Data Over Dogma
Daniel McClellan and Daniel Beecher
- 1 hour 7 minutesUnforgivable!
Did you know that there is a sin so awful, so egregious, so outrageous that even God would not be able to forgive it? If you answered yes, then we're sorry. That probably means you've been needlessly traumatized.
But before we get to that, we're going to introduce you to a book you've almost certainly never heard of. It's a book that didn't make it into the modern biblical canon, but very well could have. And if it had, WHOO DADDY! Things would be different today.
This is the Acts of Paul and Thecla, which is the story of a woman so devoted to her faith that she throws herself into a lightning pond full of killer seals. And if you want that sentence to make sense, and get even more awesome than that, you really need to hear this story.
Then, it's time for the Dans to get unforgivable. The Bible talks a lot about forgiveness, and the ways one might be forgiven. Sacrifice of an animal, repentance, baptism, grace... all of these are ways that one could be forgiven of their sins. But there's one sin that is specifically called out as being beyond forgiveness. Which is terrifying!
So what is it, really? Is it actually unforgivable? Have you committed this sin??? (Spoiler: no, you haven't)
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2 February 2026, 10:12 am - 1 hour 15 minutesHiding God
This week we're talking about showing off your love for God, and whether that might not be a such great idea. And our example of not mentioning God comes straight from the Bible??
First, we're looking at the book of Esther. It's a story with all the twists and turns of a Disney animated movie (complete with cartoon villain), and about as much plausibility. It's a wild ride, and by the end someone's going to be killed on a fifty-cubit pole. But something important is missing...
Then, should Christians proclaim their religiosity boldly and loudly out into the world, or should they keep it to themselves? Are big public displays effective means of spreading the gospel, or are they just a way to signal piety, while annoying everyone around you? Maybe that's the point?
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26 January 2026, 10:12 am - 1 hour 27 secondsJesus is so Fulfilling!
Jesus fulfilled the law! It says so right there in Matthew. But what on earth does that actually mean? Different people have had vastly different interpretations of that idea, and the consequences of their ideas are significant! Are the old laws still in effect, or did Jesus abolish them? Should we throw away Leviticus? Should we stop eating shellfish? What does it mean???
Then, since we talked about Deuteronomy rules of war last week, we're going to take another look. We mentioned the Assyrian vassalage treaties, but only scratched the surface of that lunacy! What do the laws of God have to do with the terms forced on conquered territories by tyrannical rulers? Did God copy from the notes of Assyrian rulers? Is this connection valid or a stretch? And who is S. R. Haddon?
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19 January 2026, 10:06 am - 1 hour 10 secondsThe Holy Dunk
What do you know about baptism? Why do Christians do it? Where does it come from?
This week, we're exploring the most important baptism of all: that of Jesus. It's clearly a pivotal moment in the narrative of the life of Jesus, but it also presents some pretty important theological problems. And if it's so important, why do the gospels seem to disagree about how it went down?
Then, it's the rules of war! Deuteronomy 20 presents some pretty specific rules about how the Israelites are supposed to conduct themselves when they go up against other groups, and WOOF! Let's just say that it's definitely no Geneva Convention!
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12 January 2026, 10:06 am - 58 minutes 24 secondsBring Me the Head of John the Baptist!
John the Baptizer was a fascinating character. More attested to historically than Jesus, John was a genuinely big deal! One of the historically attested facts about John was his execution by Herod. Which Herod? You're going to be sorry you asked.
But John's death is fascinating- what do the gospels say about it? Do they agree with each other about how/why it happened (what a world that would be!)? And do the gospel accounts line up with other extra-biblical tellings of the story?
Then, we're talking pastors. What, exactly, is a pastor? Who gets to be one (only men?)? We're going to dive into the New Testament clergy org-chart, and figure out what the Bible actually says.
Pastor, apostle, bishop, deacon... does the Bible tell us what these positions are? Who is supposed to do what? Who qualifies for which position? Who gets to tell who what to do?
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5 January 2026, 10:13 am - 1 hour 6 minutesShiny Happy People!
Get some sunglasses, because this week we're shining bright like a diamond! That's right, we're diving into all the glowy sparkle that is the transfiguration of Jesus. What is that story really about? What happened on that hill? And why does everyone drag Peter for offering to set up tents? He was just brainstorming! No stupid questions, right?
Then, gather 5,000 of your best friends and let's have a pot-luck. We're talking loaves, we're talking fishes, and we're comparing not two, not three, but ALL FOUR GOSPELS! It's a miracle!
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29 December 2025, 10:10 am - 1 hour 9 minutesNot Original, Not Sin
It was a setup, I tell ya!
This week, we're focusing on "the fall," and the two poor suckers who were set up to take that fall. First, we're going through the story of Adam, Eve, the tree and the snake, and parsing out exactly what did and didn't happen in Eden. Who lied and who told the truth? Who knew what and when did they know it? Who, if anybody, actually committed a sin?
Then, speaking of sin, we're going to get original. What is the doctrine of "original sin"? Is it in the Bible? Where did it come from, and should we be worried about it, or can we all just relax?
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22 December 2025, 10:09 am - 1 hour 12 minutesDid Jesus Fulfill Prophesy?
The birth of Jesus is obviously one of the most important Christian narratives. Or is it two of the most important Christian Narratives? Either way, one of the great apologetic claims about nativity is that it fulfilled over three hundred prophesies. This week, we're going to look at what Ken Ham's Answers in Genesis says about some of those prophesies, and see if those claims hold up.
Then it's roll-play time. Dan B will do his best to take the place of online apologists who challenge Dan M's claims. Will McClellan actually answer their complaints, or will this be an exercise in straw-manning their arguments? You be the judge!
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15 December 2025, 10:11 am - 1 hour 1 minuteImmaculate Apologetics?
Tucker Carlson and Jeremiah Johnston don't know what they're talking about when it comes to history. Johnston recently went on Tucker's show (he still has a show- weird, right?), and claimed, among many other things, that Jesus and his crucifixion are better attested by the evidence than Julius Caesar. It's an odd apologetic, but is it possibly true?
Then we'll discuss the immaculate conception, which everybody thinks they understand, but only half of them are right. But even if you correctly understand what that phrase is referring to, is it Biblical?
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8 December 2025, 10:04 am - 1 hour 2 minutesPolygamy!
Look out! 'Cause this week we're looking at a controversial issue, and perhaps strangely for us, the impetus for this has nothing to do with Mormonism. No, recently a Missouri pastor named Rich Tidwell made waves in Christian circles by claiming that the Bible--yes, even the New Testament--is pro polygamy. And, really putting his matrimony where his mouth is, he has the wives to prove it.
So is the Bible as positive about plural marriage as Tidwell claims? And if so, does that mean that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints should reclaim their highly decried practice?
Then we'll move on to one of the Bible's most prolific polygamists: Solomon. Or rather, his son Rehoboam. If Solomon was wise (and really... was he?), Rehoboam was rash, impetuous and authoritarian. The apple fell far from Solomon's tiny little tree. But what is this story really about?
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1 December 2025, 10:13 am - 55 minutes 28 secondsWho Deserves to Eat?
Remember when Jesus told the poor to get off their butts and pull themselves up by their bootstraps? I don't either, but lots of people think they remember when Paul said it.
This week, we're looking at 2 Thessalonians, 3:10. It's one of those passages that, if someone's bringing it up, you know you're about to hear something wild. It's the bit about anyone unwilling to work shall not eat. Which sounds straightforward (if cold-hearted) enough. But does it actually mean what right-wing congresspeople want to claim it means?
Then, we're looking at a group of people that might offer some powerful insight into truth claims of the Hebrew Bible. The Hyksos were semitic rulers in ancient Egypt. Could that mean that the Exodus actually happened? Or could it provide evidence of Joseph and his fancy rainbow outerwear?
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For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma
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24 November 2025, 10:12 am - More Episodes? Get the App