Under the Hood

Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO In this episode, Sam and Will walk through the early part of Jonah and why Jonah wanted nothing to do with Nineveh and the Assyrians. You will hear why the Assyrians were seen as especially wicked, and why Jonah resisted God’s mission. We also talk abou...

Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO In this episode, Sam and Will talk about how Jesus is shown as greater than Jonah through the storm on the sea, the sign of Jonah, and the resurrection. This episode walks through the moment Jesus calms the storm, why that reveals his authority, and how...

Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO In this episode, Sam and Will talk about the doctrine of hell and why our culture’s images of it can be very different from what the Bible teaches. They explain why hell matters for understanding the cross, God’s wrath against sin, and why Jesus talked...

Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO Join Sam and Will as they explore the breaking of the seals in Revelation 5, connecting this powerful New Testament vision to the story of Othniel, the first judge in Israel. Discover how the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus, is the only one worthy to...

Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO In this episode, Sam and Will explore Jesus’ statements about faith as small as a mustard seed and what it truly means to move mountains or uproot trees. They discuss the story of the fig tree and its connection to the temple, highlighting the differenc...

Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO Jesus didn’t just teach Israel’s story—He re-lived it and fulfilled it. In this episode of Under the Hood, Sam and Will trace the Bible’s repeating patterns—from Abraham’s promise and Moses’ covenant to Israel’s failures—and show how Jesus steps in as t...

In this episode of Under the Hood , Sam and Will explore the Babylonian Exile —one of the most devastating yet hope-filled moments in the Bible’s story. Six centuries before Jesus, Jerusalem falls, the temple is destroyed, and God’s people are scattered across the ancient world. Why would a loving God allow this? And how could judgment possibly serve redemption? Using Scripture alongside archaeolo...

In this episode of Under the Hood , Sam and Will dive deep into the story of Gideon from Judges 6–7—a reluctant hero hiding in a winepress whom God calls a “mighty man of valor.” Through history, archaeology, and careful biblical theology, they unpack Israel’s cycle of idolatry, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, showing how Gideon’s unlikely victory points forward to a bigger gospel pattern...

In Matthew 22, Jesus gets cornered with a trap question: “Should we pay taxes to Caesar?” Sam and Will walk through why it was a no-win setup (Pharisees vs. Herodians), why Jesus asks for the denarius , and how the coin’s blasphemous titles (“son of god,” “high priest”) expose the hypocrisy in the room. From Tiberius’ image to Rome’s “gospel” propaganda (Pax Romana, imperial “savior” language), yo...

In this episode of Under the Hood , Sam and Will piece together the night of Jesus’ arrest and the five back-to-back trials before Annas, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Pilate again. We trace why the leaders pushed for crucifixion (not stoning), unpack the crowd’s choice of Barabbas, and walk through 12 ways the proceedings broke Jewish legal norms—revealing just ho...

Sam and Will go “Under the Hood” on Herod the Great—his ruthless rise under Rome, why he’s called “the Great,” and the massive projects he built (Temple renovation, Caesarea’s harbor, Masada, Herodium). They unpack his paranoia, political maneuvering, and brutality, then set Matthew 2’s “slaughter of the innocents” in historical context and contrast Herod’s power with Jesus’ kingship. Stick around...

Want to partner with us and help make more content like this possible? Donate Here: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0UVx000009MGYoMAO Where was Mount Sinai? In this episode, Will and Sam walk through three leading proposals—Jebel Musa (traditional site), Jabal al-Lawz, and Har Karkom—testing each against the Bible’s travel clues, archaeology, and common “gotchas.” Along the way, they...

Who was Pontius Pilate—villain, pawn, or both? In this episode, we trace Pilate’s career from his appointment under Sejanus to his downfall under Tiberius, using ancient sources (Josephus, Philo, Tacitus) and archaeology (the Pilate Stone) to paint the political pressure cooker that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. We unpack Pilate’s four provocations against the Jews, why “If you release this man, you...

In this episode of Under the Hood , Sam and Will trace how Noah’s three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth) echo through Scripture—and how the New Testament redeems their lines through three roads: Gaza (the Ethiopian eunuch), Damascus (Saul/Paul), and Joppa (Cornelius). Along the way, they connect Noah’s “new Adam” parallels, Babel’s reversal at Pentecost, and the global spread of Christianity. Stick a...

In this episode of Under the Hood, hosts Sam and Will dive into the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5. Naaman, a powerful and wealthy Syrian commander, has everything the world can offer—except a cure for his leprosy. This narrative is a profound illustration of the gospel, revealing how God's grace and healing are freely given, not earned through power, wealth, or heroic deeds. We explore the histor...

In this episode of Under the Hood, Sam and Will explore the intense political and religious climate of the first century and how it shaped the man who would become the Apostle Paul. We delve into the historical context of Paul's zealousness, uncovering why his persecution of the early church was, in his mind, completely justified. This is a story of radical conversion, showing how God can transfor...

Join hosts Sam and Will as they uncover the historical and biblical significance of Jesus' famous expressions from the Sermon on the Mount: "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world". We’ll explore how these phrases would have been understood in the first century, the various uses of salt in the ancient world, and how we can apply these lessons to our own lives. This epis...

Join Sam and Will as they explore the profound meaning behind Moses’ encounter with the burning bush in Exodus 3. From ancient Hebrew symbolism to Greek philosophy, this episode unpacks how God reveals His character through fire, thorns, and the mysterious name “I AM.” Discover how this iconic moment connects with the entire biblical narrative and what it tells us about God’s presence in our suffe...

In this episode of "Under the Hood," Sam and Will delve into the life of John the Baptist, exploring his unique ministry, prophetic role, and surprising moments of doubt. They begin by establishing John's supernatural birth and his fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies as the forerunner of the Messiah, particularly those found in Isaiah 40 and Malachi 4, which describe him preparing the way for...

In this episode of "Under the Hood," Sam and Will explore the compelling story of Nehemiah, presenting him as a historical figure and a powerful "type of Christ." They begin by setting the historical stage, detailing Israel's decline from King Solomon's glory to the Babylonian and Persian exiles, leading to Jerusalem's destruction. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king, learns of his people's...

In this episode of "Under the Hood," Sam and Will discuss Epicureanism, contrasting it with Stoicism and showing how Christianity provides a more complete worldview than either philosophy. They explain that Epicureanism, while not pure hedonism, aims to achieve pleasure by avoiding pain and trouble in the soul through a simple, guarded life. This contrasts with Stoicism's emphasis on virtue and en...

Join Sam and Will on "Under the Hood" as they explore the compelling evidence for God's design in the universe. This episode delves into the Kalam Cosmological Argument, examining whether the world's intricate design points to a creator. They discuss how modern science, including the work of Stephen Hawking, increasingly supports the idea that the universe had a beginning, challenging the long-hel...

Dive deep into the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and its intriguing relationship with Christian teachings. We explore how Stoicism, with proponents like Zeno, Epictetus, Seneca, and the emperor Marcus Aurelius, offers a framework for navigating suffering and finding virtue by focusing on what you can control. But how does this compare to the Christian perspective on hardship, meaning, and the hum...

In this powerful episode of Under the Hood , Sam and Will explore the deep historical and spiritual rift between Jews and Samaritans, uncovering centuries of animosity rooted in culture, religion, and race. Through thoughtful discussion and biblical insight, they reveal how Jesus dismantled these divides with radical compassion, dignity, and truth. Discover how His example provides a transformativ...

In this action-packed episode of Under the Hood , Sam and Will take us into the dramatic life of the prophet Elijah—confronting one of the Bible’s most infamous power couples: King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. This showdown isn’t just about fire from heaven and bold miracles. It’s a battle of worldviews between a faithful God and a corrupt culture built on violence, false gods, and fear. But is it just...