RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_fbce03d4-68ad-4f29-bc92-2d49abb9a358 -- Rendered At Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:26:03 +0000 You Asked, Let's Talk | Special Release https://redcircle.com/shows/you-asked-lets-talk-special-release en-US All rights reserved. InterVarsity Press This is a special, one-season release of the *You Asked, Let's Talk* from IVP author, Paige Vanosky. To continue listening to the podcast after Episode 12, subscribe to the You Asked, Let's Talk podcast here: * Apple Podcasts ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-asked-lets-talk/id1896853531 ) * Spotify ( https://open.spotify.com/show/033qf7wdHEWZD79mfEJfN9?si=eaa2f896b0f846fc ) * YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@clearfaithfoundation ) * iHeartRadio ( https://iheart.com/podcast/335383165/ ) *You Asked, Let’s Talk* is a podcast for people who still have questions about faith. Every episode starts with a real question someone is asking about God, the Bible, doubt, suffering, church, purpose, or real life. Host Bobby McGraw sits down with thoughtful guests to stay with the question long enough to make sense of it. No pressure. No spin. No easy answers. Just Honest to God conversations about the Bible and real life for people who are still asking, still thinking, and still open to where the conversation might lead. fbce03d4-68ad-4f29-bc92-2d49abb9a358 This is a special, one-season release of the You Asked, Let's Talk from IVP author, Paige Vanosky. To continue listening to the podcast after Episode 12, subscribe to the You Asked, Let's Talk podcast here:


You Asked, Let’s Talk is a podcast for people who still have questions about faith.

Every episode starts with a real question someone is asking about God, the Bible, doubt, suffering, church, purpose, or real life. Host Bobby McGraw sits down with thoughtful guests to stay with the question long enough to make sense of it.

No pressure. No spin. No easy answers.

Just Honest to God conversations about the Bible and real life for people who are still asking, still thinking, and still open to where the conversation might lead.

]]> episodic no InterVarsity Press podcasts@ivpress.com false full Episode 2 – Is the God of the Old Testament Really Good? | Heath Thomas Episode 2 – Is the God of the Old Testament Really Good? | Heath Thomas InterVarsity Press SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of the show, you can get 25% off The 30-Minute Bible by using the code IVPOD25 at checkout at ivpress.com. We hope you enjoy this season!


Episode Summary

Why does God seem angry, violent, or even mean in parts of the Old Testament while Jesus seems so loving? Bobby McGraw sits down with Old Testament scholar and Oklahoma Baptist University president Dr. Heath Thomas to wrestle honestly with that question.

Heath argues that we often begin the biblical story in the wrong place. Before God is described as judge, He is revealed as the Creator and giver of life. From there, the Old Testament tells a much larger story of rescue, blessing, discipline, and restoration. Along the way, Heath explores difficult questions about war, judgment, poetry, doubt, and why following Jesus does not mean having every answer. Sometimes, he says, Jesus is less a simple answer and more the clue we keep following.

Key Takeaways

●     The Old Testament begins with God as Creator and giver of life, not as an angry judge.

●     God’s relationship with Israel is part of a larger rescue story meant to bring blessing to the world.

●     Difficult passages about war and judgment make more sense when read within the Bible’s larger story.

●     Faith does not require having an answer to every question. Sometimes “I don’t know” is an honest place to begin.

●     Much of the Old Testament is poetry, meant to shape how we see reality rather than simply give us information.

Chapter Markers

00:00 - Welcome to Heath Thomas

02:01 - All of Life, All for Jesus

04:03 - From Rules to Relationship

08:39 - Jesus Is the Clue

10:22 - What Does a Relationship With God Look Like?

14:13 - Personality and the Way We Experience God

16:36 - How Heath Became an Old Testament Scholar

19:20 - Why Does God Seem Angry in the Old Testament?

21:49 - Israel and God’s Rescue Mission

25:18 - A Kingdom of Priests and a Blessing to the World

27:36 - What About War in the Old Testament?

30:25 - Starting the Story With the God of Life

33:03 - Why Did God Allow Us to Sin?

36:10 - Faith When You Do Not Have the Answer

39:03 - Why, How Long, and the Presence of God

41:24 - Are We Reading the Old Testament Wrong?

42:52 - Why So Much of the Old Testament Is Poetry

47:42 - Where to Start Exploring the Old Testament

48:21 - Where to Connect With Heath

Links and Mentions

●     The 30-Minute Bible - Recommended as an accessible first step for understanding the larger story of Scripture.

●     Reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture - Heath’s book exploring the Old Testament, the character of God, and its connection to the New Testament.

●     Oklahoma Baptist University - Heath serves as president. Visit okbu.edu.

●     Abraham Kuyper - Dutch theologian referenced in Heath’s discussion of Christ’s lordship over every area of life.

]]> <p><strong>SPECIAL OFFER </strong><span>|</span><strong> </strong><span>As a listener of the show, you can get 25% off </span><a href="https://www.ivpress.com/the-30-minute-bible" rel="nofollow"><em>The 30-Minute Bible</em></a><span> by using the code </span><strong><u>IVPOD25</u></strong><span> at checkout at ivpress.com. We hope you enjoy this season!</span></p><h2><br></h2><h2><strong>Episode Summary</strong></h2><p>Why does God seem angry, violent, or even mean in parts of the Old Testament while Jesus seems so loving? Bobby McGraw sits down with Old Testament scholar and Oklahoma Baptist University president <strong>Dr. Heath Thomas</strong> to wrestle honestly with that question.</p><p>Heath argues that we often begin the biblical story in the wrong place. Before God is described as judge, He is revealed as the Creator and giver of life. From there, the Old Testament tells a much larger story of rescue, blessing, discipline, and restoration. Along the way, Heath explores difficult questions about war, judgment, poetry, doubt, and why following Jesus does not mean having every answer. Sometimes, he says, Jesus is less a simple answer and more the clue we keep following.</p><h2><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h2><p>●     The Old Testament begins with God as Creator and giver of life, not as an angry judge.</p><p>●     God’s relationship with Israel is part of a larger rescue story meant to bring blessing to the world.</p><p>●     Difficult passages about war and judgment make more sense when read within the Bible’s larger story.</p><p>●     Faith does not require having an answer to every question. Sometimes “I don’t know” is an honest place to begin.</p><p>●     Much of the Old Testament is poetry, meant to shape how we see reality rather than simply give us information.</p><h2><strong>Chapter Markers</strong></h2><p><strong>00:00</strong> - Welcome to Heath Thomas</p><p><strong>02:01</strong> - All of Life, All for Jesus</p><p><strong>04:03</strong> - From Rules to Relationship</p><p><strong>08:39</strong> - Jesus Is the Clue</p><p><strong>10:22</strong> - What Does a Relationship With God Look Like?</p><p><strong>14:13</strong> - Personality and the Way We Experience God</p><p><strong>16:36</strong> - How Heath Became an Old Testament Scholar</p><p><strong>19:20</strong> - Why Does God Seem Angry in the Old Testament?</p><p><strong>21:49</strong> - Israel and God’s Rescue Mission</p><p><strong>25:18</strong> - A Kingdom of Priests and a Blessing to the World</p><p><strong>27:36</strong> - What About War in the Old Testament?</p><p><strong>30:25</strong> - Starting the Story With the God of Life</p><p><strong>33:03</strong> - Why Did God Allow Us to Sin?</p><p><strong>36:10</strong> - Faith When You Do Not Have the Answer</p><p><strong>39:03</strong> - Why, How Long, and the Presence of God</p><p><strong>41:24</strong> - Are We Reading the Old Testament Wrong?</p><p><strong>42:52</strong> - Why So Much of the Old Testament Is Poetry</p><p><strong>47:42</strong> - Where to Start Exploring the Old Testament</p><p><strong>48:21</strong> - Where to Connect With Heath</p><h2><strong>Links and Mentions</strong></h2><p>●     <strong>The 30-Minute Bible</strong> - Recommended as an accessible first step for understanding the larger story of Scripture.</p><p>●     <strong>Reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture</strong> - Heath’s book exploring the Old Testament, the character of God, and its connection to the New Testament.</p><p>●     <strong>Oklahoma Baptist University</strong> - Heath serves as president. Visit <strong>okbu.edu</strong>.</p><p>●     <strong>Abraham Kuyper</strong> - Dutch theologian referenced in Heath’s discussion of Christ’s lordship over every area of life.</p> d55023cd-b4e3-4e0b-a5f2-831399bfd676 https://clearfaith.org/ Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:00:07 +0000 3063 false full Episode 1 – Can I Still Trust Jesus After Church Hurt? | Mark Matlock Episode 1 – Can I Still Trust Jesus After Church Hurt? | Mark Matlock InterVarsity Press SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of the show, you can get 25% off The 30-Minute Bible by using the code IVPOD25 at checkout at ivpress.com. We hope you enjoy this season!


Episode Summary

In this first episode of You Asked, Let’s Talk, Bobby McGraw sits down with author and speaker Mark Matlock to talk about spiritual curiosity, church hurt, hypocrisy, and why Jesus is still worth another look. Mark shares how his posture toward faith conversations shifted from quick, combative answers to relational honesty, and he reflects on the difference between believing Christian ideas and actually knowing Jesus.

For anyone who has been wounded by church, disappointed by religious people, or unsure where to take their questions, this conversation offers a gentle reminder: keep your eyes on Jesus.


Key Takeaways

  • Spiritual curiosity is not something to fear. It can be a doorway into deeper faith.
  • Faith is more than knowing beliefs about Jesus. It is learning to trust and follow Him.
  • Jesus spoke truth without humiliating, alienating, or punishing people with His words.
  • Church hurt can go deep, affecting our ability to trust both people and God.
  • You do not have to have every answer to take one honest next step toward faith.


Chapter Markers

00:00 - Welcome to Mark Matlock

02:39 - Magic, India, and Relational Faith

06:19 - From “God Said It” to Honest Curiosity

09:15 - Believing Ideas vs. Knowing Jesus

11:30 - Killing the Inner Pharisee

15:09 - Why We Cannot Grow Alone

17:31 - What It Means to Trust Jesus

23:17 - The Image of God and the Ache for More

27:15 - When Church People Let You Down

30:17 - Hypocrisy, Humility, and Community

33:00 - Will You Let Me Be Not Okay?

38:15 - Advice for the Spiritually Curious

40:42 - Alpha and Safe Places to Ask Questions

42:25 - The Longing for Something More

43:53 - What Mark Would Say to Someone Hurt by Church

45:32 - Where to Connect with Mark


Links and Mentions

  • Alpha - Mentioned as a helpful, no-pressure place to explore spiritual questions.
  • WisdomHacker.com - Mark’s work on biblical wisdom and everyday life.
  • The Wisdom Hacker on Instagram - Mentioned by Mark as a way to connect.
  • Mark Matlock on Facebook - Mark engages in conversations with people from different backgrounds.


Listen to the full episode of You Asked, Let’s Talk, follow the podcast, and send this episode to someone who may still be carrying questions about faith, church hurt, or whether Jesus is worth trusting again.

]]> <p><strong>SPECIAL OFFER </strong>|<strong> </strong>As a listener of the show, you can get 25% off <a href="https://www.ivpress.com/the-30-minute-bible" rel="nofollow"><em>The 30-Minute Bible</em></a> by using the code <strong><u>IVPOD25</u></strong> at checkout at ivpress.com. We hope you enjoy this season!</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Episode Summary</h2><p>In this first episode of <strong>You Asked, Let’s Talk</strong>, Bobby McGraw sits down with author and speaker <strong>Mark Matlock</strong> to talk about spiritual curiosity, church hurt, hypocrisy, and why Jesus is still worth another look. Mark shares how his posture toward faith conversations shifted from quick, combative answers to relational honesty, and he reflects on the difference between believing Christian ideas and actually knowing Jesus.</p><p>For anyone who has been wounded by church, disappointed by religious people, or unsure where to take their questions, this conversation offers a gentle reminder: keep your eyes on Jesus.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li>Spiritual curiosity is not something to fear. It can be a doorway into deeper faith.</li><li>Faith is more than knowing beliefs about Jesus. It is learning to trust and follow Him.</li><li>Jesus spoke truth without humiliating, alienating, or punishing people with His words.</li><li>Church hurt can go deep, affecting our ability to trust both people and God.</li><li>You do not have to have every answer to take one honest next step toward faith.</li></ul><h2><br></h2><h2>Chapter Markers</h2><p><strong>00:00</strong> - Welcome to Mark Matlock</p><p><strong>02:39</strong> - Magic, India, and Relational Faith</p><p><strong>06:19</strong> - From “God Said It” to Honest Curiosity</p><p><strong>09:15</strong> - Believing Ideas vs. Knowing Jesus</p><p><strong>11:30</strong> - Killing the Inner Pharisee</p><p><strong>15:09</strong> - Why We Cannot Grow Alone</p><p><strong>17:31</strong> - What It Means to Trust Jesus</p><p><strong>23:17</strong> - The Image of God and the Ache for More</p><p><strong>27:15</strong> - When Church People Let You Down</p><p><strong>30:17</strong> - Hypocrisy, Humility, and Community</p><p><strong>33:00</strong> - Will You Let Me Be Not Okay?</p><p><strong>38:15</strong> - Advice for the Spiritually Curious</p><p><strong>40:42</strong> - Alpha and Safe Places to Ask Questions</p><p><strong>42:25</strong> - The Longing for Something More</p><p><strong>43:53</strong> - What Mark Would Say to Someone Hurt by Church</p><p><strong>45:32</strong> - Where to Connect with Mark</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Links and Mentions</h2><ul><li><strong>Alpha</strong> - Mentioned as a helpful, no-pressure place to explore spiritual questions.</li><li><strong>WisdomHacker.com</strong> - Mark’s work on biblical wisdom and everyday life.</li><li><strong>The Wisdom Hacker on Instagram</strong> - Mentioned by Mark as a way to connect.</li><li><strong>Mark Matlock on Facebook</strong> - Mark engages in conversations with people from different backgrounds.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Listen to the full episode of <strong>You Asked, Let’s Talk</strong>, follow the podcast, and send this episode to someone who may still be carrying questions about faith, church hurt, or whether Jesus is worth trusting again.</p> 6169d6cd-969e-4676-8e3b-1b19babbeb07 https://clearfaith.org/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:10 +0000 2925 false