I know in these episodes I often talk about wacky spiritual things going on in the unseen realm. Angels and demons and spiritual legal rights and all that kinda stuff. And, of course, the Bible is our best source of information about all that.

Today, I want to talk about how we study our Bible. I hope you read your bible. I hope you pay attention to what you’re reading as you’re reading it. And if you’re listening to a podcast like this, I’m sure you are a Bible reader.

So for today’s episode, my challenge to myself is: how can I make your Bible study time just a little bit richer in the 20 or 30 minutes of this episode?

And you know what? We’ll also learn a bit today about our own role in the story God is telling with history.

How about a weird Scripture to kick us off, though?

I Peter 3:18-20

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

Now when did Jesus go and proclaim to the spirits in prison? Well this is during the time that Jesus’s body was dead for three days. Peter tells us what Jesus was doing during that time: he was visiting the Watchers- these fallen Sons of God that we’ve been reading about in the Book of Enoch- and makes proclamation to them. But what exactly did Jesus proclaim? The Bible doesn’t tell us directly, but the Book of Enoch might help us find that answer.

I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible… and in the Book of Enoch.

But first, turn to Romans 5, and let’s get weird.

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

2:00 - What is Typology?

11:30 - Jesus, the Second Enoch

17:15 - The Bible’s use of Extrabiblical Sources

21:30 - Next Time

23:30 - Closing Thoughts

Visit the Weird Stuff store!

https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com

You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one.

If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com

Hosted by Luke Taylor

If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Jesus tells us to love our enemies. To do good for those who hate you. To pray for those who persecute you.

Now, He said all this before they invented the Walmart parking lot, but I think it probably still applies for today.

However, when it comes to evil spirits, the Bible has a different game plan: we give them no quarter. When it comes to the devil, we don’t take any half measures. Zero tolerance.

They don’t get a redemption arc in the Bible’s story, and we aren’t supposed to even let them try.

So why the difference?

I find this to be weird, and I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. And not only that, the book of Enoch is going to show us God’s disposition toward evil spirits as well.

If you want to dig into that with me today, turn to Ephesians 6, and let’s get weird.

Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here:

https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/

Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

2:00 - Enoch 13 & the Appeal of the Watchers

11:05 - Demons are Unrepentant

16:45 - How to Treat Evil Spirits

18:50 - Be Merciless with Evil Spirits

24:40 - Next Time

26:00 - Closing Thoughts

Visit the Weird Stuff store!

https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com

You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one.

If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com

Hosted by Luke Taylor

If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Thor has his hammer. Indiana Jones has his whip. Robin Hood has his bow. Iron Man has…laser hands. I don’t really know what you call them.

Anyway- in Matthew 16, Jesus gave us an incredible weapon that we can use to fight our enemies as well. He said

Matthew 16:19

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

And wouldn’t you know, Christians like to argue about what exactly these words mean. Is this about spiritual warfare? Is this about church discipline?

In the words of Iron Man himself: “is it too much to ask for both?"

Thankfully, this answer is not a mystery. When we look at the biblical vocabulary around fighting off demons and fallen angels in the Bible, it actually becomes pretty simple.

Notice: I called today’s episode “What Happens When You Bind a Spirit,” and I didn’t put a question mark on the end of it. I’m not asking a question today. I’m going to show you what happens when you bind a spirit.

And once I’m done, you’ll be praying prayers of binding and loosing more than ever.

Because this concept is not supposed to be weird for Christians to do. Some Christians think that praying prayers like this is kinda out-there. But it’s actually supposed to be pretty normal.

So if you want to learn more, turn with me to Luke 13, and let’s get normal.

Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here:

https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/

Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

2:17 - Recapping Binding and Loosing

6:21 - How to Detain Your Dragon

12:06 - Enoch 13, Chains of the Watchers

19:16 - Testimonies of Binding Spirits

24:26 - Closing Thoughts

Visit the Weird Stuff store!

https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com

You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one.

If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com

Hosted by Luke Taylor

If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!