What happens when healthy living becomes a religion?

Brett, Pastor Matt, and Shauncy dive into the world of "Crunchy Christianity" — the growing movement of Christians who emphasize natural living, distrust of big pharma, organic food, vaccine skepticism, and a return to simpler ways of life.

Is it wise stewardship of the body God gave you? Or has it crossed a line into conspiracy thinking, self-righteousness, and what Matt calls "nutritional Marxism"?

We tackle the hard questions:

- Does the Bible actually say anything about what you eat?
- Are vaccines a wisdom issue, a freedom issue, or a sin issue?
- When does a personal health conviction become a burden you're putting on others?
- Is "my body is a temple" being used correctly — or completely out of context?
- Why does this topic create more division in the church than almost anything else?

Plus: a Russian bear workout video, the great Wigwam sock debate, Red Wing boots, and why Brett's laces are deeply offensive to Pastor Matt.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Buy Pastor Matt's new book:
Mere Membership: Belonging Made Visible Through Baptism and the Lord’s Table
https://a.co/d/04ryklXw

Have a question you want answered on the podcast?
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/contact

Buy a mug on our merch store. Your support fuels the show:
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/shop

Want more teaching from Pastor Matt Smith?
Watch his sermons and full teaching series at Barabbas Road Church on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BarabbasRoadChurch

Visit Barabbas Road Church in San Diego:
https://www.barabbas.com/

Want your podcast to look like this?
We build and produce professional video podcasts in San Diego.
Start here: https://www.vortexstudios.live

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more honest, biblical conversations without hype.

Subscribe to our channel for more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alotofwordspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALotOfWordsPodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alotofwordspodcast
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alotofwordscast
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@alotofwords
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lot-of-words-podcast
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7820768?e9s=src_v1_cbl

More ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BDk62lDqdUFdOGh81MGUT?si=z5dHsYidRdmsbYzVtd-ziw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-lot-of-words/id1874390630
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/636dd985-7c53-43fc-85d1-a0e129495180
Transistor.fm: https://alotofwords.transistor.fm/

Is modern worship music biblical—or have we made music style more important than worship itself?

In this episode, we explore the ongoing debate around worship music in the church. Are drums and guitars inappropriate for worship? Is there a “correct” or biblical style of music? And why do so many believers divide over something like this?

We talk through the tension between tradition and modern expression, challenge common assumptions, and bring the conversation back to what Scripture actually emphasizes.

If you’ve ever wrestled with questions about worship music—or seen churches divided over it—this episode will help you think more clearly and biblically.

14:33 How Should Christians Respond to Worship Disagreements?
15:06 Are Christians Treating Church Like a Consumer Experience?
17:45 When Does Worship Music Become a Performance?
19:20 Is There Such a Thing as “Wrong” Worship Music?
21:05 Are Drums and Instruments in Church Sinful?
23:40 Where Did the Idea That Instruments Are Wrong Come From?
26:10 Is There a Biblical Standard for Worship Music Style?
29:15 Should Worship Music Preferences Cause Division in Church?
32:50 What Actually Matters Most in Biblical Worship?

=======================================

Buy Pastor Matt's new book 'Mere Membership':
https://a.co/d/04ryklXw

Have a question you want answered on the podcast?
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/contact

Shop our merch store. Your support fuels the show:
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/shop

Want more teaching from Pastor Matt Smith?
Watch his sermons and full teaching series at Barabbas Road Church on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BarabbasRoadChurch

Visit our Barabbas Road Church in San Diego:
https://www.barabbas.com/

Want your podcast to look like this?
We build and produce professional video podcasts in San Diego.
Start here: https://www.vortexstudios.live

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more honest, biblical conversations without hype.

Subscribe to our channel for more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alotofwordspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALotOfWordsPodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alotofwordspodcast
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alotofwordscast
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@alotofwords
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lot-of-words-podcast
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7820768?e9s=src_v1_cbl

More ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BDk62lDqdUFdOGh81MGUT?si=z5dHsYidRdmsbYzVtd-ziw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-lot-of-words/id1874390630
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/636dd985-7c53-43fc-85d1-a0e129495180
Transistor.fm: https://alotofwords.transistor.fm/

Is modern worship music drifting too far… or are we overthinking it?

In this upcoming episode of A Lot of Words, we dive into one of the most debated topics in the church right now—music. Are drums and syncopated rhythms harmless tools for worship… or do they blur the line between the sacred and the secular? Should churches avoid instruments altogether? And what about guitar solos—do they belong in worship, or do they turn it into a performance?

This conversation gets real, fast.

If you’ve ever questioned what worship should look like—or you’ve just felt something was “off” but couldn’t explain it—this episode is for you.

👉 Don’t miss next week’s episode.

Is mindfulness, meditation, and yoga harmless—or are there deeper spiritual concerns Christians should be aware of?

In this episode, Pastor Matt Smith breaks down these widely accepted practices through a biblical worldview. We explore the difference between Eastern meditation and Christian meditation on God’s Word, the spiritual roots behind yoga, and whether believers should approach these practices with caution.

Are these just physical and mental exercises—or do they carry spiritual implications that many overlook?

If you’ve ever wondered how to think biblically about mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, this conversation will challenge your perspective and point you back to Scripture.

0:00 Intro
8:46 Can Christians Do Yoga?
13:50 Should Christians Confront Others About Yoga?
21:36 What Is the Meditation Aspect of Yoga?
21:44 What’s the Difference Between Biblical and Eastern Meditation?
24:35 Are Meditation Apps Like Calm Okay for Christians?
25:08 What Are Guided Meditations Actually Teaching?
31:45 What About Sound Healing and Singing Bowls?
35:17 If Yoga and Meditation Bring Peace, Are They Still Wrong for Christians?
37:39 Are Christians Failing to Center Their Lives on Christ?
43:35 How Should Christians Approach Mental Illness and Medication?
47:46 Is It Wrong for Worship Bands to Charge High Ticket Prices?

=======================================
Buy Pastor Matt's new book 'Mere Membership':
https://a.co/d/04ryklXw

Have a question you want answered on the podcast?
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/contact

Shop our merch store. Your support fuels the show:
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/shop

Want more teaching from Pastor Matt Smith?
Watch his sermons and full teaching series at Barabbas Road Church on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BarabbasRoadChurch

Visit our Barabbas Road Church in San Diego:
https://www.barabbas.com/

Want your podcast to look like this?
We build and produce professional video podcasts in San Diego.
Start here: https://www.vortexstudios.live

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more honest, biblical conversations without hype.

Subscribe to our channel for more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alotofwordspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALotOfWordsPodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alotofwordspodcast
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alotofwordscast
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@alotofwords
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lot-of-words-podcast
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7820768?e9s=src_v1_cbl

More ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BDk62lDqdUFdOGh81MGUT?si=z5dHsYidRdmsbYzVtd-ziw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-lot-of-words/id1874390630
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/636dd985-7c53-43fc-85d1-a0e129495180
Transistor.fm: https://alotofwords.transistor.fm/

What does it actually mean to be a member of a church—and is church membership even biblical?

In this episode of the A Lot of Words podcast, we walk through the ideas behind Mere Membership and take a closer look at how modern churches define membership compared to what we see in Scripture. Many people think of membership as a class, a list, or a formal process, but the Bible presents a deeper and more meaningful picture of what it means to belong to the body of Christ.

We talk through the purpose of church membership, what makes the church visible, and why practices like baptism and the Lord’s Table matter more than most people realize. We also address common misunderstandings, including how churches try to define membership administratively and what that can miss.

If you’ve ever wondered whether church membership is biblical, why it matters, or how it should actually function in the life of a church, this conversation will help you think through it in a clear and grounded way.

0:00 Intro & Podcast Banter
2:45 What Problem Did You See in the Church That Led to This Book?
9:30 What Does Church Membership Actually Mean?
16:20 Are Churches Solving Church Membership the Wrong Way?
26:10 What Does “Fencing the Table” Mean?
29:40 How Do You Handle Church Discipline Without Membership Lists?
35:10 What Would Change If Churches Got Membership Right?
40:00 Does Swearing on the Bible Break “Let Your Yes Be Yes”?
43:30 What About Praying in Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14?
48:30 What Happens to Children at the Rapture?

=======================================
Buy Pastor Matt's new book 'Mere Membership':
https://a.co/d/04ryklXw

Have a question you want answered on the podcast?
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/contact

Shop our merch store. Your support fuels the show:
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/shop

Want more teaching from Pastor Matt Smith?
Watch his sermons and full teaching series at Barabbas Road Church on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BarabbasRoadChurch

Visit our Barabbas Road Church in San Diego:
https://www.barabbas.com/

Want your podcast to look like this?
We build and produce professional video podcasts in San Diego.
Start here: https://www.vortexstudios.live

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more honest, biblical conversations without hype.

Subscribe to our channel for more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alotofwordspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALotOfWordsPodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alotofwordspodcast
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alotofwordscast
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@alotofwords
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lot-of-words-podcast
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7820768?e9s=src_v1_cbl

More ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BDk62lDqdUFdOGh81MGUT?si=z5dHsYidRdmsbYzVtd-ziw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-lot-of-words/id1874390630
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/636dd985-7c53-43fc-85d1-a0e129495180
Transistor.fm: https://alotofwords.transistor.fm/

Buy Pastor Matt's new book:
'Mere Membership: Belonging Made Visible Through Baptism and the Lord’s Table'. Now available on Amazon book store: https://a.co/d/04ryklXw

If God is sovereign and already determined what will happen, why pray? In this deep theological discussion, we explore prayer as communion with God, the authority we have in Jesus, and how prayer fits with God's sovereignty. Join Matt Smith as he tackles the toughest questions about prayer, from practical posture issues to the mystery of how our prayers interact with God's divine plan.

0:00 - Introduction: Why Pray if God is Sovereign?
2:58 - What is Prayer? Communion with God
15:45 - Can I pray on the toilet?
22:15 - Do I have to say "In Jesus' Name"?
24:45 - What about Authority & Power in Prayer? (Addressing charismatic excesses)
31:00 - What Prayer Structures Actually Work? (ACTS method & journaling)
36:00 - What about praying in tongues?
40:15 - Does God hear the prayers of non-believers?
45:30 - Advice for those who struggle with prayer

Key Topics Covered:

- Prayer as communion vs. transaction
- God's sovereignty and our participation in His will
- The authority of Jesus in prayer
- Practical prayer methods and structures
- Common misconceptions about prayer
- How to develop a meaningful prayer life
- Perfect for anyone wrestling with the theology of prayer or wanting to deepen their understanding of what it means to communicate with God.

=======================================
Have a question you want answered on the podcast?
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/contact

Shop our merch store. Your support fuels the show:
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/shop

Want more teaching from Pastor Matt Smith?
Watch his sermons and full teaching series at Barabbas Road Church on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BarabbasRoadChurch

Visit our Barabbas Road Church in San Diego:
https://www.barabbas.com/

Want your podcast to look like this?
We build and produce professional video podcasts in San Diego.
Start here: https://www.vortexstudios.live

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more honest, biblical conversations without hype.

Subscribe to our channel for more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alotofwordspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALotOfWordsPodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alotofwordspodcast
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alotofwordscast
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@alotofwords
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lot-of-words-podcast
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7820768?e9s=src_v1_cbl

More ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BDk62lDqdUFdOGh81MGUT?si=z5dHsYidRdmsbYzVtd-ziw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-lot-of-words/id1874390630
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/636dd985-7c53-43fc-85d1-a0e129495180
Transistor.fm: https://alotofwords.transistor.fm/

In this episode, we answer listener questions and dive into spiritual gifts, the charismatic movement, and the sufficiency of Scripture. Are tongues and prophecy still for today? What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How should Christians think about modern prophets? We also address questions about female deacons, the age of the earth, and Romans 9. This is a thoughtful, biblical conversation aimed at strengthening discernment and pointing believers back to the authority of God’s Word.

=======================================
Have a question you want answered on the podcast?
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/contact

Shop our merch store. Your support fuels the show:
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/shop

Want more teaching from Pastor Matt Smith?
Watch his sermons and full teaching series at Barabbas Road Church on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BarabbasRoadChurch

Visit our Barabbas Road Church in San Diego:
https://www.barabbas.com/

Want your podcast to look like this?
We build and produce professional video podcasts in San Diego.
Start here: https://www.vortexstudios.live

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more honest, biblical conversations without hype.

Subscribe to our channel for more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alotofwordspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALotOfWordsPodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alotofwordspodcast
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alotofwordscast
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@alotofwords
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lot-of-words-podcast
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7820768?e9s=src_v1_cbl

More ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BDk62lDqdUFdOGh81MGUT?si=z5dHsYidRdmsbYzVtd-ziw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-lot-of-words/id1874390630
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/636dd985-7c53-43fc-85d1-a0e129495180
Transistor.fm: https://alotofwords.transistor.fm/

Immigration is one of the most emotionally charged issues in our culture today. But what does the Bible actually say about borders, nations, and loving the foreigner?

In this episode, Pastor Brett and Pastor Matt examine whether Scripture supports open borders or if Christians are misapplying biblical commands in modern political debates. We explore the Old Testament commands to care for the stranger, the moral distinction between legal and illegal immigration, and whether national sovereignty is consistent with God’s design.

Does compassion cancel law?

Are modern nations comparable to Israel? Can a Christian support border enforcement and remain faithful to Scripture?

Rather than repeating partisan talking points, we open the Bible and think carefully about how believers should approach immigration with both truth and mercy.

If you’re looking for biblical clarity in a divided culture, this conversation is for you.

=======================================
Have a question you want answered on the podcast?
https://alotofwordspodcast.com/contact

Shop our merch store. Your support fuels the show:
https://alotofwords.printful.me/

Want more teaching from Pastor Matt Smith?
Watch his sermons and full teaching series at Barabbas Road Church on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BarabbasRoadChurch

Visit our Barabbas Road Church in San Diego:
https://www.barabbas.com/

Want your podcast to look like this?
We build and produce professional video podcasts in San Diego.
Start here: https://www.vortexstudios.live

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more honest, biblical conversations without hype.

Subscribe to our channel for more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alotofwordspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALotOfWordsPodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alotofwordspodcast
X (Twitter): https://x.com/alotofwordscast
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@alotofwords
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lot-of-words-podcast
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7820768?e9s=src_v1_cbl

More ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BDk62lDqdUFdOGh81MGUT?si=z5dHsYidRdmsbYzVtd-ziw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-lot-of-words/id1874390630
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/636dd985-7c53-43fc-85d1-a0e129495180
Transistor.fm: https://alotofwords.transistor.fm/