Compromise might good in business dealings, but in the church, it can be absolutely deadly. In this edition of the Thinking Cup Podcast, Mike and Ben discuss compromise, the church, and how to get around compromising. Plus, they offer some absolutely horrible dad jokes. It’s not your normal Bible talk.

Mike heard that Ben interviewed for a pastoral position at a Synagogue of Satan. At least, that’s what Mike claims. But in this episode of the Thinking Cup, Mike and Ben are discussing the Church of Smyrna in Revelation 2, and what that has to do with Synagogues of Satan. Don’t miss this thought-provoking and fun-filled episode.    Also in this episode, candid conversation from behind the scenes--at the end of the show.

Mike and Ben dive back into Revelation and study the first of seven churches, Ephesus. This church lost its first love. What does it mean? Why should it matter to us today? The guys explore.

Mike and Ben discuss the place of keeping the 10 Commandments on the part of a professed, saved Christian. This leads to a second half discussion on what Jesus actually meant when He said, “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” And there are a few really bad dad jokes. It’s an epic edition of the Thinking Cup Podcast!

The guys debate the place of works in Salvation. Can a person be saved if they don’t have good works?

After six agonizing months of not being able to record together, Mike and Ben finally reconnect to resurrect the Thinking Cup Podcast with an epic episode. Where have they been? Mike was abducted by aliens and Ben was a space cadet. But they’re back now, and hope to better than ever soon. Don’t miss this lively relaunch of the podcast!

Mike and Ben discuss when the Lord’s Day is in Revelation 1:10. Many today suggest the day is Sunday. Other’s suggest Saturday. Is there textual and Biblical evidence to support one idea or the other? In the second half of the show they discuss the introduction to the Seven Churches. This and some really bad dad jokes complete this edition of the Thinking Cup Podcast. It’s not your normal Bible Talk.

Mike and Ben continue the discussion in Revelation 1, take a different look at the picture of the Trinity in verses 4-6, and then explore the Cloud Rider motif in verses 7-8. Of course in the middle are some really dumb and bad dad jokes. Join us!

Mike and Ben discuss the first three verses of the book of Revelation, unpacking some really cool things that are sometimes overlooked, but also set an amazing tone for the rest of the book of Revelation. Revelation is a book of mystery and symbols that have confounded many people, including scholars for years. But in a simple verse by verse analysis, Mike and Ben hope to discover new meaning and understanding to text. Join us!

Mike and Ben are back and they are tackling the book of Revelation. In these times of crazy inflation, war in Ukraine, political instability and unrest, people are asking, "Could this be the start of the End Times depicted in Revelation?" Don't miss a new Episode as the guys dive into apocalyptic book of the Bible.

Is Christmas born out of pagan tradition? Or could it be that pagan tradition is born out of a skewed ceremony or festival designed by God? Why the Christmas tree? Why December 25? It’s all in today’s provocative conversation.    Originally Recorded December 15, 2021 0:00 Opening Up Shop 2:36 Welcome Back! 6:06 Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? 18:39 Really Bad Dad Jokes 22:21 Why December 25? 37:21 A Word from the Word? 42:15 One for the Road 46:45 Closing Up Shop   Special thanks to  RED KITE COFFEE COMPANY for allowing us to record in their Community Room.    The Thinking Cup Main Theme  Created By Dominic Orian   Other Music Downloaded with License from www.podcastmusic.com   Tracks Used: Introduction - “PSM Merry & Bright” Full Mix from Pink Shark Music Segment Ends - “What Child Is This?” From Atomica Music Dad Jokes - “On the Lash” from Strip Sounds One for the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  And “Good Feelings” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from Audio Addiction Music

The Bible says that God created the heavens and the earth in six days. Were those days six literal days? Or were they ages of times? There seems to be some debate about the length of a day, because Moses suggests a day equals the time from sundown to sundown (evening and morning was one day (Genesis 1). However, 2 Peter 3:8 says "a day with the Lord is as a 1000 years..." Does the Bible contradict itself? Was creation 6, 1000 year time periods? Ben and Mike discuss. Originally Recorded October 13, 2001   0:00 Opening Up Shop 2:03 What Are We Drinking? 6:03 How Old is the World? 16:39 Bad Dad Jokes 20:10 When Was the Beginning? 30:32 A Word from the Word 35:31 One for the Road 39:41 Closing Up Shop   Special thanks to RED KITE COFFEE COMPANY for allowing us to record in their Community Room.    The Thinking Cup Main Theme  Created By Dominic Orian   Other Music Downloaded with License from www.podcastmusic.com   Tracks Used: Introduction - Quirky Town by Stephen Paul Kaminski Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds One for the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

After first discussing the COVID-19 Vaccine in February of 2021, Mike and Ben revisit the topic. In this discussion, they talk about how their lives and the lives of friends have been affected, positively, and negatively, by the virus and the vaccine.    Originally Recorded September 8, 2021   0:00 Opening Up Shop 1:48 What Are We Drinking? 7:16 Should We Vaccinate? 17:56 Really Bad Dad Jokes 21:48 A Compassionate Position 33:55 A Word from the Word 39:08 One for the Road 42:25 Closing Up Shop 43:59 Blooper Reel   Special thanks to  RED KITE COFFEE COMPANY for allowing us to record in their Community Room.    The Thinking Cup Main Theme  Created By Dominic Orian   Other Music Downloaded with License from www.podcastmusic.com   Tracks Used: Introduction - Quirky Town by Stephen Paul Kaminski Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds One for the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

A continuation of the discussion on God, and what the Bible is talking about when it talks about the Council of the gods. Are there other gods out there? How do we reconcile that with God’s own words when He says, “I am God and there is none other (Isaiah 45:5)”?    Originally Recorded July 21, 2021   0:00 Opening Up Shop 1:49 What Are We Drinking? 5:42 Council of the Gods 22:49 Bad Dad Jokes 26:42 Sons of God and Daughters of Man 47:21 One for the Road 51:52 Closing Up Shop   LINK FROM SHOW http://godawa.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Annus-Origin_of_Watchers.pdf Special thanks to  RED KITE COFFEE COMPANY for allowing us to record in their Community Room.    The Thinking Cup Main Theme  Created By Dominic Orian   Other Music Downloaded with License from www.podcastmusic.com   Tracks Used: Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds One for the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

Psalm 82 tells us that God takes His seat in the Council of the gods. What does that mean? Are there other beings in the world who act like gods? But doesn’t the Bible say there is only one God—YAHWEH is His name? Is there a divine council that meets somewhere? Mike and Ben explore the Scriptures to find answers to this intriguing question. Recorded at RED KITE COFFEE COMPANY Springdale, AR A big thanks to the folks at Red Kite for letting us record on location in their Springdale Dining Room. 00:00  Intro 01:22  What Are We Drinking? 05:45  Diety Council 21:06  Bad Dad Jokes 24:25  Other gods? 43:39  A Word from the Word 49:42  One for the Road 53:55  Closing Up Shop   Originally Recorded June 30, 2021   The Thinking Cup Main Theme  Created By Dominic Orian   Other Music Downloaded with License from www.podcastmusic.com   Tracks Used: Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds A Word from the Word - "Nonstop Conflict" from Strike Audio One for the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

In a world where politicians tell us one thing and do another, is there no accountability? What about in the church, in our communities, or in our streets, where has integrity gone? In this episode, Mike and Ben discuss the importance of having our word be worth something. If the world is going to get changed, it has to start with us.   0:00 Opening Up Shop 2:51 What Are We Drinking? 8:22 Coffee Give Away Winner 11:30 What is Integrity? 21:48 Bad Dad Jokes 25:54 Integrity and Christianity 36:29 A Word from the Word 41:38 One for the Road 46:49 Closing Up Shop   Originally Recorded: March 17, 2021 Follow us on Facebook. Be sure to share us with your followers and give likes and feedback. We appreciate it much! Website: www.thethinkingcup.com   CREDITS: The Thinking Cup Podcast Main Theme  Created by Dominic Orian   Other Music downloaded with license  from PodcastMusic.com   Tracks Used: Introduction - Quirky Town by Stephen Paul Kaminski Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds A Word from the Word - "Nonstop Conflict" from Strike Audio One For the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

What is the Context of Scripture? How do the different church denominations and non-denominational churches create a bias that gets in the way of how we interpret and understand? How does our disposition in life create a filter in our Bible study? It’s not your normal Bible talk.   0:00 Introduction 2:16 What Are We Drinking? 8:24 Staying in Context 18:38 Bad Dad Jokes 22:24 What Are Your Filters? 34:30 A Word from the Word 39:42 One for the Road 43:31 Closing Up Shop   Originally Recorded: March 10, 2021 Follow us on Facebook. Be sure to share us with your followers and give likes and feedback. We appreciate it much! Website: www.thethinkingcup.com   CREDITS: The Thinking Cup Podcast Main Theme  Created by Dominic Orian   Other Music downloaded with license  from PodcastMusic.com   Tracks Used: Introduction - Quirky Town by Stephen Paul Kaminski Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds A Word from the Word - "Nonstop Conflict" from Strike Audio One For the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

Who is God? What is His name? Does it matter if I call Him Yahweh, or Jesus, or Yeshua? Where does Yahweh even come from? Is it possible that God’s name is more than just a name? Mike and Ben explore the deeper meaning and divinity of the God of the Bible. (Don't miss the bloopers at the end!)   Originally Recorded: March 3, 2021 Follow us on Facebook. Be sure to share us with your followers and give likes and feedback. We appreciate it much! Website: www.thethinkingcup.com   CREDITS: The Thinking Cup Podcast Main Theme  Created by Dominic Orian   Other Music downloaded with license  from PodcastMusic.com   TRACKS USED: Introduction - Quirky Town by Stephen Paul Kaminski Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds A Word from the Word - "Nonstop Conflict" from Strike Audio One For the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

This conversation about the Bible is not your normal Bible talk. We want to know: Is the "authorized" 1611 the best translation of the Bible? Is it God's final authority? Did Paul write the KJV? In this episode we explore textual criticism, the ancient manuscripts, and the actual the value of different translations of the Bible. And what do we do with paraphrases.    Originally Recorded: February 17, 2021 Follow us on Facebook. Be sure to share us with your followers and give likes and feedback. We appreciate it much! Website: www.thethinkingcup.com   CREDITS: The Thinking Cup Podcast Main Theme  Created by Dominic Orian   Other Music downloaded with license  from PodcastMusic.com   Tracks Used: Introduction - Quirky Town by Stephen Paul Kaminski Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds A Word from the Word - "Nonstop Conflict" from Strike Audio One For the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph

It's a hot topic item in American society and politics right now: EQUITY. But what is equity in a social sense? How is it different from equality? And what does the Bible teach about equity. It might surprise you.    Originally Recorded: February 11, 2021 Follow us on Facebook. Be sure to share us with your followers and give likes and feedback. We appreciate it much! Website: www.thethinkingcup.com   CREDITS: The Thinking Cup Podcast Main Theme  Created by Dominic Orian   Other Music downloaded with license  from PodcastMusic.com   Tracks Used: Introduction - Quirky Town by Stephen Paul Kaminski Segment Ends - "Game Changer" from 5AlarmMusic.com Dad Jokes - "On the Lash" from Strip Sounds A Word from the Word - "Nonstop Conflict" from Strike Audio One For the Road - “Cafe on the Seine” from StockMusic  and “Good Feelings,” Sparse Mix from Alibi Music Library Credits - "Welcome to My Lair" - William Joseph