Naughty vs Nice: A Christian Podcast

41: You’re Missing the Point: Why Historical Context Changes Everything

Why did Jesus talk about mustard seeds, vineyards, and wedding banquets? In this episode of Naughty vs Nice: A Christian Podcast, we explore the historical context of Jesus' parables and why it’s crucial for understanding the deeper meaning behind His words. By examining the first-century Jewish culture, Roman occupation, and religious tensionsof the time, Todd and Laura reveal how these parables weren’t just stories—they were powerful cultural critiques and theological revelations.
You’ll learn how the historical and cultural background of the Bible can dramatically shift your understanding of familiar passages. Whether you're a Bible study leader, theology nerd, or just spiritually curious, this episode will equip you to read the Bible in context, especially when it comes to interpreting Jesus' teachings.
Don't settle for surface-level interpretations. Discover the hidden historical meaning of parables and unlock the richness of Scripture like never before.

40: Spoiler: The covenant was for the whole world

If your understanding of the Kingdom of God involves waiting for a golden city to drop from the sky while the world burns... we need to talk. Dispensationalism has shaped modern end times theology with a version of God’s Kingdom that’s always “later”—after the rapture, after the tribulation, after the prophecy charts and dispensational timelinesfinish doing their thing.
But Jesus had a radically different message: “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Present tense. Right now. In this episode, we unpack how dispensational theology misses the entire point of the biblical Kingdom of Heaven—how it splits what Jesus already inaugurated from what He will one day fulfill, and how that flawed theology impacts how we live, love, and engage the world today.
Spoiler alert: the Kingdom isn’t on pause. It’s not postponed until the apocalypse. The Kingdom of God is already breaking in—here on earth, in real time, and it’s calling us to live like it matters.

39: How Dispensationalism Flattened the Bible

So there I was—sitting with my Bible, a bad cup of coffee, and decades of churchy baggage—when it hit me: Wait a second… the New Testament isn’t just a prophetic decoding ring or a survival guide for the end times. It’s a manual for how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven—right now.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Dispensationalism—its history, how it shaped modern evangelical theology, and why it completely misses the point of God’s Kingdom. From John Nelson Darby and the Scofield Reference Bibleto Left Behind theology and the obsession with the rapture, we’re unpacking how this framework derailed the church’s understanding of the gospel, covenant, and eternity.
This is also the story of my aha moment—realizing that Jesus didn’t come to give us a heavenly escape plan. He came to launch the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, and invite us to live in it now. Not after some future dispensation. Not after a tribulation timeline. Now.
If you’ve ever wondered, “What does the New Testament really say about the Kingdom of God?” or “Is the rapture even biblical?”—this episode is for you. It's time to rediscover the radical, world-shaking truth that the Kingdom of God starts now and continues into eternity.

38: Preparing for the Fire: Suggestions for Leadership

Walking Through the Fire: Equipping Church Leaders to Support the Divorced
Divorce is messy, painful, and all too common—even within the church. But is church leadership truly equipped to walk people through it with wisdom, grace, and biblical truth? Many pastors and ministry leaders feel unprepared when faced with divorce in their congregation, often resorting to either avoidance or rigid legalism. In this episode of Naughty vs Nice: A Christian Podcast, we dive into how church leadership can better prepare, educate, and equip themselves to minister to those experiencing divorce.
We’ll cover:🔥 Biblical foundations—What does scripture actually say about divorce and remarriage?🔥 Common missteps—Where churches unintentionally fail in supporting the divorced🔥 Practical training—How pastors and leaders can educate themselves for real-life ministry situations🔥 Creating a culture of healing—Fostering a church environment that offers truth and restoration, not shame and exile🔥 Resources for leadership—Books, counseling approaches, and strategies to provide informed, compassionate guidance
If you're a pastor, elder, or ministry leader (or just someone who wants to see the church do better in this area), this episode is for you. Let’s stop stumbling through divorce care and start leading with wisdom and Christ-like love.
🎧 Listen now! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help others strengthen their ministry!

37: Walking Through the Fire: Supporting the Divorced

Episode Title: Walking Through the Fire: Supporting the Divorced
Divorce is one of the most painful and isolating experiences a believer can go through—but how should the church respond? Too often, the body of Christ either mishandles the situation or avoids it altogether, leaving hurting people to navigate the aftermath alone. In this episode of Naughty vs Nice: A Christian Podcast, we tackle practical, biblical ways to walk alongside those going through divorce with grace, truth, and real support.
We’ll discuss:✅ What scripture says about divorce and restoration✅ The most common mistakes churches make in handling divorce✅ How to offer genuine emotional, spiritual, and practical support✅ The difference between judgment and biblical accountability✅ Ways to foster healing and community for those rebuilding their lives
Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or just a friend who wants to help, this episode will equip you with tools to love and support someone in their hardest season. Tune in now!
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find biblical truth!

36: When Consent is Lost: Personal Stories and Church Responses

"When Consent Is Lost: Personal Stories, Church Responses, and Biblical Justice"
Trigger Warning: This series discusses marital coercion, sexual violence, and assault.
In this powerful installment of our Divorce in the Church series, Todd and Laura sit down with Kelly as she bravely shares her personal experiences of marital coercion, assault, and the church’s response to her pain. Too often, Christian communities misunderstand consent, minimize abuse, and pressure victims into silence or reconciliation.
💡 In This Series, We Discuss:✅ Kelly’s firsthand account of surviving abuse ✅ How church culture often enables coercion and forced intimacy✅ The misuse of biblical submission to justify control✅ What real repentance, justice, and healing should look like✅ How the church can truly protect survivors instead of abusers
If you’ve ever been told that marriage removes the need for consent, or if the church has dismissed your trauma, this series is for you. It’s time for a biblical response that prioritizes truth, dignity, and justice.
🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about church culture, abuse, and biblical justice.
#ChurchAbuse #ConsentMatters #MaritalCoercion #SpiritualAbuse #BiblicalJustice #SurvivorSupport

34: Divorce Series: When Consent is Lost

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses topics of marital coercion, sexual assault, and abuse. Listener discretion is advised.
How does the church respond when marital intimacy is forced rather than freely given? In this critical episode of Naughty vs Nice: A Christian Podcast, Todd and Laura confront the difficult reality of coercion, marital rape, and sexual abuse in Christian marriages—and how church leadership often mishandles these issues.
💡 Key Topics We Cover:✅ What coercion and marital rape really look like—and why they’re often dismissed✅ How church teachings on submission have been twisted to enable abuse✅ The difference between biblical marriage and control✅ Why many Christian leaders fail to protect victims and pressure reconciliation✅ How the church can respond with justice, compassion, and accountability
If you've ever been told that marriage eliminates the need for consent, or if you’ve seen the church ignore or enable sexual coercion, this episode is a must-listen. It’s time for a biblical response that prioritizes safety, dignity, and truth.
🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on biblical justice, church accountability, and Christian theology.
References: National Abuse Hotline, When Sex Becomes Abusive Article, Preaching Christ in All of Scripture*, Sex, Consent, and #ChurchToo, Marital R@pe: New Research and Directions, FBI R@pe Definition Change, Bible Counseling Center,
#ChurchAbuse #MaritalCoercion #ChristianMarriage #SpiritualAbuse #ConsentMatters #BiblicalJustice #ToxicChurchCulture #SurvivorSupport
*Affiliate Links Used

BONUS: Questions on Leadership and Marital Abuse: Are They Protecting or Enabling?

Church Leadership and Marital Abuse: Are They Protecting or Enabling?
🚨 Is the church failing victims of marital abuse? Too often, Christian leadership mishandles divorce and abuse, prioritizing reconciliation over safety and forgiveness over accountability. In this episode of Naughty vs Nice: A Christian Podcast, Todd and Laura dive deep into how pastors, elders, and church leaders respond to abuse and divorce—and where they get it dangerously wrong.
💡 Key Questions We Tackle:✅ Why do so many abusers hold leadership positions in churches?✅ How does false repentance manipulate church decisions?✅ Why does the church pressure victims rather than holding abusers accountable?✅ What does biblical justice really look like in cases of abuse and divorce?✅ How can church leaders truly support survivors instead of enabling harm?
If you've ever questioned how the church handles abusive marriages, or if you've been pushed toward reconciliationinstead of safety, this episode is for you. It's time to challenge unbiblical church culture and demand real change.
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into biblical truth, church accountability, and Christian theology!
#ChurchAbuse #ChristianLeadership #MaritalAbuse #SpiritualAbuse #DivorceInTheChurch #BiblicalJustice #ToxicChurchCulture #SurvivorSupport
🎙️ Keywords: Christian podcast, biblical leadership, elder qualifications, spiritual transformation, false doctrine, cultural Christianity, discipleship, church restoration, the occult in Christianity, biblical truth.