The BEMA Podcast – Episode 488: Vice & Virtue — Courage

Release Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Brent Billings | Guests: Reed Dent, Marty Solomon

Episode Overview

This episode of The BEMA Podcast centers on the virtue of courage—what it is, how it’s articulated in the biblical tradition, and its essential, empowering role among all virtues. The discussion is contextualized by the hosts’ ongoing process of grieving the loss of their co-host and friend, Josh, which adds a poignancy and intimacy to their reflections on what it means to live courageously in light of pain, responsibility, and fidelity to God’s call.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grieving Together, Stepping Forward (00:00–13:22)

• Brent and Reed begin with an honest, personal reflection on recording in the wake of Josh’s death, sharing the heaviness of grief and awkwardness about continuing the podcast.
• The hosts emphasize the ongoing impact of loss:
  • Reed: "It's a strange thing to be thinking about the episode that’s about to play and that that was recorded in a time when things were really, really different." (02:03)
  • They mention support for Josh’s family (GoFundMe), personal moments of remembering, and the community’s kindness.
  • Reed shares about missing not just the podcast presence, but the friendship: "I miss talking to him a lot." (04:12)
• The conversation transitions into how shared memories and deep relationships are a ministry in themselves.

2. Opening Prayers & Practices (13:22–15:55)

• Reed introduces a family tradition: using poems and prayers as summer memory projects for his children, specifically Prayer for Courage by Padraig O’Tuama.

  "Courage comes from the heart, and we are always welcomed by God, the heart of all being... May we be courageous today. May we learn today. May we love today. Amen." (15:38)

• The significance of repetitive prayer: it roots the language of courage in the everyday life of his family.

3. Courage in Theological & Scriptural Tradition (15:55–27:14)

• C.S. Lewis is quoted on courage:

  "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality. A chastity or honesty or mercy which yields to danger will be chaste or honest or merciful only on conditions. Pilate was merciful until it became risky." (18:12)

• Reed asserts, “Courage is maybe the most important virtue… It’s not terribly complicated. There’s something simple and profound about ‘do it’.” (18:41)
• They explore the biblical roots:
  • Lev (Hebrew: heart): Not merely emotions, but the seat of will and choice, akin to volition.
    • "Your heart is the seat of choice, of will, of volition. It’s closer to mind than feelings." — Marty (20:32)
  • Hazak (Hebrew: to strengthen): The act of purposefully steeling one’s heart.
  • Tharsos (Greek, NT): “Take heart”—encouragement from Jesus.

4. Distinction from Counterfeits & Need for Other Virtues (27:14–30:16)

• Not all that looks like courage is truly virtuous—bravado, reckless daring, or sheer willpower aren’t the same as courage directed toward the good.
  • "Courage attached to facing danger for the pursuit of good."
• Courage must be rooted in and balanced with justice, temperance, and wisdom. Lacking those, courage can become cruelty, striving, or recklessness.

5. Personal Stories of Courage (30:16–36:12)

• The hosts reflect on times they've needed courage:
  • Brent: Struggles to identify his own courageous moments, but acknowledges acts that required stepping into the unknown.
  • Marty highlights the essential role of outside recognition: “It’s hard to see our own courage, but it’s so meaningful when someone else sees it and goes, ‘I see what you…’” (33:17)
  • Reed: The value of families (and community) calling out courage in each other to help us recognize God’s work.
    • "Calling on each other when we see those acts of courage—that could go a long way." (35:09)

6. Courage as Inspiring and Contagious (37:55–39:57)

• Acts of courage in others often inspire us to similar deeds; courage has a contagious quality.
• Narratives of courage in flawed, everyday people are especially encouraging.

7. Biblical & Historical Examples of Courage (39:57–53:55)

• Philip the Apostle (early Christian martyr): Marty recounts Philip’s integrity and refusal to renounce faith under threat to himself and his daughters.
  • "There is something at the core of what the gospel is… in the face of imperial injustice… something true and good that was not going to be tainted." — Marty (41:37)
• Martyrdom and Living Courageously:
  • Aquinas notes martyrs’ courage surpasses the soldier’s, as martyrs act for others, not for their own glory.
• Women of Courage in Scripture:
  • Ruth: "She was resolved"—the courage to attach herself to Naomi (49:41).
  • Esther: “If I perish, I perish” (50:05).
  • Mary: "I am the Lord’s servant. May it be… according to your word." (51:48)
• Jesus’ Courage:
  • Endures the cross despite knowing its pain, demonstrating honest fear and profound resolve.

    "My soul is troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour."

8. The Nature and Source of Courage (56:37–62:28)

• The disciples (Acts 4:13):
  • "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men… they took note these men had been with Jesus." (56:46)
• Moses’ call:
  • God does not affirm Moses’ résumé but simply says, "I will be with you." (58:41)
• Courage is not about exceptionalism or ability; it is the assurance that God is with and has chosen us for the task.
  • "Courage is not where I reach into my toolbox or I reach into my bag and I pull out God so that I can do the thing. Courage is realizing that God is doing a thing. And He’s reached into His bag and pulled us out." — Marty (61:54)
  • Reed responds: “Chills—just got chills.” (62:01)

9. "Throw Your Stone": Courage in Action (46:50; 47:03)

• Echoing a classic BEMA teaching on David and Goliath (Ep. 39):
  • Courage is acting (throwing your stone) when you know what you’re called to do, not letting fear or uncertainty paralyze you.
• Courage is not gendered—biblical courage is demonstrated by men and women alike.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• C.S. Lewis (read by Reed, 18:12):
  "Courage is the form of every virtue at the testing point."

• Marty (on courage’s source, 61:54–62:04):
  "Courage is not where I reach into my toolbox… Courage is realizing that God is doing a thing, and He’s reached into His bag and pulled us out."

• Brent (on personal inadequacy and support, 06:22):
  "None of it feels like it’s enough… we’re not anywhere close to done with what we have to say, what we have to do. We’re just taking one step at a time."

• Reed (on family tradition, 15:38):
  "Courage comes from the heart, and we are always welcomed by God, the heart of all being… May we be courageous today. May we learn today. May we love today. Amen."

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | |--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–07:04 | Grief, loss of Josh, community mourning, support for his family | | 13:22–15:55 | Family prayer tradition, introduction of Prayer for Courage | | 18:12 | C.S. Lewis on courage as the form of every virtue at the testing point | | 20:32–21:29 | Exploration of Hebrew (lev, hazak) and Greek (tharsos) terms for courage | | 27:14–30:07 | Differentiating courage from recklessness, foolishness, and bravado | | 30:16–36:12 | Reflections on times hosts (and others) have needed courage | | 39:57–43:19 | Marty’s telling of Philip’s martyrdom and integrity | | 46:50 | "Throw your stone" teaching, courage in David and Goliath | | 49:41–51:48 | Ruth, Esther, Mary—examples of female biblical courage | | 52:13 | Jesus’ courage and honesty about suffering | | 56:46 | Acts 4:13 on ordinary people’s courage after being with Jesus | | 58:41 | God’s answer to Moses: “I will be with you” | | 61:54 | Marty’s metaphor: God reaches for us, not vice versa | | 64:54 | Reed closes with Prayer for Courage |

Conclusion: Living with Courage

The hosts urge that courage is accessible to ordinary people and is most fully realized not in grand gestures but in daily, faith-filled steps toward what is good, true, and loving—even (and especially) when cost, pain, or uncertainty seem daunting. True courage is rooted in trusting that God is with us and stepping into whatever “throw your stone” moment is in front of us, large or small.

Closing Prayer (64:54)

"Courage comes from the heart and we are always welcomed by God, the heart of all being. We bear witness to our faith, knowing that we are called to live lives of courage, love, and reconciliation in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of each day. We bear witness, too, to our failures and our complicity in the fractures of our world. May we be courageous today. May we learn today. May we love today. Amen."

For More:

• BEMA Podcast Episode 39: "Throw Your Stone" (David and Goliath)
• Screwtape Letters, Letter 29 (C.S. Lewis)
• Prayer for Courage by Padraig O’Tuama

This episode offers a rich, nuanced, and comforting meditation on courage—illustrated through honest vulnerability, practical theology, and scriptural insight—inviting listeners to recognize and participate in courageous living as individuals and as a faith community.