Asking for a Neighbor

Episode Title: Truth, Trust, and the Traps of Conspiracy Culture

Episode Number: 007

Guest: Taylor Locke / Brad Holcomb

We are diving deep into a heavy but increasingly common question "asking for a neighbor" this week: How should Christians navigate the rapid rise of dark conspiracy theories when they start bleeding into ideologies like neo-Nazism and causing serious friction in marriages? Skye, Brad, and guest Taylor Locke discuss moving away from the addiction of the virtual echo chamber and grounding ourselves back into real-life community, biblical truth, and the calling God has placed right in front of us.

00:00 – Intro & The "Neighbor" Question of the Week

Skye kicks off the episode with Taylor subbing in for Shawn. They unpack a preliminary "neighbor" question about the boundaries of generosity, open-handedness, and the wisdom of stewardship.

05:15 – The Core Question: Christians and Conspiracy Theories

Brad introduces the primary topic: how to handle the modern obsession with dark conspiracy theories, specifically touching on real-world situations where men are falling into anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi rhetoric, creating division in their homes.

10:42 – Why We Fall Into the Trap: Biological and Cultural Hooks

The guys discuss the human nature of "doom scrolling" and seeking closed answers. Taylor points out that since 2020, we live in a full-blown "conspiracy culture" fueled by online personalities and an algorithmic world that replaces shared culture.

16:30 – Villainization of Manhood and the Fatherless Internet

Brad and Taylor explore why men specifically gravitate toward these spaces. A lack of earthly fatherhood and a mainstream culture that villainizes masculinity drives younger generations to online platforms like Twitter looking for strong figures, direction, and purpose—often leading them down dangerous paths.

24:15 – Scriptural Deep Dive: 1 Timothy and Ancient Myths

Taylor takes the team into 1 Timothy, drawing a parallel between modern conspiracy rabbit holes and the "myths and endless genealogies" that Paul warned Timothy to steer clear of because they promote vain speculation rather than love and a clear conscience.

32:40 – Practical Takeaways: Diagnostic Questions & Community

Taylor offers key diagnostic questions to gauge your attention span: What is making you the most angry? What are you most passionate about? Brad highlights the vital importance of real, flesh-and-blood community over virtual validation, alongside keeping a vertical focus on the holiness of God rather than a strictly horizontal focus on world affairs.

41:10 – Closing Thoughts: Prioritizing Your Marriage & Outro

Brad shares a direct word for any husband letting online research cause strife in his marriage, calling it spiritual warfare and urging men to repent, turn off the feeds, and choose their wives over the internet. Skye outlines a potential Part 2 as they close out the show.

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Visit us in Fort Worth: Sundays 10 AM | 6301 Granbury Rd Fort Worth TX, 76133

In this episode, we dive into the cultural fascination with government UFO disclosures, a surprising take on outer space from C.S. Lewis, and how a terrifying Texas thunderstorm can actually teach us the difference between dreadful and delightful fear. We are asking for a neighbor: If God is completely sovereign over the vast unknowns of the universe and the tragic storms of life, how do we anchor our hearts in His goodness instead of being paralyzed by fear?

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Visit us in Fort Worth: Sundays 10 AM | 6301 Granbury Rd Fort Worth TX, 76133

[This week a neighbor asked us how we should walk with someone who is struggling with their faith or going through deconstruction]

In this episode of Asking for a Neighbor, we tackle three profound cultural and spiritual dynamics affecting modern Christian life: technology, youth gambling, and faith deconstruction. We begin by examining whether constant information exposure and AI are harming our critical thinking and emotional health. From there, we transition into a moral and regulatory discussion on the rapid rise of mobile sports betting among young adults and the vital role of parental discipleship. Finally, we explore how to patiently, prayerfully, and curiously walk alongside a friend or loved one who is walking away from their faith. How can we maintain deep relationships and speak truth in love without falling into the trap of manipulation?

Proverbs 20:5: "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."

1 John 2:19: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us."

Notable Quote: "Being a good friend oftentimes is this very slow, patient, prayerful, curious, drawing out of these deep waters within their heart in order to help them in a more helpful way... It allows stress to diminish from you because you no longer feel the weight of having to navigate the conversation a certain way." — Brad

Notable Quote: "As we keep our eyes on Jesus, that actually grows our love and affection for the church, as broken and flawed as the church is... because we see how much Jesus loves his bride." — Shawn

Got a question you’re "asking for a neighbor"? Go here: Ask Anything! | Email us: [email protected]  | Visit us in Fort Worth: Sundays 10 AM | 6301 Granbury Rd Fort Worth TX, 76133

Is gambling a sin, or is it a matter of Christian liberty? Today, we’re "asking for a neighbor" about the morality of modern sports betting and prediction markets, while diving deep into a difficult theological question: How do we hold our active responsibility to repent alongside God’s total sovereignty over our salvation? In other words…do we Repent ‘enough’?

00:00 – Intro: The Great Pickle vs. Cucumber Debate

04:42 – The "Neighbor" Question: Christianity and Gambling

07:20 – Context: Legal Shifts, Technology, and Prediction Markets

11:15 – Is Gambling a Christian Liberty Issue?

14:30 – Stewardship: Time, Money, and the "Empty Thrill"

18:10 – Why Men? Testosterone, Risk, and the Search for Adventure

25:40 – Topic B: Is My Repentance "Repentant Enough"?

30:15 – Justification vs. Sanctification: Distinction Without Separation

34:50 – Scriptural Deep Dive: Worldly Grief vs. Godly Sorrow

39:10 – Practical Takeaways: John Owen and the Mortification of Sin

46:25 – Sovereignty vs. Responsibility: Psalm 51 and the Character of God

53:00 – Closing Thoughts & The Power of Community Prayer

Episode Summary: Was the death of Jesus merely a historical tragedy or a moral example? In this episode, we tackle the "neighbor" question: "What actually happened to Jesus on the cross, and why does it matter for us today?" We explore the difference between viewing the crucifixion as a mere "good example" versus the life-altering reality of substitutionary atonement.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & The "Neighbor" Question of the Week: Public bathroom etiquette and practically sharing the Gospel.

05:12 – Relational Evangelism: Is there a set timeline for sharing your faith with a neighbor?

12:45 – The Substitution: Unpacking the core biblical truth of "God in our place."

20:30 – Scriptural Deep Dive: A look at 1 Peter 2 and 2 Corinthians 5:21.

32:15 – Historical Evidence: Addressing skepticism, the empty tomb, and the radical change in the Apostles.

40:00 – Practical Takeaways: Why the resurrection is transformational, not just informational.

48:00 – Closing Thoughts & Outro

Key Verses & Quotes

Resources & Links

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In this episode, we tackle one of the most pressing questions for Christians living in the information age: How do we engage with culture, politics, and current events without losing our witness? Brad and Shawn dive into the concept of "biblical anthropology," the wisdom of logging off social media, and how to tell the difference between closed-handed theological truths and open-handed cultural debates

Got a question you’re "asking for a neighbor"?

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Visit us in Fort Worth: Sundays at 10 AM | 6301 Granbury Rd Fort Worth TX, 76133

In the kickoff episode of Asking for a Neighbor, pastors Brad and Matt Allen tackle a question often shrouded in tradition and confusion: What is Lent? Moving past the idea that it is strictly a "Catholic obligation," they explore Lent as a 40-day invitation to return to the Lord. From a debate on the greatest raw-talent musicians to the theological "why" behind fasting, this conversation refocuses the season on communion with God rather than legalistic checklists.

(00:00) Intro: Welcome to the podcast & the heart of Redemption Hill.

(01:00) Icebreaker: The greatest raw-talent artist alive (according to Matt Allen)

(05:40) Defining Lent: Returning to the Lord through Joel 2.

(09:15) History & Hesitation: Why do Protestants/Baptists observe Lent?.

(12:30) Position vs. Experience: Why Lent won't make you "more right" with God.

(15:45) Personal Rhythms: Fasting from food, social media, and screens.

(20:10) The Goal of Communion: Life lived before the face of God.

(23:50) Modern Distractions: Screens, the news cycle, and professional pressure.

(28:15) Joy with His people: Joy and spiritual sustenance in the wilderness.

(33:20) How to Start: Practical advice for first-time observers.

(37:45) The Gospel: The "Exchange" and finding our identity in Christ.

(42:00) Outro: Repenting, believing, and an invitation to the Lent season

Got a question you’re "asking for a neighbor"?

Email us: [email protected]

Visit us in Fort Worth: 10AM | 6301 Granbury Rd Fort Worth, TX  76133

In this episode, Pastor Brad and Pastor Taylor discuss topics of gospel friendship, loneliness in the church, and how to be a good friend in the midst of your church community.

In this episode, Pastor Shawn, Pastor Brad, and Taylor are joined by Cindy Leach, the director of the Fort Worth Pregnancy Center. Together they discuss the competing worldviews around the issue of abortion in our culture as well as what the church can do to be involved in championing the cause for life in our communities. 

In this episode, Pastor Shawn, Pastor Brad, and Taylor discuss gender and gender identity from a biblical worldview and walk through ethical scenarios that Christ followers may encounter along the way.