Beards & Bible Podcast

A woman accused of killing her three young children has just seen her trial end in a hung jury. A Tennessee execution went horribly wrong when Christa Pike survived two doses of the lethal-injection drug. And the Army has scheduled a firing-squad execution for Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter who murdered 13 people, with plans to make the execution public.

These stories force us to confront a difficult question: Are there crimes so horrific that the only just punishment is death? If a person deliberately murders innocent people, does justice require the government to take their life…or does the Christian commitment to mercy and redemption place limits on what the state should do?

The Bible says human life bears the image of God. It also gives governing authorities the responsibility to punish evil. But Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies, and the gospel holds out the possibility of redemption even for the worst sinner.

So where should Christians stand? Is opposing the death penalty a failure to take justice seriously? Or is supporting it a failure to take mercy seriously?

On our next episode, we’re asking the tough questions that test our understanding of justice, human dignity, government, and the gospel: what should a Christian think about the death penalty?

What happens when following Jesus becomes comfortable?

In the 4th century, thousands of Christians walked away from the cities and into the wilderness. They lift cultural Christianity behind not to escape God, but to find Him.

What can the Desert Fathers and Mothers teach us about spiritual formation, simplicity, silence, and becoming like Jesus?

And what if we don’t need to move to the desert…but we do need to create a little wilderness in our own lives to grow into the people Jesus invites us to become?

If you haven’t noticed recently, AI is everywhere. And it seems like it can do pretty much everything that we can do as humans.

AI can write. AI can think. AI can create. But should we let it? And what happens when we start outsourcing to a machine the things God intended for us to do ourselves?

On our next episode, we’re talking about Christians and our use of AI. How can we use it wisely without letting it replace our creativity, our relationships, our thinking, or the work of the Holy Spirit? And what are the potential dangers of letting it think for us?

 Should Christian women wear head coverings to church?

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says women who pray with their heads uncovered dishonor their “head.” He talks about shaved heads, long hair, creation, headship, angels. And somehow expects the Corinthians to understand what he means.

So…what are we supposed to do with 1 Corinthians 11 today?

Was Paul simply giving a cultural opinion? Is every Christian woman actually supposed to wear a head covering to church? Or is Paul giving us an authoritative biblical principle through a first-century cultural practice?

And perhaps the bigger question: what do our clothing, appearance, relationships, and behavior communicate about our theology?

Beards and Bible listeners, last time we thought we could cover Leviticus in one episode… we were wrong.

On our last episode, we did a flyover of Leviticus and looked at the big picture, but we left two hot topics on the table: tattoos and tithing. So we’re going back into Leviticus and asking what these commands mean for us as Christians.

Specifically: are tattoos a sin that the Bible clearly prohibits? Do Christians have to give 10% in their local church? These are two questions that often bring up strong opinions. So we’re opening up Leviticus and asking: how should Christians understand these Old Testament laws today?

In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle… but suddenly, no one can go in.

The exodus brought Israel out of Egypt, but it didn’t take Egypt out of Israel. God wants to dwell with His people—raising the ultimate question: How can a holy God live alongside a broken humanity without consuming them?

Why all the bloody sacrifices, skin parameters, and dietary codes? Is Leviticus just a bizarre ancient rulebook, or the structural roadmap of God restoring Eden? What actually happens on the Day of Atonement when a scapegoat carries a nation's rebellion into the wilderness?

On today's episode, we take a flyover of Leviticus with a low-altitude look into its center. We’ll unpack how ancient priests, scapegoats, and holy calendars point directly to Jesus—and why holiness isn't about isolating yourself, but living set apart to radically love others.

If ancient rituals couldn't permanently fix the human heart… what can?

Few books of the Bible have generated more questions, confusion, and debate than the book of Revelation. In this special teaching episode, we explore how to understand and interpret this fascinating book, uncover its original message, and discover why its central focus is not fear, speculation, or conspiracy—but Jesus.

On today's episode, Gabe discusses the importance of riddling our tongue and using our speech to bring life as opposed to death, blessing as opposed to cursing.

We talk through the consequences of slander and its effects on a community and the parallels between it and Biblical tzara'at.

For more information on Dothan Messianic Fellowship, visit www.dothanmessianicfellowship.com

In a culture that constantly bombards us with unrealistic ideals—perfect marriages, flawless friendships, effortless success, and picture-perfect lifestyles—many Christians find themselves exhausted by unattainable expectations. 

Misplaced expectations can steal our joy, but biblical contentment and gratitude can restore it.

Join Josh as he gives a talk from his upcoming book, Elusive Expectations: Living Free from the Tyranny of Unattainable Ideals.