What in the Word?

#128: Luke 14: Hate Means Hate!

In this episode, we answer a question about what Jesus means when he says to "hate" father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even life itself, and whether those who say that "hate means hate" are correct.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and we'll try to cover it.

#127: Matt 23: It'll Make Writing Father's Day Cards Harder...

In this episode we answer a listener question about Matthew 23, where Jesus condemns religious hypocrisy and tells his followers not to crave titles like "rabbi" or "father." We explore the context, consider whether Jesus is making a blanket ban on calling anyone "father," and consider his warning against seeking honor and status that belongs to God.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and we'll try to cover it.

#126: 2 Cor 4 & Luke 4: Who's In Charge Around Here?

In this episode, we examine two passages to answer the question of whether Satan truly rules the world or has god-like authority over it. We examine Paul’s context in 2 Cor about spiritual blindness and what Satan’s influence is, then look at Luke 4 and think about what Jesus is really doing there in his answers to Satan.
In the end, Jesus holds final authority, models how to resist temptation, and urges us to focus on guarding our faith and serving God alone, no matter how things look or what anyone might say.
 
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and we'll try to cover it.

#125: Matt 25: Sheep, Goats, and How You Relate to the Judge

In this episode, we answer a question about Matthew 25 and the parable of the sheep and the goats, and specifically whether the passage teaches salvation by works.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and we'll try to cover it

#124: Judges 11: A God the People Don't Deserve

In this episode, we finish answering the question from our last podcast about Judges 11 and the tragic story of Jephthah, his vow, and the sacrifice of his daughter.

#123: Judges 11: A Leader the People Deserve

In this two-part discussion on Judges 11, we answer a question raised about whether God is inconsistent in his teaching on the value of human life and how we can understand the sacrifice Jephthah makes as a result of his rash vow.

Special Edition: Easter 2026 III: Unto the Last of Days

On this final Resurrection episode of What in the Word, we finish our close reading of Henry Vaughan’s 17th-century poem, exploring how Christ’s death and resurrection dismantle the power of death and sin. 

Special Edition: Easter 2026 II: Graves Are Beds Now for the Weary

In this episode we continue an Easter special on Henry Vaughan’s 17th-century poem, examining two stanzas that examine our changed relationship to death in light of Christ’s resurrection.

Special Edition: Easter 2026: Death and Darkness, Get You Packing

In this episode, we take our first look at a 17th‑century Easter hymn by Henry Vaughan that commands "Death and darkness, get you packing." We look at the poem's meaning, physical and spiritual death, Jesus as the light of the world, and how the resurrection removes the fear of judgment for believers.
 
As promised in the podcast, here's a link to the study on sunlight wave lengths.

#122: 1 Kings 22 Part 2: Things Aren't What They Seem

In this episode, we look at Micaiah's vision, the mysterious lying spirit, and how God’s sovereignty shapes events when nothing is as it seems.