According2Sam Podcast

Many establishment Democrats seem surprised that socialists are gaining influence within their party, as if they slept through the past decade and have only now woken up. In 2016, Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, came close to winning the Democratic presidential nomination. Without the party’s superdelegate system and other actions by the DNC, he might have succeeded. In 2020, Sanders again emerged as a leading contender, but his rivals withdrew from the race and consolidated their support behind Joe Biden, effectively blocking Sanders’s path to the nomination. The rise socialism in the United States should not surprise anyone. The conditions have created an environment that is ideal for socialism. How did conditions in the United States become so conducive to the spread of socialism? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #420. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

One of the biggest challenges facing the United States as it approaches the nation's 250th birthday is tribalism, particularly racial tribalism. In many respects, the country appears more racially divided today than it did 50 years ago, at the time of its 200th birthday. This may seem counterintuitive because, as society becomes more diverse and pluralistic, one might expect race relations to improve. In many ways they have, and it would be inaccurate to suggest that no progress has been made. Nevertheless, there are also indications that racial polarization has increased over the past 50 years. What accounts for this apparent deterioration in race relations in the United States, and was it intentional? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #419. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The United States is widely regarded as one of the most powerful nations in history. It possesses one of the world’s most advanced militaries, equipped with sophisticated weapons, technology, and global capabilities. As a result, conquering the United States through a conventional military invasion would present an enormous challenge for any adversary. Additionally, the country’s large and heavily armed civilian population would further complicate such an effort. But an enemy seeking to weaken the United States might find greater success by exploiting internal divisions and undermining national institutions from within. That is why treason has long been viewed as a serious threat to national security. Why does treason represent one of the United States’ greatest vulnerabilities, and what are some examples of actions that might be characterized as treasonous today? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #418. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Many people are unhappy with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) the United States is considering with Iran. They believe the Trump administration is offering too many concessions and would prefer military pressure to continue. However, many of these critics may not fully understand Trump’s strategy. Trump appears to be employing a “carrot-and-stick” approach. After several months of applying pressure—the stick—he is now offering incentives—the carrot. It is up to Iran whether it accepts those incentives or faces additional pressure. President Trump has been clear that the stick, meaning further military action, remains an option. At the same time, he wants to give the carrot an opportunity to work by potentially releasing billions of dollars in Iranian funds and easing sanctions to allow investment and economic growth. Does Trump’s strategy have a chance of succeeding, and what happens if it does not? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #417. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff to President Barack Obama and former mayor of Chicago, wrote an op-ed in ‘The Wall Street’ Journal last fall titled “Democrats Need an Education Reset.” Emanuel, who is expected to run for president in 2028, argues that the United States faces an education crisis. He wrote the piece in response to a government report on results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which found troubling levels of student achievement. According to the report, only 31% of eighth-grade students are proficient in science, 22% of high school seniors are proficient in math, and 35% are proficient in reading. In the op-ed, Emanuel writes, “We’ve spent the past five years debating pronouns without noticing that too many students can’t tell you what a pronoun is.” What is the source of the education crisis? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #416. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The recent California primary election took nearly a week to certify the winners. In an age of modern technology and rapid transportation, that is a considerable amount of time. Many jurisdictions with fewer resources than California, and with similar or even larger numbers of voters, are able to certify their election results within 24 hours of the polls closing. This has caused some people to have argued that California’s election process increases the potential for fraud or other irregularities because of the length of time required to certify the results. President Trump has been among the most prominent voices expressing this concern, but many other California residents have also voiced distrust in the election process. How does California’s mail-in voting system contribute to the time required to certify election results, and is mail-in voting trustworthy? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #415. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Over the weekend, a controversy erupted when Utah Senator Mike Lee posted a photo of the Pentagon’s revised list of religions it recognizes for observance. Lee wrote, “Can anyone tell me why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was left out of the list of Christian churches?” The Pentagon had added the word “Christian” to the names of several denominations but listed only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without a Christian designation. He argued that the LDS Church should have received the same label. His post sparked widespread discussion and debate over whether the LDS Church should’ve been included with other Christians. What did Joseph Smith teach about other Christian denominations? Did he view the LDS Church as simply another Christian denomination, or did he see it as a distinct, unique, church? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #414. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Simon Magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer, is a figure mentioned in the Book of Acts. He was a Samaritan who, according to Acts, amazed the people of Samaria with his sorcery and claimed to be someone great. The passage states: “All the people, both high and low, gave him their attention..." When the Apostle Philip came to Samaria and performed signs and miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit, Simon was astonished and professed belief. Later, he offered the Apostle Peter money in exchange for the ability to confer the Holy Spirit on others. Peter sharply rebuked him for this attempt to purchase the Holy Spirit. According to early Christian tradition, what became of Simon Magus after these events, and which early Christian heresy is he believed to have founded? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #413. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

From the 2nd through the 4th centuries, many different Christian movements, or denominations, emerged throughout the Roman Empire. These included the Gnostics, Marcionists, Modalists, Arians, and many others. Most of these groups were considered heretical by the broader Christian community, but some began to attract increasing numbers of converts and grew in influence. As these movements spread, there arose a need to distinguish their teachings from the doctrine handed down by the Apostles. This concern motivated Irenaeus, Bishop of Lugdunum, when he wrote ‘Against Heresies’ around AD 180. How did Irenaeus develop the concept of apostolic succession, and how did he use it to argue for the authority of the Christian Church to be in Rome? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #412. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The Road Less Traveled is a very popular nonfiction book that was published in 1978. Since then, it has sold millions of copies. It was written by the late Morgan Scott Peck, a clinical psychiatrist. Peck was raised in a Quaker family in New York City, which means he grew up familiar with the Bible. In The Road Less Traveled, he attempts to combine his knowledge of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus with psychiatry. Written during the era of the self-help movement, the book sought to teach people how to achieve the benefits of Christianity without Jesus. This is why it is called The Road Less Traveled. What did Jesus say about the broad road and the narrow road, and how does that relate to Peck’s book? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #411. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

An analogy often used in the Bible for the Christian Church is the human body. The Church is called the Body of Christ, though it is not a literal body; the description is figurative. Catholic doctrine teaches that the Pope is the head of the Church, and therefore, within the analogy, the Pope would be the head of the body. Catholics believe that Jesus made the Apostle Peter the head of the Church when He said, “I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church...” Because Peter was first Pope, each successive Pope is viewed as the new head of the Church and, by extension, the head of the figurative body. However, is the Pope truly the head of the body, or does the Bible identify someone else as the head? According to Scripture, who is the head of the Church? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #410. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

“Breaking News” used to mean something truly urgent — major events unfolding in real time that were important enough to interrupt whatever you were doing. That’s what “breaking” meant. News outlets were literally breaking into regular programming because the public needed the information immediately. But in the age of modern communication — with the internet, social media, and 24-hour news networks — “Breaking News” has become more about cutting through media overload and grabbing attention than signaling something truly extraordinary. How did people share important news before all this technology — before radio, television, or the internet? And how did the most significant breaking news story in human history spread across the world without any of it? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #409. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

For 50 years, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) has been requesting an audience with the Vatican to discuss efforts to modernize the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. They have pushed for this dialogue during the papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, but have been denied. Now, during the papacy of Leo XVIII, things have come to a head. They will likely be excommunicated from the Catholic Church on the first day of July after consecrating new bishops within their society outside the authority of the Holy See. The SSPX seems prepared to accept this excommunication and does not appear to be particularly troubled by it. Does excommunication from the Church mean they will also be separated from Jesus? If not, why would excommunication be viewed as a threat? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #408. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Many Protestant groups—particularly during and after the Protestant Reformation—identified the Catholic Church and/or the papacy with Babylon the Great from the Book of Revelation, viewing it as a corrupt religious power opposed to true Christianity. The Puritans, among the earliest English Protestants to settle North America, shared this belief, and the idea spread throughout the New England colonies. As the United States emerged as a new nation, the belief became widespread and contributed to an anti-Catholic sentiment that persisted well into the 20th century. Why did Protestants associate the Catholic Church with Babylon the Great, and is there any meaningful connection between the Church and the imagery or character of biblical Babylon? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #407. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The Catholic Church released a Synod report on homosexuality this week, further driving a wedge between those in the Church who support moderation and more traditional Catholics who believe the Church has gone off course since the Second Vatican Council. One such traditionalist group is the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists. On the feast of St. Athanasius last week, the Redemptorists issued a public declaration stating that they reject every pope since the Second Vatican Council. The first reason listed in their declaration was: “The Church has been infiltrated by enemies from at least the time of Pope Gregory XVI.” Although they issued this declaration prior to the recent Synod report on homosexuality, the report only reinforced their concerns. What challenges is Pope Leo facing as he begins the second year of his pontificate, and how are those challenges threatening unity within the Church? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #406. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The Roman Curia is the administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church. It is composed of many individuals serving in a variety of roles to carry out the functions of the Holy See. As an institution, it has provided continuity for the Church for centuries. As popes have come and gone, the Curia has helped sustain its governance and operations. Although its development was gradual, its structure began to take recognizable shape during the papacy of Pope Urban II in the 11th century, and it has evolved significantly since then. Its longevity and deep institutional roots have made it a powerful entity; in some respects, it can be more powerful than the man who occupies the See of St. Peter. How has the Curia at times resisted or complicated papal initiatives, and to what extent is meaningful reform of the institution possible? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #405. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Rodrigo de Borja was elected Pope Alexander VI in 1492. He died in 1503, and 14 years after his death, Martin Luther composed his Ninety-five Theses, launching the Protestant Reformation. Alexander VI was a member of one of the most powerful families in Spain. His uncle had been pope before him, and he used his authority as pope to increase his family’s power. His papacy is often marked by corruption and is considered a low point in the history of the Roman Catholic Church; much of this corruption contributed to the movement that later split the Church. The corruption continued after Alexander, and by 1517, when Luther had finally had enough, a pope from another powerful family was using the office to increase his personal wealth and his family’s influence. How did these popes make the Reformation necessary, and why was the Church so reluctant to reform? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #404. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The true identity of Jesus has been a subject of debate for over 2,000 years. His identity was debated even among those who lived during his ministry, listened to his teachings, and witnessed him perform miracles. Despite experiencing these events firsthand, not everyone agreed on who he was. Some even claimed that he performed miracles by the power of Beelzebub. Since Jesus walked the earth, a wide variety of beliefs about his identity have emerged. The Gnostics believed he was a phantom who never truly existed in human form. Islam teaches that he was a messenger and that he was never crucified or resurrected from the dead. How did the Apostle Peter answer the question of Jesus’s true identity, and how was his answer used to establish one of the most influential seats of power in human history? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #403. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Charlie Kirk was an evangelical Christian and identified himself as such up until moments before he was assassinated. Speaking to the crowd at Utah Valley University just before the shot rang out, he said, “I’m an evangelical Christian… but I’m not one of those guys that hates on Mormons.” That was the last time he publicly described himself that way, though he had done so many times before. However, after his tragic death, several people began claiming that Kirk was in the process of converting to Catholicism. Candace Owens, for example, said he was attending Mass daily and praying the rosary, and she also claimed to know for a fact that he received a Catholic burial. She is not the only one to make such assertions. Why is there such a push to make people believe Charlie was converting to Catholicism, and is there any evidence that he actually was? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #402. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Many Catholics were surprised when the Pope called for unity between Christians and Muslims, especially at a time when Christians in some parts of the world face persecution by Muslims. The Pope did not merely call for tolerance or coexistence, but for communion—something that some conservative Catholics argued was at odds with Church doctrine. However, this criticism overlooks what the Church actually teaches. The Second Vatican Council states: “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God...” This is the Catholic Church’s official teaching on its relationship with Muslims, and Pope Leo is in continuity with it, but is this teaching consistent with the Bible? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #401. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The message of Christian–Muslim unification is emerging from many different directions, but it has not appeared out of nowhere. Pope Leo is currently touring Africa with the stated mission of improving relations between Christians and Muslims. During his visit to Algeria, he reiterated his belief that Christians and Muslims can live together and be friends. He also wrote on social media, “Communion between Christians and Muslims takes shape under the mantle of Our Lady of Africa.” However, Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, also promoted stronger ties between Christians and Muslims, inviting prominent Muslim leaders to the Vatican on several occasions before passing the keys to Prevost. Who else is advocating for Christian–Muslim unification, and why is this movement gaining so much momentum right now? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #400. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The decision to attack Iran has drawn widespread criticism, much of it directed at President Trump. Some critics argue that he was influenced by Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but ultimately, the decision was his alone. As Commander in Chief, he makes the final call—and he chose to proceed with the attack. That decision is now being second-guessed not only by Democrats, but also by prominent right-wing podcasters who supported him during his reelection campaign. In addition, Trump has faced criticism from Catholic bishops and Pope Leo, who have argued that the war is unjust. In response, the president has pushed back against his critics, including the podcasters and the pope. His remarks about Pope Leo, in particular, have sparked controversy, raising questions about whether his response crossed a line. Did it cross a line? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #399. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

When Bishop Robert Francis Prevost was selected as the new pope in May 2025, President Trump was just over 100 days into his second term. Many people believed Prevost’s selection was a response to Trump’s reelection, with the idea that an American pope might be better positioned to challenge an American president. Nearly a year into Pope Leo’s papacy, he has indeed taken positions that appear to challenge the president on several key issues. For example, he recently criticized the policy of attacking Iran, though he did not mention either the president or the conflict directly. Instead, he stated that Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war—an apparent reference that many interpreted as directed at Trump. Is the relationship between the first American pope and the president of the United States getting off to a rocky start? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #398. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Supersessionism—the belief that Christians have replaced the Jewish people as the chosen people and heirs of God’s covenant—has a long history within the Catholic Church. Many early Church Fathers taught that Christianity had superseded Judaism and that the Church was the “new Israel.” For this reason, the doctrine is often referred to as “replacement theology,” reflecting the idea that the Church has taken the place of Israel. While highly controversial today, it was not always regarded as such. Among those commonly associated with this teaching are Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Augustine, and others. However, did the Apostles—who were themselves Jewish and the earliest followers of Jesus—teach that Christians replaced the Jewish people, or did they teach that the Body of Christ replaced the Temple? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #397. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Throughout the history of cinema, there have been a plethora of films about the life of Jesus. Among them, The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson, stands at the pinnacle. The film focuses solely on the final hours of Jesus’ life on earth—his arrest, trial, and execution—along with the degradation and torture he endured in between. It was filmed in original Aramaic, and it is presented with the high drama that Gibson is known for producing. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece, but one criticism of the film is that it leaves the impression Jesus’ execution was a tragedy. Now, more than two decades later, Gibson is developing a follow-up project about events after the crucifixion. What are we likely to see in this sequel? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #396. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Early followers of Jesus Christ were all Jewish. It was Jews who first witnessed his miracles, and his audience for the Sermon on the Mount was entirely Jewish. Jews watched his crucifixion, and the first people he appeared to after his resurrection were also Jews. All of Jesus’s followers who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were Jewish, and as the Church grew and spread throughout the Roman Empire, it was largely Jewish believers who carried the message. They brought the teachings of Jesus across three continents, spreading them within Jewish communities throughout the diaspora. Given these origins, how did Christianity become separated from its Jewish roots, and how did the shift from celebrating Jesus’s resurrection during Passover to observing Easter contribute to that separation? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #395. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Joe Kent, former Counterintelligence Director, recently resigned from his post, citing the military operation in Iran as his reason. In his resignation, he stated that he could not support “war in Iran,” arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States and suggesting that the conflict was driven by pressure from Israel. However, at the time of his statement, Iran had already been responsible for the deaths of seven Americans through missile and drone attacks, which raises questions about his assessment of the threat. His position also appears inconsistent with his previous social media posts and public statements, in which he acknowledged the dangers posed by Iran and its proxies. What level of threat—imminent or otherwise—did Iran pose to Americans that ultimately influenced President Trump’s decision to take action? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #394. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

When Iranian missile fragments recently landed on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, many interpreted it as a prophetic sign. The Christian publication ‘Charisma’ ran an article titled, “Iranian Missile Fragments Hit Temple Mount as Biblical Prophecy Accelerates: It’s Coming.” Other commentators also pontificated about the significance of missile debris falling in a region that has been under sustained attack for weeks. Some of these voices go further, expressing the belief that a future strike—potentially one that destroys the Al-Aqsa Mosque—could pave the way for the construction of a new Jewish Temple. They have been explicit in framing such a scenario. Who are the people promoting the idea of a missile strike on the Temple Mount, and is it a fringe idea or more widespread? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #393. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Greg Locke is an evangelical preacher and pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Tennessee. He is a strong supporter of the nation of Israel and a self-proclaimed Christian Zionist. Recently, a video of Pastor Locke went viral showing him preaching a sermon at his church while wearing a tallit—a Jewish prayer shawl—with children behind him waving Israeli flags. In the sermon, he says that the nation of Israel should clear out the Temple Mount and “fire a big missile” to blow the Dome of the Rock off the mount “so we can get that Third Temple rebuilt and usher in the coming of Jesus.” Many people are sharing the video as an example of the extremism of Christian Zionism. Is this extreme, or is the idea of ushering in the coming of Jesus part of traditional Christian theology? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #392. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The story of Hagar and Ishmael is told differently in Islam than it is in the Book of Genesis. Muslims believe that Hagar was Abraham’s wife and that, at God’s command, Abraham took Hagar and Ishmael to Mecca when Ishmael was a child. They believe that it was Ishmael, not Isaac, whom God commanded Abraham to take to Mount Moriah to be sacrificed, a location associated with the present-day Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Islamic tradition also teaches that Abraham later returned to Mecca and that he and his son Ishmael built the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam to this day. Millions of Muslims make pilgrimages to Mecca each year based on this narrative of Hagar and Ishmael, which forms an important foundation of their faith. How do competing narratives about Abraham and his sons contribute to current unrest in the Middle East? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #391. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Reports have surfaced claiming that U.S. military commanders have been invoking religious rhetoric when discussing objectives in the current conflict with Iran. A watchdog group called the Military Religious Freedom Foundation says it has received more than 200 complaints from service members across all branches of the armed forces, alleging that their commanders used Christian end-times prophecy and other biblical language when discussing missions in Iran. In one complaint, a senior officer allegedly told a commander to inform his troops that it was “all part of God’s divine plan,” specifically referencing passages from the Book of Revelation about “Armageddon.” Is this conflict being described in religious terms only by Americans, or are there other forces that also see it as a religious war? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #390. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The belief that the United States launched an attack on Iran at the behest of Israel is widely shared, and a growing number of prominent figures are telling their large audiences that this is what happened. Megyn Kelly, for example, told her millions of listeners that the American soldiers killed by IRGC rockets died for Israel. Others have expressed similar sentiments, claiming that Israel controls the United States. These views appear on both the left and the right and seem to transcend traditional political affiliations. Recent statements by the Secretary of State and some members of Congress have made those who hold these beliefs more confident that they are correct. Senators claiming that it is a religious war and that the United States has a biblical obligation to support Israel have also added fuel to this narrative. What is this conflict with Iran really about? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #389. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The United States and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow conflict with Iran, involving proxy forces and covert operations. Over the weekend, that conflict escalated into direct military strikes on Iranian targets, killing several senior officials. For years, war-hawks in Israel and the United States have advocated for stronger direct military action or regime change in Iran, and now they are getting what they have long wanted. Critics argue that President Donald Trump, who previously pledged to avoid new foreign wars, may be influenced by these hawks rather than what is best for the American people. What actually motivated his decision to authorize military action, and does this violate his commitment to pursue peace? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #388. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

When Antiochus IV Epiphanes marched into Judea in 167 BC, laid siege to Jerusalem, and defiled the Temple, his actions sparked a revolt that is still commemorated today. The festival of Hanukkah—which means “dedication” and is celebrated for eight days each winter—marks this event. The Maccabees ultimately defeated the Seleucid forces, regained control of Judea, and cleansed and rededicated the Temple to Yahweh. Antiochus not only desecrated the Temple and humiliated the Jewish people, but he also persecuted and killed many of them. Although it may be tempting to describe Antiochus simply as an antisemite motivated by hatred of the Jews, that interpretation can be overly simplistic. What other factors might have motivated Antiochus to persecute the Jews, apart from antisemitism? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #387. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

After the viral interview between Tucker Carlson and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, I realized that the major point of contention is not whether the nation of Israel should exist or whether the Jewish diaspora has a right to migrate there. Rather, the issue is where that right comes from. Carlson stated that he believes Israel should exist as a Jewish state, but he pressed Ambassador Huckabee on the source of that right. When Huckabee insisted that it comes from God and rests on a biblical mandate, Carlson strongly challenged his claims. He questioned the biblical borders, the ancestry of the settlers, and how we can know they are Abraham’s descendants, as the Bible describes. Ultimately, the debate raises a broader question: Why is the British Mandate a stronger argument than the biblical mandate for Israel’s right to exist? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #386. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Former Miss California, Caroline Prejean Boller, has been in the news lately after she was removed from the White House's Religious Liberty Commission. During a recent meeting of the commission, Caroline engaged in heated debates with Jewish guests and other members. The confrontation centered around Zionism, antisemitism, and her question of whether not being a Zionist means one is an antisemite. The answer given was yes. Caroline, who was raised as an evangelical Christian but has since converted to Catholicism, said that response was anti-Catholic because Catholics do not embrace Zionism. In a later interview, she claimed that Catholic teaching holds that the Church is the New Israel. Is there a rise in opposition to Zionism among Catholics, and does Catholic teaching support it? The Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #385. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The Maccabean Revolt is one of the most important events in Jewish history. The Maccabees defeated the Seleucid Empire under Antiochus Epiphanes and established a new Jewish dynasty under Hasmonean rule. They took control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple after Antiochus defiled it with pagan gods and the blood of swine. This is commemorated each winter with the celebration of Hanukkah and the lighting of the menorah. However, there is much more to the story. The Seleucid Empire was far more powerful than the band of Jewish rebels who defeated it. They had more soldiers, better weapons, and cavalry with horses and elephants. How did the Syrian Wars weaken the Seleucid Empire and allow the Maccabees to win despite unfavorable odds? The Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #384. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Filmmaker Michael Moore recently went viral for a rant he delivered on The Ayman Mohyeldin Show on MSNBC. Mohyeldin was born in Egypt to a Palestinian mother. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a young child, and he built his career as a Middle East correspondent. That background adds context to Moore’s remarks in the now-viral clip. Moore argued that the real enemy of the Jewish people is not the Palestinians. According to his understanding of history, he claimed that most persecution of Israel and the Jewish people has come from “white, European-centric Christians.” Looking directly into the camera, he told any Jewish viewers who might be watching, “That’s been your enemy.”Is there any truth to Moore’s claim, and what might he be leaving out? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #383. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Rumors are circulating that filmmaker Christopher Nolan is considering casting Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy in an upcoming film based on Homer’s The Odyssey. Nyong’o, who is African, has starred in acclaimed films such as 12 Years a Slave, Us, and Black Panther. While she is widely regarded as a talented actress, the rumor of her being cast as Helen of Troy has sparked significant criticism. Elon Musk commented on the alleged casting on his social media platform, stating, “Christopher Nolan has lost his integrity.” Many other voices have also criticized the casting as implausible, while others have welcomed it, arguing that it is simply an artistic interpretation of a fictional story and that Hollywood does this regularly. Why are people criticizing the casting? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #382. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The outrage and pearl-clutching over the indictment and arrest of Don Lemon has been interesting to watch. Many of the people claiming that his prosecution signals the end of democracy are the same ones who declared that “no one is above the law” when New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg ran a campaign promising to prosecute President Trump—and then followed through after winning. These same individuals were conspicuously silent when the Obama administration used the Espionage Act to target whistleblowers and journalists who exposed government malfeasance. Yet the indictment of Don Lemon has suddenly stirred them to defend democracy and the free press. How does their hyperbole and overreaction demonstrate their hypocrisy, and what was the probable cause for prosecuting Don Lemon? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #381. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Throughout human history, many rulers have been given the title “the Great,” including emperors such as Constantine the Great, kings such as Charlemagne the Great, and even queens such as Catherine the Great. To earn this title, each ruler had to accomplish something great during their reign, such as a significant conquest that expanded their kingdom. The earliest kings of the Achaemenid Empire all received the title “the Great,” beginning with Cyrus the Great, followed by Darius the Great, and later his son, Xerxes the Great. Each of these rulers conquered more territory for the Persians than the one before, expanding the empire as far east as India and as far west as the Aegean Sea. However, this expansion would not last. A king from Macedonia would eventually conquer the entire Persian Empire—and he too would receive the title of “the Great.” Who was this great king? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #380. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

In 2004, for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, a group of men calling themselves the Sanhedrin was convened, and they have been active ever since. The Sanhedrin was the religious, political, and legal governing body in Judea during the Second Temple period, and it ceased to function after the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. This modern group, consisting of seventy men plus one, calls itself the Nascent Sanhedrin. In 2017, during the first administration of President Donald Trump, they minted a coin bearing images of the Persian king Cyrus the Great and President Trump. The group claimed that President Trump, like Cyrus, was chosen by Hashem to fulfill a divine mission. What divine mission does the Sanhedrin claim President Trump was chosen to fulfill, and how did a letter they sent to him last year reinforce this vision? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #379. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

If you grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, you know how iconic the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers were to that generation. You could see them piercing the New York City skyline in countless movies and TV shows from that era, along with many other cultural references that cemented their place in the public imagination. Symbolically, the Twin Towers represent a world that no longer exists. The Freedom Tower was built in their place as a statement of resilience and a commitment to rebuild and move forward. While it is a magnificent structure, it is not the same as the Twin Towers. Younger generations born in the era of the Freedom Tower will never know what it was like during the time of the Twin Towers, or fully grasp how much the world has changed. This was the experience of the Jewish people who lived during the time of the Second Temple. In what ways did they struggle to recreate the era of the First Temple? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #378. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

When King David became king of the Jews, God told him through the prophet Nathan, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” This is an unconditional promise emphasizing an everlasting dynasty through David’s line. However, there has not been a Jewish kingdom since the Hasmonean period, before the first century. Moreover, there has been no Jewish king from the royal line of David since Zedekiah, prior to the Babylonian exile. How, then, can David’s kingdom last forever through his line if there has not been a Jewish kingdom ruled by a descendant of King David for over 2,500 years? Does this mean the prophecy is false? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #377. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Zerubbabel is one of the most important figures in Jewish history, yet he remains one of the lesser-known biblical characters. He was born during the Babylonian exile, and when the Persians conquered Babylon, they allowed the Jews to return to Judah to rebuild the Temple and the city. Zerubbabel rallied the people and led them back to their homeland. Many chose to remain in Persia, but those who returned were inspired by Zerubbabel and his leadership. He oversaw the rebuilding of the Temple, which encouraged many more Jews to return once it was completed. Zerubbabel played a central role in restoring the Jewish people and Jewish culture after the Babylonian captivity. What other factors played major roles in restoring the Jewish nation after the exile, and what obstacles did they have to overcome? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #376. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

There are a number of specific prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures that predict the destruction of Israel and the scattering of the Hebrew people throughout the world. These prophets not only foretold the scattering of the diaspora, but also the return of the people to Zion to rebuild the nation and the Temple. These prophecies were recorded over many centuries, with the earliest appearing in the Books of Moses. In most cases, they were made before the Assyrians destroyed the Kingdom of Israel and the Babylonians destroyed the Kingdom of Judah. Many people today believe that the prophecies predicting the return of the Jews to the land to rebuild the nation were fulfilled in 1948, when the modern State of Israel was created. However, is it possible that these prophecies were instead fulfilled when the Jews returned after the Babylonian exile? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #375. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The recent incident in Minneapolis, in which a mother lost her life while confronting ICE agents, shares several parallels with the George Floyd incident in 2020. Both occurred in the same city, in election years, while Donald Trump was president, and both will be used by leftists to gain power. Although it will be harder for them to use this incident the way they used Floyd’s death, that won’t stop them from trying. One reason is that the woman who lost her life was white, eliminating a racial component. Another is that video from the officer’s point of view is already being released, showing that Renee Good and her wife were disruptive and failed to follow federal agent’s orders. How did leftists benefit from keeping the George Floyd video hidden from the public in 2020, and how is newly released video undermining their narrative today? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #374. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Cyrus the Great was the first king and founder of the Achaemenid Empire, also known as the Medo-Persian Empire. He became the most powerful ruler in the world after conquering the Neo-Babylonian Empire in the sixth century BC. After defeating Babylon, he ended the exile of many peoples who had been taken captive by the Babylonians and allowed them to return to their homelands. This included the Jewish people, who had been held in captivity in Babylon for seventy years. They were permitted to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple. This decree by Cyrus is recorded in several passages of the Jewish Scriptures, and it is also documented in other historical sources. What are some sources outside the Bible that record Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon and his decree allowing the Jews to return home? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #373. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation in the Book of Daniel have been a subject of controversy for over 2,500 years. The most controversial passage concerns the fifth kingdom. There are a total of six kingdoms represented in the dream, and few scholars doubt the identity of the first four. The gold represents the kingdom of Babylon. The silver represents the kingdom of Persia. The bronze represents the kingdom of Greece, and the iron represents the kingdom of Rome. These interpretations are widely accepted. However, when it comes to the fifth kingdom, which is represented by a mixture of iron and clay, scholars have debated its meaning for centuries. There are nearly as many theories as there are scholars. What is my theory of the fifth kingdom of iron and clay? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #372. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com