Podcast Summary: Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Ep 1213 | Jase Revisits His Embarrassing First Episodes & Ties Eden’s Trees to Jesus’ Cross
Date: November 20, 2025

Overview

In this episode, the Robertson family dives deep into the transformative journey of understanding scripture, reflecting on their spiritual evolution since the podcast’s early days. They explore the tension between law and spirit in Christian life, link the trees in the Garden of Eden to the cross of Jesus, and emphasize the importance of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s daily walk. Jase grapples with the embarrassment of early misinterpretations, while the crew discusses how new creation and wisdom are themes rooted in both Old and New Testaments.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Growth and Evolution of the Podcast

[01:06–03:32]

• The hosts acknowledge feedback from listeners about spiritual impact and reminisce about the earliest episodes versus their current understanding.
  • "If you went back and you listened to our first run at the Book of John and then compared it to what we've been doing for the last few months, it would probably be a welcome evolution to a better understanding." — Allen (03:09)
• Jase feels some embarrassment over early episodes and recognizes how much their perspectives have grown.

2. Revisiting Scriptural Interpretation

[03:59–07:39]

• Jase wishes he could revisit John 3 for insights he missed, especially the "heaven and earth connection" in Jesus' words.
• The group discusses the scene in John 19, where Jesus wears the crown of thorns and is presented by Pilate:
  • The Jewish leaders justify crucifixion through the law, missing the spiritual truth.
  • "Here he is the son of God, technically, he wrote the law. And they're like, oh, he must die, because we have the law written right here. He's claiming to be the son of God." — Jase (05:36)

3. Law Versus Spirit

[07:39–12:25]

• The group unpacks why people gravitate toward strict boundaries and law-keeping rather than living by the Spirit.
  • Allen relates resisting sin (esp. pornography) to putting the old self to death, citing tools like Covenant Eyes.
  • Zach adds:
    "That's what we're doing here. That's what this whole thing is about. Dying to self, being born again... we're not going to understand that until we first understand the story of Jesus being the archetype of the one who would be crucified for our sin." (09:18)
• They liken spiritual maturity to raising children: starting with clear rules and hoping those turn into discernment as they grow.

4. Jesus and the Law: Interpreting Claims of Blasphemy

[13:40–17:50]

• Zach clarifies that the Old Testament law condemned blasphemy, not simply claiming to be the Son of God — an interpretive twist the leaders used.
  • "If they'd had the Spirit of God, they'd have been like, well, hold on, is the claim true? Because if the claim's true, well, that's true." — Zach (14:44)
• The real threat Jesus posed involved undermining the temple power structure, not just theological claims.

5. The Temple, Holy Spirit, and the Living Water

[18:23–24:33]

• Jase reads John 7:37-39, connecting Jesus’ promise of “streams of living water” to the coming of the Holy Spirit.
• Zach links this to the image in Ezekiel and Revelation: water flowing from God's temple, ultimately fulfilled in believers.
  • "John 7 is, you are the temple. You are the place from which the stream of God, the river of God, is going to flow out from people now." — Zach (23:42)

6. Law, Spirit, and Ministering as New Creation

[26:17–32:58]

• Jase articulates the move from law to Spirit as becoming ministers and ambassadors of a new covenant.
  • "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Make sure you're on the right side of that in your faith..." — Jase (29:24)
• Allen references Galatians 4: slaves versus sons—the Spirit marks our adoption, not law-keeping.

7. Eden, Wisdom, and the Two Coverings

[33:06–39:47]

• Jase traces the themes of wisdom and Spirit from Proverbs back to Eden.
  • Notably, Proverbs 1:23 is shown in the Hebrew as, "I will pour out my spirit on you," which NIV translates as thoughts—Jase laments this mistranslation.
• Adam and Eve’s attempt to cover themselves with leaves versus God’s covering with animal skins serves as an image of human versus divine solutions for shame and sin.

8. Practical Theology: Discernment and the Role of the Spirit

[41:35–56:16]

• The group reflects on how knowledge, wisdom, and life "by the Spirit" enables Christians to move beyond mere rule-following.
  • Adam and Eve’s failure is not just lawbreaking but a failure of trust and wisdom.
• Jase discusses communion—the fruit of the vine—the same creation can be misused (as in drunkenness) or redeemed (as in the Lord’s Supper).
  • "You're now imaging God. But we focus as when we're young in the faith on, oh, I just need to not do the things written in the law. And now I have the ability. It's like the Spirit is there just to help you not do those things. But it's a flowing out to be Jesus, you know, and it's done through love." — Jase (26:17)
• Ephesians 5: contrasts debauchery with being filled by the Holy Spirit as true wisdom.

9. The Blood of Abel and the Blood of Christ

[48:17–50:59]

• The story of Cain and Abel is connected to the cross; Abel’s blood “cries for vengeance,” but Jesus’ blood “speaks a better word” — forgiveness and reconciliation.
  • "Abel's blood hit the ground, and it says that it cried, avenge me. And so the blood of Christ speaks another blood, because another word, a better word, because it says reconcile, you know, grace." — Zach (50:45)

10. Final Rabbit Hole: Heaven, Earth, and New Creation

[52:31–End]

• Jase ties together the imagery of trees, wisdom, and sacrificial systems as culminating in the cross:
  • Jesus as the new tree of life; the cross as the redemptive answer to Eden’s loss.
  • Christians, as temples, are the new meeting place of heaven and earth, guided by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Episodes:
  "It would be embarrassing what we thought the first time on how much growth..." — Jase (03:24)

• On the Law & Jesus' Execution:
  "Here he is the son of God, technically, he wrote the law. And they're like, oh, he must die, because we have the law written right here." — Jase (05:36)

• On Spiritual Maturity:
  "A slave only does so because of law, because of what he has to do. A son carries the responsibility of a father." — Allen (30:39)

• Edenic Imagery:
  "Jesus on a cross is going to be the new tree of life in death, of sin, breaking the law, and then he's pouring out the Spirit." — Jase (50:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening reflections & missing Phil: 01:06–03:09
• Embarrassing Bible misunderstandings & podcast growth: 02:19–03:32
• Law vs. Spirit: Modern believers’ struggles: 07:39–12:25
• Jesus’ claims, temple politics, and blasphemy: 13:40–18:23
• John 7 and the outpouring of the Spirit: 18:23–24:33
• 2 Corinthians 3 & the “letter kills, Spirit gives life” theme: 26:17–32:58
• From Eden to Proverbs to the Cross: Trees, wisdom & clothing: 33:06–39:49
• Cain and Abel, the better word of Christ's blood: 48:17–50:59
• Practical illustrations of Spirit versus law using wine: 52:31–56:16

Tone and Original Language

Throughout, the panel maintains their trademark blend of sincerity, familial banter, biblical depth, and Southern charm. They are transparent about their own growth, use humor in the midst of unpacking deep truth, and are eager to connect theological insights to everyday life.

Summary Takeaway

The episode is a rich theological conversation about how Christian living moves from rule-keeping to Spirit-led wisdom, anchored in the story of Eden, the ministry of Jesus, and the new creation reality believers now embody. The Robertsons weave together scriptural themes, personal vulnerability, and practical exhortations, leaving listeners with a vision of Christian maturity rooted in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.