Rebel - Podcast for Cultural Engagement · The Rebels - Nate Wright & Chris Poots

Israel, Islam and other listener questions

October 31, 2023·37 min·3 clips

A former witch describes summoning a dark spirit that granted wealth and orgasms in exchange for worship.

This episode of the Rebel podcast features hosts Nathaniel Wright, Christopher Poots, David Wettlaufer, and Garaj Mahal answering listener questions on theology and current events. They address topics including witchcraft, Calvinism, and the modern state of Israel, drawing from scripture and personal experience. The hosts are affiliated with the Ezra Institute and the Fight, Laugh, Feast network, framing their discussions around cultural engagement and discipleship. They affirm the reality of witchcraft, citing biblical examples like the Witch of Endor and Pharaoh's magicians. The hosts reference testimonies from individuals in their church saved from occult practices, describing rituals involving summoned spirits and love potions. They discuss the nature of demonic power, referencing scriptural accounts of demon possession and the story of Christ's temptation. The conversation shifts to a listener's confusion over Calvinism and its application in evangelism. The hosts explain their perspective using Ephesians chapters 1 and 2, emphasizing human spiritual deadness and God's sovereign grace in salvation. They recommend studying specific Bible passages like John 6, 10, and 15 rather than just theological systems. A significant portion addresses the Israel-Hamas conflict, urging Christians to distinguish modern Israel from biblical Israel. They reference episodes by Dr. Aaron Rock and Joe Boot on the same topic for deeper analysis. The hosts condemn Hamas's October 2023 attacks, citing reported atrocities like the public execution of hostages. They argue that modern Israel is an apostate nation for rejecting Christ, while acknowledging geopolitical reasons to support Israel in the current conflict. Theologically, they reject the idea of two separate peoples of God, explaining that true Israel comprises all believers, Jew and Gentile, united in Christ. One insight is that fear of the occult has led some Reformed circles to neglect teaching on spiritual warfare, despite its biblical reality. A surprising claim is that demons can grant tangible, though ultimately deceitful, requests like wealth or pleasure in exchange for worship. The hosts emphasize that evangelism involves both pleading with people to repent and pleading with God to save them, reconciling divine sovereignty with human responsibility. They share a personal story of a two-year debate over Calvinism that was resolved by returning to scripture without presuppositions. A memorable moment is the hosts' shock that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Hamas's actions. The tone is conversational and informal, marked by friendly banter and inside jokes among the co-hosts. The style is educational, aiming to provide biblical answers to practical questions, though it leans into doctrinal debate on specific theological points. Listeners interested in Reformed theology, postmillennialism, and applying scripture to contemporary cultural issues would appreciate this episode. Those seeking a non-denominational perspective or who are uncomfortable with critiques of modern Israel might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A direct case for thinking culturally as a disciple, not just agreeing doctrinally.

The piece treats discipleship as something public, not private: the speakers connect the gospel to coworkers, culture, friends, and the Christian duty to think biblically about the world.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a direct Calvinist take on listener questions, start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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