Pondering the Bible

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison conclude their study of the Book of Jude, focusing on verses 17-25 from the New Living Translation. They discuss Jude's emphasis on the warnings and predictions of the apostles, the presence of scoffers in the last times, and the need for Christians to build each other up in fait...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison explore Jude verses 8-16 from the New Living Translation. They discuss how false teachings, particularly those of the antinomians advocating for licentious behavior, are criticized and warned against by Jude. Drawing parallels from biblical figures like Cain, Balaam, and Korah, the discussio...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison dive deeper into the Book of Jude, specifically covering verses 3 through 7. They discuss Jude's urgent shift from writing about salvation to addressing the issue of antinomianism—wrongly believing that grace allows for immoral living. Key examples include Israel's disobedience in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible', co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison introduce the epistle of Jude. They cover the authorship controversy, specifically addressing who Jude is and the historical context of the letter, including its association with the brother of Jesus, James. They also delve into the dating of the letter, its purpose, and the heretical...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible', co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison welcome guest speaker Katie Bristow for Laity Sunday. Katie introduces the week's sermon, which focuses on prayer and is based on Psalm 17:1. She aims to clear up common misconceptions about prayer, emphasizing that prayer is a personal conversation with God without strict rules or post...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison discuss the final verses of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18). The episode delves into the importance of Paul's unique closing, his invocation of peace, and the deeper theological implications of his words. They explore the types of grace accor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison delve into 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. They explore Paul's strong commands for believers to avoid idle lives, emphasizing the importance of work. The discussion highlights Paul's uncommon authoritative tone, his stance on excommunication, and the difference between his actions a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pondering the Bible, co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison discuss 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 3, Verses 1-5. The focus is on Paul's request for prayers to spread the Lord's message and to be protected from wicked and evil people. They emphasize that suffering is a part of life for Christians, but faith in Christ provides the strength to endure it...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pondering the Bible, co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison delve into the second chapter of Second Thessalonians, focusing on verses 13-17. They explore the controversial nature of these verses by discussing different theological interpretations from Roman Catholicism, Calvinism, and Wesleyan-Arminianism. Through an in-depth analysis, they explain how these dif...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible', co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison discuss the first half of Chapter 2 from the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. They cover verses 1-12, aiming to clarify details about the second coming of Christ. Rocky explains Paul's rare approach of providing specific signs and markers indicating the end times. The convers...

Send us Fan Mail In this milestone 200th episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison delve into 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 1, verses 3-12. They discuss the context of Paul's letter to the Thessalonian church, addressing their suffering and encouraging steadfast faith amidst persecution. The hosts highlight the significance of enduring trials, the promise o...

Send us Fan Mail This season, we begin our exploration of 2 Thessalonians. We provide background information about Paul, Silas, and Timothy—and the nature of Paul's second missionary journey. The discussion covers the significance of Thessalonica's geographical and economic status, why Paul decided to write this letter, and the challenges the early Christian church faced, including perse...

Send us Fan Mail This week co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison celebrate their four-year anniversary of podcasting. They review intriguing statistics about their podcast's reach and popularity.  The episode then delves into Malachi Chapter 4 from the Bible, discussing the notions of judgment, the 'Day of the Lord,' and the contrasting fires of judgment and righteousness. T...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the dual perspectives in these verses, highlighting the skepticism of some Israelites who question the value of serving God, contrasted with the faith of others who share their 'God moments' and write them in a 'Scroll of Remembrance.' The discussion concludes with a reminder of the ultimate judgment and the importance of faith, draw...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison discuss Malachi 3:6-12, focusing on God's unchanging nature and the covenant with the descendants of Jacob. The episode highlights the importance of tithes and offerings, explaining how neglecting these duties leads to a strained relationship with God. Rocky elaborates on the historical...

Send us Fan Mail Rocky discusses the concept of prophetic telescoping, where prophecy can focus on different future events. The discussion identifies the messenger mentioned in the text as both Elijah and John the Baptist, depending on one's faith perspective. They explore Jesus' first coming (Parousia) and the new covenant he brings, as well as the second coming and judgment. Rocky high...

Send us Fan Mail The week, co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison discuss Malachi Chapter 2, verses 10-17, focusing on the themes of divorce and covenant. They explore God's anger towards the unfaithfulness of the men of Jerusalem, who have divorced their Jewish wives to marry pagan women, thus breaking their covenant with God. The discussion highlights the historical context of Persia...

Send us Fan Mail Rocky returns this week, and we discuss the directives given to the priests and the severe consequences God threatens due to the priests' failure to honor Him and properly instruct the people. The conversation addresses the covenant between God and the Levites, the importance of teaching reverence, and the repercussions of neglecting these responsibilities. The episode emphas...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Rocky was out of town, so we were unable to record an episode. Ken was the Lay Speaker this week. Ken chose the story of the Good Samaritan for his message. The sermon for this episode it titled "What Must We Do?" and can be found at pondergmc.org/ministries/sermons NEW!: Rate us at Podchaser   Find us at www.pondergmc.org .  Feedback is welcome: PonderMethodi...

Send us Fan Mail In this latest episode of "Pondering the Bible," Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison delve into chapter one of Malachi, focusing on verses 6-14. The discussion explores God's displeasure with the priests and people of Israel, who have been offering defiled and substandard sacrifices. The episode highlights the significance of offering pure and honorable sacrifices...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Pondering the Bible," co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison kick off Season 15 by discussing the Book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. They explore the historical and cultural context surrounding Malachi, debating whether Malachi was a prophet, an angel, or a pseudonym for a priest. The episode features a reading from the first five ve...

Send us Fan Mail Sunday June 15 2025 is Trinity Sunday. This week we discuss the significance of Trinity Sunday Ricky focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in maintaining orthodoxy. Rocky explains how the Holy Spirit continues Jesus's mission by revealing the true teachings of God and ensuring consistency in theology. They discuss various functions of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing its role as...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Pondering the Bible," we discuss Jonah 3:10 and chapter 4. They explore Jonah's anger at God's mercy towards the city of Nineveh and the lessons God teaches Jonah through a series of miraculous events involving a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind. They also delve into the theological implications of God's compassion, the nature of pro...

Send us Fan Mail This week we cover Jonah chapter 3, verses 1-10. We discuss God's command for Jonah to deliver His message to Nineveh, detailing Jonah's journey, the city's immense size, and the significance of Jonah's proclamation. The episode examines the reaction of Nineveh's people and their king, who heed Jonah's warning, fast, and repent. They explore the cultu...

Send us Fan Mail  This week we continue our exploration of the book of Jonah. We delve into the second half of chapter one and all of chapter two. The conversation touches on the miraculous calming of the sea after Jonah is thrown overboard, the symbolic significance of Jonah's three days inside the great fish, and how this experience parallels Jesus' time in the grave. We also discuss t...