

Theology Talk
Dr. Joel Muddamalle
Welcome to Theology Talk, the podcast that explores theology, culture, and the Bible. Join us as we dive deep into thought-provoking discussions about faith, spirituality, and the intersection of theology with the world around us. Each episode brings you engaging conversations (with some guests along the way) exploring topics ranging from biblical interpretation, theology, and ethical dilemmas in modern society.
Theme Music: Zane Callister
Produced By: Red Barn Studio
Theme Music: Zane Callister
Produced By: Red Barn Studio
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 17, 2025 • 12min
SOSIAY: Who Did Jacob Wrestle With?
SummaryIn this conversation, Joel Muddamalle explores the themes of deception, family struggles, and the journey of Joseph in the Old Testament, while also connecting these narratives to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the unity of the Bible and finding rest in Christ amidst life's challenges.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility"
Takeaways
⚡️Jacob's deception leads to significant family conflict.
⚡️The theme of rivalry between women recurs in scripture.
⚡️Joseph's journey illustrates the ups and downs of life.
⚡️Jesus offers rest to those who are weary and burdened.
⚡️The call of the disciples marks a pivotal moment in the New Testament.
⚡️Jacob's wrestling with God symbolizes spiritual struggle.
⚡️The story of Dinah highlights issues of desire and violence.
⚡️Understanding the context of scripture enhances its meaning.
⚡️Jesus' teachings challenge traditional views of authority.
⚡️Humility and gentleness are key traits for followers of Christ.

Jan 10, 2025 • 16min
SOSIAY: How To Flourish In Life
Summary
In this conversation, Joel Muddamalle delves into the Old Testament passages from Genesis and the New Testament teachings from Matthew, focusing on the Tower of Babel, the Abrahamic Covenant, and the Sermon on the Mount. He emphasizes themes of human rebellion, faithfulness, and the importance of humility in the Christian life, illustrating how these biblical narratives reveal God's unwavering commitment to His promises despite human shortcomings.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility"
Takeaways
⚡️The Tower of Babel represents humanity's attempt to control God.
⚡️Abram's calling signifies God's plan for blessing all nations.
⚡️Faithlessness can lead to disastrous outcomes in our lives.
⚡️The Bible's honesty about its heroes enhances its reliability.
⚡️The Beatitudes offer a framework for flourishing in life.
⚡️Humility is essential for experiencing God's blessings.
⚡️The Abrahamic Covenant is foundational for understanding God's promises.
⚡️The Sermon on the Mount challenges societal norms and values.
⚡️God's faithfulness persists even amidst human unfaithfulness.
⚡️Living as kingdom citizens requires humility and integrity.

Jan 3, 2025 • 18min
The Story of Scripture In A Year: Journey Through the Bible (Jan Week 1)
Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Joel Muddamalle introduces a new Bible reading plan for 2025, focusing on the unity of the scriptures by reading sections from both the Old and New Testaments. He shares insights from the first week's readings, emphasizing themes of creation, sin, salvation, and the fulfillment of Israel's story in Jesus. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding biblical narratives in their broader context and encourages a reflective approach to scripture reading.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility"
Takeaways
⚡️Reading the Bible chronologically can be impactful.
⚡️The unity of the Bible is a key theme for this year.
⚡️God creates order out of chaos in Genesis.
⚡️Sin's pattern of see, desire, and take is crucial.
⚡️The flood narrative illustrates God's salvation through trials.
⚡️Matthew's genealogy connects Jesus to the story of Israel.
⚡️Jesus' birth contrasts with the glory of Roman Caesar.
⚡️The ark symbolizes preservation through adversity, not escape.
⚡️Understanding Genesis helps clarify the nature of sin.
⚡️Jesus fulfills the role of the greater Israel in the New Testament.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Bible Reading Journey
03:11 Thematic Approach to Scripture Reading
05:50 Exploring Genesis: Creation and Humanity
09:11 Sin and Its Consequences in Genesis
11:50 The Flood Narrative and God's Salvation
15:06 Matthew's Genealogy and the Birth of Jesus
16:55 Jesus as the Fulfillment of Israel's Story

Dec 31, 2024 • 32min
The Hidden Peace Through Suffering: An Honest Conversation with Pastors Levi and Jennie Lusko
Summary
In this conversation, Joel Muddamalle engages with pastors Levi and Jenny Lesko to explore the profound theme of humility. They discuss the importance of humility in personal and spiritual growth, the misrepresentation of humility in the church, and share personal stories of loss and transformation. The conversation emphasizes the need to cultivate humility in relationships, particularly in marriage and family, and highlights the potential impact of a humble community on the church and society at large.
Takeaways
⚡️Humility is essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
⚡️Pride can lead to isolation and disconnection in relationships.
⚡️Humility is often misrepresented and misunderstood in the church.
⚡️Personal experiences of loss can lead to deeper humility and understanding.
⚡️Cultivating humility in marriage fosters intimacy and connection.
⚡️Humility is a continuous process, not a one-time achievement.
⚡️The church community can thrive when humility is embraced collectively.
⚡️Humility allows for greater innovation and collaboration in teams.
⚡️Modeling humility for children creates a culture of respect and understanding.
⚡️True humility leads to a greater awareness of God's grace and presence.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Humility and Groundedness
05:03 The Importance of Humility in Life
10:07 Misrepresentation of Humility in the Church
14:58 Personal Stories of Humility and Loss
19:47 Cultivating Humility in Marriage and Family
24:58 The Impact of Humility on Community and Church
29:55 Conclusion and Reflections on Humility
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Sound Bites
"Humility is the soil for the Christian life."
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
"Humility is something that needs to be cultivated."
"Humility unlocks intimacy in relationships."
"We all want what humility brings."
"Humility is a keystone to all virtue."

Dec 10, 2024 • 48min
The Hidden Peace: How To Make It Through Success An Honest Conversation W/ Chris and Hilary Tyrell
In this conversation, Joel Muddamalle engages with Chris and Hillary Tyrell, exploring the themes of humility, vulnerability, and the importance of relationships in both personal and professional contexts. They discuss the challenges of pride, the significance of apologizing, and how humility can lead to deeper connections and peace in life. The discussion also touches on the impact of personal struggles, the journey of self-awareness, and the balance between vocation and family life. Through their experiences, they highlight the transformative power of humility and faith in navigating life's challenges.
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Humility is essential for healthy relationships.
Apologizing is a pathway to repair and intimacy.
Pride can lead us away from true connection.
Self-awareness is a crucial aspect of humility.
Vulnerability allows for deeper relationships.
The music industry often challenges humility.
Personal struggles can lead to greater faith.
Dependency on God is a strength, not a weakness.
Humility brings peace and joy to our lives.
Every weakness can be an invitation for growth.
0:00 Introduction to The Hidden Piece
02:45 Meet Chris and Hillary Tyrell
06:07 The Importance of Apologizing
09:12 Humility in Relationships
11:59 The Role of Humility in the Music Industry
14:51 Navigating Pride and Vulnerability
18:09 The Impact of Personal Struggles
20:59 The Journey of Self-Awareness
23:52 Balancing Vocation and Family
27:07 The Gift of Dependency
29:53 Finding Peace in Humility
33:01 The Jacob Story: Embracing Weakness
36:07 The Power of Connection
38:59 The Role of Faith in Hard Times
41:48 Final Thoughts on Humility

Nov 26, 2024 • 23min
SOSIAY - How to Understand The Gospels
Summary
In this teaching video, Joel Muddamalle explores the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament, focusing on the fulfillment of God's plan through Jesus Christ. He discusses key theological concepts such as the doctrine of the incarnation, the essence of the gospel, and the context of Jesus' ministry under the Roman Empire. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding the New Testament as a continuation of God's story and the importance of Jesus' teachings in contrast to worldly values.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" -
Takeaways
⚡️ God desires to have his household back together.
⚡️ The doctrine of the incarnation is unique amongst all religions.
⚡️ The gospel is the good news that Jesus is the son of God.
⚡️ The king is victorious at this decisive battle.
⚡️ Jesus comes to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of heaven.
⚡️ Jesus is born in a manger, humble and lowly.
⚡️ The Pax Romana promised peace under Roman rule.
⚡️ Jesus comes as a suffering servant.
⚡️ The ways of Jesus are contrary to the ways of the world.
⚡️ The same God is active in the Old and New Testament.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the New Testament
03:01 The Doctrine of the Incarnation
05:54 Understanding the Gospel
08:59 Jesus and the Roman Empire

Nov 7, 2024 • 44min
Theology and Politics: How To Live As Christians With Donald Trump As President
Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Joel Muddamalle and Dr. Patrick Schreiner explore the intersection of faith and politics, particularly through the lens of Schreiner's book, 'Political Gospel.' They discuss the implications of viewing Jesus as a political figure, the importance of understanding the gospel's political nature, and how Christians can navigate their political lives in a way that aligns with their faith. The conversation emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to politics that includes both submission to governing authorities and a prophetic voice that critiques unjust systems. They focus specifically on the intersection of faith and politics, emphasizing the importance of understanding our dual citizenship as Christians. Dr. Schreiner explores the prophetic voice of Jesus, the need for Christians to engage in civic duties, and the historical responses to political challenges, drawing lessons from biblical figures like Jeremiah, Jeroboam Jonah, and Judas. The conversation highlights the balance between working for the good of society while maintaining hope in God's ultimate kingdom.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility"
📕 Grab Dr. Schreiners book, "The Political Gospel."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Connections
02:58 The Political Gospel: Understanding the Title
05:45 Jesus as a Political Figure
09:04 Politics and Discipleship
11:56 The Tension of Political Hope
15:05 Submission and Subversion in Politics
17:48 The Role of Christians in Government
22:02 The Prophetic Voice and Human Identity
27:04 Navigating Political Realities with Faith
35:09 Responses to Political Challenges: Lessons from History
Takeaways
⚡️The gospel is inherently political, challenging the notion that faith and politics should be separate.
⚡️Jesus's life and teachings provide a framework for understanding politics through the lens of the kingdom of God.
⚡️Christians are called to engage with politics as part of their discipleship, not to withdraw from it.
⚡️Submission to governing authorities is important, but it must be paired with a critical stance towards unjust systems.
⚡️The church's role is to recognize and affirm moral truths that governments should uphold, rather than allowing governments to define them.
⚡️Political engagement should reflect the values of the kingdom of God, including love for neighbors and humility.
⚡️The tension between political hope and disappointment is a reality for Christians, especially in election seasons.
⚡️Subversion in politics means critiquing systems that do not align with God's justice and righteousness.
⚡️Christians must navigate their political identities with a biblical worldview, recognizing the ultimate authority of God.
⚡️The call to be prophetic includes speaking truth to power while also engaging in constructive dialogue. All believers are called to exercise the fruit of the Spirit.
⚡️Jesus challenges the political categories of his time.
⚡️Christians should not put their hope in earthly rulers.
⚡️We must engage in politics without compromising our faith.
⚡️Dual citizenship means being a good citizen and a faithful Christian.
⚡️The church should influence society without being defined by it.
Keywords
#political #gospel , #jesus , #politics , #discipleship , #faith , #church , #christianethics , #americanpolitics
📚 If you want to learn how to move beyond reading the Bible to actually understanding it, Dr. Joel created a new course “How To Read and Understand the Bible: An Introduction To Hermeneutics” for you!

Oct 22, 2024 • 26min
SOSIAY September Teaching - How To Read and Understand Ezekiel and Daniel
Summary
This conversation explores the significance of the prophetic books of Ezekiel and Daniel, emphasizing their messages of God's justice, love, and the importance of understanding our identity as God's covenant people. It highlights the context of exile faced by the Israelites and how these texts provide guidance for living faithfully in challenging circumstances. The discussion also connects the themes of these books to the New Testament, particularly the role of Jesus as the ultimate deliverer.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Bible Study, "Finding Peace Through Humility: A Study in the Book of Judges"
📕 Get 40% off any Christian Standard Bible with code "TTT40"
Takeaways
⚡️ God's desire is to reunite His family through Jesus.
⚡️ Ezekiel's message is about God's judgment and restoration.
⚡️ Different prophetic voices help us understand God's character.
⚡️ The Israelites' rejection of God shows their lack of true knowledge of Him.
⚡️ God's justice is essential alongside His love.
⚡️ Ezekiel was called to prophesy during the Babylonian exile.
⚡️ Daniel exemplifies living with integrity in a foreign culture.
⚡️ The book of Daniel serves as a guide for exiles today.
⚡️ God's sovereignty is evident in the lives of His prophets.
⚡️ The connection between the Old Testament and New Testament is crucial for understanding God's plan.
Chapters
00:00 The Purpose of Ezekiel and Daniel
14:53 Living in Exile: The Lessons from Daniel

Oct 15, 2024 • 25min
SOSIAY August Teaching - How To Understand Habakkuk and Jeremiah
This conversation explores the themes of the Old Testament books of Habakkuk and Jeremiah, focusing on the relationship between God's justice and the presence of evil, the concept of theodicy, and the call to faith and righteousness. It delves into the historical context of Jeremiah's prophecies and their connections to the New Testament, particularly the figure of Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophetic messages.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Bible Study, "Finding Peace Through Humility: A Study in the Book of Judges" -
📕 Get 40% off any Christian Standard Bible with code "TTT40" -
Takeaways
⚡️The perceived inactivity of God is a central theme in Habakkuk.
⚡️Habakkuk's complaints highlight the struggle with injustice and evil.
⚡️The concept of theodicy is crucial in understanding God's justice.
⚡️Faith in God requires both passive trust and active response.
⚡️Jeremiah's message addresses the collective guilt of Judah.
⚡️Repentance is presented as a means of grace in Jeremiah.
⚡️The historical context of Jeremiah is vital for understanding his prophecies.
⚡️Jeremiah's prophecies foreshadow the New Covenant through Jesus.
⚡️Jesus fulfills the promises made by the prophets, including Jeremiah.
⚡️The character of God remains faithful even when humanity is unfaithful.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Habakkuk and Its Themes
02:48 Theodicy and the Problem of Evil
06:06 Faith and Righteousness in Habakkuk
09:51 Transition to Jeremiah: Context and Themes
16:05 Jeremiah's Message and Historical Context
22:04 Connections Between Jeremiah and Jesus

Sep 9, 2024 • 21min
The Image of God is Not Broken...
Summary
The conversation explores the concept of the image of God and whether it is broken or retained after the fall. It delves into the implications of this belief on ethics and the treatment of others. The conversation highlights the historical errors and ethical dilemmas that arise from viewing the image of God as broken. It argues that the image of God is retained but humanity is broken, and discusses the standard and responsibility that comes with being an image bearer. The conversation emphasizes the importance of upholding the inherent dignity and worth of all humans.
📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility"
Takeaways
⚡️The image of God is retained but humanity is broken after the fall.
⚡️Viewing the image of God as broken leads to ethical dilemmas and historical errors.
⚡️The image of God is a status freely given to humanity that cannot be revoked.
⚡️Humanity has a responsibility to live up to the standard of the image of God.
⚡️Upholding the inherent dignity and worth of all humans is essential.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Image of God
01:31 The Connection Between the Image of God and Ethics
04:12 Different Views on the Brokenness of the Image of God
07:32 The Retention of the Image of God
10:00 The Biblical Evidence for the Unbroken Image of God
13:50 The Status and Standard of the Image of God
17:10 The Ethical Implications of the Image of God
19:29 Upholding the Inherent Dignity of All Humans
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