A Lot of Words

Can Christians love their country without turning patriotism into an idol? In this episode of A Lot of Words, Brett and Pastor Matt Smith talk through patriotism, politics, the Pledge of Allegiance, flags in church, Fourth of July celebrations, political candidates, and whether Christians should criticize government leaders while still praying for them. They also wrestle with a bigger question: ho...

In Part 2 of our Christian Dating series, Matt and Brett explore practical biblical wisdom for relationships and marriage. Topics include physical boundaries before marriage, pornography, online dating, missionary dating, doctrinal differences, forgiveness after sexual sin, and choosing a godly spouse. If you're looking for clear, Scripture-based guidance on Christian dating, this episode addresse...

Watch BoBo & Precious: The Silliest Clowns in America https://youtu.be/kRvjc19RmVw Is there one specific person God wants you to marry? How do Christians know if a relationship is God’s will? And how far is too far physically before marriage? In this episode of A Lot of Words, Brett and Pastor Matt tackle Christian dating, the soulmate myth, dating non-Christians, physical boundaries, kissing,...

Is same-sex attraction itself sinful, or is only the act sinful? In this episode of A Lot of Words, Brett and Pastor Matt Smith tackle one of the most difficult questions in modern Christianity: how should Christians think biblically about same-sex attraction, homosexuality, identity, desire, and the gospel? The conversation looks at Romans 1, the fall, sinful desires, cultural confusion, and the...

Brett and Pastor Matt Smith discuss environmentalism, climate change, recycling, biblical stewardship, dominion, and the difference between caring for God’s creation and turning creation into an idol. In this episode: 00:11:37 — Catholic Shorts Backlash 00:22:37 — Does God Test Christians? 00:31:05 — Did Jesus Go to Hell? 00:34:49 — Should Churches Recite Creeds? 00:42:25 — Is Not Recycling a Sin?...

What does the Bible actually say about masculinity and femininity? In this episode, Brett and Pastor Matt Smith discuss gender confusion, biblical manhood, biblical womanhood, feminism, marriage, submission, sacrificial love, and why Christians must define men and women according to God’s design rather than cultural trends or personal feelings. The conversation explores how Scripture frames mascul...

Are Catholics Christians? What does Roman Catholicism teach about salvation, grace, Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of Scripture? In this episode of A Lot of Words , Brett and Pastor Matt Smith discuss the major theological differences between Catholicism and biblical Christianity. They walk through why the doctrine of salvation matters, the difference between imputed righteousness and inf...

"No Holds Barred: Round Two of Your Questions" continues the direct, unfiltered Q&A format from Part One with pastors Brett Schenck and Matt Smith of Barabbas Road Church. In this shorter but equally substantive session, they tackle theological questions about Bible translation, eschatology, and Catholic doctrine while maintaining their characteristic blend of humor and candid discussion. From...

What is anxiety? Is worry always a sin? Can Christians struggle with panic attacks, fear, or overwhelming stress and still trust God? In this episode of A Lot of Words, Brett and Pastor Matt Smith tackle one of the most common struggles Christians face: anxiety. They discuss the difference between normal worry and sinful worry, what the Bible says about fear and control, panic attacks, trusting Go...

In this episode of A Lot of Words, we dive into a rapid-fire Q&A covering some of the most random, deep, and surprisingly important questions about the Christian faith. From biblical mysteries to modern dilemmas, nothing is off limits. -  Did snakes have legs in Eden? -  Is lying to AI actually sin? -  What counts as real forgiveness? -  And… are pizookies biblical? We tackle it all with Scrip...

What is dispensationalism—and how does it shape the way we view Israel today? This episode explores one of the most debated topics in Christianity, breaking down key biblical questions about Israel, prophecy, and God’s promises. Along the way, the conversation expands into real-life issues—including how Christians should approach topics like talking to their kids about sex and navigating cultural...

Description: Can a Christian actually lose their salvation… or is it secure forever? This episode tackles one of the most debated—and personal—questions in the Christian life. Because this isn’t just theology… it’s about assurance, doubt, and what it really means to belong to Christ. We dig into what the Bible says about salvation, the difference between feeling saved and actually being saved, and...

Can Christians vote Democrat? Should believers support war? What about globalism? In this episode, we explore how Christians should think about politics in light of Scripture. We discuss the tension between faith and government, and how to approach difficult political questions with biblical conviction. 00:00 Introduction 02:29 What Is the Role of Government? 09:17 How Should Christians Submit to...

What happens when healthy living becomes a religion? Brett, Pastor Matt, and Shauncy dive into the world of "Crunchy Christianity" — the growing movement of Christians who emphasize natural living, distrust of big pharma, organic food, vaccine skepticism, and a return to simpler ways of life. Is it wise stewardship of the body God gave you? Or has it crossed a line into conspiracy thinking, self-r...

Is modern worship music biblical—or have we made music style more important than worship itself? In this episode, we explore the ongoing debate around worship music in the church. Are drums and guitars inappropriate for worship? Is there a “correct” or biblical style of music? And why do so many believers divide over something like this? We talk through the tension between tradition and modern exp...

Is mindfulness, meditation, and yoga harmless—or are there deeper spiritual concerns Christians should be aware of? In this episode, Pastor Matt Smith breaks down these widely accepted practices through a biblical worldview. We explore the difference between Eastern meditation and Christian meditation on God’s Word, the spiritual roots behind yoga, and whether believers should approach these pract...

What does it actually mean to be a member of a church—and is church membership even biblical? In this episode of the A Lot of Words podcast, we walk through the ideas behind Mere Membership and take a closer look at how modern churches define membership compared to what we see in Scripture. Many people think of membership as a class, a list, or a formal process, but the Bible presents a deeper and...

Buy Pastor Matt's new book: 'Mere Membership: Belonging Made Visible Through Baptism and the Lord’s Table'. Now available on Amazon book store: https://a.co/d/04ryklXw If God is sovereign and already determined what will happen, why pray? In this deep theological discussion, we explore prayer as communion with God, the authority we have in Jesus, and how prayer fits with God's sovereignty. Join Ma...

In this episode, we answer listener questions and dive into spiritual gifts, the charismatic movement, and the sufficiency of Scripture. Are tongues and prophecy still for today? What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How should Christians think about modern prophets? We also address questions about female deacons, the age of the earth, and Romans 9. This is a thoughtful, biblical conversation ai...

Immigration is one of the most emotionally charged issues in our culture today. But what does the Bible actually say about borders, nations, and loving the foreigner? In this episode, Pastor Brett and Pastor Matt examine whether Scripture supports open borders or if Christians are misapplying biblical commands in modern political debates. We explore the Old Testament commands to care for the stran...

Is hell real? And if it is… what exactly is it? In this episode of A Lot of Words , we take a careful look at what the Bible actually says about hell — not medieval imagery, not cultural assumptions, but Scripture. What did Jesus teach? Is hell eternal? Is it separation from God, conscious punishment, or something else entirely? We also address one of the hardest questions people ask: How can a lo...

Are aliens real — and if they are, what does that mean for Christianity? In this episode of A Lot of Words , Pastor Matt Smith and Pastor Brett Schoeneck explore one of the most frequently asked questions among believers today. Rather than speculating about UFOs and science fiction, they examine what the Bible actually says about the unseen realm, angels, demons, and the mysterious Nephilim of Gen...

In this engaging and insightful podcast episode, Pastor Matt Smith and his co-hosts discuss a variety of topics centered on artificial intelligence (AI). They explore the potential of AI to reshape education, the challenges and benefits it presents to ministry, and the broader societal changes it might trigger. Matt shares his optimistic view on how AI can enhance critical thinking and reflect dee...

In this episode, we introduce Pastor and author Matt Smith and talk about why this podcast exists, what kind of questions we’re tackling, and how you can be part of the conversation. This show is built around real questions from real people about faith, Scripture, theology, and everyday Christian living. If you’ve ever wondered where to start, what the Bible teaches, or how to think biblically abo...

Welcome to A Lot of Words Podcast, where we answer real questions about faith, Scripture, and everyday Christian living. In this episode, Pastor Matt Smith shares practical insight on the best way to read the Bible, how to approach God’s Word with understanding, and how to build a consistent reading habit that grows your relationship with Christ. Whether you’re new to the Bible or have been readin...