A View from the Bunker

PEOPLE ACROSS the Middle East are on edge, waiting to see whether the massive military force the United States has assembled in the region will be unleashed against Iran. Ali Siadatan joins us with unique insight into what may be happening in Tehran, and how events unfolding in the Middle East may fulfill ancient prophecies of war. Our conversation delves into the complex geopolitical dynamics between the U.S., Iran, and Israel, exploring the potential for war, the internal struggles of the Iranian regime, and the cultural and spiritual shifts occurring within Iran. We also touch on the prophetic implications of these events and the role of the youth in shaping Iran's future.

THE ENEMY has driven a wedge between Christians and Jews. About 1,900 years of bad blood exists, and it’s exacerbated by a belief that Christians have replaced Israel in the blessings promised by God. Dr. Mike Spaulding (DrMikeSpaulding.com), author of the book Replacement Theology, joins us to address the contentious relationship between Christians and Jews, particularly in light of rising anti-Jewish sentiment within the Christian community.  Mike argues that many Christians have rejected prophetic scriptures, leading to a misunderstanding of the role of Israel and the Jewish people in God's plan. He emphasizes that replacement theology, which posits that the church has replaced Israel, is fundamentally flawed and not supported by scripture.  We delve into historical context, theological implications, and the urgent need for Christians to recognize the enduring covenant between God and the Jewish people. 

WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP in the White House again, many of his supporters might be tempted to assume everything in Washington is going to be all right.That’s just what his adversaries want you to think. In this episode, we discuss the Stay Awake America Tour, featuring guests Pastor Caspar McCloud (CasparMcCloudMusic.com), Renae' Truex (RenaeTruex.com), and Ohio Amy (StayAweakeAmerica.com). Our conversation revolves around the importance of continued engagement in our society by President Trump’s Christian supporters.Ohio Amy shares her role in organizing the tour, emphasizing the need for local action to support national change, especially in light of upcoming midterm elections. We discuss the urgency of addressing various societal issues, including health, education, and political engagement, while also highlighting the power of music and community in fostering hope and empowerment among attendees.We also delve into the challenges faced by conservative voices in a politically charged environment, particularly in Nashville's music scene (Renae’s home base). Our guests emphasize the importance of prayer and community support in combating the darkness they perceive in society. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in their local communities and to participate in the Stay Awake America events, reinforcing the message that every individual has a role to play in shaping the future of the nation.

A RABBINIC PLOT to desupernaturalize the Hebrew scriptures has given us the English Old Testament we have today. Why did the rabbis do it? How do we know what’s been changed? Does this mean we can’t trust the Bible? It’s an important and touch subject. To discuss it is our panel, Doug Van Dorn (DouglasVanDorn.com), author of this month’s topic, the forthcoming book Battle for the Bible’s Truth: Genesis, Jesus, and the Second Century Plot to Deny the Messiah; Brian Godawa (Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and two new novels based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea; and Dr. Judd Burton (BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant. In a nutshell, influential rabbis in the second century tried to keep Jews from finding evidence in their scriptures for the Christian Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. This followed the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 AD) in which Christians, who had previously been part of the Jewish community, refused to fight for Simon Bar Kokhba, who Rabbi Akiba had declared was the Messiah.  Roman punishment for Jewish rebels was harsh. Judaea was depopulated, with Jews being sold into slavery en masse, and the province was renamed Palestine. It was the only time Rome tried to erase a population from history. The hard feelings between Jews and Christians led to a final split between the faiths with rabbis trying to eliminate evidence for a “second power in heaven”—Yahweh in the flesh, namely Jesus—and Christians blaming Jews for the unrest and rebellion that stirred up so much trouble for the Roman Empire. That animosity continues to this day. We discuss the implications of the rabbis’ plot, how it affected our modern Old Testament translations, and where we can go to find what’s been changed—beginning with Genesis 6:1–4, the infamous verses about the creation of the Nephilim. And no, this does not mean we can no longer trust our Bibles. What was changed is subtle, and the prophecies of the coming Messiah, and his return, are still there. 

CHRISTIAN ORACLES. Is that even a thing? Apparently there were Christians who adapted writings attributed to the Sibyls, prophetesses who channeled messages from the “gods.” What do we make of this? Our esteemed panel, Dr. Judd Burton (BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant; Doug Van Dorn (DouglasVanDorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods; and Brian Godawa (Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and two new novels based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea, discuss the historical context, significance, and the interplay between pagan and Christian thought found in the Sibylline Oracles.  We discuss the role of the Sibyls as ancient prophetesses, the legend of Nero Redivivus, and the implications of women as prophets in these texts. We also examine the cultural dynamics of the early church and how the Sibylline Oracles reflect messianic expectations and the incarnation of Christ.  Overall, the discussion highlights the complexity and richness of these ancient writings and their relevance to understanding early Christian theology. 

TURKEY PLAYS a key role in the events unfolding in the Middle East.  Avi Lipkin (BiblicalAlliance.com) spoke to our tour group in Jerusalem in October, explaining why he sees Turkey as a key player in a war that will involve the entire Middle East. Of course, conflict involving Israel always has prophetic significance.  Avi also explains why the Israeli military appeared to be caught off guard by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. It wasn’t—but senior officers in the IDF withheld intelligence and first reports of the attack from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in hopes that he’d be blamed and forced to resign. In other words, Israel’s deep state hates Netanyahu just as much as America’s deep state hates Donald Trump—and the deep state would gladly see their countries burn if it forced Trump or Netanyahu out of office. 

IS THE Book of Jasher is worth your time? Dive into mystical tales that some say could hold ancient wisdom and insights into our faith! In the latest episode of Iron and Myth, our esteemed panel, Doug Van Dorn (DouglasVanDorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods; Brian Godawa (Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and two new novels based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea; and Dr. Judd Burton (BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant, dives deep into the intriguing Book of Jasher. The title, which translates to the Book of the Upright or the Book of the Just Man, has been a topic of discussion among scholars and enthusiasts alike. Various texts have claimed to be the Book of Jasher throughout history. We focus on a particular translation from the mid-19th century by Moses Samuel, which is believed to be a medieval Jewish text that may not date back further than the 15th century. The Book of Jasher presents a fascinating window into the thoughts and traditions of ancient Jewish scholars. While its origins may be debated, its potential value for enriching our understanding of biblical narratives in beyond question. Whether you are a scholar, a casual reader, or a writer drawing inspiration from ancient texts, exploring the Book of Jasher could provide a deeper appreciation for the complexities of biblical history. 

The Book of Jubilees is basically a retelling of Genesis and Exodus with a focus on the law. Our Iron and Myth crew assembles to discuss a book written around the same time as the Book of 1 Enoch but with a different perspective on the ultimate solution to the problem of evil. Joining us is Doug Van Dorn(DouglasVanDorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods; and Brian Godawa (Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and two new novels based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea. Sadly, Dr. Judd Burton (BurtonBeyond.net) had technical issues logging on and wasn’t able to take part in the conversation. We discuss the Book of Jublilees’ unique perspective on biblical narratives, particularly Genesis and Exodus. We explore the theological implications of the text, its focus on the law, and the roles of angels and Watchers. They also examine the historical context of the book (especially as a reaction to Hellenization during the Maccabean period), its covenantal themes, and its significance in understanding ancient Jewish thought. While a study of Jubilees isn’t essential for Christians, it does offer insight into Jewish interpretations of Genesis and Exodus and helps give context to New Testament writings.

DID THE United States really lose World War 2? Not on the battlefield; the outcome of the armed conflict is pretty clear. But after the war, the United States brought Nazi technology into the country through scientists who were smuggled out of Germany via the “rat lines” set up by Allen Dulles, later the Director of the CIA under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Researcher and author Doug Woodward joins us to talk about his new book Descent into Evil (https://amzn.to/4nDqBBp). We explore the controversial thesis that the United States lost World War II to the Nazis’ ideology rather than to their military. Doug discusses the occult roots of the National Socialist Party, the role of the CIA in establishing the Deep State and its research into mind control programs like MKUltra, the connection between UFO sightings and Nazi technology, and esoteric practices involved in America's space exploration efforts.  The bottom line is that American society was irrevocably changed after World War 2, perhaps more by the occult practices imported from the Nazi cult than by its effects on the role of the United States as a new global superpower. Here’s the link to Doug’s author page at Amazon: https://bit.ly/Doug-Woodward 

HOW SERIOUSLY should Christians take a book that’s not in the Bible, written thousands of years after the man it’s named for, and has caused controversy in the church for the last 2,000 years? Of course, we’re talking about the Book of Enoch—or, more accurately, the Book of 1 Enoch. (There are a 2 Enoch and 3 Enoch, both written during the Christian era. They really aren’t of much use to Christians.) Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview with the Giant; Doug Van Dorn(www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods; and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic and the new novels Judah Maccabee Parts 1 & 2, join us to discuss 1 Enoch and why it’s attracted so much attention and generated so many arguments between Christians. We discuss the significance of the Book of 1 Enoch, exploring its structure, relevance, and the controversies surrounding its place in Christian theology. We explore 1 Enoch’s connections to the New Testament, particularly the concept of the Son of Man, and its historical importance in shaping early Christian thought. The discussion also highlights the geographical context of the book and its influence on understanding biblical narratives.