Rabbit Holes & Meditations - Christian Bible Study

If you’ve ever gone through the interview process of some of the bigger companies, you were probably given some sort of a personality test… even if you didn’t realize it. The tech company I worked for liked Myers-Briggs. We all knew our MTBI, and most of us could ascertain the MTBI of our coworkers in a matter of minutes. As a salesperson, I was trained to ascertain my client's MTBI as quickly as possible and to tailor my responses to what works best within that person’s framework. Yeah… companies do this, and probably your AI Chatbot is doing it as well. For those of you who don’t know, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular self-report questionnaire that categorizes individuals into 16 distinct personality types based on how they perceive the world and make decisions. Developed from Carl Jung’s theories, it identifies preferences across four dichotomies, resulting in a four-letter type (e.g., INTJ, ESFP) used for self-awareness and team development. The four core dichotomies are: Extraversion (E) - Introversion (I): Measures whether you prefer to focus your energy outward on people and activity, or inward on ideas and memories. Sensing (S) - Intuition (N): Focuses on whether you rely on concrete information (facts) or theoretical possibilities. Thinking (T) - Feeling (F): Determines if you make decisions based on objective logic or personal values/emotions. Judging (J) - Perceiving (P): Reflects your preference for a planned, organized life versus a flexible, spontaneous one. The 4 Letter combination of these determines a personality type. So we applied this concept to one of the best know apostles in the Bible, Peter, to see if we could determine is MTBI and maybe get a better understanding of Peter as a person. It also is a great way to ascertain the validity of the gospels. Peter is not a fictitious character. His MTBI is remarkably consistent and that, at least in my eyes, lends credibility to the Gospels as a historical eyewitness journey with Christ. Notes for Profiling Peter Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/profiling-peter-applying-a-modern-personality-test-to-an-ancient-character/ 

I think we are on the cusp of a buzzword becoming reality. Ray Kurzweil predicted the singularity to happen around 2030. I think he was right about the substance; he was wrong about the when (but not by much).  The (technological) singularity is a hypothetical point when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence, triggering rapid, self‑accelerating technological change that fundamentally transforms society and human life. The inspiration for this discussion came from a video by Wes Roth titled “1000 Days Left.” The video discusses warnings from Anthropic leadership that advances in AI—especially self‑improving research systems—may reach a decisive inflection point within roughly the next 1,000 days, potentially reshaping economies, power structures, and human work faster than institutions can adapt. It emphasizes both the transformative potential and the serious safety and governance risks of approaching advanced or superhuman AI. We fired up the Berean Teacher application with the topic of singularity. The Berean Teacher application is confined to responses that are only derived from scriptural sources. We attacked the subject from all angles. Projecting this topic onto the realm of scripture is no small task. Once the inflection point has shifted to the computer outpacing the human, you start to ask questions like What does it mean to be human? What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? And many other topics. The hardest part is trying to keep the conversation on the tracks and to stay focused on what the singularity means to our existence... and stay within the biblical framework.  Notes for the Singularity Episode Link:  https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-singularity-is-1000-days-away-tower-of-babel-20/ 

Yesterday we talked about: “The serpent we built.” This is the other side of the coin, now looking at the shepherd we follow. It derives from the exact same conversation we had with the Berean Teacher application about the Serpent We Built. We’ve entered an era in which we’re getting our guidance from AI - WAY BEYOND what to buy and what website we're looking for. You've heard people say this, I'm sure: “I absolutely know this is true! I saw it on the internet". Some say it tongue-in-cheek but more and more, what we believe is derived from "our" web. People absolutely will derive their truth from the internet in some form or another. In a very short time, our “truth” has migrated from the newspaper to the radio to the Walter Cronkites and now to the manicured and curated internet resources. And who curates the content we receive? WE DO! Each of us! The twist? While this podcast is looking at the other side of the coin, i.e. the Shepherd, you’ll discover that it’s a two-headed coin. The Counterfeit Shepherd and the Serpent We Built represent the same image. Notes for the Counterfeit Shepherd Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-counterfeit-shepherd/ 

The Serpent We Built is an article developed for our Berean Teacher series. As you may have learned from recent episodes in this series: We used our Berean Teacher application and uploaded discussions and videos from a number of sources to get the Berean Teacher (an application confined to the scriptures) to weigh in on the recent news and topics submitted by our audience. The idea was to cover as much from all sides of the discussion as possible and then let the Berean Teacher respond with a comprehensive biblical perspective. The Berean application evaluates modern ideas, spiritual claims, cultural narratives, and emerging technologies through the authority of Scripture alone. Its purpose is to separate evidence from speculation, expose counterfeit spirituality and deception, and help readers think biblically, soberly, and discerningly about subjects such as UFOs, AI, transhumanism, prophecy, and modern spirituality. The article by Greg Newell, in the source, covers the Berean Teacher’s response the question of AI and Deception. Notes for the Serpent We Built Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-serpent-we-built-from-the-click-to-the-soul 

We used our Berean Teacher application and uploaded discussions and videos from various sources to have the Berean Teacher weigh in on the recent news. The idea was to cover as much from all sides of the discussion as possible and then let the Berean Teacher respond with a comprehensive biblical perspective. The Berean application evaluates modern ideas, spiritual claims, cultural narratives, and emerging technologies through the authority of Scripture alone. Its purpose is to separate evidence from speculation, expose counterfeit spirituality and deception, and help readers think biblically, soberly, and discerningly about subjects such as UFOs, AI, transhumanism, prophecy, and modern spirituality. The article by Greg Newell, in the source, is the Berean Teacher’s response to all of this. Article: Signs, Spirits and Synthetic Minds Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/signs-spirits-and-synthetic-minds  

This is a repeat but worth re-hearing. Originally played in the Red-letter Journey.  Most Christians are already quite familiar with the Parable of the Sower. What often goes unnoticed, however, are the subtle distinctions in how each Gospel records and emphasizes the parable, offering perspectives that differ slightly yet remain fully complementary. In this discussion, we explore those nuances and also take a closer look at certain English translation choices—particularly in Mark 4:11–12—that have caused confusion, including the phrase “lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”   Notes for Parable of the Sower Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-parable-of-the-sower-1778121628/   

I spent two hours contemplating three verses in Luke. The best way, I think, to read The Two Debtors in Luke 7:41-43, is to insert yourself into the story. If you dare, play the part of Simon the Pharisee. If your first inclination is to say, I couldn’t do that, that’s not me- well, then, you’re already doing it. And that’s the point of the parable. Notes for the Two Debtors Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-two-debtors/ 

If you’re watching some of the biggest YouTube channels, or at least the biggest ones I watch - Chase Hughes, Steven Bartlett, Tom Bilyeu, the Why Files, and more, across the board, you are going to run into almost a universal consensus that we are living in a simulation. We decided to pit this theory against scripture using our Berean software. The Berean application was written to avoid the affirming nature of AI chats. The explicit instruction is that if I say something contrary to scripture, you must call it out and correct it. The Berean software looks across all of scripture, with explicit instruction not to stray from the Bible's text. It is allowed to consider the various translations, and the Greek and Hebrew interpretation is often useful. It is important to note what the application will not access for answers. It will avoid the use of any commentary, sermons, or other extrabiblical writing. How we apply the Berean software is pretty simple. After setting up the instructions, we simply begin a conversation covering any topic that we want to test against what the scriptures might have to say on the subject. Often, that will involve saying something that clearly contradicts scripture just to test the validity of the application. In this case, we uploaded several YouTube conversations among a variety of podcasters and YouTube hosts to set the stage. We then had what I can only describe as a very deep philosophical discussion regarding the nature of the universe, creation, and simulations. The cool thing with the Berean application enabled is it doesn’t matter if what you tell it is right or wrong. If what you say agrees with scripture, the Berean will say so. If what you say is inconsistent with scripture, the Berean will correct your misunderstanding and draw you into a deeper conversation. The conversation was not scripted and this one ventured well off the subject of simulations at times, but we pulled everything back into one cohesive document that you now have here in the notes. The only thing we avoided in the document is writing about anything that strayed off the subject of simulation theory. Notes for Simulation vs Revelation Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/simulations-vs-revelation/   

It almost seems like a flippant remark by Jesus. He's asked why He's hanging out with sinners and tax collectors. And why isn't He honoring the traditions of the Jewish culture and religion? Jesus' response to the former question isn't so much of a dismissal but more in tune to - this is where I belong. It's more a matter-of-fact statement than a flippant remark - though a Pharisee might not have taken it that way.   Often, though, this parable is characterized as out with the old and in with the new. That is the farthest thing from Jesus' intent, and if we look more closely at the text, we'll see that Jesus is, in fact, honoring those old traditions.  Notes for New Cloth and New Wine Skins Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/new-cloth-and-new-wine-skins/ 

I don't know about you, but if the four Gospels were identical copies of each other, what would be the point? If four people walk into a courtroom as key eyewitnesses and they deliver exactly the same testimony, what would you think?  Why should you expect the eyewitness accounts in the gospels to be any different? As a Christian, I always read knowing that I'm seeing the gospels from different perspectives. If you want to view the Gospels from a single narrative, look up the Gospel harmonies that do just that. It amazes me that people expect that if two Gospel accounts say something different about the same account, that it represents a contradiction. Instead, what it actually does is fill in detail one witness represented vs. the other. Hardly a contradiction.  I've yet to find a so-called contradiction in the Gospels that a good Berean study had any trouble refuting.  I don't aways do this but since I personally went from atheism to Christianity, here are four books that I would recommend.  Mere Christianity, by CS Lewis The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh and Sean McDowell Cold-Case Christianity, by J. Warner Wallace   Notes for The Berean Takes on the Atheist Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-berean-takes-on-the-atheist/ 

Spoiler: contrary to what you may have been taught, or understood, the wise and the foolish builders BOTH believe in Christ! This is one of the most familiar stories Jesus ever told—and one of the most misunderstood. Jesus is not speaking to outsiders. He is speaking to those who already call Him Lord—and He confronts them directly: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) This is not about hearing truth. It is about obedience. Because every life is being built—and the storm is coming for both houses: “The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew…” (Matthew 7:25) The difference is not who listened. The difference is who obeyed. This episode strips away the familiar version of the parable and returns to the raw words of Christ—testing everything by Scripture alone. Because in the end, there are only two outcomes: “And it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:27) Search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Test everything by Scripture, and may the Spirit of truth guide into all understanding (John 16:13).   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-wise-and-the-foolish/ 

Today marks the first day of Season 4 - The Parables. We are closing the chapter on the Red Letter Journey however if you want to go back to that you can navigate to: www.TheRedLettersJourney.com    Podcast Summary: Imagine waking up one morning to find your bank account is empty — but the screen still shows yesterday's balance. You walk through the day spending freely, confident, secure, completely unaware that you have nothing. The most dangerous condition you could possibly be in is the one you can't see. Two thousand years ago, Jesus warned His closest followers about the spiritual version of exactly that scenario. He told them they were the light of the world — and then He warned them what happens when that light gets hidden, when the hearing grows careless, when the appearance of having something quietly outlasts the having of it. The warning is in three different Gospels, in two different settings, and most of us have read past it our whole lives without feeling its weight. This episode is about the Parable of the Lamp on the Stand. It is one of the most familiar images in the New Testament — and one of the most misunderstood. Most of us were taught it as a children's song. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. The cheerful version is true as far as it goes. But the parable Jesus actually told is far stranger and far more weighty than the chorus suggests. There are warnings inside it that the song leaves out. There are promises inside it that most adult Christians have never traced to their source. Where does the light come from? Whose light is it? What happens when it goes out — and how would you know? Why does Jesus give the same teaching twice in three Gospels, once on a mountain to a crowd and once in a private setting to His disciples? What is He doing with the lamp that He is not doing with the city on the hill, or with the salt that loses its savor, or with the strange warning that even what you suppose you have can be taken away? These are the questions this episode walks through, slowly, in conversation. We harmonize Matthew 5:13–16, Mark 4:21–25, and Luke 8:16–18 — three accounts of the same teaching, each preserving something the others leave implicit. We trace the imagery from its Old Testament roots through Christ's teaching to the apostles' application. We pay close attention to the Greek where the Greek matters. And we sit with the warnings long enough to feel them, because Jesus did not include them as decoration. If you have ever wondered whether your faith is real or whether you are just performing the shape of it; if you have ever felt the slow drift of attention away from things that used to move you; if you have ever caught yourself realizing that what you assumed was a deep relationship with God has quietly become a familiar routine — this teaching was given for you. It was given before the disclosure, while the trajectory can still be changed. That is the mercy of it. Press play. Sit with it. Let the lamp do its work. Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/seeing-the-kingdom-the-lamp-on-a-stand/ 

There is a lot of rhetoric online about Israel and Iran. The US is clearly approaching a war with Iran if not already in one. So, things against that automatically get one marginalized by those who support the effort in Iran. And of course, relative to the Middle East, you're going to get people calling out "Zionists," people who support Israel, people who take a more discerning approach toward support for Israel, and everything in between. People that I’ve followed for quite some time now seem to be choosing sides. Tucker Carlson and Candace Owen, once darling online and news personalities of the American right are now being marginalized by the same people that used to love them. Even our president has weight in and he is not above naming names. Yes, we have a president that tries to demonize anyone who disagrees with his point of view. At times It gets quite heated. I watched an interview between Tucker Carlson and Mike Huckabee and now the two are completely at odds with each other. A short time ago they were news and political allies. There are many others. I listen to them all. I try not to take sides. Once again, any listener will find himself torn. The real question is: Do you have to choose a side? We uploaded a bunch of content and let our Berean Filter software look at all of it through a biblical lens. What we ended up with was some of the most balanced and biblical advice that nobody is advancing. Notes for The Seduction of Political Theology Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/israel-iran-and-the-seduction-of-political-theology/    

The first time I read the DaVinci Code by Dan Brown I was fascinated by it. It was a work of fiction, but it felt absolutely true. At the beginning of the book, it even says this: “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.” I happened to be on a flight to Paris when I was reading that book, years ago. One stop among many was the Louvre’, which, as you know if you’ve read the book, is the setting at the beginning of the book. In The Da Vinci Code, the character Robert Langdon claims that the Louvre’ Pyramid was constructed with exactly 666 panes of glass at the "explicit demand" of President François Mitterrand. The novel notes this as a "bizarre request" and a point of interest for conspiracy theorists who associate the number with Satan. Well, as fascinating as that was, I had to count them myself… twice in fact. The number was 673, and I later corroborated it with others who actually did the math for the construction. So much for the Da Vinci Code being true. It didn’t ruin the novel for me, but I do always consider the truth of what I’m hearing. That’s when I arrived at what I call the Da Vinci Code syndrome… take something maybe less than true and sprinkle it with things that are true, and you end up with something that, on the whole, appears believable. And that’s what happened. If you remember, the Da Vinci Code sparked somewhat of a phenomenon. People were investigating Freemasons and Illuminati, and all of religion became the playground of folklore. I have to admit, I got sucked into too, even though I had come to realize that the DaVinci Code was pure fiction. I guess what I walked away with from that experience is a sense of discernment. That’s the reason for today’s podcast. The video in the sources is an interview between Steven Bartlett and Chase Hughes. It’s fascinating, and Chase is very credible in his field. But I don’t walk around the planet with Chase Hughes spectacles. I rather like the biblical worldview, and that’s where I find my truth. I’m finding that the same Berean Filter we developed for scriptural analysis works equally well in discerning the biblical truth and falsehood in content not derived from scripture. The article is really taking that video and applying biblical discernment to a real-world example. I’m not criticizing the content. Chase believes every word of what he is saying. He in no way is trying to be deceptive. However, that doesn’t mean he is right. For me, the bible is what we should lean on for truth. It’s not always easy, and frankly, beyond my gut instinct, I could not have come up with that article without leaning heavily on the Berean Filter we developed. It asks: What does Scripture actually say about this claim? Where does the claim align with the biblical text? Where does it diverge? Where is Scripture silent, and where is it explicit? It does not ask me what I want the answer to be. We live in a world where “Truth” is relative. Or to put it another way, there is no absolute truth. I love hearing someone say that because they rarely recognize the contradiction they just stated as an absolute. There is an absolute truth. I think you need to look no further than the Bible. It has never failed me. And it won’t fail you either. Notes for the Davinci Code Syndrome  Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-davinci-code-syndrome-using-the-berean-filter-to-decode-truth-from-fiction/   

Take the hardest, smartest, most devout Jewish theologian who has taken it upon himself to end the Christian movement before it even starts, and confront him with the Lord, and things change in an instant. Saul has some things going for him if only we could get him on our team! He’s passionate, persistent, smart and convincing. There’s just one thing getting in the way. He hates you with every fiber of his being. And that’s the guy chosen by the lord to bring Christianity to the Gentiles. Notes for Saul to Paul   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/saul-to-paul/ 

You might have thought we were done with the red-letters! Au contraire! The disciples of Jesus have witnessed Jesus’ ascension. They’ve gone back to Jerusalem as instructed. There, they are filled with the Holy Spirit - the Pentecost. That happens in Acts Chapter 2 and from there the Christians are now actively spreading the word of Jesus. Peter’s first sermon is delivered in this same chapter. The charge forward is simple: Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. As the testimony and conversions grow, we are then confronted with the first Martyr. Stephen gives a scathing speech that ends with “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” The Jews could not handle or subscribe to such a rebuke and they stone him. Paul, witness to this, approved the stoning and seems to take it upon himself to lead the charge against the Christians. That leads us into Chapter 9 of Acts. Notes for On the Road to Damascus Episode link https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/on-the-road-to-damascus-kicking-against-the-goads/ 

So, I’m in the midst of writing a book and the first part takes place in Israel and I’m trying, as a Christian, to understand the Bible from a Jewish perspective. IT IS REALLY HARD! I don’t know if it’s just because I have not engaged the scripture so much from that side of the fence or not. In a game of Christian vs. Jew, the Christian ideology seems to make more sense of the text. The Jews have an obstacle that they have to dance around - namely Jesus and the Cross. Notes for Jews and Christians Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/jews-and-christians-same-book-same-god/ 

Jesus doesn't hop on a plane, he leaves in style! This is the first scene in Acts. The disciples are still stuck on "when you coming back to take out the Romans?  Instead, He hands them an incredible amount of work to accomplish and plans to send a helper.  Notes for Hey Gotta Run Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/hey-gotta-run-but-ill-be-back/ 

The Bible doesn't say much about the bema seat, but when we think of Christ's judgment, it often provokes negative thoughts. But every Christian will read John Chapter 21 and come away seeing Jesus' compassion and Peter's restoration. Let that image sink in.  Look, you're a sinner. We all are. Picture the bema seat as Jesus meeting You on the shore as you walk through your past and finally drop everything that is keeping you in chains.  Notes for The Second Fire Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-second-fire-the-prelude-to-the-bema-seat/

We come to the end of John's gospel and find one of the most intimate moments in all of the Gospels. We see Peter at his most vulnerable and Jesus at his most compassionate. Notes for Peters Restoration Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/peters-restoration/ 

Now that we have walked through most of the Red Letters in the gospels, we can go back to some of the highlights. The Bible never ceases to amaze me with its depths and revelations. This is why you can read the Bible for your entire life and always find new nuggets hidden in plain sight. Today, we lean on Sam Shamoun to help us with the passage about the woman who was caught in adultery. She was brought before Jesus to trap him.   A quick note about Sam Shamoun: What sets him apart is his remarkable recall — often described as near photographic — which allows him to quote Scripture, variant readings, Qur’anic passages, and early church sources from memory during live discussion. He also has a deep familiarity with multiple Bible translations and frequently moves between them to highlight nuance and strengthen doctrinal clarity. Combined with his bold, direct communication style and decades of debate experience, these traits make his teaching unusually precise, well sourced, and valuable for Christians seeking rigorous, Scripture anchored apologetics. Do we just take his word for it? No! As always, we are wearing our Berean hats. While we provide the video transcript, we do insert some notes into the transcript. Overall, Sam's content is awesome. We love Sam for his enthusiasm, and our only notes are along the lines of what might be some overzealous interpretation, but we cannot say that he is wrong. Sam is merely making connections that anyone with a deep knowledge of the Old and New Testament might also make. It's not farfetched to assume that the writer of the gospels is expecting you to make these connections. That's ultimately Sam's point. Original YouTube Video https://youtu.be/9yGZt3at8Uk?si=gF5YMQy_EeAef4Mx  Notes for Jesus as the Lawgiver Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/jesus-as-the-lawgiver-the-writing-in-the-dust/ 

If you've ever noticed a plane land, it can skip on the landing. John lands the plane in Chapter 20. Christ has risen and appear to the disciples in a very dramatic fashion. And then, at the end of the movie, just when you're ready to get up and leave the theatre, we are taken to another scene. That's the plane skipping. before it comes to a halt. Chapter 21 is such a cool chapter. We often skip to the restoration of Peter but I wanted to take today to focus on the verses before that: John 21:1-14. I think these verses are amazing. Notes to Meeting Jesus at the Shoreline Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/meeting-jesus-at-the-shoreline/ 

With yesterday being Tax Day in the US we thought it would be appropriate to dig deeper into the tax trap presented to Jesus. I just did my taxes yesterday. I always wait because I always owe money. After putting in a solid 10 hours just trying to complete the forms and forage through my financial maze, it got me to thinking about how much money really does rule our lives! Often the first thing that comes to mind when you're do your taxes is "I earned this, why isn't it mine?" Then you think about what God wants. Let's say you die with a boat load of money, and you show up at the pearly gates with a suitcase full of money. You go, "here go, this is all yours!" The “suitcase at the gate” mentality is really an attempt to keep control all the way to the end and then make one final transaction. But God is not after the money. He is after the heart. The real offering is made now: When you provide for your family faithfully When you help someone in need When you support the work of the gospel When you refuse to make money your security or identity When you hold what you have with an open hand instead of a clenched fist Jesus' warning is not “Don't have money.” It is: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew If a man dies with a suitcase full of money, the tragedy is not that God missed out on the cash. The tragedy is that the man may have spent his whole life investing in something he could not keep, instead of using it to produce fruit that would last. Notes for Render unto Caesar Episode Link:  https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/render-unto-caesar-its-tax-day/  

As we were studying the burial of Jesus, this surfaced. We decided to do an entire podcast on it because it was such a cool revelation. Jesus has his footprints all over the Old Testament. But until you connect with it, sometimes, you just kind of read right over it. If you're like me, you read the information about the construction of the Mercy Seat in Exodus with maybe some mild interest. God instructs its construction with such incredible detail. You know it's significant, but in context, you have no idea why. Today helps uncover the why. Notes for The Mercy Seat Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-mercy-seat/ 

We take a break from the Red-Letter journey today to just discuss the elephant in the room. And to be sure, your elephant might look different. You could be looking at the tail or a foot. Or at the trunk. You're just a speck on this huge planet, and your perspective will drive your agenda... or perhaps your agenda will drive your perspective. I'm not sure in which direction we travel. As I was looking at this, I recognized that I, too, have an agenda. So does President Trump. So does Netanyahu. Every nation has an agenda. Every political pundit has an agenda. I tried as much as possible to view things from the only agenda that matters. Notes for Everything Fractures Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/everything-fractures/ 

One might be inclined to indict Judas for his premeditated betrayal. I think we come at Judas and pre-judge. But I've often considered the idea that Judas's intentions might have been good. I think this because I can't see how a person can walk with Jesus for that long and not think otherwise. Whatever Judas is doing, in his own head, he thinks he's doing the right thing... until he realizes he was wrong. In any case, we can't separate the betrayal of Judas from the denial of Peter and say that one was any worse than the other. The difference was not in the severity of the sin. It was in the response. Notes for Repentance - The Difference Between Judas and Peter Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/repentance-the-difference-between-judas-and-peter/ 

After Mark's stark, abrupt end, we turn to the remaining Gospels and harmonize the events that filled out the rest of Sunday.  Notes for He's Not Here Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/hes-not-here/ 

We were having some fun in our Bible study today, getting AI to break free of its stodgy, formal character. Honestly, it wasn't working. So, we had to write a script for this reading and get 11Labs to read it back. It's not great, but not bad for the little bit of time we spent with it.  For those of you who want to take this personally, don't. The message is still there. God gave us a sense of humor for a reason.  For those who want to point at the AI as "bad". I'm right there with you! It is! For those who want to point at AI as being artificial, yes, in some ways it is. But until you've studied the Bible while using AI correctly, don't judge. If you want our GPT (guardrails for ChatGPT), we'll happily provide them.  Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/a-most-excellent-gospel-account-a-report-from-the-disciple-not-named/

We are on the other side of the crucifixion. Easter has passed, and on our Red-Letter journey, we come up to what I can only describe as jarring! When you have invested as much time as we have and focused on the harmony of all four gospels, there is something in Mark's last chapter that I've simply highlighted and marked as OPTIONAL. Let's explain. We have added Mike Winger's research and transcript to this Podcast. Mike has done an in-depth study of Mark 16. We summarize his video transcript in the notes' appendix and provide a direct link to his more than 2-hour podcast on YouTube here.  https://www.youtube.com/live/WJilpQsl4vc?si=9HO4e_3dYyGFEnKr    Our Podcast is called "Mark's Ending, Take It or Leave It". That is intended to raise an eyebrow, but I want to explain it this way. If you end your reading at verse 8 of Mark 16, you're OK. The other 3 Gospels, harmonized, complete the picture. Nothing is lost by losing or keeping that section of Mark. In other words, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. The ending in Mark is not wrong, but I think you'll agree with me, it's not written by Mark. There's a lot we can learn from this section.    Notes for Marks Ending Take It or Leave It   Episode Link:  https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/marks-ending-take-it-or-leave-it/  

Yesterday was Easter. After the excitement of seeing the risen Jesus, I can imagine at least Thomas asking: "Lord, what happened down there? Inquiring minds want to know!" We often jump past the three days. Today, we want to take a second and see if we can piece together what actually happened to Jesus during those three days.   Notes for Something Happened on the Way to Heaven Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/something-happened-on-the-way-to-heaven/ 

Our report is back. The dust had settled somewhat in Jerusalem. The Passover week has ended, and today is a new day. Just when you think the movie has ended, a new scene fades in, and the ending changes completely. On 31 AD, (following John's timeline), Friday was a high day (a high Sabbath). Thursday was the crucifixion. Don't buy the "Good Friday" hype. That becomes a tradition much later. Crucifixion was on Thursday, NOT FRIDAY. Friday is a tradition, but when you do the math, you can't get to Sunday morning with three nights. The crucifixion on Thursday makes sense if you've been following our reporter all week. On Wednesday night, Jesus met with his disciples. Jesus is arrested and interrogated that night, which in Jewish calendars is Thursday (the Jewish day starts at dusk. By 9 a.m., Jesus is on the Cross. He is removed at 3 PM. There is a rush after 3PM to get Jesus removed from the cross and in His tomb because the next day, Friday, is a high day. Effectively, that works the same as a Sabbath. Mary and the other women cannot return for additional burial prep until Sunday morning, so the Sunday story remains intact.   Notes for Risen   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/risen-there-is-no-other-plausible-explanation/ 

This podcast follows the character in a Short Story - The Sure Mercies by Greg Newell. That story is a modern dramatic version of the same argument Paul gave in the synagogue in Athens. These are the scriptural basis for that short story. Additional notes are also provided for this Podcast. The argument Paul Adler makes in this story is not invented. It is derived entirely from the Hebrew scriptures.   The reader is encouraged to read those scriptures first, on their own terms, before reading anything else about them.   The passages are these: 2 Samuel 7:12–16 — God's covenant with David: an eternal house, kingdom, and throne. Psalm 89:28–29 — The covenant confirmed: the seed of David shall endure forever, his throne as the days of heaven. Isaiah 55:3 — The everlasting covenant extended to all who will hear: the sure mercies of David. Psalm 16:10 — David's declaration: the Holy One of God will not see corruption. Read them in order. Sit with the logic they create. Ask what the covenant requires of death. Ask who the Holy One is, if not David. For those who wish to see how this argument was made in full — to a synagogue audience, from these same scriptures, in the first century — the account can be found in Acts 13:16–41. It has not changed. The argument is the same. Only the city is different.   The sure mercies are sure because the One who secured them is alive to secure them.   Notes for The Messiah That the Jews Missed   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-messiah-that-the-jews-missed/ 

Our fictitious reporter has no back-room access. He is reporting from the streets. The Headlines could say so many things, but for someone simply watching from the crowd, he can only report the one thing that resonates across the landscape: "Jesus Crucified". We imagined how the crowd, many of whom on Sunday ushered their Messiah into Jerusalem, riding in on a donkey, peacefully, humbly, are now shouting, "Crucify Him!" Previous Podcasts covering this event will give you the theological and insider information to this amazing story.  What is Truth https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/what-is-truth/   When the Verdict and the Truth Collide https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/when-the-verdict-and-the-truth-collide/   The Evil That Men Do https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-evil-that-men-do/   The Journey to Calvary https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-evil-that-men-do/   The Report from the Crowd   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-report-from-the-crowd-crucifixion/ 

We continue to follow our fictitious if not anachronistic reporting of the events as they are playing out during Passover, AD 31. Imagine a news paper special report has been distributed all throughout Jerusalem. This boots-on-the-ground report covers the events following the dinner meeting with Jesus and his apostles the night before and what transpired during the night.  Podcasts and Insider Commentaries supporting today's reports.  Banter Before Supper https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/banter-before-supper/   Bread and Betrayal https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/bread-and-betrayal/   The Blood of the New Covenant https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-blood-of-the-new-covenant/   Until We Meet Again https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/until-we-meet-again/   Cross Shaped Love https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/cross-shaped-love/   Peters Denial https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/peters-denial/   What Jesus Said - What They Heard https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/what-jesus-said-what-they-heard/   Why Bring a Sword to a Gun Fight https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/why-bring-a-sword-to-a-gun-fight/   My Father and Me https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/my-father-and-me/   Enter the Holy Spirit https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/enter-the-holy-spirit/   The Difference Between Now and Eternity https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-difference-between-now-and-eternity/   The Cost and the Cup https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-cost-and-the-cup/   Jesus Prays for the Eleven https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/jesus-prays-for-the-eleven/   Jesus Arrested! https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/jesus-arrested/   Show me the Man and I'll Shor You the Crime https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/show-me-the-man-and-ill-show-you-the-crime/ The Special Report Notes   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/special-report-jesus-arrested/ 

We continue to follow our fictitious Jerusalem Chronicle News reporter. It's Wednesday, Nisan 13, AD 31. Jesus has left the religious elite seething, plotting, and utterly embarrassed the day before. He and His disciples distance themselves from the temple courts. While they are preparing for a passover meal together, the religious elite are preparing for something entirely different. Supporting Podcast Episodes for Wednesday events. Something happened on the way to supper https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/something-happened-on-the-way-to-supper/   Notes for Wednesday   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-loudest-silence-of-passion-week/ 

We follow our fictitious reporter as he continues to chronicle the events of Tuesday of this week of Passover. So, if you think things were supposed to quiet down after Monday, think again. Jesus and His disciples come back into Jerusalem on Tuesday morning. It it's any indication, the Fig Tree that Jesus cursed the day before has withered and is dead - in less than a day! And that is just a precursor to what will unravel on the temple courts on Tuesday.  Previous Podcasts Covering Events of Today (Yeah, it's a LOT - It's a very heavy day and it could take months to study it out.) The Curse of the Fig Tree https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-curse-of-the-fig-tree/ Truth or Consequences - The Pharisaic Dilemma https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/truth-or-consequences-the-pharisaic-dilemma/   Faith and Intent https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/faith-and-intent/   The World is Not for Israel to Rule https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-world-is-not-for-israel-to-rule/   The Tax Trap https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-tax-trap/   A Question of Eternity https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/a-question-of-eternity/   The Father's Banquet and the Party Crasher https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-fathers-banquet/   Looking for Defects in the Passover Lamb https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/looking-for-defects-in-the-passover-lamb/   Hypocrites! https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/hypocrites/   The First Woe https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-first-woe/   Proselyte From Hell - You've Met Him https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/proselyte-from-hell-youve-met-him/   The Deceitful Oath https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-deceitful-oath/   For the Love of Money https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/for-the-love-of-money/   The Jewish Indictments - The Final Woes https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-jewish-indictments-the-final-woes/   NOTES FOR TUESDAY of PASSION WEEK   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-spotless-lamb-takes-on-the-religious-elite-tuesday-of-passion-week/

We continue to follow our fictitious reporter from the Jerusalem Chronicle to get a boots-on-the-ground view of what happened on Monday (today) of Passion Week.  Previous Podcasts covering this day include: The County Fair on the Temple Court https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-county-fair-on-the-temple-court/   The Curse of the Fig Tree https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-curse-of-the-fig-tree/    Monday's Jerusalem Chronicle Report by our trusty (but fictitious) reporter   Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/not-your-average-monday/ 

As our Red-Letter journey closes in on the Crucifixion, we decided to pull back. Every day this week, we are acting as a News Reporter traveling with Jesus and the disciples. The notes are written like a News Story from the Jerusalem Chronicle. The News Story is provided in the notes. Related Podcasts.   Accusing Mary https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/accusing-mary/    Palms and Psalms https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/palms-and-psalms/    The Passover Lamb Laments https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-passover-lamb-laments/    Notes for What Happened Today   Episode Link:  https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/what-happened-today-sunday-almost-2000-years-ago/ 

As usual, Google will put things in my path that it thinks I want to see. This was no different. 3.4 million views in three weeks. The good news is that people are very interested in this. The bad news is that people will use this as their resource for knowledge. We want to address this. The name of the YouTube video is Father Chad Ripperger - Signs of the Mark of the Beast & Rise of the Antichrist We are not criticizing Father Chad Ripperger per say. We are issuing a caution regarding how you consume this kind of content to make sure that your spiritual warfare is grounded biblically, not in hearsay. Notes for Practical Spiritual Warfare Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/practical-spiritual-warfare/ 

This was a tough podcast to study for. The journey to Calvary is depicted in all four gospels, and each provides detail that paints a grueling picture of suffering. What you immediately notice about Jesus is not the agony of his suffering but his outreach and concern for the men doing this - and for His Mother. There is mockery from everywhere, even from the criminals beside him. When you bear the weight of this scene and see what Jesus is doing for all of those lining the path to see Him crucified, it just becomes a staggering image of Christ's utter love and compassion. During the entire journey to the cross, Jesus is witness to the very thing he is to suffer for.  Note for The Journey to Calvary Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-journey-to-calvary/ 

As I was reading the account of Pilate's interaction with Jesus, it dawned on me how familiar it was. We often read the account in isolation, and I decided to dig deeper and consider its implications across the span of history.  We've said it time and again through our podcasts. God is orchestrating this.  Essay - The Evil That Men Do Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/e/the-evil-that-men-do/ 

 Pilate knows the truth of Jesus' innocence. He has stated it three times. Yet when he issues the verdict, it is for the crucifixion of Jesus. The irony is staggering. The very word "verdict" means "to speak the truth".  I'm not exactly sure how to describe Pilate. He's often depicted as ruthless. He feels more like a puppet. He's that person always concerned about what others think. In this case, he must satisfy Caesar. He must satisfy the Jewish elite. His wife is whispering in his ear things concerning the nature of his decision. The one thing he is not attempting to satisfy is his own conscience. Pilate clearly does not see the reason to crucify Jesus from the perspective of the Roman Law. But when it comes down to making a conscious decision on his own versus satisfying the angry mob, he lets them decide and thinks by doing so, he has absolved himself of the guilt associated with the decision. He's that guy in the room who throws up his hands in frustration, screaming, "It's out of my hands!" ... all the while, he's the one giving the order. Notes for Truth and Verdict Collide Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/when-the-verdict-and-the-truth-collide/ 

What is truth? Those three worlds have consumed me for years. Isn't that the endeavor of every philosophical pursuit? And yet, we read those three words uttered by Pilate to Jesus, and simply move on. Not so fast. Pilate had the luxury of standing before the only person, the only human that ever existed, who could have possibly answered that question. But Pilate himself had already dismissed the answer. We ask our audience - have you? Notes (and Essay) to What is Truth by Greg Newell Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/what-is-truth/ 

How many times have you blown over the passage. Yeah, you marveled that Peter heard the rooster crow, which recalls what Jesus told Peter would happen when they were in the upper room. But let's really dig into this. There is so much we can learn from Peter in this moment and the subsequent restoration.  Notes for Lovest Thou Me Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/lovest-thou-me-the-restoration-of-peter/

We are living in a simulator ! ?? I'm hearing this a lot so I wanted to address it. I don't know if this is just a meme type phenomenon or if these guys really know what they are suggesting. Let me name some of the bigger influencers on YouTube (at least the ones that cross my path). They include Tom Bilyeu, Steve Bartlett, Chase Hughes and many others including many of those whom they've interviews. It fascinates me how many of these guys default to the position of "We are living in a simulation". Now, I have to say, I loved the Matrix. I still think it was a great movie. There is also a movie that perhaps was not as popular but it ended up being about a guy who had some part in building a VR simulation. In the end, he discovered that he was also living inside a simulation (so he had created a simulation within a simulation). So, we went down the rabbit hole not really with a script of any sort, which is the ways conversations always run. Ultimately, the defining question was if you're living inside a simulation, can you know it's creator. Unless, somehow, the creator jumps into his own simulation, I don't think it works. The other option is that you're NOT in a simulation and God has no problem walking with you. If you assume Occam's razor, then living in a simulation and knowing God makes no sense.  Notes for Removing Your VR Headset Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/removing-the-vr-headset-finding-reality/ 

Stephen Bartlett interviews two people, among many others, who have a similar landing. I chose these out of the many because they come from completely different backgrounds and arrive at similar conclusions. One is a psychologist and one is a neuroscientist. Collectively, these have gotten over 10 million views. After watching these and some others, I noticed something that feels – well – “off”. Then it hit me. Both of these people are trying to construct their spiritual world view that puts them at the center – instead of God.  If you pay careful attention, you can detect a circular argument - an intrinsic contradiction that should scream "I'm a complete fraud" but we don't do that. We do hint at that in this podcast, but we decided that arguing by throwing the bible at these people gets us nowhere. Especially if we have in our audience the person who is sitting on the fence considering Christianity as only one option.  The notes include the transcripts of the videos (very hard to read) so I wanted also to post links to the original interviews with Steve Bartlett. If you have time (they are super long), they are both worth listening to. We also provide a pretty decent discernment test so the listener or the reader can ground the discussion back in reality.  Notes for Scientized Mysticism Hoffman Interview https://youtu.be/W0vTZrZny6A?si=IypJZQeSj374JcBi  Swart Interview https://youtu.be/yfEQRqFo2bI?si=NOITodiuMEufnH1y Episode Link:

As you listen to this podcast today, reflect on how little has changed. As I was reading the accounts of the interrogation of Jesus, it struck me how much we could learn just by going back to our roots for justice,  for accusation, for testimony. Think about this. We often drag people (via subpoena) to "testify under oath" in the hopes of setting up a perjury trap. Smear campaigns are more than normal; they are part of the system. Leak something to the media - it doesn't have to be true; it just has to sell or fit the agenda of the offending party. Once it's out there, we convict!  Lavrentiy Beria, the feared head of Stalin's secret police, is reported to have boasted: 'Show me the man and I'll show you the crime.' The phrase captures something more ancient than Soviet terror—it names the mechanics of a verdict in search of a charge, power exercised as judgment, and truth put on trial. We might say, well that's communist Russia, that's not our freedom loving country. REALLY? Have we made any progress in 2000 years since the prosecution of Jesus, or do we just wrap it in newspaper and tie it up with a pink social media bow? Notes for Show me the Man Episode link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/show-me-the-man-and-ill-show-you-the-crime/ 

Often when you listen to a debate between a Christian and an Atheist you get lost in emotional tension.  Feedback from the Unabashedly Apologetic podcast we ran recently prompted this follow-up. Fortunately, my YouTube feed seems to know what I'm looking for. I stumbled across this video between Wesley Huff and Steven Bartlett. These are raw, honest questions from someone who is seeking answers about Christianity.  The notes for this YouTube discussion include a full transcript for the discussion and then a summarized section. Notes for Serious Questions Original Interview from Youtube Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholes.faith/e/serious-question-for-the-serious-christian/   

We leave Gethsemane almost with determination. There is no hesitation following the priestly prayer, no trying to seek a hiding place, no planning for what is to happen next. It is a foregone conclusion, approached with resolve. There is no parable, no guessing, no wrestling with the text. We created a 4 gospel harmony of this scene to get a three-dimensional picture of what is going on. Notes for Jesus Arrested Episode link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/jesus-arrested/ 

I think today's podcast is a helpful example of how we study. I spend a good part of my day in a variety of different resources. This is daily and habitual. In between all of that, I actually retreat to work, which has nothing to do with my biblical studies. My commercial breaks during the day usually return me to my Christian studies. I usually open with a section of the Bible I want to read in the morning. But my brain is saying, " Hey, that's cool - remember this from yesterday or a few days ago?" Hopefully, it's not a distraction but a connection. And that's exactly what happened here. I was closing out the section on John 17. We've discussed the part where Jesus prays to the Father. First He prays for Himself, then He prays for the Eleven. Today we moved into John 22-26. In my Bible, that section is labeled "Their future glory." Since I bounce around King James, ESV and NIV, I didn't notice that different translations have the sections isolated differently. I'm actually glad I was in King James today because jumping right into to verse 22 forced a question. King James reads: And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." Just to connect through to the context, I zoomed out on "they". In the immediate context, you only have to back up a couple of lines to realize that "they" are "those who believe in me" from verse 20. So, I look at this and this is the question that pops into my head... So, Jesus rallied believers through direct revelation. He raised the dead. Transfigured before some of them. Ousted demons. Healed the sick. Walked on water. Turned water into wine. Fed 1000's with a loaf of bread. Spoke perfectly of the scriptures and their meaning. Now He expects the retelling of his message to elicit the same results? Conveniently, and I blame the Holy Spirit for this, I had just listened to a debate the day before between John Lennox and Peter Atkins. That is a classical debate of the Christian and the Atheist. And so, you have todays Podcast. A Christian hears Jesus' priestly prayer 2000 years later. Notes for Unabashedly Apologetic Episode Link: https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/unabashedly-apologetic/    NOTE: For those who are not familiar with the term Apologetic Christian apologetics is the reasoned defense and justification of the Christian faith, derived from the Greek word apologia, meaning a verbal defense or answer. It involves using philosophy, history, and logic to address objections, defend against criticisms, and provide a rational basis for believing in the truth of Christianity.