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Welcome to the Holy Watermelon podcast, where a Christian and an atheist talk about the weird and wonderful things that people do because of what they believe. It's a show about religious studies. Join us, Katie and Preston, as we dive into the world of comparative religion. We use humor and research to have real, challenging, and uproarious conversations about the world's religious traditions and behaviors. If you're interested in religious studies, learning about other people and cultures, ...
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The Happy Theologist Podcast is all about critical thinking, especially how the Bible and how the Bible informs us regarding Social issues, real history, Business, and research across various fields including the Bible, science, technology and more. If you want to learn and grow, this is the place to be challenged!
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Where Coffee, Conversation, and Theology Meet. During my 40 years in ministry, I’ve developed an increasing burden for what I sense to be an increase in biblical illiteracy, not only among those in our churches, but also in the young men and women entering the ministry. Conversely, I am hopeful, because I also sense a hunger from people to learn and know biblical truth and the things of God has revealed to us in Scripture. Our Kitchen Table Theology team has developed a list of over 150 doct ...
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We are a Christian podcast dedicated to investigating the compelling reasons and logical foundations that support belief in a Creator. Throughout our episodes, we delve deep into a variety of topics, engaging in thoughtful and respectful dialogues with theologians, scientists, philosophers, and believers from diverse backgrounds. One of our key focuses is exploring the fascinating interplay between faith and science. We discuss the intricacies of creation from both a Biblical and a scientifi ...
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The Nerd Gospel Podcast

The Nerd Gospel Podcast

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We are The Nerd Gospel Podcast! This is where the good news meets nerd news! Give it a listen, shoot us some feedback, and follow us to stay up to date with all the latest episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Have you ever wondered how God made his presence known in the Old Testament? In this bonus episode, Pastor Jeff Cranston delves into the concepts of theophanies and Christophanies, exploring their significance in biblical theology. He explains that a theophany is an appearance of God to human beings, primarily in the Old Testament, while a Christop…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In today's episode, we delve into the profound narrative of the Tower of Babel, focusing on Genesis 11:5. This short but significant verse is rich in literary and theological meaning, prompting a discussion on the concept of theophany and the use of irony in biblical…
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The Depth of Honor and Humility in Leadership – With Jeffrey Miller Join Tove Rose on the Happy Theologist Podcast for an insightful conversation with Jeffrey Miller from Compass Leadership. In this episode, Jeffrey delves into the concept of 'kavod,' a Hebrew word translated as honor, and its profound implications. They discuss the importance of r…
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Send us a Text Message. In this compelling episode, we tackle the pervasive and challenging issue of moral relativism—the belief that moral judgments are not absolute but vary from person to person or culture to culture. As this philosophy gains traction in modern society, it raises profound questions about the universality of moral truths and the …
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Send us a Text Message. In this compelling episode, we tackle the pervasive and challenging issue of moral relativism—the belief that moral judgments are not absolute but vary from person to person or culture to culture. As this philosophy gains traction in modern society, it raises profound questions about the universality of moral truths and the …
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After ragging on people who surely don't deserve the veneration they receive from faithful Christians around the world, for their questionable morality, or even dubious historicity, it's time for us to look at a heptad of saints who are genuinely good role models--at least on the surface.... For these saints (as opposed to Teresa of Calcutta), pove…
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How does the Book of Lamentations challenge your understanding of God's judgment and grace? In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss the book of Lamentations, an Old Testament text attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. They explore the emotional intensity and sorrow of the book, which reflects on the destruction of Jerusalem an…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing question of whether Genesis 10 and 11 contradict each other regarding the number of languages spoken. Genesis 10 describes various tribes with their own languages, while Genesis 11 states that the whole earth had one lang…
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In this first of four episodes, The Happy Theologist Tov Rose interviews Jeffrey Miller, President of Compass Leadership, about the Theology of Business and Finance, providing a much-needed Biblical perspective on Christians in the business world. Jeffrey specializes in entrepreneurship, executive coaching, and business consulting for corporations …
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In this first of four episodes, The Happy Theologist Tov Rose interviews Jeffrey Miller, President of Compass Leadership, about the Theology of Business and Finance, providing a much-needed Biblical perspective on Christians in the business world. Jeffrey specializes in entrepreneurship, executive coaching, and business consulting for corporations …
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Send us a Text Message. In this introspective episode, we begin a journey into the often-unspoken realm of doubts within the context of faith. Doubt, a natural and sometimes necessary aspect of the spiritual journey, can lead to deeper understanding and stronger beliefs, or it can be a source of profound struggle. We address the initial stirrings o…
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Have you ever wondered how the smallest books in the Bible can hold the most profound lessons for our faith? In this episode, host Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston delve into the brief yet significant New Testament book, 2 John. They discuss the book's authorship, themes, and the theological importance of love and truth. Pastor Cranston empha…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! I'm your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we dive deep into Genesis 9:2-3, where God appears to give humans the green light to eat meat. But why is this verse so controversial? We'll explore various perspectives, from progressive revelation and its implications to the debates surrounding veg…
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Send us a Text Message. In this introspective episode, we begin a journey into the often-unspoken realm of doubts within the context of faith. Doubt, a natural and sometimes necessary aspect of the spiritual journey, can lead to deeper understanding and stronger beliefs, or it can be a source of profound struggle. We address the initial stirrings o…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this special mid-year review episode, Lance takes a break from the usual biblical timeline to dive into the podcast's performance so far. With 26 full episodes and one sidebar episode released, the podcast has garnered 3,207 downloads from listeners in 18 differen…
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The Church of Rome doesn't represent all of Christianity, but it is a major portion of the global population, so it's time for us to look at their foundation, and what makes them distinct from other groups. We explore the history of the Catholic Church, including the history of apostolic codenames, and the trouble with apostolic succession. The lon…
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What can the life and messages of Jeremiah teach us about faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition? In this episode, hosts Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss the prophet Jeremiah, focusing on his life, prophecies, and significance in the Old Testament. They highlight Jeremiah's reluctance to accept his calling, his prophe…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we dive deep into Genesis 8:22, a verse that, at first glance, seems straightforward but holds profound implications. Why do famines occur if God promised perpetual seasons? Did humanity experience seasons before the flood? Could this verse be the be…
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Send us a Text Message. In this introspective episode, we begin a journey into the often-unspoken realm of doubts within the context of faith. Doubt, a natural and sometimes necessary aspect of the spiritual journey, can lead to deeper understanding and stronger beliefs, or it can be a source of profound struggle. We address the initial stirrings o…
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How would you describe your relationship with God: consistent and fruitful, or sporadic and parched? In this episode, host Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston explore the background, authorship, and theological significance of the book of 1 John. They discuss how John, the son of Zebedee and an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry, wrote this letter to…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast. I'm your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into a compelling topic by examining Genesis 8:21, where God promises never to destroy all living things again, and comparing it with 2 Peter 3:10, which speaks of a future destruction by fire. Are these verses contradictory, or is there a d…
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Send us a Text Message. In this introspective episode, we begin a journey into the often-unspoken realm of doubts within the context of faith. Doubt, a natural and sometimes necessary aspect of the spiritual journey, can lead to deeper understanding and stronger beliefs, or it can be a source of profound struggle. We address the initial stirrings o…
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Gods of the underworld are not the same as gods of death, nor are the guides the same--not even the Grim Reaper. Hades is the minder of the subterrestrial realm, just as Zeus and Poseidon are the minders of the Mountain (... and the sky) and the Sea (tough to argue for pluralizing those realms). Pluto is the same figure, adopted by the Romans AFTER…
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Have you ever wondered how ancient prophecies could still hold relevance in today's world? In this episode, hosts Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston explore the book of Isaiah. They discuss the authorship, historical context, and central themes of the book. The conversation highlights Isaiah's prophetic messages, the significance of his name, a…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we tackle the intriguing question: Did God temporarily forget Noah as suggested in Genesis 8:1? We explore this verse through the lens of open theism and examine whether God had a "senior moment" and forgot about those on the ark. Join us as we revis…
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Send us a Text Message. In this enlightening episode, we begin our exploration of theophanies—those awe-inspiring moments where the divine breaks into the human experience, offering a direct glimpse of God's presence and power. Theophanies are found throughout various religious texts, but are particularly prominent in the Bible, where they serve as…
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Have you ever wondered what significant lessons you might be missing out on by neglecting certain parts of the Bible? In this episode, hosts Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston dive into the New Testament, focusing on the book of 2 Peter. They discuss common everyday things that people tend to neglect, segueing into the often-overlooked book of …
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we explore the intriguing discrepancies in the story of Noah's Ark, focusing on the duration of the flood waters. Did it rain for 40 days and 40 nights, or did the flood last for 150 days? We delve into various interpretations and theories to make se…
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Send us a Text Message. In this enlightening episode, we begin our exploration of theophanies—those awe-inspiring moments where the divine breaks into the human experience, offering a direct glimpse of God's presence and power. Theophanies are found throughout various religious texts, but are particularly prominent in the Bible, where they serve as…
  continue reading
 
Religious clothing is as varied as any other kind of fashion, but there are a few common themes that we will highlight: Chastity is encouraged in modesty, and it's weird that covering your hair is more important that loose-fitting tops; weirder still when covering your hair with more hair has religious pressure on the cultural misstep. Fancy hats a…
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Today we're diving deep into the structural integrity and seaworthiness of Noah's Ark as described in Genesis 6:14-15. Can a wooden ark truly withstand the violent flood depicted in the Bible? We'll start by examining the insights of entertainer and science communicator Bill Nye, famously known as "The Science Guy," and dissect his thoughts on the …
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Send us a Text Message. We embark on a profound exploration of one of Christianity's most mysterious and powerful figures: the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? sets the stage for a deep dive into the essence and roles of the Holy Spirit across various Christian doctrines. This episode introduces listeners to the foundational concepts of the Hol…
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The real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. In this special 200th episode of Kitchen Table Theology, hosts Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston celebrate the milestone by reflecting on their journey, featuring past co-host Jen Denton. The episode includes a giveaway announcement, discussions about the podcast's origins, its…
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Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, hosted by Lance Smith. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the depths of Genesis 6:14-15, focusing on the flood narrative. Was this flood an actual historical event, a myth like the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, or something in between—a mytho-history? We explore the question of wh…
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Send us a Text Message. We embark on a profound exploration of one of Christianity's most mysterious and powerful figures: the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? sets the stage for a deep dive into the essence and roles of the Holy Spirit across various Christian doctrines. This episode introduces listeners to the foundational concepts of the Hol…
  continue reading
 
If sin were ugly, the world would be a paradise. Sin has a lot of faces in religious traditions around the world, some more consequential than others. Hamartiology is the study of sin, and it looks like some folk only want to define the line so they know how close they can stand. Sin is simply the misstep or error that divides people. Some people a…
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Have you ever wondered how ancient expressions of love can still resonate in today's relationships? In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss the intricacies of the Bible's Song of Solomon. They explore its poetic nature, its portrayal of love, and its implications for understanding marriage. The episode also highlights a spec…
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Join us as host Lance Smith takes us on a riveting journey to decode Genesis 6:6, a controversial Bible verse that sparks thought-provoking discussions and interpretations. In this episode, we will explore the question, "Was God unsatisfied with what He made?" To guide our exploration, we will delve into two perspectives: 'Open Theism,' which propo…
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Send us a Text Message. We embark on a profound exploration of one of Christianity's most mysterious and powerful figures: the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? Part 1 sets the stage for a deep dive into the essence and roles of the Holy Spirit across various Christian doctrines. This episode introduces listeners to the foundational concepts of …
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What do you do when life's storms threaten to uproot your stability? In this episode, hosts Tiffany Coker and Jeff Cranston explore themes of resilience and faith through the lens of biblical teachings and real-life anecdotes. Tiffany introduces the episode with a story from Max Lucado's book, "Six Hours One Friday," illustrating the concept of dee…
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Welcome to the 'Bible Difficulties and Answers' podcast with your host, Lance Smith. The elusive topic of the identity of the "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6:2 is today's intriguing subject. This verse has been a curiosity to biblical scholars for hundreds of years and continues to pique our interest. We'll consider the questions: were the "so…
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Send us a Text Message. Delve into one of Christianity's most profound and central doctrines in this episode: the Holy Trinity. This concept, encapsulating the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct persons sharing one divine essence, is both foundational and deeply mysterious, challenging believers and theologians alike. We explore…
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What is a church? How does a religious society really differentiate itself from any other kind of society? What does it take to become a priest of the Holy Watermelon? Some people join self-help groups without realizing they've been trapped in a cult. We'll be up front about it: this is a church. How can we be a church while also being secular and …
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Have you ever felt like there must be more to life than your achievements and possessions? Hosts Tiffany Coker and Jeff Cranston dive into the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, exploring its key theological themes and the quest for meaning in life. Jeff Cranston relates a story about Tom Brady to illustrate the search for meaning beyond material …
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Dive into the intriguing challenges of biblical longevity with host Lance Smith on this episode of "Bible Difficulties and Answers" podcast. Today, we're exploring the fascinating aspect of the extended lifespans of ancient patriarchs mentioned in the Bible, with some purportedly living beyond 900 years. Scholars present varying perspectives on thi…
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Send us a Text Message. Delve into one of Christianity's most profound and central doctrines in this episode: the Holy Trinity. This concept, encapsulating the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct persons sharing one divine essence, is both foundational and deeply mysterious, challenging believers and theologians alike. We explore…
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Have you ever considered what it would be like to grow up with Jesus as your brother? In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss the New Testament book of James. Tiffany begins by expressing her fondness for James due to its practical advice for Christian living. They explore the identity and background of James, highlighting h…
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In this episode of the 'Bible Difficulties and Answers' podcast, host Lance Smith delves into an intriguing and contentious part of the Bible: Genesis 5, which records the genealogy from Adam to Noah. This chapter has been a source of great debate among scholars and believers, primarily due to its implications for the age of the earth and humanity.…
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Send us a Text Message. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the compelling and often controversial doctrine of Universalism, a belief that ultimately all souls will be reconciled to God and granted eternal salvation, regardless of their earthly actions. This episode unpacks the historical roots, theological arguments, and the moral and…
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Why are there no bear ghosts? Nearly all the ghosts in the world seem to come from a specific period of time, long before any of us were born. There is a universal obsession with death, so we're going to explore death from the perspective of those left behind. (Traditions about what lays beyond will be the subject of another episode.) We talk about…
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