What happens when faith turns into fear?

In this episode, Maya Wilson unpacks the rise of religious psychosis, the legacy of the Satanic Panic, and the way our obsession with evil has shaped American Christianity. From the Salem witch trials to QAnon, from serial killer hysteria to deliverance TikTok, this episode dives deep into how paranoia, trauma, and power distort our understanding of spiritual warfare.

Blending cultural analysis, theology, and history—with insights from C.S. Lewis, Scott Peck, and Tyler Staton—this conversation calls believers back to what Scripture actually teaches about discernment, repentance, and the true victory of Christ.

Because the Bible calls us to discernment, not hysteria.

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2025

All Rights Reserved

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement :

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

In Part 2 of our Haggai series we see what happens after God calls His people to rebuild: the remnant obeys, God promises His presence, and He awakens their spirits to do the work. Yet even after obedience, discouragement creeps in — and Haggai sternly calls the people to examine their hearts and root out anything that defiles the work of the Lord.

Maya reads and unpacks Haggai 1:12–15, Haggai 2:1–9, and Haggai 2:10–19, and trace God's encouragement through Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, Isaiah 41:10, and Zechariah 4:10. We also use Ezekiel's portrait of hidden sins in the temple and Jesus' reminder that no one can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24) to show how easy it is to do God's work while still clinging to sin.

Listen as we define key Hebrew terms (remnant, "fear the Lord," oor — to rouse/awaken, and lebab — to think deeply), celebrate the power God gives to accomplish His calling, and wrestle with the hard call to personal holiness. Practical application and reflection questions close the episode: how do you respond to conviction? Are you discouraged by "small beginnings," or will you keep working in obedience and expect God's supernatural provision?

Scriptures referenced: Haggai 1:12–15; Haggai 2:1–9; Haggai 2:10–19; Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; Zechariah 4:10; Ezekiel 8:6–12; Matthew 6:24; Psalm 139:23–24.

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2025

All Rights Reserved

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement :

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.

Haggai is tiny—two chapters—but it packs a holy gut-check. In Part 1, we set the biblical timeline around the exile, trace why Israel's priorities crumbled, and ask what it means to "consider your ways" (lebab) before we build. Bring your Bible and a pen; we're putting God back at the foundation.

Today we kick off a deep-but-doable study through Haggai. Prophetic books can feel intimidating, so I'm giving you the context first—Assyria, Babylon, the deportations, the fall of Jerusalem, Cyrus' decree, and the return (Ezra/Nehemiah)—so Haggai's message lands where it should.
Then we read Haggai 1:1–11 and name the tension: God rescued His people, but they rushed to panel their own houses while His temple sat in ruins. We talk priorities, contentment, and what Jesus calls building on the rock (Matthew 7). Throughout, Haggai repeats a phrase—"consider your ways" (lebab)—an invitation to examine motives, not just motions.
Questions we wrestle with:

• Where do I feel "exiled"—handed over to my own way—and how is God inviting me back?

• Am I delaying God's work while perfecting my own?

• What does it look like to put God at the base so the build actually holds?

Scriptures referenced:
2 Kings 17; Daniel 1:1–6; 2 Kings 24–25; Ezra 1:1–4; Ezra 6:15–18; Lamentations 1; Jeremiah 29:10–14; Haggai 1:1–11; 1 Timothy 6:6–9; Matthew 7:24–27.

Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way?

Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well.

Credits

Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson

Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin

Copyright 2025

All Rights Reserved

For more of Maya's writing, follow her on Substack

teaologypod.substack.com

Follow the podcast on socials!

Instagram: @teaologypodcast

Tiktok: @teaologypod

📌Copyright Statement :

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, "fair use" is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term "fair use" refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal.

Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.