Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Ep 1222 | Jase Challenges Science on the Afterlife & Did Jesus Really Go to Hell?
December 4, 2025

Main Theme and Purpose

In this episode, the Robertson family—primarily Jase, Zach, and co-hosts—dive into a Christian exploration of life after death, challenging scientific views (like the laws of thermodynamics) on the afterlife and mortality. They tackle big questions: What happens when we die? Did Jesus really go to hell? The family roots their conversation in scripture, particularly the Gospel of John, and brings in both theological tradition and scientific inquiry. The episode stays true to the show’s hallmark style: accessible, sometimes humorous, and deeply biblical. Notably, the second half features guest Kim Bright discussing health, microplastics, and the benefits of kimchi.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Challenging Science on Life, Death, and Afterlife (01:20 - 10:00)

• Jason kicks things off by referencing the law of thermodynamics: matter can't be created or destroyed, only changed.
  • "It seemed like a lot of people trying to figure out what God created. So I’m in the quantum physician camp who set all this into motion." (Jason, 01:37)
• The panel contrasts scientific understanding with biblical truths about life and the soul.
  • Host: “If it’s just about the mass and the energy, where’s that other stuff that really makes being a person so valuable?” (02:58)
• Genesis is referenced, emphasizing humans as both dust and divine breath.
• They note lived ages in early Genesis, referencing God limiting human lifespan (03:22 - 04:02).

Notable Quote

• "In him we live and move and have our being... in Jesus, things hold together." (Jason, 03:38)

Heaven and Earth: The Interwoven Reality (04:02 - 10:43)

• Discuss the biblical picture of heaven and earth originally being united, then separated by sin and death (Genesis 1-3).
• Death as an invader ("It was not meant to be that way from the beginning... Death is introduced because of what happened.” Jason, 05:23)
• The temple as the physical meeting point of heaven and earth, and how Jesus becomes the new "temple."
  • “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days… he had spoken of his body, his human body.” (Jason, 09:12)

Timestamps

• Genesis & Life/Death: 03:07 - 06:58
• Temple as Heaven & Earth Meeting Point: 09:12 - 10:43

Present and Future Resurrection: The "Now and Not Yet" (10:43 - 21:07)

• Explore Jesus' authority over life and death, referencing John 5 and Paul's letters (Romans, Ephesians).
• Emphasize resurrection as a current spiritual reality ("present tense") for believers—not merely future.
  • “Heaven and earth coming together as a present reality through Jesus...” (Jason, 16:53)
• Romans 6 and Ephesians 2: Experiencing death and resurrection in the here and now.

Notable Quote

• “We died to sin. How can we live in it any longer?...We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6, Jason, 18:03-18:50)
• “It’s a very present reality because your Savior is at the right hand of God and you’re there with him even though you’re on earth representing him.” (Jason, 20:53)

Bible and the Afterlife: Hell, Sheol, Hades & Resurrection (33:35 - 41:10)

• Overview of Hebrew (Sheol) and Greek (Hades, Gehenna) words for the grave and hell.
  • “Hell’s never mentioned in the Old Testament. It’s not in there. You’re like, wait, what?” (Jason, 34:09)
• The idea of hell as separation from God vs. a literal pit; explores biblical references (e.g. “lake of fire”, “great cloud of witnesses”, "paradise").
• Only a few instances directly mention being with the Lord after death: thief on the cross, Paul’s writings.
• Acknowledgement that biblical imagery of hell is largely metaphorical or limited, not the detailed traditional/historical view.

Did Jesus Go to Hell? (41:10 - 41:27)

• Discuss 1 Peter 3, where it says Jesus "preached to the spirits in prison"—interpreted as Christ going to Sheol (realm of the dead), not Gehenna (place of torment), and this being a victory proclamation, not suffering or punishment.

Notable Quotes

• “You have that thought, which I think is comforting, but everybody who dies goes to the grave. So your body decomposes… your spirit goes to be with the Lord.” (Jason, 35:45)
• “I believe the idea… that you can somehow be apart from your body in eternity with Christ. I believe it was made up.” (Jason, 39:34)

Heaven, Hell, and Presence (43:11 - 43:32)

• Zach reads from C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce to frame hell as a “state of mind” and heaven as “reality itself” (42:41).
• The takeaway: The true distinction between heaven and hell is being in God’s presence or not, moving focus away from geographical "places" to spiritual "presence."

Notable Quotes

• “Hell is a state of mind...shutting up of the creature within the dungeon of its own mind is, in the end, hell. But heaven is not a state of mind. Heaven is reality itself. All that is fully real is heavenly.” (Zach, quoting CS Lewis, 42:41 - 43:11)
• “Hell is God honoring human freedom apart from God.” (Jason, quoting CS Lewis, 43:20)

Guest Segment: Kim Bright on Microplastics & Kimchi (45:33 - 56:45)

Microplastics: Invisible Danger (47:11 - 49:46)

• Kim Bright explains microplastics’ omnipresence—ocean, water, food, air:
  • “Humans are now inhaling, on average...68,000 microplastic particles [per day].”
  • Microplastics linked to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, bone and reproductive issues, even genetic damage.

Combatting Microplastics: The Power of Kimchi (50:00 - 54:36)

• Kim shares research demonstrating that certain bacteria in kimchi can degrade BPA (the most toxic component in plastic) and absorb microplastics.
  • “Kimchi actually degrades the most toxic chemical in plastic, which is BPA...over 900 different unique strains” (Kim Bright, 50:00 - 51:15)
• They discuss practical benefits: improved gut health, energy, digestion, immune system, muscle mass.

Notable Moments

• “They found 7 grams of plastic in our brain. That’s the equivalent of a plastic spoon.” (Kim Bright, 48:29)
• “If you’re like us, busy...this is, for me, a good solution.” (Zach, 52:51)
• Exclusive listener offer: “25% off Kimchi One with code UNASHAMED...first 100 callers get free Fortify amino acids.” (Kim Bright, 54:55)

Most Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We're centering more on heaven or hell as the idea of presence or lack thereof versus place.” (Host, 43:32)
• "[Hell is] God honoring human freedom apart from God." (Jason quoting CS Lewis, 43:20)
• “Heaven and earth coming together as a present reality through Jesus.” (Jason, 16:53)
• “They found 7 grams of plastic in our brain...equivalent of a plastic spoon.” (Kim Bright, 48:29—memorable health fact)

Segment Timestamps

• Challenging Science & Quantum Physics – 01:20–03:07
• Genesis & Creation Narrative – 03:07–06:58
• Heaven/Earth, Death Introduced – 06:58–10:43
• The Temple & Jesus as Temple – 10:43–12:14
• Present/Future Resurrection ("Now and Not Yet") – 16:53–21:07
• Death/Afterlife/Hell/Sheol/Hades Explained – 33:35–41:10
• CS Lewis on Hell/Heaven as State of Mind/Reality – 41:27–43:32
• Kim Bright on Microplastics & Kimchi – 45:33–56:45

Tone & Style

As always, the Robertsons combine affable country wisdom with deep Bible scholarship, making challenging subjects approachable. They blend humor (“You’re healthy dead. But your body is Dead, dead because of sin.” – Jason, 27:56), sincerity, and practical faith. The health segment with Kim Bright introduces a contemporary twist—concern for the body and environment—in the same down-to-earth, friendly style.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you want a blend of fresh biblical insight, relatable theological wrestling, and a modern health concern, this episode embodies Unashamed’s best. You'll leave with your faith challenged, your curiosity piqued (did Romans predict the laws of physics?!), and maybe the urge to try some kimchi. Most importantly, you’ll get a robust, Bible-grounded vision of resurrection, eternity, and what it really means to be “with the Lord”—both now and forever.