Host Martin Tanner corrects an error from his prior podcast, then describes why there was a Jewish community or colony in Egypt when Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled there to escape the wrath of Herod.  The Star of Bethlehem was likely a comet, seen and noted in 5 BC.  The phrase in Matthew 2:9 the star "stood over" was used exclusively to describe comets in the ancient world.  "Jesus" (from the Hebrew) also transliterated "Joshua" or "Yeshua" literally means "YHWH saves".  "Christ" (from the Greek) "kristos" is a translation of the Hebrew word "Meshia" or "Messiah" literally means "smeared, or anointed with oil."  Jesus was thus "Jehovah who saves, the anointed or chosen Savior." 

Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains the "Wise Men" or "Magi" (the root word for magician" in English may have been Zoroastrian Priests traveling from the east, near or at Babylon.  The Star of Bethleham could have been a comet, a super-nova or perhaps a super-natural event.  Jesus was likely born in 4 BC or earlier because King Harod, who spoke with the Magi, died in 4 BC.  These and other details of the traditional Christmas Story of the Birth of our Savior are described in this episode of Religion Today.

Belief in angels is widespread.  Would it surprise you to learn more people believe in angels than believe in global warming or climate change?  In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains what or who angels are, where they come from and what their purpose is.  Many people, even some who do not consider themselves to be religious, say they have seen an angel who gave them direction, help or a warning.  Belief in angels is far more common than most people imaging.  Well over half the population in the United States, for example, believe in angels.

In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner suggests that during the Christmas Season, reading the Gospel of Mark, all at once, which will take about 1 1/2 hours, will enhance your understanding of our Savior.  It was the first Gospel written, and it was written in "first person."  For example God says "I love you and am so pleased with you my own dear Son" in Mark.  In other Gospels God says "This is my beloved son, with whom I'm well pleased" seemingly talking to others.  Mark has details like Jesus holding a child in the "crook" of his arm; and, how Jesus fell asleep on the "rower's cushion" before calming the sea.  Mark is Peter's Gospel.  John Mark, its author, was Peter's missionary companion.  Try reading Mark in the "Contemporary English Version" or the "New Revised Standard Version" both available free online.

In this Religion Today episode, host Martin Tanner puts polygamy in perspective.  At least 40 men in the Old Testament were polygamists, including Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Esau, David and Solomon.  What is less known is that polygamy was practiced in Judaism into the third and fourth centuries AD, according to Josephus, St. Augustine, Justin and other reliable sources.  Martin Luther stated he could find no Biblical prohibition of polygamy and he specifically authorized it a few times.  Popes and other Christian leaders actually required it at times.  Today, if a convert is already married to more than one wife, in the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist and other denominations, polygamy is allowed.  But not in the LDS faith.  Misconceptions about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and polygamy are also dispelled.

In this Thanksgiving episode, host Martin Tanner provides real life experiences, scriptures and other insights into how to find happiness during difficult times in one's life, and during troubles times in the world. 

In this Religion Today episode, host Martin Tanner interviews Professor Kerry Muhlestein, MA, Ancient Near-Eastern Studies, PhD, Egyptology, past Visiting Fellow at Oxford, and current Director of the BYU Egypt Excavation Project.  Prof. Muhlestein has just published an excellent book on Isaiah "Learning to Love Isaiah."  The 2022 Come Follow Me is the Old Testament.  "Learning to Love Isaiah" is a practical guide-book for beginner through scholar on the meaning, message, and past, present and future fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies.  

In this second of a two part series, host Martin Tanner explains in easy to understand ways, some of the scientific evidence for God, including the astronomical odds against the finding water, oxygen, the right temperature range, the right gravitational pull, needed carbon and other nutrients, for the existence of life.  In addition, even the most simple one celled life has DNA, which is digital code, like computer code to tell the cell how to operate. The only known source for digital code is a guiding intelligence.  Stated another way, the existence of life can only be explained by, intelligent design; and, the intelligent designer is God.

Believers in God often try to persuade atheists or agnostics God exists by using scriptures such as the Bible or Book of Mormon.  Typically, arguments of faith do not work with atheists and agnostics, who see scriptures as faith based.  In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides an overview of some of the most persuasive arguments for the existence of God, specifically for atheists and agnostics, based on science, mathematics, probabilities and physics.  After these, arguments of faith may be persuasive too.

During the type-setting of the Book of Mormon, continuously to the time of his death Joseph Smith was faced with anti-Mormon and Anti-Joseph Smith publications, from newspaper publications, to pamphlets, to books.  In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives an over-view of the extraordinary opposition Joseph Smith faced and overcame during his lifetime.