Church Chatter Podcast

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss “angels.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the phrase and title “Son of God.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the “Bible.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss what the numbers “seven and seventy” often mean in ancient Hebrew culture and the Bible.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss “profanity.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss “repentance.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler unpack the word “grace.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss The Ten Commandments as they relate to the recent Texas ruling to place the Commandments in public school classrooms, the Hammurabi Code, Egyptian enslavement, and the Roman Empire.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the history of the word “pious,” its connections to the Roman Empire, and the positives and negatives of piety today.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the word “prophet” and how it is directly related to oppression and power.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the word “martyr.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the difference between the words “political” and “partisan,” the recent IRS decision to allow churches to endorse candidates, and why this decision is terribly dangerous.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss what the number 40 often means in the Christian and other traditions.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss “horses and chariots” as weapons of war discussed throughout the Bible and what the tradition has to say about weapons of war.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss church phrases that are often misused, like: -God won’t give you more than you can handle. -God laid it on my heart. -Prayer warrior -Money is the root of all evil.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss several cringey church words and phrases.

In celebration of Pride Month, Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the phrase “family values”—how the Religious Right popularized the phrase, the media backlash, the lack of biblical evidence for a nuclear family as we have come to know it, and the beauty in family diversity.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss Jesus’ “ascension.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the phrase “born again.”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss these question: Is church a “business”?

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the word “truth” as it relates to Christianity, the Enlightenment, and science.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the word “religion,” how all humans are religious in nature, and the rituals that hold us together.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the word hallelujah/alleluia.

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss the phrase “Good Friday.” We talk about why we call it “good,” why Jesus’ crucifixion is told in three-hour intervals, the significance of darkness coming over the land, the tearing of the veil, that strange interaction with the thief on the cross, and what Jesus was communicating when he cries out “Why have you forsaken me?”

Dr. Samantha Bise and Rev. Dillon Epler discuss what “hosanna” means and the symbolic, political history of the palm branches.