This is a bonus to the episode, Is Holloween Satan's Birthday Party?
The crew discusses the complex relationship between fear, love, and understanding in the context of faith. They discuss the paradox of fearing God while also feeling safe in His presence, the dangers of misinformation, and the importance of navigating fear with a deeper understanding. The dialogue emphasizes the need for thoughtful reflection and the challenge of addressing misconceptions in conversations about faith and spirituality.
Guests in this episode:
Dr. Seth Pierce — Find him on Instagram and TikTok @professorpierce. He also writes on Substack at Infodemonology and hosts the Beast and Bible Podcast.
Nate Hellman — Connect with him on Instagram and TikTok @nate.hellman. He co-hosts the The Imperfect Pastor Podcast.
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00:00 Fear and Its Role in Christian Messaging
02:00 Understanding Fear: A Paradoxical Relationship with God
03:23 The Nature of Fear: God vs. the Devil
04:25 The Otherness of God and Its Implications
06:27 The Danger of Simplistic Narratives
08:01 The Importance of Critical Thinking
12:09 Fear and Control: Human Instincts
16:02 The Challenge of Responding to Misinformation
In this conversation, Alex Portillo, Nate Hellman, and Dr. Seth Pierce explore the complex relationship between Halloween and Christianity, delving into the historical context of the Satanic Panic, the evolution of Halloween traditions, and the cultural implications of fear and monsters in Christian narratives. They discuss personal experiences with spiritual warfare, the significance of testimonies, and provide insights on how Christians can engage with Halloween in a thoughtful and informed manner.
Guests in this episode:
Dr. Seth Pierce — Find him on Instagram and TikTok @professorpierce. He also writes on Substack at Infodemonology and hosts the Beast and Bible Podcast.
Nate Hellman — Connect with him on Instagram and TikTok @nate.hellman. He co-hosts The Imperfect Pastor Podcast.
Links: www. sanberto.com/links
Donate: www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
05:32 Is Halloween Satan's Birthday?
14:12 The Role of Testimonies in Shaping Beliefs
23:11 Monsters, Identity, and the Christian Experience
25:49 The Origins of Halloween and Trick-or-Treating
31:22 Cultural Syncretism and Halloween's Evolution
39:46 Are Jack O' Lanterns Demonic Portals?
45:15 The Loaded Question Fallacy
47:36 How Should Christians Engage with Halloween
55:12 Fear and Its Role in Christian Messaging
What does it actually mean to walk in the light? In this episode, Alex unpacks a powerful passage from 1 John 1:5–10 and explores how living in the light goes beyond believing the right things or striving for righteousness. It’s about something far more vulnerable—and freeing.
If you’ve ever wrestled with hidden struggles, questions about confession, or wondered how honesty shapes real Christian community, this teaching will challenge and encourage you.
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Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rqv59erkid32fkj3o1jrz/Walking-in-the-Light.pdf?rlkey=mlfkjpf8ywofpjy5dq81dupuf&st=qr3pkl4i&dl=0
We’ve all asked questions that don’t have easy answers. In times of loss, disappointment, or silence from God, we often wonder, “Why?” But sometimes, the most important truth isn’t found in explanations.
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:29–30: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” This verse paints a picture of a God who pays attention to the smallest details of our lives and who offers comfort even in our darkest seasons.
In this episode, Alex reflects on what it really means to experience God’s presence when life doesn’t make sense.
NOTE: This homily was delivered as a word of encouragement for a memorial service.
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Slides: N/A
In this message, Alex walks through one of the most striking passages in the book of Lamentations—a text written in the heart of grief and exile, yet turning toward surprising hope. From the careful structure of Hebrew poetry to the words that rise up in the middle of despair, the teaching explores what it means to remember God’s love and mercy in seasons of loss and uncertainty.
Scripture Studied: Lamentations 3:21–24
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Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sc03a0qojmi7vw4pbbgrm/New-Mercy.pdf?rlkey=lvjzkb03mdqxgpp1aqnqita0x&st=dekgrvgz&dl=0
What does it mean that Christ was “crucified in weakness yet lives by the power of God”? In this teaching on 2 Corinthians 13:3–5, Alex explores how our assumptions about strength and weakness shape our faith, our discipleship, and even the way we picture Jesus.
Reflection
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Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/824tmuc4pmneihqqzk8hm/Homunculus.pdf?rlkey=oni9lt9kwf6ok6eo8p14f501g&st=hsjyghfz&dl=0
We chase money, status, and security, but Scripture says God’s wealth looks nothing like ours. In Ephesians 1:7–8, Paul describes the “riches of His grace” lavished on us. What does that mean for how we live?
In this teaching, we explore why God’s riches matter for your peace and freedom today, and what it looks like to live spiritually wealthy even when life feels poor.
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Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jc1qio4trax4d5a5zhwvv/How-to-Become-Filthy-Rich.pdf?rlkey=z5vu5cdllkdt4xp98ifw2elj6&st=rpaoit6r&dl=0
Matthew 25:31–46 places every nation before Christ’s throne and hinges on a single phrase: “the least of these.” In this teaching, we wrestle with who Jesus means—and why our answer exposes the shape of our discipleship toward the hungry, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned.
Reflection
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Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2gpd09r088m0mvmiwhzey/The-Xenos.pdf?rlkey=gh3eimh8dodvq85ja90udz9ir&st=p0pce19u&dl=0
In Mark 6:45–52, Jesus walks on water in the middle of the night. But tucked inside this story is a surprising detail most of us skip right over—one that changes the way we see storms, faith, and the way Jesus meets us in our struggles.
In this episode, Pastor Alex explores why Jesus doesn’t always calm the wind, what it means to row through resistance, and how God uses both storms and headwinds to strengthen us for what’s ahead.
Reflection:
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In this episode, we bring our study of Psalm 23 to a close by reflecting on its final verse: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This line has comforted countless people through the ages, but what does it really mean for God’s goodness and mercy to “follow” us?
Together, we’ll consider the imagery, the language, and the weight of these words. More than poetry, they reveal something essential about God’s character and about the kind of life we are invited to live in His care. As we close this series, we’ll ask how this psalm not only speaks to our present but also directs our future.
Reflection
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In this episode, we dive into Psalm 23:5 and ask, “What does it mean for God to prepare a table for us in the presence of our enemies?” Together we’ll explore the imagery of God as host, the comfort it brings in times of conflict, and the hope it offers for daily life. If you’ve ever wondered how this verse speaks into your struggles and challenges, this teaching will give you a fresh perspective and encouragement.
Reflection
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This is a teaching on Psalm 23:3. We explore the meaning of "he refreshes my soul."
Reflection
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What do you treasure most, and how is it shaping your heart? In this Matthew 5–6 teaching, we explore the concept of reward and treasure.
Discover why the poor in spirit are truly rich, how hidden acts of faith become wages of the heart, and why no one will enter heaven whose heart isn’t already there first.
Reflection
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