Episode Summary: "Scofield and Circumcision - Book of Genesis" with Ed Mabry
Podcast: Nephilim Death Squad
Hosts: Top Lobster and David Lee Corbo (Raven)
Guest: Ed Mabry
Release Date: August 10, 2025
1. Personal Updates and Absence Explanation (00:23 - 05:24)
The episode begins with Ed Mabry addressing his recent absence from the podcast. He shares that he had to take time off to care for his mother, who underwent surgery. Ed elaborates on the challenges he faced, including dealing with uncooperative relatives and managing his mother's affairs from a distance.
Ed Mabry [00:23]: "We are being hypnotized by people like this. News readers, politicians, teachers, lecturers."
Ed Mabry [04:37]: "She's doing much better, which is why I'm back home now. It wasn't major surgery, but at her age, every surgery is major surgery."
2. Patreon and Support Discussion (01:18 - 14:13)
Top Lobster and David Lee Corbo take a moment to discuss their Patreon tiers, humorously referring to higher support levels as "Daddy" and "Mommy" tiers. They encourage listeners to support them financially to gain perks like early access to episodes and exclusive content.
David Lee Corbo [01:50]: "If you sign up for the Daddy tier, we'll call you Daddy."
Ed Mabry [03:07]: "I will do that. You can call me Papa."
They also touch upon Ed's recent challenges and express gratitude for his return to the podcast.
3. Technical Setup and Recording Challenges (07:46 - 09:07)
The hosts briefly discuss changes in their recording setup, mentioning that they have moved closer together to enhance the podcast's production quality. They address minor technical difficulties encountered during the recording, ensuring listeners that everything is functioning properly.
Top Lobster [08:25]: "We've changed the setup, and this is the setup we're going with."
4. Introduction to the Scofield Bible and Circumcision (09:12 - 18:59)
Ed Mabry introduces the main topic of the episode: the Scofield Bible and its connection to circumcision, as depicted in the Book of Genesis. He clarifies common misconceptions about the Scofield Bible, emphasizing that it is essentially the King James Version (KJV) augmented with his own extensive study notes, rather than a rewritten version of the Bible.
Ed Mabry [09:26]: "One of the myths is that Schofield rewrote the Bible. No, the Scofield Bible is a King James version with study notes."
Ed explains that Scofield's commentary introduced a pro-Israel stance and dispensationalism, significantly influencing modern Protestant seminaries and fostering Christian Zionism.
5. Dispensationalism and Its Influence on Christian Thought (19:11 - 25:22)
The discussion delves into dispensationalism—the belief that God interacts with humanity in distinct eras. Ed explains how Scofield's interpretation emphasized the Abrahamic covenant, linking it directly to Israel and shaping the theological foundation for Christian support of the Jewish state.
Ed Mabry [20:43]: "Dispensationalism is the idea that God has dealt with the world through seven specific eras."
He highlights how Scofield's notes led to a deterministic view where supporting Israel was seen as a divine mandate, influencing a generation of pastors trained with the Scofield Bible.
6. Redefining 'Blessings' and 'Curses' in a Biblical Context (20:43 - 23:19)
Ed clarifies the biblical definitions of "blessing" and "cursing," contrasting them with modern interpretations often linked to political or military support. He emphasizes that, biblically, blessing Israel refers to spiritual support, such as praying for their recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, rather than material or military aid.
David Lee Corbo [21:25]: "A blessing would be praying, not speaking ill of them. A curse is hoping terrible things happen spiritually."
This nuanced understanding challenges the prevalent Christian Zionist perspective that equates blessing with tangible support.
7. Eschatology, the Rapture, and Controversial Doctrines (25:22 - 33:35)
The hosts explore the controversial aspects of dispensationalism, particularly the concept of the Rapture—the belief that Christians will be taken up before a period of tribulation. Ed discusses how Scofield's teachings perpetuated these eschatological views, which have since become deeply ingrained in certain Christian circles.
Ed Mabry [33:35]: "The Rapture is extremely controversial. Some people believe in it, many don't. It's the most controversial topic in eschatology."
He addresses misconceptions about the origins of the Rapture, attributing its popularization to Scofield and John Darby, while clarifying that Paul’s writings in the Bible predate them.
8. Critique of Evolution and Scientific Arguments Against It (46:42 - 57:47)
Ed presents his arguments against evolution, distinguishing between microevolution (variation within a species) and macroevolution (one species evolving into another). He contends that macroevolution lacks empirical support and violates fundamental laws of thermodynamics.
Ed Mabry [47:42]: "Evolution is impossible. Not just because of the Bible, but genetics speaks against it. Mutations are never beneficial."
He aims to debunk evolutionary theory by highlighting perceived scientific inconsistencies, promising to address these points further in upcoming episodes.
9. Political and Social Polarization Surrounding Israel (62:14 - 75:11)
The conversation shifts to the polarized views on Israel, observing a dichotomy where individuals are either staunchly pro-Israel or vehemently anti-Israel with little middle ground. Ed theorizes that this polarization is a strategic manipulation by elites funding both extremes to create a synthesis that serves their interests.
Ed Mabry [73:33]: "I'm seeing a Hegelian dialectic. They're funding both extreme arguments to lead us to a synthesis that benefits them."
He expresses concern over the lack of nuance in public discourse, drawing parallels to other societal conflicts like those involving the Tea Party and Black Lives Matter movements.
10. Humorous Segment on Circumcision and Foreskins (77:08 - 86:14)
In a lighter vein, the hosts engage in a humorous exchange about foreskins, integrating jokes into the serious discussion of circumcision's biblical significance. Ed explains the spiritual symbolism behind circumcision in Genesis, emphasizing its role as a covenant with God and a means of spiritual purification.
Ed Mabry [77:21]: "Circumcision is a symbol spiritually of the covering of your sin. It's a sign of the covenant with God."
The segment blends humor with theological exposition, making the complex topic more accessible to listeners.
11. Conclusion and Support Information (86:14 - 87:48)
As the episode wraps up, Ed directs listeners to his website and Patreon for further support and content. The hosts reiterate the importance of supporting independent creators like Ed to bypass restrictive platforms like YouTube, which have demonetized some of his content.
Ed Mabry [87:08]: "FaithbyReason.net and Patreon.com/faithbyreason are where you can support my work."
They conclude with a call to action for listeners to leave positive reviews and support Ed's mission.
Key Takeaways:
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Scofield Bible's Impact: The Scofield Bible, through its study notes, significantly influenced modern Christian Zionism and dispensationalism, shaping how contemporary Christians view Israel and eschatological events.
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Redefinition of Terms: Biblical terms like "blessing" and "cursing" are often misinterpreted in modern contexts, leading to misguided support or opposition towards Israel.
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Controversial Doctrines: Concepts like the Rapture remain highly debated within Christian theology, with figures like Scofield playing pivotal roles in their popularization.
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Critique of Evolution: Ed Mabry presents arguments against evolutionary theory, aiming to debunk it through scientific and theological lenses.
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Political Manipulation: There's a perceived strategic polarization in societal debates, particularly concerning Israel, orchestrated by elite funding to foster division and achieve their agendas.
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Symbolism of Circumcision: Beyond its physical aspect, circumcision serves as a profound spiritual symbol of covenant and purification in biblical teachings.
**For further insights and detailed discussions, listeners are encouraged to support Ed Mabry through Faith by Reason and his Patreon.
