Weird Stuff in the Bible

The Bricks of Babel: Why it’s OK to be a Weird Christian

Link to see the Europe: Many Tongues, One Voice poster - https://weirdstuffinthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/europe-many-tongues-one-voice.jpg Welcome to Weird Stuff in the Bible, where we explore scripture passages that are bizarre, perplexing or just plain weird. This is Luke Taylor, and today will be a little different, a little more reflective. It’s the 150th episode of the podcast; we just had our third anniversary of the show last week, which I celebrated by sharing an interview with Kip Farrar (pronounced Fara like Farrah Fawcett). Today I wanted to give a short Bible study on the bricks of Babel, followed by some reflection on what it means to be a weird Christian. We’ve been covering the Tower of Babel for the past month on the podcast. The Tower of Babel was monumental to world history. It has ramifications throughout the rest of Scripture. And yet—the Bible is surprisingly sparse on the details of what’s going on here. It’s the origin of Babylon, it’s a globalist rebellion against God, it’s the reason for all the various languages of the world— and it gets less than 10 verses in chapter 11 of Genesis about this event. And of what little we are told in the Bible, we’re given this verse: Genesis 11:3 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. So it talks about the bricks which were used to build both the city and the tower. Whereas I wanted to hear more about how Nimrod became a gigas or giant, that’s not what Scripture focuses on. But it does tell us about the bricks. But you know what? The bricks might actually be the most applicable verse of the whole story. Turn to Genesis 11 with me to learn about the Bricks of Babel and why it’s OK to be weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - The Motifs of Babel 7:00 - The Bricks of Babel 12:05 - Weird on Purpose 20:15 - Weird for a Purpose If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

Translating the Book of Enoch - with Kip Farrar, creator of the Modern Standard Version

This episode is available to WATCH at this link: https://youtu.be/RgGLWTckm6A Anytime someone tells me they want to read the Book of Enoch, I always recommend the Modern Standard Version. There’s a lot of versions of Enoch out there, and I read a lot of them this year, but the MSV was the most readable and also included the most cross-references with the Bible of any Enoch version I’ve seen. Today I'm joined by a special guest, the creator of the Modern Standard Version of the Book of Enoch, Kip Farrar. Find his version on Amazon by following this link: https://a.co/d/0gZjR3CF Learn more about Kip and his work at: https://www.farrarstories.com —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.... Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-sp... You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Babel: Gateway to the Gods

The shocking thing about the Tower of Babel story is not that people were dumb enough to think they could build a tower to heaven. History is full of infamously ridiculous ideas that mankind has come up with. In a world where people made medicine with mercury in it, made Coca-Cola with cocaine in it, and made two more seasons of The Office without Steve Carell in it, clearly we are prone to some bad ideas; it’s no surprise that humanity would also try to make a tower that could reach God’s heavenly domain. The shocking thing is not that they were dumb enough to build a tower to heaven. The shocking thing is that they were smart enough to do it. Yeah, that’s what I just said. They were smart enough to actually do it. After all, why else would God say this in Genesis 11:6 “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.” Seriously? God believed if they could build Babel, they would be able to do anything? What exactly were these people capable of? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why God said this in the Bible. Turn with me to Genesis 11, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:25 - Jacob’s Ziggurat 5:30 - Gate of the Gods 11:25 - Nimrod’s Plan 23:30 - God’s Response 25:45 - Why Babel Broke the World Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

The Interdimensional War - INTERVIEW with Will Blesch

Interview today with Will Blesch, author of the 2026 book In the Shadow of Goliath. Will digs deep into history and archaeology, unlocking ancient mysteries by approaching these topics from a biblical framework. He joins me on a video call from where he lives in Israel in this episode. Learn more about his book and his library of work at his website: https://www.williamblesch.com/in-the-shadow-of-goliath/ —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.... Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-sp... You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Babel: The False Mountain

I know the podcast is called Weird Stuff in the Bible, but today, I want to start with something that’s weird in our world: ziggurats. A ziggurat is a pyramid-like structure. It starts with a massive base, and every level going up gets a little bit smaller. They often have steps up the sides so you can climb to the top. You’ve probably seen pictures before of ziggurats in ancient Babylon, Mesopotamia, from the Aztecs, from the Mayans—there’s even one in Collinsville, Illinois. And here’s what’s so weird about it: this structure is replicated in all kinds of societies all around the world. Different nations, different languages, different cultures—and yet we keep seeing ziggurats repeated across the planet. My question is: why? Well, where do all ancient nations, languages and cultures come from? According to the Bible, they all got started at this event called the Tower of Babel. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the Tower of Babel was a ziggurat. I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to Genesis 11, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:20 - Can You Take Me Higher? 4:20 - Mountaintop Experiences 9:45 - Ziggurats 18:00 - The Ziggurat at Babel 27:45 - O Destroying Mountain Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

UFO Disclosure: Is the Church Ready? with Derrick Warfel

Listen here, or watch the interview right here: https://youtu.be/PpolOnhpvvs The interview today is with Derrick Warfel, author of UFOS AND GOD, as well as the creator of a new documentary by the same name. Learn more about the book here: https://ufosandgodbook.com And the documentary here: https://www.ufosandgod.com Derrick Warfel was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor's degree from Princeton, a Master of Theology from Dallas, and an MFA from USC. After eight years on staff with CRU, Derrick spent the next four decades in the film industry, creating and teaching media from a biblical worldview. This interview is part of celebrating the third year anniversary of this podcast! Look for another interview or two to drop this month. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Nimrod and the Return of the Nephilim

Last fall I did an episode asking “What was the big deal about a tower that reaches to heaven?” And that episode ended up setting records. At the time, it was probably my most popular episode ever, and it held that position for many months. If I were smart, I probably would have followed it up with 10 more episodes right then about the Tower of Babel. There was clearly a lot of interest in this subject to know what exactly was going on there. And yet, for me, that was one of my not-so-favorite episodes. Why? Because I really asked more questions than I provided answers. I was questioning why the builders at Babel thought they could somehow make it to heaven by building a tower all the way up there. Were they really that stupid- or was there something more spiritual going on with this tower? And most puzzling to me of all: what was it about this structure that caused God to say in Genesis 11:6 …this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. That’s a big claim. Made by no less than God Himself. So I had a lot of questions about this Babel incident, and I didn’t want to explore them further on the podcast until I had time to do. my. research. And that’s what I’ve been up to, for a whole year now, preparing for this series- until today. And here we go. And it starts with a look at the architect of Babel, a guy named Nimrod, who shows up in a few verses in a genealogy of Genesis 10. And yet—if you listen all the way to the end of today’s episode—you will find out why he is actually one of the most significant figures of the story of the Old Testament. Genesis 10:8 says Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. A mighty man, huh? He sounds important, but on first glance, that description is kinda mysterious and vague. Until we look at what these words mean in the original Hebrew and in the Septuagint; then, you’ll know exactly why I find Nimrod to be weird—very weird—and I’d like to explore what he’s doing in the Bible. Turn with me to Genesis 10, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:40 - The Genesis 10 Context 8:35 - Meet Nimrod 10:30 - A Mighty Man 16:10 - Began to Be 20:20 - A Mighty Hunter 23:10 - Before the Lord 25:10 - Next Time 25:55 - The First on Earth Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

Thanatos: The God of Death

I made this podcast to answer all those questions your Sunday School teacher hoped you’d never ask. But today, I remember being a Sunday School teacher myself, and I remember teaching Revelation chapter 20, and here’s the question I was afraid of being asked. Revelation 20:14 says Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. Now, here’s what I didn’t want to have to explain: how do you throw death? If Hades refers to hell, then I can understand Hades being thrown in there, for reasons I’ll get to later. But how can “Death” be dumped in there, too? What does that even mean? And as I said, I puzzled over this verse for years. But in studying the Abyss, as we’ve done the past two weeks, I think I have found an answer to this question. I find the throwing of death to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to Revelation 20, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:30 - Greek Mythology and the Bible 6:15 - Hades 10:35 - Thanatos 15:30 - Who is Thanatos? 19:30 - Throwing Death 26:00 - Next Time 28:00 - The Fight We’re In Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

Apollyon and the Abyss

There’s a popular teaching in Christianity that there are only three named angels in the Bible. I’ve heard this a million times. I’ve probably even taught it before myself. GotQuestions.org states: Only three angels are identified by name in the Bible: Gabriel (Daniel 8:16), Michael the archangel (Daniel 10:13), and Lucifer the fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12). Unfortunately, this common belief is wrong. The Book of Revelation blows this idea apart. Especially if we’re including fallen angels. Revelation 9 tells us about a swarm of freaky locusts that invade the earth in the end times, and it includes this detail: (Verse 11) They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. So who is this guy Apollyon? Why does he have two names? And what is the bottomless pit? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. And our study today will answer ALL those questions—who Apollyon is, where he’s from—and believe it or not, how learning about this location of the Abyss will bring you to a deeper understanding so many other passages in Scripture—and even the Gospel itself. If that sounds like a good time to you, turn with me to Revelation 9, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:40 - Tartarus 4:55 - Apollyon 13:15 - Abaddon 17:45 - Abussos 22:45 - Antichrist 27:40 - Abyss Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

The Geography of Sheol: Enoch’s Tour of the Underworld

We’ve spent a lot of time the past few months talking about this spiritual region called The Underworld, also known as Sheol in the Bible. Now, it’s actually part of something I would call my Underworld series, which started in July and will conclude in a few weeks. Only I didn’t call it that because I thought that saying we would do a 10-week Underworld series would scare a lot of people off. And that’s because most Christians equate the Underworld with Hell. But that would be a gross oversimplification. That would be like saying that going to Texas means you’re going to Dallas. Dallas is a place within Texas, but Dallas is not the same thing as Texas. Now, you might say that driving through Dallas is like going to hell, but that would mix our metaphors, so I’ll try to stay on track. Texas is a big state, and it has a geography. There are different places within Texas beyond just Dallas. Likewise, Hell—as the fiery place of judgment—is actually just one compartment within Sheol. There are other compartments in Sheol that the Bible also tells us about. And not just the Bible; the Book of Enoch also contains a pretty lengthy description of this realm. In fact, Enoch got to take a tour of this region, and he told us all about it in his book. Which is pretty weird. And I’d like to read about that today and see how it lines up with the Bible. And if you want to find out with me, turn to Revelation 20, and let’s get weird. —— Note: Enoch quotations are taken from the Modern Standard Version of the Book of Enoch, available on Amazon (and I highly recommend it if you choose to read Enoch's book!) Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 4:15 - A Cosmic Mountain 6:35 - The Abyss or Tartarus 12:45 - The Lake of Fire 14:50 - Abraham’s Bosom 21:00 - Hell 22:00 - Two More Compartments 24:25 - Recap Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

3 Dangers of the Book of Enoch- and Why You Should Read It Anyway

I got sick! Something like strep throat- and I was in bed all weekend. I could not record a new episode this week, unfortunately, as my voice was not strong enough to record yet as of Tuesday morning. Fortunately, I had already recorded an extra episode a few months ago, and it’s been sitting patiently on my hard drive until I needed it. So, here’s a reflection on the Book of Enoch study- which comes at a great time, since next week’s episode will also tie in with some insights from the Book of Enoch. —— You will often hear people claim that it’s “dangerous” for Christians to read the Book of Enoch. And that’s literally the word that they’ll use. Dangerous. I’m not trying to pick on anyone so I won’t name names, but if you google it, you’ll find plenty of people telling you that the Book of Enoch should be avoided because it can be so dangerous to your faith. Now, I often find these fears a little silly and overblown. I mean, if I thought that the book of Enoch was dangerous to read, I wouldn’t have spent the first six months of this year studying it. However, now that I have, I would say I think there’s one—maybe two—maybe even three fair criticisms that someone could levy against the book of Enoch. So I want to share my thoughts on those, and then give a few reasons why I actually believe all Christians should study the book of Enoch anyway. So it’s not so much a bible study today as it is a reflection or retrospective on this year’s study. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:40 - Enoch & Paul Harvey 6:00 - Three Dangers of the Book of Enoch 19:15 - Three Reasons to Read It Anyway 26:05 - The Rest of the Story Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

The Firmament of Genesis 1

Before we were arguing over flat earth vs round earth, before we were arguing over creation vs evolution, before were were arguing over whether Tom Holland has surpassed Tobey Maguire as the best portrayal of Spider-Man, there was another debate within the church: did God create the earth with a canopy around it like a dome or protective shield? Now, perhaps you’ve never heard of this, but it centers around this mysterious firmament that comes up in Genesis 1:6 and 7. The NKJV says 6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. What even is a firmament? The American dictionary says a firmament is “the vault of heaven.” The British dictionary says it’s “the expanse of the sky.” I don’t quite know what that means, and to be honest, I find it to be weird, and all I really care about is what the Bible says it is. If you want to find out, too, turn to Genesis 1, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Grossly Normal 4:30 - The Waters and the Firmament 7:25 - Theories on the Firmament 9:20 - The Firmament in the Scriptures 13:05 - The Firmament in Ezekiel 18:45 - The Sea of Glass 23:00 - The Living Creatures 27:50 - Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

The Mountain Jesus Will Destroy

Everyone’s heard of the Mount of Olives from the Scriptures. This is where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It’s where He gave the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. It’s where He went to pray on the night He was crucified. It’s where He ascended to the heavens after His resurrection. And—it’s where prophecy says He will return at the Second Coming of Christ. Obviously a pretty significant mountain. It must be pretty sacred and special to Jesus if He does all these important things there. This must be one of the holiest locations in the Bible, right? Well actually, this was one of the most unholy mountains of the Old Testament. This was actually a demonic place of human sacrifice in ancient Israel, and a location known as the Mount of Corruption during the later kings; a spiritual abomination where pagans tried to access the Underworld. We might even call it a cosmic mountain. So just as two weeks ago I had you rethinking Eden, and last week I had you rethinking gardens, this week will have you rethinking the Mount of Olives. Because I’m wondering: what were Jesus’ purposes for spending so much time there? I find it to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to Matthew 21, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Olives in the Time of Jesus 5:20 - Olives in the Old Testament 16:00 - Olives in the Future 19:00 - Next Time & Mailbag 22:15 - This Mountain (Again) Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

Gardens: Gateways to the Underworld?

Alright guys, I’ve got an extra-weird one for you this time: does the Bible demonstrate some kind of connection between gardens and the Underworld? Uh, what? When I first heard that, I thought it was one of the most bizarre ideas I’d ever read. While we might use a garden to grow our carrots and cucumbers, the ancient people of the Old Testament era thought of gardens as gateways to the spiritual realm. A place where one could make contact with the dead. And as we explore various gardens of the Bible today, this concept will start to become very clear even in Scripture itself. And it goes all the way back to the very first one: the garden mountain of Eden. I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to I Kings 2, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Gardens on Cosmic Mountains 6:20 - Kings and Gardens 15:15 - The Last Adam and the Last Garden 21:50 - I’m Going In Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

Eden: God’s Cosmic Mountain

What exactly was Eden? I mean, we do know it was a garden, right? Genesis 2:8 tells us And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. So it was a place of lush growth. Trees. Fruit. Vegetation. Water. Life. We all get these visuals of a green paradise in our heads as we read the opening chapters of Genesis. I mean, other than the devil showing up later, this sounds like a place of absolute tranquility. But then we get another vital piece of the puzzle when God is later condemning this devil in Ezekiel 28:14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. Wait, Eden was a mountain? What are these stones of fire? And what was Eden’s purpose? I find all this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to Ezekiel 28, and let’s get weird. —— Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:00 - Mountain Gardens 8:55 - Eden’s Address 12:55 - The Cosmic Mountain 16:50 - The Axis Mundi 21:45 - Next Time & Mailbag 23:55 - Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

The Antichrist: An Underworld Spirit

Hang around Christians long enough, listen to sermons long enough, or pick up just about any prophecy book sitting on the bookstore shelves, and you’re gonna hear about this dude called The Antichrist- an end-times world ruler who takes control in the last days. And he’s referenced all throughout the Bible. The Old Testament has 33 names for him; the New Testament has at least 13. Daniel calls him the little horn. Revelation calls him the Beast. And I and II John call him the Antichrist. This guy carries more ID cards than Jason Bourne. I John 2:18 tells us (NKJV) Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming… In the end times, in the apocalypse, this man will appear and dominate the world. But wait, there’s more to that verse. It continues: …even now many antichrists have come… Well what is that talking about? It gets even more confusing when you throw in I John 4:3 every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. OK, so wait: is the Antichrist a man or a spirit? Is he coming, or is he already here? And if he is here- what do we do about him? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to I John 2, and let’s get weird. —— If you do want to know more about hell, check out my interview with Megan Medick on Uncommon Sense right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncommon-sense-with-meagan-medick/id1884935580?i=1000777122024 Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:55 - Who is the Antichrist? 4:55 - The Spirit of the Antichrist 11:25 - The Beast out of the Sea 15:50 - Leviathan the Twisting Serpent 19:00 - A Spirit of Chaos 22:30 - Defeating the Antichrist Today 24:45 - Next Time & Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

Satan: Cursed to Rule the World

We hear it all the time- the claim that Satan is the god of the Underworld. That he runs and rules hell. That he has a throne down there and goes around jabbing people with a pitchfork. But did you know that the Bible says nothing like that? Those ideas are assumptions, superstitions, myths and even lies. The good news is: The Bible is abundantly clear about where Satan’s dominion lies—and the limits of his power. The bad news is: Satan’s dominion is right here with you, in the earthly realm. I’ll show you today, and it goes back to the curse pronounced upon the serpent in Genesis 3. God said (Genesis 3:14) cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. Now, what did God mean by that, casting him into the dust? Is that something spiritual or literal? Is this why snakes don’t have arms and legs, or is that just another superstition? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to Genesis 3, and let’s get weird. —— If you do want to know more about hell, check out my interview with Megan Medick on Uncommon Sense right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncommon-sense-with-meagan-medick/id1884935580?i=1000777122024 Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:30 - The Curse on the Serpent 13:05 - The Ruler of This World 17:10 - Satan and Hell 20:45 - Gatekeeper Spirits 23:50 - Demons in Ephesians 6 Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

The Underworld Realm: Revelation and the Sea

You can breathe huge sigh of relief once you get to Revelation 21. Because not only are you almost done reading the whole Bible, but you’re also past all the bad stuff. The devil, the antichrist and false prophet have been taken care of. Judgement day is over. Sin and the corrupted world are wadded up and thrown away. And Revelation 21 and 22 speak of eternity: the place we will spend the rest of our existence once this current world is done. Revelation 21:1 says Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Holllld up. The sea was no more? Like, the oceans and rivers are gone? Does that mean there will be no swimming, no visits to the beach, and no more Avatar sequels in the eternal state? Now, before you freak out, let me just say up front: this is code language. This is what Revelation does often: it uses symbols to speak of a deeper reality. It’s not saying there’s no oceans or no dolphins or no Hawaii in the new heavens and new earth. It’s using biblical code words to speak of something else. In fact, if you’ve looked into it, you’ve probably heard it explained this way: that the sea is a word that represents chaos, and so by saying there was no more sea, that’s actually the Bible saying that there was no more chaos. And that’s technically not wrong…but there’s actually something much deeper going on here beneath the surface. And by the end of today’s episode, you’ll know all about it. I find Revelation 21:1 to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. But to start, turn to Revelation 5, and let’s get weird. —— Check out my interview with Megan Medick on Uncommon Sense right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncommon-sense-with-meagan-medick/id1884935580?i=1000777122024 Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:25 - God Slays the Chaos Dragon 9:20 - The Three Realms of Revelation 16:05 - The Antichrist Emerges 18:40 - The Sea Gave Up the Dead 22:00 - No More Sea Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

The Three Realms of God’s Creation

On this podcast, we like to explore the strange things tucked away in Scripture. There are so many obscure and unfamiliar passages in your Bible that don’t often get studied, so that’s what we like to shine a light on with this show. But there’s actually something pretty weird stuff that isn’t tucked away; it’s right there in the opening verses of Genesis. I mean we all know the first two verses of the Bible: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Right. Everybody knows that. Before there was light, before there was land, before there were dinosaurs, before there was anything else—apparently there was Kevin Costner because we had a Waterworld. It said the planet was totally covered with water. And from there, the Lord started working on creating the attributes of the earth, the beings who would populate that earth, and the astronomical features of our entire universe. At least, that’s what it sounds like God is doing. But then you also have verses like these: (Verses 6-7) 6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. Well, hold on a second? What is the expanse? What are the waters? Why did some waters stay down here on earth while other waters went up to heaven? I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. Turn to Genesis 1, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:40 - A Hint of Something Deeper 7:45 - Code Words in Genesis 13:20 - Order Out of Chaos 17:00 - The Watery Underworld 26:55 - Next Time & Closing Thoughts Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters

Taking Hermon Back: The Transfiguration & Psalm 89

This year, we’ve talked typology. We’ve talked about what happens when you see the glory of God. We’ve talked about Mount Hermon. Today, I’m gonna put these pieces together. Today’s episode ties up a lot of things we’ve been learning about this mysterious mountain, because it’s the place where the Watchers came down to the earth in Genesis 6. And throughout the Old Testament, this mountain and the whole Bashan region was the epicenter of evil, a stronghold of fallen angels, a bastion of giants and their ghosts! But not only that, it’s the exact place where Jesus declared His intention to build his church in Matthew 16, and the mountain where He transfigured in Matthew 17. And perhaps that’s the most mysterious thing about it of all. Because of all the places for Jesus to go and make these declarations—why there? Why not pick one of the holy mountains like Sinai or Zion? Going to Hermon to start your church is kinda like going to Dairy Queen to start your diet. But Jesus didn’t look at things the way we do in the natural. Jesus was supernatural. In other words, some of the things Jesus did…were weird. And I’d like to explore why He chooses this spot for the Transfiguration in the Bible. Turn with me to Isaiah 14, and let’s get weird. Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here: https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/ Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 5:15 - Part 4- The Mountain of El 13:20 - Part 5- Parallels with Psalm 89 23:15 - Part 6- This Mountain Visit the Weird Stuff store! https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one. If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

• Transcript
• Chapters