Beards & Bible Podcast

Knock, Knock? Who’s there? Understanding and Reasoning with the Jehovah’s Witnesses

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.

Raiders 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 again? If so, what will that mean?
 

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

HAPPY 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- 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!

The Mission- John Chau, Martyrdom, and the Eternal Destiny of Unreached People Groups

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?  

Where are We Going? Five Challenges facing the American Church and Resilient Discipleship in the Upcoming Years

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?

BONUS- Introducing: Common Questions podcast with Jonathan Ciecka

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

Traditions, Practices, and Spiritual Disciplines of Corporate Worship

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?
 

Marathons, Israel, Gaza, and End Times Prophecy

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!

Gun 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 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