In this video, I explore Bel and the Dragon—a fascinating story preserved in the Greek version of the Book of Daniel (often included in the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books). Although it’s not found in the traditional Hebrew text of Daniel, this narrative offers a compelling window into how Jewish communities in the Second Temple period understood Daniel’s character and faith.

The story features the prophet Daniel exposing the fraud of the Babylonian god Bel, destroying a living dragon worshiped as divine, and once again surviving a lions’ den.

On the surface, it reads like a dramatic tale of courage and wit. But beneath that, it’s a powerful polemic against idolatry and a bold affirmation of the God of Israel.

In this overview, I ask an important question: What can we learn about biblical Daniel from an extrabiblical book? Rather than treating Bel and the Dragon as Scripture (for those traditions that don’t), I use it as a case study in how to read extrabiblical literature responsibly:

-How later Jewish writers interpreted Daniel

-How stories develop around revered figures

-What themes are emphasized (wisdom, fidelity, mockery of idols, divine vindication) What historical context might have shaped the narrative

-This is not about elevating extrabiblical texts to the level of canonical Scripture, nor is it about dismissing them outright.

Instead, it’s a practice in careful historical and theological reading—learning about the biblical world without confusing later tradition with the biblical text itself. If you’ve ever wondered how to use the Apocrypha responsibly, or how stories like Bel and the Dragon illuminate the faith and imagination of ancient Jewish communities, this video is for you.

Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #God #Jesus #Christ #theology #apologetics #JesusChrist #truthbetold #bible #biblical #biblestudy #faithful #hermeneutics #apocrypha #belandthedragon #daniel #danielandthelionsden #fypyoutube #fyp #oldtestament #newtestament #hope #love #apocryphal #extrabiblical

​When you read the story of Paul having dreams, the Apostles performing miracles, the first Christians speaking tongues on Pentecost - do you ever feel a disconnect?

I believe, as a Christian, that I have been given that same Holy Spirit and that the same God lives in me that lived in them. Why is there such a huge discrepancy, then, between the kinds of things that happened at that time as opposed to now?

In this episode we take a look at some of the claims and promises regarding what kinds of effects the Holy Spirit will produce in the lives of Christians and then ask ourselves some hard hitting questions to determine what's going on.

It's possible that we've been HEARING God speak through His Spirit, but not actually LISTENING to Him through it.

Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #Chrisitan #Christianity #spirit #HolySpirit #God #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #spiritual #conscience #advocate #helper #church #Scripture #bible #biblestudy #biblical #theology #apologetics #christianliving #truth #hope #love #OldTestament #NewTestament #miracles #fyp #fypyoutube

​ ⁨@TruthBeToldYouTube⁩ ⁨@TruthBeToldBiblePodcast⁩

During Noah's story, just after the flood, Genesis 8 continues the narrative with a section that has, for whatever reason, caused commentators, early church fathers, and lay-Christians to pause and ask, "Is something odd happening here that I need to pay attention to?"

Noah sends out two birds, a raven and a dove, from the ark to determine the state of the Earth. Something about the way this story is told causes us to pause and take note. Perhaps it is the description of events without explicit explanation as to why they're occurring. Perhaps it is the rhythmic, poetic way in which this story is told.

Some, however, would see Christians pausing at this section and feel incredibly confused. They might ask, "Isn't it just recorded this way because.. that's how it happened?" Maybe so.

Whether you read this account through a hyper-literal lens or a hyper-symbolic one, in this episode, we explore the theories others have put forward as to why Noah sends these two birds specifically and whether they might hold meaning beyond the surface.

It is in sections like this, where dogmatism isn't necessary, we don't KNOW for certain, opinions are divided, and there is equal value in seeing the literal as well as the symbolic, that people from across ideological aisles can come together and practice good discussion driven by interest and a desire to understand which views hold explanatory power.

Email: truthbetoldbiblepodcast@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #theology #apologetics #Genesis #creation #recreation #Noah #Moses #Torah #Pentateuch #raven #dove #ark #noahsark #flood #theflood #noahsflood #God #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #OldTestament #NewTestament #symbolism #hermeneutics #bible #biblical #holybible #holy #biblestudy #Christian #Christianity #hope #love #discussion #truth #podcast #fyp #fypyoutube #scripture #church