Cover Up Culture Versus Exposure Culture

The unseen battle is more real than most of us realize — and the Bible has a lot more to say about it than we've been taught.Dr. Joel Muddamalle, director of theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries, joins Joshua Lewis to unpack the cosmic spiritual warfare woven throughout Scripture — from the Garden of Eden to the cross of Christ. Drawing on his PhD research in biblical theology under Dr. Patrick Schreiner and the late Dr. Michael Heiser, Joel walks us through the divine council worldview, the two-family household of God, and why the supernatural rebellion described in Genesis 6 and Deuteronomy 32:8–9 isn't just ancient history — it's the backstory of the gospel itself.We cover:-Eden as the mountain of God and the original household of the divine council-The sons of God (Ben Elohim), the Nephilim, and what Genesis 6 is actually describing-The Tower of Babel, the scattering of nations, and the gods placed over them-How Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension disarms the rulers and authorities-What spiritual warfare actually looks like in the everyday life of a believer0:00 – Introduction4:10 – Book’s purpose12:13 – Numb to supernatural18:56 – Eden as temple24:11 – God's two-family household32:03 – “Let us” debate42:43 – Genesis 6 Nephilim54:00 – Ancient myths context1:06:05 – Babel and nations1:16:40 – Jesus and powers1:29:50 – Spiritual warfare today1:40:29 – Closing thoughtsABOUT THE GUEST:📖BOOK https://a.co/d/0i4GE3x5Subscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

Bethel Church has shut down the BSSM Alumni Facebook Group — a 5,000+ member community where former students had been raising concerns, sharing experiences, and asking for accountability. Now Bethel has issued a public statement. We read it. We talked about it. And we're not going to pretend it doesn't raise serious questions.To be clear, we're continuationists. We believe in the ongoing work of the Spirit. We want Spirit-filled churches to thrive, which is exactly why we care when transparency breaks down, when safe church processes get sidestepped, and when "move this to proper channels" starts to sound more like damage control than genuine pastoral care.What does real accountability look like when leadership is under scrutiny? Does centralizing these conversations protect the vulnerable or does it protect the institution? What does real repentance and meaningful accountability look like when leadership is under scrutiny?If you love the gifts of the Spirit and you love the Word, you already know these two things aren't in tension: a church can be Spirit-filled and biblically accountable. We're holding out for both.This conversation is for anyone who cares about charismatic theology, church reform, and building communities where the most vulnerable are protected - not silenced.0:00 – Introduction1:39 – Alumni Page Overview3:36 – Reading Bethel's Statement8:01 – Silencing Victims14:14 – Ben Armstrong Investigation18:42 – Double-Speak Exposed22:01 – Path to RepentanceSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

We've spent a lot of time talking about what biblical accountability looks like at the national level - Bethel, Shawn Bolz, Mike Bickle, Chris Reed, or Michael Brown to name a few - examining cover-up culture that protects powerful leaders while silencing victims. But here's the question we keep getting in the comments and in our inboxes: What do I do when it's happening in my own church?That's a harder question — and honestly, a more important one.In this episode, Joshua Lewis, Michael Miller, and Michael Rowntree come back to ground level: your actual local church, where you know these people, where your kids go to Sunday school, where you serve. What does Matthew 18 actually look like when you're sitting across the table from an elder who won't listen? When do you escalate? When do you leave? When do you go public following 1 Timothy 5 — and is that ever right for a layperson to do?We're walking through the biblical process step by step, giving you real categories for navigating one of the hardest situations a believer can face. This isn't about gossip, mob justice, or protecting institutions. It's about protecting people — and honoring the Word of God in the process.0:00 – Introduction3:10 – Local Church Exposure Questions4:28 – Sins Requiring Public Exposure15:37 – Handling Private Repentant Sin 26:00 – Matthew 18 Church Discipline36:38 – Church Whistleblower Accountability45:26 – 1 Timothy 5 Elders Discipline52:38 – When to Go Public 54:45 – Leaving Abusive Church Leadership1:00:23 – Dangers of Toxic Church Culture1:01:35 – Healthy Repentance and DisciplineSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

Paul lists words of wisdom and words of knowledge in 1 Corinthians 12:8 alongside healings, miracles, prophecy, tongues, and interpretation. But he never defines them. That silence has sparked a real debate in the body of Christ, and in this episode Michael Rowntree works through it carefully.Are these giftings simply elevated Bible teaching, or are they something more? Are they specific, Spirit-initiated operations that reveal hidden things, provide supernatural guidance, and speak into real-life situations? Michael walks through the major interpretive positions, from cessationist scholars like Dr. Tom Schreiner to charismatic perspectives.He'll examine the biblical moments that make you stop: Jesus knowing the woman at the well's full story before she said a word (John 4:17–18). Peter confronting Ananias and Sapphira with information no one told him (Acts 5:1–11). Paul warning a ship's captain of coming disaster before a storm cloud appeared (Acts 27:9–10). Are those words of knowledge and words of wisdom in action?By the end you'll have working definitions of revelation, prophecy, word of knowledge, and word of wisdom. And you'll sit with Paul's deeper question: are we using these gifts to exalt Jesus and build up the body of Christ, or to build a platform for ourselves?0:00 – Introduction0:04 – Defining the question0:34 – Reading 1 Corinthians 121:52 – Cessationist teaching view3:17 – Contextual pushback5:22 – Word of knowledge defined6:15 – Word of wisdom defined7:19 – Cluster of extraordinary gifts8:24 – Knowledge under prophecy11:05 – Blending gift categories14:34 – Defining key terms16:00 – Using gifts rightly16:37 – Closing thoughtsSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com.Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

Is “exposure ministry” biblical or just Christian gossip? In this episode of Remnant Radio, we dig into what the New Testament actually says about exposing sin, calling out false teachers, and practicing church discipline, and we ask the hard question: when does discernment become destruction of the body of Christ?We walk through passages like Ephesians 5, Matthew 18, and 1 Timothy 5 and explore: when does the Bible command us to bring things into the light, who is responsible to confront it, and what is the end goal—repentance, restoration, and protection of the flock, or outrage and entertainment? If you’ve ever wondered whether calling out false teachers online is a prophetic assignment or a fleshly hobby, this episode will help you think biblically and critically.0:00 – Introduction0:47 – Exposure vs Coverup Culture4:42 – Biblical Theology Exposure Ministry11:15 – Leaders Accountable Biblical Law14:38 – Elders Duty Investigating Sin18:04 – Communal Responsibility21:14 – Culpability Remaining Silent 32:48 – Prophets Confronting Institutional Power36:40 – Misapplying Matthew 18 Rebukes39:13 – John the Baptist Public Rebukes43:15 – Jesus Correcting Pharisees Publicly52:08 – Paul Rebuking Peter 54:57 – Protecting the Flock 59:17 – Defining Slander 106:04 – Navigating Unhealthy Church Cultures115:14 – Closing Subscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

Can you train someone in spiritual gifts? Joshua Lewis walks through why training doesn’t manufacture gifts of the Spirit, but rather creates a biblical, accountable community to discover and steward the spiritual gifts God has already given.If you’ve wondered how to grow in spiritual gifts without sliding into charismatic chaos, this episode will give you biblical categories, guardrails, and practical next steps. You’ll see why training in spiritual gifts is less about hype and more about cultivating a theologically serious, Jesus-centered community that pursues Christian theology with real accountability.0:00 – Introduction0:31 – What training isn’t1:41 – Sovereign gifts explained2:12 – Impartation, Paul’s role2:51 – Rejecting unbiblical methods3:45 – Training defined biblically5:50 – Prophecy and healing model6:12 – How God speaks7:44 – Practicing prophecy safely8:30 – Objections and schools9:35 – Summary of training approachSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com.Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

How does the non-physical mind and spirit interact with the biological brain? We're jumping in to the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, Christian faith, and mental health with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Karl Lehman,  author of Mind and Brain: Separate but Integrated. Explore biblical evidence for the mind's independence from the brain—like near-death experiences and scriptural accounts of afterlife consciousness—while unpacking cutting-edge brain science on learned helplessness, OCD, depression, and trauma's impact on relational circuits. 0:00 – Introduction3:48 – Book purpose: bridging science and faith5:00 – Mind-brain distinction biblical basis10:06 – Scientific evidence: NDEs20:07 – Brain-mind interaction26:21 – Reductionism critique31:20 – Mind makes brain sick: learned helplessness40:00 – OCD studies: bidirectional effects46:48 – Brain issues and repentance50:51 – Trauma healing example55:36 – Inner healing dos/don’ts1:00:03 – Troubleshooting blockages1:09:54 – Biblical support for inner healing1:29:50 – Closing and resourcesABOUT THE GUEST:📖BOOK: Mind and Brain: Separate but IntegratedDigital: https://a.co/d/02KZRZXCHardcover: https://humble-shack.myshopify.com/collections/immanuel-approach-dr-karl-lehman/products/mind-and-brain-separated-but-integratedSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

The scandals in the charismatic movement have us examining: what is the difference between cover up culture and exposure culture? What is the biblical response? How do we stay in the radical middle, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability that listens to victims and doesn't hide predators without developing a culture of witch hunt? Joshua Lewis, Michael Miller & Michael Rowntree explore biblical principles for a healthy church and practical steps to build cultures of transparency that honor Scripture.0:00 – Introduction3:29 – Defining Coverup Culture4:37 – Anointing vs. Qualifications in Leadership9:23 – King David, Saul, and Church Leadership Structures17:04 – Mission and Vision Tied to Leaders19:44 – Defining Exposure Culture and Ephesians 5:1125:05 – Potential Dangers of Exposure Culture29:34 – Failure Exploitation34:04 – How Coverup Culture Views Congregants40:45 – Whistleblowers as Accusers of the Brethren45:16 – How Exposure Culture Views Victims53:57 – Discipline in Coverup Culture59:44 – When Public Exposure Is Necessary1:03:58 – Exposure Equals Destruction1:11:04 – Mob Justice and Cancel Culture1:17:02 – Role of YouTubers in Church CorrectionSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

When the dust settles after spiritual abuse and public scandal, is any of this charismatic stuff actually real—or should you walk away from it all for good? Many believers are asking hard questions: “If so much has been falsified, are all prophecies fake? Are healings just wishful thinking? How do I trust again?” In this episode of Remnant Radio, Joshua Lewis, Michael Rowntree and Michael Miller open up as pastors and fellow survivors of charismatic fallout to help you process the pain without abandoning the work of the Spirit.​The hosts will examine:-Can a “cheater” still give an accurate prophetic word?-How do we discern between genuine Christian prophecy, demonic counterfeits, and pure manipulation?-What do we do with verified healings or real words of knowledge that came through morally compromised ministries?-How do we honor spiritual gifts without platforming abusive leaders or building new celebrity cultures?This episode is deeply pastoral and aimed at those who feel spiritually disoriented, retraumatized, or jaded after charismatic abuse. If you’re struggling with charismatic ministry gone wrong, this is a safe space to process without being shamed for your doubts. You’ll hear how to move from gullibility, through cynicism, into true discernment—learning to separate God’s voice from human abuse, and the gifts of the Spirit from the sins of leaders.0:00 – Introduction1:53 – Pastoral scandal response3:05 – Miller’s abuse testimony4:00 – Josh’s prophetic trauma7:18 – Gifts still real biblically12:00 – Abuse across church offices17:19 – Cheaters getting it right19:48 – Four power sources23:04 – Don’t trust exposed prophets28:16 – Ordinary means of grace30:56 – Healing and discernment process36:01 – Submit gifts to God39:18 – Final pastoral encouragementSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church

Danny Silk just dropped a statement to his Loving on Purpose community owning up to his mishandling of Shawn Bolz's abuses. But did his apology level up to repentance? Is it too little too late? We'll review his statement, acknowledging what he got right while also calling out where deeper heart change is still needed. We'll discuss leadership accountability, "honor culture," spiritual failures, and what true biblical restoration looks like.Subscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation 🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church