When I heard about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I was deeply shaken. It wasn’t just the horror of the act itself—it was the way people responded. I started asking hard questions about how we, especially as a culture, react to tragedy. Charlie Kirk was known as a conservative political figure and founder of Turning Point USA, but beyond politics, he was a husband, a father, a son, and someone made in the image of God. His life had inherent dignity, regardless of any disagreements.
I hoped that in the face of something as clearly evil as murder, people across political and ideological lines could come together in shared grief and basic human compassion. But what I saw in the comments online was disheartening—hostility, division, and even celebration of his death. It left me wondering: where is the hope for humanity? What I witnessed wasn’t just a cultural or political divide—it felt like spiritual warfare. It exposed a deeper, unseen battle, one that’s breaking through into our everyday reality.
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📖Learn more,The Assassination of Charlie Kirk: https://bit.ly/46UNA3Z
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Being human means being made in the image of God, which includes having creative potential, being made for relationships, and living with purpose. Being human is to live within a story. Unlike animals or computers, humans create and are shaped by stories. We long for meaning and direction, and this longing is ultimately fulfilled in the story of Jesus. The Gospel is presented as the ultimate story that fulfills this human longing.
Additionally, to be human is to create beauty and bring order to the world. The Bible itself is seen as a story that doesn't hide humanity's flaws, but instead speaks truthfully across time, culture, and history, showing God's authorship in a way that continues to resonate deeply today.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
Human identity is shaken when we lose access to things we’ve always relied on, prompting deep questions about who we are. The central message of Scripture is “God With Us” — from Genesis to Revelation. However, life experiences often don’t align with that promise, leading to honest struggles and doubts about God’s presence.
It's okay to wrestle with questions like “God, are you even here?” — that kind of honesty can create space for others to do the same. Despite the pain and loss in life, Christians live in the tension of present suffering and future hope, trusting in the promise that Christ will one day restore all things. This tension is a core part of what it means to be human.
📕 Learn About Josh Ryan Butler: https://joshuaryanbutler.com/about/
📕Order Josh Ryan Butler's book: https://joshuaryanbutler.com/books/god-is-on-your-side/
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
Asbury Revival reveals a deep insight into what it means to be human. That moment acts as a powerful reminder that true humanity is rooted in humility and dependence on God. Being human means embracing our "creaturehood"—acknowledging that we are not self-sufficient. But modern life often pushes us toward self-reliance, control, and a desire for belonging through status, approval, or material things. These pursuits, though understandable, actually distance us from God and undermine our true humanity.
📕Learn About Zach Meerkreebs: https://www.zachmeerkreebs.com/about
📕Order Zach's book: https://www.zachmeerkreebs.com/
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
To truly understand what it means to be human, we must begin with Genesis 1 and 2, where humanity is created in God's image. Starting with creation gives us a fuller picture of who we were meant to be. This, in turn, helps us grasp the tragedy of the Fall and the purpose of sanctification through Christ—beginning with His incarnation and continuing until His return.
We can see two flawed views of humanity: Rejecting the physical as inherently bad, and overindulging in the physical (hedonism), assuming there’s nothing after this life. Both extremes lead to distorted worldviews. Instead, the Christian worldview offers a balanced vision: humans are both physical and spiritual, made in God's image, and called to reflect His design in both body and soul.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle
The question of what it means to be human is both simple and deeply profound—philosophical, theological, and ethical. Drawing from Dr. John Kilner’s work, it emphasizes that being human means being made in the image of God. This image is not destroyed by the Fall; rather, humanity itself is broken, making us unable to live up to the standard that comes with this God-given status.The image of God remains in every person—unchangeable and irrevocable—but our ability to reflect it fully has been compromised. This underscores our need for Jesus and sanctification, which restore our ability to reflect God’s image.📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬 Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle#Christianity #Theology #Gospel #BeHumanSeries #Humanity
When bad things happen to good and humble people, it’s natural to ask, “God, where were You in my pain?” While we may not always get the answers we want, Scripture assures us that God, in His infinite knowledge and eternal perspective, gives us the answers we need. A powerful example is the story of Job—a righteous, upright man who still faced immense suffering. His story shows that even when there’s no clear explanation, God remains sovereign and trustworthy, knowing far more than we can understand.📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle
The question has been raised about what age we will appear in heaven.—whether it will be at our "peak" in our 20s, 30s, or the age we die. We can see that Jesus, who entered time and space, died in his 30s and appeared after his resurrection looking the same as before—recognizable and not significantly younger or older.
On the other hand, what happens to infants who die? Many parents face deep grief from losing babies—through miscarriage, stillbirth, illness, accidents, violence, or tragedy. These heartbreaking situations lead to profound questions: Do these children go to heaven? And if so, what form do they take there—do they remain as children or are they somehow transformed?
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📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
David’s prayer reflects a powerful biblical pattern seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments—a theology of remembrance. His prayer looks back to God's past faithfulness, acknowledges the present situation, and expresses hope for the future. This trust is rooted in God’s unchanging character: because He has been faithful in the past, we can trust Him now and in the days to come.
In 1 Chronicles 29:14, David humbly asks, “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?” recognizing that everything they offer comes from God’s own hand. David also reflects on Israel’s past, describing them as “aliens and temporary residents,” recalling their time in Egypt and the wilderness. This historical awareness grounds their identity and deepens their gratitude and dependence on God.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle
Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen from among the people of Israel. His role was to lead and protect Israel, especially in times of threat, like during the encounter with Goliath. However, Saul was gripped by fear — fear of enemies and fear of circumstances. Rather than turning to God in trust, Saul let fear drive him to poor, faithless decisions. Most notably, he disobeyed God's commands and even consulted a medium instead of seeking guidance from the Lord. As a result, God rejected Saul, ended his reign, and gave the kingdom to David.
The key takeaway is that while fear is a natural human emotion, what matters is how we respond to it. Fear should push us toward God, not away from Him. Saul’s downfall illustrates the danger of letting fear drive us to self-reliance or disobedience rather than trusting in God's presence and guidance.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
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This week’s focus is on King Hezekiah—a good and faithful king who brought renewal and revival to Israel, but whose story is also marked by tragedy. Despite his righteousness, Hezekiah shows a moment of self-dependence that proves to be dangerous, reminding us that even the best leaders fall short without full reliance on God.
We also see Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Here the message challenges us today to ask: Are we cheering for a Jesus who meets our expectations, or surrendering to the true King who calls us to humility, peace, and trust in God's greater plan?
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The term "Jezebel spirit" is commonly used today, often with strong negative connotations, but it's not found in the Bible as a specific demonic or malevolent spirit. While the biblical figure Jezebel is associated with certain evil behaviors, there's no scriptural evidence to support the idea of a distinct demonic entity called the "Jezebel spirit."
In John 9, Jesus encounters a man blind from birth. And what we learn in this is that while we often seek answers to the reason for our suffering, we may never get clear answers. We live in a fallen world marked by sin and brokenness. However, Jesus shows that suffering doesn’t have the final word.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
💬Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle#Christianity #Theology #BibleStudy #History #Gospel
In the Book of Kings, a key turning point occurs when the united kingdom of Israel is divided. Originally, all 12 tribes were united under Kings Saul, David, and then Solomon. Solomon prayed, if David's descendants followed Yahweh, a son of David would always reign.
But if they turned away, the kingdom would be taken from their line. Ironically, Solomon himself broke this covenant by worshiping foreign idols influenced by his many wives, leading to a tragic downfall. After Solomon, his son Rehoboam then took the throne, and under his rule, chaos broke out, leading to the kingdom's division.
In John 7, Jesus invites anyone who is spiritually thirsty to come to Him and believe. He promises that those who believe in Him will have "streams of living water" flowing from within them.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
One of the things I really love about the House of David is that they reintroduce us to Hebrew phrases rooted in biblical truths and theological principles about God.
In this video I delve a little into the theology behind the name (ha-Shem) and explain why this shouldn't be overlooked.We'll also see that for the ancient Israelites, there were two aspects of God to his personhood, and we'll explain why this is the case with Hashem.
I’m diving deep into these topics—don’t miss this reaction to House of David!📖 Resources to help you grow in the Word:
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresourcesIf you'd like to learn more about this episode, I invite you to check out this article.📖https://surl.lu/zoxark...#Christianity #Theology #HouseOfDavid #Reaction #Gospel
The Book of Kings is a historical narrative that contrasts God's ideal kingdom—rooted in righteousness and peace (shalom)—with the corrupt outcomes of human-led kingdoms. It highlights the consequences of straying from God's ways and serves as a reflection on how divine order contrasts with human failure. This theme connects to Jesus’ New Testament teaching about bringing God's peace to Earth as it is in heaven.
A key focus in 1 Kings is Solomon's prayer at the temple dedication. This prayer, seen as inspired by the Holy Spirit, is remarkable because Solomon appears to anticipate Israel’s future failures and pleads for God's mercy and compassion in response.
John 4 tells the powerful story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. She represents someone hiding in plain sight, burdened by shame—yet Jesus meets her right where she is.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
💬 Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle
This week we study the event that occurs between the prophet Nathan and the moment when David feels a great desire to build a house for the Lord. We see that the prophet Nathan says to the King: “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” But God then reveals to Nathan that, although David desired to build a temple for God, he was not the one who should do it. We see Nathan's obedience in telling him what God had truly spoken about the building of the house of God. And I think there is a principle we must draw from this: are we going to follow our human wisdom or are we going to submit our wisdom to the discernment of the Lord?
In Luke 24, the Ascension of Jesus into heaven is recounted. It is in the Ascension that we find the true beginning of the New Covenant. So I think it is very important that we pay attention to this doctrine.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
In this episode, I talk about episodes 3 and 4 of The House of David. My goal is to help you determine what is fact, what is speculative, and what is fictitious.
One of the things we see in the series is Jonathan's heroic humility, his love for his father, family, and Yahweh — and how David and Jonathan are united on a spiritual level.
We also see a completely different moment regarding Saul’s wife’s speculation and her decision to turn to the witch of Endor and mediums.
I’m diving deep into these topics—don’t miss this reaction to House of David!
📖 Resources to help you grow in the Word:
📕 Dr. Joel’s Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
If you want to go even further, I’ve written a couple of articles on Substack that unpack some of these themes in more detail. Check them out after listening to the episode!
📖 https://humbletheology.muddamalle.com/p/house-of-david-a-theologians-analysis?r=22xqjx
📖 https://humbletheology.muddamalle.com/p/house-of-david-david-vs-the-giants?r=22xqjx
📖 https://humbletheology.muddamalle.com/p/house-of-david-who-was-davids-mother?r=22xqjx
This week's reading is from the book of Samuel, where we see the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail. In this story, we can see that, like Abigail, we can choose to do what is right and trust in the Lord.
The next story is that of David who saves King Saul. Here we can learn that there are things God has promised us, such as a vision or a wish. However, we must be very careful not to be carried away by human effort, power, and ambition to try to manipulate and get what we want.
In 1 Samuel 28, we see that Saul is desperate because he stopped listening to the Lord and tries to contact Samuel. We see that the witch Endor was a legitimate witch who could actually deal with spiritual entities. The conclusion is that deceptive dark powers exist.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
This week we focus on 1 Samuel chapter 2, where we find an incredible prayer uttered by Hannah. There are a couple of aspects of this prayer that I love, and they show how the Old Testament conveys the nature of the kingdom of God that Jesus will expound in the New Testament. We also look at the story of the Ark of the Covenant and how it was captured by the Philistines. Finally, we examine the New Testament in the Book of Luke with the story where the Pharisees get upset with Jesus for healing someone on the Sabbath. Then, in Luke chapter 19, we have the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources
As we try to understand what happens in the book of Judges, I think it's very important that we remember what happens to Joshua during his period of transition. Whenever there are transitions, there is a greater moment of vulnerability, and it is very easy to waver in faith. The people of Israel experienced all of this. So, I think Judges presents us with three important things to consider in relation to our faith and culture.
📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources.
💬 Follow me on Substack! Joel Muddamalle, PhD | Substack
