Pure and Simple Bible

Obadiah was a prophet who wrote the shortest book in the Old Testament. In just twenty one verses, the Lord speaks to the brother nation of Edom. Instead of helping their brother Judah, Edom's arrogance and injustice further hurt God's people. How could such a small book about people so long ago and so far away ring true in our lives today? Let's consider this so called "Minor Prophet" together. L...

Jonah ran from God. And then he experienced three days and nights of death-like stasis in a great fish. Now he is out and commanded by God to go to one of Israel's greatest enemies, the Assyrian Empire. Chapters 3 and 4 reveal the heart of Jonah and the heart of God. Once again, we hold this book up like a mirror and ask how we might be like Jonah. Do we care more for material goods than souls? Go...

Jonah was one of the so called "Minor Prophets." There is nothing minor about his message. Forget what you have seen in a children's illustrated Bible story about a guy on a pleasure cruise with a whale, this brief narrative is meant to show us ourselves and the unfortunate biases we often have when running from God. Join me on a two part journey through the prophet Jonah's book in the Bible. Link...

There are so many valuable lessons from the so called "Minor Prophets." Sometimes, however, we can get overwhelmed by the literature and miss the lesson. Join Jonathan on a reflection concerning priorities in the first chapter of the minor prophet Haggai.

This week, two young men, Justin and Uriah, are joining Jonathan in studio. These guys are currently in school and also studying to become better congregational teachers. Together they discussed 1 Timothy 4:12 and the admonition to no let others "despise their youth." Listen along with us. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible. You’ll get some behin...

Happy New Year 2025! Among the many resolutions, I hope that you have a constant goal to "aim for restoration." Are you familiar with that Bible concept? If not, consider these three big questions: (1) Aren’t you glad for the restoration movement? (2) What is restoration anyways? (3) How am I to be a restorer in the twenty-first century? This week, I'd like to process these questions with you as w...

(2 of 2) RC Cope is back on the podcast. Together with Jonathan, they discuss the perplexing case of Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5. How did pride and the temptation of perception affect their actions? How could it affect us? Let's listen and learn together. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible. You’ll get some behind the scenes access to the podcas...

RC Cope is back on the podcast. Together with Jonathan, they discuss the perplexing case of Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5. How did pride and the temptation of perception affect their actions? How could it affect us? Let's listen and learn together. 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 vid...

Part two! How should Christians engage with video games? How should parents navigate the popular gaming culture with their children? Join Jonathan as he discusses "Gaming with God" with guest Noah Martin, a self proclaimed "gamer." A special guest, Gabriel Edwards, will also join to share things from a Gen Z perspective. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSi...

How should Christians engage with video games? How should parents navigate the popular gaming culture with their children? Join Jonathan as he discusses "Gaming with God" with guest Noah Martin, a self proclaimed "gamer." A special guest, Gabriel Edwards, will also join to share things from a Gen Z perspective. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible....

From Colossians 3:17-4:6. Join Jonathan as we process Paul's writing to the Colossians. Today we'll observe: (1) Applying God's ways in relationships. (2) How to interact with outsiders. (3) Closing thoughts. 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 co...

From Colossians 3:1-17. Join Jonathan as we process Paul's writing to the Colossians. Today we'll observe: (1) Mindset matters. (2) We must actively put some things OFF and other things ON. (3) We have a duty to ONE ANOTHER. 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 vo...

(4 of 6). From Colossians 2:6-23. Join Jonathan as we process Paul's writing to the Colossians. Today we'll observe: (1) Don’t be cheated with something that relegates Jesus and His church to a lower tier; (2) Life is found IN CHRIST; (3) Law keeping without Christ cannot justify you. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible. You’ll get some behind the...

(3 of 6). From Colossians 1:24-2:5. Join Jonathan as we process Paul's writing to the Colossians. Today we'll observe: (1) suffering produced from preaching is an evidence of trustworthiness; (2) no matter how drawn out, false doctrine is built on a false premise; and Be strong; (3) attacks can come from many sides. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleB...

What do you know about the Bible book of Colossians? This brief, 4 chapter epistle contains some of the most beautiful descriptions about Jesus and His preeminent or all-sufficient nature. It also gives practical teaching to church leaders, family members, and Christians who desire to walk closer with Jesus. What were the Colossians struggling with? Why was the apostle Paul concerned for their fai...

(2 of 6). Time and culture change but false teachers use the same tactics throughout history: Displace Jesus as Messiah and Lord. Pervert the doctrine. Paul does us a great favor here by exposing the vastness of Christ's authority and power. Christianity is not a "western" religion, or a modern religion, or one of the great religions of history. Christianity is at the heart of God's plan for every...

We continue to discuss the so called minor prophet Joel. The Lord states, "Rend your heart and not your garments." Joel cried out for the people to return to the Lord. This beautiful message of hope resonates event today. In this two episode series, Jonathan and Bryce continue to meditate on big questions like: Why is this book in the Bible? What can we learn from it? How can we use it to learn ab...

Joel is one of the "minor prophets." This was a group of twelve men who received messages from God during a time of great change and adversity during the Old Testament. Their messages are often overlooked because of the challenging language and style. In this two episode series, Jonathan and Bryce are going to discuss one of these prophets: Joel. Why is this book in the Bible? What can we learn fr...

(Part 4 of 4) Do you go to church at a cult? How can you know? Whether it be that someone you know attends a place of worship that feels "cult-like" or whether someone has said this about your place of worship, it often feels like the "ultimate" way to end a debate. But what is a cult anyway? And how can we find common ground on what it is? What are some of the concerns that we should consider whe...

(Part 3 of 4) Do you go to church at a cult? How can you know? Whether it be that someone you know attends a place of worship that feels "cult-like" or whether someone has said this about your place of worship, it often feels like the "ultimate" way to end a debate. But what is a cult anyway? And how can we find common ground on what it is? What are some of the concerns that we should consider whe...

(Part 2 of 4) Do you go to church at a cult? How can you know? Whether it be that someone you know attends a place of worship that feels "cult-like" or whether someone has said this about your place of worship, it often feels like the "ultimate" way to end a debate. But what is a cult anyway? And how can we find common ground on what it is? What are some of the concerns that we should consider whe...

Do you go to church at a cult? How can you know? Whether it be that someone you know attends a place of worship that feels "cult-like" or whether someone has said this about your place of worship, it often feels like the "ultimate" way to end a debate. But what is a cult anyway? And how can we find common ground on what it is? What are some of the concerns that we should consider when thinking abo...

(2 of 2) “Must I be a member of a local church?” That is such a great question. You may have a lot of reasons for asking it. Join guest Aaron Battey from www.fiveminutebiblestudy.com as he and Jonathan process this question and the various reasons behind it in a conversational format. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible. You’ll get some behind the...

(1 of 2) “Must I be a member of a local church?” That is such a great question. You may have a lot of reasons for asking it. Join guest Aaron Battey from www.fiveminutebiblestudy.com as he and Jonathan process this question and the various reasons behind it in a conversational format. Links: (1) Help make PSB better: become a Patron at www.patreon.com/PureandSimpleBible. You’ll get some behind the...

Matthew 5-7 is, in my humble opinion, the greatest sermon ever preached. The opening section, "The Beatitudes," begins with several "happy blessings" for Jesus' disciples. Join Jonathan as he breaks down this part of the sermon on the mount and how the happy blessings are for all of Jesus' followers today.