Bitcoin and the Bible

By Bitcoin and the BibleTechnology

Bitcoin and the Bible episodes

December 15, 2021#17: How to Build Conviction
The final episode of Season 2 - the Back to the Bible Season - allows David, Will, and Simon to focus on how believers can apply the truths about money gleaned from God's Word to Bitcoin. Saving in Bitcoin requires wisdom, prudence, and conviction. This episode asks and answers several key questions regarding this process.
What are the key lessons learned regarding God’s will for money and economics?

In Episodes 1-2 of the podcast, we called our listeners to the challenge of evaluating to what extent they are participating in and profiting from the injustice of our current monetary system. What are some specific ways we would encourage our audience to act in light of this reality?

Doesn’t the reality that gold and silver are used as money in the Bible mean that they are God’s money and are better than Bitcoin?

Bitcoin has a history of extreme volatility which may continue in the near future. How would you advise that Christians account for Bitcoin’s volatility as they assess it as a savings technology?

What are some practical steps you can recommend to help Christians gain and retain conviction in holding Bitcoin?
Summary
We are committed Christians who believe that God provides richly for His children both spiritually and physically

We believe that “monetary theology” can be derived from Scripture allowing Christians the freedom, not the moral obligation, to save in Bitcoin.

We are rejoicing in God’s Providence to provide us a sound money that is free, moral, and safe for believers to use.

We want Christians to experience the benefits of saving in Bitcoin by freeing them up for the most valuable aspects of work and rest in God’s world as we await His coming kingdom.
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Come check out our Sphinx tribe!
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
58 min
December 08, 2021#16: Money in the Kingdom
What is God’s ultimate purpose for His Created universe and how does our work and money today and in the future fit into this grand epic?
God created man and woman to rule over the earth and despite their sinful rebellion, He has purposed to redeem mankind and restore them to rule under His authority over a restored earth.
A Biblical worldview must look forwards and backward with comprehensive confidence in God’s plan and it is with this confidence that we look forward to the steps that take us from where we are today to the “ages to come” (Eph 2:7) of God’s Eternal Kingdom where we as believers will “reign forever and ever” with God. (Rev 22:5)
Our theology can best be described as Reformed in our soteriology and Dispensational Premillennial in our eschatology. We hold our eschatology with deep conviction but readily acknowledge that it is not a gospel essential. Based upon our doctrinal convictions it is our goal tonight is to explore what the Bible tells about economic activity and money in the end times. We will restrain our enthusiasm for depth and breadth and constrain our discussion to the pertinent aspects that affect our understanding of money so that we can help you evaluate the wisdom of Bitcoin in this age.
Books and Media Referenced
The Greatness of the Kingdom by Alva J. Mclain

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

He Will Reign Forever by Michael Vlach
Summary
The Kingdom of God will commence with Christ’s return to rule on earth in the Millennial Kingdom and culminate in the Eternal Kingdom where God the Father and Son will rule over a recreated earth free from sin and death

Christians can anticipate a future in the Kingdom that is physical and where the joys of peace and prosperity can be enjoyed for eternity

In the Kingdom, there will be productive work for God’s people that will require economic trade and therefore money.

Just as believers have done since the beginning of the church age, we joyfully anticipate the return of Christ and live in the world, yet not of it.

Living in the world requires a comprehensive Biblical worldview and the ability to rejoice in God’s provision despite the reality that true peace and prosperity will not come until the King comes.
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Come check out our Sphinx tribe!
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
1 hr 2 min
December 01, 2021#15: New Testament Money Matters
Episode 15 (New Testament Money Matters) provides a careful examination of several well-known passages in the New Testament to ensure we are properly understanding them contextually and drawing the correct applications with respect to money.
How should a Christian who owns Bitcoin ensure that he is obedient to the warning of Jesus and the NT authors about loving and serving money in Luke 8:14, Luke 16:13-15, I Timothy 3:2-3, 1 Timothy 6:10, and Hebrews 13:5?
Is Jesus a friend of the poor who is opposed to the rich?
Does Jesus prohibit lending at interest in Luke 6:34-35?
What does Jesus’ expulsion of the money changers from the temple teach us about God’s attitude toward money?
Is the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 intended to communicate truths about savings/investment or not?
Does Jesus' admonition to His disciples in Luke 12:33-34 mean we should not store wealth?
Summary
Our attitude toward money reveals a great deal about our heart. As believers, we are to have a singular devotion to Christ that is not compromised by a love for money, even Bitcoin.

Our valuation of this life compared to the age to come is reflected in our money. We must not raise our time preference and devalue what God has in store for those who love him through an unholy pursuit of money, possessions, and security in this age.

The present world order elevates the self satisfied rich and powerful and oppresses or excludes the weak and lowly. Bitcoin does not fix this, Messiah’s kingdom does. But, we can glorify Messiah by using Bitcoin to defend the weak and lowly. Help them save in Bitcoin.

While some of Jesus’ well-known teachings that reference money are not intended to provide economic lessons, we can see how Jesus used money and commerce as a rich teaching tool reflecting that a man’s money morals often reflect his spiritual state.

May God grant us the ability to renew our minds in His Word in the area of money and in Bitcoin!
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Come check out our Sphinx tribe!
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
47 min
November 24, 2021#14: Save to Give
Save to Give (Episode 14) addresses the dangers of pursuing and studying money (even Bitcoin) - the temptation to take your focus off of God and His goodness and provision and worship the pursuit of money and the illusion of protection that it provides. Fortunately, God’s Word provides the antidote to this attitude through a consistent application of generosity. God Himself is a generous God and He gives abundantly to His children thereby enabling us to be less attached to our money and property and desirous of emulating Him by being generous with others.
As we continue to mine Scripture for its rich truth regarding God’s thoughts on wealth and money, we find the principle of generosity. God is generous with us spiritually by offering us the greatest gift we can imagine - the righteousness of Jesus Christ. His generosity extends to our physical well-being as well, and even encompasses those people who want nothing to do with Him (Matt. 5:45).
I Timothy 6:17-19 (NASB)
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Summary
God is abundantly generous in providing for the spiritual and physical needs of His people.

As children of God, we are to avoid the fleshly sins of greed, hoarding, and withholding from God

We can imitate and glorify God by learning contentment, generosity, and sacrificial giving.

Bitcoin provides Christians with the opportunity to wisely save in a money that will provide richly for years of generous support for families, churches, and care for the needy.
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Come check out our Sphinx tribe!
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
58 min
November 17, 2021#13: Does the Government Own Money?
Episode 13 raises and examines two important questions for Christian believers who own or are considering owning Bitcoin
What if my country’s government bans or increases its regulation over Bitcoin?

What if my country’s government changes its tax code on Bitcoin?
God’s Word is sufficient to properly inform the Biblical worldview in all areas that pertain to life and godliness and thus we are confident that if we go to God’s Word with the right attitude and method, we can find answers for even the hard questions. God has instituted human government as a necessary part of His world and God is glorified when Christians submit to authority - even unjust authority. Submission in the realm of money requires careful analysis of the sphere of government ownership, taxation, Christian liberty, and prudent action
Summary
The Bible does not shy away from the tension between individual liberty and governmental authority.

Government is the instrument of God to defend the righteous from evildoers by protecting their property rights.

Money is not owned or defined by government.

Believers are commanded by God to submit to their government as a means of glorifying God and this submission includes paying taxes.

Believers who own Bitcoin can embrace that Bitcoin is “stateless” money that does not bow to any centralized control and that could be embraced by governments outside of their own in the event of excessive taxation or regulation.
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Come check out our Sphinx tribe!
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
1 hr 3 min
November 10, 2021#12: Just Money - Equity vs Equality
In Episode 12, we see how God’s just law provides the practical framework for our physical lives and specifically our economic choices which affords us hope as we seek to live rightly in our fallen world while awaiting the return of the righteous King - Jesus.
In Episode 11, David, Will and Simon connected the truths that the world that God created is invested with His infinite wisdom which allows human beings to rule over creation, work, trade with one another, own private property, and freely engage in economic development. God designed a world where individuals are free to act independently and without coercion as they exchange labor, time, and money for goods, land, and services that enhance their sphere of life and glorify the Creator.
Individual freedom is bound by God's perfect standard of righteousness and justice which stems from His character. No man is righteous, not even one, and that our violation of God’s law has created an infinite separation between us and God that can only be restored through the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Summary
God is just and He rules with equity.

Therefore, men must pursue equity and justice in their economic activity

God hates partiality and forbids it in all areas of life, but specifically in money.

To avoid partiality, we must be careful not to confuse equity with equality.

A centrally managed fiat monetary system often is plagued with partiality in the name of equality and is contrary to the mind of God.

Bitcoin has been designed with equity as one of its core tenets and is therefore a money that can be used by believers (and unbelievers) to uphold justice and equity

A free and voluntary economic system will result in unequal outcomes based on the quality and quantity of the work. This is Biblical and can be embraced by Christians.

For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Come check out our Sphinx tribe!
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
49 min
November 03, 2021#11: Seeds of Growth
God has designed our world to rely upon trade as a mechanism for communicating information and transferring value in small localized settings, nationally, and internationally. As we look closely at God's word, we can see the aspects of free enterprise economics in various threads throughout human history. This episode will focus on how God views the systems of trade relationships that develop between individual workers and the communities and nations to which they belong. This will then inform our analysis of how Bitcoin matches God’s will for equity in trade.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you.” - Christians can and should pursue a business endeavor that provides for physical needs and uses their gifts - by necessity, this will require trading with others who are doing the same.
Summary
God loves skilled labor and therefore distribution of labor in a trade based economy has characterized the world since creation.

Skilled labor allows for legitimate trade between individuals, businesses, and nations to accomplish large scale economic growth

Trade requires equitable exchange and protection of property rights

Bitcoin provides the superior way to both facilitate fair, economic price discovery and trade as well the ultimate property right

For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Come check out our Sphinx tribe!
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
50 min
October 27, 2021#10: Secondary Sovereignty
Is private property a Biblical concept? How does our sovereignty relate to God's Sovereignty? What is Secondary Sovereignty?
The focus of Episode 3 will be on the interrelated concepts of private property, ownership, and sovereignty. Simon, David, and Will mine God's Word to discern God’s will with regard to whether individuals have private ownership rights over property and from where these rights arise. Bitcoin is often described as “the apex property right” or the “first sovereign digital property” that individuals can own. Thus, we must seek wisdom from God as to whether this concept flows from the mind of God and is derivable from His Word - the Bible.
Summary
Private property is a Biblical concept

Private property rights arise out of God’s ultimate sovereignty over all the earth and His delegation of secondary sovereignty to individuals

Secondary Sovereignty begins with rights over one’s body, mind, ideas and extends to ownership of land, money, and other possessions

Property rights are not given by governments, but government exists to protect individual rights

Bitcoin is a form of digital property right which does not rely upon government to grant or administrate as it is not owned or managed by a central authority. Rather it represents the composite of individuals expressing their sovereign control over their money
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
50 min
October 13, 2021 #09: Implications of the Fall
In the second episode of Season 2 Back to the Bible, Simon, David, and Will resume their survey through God’s Word to refine the Biblical worldview with regard to money and then repeatedly answer two questions:
Does Bitcoin measure up to God’s standard for sound money?
For a Christian who obeys God’s will for sound money, is Bitcoin the best option?
This episode builds on the discussion from Episode 8 regarding how Genesis provides us the foundation for how God views work and money. The focus in this episode is on the implications of the Fall which stands as THE defining event in human history. Adam and Eve’s sin has disrupted God’s design for humanity’s work and money. To understand money and specifically Bitcoin, we must understand what changed in man and the world when sin and death entered the Garden of Eden.
Summary
Sin has distorted God’s good design of human work
We are forced to account for humanity’s propensity to lie, steal, cheat, rather than simply focusing on productive cooperative work together. This can be difficult and expensive.
Bitcoin provides the best monetary system to incentivize rational action and cooperative work that rewards legitimate work and punishes bad actors.
Without the fiat based systems support of bad business, our economic system would have more capacity to police itself and allow legitimate economic initiatives to thrive.
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
37 min
October 06, 2021#08: Creation: The Original Proof of Work
In the first episode of Season 2 Back to the Bible, Simon, David, and Will take up a careful journey through God’s Word to refine our Biblical worldview with regard to money and then repeatedly answer two questions
Does Bitcoin measure up to God’s standard for sound money?

For a Christian who obeys God’s will for sound money, is Bitcoin the best option?
This episode begins with a focus on the portion of Scripture from Genesis 1-2 which is known as the pre-Fall period, the time before sin and death entered the world. God’s work to create the world in six days and to establish Adam and Eve as caretakers of his creation affects our understanding of how God views work and money.
Summary
Money is tied to human work which is tied to God’s work

Human work is a good endeavor because it reflects God’s work

Human work is an active endeavor that requires money to store and transmit energy

By storing and transmitting work in money, humans are fulfilling their dominion mandate from God to subdue the earth.
For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com
Connect with us on Twitter
Show - @BTC4believers
Will - @pleberean
David - @thebtcboomer
Simon - @pray_hodl
To e-mail the show: [email protected]
47 min

About Bitcoin and the Bible

From the publisher's feed

A show for Christians who love God’s Word, care about sound money, and want to learn about the moral case for Bitcoin. Join us as we hold fast to God’s Word and "hodl" in our debt-based fiat world.

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