Weird Stuff in the Bible

Luke Taylor
  • 4.9 (71)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

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. 5d ago

    Apollyon and the Abyss

    There’s a popular teaching in Christianity that there are only three named angels in the Bible. I’ve heard this a million times. I’ve probably even taught it before myself.  GotQuestions.org states: Only three angels are identified by name in the Bible: Gabriel (Daniel 8:16), Michael the archangel (Daniel 10:13), and Lucifer the fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12).  Unfortunately, this common belief is wrong. The Book of Revelation blows this idea apart. Especially if we’re including fallen angels.  Revelation 9 tells us about a swarm of freaky locusts that invade the earth in the end times, and it includes this detail: (Verse 11) They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. So who is this guy Apollyon? Why does he have two names? And what is the bottomless pit? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. And our study today will answer ALL those questions—who Apollyon is, where he’s from—and believe it or not, how learning about this location of the Abyss will bring you to a deeper understanding so many other passages in Scripture—and even the Gospel itself. If that sounds like a good time to you, turn with me to Revelation 9, 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 1:40 - Tartarus 4:55 - Apollyon 13:15 - Abaddon 17:45 - Abussos 22:45 - Antichrist 27:40 - Abyss 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!

    Apollyon and the Abyss

  2. Sep 23

    The Geography of Sheol: Enoch’s Tour of the Underworld

    We’ve spent a lot of time the past few months talking about this spiritual region called The Underworld, also known as Sheol in the Bible.  Now, it’s actually part of something I would call my Underworld series, which started in July and will conclude in a few weeks. Only I didn’t call it that because I thought that saying we would do a 10-week Underworld series would scare a lot of people off.  And that’s because most Christians equate the Underworld with Hell. But that would be a gross oversimplification. That would be like saying that going to Texas means you’re going to Dallas. Dallas is a place within Texas, but Dallas is not the same thing as Texas.  Now, you might say that driving through Dallas is like going to hell, but that would mix our metaphors, so I’ll try to stay on track.  Texas is a big state, and it has a geography. There are different places within Texas beyond just Dallas. Likewise, Hell—as the fiery place of judgment—is actually just one compartment within Sheol. There are other compartments in Sheol that the Bible also tells us about.  And not just the Bible; the Book of Enoch also contains a pretty lengthy description of this realm. In fact, Enoch got to take a tour of this region, and he told us all about it in his book.  Which is pretty weird. And I’d like to read about that today and see how it lines up with the Bible.   And if you want to find out with me, turn to Revelation 20, and let’s get weird. —— Note: Enoch quotations are taken from the Modern Standard Version of the Book of Enoch, available on Amazon (and I highly recommend it if you choose to read Enoch's book!) 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 4:15 - A Cosmic Mountain 6:35 - The Abyss or Tartarus 12:45 - The Lake of Fire 14:50 - Abraham’s Bosom 21:00 - Hell 22:00 - Two More Compartments 24:25 - Recap 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!

    The Geography of Sheol: Enoch’s Tour of the Underworld

  3. Sep 16

    3 Dangers of the Book of Enoch- and Why You Should Read It Anyway

    I got sick! Something like strep throat- and I was in bed all weekend. I could not record a new episode this week, unfortunately, as my voice was not strong enough to record yet as of Tuesday morning. Fortunately, I had already recorded an extra episode a few months ago, and it’s been sitting patiently on my hard drive until I needed it. So, here’s a reflection on the Book of Enoch study- which comes at a great time, since next week’s episode will also tie in with some insights from the Book of Enoch. —— You will often hear people claim that it’s “dangerous” for Christians to read the Book of Enoch.  And that’s literally the word that they’ll use. Dangerous. I’m not trying to pick on anyone so I won’t name names, but if you google it, you’ll find plenty of people telling you that the Book of Enoch should be avoided because it can be so dangerous to your faith. Now, I often find these fears a little silly and overblown. I mean, if I thought that the book of Enoch was dangerous to read, I wouldn’t have spent the first six months of this year studying it. However, now that I have, I would say I think there’s one—maybe two—maybe even three fair criticisms that someone could levy against the book of Enoch.  So I want to share my thoughts on those, and then give a few reasons why I actually believe all Christians should study the book of Enoch anyway. So it’s not so much a bible study today as it is a reflection or retrospective on this year’s study.  —— 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 2:40 - Enoch & Paul Harvey 6:00 - Three Dangers of the Book of Enoch 19:15 - Three Reasons to Read It Anyway 26:05 - The Rest of the Story 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!

    3 Dangers of the Book of Enoch- and Why You Should Read It Anyway

  4. Sep 9

    The Firmament of Genesis 1

    Before we were arguing over flat earth vs round earth, before we were arguing over creation vs evolution, before were were arguing over whether Tom Holland has surpassed Tobey Maguire as the best portrayal of Spider-Man, there was another debate within the church: did God create the earth with a canopy around it like a dome or protective shield? Now, perhaps you’ve never heard of this, but it centers around this mysterious firmament that comes up in Genesis 1:6 and 7.  The NKJV says 6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. What even is a firmament? The American dictionary says a firmament is “the vault of heaven.” The British dictionary says it’s “the expanse of the sky.” I don’t quite know what that means, and to be honest, I find it to be weird, and all I really care about is what the Bible says it is. If you want to find out, too, turn to Genesis 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 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Grossly Normal 4:30 - The Waters and the Firmament 7:25 - Theories on the Firmament 9:20 - The Firmament in the Scriptures 13:05 - The Firmament in Ezekiel 18:45 - The Sea of Glass 23:00 - The Living Creatures 27:50 - 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!

    The Firmament of Genesis 1

  5. Sep 2

    The Mountain Jesus Will Destroy

    Everyone’s heard of the Mount of Olives from the Scriptures.  This is where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It’s where He gave the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24.It’s where He went to pray on the night He was crucified.It’s where He ascended to the heavens after His resurrection.And—it’s where prophecy says He will return at the Second Coming of Christ. Obviously a pretty significant mountain. It must be pretty sacred and special to Jesus if He does all these important things there. This must be one of the holiest locations in the Bible, right? Well actually, this was one of the most unholy mountains of the Old Testament. This was actually a demonic place of human sacrifice in ancient Israel, and a location known as the Mount of Corruption during the later kings; a spiritual abomination where pagans tried to access the Underworld.  We might even call it a cosmic mountain.  So just as two weeks ago I had you rethinking Eden, and last week I had you rethinking gardens, this week will have you rethinking the Mount of Olives. Because I’m wondering: what were Jesus’ purposes for spending so much time there? I find it to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Matthew 21, 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 - Olives in the Time of Jesus 5:20 - Olives in the Old Testament 16:00 - Olives in the Future 19:00 - Next Time & Mailbag 22:15 - This Mountain (Again) 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!

    The Mountain Jesus Will Destroy

  6. Aug 26

    Gardens: Gateways to the Underworld?

    Alright guys, I’ve got an extra-weird one for you this time: does the Bible demonstrate some kind of connection between gardens and the Underworld? Uh, what? When I first heard that, I thought it was one of the most bizarre ideas I’d ever read. While we might use a garden to grow our carrots and cucumbers, the ancient people of the Old Testament era thought of gardens as gateways to the spiritual realm. A place where one could make contact with the dead.  And as we explore various gardens of the Bible today, this concept will start to become very clear even in Scripture itself. And it goes all the way back to the very first one: the garden mountain of Eden.  I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to I 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 - Gardens on Cosmic Mountains 6:20 - Kings and Gardens 15:15 - The Last Adam and the Last Garden 21:50 - I’m Going In 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!

    Gardens: Gateways to the Underworld?

  7. Aug 19

    Eden: God’s Cosmic Mountain

    What exactly was Eden? I mean, we do know it was a garden, right?  Genesis 2:8 tells us And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. So it was a place of lush growth. Trees. Fruit. Vegetation. Water. Life. We all get these visuals of a green paradise in our heads as we read the opening chapters of Genesis. I mean, other than the devil showing up later, this sounds like a place of absolute tranquility. But then we get another vital piece of the puzzle when God is later condemning this devil in Ezekiel 28:14 You were an anointed guardian cherub.    I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God;    in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. Wait, Eden was a mountain? What are these stones of fire? And what was Eden’s purpose? I find all this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to Ezekiel 28, 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 - Mountain Gardens 8:55 - Eden’s Address 12:55 - The Cosmic Mountain 16:50 - The Axis Mundi 21:45 - Next Time & Mailbag 23:55 - 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!

    Eden: God’s Cosmic Mountain

  8. Aug 12

    The Antichrist: An Underworld Spirit

    Hang around Christians long enough, listen to sermons long enough, or pick up just about any prophecy book sitting on the bookstore shelves, and you’re gonna hear about this dude called The Antichrist- an end-times world ruler who takes control in the last days.  And he’s referenced all throughout the Bible. The Old Testament has 33 names for him; the New Testament has at least 13. Daniel calls him the little horn. Revelation calls him the Beast. And I and II John call him the Antichrist. This guy carries more ID cards than Jason Bourne.  I John 2:18 tells us (NKJV) Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming… In the end times, in the apocalypse, this man will appear and dominate the world. But wait, there’s more to that verse. It continues: …even now many antichrists have come… Well what is that talking about? It gets even more confusing when you throw in I John 4:3 every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. OK, so wait: is the Antichrist a man or a spirit? Is he coming, or is he already here? And if he is here- what do we do about him? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible.  Turn to I John 2, and let’s get weird. —— If you do want to know more about hell, check out my interview with Megan Medick on Uncommon Sense right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncommon-sense-with-meagan-medick/id1884935580?i=1000777122024 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 1:55 - Who is the Antichrist? 4:55 - The Spirit of the Antichrist 11:25 - The Beast out of the Sea 15:50 - Leviathan the Twisting Serpent 19:00 - A Spirit of Chaos 22:30 - Defeating the Antichrist Today 24:45 - Next Time & 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!

    The Antichrist: An Underworld Spirit
See All (149)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
71 Ratings

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
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024. Luke Taylor.
  • Show Website
    Weird Stuff in the Bible

You Might Also Like