Theology and Apologetics Podcast

Judas Iscariot: Betrayal, Prophecy, Hypocrisy & the Price of 30 Pieces of Silver Thomas Fretwell continues a “Life of Messiah” survey of the twelve apostles, focusing on Judas Iscariot and briefly distinguishing Judas son of James (Thaddeus), whom church history links to ministry in Edessa. The episode traces Judas’s materialistic expectations of the Messiah, his hypocrisy as keeper of the money box and a thief, and the turning point after Mary anoints Jesus when Judas is rebuked. It connects Judas’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver to Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 41 and Zechariah 11), follows the Last Supper where Satan influences Judas, and highlights Jesus washing Judas’s feet and calling him “friend” at the betraying kiss. Judas’s remorse leads him to return the money, confess “innocent blood,” and hang himself, serving as a warning about hypocrisy, love of money, and refusing repentance, while affirming God’s sovereign plan in the cross for forgiveness. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

The 12 Apostles (Part 2): Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Matthew, Thomas & Simon the Zealot | Luke 6:13 This episode continues the study of Jesus’ chosen twelve apostles from Luke 6:13, explaining the apparent structure of three groups within the Twelve and reviewing prior lessons on Peter, Andrew, James, and John. It focuses on Philip (seen mainly in John’s Gospel) as an organized, logical disciple tested in the feeding of the 5,000, his role in bringing Greeks to Jesus with Andrew, and Jesus’ correction when Philip asks to see the Father; tradition says Philip was killed in Hierapolis around 54 AD. Bartholomew is identified as Nathanael (son of Tolmai), recounting his call from under the fig tree and his confession of Jesus; tradition places his martyrdom around 68 AD. Matthew (Levi) is described as a wealthy tax collector from a priestly line whose inclusion highlights unity amid tension; tradition says he died in Ethiopia. Thomas is defended beyond the “doubting” label, highlighting his loyalty, grief, confession “My Lord and my God,” and tradition of ministry in India and martyrdom. James son of Alphaeus is noted for obscurity and faithfulness, and Simon the Zealot is explained as a former nationalist extremist whose inclusion alongside Matthew shows Christ’s transforming power; tradition links Simon to preaching in Britain and death under a Roman proconsul. Judas Iscariot is reserved for a later dedicated study. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Jesus Chooses the 12 Apostles (Luke 6): Peter, Andrew, James & John | Church History & Discipleship This episode of Theology and Apologetics with Thomas Fretwell continues Luke 6 as Jesus, amid escalating conflict with the Pharisees, spends a night in prayer and chooses twelve disciples as apostles. The teaching explains what it means to be a disciple and highlights that the apostles were ordinary men whom God used to change the world. It compares the four apostle lists (Luke 6, Matthew 10, Mark 3, Acts 1) and notes a likely structure of three groups of four led by Peter, Philip, and James son of Alphaeus. The episode then profiles Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John, drawing from the Gospels and church history: Peter’s leadership, failures and restoration, ministry in Rome, and martyrdom; Andrew’s evangelistic role and crucifixion; James’s death by Herod Agrippa; and John’s transformation, writings, exile to Patmos, and long ministry in Ephesus. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Jesus, the Sabbath, and the Pharisees (Matthew 12): Lord of the Sabbath & Greater Than the Temple In this episode we will study Matthew 12 (with parallels in Mark) where Jesus and His disciples face Pharisaic confrontation over Sabbath regulations when the disciples pluck grain, an act permitted by Deuteronomy 23:25 but condemned by extra Pharisaic rules. • Jesus defends them using David eating consecrated bread (1 Samuel 21) and the priests working on the Sabbath • Jesus declares “something greater than the temple is here” and “the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” • Jesus exposes legalism by healing a man with a withered hand in the synagogue, showing it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath • Mark highlights Jesus’ anger at their hardness of heart and the Pharisees conspiring with the Herodians to destroy Him • Matthew connects these events to Isaiah 42, emphasizing Jesus’ Spirit-anointed, merciful ministry and Gentile hope. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Luke 5 Explained: Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew), Dines with Sinners & the New Wine/New Wineskins Continuing the Life of Messiah series in Luke 5, Thomas Fretwell revisits Jesus’ healing of the paralytic in Capernaum and then focuses on Jesus calling the tax collector Levi (Matthew), highlighting the scandal of a rabbi welcoming an ostracised Roman collaborator and the cost of discipleship as Levi leaves everything to follow Christ. Levi hosts a banquet for Jesus with tax collectors and “sinners,” prompting Pharisaic criticism, to which Jesus replies that the sick need a physician and that He came to call sinners to repentance. The episode then provides historical background on the rise of Pharisaic/rabbinic “oral law” and the fence around Torah, explaining how this context clarifies Jesus’ illustrations about fasting, patching old garments, and new wine in new wineskins as a refusal to fit His mission into Pharisaic tradition and a call to bring people to Jesus. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

This is the audio version of an article posted on ezrafoundation. org website. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Luke 5:17–26 — The Paralytic, Forgiveness of Sins, and Jesus’ Divine Authority Dr Fretwell continues a Luke 5 study in Capernaum as Pharisees and teachers of the law, including a delegation from Jerusalem, gather to investigate Jesus after the messianic healing of a leper. Jesus teaches the word, and four friends lower a paralysed man through the roof to reach him, demonstrating visible, active faith. Jesus first declares, “Your sins are forgiven,” intentionally echoing Leviticus’ sacrificial language to claim God’s authority, prompting accusations of blasphemy. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus challenges them and heals the man to prove the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. The man obeys, walks home glorifying God, and the crowd responds with astonishment, fear, and praise, emphasising humanity’s greatest need: forgiveness through Jesus. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Welcome to the Global News Update (GNU) from The Ezra Foundation with Dr. Fretwell — bringing cultural commentary from a biblical perspective. In this February episode we discuss: • The escalating Iran–Israel conflict and US military operations against Iranian targets • Iranian reactions to the fall of an oppressive regime and the silence of Western activists • What Ezekiel 38 and Jeremiah 49 say about Persia and God’s purposes in history • The rapid growth of the underground church in Iran • A political shock in the UK as the Green Party wins a historic by-election • Culture wars in Britain, including protests targeting Churchill and Gail’s bakery • How Christians should respond to global chaos — remembering the spiritual revival that transformed England during the Great Awakening 📌 Resources & More: Visit ezrafoundation.org for books and resources from the ministry. Subscribe to stay informed and never miss an episode of the Global News Update! #GlobalNewsUpdate #IranProtests #FabianSociety #ChristianFaith #PhilipYancey #DrThomasFretwell #WorldNews #BibleSales Become a supporter at: / theologyandapologetics Visit: www.ezrafoundation.org/ www.theologyandapologetics.com/ Listen to the Theology & Apologetics Podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2lviMYP... Instagram: / ezra_foundation / theology.apologetics

Heroes of the Faith continues the story of John Wesley, tracing the remarkable spread of his ministry across England and beyond. From open air preaching to the rise of Methodist societies, this episode explores how one man’s relentless devotion to Christ helped awaken a nation and shape a movement that would endure for generations. It follows his tireless travels, his passion for holiness and social reform, and concludes with his peaceful final moments, when even in death his confidence rested firmly in the faith he had proclaimed all his life. Become a supporter at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics Visit: www.ezrafoundation.org/ www.theologyandapologetics.com/ Listen to the Theology & Apologetics Podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2lviMYP... Instagram: www.instagram.com/ezra_foundation/ www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics/