Pure and Simple Bible

Why should we ask hard questions about the Bible? Or about the Church? Or about our faith? Because questions are one of the tools in our arsenal of knowledge and wisdom. Join Jonathan as we process how Jesus was "The Great Questioner" and why His people ought to be more comfortable asking, processing, and answering challenging questions.

(2 of 2). A few young Hebrew men found themselves as slaves in the mighty empire of Babylon. Daniel and his three friends (commonly known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) were put in several situations that required great faith rather than conformity or giving into fear. Join Jonathan and guest Bradley Ballard as they work through the early chapters of the book of Daniel. Listen along as they pr...

(1 of 2). A few young Hebrew men found themselves as slaves in the mighty empire of Babylon. Daniel and his three friends (commonly known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) were put in several situations that required great faith rather than conformity or giving into fear. Join Jonathan and guest Bradley Ballard as they work through the early chapters of the book of Daniel. Listen along as they pr...

It's time for the concluding episode in a three-part series on Deborah, one of the most remarkable leaders in the book of Judges. In a time of spiritual decline, political oppression, and widespread fear, God raised up a woman to judge Israel, speak His word, and lead His people toward deliverance. In this final episode, Kyle and Jonathan discuss some of the beautiful connections to Deborah and Ba...

We continue in a three-part series on Deborah, one of the most remarkable leaders in the book of Judges. In a time of spiritual decline, political oppression, and widespread fear, God raised up a woman to judge Israel, speak His word, and lead His people toward deliverance. In this second episode, Kyle and Jonathan bring the Eden narrative principles into the story of Deborah in Judges 4-5. We mee...

Welcome to a three-part series on Deborah, one of the most remarkable leaders in the book of Judges. In a time of spiritual decline, political oppression, and widespread fear, God raised up a woman to judge Israel, speak His word, and lead His people toward deliverance. Dr. Kyle Hammonds returns to the podcast to make some fascinating connections to the Eden narrative found in Genesis 1-3. In this...

(2 of 2) How can a God of love be sovereign? How can a sovereign God be loving? Cohen Osburn joins the podcast to study through the Scriptures in some big picture concepts about God's nature and plan. His goal is not to bash other doctrines, but to make a positive case for God's love that can stand up to critical examination. Join us for an exciting two part series on "A Case for God's Love." Link...

(1 of 2) How can a God of love be sovereign? How can a sovereign God be loving? Cohen Osburn joins the podcast to study through the Scriptures in some big picture concepts about God's nature and plan. His goal is not to bash other doctrines, but to make a positive case for God's love that can stand up to critical examination. Join us for an exciting two part series on "A Case for God's Love." Link...

(2 of 2). We have been talking about how to redeem our devices. Noah Martin has been studying this very issue for some time, and joins the podcast to discuss his findings in a conversational way. We are considering (A) The Pursuit of Wisdom; (B) The Power of Presence; and (C) Building Better Balance. Questions for us to consider: (1) Are my current behaviors with my phone drawing me toward God or...

(1 of 2). We need to talk about our phones. Noah Martin has been studying this very issue for some time, and joins the podcast to discuss his findings in a conversational way. This is not an anti-phones, anti-screen time study – it is an anti "do nothing with my life because I wasted all my time not thinking about what I was doing and that usually happens when I’m on my phone" study. We want to dr...

(2 of 2) Do you know what the busiest day of the week is? I'll give you a hint, it starts with a "T". But it's not Tuesday, or Thursday. It's tomorrow. Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week because what we intend to do and need to do often gets pushed off until tomorrow. To put off something until tomorrow what we should be doing today is called procrastination. Procrastination may seem ha...

(1 of 2) Do you know what the busiest day of the week is? I'll give you a hint, it starts with a "T". But it's not Tuesday, or Thursday. It's tomorrow. Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week because what we intend to do and need to do often gets pushed off until tomorrow. To put off something until tomorrow what we should be doing today is called procrastination. Procrastination may seem ha...

(2 of 2) In this two part study, we're focusing on James 1:2-18. We are considering how the first (or one of the first) writings of the New Testament begins with teaching for when faith is tested. James is a book about genuine faith. We have studied in on the PSB podcast with guests in previous years. Join Jonathan as he explains how the book of James is launching the next phase of PSB workbooks a...

(1 of 2) In this two part study, we're focusing on James 1:2-18. We are considering how the first (or one of the first) writings of the New Testament begins with teaching for when faith is tested. James is a book about genuine faith. We have studied in on the PSB podcast with guests in previous years. Join Jonathan as he explains how the book of James is launching the next phase of PSB workbooks a...

The story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel illustrates God’s grace, honor, and the truth that there is always room at His table. Drawing from this, we consider a special type of table, the "Table of Gifts." The heart posture and practical expressions —such as service, teaching, leadership, generosity, mercy, and exhortation—are explored. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.c...

After considering a New Testament survey of "Judgment by Works" in a grace through faith system, join Jamie and Jonathan as they consider some of the objections that some may have about this concept. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible. You’ll get some behind the scenes access to the podcast and videos, opportunities to vote for future content, an...

Is this phrase biblical or contradictory? "We are saved by grace and judged by works." Join guest Jamie Thomson and Jonathan as they discuss the Bible's teachings on "judgment by works" in a grace through faith system of righteousness. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible. You’ll get some behind the scenes access to the podcast and videos, opportun...

The following is a "SummaryAI Outline" of this episode: Genesis: Creation Fall **Genesis 1: Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) dwells in perfect relationship and intentionally creates humans. Humans were created in the image of God, given dominion and purpose as God's agents of light, love, truth, freedom, creativity, joy, and beauty. **Genesis 2: Man and woman lived in covenant harmony, receiv...

What is glory? What does it mean to "give God glory"? And how do we do it, anyway? Today's episode is a reflection on a Christian word that we use so frequently and yet sometimes do not stop to reflect upon the concept itself. Beyond the concept of glory, we want to spend time processing how our lives, with the good and the bad, give God glory. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at w...

309 | The Prince of Peace by Jonathan Edwards

Today we will explore a balanced reflection on mental health care. A recent article asserts that "therapy is becoming a new religion" . The article rightly names real problems — pop-psychology, over-pathologizing, influencer authority, and self-centered uses of “healing” language—but these are distortions of therapy, not therapy itself. Good mental health care is relational, accountable, and growt...

(4 of 4) It's all leading up to this. Through expository, topical, and character studies, we are ready to approach lament from a gospel perspective. How did Jesus experience lament? How did the resurrection change lament? Do Christians get to lament today? This series explores how the lament scriptures invite us to pray our pain, name our losses, and find hope in the presence of God. In this study...

(3 of 4) Join us as we consider six Old Testament men and women who cried out to God. Some of them did it "well" and others "not so well." Each of them will embody lament process in a special way. This series explores how the lament scriptures invite us to pray our pain, name our losses, and find hope in the presence of God. In this study, we will consider lament from an topical perspective. Poor...

(2 of 4) What is a lament? What does lament do? How do we lament? *** L – lift suffering to a place of dignity rather than shame. A – aid in process of powerful emotions. M – move the sufferer toward God. E – encourage solidarity within the community. N – negate false or shallow theology. T – teach the marginalized to voice grievances and cry for justice. S – stir the heart toward hope and renewal...

(1 of 4) This series explores how the lament scriptures invite us to pray our pain, name our losses, and find hope in the presence of God. In the first study, we will consider lament from an expository perspective. Lament is the honest, faithful expression of pain before God. It gives language to our sorrow, disappointment, and confusion while holding on to trust in His character. Through lament,...