Exploring Faith, Scripture's "Bad" Books, and Popular Music
A Conversation with Raphael Fielder on Orthodox Review
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend, Raphael Fielder, host of YouTube’s Orthodox Review, for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from the Old Testament’s “Bad” Books, to the rhythms of prayer, and the evolution of Christian music.
Diving into the “Bad Books” of the Bible
The conversation kicked off with a discussion around my podcast on Ancient Faith Radio, “Bad” Books of the Bible, then co-hosted with Joel Miller. The title might sound cheeky, but it’s a nod to the deuterocanonical books—texts like Tobit, Wisdom, and Sirach—that are part of the Orthodox Old Testament but often excluded by Protestant Christians and Jewish communities.
The podcast has always been intended to be an audio Bible studio, primarily intended to bring these books to listeners who may never have encountered them, whether they view them as Holy Scripture or simply insightful historical treasures. Our goal? Make the material inviting and digestible for everyone, from curious skeptics to devout believers.
One fun aspect of the show I revealed to Raphael, is that the podcast ties into my master’s degree in Orthodox theology at the Antiochian House of Studies. Though the school can’t possibly endorse my podcast, the first season was launched in fulfillment of requirement toward the degree.
From Music to Meaning: Brews Beards and Shipwrecks
We also discussed my other podcast, Brews Beards and Shipwrecks, which grew from a desire to reconnect with friends from the Christian music scene who’ve wrestled with their faith. Initially, I wanted to hear their stories of doubt, growth, and rediscovery, hoping to offer listeners something valuable—whether through shared struggles or renewed hope. Over time, the podcast expanded to include guests from diverse backgrounds, each sharing how they’ve overcome challenges.
This led to a discussion about my music with Royal Ruckus, a group I’ve been part of for years. While we’ve always had Christian undertones, my conversion to Orthodoxy brought a new depth to our work. Our album Unexpected Joy is certainly Orthodox-inspired record, wrestling with faith and doubt in a raw, honest way in light of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. In many ways, it’s a musical reflection of 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul writes, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” That verse captures the heart of Unexpected Joy—finding joy amid life’s messiness.
The Power of Prayer and Favorite Reads
Raphael and I also explored the role of prayer in our lives. We got pretty nerdy with the prayer books, but at some point we got practical. For me, I suggested, a flexible prayer rule—rooted in grace rather than rigidity—can be a game-changer. As Jesus says in Matthew 6:6, “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.” Prayer can (and should) be disciplined, but it is personal, intimate, and adaptable to our unique rhythms.
When it came to favorite books of the Bible, I couldn’t help but highlight James, Tobit, and John. James is practical and punchy, urging us to live out our faith with integrity. Tobit’s narrative, with its focus on family and God’s providence (and angelic guidance), is a fantastic story and a book that has been slept-on. And John’s Gospel? It’s poetic and profound, revealing Christ’s incarnate theophany in every line.
I also shared my love for For the Life of the World by Father Alexander Schmemann, a book that significantly pulled me along in my journey to Orthodoxy. Schmemann’s vision of a world infused with God’s presence was a revelation, echoing John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.”
Royal Ruckus is continuing to make music. Here’s one of my latest releases:
Exploring Bible Editions and the REAL Apocrypha
Our conversation turned to Bible translations, where I geeked out over the ESV Catholic Edition and the Orthodox Study Bible. Both offer rich translations and study resources that bring scripture to life.
We also touched on apocryphal books like Jubilees and Enoch, which aren’t considered scripture in the Orthodox Church, but still offer us valuable historical context and insights into what was “in the air” at the time of Jesus. While I haven’t ruled out covering these books on “Bad” Books of the Bible, the focus of this podcast will remain on the “deuterocanonical” texts. While books like Jubilees may not be scripture, they can still teach us about the historical and cultural world of the Bible, enriching our understanding of what is in our Bible.
Wrapping Up with Resources and Reflections
Looking back on our discussion, I really enjoyed discussing so many different things that make me tick—my music, our faith, and storytelling intertwine to create something meaningful. Whether through exploring “bad” books, sharing stories of struggle, or crafting music (even rap), the goal is to point people toward hope and truth. Raphael’s Orthodox Review provided the perfect space for this conversation, and I’m grateful he took the time to bring me on, and also allowed me to re-share here.
Faith isn’t simply about having all the right answers—it’s about wrestling, growing, and finding joy in the treacherous journey of life. As Paul writes in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
That’s the spirit I hope to carry forward, whether in podcasts, music, or everyday life.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? The original is here:
P.S. I’ve been doing a rap album series inspired by Mr. Rogers. Here’s a music video I made for it:
P.P.S. I’ve got a new album coming out this week. You can add it on Spotify by clicking here.
