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 government where our participation is invited and encouraged, how should our faith inform that participation? Is it wrong for us to love our country and work to see it improved and our viewpoints as Christians represented?   When does love for country become something more than love, and turn into something that looks more like, idolatry? What is patriotism, and what is nationalism? How can I know when my love for country has superseded my love for God?

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 through some awesome topics!

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 a devout believer, a curious skeptic, or just a flat-out dragon enthusiast, this episode is for you.   Check out Nerds & Jesus podcast's website! https://www.nerdsandjesus.com   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nerds-jesus-podcast/id1677259182

What’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?

The 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 ministries, churches, and pastors are using the money for things they shouldn't. Almost on a daily basis, there are reports of some pastor or ministry somewhere accumulating wealth and property through donations from the faithful in an excessive, inappropriate, and decadent way. In some ways, it seems like ministries and pastors are more about exploitation and greed than they are actually helping anybody but themselves. But does that mean that Christians aren’t supposed to give to support the work of a church or ministry? And what about tithing? Are Christians supposed to tithe, or that an Old Testament thing?

You 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? And their belief that Jesus wasn’t God and the 144,000 faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses (citing Revelation 7:4) who will go to heaven? Let’s take a deep dive into the fascinating and sometimes complex world of the Jehovah's Witnesses. But more than that, let’s talk effective strategies for engaging with their members in a Christ-like way, using the power of scriptural reasoning, respectful dialogue, and meaningful discussions. So…knock, knock? Who’s there? The Jehovah’s Witnesses.

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 again? If so, what will that mean?

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 the military, differences between Calvinists/Arminians and Protestants and Catholics, etc.)

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- so from the bottom of our hearts, thank you, God bless you, and we hope and pray that this podcast has enriched you spiritually in every way and help draw you closer the Lord as a disciple of Jesus. Gabe and I are taking the next few weeks off to rest and spend time with family, but we will be back on January 10 for our annual “From the Mailbag” series- where we answer questions sent in by listeners just like you. So if you’ve got a question about scripture, theology, church, or culture- send us an email at beardsandbiblepodcast@gmail.com, leave us a comment on YouTube, or send a message via the Facebook page. Remember- our next episode is only possible if you send us your questions, so if you’ve got one, stop what you’re doing right now and send away. Thanks again for listening, God bless you, hope and pray you and your family have a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year!

A 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 who approached or landed on the island. In 1956, the Government of India declared North Sentinel Island a tribal reserve and prohibited travel within 3 nautical miles of it. It further maintains a constant armed patrol in the surrounding waters to prevent intrusions by outsiders. In spite of all this, John Chau expressed a clear desire to convert the tribe and was aware of the legal and mortal risks he was taking by his efforts, writing in his diary, "Lord, is this island Satan's last stronghold, where none have heard or even had the chance to hear your name?", "The eternal lives of this tribe is at hand", and "I think it's worthwhile to declare Jesus to these people. Please do not be angry at them or at God if I get killed ... Don't retrieve my body." Chau’s death was a tragedy, but it raised some very important ethical, spiritual, and theological questions. Why did John Chau go to the Sentinelese, even though he knew that they didn’t wish to be contacted and it could cost him his life? Was what John Chau did ethical? Was there a wiser approach maybe he could’ve taken? What happens to people who have never heard the gospel? Should we as Christians be attempting to convert those from unreached tribes and indigenous people groups?

The 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 only. What do the statistics and data tell us about some of the concerning trends we’re facing in the American church over the next few years? What can we do as followers of Christ and members of Christ’s body to rise to the occasion?

What’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 Common Questions audio podcast that goes along with the YouTube videos talking about the Christian Worldview and how we can know and discover truth. So we thought we’d share it with you guys. If you like what you hear today, find the link to his show in this description and head over to YouTube to see the video, then subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. It’s a fantastic project that he and his team have been working hard on and I know you’ll enjoy it immensely. So, without further ado, enjoy this week’s bonus episode from the Common Questions podcast, and make sure you check it out and subscribe.   Common Questions podcast: https://experiencecc.com/common-questions/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSlQXg7KrELzHHMIuf01Tu2tUv6Rg9jWB Common Questions on Spotify : https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/experiencecommunitychurch

In 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 while holding onto the liturgy and traditions of the past.   Many American Christians have reported feeling a bit, stuck. Some modern, nontraditional churches feel more like entertainment for teenagers in their presentation, yet they’re sticking to the orthodox doctrines of scripture. Some historic, traditional liturgical churches present a worship experience full of reverence and beauty, rich with tradition and history, yet they’ve moved away from Christian orthodoxy into something else.   How do we understand the place of Christian tradition, practices, and spiritual disciplines in corporate worship? Is it possible to find a church that holds corporate worship services that are full of substance, truth, depth, reverence, and intentionality?

What’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!

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 a few. As a matter of fact, the largest Pentecostal denomination, the Assemblies of God, held to this position until the Second World War. So how do those who hold to this position think about the scriptures that seem to allow believers to practice self-defense? What are the ethical implications of exercising complete pacifism and nonviolence as a Christian, even when you see evil and violence being done to others?   Check out Aaron's podcast- Everyday Theology  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-theology/id1462586002

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 that the Bible permits instances of self-defense, as long as it’s done with wisdom, tact, understanding, and to protect the innocent from evil. In Luke 22:36, Jesus tells His remaining disciples, “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” Some say that in this verse Jesus upheld the right of his disciples in certain instances to defend themselves. Exodus 22:2 says, “If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed”.   So- which one is it? Are Christians to always put away their swords and turn the other cheek? Or are they permitted to own a sword and use it to defend themselves? Can a Christian own a gun? Is gun ownership a “God-given right”?   Check out Defenders and Disciples-  https://defendersanddisciples.com/   Twitter: twitter.com/DefAndDisc   FaceBook: facebook.com/100063472121644   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DefendersAndDisciples/featured

Leaders 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 church leadership? What should happen if they “disqualify” themselves from a position of leadership? Can a leader who is guilty of “disqualifying behavior” in their past ever serve in a position of leadership again? If so, what steps should be taken to restore them?

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 church history, the Christian church has practiced exorcisms and deliverance. But this new breed of deliverance ministry is a bit different. Many of the individuals at the deliverance services from the documentary are actually professing Christians. And a lot of the techniques espoused in the documentary are a bit unconventional. So…can a Christian have a demon? Where does the ministry of deliverance fit in the lives of Christians? Is this just something we practice on non-believers who want to be set free? Or do Christians ever need deliverance? And if they do, is it supposed to look exactly like it does on this documentary in order to be effective? Just an FYI- by no means is our viewing and discussing the film an endorsement of it or even a critique of it- we simply want to talk through the topic of deliverance and examine how we as believers can think through this topic Biblically.

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).

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-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made.” It's been a long time since the year 325, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Arian heresy has persisted stubbornly throughout the last 1,700 years of church history in various forms and iterations. There are many fringe groups that claim to represent Christian orthodoxy, but in reality are simply peddling this same old heresy. So was Jesus really God? Or was Jesus a created being with divine attributes that was sent by God? Was Jesus made into a God by the early church? Or was Jesus a god just like you and I are “gods”? …shouldn’t we be checking our Bibles for the answers to this?