Black and Blurred

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In this episode we examine why cultural pride and uncritical veneration of Black religious figures can lead people away from the orthodox gospel of Jesus Christ. We make the scope clear: the standard is Scripture, and salvation is found in Christ alone. Through historical examples, theological contrast, and pastoral urgency, we show how honoring institutions or leaders who elevate ethnicity or human mediators above Christ risks false assurance and spiritual harm for present and future generations. This is an episode for the Church. However, I pray that this is heard and prayerfully received by Black Christians, pastors, Bible‑study leaders, and anyone wrestling with the tension between cultural loyalty and biblical fidelity. 

*DISCLAIMER*
This episode is a plea to preserve souls by placing Christ above culture. Tune in to be challenged, equipped, and moved to love your community by calling it to the truth.

General Outline

• The Anti-Christ nature of Black History Month's Current narrative
• A preemptive rebuttal to common objections about criticizing Black cultural heroes.
• A clear theological standard: why orthodox biblical teaching must govern our loyalties.
• Case studies contrasting figures often celebrated in cultural histories with the biblical narrative.
• A critique of cultural frameworks that risk turning ethnic identity into spiritual authority.
• Pastoral next steps for confronting error with courage and compassion.

Post Credit Audio|| S.M. Lockridge - That's My King!

Episode Notes, Links and Resources

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Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
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SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

In this episode of the Black and blurred Podcast, we confront the subtle but powerful deceptions shaping our world—deceptions rooted in ethnic pride, political idolatry, and the rising hostility we show toward one another. As society fractures and flourishing fades, many are discipled more by outrage, fear, and tribal loyalty than by the truth of Scripture.

We explore how these cultural currents distort identity, blind us to our neighbor’s humanity, and pull us away from the kingdom Jesus calls us to embody. More importantly, we uncover how the gospel dismantles these lies and invites us into a better way—a way marked by humility, truth, and cross‑shaped love.

This episode is a call to wake up, examine our hearts, and resist the narratives that divide and deceive. In a world drowning in noise, we return to the One who is Truth Himself.

Ladies and Gents...we're back!

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

Ini this episode, Brandon sits with his former pastor and longtime family friend, Pastor Stanley Long of the Baltimore Antioch Leadership Movement. Our conversation picks up after the great discussion with Dr. Krista Bontrager from The Center for Biblical Unity on Feminist Standpoit Theology and how pervasive it has become in modern churches hermeneutics. The question raised is rooted in whether or not we may be throwing a very important baby out with the bathwater in regard to the church's response to the toxic race-based conversations. 

Should ethnicity play a role in the way the scripture speak to us? Do we lose objective meaning when we acknowledge the diversity of Christ's bride? Join us for a fascinating observation as we look at how Stephen's sermon to his ethnic brethren holds some gems the church could be adorned with. 

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

This is a rerun from last year's Christmas episode. Have we forgotten the peace of Christ that we share? Listen and spend time focusing on the Lord's goodness. There is true peace with Christ!

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Peace is a major theme around the Christmas holiday. For the Christian, we know that Jesus is not only the reason for this season but He is our peace. What does it even mean to say, "Jesus is Our Peace". How then should we live based on this reality? How does it play into this sin-ridden world of egos, wokeness, justice seeking, idolatry, pain and immorality? Do we see peace through the proper lens?

I pray that you are edified in this special Christmas episode as I walk through how peace is seen from Heaven's eyes. How it is truly available to us...and just how superior, hopeful, and violent it really is.

Key Passages:
Luke 2:8-14  (Luke 1:76-79)
Job 38:2-7


What is the Gospel - Voddie Baucham

Music|| Hypersonic Music - Last Resistance (Dan Thiessen) - Universal Production Music (i do not own the rights)

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

Paul says, "15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

How vigilant are we as believers to be watchful and discerning of what God's will is? With movies, music, celebrities, AI, conspiracies - are we engaging these spheres with faithfulness or are we joining with whatever our tribe deems righteous? Today I sit with Amy from Eyes on the Right Podcast and we discuss the sterile approach to spirituality the western Christian is enveloped in. The world is flooding to America and they are bringing doctrines of demons with them. What des that mean for a modern church that scoffs at the notion of the demonic? 

We discuss everything from the new installment of WICKED, to Charlie Kirk all the way to traditional religions like Voodoo and Santeria. 

Christian, be watchful...the days are evil and the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. (Rom 8:19)

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Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

I am joined by fellow believer, author and former President of International Christian Concern (ICC), Jeff King. In this episode we peel back the layers of Islam, a religion that seems to evade the harsh criticisms ostensibly reserved only for Christianity. If you want to understand the heart of any movement, look to its leader. That is what we did in this episode. Jeff brings his expertise in persecutions around the world along with the wisdom he gained from compiling his work Islam Uncensored and brings you the movement unmasked. This episode is not meant to slander nor to mock but to serve as an invitation to Jesus to all who desire true freedom, rest and peace. 

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

As we prepare for thanksgiving, there will be many contentious topics around the dinner table. Will you find your self on the hateful end of a sibling in Christ? 

Following up from my conversation with Rachel from last week, I continue to discuss the growing divisions within the American church and the need to fight to maintain peace in the church. Unity in Christ is granted through Him and for Him, to that end, we seek practical unity among one another. How has the growing politicization affected how we've responded to the tragedies of this year and the ensuing conversations stemming from them? Leave me your comments!

Keep in touch with Brandon's Planting Residency at Redemption City Church in Baltimore

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

In this episode, I was set to answer some questions that were sent in by Patreon members and other listeners. (I will be sure to do a separate episode to answer those!) In these Patreon Q&As, I invite Patreon donors to join me on the stream to interact personally. In this episode, I was surprisingly joined by a longtime listener of B&B and she wanted to talk all things Candace, speech and how we as Christians ought to view all of this. 

Is Candace Owens taking free speech too far? Should we advocate for less speech when it seems to result of death threats being waged? Is Candace being reckless for mere clicks and views? 

Let me know what your thoughts are!

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

The history of racism in our country has evolved into narratives that have been created out of thin air in order to justify hatred that inherently dwells in our hearts. What does the response to racism, hatred, evil look like in the children of God outside of the US?  This is the story of Rose Mapendo, a survivor of the Rwandan/DRC genocide and a sister in Christ. 

Her story is gut-wrenching yet her faith is encouraging and convicting. Trapped in prison camp awaiting execution, the Lord did for her what He does for all of His children - he strengthened her with a peace that will surpass your very understanding of peace. It will also confound your understanding of forgiveness in a way that could truly bring healing, peace and revival to our country amidst the cold war of race-rhetoric and "injustice" claims. 

Listen closely to the raw, uncut story of a woman who depended on the Lord and was granted a strength that only He could provide. 

The Tutsi/Rwandan Genocide

Hutus/Tutsi Racism

SUPPORT THE ROSE MAPENDO FOUNDATION

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
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SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode.

Dr. Krista Bontrager, the Theology Mom  and full-time ministry partner at the Center for Biblical Unity, joins me to dive into a discussion that we will probably need to have generation after generation because of how pervasive the lies of liberation theology are currently within our traditional ideologies. Why does the church seem so divided over the Christian profession? Why do so many professing Christians seem to adopt worldly philosophies under the guise of "justice"? 

Dr. Bontrager studied the ever-evolving tentacles of standpoint theory; from the well known ideologies of James Cone to the less well known step-child of feminist standpoint theory. Apparently, they all dwell in one big deceptive family,

Do you know how these ideas may have invaded the ways you read the scriptures? Do we all need new, ethnic methods of understanding God's word? Should this episode be thrown in the trash merely because Krista is white? Leave us your thoughts! 

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Krista Bontrager is a public theologian and fourth generation Bible teacher. She is an author, podcaster, and former university professor. Krista has a unique ability to connect theology with real life. Krista has worked professionally in theology and apologetics for over 25 years and transitioned into full time ministry with the Center for Biblical Unity in 2021. She is committed to equipping Christians to properly interpret the Bible and apply Scripture to contemporary social issues.

Support the show

Hosts: Brandon and Daren Smith

Learn of Brandon's Church Planting Call

Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurred
Paypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurred
YouTube: Black and Blurred Podcast
IG: @BlackandBlurredPodcast
X: @Blurred_Podcast