Afraid.

These are two of the heaviest questions the Afraid Podcast has received, and Steven and David don't shy away from either one.First, they tackle a question that weighs on the hearts of so many families: if someone dies by suicide, do they go to hell? David shares from deep personal experience, having wrestled with suicidal thoughts himself for years before coming to faith. Rather than offering a simple yes or no, he walks through what scripture actually says about salvation, mental health, and the grace of God in our darkest moments. He also looks at some surprising biblical figures who cried out to God to end their lives, including Elijah, Moses, Jeremiah, Job, and Jonah, and what God did for each of them.Then they turn to a question that has tripped up believers and skeptics alike: why would a loving God send anyone to hell at all? The answer might shift the way you think about it entirely. Because according to scripture, God isn't sending anyone. He already sent the way out.Both questions. No easy answers. Just honest, grounded conversation rooted in the Word.If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. In the US, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. International numbers are linked below.Have a question of your own? Submit it anonymously at afraidpodcast.com.International Suicide Support numbers: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

Two of the most common questions in the Christian life, and two of the most avoided. In the first episode of Afraid, Steven and David tackle questions submitted directly by listeners.First up: How do you actually know when God is speaking to you? People say "God told me" all the time, but what does that really mean? Is it an audible voice? Is it just your own thoughts? And what happens when sincere Christians genuinely feel they've heard from God and still get it wrong? David walks through how to filter out the noise, test what you're hearing against scripture, and trust the process even when you miss it.Then, the question people get uncomfortable about the moment the offering plate comes around: Is tithing just an Old Testament rule, or does it still apply to Christians today? David breaks it down with ten bananas, a traffic light, and a whole lot of grace. Spoiler: it is less about the 10% and a lot more about your heart.Both questions, no dodging, no guilt trips. That is how we do it here. Got a question of your own? Submit it at afraidpodcast.com.

What keeps us from asking the questions that matter most to our faith? Fear of judgment, fear of looking foolish, fear of the answer itself. These are the walls that keep so many believers and seekers silent. In this introductory episode, host Steven sits down with theologian and pastor David to share the heart behind Afraid: Questions You're Afraid to Ask Your Pastor.They talk honestly about why hard questions go unasked in the church, why real conversation is so rare, and what it looks like to wrestle with tough topics while holding onto love, humility, and scripture. David also shares his own remarkable story, a radical salvation on a street corner in Huntington, West Virginia, and the years of deep, devoted study that shaped everything he believes.To give you a taste of what's ahead, they wade into one of the top questions already coming in from listeners: Once Saved, Always Saved. Spoiler: it has a lot more layers than you might think.If you've ever sat in a church pew with a question burning in your chest and said nothing, this podcast is for you. Submit your questions at afraidpodcast.com, anonymously if you'd like. New episodes drop every other week.