Beyond Sunday

This week we're tackling one of the hardest stories in the entire Bible: Abraham and Isaac. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? What was the purpose of this test? And what are Christians supposed to do with a story that still makes many readers uncomfortable today? We'll explore the historical context, different Christian perspectives, and how this strange and powerful story points us toward bigger questions about faith, trust, and God's ultimate provision.

Sports betting is everywhere—but what happens when the “casinofication” of culture starts shaping the church too? This week we dive into a thought-provoking article from Christianity Today and ask whether churches are losing community, identity, and formation in a world built around algorithms, individualism, and constant dopamine hits. We talk sports, gambling, discipleship, and what it means to keep the gospel as the game itself instead of just another tool. Article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/04/against-casinofication-church-sports-gambling/?utm_medium=widgetsocial

On this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how Gen Z is reframing one of Christianity’s oldest questions. Instead of asking, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” many young adults today are asking, “Why don’t bad people ever seem to face justice?” We unpack the rise of cynicism, social media-fueled outrage, the longing for judgment, and how the way of Jesus challenges both despair and revenge in a world that often feels deeply unfair. Article: Gen Z Isn’t Asking Why Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Jared Dodson

What if aliens are real—and two U.S. presidents have already hinted at it? More importantly… would it actually change anything about Christian faith? In this episode, we dive into a fascinating Christianity Today article exploring how believers might respond to the reality of extraterrestrial life. Would aliens need salvation? Does the gospel extend beyond Earth? And why does this idea feel less shocking than it probably should? With a mix of humor, curiosity, and thoughtful theology, we explore what first contact might mean—not just for science fiction, but for how we understand God, creation, and the scope of redemption. Because the real question isn’t are aliens out there? It’s is our faith big enough if they are?

God commands destruction in one part of the Bible… and tells us to love our enemies in another. So what’s going on? In this episode, we explore the tension between Old Testament violence and the teachings of Jesus, taking an honest look at difficult passages and what they might mean for how we understand God today.

Maybe you’ve been in this scenario: you’re going through a particularly hard time, your emotions are all over the place, you don’t feel like yourself, you’re worried something is wrong. You reach out to a trusted friend or pastor and what’s their advice: “Sounds like a spiritual battle that you should pray about.” Are they right? Is it always that? Is every crisis we face a manifestation of the spiritual realm? This week, Pastor David and Elise challenge the way we talk about “spiritual battles” and think about the dangers and benefits of facing the spiritual world. Along the way, we’ll explore some strange (and maybe disturbing?) religious practices throughout the ages. Find the article we used for this episode here: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/the-problem-with-calling-everything-a-spiritual-battle/

This week, we unpack Relevant Magazine’s “Everybody Has a Version of Jesus — Only One Holds Up,” and talk about how culture—and politics—can reshape Jesus into something more convenient. We also discuss the recent AI image of Jesus shared by Donald Trump, and what it reveals about how easily faith can be distorted. At the center of it all is a simple but challenging question: Are we following the real Jesus—or just a version we’ve created?

In this episode, we dive into an article by Timothy Keller exploring how the resurrection of Jesus speaks directly into seasons of fear and uncertainty. Drawing from his book Hope in Times of Fear, Keller argues that the resurrection isn’t just a past event—it’s the foundation for a living, present hope that shapes how we face suffering, pursue justice, and imagine the future. Together, we unpack what it means to live in an “already-but-not-yet” world, and why the promise of a renewed world still matters today.

In this episode, we respond to the article about why the Church needs a new “sex talk” and how many Christian teachings about sex have been shaped primarily from a male point of view. We talk about how this has affected women, relationships and sexual ethics in the Church, and why the conversation needs to change. Instead of fear, shame and control, we explore what a healthier, more mutual and more Christ-centered sexual ethic could look like.

Why did Jesus have to die? It’s one of the most important questions in Christianity—and one that has been answered in many different ways throughout history. In this episode, we explore the different biblical images used to explain the cross: sacrifice, substitution, ransom, victory over evil, healing, and love. Rather than just one explanation, the Bible gives us a bigger picture of what Jesus’ death accomplished and what it reveals about God. This conversation is part of our Challenging Stuff in the Bible series, where we wrestle with difficult questions and explore faith with honesty, curiosity, and hope.

In this episode, our team takes a look at a recent New York Times article by David French highlighting Texas politician James Talarico and why he stands out in today’s political climate. We talk about what makes his approach different, why his voice is gaining attention, and what it might look like to engage politics with hope, kindness, and conviction instead of anger and division. Whether you love politics, hate politics, or try to avoid it altogether, this conversation is about finding a better way forward. Article from the episode: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/08/opinion/james-talarico-christian-democrat-texas-primary.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RlA.MN_H.cZFT_ohIMhyp&smid=url-share&fbclid=IwdGRjcAQaoxBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeMUg5WRNrxgi5IoTg2YFbftF0EFF3WDSYcrq7QAvoMIuACEYfRC8FPxP4Ho0_aem_OKDgkYDEUk5Kq9dOnllCvA

This week on the Beyond Sunday Podcast, we ask a risky question: what happens to vocation if AI replaces most of our work? If your job disappears, does your calling disappear too — or have we misunderstood God’s purpose all along? Plus, there’s now a social media platform just for AI… and that raises some unsettling questions. All that and more.

This week we look at alarming reports of military commanders telling troops that Donald Trump has been “chosen by God” to spark Armageddon through war with Iran. We unpack why that kind of end-times rhetoric isn’t just dangerous politically—it’s also a serious distortion of Christian theology. Plus, we examine another disturbing development: the ranch milkshake. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Apocalyptic politics, bad theology, and questionable dairy decisions—this week’s episode has it all.

This week on the Beyond Sunday Podcast, we continue our monthly series on difficult passages of Scripture by exploring the death of the firstborn in Exodus. It’s a challenging section of the Bible, and we wrestle honestly with our discomfort while considering how God’s love might still be seen in the middle of a troubling story. Plus… are Reese’s tasting a little fake these days? All that and more.

This week on the podcast, we take a thoughtful look at Christian service and charity. Why do some Christians seem to prioritize worship over acts of mercy? And why does the perception persist that Christians aren’t very charitable when the data tells a different story? Plus, what exactly should Florida do when iguanas start falling from the sky? All this and more on this week’s episode.

This week on the podcast, we dive into the idea of redemption — how it actually works spiritually, and why we’re sometimes quick to declare someone “redeemed” even when there’s little evidence of real change. Using the public stories surrounding Pastor Robert Morris and Kid Rock’s halftime performance as starting points, we wrestle with what true repentance and transformation should look like. Plus: What are the odds you’d actually be abducted by aliens in Ohio? An article from the show: https://www.christianpost.com/news/god-has-forgiven-gateway-founder-robert-morris-says-protege.html

Biblical literacy is declining—not just in broader culture, but even among faithful churchgoers. Has an overly seeker-sensitive approach weakened our discipleship? In this episode, we explore why deep engagement with Scripture matters and how churches can retrain their people to read, understand, and love the Bible. Plus, a surprising announcement: a “conservative, family-friendly” Super Bowl halftime alternative featuring Kid Rock is headed to Trinity Broadcast Network. We unpack why this is a bigger—and more troubling—deal than it might first appear. All that, and we reveal the new must-have item at every party. Articles we look at on the show: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/bible-reading-plan-literacy-jen-wilkin/ https://relevantmagazine.com/current/oped19/a-kid-rock-concert-is-airing-on-tbn-this-sunday-how-is-this-okay/

Our new Bible series this year focuses on passages of Scripture that can be difficult to navigate or know what to do with. This month, we take a closer look at Romans 13, examining how Paul understands the role of government and how Christians are called to approach faithfulness and obedience to the law. This passage has often been used to silence dissent—but is that truly Paul’s intent, or is there a more faithful and nuanced way to read it? ‍Here is an article we used to jump-start our conversation: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/christians-romans-13-ice-shooting-minneapolis/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by Mixaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We often feel pressure to be happy in faith… but what happens when we just aren’t feeling it. Do we subconsciously expect that being a follower of Jesus will make us happy and how do we combat against that. All this and more! Article from the episode: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/01/holy-unhappy-new-year-resolution-blessed-prosperity-gospel/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We often get confused by what is spiritual growth or what is just self improvement, so we explore how we can better tell the difference between becoming a better you or becoming more like Jesus. Article from the episode: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/growth/weve-confused-spiritual-growth-with-self-improvement/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We started off the new year with a bang with an interview with Father Andrew, a Catholic priest who is trained to do exorcisms. We may not agree on every aspect of demons, possession, and spiritual warfare, but it was fascinating to hear his experience and perspective. We did have some technical difficulties so it might sound a little different, but thank you to BJ McGeever for working his magic to fix our audio. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund - https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

It is the most wonderful time of the year - the release of our Christmas episode! We break down some Christmas traditions, celebrate with some Christmas Tinner, and ask how much did Bob Cratchit make when adjusted for inflation? The original piece from Relevant Magazine can be found here: https://relevantmagazine.com/current/the-real-story-behind-8-weird-christmas-traditions/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund - https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

Young men are angry… and now being drawn to conspiracy theories, antisemitism, and social outrage. They may be right to be angry, but they’re seeing the wrong enemies out there. The Christmas season offers them and us a better story to align ourselves with and see the world through a healthier lens. Plus, frozen wives and more! The original piece from Christianity Today can be found here: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/a-christmas-conspiracy-for-zoomer-men/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund - https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We take a look at ways church and culture blame women for society’s problems. From Eve to modern sexual assault scandals, women have been cast aside or blamed for their existence. How do we break free from this cycle - it is complicated and difficult but necessary to find ways to see women as Jesus sees them. Plus, maybe the solution to life’s problems is more batman. The original piece from Christianity Today can be found here: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/blaming-women-harms-us-all/?utm_medium=widgetsocial Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund - https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

These days, it can seem like everyone has a side hustle and if you don’t, well then you’re just lazy and don’t try hard enough. But is that the right response for people of faith? Are we called to work harder? Grind more? And keep pushing in order to be “better Christians?” Or is there another way forward? Join the Beyond Sunday Team as they tackle this week’s topic. The original piece from Christianity Today can be found here: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/rise-and-grind-mens-fitness-challenge-influencers-godliness-hustle-holiness/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund - https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

The Epstein Files, and all the drama that have surrounded them, have been rocking the political landscape of our culture. Unfortunately, the Christian Church is no stranger to these sort of scandals. This week, the Beyond Sunday Team reviews some work by Russell Moore outlining 7 ways he has watched churches deal with abuse. What can we learn from their experience? How are we seeing similar patterns at work now? And how can we do better as people of faith? Russell Moore’s original piece from Christianity Today can be found here: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/church-sexual-abuse-crisis-epstein-files/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund - https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

There is a new TikTok social experiment going around where a woman is calling churches pretending to have a hungry baby and asking for help. Many churches are failing her test to help… but is the test rigged? We examine the experiment, ask questions of how should churches respond and what is our willingness to risk being “scammed” to help others. more info on the social experiment here: https://www.newsweek.com/nikalie-monroe-church-call-experiment-starving-child-poverty-snap-benefits-11022815 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

Our church is saying goodbye to Pastor Cassandra, frequent guest on the show, as she leaves for a new and exciting opportunity. She sits down with Patrick for one last guest appearance as they wrestle with grief, excitement, and reflection on her time here. Plus another weird food news story! An article we look at on the show:https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/9-things-everyone-should-do-when-reading-the-bible/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We are back with our friends at Relevant taking a look at 9 things to keep in mind while reading your Bible. Some great new insights are provided to help aid your Bible reading and understanding. Plus we see which states are best prepared to survive a Zombie Apocalypse. An article we look at on the show:https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/9-things-everyone-should-do-when-reading-the-bible/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

Horror movies, books, and podcasts are the rage during spooky season, but can we find God in the scary media we consume. Horror has some unique things to teach us about faith, but it’s not the whole picture on good vs evil. Plus, we do a Halloween candy draft! An article we look at on the show: What Horror Stories Can (and Cannot) Tell Us About the World Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

With Kpop demon hunters getting all the views on netflix, we take a look at a bigger question: “are we scared of demons anymore?” We also examine what does society look like when we lose sight of supreme good and evil. An article we look at on the show:https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/08/labubu-kpop-demon-hunters-demon-slayer/?utm_medium=widgetsocial Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

There’s a cultural surge of new age spirituality across America. How can Christians respond to angel numbers, manifesting, and astrology and how does this spirituality manifest (see what i did there) in our own faith. An article we look at on the show: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/from-1111-to-manifesting-why-spiritual-curiosity-is-surging-and-what-it-means-for-the-church/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

Should churches discipline their members? If so, how does it work? We examine church discipline today to see if and when churches need to step in. An article we look at on the show: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/church-discipline-membership-comeback-survey/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

How can we keep fear from being our ruler and twisting our perspectives when everything we see is… scary? We explore how love can cast out fear, especially when we are being bombarded with messages of fear. An article we look at on the show: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/dangerous-distortion-fear-love-julian-norwich-franklin-roosevelt/?utm_medium=widgetsocial Fat Bear Week Voting! https://explore.org/fat-bear-week Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

Is a new kind of Darwinism infection our culture and Christianity? We take a look at how the church needs to boldly stand for the least of these. Plus Patrick makes all the puns for our news article on nuns on the run. An article we look at on the show:https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/darwinism-evolution-science-faith-russell-moore-scopes/?utm_medium=widgetsocial Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

Are Christians hotter? some tik tok influencers are making the case that following Jesus makes you more attractive. We break down how its not true and damaging to everyone when we embrace that on any level. An article we look at on the show:https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/jesus-glow-ups-tiktok-instagram/?utm_medium=widgetsocial Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We take a look at the legacy of James Dobson, and the efforts of his ministry of “Focus on the Family.” We can acknowledge that many saw his ministry as valuable and uplifting, but there is real harm left in his wake. Also, who wants battery flavored chips? An article we look at on the show:https://religionnews.com/2025/08/22/dr-james-dobsons-death-ends-a-life-but-not-a-legacy-of-lies-and-harm/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We’re joined by Pastor Cassandra to explore what does worship look like with “bubba” in mind and ask has modern worship forgotten blue collar America and what ways faith messages are reaching middle America. An article we look at on the show: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/06/barstool-conversion-rock-jelly-roll-brandon-lake/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

I’m joined by friend of the Podcast, my wife Kat Nazaroff, to examine authenticity in church. We look at how to transition from authentic to changed and ways Christians have made an idol of vulnerability. An article we look at on the show: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/have-we-made-authenticity-idol/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

I’m joined by friend of the Podcast, my wife Kat Nazaroff, to examine authenticity in church. We look at how to transition from authentic to changed and ways Christians have made an idol of vulnerability. An article we look at on the show: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/have-we-made-authenticity-idol/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

I sit down with Sarah Page, public school educator and friend of the podcast, to go over some new data on how Christians bring their faith into the public school system. We also take a look at some new stories that go over the intersection between Faith and School. An article we look at on the show:https://apnorc.org/projects/the-public-holds-nuanced-views-on-the-role-of-religion-in-public-schools/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

Tradwives or traditional wives are becoming a popular trend on Instagram … but is that a good thing? We explore some of the reasons why there’s a surge in Tradwife influencers and does it line up with the Bible? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

America is becoming less Christian, so what can a church do to stay relevant in a different world. We explore 5 paths for Christian churches today. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

There is a slight uptick in Gen Z becoming more religious, but they’re not a monolith with two competing ideas of what it means to connect with God. We explore how these two ways are divided, and what is the good and bad for both sides. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

We take a look at how some Christians embrace inconsistency and hypocrisy in applying justice and the damage it does to our faith and to ourselves. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

The final piece of our Seven Deadly Sins series is here. This month: Envy and Pride. Not gonna lie, it’s a great episode. Probably the greatest thing that has ever been done concerning the Seven Deadly Sins. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

A little over a week ago the “No Kings” protests made headlines. These stories got the Beyond Sunday Team thinking, “Should Christians be engaged in acts of protest?” Check out this new episode and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

A little over a week ago the “No Kings” protests made headlines. These stories got the Beyond Sunday Team thinking, “Should Christians be engaged in acts of protest?” Check out this new episode and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com

“I’m still praying about that.” “I’m waiting to hear what God wants me to do?” Have you or a friend used these answers when putting off a difficult decision? Or maybe it was when you were faced with a path you didn’t want to go down? Patrick and Pastor David take on the question of how we know we’re trying to walk in faith and when we’re trying to avoid a decision we don’t want to make. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and to share it with your friends, families, neighbors, and strangers! Music by: Inspiration by MIxaund – https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by: https://www.free-stock-music.com