Gospel Gumbo

Think you know the Christmas story? Chances are, much of what you picture at the nativity comes more from carols, Christmas cards, and pageants than from Scripture itself. In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo podcast, we take a fresh look at the birth of Jesus and uncover some of the most common misunderstandings about the biblical Christmas story. We’ll explore: 1.     Mary and...

What does it mean to say that Jesus is the “true Israel”? And how does that idea connect with the Christmas story? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo podcast, we explore how the nativity of Christ is not just a birth story but the beginning of a much larger retelling of Israel’s history — this time through one faithful Son. Matthew tells us that Jesus fled to Egypt as a child and quotes Hosea: “O...

Thanks for listening. Contact me here: gospelgumbopodcast@gmail.com for corrections, suggestions, encouragements, questions.

Why did God announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the fields — and magi from the East? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo podcast, we explore the surprising visitors to the nativity scene and what their stories reveal about the gospel. Luke tells us about the shepherds: poor, despised, considered unclean in Jewish society. Yet they were the first to hear the angel’s announcement of “good ne...

Did you know there was a time when Christians outlawed Christmas? In 1647, the English Parliament, influenced by the Puritans, banned December 25 celebrations. Shops were forced to stay open, churches were locked, and soldiers patrolled the streets to prevent feasting and caroling. The Puritans weren’t grinches—they were trying to be faithful. But why would devout Christians cancel Christmas? &nbs...

What does it mean to call Mary Theotokos — the “Mother of God” or “God-bearer”? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo podcast, we explore the history and theology behind one of the most important debates in Christian history. At the Council of Ephesus in 431 , the church affirmed Mary as Theotokos to safeguard the truth that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures — fully God and fully man . Thi...

What’s the difference between Advent and Christmas , and why does it matter for Christians today? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo podcast, we explore why Advent is not Christmas and why the church has always treated them as two distinct seasons. Advent is about waiting, longing, and preparing . Christmas is about celebrating, rejoicing, and feasting . For centuries, Christians observed Advent...

Where did Advent come from, and why do Christians around the world still celebrate it today? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo podcast, we explore the history of Advent and how it developed as a Christian season of preparation for Christmas over the past 1,700 years. Discover how early churches in Spain and France began observing Advent in the 4th and 5th centuries, how medieval Christians pract...

Christmas is more than shopping, carols, and candy canes — it’s the miracle of Immanuel, God with us. In this special Advent & Christmas season of the Gospel Gumbo Podcast , we’re rediscovering the story of Christ’s birth with fresh eyes, diving into its theology, history, and surprising traditions. This trailer episode introduces the journey ahead: ·      Why the...

Sometimes creation itself preaches better than any sermon. The skies proclaim God’s glory, the mountains whisper His strength, and even the strangest creatures sing His praise. In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo Podcast , we walk through Scripture’s grand vision of creation and let the Word lead us into wonder and worship. ·      Psalm 19: The heavens proclaim God’s...

Are miracles violations of nature—or signs of something deeper? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo Podcast , we explore the meaning of miracles in Scripture, church history, and today. ·      Discover why the miracles of Jesus were never random stunts, but foretastes of new creation—healings, feedings, resurrections, and storms calmed as previews of the Kingdom. ·&nb...

He was born a frail, orphaned slave child and grew into one of America’s most influential scientists. But for George Washington Carver, science wasn’t just about discovery—it was worship. In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo Podcast , we explore: ·      Carver’s journey from hardship to world-renowned scientist and advisor to presidents. ·     ...

Why does modern medicine use the image of a snake on a pole? From ambulances to hospital walls, the symbol is everywhere. But its origins are far older than most people realize—and deeply connected to the Bible’s story of healing. In this episode, we explore: ·      The ancient world of healing: Asclepius, the Greeks, and the confusion between the Rod of Asclepius and...

God loves His creation—and He entrusted it to us. But too often, Christians ignore this calling or treat it as a political issue instead of discipleship. In this episode, we look at what Scripture says about creation care, from Genesis to Revelation, and why caring for the earth is a form of worship and obedience. You’ll hear: ·      Why Genesis 1–2 calls us to cultiv...

From Augustine’s ancient warning about humility in interpreting Scripture, to Francis Collins leading the Human Genome Project, Christians have been shaping science for centuries. In this episode of Gospel Gumbo , we explore the lives and legacies of scientists whose groundbreaking discoveries flowed from—and deepened—their Christian faith. You’ll hear about: ·      ...

Young Earth? Old Earth? Understanding the Creation Debate Is the earth thousands of years old—or billions? In this episode of The Gospel Gumbo Podcast , we explore one of the most debated questions in the science and faith conversation: the age of the earth. Drawing from church history, biblical interpretation, and theology, Will walks through both the Young Earth Creationist (YEC) and Old Earth C...

The Two Books of God: How Creation and Scripture Speak Together Can Christians trust both the Bible and science? In this opening episode of The Gospel Gumbo Podcast ’s science and faith season, Will shares a personal story of growing up with a scientist father who taught him to see God’s glory in salt marshes, wildflowers, and even the reproductive habits of greenhead horse flies. From those forma...

Thanks for listening. Contact me here: gospelgumbopodcast@gmail.com for corrections, suggestions, encouragements, questions.

In this episode, we explore one of the most beautiful and beloved statements in the history of Christian theology: Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Written during the Protestant Reformation, this question has provided deep emotional and spiritual comfort to believers for centuries. We walk through six real-life situations—guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, purposelessness, and death—and show how...

What does the Bible really teach about life after death? Are we destined to float forever as souls—or to walk again in glorified, resurrected bodies? In this powerful episode of the Gospel Gumbo Podcast , we explore what it means to say: “I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.” Drawing from Scripture (1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21, Isaiah 65, Philippians 1), theology...

What does it really mean to say, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins” ? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo Podcast , we explore the theological depth and emotional weight of one of the most powerful lines in the Apostles’ Creed. Forgiveness is more than an idea—it’s a spiritual reality that defines who we are as Christians. Host and hospice chaplain Will shares a deeply moving story from his ti...

What does it mean to say, “I believe in the communion of saints”? In this episode of the Gospel Gumbo Podcast, we explore the biblical, theological, historical, and emotional depth behind this often-overlooked line in the Apostles' Creed. Discover how the gospel redefines the word “saint,” how the early Church practiced radical spiritual equality, and why community is not optional for Christian gr...

What does it mean to believe in the Church? In this stirring episode, we unpack the fourth line of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the holy catholic Church.” From early church history to modern-day hospice visits, this episode explores what it means to trust in Christ’s messy, beautiful Bride.  We address:  Why Protestants say “catholic” (with a small c)  The historical and theol...

What does it mean to say Jesus will “come to judge the living and the dead”? Is that terrifying… or good news? In this episode, we explore one of the most sobering and hope-filled lines in the Apostles’ Creed. Through a story of a father settling chaos in a backyard full of children, we glimpse what judgment really looks like: not arbitrary wrath, but the loving justice of a good and present King....

In this theologically rich and emotionally resonant episode of The Gospel Gumbo, we unpack one of the most misunderstood phrases in the Apostles’ Creed: “He descended into hell.” What does it mean that Jesus went to hell? Was he punished after death—or is something deeper going on? We explore Scripture, history, and doctrine to reveal the truth: Jesus truly died, entered the realm of the dead, and...