Why They Did That

In this episode, Pastor Doug Batchelor expounds on a biblical narrative more commonly recognized as a children’s story. However, this plot twisting and persistently convicting story is not only the recounting of a human much like ourselves—self-assured, “wiser than God Himself, as it were—but also one of God’s persistent pursuit of His child’s heart. So, to quote Pastor Batchelor, “what do you do when God asks you to do something that, quite frankly, you’d rather not?”

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Doug Batchelor & Amazing Facts
Types and Symbols: The Conflict Beautiful

Hey everyone! We’ve got some exciting new that we wanted to let you––our listeners––know about first. You could be a part of shaping the future of Why They Did That! Listen to this short announcement for more details.
 
 
 

Dean is joined by Why They Did That producer, Christian Freed. Together they head back to March 2018 to share with you just where the idea for this podcast came from, how they came up with the name, what inspired them to create content based around Bible characters––in other words, all the details on starting the show. Thanks for joining us on this incredible journey. Keep an eye out for our Kickstarter campaign so that Season 2 can become a reality!
 
 
 

In the penultimate episode of Season 1, Dean is joined by Amy Ratsara, a lawyer from Michigan that simply loves the story of Martha. Martha is often relegated to a background character — someone whose life is juxtaposed to that of Mary’s and her intimate devotion to Christ. However, Jesus didn’t see Martha as “an extra” — their friendship is expounded on through the narrative of her brother Lazarus’ death, and while Jesus shows up to call Lazarus from the grave, He also shows up to reach out to his dear friend, Martha. It was time for her to begin the journey from duty to devotion.

 **ANNOUNCEMENT** We’re wrapping up Season 1! Join us in episode 12 as Dean and Christian recount the past and give a sneak peak of the future to close out Season 1.

Jacob is the product of a very dysfunctional family; his parents — although both believers — have vastly different opinions on how to go about being followers of God, and this lands their son Jacob in a lot of hot water, resulting in him cheating his father and stealing his brother’s blessing. Dean is joined by Mark Quion in this episode, where they look at the results of living out your parents’ religion without ever making God your own. How far can you go before enough is enough and a final choice has to be made…on both sides?

Episode Sponsor // Weimar Institute Education Department – Offering opportunities for student teaching and classroom shadowing while you’re in school! Find out more at weimar.edu.
 
 
 

Join Dean in this special Christmas Episode as he looks at the tale of the Magi that visited Baby Jesus on that momentous day. How did they know where–and more importantly-when to find Him? Did their famous gifts have more significance than we may have realized? And which Old Testament prophet reluctantly played a part in this world-changing event? Learn of all this and more in this special Christmas episode.

You’ve heard the story of Joseph numerous times already, but have you ever heard it like this? Forget the dreams, the technicolor dream-coat and the prison. Let’s get to the part of the story where the struggle is the most relatable: Potiphar’s House. How do you resist temptation when no one is watching? How do you get to the point where you’d rather die than sin? How can you truly live your life for the audience of One? In this episode Dean is joined by Charlene Coutet, and together they peel back the layers of the narrative of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. It’s deep, it’s personal and it’s vulnerable.

Episode Sponsor: Weimar Academy // weimaracademy.org

Elijah was used by God in mighty ways. He called a three and a half year drought, rained fire down from heaven, and spoke weighted words of rebuke to the entire Israelite nation. Yet, Elijah fled from the threats of Jezebel and eventually found himself in a place where suicidal thoughts plagued him, and he wanted nothing more than for God to take his life. In this episode, Dean is joined by Pastor Don Mackintosh, Chaplain of the Depression and Anxiety recovery program at Weimar Institute. Together they discuss the depths to which a man––even a prophet––can fall, and how God can reach down and draw a dejected believer out of Depression’s Cave.

Episode Sponsor: Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program
Special thanks to Renan and Nicole Amon for the original music! (30:00-34:00)

Blood speaks—whether it be the spilt blood of martyrs throughout the ages or the blood of Jesus Christ offered on Calvary’s cross. In this episode, Dean is joined by church historian Dojcin Zivadinovic, as they delve into the blood-stained life of Cain. Raised with a literal God-complex, the first son of Adam & Eve offers us a picture of just how far sin can take a man.

Episode Sponsor: Weimar Institute Medical Assistant Program

In our first ever “testimony” episode, we’re invited to step back in time to April 1994 as Dr. Phodidas Ndamyumugabe walks us through his miraculous survival of the Rwandan Genocide. In what may be the most amazing testimony you’ll ever hear, Phodidas recounts the incredible miracles he witnessed as God stepped in to save his life on numerous occasions – even as he dug his own grave!

Episode Sponsor: Weimar Institute Religion Department