Beards & Bible Podcast JoshBrooker/GabeRutledge

On May 30, former president Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime when a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. After two days of deliberation, the 12-member jury pronounced Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts he faced.
This high-profile case has sparked conversations nationwide about the trial’s legitimacy, its implications, weaponization of the justice department for political causes, and the overall impact it will all have on the 2024 Presidential elections.
And if you’re a Christian…you’ve probably seen a lot of…interesting reactions from folks around. Like those crazy memes floating around that compare Trump to Jesus.
So what do we do with all of this? How can we keep a level head and a sober mind as we explore the moral, political, and spiritual implications of this high-profile case?

On this week's episode, Gabe and Josh talk of Gabe's upcoming baby, Josh's 13 year wedding anniversary, Josh's AIM screen name, and the gang answers some great questions sent in by listeners related to women in pastoral leadership and infant baptism. 

We’re commanded in Scripture to be anxious for nothing, to not worry about our lives, and to cast all our cares upon the Lord.
So…if we feel anxious or battle an anxiety disorder, are we in sin?
What about depression? Does being a Christian mean that we’ll never get depressed or battle intense seasons of despair or discouragement?
 
*****DISCLAIMER*****
We’re not therapists, psychologists, or mental health professionals. We’re pastors. Everything we talk about on today’s episode is from our point of view as people who give spiritual guidance to those in our congregation. So please be discerning as you listen and take it in with a grain of salt. If you’re dealing with mental health issues, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional. Alright, back to the show.
 

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