Podcast Summary: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

Episode: Ep 1280 | The 'Matthew 18' Myth & 'Relatable' Wrapped
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Allie Beth Stuckey
Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode marked a reflective close to the year, as Allie Beth Stuckey delved into the frequently misunderstood passage of Matthew 18—challenging common misuses regarding church conflict, public rebuke, and reconciliation. She then offered a comprehensive retrospective on culture, politics, the loss of prominent Christian leaders, and major personal and national events from 2025. Throughout, the tone blended hope, realism, vulnerability, and deep Christian conviction, focusing listeners on the assurance of God's sovereignty despite tumultuous times.

Main Themes and Segments

1. The Sovereignty of God Amidst Chaos

[01:01–12:00]

• Allie reflects on the nature of God’s “eternal plan of redemption,” encouraging listeners to root their hope in Christ, regardless of global or personal unpredictability.
• She emphasizes the distinctiveness of Christianity: salvation by grace alone, the humility of Christ’s incarnation, and the contrast to worldly definitions of strength and success.
• Memorable reminder: "God’s eternal plan of redemption is always going off without a hitch." – Allie [02:00]
• Personal application: Even Allie admits to feeling disheartened by politics and culture, drawing comfort from passages like Psalm 37: “Fret not yourself because of evildoers...” [12:00]

2. Unpacking & Correcting the ‘Matthew 18 Myth’

[15:00–34:30]

• Allie systematically dismantles the common misconception that Matthew 18 requires all forms of Christian confrontation (especially public rebuke or debate) to be handled privately.
• Key Observations About Matthew 18:
  • It applies specifically to interpersonal sin between believers within a church, not to all conflict or to public theological errors.
  • The stepwise process: private confrontation → 2-3 witnesses → involvement of the church → possible exclusion from fellowship.
  • Not intended for all public correction, nor applicable when addressing false doctrine or sin unconnected to personal offense.
  • Notable quote: "This passage does not mean all correction or rebuke must be done in private... Sometimes public rebuke is necessary—even among Christians. Jesus himself modeled this through Paul’s confrontation of Peter (Galatians 2)." – Allie [29:00]
• Provides practical Bible reading tips, including translation recommendations and the importance of observation in Bible study ([24:00–28:00]).

3. The Year in Review: Major Events & Personal Loss

[34:00–55:00]

Political and Cultural Milestones

• Donald Trump’s unexpected and eventful return to the presidency. [34:05]

  • Allie and her family attended related inaugural events.
  • Most popular episode of the year covered Trump not placing his hand on the Bible during his oath ([36:30]).

• The election of the first American Pope, Pope Leo, and its theological and cultural impacts.

  • Allie notes Pope Leo’s progressive stances and resulting Protestant-Catholic debates ([38:00–39:30]).

Loss of Evangelical Leaders

• The Christian community mourned several towering figures:

  • John MacArthur: “Unafraid. That’s the thing I think of.” [39:56] (Montage includes Allie, Charlie Kirk, and John MacArthur.)
  • Voddie Baucham: Played a previously recorded clip: “Though I die, I will rise with Christ.” [41:28]
  • Phil Robertson: Shared moving encounter with Donald Trump: “You do have sins, don’t you, Trump?” “A lot of them.” [43:20]
  • James Dobson: Recalled as another generational loss ([43:59–44:30]).

• Allie recognizes the grief and need for Christians to express sadness even amid assurance of heaven ([44:00]).

Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

• The single most impactful event for the show and conservative movement.
  • Allie describes the emotional aftermath, high and low points, and the sense of “revival” and renewed interest in Christianity sparked by Kirk’s legacy.
  • Personal encouragements from stories of people renewed in faith or converted to Christianity after his death ([47:00–50:00]).
  • Quote on Kirk’s legacy: "Charlie Kirk is in heaven because his Savior sacrificed himself for Charlie Kirk." [55:12]

4. Personal and Community Milestones: “Relatable” Wrapped

[55:00–67:30]

• Reflection on the show’s own growth, including naming conventions for fans (“Relata-girls” and “Relata-bros”), and the significant success of the “Share the Arrows” women’s conference.

  • “I was embarrassed to say [we aimed for] 5,000, but... we had more interest than ever, especially after Charlie’s passing.” [58:15]

• Viral Cultural Moments: Discusses the impact of her debate on Jubilee (“One Conservative Christian vs. 20 Liberal Christians”).

  • Key moment from the debate: “Murder can still be murder, even if the intent does not start with anger. And that is what I believe we see with abortion.” – Allie [63:01]
  • Recalls Kirk’s encouragement: “I’m praying for this moment for you... He was so generous with his time with so many people, not, I mean, just like hundreds of us.” [63:45]

• Urges listeners to keep their focus on their immediate circles and personal faithfulness in light of overwhelming news cycles:

  • “Sometimes the big things can be a distraction from the little things, because the little things are where our repentance and sanctification need to happen.” [53:00]
  • Encourages the audience to “stay on track and stay in the lane and the calling to which God has called you, and he will bring your path to completion.” [67:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christmas and God’s Plan:
  “God’s eternal plan of redemption is always going off without a hitch... It is the surest thing in the universe.” [02:00]

• On Distinctiveness of Christianity:
  “You are so helpless that God came down to save you in the form of first an embryo, and then a baby... born in a stable among manure and hay to lowly Jewish parents. How incredible is God?” [06:30]

• On Navigating Suffering and Uncertainty:
  “Even Jesus wept when Lazarus died... The sadness of the existence of death because of sin.” [44:30]

• Matthew 18 Explained:
  “This is not about someone just hurting your feelings, but an actual sin... a sin that can be objectively proven.” [26:00]

• On Public Rebuke:
  "Public rebuke can actually be instructive for everyone else... because sometimes those things are necessary, among Christians and outside the church." [31:30]

• On Carrying the Legacy Forward:
  “I have such a small piece of this pie... I want to give those women, by the grace of God, as much courage, as much clarity as I possibly can.” [52:30]

• On Hope and Assurance:
  “We don’t know what 2026 holds, but we know the God who holds it. And that is where our hope and security come from.” [56:15]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:01] Show opens with assurance of God’s sovereignty
• [12:00] Addressing despair in the state of the world with Psalm 37
• [15:00] Introduction of Matthew 18 “myth" segment
• [24:00–31:00] Seven observations on Matthew 18 and public vs. private correction
• [34:05] Year in review: Trump’s inauguration, American Pope, Catholic/Protestant relations
• [39:40] Tribute to John MacArthur, Voddie Baucham, Phil Robertson, James Dobson
• [47:00–52:00] Reflections on Charlie Kirk’s assassination and faith resurgence
• [55:12] Memorial quote: why Charlie Kirk is in heaven
• [58:15] Relatable community and "Share the Arrows" conference
• [63:01] Viral moment from Jubilee debate
• [67:30] Concluding encouragements for 2026

Final Encouragement

Allie closes the year urging her audience to remain steadfast, cherish their local and immediate gospel opportunities, and rest in the unshakeable hope found in Christ—regardless of global instability or personal loss. She expresses heartfelt gratitude for her community, reminding listeners of their role in God's ongoing story of redemption.

For more, tune in to the next episode featuring John Cooper of Skillet. Regular episodes resume the week of January 5th, 2026.