Surprise! We’ve got an extra bonus episode of Summer Bammerhab! (Summerhab?)

This episode is a wide-ranging interview with pastor, podcaster and church historian Lance Ralston, however we’re still gonna start out focusing on a specific word, this time it is echaritōsen from Ephesians 1:6, and it means “He has made acceptable.”

It comes from the root Greek word charis which is among the most difficult words to translate into English simply because the concept it describes is just so complex, nuanced and vast. So translators have used so many English words to try to capture all of the meanings of this one Greek word: acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace, gracious, joy, liberality, pleasure, thanksworthy, thankful, credit, or gracious work.

But before I explain too much, I want to turn to the conversation I had with Pastor Lance Ralston about this word, and much more. Pastor Lance’s amazing podcast on church history was one of my main inspirations for creating Bammerhab, and if you haven’t heard that podcast then you absolutely have to add it to your list!

Anyway, I had a really great time talking with Lance and if you get even a fraction of the joy I got from this conversation, then you all are gonna love it!

This episode digs deeper into “echaritōsen” (ἐχαρίτωσεν meaning ‘He has made us accepted’) in Ephesians 1:6.

Eph. 1:6 - “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (KJV)

Mentioned:

Pastor Lance Ralston: www.sanctorum.us/lances-bio/

Pastor David Guzik: calvarychapel.com/posts/author/david_guzik/

Enduring Word Free Online Commentaries: enduringword.com

Pastor Chuck Smith: calvarychapel.com/chuck-smith

History of the Christian Church podcast: www.sanctorum.us

History of Rome Podcast by Mike Duncan: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id261654474

12 Byzantine Rulers by Lars Brownworth: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/12-byzantine-rulers-the-history-of-the-byzantine-empire/id73802687

Jan Žižka: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_%C5%BDi%C5%BEka

Jan Hus - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Hus

Nestorius - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorius

Church of the East - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_East

Church History - Lance Ralston (YouTube Channel): youtube.com/watch?v=M2i53ZgcnPk

Into His Image (Lance Ralston’s Personal You Tube channel): youtu.be/3G0s05G7XPE

Books Mentioned:

Marriage As It Was Meant To Be by Lance Ralston

The Lost History of Christianity by Phillip Jenkins

Voyager from Xanadu: Rabban Sauma and the First Journey from China to the West by Morris Rossabi

My Links:

Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.com

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

In Jesus’ day Shavuot (Pentecost) was the best-attended of the great traveling feasts because traveling conditions were at their best. That meant that there was never a more international, diverse gathering in Jerusalem than on this day.

Jews from nearly every known nation were there. And that’s when the Holy Spirit chose to birth the church, but you probably already knew that!

But what you might not know is that there something in the Levitical instructions that strongly hinted at the future church instructions way back in Moses’ time.

What was the hint?

Great question! Let’s explore!

This episode digs deeper into “Pentekostes” (Πεντηκοστῆς meaning ‘Fiftieth’) in Acts 2:1.

Acts 2:1 - “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” (NIV)

Mentioned:

John & Addison Bevere - “The Holy Spirit”

Map of Mentioned Nations in Pentecost

Links:

Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.com

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

When you understand Jesus’ Old Testament references, you see that he spoke of end times more than anyone else in the Bible. But Jesus not only spoke of end times, he spoke of rapture, and he not only spoke of rapture, he demonstrated it.

Ascension Day is May 29th this year; it could just as easily be called Rapture Day. The two concepts are synonymous.

Just as Jesus modeled baptism for his church, and just as he was the first to have the spirit fall on him, just like Pentecost, and just like Jesus was the first to model how a Christian should live and how he expected his church to conduct herself, and just like Jesus was the first of his church to be resurrected, so too, Jesus was the first to be raptured. Only we miss it because of the language.

We call it Ascension. Luke called it anapharo. Paul called it harpazo which means to grab, and the Romans called it rapture, which means pretty much the same thing.

It’s a biblical theme. God can “grab” people and God does grab people.

The only difference between ascension and rapture being of course that Jesus left, he wasn’t grabbed. But that’s his prerogative and it doesn’t minimize the picture he meant to leave us with.

But maybe you are thinking that this is false because rapture theology is a recent invention? Well, that’s actually demonstrably false.

Don’t believe me? Let’s explore!

This episode digs deeper into “anephereto” (ἀνεφέρετο meaning ‘carried up’) in Luke 24:51.

Luke 24:51 - “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” (KJV)

Mentioned:

Lance Ralston’s Church history podcast: www.sanctorum.us

Lance Ralston’s Rapture teaching: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rha4V9PkHbE&t=183s

Links:

Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.com

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

The 3rd commandment says not to swear, right?

Nope.

To take God’s name in vain is intentional false representation of God to try to manipulate to get your own way.

Using the Lord’s name “in vain” is what is often called being a false prophet elsewhere in the Old and New Testaments. Sadly our generation is awash with many false prophets.

Who are they? What should you do about it?

Great questions! Let’s explore!

This episode digs deeper into “lashav” (לַשָּׁ֑וְא meaning ‘in vain’) in Exodus 20:7.

Exodus 20:7 - “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (NKJV)

Links:

Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.com

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Oligopsychous means fainthearted or, by extension, anxious and weary.

So, what does Paul proscribe for anxious, weary souls like me?

Paul counsels gentleness. He gently encourages these weary ones and feeds them reassurance.

Where does that reassurance come from? Great question!

(Also thanks to musician Sam Banfield for sharing a “Song for the Weary” at the close of the episode.)

This episode digs deeper into “oligopsychous” (ὀλιγοψύχους meaning ‘fainthearted’) in 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (ESV)

In addition, a link to a collection of John Eldredge’s prayers, and his free Pause app referred to in the episode.

Links:

Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.com

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

God’s primal blessing is so shocking that, despite it being in plain language in the very first chapter of the Bible and echoed throughout, many modern theologians recoil at the thought and try to minimize it and reverse it and undo it.

But it can’t be undone.

So what is this primal blessing?

Great question! Let’s explore!

(Also thanks again to Desi Ana Sartini for reading her poem, “Seventh Day.” Much more of her poetry can be found at Breath of Heaven, Dust of Earth.)

This episode digs deeper into “eulogia” (εὐλογίᾳ meaning ‘blessing’) in Ephesians 1:3.

Ephesians 1:3 - “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (NIV)

Links:

Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.com

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

The root of much of our failure is because of dipsychos. But what is it exactly? What does it look like and how can it end?

This epidemic of dipsychos is personal for me. It was a sin that trapped me for over a decade, but what’s worse is it still traps most Christians I know, and they don’t even know its name. As I’ve seen famous pastors and ordinary Christians drift slowly away from Christ, I keep asking myself: why? But the question was already answered in the book we all have on our shelves and phones.

It’s because of dipsychos. What is that?

Great question! Let’s explore!

This episode digs deeper into “dipsychos” (δίψυχος meaning ‘double-minded’) in James 1:8.

James 1:6-8 -“When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (NIV)

Links:

Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.com

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

In the ancient Temple, the only light streamed down from a great menorah lit by seven branches. And holding that light, are the cups of the great lamp which are fashioned to look like almond flowers.

Wait… why almond flowers? Does the Almighty really like almonds?

And why did God inaugurate Jeremiah’s call with a vision of almond flowers?

Great question! Let’s explore!

This episode digs deeper into “shaqed” (שָׁקֵד meaning ‘Almond Flower’) in Jeremiah 1:11.

Jeremiah 1:11 -“The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.” (NIV)

Full text of “The Dream Within a Dream” by George MacDonald

Links:

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Site: www.sdgmorgan.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Why does Easter matter?

Because Easter is not just a day, but the pivot point of the entire cosmos, where a brand New Earth has begun to be created. What will that look like, you ask?

Great question! Let’s explore!

This episode digs deeper into Gen Kainen - γῆν καινήν - “New Earth” in Reveleation 21:1.

Revelation 21:1 -“And I saw a new heaven and a NEW EARTH: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (KJV)

Links:

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Site: www.sdgmorgan.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Every spring for thousands of years, families have gathered around a story measured out in food, measured out by four cups of wine. These cups of wine are centered around four promises from Exodus 6, and each cup has a very different mystery inside it.

So, what is the mystery of the cups?

Let me explain…

This episode digs deeper into Poterion- ποτήριον - “the cup” in Mark 14:23:

Mark 14:23 -“And he took THE CUP, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.” (KJV)

Links:

Bammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.com

SDG Morgan’s Site: www.sdgmorgan.com

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design

• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com