Is it wrong to pray for something you really don’t want? Why are the Psalms organized like they are? Is Paul re-enacting Jesus’ life? How do churches guard against their own agenda? And are they just a community obsessed with saving themselves? While we’re at it, what was God up to before the creation of the universe?

Can women be pastors? Can you help me make sense of the Trinity? How do we keep from getting offended so easily? Do Bible translations matter? How do we talk about abortion in church? That, and questions related to the recent school shooting in Texas.

Pastor Jerome from Uganda joins the show today and shares his experiences as a pastor in Africa. Dashed in are questions on divorce and remarriage, Bible translations, and the Trinity. Oh, and Steve has a rant about Martin Luther and reveals his love for James.

Andrew flips 31, Steve is out sick, and Tina joins the show answering questions about prophecy, Isaiah, Bible holidays, and who wrote 2 Timothy, anyway? Oh, and shortest speed round on record. Hooray for Polycarp!

Did Jesus go to hell after he died? Are people in heaven the same age? If Jesus had scars on his resurrected body, will we? Is metal illness a sign of not trusting in God? Did rainbows exist before the Flood? Does Christianity need denominations? Do I need to know Greek to really know the Bible? Even if we’re not under the law, should we go back to it as a teacher?

Kristopher Whitby, long-time pastor and assistant to a regional bishop, shares the good, bad, and ugly of organized religion and institutional Christianity, and why it matters.

How does a cross kill you? Is it possible to be on good terms with God while not acknowledging Jesus? Will the Holy Spirit let you believe whatever you want? Is Allah the God of the Bible by a different name? When we acknowledge a blessing, does that mean others who don’t have it aren’t blessed by God? What is the prosperity gospel? Why isn’t Dan listed in the 144,000 in Revelation? That, plus some Holy Week shout-outs and an update on Dave’s ducks.  

What is Holy Week and why is it important? How did the masses go from shouting praising Jesus on Palm Sunday to shouting “Crucify him!” in just a few days? What day did Jesus die? What is fasting, and is it okay to eat on Friday? Judas was one of the twelve and it says Satan entered him. What does that mean for me, and was Judas predestined for this?

Does Intelligent Design prove Christianity? Why is the Bible true and how do we know? Should we love the devil? Was Judas destined for hell? That, and a speed round on reading Paul in the Bible.

Jeff Dunn-Rankin is a veteran of youth and family ministry, starting at Christ United Methodist Church in Venice, Florida, in 1999. As executive vice president of Ministry Architects, he has consulted with large and small youth and children’s ministries from California to Florida and is a frequent speaker at events from the Group/Simply Convention to KidMin. What is the biggest problem facing the church? Should the church be run like a business? What does the church need to do differently?