Ask A Christian

Swalwell scandal, Trump vs. Pope Leo & What the Bible Actually Says About Marriage & Remarriage

What does the Bible actually say about divorce — and does "I'm not happy anymore" make the cut? Today on the Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate covers the week's most provocative headlines before going deep on one of the most mishandled topics in the modern church: biblical grounds for divorce and remarriage. 🤡 YouTube Atheist: "What Kind of God Makes Hell?" A fedora-wearing, Ouija board-owning YouTube atheist holds his holy books upside down and declares them all fairy tales. Nate explains why a God who creates a place to contain evil is actually just good at his job, and why burning down a straw man isn't the same as making an argument. ✝️ Trump Posts AI Image of Himself as Jesus Trump posted an AI image to Truth Social depicting himself in the traditional robes and healing posture of Jesus Christ, then claimed he thought it showed him as a doctor. Nate and Chris call it what it is — blasphemous — while pointing out the logical trap Trump's own critics walked into: you can't spend years saying the man knows nothing about Christianity and then hold him fully accountable for knowing exactly what he was doing. Pick one. 🕊️ Trump vs. Pope Leo Pope Leo has been taking indirect shots at Trump over immigration and Iran without ever quite saying his name. Trump fired back. JD Vance — the highest-ranking Catholic in the federal government — told the Vatican to stay in its lane. Nate largely agrees. When Iran's radical president starts publicly praising the Pope for attacking Trump, that's probably a sign someone has wandered pretty far from the gospel. Preach Jesus, Your Holiness. That's the job. ⚖️ Swalwell, Congress & Innocent Until Proven Guilty The Swalwell scandal and the question of whether "believe all women" is a principle or a political weapon. Nate makes the case that innocent until proven guilty is not a partisan position — it's a biblical one — and that hypocrisy tends to catch up with people who weaponize accusation as a tool. Also: Hungary, Orban, and what the new guy's stance on Muslim migration will tell us about Europe. 📖 What Does the Bible Actually Says About Divorce and Remarriage? This is the main event. The biblical grounds for divorce are essentially three: sexual immorality, abandonment by an unbelieving spouse, and desertion. That's it. "Falling out of love," incompatibility, financial stress, emotional neglect, and pornography use don't make the list — even if your Christian counselor with a cross over the door told you otherwise. Physical abuse is a reason to get safe. It is not automatically a reason to sign divorce papers. Nate draws the important distinction between leaving a dangerous situation and dissolving a marriage covenant, and makes clear that vows made before God don't come with an emotional escape hatch. Hard? Yes. Biblical? Also yes. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 03:04 - Atheist YouTube: "What kind of God makes hell?" 12:58 - Trump posts AI image of himself as Jesus 17:09 - Chris: Was the Trump AI image blasphemous? 18:00 - Trump vs. Pope Leo — immigration, Iran, staying in your lane 21:33 - JD Vance, the Vatican & the 2028 problem 23:17 - Swalwell scandal & innocent until proven guilty 31:50 - Hungary, Orban & Europe's political shift 34:10 - Iran's president praises Pope Leo against Trump 43:24 - Intro to biblical marriage and divorce 44:42 - Gospel Coalition: Rebuilding after divorce 50:50 - Five bad reasons for divorce (biblical breakdown) 01:10:25 - Physical abuse: reason to get safe, not necessarily to divorce 01:13:56 - Case study: adultery, a gun & what the Bible permits 01:19:29 - Is pornography adultery? What does the Bible say? HASHTAGS #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Bible #BiblicalMarriage #Divorce #ChristianMarriage #TrumpJesusImage #PopeLeo #BibleStudy #Apologetics #ChristianLife #MarriageAndDivorce #Faith #Gospel #ChristianApologetics

Did God or Satan Cause David's Census? | Answering Blasphemous Anti-Christian Memes

Did God make David take the census, or was it Satan? And if both 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 are right, does the Bible contradict itself — or does a guy posting memes on Gab not understand primary and secondary causation? Buckle up. In this episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate and co-host Chris kick things off with a wrap-up of the 2026 Ligonier National Conference ("Crucial Questions"), featuring some heavy hitters like Michael Reeves, Sinclair Ferguson, HP Charles, and others. Chris also gives a glowing — if occasionally distracted by seatbelts — recommendation for becoming a Ligonier ministry partner. Then, things get spicy. The guys dive headfirst into a collection of blasphemous anti-Christian memes shared on Gab, tackling them one by one: 🔹 2 Samuel 24 vs. 1 Chronicles 21 — Did God or Satan incite David's census? Spoiler: this isn't a contradiction. Primary and secondary causation have existed since Augustine, and no, this meme did not crack the case. 🔹 Catholic nuns vs. the State of New York — Nuns who provide completely free care to dying patients, take no government money, and have served the poor for over a century are facing possible fines and jail time for not affirming gender identity. Chris discusses the legal angle. Nate questions all of civilization. 🔹 The "God doesn't keep his promises" argument — Five alleged broken promises from the Old and New Testament, including the land of Canaan, the Davidic dynasty, prosperity for the righteous, answered prayer, and the imminent return of Christ. All addressed. All answered. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic throne. You're welcome. 🔹 "If God made man in His image, why aren't we all invisible?" — This one is... not the strong argument the atheist thought it was. 🔹 Christianity has been just as violent as Islam — A meme with some very creatively sourced history. The guys discuss the Crusades, Vlad the Impaler (not exactly our pope), and whether medieval asymmetric warfare is really the gotcha the atheist imagined. 🔹 Prayer doesn't work — Or does it? Maybe hospitals and medicine are the multi-millennial answered prayer of billions of saints crying out for healing and the defeat of disease. 🔹 "Religion has caused more misery than any other single idea" — Madeleine Murray O'Hair said that. Communism said hold my beer. The second half of the episode gets into the deep end with listener and co-host questions on Reformed theology, election and reprobation, equal ultimacy vs. double predestination, NT Wright's claim that Adam and Eve were "proto-hominids," whether AI can be trusted for theology (it cannot), and an extended discussion on Molinism, simple foreknowledge, middle knowledge, and — Nate's favorite — why all of this is much easier if you just believe what the Bible says. Also: Chris's goat-skin Bible, human-skin Bibles (not a thing, don't), and why Calvinism may have fewer problems than you think if you're trying to avoid accidentally joining a cult. For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Ligonier Conference wrap-up (Chris's recap) 06:17 - Ligonier ministry partnership recommendation 13:28 - Memes intro & blasphemous trash overview 18:16 - Catholic nuns vs. New York transgender law 25:25 - 2 Samuel vs. 1 Chronicles: Did God or Satan incite David's census? 30:56 - "God doesn't keep His promises" — answering 5 claims 41:07 - "Made in God's image, why aren't we invisible?" meme 43:14 - Christianity as violent as Islam? Crusades & Vlad the Impaler 49:12 - Madeleine Murray O'Hair: Religion causes misery (Communism enters the chat) 53:08 - Extended Q&A begins with listeners 1:05:48 - NT Wright: Were Adam & Eve proto-hominids? (And NT Wright's apostasy) 1:12:23 - Why did God create people He knew would be lost? (Election & reprobation) 1:19:48 - Simple foreknowledge vs. Molinism vs. Calvinism explained 1:28:33 - Closing thoughts & Ligonier resources for new believers HASHTAGS #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Bible #BibleContradictions #Apologetics #Reformed #Calvinism #ChristianApologetics #FaithAndReason #AtheistArguments #Ligonier #Godssovereignty #Predestination #BibleStudy #ChristianLife

Ligonier Conference Day 1 Recap - Is Bullying Ever Good? The "Prophet Warlock" Murder Attempt

In this episode, Nate and Chris dive into a full recap of Day 1 at the Ligonier National Conference, breaking down powerful messages from HB Charles on God’s sovereignty and Derek Thomas on the nature of truth in a relativistic age. But the day wasn't just about theology; Chris shares the "personal drama" of a highway flat tire that resulted in an emergency Tesla Cyber Truck rescue. We also tackle some of the most provocative and searched topics of the week: Is Bullying Ever Okay? We explore a controversial take on whether "inducing suffering" can actually build character or if it's strictly a result of people "who just suck". The "Prophet Called Warlock": We discuss the shocking Texas church crime involving a man named Emanuel Umbi (the "Prophet Warlock") and his alleged plot to murder a pastor. Acronym Madness: What does MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ actually mean? We break down the 15-letter acronym and the latest $12 billion funding controversy from Ottawa, Canada. Tucker Carlson vs. The Book of Esther: We analyze the heated debate where Eric Metaxas accused Tucker Carlson of "satanic inversion" over his critique of the Book of Esther and the Persian Empire. Check out more at: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Hashtags#AskAChristianPodcast #Ligonier #HBCharles #TuckerCarlson #BookOfEsther #Bullying #ProphetWarlock #MMIWG2S #ChristianNews #Theology #CyberTruck #FaithAndCulture #Apologetics #DerekThomas #ReformedTheology Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the Ask A Christian Podcast 1:43 – Ligonier National Conference Day 1 Recap 2:10 – HB Charles on God’s Sovereignty 2:59 – Derek Thomas: What is Truth? 3:50 – Bookstore Haul: Reformation Study Bibles & "Crucial Questions" 6:15 – Personal Drama: The Highway Flat Tire & Lyft Disaster 8:11 – The Tesla Cyber Truck Rescue & Tire Insurance 11:40 – Missing Ken Jones and Sinclair Ferguson’s Sermon 12:41 – Facing Suffering: A Pastoral Look at James 1 14:41 – The St. Michael Medal Controversy (George Floyd Imagery?) 16:27 – The Prophet Called Warlock: Texas Church Crime Plot 18:14 – MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+: Decoding the Acronym & Canada Funding 20:10 – Canadian Church Arson & The "Missing Skeletons" Hoax 38:25 – Is Bullying Ever Okay? Character Building vs. Sin 56:56 – Tucker Carlson vs. The Book of Esther 1:24:58 – Eric Metaxas & the "Satanic Inversion" Accusation 1:27:01 – What Actually Happens in the Book of Esther? (Haman vs. Mordecai)

Calvin’s Institutes, Hard Hearts & Breaking Porn Addiction: Biblical Strategies That Work

Is modern theology just catching up to what the Reformers already knew? In this episode, Nate and the crew dive into John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, exploring why his 500-year-old insights on "general hardness of heart" are more relevant today than ever. We discuss the Reformation, the colorful language of the past, and why Calvinism is about much more than just the "five points." Later, we pivot to a heavy-hitting practical discussion: How to stop watching porn. If you’ve struggled with the "easy access" of the digital age, Nate shares a tactical, tiered approach to recovery—ranging from DNS filtering and router-level lockdowns to the radical "cutting off the limb" strategy of switching to a dumb phone. This isn't just about willpower; it’s about creating an environment where failure isn't an option. Join us for a deep dive into theology, practical holiness, and the wisdom of the giants who came before us. 📚 Resources & Links The Hollow North: https://www.amazon.com/Hollow-North-Chronicles-Radiant-Dawn-ebook/dp/B0GGZL46PR?ref_=ast_author_mpb Ask A Christian Website: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Filtering Tools: Cleanbrowsing.org, Canopy.us, CovenantEyes.com Check out https://www.askachristianpodcast.com for more information and to join our Discord! YouTube Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Host Welcome 00:04 – Free Book Promo Update (The Hollow North) 01:21 – Ligonier Conference Departure & Initial Discussion 03:23 – Ligonier Live Stream Details & Speaker Changes 05:19 – Theological Debate: Christians vs. Pharisees 06:26 – Reading Calvin’s Institutes: First Impressions 08:00 – Addressing Predestination & Reformation Context 08:50 – The "Archaic" & Colorful Language of Reformers 09:35 – Debate on Original Sin & "Righteous Babies" 15:32 – John MacArthur’s View on Children & Heaven 18:57 – Discussion on Traditional Gender Roles & Careers 22:07 – Network Management & Technology Boundaries 23:00 – The Prevalence of Porn in Men’s Groups 23:54 – Strategies: Radical Removal & Dumb Phones 25:51 – Tool Highlight: Cleanbrowsing.org & DNS Filtering 28:34 – Advanced Setup: Router-Level Filtering & Lockboxes 50:12 – News: Maryland Senate & Christian Heritage Month 1:03:40 – Nate’s Path to "Blessed Calvinism" 1:05:27 – Polite Insult Generators & Reformer Invectives 1:14:28 – Closing Remarks: Child’s High School Enrollment #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Bible #JohnCalvin #Reformation #PornAddictionRecovery #CleanBrowsing #SpiritualGrowth #Faith #Apologetics #CovenantEyes #BiblicalWisdom #HardnessOfHeart #Theology #ChristianLiving

Why Can't Nate Have a Pet Raccoon? Ordo Salutis, Regeneration, and Nate's Free Book

In this episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, we tackle the most pressing question of our time: Why can’t Nate have a pet raccoon?. While the law (and common sense) might have opinions, we use this "wild" starting point to dive into the Ordo Salutis or the "Order of Salvation". We break down the heavy-hitting theology of regeneration in Calvinism versus other views of soteriology. Does God bring you to life before you believe, or is that just a theological raccoon in the attic?. We also discuss the boundaries of creative license—how much "fantasy" is too much for Christian fiction, plays, and movies? Plus, Nate finally dropped his new violent Christian fantasy novel, The Hollow North. It’s free today, so grab it before the price goes up and we have to start a GoFundMe for Nate's legal fees (for the raccoon he definitely doesn't have). 📚 Resources & Links: The Hollow North (Chronicles of the Radiant Dawn Book 1) - https://www.amazon.com/Hollow-North-Chronicles-Radiant-Dawn-ebook/dp/B0GGZL46PR For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com #AskAChristianPodcast #TheHollowNorth #ChristianFiction #Calvinism #Soteriology #OrdoSalutis #PetRaccoon #Theology #BibleStudy #ChristianFantasy #Regeneration #FaithVsWorks #Apologetics #ChristianPodcast #NateCunningham

ATHEIST vs CHRISTIAN DEBATE: Resurrection Is A MYTH? | Contentious Evolution vs. God debate

"Life came from rocks." That is the starting point of today’s heated debate as Nate and Chris go toe-to-toe with an atheist over the origins of the universe and the validity of the Resurrection. Is the "500 witnesses" claim just hearsay? Are we really just cousins to a hippo? We’re breaking down the contentious arguments surrounding abiogenesis, the "Jerusalem Zombies," and why the Resurrection is the ultimate "stand or fall" moment for humanity. Plus, we tackle the controversial question: Is taking medicine a sign of weak faith? And don't miss the official launch details for Nate’s new dark fantasy epic, The Hollow North. 📚 GET NATE’S BOOKS (Support the Show): The Hollow North (Chronicles of the Radiant Dawn): https://www.amazon.com/Hollow-North-Chronicles-Radiant-Dawn-ebook/dp/B0GGZL46PR Ask A Christian (The Guide to Digital Evangelism): https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Religious-Discussion-Nate-Cunningham-ebook/dp/B0BSTQ2Q38 Connect with us: Official Site: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Join our Discord for more heated discussions! YouTube Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Housekeeping 01:01 – The Resurrection: Evaluating the Historical Evidence 05:14 – Independent Accounts and the "Cohesion" of the Bible 07:21 – Transition: From Theology to Biological Origins 11:21 – Abiogenesis: Can Life Emerge from "Primordial Sludge"? 16:55 – Universal Common Ancestry and the "Tree of Life" 24:40 – The Complexity of the Human Brain: Design or Chance? 33:12 – Defining "Information": Genetic Codes and Divine Intelligence 42:05 – Philosophy of Science: The Limits of Empirical Observation 54:15 – Closing Thoughts: The Intersection of Faith and Logic Hashtags #AtheistDebate #Resurrection #EvolutionVsCreation #Christianity #Molinism #TheHollowNorth #Apologetics #BibleDebate #ScienceVsFaith #IsGodReal #Theology #Gospel #NateCunningham #DarkFantasy #Debate

Molinism & Free Will | The Hollow North Book Launch | Is Taking Medicine a Lack of Faith?

In this episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, Nate and Chris dive deep into the complex world of Molinism and "Middle Knowledge" to understand how God’s sovereignty interacts with human free will. Following a powerful Resurrection Sunday, the team discusses the spiritual weight of the cross, the nature of suffering, and why some common arguments against faith fall flat. Nate also shares exciting news about the launch of his new dark fantasy novel, The Hollow North, and how faith-based storytelling can capture the imagination. Plus, we tackle the "meat coma" of Easter dinner, the ethics of modern medicine, and the latest in Christian media. 📚 CHECK OUT NATE’S BOOKS: The Hollow North (Chronicles of the Radiant Dawn Book 1) - https://www.amazon.com/Hollow-North-Chronicles-Radiant-Dawn-ebook/dp/B0GGZL46PR Ask A Christian (A Religious Discussion) - https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Religious-Discussion-Nate-Cunningham-ebook/dp/B0BSTQ2Q38 Connect with us: Website: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com Questions? Comments? Hate mail? Contact us through the site! YouTube Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome to the Ask A Christian Podcast 0:05 – Resurrection Sunday: The core of the Gospel 1:04 – Nate’s Ask A Christian book: A guide for internet evangelism 2:19 – Creative projects and the launch of The Hollow North 4:21 – Easter celebrations and the infamous "Meat Coma" 7:28 – Dietary laws and the "cleanliness" of all fish 10:18 – Breaking News: Palm Sunday attacks in Nigeria 10:55 – Technical difficulties: The iPhone vs. Android debate 13:00 – Sunrise services and Reformed Baptist church life 15:13 – Reviewing Sight and Sound’s Jesus production 17:30 – Nietzsche and the theology of suffering 20:44 – Content creation during the holiday slump 26:00 – Why we should maybe avoid nuclear war... 33:00 – Visualizing the Gospel: The serpent and the cross 34:08 – Deep Dive: What is Molinism? 54:42 – Political accountability and the "Christian vote" 1:11:23 – Addressing the Kirk assassination conspiracy theories 1:22:48 – The legacy of Josh McDowell and modern apologetics 1:33:14 – The physical and spiritual weight of the Crucifixion Hashtags #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Molinism #FreeWill #TheHollowNorth #ChristianFantasy #Apologetics #BibleStudy #ResurrectionSunday #FaithAndMedicine #Theology #Gospel #BibleDiscussion #ChristianLife #NateCunningham

Is Good Friday Actually "Good"? + Free Sight & Sound "Jesus" Show! (Easter 2024)

Happy Good Friday! In this special holiday episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate and the crew dive into the deep theological meaning behind the most somber day on the Christian calendar. Why do we call a day marked by suffering and death "good"? We explore the transition from the darkness of the cross to the victory of the empty tomb, reminding us that while it’s Friday, Sunday is coming! The discussion takes a lighter turn as Nate reveals his foray into the world of "Violent Christian Fantasy" and his upcoming book, blending gritty storytelling with godly themes. We also tackle the "He is Risen" liturgical greetings, the odd history of Good Friday drinking in Ireland, and a look at how political figures handle the Gospel message. 🎁 SPECIAL EASTER GIFT: As discussed in the episode, Sight & Sound Theatre is offering a free stream of their massive "JESUS" production this weekend only! Check the link below to watch Broadway-style theater from the comfort of your home. 📚 Resources & LinksFree Streaming: Sight & Sound "JESUS" (Available through April 6): https://www.sight-sound.tv/jesus-streaming-free-easter-weekend For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com YouTube Timestamps 0:00 - Happy Good Friday: Why is it "Good"? 1:31 - The Symbol of the Cross: Victory Over Death 2:43 - Nate’s New Project: "Violent Christian Fantasy" 6:49 - Elves, Dragons, and the Gospel 7:55 - Why Jesus' Death was Unlike Any Other 10:20 - Good Friday in Ireland: Pub Closures and Shindigs 12:30 - The Calvinist Tweak: "He Died for All Who Believe" 14:50 - "Jesus was a Good Teacher" – Why That’s Not Enough 16:13 - The Point of Reconciliation 22:56 - FREE GIFT: Sight & Sound Theater’s "JESUS" Stream 25:07 - King Charles, Ramadan, and the Easter Message Snub 26:42 - NBA Players and the "Pride Statue". 1:08:41 - Franklin Graham’s Letter to Donald Trump 1:18:51 - "He is Risen Indeed": The History of Pascal Greetings 1:22:51 - Dealing with Catholic Heresy and History Hashtags #AskAChristianPodcast #GoodFriday #Easter2024 #HeIsRisen #Jesus #ChristianFantasy #SightAndSound #Liturgy #Gospel #BibleStudy #Christianity #Theology #Apologetics #SundayIsComing #Faith