According2Sam Podcast

In the Nixon tapes, there is a recording of the then president of the United States having a conversation with the late evangelist Billy Graham in the Oval Office. Graham tells Nixon that the Bible makes a distinction between two groups of Jews. One group, he says, is called the remnant of God’s people, and the other is called the synagogue of Satan. He further explains to the president that the synagogue of Satan has a strange brilliance about them and is energized by a supernatural power. President Nixon is heard agreeing with the minister at points and even adding his own thoughts on the subject. Is it true that the Bible refers to a distinct group of Jews as the synagogue of Satan, and which passages of the Bible was Billy Graham referring to in this recorded conversation with President Nixon? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #369.

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The recent terrorist attack on a crowd of Jews in Sydney, Australia has put Jewish people around the world on edge. There has been a string of attacks on Jews in various locations, and they appear to be occurring with increasing frequency. At the same time, there has been a rise in negative rhetoric about Jews on social media and at demonstrations supporting Gaza and the Palestinians. Many are concerned that antisemitism is on the rise, leaving Jewish communities fearful that something all too familiar is happening once again. Jews have endured persecution, expulsion, and unprovoked violence for thousands of years in Europe, Africa, and many other parts of the world. Why are Jews justified in their fear amid the current rise in anti-Jewish sentiment, and how does their history contribute to these concerns? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #368.

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Dr. Michael David Evans is the founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center (FOZ) in Jerusalem. FOZ’s stated mission is to highlight religious tolerance and foster dialogue between Christian Zionists, the State of Israel, and the Jewish people. At a FOZ event attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Dr. Evans spoke of his intention to train one hundred thousand Christian evangelical leaders to serve as ambassadors for the State of Israel in their own countries and to help defend Israel’s “brand”. As part of this effort, last week Dr. Evans brought nearly 1,100 evangelical pastors and Christian influencers to Israel to begin this training. How does Dr. Evans’s goal align with the Great Commission, and are Christians called to evangelize on behalf of the State of Israel? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #367.

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In the century between the Assyrian captivity and the Babylonian captivity, the Kingdom of Judah experienced a spiritual roller coaster. King Hezekiah watched the Assyrians destroy the Kingdom of Israel and scatter the northern tribes, but he resisted their advance and remained on his throne in Judah. Hezekiah honored the God of his forefathers by destroying pagan altars and outlawing the worship of foreign gods. However, his son Manasseh was a wicked king who rebuilt pagan shrines and led the kingdom into idolatry. Later in life, he repented and turned back to Yahweh, tearing down the pagan altars once again. After his death, his son Amon rebuilt the shrines and returned Judah to idolatry. When his short reign ended, his son Josiah destroyed the pagan shrines once more and restored the worship of Yahweh in Judah. What happened to Judah as a result of this spiritual fickleness? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #366.

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Manasseh became king of Judah when his father, Hezekiah, died, taking the throne at just twelve years old. He ruled for fifty-five years. Unlike his father—who was a righteous king that honored the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—Manasseh chose a path of extreme wickedness and idolatry. He restored the pagan altars and idols his father had destroyed and turned away from the God of his forefathers. He worshiped pagan gods and practiced witchcraft, divination, necromancy, and even child sacrifice, offering his own son on an altar to Baal. He went so far as to set up altars and idols dedicated to pagan gods within the Temple itself. His reign became one of the most corrupt and evil periods in Judah’s history. How did Manasseh’s reign set Judah on a path that ultimately led to its destruction? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #365.

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Former President George W. Bush and his family are reportedly planning to end the so-called “Bush Exile” and reclaim control of the Republican Party from President Trump—and to shut down his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement—once Trump leaves office. According to a former Bush aide, Vice President J.D. Vance already has a head start in securing the GOP nomination in 2028. However, there is expected to be a broad, open field, with several potential challengers. Bush may endorse one of these alternatives—and possibly even campaign alongside them. While no specific names have been confirmed, there are a number of figures who could embody the Bush brand of conservatism. How likely is it that Bush could really steer the Republican Party back to its pre-Trump identity, and what strategy might they be using to do so? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #364.

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On October 6, 1973, Israel was suddenly attacked from the north and south simultaneously by Egypt and Syria. It was Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, and the surprise attack caught the Israeli people off guard. Although there was intelligence indicating that an attack was coming, no one believed it would occur on such a solemn holiday. Prime Minister Golda Meir had contacted the United States and requested support from the Nixon administration for a preemptive strike, but Secretary of State Henry Kissinger advised against it, warning that if Israel attacked first, it would be viewed as the aggressor. This decision forced Israel to wait until it was attacked, not knowing when the assault would begin. How did the Yom Kippur War change the relationship between the United States and Israel? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #363.

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The Triggernometry podcast interviewed comedian Dave Smith last week. The two hosts are British citizens, and Smith is a libertarian who strongly opposes aggressive foreign policy and America’s involvement in wars, whether as active participants or as financial sponsors. Smith’s views were challenged by the hosts, who argued that America is an empire and that the world depends on this American empire. They claimed that if the United States were not the global hegemon, a power vacuum would emerge that would be filled by China or Russia. Smith joked, “Then they would be $38 trillion in debt and not us.” He also argued that the United States is a constitutional republic and was never meant to be an empire. Who is correct? Is America an empire or a republic—and what is the difference? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #362.

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Megyn Kelly is the latest figure to draw criticism from neoconservatives for her defense of Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. She effectively called Ben Shapiro a liar after he claimed that Owens accused Erika Kirk of murdering her husband, and she also defended Carlson following his interview with Nick Fuentes. These actions prompted more than simple criticism; some observers believe the situation escalated into intimidation and veiled threats after the satirical news outlet ‘The Babylon Bee’ published a fabricated article titled “Megyn Kelly Gets Rid of Old Pager Just to Be Safe.” The headline references Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon being assassinated by Israel using exploding pagers. Others argue the piece was merely a joke, despite the fact that it was later deleted. Was intended purely as satire, or was it meant to send a message? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #360.

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In the fall of 2002, as the Bush administration was building its case for the invasion of Iraq, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld authorized his Under Secretary, Douglas Feith, and Deputy Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, to establish a secret intelligence unit within the Pentagon. The group, known as the Office of Special Plans, was tasked with producing intelligence to support the argument for invading Iraq. This office provided raw intelligence—much of it unvetted by the CIA—to both the White House and Congress. At times, its reports contradicted the CIA’s assessments, such as the claim that Iraq had sought to purchase uranium from Niger. Why did the Department of Defense feel the need to create a secret intelligence unit at this time, and which foreign intelligence agency might it have collaborated? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #360.

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