The Stranger Theology Podcast

Drawing from Adam’s essay, When the Gods Entered the Temple, Joel Muddamalle and Adam Dougherty unpack how Manasseh introduced idolatry, child sacrifice, and occult practices into God’s temple, ultimately setting the stage for divine judgment and Babylonian exile.But what does this ancient story have to do with Christians today?Joel and Adam take the conversation deeper, exploring the difference between sin, iniquity, and transgression, why forgiveness doesn’t always erase consequences, and whether believers can open themselves up to demonic oppression through spiritual compromise.Could the greatest spiritual danger come not from what attacks us on the outside, but from what we willingly allow inside?Join us as we uncover the strange, supernatural, and often overlooked details of Scripture—and discover why they still matter today.Read Adam's full article on the Substack: https://strangertheology.substack.comCheck out our books:Blurry Creatures Book of Enoch: https://a.co/d/04mZE3qjThe Unseen Battle: https://a.co/d/07kSFEji This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe

What really happened between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus? Did Christ descend into the underworld, and if so, what was He doing there?In this special episode, Dr. Bryan Litfin joins the conversation to explore one of Christianity’s most mysterious and often overlooked doctrines: the descent of Christ into the realm of the dead.Drawing from the writings of the early Church Fathers, ancient Christian beliefs, and biblical passages about Sheol and Hades, Dr. Litfin explains how the earliest Christians understood Christ’s descent not as an experience of punishment, but as a supernatural invasion of the enemy’s territory.From Jonah’s encounter with the depths to the gates of hell, the imprisoned spirits of 1 Peter, and the ancient doctrine of Christus Victor, the conversation reveals a cosmic dimension of Christ’s death and resurrection that many modern Christians have forgotten.Was the resurrection more than a victory over physical death? And did Jesus descend into the underworld to break the dominion of Satan once and for all?Watch Dr. Bryan Litfin’s full episode on Blurry Creatures here: https://youtu.be/xLEPTaOZ_Co?si=Yej59E0uDtqtCSyfJoin the Substack to get future access to all new episodes: https://strangertheology.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe

Does the Bible leave room for extraterrestrial life? Are all supernatural encounters demonic? And have modern Christians misunderstood the spiritual world described in Scripture?In this episode of Stranger Theology, Joel Muddamalle welcomes Dr. Matthew Halsted for a fascinating conversation about UFOs, biblical cosmology, and the importance of understanding Scripture through its ancient worldview.From the mysterious sons of God in Genesis 6 to the supernatural framework explored by Dr. Michael Heiser, Joel and Dr. Halsted discuss how modern assumptions can shape—and sometimes distort—our understanding of the Bible.They also explore the differences between spiritual beings, demons, and unexplained phenomena, asking whether Christians have become too quick to categorize what they don’t understand.This conversation challenges believers to recover a thoughtful, biblically grounded approach to the supernatural without sacrificing intellectual curiosity or theological conviction.More From Matthew Halstead: https://www.matthewhalsted.com/Join the Substack: https://strangertheology.substack.comBuy Joel's Book "The Unseen Battle": https://a.co/d/00QjvcPfBuy Blurry Creatures "The Book of Enoch": https://a.co/d/0dKgWxLA This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.comSix days after predicting His death, Jesus leads three disciples up a high mountain, and there—for one transcendent moment—the veil drops. His face shines like the sun, His clothes become brilliant white, and Moses and Elijah appear, discussing His exodus He’s about to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter wants to build shelters, to capture and contain this moment, but this isn’t Eden redux or Sinai’s terror reborn. This is something greater: a glimpse behind the curtain, a revelation that the crucified Messiah is the glorified Lord, and a preview of the mountain that awaits—the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. On this mountain, the disciples see what Eden always pointed toward: God with us, unveiled.Join the substack: strangertheology.substack.com

In this episode of Stranger Theology, Dr. Joel Muddamalle welcomes back theologian and biblical scholar Hakeem Bradley for a conversation about the hidden patterns woven throughout Scripture and why understanding them matters for the next generation.From the disturbing stories of Lot and his daughters to Noah's drunkenness and the flood, Joel and Hakeem explore how seemingly disconnected biblical narratives reveal recurring themes of rebellion, judgment, redemption, and new creation. They also confront a challenging question: How do we faithfully teach children the whole Bible without watering down its difficult passages?Hakeem also introduces Sacred Patterns, his new project designed to help children discover the beauty, depth, and interconnectedness of God's Word.Join the Substack: https://strangertheology.substack.comSupport Hakeem's Kickstarter: https://sacredpatterns.orgBuy Joel's Book "The Unseen Battle": https://a.co/d/00QjvcPfBuy Blurry Creatures "The Book of Enoch": https://a.co/d/0dKgWxLA This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe

What if the events surrounding Jesus at the Gates of Hell and His Transfiguration reveal a much bigger cosmic story than we've traditionally understood?In this episode of Stranger Theology, Joel Muddamalle sits down with pastor and author Doug Van Dorn to explore the fascinating connections between Psalm 89, the Divine Council, Mount Hermon, and Jesus' confrontation with the powers of darkness.Drawing from ancient Near Eastern history, biblical scholarship, and the interconnected nature of Scripture, Joel and Doug examine how the Old and New Testaments reveal a larger narrative of divine authority, spiritual rebellion, and God's plan to reclaim what belongs to Him.Together, they explore the significance of Jesus' declaration at Caesarea Philippi, the possible connection between the Transfiguration and Satan's fall from heaven, and how ancient accounts of heavenly beings might illuminate familiar biblical passages.They also unpack the meaning of the ekklesia, the gathered assembly of God's people, and what the relationship between the heavenly host and the Church means for believers today.Could we be missing an entire dimension of the biblical story simply because we've forgotten how to read Scripture through its ancient context?Join Joel and Doug as they uncover the layers of Scripture and explore the cosmic significance of Jesus' mission.Join the Substack: https://strangertheology.substack.comJoin Jeremy's World Religions Cohort: https://strangertheology.substack.com/s/world-religions-cohortBuy Joel Muddamalle's Book "The Unseen Battle"Buy Blurry Creatures "The Book of Enoch" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe

Is Scientology a UFO religion? What is Xenu, Dianetics, and the Bridge to Total Freedom — and how should Christians respond?In this first Strange & Blurry crossover, Stranger Theology teams up with Blurry Creatures for a crash course on Scientology with world religions expert Jeremy Jenkins. Recorded in-studio after the full Blurry Creatures episode.You'll learn how L. Ron Hubbard went from sci-fi novelist to Dianetics bestseller to founding the Church of Scientology, what auditing with the E-meter really is, what Clear and OT Level 3 teach about Xenu and thetans, the link between Hubbard, Jack Parsons and Aleister Crowley, why David Miscavige took over after Hubbard, and what Jeremy saw visiting Sea Org headquarters in Clearwater, Florida.Most importantly: how do you share the gospel with someone caught in Scientology without mocking them or bringing a battle axe? Jeremy breaks down what to ask, what NOT to lead with, and why loving, respectful evangelism works.Watch Jeremy’s full episode on Blurry Creatures here: https://youtu.be/jVQromFfCcQ?si=8nOWqyonDuTNHHlhThis first episode is free for everyone! Join the Substack to get future access to all new episodes: strangertheology.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strangertheology.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.comAfter forty days in the wilderness, the Second Adam faces the test the First Adam failed. Satan takes Jesus to a high mountain and offers Him all the kingdoms of the world in a single moment—no cross, no suffering, just worship the enemy and take the shortcut to glory. But this isn't just about resisting temptation; it's about cosmic authority. On this unnamed peak, Jesus confronts the principalities and powers, the "gods" who claimed the nations as their inheritance. The enemy offers counterfeit dominion; Christ chooses the Father's path to true authority. The mountain temptation reveals whose world this really is—and who will rightfully reclaim it. Join the substack: strangertheology.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.comOne prophet. Four hundred and fifty priests of Baal. One mountain. This is the ultimate cosmic showdown—not just between Elijah and false prophets, but between Yahweh and the storm god who claimed to rule from the heights. On Mt. Carmel, where Baal supposedly sent rain and fertility, the God of Israel reveals who truly commands the fire and the flood. When the flames fell and consumed the sacrifice, the water, the stones, and the very dust, Israel witnessed what every mountain narrative has been building toward: there is no God but Yahweh, and every counterfeit must bow or burn.Join the Substack: strangertheology.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strangertheology.substack.comIn the dead of night, a compromised judge does the impossible—he rips the gates of Gaza from their foundations and carries them uphill to Hebron. But this isn't just a feat of strength; it's a cosmic statement. The gates of the underworld, the very symbols of death's dominion, are torn away and paraded to the mountain. Before Jesus declared that hell's gates wouldn't prevail against His church, Samson prophetically demonstrated that no gate—no barrier between the living and the dead—could stand against God's anointed. Even our most flawed champions point to the Champion to come.Join the Substack: strangertheology.substack.com