The Stranger Theology Podcast

Joel Muddamalle, PhD with Special Guests

5.0 (29)
Christianity
Updated Biweekly

Explore the stranger parts of the Bible strangertheology.substack.com

23h ago

Samson and the Gates of Gaza - Episode 7

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.com In the dead of night, a compromised judge does the impossible—he rips the gates of Gaza from their foundations and carries them uphill to Hebron. But this isn't just a feat of strength; it's a cosmic statement. The gates of the underworld, the very symbols of death's dominion, are torn away and paraded to the mountain. Before Jesus declared that hell's gates wouldn't prevail against His church, Samson prophetically demonstrated that no gate—no barrier between the living and the dead—could stand against God's anointed. Even our most flawed champions point to the Champion to come. Join the Substack: strangertheology.substack.com
Jul 9

Clarity in a Crowded Cosmos

In this episode of Stranger Theology, Joel sits down with Jeremy Jenkins to unpack his essay, “Clarity in a Crowded Cosmos,” and explore why the Bible presents a spiritual world far more populated than many modern Western Christians assume. Together, they discuss Michael Heiser’s influence, the Divine Council worldview, the meaning of Elohim, and why terms like monotheism, polytheism, and henotheism often fail to capture the full complexity of the biblical text.They also move beyond theory into pastoral application, addressing why mystery can feel threatening, how the unseen realm should shape prayer and discipleship, and why recovering the Bible’s supernatural worldview can lead to deeper worship, clearer theology, and a more holistic understanding of the Christian faith. Join the Substack: strangertheology.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 25

Mt. Sinai - Episode 6

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.com Two mountains stand in opposition: Sinai burning with the glory of Yahweh and his angelic armies, and Bashan brooding with envy as the mountain of the gods. At Sinai, God descended in fire, surrounded by myriads of holy ones, to give the Law that would define His people. But this mountain of terror would ultimately point to Mount Zion—the mountain of grace. From burning bush to trembling ground to the chariots of God, witness the cosmic showdown between the Holy One of Israel and the powers of the north. Join the Substack: strangertheology.substack.com
Jun 13

Relics, Remembrance, and the God of Matter

In this episode of Stranger Theology, Leslie Garcia unpacks the history and theology of relics through the lens of her essay, When Holiness Lingers. Rather than asking listeners to adopt the practice of venerating relics, Leslie invites us to consider how early Christians understood bodies, sacred spaces, martyrdom, and remembrance. Together, the conversation explores the tension many modern Protestants feel around relics, the biblical pattern of God working through physical matter, and the difference between worshiping an object and allowing it to serve as a signpost to God’s activity. Join the Substack: strangertheology.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe
May 28

Psalm 121 - Episode 5

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.com "I lift my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?" If you think you know the answer to this beloved psalm, think again. In a world where mountains represented divine dwelling places and rival gods, this psalm isn't about scenic inspiration—it's about rejecting counterfeit worship and false refuges. Where does your help truly come from? Not from the mountains where fallen powers dwell, but from the Maker of heaven and earth. Join the Substack: strangertheology.substack.com
May 18

Unlocking Biblical Chiasm: The Hidden Patterns That Help Us Understand Scripture

Join Joel Muddamalle and Doug Van Dorn as they explore biblical literary structures like chiasm, the cosmic significance of spatial topography, and the strategic use of subversion in Scripture. Discover how these insights deepen our understanding of Revelation, Luke-Acts, and the overall biblical narrative. Buy Rings of Revelation: https://a.co/d/0eE6MXl0 Join the Substack: https://strangertheology.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 30

Mt. Moriah - Episode 4

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.com One mountain. Three moments. Infinite significance. On Mt. Moriah, Abraham bound Isaac, David built an altar, and Solomon raised the temple—and at the center of it all stands the Angel of the Lord with outstretched sword. This is the mountain where the morning star fell and where the true Morning Star would one day be lifted up. Discover the cosmic connections between Venus, Lucifer, sacrifice, and the pre-incarnate Christ standing watch over the place where provision meets promise.
Apr 13

Melchizedek: The King-Priest Who Appears Without Beginning

The figure of Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14 without warning. No genealogy. No origin story. No explanation. He blesses Abraham, receives tithes, and then vanishes from the narrative—only to resurface centuries later in Psalm 110 and become the centerpiece of Hebrews 7’s argument about Jesus as our great high priest.Most Christians skip past Melchizedek entirely. Second Temple Judaism tried to contain him by inventing a genealogy. But the author of Hebrews refuses both approaches and instead presents Melchizedek as a deliberately enigmatic figure pointing forward to Christ—a king-priest who operates outside the Levitical system, foreshadowing the one who would fulfill what the Law could never complete.In this conversation with trial attorney and author Adam Dougherty, we explore: * Why Genesis presents Melchizedek without father, mother, or genealogy—and what that silence is meant to teach us * How seeing Jesus throughout the Old Testament (not just waiting in a divine green room until the Incarnation) reshapes our understanding of Scripture’s coherence * The way Second Temple Judaism attempted to domesticate Melchizedek by tying him to Shem, and why the author of Hebrews demolishes that reading * What it means that our high priest operates in the order of Melchizedek rather than the order of Aaron—and why that distinction matters for understanding spiritual warfare and our access to God This is not speculation. This is the biblical text doing what it was designed to do: pointing us to Christ. Buy Adam’s Book: Get access to all the Podcast episodes,including the premium podcast series, “TheCosmic Mountain,” by upgrading to a paidmember. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe

5

out of 5

29 Ratings

Enjoyed listening

Jan 22

bozlife

Loved listening to the walk you two took and how the Bible get broken down and looked at the way one should but may not have the background to, so ppl like you two are vital to keep talking about the Bible and reading and studying it.

Explore the stranger parts of the Bible strangertheology.substack.com

Creator

Joel Muddamalle, PhD with Special Guests
Years Active

2026
Episodes

17
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Joel Muddamalle, PhD
Show Website

The Stranger Theology Podcast