Wise Counsel

In this episode of Wise Counsel, Robert Smith explores the story of God’s Temple Presence from Solomon’s temple filled with glory, to the Second Temple where the glory was missing—until Jesus himself entered—to the breathtaking reality that every Christian believer is now God’s temple. Our main passage is 1 Corinthians 3:16–17, which redefines holiness and worship not as places we go, but as lives indwelt by the Spirit. Drawing on insights from Michael S. Heiser, Craig S. Keener, N.T. Wright, and Carol Meyers, we’ll trace this biblical theology and consider what it means for how we live today. Along the way, we’ll connect the temple theme to American history and even to pop culture, reminding us that God’s presence is closer than we dare imagine.

In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore the true meaning of Sabbath through the lens of Genesis 2:1–3. Was God’s “rest” about inactivity—or about His kingship over creation? Drawing on the insights of Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Dr. John Walton, we’ll see how the seventh day in Genesis is not merely a pause in work but God’s enthronement in His cosmic temple. Along the way, we’ll reflect on what it means to live under God’s reign every day, and how Sabbath invites us to reorient our lives toward His kingdom in a restless world.

 In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith reflects on Psalm 33:1–3, a call to “sing a new song” and to worship the Lord with joy, skill, and sincerity. This passage reminds us that worship is both a response to God’s past faithfulness and an anticipation of His future acts. Drawing on insights from Tremper Longman III and Michael Heiser, we’ll see how the psalm ties earthly worship to the cosmic story of God’s reign. From biblical scholarship to echoes in culture and history, we’ll consider how to make our worship fresh and wholehearted today.

In today’s episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith explores Micah 6:6–8, where the prophet calls God’s people not to empty ritual, but to justice, mercy, and humility. This passage challenges us to consider what true worship looks like beyond church walls and Sunday mornings. Drawing on insights from Michael S. Heiser (on the covenantal faithfulness of God’s people) and N.T. Wright (on kingdom ethics and public witness), we reflect on what it means to “do justice” in both personal life and public society. With echoes in American history—from Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a just nation to Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of righteousness like rolling waters—this episode reminds us that faith is always lived out in action.

Romans 8 opens with a thunderous truth: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” In this short devotional, we explore the liberating power of the gospel and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re burdened by past mistakes or striving to live rightly before God, this episode will remind you that freedom isn’t something you earn—it’s something you receive.

In a world where faith is often sidelined or silenced, what does it mean to live unashamed of the gospel? In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith explores Romans 1:16 through the lens of the ancient story of Onesimus, a runaway slave transformed by grace. With biblical insight and practical encouragement, this devotional reminds us that the gospel isn’t just a message—it’s power. Power to redeem, to restore, and to embolden us to live without fear.

In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore Psalm 91, a passage rich in imagery and spiritual depth. Often turned to in times of crisis or uncertainty, this psalm isn't just poetic—it’s a bold declaration of trust in Yahweh as a divine protector. Drawing on the theological insights of Michael Heiser and Craig S. Keener, we examine how Psalm 91's language of shelter, shadow, and wings connects to the ancient Near Eastern backdrop and the broader biblical worldview of spiritual warfare and covenant loyalty. Whether you're facing physical danger, emotional unrest, or spiritual attack, this psalm speaks a word of refuge and resilience.

In this episode of Wise Counsel, we reflect on Psalm 90, the only psalm attributed to Moses, alongside the profound theological vision of Deuteronomy 32. Together, these texts form a spiritual map for God's people standing in the tension between wilderness and promise. With help from Dr. Michael Heiser, we explore how the Divine Council worldview and Israel’s chosenness deepen our understanding of God's sovereignty, life’s brevity, and the call to wisdom in a spiritually contested world. Whether you're facing a personal wilderness or feeling overwhelmed by the chaos around you, Psalm 90 reminds us that God is our eternal dwelling place.

In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore the Divine Council worldview—a biblically grounded yet often overlooked theme that illuminates God’s authority, the spiritual realm, and our role in God’s cosmic plan. With help from Michael Heiser, whose scholarship on Psalm 82 and related passages has reshaped how we understand the unseen realm, we look at the heavenly council where God presides over spiritual beings. Far from polytheism, this concept reinforces Yahweh’s unmatched sovereignty. It also equips us to better understand spiritual warfare, justice, and our own kingdom authority as believers in Christ.

In today’s episode of Wise Counsel, we explore Psalm 29—not just as majestic poetry, but as a strategic spiritual declaration. In its ancient Near Eastern context, this psalm boldly challenges the Canaanite god Baal, often revered as the storm god. Using vivid storm imagery, the psalmist asserts that it is Yahweh, not Baal, whose voice rules the waters, breaks the cedars, and reigns over the cosmos. Drawing from Michael Heiser, P.C. Craigie, and the Naked Bible Podcast, we uncover how Psalm 29 functions as theological warfare, and why its message remains essential today: Yahweh’s voice still speaks with unrivaled power.