Relish: a Christian podcast

Why did God allow the famous bear attack in 2 Kings 2?

In this episode, Don and Rowan explore one of the Bible's most controversial stories and discuss how difficult passages should be interpreted. They also examine modern marriage trends, the biblical purpose of marriage, and the often-overlooked connection between atonement and reconciliation.

Whether you're wrestling with difficult Old Testament texts, questioning modern assumptions about marriage, or trying to understand forgiveness more deeply, this conversation offers practical and theological insight.

Topics:

• Elisha and the bears
• Marriage trends and biblical purpose
• Shared mission in marriage
• Atonement and reconciliation
• Forgiveness in everyday life

00:00:04 Opening Banter 00:00:55 Prayer and Preaching Peace 00:02:13 Marriage Trends and Purpose 00:05:10 Biblical Family and Children 00:07:57 Marriage Mission and Glue 00:10:00 The Bald Prophet Story 00:15:22 Understanding Atonement 00:16:53 Making Things Right 00:18:59 Forgiven to Forgive

How should Christians treat sinners?

It's a simple question that often produces confusing answers.

In this episode, Rowan Miller talks with Pastor Don Patterson about Jesus' approach to sinful people, the biblical meaning of grace and mercy, and whether Christians sometimes confuse compassion with approval.

The conversation also explores the meaning of agape and shalom, lessons from Don's first sermon, and a practical discussion about vocation: are there occupations Christians should avoid?

Whether you're wrestling with theology, relationships, forgiveness, or everyday ethical decisions, this episode offers a practical and biblically grounded framework for thinking through difficult questions.

Can God's plan and human choice both be true?

In this special Q&A episode, students ask Pastor Don Patterson some of the most important questions in Christianity:

• How do we know the Bible is reliable?
• Does prayer change God's will?
• Why does God allow suffering?
• What happens to children who die?
• What is the difference between intellectual belief and saving faith?
• Are Catholic and Protestant teachings equally biblical?

Rather than offering easy answers, the conversation explores biblical reasoning, Scripture, and practical theology. The result is an accessible discussion for believers, skeptics, parents, students, and anyone wrestling with difficult questions about faith.

 

00:00:09 — Kids Ask the Questions Adults Avoid

00:01:38 — Why Pastor Don Chose Christianity

00:03:29 — How Do We Know Who Wrote the Bible?

00:05:41 — Does God's Plan Override Our Choices?

00:08:47 — What Happens to Children Who Die?

00:10:03 — Catholic or Protestant: Which Is More Biblical?

00:11:26 — Why Doesn't God Answer Every Prayer?

00:13:25 — Faith vs Belief: What's the Difference?

00:16:17 — Why Would a Good God Allow Suffering?

00:18:33 — Which Bible Prophecies Haven't Happened Yet?

Should Christians try to influence laws with their beliefs?

This episode explores the relationship between Christianity, politics, morality, and public life. Pastor Don Patterson discusses how Christians should evaluate news sources, participate in civic life, and think through difficult issues like same-sex marriage and religious influence on public policy.

The conversation examines whether moral neutrality is possible, how biblical convictions relate to lawmaking, and how Christians can maintain both conviction and compassion in a polarized culture.

Topics include civic responsibility, biblical morality, prayer, humility, sanctification, media literacy, and Christian engagement with controversial social issues.

What makes Christianity different from every other religion?

This episode explores some of the biggest theological questions Christians and skeptics wrestle with today: human identity, disagreement, grace, resurrection, and whether the Jewish people are still part of God’s covenant promises.

Don Patterson and Rowan Miller discuss:

• the image of God and human purpose,
• why respectful disagreement matters,
• the empty tomb as Christianity’s central claim,
• the role of the Holy Spirit,
• Romans 11 and the “chosen people” debate,
• and the tension between ethnicity, covenant, and faith.

The conversation moves beyond clichés and into the biblical foundations behind some of Christianity’s most controversial claims.

How should Christians read Revelation without falling into fear, speculation, or confusion?

In this episode, Rowan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson explore a careful approach to Revelation, arguing that the book is meant to comfort believers rather than function as a detailed prediction chart. They discuss prophetic imagery, the structure of Revelation, persecution, and why many modern interpretations miss the original context.

The conversation also tackles difficult ethical questions:

• Is self-defense compatible with Christianity?
• How should Christians think about violence and conscience?
• What does Sabbath obedience look like under the New Covenant?
• Why do some biblical commands feel difficult or uncomfortable today?

This episode blends biblical interpretation, pastoral wisdom, theology, apologetics, and real-world application in an honest conversation about difficult Scripture.

00:00:05 — Why Christians Read the Bible Differently Over Time

00:01:38 — From Sunday School Stories to Serious Bible Study

00:04:24 — Why Revelation Is So Often Misunderstood

00:06:31 — Seven Visions or One Event? Understanding Revelation

00:08:55 — Revelation Was Written to Comfort the Church

00:09:34 — Is Self-Defense Sinful for Christians?

00:15:01 — Does the Sabbath Still Apply Today?

00:00:05 — Why Christians Read the Bible Differently Over Time

00:01:38 — From Sunday School Stories to Serious Bible Study

00:04:24 — Why Revelation Is So Often Misunderstood

00:06:31 — Seven Visions or One Event? Understanding Revelation

00:08:55 — Revelation Was Written to Comfort the Church

00:09:34 — Is Self-Defense Sinful for Christians?

00:15:01 — Does the Sabbath Still Apply Today?

 

 

how to understand Revelation,
what Revelation actually means,
is Revelation about the future,
is self defense biblical,
Christian response to violence,
should Christians keep the Sabbath,
hard Bible questions answered,
what is the mark of the beast,
how Christians misunderstand Revelation,
end times fear in Christianity

What happened to those who died before Christ’s crucifixion? Scripture says Jesus preached to the “spirits in prison” — but what does that actually mean?

In this episode of Relish, Rowan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson walk through 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 4, Luke 16, and other key passages to examine how the Bible describes salvation before the cross and the sufficiency of Christ’s work across all generations.

The discussion covers:

• the biblical picture of the afterlife before Christ
• Jesus and the “spirits in prison”
• the connection between Noah, baptism, and salvation
• why baptism points beyond outward ritual
• practical habits for growing in biblical understanding

This episode is designed for listeners who want careful biblical reasoning, not clichés or speculation.

Science and Scripture are often framed as opposites—but that assumption deserves to be examined.

In this episode, Rowan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson walk through key questions around origins, including fossil formation, carbon-14 dating, and the claim of a global flood. Rather than dismissing science, they explore how different starting assumptions shape the conclusions people reach.

The conversation also addresses everyday questions about the Bible—some light, some serious—and why clarity matters for both belief and doubt.

This is a focused discussion for anyone trying to sort out whether Christianity can hold up under scientific scrutiny.

00:00:09 Where Do We Find Real Hope Today?

00:03:43 Common Bible Questions (Including “Did Jesus Have a Middle Name?”)

00:12:10 Which Bible Characters Do We Relate To—and Why It Matters

00:17:38 Why Everything Centers on Jesus (Not Just Bible Knowledge)

00:19:34 How to Read the Bible With Clarity (Not Confusion)

00:21:20 Final Takeaways: Faith, Doubt, and What to Do Next

In this episode, Rowan Miller and Don Patterson respond to two common but often misunderstood questions: what happens to pets after they die, and how the Bible actually frames singleness.

First, they address the emotional and theological assumptions people bring to the question of animals in the afterlife. While Scripture offers glimpses of a restored creation, it stops short of giving a definitive answer about individual pets. The discussion focuses on how to think carefully where the Bible is silent—without dismissing the goodness of God.

Second, they walk through 1 Corinthians 7 and Paul’s teaching on singleness. Rather than treating it as a problem to solve, Paul presents singleness as a legitimate and sometimes advantageous calling—while still taking sexual desire and human limitations seriously.

This episode aims to separate biblical teaching from cultural assumptions and help listeners think more clearly about both eternity and everyday life decisions.

00:00:03
Do Pets Go to Heaven? What Scripture Actually Reveals

00:03:44
Singleness in the Bible: Misunderstood or Ignored?

00:10:32
Why Paul Calls Singleness an Advantage (Not a Deficiency)

00:15:29
Where the Bible Is Silent—and How to Respond Honestly

In this episode, Rowan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson tackle a question many Christians quietly wrestle with: how much attention should we give to topics like the Nephilim and the Book of Enoch?

They examine what Scripture does—and doesn’t—say about these controversial subjects, and contrast that with the clear teaching of Romans 8 on identity in Christ. The conversation addresses pride, the proper use of spiritual gifts, and how believers can avoid being distracted by speculation while missing foundational truth.

This episode is designed to help listeners think clearly, prioritize biblical authority, and live with confidence rooted in what God has plainly revealed.

 

00:00:04 - Identity in Christ: Why It Matters More Than Speculation
00:02:59 - Family, Relationships, and Real-Life Faith
00:03:25 - Nephilim and the Book of Enoch: What Does the Bible Actually Say?
00:07:57 - Pride, Power, and Misplaced Identity
00:13:15 - Spiritual Gifts: Purpose vs Self-Promotion
00:15:20 - What Christians Should Focus On Moving Forward