What the Hell? A Christmas Reflection on Sin, Judgment, and Mercy - 051 (01:41:25)
WHAT THE HELL? A Christmas Reflection on Sin, Judgment, and Mercy
Hell is not a comfortable topic, and Christmas is not usually when we want to think about judgment, sin, or eternity. But the birth of Christ only makes sense if we are honest about what went wrong, what we cannot fix, and what God has done to rescue us.
In this episode of Bad Fruit Podcast, we walk through the full arc of Christian theology, starting with creation, moving through the Fall, exile, judgment, and hell, and ending with the Gospel hope of Christ’s incarnation, cross, and resurrection. This is not a debate episode and not a reaction video. It is a careful, Scripture-centered reflection on why hell exists, what the Bible actually says about it, and why mercy can only be understood through Christ.
We address questions about annihilationism, eternal punishment, the “second death,” post-death repentance, and the common “Hitler vs. grandma” framing, while keeping the focus where Scripture keeps it: not on comparative morality, but on Christ alone. This is a Law-heavy episode that ends where it must end, with the Gospel, with the manger, and with the promise that God has entered our exile to bring us home.
A sobering, pastoral, and unexpected Christmas episode that reminds us why the angels’ announcement was truly good news.
Merry Christmas!
A Conversation with Miracle Bob about Healing and James River Church - 050 (01:17:40)
Bob joins me this week to share how God miraculously healed him. And we also talk about his time on the James River prayer team. And an interesting interaction he had with John Lindell.
As always you can email me at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Can you guess what I had for breakfast? An interview with Zach about the James River College - 049 (01:23:45)
Zach attended the James River College when Bill Johnson and his Bethel team came to visit, and he shares his experiences and perspective on his time there. It is a great conversation and we have a few laughs along the way.
If you would like to get in touch please email me at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Has Carl Lentz Learned Anything? - 048 (00:59:56)
Carl Lentz is back in the spotlight, and his comments on pastoral care and church size reveal something deeper about the megachurch system he came out of. This episode walks through the history of Hillsong, the rise and fall of Lentz, and a point-by-point biblical response to the claims he makes.
What does Scripture say about shepherds who know their sheep, discipleship in small churches, and the dangers of celebrity Christianity? Join us as we separate truth from trend and look at the fruit.
If you would like to get in touch with us please email us at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Denominations part 10: THE Baptists (part 2 history and theology) (01:28:25)
This is part two of THE Baptists. If you didn't listen to part 1, that's okay, you can jump in on this one and then go back. In this episode I look at the history of the Baptist movement and theology and also offer a charitable but firm critique of Baptist theology.
Fruit Bite: Baptism (00:23:51)
Few issues have divided Protestants more sharply than baptism. And yet, at the heart, both sides are trying to honor Christ’s command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
This Fruit Bite we look at Baptism and ask: who can be baptized, and how? Is Baptism a sacrament or an ordinance?
Denominations part 9: THE Baptists (part 1 an overview) (01:11:30)
Yeah it's a long title. In this episode we look at an overview of THE Baptists, talk about their view of the sacraments, they call them ordinances, and look at some major Baptist groups like the IFB and SBC. So this is part 1, next episode will be more of a traditional historic and theological look at Baptists.
Questions or comments email me at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com or look for our Facebook page.
Denominations part 8: The Anabaptists (01:16:20)
Who are the Anabaptists and what do they believe? They were the Radical Reformers who came after Luther and Calvin, and laid the foundation for the Mennonites and The Amish.
If you would like to get in touch email us at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Fruit Bite: Unity and Division (00:13:01)
When is division actually a good thing? And when is unity actually a bad thing?
This Fruit Bite episode looks at unity and division in the church. And asks when and where should we seek unity? And when and where is division a call to faithfulness?
If you have any comments, questions or input please email us at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com we would love to hear from you.
Fruit Bite: Protestantism and Reformational Christianity (00:13:49)
There we three main Reformations during the Reformational era: The Lutheran Reformation (Lutherans), the Reformed or Calvinist Reformation, and the English Reformation (Anglicans). These are the Reformational Christians.
Later splits and off-shoots are still protestant, but not always Reformational. So what does it mean to be a "Reformational Christian"?
Email us at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com with any comments, questions or input. We'd love to hear from you!
Fruit Bite: Women in the Pulpit? (00:16:29)
Should women serve as pastors and bishops? In this episode, Jonathan explores one of the most divisive issues in the modern church through the lens of Scripture, history, and the latest controversy in the Church of England. With Dame Sarah Mullally’s appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, the question is more urgent than ever: what happens when the church replaces divine order with cultural approval?
Drawing on Scripture, Lutheran teaching, and the witness of global Anglicans in GAFCON, this Fruit Bite examines God’s design for ministry, the difference between equality and vocation, and why faithfulness to the Word of God must come before the fashions of the world.
“Faithfulness is not measured by popularity, but by obedience.”
Send any questions or comments to badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Denominations part 7: Anglicanism and the Church of England (00:57:30)
In the 1500s, the Reformation was sweeping Europe—but in England, it began with a king who just wanted an annulment. From Henry VIII’s court to the poetry of Cranmer, from the martyrs of Oxford to the global Anglican Communion, this episode traces how the Church of England blended the theology of the Reformation with the traditions of Rome.
We’ll explore the Book of Common Prayer, the Thirty-Nine Articles, the rise of Methodism, the Oxford Movement, and the worldwide family of Anglicans today, now facing new questions with the historic appointment of Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
A story of politics, piety, and prayer: this is Anglicanism.
Send your questions or comments to badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Denominations part 6: Presbyterianism and the Reformed or Calvinist Tradition (01:41:03)
Did you choose to press play, or was it predestined? Either way, you are here. In this episode we trace the Swiss, French, and Scottish roots of the Reformed family and unpack what “Reformed,” “Calvinist,” and “Presbyterian” actually mean.
Fruit Bite: The Synod of Dort (00:11:57)
At the Synod of Dort the 5 points of Calvinism, known as TULIP were introduced. As well as the 5 points of Arminianism, known as DAISY. But which flower belongs in the church garden? Or do we need GRACE?
Fruit Bite: The Three Uses of the Law (00:14:05)
What are the three uses of the law? And why is it important to distinguish between the law and the gospel?
Fruit Bite: The Marburg Colloquy (00:10:46)
In today's Fruit Bite episode we look at the Marburg Colloquy and ask the question; does IS mean IS?
Denominations part 5: Lutheranism (01:23:13)
A hammer strike in Wittenberg echoed all the way to America. In this episode, we trace the story of Lutheranism: from Martin Luther’s thunderstorm vow and “Here I stand,” through Melanchthon’s Augsburg Confession and Chemnitz’s defense against the Council of Trent, to Pietism and Rationalism, immigrant synods, the Seminex walkout, and the alphabet soup of American Lutherans today: ELCA, LCMS, WELS, AALC, and more.
We’ll explore what unites them (Confessions, Creeds, Sacraments, hymns) and what divides them (Scripture, culture, fellowship). From Ethiopia to Minnesota, from Augsburg to St. Louis, discover how Lutherans have struggled, split, and yet held fast to the same confession: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
As always, if you have questions or comments about this or any other episode, please email us at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Fruit Bite: The Five Solas (00:06:01)
This short Fruit Bite episode looks at these five phrases known as the five solas and what they mean for us as Christians.
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
Sola Fide (faith alone)
Sola Gratia (grace alone)
Solus Christus (Christ alone)
Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone).
Denominations part 4: Waldo, Wycliffe, Hus and the Pre-Reformation Reformers (00:35:05)
In this week's episode of the denomination series we look at Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe and Jan Hus. Waldo inspired the Waldensians and Hus the Moravians and Wycliffe's influence continues with various Bible translators. These Pre-Reformation Reformers inspired Luther, Calvin and later the Methodists and Baptists.
As always if you would like to get in touch with me about this episode or any topic, please email me at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Also please like, subscribe, share and review this podcast as that helps us out a lot. Thank you and God bless!
Fruit Bite: What does it mean to be a Nicene Christian? (00:28:40)
Who do you say Jesus is? That question is the dividing line between truth and heresy, between life and death.
In this first Fruit Bite episode, Jonathan dives into the heart of the Christian faith: the Trinity, the great creeds of the church, and what it means to be a Nicene Christian. From Scripture to the battles with ancient heresies, to the bold confessions of Nicaea, Chalcedon, and Athanasius, this episode shows why to deny the Trinity is to deny Christ Himself.
Saint Nicholas may have thrown a punch at Arius, and Jonathan brings that same energy here. The Trinity is not a puzzle to solve but the gospel itself: the Father who loves us, the Son who redeems us, and the Spirit who dwells within us.
If you have questions about this, or any episode, please email badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Denominations part 3: Eastern Orthodox Church (01:41:00)
Eastern Orthodoxy is the second largest Christian tradition in the world, about 220 million strong, rooted in Byzantium, and still shaping lives today.
In this episode of the Denominations series, we explore the other side of the Great Schism and the beauty of icons and liturgy, and why so many young people in America are finding a spiritual home in the Orthodox Church. What can Protestants learn from Orthodoxy’s deep sense of mystery and beauty, and how do we hold that alongside the clear proclamation of Christ crucified and risen?
Email your comments and questions to badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Denominations part 2: Roman Catholicism (02:13:59)
In this episode, we dive into the history and core beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. From its roots in the early centuries of Christianity to its doctrines on the sacraments, tradition, and the authority of the Pope, we explore how Catholicism has shaped and been shaped by the story of the Church. Along the way, we consider where Catholics and Protestants agree, where they differ, and how Christians can respond with both clarity and charity.
If you have any questions or comments about this or any episode reach out at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Denominations part 1: The 10,000 foot view (01:04:52)
In this kickoff episode of our Denominations series, we take a step back and look at the big picture. What exactly is a denomination? How did they form? And why do they matter today?
You’ll get a brief historical overview from the early church to the major branches of Christianity, along with a glimpse of how theological differences, cultural movements, and historical events shaped the church into what we see now. This episode also serves as a blueprint for where the series is headed, outlining the key traditions we will explore in more detail in the weeks ahead.
Whether you are new to the topic or looking to refresh your knowledge, this is the perfect place to start before diving deeper.
Email us with any questions or feedback at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Pastor Ara Torosian on Persecution, Faith, and Asylum - 047 (02:21:00)
In this powerful conversation, Iranian-born pastor Ara Torosian shares his journey from persecution to pastoral ministry in the United States. Together, we explore the realities facing Iranian Christians—both those worshiping in underground house churches back home and those seeking asylum in the U.S. Pastor Ara reflects on recent arrests of his church members by immigration officials, the spiritual cost of displacement, and the unshakable hope found in Christ. This episode is not about politics—it's about people, persecution, and the faith that endures.
Learn more about Pastor Ara's church here: https://cornerstonewla.org/
On Facebook I will be posting more resources here: www.facebook.com/badfruitpodcast
And as always please email us with any questions or comments at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
Christa Petzold and the Journey Through Church History - 046 (01:16:43)
In this episode, Jonathan is joined by author Christa Petzold, to discuss her book Journey Through Church History. Together, they explore why understanding church history matters, how to approach primary sources without fear, and what modern Christians can learn from the faith and struggles of those who came before us. To learn more about her you can visit her website: https://christapetzold.com/
If you want to reach out to us at the podcast you can email us at badfruitpodcast@gmail.com
