Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This episode, we're covering a sensitive subject, but an important one: suicide. King Saul dies in the Bible by purposefully falling on his own sword. It was an act designed to rob his enemies of the satisfaction of killing him. But was it a sin? Certainly, Christian tradition has held the act of taking one's own life as a sin for centuries, but is this theology biblically supported, or a later innovation? Is it possible that the labeling of suicide as sinful is actually wrong?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone:
-- In the US and Canada: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. (Veterans, press 1).
-- In the UK: Call 111 (Non-emergency) or 999 (Emergency), or contact the Samaritans at 116 123.
-- International: To find a helpline in your country, visit the International Association for Suicide
Prevention at iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres or OpenCounseling's International Suicide Hotlines list at blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/.
----
For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Check out our new website at: dataoverdogmapod.com
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
https://x.com/data_over_dogma
instagram.com/dataoverdogmapod
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
_____________________________________________
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - Content Warning: Discussion of Suicide
01:59 - Setting the Scene: 1st Samuel Chapter 31
03:46 - The Philistines Overtake Saul
05:06 - Honor and Shame: The Ancient View of Saul's Death
08:09 - Samson & Other Biblical Self-Inflicted Deaths
09:38 - When Did the Church Begin Condemning Suicide?
14:51 - Modern Context: Mental Health & Medical Assistance in Dying
25:55 - The Philistines Disrespect Saul's Body
26:37 - The Men of Jabesh-Gilead Rescue the Bodies
27:40 - A Contradictory Account: The Amalekite's Story
32:16 - Outro
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#podcast #oldtestament #bible #biblestudy #biblestories #biblereading #bibleteaching #religion #Jesus #jesuschrist #god #adonai #athiest #athiesm #faith #faithjourney #podcasting #podcastclips #podcastlife #podcasters #podcastshow #skeptic #skepticism #judaism #hebrew #hebrewbible #christianbible #christianity #newtestament #christian #christianity #christianityexplained #holybible #doubt #believe #believer #belief #utah #saltlakecity #lds #mormon #scholar #middleeast #israel #religious #church
This episode, we're covering a sensitive subject, but an important one: suicide. King Saul dies in the Bible by purposefully falling on his own sword. It was an act designed to rob his enemies of the satisfaction of killing him. But was it a sin? Certainly, Christian tradition has held the act of taking one's own life as a sin for centuries, but is this theology biblically supported, or a later innovation? Is it possible that the labeling of suicide as sinful is actually wrong?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone:
-- In the US and Canada: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. (Veterans, press 1).
-- In the UK: Call 111 (Non-emergency) or 999 (Emergency), or contact the Samaritans at 116 123.
-- International: To find a helpline in your country, visit the International Association for Suicide
Prevention at iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres or OpenCounseling's International Suicide Hotlines list at blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/.
----
For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Check out our new website at: dataoverdogmapod.com
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
https://x.com/data_over_dogma
instagram.com/dataoverdogmapod
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
_____________________________________________
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - Content Warning: Discussion of Suicide
01:59 - Setting the Scene: 1st Samuel Chapter 31
03:46 - The Philistines Overtake Saul
05:06 - Honor and Shame: The Ancient View of Saul's Death
08:09 - Samson & Other Biblical Self-Inflicted Deaths
09:38 - When Did the Church Begin Condemning Suicide?
14:51 - Modern Context: Mental Health & Medical Assistance in Dying
25:55 - The Philistines Disrespect Saul's Body
26:37 - The Men of Jabesh-Gilead Rescue the Bodies
27:40 - A Contradictory Account: The Amalekite's Story
32:16 - Outro
____________________________________________
#podcast #oldtestament #bible #biblestudy #biblestories #biblereading #bibleteaching #religion #Jesus #jesuschrist #god #adonai #athiest #athiesm #faith #faithjourney #podcasting #podcastclips #podcastlife #podcasters #podcastshow #skeptic #skepticism #judaism #hebrew #hebrewbible #christianbible #christianity #newtestament #christian #christianity #christianityexplained #holybible #doubt #believe #believer #belief #utah #saltlakecity #lds #mormon #scholar #middleeast #israel #religious #church
