture, intoxication and the reliance on substances like alcohol, marijuana, and other substances have become increasingly normalized, often portrayed as means of self-medicating, escape, coping, or recreation. For Christians, this presents a real challenge—how do we navigate a world where these substances are so accessible and even celebrated?
In the first installment of a three-part series, we’ll be exploring this topic and how it relates to alcohol and what the Bible has to say about it.
The Bible mentions drinking alcohol almost 300 times. It repeatedly warns against drunkenness, lack of self-c...2025-05-081h 12Beards & Bible PodcastWhy Don’t More Churches Sing the Psalms? Trump Tariffs, and the Death of Pope FrancisWhy don’t churches sing the Psalms anymore? Are they too clunky? Too ancient? Or are churches being directly disobedient to the explicit commands of Scripture to do so?
And while we’re asking bold questions... let’s talk about the brand-new Trump tariffs of 2025—what exactly does this mean for the economy, and how will it affect trade across the globe?
And finally... Pope Francis has died. What legacy does he leave behind, and where does the Catholic Church go from here? And also, should you be so inclined as to place a bet on who t...2025-04-231h 02Beards & Bible PodcastApostolic Succession: Divine Tradition or Man-Made System?Is there a direct, unbroken line from the apostles to today's church leaders?
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the doctrine of Apostolic Succession—what it is, where it came from, and why it matters. We’ll explore how the Catholic and Orthodox traditions view this unbroken chain of spiritual authority, what role the pope and bishops play, and how this idea developed throughout church history.
But we’ll also ask: Why don’t Protestants hold to this view? Is it biblical? Is it essential?
Whether you're Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant—or just curious—hopefully...2025-04-091h 07Beards & Bible PodcastDeconstruction Revisited (w/ Forrest Smith)What’s up Beards and Bible listeners. A while back, we did a series of episode in which we explored the topic of deconstruction and how it has become a trending in some of the younger generations. Since then, I’ve had several really amazing conversations with folks from all over the place about the topic. Some of whom have friends or family members who are in the process of deconstructing, some who were deconstructing but have since returned to their faith, and others who are currently deconstructing or have maybe even de-converted. I’ve learned a ton and have b...2025-03-261h 35Beards & Bible PodcastThe Resurgence of Stoicism and its Clash with ChristianityIt seems like everywhere you turn today-whether it's business, sports, self-improvement, or social media-there’s a resurgence of an ancient philosophy: Stoicism. From bestselling books like The Obstacle Is the Way to CEOs and Navy SEALs quoting Marcus Aurelius, this 2,000-year-old way of thinking is making a major comeback.
But what exactly is Stoicism? At its core, it teaches that we should control what we can, accept what we can't, and cultivate an unshakable inner peace. Sounds practical, right? But here’s the question: How does this align-or clash-with Christianity?
In this episode, we’re diving into...2025-03-121h 05Beards & Bible PodcastMelchizedek: The King, The Priest, The MysteryIn today’s episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible: Melchizedek. Mentioned only briefly in Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Hebrews 7, Melchizedek is described as both a king and a priest, with no recorded genealogy. Who was he, and why does the book of Hebrews compare him to Jesus?
We'll explore key biblical passages that reference Melchizedek, breaking down their significance and tracing his role from Abraham’s encounter in Genesis to the theological implications found in Hebrews. We’ll also summarize the major interpretations of Melchizedek’s identity: was he a his...2025-02-191h 02Beards & Bible PodcastThe Faith of Gen Z, Evangelism’s decline, and other Disruptive Church Trends of 2025The world is changing, and so is the church. What challenges are we facing in 2025? What opportunities lie ahead? From the shifting faith landscape of Gen Z to the decline of evangelism, church closures, and the mental health crisis among pastors, we’re diving into the biggest disruptive trends shaping the future of the church.
How should we respond? What does it mean to stay faithful in a rapidly changing culture? In this episode, we’ll break down an article by Carey Nieuwhof on 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025 and explore what it means to lead...2025-02-051h 07Beards & Bible PodcastForgiveness, Boundaries, and Loving our Enemies.A topic that’s at the heart of the Christian life but is often misunderstood is the idea of forgiveness.
Jesus teaches us to forgive seventy times seven and to love our enemies, but does that mean we have to put up with abuse, mistreatment, or harm? Is forgiveness the same as enabling someone to continually hurt us? And what does it look like to set healthy, Christ-honoring boundaries while still walking in grace and mercy?
In this episode, we’ll explore what the Bible says about forgiveness and how it inters...2025-01-221h 04Beards & Bible PodcastFrom the Mailbag, Vol. 5 (Does the ending of Mark’s gospel belong in the Bible?, the bitter drink of Numbers 5, tips for daily devotions, the apocrypha, etc.)Happy new year Beards and Bible listeners! We are so excited to open up our inbox and do our best to answer some super interesting questions that were all sent in by you as the listener. We've got questions about Numbers 5 and “the bitter drink” (the jealousy offering), the apocrypha, tips to establish a daily devotional routine, and whether Mark 16:9-20 belongs in the Bible.
2025-01-081h 05Beards & Bible PodcastThe Problem of Evil and the Theodicy Apologetic“How can an all-powerful, all-good God exist in a world filled with suffering?"
It's one of the toughest questions Christians face. In this episode, we dive into the problem of evil and the powerful apologetic responses of something called, theodicy. Let’s get equipped to address our doubts, engage in meaningful conversations, and deepen your own faith as we tackle one of philosophy's biggest challenges—head-on. Let’s explore how our God is still good, even when suffering is still a reality.
2024-12-111h 10Beards & Bible PodcastGeneration Rising: Bridging the Gap to Reach the Next Generation within the ChurchRight now, there are roughly five generations alive today have been labeled here in the U.S.- the Silent Generation (those born around 1945 or before, 78-96 years old), the Baby Boomers (1946-1964, 59-77 years old), Generation X (1965-1976, 44-59 years old) Millennials (1977-1995, between 28-43 years old), and Gen Z- 1996-2015 (between 9-27 years old).
It’s no secret that often the younger generations are misunderstood, mischaracterized, and subjected to negative stereotypes within the church. It’s no different now with the youngest active generation, Gen Z.
In spite of the often bad and unfai...2024-11-201h 04Beards & Bible PodcastPost-Election Day Hangover and America’s Road AheadWell, Beards and Bible listeners, we made it. Well, kind of. The ballots are counted (or are being counted), but questions still linger. Will the results be accepted? And as the dust settles, how do we, as a nation, move forward together despite the deep divides that remain? Join us as we unpack the uncertainty, the challenges, and the hope for unity after Election Day, 2024.
2024-11-0652 minBeards & Bible PodcastThe Protestant Reformation and Its Impact on the Church TodayThe Protestant Reformation was a major religious movement that began in the early 16th century, fundamentally altering the landscape of Christianity in Europe and laying the groundwork for the modern church and Western civilization. The reformation was essentially a movement against perceived corruptions and excesses in the Roman Catholic Church. It sought to reform church practices and doctrines and ultimately led to the establishment of various Protestant denominations.
So why was the church in the 16th century in such need of reformation? Who were the key figures of this reformation? What were the major events of this...2024-10-241h 02Beards & Bible PodcastSix Reasons to Believe in Biblical Inerrancy, and what Christianity becomes when we Deny the Bible’s Authority“What is truth?” This is the question Pontius Pilate famously asked Jesus in the gospel of John. In our day and age, truth is defined as relative and open to subjective opinions, perspectives, and interpretations that vary based on someone’s experiences, contexts, or social class.
It’s no wonder that in a context like ours, many Christians have begun to question if the Bible is trustworthy. After all, it was written by human authors. How can we be certain that it’s actually been inspired by God? Surely it must be imperfect, full of error, and...2024-10-091h 06Beards & Bible PodcastDangerous Political Rhetoric and Being Peacemakers in the age of Division and PolarizationProverbs 18:21 tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Words carry the power to divide, distort, and destroy, and in our divided and polarized society, the stakes have never been higher. Political rhetoric today inflames tensions, breaks down relationships, and spreads anger and fear. But as followers of Christ, we are called to something different—something higher.
As Christians, how do we speak truth and engage with the issues of our time without getting swept up in dangerous and hateful language that divides? How ca...2024-09-251h 01Beards & Bible PodcastThat's Debatable- Fact-Checking Last Night's Debate and Discerning the TruthIn today’s world, it seems like politicians have mastered the art of distorting the truth. They often use clever language and manipulative tactics to present themselves in the best possible light, while casting their opponents as completely unworthy of trust. The media, often driven by its own agenda, only adds to the confusion, making it difficult to know who’s really telling the truth.
But as Christians—and people of faith—we’re called to a higher standard. We’re not meant to just accept what’s said at face value. Scripture tells us to use discernment, t...2024-09-111h 10Beards & Bible PodcastEffective and Ineffective Evangelism in the Modern Age: How Can we Boldly and Tactfully Share the Gospel?Scripture calls us as believers to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. We’re supposed to be ready at any time to give an answer to everyone who asks us about the reason we have hope, and we’re supposed to do it with gentleness and respect. We’re told that we’re Christ’s ambassadors, imploring people to be reconciled with God.
But if we’re being honest…some of us aren’t doing too much preaching or sharing the gospel with those who aren’t Christians. We often struggle with...2024-08-281h 03Beards & Bible PodcastPredestination & Election, Prayer Labyrinths, and 400 Years of Prophetic SilenceOn today's episode, we answer listener/viewer questions related to predestination and election, prayer labyrinths and their role within the church, and the 400 years of prophetic silence between the book of Malachi and Matthew's gospel. If you have any other questions, send us an email at beardsandbiblepodcast@gmail.com!
2024-08-141h 02Beards & Bible PodcastTrump's Assassination Attempt, The Olympics, and Living as Exiles in a World Gone Mad
It's been an interesting July, to say the least.
On July 13, former president Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt while addressing a crowd at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. The aftermath of this event is still being talked about, as ripples have been felt throughout the political landscape here in the U.S.
Then on July 26, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games took place in Paris, France. And let's just say, the reviews were varied...
The most noteworthy segment, in case you missed it, involved drag queens that was variously claimed to depict a feast with Dionysus—the anci...2024-08-011h 07Beards & Bible PodcastThe One True Church of Christ: The Visible and Invisible ChurchA common experience for many Christians is to encounter another believer who seems to think that their church is the only true church, and outside of that particular church (or ones like theirs who have similar names, traditions, or practices) there is no other true church. Some might go far as to say that others who belong to different churches may not even be saved.
So what is the one, true Church of Jesus Christ? Out of the roughly 45,000 Christian denominations, tribes, and traditions- which is one is the “true Church”? And how do we have...2024-07-101h 04Beards & Bible PodcastFatherhood: The Necessity of Godly Dads in an Age of ConfusionThere are now 17.8 million children in the U.S. without a biological father, step father, or adoptive father in the home. That’s nearly 1 in 4 kids. Research shows that when a child is raised in a father-absent home, they’re more likely to have behavioral problems, commit a crime, go to prison, become pregnant as a teen, get addicted to drugs and alcohol, and drop out of school.
Even though U.S. Census data and other research clearly shows the benefits of fathers playing active roles in the lives of their kids, our culture is sendi...2024-06-261h 04Beards & Bible PodcastTrump's Hush Money Trial, Confirmation, and a Chat with a Friend from Across the Pond (w/ Dr. Keith McIlroy)On May 30, former president Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime when a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. After two days of deliberation, the 12-member jury pronounced Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts he faced.
This high-profile case has sparked conversations nationwide about the trial’s legitimacy, its implications, weaponization of the justice department for political causes, and the overall impact it will all have on the 2024 Presidential elections.
And if...2024-06-121h 06Beards & Bible PodcastWomen in Pastoral Leadership, Infant Baptism, joshyhawd and 13 years of MarriageOn this week's episode, Gabe and Josh talk of Gabe's upcoming baby, Josh's 13 year wedding anniversary, Josh's AIM screen name, and the gang answers some great questions sent in by listeners related to women in pastoral leadership and infant baptism.
2024-05-2954 minBeards & Bible PodcastAnxiety, Depression, and Discouragement- How it Affects Christians and How We Can Respond.We’re commanded in Scripture to be anxious for nothing, to not worry about our lives, and to cast all our cares upon the Lord.
So…if we feel anxious or battle an anxiety disorder, are we in sin?
What about depression? Does being a Christian mean that we’ll never get depressed or battle intense seasons of despair or discouragement?
*****DISCLAIMER*****
We’re not therapists, psychologists, or mental health professionals. We’re pastors. Everything we talk about on today’s episode is from our point of view as people who gi...2024-05-151h 07Beards & Bible PodcastNationalism vs. Patriotism- How do I know if I’m loving or worshipping my country?Philippians 3:20 tells us that as believers, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Peter 2:11-12 calls us as believers, “sojourners and exiles”. All throughout the Bible, it’s clear that the people of God have a primary allegiance to a different kind of Kingdom and a preeminent, sovereign King who rules and reigns over and above the kings and kingdoms of this earth.
However, all of us as believers will find ourselves living within the boundaries of a certain nation. And if that nation has a form of gov...2024-04-241h 10Beards & Bible Podcast100th Episode Extraganza! (Listener Mail on healthy pride, boundaries, divorce, passover/communion/etc.)
Beards and Bible podcast listeners, we have now reached 100 episodes!!! We are so incredibly grateful for all of our amazing listeners and fans who have made our podcast the thing that it has become over the past four years.
To celebrate our 100th episode, we're dedicating the entire episode to our listeners by answering some of your awesome questions. We will be tackling questions on boundaries, the messianic significance of passover/communion, divorce and remarriage, the difference between healthy and sinful pride, and as many more as we can squeeze into an episode. Looking forward to a great time talking...2024-04-051h 10Beards & Bible PodcastDragons in the Bible (with Mary Howell from Nerds & Jesus podcast)Different terms translated as dragon appear more than 20 times in the OT and four times in the NT. Not only that, nearly every major ancient culture has myths and legends about giant reptiles. How would these civilizations, continents and millennia apart, all come up with legends of giant reptilian creatures?
In an epic crossover episode with our friend from Nerds and Jesus podcast, we're diving deep into the fiery mysteries of dragons in the Bible. Join us as we open our Bibles, separate fact from fiction, and explore the symbolic significance of these mythical beasts. Whether you're...2024-03-2057 minBeards & Bible PodcastUnscripted: Four Completely Spontaneous Answers to Never Before Seen QuestionsWhat’s up Beards and Bible listeners, on today’s episode, both of us will respond to four separate questions (related to life, theology, ministry, or anything else) that we haven’t seen or heard about beforehand- so every answer we give will completely unscripted- for better or for worse. So this oughta be fun…what could go wrong?
2024-03-0659 minBeards & Bible PodcastTo Give, or Not to Give: Tithes, Offerings, and Christian GenerosityThe relationship between churches, pastors, missionaries, ministries and money can be tricky. Ministries rely on the financial contributions of donors to sustain everything they’re trying to do. All throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, the people of God are told to be generous and give to the work of God through the church.
So, churches and ministries need money to do good things, like help people, take care of their buildings, and pay their staff. But sometimes, things can get messy. Especially when money gets involved.
Many people worry that mini...2024-02-211h 08Beards & Bible PodcastKnock, Knock? Who’s there? Understanding and Reasoning with the Jehovah’s WitnessesYou may have had an encounter with someone from a group called the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Maybe they left some of their literature in your mailbox, maybe they knocked on your door, or maybe you had an extended conversation with one of them at a park or public place. At first, it would seem that they’re a Christian group with an intense dedication to evangelism, but as you interact with their doctrine and teachings, things can get confusing fast. So, what exactly do the Jehovah’s Witness believe and teach?
What about their translation of the Bible...2024-02-071h 00Beards & Bible PodcastRaiders of the Lost Ark: Where did the Ark of Covenant go and will we ever find it again?The Ark of the Covenant has been a fascinating topic of study for Bible scholars, historians, archeologists, and lovers of Indiana Jones for a long time.
This sacred artifact has captured imaginations for centuries- but what was this mysterious chest, and why did it hold such profound significance for the people of ancient Israel? How was it built, what was it made of, and what was inside of it? Why was it so powerful and how do we understand its enigmatic disappearance?
Then there’s the age-old question: will we ever lay eyes on the Ark...2024-01-2457 minBeards & Bible PodcastFrom the Mailbag, Vol. 4 (Unicorns, Christians in the military, differences between Calvinists/Arminians and Protestants and Catholics, etc.)
Happy new year Beards and Bible listeners! We are so excited to open up our inbox and do our best to answer some super interesting questions that were all sent in by you as the listener. We've got questions about being a Christian in the military, disagreements between Calvinists and Arminians, the differences between Catholics/Protestants and the Orthodox Church, a question about singing worship songs connected with NAR churches, and if the Bible actually talks about unicorns.
We will do a deep dive into these questions with you on our next episode- "From the Mailbag, Vol. 4 (Unicorns, Christians in t...2024-01-101h 12Beards & Bible PodcastHAPPY HOLIDAYS! Upcoming ”From the Mailbag” 2024 Promo!Happy holidays Beards and Bible listeners! I hope you all are having a fantastic and blessed holiday season, however you’re celebrating with your family and loved ones. Just wanted to hop on and say a huge THANK YOU to all of who have listened, subscribed, shared, and interacted with our podcast this past year. 2023 has been an incredible year for us- we’ve hit just shy of 72,000 downloads with listeners from not just here in the US, but from over 70 countries all around the world.
This podcast would not be what it is without all of you...2023-12-2001 minBeards & Bible PodcastThe Mission- John Chau, Martyrdom, and the Eternal Destiny of Unreached People GroupsA new documentary was recently released called, “The Mission” tells the story of John Chau. In 2018, Chau, a young American missionary, was killed by arrows while attempting to contact one of the world’s most isolated Indigenous peoples on remote North Sentinel Island off the coast of India.
The Sentinelese tribe are one of the six native and often reclusive peoples of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (just off the coast of India). Unlike the others, the Sentinelese appear to have consistently refused any interaction with the outside world. They are hostile to outsiders and have killed people...2023-12-131h 06Beards & Bible PodcastWhere are We Going? Five Challenges facing the American Church and Resilient Discipleship in the Upcoming YearsThe church in the United States is at an interesting crossroads. Surveys suggest that there are good things happening in churches across America- such as an increase in volunteerism, optimism among members and ministers, and a significant drop in church conflicts and intense dissensions.
However, there are also still serious challenges for most churches in the U.S. Churches in America are at a very unique intersection between rising secularism amongst the culture, a decreasing interest in Christianity as a whole, and the falling away from church life of those who are nominal, disengaged Christians by name...2023-11-291h 06Beards & Bible PodcastBONUS- Introducing: Common Questions podcast with Jonathan CieckaWhat’s up Beards and Bible listeners! We don’t have a new episode for you this week (or next week because it’ll be Thanksgiving), but we do have a little something to hold you over until then.
Our good buddy Jonathan Ciecka, who is the discipleship pastor at the Experience Community Church in Murfreesboro, is releasing a new video series on YouTube with a corresponding podcast on common questions related to Christianity, apologetics, and issues of faith.
It just so happens that Josh was privileged to be a guest on the first episode of the...2023-11-1540 minBeards & Bible PodcastTraditions, Practices, and Spiritual Disciplines of Corporate WorshipIn recent years, the practices, traditions, and liturgy of the American Church has drastically changed. Things like stained glass windows, pews, and altars have been replaced by TV’s, lights, padded seats, and stages. Ministers who used to wear vestal robes now deliver messages in skinny jeans using IPads.
It’s not that churches that embrace nontraditional, modern methodology have moved away from orthodoxy or the authority of the Scriptures- to make matters all the more complex, it’s actually more historic mainline, traditional denominations who have done that in an embrace of progressive theology, all whi...2023-11-081h 01Beards & Bible PodcastMarathons, Israel, Gaza, and End Times ProphecyWhat’s up Beards and Bible listeners! A lot has happened since the guys last sat down together, so on today’s episode we’ll talk about running a marathon together, the recent events in Israel and Gaza, and how this might have something to do with end times prophecy. Should be a good one!
2023-10-251h 11Beards & Bible PodcastGun Control, Nonviolence, Christian Pacifism, and the Christian (with Aaron Ross from Everyday Theology)What’s up Beards and Bible listeners, on our last episode we talked about gun ownership, self-defense, and the Christian ethics related to those issues. On our today's episode, we’re going to hear a different Christian perspective- one that advocates nonviolence, gun control, and Christian pacifism.
Even though many American evangelicals are unfamiliar with and often oppose those who hold to this view, historically there have always been groups of Christians worldwide who have advocated and consistently practiced nonviolence including the Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, many Anabaptist Christian fellowships, many Adventists, and Moravians, just to name...2023-10-111h 29Beards & Bible PodcastGuns, Self-Defense, and the Christian (with Taylor from Defenders and Disciples)There are a number of Christian traditions (Mennonites, Quakers, Adventists, Moravians, etc.) who hold to a position of non-violence/Christian pacifism and say that owning a gun for self-defense isn’t a Biblically supported position. They’ll quote verses like Matthew 26:52, where Jesus says “put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Or Matthew 5:39 where Jesus say, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
But there are other Christians who would say...2023-09-271h 14Beards & Bible PodcastRestoring the Fallen Leader: Disqualifying Sins, Accountability, and Pastoral RestorationLeaders within the church are called by scripture to live and lead in a way that is above reproach- that doesn’t mean that they must be perfect (or we’d have no leaders), but it does mean that someone who leads must practice personal integrity, character, and godliness. The little things in life reveal character- and character matters in church leadership more than talent, ability, appearance, personality or charisma.
But what if a Christian leader- be it a pastor, worship leader, or volunteer ministry leader- behaves in a way that goes against the Biblical qualifications for churc...2023-09-131h 08Beards & Bible Podcast”Come out in Jesus Name”: The Wild World of Deliverance Ministry and the Necessity for Discernment.In March of 2023, Tennessee Pastor Greg Locke released a documentary film entitled Come Out in Jesus Name. The film chronicled the ministries of deliverance ministers such as Alexander Pagani, Isaiah Saldivar, and Mike Signorelli. The movie features footage from real life “deliverance” services, where individuals allegedly manifest demonic spirits while screaming, retching, falling, shaking, and writhing on the ground, all while a deliverance minister screams at the demon to, “come out in Jesus name”.
Some parts of the film are, well, disturbing.
Biblically speaking, there is certainly a category for demonic manifestations and deliverance. Throughout 2,000 years of...2023-08-241h 23Beards & Bible PodcastGabe Checks in From Israel, Josh answers E-mail questions, and Jason Aldean dares you to try that (whatever ”that” is)
Howdy listeners! This week's episode is a bit different with Gabe traveling to Israel, but with a little bit of international date line maneuvering, we're still able to make things happen.
So join us as Gabe checks in from Israel, Josh answers e-mail questions, and Jason Aldean dares you to try that in a small town...(whatever "that" may happen to be).
2023-08-091h 02Beards & Bible PodcastThe Divinity of Christ: Fully God or Fully Sent by God?In the year 325 at the First Council of Nicea, leaders of the early church adopted a very important statement of belief in response to a false teacher named Arius. Arius was an Egyptian presbyter from Alexandria who introduced a new theology that stated while Jesus was the Son of God, He wasn’t really God- he was a created being who had been given some divine attributes.
The early church responded to this heresy by official denouncing it and issuing the Nicene Creed, which states that Christian orthodoxy affirms a belief in- “one Lord Jesus Christ, the only...2023-07-261h 09Beards & Bible PodcastEuthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and the Christian Ethics of the Right to DieIn 1990, 26-year-old Terri Schiavo fell into a persistent vegetative state after suffering cardiac arrest. A fierce highly public battle took place between her parents and her husband, who wanted to disconnect her feeding tube. Terri's husband argued that his wife would not have wanted her life artificially prolonged, with no hope of recovery.
Terri Schiavo's case spurred an emotional nationwide and international heated debate over quality of life, right-to-die and end-of-life issues. The case grew so notorious that the Vatican in Rome challenged American law which allowed for discontinuing food and water in certain circumstances, arguing for...2023-07-121h 12Beards & Bible PodcastConfederate Statues, Slave-Owning Founding Fathers, the Censorship of American History, and the Christian Response.In the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, there stood a statue near a city park of Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard, who himself was a native of St. Bernard Parish and grew up in New Orleans. The statue was placed there in 1915.
Beauregard was an early proponent of equal rights in Louisiana, serving as the outspoken leader of the short-lived and ultimately failed unification movement.
The movement was a coalition made up of prominent white and black New Orleanians that called for integrated schools, public places and transportation and voting rights for black men, two years before...2023-06-281h 14Beards & Bible PodcastShiny, Happy People- Making Sense of IBLP, ATI, & Bill Gothard (with Matt Hadden)Amazon Prime recently released a limited docuseries exposing the truth beneath the wholesome Americana surface of reality tv’s favorite mega-family, The Duggars, and the radical organization behind them: The Institute in Basic Life Principles.
The Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is a nondenominational Christian organization that serves as an umbrella organization for several ministries established by American Christian minister Bill Gothard in 1961. The stated purpose of the organizationis to provide instruction on how to find success in life by following biblical principles. This involves programs that include seminars for ministry, community outreach, troubled youth mentoring, and an in...2023-06-151h 12Beards & Bible PodcastDiscipled by Hollywood: The Story behind the Stories and the Need for a Biblical WorldviewArt is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, and it usually communicates some sort of message within that medium. Art can be painting, sculpture, literature, music, dance, drama, and it can be film.
Film (motion pictures, television shows, streaming series, etc.) is a work of visual art that tells a story that simulates experiences and communicates ideas, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere through the use of moving images. Film is a very powerful form of art! Over the years, films have been used to powerfully communicate various ideas in very persuasive ways.
2023-05-311h 15Beards & Bible PodcastCan Salvation be Lost? Eternal Security vs. Conditional SecurityIn American Christianity especially, there is much confusion on the doctrine of eternal security (sometimes referred to as “once saved, always saved“).
Some circles of Christianity, for example, might teach that one can lose his/her salvation and fall into the error of trying to keep his salvation by personal effort. According to scripture, this is a serious error (Gal. 3:1-3).
On the other hand, some circles teach that one can never lose his/her salvation, and therefore fall into the error of sinning willfully because he/she believes salvation can't be lost no matter how m...2023-05-181h 14Beards & Bible PodcastThe Divine Council, Elohim, and the gods of the Nations.John 10:34
“Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said you are gods’? If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods’- and the Scripture cannot be broken- do you say, You are blaspheming to the one the Father set apart and sent into the world because I said: I am the Son of God?”
Jesus’ point is this: you charge me with blasphemy based on my use of the title “Son of God”; yet our own Scriptures apply the same term (“gods”, elohim) to others besides God. If others can...2023-05-031h 22Beards & Bible PodcastPurity Culture, Married Sex, and Navigating Intimacy (w/ Jenni Brooker)Purity culture was/is a movement that started in the 1990s primarily within Evangelical American Christianity which emphasized individual "purity," generally associated with female chastity. Purity culture places a strong emphasis on abstinence before marriage. In some circles, dating was discouraged entirely to avoid pre-marital sex (the book, “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” by Josh Harris promoted abstinence and popularized the concept of “courtship” as an alternative to dating. This book sold over a million copies).
It’s pretty obvious from the Scriptures that God wants Christians to live lives of sexual purity. But did purity culture promote a Biblical visio...2023-04-191h 11Beards & Bible PodcastFrom the Mailbag, Vol. 3 (The Age of the Earth, the Muslim Jesus, salvation for AI systems, etc.)
In today's episode, we want to take time to answer some of YOUR QUESTIONS on topics like the age of the earth, the difference between the Christian and Muslim Jesus (or, Isa in Islam), if AI systems that resembled humans could be "saved", and as many more as we have time to get to in one episode!
2023-04-051h 13Beards & Bible PodcastDeconstructing Deconstruction pt. 4- Where Do We Go from Here? Deconstruction vs. DisentanglementWe’ve examined deconstruction and its current influence in the church at large. We’ve explored some of the possible reasons for why someone would deconstruct. And we’ve heard a few personal stories of folks who have taken that journey.
So what if we actually do need to reexamine the faith we grew up in or have held to for a long time? What if the traditions and teachings of religion have become so interwoven and entangled with the truth of God’s Word that we don’t know one from the other? Is deconstruction the only answe...2023-03-221h 18Beards & Bible PodcastDeconstructing Deconstruction: Pt. 3- Moral Licensing & the Desire for Street CredDeconstruction is trending. And many are simply struggling to make sense of it all.
But what if we deconstructed a person’s reasons for deconstructing? In other words, what if weren’t so quick to assume that someone who is deconstructing Christianity is doing so because they’re genuinely interesting in finding truth? What if perhaps they’re looking for something else?
In psychology, moral licensing is the process of fooling ourselves to justify bad behavior using other good behavior. If we borrowed that term and used it in the context of Christian deconstructionism…is there a way...2023-03-081h 14Beards & Bible PodcastBONUS EPISODE- Deconstructing Deconstruction, Jesse’s StoryIn this episode, Josh sits down with his friend Jesse and talks through Jesse's journey of deconstructing and deconverting from the Christian faith.
2023-03-021h 18Beards & Bible PodcastDeconstructing Deconstruction: Pt. 2- Bad Teaching & Church HurtDeconstruction is trending. And many are simply struggling to make sense of it all.
But what if the existing structures and culture of the American Church at large share some of the blame for this rise in deconstruction amongst the younger generation?
Many young people have come up through churches that were swept up in the “seeker sensitive/Church growth” movement in the 90s/early 2000s. For the sake of attracting unbelievers and the unchurched, the teaching in some of these churches was very shallow, pragmatic, unintelligent, and never addressed the hard topics of scripture.
2023-02-221h 21Beards & Bible PodcastBONUS EPISODE- Deconstructing Deconstruction, Josh’s StoryOn today's episode, Josh shares his story on deconstructing the Christian faith in his early 20's.
2023-02-1346 minBeards & Bible PodcastDeconstructing Deconstruction: Pt. 1- What is deconstruction and Why it’s TrendingDeconstruction is trending. And many are simply struggling to make sense of it all.
In July 2019, popular Christian writer, speaker, and pastor Joshua Harris announced that he and his wife were separating due to "significant changes that have taken place in both of us". Subsequently, Harris revealed that he no longer considered himself to be a Christian. Harris cited primarily personal and relational factors in his own walk away from the faith. As public pressures and private crises in his life and ministry intensified, he found his Christian identity unravelling in slow motion- until he finally found...2023-02-081h 18Beards & Bible PodcastThe Rebuilding of the 3rd Temple, Jerusalem, and the Kingdom to Come.The temple in Jerusalem was the center of worship and national identity in ancient Israel. The people of Israel have built two temples to God in Jerusalem, and both have been destroyed- the first by the Babylonians, and the second by the Romans. But it seems as if the Bible suggests that there will be a third temple in Jerusalem.
The desire for the Third Temple is sacred in Judaism, and particularly in Orthodox Judaism. The Hebrew Bible holds that Jewish prophets called for its construction to be fulfilled prior to, or in tandem with, the Messianic Age. Th...2023-01-281h 17Beards & Bible PodcastFrom the Mailbag, Vol. 2 (Microdosing Psychedelics, The Chosen’s Mormon Connections, Israel’s Role in the End Times)Happy New Year, Beards & Bible listeners!
On today’s episode we want to take time to answer some of your questions on topics like the Biblical ethic for microdosing psychedelics for PTSD treatment, the show “the Chosen” and its supposed connections to the Mormon Church, Israel’s role in the end times, and if there will be literal 3rd temple rebuilt in Jerusalem, and anymore we can possibly squeeze into one episode.
Thanks so much for sending in your questions, buckle up, cause this one might be a doozie!
2023-01-111h 12Beards & Bible PodcastBONUS- 2023 From the Mailbag, Special Announcement!We'll be answering listener questions that have been sent in to us throughout the year, so if you have any topics, issues, questions, or ideas that you want us to do our best to answer and comment on, send them over to us- beardsandbiblepodcast@gmail.com or reach out to us via the FB page.
We will narrow it down the ones we think we might be able to do justice to and address and release our From the Mailbag episode on January 11, 2023.
So merry Christmas, hope and pray you and your family are blessed...2022-12-2101 minBeards & Bible PodcastCryptocurrency, Blockchain, and the Foolish and Harmful desires which plunge men into Ruin and Destruction.Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past five years, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about cryptocurrency. In 2008, Bitcoin became the first established virtual currency, and remained that way in 2011.
But now, more than 12,000 cryptocurrencies are available, and that number more than doubled in the past year (2021-2022). Some economists believe cryptocurrencies are the world’s strongest currencies and a solution to global poverty. Others say they’re a harbor for criminal activity and an environmental disaster. Some investors have reported making millions overnight using cryptocurrency trading. Others say it’s not investing...2022-12-141h 14Beards & Bible PodcastThe Word of Faith Movement: Dangerous Heresies, Misunderstandings & Our Need for Discernment (pt. 2)When the origin story of the Word of Faith movement is examined, some very interesting things get uncovered. Such as the influence the New Thought movement and teachers like Phineas Quimby, E.W. Kenyon, and Mary Baker Eddy. Or the father of the word of faith movement Kenneth Hagin’s blatant plagiarism of new thought/mind science practitioners.
One of the ugly secrets most word of faith teachers don’t want you to know is that their movement is influenced FAR MORE by the ideas of new thought/mind science cults than it ever was influenced by Bibl...2022-11-301h 22Beards & Bible PodcastThe Word of Faith Movement: Dangerous Heresies, Misunderstandings & Our Need for Discernment (pt. 1)What is faith?
The Bible says in Hebrews 11 that without it, we can’t please God and that it’s the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not yet seen. But does that we can “speak our tomorrow” into existence because of this force called, “faith”?
The Word of Faith movement is a mainly Pentecostal movement that came up in the late 20th century. Word of Faith teaching states that because we as human beings are made in the image of God (and whatever God declared through His Words came to be), words c...2022-11-161h 17Beards & Bible PodcastKanye West, the “Red Media” canard, and the rise of Antisemitism.The U.S. has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents over the past few years, with 941 incidents in 2015 jumping to 2,717 tracked in 2021 by the Anti-Defamation League. Four years ago, a gunman stormed into a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and killed 11 people in the deadliest attack on Jewish people on US soil.
On October 29th, there was a strange message seen scrolling on the outside of TIAA Bank Field during the Florida-Georgia college football game. In florescent letters, the words “Kanye is right about the jews” were visible scrolling across the exterior of the stadium structure, referencing recent antisemi...2022-11-021h 08Beards & Bible PodcastFor Better or For Worse- Navigating Rocky Seasons in Marriage (w/ Stacey Rutledge & Jenni Brooker)If you’re married, you made a promise to your spouse that you would love and care for them,
“…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.”
And if you’re both normal human beings, it probably didn’t take long for the “worse” part to show up. Real talk: every marriage goes through difficult, challenging, painful, and frustrating seasons. Even godly, Jesus loving, husbands and wives sometimes fight.
Even the healthiest marriages go through seasons of conflict, disappointment, and disunity. Som...2022-10-191h 05Beards & Bible PodcastIntroducing: Committed Masculinity Podcast (a limited series podcast reviewing Josh’s new book)Committed Masculinity is a limited series podcast that explores the issues and challenges facing Christian men who are serious about Jesus’ invitation to be a disciple. The podcast will review the content of each chapter of the book ”Committed: Biblical Masculinity” by Josh Brooker and then discuss the issues on each episode with special guests.
https://committedmasculinity.podbean.com/
Committed: Biblical Masculinity on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Committed-Biblical-Masculinity-Josh-Brooker/dp/B0B8XZ65WZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3T3SU9UBUKYWN&keywords=committed+biblical+masculinity&qid=1664568585&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefi...2022-10-0348 minBeards & Bible PodcastRevival in the Land pt.4-The Toronto Blessing, Brownsville Revival, and Lakeland Outpouring
On January 20, 1994, in a small Vineyard church in Toronto, Canada a supposed outpouring of God’s Spirit occurred in a small meeting of 120 people. Over the course of the next 12 ½ years, meetings would continue 6 nights a week, and Charisma Magazine reported that an estimated 4,000 churches in England and another 7,000 churches in North America had been impacted by this new revival movement.
A little over a year late, on June 18, Father’s Day, 1995, a similar revival broke out at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. Over the course of the next five years, the church would open its doors for Tuesda...2022-09-281h 22Beards & Bible PodcastRevival in the Land, pt. 3- Azuza Street and the Jesus PeopleToday, there are more than 500 million Pentecostal and charismatic believers across the globe and it is the fastest-growing form of Christianity today. Most church historians agree that the events that took place at the Azusa Street Revival in 1906 in Los Angeles California are responsible for the beginning of what we know as the modern-day Pentecostal Movement. But what happened at Azuza street?
In the late 1960s/early 1970s, a movement began in California known as the “Jesus people”. Thousands of teenagers and young people came to faith in Christ, many of whom came from drugs, eastern mysticism, and...2022-09-141h 16Beards & Bible PodcastRevival in the Land pt. 2- The Great Awakening & the 2nd Great Awakening
The Great Awakening (1730-1755) and the Second Great Awakening (1790-1840) were two religious movements that had a massive impact on the role of Christianity in America. The impact and results of both of these movements is still felt today- not only in our churches and understanding of religious practice, but also in the fabric and makeup of American society in general.
But how much of these movements can be credited to a supernatural move of God? And which things within these movements perhaps can be attributed to other things? What about the controversies that caused d...2022-08-311h 21Beards & Bible PodcastRevival in the Land, pt. 1: What is a Revival? Are they Biblical and how and why do they Happen?A “revival” is a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God’s holiness, a passion for His Word and His church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness.
Revival movements throughout church history have been understood as moves of God that result in waves of increased spiritual interest or renewal in the life of a church congregation or society, with a local, national...2022-08-171h 09Beards & Bible PodcastIt’s the Economy, Stupid: Stewarding God’s money well amidst inflation, recession, and economic uncertainty.You’ve probably noticed at this point this past summer- your dollar isn’t going as far as it used to. Gas prices are up, grocery prices are up, and just about everything else seems more expensive. It’s not just your imagination- inflation is at a 40 year high. It’s risen 9% in one year’s time, and it rose 7% in 2021. Not only is inflation up, we’re either headed towards a recession or are already in one, depending on which economist you ask. The S&P 500 had its worst first half of a year since 1970, and it is down 19 perc...2022-08-031h 18Beards & Bible PodcastReady to Give a Defense: Christian Apologetics and How to Talk Reasonably about Your FaithMany skeptics claim that Christians are naïve, unintelligent, and gullible people who blindly put their faith in a set of beliefs that aren’t at all supported by rational evidence.
Other skeptics say that there’s just not enough evidence out there to persuade any one to embrace the teachings of Jesus. So why even bother? Just embrace your own understanding of spirituality, pick the path that works for you, or don’t… just don’t worry about it. You do you.
Skeptics commonly bring objections to the Christian faith that are centered around the existen...2022-07-211h 18Beards & Bible PodcastHow to Live as as Christian in a Post-Christian World- Staying Faithful as Strangers, Aliens & ExilesA Post-Christian culture is a society in which Christianity is no longer the dominant civil religion. These societies may have been founded on values informed by Christian principles, but gradually assumed values, culture, and worldview that are not necessarily Christian. In many of these places, secular humanism replaces Christian thought to become the predominant worldview.
Many sociologists are now recognizing the fact that America may moving in this direction—and within a few years, we could also described a “post-Christian” nation. Our post-Christian values are reflected in our media and entertainment, our collective views of human sexuality, our views...2022-07-0657 minBeards & Bible PodcastWhat is a Woman? Sex, Gender, Identity, and the Logic behind the Gender Ideology MovementTransgenderism, Gender Identity Disorder, or gender dysphoria is a feeling that a person’s biological sex does not match the gender they identify with and/or perceive themselves to be. Individuals who identify as transgender often describe themselves as feeling “trapped” in a body that does not match who they feel they are in the inside.
The transgender movement rises and falls upon the idea that gender and sex are two completely different constructs that might deeply intertwined with one another, but are altogether separate. Sex is a biological construct (unchanging and based on chromosomes). Gender is a socia...2022-06-221h 18Beards & Bible PodcastUnder the Banner of Heaven- the School of Prophets, Joseph Smith, and the Violent History of the LDS Church.Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith is a nonfiction book by Jon Krakauer that was recently adapted and released as a limited streaming series on Hulu. In the book and TV series, two stories are examined: the origin and evolution of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a modern double murder committed in the name of God by brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who subscribed to a fundamentalist version of Mormonism.
In the years prior to the murder, Ron and Dan Lafferty became increasingly interested in Mormon groups that...2022-06-091h 12Beards & Bible PodcastSpiritual Abuse- What is is, What it isn’t, and How to See the Warning SignsAbuse could be defined as the improper use of something; unjust or corrupt practice; or cruel and violent treatment of another person.
Spiritual abuse is abuse administered under the guise of religion or spirituality, including harassment or humiliation, which may result in psychological trauma. Spiritual abuse may also include misuse of religion for selfish, secular, or ideological ends such as the abuse of a clerical position.
There are extreme examples of this found in sexual abuse coverups and in cult groups like the Branch Davidians and the People's Temple. But also doctrinally sound, Biblically based churches or...2022-05-251h 07Beards & Bible PodcastRoe vs. Wade, Abortion, and a Question of Logic- is Abortion Murder and an Unborn Child a Human?On May 2, 2022, Politico published a leaked draft opinion authored by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, appearing to be the majority opinion for the case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The case deals with the constitutionality of a 2018 Mississippi state law that banned abortion operations after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.
If the ruling stands, it would overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which would allow U.S. states to determine the legality of abortions for themselves. Analysts predict that abortion would immediately be banned in 23 states and territories if this happens.
Meanwhile...2022-05-111h 15Beards & Bible PodcastExploring the Paranormal Pt. 3- Cryptids, Big Foot, and the Wild Wonderful World of CryptozoologyIn today’s episode, we’ll be exploring Cryptozoology- a field of study that searches for and researches unknown, legendary, or extinct animals whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated. Cryptozoology is interested in creatures like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, the Chupacabra, and other lesser known entities- like the Skunk Ape or the Lizard Man of Scape ore Swamp. Many who are devoted to this discipline are frequently the subject of public ridicule, but nonetheless their commitment to discovering the existence of certain cryptids persists.
For these cryptid creatures, are they unknown physical creatures, mistaken eyewitnesses, ente...2022-04-271h 03Beards & Bible PodcastExploring the Paranormal Pt. 2- UFOs, Tom Delonge, and Close Encounters of the Fifth KindIn today’s episode, we’ll be exploring the phenomena behind UFO's, or as they have recently classified, UAP's- unidentified aerial phenomena. In 2020 and 2021, the US Government released a number of videos that raised some eyebrows. The report found that the US Government was unable to identify 143 objects spotted between 2004 and 2021. At least 18 of those US government reported UAP sightings represent breakthrough technology that involves unusual movement patterns or flight characteristics that represent technology or phenomena unknown to man.
So the US Government has now stated that UFO's are real? What about other reports and sightings of UFO's and...2022-04-131h 19Beards & Bible PodcastExploring the Paranormal, Pt. 1- Ghosts, Psychics, and Spirit MediumsThe word Paranormal implies that the scientific explanation of the world around us is normal and anything that is above, beyond, or contrary to that is para. What sets the paranormal apart from other pseudosciences is a reliance on explanations for alleged phenomena that are well outside the bounds of established science.
Examples include- extrasensory perception (ESP), telekinesis, ghosts, poltergeists, life after death, reincarnation, faith healing, human auras. The three broad topics of paranormal activity (that we will be exploring in subsequent episodes are)- 1) Ghost Hunting, 2) Ufology, 3) Cryptozoology.
In today’s episode, we’ll be explo...2022-03-301h 08Beards & Bible PodcastRussia, Ukraine, and Christian Responsibility (Featuring Alexei Basarab)On February 24, Russia began an invasion on the country of Ukraine, in a major escalation of a previous conflict between the two nations that began in 2014. The conflict is the largest conventional military attack in Europe since World War II. Early estimates are of at least 13,000 deaths, 2.1 million displaced, 1700 destroyed buildings, and 10 billion dollars of damage to the country of Ukraine.
But why? What exactly does Russia want with Ukraine? And how does this conflict effect the Ukrainian people? More than anything, what can we do as Christians to help?
Join us as we speak...2022-03-091h 00Beards & Bible PodcastOnline Censorship, Free Speech, the Metaverse, & the Gospel.Tolerance is currently the highest value in Western society, and even questioning it is seen as being narrow-minded or discriminatory. But there’s a glaring hypocrisy in our obsession with tolerance…
This new kind of tolerance doesn’t mean simply respecting the rights of those who hold differing beliefs- it means affirming all beliefs as equally valid and correct. Therefore, there must be an intolerance against any teaching that disagrees with this assertation. Christian teaching and theology on human sexuality and the exclusivity of Christ in salvation disagrees with this new tolerance because its ideas stand in stark...2022-02-231h 19Beards & Bible PodcastFalse Prophecies, Misinformation, and the Spirit of DiscernmentOver the course of the past two years, you might have heard several convincing predictions, theories, or conspiracies about upcoming and ongoing world events. If you’re a person of faith, you may have even heard these things spoken to you in the form of a prophecy- where someone received a direct revelation from God foretelling the future.
You might have gotten an e-mail declaring to you that a friend of a friend who works for the pentagon has insider information that because of COVID, martial law would be declared in the US and food, guns and am...2022-02-091h 16Beards & Bible PodcastReverse Church Hurt- Wounded Leaders, Broken Pastors, and the Perils of ShepherdingChurch hurt is real. In the recent years, increasing scrutiny has been placed on church leaders due to moral failures, abuse scandals, toxic leadership styles, financial indiscretions, and relational strife. The failures of leaders and pastors in many churches have left countless church members wounded, confused, and frustrated.
But what if leaders themselves are also experiencing significant levels of pain, brokenness, and church hurt? Even though some pastors are responsible for causing hurt within church, many of them are being wounded by it too.
One recent study found that 1 in 6 pastors are in distressing levels...2022-01-261h 25Beards & Bible PodcastFrom the Mailbag, Vol. 1 (the unforgivable sin & blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the theology of the Shack, spiritual bypassing & mental health, the Rise & Fall of Mars Hill podcast, etc.)
Happy new year, Beards & Bible listeners! We asked, and you delivered.
Now we want to take time to answer some of your questions related to topics like the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and the unforgivable sin, the sin of anxiety vs. the mental health disorder of anxiety, Saul and the Witch of Endor, our thoughts on the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast, the Shack, and any more we can squeeze into one episode. Hang on tight, this might be a long one!
2022-01-121h 18Beards & Bible PodcastBONUS- Beards and Bible Podcast Special Announcement!We wanted to reach out to our listeners about a very special episode we’re releasing in the new year. We’re calling it, “From the Mailbag”, and we will be answering listener questions that have been sent in to us throughout the year. So since we haven’t recorded yet, if you have any topics, issues, questions, or ideas that you want us to do our best to answer and comment on, send them over to us- beardsandbiblepodcast@gmail.com or reach out to us via the FB page. We will narrow it down the ones we think we might be...2021-12-2201 minBeards & Bible PodcastPaul, the Holy Spirit, and Tongues of Fire- A Gift for Today or Charismatic Confusion?One of the more confusing topics in the New Testament is the subject of the charismatic gifts- healing, prophecy, miracles, and tongues. As bizarre of some of these gifts seem to us, it certainly appears from reading the New Testament, that these gifts that were given by Holy Spirit were a normative part of a Christian life and the experience of the early church.
But has that changed at all? Are those gifts for today? If so, how does somebody get them?
What does it mean to be, “baptized in the Holy Spirit” or “Filled with t...2021-12-151h 25Beards & Bible PodcastThe Rapture of the Church- 3 Views on what the Bible Really Says and all the Other Parts We Made UpOne of the most hotly debated topics in evangelical Christianity is the topic of the rapture of the Church. Some believers feel strongly that the Bible supports the idea that Christ will come to take believers out of the world before His return with them at the second coming. The secret rapture is “secret” in that no one will see Jesus coming except believers; this is in contrast to the second coming of Christ after the tribulation, when “every eye will see him”.
There is a lot of disagreement among Christians regarding the timing of this thing called th...2021-12-011h 31Beards & Bible PodcastCan Masculinity be Non-Toxic? Biblical Manhood, Raising Boys, and the Crisis of Men.
Men and women are different. And those differences are not just biological. But you already knew that, didn’t you? So why is that simple admission so important, especially for people of faith?
We’re at a critical crossroad as Christians. We have a choice to join our post-modern culture and dismiss gender roles as bygone relics from oppressive societies that have no use in our progressive, enlightened era. For the sake of being accepted and relevant, we can try to label gender roles as simply constructs of the collective imagination of the oppressive patriarchy and nothing more or nothing less...2021-11-101h 01Beards & Bible PodcastThe Woke Revolution, Critical Race Theory, and the Courage to Tell the TruthIn a recent article from Commentary.org, journalist Bari Weiss recounts an alarming number of incidents that have occurred in numerous academic institutions across the country. She writes of,
“David Peterson, an art professor at Skidmore College in upstate New York. He stood accused in the fevered summer of 2020 of “engaging in hateful conduct that threatens Black Skidmore students.”
What was that hateful conduct? David and his wife, Andrea, went to watch a rally for police officers. “Given the painful events that continue to unfold across this nation, I guess we just felt compelled to see first...2021-10-271h 15Beards & Bible PodcastJesus Music- Commercialization, Commodification, and Concealment in the Christian Entertainment Business (feat. Zach Simms)The word “sing” appears in the Bible over 400 times, and at least 50 of those are commands for followers of Jesus to sing. In Colossians 3:16, believers are commanded to, “sing to God with gratitude from the heart” and to sing to each other, teaching and admonishing through “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”. It’s clear from the Bible that God desires for His people to sing- both to Him and to each other. But what happens when that experience of connecting with God and other believers through music gets commodified and turned into a product to be bought and sold?
Total sa...2021-10-131h 13Beards & Bible PodcastCults- Characteristics, Warning Signs, and the Spirit of DeceptionIn modern English, a cult is defined as a social group characterized by unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal. Throughout church history, many groups have deviated from the basic tenets of the Christian faith while requiring unquestioning devotion from their followers. Often things like guilt, shame, fear, and manipulation are used as ways to control behavior and brainwash followers.
So what’s the difference between a “cult” and a dysfunctional church? Does any group teaching false doctrine qualify as a cult? What about the Mormons? Jehova...2021-09-281h 14Beards & Bible PodcastCalling it Quits- Why Some People Walk Away from Christianity and How We Can RespondOne of the most painful realities of the Christian faith is that some people who once professed an active, vibrant faith in Jesus choose to walk away. Some cite intellectual obstacles for their reasons for leaving the faith- “how can anyone trust the Bible when it seems to contradict science, or how can anyone believe that someone actually came back from the dead?”
Others claim that it’s church hurt, hypocrisy, and abuse from other Christians that’s lead them to walk away. Still others point to a personal tragedy or hurt that’s lead them to a deep dis...2021-09-151h 19Beards & Bible PodcastAfghanistan, the Taliban, and the Persecuted ChurchOn August 15, Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul fell to the Taliban. During the month of August, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated by military airlifts from US and coalition partners or commercial flights, and many thousands more desperately await evacuation. On August 26 there was a suicide bombing outside of the airport in Kabul that killed at least 60 Afghans and 13 US service members, and wounded more than 100 others (ISIS-K, Islamic State group’s Afghan affiliate claimed responsibility).
Afghanistan is now effectively under the rule of the Taliban- the ultra fundamentalist Islamic group that ruled the nation of Afgh...2021-09-011h 23Beards & Bible PodcastMatthew and Kelly Erdman of Family First UgandaIn this episode of the Beards and Bible Podcast, Gabe sits down with Matt and Kelly Erdman of Family First Uganda in an effort to pick their brains about missions and sharing the gospel with refugees in Uganda in a unique and self-sustaining way. You can find their ministry on the web by clicking here: https://www.familyfirstug.com/refugee-crisis/
2021-08-1837 min