Ask A Christian

Was Jesus Asian? Who Are the True Jews? (Identity & Geography Explained)

In this wild episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate tackles some of the internet’s most bizarre questions: Was Jesus Asian? Who are the “true Jews”? Was Jesus a Nazarene or a Nazirite? (Spoiler: there’s a difference, and it matters.) We dive deep into biblical geography, exploring the difference between Near East, Middle East, and Far East—because apparently Jesus’ continental classification is now a theological battleground. Is Israel in Asia? Were the Israelites Middle Eastern or Asian? Why do British people call Pakistanis “Asian” while Americans reserve that term for East Asians? We sort through the confusion with help from some very patient explanations about etymology, geography, and why none of this affects the Gospel. Then we examine the disturbing “progressive Christianity” on display at Lake Street Church of Evanston, where a nativity scene features zip-tied baby Jesus and Roman soldiers dressed as ICE agents (https://protestia.com/2025/12/01/church-nativity-scene-features-zip-tied-baby-jesus-roman-soliders-as-ice-agents/). Their church covenant mentions everything except Jesus—which is apparently fine when you worship “God, whoever she may be.” We read their covenant in the most Anglican voice possible, because if you’re going to critique heresy, you might as well have fun with it. Finally, we defend Skillet’s heavy metal rendition of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (https://protestia.com/2025/11/17/song-review-skillets-o-come-o-come-emmanuel/) against pearl-clutching critics who think electric guitars are demonic. The band has remained faithful while other Christian artists have apostatized, yet some believers are more concerned about musical style than theological substance. We watch the full music video and discuss why Christians should celebrate faithful artists—even if they use distortion pedals. Also covered: spiritual Israel vs. ethnic Israel, whether Christians are “grafted in” Jews, why Jesus was called a Nazarene, the Church of the Nazarene (briefly), God’s chosen people, and why '90s Christian rock samplers were the peak of youth group culture. 📚 Resources & Links: • Church Nativity Scene with Zip-Tied Jesus - https://protestia.com/2025/12/01/church-nativity-scene-features-zip-tied-baby-jesus-roman-soliders-as-ice-agents/ • Song Review: Skillet’s O Come, O Come Emmanuel - https://protestia.com/2025/11/17/song-review-skillets-o-come-o-come-emmanuel/ • Skillet - O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Official Music Video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiErbpZHfbk For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - Was Jesus Asian? Geographic confusion begins 09:40 - Egypt and Rome: Why Jesus wasn’t an immigrant 15:30 - Near East vs Middle East vs Far East definitions 26:40 - Jesus’ ethnicity: Jewish, not Asian (final answer) 31:50 - Who are God’s chosen people? 34:50 - Spiritual Israel vs ethnic Israel debate 41:45 - Should Christians support Israel? (Political vs biblical reasons) 53:00 - Was Jesus a Nazarene or Nazirite? Etymology explained 1:01:45 - Church nativity scene: Zip-tied baby Jesus & ICE agents 1:08:30 - Lake Street Church’s heretical covenant (read aloud) 1:29:40 - Defending Skillet’s “O Come O Come Emmanuel” 1:38:05 - Watching Skillet’s music video (full playthrough) 1:42:30 - Final thoughts on Christian rock & worship wars #️⃣ HASHTAGS #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Jesus #Bible #ChristianApologetics #BiblicalTruth #Israel #ChristianMusic #Skillet #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithQuestions #ChurchControversy #ChristianRock #BibleStudy #Theology

What Is VidAngel? Baptism of the Holy Spirit a Second Blessing? How Should Christians Talk to Trans?

Host Nate tackles the classic Pentecostal vs. traditional Christian debate: Is baptism of the Holy Spirit a “second blessing” separate from salvation, or does it happen at the moment of conversion? We dive into Acts, Romans, and the scriptural case for both sides—plus why misrepresenting each other’s beliefs doesn’t help the conversation. Also featured: a charitable yet biblical perspective on how Christians should talk to transgender individuals, a look at the surprisingly controversial VidAngel streaming service (and its Mormon legal battles), and a healthy dose of Nate’s post-Thanksgiving doomscrolling through the wildest corners of X. Same salvation, different spiritual experiences—let’s clear the air without clearing the room. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:22 - VidAngel: Mormon-owned movie filtering & legal battles 09:42 - Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Second blessing or part of salvation? 20:11 - Addressing misrepresentations of Pentecostal beliefs 25:45 - Doomscrolling X: UMC pastor transition announcement 31:08 - How should Christians talk to transgender individuals? 48:36 - Wild X clips: Parenting without gender & other absurdities #AskAChristianPodcast #BaptismOfTheHolySpirit #HolySpirit #Pentecostal #Salvation #ChristianDoctrine #Transgender #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGifts #VidAngel #XTwitter #ChristianApologetics #FaithQuestions #BibleStudy

Was Communion Taken on the Moon? Is the United States a Christian Nation? Were Founders Christian?

Was America really founded as a Christian nation, or is that just wishful thinking from modern evangelicals? In this episode of Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate takes a deep dive into the original state constitutions from 1776-1784 and uncovers something most people never learned in history class: 9 out of 14 original states required officeholders to profess Christian faith—and many explicitly demanded Trinitarian belief. After a trip to Kennedy Space Center (and discovering Buzz Aldrin took communion on the moon—NASA kept that quiet), Nate tackles the common claim that America's founders were just deists or Enlightenment rationalists. Spoiler: Delaware's 1776 constitution required legislators to affirm faith in "God the Father and in Jesus Christ his only son and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed forevermore." Try being a Unitarian or deist while taking that oath. We examine the actual text of early state constitutions, explore why NASA suppressed religious expressions in space (thanks, Madalyn Murray O'Hair), and break down a viral Charlie Kirk clip that covers everything from the Treaty of Tripoli to why Leviticus appears on the Liberty Bell. Plus: why the "separation of church and state" argument misses the entire point about state sovereignty. Whether you're a Christian defending America's heritage, a skeptic who thinks this is all revisionism, or just someone who wants the actual historical documents—this episode brings the receipts. 📚 Resources & Links: Buzz Aldrin took communion on the moon: https://www.history.com/articles/buzz-aldrin-communion-apollo-11-nasa Religious Tests in State Constitutions 1776-1784: https://csac.history.wisc.edu/religion-and-the-ratification/religious-test-clause/religious-tests-and-oaths-in-state-constitutions-1776-1784 Are We a Christian Nation?: https://wm.wts.edu/magazine-articles/are-we-a-christian-nation Charlie Kirk viral clip - America is a Christian Nation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6R_-AvCUsQ For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 04:12 - Kennedy Space Center visit recap 09:18 - Buzz Aldrin took communion on the moon 13:00 - America's secular spiral after NASA cover-up 15:07 - Columbia disaster and Israeli astronaut 16:01 - Public acknowledgment of lunar communion 21:15 - Were America's founders Christian or deist? 23:10 - Original 13 colonies' religious requirements 27:28 - Delaware 1776: Trinitarian oath required 32:40 - Reading state constitutions from 1776-1784 42:54 - Understanding "Protestant religion" in 1776 46:48 - Was the US ever a Christian nation? 55:00 - Charlie Kirk explains America's Christian founding 1:04:00 - Closing thoughts on church and state Hashtags #AskAChristianPodcast #ChristianNation #AmericanHistory #Christianity #FoundingFathers #BuzzAldrin #NASA #StateConstitutions #Faith #Bible #ChristianApologetics #ReligiousFreedom #ChurchAndState #USHistory #Constitution

Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God? Prayer Life & Gospel Explained

Do Christians, Muslims, and Jews worship the same God? It's one of the most controversial questions in interfaith dialogue—and in this episode of Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate tackles it head-on alongside guests debating Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant perspectives. We explore whether identifying the "God of Abraham" is the same as actually worshiping Him, why Jesus is the dividing line between the Abrahamic faiths, and what this means for salvation. The conversation gets spicy when discussing whether Moses understood the Trinity, how Orthodox and Catholic views on church authority differ from Protestant "Bible alone" theology, and why some debates about canonicity feel like arguing over parentheses for three hours. (If you know, you know.) Then things take a practical turn: How do you actually "pray about everything" as the Bible commands? A listener asks for real advice on making prayer a daily habit, and the responses range from scheduling prayer times to keeping your thoughts captive to simply... not being legalistic about it. It's the kind of conversation that's both theological and refreshingly human. Plus: Nate explains why he rage-quit Twitter after encountering one too many furries in his Israel-Gaza news feed, why Jay Dyer debates feel like Groundhog Day, and how to explain the entire Gospel in under two minutes without needing two books and a YouTube video. (Sorry, James.) Fair warning: This episode includes therapeutic-grade harp music, accusations of ad hominem attacks, and at least one person asking if they can marry six women. Friday episodes hit different. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:06 - Why Nate left Twitter/X 08:14 - Jay Dyer and Orthodox vs Catholic debates 17:00 - Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? 20:14 - Did Moses worship the Trinity? 27:33 - Orthodox vs Catholic vs Protestant salvation views 43:00 - Did Jesus claim to be God? 1:03:00 - Orthodox theology resources discussion 1:18:20 - How to pray about everything - practical advice 1:32:27 - Dealing with failure and sanctification 1:40:33 - Who put the Bible together? Biblical authority debate 1:50:15 - The Gospel explained in 2 minutes #️⃣ HASHTAGS #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Muslims #SameGod #Interfaith #PrayerLife #Gospel #BiblicalAuthority #Orthodox #Catholic #Protestant #ChristianApologetics #FaithQuestions #Salvation #IslamVsChristianity

What Does 'Some Won't Taste Death' Mean? Can Christians be Pagan? Can Christians Practice Witchcraft

What did Jesus mean when He said "some standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom"? In this episode of Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate tackles one of the most debated prophecies in the Gospels—found in Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, and Luke 9:27. Was Jesus talking about the Transfiguration that happened just days later? The crucifixion and resurrection? The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD? Or something else entirely? We explore all three major interpretations, examining the immediate context, Peter's own testimony in 2 Peter 1:16-18, and what this means for understanding biblical prophecy. The conversation takes unexpected turns as we discuss the dating of the book of Daniel (and why it matters for Jesus' credibility), whether Adam and Eve were literal people, and eventually... whether you can have a genuine spiritual experience on psychedelics. (Spoiler: The Bible has thoughts on that.) Things get especially interesting when a caller asks about mixing Christianity with paganism and astrology—leading to a frank discussion about exclusivity in Christian faith, the nature of salvation, and why "I feel like Jesus would..." isn't quite the hermeneutical method the apostles had in mind. Fair warning: If you're hoping for a lukewarm, "all paths lead to God" kind of conversation, you've come to the wrong podcast. But if you want honest biblical discussion with a side of sardonic humor, you're in the right place. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - "Some will not taste death" - What did Jesus mean? 02:30 - Examining Matthew 16, Mark 9, and Luke 9 in context 08:18 - The Transfiguration interpretation 13:14 - Who was Jesus talking to? 24:04 - Matthew 24 and the 70 AD interpretation 34:20 - The resurrection and "coming in power" 51:22 - Book of Daniel dating controversy 1:00:45 - Adam and Eve - literal or metaphorical? 1:09:00 - Can you see God on psychedelics? 1:18:45 - Christianity and paganism - can they mix? 1:33:15 - Book of Enoch and Gnostic Gospels 1:42:00 - Is God unfair? Salvation exclusivity debate 1:53:54 - I'm a Christian, and also a witch!?! 1:58:15 - Closing thoughts and resources #️⃣ HASHTAGS #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Matthew16 #BibleProphecy #Transfiguration #JesusChrist #BiblicalInterpretation #ChristianApologetics #Gospel #BibleStudy #SalvationDebate #ChristianTheology #ScriptureExplained #FaithQuestions #BiblicalTruth

Did Jesus Claim to Be God (Bible Proof Explained)? What is Taqiyya? Is it a Sin to be a Furry?

In this episode of Ask a Christian Podcast, host Nate chats with an atheist guest about why Jesus' words scream divinity – from the Temptation in Matthew 4 (where He applies "worship God only" to Himself) to "Before Abraham was, I AM" in John 8. They unpack why Muslims challenge this and dive into Taqiyya (permissible deception in Islam), questioning good-faith debates. Things get wild later with investigative journalism on Christian furries – is it sinful or just quirky fellowship? Plus, a heated take on Catholic godparent requirements: cultural vs. committed? (Spoiler: Nate's staying neutral on the chaos.) If you're wrestling with faith questions like "Is Jesus God?" or interfaith ethics, this raw discussion hits hard – with a dash of ironic humor, like trading grumpy Calvinists for fox-tailed Bible studies. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Timestamps 00:00 - Intro & Weekend Cliffhanger 01:45 - Did Jesus Claim to Be God? (John 8 “I AM”, water of life, etc.) 03:37 - Temptation of Jesus: Strongest Proof Jesus is God (Matthew 4 / Luke 4) 05:26 - “Son of God” Explained – Why It Still Means Fully God 08:55 - What is Taqiyya? (Permissible lying in Islam) 09:20 - Why debating many Muslims feels impossible (Taqiyya deep-dive) 25:11 - Steph’s investigative journalism drop (Christian Furries revealed) 27:40 - Is being a Furry a sin? (Long discussion begins) 38:20 - Comparing Furries vs angry Calvinists (doctrine & attitude) 48:15 - Catholic godparents & baptism requirements 1:02:30 - Cultural Catholics vs serious Catholics (Eucharist, vows, lying in church) 1:28:50 - Heated back-and-forth: Can godparents lie? Catholic rules explained 1:58:40 - Furry Christians defend themselves live 2:05:25 - Furries vs Calvinists finale + bowling-ball relic absurdity 2:10:12 - Closing thoughts & Discord invites Hashtags #AskAChristianPodcast #DidJesusClaimToBeGod #JesusIsGod #BibleProof #TemptationOfJesus #Taqiyya #ChristianFurries #IsFurryASin #CatholicGodparents #JesusDivinity #InterfaithDebate #SonOfGod #BibleStudy #Apologetics #FaithQuestions

Is Faith a Gift or a Choice? The Cause of Faith in Calvinism vs Arminianism

This week on the Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate and the crew dive headfirst into the theological debate that will never die: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Is saving faith a gift directly from God or a choice made by man? They tackle the complex question of the cause of faith and what it means for your eternal security and personal walk. Get ready for some hyper-analytical sparring on "efficient cause" that will either settle the issue forever or just prove that even Christians have too much time on their hands. Also in this episode: Nate offers a high-yield investment tip that involves tanking his own portfolio and the panel discusses the question of "Is Melchizedek Jesus?", the non-negotiable basic beliefs that unite all major Christian denominations, and why you should probably stick to the plain Gospel of Christ crucified. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 02:33 - Why bad arguments against Christianity are so common 04:32 - Unity of Christian sects despite historical violence 06:28 - Denominational unity: Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant basics 08:58 - Theological breakdown: Who is Melchizedek? 11:16 - Is Melchizedek actually Jesus Christ? 13:29 - Rant: Why voice notes are terrible 15:01 - Commercial Break: Student housing real estate investment 20:48 - Nate's counter-intuitive investment tip 45:33 - Is Faith a work of God? (John 6:29) 49:08 - Calvinism vs Arminianism: An "unnecessary" but necessary fight 1:05:39 - What is the true cause of faith? 1:13:52 - Only Arminianism and Calvinism are Orthodox positions on will 1:32:40 - Closing: The debate is secondary—stick to the Gospel Hashtags #AskAChristianPodcast #Calvinism #Arminianism #CauseOfFaith #IsFaithAGift #FaithAndWorks #SalvationDebate #OnceSavedAlwaysSaved #EternalSecurity #Melchizedek #IsMelchizedekJesus #Christianity #Theology #BibleStudy

What Does the Bible Say About Tithing? Should Christians Celebrate Thanksgiving? Can Women Pastor?

In this episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate tackles two hot-button issues that keep showing up in church: Is tithing really a biblical command? And should Christians celebrate Thanksgiving given the complicated history with Native Americans? On the tithing front, Nate heard yet another sermon that technically didn't call the 10% tithe a command—but strongly implied you're being disobedient if you don't give it. Sound familiar? Here's the thing: Nate actually tithes 10% and believes in the principle, but he's drawing a hard line against treating it as a mandatory commandment. We dig deep into what the Bible actually says, from Cain and Abel's offerings to Abraham's one-time gift, through the Levitical law (which was actually 22-23%, not 10%), and into New Testament giving principles like 2 Corinthians 9:7, which teaches that giving should be voluntary and cheerful, not under compulsion GotQuestions. The key question: Can churches demand obedience to something God never commanded? We walk through every major scripture on tithing—Genesis 4, Genesis 14, Leviticus 27, Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 14, Malachi 3, 2 Corinthians 9, Hebrews 7, and more—to show why the tithe is not a New Testament command. But we also explain why generous, first-fruits giving is still a powerful biblical principle worth practicing. Then we pivot to Thanksgiving. Is it okay for Christians to celebrate, or does the dark history of colonialism make it problematic? The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was actually a moment of cooperation between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people, marking 54 years of peace GotQuestions before things tragically fell apart. We explore the real history (spoiler: it's more nuanced than your elementary school pageant suggested) and explain why Christians can—and should—use this day to genuinely thank God for His blessings. We also tackle the woman pastors debate (because apparently these topics always come in pairs). Nate breaks down 1 Timothy 2-3, Titus 1, and why "husband of one wife" means exactly what it says—plus why the Junia debate doesn't change the clear qualifications for church elders. Bottom line: Read your Bible. Take it seriously. Don't add commands God didn't give, and don't remove the ones He did. Whether it's tithing, Thanksgiving, or church leadership, accuracy to Scripture matters more than tradition or convenience. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:08 - What does the Bible say about tithing? 04:47 - Why Nate believes in tithing but opposes teaching it as a command 07:24 - The slippery slope of implying obedience without saying "command" 09:28 - Tithing before the law: Cain and Abel's offerings 13:17 - Abraham's one-time tithe in Genesis 14 16:34 - Jacob's conditional vow 17:00 - The Levitical tithe system (22-33%, not 10%) 18:00 - New Testament giving: 2 Corinthians 9:7 23:11 - Malachi 3:8-10: Testing God in giving 28:22 - Levitical, festival, and poor tithes explained 33:42 - Should Christians celebrate Thanksgiving? 37:16 - History lesson: The first Thanksgiving in 1621 39:01 - 54 years of peace between Pilgrims and Wampanoag 40:47 - Why the peace collapsed: King Philip's War (1675-1676) 48:37 - What Christians should be thankful for 123:40 - Can women be pastors? The biblical case examined 1:41:48 - The Junia debate in Romans 16:7 1:54:07 - Closing thoughts: Just read the Bible HASHTAGS #AskAChristianPodcast #Tithing #BiblicalGiving #ChurchOffering #Christianity #BibleStudy #ChristianStewardship #Thanksgiving #WomenPastors #ChurchLeadership #BibleTeaching #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndFinances #1Timothy2 #ChristianLife