Beards & Bible Podcast

Israel, 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 . Israel’s broader strategy appears to combine military strikes, intelligence-driven sabotage, and political messaging aimed at weakening Iran’s nuclear and military posture — and potentially its government.
 
And then there’s, the involvement of the United States…
 
The U.S. has been involved diplomatically, urging de-escalation and expressing support for Israel's right to defend itself while also seeking to revive the nuclear deal with Iran, aiming to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities through negotiations. However, differing approaches and concerns from various political factions within the U.S. have complicated these efforts, with debates ongoing about the best course of action moving forward.
 
So how is this all going to shake out? Will it be over in a matter of days? Weeks? Years? Or will this further escalate into World War III?
 
Also, why are some Christians saying that the recent events are of prophetic significance, citing passages from Jeremiah 49?  

Be Not Drunk with Wine- Pt. 3: Tobacco and Caffeine

The 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 our modern lifestyles.

Be Not Drunk with Wine- Pt. 2: Marijuana, the Christian, and to Puff or to Pass

It’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 cannabis industry has exploded in size, employment, and tax revenue. Although many view cannabis as a practical savior because it’s seen as a natural, multi-use remedy that addresses chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions without the addictive risks of opioids or the harsh side effects of some pharmaceuticals, the rise of regular cannabis use has raised significant concerns. Concerns that are often swept under the rug and not talked about.
 
Even though the mantra, “cannabis is non-addictive” has been repeated often, the DSM-5, a reference book on mental health and brain-related conditions and disorders, has something listed called, “cannabis use disorder”. This condition has been growing rapidly, especially among young adults. Even as cannabis use and the support for its legalization are on the rise, at the same time there are growing concerns surrounding potential cognitive, mental health, and motivational impairments. Additionally, some data even suggests links between heavy use and higher rates of traffic accidents, workplace impairment, and emergency room visits.
 
And that’s the dilemma for us as Christians—just because cannabis is becoming legal in more places, should we use it? Can it be used responsibly or in moderation, especially for medical reasons? Scripture calls us to stay sober, care for our bodies and minds, and avoid things that could harm us or others—even if the law says they’re allowed. So how does that work when it comes to marijuana and cannabis?
 
Should we puff…or pass?

Be Not Drunk with Wine- Pt. 1: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol

In 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-control, and the spiritual dangers of dependence on anything other than God (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 20:1). Christians must ask: Am I using this to escape something God wants me to face? Is this substance mastering me in any way (1 Corinthians 6:12)? Does it hinder my witness, my clarity, or my ability to love others well? These aren’t just moral questions, but deeply spiritual ones that call us to reflect on what rules our hearts and minds.
So…who’s up for a little candid discussion about a mildly controversial topic?

Why Don’t More Churches Sing the Psalms? Trump Tariffs, and the Death of Pope Francis

Why 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 the next pope will be, what are the betting odds?

Apostolic 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 this conversation will challenge you to think critically and historically about church leadership, unity, and authority.

Deconstruction 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 benefitted a lot from listening to people’s faith journeys and sharing with them my thoughts on the person of Jesus and why I believe we must hold firm to the key doctrines of the Christian faith.
Recently, I got a chance to sit down with a friend of mine from college who has had a very interesting faith journey, to say the least. I got a chance to share with him my thoughts on the Christian faith and hear where he’s at, and hopefully our conversation was helpful and life-giving to him. I hope and pray that this conversation is beneficial and helpful to you. Here’s my conversation with my friend Forrest.

The Resurgence of Stoicism and its Clash with Christianity

It 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:
Why Stoicism is experiencing a massive revival in modern culture.
The powerful Stoic concept of the Dichotomy of Control-and how it compares to trusting in God.
The idea of Anti-Fragility-growing stronger through hardship-and whether that lines up with a biblical view of suffering.
And ultimately… Can Christians learn something from Stoicism, or is it a competing worldview?

Melchizedek: The King, The Priest, The Mystery

In 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 historical high priest, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany), or a symbolic figure pointing to Jesus as our eternal High Priest?

The Faith of Gen Z, Evangelism’s decline, and other Disruptive Church Trends of 2025

The 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, serve, and share the gospel in this new era.