God's People - Then & Now

About God's People - Then & Now

Christianity is an old religion with multiple changes and divisions throughout the centuries. It is an organized religion that views change from the primitive church as a necessary improvement. But, are these changes improvements that glorify God or human beings? From the end of the first century until the third century AD, the “church” went from simple, home-based groups with a message of God’s love through His Son to an elaborate dictatorship that ruled a person’s life through fear of punishment - sometimes even death. The protestant movement may have dialed it back a bit, but did it go far enough? Today, organized religion has all the characteristics of a man-made business, each with its own manifest and expectations, one of which is never to question the church's creed and doctrine. This podcast encourages independent study in search of God's will without the aid of human organizations and welcomes your feedback. Join Tim Glover, who is not a church member and questions whether God would consider the changes in Christianity to be "progress." This podcast helps us peel back the layers of human innovation to reach the core teaching of Jesus and His apostles at a time referenced as "the last days."

Publisher

Tim Glover

Category

education · history · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Feb 2024

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

123 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Why I Can't Stay Silent: What Eden Taught Me About Being a Husband

   We make the main point early: a husband's responsibility is to be a disciplined, present leader who guards truth and intervenes—silence and passivity are themselves a form of leadership, and not the good kind. I take us back to the Garden to show how Adam’s silence and procrastination, not mere absence, set a pattern that the serpent exploited and that has reverberated through marriages ever since. We contrast that failure with Christ, the last Adam, who faced temptation with clear, truthful words and restored order through sacrificial love, modeling the kind of nurturing, cherishing leadership husbands are called to imitate. Along the way I argue that responsibility does not equal superior ability; leadership often means recognizing your limits, calling on others’ strengths (think Moses and Aaron, David and his counselors, Peter and Paul) and exercising moral courage rather than loud control. So our practical call is not to resurrect harsh authority but to recover disciplined presence—attentive engagement, timely intervention, and the willingness to speak truth firmly yet gently. Consider whether your silence has been neutral or complicit, and join me next week as we unpack more biblical examples and the concrete ways to lead well without swagger and without abdication. Genesis becomes our blueprint as we walk back to the garden and ask why marriage leadership looks the way it does. I trace the order of formation—Adam placed, instructed, then Eve formed as a helper fit for him—and insist that this sequence is neither incidental nor punitive. We unpack how the forbidden tree and the command were given to Adam first, and why his silence in the face of the serpent’s distortion matters: silence is not neutrality but a form of participation. I argue that Adam’s failure was not absence but abdication—he watches, procrastinates, and then joins in—and that the first failure sets a pattern of male distortion that shows up as either domination or passivity, Eden exemplifying the latter. Then I flip the mirror to Christ, the Second Adam, who speaks truth under temptation and restores order through sacrificial love. By contrasting Adam’s silence with Christ’s clarity and obedience, we trace a redemptive arc that reframes husbandly leadership not as domination but as disciplined presence: to guard, to nourish, to intervene gently but firmly. It’s exegetical work with a pastoral edge—rooted in Genesis, echoed in Paul, and pointing husbands to a courageous, truth-telling leadership modeled by Christ. Takeaways: I remind men that Genesis establishes a foundational order: Adam was entrusted to guard and steward, so leadership begins with presence and responsibility, not domination. We emphasize that the word 'helper' in Scripture signals complementary strength, not inferiority, and deserves respectful partnership rather than mistaken hierarchy. I point out Adam's failure as silence and abdication — a passive leadership that allowed distortion and catastrophe to spread, not exactly an award-winning performance. We contrast Adam with Christ: where Adam stayed silent, Christ actively spoke truth under temptation and restored order through sacrificial love, giving husbands a redemptive model to imitate. I warn husbands that silence is not neutral; refusing to lead in truth still counts as participation and decisively shapes family direction and spiritual health. We unpack responsibility versus ability: being charged to lead doesn't require omniscience, but it demands accountability, humility, and a willingness to enlist wiser counsel when needed. I advocate for disciplined presence — moral courage, timely intervention, and gentle truth-telling so leadership protects the family instead of passively permitting drift.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   From Provision to Tenderness: The Dual Duty of Husbands

   Today, we're diving deep into the vital responsibilities of husbands as outlined in Ephesians 5, particularly focusing on the concepts of nourishing and cherishing one’s wife. It’s not just about providing the essentials; we explore how a husband’s love should reflect the tender care that Christ has for His people. We’ll unpack how the terms “nourish” and “cherish” go hand in hand, with “nourishing” addressing the necessities of growth, while “cherishing” provides the warmth and environment for that growth to flourish. This episode challenges us to consider the deeper implications of our actions and words within marriage, urging us to treat our wives with the honor and gentleness they deserve. After all, as we discuss, love is not merely a claim but is proven through the consistent, thoughtful treatment of our partners—so let’s get into it! The dynamics of a marital relationship, particularly the role of husbands, is a rich topic that invites both serious reflection and light-hearted banter. In our latest episode, we delve into Ephesians 5, where Paul outlines a husband’s duties, particularly focusing on the importance of nourishing and cherishing one’s wife. This isn’t merely a checklist of responsibilities; it’s about embodying a profound love that mirrors Christ’s relationship with the church. We share a chuckle or two over the common misconception that providing a roof and a paycheck is all it takes to fulfill one’s role as a husband, while neglecting the emotional and spiritual dimensions that truly matter. As we explore the meanings behind the terms 'nourish' and 'cherish,' we see that nourishing is about meeting the needs of our wives, while cherishing is about treating them with the respect and tenderness they deserve. We bring in the Greek word 'thalpo,' which conveys warmth and care, to illustrate how husbands can create an environment where love and respect flourish. Listeners are treated to real-life examples that highlight both the successes and failures of husbands in practicing this kind of love, reminding us that the journey of marriage requires both humor and humility. Towards the conclusion, we tackle the notion of the 'weaker vessel' as mentioned by Peter, shedding light on its true intent. Rather than suggesting a lack of value, it calls for husbands to recognize the unique vulnerabilities of their wives and treat them with extra care and gentleness. Through relatable analogies—like how one would handle a cherished family heirloom—we emphasize that the treatment of one’s spouse reflects their inherent worth. This episode serves as a heartfelt reminder that love in marriage is not just a feeling but an active commitment to understanding, honoring, and cherishing one another every single day. Takeaways: In Ephesians 5, Paul emphasizes that a husband's love must nourish and cherish his wife, reflecting the love Christ has for the church. The difference between nourishing and cherishing is crucial; nourishing provides for needs, while cherishing creates an environment for emotional growth. A husband's treatment of his wife should be a visible proof of her inherent value, reflecting not only affection but also respect and honor. Understanding a wife's unique needs requires ongoing effort and attention, making it a lifetime commitment for husbands to cherish and honor their spouses.

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Truth or Tradition: The Cost of Following Christ

   Navigating the intricacies of faith can sometimes feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions—confusing and potentially leading to questionable results. Today, we dive into the thought-provoking distinction between a truth seeker and someone influenced to compromise their beliefs. Our discussion centers on how religious traditions can often obscure the true essence of faith, leading us to mistakenly equate earthly institutions with the divine intentions of Christ. As we unpack these ideas, I challenge you to reconsider the notion that Jesus established a visible church on earth, urging a fresh examination of what it truly means to belong to Him. We’ll explore the costs of loyalty, not just to our traditions but to the very truth that Christ embodies, and how embracing this can lead us to authentic spiritual growth. So, grab your coffee and let’s embark on this journey together, because truth, much like a well-brewed cup, is best when savored slowly. A deep dive into the often murky waters of religious tradition reveals a stark contrast between truth seekers and those who compromise their beliefs for the sake of tradition. The discussion begins by acknowledging an institutional assumption—that Jesus established a visible church on Earth—an idea that many hold without question. It prompts us to examine whether this assumption needs reevaluation. What if Christ did not die to create an organization, but to establish a community of believers united under His reign? This radical proposition challenges us to rethink our loyalties and the very essence of what it means to belong to Christ. Throughout the episode, we explore how traditions can often mask the true nature of faith, with an emphasis on the need for humility and a willingness to scrutinize our beliefs against the backdrop of Scripture. The call to action is clear: to love truth more than the comfort of inherited convictions, and to engage in a community that fosters honest dialogue about faith, rather than merely defending established norms. Ultimately, we are urged to realize that truth is not our possession; we are its servants, and our loyalty must always rest with Christ. Takeaways: The podcast emphasizes the distinction between being a truth seeker and someone who merely adheres to tradition, highlighting the importance of examining our beliefs critically. Institutional assumptions can overshadow the true purpose of Christ's sacrifice, which was to create a community of believers rather than a rigid organization. Individual responsibility and accountability in faith are crucial, as worship and service should stem from a transformed life, not just attendance at institutional gatherings. Lessons from the Bereans illustrate the value of open-mindedness in faith, encouraging a culture of questioning and testing all beliefs against Scripture for authenticity. The conversation underscores the emotional costs of re-evaluating deeply held beliefs and how this process can feel like a betrayal to our communities and loved ones. Ultimately, the podcast invites listeners to consider their loyalty to Christ over tradition, emphasizing that truth must guide our faith rather than inherited conclusions.

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