The Bible Matters Podcast

By BibleMattersReligion & Spirituality Christianity Religion

The Bible Matters Podcast episodes

October 27 Church History for Everyone - Kevin DeYoung (Bonus Episode)
In this episode we feature a seminar by Kevin DeYoung at Trinity Westminster Church. The occasion was the launch of Kevin's book Church History for Everyone and in his talk, he considered why church history matters to Christians, and how it can be best used in line with our own ministry.
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters
o contact us, email [email protected]
51 min
October 26Stop Pretending Everything is Fine - Ecclesiastes 1 (Jonty Allcock)
Why does Ecclesiastes begin with the startling claim that "everything is meaningless"? In this episode, we begin our new series in Ecclesiastes by exploring what one of the Bible's most misunderstood books is really saying. Rather than teaching that life has no meaning, Ecclesiastes confronts us with the painful reality of life in a world that is frustrated, broken, and under the curse of sin.

Questions answered in this episode
What does Ecclesiastes really mean when it says "everything is meaningless"?
Why does life often feel frustrating, fleeting, and unsatisfying?
What are people actually searching for when they chase success, possessions, or recognition?
Why does Ecclesiastes insist that nothing is ultimately gained, new, or remembered?
How does Jesus provide the answer to the struggles and questions raised in Ecclesiastes?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link:
https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]
38 min
October 21How a dying church comes back to life - Richard Coombs
In this episode Leo spoke to Richard Coombs, Rector of St Matthew's & The Minster in Cheltenham, UK. Drawing on decades of ministry experience, Richard reflects on two church revitalisation stories, sharing what he learned about leadership, patience, prayer, and the slow work of gospel transformation.
Questions answered in this episode
How can a struggling church be revitalised without causing division?
Why is Bible teaching the foundation of lasting church growth?
What mistakes do leaders commonly make when trying to bring change?
How should Christians handle disagreement within the church, particularly on difficult issues?
Why does real gospel transformation often take much longer than we expect?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]
59 min
October 18 Looking for Love in the Wrong Place? - Song of Songs 7-8 (William Taylor)
In this episode we feature a talk by William Taylor on Song of Songs 7-8. In it, William considers the book's conclusion and how it fits into the context of salvation history and the Old Testament's Christology.
Questions answered in this episode:
What does the Song of Songs teach us about true love?
Why does the Bible present love as something to be guarded and treasured?
How are sexual immorality and idolatry connected in Scripture?
In what ways does the Song of Songs point us beyond Solomon to Jesus?
What does it mean to be loved with a love that is stronger than death?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters
To contact us, email [email protected]
35 min
October 14Song of Songs: What Solomon Got Wrong About Love - William Taylor
The Song of Songs is one of the Bible's most beautiful and mysterious books. Is it simply a collection of ancient love poetry, or is there something deeper going on? In this episode, William Taylor joins Leo Elbourne to explore the Bible's celebration of love, marriage, and sexual intimacy, and why this often-misunderstood book remains so relevant today.
Questions answered in this episode
Is Song of Songs really about sex, or is it just a metaphor?
Why does Song of Songs mention Solomon, and what role does he play in the book?
What does Song of Songs teach about love, marriage, and intimacy?
Why is the command "do not awaken love until it pleases" repeated throughout the book?
How does Song of Songs point us to Christ and the church?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]
1 hr 2 min
October 11The Bible's Teaching on Sex - Song of Songs 1-3 (William Taylor)
The Song of Songs is one of the most surprising books in the Bible. Often ignored, misunderstood, or treated with embarrassment, it presents a bold and beautiful celebration of love, marriage, and sexual intimacy as gifts from God.

In this episode, we begin our journey through Song of Songs, exploring why the Bible speaks so positively about sex while also insisting that it must be protected within God's design for marriage. Along the way, we consider how God's vision for love challenges both unhealthy religious attitudes and the confusion of modern culture.
Questions Answered in This Episode
What is the purpose of the Song of Songs?
Does the Bible celebrate sexual love?
Why does God place boundaries around sex?
What does the Song of Songs teach about marriage and faithfulness?
How does biblical love differ from modern cultural views of relationships?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]
36 min
October 07Preaching the Gospel across South Africa's Divides - Chris de Witt
In this episode of the Bible Matters Podcast, Leo sits down with Chris, pastor of a multicultural church in Cape Town, South Africa. Together they explore Chris's journey from accounting to gospel ministry, the challenges and opportunities of serving in a post-apartheid society, and why God's Word remains central to church planting, leadership training, and Christian education.
From raising up future church leaders to building a church across cultural divides, Chris shares lessons learned from more than twenty years of ministry and reflects on how the gospel creates genuine unity where the world often struggles to do so.
Questions answered in this episode
How did Chris move from a career in accounting to full-time gospel ministry?
What does it mean to plant and lead a multicultural church in South Africa?
How can churches raise up the next generation of Christian leaders?
What role should the Bible play in education, discipleship, and church leadership?
How does the gospel bring unity across cultural, social, and historical divides?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters
To contact us, email [email protected]
41 min
October 04God's rescue is better than you think - Ruth 4 (Tim Sheppard)
Have you ever wondered whether following God is really worth the cost when life seems to be falling apart?

In this episode, we begin our journey through the book of Ruth by exploring one of the Bible's most honest accounts of grief, loss, faith, and hope. Naomi returns from Moab convinced that God is against her, while Ruth makes the remarkable decision to leave everything behind and cast her lot in with God's people. Through their story, we discover that turning to the Lord is not a turn towards emptiness, but a turn towards hope, even when we cannot yet see how God is working for our good.

Questions answered in this episode:
Why does the book of Ruth begin with so much tragedy and loss?
What does Naomi's story teach us about suffering and God's sovereignty?
Why does Ruth choose to follow Naomi and the God of Israel?
What is the connection between Ruth's decision and biblical faith and repentance?
How can we have hope when God seems distant or even against us?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]
28 min
September 30 The Book of Ruth: Why it's Not Really About Ruth - Tim Sheppard
What does the Book of Ruth really teach? Is it simply a love story, or is it asking a much bigger question: is it worth returning to the Lord when life is hard? In this episode, we were joined by Tim Sheppard to explore the first book in our series on the Megilloth, the Five Scrolls. We examined Ruth as a carefully crafted narrative that points beyond itself to God's sovereign purposes, his hidden work in ordinary circumstances, and his commitment to establishing his kingdom.
Along the way they discuss Naomi's bitterness, Ruth's remarkable faithfulness, Boaz's generosity, the significance of David at the end of the book, and why "finding your Boaz" may not be the main point of Ruth after all.
Questions answered in this episode
- Why is the Book of Ruth so important in the storyline of the Bible?
- Is Ruth really a book about romance and finding a spouse?
- Why does Naomi describe herself as bitter, and is she right to do so?
- How does God work through ordinary events to accomplish extraordinary purposes?
- What does Ruth teach us about trusting God's promises when they seem far from fulfilment?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters
To contact us, email [email protected]

1 hr
September 27Is Following God Really Worth It? - Ruth 1 (Tim Sheppard)
Have you ever wondered whether following God is really worth the cost when life seems to be falling apart?

In this episode, we begin our journey through the book of Ruth by exploring one of the Bible's most honest accounts of grief, loss, faith, and hope. Naomi returns from Moab convinced that God is against her, while Ruth makes the remarkable decision to leave everything behind and cast her lot in with God's people. Through their story, we discover that turning to the Lord is not a turn towards emptiness, but a turn towards hope, even when we cannot yet see how God is working for our good.

As we wrestle with suffering, disappointment, and the cost of discipleship, Ruth 1 asks a question that remains deeply relevant today: Is it really worth turning to the Lord?
Questions answered in this episode:
Why does the book of Ruth begin with so much tragedy and loss?
What does Naomi's story teach us about suffering and God's sovereignty?
Why does Ruth choose to follow Naomi and the God of Israel?
What is the connection between Ruth's decision and biblical faith and repentance?
How can we have hope when God seems distant or even against us?
The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email [email protected]
28 min