

The Boundless Bible
The Boundless Bible
The Boundless Bible is a podcast dedicated to discussing the many layers and perspectives the Bible offers to those interested in deepening their views and understanding.Hosted by three friends from very different walks of life and life experiences, who've come together through curiosity of, and respect for, the living Word.Our hosts are:DAVID SHAPIRO -- was born an Orthodox Jew, later an atheist, ex-military and MMA fighter, David heeded the call to Jesus and is now an ordained Pastor, specializing in Apologetics.JAVIER MARQUEZ -- Originally from Brooklyn, moved to LA to be an actor, and deeply found the Lord which led him to work in the church, lead Bible studies and grow his faith.JASON HOLLOWAY -- grew up in the church, left in college, and spent the next 2 decades immersed in learning world religion, spirituality, science, and mythology, recently returning to the Faith with renewed insight and perspective.After a year of weekly discussions, we came to find that sharing and debating their different perspectives had become an exciting way to introduce new ideas to old thinking, grow their understanding, and strengthen their faith.We are aware that there are many people out there who feel their questions haven't been answered, whose curiosity has been tamped down, or who just generally feel their community doesn't allow open dialogue, and our goal is to give those people a place to listen, ask questions, and engage with their curiosity to find a deeper and more robust connection to their faith.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2025 • 55min
44: Big Questions: Tackling Some Doozies
The hosts dive into everyday moments that spark big theological questions, like whether traffic delays are divine interventions. They discuss why God reveals truth gradually and the challenging topic of those who never hear about Jesus. Archaeology and shifting evidence standards make for an engaging debate, while reflections on Psalm 73 tackle why the wicked seem to prosper. They explore the role of suffering in shaping character, highlighting the intersection of free will and divine sovereignty, urging listeners to keep questioning and seeking understanding.

Oct 29, 2025 • 30min
43: The Disciple Peter: Rollercoaster Faith & Chiseled Features
Send us a textWhat if faith isn’t a feeling you wait for but a step you take before the wind calms? We journey with Peter from empty nets to a bursting boat, from the edge of a storm-tossed hull to the solid ground of restoration, and discover how obedience turns uncertainty into impact. David, Javi, and Jason unpack the scenes that make Peter so compelling: the quiet courage of letting Jesus into the boat, the audacity of walking on water, the sting of get behind me, Satan, and the aching honesty of a threefold denial that gives way to a threefold commissioning.We explore why the net-breaking catch matters beyond the miracle, how giving God the credit protects us from pride, and why faith often looks like doing the next right thing when our expertise says otherwise. At Caesarea Philippi, amid pagan shrines and the so-called gates of Hades, Peter’s confession You are the Christ becomes a turning point. Is the rock Peter, the confession, or the advancing church? We consider each thread while keeping Jesus as the cornerstone and believers as living stones shaped through correction, failure, and forgiveness.The conversation moves into Acts, where Peter’s formation bears fruit: leadership in choosing Judas’s successor, preaching at Pentecost, confronting hypocrisy, witnessing healings, and shepherding a fragile movement. Through it all, we keep returning to a simple thesis—obedience is faith in motion. When the waves rise, focus beats bravado; when we fall, restoration beats regret. If you’ve ever wavered between boldness and fear, Peter’s arc offers both comfort and a challenge: listen, step, and let God chisel you into something solid.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the conversation. What’s your next step out of the boat?Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Oct 22, 2025 • 40min
42: Loneliness: Alone, Lonely or Waiting For Blessing?
Send us a textWe explore the difference between aloneness that shapes calling and loneliness that erodes the soul, and how God’s presence and real participation in community bridge the gap. Personal stories, Scripture, and practical next steps point toward belonging, purpose, and action.• Yehidim as a lens for beloved vulnerability• Alone versus lonely defined with biblical examples• Church as participation rather than proximity• Introvert and extrovert insights on recharging• Proverbs 18 and the danger of isolation• Shame, openness and finding a family of faith• Lowering walls through humility and curiosity• God’s promises to the lonely across Psalms• Vertical connection with God before horizontal• Obedience, action and walking through valleys• Avoiding echo chambers to grow in communityPlease write to us, let us know where you're at. If you're particularly somebody who's feeling lonely... reach out to us. Seriously, reach out to one of us, reach out to all of us. We'd all like to talk to you and help you through whatever that next step is.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Oct 15, 2025 • 39min
41: The Four Gospels: Divergence without Division
Send us a textA roadside illusion, four different memories, one shared event—that’s our doorway into the mystery and beauty of the four Gospels. We explore why Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John read differently without pulling the story apart, and how multiple witnesses, audiences, and purposes actually deepen trust rather than erode it. From Deuteronomy’s call for corroboration to modern parallels in journalism and courtroom testimony, we make the case that diverse perspectives clarify the center.We walk through each Gospel’s heartbeat: Matthew’s tapestry of prophecy for Jewish readers; Mark’s kinetic portrait of authority and miracles for Roman minds; Luke’s physician-level diligence, compassion, and historical reliability for a Greek world; and John’s high Christology, the Word made flesh, inviting belief and wonder. Along the way, we address popular sticking points—like the trilingual inscription above the cross and the “one angel or two?” at the empty tomb—showing how language, translation, and human attention explain variations without touching the core. Think perception tests and eyewitness selectivity; focus can shift details, but the central scene remains.We also tackle timing, manuscripts, and external sources. The Gospels were written astonishingly early by ancient standards, while thousands of manuscripts and references from Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, and Josephus reinforce their historical weight. If you’ve ever wondered whether the differences signal contradiction or completeness, this conversation offers a steady framework: many witnesses, one Messiah; different angles, the same unshakable claim—Jesus lived, died, and rose. If this story is true, it’s the story that changes all others.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. Which Gospel speaks to you most—and why? We’d love to hear your take.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Oct 8, 2025 • 18min
BONUS: David Shapiro: Not Quick Qs
Send us a textBig questions deserve straight answers—and a generous dose of wonder. We open the inbox and walk through listener questions about how the Bible took shape, whether the text changed over time, how God’s sovereignty meets real human choice, why the crucifixion lands exactly on Passover, and what archaeology adds to the story. Along the way, we keep returning to a word that refuses to fit inside English: chesed—God’s loyal, covenant love that doesn’t quit.We start with canon and cut through the “secret council” myth. The Old Testament was already recognized within Judaism and affirmed by Jesus; the New Testament writings spread quickly, with early manuscripts like P52 and second-century collections showing how communities embraced these texts close to the events themselves. From there, we tackle reliability through the scribal world and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Qumran’s caves handed us ancient Isaiah and a trove of Hebrew texts that match what we read today with striking accuracy, turning a common objection into an anchor for confidence.Then we pivot to the heart-work: sovereignty and free will. Love that matters can’t be coerced, and Scripture shows a God who reigns while people choose—nowhere more clearly than at the cross. Passover’s timing is no coincidence either; Jesus steps into the Exodus pattern as the spotless Lamb, reframing rescue with bread, cup, and blood that covers more than doorposts. We also talk language—Hebrew’s action and Greek’s reflection—as two lenses that sharpen both head and heart. Before we land, we explore the enduring mystery of the Ark of the Covenant and why its absence may signal a deeper presence: the Spirit within us. We close with chesed, the refrain that steadies a wavering soul: His faithful love endures forever.If this stirred your curiosity or gave you clarity, tap follow, share it with a friend, and drop your biggest question—we’re building the next Q&A from your words.Support the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Oct 1, 2025 • 14min
BONUS: David Shapiro: Transformation: From Coals to Diamonds
Send us a textPressure has a way of telling the truth about who we are becoming. Today I take a solo dive into transformation—why it’s slow, why it hurts, and why it’s worth every step—through the surprising arc of Moses: from hidden child to royal student, from fugitive to shepherd, from reluctant messenger to the lawgiver who helps reshape a nation. Along the way, we look at Pharaoh’s hardened heart, Israel’s fragile trust, and the uncomfortable fact that resistance forms us too.We get practical and honest about forgiveness as the engine of change. Forgiveness doesn’t excuse harm; it releases its grip so our future isn’t chained to our past. I share how reframing pain can reveal the strengths it produced, and why boundaries, truth, and mercy can coexist. We also talk about Scripture not as a book to finish, but a craftsman that finishes us—how repeated reading polishes rough edges, how stories like Jacob and Paul keep teaching new lessons, and how the Bible shapes our minds and habits over time.If you’ve ever felt distant from God, we spend time there too. Prayer can feel thin, worship can feel flat—but serving others can reignite what’s gone cold. Catch the light in someone’s eyes when grace lands and remember your own testimony; memory becomes fuel for faith. From facing giants to moving forward through pressure, this conversation is an invitation to trust God’s presence in the process and see how one transformed life can ripple outward. If the message resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review—then tell me where you’re seeing transformation begin.Support the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Sep 29, 2025 • 5min
QUICK Qs: When Did The Name Jesus First Really Mean Something to You?
Send us a textSupport the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Sep 24, 2025 • 39min
40: David & Goliath: A Sling & A Prayer
Send us a textThe ancient duel between David and Goliath has transcended its biblical origins to become cultural shorthand for any underdog victory. Yet beneath this familiar narrative lies a treasure trove of wisdom about facing seemingly insurmountable challenges with courage, faith, and divine partnership.Our hosts David, Javi, and Jason dive deep into this iconic story, revealing layers that casual readers often miss. For forty days, Goliath intimidated the entire Israelite army before the young shepherd David volunteered to fight. But what many don't realize is that David was already known to King Saul as a musician whose harp playing soothed the king's troubled spirit. God had been preparing David long before this moment, through seemingly unrelated experiences.The conversation explores fascinating details like David's selection of five stones instead of just one. Was this preparation? A sign of doubt? Or perhaps acknowledgment of Goliath's four giant brothers? The hosts offer multiple perspectives, ultimately agreeing that faith and preparation work hand-in-hand rather than opposing each other. David's refusal to wear Saul's armor becomes a powerful metaphor for rejecting borrowed methods and embracing your unique, God-given approach to challenges.Perhaps most intriguing is the consideration that Goliath might have suffered from a medical condition affecting his vision and mobility. This doesn't diminish the miracle but enhances it – our own giants often appear more formidable than they actually are when viewed through the lens of fear. The story culminates with David not just knocking Goliath down but completely finishing the job by cutting off his head, teaching us to be thorough in addressing our challenges.Whether you're facing fears, addiction, relationship struggles, or professional obstacles, this episode offers four transformative principles: name your giant specifically, remember God's faithfulness throughout your journey, use your unique gifts rather than borrowed methods, and run courageously toward what frightens you. Join us for this powerful exploration of how ancient wisdom continues to guide modern battles.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Sep 22, 2025 • 5min
QUICK Qs: What Is One Thing That Christians Could Practice to Strengthen Their Walk
Send us a textWe explore essential spiritual practices that could transform a Christian's weekly life, focusing on silent prayer, putting faith into action, and practicing regular forgiveness.• Jason emphasizes the importance of silent prayer – not just talking to God but listening for His voice• Moving beyond self-focused prayers to create space for hearing God's whisper• Taking what we learn from Scripture and actually putting it into practice• Seeing God's blessings manifest when we step out and live our faith• Practicing forgiveness in daily interactions, not just major offenses• Approaching disagreements as opportunities to find truth together, not battles to win• Recognizing that defensive postures create tension and stress in relationships• Understanding that forgiveness creates space for mutual understandingSupport the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.

Sep 17, 2025 • 44min
39: Book of Jonah: You Can Run, But You Can't Hide
Send us a textHave you ever run from something you knew God was calling you to do? The story of Jonah resonates with anyone who's ever resisted divine direction, especially when that direction leads toward people we'd rather not help.Our conversation explores how this ancient narrative goes far deeper than the children's story most of us learned. Jonah wasn't just running from God – he was running from God's mercy toward people he deemed unworthy. The brutal Assyrian capital of Nineveh, known as "the city of blood," represented everything the Israelites feared and despised. Yet God's compassion extended even there, much to Jonah's dismay.We unpack fascinating symbolic elements often missed in casual readings. The "great fish" (not specifically a whale) carries profound significance when connected to Nineveh's fish-god Dagon who supposedly devoured doves – with Jonah's name literally meaning "dove" in Hebrew. No wonder the reluctant prophet's arrival captured immediate attention! His grudging five-word sermon sparked perhaps history's most successful mass repentance, proving God's purposes advance even through our half-hearted obedience.The story's ending, where God uses a plant and worm to teach Jonah about misplaced priorities, serves as a powerful mirror for examining our own prejudices about who "deserves" grace. We reflect on personal experiences of resistance to divine calling and how silence – both Jonah's time in darkness and God's concluding quietness – creates space for profound spiritual transformation.Whether you're currently feeling swallowed by circumstances, running from responsibility, or struggling with extending grace to difficult people, this episode offers fresh perspective on God's relentless pursuit of both the lost and the reluctant messengers He calls to reach them. Listen, reflect, and consider where your own Jonah story might be unfolding right now.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showHave a topic, verse, or story you'd like us to cover? Tell us on the socials at @theboundlessbible: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok Join the new Facebook Group: The Boundless Bible Discussion Group If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you.


