Beyond Sunday

Why would Jesus seem to praise a dishonest manager? In one of the most puzzling parables in the Gospels, Jesus tells the story of a shrewd manager who appears to be rewarded for his questionable actions. Is Jesus encouraging dishonesty, or is there something deeper going on? In this episode of Hard Things in the Bible , we unpack Luke 16:1–13, explore several of the leading Christian interpretatio...

This week we're tackling one of the hardest stories in the entire Bible: Abraham and Isaac. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? What was the purpose of this test? And what are Christians supposed to do with a story that still makes many readers uncomfortable today? We'll explore the historical context, different Christian perspectives, and how this strange and powerful story points us...

Sports betting is everywhere—but what happens when the “casinofication” of culture starts shaping the church too? This week we dive into a thought-provoking article from Christianity Today and ask whether churches are losing community, identity, and formation in a world built around algorithms, individualism, and constant dopamine hits. We talk sports, gambling, discipleship, and what it means to...

On this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how Gen Z is reframing one of Christianity’s oldest questions. Instead of asking, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” many young adults today are asking, “Why don’t bad people ever seem to face justice?” We unpack the rise of cynicism, social media-fueled outrage, the longing for judgment, and how the way of Je...

What if aliens are real—and two U.S. presidents have already hinted at it? More importantly… would it actually change anything about Christian faith? In this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how believers might respond to the reality of extraterrestrial life. Would aliens need salvation? Does the gospel extend beyond Earth? And why does this idea feel less s...

God commands destruction in one part of the Bible… and tells us to love our enemies in another. So what’s going on? In this episode, we explore the tension between Old Testament violence and the teachings of Jesus, taking an honest look at difficult passages and what they might mean for how we understand God today.

Maybe you’ve been in this scenario: you’re going through a particularly hard time, your emotions are all over the place, you don’t feel like yourself, you’re worried something is wrong. You reach out to a trusted friend or pastor and what’s their advice: “Sounds like a spiritual battle that you should pray about.” Are they right? Is it always that? Is every crisis we face a manifestation of the sp...

This week, we unpack Relevant Magazine’s “Everybody Has a Version of Jesus — Only One Holds Up,” and talk about how culture—and politics—can reshape Jesus into something more convenient. We also discuss the recent AI image of Jesus shared by Donald Trump, and what it reveals about how easily faith can be distorted. At the center of it all is a simple but challenging question: Are we following the...

In this episode, we dive into an article by Timothy Keller exploring how the resurrection of Jesus speaks directly into seasons of fear and uncertainty. Drawing from his book Hope in Times of Fear , Keller argues that the resurrection isn’t just a past event—it’s the foundation for a living, present hope that shapes how we face suffering, pursue justice, and imagine the future. Together, we unpack...

In this episode, we respond to the article about why the Church needs a new “sex talk” and how many Christian teachings about sex have been shaped primarily from a male point of view. We talk about how this has affected women, relationships and sexual ethics in the Church, and why the conversation needs to change. Instead of fear, shame and control, we explore what a healthier, more mutual and mor...

Why did Jesus have to die? It’s one of the most important questions in Christianity—and one that has been answered in many different ways throughout history. In this episode, we explore the different biblical images used to explain the cross: sacrifice, substitution, ransom, victory over evil, healing, and love. Rather than just one explanation, the Bible gives us a bigger picture of what Jesus’ d...

In this episode, our team takes a look at a recent New York Times article by David French highlighting Texas politician James Talarico and why he stands out in today’s political climate. We talk about what makes his approach different, why his voice is gaining attention, and what it might look like to engage politics with hope, kindness, and conviction instead of anger and division. Whether you lo...

This week on the  Beyond Sunday Podcast , we ask a risky question: what happens to vocation if AI replaces most of our work? If your job disappears, does your calling disappear too — or have we misunderstood God’s purpose all along? Plus, there’s now a social media platform just for AI… and that raises some unsettling questions. All that and more.

This week we look at alarming reports of military commanders telling troops that Donald Trump has been “chosen by God” to spark Armageddon through war with Iran. We unpack why that kind of end-times rhetoric isn’t just dangerous politically—it’s also a serious distortion of Christian theology. Plus, we examine another disturbing development: the ranch milkshake . Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds l...

This week on the  Beyond Sunday Podcast , we continue our monthly series on difficult passages of Scripture by exploring the death of the firstborn in Exodus. It’s a challenging section of the Bible, and we wrestle honestly with our discomfort while considering how God’s love might still be seen in the middle of a troubling story. Plus… are Reese’s tasting a little fake these days? All that and mo...

This week on the podcast, we take a thoughtful look at Christian service and charity. Why do some Christians seem to prioritize worship over acts of mercy? And why does the perception persist that Christians aren’t very charitable when the data tells a different story? Plus, what exactly should Florida do when iguanas start falling from the sky? All this and more on this week’s episode.

This week on the podcast, we dive into the idea of redemption — how it actually works spiritually, and why we’re sometimes quick to declare someone “redeemed” even when there’s little evidence of real change. Using the public stories surrounding Pastor Robert Morris and Kid Rock’s halftime performance as starting points, we wrestle with what true repentance and transformation should look like. Plu...

Biblical literacy is declining—not just in broader culture, but even among faithful churchgoers. Has an overly seeker-sensitive approach weakened our discipleship? In this episode, we explore why deep engagement with Scripture matters and how churches can retrain their people to read, understand, and love the Bible. Plus, a surprising announcement: a “conservative, family-friendly” Super Bowl half...

Our new Bible series this year focuses on passages of Scripture that can be difficult to navigate or know what to do with. This month, we take a closer look at Romans 13, examining how Paul understands the role of government and how Christians are called to approach faithfulness and obedience to the law. This passage has often been used to silence dissent—but is that truly Paul’s intent, or is the...

We often feel pressure to be happy in faith… but what happens when we just aren’t feeling it. Do we subconsciously expect that being a follower of Jesus will make us happy and how do we combat against that. All this and more! Article from the episode: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/01/holy-unhappy-new-year-resolution-blessed-prosperity-gospel/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review th...

We often get confused by what is spiritual growth or what is just self improvement, so we explore how we can better tell the difference between becoming a better you or becoming more like Jesus. Article from the episode: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/growth/weve-confused-spiritual-growth-with-self-improvement/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your f...

We started off the new year with a bang with an interview with Father Andrew, a Catholic priest who is trained to do exorcisms. We may not agree on every aspect of demons, possession, and spiritual warfare, but it was fascinating to hear his experience and perspective. We did have some technical difficulties so it might sound a little different, but thank you to BJ McGeever for working his magic t...

It is the most wonderful time of the year - the release of our Christmas episode! We break down some Christmas traditions, celebrate with some Christmas Tinner, and ask how much did Bob Cratchit make when adjusted for inflation? The original piece from Relevant Magazine can be found here: https://relevantmagazine.com/current/the-real-story-behind-8-weird-christmas-traditions/ Don’t forget to subsc...

Young men are angry… and now being drawn to conspiracy theories, antisemitism, and social outrage. They may be right to be angry, but they’re seeing the wrong enemies out there. The Christmas season offers them and us a better story to align ourselves with and see the world through a healthier lens. Plus, frozen wives and more! The original piece from Christianity Today can be found here: https://...