Weird Stuff in the Bible

Luke Taylor
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Find the answers to all those questions you were too embarrassed to ask in Sunday School. Welcome to Weird Stuff in the Bible, where we explore scripture passages that are bizarre, perplexing or just plain weird. Hosted by Luke Taylor. Dive deeper! Sign up for the newsletter (and catch up on past newsletters) at this link: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/

  1. Enoch’s First Rapture: Destigmatizing this Weird Doctrine

    2 DAYS AGO

    Enoch’s First Rapture: Destigmatizing this Weird Doctrine

    Enoch is one of the most mysterious people in the Bible. He appears in Genesis 5 for about 10 seconds, at which point we’re told that he basically disappeared. He was there one minute, gone the next. Like my wife when the pastor tells us to turn and greet the person next to us. Just “poof,” gone.  And I’ve spoken about this on the podcast before. Not my wife being an introvert, but about Enoch’s sudden evacuation from this planet.  Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. He was not? Right. He was not. He was, and then he wasn’t. Poof.  I have often called this the first rapture in the Bible. And that word comes with a lot of theological baggage. By even bringing up the idea, I have probably already upset some people today. It bothers some Christians because most associate that word with the concept of the rapture of the church.  We’ll talk about that today, because what I’d like to do is de-stigmatize this touchy subject. If you don’t like the concept of a rapture of the church, or if you reject something that’s often called the pre-tribulation rapture, I’m not even gonna try to convince you to believe it today.  This is not an issue in which I’d break fellowship with other Christians over. I’m not trying to be divisive today; I’m trying to be the opposite. I’d like to show, especially for those who reject quote-unquote “rapture theology” that the concept of the rapture is actually pretty common in Scripture. The reason this is coming up today is because we’re in a study of the Book of Enoch, and we’re going to find out that the first rapture we read about in Scripture was perhaps not the first rapture that ever took place.  But we’ll get to that later. First, the Bible stuff, because a lot of people find the doctrine of the rapture to be weird, and I’d like us to explore everywhere we can find it in the Bible.  Turn to II Kings 2, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - The Raptures of the Bible 5:55 - Harpazo 11:00 - Other Raptures in the Bible 15:05 - Enoch 12 and the First Rapture 19:40 - Next Time 21:50 - Mailbag- the Watchers and the Sons of God 27:40 - Closing Thoughts  Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    30 min
  2. My Conversation with Dr. Michael Heiser about the Supernatural

    22 APR

    My Conversation with Dr. Michael Heiser about the Supernatural

    One of the great honors and treasures of my life is that I actually got to speak with Dr. Michael Heiser in 2015, and I’m going to share that conversation with you today. Not only did I speak with him- this was also the first time I’d ever even heard of the guy. He was not really a big name yet. His epic work The Unseen Realm released that year; that was the book that put him on the map.  And at that time, I hosted a radio program at that time where I interviewed Christian authors, and an advanced copy for Michael Heiser’s book Supernatural came across my desk, and I thought it looked interesting, so I requested a conversation, and that’s how I “met” Michael Heiser, and my life has never been the same since.  I’ve actually read every book he’s written, up until he sadly passed away from cancer in 2023. This week, I’m finishing The Unseen Realm for the third or fourth time- which now has an updated and expanded edition, by the way.  And thank goodness I kept a record of my old interviews because I was actually able to go back and find this brief discussion I was able to have with him. So I’m going to share that with you today. Next week, we’ll get back into our book of Enoch series. I’m just taking a brief break from that here in April to share last week’s and now this week’s special interview.  So a couple notes before we begin. Back in those days, I used a radio name. For real. So when I come on here in a minute, I won’t say my name is Luke Taylor. I’ll introduce myself as Clark Matthews. But it is for-real me. I just had a secret identity back then. And I still think Clark is a way cooler name than Luke, but I don’t use it anymore.  Two- this is really embarrassing but I actually mispronounce Dr. Heiser’s name all through the interview. I cringe so hard when I hear this now, I have no idea why he didn’t correct me; maybe he didn’t catch it. I do remember he was very kind off-air both before and after the interview. I obviously didn’t realize at the time the incredible person I was speaking with, but I remember him being very patient and humble. I had opportunities to interview some big-name people over the years, and sometimes they could actually be kinda pushy or rude behind the scenes. But Dr. Heiser was a genuinely nice guy. I miss him, but I’m super thankful to God that I got to actually speak with him while he was on this earth. As you listen to this, I think you’ll hear how he influenced me. I probably barely even knew what a podcast was in 2015, but in this interview, you’ll probably recognize the seeds of my own thought process about the Bible, which led to a podcast like this even existing.  So with that introduction, let’s get weird with Clark Matthews and Dr. Michael Heiser… Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. Some of the music included in this interview is provided by Blue Tree Audio.Background Music: www.bluetreeaudio.com Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    14 min
  3. Brian Godawa returns! We discuss Geopolitical Spiritual Warfare, the prophet Daniel, and the Chronicles of the Watchers

    15 APR

    Brian Godawa returns! We discuss Geopolitical Spiritual Warfare, the prophet Daniel, and the Chronicles of the Watchers

    Brian Godawa- author of the new release Daniel: Exile in Babylon- comes back to the podcast today to discuss geopolitical spiritual warfare and the infighting within the Divine Council. Brian has a vision of how the spiritual realm operates and brings it to life in his Chronicles of the Watchers series.  Check out all the books he’s written at his website: www.godawa.com You can WATCH this interview here: https://youtu.be/M388kMAG2aU Questions I ask in this interview: - Tell us about the Chronicles of the Watchers - Those these books are “fictional,” what are some ways your readers will learn about true history? - Why do the Watchers battle not just God, but each other? - How does Satan factor into these conflicts between the Watchers? - What happens to a Watcher on the Divine Council if he turns against God? Is he kicked out? Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    34 min
  4. Will God ever Destroy the Earth Again? (Also: Enoch MAILBAG)

    8 APR

    Will God ever Destroy the Earth Again? (Also: Enoch MAILBAG)

    Well, next week is April 15, which means your taxes are coming due. So if you woke up today and said, “Man, it sure would be great if God consumed the whole world in a fiery destruction that wiped away all life and memory of mankind and the IRS from the earth…” then I have some good news. That’s actually in the works.  Now, it probably won’t be next week, but it is gonna happen. And how do I know? Because Peter told me about it.  II Peter 3:10 says But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. And for the record, the Book of Enoch tells us similar things. It was written about the future Second Coming of Christ. Enoch’s book tells us things about the Second Coming long before even Christ’s first coming. It even tells us how the mountains will melt like wax before the Lord at His return. We’re gonna look at some of that today. But wait a minute- didn’t God promise to never destroy the world again after the flood? In Genesis 8:21 and 22, God says “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. 22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” So wait- is God actually gonna destroy the world someday- or am I gonna have to just keep paying taxes forever and ever?  We’re going to answer that question today. And it won’t take long, actually. But after that, I want to explore a few questions that you all, the listeners, have been sending in lately about the Book of Enoch. Because today is going to finish up chapter 10, as well as 11, and this will actually finish up a section of the book, which makes it a good time to address some of your burning questions, like: were there female giants?Is there any good reason to think that the Book of Enoch was actually written and somehow preserved through the flood?And why does windshield wiper fluid have to look so delicious?That last one is actually one of my own questions, and I don’t have an answer. It’s just something that’s been bothering me this week because I had to refill the windshield wiper fluid on my vehicle and… is it just me or does anyone else wonder what flavor that is. (I’ve had a little bit too much coffee this morning so there’s a lot of thoughts going through my head right now.) So why does God say He’s not going to destroy the world again after Noah gets off the Ark, yet II Peter 3 tells us He’s going to do exactly that?  I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the bible.  Turn with me to Genesis 8 and let’s get weird.  Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com 0:00 - Introduction 3:35 - Genesis 8 & Enoch 10-11 8:45 - Read the Fine Print 15:15 - Mailbag- Why Trust Enoch? 26:05 - Mailbag- Jesus’ Privacy 27:10 - Mailbag- Female Giants? 28:35 - Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    32 min
  5. Jesus, the Book of Enoch, and the Fate of the Watchers

    1 APR

    Jesus, the Book of Enoch, and the Fate of the Watchers

    One of the most famous parables Jesus shared was the one about the sheep and the goats. This refers to a future time, judgment day, the second coming of Christ, when Jesus will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Those who had served Christ will receive salvation, the rest will have a dark fate.  And you’ll probably recognize this quote that Jesus says to that second group In Matthew 25:41: Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ Sounds simple enough, right? Hell was created for the devil and his angels- meaning the bad angels, the fallen angels- and those people who choose the devil’s team will end up in the same place that they are. Except wait a minute- this is actually new information. There hasn’t been anywhere in Scripture where we were told that hell was first created for the devil and his angels. You can read from Genisys to Malachi and you won’t find this idea anywhere.  Like 12 tons of European KitKats. Just totally missing. Gone. You will, however, find that doctrine in the Book of Enoch. Did Jesus read the book of Enoch? And more importantly- did He believe it? We’ll answer that today because I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why Jesus seemed to quote an idea from the Book of Enoch. Turn to Matthew 25, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Enoch 10, Imprisoning the Watchers 10:45 - Matthew 25, the Sheep and the Goats 15:35 - Jesus and the Book of Enoch 23:10 - The Fate of the Watchers Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    31 min
  6. A Goat for Azazel

    25 MAR

    A Goat for Azazel

    Explore Enoch 10 and Leviticus 16 with me.  The internet was set on fire this week by the tragic passing of Chuck Norris. And it included a revival of Chuck Norris jokes. One said, “When Chuck Norris arrived in heaven, he was the one who had to tell the angels, ‘Fear not.’”  Another said, “Chuck Norris didn’t die. Death has had a near-Chuck experience.” Another one: “When Chuck Norris goes into a room, he doesn’t turn the lights on. He turns the dark off.” And I found this great one that said, “Chuck Norris once read Leviticus…and liked it.” Now, that’s a good one because Leviticus is no one’s favorite book of the Bible. Leviticus is the book about clean and unclean foods, about what to do if you find mold in your house, about how to treat infections- oh yeah, and sacrifices sacrifices sacrifices. There’s a lot of blood in this book, and a lot of details about sabbaths, feast days, and the sacrifices that the Israelites were supposed to do at these appointed times. And chapter 16 is perhaps the most peculiar. This describes the Day of Atonement. It involves a strange ritual where there were two goats presented before the people. The High Priest would pick one goat to be used as a sacrifice; the other would be sent off into the desert.  Kinda weird, huh? But it gets weirder. Listen to this: Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel. Wait a minute. Azazel may sound familiar, especially if you’ve been listening to the podcast this year. That’s because Azazel is one of the rebellious Watchers in the Book of Enoch, who came down to deceive humanity and teach them forbidden knowledge in the pre-flood world. But what ever happened to Azazel? We’re going to explore Enoch’s 10th chapter to try and answer that question today as well, so that we can understand why Azazel gets a cameo here in the often-skipped book of Leviticus. You know, maybe Chuck Norris died, maybe he didn’t. Personally, I’m not gonna believe it until we hear it from Chuck Norris himself. But I do want to take a closer look at Leviticus 16 and see if I can enjoy it as much as Chuck Norris reportedly did. Because I find this goat ritual to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Leviticus 16, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:30 - The Scapegoat 5:15 - Azazel in the Book of Enoch 12:35 - Two-Way Atonement 21:50 - Next Time 23:50 - The Son of the Father Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    30 min
  7. When Prophets (and even Angels) Question God | Enoch 9 and Habakkuk 1

    18 MAR

    When Prophets (and even Angels) Question God | Enoch 9 and Habakkuk 1

    Do you ever get an answer that just leads to more questions?  I think a lot of us have had that experience. Sometimes we’re searching for the answer to some weird thing in the Bible, and when we finally find it, we find ourselves saying, “Well wait, what about this?” Or “this challenges the view I had of spiritual reality or what God is like.” Honestly, our preconceptions of how God operates are probably our biggest hindrance to understanding some parts of the Bible. And if that’s you, don’t feel bad; it was Habakkuk’s problem as well. Habakkuk, a prophet of God, one of the men selected to write a book of the Bible, certainly had his view of God challenged. Habakkuk had some issues with how God was running the world, he asked God about it, God actually answered Habakkuk, and Habakkuk wasn’t too satisfied with the answer. Today, we’re going to read how that conversation between God and Habakkuk went down, and it’s going to help us understand how to process it when God’s actions don’t meet our expectations. Then we’ll look at a similar conversation that was recorded amongst a group of angels in the Book of Enoch. And that discussion is going too help us understand what we should DO when God’s doesn’t do what we think He should. Habakkuk argued with God. And when he didn’t like what God said, he argued some more. I find that to be gutsy, and pretty weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Habakkuk 1, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com 0:00 - Introduction 1:30 - Habakkuk’s Complaint 10:10 - Enoch 9 and the Angels 16:00 - The Just Shall Live By Faith 22:10 - Closing Thoughts: The Labor Day Fire   Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    28 min
  8. Bashan: The Place of the Serpent

    11 MAR

    Bashan: The Place of the Serpent

    One of the most head-scratching verses to me in the entire Bible is Ephesians 4:8.  In this verse, Paul quotes Psalm 68. And Paul is known to quote various passages from the Old Testament; that’s not weird.  What’s weird is that Paul quotes it wrong. As in, he quotes one line saying the exact opposite of what the David originally wrote in this Psalm.  Psalm 68 says You ascended on high,    leading a host of captives in your train    and receiving gifts among men, But in Ephesians 4:8 Paul applies this to Christ, saying “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,    and he gave gifts to men.” One version says “receiving gifts.” The other says “he gave gifts.” Those are two opposite ideas.  And that might seem like a tiny mistake in the grand scheme of things, but it bothers me because I always say my bible ain’t got no mistakes. So I had to look more deeply into this one. And as I did, I learned something that brought yet another dimension to these words: the quotation in Psalm 68 is in a context of addressing Bashan.  Bashan, as in, the spiritually dark region that was a stronghold of giants and demons in the Bible.  Bashan, a location whose name means “the place of the serpent.”  Bashan which contains Mount Hermon, the location where the Watchers touched down on planet earth in their great rebellion, as detailed in the Book of Enoch. So in this episode, we’re going to investigate Bashan, what it means in the Bible, what Psalm 68 is saying, and hopefully we’ll understand why Paul quotes it backwards in Ephesians 4. Because I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why a potential error like this is in the Bible.  Turn to Psalm 68, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com 0:00 - Introduction 4:40 - Bashan, the Place of the Serpent 11:15 - Psalm 68 & Ephesians 4 23:45 - Next Time 25:30 - The Bulls of Bashan Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

    31 min
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About

Find the answers to all those questions you were too embarrassed to ask in Sunday School. Welcome to Weird Stuff in the Bible, where we explore scripture passages that are bizarre, perplexing or just plain weird. Hosted by Luke Taylor. Dive deeper! Sign up for the newsletter (and catch up on past newsletters) at this link: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Luke Taylor
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024. Luke Taylor.
  • Show Website
    Weird Stuff in the Bible

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