Truth Be Told

Micah Gunn

A theology and apologetics podcast born out of a love of God‘s word, a hope to find common ground with those who study it, and a desire to outline truth as the Bible tells it.

  1. 3D AGO

    Don't Be A Denethor (EPISODE 200!!)

    ** EPISODE 200!!** In this episode, we explore a fascinating phrase from Jesus’s letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7 when He identifies Himself as “the One who holds the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens.” What does this title mean, and why does Jesus use it here? Think Lord of the Rings. Remember Denethor, the Steward of Gondor? His role was to govern the kingdom until the true king returned. But over time Denethor grew proud, bitter, and resentful of the very idea of the rightful king reclaiming the throne. The steward began to act like the kingdom was his. In Isaiah 22, we get a similar story where God confronts a royal steward named Shebna. As steward of the king’s household, Shebna held immense authority symbolized by the “key of the house of David.” His role was not ownership but stewardship: to manage the king’s house on the king’s behalf. Yet Shebna allowed his position to inflate his pride, acting as though the house belonged to him rather than to the master he served. Through the prophet Isaiah, God rebukes Shebna and removes him from his position, replacing him with a faithful servant, Eliakim. The key of David would be placed on Eliakim’s shoulder which serves as a symbol of delegated authority and faithful stewardship typological of Christ's ultimate authority as Lord and Master. Fast forward to the book of Revelation, and Jesus deliberately invokes this imagery. By claiming the key of David, Jesus declares that He (not any human authority) holds ultimate authority over the kingdom of God. He is the true and faithful steward of David’s house, the one who grants or denies access to the kingdom, and whose decisions cannot be overturned. In this episode, we unpack this powerful Old Testament backdrop and explore what it reveals about authority, humility, and the danger of confusing stewardship with ownership. The warning given through Shebna still speaks today to leaders, institutions, and believers alike. Join us as we connect Isaiah and Revelation to see how this small phrase reveals a profound truth about who Jesus is and what it means to faithfully serve in the house that ultimately belongs to God. Whether you consider ancient Judah, fictional Middle Earth, or the modern day Church, the lesson is the same: don't be a Denethor.   #BibleStudy #ChristianTheology #ChristianApologetics #BookOfRevelation #Revelation37 #Isaiah22 #KeyOfDavid #BiblicalTeaching #BibleExplained #ChristianYouTube #FaithAndReason #LordOfTheRings #Denethor #MiddleEarth #Christianity #faith #religion #spirituality #God #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #OldTestament #NewTestament #HebrewBible #Hebrew #Greek #theology #apologetics #stewardship #steward #middleearth #Denethor #Shebna #Judah #Israel #church #scripture #fyp #fypyoutube #biblicalleadership #christianpodcast #theologypodcast #bibleconnections #JesusisKing   Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube Logo: Matt Hernandez Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

    15 min
  2. MAR 6

    The Gospel Preached Through Crooked Teeth

    In this week’s episode, I reflect on a challenging story about an old pastor I once struggled to respect. He seemed harsh and old-fashioned, often presenting a view of God that felt unkind and rigid. Yet, a miraculous story my dad shared about him—being saved from a terrifying car accident—once earned my respect. Later, I discovered that the pastor interpreted this miracle as punishment rather than grace. This revelation shook my perception of him, but it also sparked a deeper reflection on my own pride, judgment, and understanding of God’s work in others. Through this experience, I was reminded that God can work through anyone, regardless of their shortcomings or our personal opinions. It’s a call to humility, grace, and introspection: no one, on their own merit, is more righteous, more worthy, or more deserving than another in God’s eyes. Join me as I wrestle with pride, grace, and the truth that the gospel can be preached—even through “crooked teeth.”   Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube Logo: Matt Hernandez Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly   #FaithJourney #ChristianReflection #GodsGrace #Humility #SpiritualGrowth #GospelTruth #ChrisRenzema #ChristianPodcast #FaithStories #GraceOverJudgment #faith #spirituality #religion #Christianity #apologetics #theology #pride #Jesus #God #JesusChrist #Christ #miracle #miracles #bible #biblical #biblestudy #church #chrisrenzema #fyp #fypyoutube

    19 min
  3. FEB 27

    Did God's Plan Fail? Why the Firstborn Promise Keeps Reversing

    In this video, we dive deep into Romans 9:6–13 and uncover a powerful theme that runs throughout Scripture: God’s sovereignty, the role of believing loyalty, and the incredible blessing we have in Christ. When Paul writes to the church in Rome—a community made up of both Jews and Gentiles—he addresses a difficult question: If God’s covenant people were Israel, and yet so many rejected Jesus as Messiah… did God’s plan fail? At first glance, it might seem that way. But Paul shows us something deeper. By looking at familiar Old Testament accounts—Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau—we begin to see a pattern. The firstborn, who culturally should receive the double portion (see Deuteronomy 21), repeatedly does not carry the promise forward. Instead, God chooses according to His sovereign will. Ishmael was firstborn… yet Isaac received the blessing. Esau was firstborn… yet Jacob carried the promise. Joseph, Moses, David, and others follow this same unexpected pattern. Even Israel itself—God’s “firstborn” nation—now sees Gentiles brought into the covenant family through Christ. So what is God doing? Paul shows us that this has always been the pattern: God chooses whom He wills to carry forward His redemptive plan. Not based on human expectation. Not based on birth order. Not based on merit. But according to His purpose. And here’s where it becomes personal. According to Colossians 1:15, Jesus is the “firstborn of all creation”—a title of authority, inheritance, and supremacy. And in 1 Corinthians 15:20–23, He is called the “firstfruits” of the resurrection. That means something staggering for us. We are not the firstborn. And yet… we share in the inheritance. Though we earned death through rebellion, we have been raised to life and brought into Christ’s inheritance by grace. Not elevated above Him—but elevated from death into promise through Him. Romans 9 isn’t just theology—it’s perspective. It humbles us. It guards us from arrogance. It keeps us prayerful for those who do not yet believe. And it reminds us just how blessed we are in Christ. If you’ve ever wrestled with God’s sovereignty, Israel’s role in the New Covenant, or what it truly means that Jesus is the Firstborn—this study is for you. Let’s walk through it together.   Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com Logo: Matt Hernandez Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly   #faith #religion #spirituality #Christianity #Christian #Judaism #Israel #Judah #Romans #Paul #Romans9 #ApostlePaul #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #God #biblestudy #biblical #bible #theology #apologetics #firstborn #birthright #oldtestament #newtestament #deuteronomy #covenant #Messiah #YHWH #repentance #faithful #hope #love #resurrection #promise #promisesofGod #bibleexplained #fypyoutube #fyp

    24 min
  4. FEB 21

    Ring a Bel (and the Dragon)?

    In this video, I explore Bel and the Dragon—a fascinating story preserved in the Greek version of the Book of Daniel (often included in the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books). Although it’s not found in the traditional Hebrew text of Daniel, this narrative offers a compelling window into how Jewish communities in the Second Temple period understood Daniel’s character and faith. The story features the prophet Daniel exposing the fraud of the Babylonian god Bel, destroying a living dragon worshiped as divine, and once again surviving a lions’ den. On the surface, it reads like a dramatic tale of courage and wit. But beneath that, it’s a powerful polemic against idolatry and a bold affirmation of the God of Israel. In this overview, I ask an important question: What can we learn about biblical Daniel from an extrabiblical book? Rather than treating Bel and the Dragon as Scripture (for those traditions that don’t), I use it as a case study in how to read extrabiblical literature responsibly: -How later Jewish writers interpreted Daniel -How stories develop around revered figures -What themes are emphasized (wisdom, fidelity, mockery of idols, divine vindication) What historical context might have shaped the narrative -This is not about elevating extrabiblical texts to the level of canonical Scripture, nor is it about dismissing them outright. Instead, it’s a practice in careful historical and theological reading—learning about the biblical world without confusing later tradition with the biblical text itself. If you’ve ever wondered how to use the Apocrypha responsibly, or how stories like Bel and the Dragon illuminate the faith and imagination of ancient Jewish communities, this video is for you.   Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube Logo: Matt Hernandez Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly   #faith #religion #spirituality #God #Jesus #Christ #theology #apologetics #JesusChrist #truthbetold #bible #biblical #biblestudy #faithful #hermeneutics #apocrypha #belandthedragon #daniel #danielandthelionsden #fypyoutube #fyp #oldtestament #newtestament #hope #love #apocryphal #extrabiblical

    18 min
  5. FEB 6

    Noah's 2 Birds

    ​ ⁨@TruthBeToldYouTube⁩   ⁨@TruthBeToldBiblePodcast⁩  During Noah's story, just after the flood, Genesis 8 continues the narrative with a section that has, for whatever reason, caused commentators, early church fathers, and lay-Christians to pause and ask, "Is something odd happening here that I need to pay attention to?" Noah sends out two birds, a raven and a dove, from the ark to determine the state of the Earth. Something about the way this story is told causes us to pause and take note. Perhaps it is the description of events without explicit explanation as to why they're occurring. Perhaps it is the rhythmic, poetic way in which this story is told. Some, however, would see Christians pausing at this section and feel incredibly confused. They might ask, "Isn't it just recorded this way because.. that's how it happened?" Maybe so. Whether you read this account through a hyper-literal lens or a hyper-symbolic one, in this episode, we explore the theories others have put forward as to why Noah sends these two birds specifically and whether they might hold meaning beyond the surface. It is in sections like this, where dogmatism isn't necessary, we don't KNOW for certain, opinions are divided, and there is equal value in seeing the literal as well as the symbolic, that people from across ideological aisles can come together and practice good discussion driven by interest and a desire to understand which views hold explanatory power.   Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube Logo: Matt Hernandez Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly   #faith #religion #spirituality #theology #apologetics #Genesis #creation #recreation #Noah #Moses #Torah #Pentateuch #raven #dove #ark #noahsark #flood #theflood #noahsflood #God #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #OldTestament #NewTestament #symbolism #hermeneutics #bible #biblical #holybible #holy #biblestudy #Christian #Christianity #hope #love #discussion #truth #podcast #fyp #fypyoutube #scripture #church

    22 min
  6. JAN 23

    Was Mary Sinless?

    ​ ⁨@TruthBeToldYouTube⁩   ⁨@TruthBeToldBiblePodcast⁩  Was Mary, the mother of Jesus, sinless? Did she NEED to be? The sinlessness of Mary is a prevailing Catholic teaching formally defined as a Catholic doctrine in 1854 with roots that go back to the Early Church Fathers. The idea is that, in order to be acceptable before God to fulfill this special role, she had to be without sin. Often, when we hear Catholic apologists or teachers discuss this topic certain texts will be used that non-Catholic Christians don't recognize as authoritative in the same way that Scripture is. If a Catholic tells a Protestant that "the Apocrypha says..," and the Protestant believes that apocryphal source as a later addition, a fabricated text, or a contradiction to the 66 book canon, why would they accept it? In this episode, however, we discuss 2 Instagram reels by Catholic pages that attempt to prove Mary's sinlessness by strictly using biblical truths and verses. While the method is one I respect and appreciate because it meets non-Catholics where they're at, as a non-Catholic, it is pretty easy to see where these arguments fall off the tracks a bit. So, what DOES the Bible say about Mary and which verses do Catholics use as support for this teaching that doesn't explicitly come from Scripture itself/alone?   Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube Logo: Matt Hernandez Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly   #faith #religion #spirituality #Christian #Christianity #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #God #theology #apologetics #Catholic #RomanCatholic #RomanCatholicism #Mary #virginMary #Maryology #sinlessness #sinless #sinlessMary #MarymotherofJesus #Catholicism #Protestant #sin #unclean #Leviticus #presence #bible #biblestudy #biblical #scripture #earlychurchfathers #apocrypha #hermeneutics #exegesis #immaculate #immaculateconception #doctrine #teaching #church #fyp #fypyoutube

    23 min
5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A theology and apologetics podcast born out of a love of God‘s word, a hope to find common ground with those who study it, and a desire to outline truth as the Bible tells it.

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