Explore every episode of the podcast Jesus the Legend

(Part 2 of 2) Hey everyone and welcome back to Jesus the Legend! Today I am sitting down for a chat with Brad Jersak! Now, if you haven’t heard his name I strongly recommend you check him out! Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC and currently serves as the Principal of St. Stephen’s University in New Brunswick, where he continues as the Dean and faculty member of SSU’s School of Theology & Culture. He also teaches peace studies courses with The Jim Forest Institute and is a regular Open Table Conference crew lecturer.

As if that isn’t enough, Brad is also part of the Plain Truth Ministries team, where he serves as Pastoral Scholar. He writes, edits, and does layout for CWR magazine, CWR press, and the CWRm blog.

Through his books and seminars, Brad shares the good news that God is Love, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ, and that God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers us to heal this broken world.

I’m so very thankful he has put some time aside to hang out with us because his teaching has really transformed the way I think in many ways. So get ready - you’re gonna love this.

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(Part 1 of 2) Hey everyone and welcome back to Jesus the Legend! Today I am sitting down for a chat with Brad Jersak! Now, if you haven’t heard his name I strongly recommend you check him out! Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC and currently serves as the Principal of St. Stephen’s University in New Brunswick, where he continues as the Dean and faculty member of SSU’s School of Theology & Culture. He also teaches peace studies courses with The Jim Forest Institute and is a regular Open Table Conference crew lecturer.

As if that isn’t enough, Brad is also part of the Plain Truth Ministries team, where he serves as Pastoral Scholar. He writes, edits, and does layout for CWR magazine, CWR press, and the CWRm blog.

Through his books and seminars, Brad shares the good news that God is Love, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ, and that God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers us to heal this broken world.

I’m so very thankful he has put some time aside to hang out with us because his teaching has really transformed the way I think in many ways. So get ready - you’re gonna love this.

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(Part 2 of 2) Hey everyone, and welcome to Jesus the Legend.

Today’s guest is Jamie Englehart. Jamie is the President and founder of Connect International Ministries and serves as a bishop and overseer to churches and leaders around the world. He’s known for his fresh, deeply Christ-centered way of teaching the kingdom, the New Covenant, and the Father’s heart as revealed through Jesus.

Jamie and his wife, Wendy—who’s also a recording artist—have been in ministry for over 35 years. They’ve traveled the world as church planters, teachers, spiritual parents and so much more. They’ve got two kids, a growing family, and yes—amazing grandchildren.

Their hearts desire is to see future generations empowered, affirmed, fathered, and guided into their kingdom purpose by releasing inheritance and connecting generations.

So settle in—Jamie’s got a ton of insight to share, and I know you’re going to enjoy it.

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(Part 1 of 2) Hey everyone, and welcome to Jesus the Legend.

Today’s guest is Jamie Englehart. Jamie is the President and founder of Connect International Ministries and serves as a bishop and overseer to churches and leaders around the world. He’s known for his fresh, deeply Christ-centered way of teaching the kingdom, the New Covenant, and the Father’s heart as revealed through Jesus.

Jamie and his wife, Wendy—who’s also a recording artist—have been in ministry for over 35 years. They’ve traveled the world as church planters, teachers, spiritual parents and so much more. They’ve got two kids, a growing family, and yes—amazing grandchildren.

Their hearts desire is to see future generations empowered, affirmed, fathered, and guided into their kingdom purpose by releasing inheritance and connecting generations.

So settle in—Jamie’s got a ton of insight to share, and I know you’re going to enjoy it.

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Hey friends, welcome back to Jesus the Legend — and welcome to 2026! I honestly can’t believe we’re here already.

This week’s episode isn’t about resolutions or pressure. It’s about what happens when we actually bring God what we have and allow Him to breathe on it. In this episode, I talk a bit about going deeper with Jesus, letting go of fear and old hurts, and discovering the freedom that comes when love doesn’t need armor anymore.

I also took a quick look at Matthew 13:44 from a slightly different angle — one that’s changed the way I see God, myself, and everyone around me.

I’m so excited for what 2026 is going to bring. Let’s jump in!

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Hey everyone, just popping in here really quick to let you know that I'm taking December off from posting, but I'll be back in January with new guests, new thoughts. And honestly, I'm already excited about what's coming. This year has been incredible. It's been such a blessing to me and hopefully to you as well. 

And just want to say thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for supporting the podcast and for being along for the ride. It really means more than you know. So enjoy the holidays, Christmas, New Year's, all of it. Hug your loved ones. Slow down a little bit. Take it all in and breathe. And as always, remember you're amazing and you've got a huge purpose and destiny in front of you. I'll see you all in January. 

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(Part 2 of 2) Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend!

I’m genuinely excited for today’s guest - George Sarris—a speaker, storyteller, and thoughtful voice who has spent decades presenting clear, Bible-based messages to both the Church and the wider culture. George holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech from Northwestern University bringing a unique blend of theological depth and communication expertise to everything he does.

George is an accomplished actor and spokesperson, with a résumé that includes names like American Express, Burger King, Honda, IBM, Zondervan, Pizza Hut and more.

And on top of all that, he has also written several books, including two that I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed: Heaven’s Doors: Wider Than You Ever Believed! and its shorter companion, How Wide Are Heaven’s Doors?

You’re not going to want to miss this.

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(Part 1 of 2) Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend!

I’m genuinely excited for today’s guest - George Sarris—a speaker, storyteller, and thoughtful voice who has spent decades presenting clear, Bible-based messages to both the Church and the wider culture. George holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech from Northwestern University bringing a unique blend of theological depth and communication expertise to everything he does.

George is an accomplished actor and spokesperson, with a résumé that includes names like American Express, Burger King, Honda, IBM, Zondervan, Pizza Hut and more.

And on top of all that, he has also written several books, including two that I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed: Heaven’s Doors: Wider Than You Ever Believed! and its shorter companion, How Wide Are Heaven’s Doors?

You’re not going to want to miss this.

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(Part 2 of 2) Welcome back to Jesus the Legend! Today we’re joined by a special guest, Michael Bahry — the author of an incredible book I absolutely loved, Hell is a Bad Word. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

After a long and successful career in construction, Michael decided to go back to school to learn more about his faith. In seven years, he earned two graduate degrees at Providence College, one in theology/early church history, and one in biblical studies; he graduated with distinction in both programs. He is an adjunct instructor at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island and is dedicated to promoting the good news of Jesus.

He carries out this mission through his work with Fifty-Three: Five — a nonprofit organization he founded in 2014 that shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ by offering both spiritual and material support to those in need. He also speaks and teaches on what Jesus truly said — and didn’t say — about divine justice.

I’m really looking forward to this conversation, and I know you’re going to love it too.

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(Part 1 of 2) Welcome back to Jesus the Legend! Today we’re joined by a special guest, Michael Bahry — the author of an incredible book I absolutely loved, Hell is a Bad Word. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

After a long and successful career in construction, Michael decided to go back to school to learn more about his faith. In seven years, he earned two graduate degrees at Providence College, one in theology/early church history, and one in biblical studies; he graduated with distinction in both programs. He is an adjunct instructor at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island and is dedicated to promoting the good news of Jesus.

He carries out this mission through his work with Fifty-Three: Five — a nonprofit organization he founded in 2014 that shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ by offering both spiritual and material support to those in need. He also speaks and teaches on what Jesus truly said — and didn’t say — about divine justice.

I’m really looking forward to this conversation, and I know you’re going to love it too.

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Hey friends, welcome back to Jesus the Legend. Today’s episode is really close to my heart—it’s a verse I’ve been coming back to for decades. A verse that’s shaped the way I look at everything. It’s Matthew 6:33.

Let me read it staring at verse 25:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

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(Part 2 of 2) - Hey everyone, Welcome to Jesus the Legend. I’m really excited about today’s episode because we’ve got Pastor Chris Mathis from The Summit Church in Edmonton joining us. Chris carries the amazing and contagious message of life-giving hope through Jesus.

Shelly and I have known Chris and his wife Nikki—who, by the way, is an incredible worship leader—since, I think, around 2010.

We absolutely love them and are so proud of all that God’s done and continues to do through their lives and ministry. 

Chris and Nikki both have hearts to see people understand their true identity as beloved sons and daughters of God—and to live out of that place of peace and abundance that Jesus promised.

They’re also passionate about church planting and oversee the Summit Church Movement, a grassroots network they founded back in 2009 in Florida.

This conversation is going to be rich—I know you’re going to be encouraged so let’s jump in!

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(Part 1 of 2) - Hey everyone, Welcome to Jesus the Legend. I’m really excited about today’s episode because we’ve got Pastor Chris Mathis from The Summit Church in Edmonton joining us. Chris carries the amazing and contagious message of life-giving hope through Jesus.

Shelly and I have known Chris and his wife Nikki—who, by the way, is an incredible worship leader—since, I think, around 2010.

We absolutely love them and are so proud of all that God’s done and continues to do through their lives and ministry. 

Chris and Nikki both have hearts to see people understand their true identity as beloved sons and daughters of God—and to live out of that place of peace and abundance that Jesus promised.

They’re also passionate about church planting and oversee the Summit Church Movement, a grassroots network they founded back in 2009 in Florida.

This conversation is going to be rich—I know you’re going to be encouraged so let’s jump in!

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(Part 2 of 2)

Welcome back to Jesus the Legend. Today I have the great privilege of speaking with Keith Giles!

Keith is a former pastor who left the pulpit over a decade ago to follow Jesus. He’s been interviewed on CNN with Anderson Cooper, USA Today, Fox News, BuzzFeed and hundreds of other podcasts and radio programs. He’s a regular contributor to the XM Radio show, “Tell Me Everything”, as part of the weekly “God Squad” segment, and he is the founder and co-host of the “Heretic Happy Hour Podcast”, and his solo podcast, “Second Cup with Keith.”

Keith is also the best-selling author of the 7-part “Jesus Un” book series focused on Deconstruction of the Christian faith, and the “Sola” book series focused on embracing the mystery of the Divine. His latest book, “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas” is available now on Amazon.

Keith currently lives in El Paso, TX with his wife Wendy.

Buckle up… I know you’re going to love this.

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(Part 1 of 2)

Welcome back to Jesus the Legend. Today I have the great privilege of speaking with Keith Giles!

Keith is a former pastor who left the pulpit over a decade ago to follow Jesus. He’s been interviewed on CNN with Anderson Cooper, USA Today, Fox News, BuzzFeed and hundreds of other podcasts and radio programs. He’s a regular contributor to the XM Radio show, “Tell Me Everything”, as part of the weekly “God Squad” segment, and he is the founder and co-host of the “Heretic Happy Hour Podcast”, and his solo podcast, “Second Cup with Keith.”

Keith is also the best-selling author of the 7-part “Jesus Un” book series focused on Deconstruction of the Christian faith, and the “Sola” book series focused on embracing the mystery of the Divine. His latest book, “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas” is available now on Amazon.

Keith currently lives in El Paso, TX with his wife Wendy.

Buckle up… I know you’re going to love this.

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Welcome back to Jesus the Legend. I’m super happy to introduce you to my special guest today - Graeme Carle. Born in 1950, Graeme was a devout atheist and evolutionist until 1973 when he had an encounter with Jesus. He went into full-time ministry just a couple years later and spent the next seven years working in churches throughout New Zealand. In 1982, he moved to Wellington and led a team to pioneer, teach, and shepherd a church while also working part-time in the oil industry as a logistics analyst. After fifteen years, he took a brief sabbatical in Nepal, pastoring a medical mission before moving to Colorado as a Bible teacher & ministry trainer. He has worked with (YWAM), he has done itinerant ministry, pastored, taught systematic theology, he has conducted seminars and just about everything else you can imagine! And as if all that isn’t enough, he has also written several books - one of which is the reason I had to reach out and invite him on the podcast. 

“Eating Sacred Cows: A Closer Look at Tithing.”

This book changed the way I see giving and offers a fresh, thought-provoking examination of tithing in contemporary Christian life. Graeme challenges conventional understandings of tithing—arguing that it's often misunderstood or misused, especially in modern contexts, and pushes readers toward generosity rooted in freedom rather than obligation.

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Welcome back to Jesus the Legend. I’m super happy to introduce you to my special guest today - Graeme Carle. Born in 1950, Graeme was a devout atheist and evolutionist until 1973 when he had an encounter with Jesus. He went into full-time ministry just a couple years later and spent the next seven years working in churches throughout New Zealand. In 1982, he moved to Wellington and led a team to pioneer, teach, and shepherd a church while also working part-time in the oil industry as a logistics analyst. After fifteen years, he took a brief sabbatical in Nepal, pastoring a medical mission before moving to Colorado as a Bible teacher & ministry trainer. He has worked with (YWAM), he has done itinerant ministry, pastored, taught systematic theology, he has conducted seminars and just about everything else you can imagine! And as if all that isn’t enough, he has also written several books - one of which is the reason I had to reach out and invite him on the podcast. 

“Eating Sacred Cows: A Closer Look at Tithing.”

This book changed the way I see giving and offers a fresh, thought-provoking examination of tithing in contemporary Christian life. Graeme challenges conventional understandings of tithing—arguing that it's often misunderstood or misused, especially in modern contexts, and pushes readers toward generosity rooted in freedom rather than obligation.

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Welcome to Jesus the Legend. I’m so excited to welcome today’s guest—someone whose teaching has absolutely changed my life and reshaped the way I see God.

Dr. C. Baxter Kruger has spent the last 30 years traveling the world proclaiming the stunningly good news of our inclusion in Jesus and His relationship with the Father in the Spirit. He’s the author of 10 books and he earned his Ph.D. at King’s College, Aberdeen under the late Professor James B. Torrance.

Baxter now lives in Brandon, Mississippi with his wife Beth of 40 years and when he’s not writing or teaching, he’s likely cooking crawfish or carving a fishing lure by hand. It's an honor to have him here.

I know you're going to love it!

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Welcome to Jesus the Legend. I’m so excited to welcome today’s guest—someone whose teaching has absolutely changed my life and reshaped the way I see God.

Dr. C. Baxter Kruger has spent the last 30 years traveling the world proclaiming the stunningly good news of our inclusion in Jesus and His relationship with the Father in the Spirit. He’s the author of 10 books and he earned his Ph.D. at King’s College, Aberdeen under the late Professor James B. Torrance.

Baxter now lives in Brandon, Mississippi with his wife Beth of 40 years and when he’s not writing or teaching, he’s likely cooking crawfish or carving a fishing lure by hand. It's an honor to have him here.

I know you're going to love it!

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Hey everyone and welcome to Jesus the Legend… today I am so happy to introduce Rod Williams. Rod Williams is a compelling speaker and writer with a passion to empower believers to know their true identity and live joyfully out of their present union with Christ made possible by what Jesus accomplished through the Cross of His Grace.

Rod has served in many capacities in churches over the years, including Senior Pastor at The Santa Cruz Church, Senior Coordinator at Cana Seminary and Alumni Professor at School of Kingdom. He holds a degree in Theology from Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College and participated in leadership training intensives at Bethel Church in Redding California, Global Celebration, Jesus Ministry and Global Awakening ministries.

Rod previously worked as an entrepreneur and consultant in Silicon Valley for 30 years developing network computing technology and writing.

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Hey everyone and welcome to Jesus the Legend… today I am so happy to introduce Rod Williams. Rod Williams is a compelling speaker and writer with a passion to empower believers to know their true identity and live joyfully out of their present union with Christ made possible by what Jesus accomplished through the Cross of His Grace.

Rod has served in many capacities in churches over the years, including Senior Pastor at The Santa Cruz Church, Senior Coordinator at Cana Seminary and Alumni Professor at School of Kingdom. He holds a degree in Theology from Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College and participated in leadership training intensives at Bethel Church in Redding California, Global Celebration, Jesus Ministry and Global Awakening ministries.

Rod previously worked as an entrepreneur and consultant in Silicon Valley for 30 years developing network computing technology and writing.

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Hey friends, welcome back to the podcast! I’m thrilled to introduce today’s guest, Tim Stewart — a man whose heart beats for the transformation the gospel brings. Tim has been with an amazing ministry called Impact Nations since 2017, overseeing daily operations and working alongside teams around the world.

From his early days as a missionary in the Philippines to now leading global initiatives through Impact Nations, Tim has seen first-hand how the Kingdom of God brings real change—through healing, counseling, feeding programs, and business development. 

He and his wife Bethany are raising three amazing kids, and their whole family is passionate about loving Jesus and making His beauty known. I’m sure you’re going to love hearing from him today!

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Hey friends, welcome back to the podcast! I’m thrilled to introduce today’s guest, Tim Stewart — a man whose heart beats for the transformation the gospel brings. Tim has been with an amazing ministry called Impact Nations since 2017, overseeing daily operations and working alongside teams around the world.

From his early days as a missionary in the Philippines to now leading global initiatives through Impact Nations, Tim has seen first-hand how the Kingdom of God brings real change—through healing, counseling, feeding programs, and business development. 

He and his wife Bethany are raising three amazing kids, and their whole family is passionate about loving Jesus and making His beauty known. I’m sure you’re going to love hearing from him today!

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Hey friends, welcome back to Jesus the Legend! I’m thrilled for today’s episode because we have a truly amazing guest—Brian Simmons.

Brian and his wife Candice have been pioneers in ministry for over 40 years, serving as missionaries, church planters, Bible teachers, and spiritual parents to a generation. From translating the New Testament to unreached people groups in the jungles of Central America to now leading Passion & Fire Ministries, their heart has always been to make Jesus known.

Brian is probably best known as the lead translator of The Passion Translation—a powerful, heart-level version of Scripture that’s helping people encounter God’s love in fresh ways. He’s also the author of numerous books and one of the most amazing people you’ll ever meet.

Today, we get to hear from someone who’s given his life to awakening hearts to the beauty and love of Christ. So get comfortable—this is going to be good.

Let’s welcome Brian Simmons to the podcast.

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Hey friends, welcome back to Jesus the Legend! I’m thrilled for today’s episode because we have a truly amazing guest—Brian Simmons.

Brian and his wife Candice have been pioneers in ministry for over 40 years, serving as missionaries, church planters, Bible teachers, and spiritual parents to a generation. From translating the New Testament to unreached people groups in the jungles of Central America to now leading Passion & Fire Ministries, their heart has always been to make Jesus known.

Brian is probably best known as the lead translator of The Passion Translation—a powerful, heart-level version of Scripture that’s helping people encounter God’s love in fresh ways. He’s also the author of numerous books and one of the most amazing people you’ll ever meet.

Today, we get to hear from someone who’s given his life to awakening hearts to the beauty and love of Christ. So get comfortable—this is going to be good.

Let’s welcome Brian Simmons to the podcast.

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Hey friends, welcome back to Jesus the Legend. I’m really excited about today’s guest—Peter Hiett.

I first came across Peter years ago through a YouTube video called Hallelujah in Hell. At the time, I wasn’t sure what to make of it—creepy music, chalkboards, dark rooms, Arielle singing, and some seriously strange (but intriguing) theology. Still, it stuck with me.

Later on, I heard him on David Artman’s podcast and realized—wait, that’s the same guy! Since then, I’ve really enjoyed his teaching.

Peter is the son of a Presbyterian pastor and went from studying geology to earning his M.Div. at Fuller Seminary. He’s written several books, has tons of teaching online and he’s been pastoring The Sanctuary in Denver since 2008. He’s been ordained by multiple branches of the Presbyterian Church, and he and his high school sweetheart, Susan, have been married since 1983. They’ve got four kids—whom Peter says he likes most of the time.

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to chat with him today and I’m sure you will love it.

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Hey friends, welcome back to Jesus the Legend. I’m really excited about today’s guest—Peter Hiett.

I first came across Peter years ago through a YouTube video called Hallelujah in Hell. At the time, I wasn’t sure what to make of it—creepy music, chalkboards, dark rooms, Arielle singing, and some seriously strange (but intriguing) theology. Still, it stuck with me.

Later on, I heard him on David Artman’s podcast and realized—wait, that’s the same guy! Since then, I’ve really enjoyed his teaching.

Peter is the son of a Presbyterian pastor and went from studying geology to earning his M.Div. at Fuller Seminary. He’s written several books, has tons of teaching online and he’s been pastoring The Sanctuary in Denver since 2008. He’s been ordained by multiple branches of the Presbyterian Church, and he and his high school sweetheart, Susan, have been married since 1983. They’ve got four kids—whom Peter says he likes most of the time.

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to chat with him today and I’m sure you will love it.

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Today we have a special guest! Benjamin McNair Scott is a school chaplain and Religious Studies teacher at St Catherine’s School in Bramley, Surrey, where he’s served for nearly 13 years. With a BA, MA, and PhD in Theology from King's College London, Benji is an ordained Anglican priest with a background in both parish ministry and secondary school teaching. He’s also the author of Apostles Today and most recently A Hope in Hell, a thoughtful and courageous exploration of hopeful Christian eschatology. Benji lives in England with his wife Cecilia and their four children.

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Today we have a special guest! Benjamin McNair Scott is a school chaplain and Religious Studies teacher at St Catherine’s School in Bramley, Surrey, where he’s served for nearly 13 years. With a BA, MA, and PhD in Theology from King's College London, Benji is an ordained Anglican priest with a background in both parish ministry and secondary school teaching. He’s also the author of Apostles Today and most recently A Hope in Hell, a thoughtful and courageous exploration of hopeful Christian eschatology. Benji lives in England with his wife Cecilia and their four children.

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Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend—a podcast where we’re doing our best to uncover the beauty and depth of God’s story, often in ways that surprise and transform us. I’m so happy you’re here today, because we’re dipping our toes into the book of Revelation… and we’re going to go all the way to the end because if you stop at the lake of fire, you miss something profound. In fact, I believe you’ll miss the heart of the whole thing. I’m guilty of doing it for many years… it’s like once I hit Chapter 20, my brain stopped taking in what God was saying.

For most of my Christian walk, I was mentally stuck at the great judgment… books being opened and names being read. So, I’m going to START there…. because that’s where the story seemed to end for me for so long.

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Today we have a very special guest—John Crowder. I’ve known John for years, and while he’s certainly stirred up controversy in some religious circles, I genuinely believe that if people would take the time to listen to him, get to know him, and hear his heart, they’d see that his deepest desire is for people to encounter Jesus in a real and transformative way.

My sense is that many of his critics haven’t taken the time to understand him. They hear one thing that offends them, make a snap judgment, and write him off. But that kind of quick dismissal often misses the heart behind the message—and in John’s case, that heart is all about Jesus.

John loves to push the envelope and provoke people to extreme joy, radical grace and contemplative wonder through the scandalous, liberating good news of humanity’s union with God in Jesus Christ. Based in Oregon with Lily, his wife of 23 years, and their children, John is an internationally recognized author, speaker and advocate of Trinitarian theology. John brings a Christological lens to his teaching, with openness to supernatural expression.

You can find him everywhere… all over Social Media, YouTube… his website is johncrowder.net… he's written tonnes of books… he speaks all over the world … he's got e-courses and t-shirts. Honestly, lob a ball with his name written on it in just about any direction and you'll find him.

Hope this chat blesses you… I know it did me… you guys are amazing!

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Today we have a very special guest—John Crowder. I’ve known John for years, and while he’s certainly stirred up controversy in some religious circles, I genuinely believe that if people would take the time to listen to him, get to know him, and hear his heart, they’d see that his deepest desire is for people to encounter Jesus in a real and transformative way.

My sense is that many of his critics haven’t taken the time to understand him. They hear one thing that offends them, make a snap judgment, and write him off. But that kind of quick dismissal often misses the heart behind the message—and in John’s case, that heart is all about Jesus.

John loves to push the envelope and provoke people to extreme joy, radical grace and contemplative wonder through the scandalous, liberating good news of humanity’s union with God in Jesus Christ. Based in Oregon with Lily, his wife of 23 years, and their children, John is an internationally recognized author, speaker and advocate of Trinitarian theology. John brings a Christological lens to his teaching, with openness to supernatural expression.

You can find him everywhere… all over Social Media, YouTube… his website is johncrowder.net… he's written tonnes of books… he speaks all over the world … he's got e-courses and t-shirts. Honestly, lob a ball with his name written on it in just about any direction and you'll find him.

Hope this chat blesses you… I know it did me… you guys are amazing!

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In this episode (Part 2 of 2), I continue my chat with Jason Clark – writer, speaker, and lead communicator at A Family Story Ministries. Jason’s passion is helping sons and daughters grow confident in the relentless, always-good love of their heavenly Father.

We talk about everything from rethinking old ideas about God to laughing through life’s wild ride of faith. Jason brings deep wisdom and a ton of heart... like a hot knife through bad theology.

He’s the author of God Is Not in Control, Prone to Love, Leaving and Finding Jesus, Surrendered and Untamed, and Untamed – and if that’s not enough, he also co-hosts the podcast Rethinking God with Tacos (yes, tacos – it’s a whole vibe).

Jason lives in North Carolina with his wife, Karen, and their three amazing kids.

Check out more from Jason at ⁠AFamilyStory.org⁠.

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In this episode (Part 1 of 2), I sit down with Jason Clark – writer, speaker, and lead communicator at A Family Story Ministries. Jason’s passion is helping sons and daughters grow confident in the relentless, always-good love of their heavenly Father.

We talk about everything from rethinking old ideas about God to laughing through life’s wild ride of faith. Jason brings deep wisdom and a ton of heart... like a hot knife through bad theology.

He’s the author of God Is Not in Control, Prone to Love, Leaving and Finding Jesus, Surrendered and Untamed, and Untamed – and if that’s not enough, he also co-hosts the podcast Rethinking God with Tacos (yes, tacos – it’s a whole vibe).

Jason lives in North Carolina with his wife, Karen, and their three amazing kids.

Check out more from Jason at ⁠AFamilyStory.org⁠.

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Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend. Today we're going to talk about something that has completely changed the way I read the Bible — it’s the role of the early church and church tradition. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Tradition? That sounds old and dusty,"... stick with me… Because what I’ve found is that far from being dusty… tradition and the voice of the early fathers is extremely important.

For a long time, I didn’t intentionally ignore the early church and its traditions — I simply didn’t know they existed. I was so wrapped up in my own bubble, my own lane, my own denomination, that it never even crossed my mind to ask, “Where did all of this come from?”

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Welcome back to Jesus the Legend. Today we’re talking about a topic that’s been on my heart for a while now—something that’s both fascinating and, honestly, really surprised me once I checked it out for myself. The title of this episode is "Scripture’s Silence on Hell - What the Bible Doesn’t Say." If your church background was anything like mine, you were probably taught that hell—a place of eternal fire and never ending torment—was a core part of the Christian faith. I was always under the impression it was clearly spelled out in the Bible, no questions asked. But what if I told you that when you actually crack open the scriptures, that picture starts to get fuzzy? What if the hell we’ve been imagining isn’t quite as biblical as we may have thought?

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Hey, everyone! Welcome back to Jesus the Legend, the podcast where we’re doing our best to dig deep into the wild, wonderful, and beautiful Gospel. 

Today, we’re diving into the consuming, heart-stirring fire we see all throughout Scripture—the fire of His love, His power, and His presence. But here’s the twist… it’s not a fire that torments forever, but one that transforms. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get into it!

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Welcome to Jesus the Legend. Today’s episode is titled: We're All Universalists (But We Won’t Admit It).

Now before you start yelling, stick with me for a few minutes. It’s gonna be worth it.

What if I told you that, in many ways, we already think in universal terms without realizing it? When it comes to sin and the fall, we have no problem affirming its reach. We acknowledge that sin has affected everyone—that not a single person is exempt. We see evidence of brokenness everywhere. We believe, as Scripture says, that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We accept that the consequences of Adam’s fall have rippled through every corner of humanity.

But here’s the question: Why do we stop there? Why do we so easily affirm that sin in universal, yet hesitate to affirm the universal reach of redemption? If we can believe that the fall of one man, Adam, had cosmic consequences, why do we struggle to believe that the victory of one man, Jesus - the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, is just as far-reaching—if not more?

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Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend! Today, I want to dive into a topic that came up in my recent interview with David Artman. When I asked him what the biggest push-back he gets against Christian Universalism is, he said it’s the idea that it takes away free choice. That really got me thinking, because I wrestled with that same question a few years ago as well… plus I’ve heard that same concern from others myself. 

The idea is if everyone ultimately chooses God, then somehow, human freedom is being violated—that real love requires the option to reject Him forever, even if that means eternal separation or torment. But is that actually true? Is that how freedom really works?

I believe it’s time to take a closer look at what freedom actually is. Because when we talk about free will, we tend to assume that every person is making fully rational, unbiased, and independent choices. But in reality, our choices are shaped by so many things—our upbringing, our wounds, our fears, the lies we’ve believed, and the cultural and religious systems we’ve been part of. If a person rejects God, are they doing so with full clarity and understanding? Or is that rejection coming from a place of pain, confusion, or deception?

If we believe that God is truly a loving Father, does He stand back and simply allow His children to remain in their blindness and brokenness forever? Or does He, in His relentless love, continue drawing them—pulling them toward healing, toward truth, and ultimately, toward Himself?

Today, we’re going to explore what real freedom looks like, whether our choices are as “free” as we assume, and what it means when Jesus says in John 12:32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” What does it mean for God to draw us? Does it override our will, or does it restore it?

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Part 3 of 3 with David Artman - Welcome to Jesus the Legend! I am so excited to have had the chance to chat with David Artman.

David is a husband, banjo player, and minister who believes God will ultimately redeem everyone by grace. After over 30 years in pastoral ministry, he loves to engage in today’s spiritual conversations.

His journey has led him to embrace Christian universalism—not as a break from Scripture, but as its deepest truth. His book, Grace Saves All – The Necessity of Christian Universalism, argues that ultimate redemption is both possible and necessary within the Christian faith.

Through his podcast, Grace Saves All – Christianity and Universal Salvation, David explores God’s endless mercy in conversations with theologians, pastors, and seekers. With a heart for Jesus, he desires to share a message of hope, healing, and God’s radical love.

Whether playing music or diving into deep discussions, David is passionate about spreading the good news that grace truly does save all.

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Part 2 of 3 with David Artman - Welcome to Jesus the Legend! I am so excited to continue my chat with David Artman.

David is a husband, banjo player, and minister who believes God will ultimately redeem everyone by grace. After over 30 years in pastoral ministry, he loves to engage in today’s spiritual conversations.

His journey has led him to embrace Christian universalism—not as a break from Scripture, but as its deepest truth. His book, Grace Saves All – The Necessity of Christian Universalism, argues that ultimate redemption is both possible and necessary within the Christian faith.

Through his podcast, Grace Saves All – Christianity and Universal Salvation, David explores God’s endless mercy in conversations with theologians, pastors, and seekers. With a heart for Jesus, he desires to share a message of hope, healing, and God’s radical love.

Whether playing music or diving into deep discussions, David is passionate about spreading the good news that grace truly does save all.

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Part 1 of 3 with David Artman - Welcome to Jesus the Legend! I am so excited to have a very special guest joining me today - David Artman.

David is a husband, banjo player, and minister who believes God will ultimately redeem everyone by grace. After over 30 years in pastoral ministry, he loves to engage in today’s spiritual conversations.

His journey has led him to embrace Christian universalism—not as a break from Scripture, but as its deepest truth. His book, Grace Saves All – The Necessity of Christian Universalism, argues that ultimate redemption is both possible and necessary within the Christian faith.

Through his podcast, Grace Saves All – Christianity and Universal Salvation, David explores God’s endless mercy in conversations with theologians, pastors, and seekers. With a heart for Jesus, he desires to share a message of hope, healing, and God’s radical love.

Whether playing music or diving into deep discussions, David is passionate about spreading the good news that grace truly does save all.

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Welcome to Jesus the Legend… today we’re diving deep into another fun parable -  Matthew 25: 31-46 - “The Sheep and the Goats”. This passage has been a cornerstone of thought on judgment, mercy, and eternal destiny. But what does it really mean? Does it teach eternal conscious torment, or is there something deeper happening? Today, we’ll touch on a few different ways of how this passage has been understood, the significance of the Greek words used, and what this parable reveals about God’s justice and restoration.

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Welcome back to Jesus the Legend, where we’re doing our best to explore the radical goodness of God and how He’s better than we could ever imagine. Today, we’re going to chat about a big question: "Who is a child of God?" And, "Why does so much of Evangelical Christianity insist that you're either in or out?"

I want to invite you into a deeper, broader, and more beautiful vision of God’s love and belonging. Because when we take a step back and look at the full sweep of Scripture, we find a much bigger story unfolding. One where God’s fatherhood extends beyond rigid categories, where His love reaches further than we may have been taught to imagine, and where the dividing lines some have drawn may not be as fixed as we think. What if the Gospel isn’t about who's in and who’s out—but rather, about awakening to the reality that we have always belonged?

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Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend! I’m so glad you’re here. Today, I want to talk about something that may bring some of us a deep sense of relief: The Gospel is simple. And yet, for some reason, we sometimes tend to make it way harder than it needs to be. All too often we struggle, overthink, and stress about doing it "right," when all along, Jesus is saying, "Trust me. Rest in me. Let me carry you." Now, don’t get me wrong—I love theology. Some of the episodes on here I’m going to try to dive into atonement theories, eternity, and the rich, beautiful truths about who God is. And those things matter. They shape how we see the world, how we read Scripture, and how we understand our relationship with God. But let’s be clear: Understanding every tiny detail is not a prerequisite for enjoying Him. If it were, none of us would make the cut… especially me! Thankfully, Jesus didn’t come to create a complicated system of beliefs that only the intellectually elite could navigate. He came to bring life. He came to bring freedom.

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Hey everyone, and welcome back to Jesus the Legend. I’m so excited for today’s episode because we’re diving into a passage that, for most of my Christian life, I thought was one of the clearest texts for a hell of eternal conscious torment. At least that was how I had always read it and always been taught. Like many others— I thought the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus was rock-solid evidence that once a person dies, their fate is permanently sealed. No second chances and no hope of redemption. You either experience eternal bliss in heaven or eternal agony in hell—no crossing over, no possibility of change. That was the framework I had been given, and so I read this passage assuming that’s exactly what it was saying.

But here’s the thing—I now see that’s not what this parable is about at all. I’ve come to realize that I've been reading something into this text that simply isn’t there. I was bringing a set of assumptions to the passage rather than letting the passage speak for itself. And when I started looking at it with fresh eyes and through the lens of Jesus - I realized this story is about something much different than I had thought.

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Today, we’re going to take a look at a topic that has the power to shift our perspective, renew our minds, and even help transform our hearts: gratitude. And I’m not just talking about saying “thank you” when things are going well—I mean living with a deep, daily awareness of God’s goodness, even in the ordinary moments of life.

We live in a world that constantly pulls our attention toward what’s wrong. Turn on the TV, and it’s filled with crisis after crisis. Scroll through social media, and it’s a flood of arguments, complaints, and bad news. Negativity surrounds us, and if we’re not careful, it can shape the way we see everything. But what if we flipped the script? What if we made a conscious decision to train our eyes and hearts to recognize the blessings God places in our lives every single day?

Gratitude isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It doesn’t mean ignoring pain, hardship, or injustice. But it does mean choosing to see the bigger picture—to acknowledge that even in the midst of struggles, God is still present, still faithful, and still working for our good. It’s about learning to trust Him enough to say, “Lord, I see Your hand, even here.”

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Today, we’re diving into something that calls us to rethink everything—the overwhelming vastness of God’s love. I believe if we truly understood it—if we could even glimpse how high, how deep, how unshakable it is—we wouldn’t hesitate. We wouldn’t hold back. We’d run straight into His embrace without fear, without doubt, without second-guessing.

When I talk about God’s love, I’m NOT talking about shallow sentimentality or fleeting emotion. This isn’t some feel-good, fairy-tale romance that fades when things get tough. It’s not the kind of love that makes grand promises one minute and walks away the next. The world is full of love that is conditional, love that changes based on feelings, circumstances, or convenience. But God’s love? It’s in an entirely different category.

This is real love I’m talking about. The kind that sacrifices. The kind that endures. The kind that never gives up, never backs down and never stops pursuing. It’s not just words—it’s action. It’s not just a feeling—it’s a commitment.

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Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s been close to my heart for years—evangelism. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, "Oh great, another talk about handing out tracts at the mall, or yelling at people on the sidewalk" stick with me.This isn’t about scheduling evangelism like a dentist appointment—6 PM to 7 PM, Friday night, go tell people about Jesus, check the box, done! No, evangelism isn’t an event, it’s a lifestyle. It’s not something we turn on and off like a light switch; it’s part of walking with Jesus every single day.

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Why serve God now? Simple—because He’s everything. He’s life itself. He’s the source of eternal purpose, supernatural calm, and a love so deep it makes the Grand Canyon look like a crack in the sidewalk. I don’t want to live a single second feeling apart from Him… I don’t want to waste my life chasing things that don’t matter.

This life with Jesus? It’s so ridiculously good, I can’t imagine ever going back. And the amazing part? He’s offering that same abundant life to you. No subscription fee, no fine print—just grace, love, and a joy that doesn’t make sense.

Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

That’s not just a nice verse to put on a coffee mug—that’s real life.

So, let’s walk together in that joy. Let’s live in His presence. And let’s make Jesus so visible to the world that people can’t help but ask, “Okay, what do they have, and where can I get some?”

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