Culture of Christ

What kind of “fragrance” are you leaving behind?In this episode, we take a deep, sobering look at 2 Corinthians 2:15–16 and what it truly means to be the fragrance of Christ in a culture that increasingly rejects truth.As believers, we are not neutral.Our lives are constantly communicating something—either life to those being saved or death to those who are perishing.This episode explores:What it means to be an ambassador for ChristWhy the gospel produces two completely different responsesHow God’s sovereignty shapes salvationThe danger of watering down truth in today’s cultureAnd how we can live faithfully without compromisingThis is a call to examine your life, your witness, and your impact.Because whether you realize it or not…👉 You are leaving a fragrance everywhere you go.

What if God showed you what He sees?In Ezekiel 8, God pulls back the curtain and exposes the hidden sins of His people—not just what’s done publicly, but what’s buried in the dark.This isn’t just a message about Israel.It’s a mirror.Because the reality is… we all have places in our lives we try to hide. Areas we justify. Idols we don’t want to confront.But nothing is hidden from God.In this episode, we walk through Ezekiel 8 from a Reformed perspective, unpacking:Why hidden sin is more dangerous than public sinHow idolatry starts in the heartThe progression of sin from action → desire → beliefWhy God’s judgment is justAnd how the gospel meets us in our deepest brokennessThis is a heavy message—but a necessary one.Because God doesn’t just expose sin…He provides a way out through Jesus Christ.✝️ THE GOSPEL CALL:Repent.Turn from hidden sin.Turn from idols.And trust fully in Christ.🎧 LISTEN / WATCH:If this episode challenged you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who needs to hear it.📲JOIN THE JOURNEY:We’re building something centered on truth, Christ, and real transformation.👉 Subscribe on YouTube👉 Follow on Spotify / Apple Podcasts👉 Leave a review (it helps more people find this content)

For over a century, many Christians have been told that the modern nation of Israel holds a unique prophetic role in God’s plan. Others, reacting against that idea, have begun drifting into something far worse — hostility toward Jewish people themselves.But what does the Bible actually teach?In this episode, we take a historical and biblical look at the relationship between Israel, the Church, and the gospel. Walking through Scripture and church history, we examine the historic Reformed understanding of covenant theology, the rise of Dispensationalism, and why both Christian Zionism and antisemitism ultimately fail to reflect the full teaching of Scripture.The church must reject two dangerous errors:• Treating modern Israel as a prophetic centerpiece of redemption history• Allowing anti-Jew rhetoric to creep into Christian theologyThe Bible presents a better answer.God has one covenant people united in Christ — Jew and Gentile together — and the gospel remains the power of God for salvation to all who believe.This episode explores:• What the Bible says about Israel and the Church• The historic Reformed view of God’s covenant people• How Dispensationalism reshaped evangelical thinking about Israel• Why antisemitism has no place in Christianity• The gospel call for Jew and Gentile alikeWhether you’re exploring covenant theology, wrestling with end-times teachings, or trying to understand how Christians should think about Israel today, this conversation aims to bring clarity grounded in Scripture.Key Scriptures DiscussedRomans 1:16, Romans 9–11, Galatians 3:7, 3:29, Ephesians 2:14–16, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 1:20If you enjoy thoughtful discussions like this, make sure to subscribe and share the episode with someone who may benefit from

What happens when God’s patience runs out?In Ezekiel chapters 6 and 7, God delivers a sobering message to Israel: judgment is no longer distant — it has arrived. The idols they trusted would fail them. Their wealth would not save them. And the illusion of security would collapse under the weight of God’s holiness.In this episode, we walk verse by verse through Ezekiel’s warning and uncover what it reveals about idolatry, judgment, and the reality every person must face: one day, we will stand before God.But this message is not without hope.Because the same God who warns of judgment also provides a way of escape. We explore how the wrath described in Ezekiel ultimately points forward to the cross, where Jesus Christ absorbed the judgment sinners deserve and made mercy available to all who repent and believe.This episode will challenge you, confront false security, and point you to the only place true salvation can be found.Scripture Covered: Ezekiel 6–7Themes: Judgment, Idolatry, Repentance, Holiness, and the GospelThe end comes for everyone. The question is — are you ready?

The release of the Epstein files has reignited national controversy, speculation, outrage, and confusion. As Christians, how should we respond?Should we trust mainstream narratives without question?Should we embrace every conspiracy theory that circulates online?Or is there a distinctly biblical way to pursue truth in moments like this?In this episode, we examine what Scripture says about truth, justice, evidence, corruption, and the responsibility believers have when navigating public scandals. We explore how Christians can avoid bearing false witness, resist reactionary outrage, demand credible evidence, care about victims, and maintain integrity in an age of information chaos.From Proverbs’ wisdom about careful judgment to the New Testament call to test everything, this episode challenges believers to pursue truth patiently and humbly — without cynicism and without naivety.The conversation ultimately leads somewhere deeper: the human condition itself. Why does corruption exist? What does the Bible say about the nature of sin? And how does the gospel of Jesus Christ provide the only lasting hope in a world marked by injustice?This episode concludes with a clear, Reformed presentation of the Gospel — highlighting God’s sovereignty in salvation, Christ’s substitutionary atonement, and the call to repent and believe.In a world full of noise, Christians are called to be people of truth, justice, and grace.

What is real beauty? Where is the line between natural attraction and sinful lust? And is there hope for those who feel trapped in cycles of desire and shame?In this episode, we explore beauty and sexual attraction through a biblical lens. We break down the difference between noticing beauty and crossing into lust, using real-world examples and Scripture to bring clarity to a topic many people struggle to talk about honestly.We also discuss how believers can help one another pursue holiness through prayer, accountability, and modesty — not as legalism, but as an act of love toward our spiritual brothers and sisters.Most importantly, this episode ends with hope. The gospel isn’t about behavior management — it’s about heart transformation. Jesus doesn’t just forgive sin; He renews hearts and restores what sin has broken.If you’ve ever struggled with desire, shame, or confusion about what God actually expects, this episode is for you.

Blessed are the Peacemakers: a biblical view of the Events in MinnesotaIn this episode, we examine the recent events in Minnesota through a distinctly Christian lens. As protests erupted in response to federal immigration enforcement and tragic loss of life, emotions ran high and narratives clashed. But how should Christians think, speak, and act in moments like this?This episode explores the biblical role of government and law enforcement, the limits of protest, and the Christian call to pursue peace without surrendering truth. We address the question many are asking—whether the shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti were justified—while rejecting chaos, misinformation, and performative outrage.Most importantly, this conversation moves beyond politics and headlines to the deeper issue beneath it all: a broken world in need of redemption. We close by pointing listeners to the only lasting hope for justice, peace, and reconciliation—the Gospel of Jesus Christ.“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)Follow James on X: @ibejyj.

Ezekiel 5 is one of the Bible’s most unsettling chapters—and one of its most revealing.In this episode, we walk through God’s dramatic warning to Jerusalem and confront a truth many would rather avoid: the Lord is slow to anger, but He is not blind to sin. God’s judgment is not impulsive or cruel—it is measured, purposeful, and rooted in His holiness.But this is not a message of despair.From the ashes of Ezekiel’s warning, we trace the story forward to the cross, where God’s wrath and mercy collide. Jesus becomes our propitiation—the wrath-absorbing sacrifice who took judgment in our place so grace could be offered to all.This episode challenges us to take sin seriously, worship more deeply, and share the gospel boldly—because silence is not love, and grace should never be wasted.If you’ve ever struggled to reconcile God’s justice with His love, this conversation is for you.

What does faithfulness look like when no one wants to listen?In this episode, we walk through Ezekiel chapters 2–4, where God calls the prophet Ezekiel to speak His Word to a rebellious people who are determined to resist it. From eating the scroll to bearing the weight of judgment through lived-out signs, Ezekiel’s calling confronts our modern assumptions about success, ministry, and obedience.This teaching explores:Why God sends His Word into resistanceWhat it means to be faithful when results are unseenThe cost of carrying God’s messageHow Ezekiel’s ministry ultimately points us to Jesus Christ, the true and final sin-bearerWhether you’re a pastor, teacher, or believer wrestling with discouragement, this episode reminds us that God does not call us to visible success—but to steadfast faithfulness.

✝️ One Blood, One Cross 🌍This episode confronts the growing influence of social Darwinist ethnocentrism and explains why it cannot coexist with biblical Christianity.📖 From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture teaches that God did not create multiple races ranked by value, but one human family made in His image. We share one origin, one fall, and one need for redemption. Any ideology that elevates ethnicity, biology, or cultural dominance stands in direct opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ.🔥 Drawing from the words of Jesus, the apostles, early church history, and even modern genetic insight, this episode dismantles racial hierarchy and re-centers everything on the cross—where pride is crucified, hostility is destroyed, and a new people are formed.🩸✝️ The cross did not create a racially divided church.It created one redeemed people.🎧 Listen now, reflect deeply, and return to the gospel that unites what sin and pride seek to divide.👉 Share this episode, leave a review, and join the conversation as we contend for biblical truth and gospel clarity.FOLLOW JAMES ON X: @ibejyj

Can Christianity and Islam both be true? In this extended, gospel-centered episode, we examine one of the most important theological questions of our time—not whether Christians and Muslims can live peacefully as neighbors, but whether their core truth claims about God, Jesus, and salvation can coexist.This episode walks through the foundational differences between Christianity and Islam, focusing on:Who Jesus is—and why everything hinges on HimGrace versus works as the means of salvationThe authority of Scripture and revelationThe nature and character of GodWhy contradictory truth claims demand a clear responseWith careful attention to Scripture and historical theology, this episode argues that Christianity and Islam make mutually exclusive claims that cannot both be true. The conversation is not political, cultural, or rooted in hostility, but in a pursuit of truth spoken with clarity, conviction, and love.The episode concludes with a clear presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a direct call to repentance and faith.Listener discretion advised: This episode addresses deeply held religious beliefs and is intended for thoughtful, honest engagement.

What do you do when life doesn’t look like God’s promises?In this episode, we walk slowly and reverently through Ezekiel chapter 1, one of the most vivid and awe-inspiring visions in all of Scripture. Set in exile, far from the temple and everything familiar, Ezekiel encounters the overwhelming glory of God—fire, angels, wheels, and a throne that moves.We explore:The reality of angels and what their obedience reveals about God’s holinessWhy God’s throne is not confined to sacred spaces or ideal circumstancesHow this vision dismantles the idea that suffering means God is absentAnd how Jesus Christ fulfills this vision—stepping off the throne and into our exileThis episode ends with a clear presentation of the gospel, inviting listeners not just to admire God’s glory, but to respond to it with humility, trust, and faith.Whether you feel distant from God, stuck in a hard season, or hungry for a deeper understanding of His holiness, this episode reminds us of a powerful truth:The throne still stands. The glory still moves. And God has not abandoned His people.

What happens when Christianity is shaped more by an algorithm than by Scripture?In this episode, we speak directly to new believers and seekers navigating faith through social media—especially TikTok. While online platforms can introduce people to Jesus, they can’t replace biblical discernment, church community, or careful study of God’s Word.We explore what’s often called “TikTok Christianity,” why it can be confusing or even harmful for new Christians, and how Scripture teaches us to test every message we hear—including this one.This episode offers practical, biblical tools for discernment, encourages listeners to read the Bible for themselves, and reminds us that confidence, virality, and emotion are not substitutes for truth.We end with a clear presentation of the gospel and a humble invitation: Don’t take our word for it—open your Bible and examine the Scriptures.“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

In this debut episode of Journey Through Ezekiel, we lay the groundwork for one of the most vivid and hope-filled prophetic books in Scripture.Before diving chapter by chapter into Ezekiel’s visions, symbolic actions, warnings, and promises, we take time to understand the story behind the story.Join us as we explore:The historical backdrop of the Babylonian exileEzekiel’s unique calling as a priest-turned-prophetWhy God’s glory appears outside the TempleThe major themes we’ll encounter throughout the bookHow this Old Testament prophecy points directly to Jesus—long before His birthAnd why Ezekiel’s message still speaks to moments of chaos, confusion, and rebuilding in our lives todayThis episode sets the foundation for the entire series, inviting listeners to see God’s sovereignty, presence, and redemption even in times of exile.Next episode: Ezekiel’s stunning opening vision—the storm, the creatures, and the glory of the Lord.

Welcome to the Culture of Christ Podcast. In this episode, we break down the difference between true biblical masculinity and the counterfeit versions being promoted by today’s online masculinity influencers—figures like Andrew Tate, Nick Fuentes, and the broader manosphere movement.We explore what Scripture actually teaches about manhood:strength expressed through love, leadership expressed through sacrifice, and power expressed through humility in Christ.We also address the growing trend of pastors, including Joel Webbon and Eric Conn, who have echoed or amplified rhetoric rooted more in pride, dominance, and nationalism than in the gospel. With clarity and compassion, we call out why this teaching is spiritually dangerous and how it distorts the heart of biblical leadership.Using Scripture in proper context, we examine how Christ offers men a better way—one grounded not in ego, bravado, or misogyny, but in holiness, self-control, courage, and Christlike character.If you want to understand what real biblical masculinity looks like—and why so many modern movements get it wrong—this episode is for you.

🕊️ Ever wondered why people around the world believe in different gods — and how we can know Jesus is the true God? 🌍 In this powerful 1-hour episode, Culture of Christ host James Beatley dives deep into Scripture 📖 to unpack one of life’s biggest questions.💡 From Romans to Revelation, this episode explores:🔥 Why every culture instinctively reaches for God🩸 How Jesus revealed Himself as God in human flesh🪨 Why the resurrection is the ultimate proof🌍 What about people born in other faiths or countries?💬 Why truth isn’t relative — it’s revealed❤️ And how you can personally know the true and living God🙏 If you’ve ever struggled with doubt, faith, or the “what if I was born somewhere else?” question — this episode is for you. It’s not about religion, it’s about revelation.📖 Scripture. 🧠 Truth. ❤️ Grace.🎧 Listen now — and see how the God who made the world revealed Himself in Jesus Christ.