the Proclaim & Defend Podcast

You Could Ruin Your Life with Sin Today—Are You Being Careful?

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful” (2 Samuel 11:1–2). What was David thinking? David did not wake up that morning thinking to himself, “This is the day that I am going to sin against my God, destroy the life of my faithful servant, defile my neighbor, bring shame upon myself, and wreak wickedness in my family.” He did not plan to sin. Destructive, life-changing sin can happen in a moment. One day—one decision—can change the trajectory of your life and your family for generations. Compare David and Joseph In similar circumstances, David fell while Joseph escaped. What was the difference? We can learn from both of these men before we make wrecks of our lives. … Read the rest of the post here [https://wp.me/p1VQSk-6gT], or just listen to the podcast. Get full access to the Proclaim & Defend Podcast at proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe [https://proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Dangers of Doing Business with “Christians”

“Pastor, pastor—I just met my surgeon, and guess what? He is a CHRISTIAN!” I must bite my tongue in the moment, but I’m thinking to myself,“But is he a good surgeon?” I have heard similar comments about mechanics, real estate agents, dentists, financial managers, and more. Don’t get me wrong, there are advantages, in many instances, to consulting a professional who shares your values. But there is more to the decision than that. It is much better to have an excellent brain surgeon who is an unbeliever than a mediocre one who claims to be a believer. In scary or difficult situations, it is easy to seek comfort over competency. People who share our values make us feel comfortable. A few years ago, our son underwent a 12-hour brain tumor surgery. When we met the surgeon for the first time, he was somewhat socially awkward and gave no indication of being a believer. I suppose we could have asked everyone we knew to help us find a Christian brain surgeon. I’m sure there are some out there—and probably some very good ones. But this surgeon was one of the top doctors in the world for this procedure. We have one of the top neurological hospitals in the country here in Phoenix, and they all said he was the right person for the job. … Read the whole post here: The Dangers of Doing Business with “Christians” [https://www.proclaimanddefend.org/2026/05/17/the-dangers-of-doing-business-with-christians/] or just listen to the podcast. Get full access to the Proclaim & Defend Podcast at proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe [https://proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Interview 112: Missions: Are We Doing It Right?

With this episode we begin a look at the May/June edition of FrontLIne, which is on the theme, “The Future of Missions.” We are getting a few interviews together but will be posting on two week intervals at the moment. Some of our writers are traveling and our conversations with them will be delayed. Our first interview is with veteran missionary, Glen Galbraith. He spent around twenty years in Britain in a church planting ministry. He is now on Baptist Mid-Mission’s recruitment team. I was very pleased to meet him online, as we have several personal connections and some similar ministry experience. Glen’s article is called, “Missions: Are We Doing It Right?” The article is not meant to pontificate about new and improved methods. Rather, it is meant to ask questions that we should all ask about our own ministries for the Lord. Times change and cultures differ and we need to find ways to get out God’s word in the culture in which we find ourselves. We aren’t simply pragmatists, looking for “what works.” The main thing we want in ministry is to get a hearing for the gospel. The Holy Spirit can take care of the rest. Sometimes our biases, the “way we’ve always done it,” can get in the way of getting that hearing. So, asking the question, “Are we doing it right?” helps us to adjust as our surroundings and culture changes. Well, that’s enough from me. Let me remind you that Glen’s article is available on our Substack right away for paying subscribers. We have previews for everyone else. I hope you will join with us and support the ministry of the FBFI by becoming a paying subscriber. The Contents & Editorial for the May/June FrontLine: FrontLine: The Future of Missions – Proclaim & Defend [https://www.proclaimanddefend.org/2026/05/12/frontline-the-future-of-missions/] The Article: Missions: Are We Doing It Right? [https://proclaimdefend.substack.com/p/missions-are-we-doing-it-right] Get full access to the Proclaim & Defend Podcast at proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe [https://proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Who Can Believe Anything Anymore?

The idea is nothing new. The French mathematician and philosopher Rene DeCartes questioned everything because he surmised that insane people cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy—and maybe we are all insane. The only thing he knew for sure was that he had the ability to doubt. That meant his only certainty was that he alone existed. Everything else was uncertain. Pilate asked the famous question of Jesus when confronted with Jesus’ messianic claim. “What is truth?” Post-modernism is built on earlier deconstructionism that—while not always denying that truth exists--did deny that it was attainable with any certainty. But with AI and social media, the level of doubt and denial has hit a new level. … Read the whole post here [https://wp.me/p1VQSk-6g0], or just listen to the podcast. Get full access to the Proclaim & Defend Podcast at proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe [https://proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Problems with the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 24:14-29

Growing up in church, I heard this parable preached often. There were good applications made from the text such as the fact that there will be accountability one day for what God has entrusted to us, and that God only expects us to work with what He has given us. All of these are applications made to Church Age Christians about faithful stewardship. But deeper study of the parable makes me wonder if that is the point that Jesus was intended to make when He used this literary device. How does the context impact the primary application? Jesus is speaking to the Jews in the story. The intended audience of the Book of Matthew is the Jews. This story is part of a set of three parables—all with similar scenarios. The arrangement and construction of the parables indicate all three parables are intended to be seen together and drive home a main point, or at least closely related points. If the parable is intended for believers and about stewardship, how are we to interpret the punishment for the unprofitable steward in Matthew 25:29-30 [https://ref.ly/Matt%2025.29-30;esv?t=biblia]? … Read the rest of the article here [https://www.proclaimanddefend.org/2026/05/03/problems-with-the-parable-of-the-talents-in-matthew-2414-29/], or just listen to the podcast. Get full access to the Proclaim & Defend Podcast at proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe [https://proclaimdefend.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]