The Berean Files

Hallucinogenic drugs have been used for centuries in rituals, mystical experiences, divination, and attempts to contact the spiritual realm. Today, substances like DMT, psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, and ayahuasca are increasingly described as tools for enlightenment, healing, and even encounters with seemingly intelligent entities.But what exactly are people encountering?In this episode of The Berean Files, we examine psychedelics, entity encounters, magic, and the occult through a biblical lens. Are psychedelic experiences nothing more than hallucinations produced by the brain? Could some experiences involve genuine spiritual deception? And what does Scripture actually say about altered states, sorcery, divination, spirits, and seeking supernatural knowledge outside of God?We’ll explore the strange overlap between modern psychedelic culture and ancient occult practices, including reports of entities, spirit guides, mystical revelation, ritual drug use, and the pursuit of hidden knowledge.This isn’t about sensationalizing every strange experience or pretending every hallucination is a demon. It’s about doing what the Bereans did: testing the claims, examining the evidence, and bringing everything back to Scripture.What happens when the pursuit of enlightenment opens a door you don't understand?Stay curious. Test everything. Stay Berean.

What if the ancient world was far stranger—and far more supernatural—than we’ve been taught? Author and biblical-history researcher Will Blesch joins The Berean Files to discuss his book, In the Shadow of Goliath: Angels, Giants, UFOs, and the Hidden History of the Watchers, Nephilim, and Interdimensional War. We explore the mysterious events of Genesis 6, the identity of the Watchers and Nephilim, ancient accounts of giants, the biblical portrayal of angels, and the possibility that today’s UFO and nonhuman-intelligence phenomena have ancient—and deeply spiritual—roots. Have modern scholars stripped the supernatural worldview from Scripture? Are ancient myths distorted memories of real events? Could modern encounters represent something older and more deceptive than extraterrestrial visitors? And how do we separate legitimate evidence from speculation when investigating the strange? This conversation ventures beyond the safe version of biblical history to examine archaeology, ancient literature, spiritual warfare, genetic corruption, prophecy, and the continuing battle over humanity’s understanding of the unseen world. As always, we aren’t asking you to accept every extraordinary claim. We’re asking you to open the Scriptures, examine the evidence, and test everything.

Few modern conflicts are as politically charged—or as theologically complicated for American Christians—as the conflict between Israel and Palestine.Jared Madden returns to The Berean Files to challenge some of the most common evangelical assumptions surrounding Israel, Palestine, biblical prophecy, and Christian support for the modern State of Israel.

At the center of the conversation is a major question: How much of the Christian response to this conflict comes directly from Scripture, and how much comes from dispensational theology, modern politics, and our interpretation of history?

Jared walks through a series of common Christian Zionist arguments and makes the case for why he believes they don't hold up under closer examination. Along the way, we dig into the biblical identity of Israel, dispensationalism, the history of Zionism and Palestine, the modern Israeli-Palestinian conflict, human rights, geopolitics, and even the influence of Kabbalah on aspects of Zionist thought.

The goal isn't to replace one set of political talking points with another. It's to examine the claims Christians are making, understand the history behind them, and test our theological assumptions against Scripture.

Does supporting Israel necessarily follow from the Bible? How should Christians think about Palestinians? And what happens when our interpretation of biblical prophecy begins shaping the way we view a modern war?

You may agree with Jared's conclusions. You may strongly disagree. Either way, these are arguments worth examining.

Find more from Jared Madden:
Rumble:
https://rumble.com/user/jsmadd

Books on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jared-Madden/author/B0GWLS4D7P

Do Christians immediately go to heaven when they die—or have we confused the intermediate state with the Christian hope of resurrection?Ben from Bennis the Menace joins Zach and Jason to challenge one of Christianity’s most familiar assumptions. Together, they examine what the Bible says about death, Sheol, Hades, soul sleep, paradise, bodily resurrection, and the new heavens and new earth.

What did Old Testament believers expect after death? Was the biblical understanding of the afterlife altered by Greek and Hellenistic influence? What did Jesus mean when He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise”? And does Paul really teach that believers enter heaven immediately after dying?This conversation explores:

• Sheol and the Old Testament understanding of death
• Whether the dead are conscious before the resurrection
• The biblical meaning of “sleep”
• The thief on the cross and paradise
• “Absent from the body” and other disputed passages
• The resurrection at the return of Christ
• Why the Christian hope is embodied life on the new earth
• How later traditions may have shaped popular beliefs about heaven

This is not presented as a salvation issue or as the final word. It is an honest, Berean examination of a difficult doctrine—with plenty of questions, pushback, and Scripture along the way.

Listen carefully, test everything, and stay Berean.

What happens when Christians agree on Jesus—but disagree on almost everything else?

After spending several days at Brogrove surrounded by Christian creators, researchers, and conspiracy theorists with wildly different views on everything from Flat Earth and biblical cosmology to Satan's Little Season, technocracy, ancient religions, spiritual warfare, and the supernatural, one thing stood out: people could disagree without losing sight of Jesus Christ.

In this episode of The Berean Files, we unpack what that experience revealed about division in the Christian conspiracy space—and the Church as a whole.

How important are our secondary beliefs? When does a theological disagreement actually become a gospel issue? Can conspiracy research become so central to our worldview that it begins competing with the gospel itself? And what does Scripture say Christians should actually be united around?

We dig into Mark 9, Romans 14, Galatians, Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, 1 John, John 17 and more to get back to the foundation: Jesus Christ crucified and risen, salvation by grace through faith, and a Church called to pursue truth without tearing itself apart over every disputable matter.

We can investigate strange things. We can disagree. We can sharpen one another. We can even change each other's minds.

But the conspiracy isn't the gospel.

Jesus is the center.

Stay Berean.

What happens when ordinary people claim to have encountered something that shouldn't exist?

In this episode of The Berean Files, Jason and I examine a collection of firsthand alien encounter stories adapted from real eyewitness accounts originally shared online. From missing time and mysterious beings to terrifying nighttime encounters and experiences that left lasting emotional scars, we explore what these individuals say happened—and ask the question every Christian should be asking:

How should we test these experiences biblically?

Rather than mocking the witnesses or accepting every claim at face value, we compare these stories against Scripture and discuss whether the modern UFO phenomenon points to extraterrestrial life, spiritual deception, or something else entirely.

Whether you're fascinated by UFOs, researching the paranormal, or seeking a biblical framework for understanding extraordinary claims, this conversation is designed to help you think critically and test everything.In this episode:

• Firsthand alien encounter stories
• Missing time and abduction claims
• Common patterns across eyewitness reports
• Biblical discernment and spiritual deception
• Testing extraordinary experiences through Scripture

Subscribe to The Berean Files for conversations that examine conspiracies, the paranormal, history, and culture through a biblical worldview."Test everything; hold fast what is good." — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

What does the Bible actually say about confronting evil? Should Christians avoid topics like the occult, spiritual warfare, conspiracy theories, paranormal experiences, and deception—or are we called to engage them with biblical discernment?

In this episode, we join Carson and John from The Veritas Road to explore what it means to confront darkness without becoming consumed by it. We discuss the difference between healthy discernment and unhealthy obsession, why Scripture repeatedly calls believers to test everything, expose the works of darkness, and stand firm in the victory of Christ.

From false teaching and spiritual deception to the mission of making disciples, this conversation centers on a simple question: How should followers of Jesus engage a dark world while remaining rooted in biblical truth?

Whether you've wrestled with topics like spiritual warfare, the occult, UFOs, conspiracy culture, demonic deception, or cultural lies, this episode offers a Christ-centered framework for thinking through them with wisdom, courage, and conviction.In this episode:

• Spiritual warfare and biblical discernment
• Confronting evil without fearing it
• Testing everything through Scripture
• The occult, deception, and modern spirituality
• Conspiracy culture and a Christian worldview
• Making disciples in a world of confusion
• Walking in the light of Christ

If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to follow The Veritas Road and The Berean Files for more discussions exploring theology, apologetics, spiritual warfare, church history, and biblical discernment in today's culture.

What is the strongest biblical case that we're living in Satan's Little Season?

In this episode of The Berean Files, we're joined by MilesWithChrist to hear the strongest scriptural defense for the Little Season theory. While conspiracy topics naturally enter the conversation, the primary focus is the Bible—examining the passages, prophetic timeline, and reasoning that have led many Christians to believe we are living in the "little season" described in Revelation 20.

Our goal wasn't to stage a debate or score points. It was to listen carefully, ask honest questions, and test every claim against Scripture. By the end of the conversation, we don't arrive at the same conclusion, but we do demonstrate something increasingly rare: two believers discussing a difficult prophetic topic with mutual respect, charity, and a shared desire to glorify Christ.

Whether you're convinced we're living in the Little Season, convinced we're not, or you're simply trying to understand the arguments, we hope this conversation encourages you to search the Scriptures like the Bereans and keep Christ at the center.

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." — Acts 17:11

MilesWithChrist Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MilesWithChrist.InTheLS/streams

Modern deliverance ministry has exploded in popularity—but what happens when biblical language begins to overlap with New Age concepts?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Seth Kicklighter, we examine claims that certain modern deliverance teachings borrow ideas from spirit releasement therapy, regression techniques, and other occult healing practices while presenting them through a Christian lens. Seth argues that many of these methods rely on subjective spiritual experiences rather than Scripture and challenges listeners to carefully test every spirit and every teaching.

Topics include:
• The similarities between New Age spirit releasement therapy and modern deliverance ministries
• Daniel DuVal's teachings and why they've become so controversial
• Can demons produce healings?
• DMT, altered states, and spiritual deception
• Astral projection, "higher selves," and spirit guides
• Discernment, testing spiritual experiences, and the authority of God's Word

Whether you agree with Seth's conclusions or not, this conversation highlights the importance of examining every claim in light of Scripture rather than experience alone.

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God..." — 1 John 4:1Follow and subscribe for more conversations exploring theology, discernment, conspiracies, and the supernatural through a biblical worldview.

Recovered Files is where we bring classic conversations back to life—episodes that still have something important to say.

In this recovered episode of The Salty Saints Podcast, we sit down with Don Veinot to discuss ministry to the cults and how Christians can faithfully engage people caught in deceptive belief systems.

How do cults gain influence? Why do sincere people become convinced of false teachings? And how should believers respond—with truth, compassion, and confidence in the gospel rather than fear or hostility?

Whether you're trying to understand groups like Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, or other high-control religious movements, this conversation offers practical wisdom for sharing Christ with those who have been spiritually deceived.

Our goal isn't to win arguments—it's to make disciples by speaking the truth in love.If you enjoy this recovered episode, be sure to subscribe to The Berean Files for weekly conversations exploring Scripture, discernment, church history, apologetics, and the ideas shaping our world—all through a biblical lens. #TheBereanFiles #RecoveredFiles #DonVeinot #Apologetics #Discernment #Cults #Christianity #Evangelism #FalseTeaching