Cage Free Theology

What does it actually mean to fear the Lord? Is it being afraid of God?

In today's episode of Cage Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon get into the Bible giving us a deeper picture of what the fear of the Lord looks like. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This kind of fear is not simply terror or dread. It is a deep reverence, awe, respect, and recognition of who God is.  

Fearing God does not mean we have to live in constant anxiety that He will reject us. For those who trust in Him, Scripture also speaks about God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and the confidence we can have in His presence.

They discuss whether Christians should watch horror movies, what Scripture means by “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and why biblical fear of God is more than simply “respect” or “reverence.” They also explore the difference between the fear an unbeliever should have of God's judgment and the holy awe believers should have toward God.

Most importantly, this conversation points to the comfort of the gospel: believers do not need to fear God's wrath because Christ has already borne that judgment on their behalf. The right fear of God doesn't drive Christians away from Him—it drives us toward Him.

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 — What does it mean to fear the Lord?
01:19 — Should Christians watch horror movies?
03:18 — Violence, horror, and what we allow into our minds
05:20 — Is the fear of God a good thing?
08:59 — “He is not safe, but He is good”
10:38 — How should believers fear God differently?
11:16 — How does perfect love cast out fear?
17:25 — How fearing God can drive out other fears
18:02 — What if you feel like God is angry with you?
20:05 — “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Fear and anxiety are part of everyday life—but when does normal fear become sinful fear? And how should Christians respond when our minds become consumed by “what ifs,” worst-case scenarios, or the opinions of other people?

In this episode of Cage Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon have a practical, biblical conversation about fear, anxiety, phobias, and the fear of man. They discuss how to distinguish a God-given response to genuine danger from fear that reflects misplaced trust, and they explore how Scripture calls believers to respond.

From alligators and frogs to flying, future uncertainty, and the fear of other people's opinions, this conversation brings biblical truth into very practical situations.

The central question throughout the episode is: What is true, and what does God say?

⏱️ Timestamps
00:36 — How Should We Think About Fear and Anxiety?
01:15 — What Is Fear, and Is Fear Always Sinful?
03:21 — When Does Fear Become a Sin Issue?
04:35 — Diagnosing Fear: What Are You Afraid of Losing?
05:47 — Philippians 4: Responding to Anxiety With Prayer
07:19 — Adam, Fear, and Hiding From God in Genesis 3
13:24 — How Should Christians Approach Fear Differently?
21:35 — Understanding the Fear of Man
And don't forget: fear doesn't have to control you—learn to ask what is true, what God has said, and how you should respond.

Why did God declare some animals “clean” and others “unclean” in the Old Testament—and what does that mean for Christians today?

In this episode of Cage-Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon explore the biblical dietary laws in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, the meaning of kosher, and the major theories behind clean and unclean animals. 

They discuss: 
     -Pigs, shellfish, birds, and other animals
     -They connect these Old Testament laws to Jesus’ teaching in Mark 7, Peter’s vision in Acts   10, and the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15
     -Christian freedom, holiness, and being sensitive to the consciences of others

Ultimately, the Old Testament’s clean and unclean food laws point beyond what is on the plate to God’s call for His people to be holy and set apart. In Christ, those dietary restrictions have been fulfilled, but the call to holiness remains. Join us as we unpack what these ancient laws mean—and why they still matter for Christians today.

⏱️Timestamps:
    00:23 — What are clean and unclean animals?
    00:52 — What does “kosher” mean?
    02:48 — Why should Christians care about kosher laws?
    04:29 — Clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11
    05:12 — The rules for land animals
    08:04 — Fish, shellfish, and the kosher diet
    11:20 — Four theories behind clean and unclean animals
    19:19 — Is there one explanation for these laws?
    23:38 — Jesus declares all foods clean
    24:19 — Peter, Cornelius, and the vision in Acts 10

What is the value of learning biblical Greek? Is Greek only for pastors and scholars, or can ordinary Christians benefit from studying the original language of the New Testament?

In this episode of Cage Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon discuss why biblical Greek matters, how the original languages can deepen Bible study, and how grammar can actually shape theology. They explore Jesus’ use of the tense of a single Greek word, the importance of Koine Greek, how translations can influence theological interpretation, and practical ways Christians can begin learning Greek.

Whether you want to learn the Greek alphabet, understand Greek words in commentaries, study the New Testament for yourself, or revive Greek you learned years ago, this episode offers practical advice and encouragement.

Greek isn't the goal—the goal is knowing God's Word better so that we can glorify God more.

⏱️Timestamps:
00:15 — Why should Christians learn biblical Greek?
01:23 — The original languages of the Bible
02:45 — Reading the Bible through the “veil” of translation
04:57 — How Jesus used Greek grammar to defend the resurrection
07:39 — What is Koine Greek?
09:03 — Greek, the Roman world, and the spread of the Gospel
12:00 — How learning Greek can deepen Bible study
15:07 — How Greek and translation can affect theology
18:53 — How to start learning biblical Greek
24:05 — “Only Mostly Dead”

In this episode of Cage Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon explore the biblical doctrine of God’s omnipresence—what it means to say that God is everywhere, while also understanding how He can be uniquely present with His people. 

They discuss the difference between God being present everywhere and the idea that God is in everything, using passages such as Psalm 139 to explain God’s presence in heaven, on earth, and even in the realm of the dead. They also explore how God can be uniquely manifested in places such as the tabernacle and temple, and how the incarnation of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit deepen our understanding of God’s presence. 

The conversation also gets practical:
     -I God is always present?
     -What does that mean for our holiness, private lives, and assurance of salvation?
     -What about our daily walk with Him?
     -And how should we think about Satan, who is powerful but not omnipresent? 

Join us each week as Cage Free Theology explores challenging theological questions and seeks to bring biblical truth into everyday life! 

⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 — What Does It Mean That God Is Omnipresent?
0:48 — Breaking Down the Meaning of “Omnipresent”
2:46 — Is God Everywhere or In Everything?
4:39 — Psalm 139 and the Biblical Case for God’s Omnipresence
6:15 — Is God Present in Hell?
7:43 — How Can God Be Everywhere Yet Uniquely Present?
11:34 — Jesus, the Incarnation, and God’s Omnipresence
15:32 — God’s Presence With Believers and the Holy Spirit
16:33 — Satan Is Not Omnipresent
17:37 — The Practical Impact of God’s Omnipresence
20:48 — Omnipresence and Assurance of Salvation