Episodes

Episode 2.98 In this episode of Cults, Michael and Zach examine two closely related areas of Roman Catholic theology: Marian doctrine and prayer to the saints. The goal is not to question whether Mary was blessed—Scripture clearly affirms that—but to ask whether later doctrines go beyond what the Bible actually teaches. The discussion walks through key claims such as Mary as the Ark of the Covenant, perpetual virginity, and the Immaculate Conception, comparing each with the biblical text and ear...

Episode 2.97 In this episode, Michael and Zach kick off a new series on the end times by simplifying a topic that often feels confusing, intimidating, or overly debated. Rather than building complex timelines, they focus on what Scripture clearly teaches, why faithful Christians disagree, and how to approach eschatology without fear. The conversation begins by grounding listeners in what all Christians affirm: Jesus will return, the dead will be raised, judgment will come, and God will make all ...

Episode 2.96 In this episode of Cults, Michael and Zach shift from the gospel question to a foundational issue beneath it: authority. Who has the final say in matters of faith—Scripture itself, or an institution that interprets it? Tracing the development of papal authority from Gregory the Great to Vatican I, the episode examines whether Rome’s claims represent legitimate development or a departure from earlier church history. The discussion then turns to the formation of the biblical canon, ch...

Episode 2.95 Narrative Juxtaposition: How the Bible Speaks Through Story Placement | Part 5 In this episode of Narrative Juxtaposition, Michael and Zach examine a striking contrast in Jeremiah’s final days: a king who refuses to act, a prophet who faithfully suffers, and a servant who steps forward with courage. As Jerusalem collapses under Babylon’s siege, the story reveals that true faithfulness is not measured by position or power, but by obedience. Zedekiah hears God’s word but lacks the cou...

Episode 2.94 In this episode, Michael and Zach examine a central theological question: what must someone believe about justification to be included in the family of God? This is not a discussion about sincerity, the Trinity, or belief in Jesus, but about the content of the gospel itself—measured against Paul’s standard in Galatians. The conversation walks through key biblical texts, showing that justification is by grace alone through faith alone, apart from works. From there, the episode compar...

Episode 2.93 Narrative Juxtaposition: How the Bible Speaks Through Story Placement | Part 4 In this episode, Michael and Zach explore why the book of Ruth is placed immediately after Judges and what that placement reveals. Judges ends in moral collapse—“everyone did what was right in his own eyes”—yet Ruth quietly insists that God is still King, even when His people are not living like it. Rather than working through judges or national deliverance, God moves through ordinary faithfulness—through...

Episode 2.92 In this episode, Michael and Zach examine the theology of the Black Hebrew Israelite (BHI) movement and ask a central question: does it align with the gospel of the New Testament or redefine it? While BHI groups vary widely, several consistent themes make evaluation possible. The discussion focuses on key doctrinal issues, including the denial of the Trinity, a restricted view of Christ’s mission, and—most significantly—claims that salvation is tied to ethnicity and Torah observance...

Episode 2.91 Jonah: The Prophet Who Doesn’t Belong In this episode of the Narrative Juxtaposition series, Michael and Zach explore one of the most unusual books in the prophetic collection: Jonah. Unlike the surrounding prophets filled with poetic oracles and covenant warnings, Jonah reads like a narrative filled with irony, humor, and uncomfortable reversals. The question quickly emerges: why is this story placed among the prophetic books at all? The episode argues that Jonah’s placement is int...

Episode 2.90 In this episode, Michael and Zach examine several modern Christian-adjacent movements and ask a clarifying question: Where do the real doctrinal fault lines lie? Rather than treating every movement as equally problematic, the discussion evaluates four key theological pressure points that historically define Christianity—the Trinity, the person of Christ, the gospel, and authority and revelation. Using those categories, the episode surveys four movements often associated with Christi...

Episode 2.89 Mark’s Sandwiches: How the Gospel of Mark Uses Interruptions to Teach Theology In this episode of Narrative Juxtaposition: How the Bible Speaks Through Story Placement, Michael and Zach examine one of the most distinctive literary techniques in the Gospel of Mark—often called the “Markan sandwich.” Readers frequently notice that Mark begins one story, suddenly interrupts it with another, and then returns to the original narrative. At first glance the structure can feel abrupt or eve...

Episode 2.88 [Note: We accidentally reference Jehovah's Witness at the beginning, but this episode covers Christian Science.] In this episode, Michael and Zach examine Christian Science using the same framework applied in previous discussions on Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The question is not about sincerity, charitable work, or moral intent. The question is theological: Does Christian Science fall within historic, creedal Christianity—or does it depart from it at a foundational level? Th...

Episode 2.87 Matthew: A Jewish Gospel That Won’t Stop Talking About Gentiles In this opening episode of our new series Narrative Juxtaposition: How the Bible Speaks Through Story Placement, Michael and Zach explore a provocative question: If Matthew is the most Jewish of the four Gospels, why do Gentiles keep stealing the spotlight? Matthew is structured to emphasize Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s story—Abraham’s seed, David’s son, the new Moses. The Gospel is saturated with fulfillment fo...

Episode 2.86 In this episode, Michael and Zach apply the same standard used in the Mormonism discussion to another major movement: Jehovah’s Witnesses. The question is not about sincerity or moral seriousness. It is about theology. Does Jehovah’s Witness doctrine align with historic, creedal Christianity—or does it depart from it at a foundational level? We examine official Watchtower and JW.org sources on authority, the Trinity, the nature of the Holy Spirit, and the identity of Jesus Christ. J...

Episode 2.85 In this episode, Michael and Zach conclude the book of Joshua by walking through chapters 22–24, where Israel’s response to God’s finished work takes center stage. After crossing, conquering, and dividing the land, the final question remains: How will God’s people live in the rest He has given them? Joshua 22 addresses a potential civil war sparked by an altar built by the eastern tribes. What appears to be apostasy turns out to be a misunderstanding rooted in a shared concern for c...

Episode 2.84 In this episode, Michael and Zach examine a foundational question: Is Mormonism a denomination of Christianity, or a distinct religion? The discussion moves beyond sincerity or moral character and focuses on theological definitions and historical continuity. They begin by clarifying key terms—what constitutes historic, creedal Christianity, and what defines a denomination. From there, the conversation analyzes LDS primary sources, particularly on the doctrine of God, the nature of t...

Episode 2.83 In this episode, Michael and Zach walk through Joshua 18–21, a section often dismissed as tedious land surveys but loaded with theological weight. As the conquest narrative slows, the focus shifts from battle scenes to boundary lines—yet the central theme remains unchanged: Yahweh keeps His promises. Joshua 18 opens at Shiloh, where the tabernacle is established and the remaining tribes are confronted for their hesitation. Though the land has been subdued, Israel has grown slack in ...

Episode 2.82 In this episode, Michael and Zach examine the doctrine of baptism using William Lane Craig’s carefully defined taxonomy, focusing not on mode or tradition, but on the central theological question: what, if anything, does water baptism actually do? The discussion begins by framing baptism as commanded, important, and normative for Christians—while also recognizing that disagreements over baptism, though real, are non-cardinal. From there, the episode walks through Craig’s two broad c...

Episode 2.81 In this episode, Michael and Zach walk through Joshua 13–21, a section of the book that often feels tedious on first read but proves theologically rich on closer inspection. As Israel moves from taking the land to possessing it, the narrative slows down to show how God’s promises are fulfilled in real places, through real obedience—and real compromise. We examine Joshua’s advanced age and Yahweh’s command to divide land that has not yet been fully conquered, setting the stage for lo...

Episode 2.80 Why did the church move from singing only Psalms to writing and singing hymns—and was that shift faithful or dangerous? In this episode, Michael and Zach trace the history and theology of Christian hymnody, from the psalm-saturated worship of the early church to the rise of Christ-centered hymns, the Reformation divide, the golden age of hymn writing, and the modern praise movement. Along the way, we examine why hymns emerged in the first place, how they were used to teach doctrine ...

Episode 2.79 In this episode, Michael and Zach walk through Joshua 9–12, a pivotal section of the book that contrasts Israel acting without Yahweh with Yahweh fighting for Israel. We examine Israel’s deception by the Gibeonites in Joshua 9, where careful reasoning replaces prayer—and obedience becomes costly but necessary. From there, the narrative turns to the southern and northern campaigns (Joshua 10–11), highlighting Yahweh as the true warrior who grants victory, commands obedience, and fulf...

Episode 2.78 Should Christian worship be limited to the inspired words of Scripture alone—or is it faithful to sing biblically rich hymns that proclaim Christ explicitly? In this episode, Michael and Zach examine Exclusive Psalmody, the view that only the Psalms should be sung in corporate worship. We explore what Exclusive Psalmody is, why it once dominated Reformed worship, and why it declined in the 18th century. Along the way, we trace the historical and theological arguments behind the prac...

Episode 2.77 How does God give victory—and what happens when His people forget who the battle belongs to? In this episode, Michael and Zach walk through Joshua 5:13–12:24, the heart of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Beginning with Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of the LORD’s army, the episode makes a crucial point: Joshua never wins by strategy or strength—God fights for His people. From the fall of Jericho to the defeat at Ai, the text shows that victory depends on obedience and...

Episode 2.76 What makes a worship song good—and who gets to decide? In this episode, Michael and Zach sit down with Tim Bryant, fellow elder at Charleston Bible Church and worship coordinator, to talk through a thoughtful, pastoral philosophy of worship music. Rather than debating style or preference, the conversation focuses on theological content, spiritual formation, and pastoral responsibility. The discussion tackles questions many churches wrestle with but rarely slow down to address clearl...

Episode 2.75 What does it really take for God’s people to step into His promises? In this episode, Michael and Zach walk through Joshua 1:1–5:15, tracing Israel’s crossing of the Jordan and uncovering how the text teaches faith, obedience, and remembrance. Along the way, they slow down on two pivotal moments: Rahab’s unexpected confession of Yahweh and the miraculous crossing of the Jordan at flood stage. Rather than reading Joshua as simple conquest history, this episode highlights the book’s t...