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BLOOM the Podcast

BLOOM the Podcast

Written by: Donovan James
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A show dedicated to cultivating biblical discernment and thoughtful reflection across every facet of the Christian journey—from Scripture study and relationships to navigating societal and cultural dynamics, and everything in between. With grace, humility, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we invite you to join us in conversations that seek truth and clarity in all the places the Lord leads us. We hope this show encourages and inspires you along the way.

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Episodes
  • S4 E34: PSA and Church Fathers, and Interpretation Challenges!
    Oct 14 2026

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    Last episode, we looked at the biblical doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). We evaluated some of the common arguments made against it by Eastern Orthodox apologists who want you to believe that you aren't guilty before God, but that your nature is merely sick, and that Jesus died primarily to heal your nature rather than atone for your trespasses against His law.

    As with all false teachings, there are often nuggets of truth hidden beneath the umbrella of error. So we worked through these claims and tried to make sense of them in light of Scripture. But one objection always seems to plague these conversations: "That's just your interpretation," or, "None of the Church Fathers interpreted Scripture that way."

    In today's episode, we tackle those objections head-on by examining several Church Fathers who explicitly taught the core doctrines of PSA and held the same understanding of guilt under God's law that many biblical Christians hold today. We'll also demonstrate why using the Church Fathers as an exegetical method inevitably leads to massive error. To uphold a particular view, you have to pick and choose which Fathers you like while ignoring others, often quoting them out of context to prop up falsehoods rather than reading them for who they were and understanding them within their historical context.

    My hope is that this episode brings clarity and confidence to your handling of both Scripture and historical sources. So grab your reading glasses, grab a snack, and let's dive in!

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • S4 E33: Refuting BAD arguments against Propitiation (PSA)
    Sep 30 2026

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    We often say, "Christ died for our sins," but how often do we stop to consider what that statement actually means? The significance of Christ's death is central to the gospel, yet many modern critiques challenge the substitutionary nature of His atoning work.

    In this episode, we examine and refute several common arguments against Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and the biblical doctrine of propitiation. Interacting with claims made by popular Eastern Orthodox apologist Jay Dyer, we address objections concerning sin, divine justice, the nature of Christ's sacrifice, and allegations that PSA somehow implies a rupture within the Trinity.

    Rather than relying on assertions or philosophical speculation, we turn to Scripture to evaluate these claims. What does the Bible mean when it says that Christ died for our sins? What is propitiation? Did Christ truly bear our judgment as our substitute? And why does this matter for understanding the gospel itself?

    Join us as we seek to bring biblical clarity to one of Christianity's most important doctrines and defend the glorious truth that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • S4 E32: EO Priest VS EO Dogma
    Sep 16 2026

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    What happens when a priest openly contradicts his own church’s formal teachings? Is it just a misunderstanding? Is the problem your interpretation? Or is he simply going against Scripture? Today’s episode gives a crystal‑clear example of several things:

    1. Why Sola Scriptura matters, because without a fixed, infallible standard of truth, you’re left with fallible men and shifting dogma.
    2. How false teachers operate, smoothing over unbiblical doctrines and presenting themselves as sheep while promoting ideas Scripture never supports.
    3. Why believers must do their due diligence, reading sources, testing claims, and grounding everything in the Word of God.

    Acts 17 commends the Bereans for eagerly searching the Scriptures to verify what teachers said, and I urge you to do the same. Don’t take a priest’s word for it, or anyone else’s. Go to the Word. My hope is that today’s episode helps you see some of the deep inconsistencies within EO doctrine, how those teachings conflict with Scripture, and how the Bible offers a peace unknown to traditions that push you toward your own “righteousness.” Grab your Bible and enjoy.


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    51 mins
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