In the first half of this episode, Dru Johnson talks with Preston Sprinkle about his journeys into the LGBTQ+ communities, theologies, and conversations and the psychological research in that field. He also discusses his convictions about biblical views on sexuality that emerged from this quest. In the second half of this episode, Preston and Dru talk about the theology (and ecclesiology) of podcasting itself. Who should and should not be doing it, and what cautions should they be employing. Audio editing by Nate Spanos.

In this episode, we discuss Stephen T. Pardue's newest book Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church.

Audio editing (and strategic bleeping) by John Viinalass. In the first half of this extra long episode: We discuss the strange biography of Ben "Doc" Askins, from combat medic to seminary student to Army physician's assistant (PA) to Psychiatric PA researching psychedelic medicine and trauma.    In the first half of this extra long episode: We discuss if there is an appropriate roll for various drugs, including psychedelics and MDMA, in assisting the dying, integrating traumas, and more. We also figure out what a "bad trip" on LSD might be. 

The Biblical Mind and the Center for Hebraic Thought are entering a new phase after ending a formal partnership with The King’s College. Additionally, CHT director of operations and TBM editor Celina Durgin will leave her position at the center on July 28, 2023. In this mini episode, Dru and Celina provide a bit more context, and Celina bids the CHT goodbye and shares a little about where she's going next. The Biblical Mind magazine and podcast will keep publishing during this transition, though less frequently and regularly than it had been until recently. The CHT’s other partnerships and affiliations will be unaffected. We hope and pray for a new partnership to allow the CHT to emerge from its period of dormancy and resume full programming in the coming months. Thank you for continuing to follow us.

Dr. Michael W. Austin is a Professor of Philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University, an author, and a speaker. He has published 12 books; most recently, he co-edited and contributed to QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross: Christianity and Conspiracy Theories. Most of his teaching, writing, and speaking is focused on ethical questions related to character and human flourishing. He believes that philosophy has much to offer us, in our individual, social, and spiritual lives. For many years, he's also been a speaker for the Kentucky Humanities Council, and he contributes to a blog for Psychology Today, “Ethics for Everyone.” 

Dru enjoys a more casual conversation with Matthew A. LaPine (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), pastor of theological development at Cornerstone Church and lecturer at Salt School of Theology (Ames, Iowa). Their chat covers theological and pastoral education, considering the in-house models of megachurches and the ways in which seminary can be disconnected from the reality of church life.

Terms like "systemic sin" or "structural injustice" immediately make many people think of contemporary ideologies that they either strongly embrace or strongly oppose, such as socialism or the much-discussed (but poorly understood) critical race theory. These charged terms are often employed in vague or unhelpful ways. The Bible has many examples of sin and injustice that are not purely individual—of evil that is bigger than the sum of the evildoers, and iniquity that reverberates through generations. How can we think more clearly and biblically about the nature of evil and injustice? Sin is many things in Scripture: an action, an identity, an agent or power, and the brokenness of structures and systems. People err when they don't grasp the Bible's full, complex picture of sin. Michael Rhodes (PhD, Trinity College Bristol/University of Aberdeen) is a Lecturer in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, author of Formative Feasting: Practices and Virtue Ethics in the Deuteronomic Tithe Meal and Corinthian Lord’s Supper (2022), and co-author of Practicing the King’s Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give. Show notes: 00:26 Unjust kings don't act alone; the state is more than the sum of its parts 06:46 The positive side: people were created to be mediators of God's blessing 12:34 English hides the second-person plural 14:32 The structures of society create incentives and disincentives for behaviors 15:38 Intergenerational sin in Scripture 18:14 People's inconsistent resistance to the idea of systemic injustice and sin 22:49 What is sin? It's both individual and communal, personal and systemic 31:10 Is this leaning toward socialism or critical race theory? 41:06 Cornel West for president? 41:56 Exercising power faithfully in different kinds political, economic, and cultural contexts 43:48 Paradigmatic depictions of God's kingdom should be announced and emulated in the church Show notes by Celina Durgin

From social media, to the printing press, to artificial intelligence, to the pencil, technologies have often been regarded as things that can't be good or bad apart from how people choose to use them. Jason Thacker doesn't think any technology is merely a neutral tool, because as people use technology to shape the world, it also shapes them and their culture. Jason Thacker serves as an assistant professor of philosophy and ethics at Boyce College in Louisville, KY. He also is a research fellow in Christian ethics and director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the author of several books including Following Jesus in the Digital Age and The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.  He is a graduate of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. He also holds a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is currently a PhD candidate in ethics, public theology, and philosophy.  Show notes:  00:26 What is technology? 04:25 Jacques Ellul on "technique" and how technology forms us 08:19 Two views of technology: instrumentalist and deterministic 16:05 Optimism, pessimism, and realism about technology 22:27 Some tools don't have good uses 28:23 A biblical theology of technology? 31:54 Technology and the vulnerable Show notes by Celina Durgin

This episode was originally published in May of 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. A new episode is coming next week. Why do we say "come to Jesus"? This Christianese phrase doesn't just show up in church—it shows up in offices, homes, and schools around America, where we speak of "come-to-Jesus moments." What about words like "community" or "intentional"? Do we even know what those words mean? Unless we attend to our words and try to express our thoughts more carefully, our religious language can end up thin, impotent, and laden with clichés. In this episode, Dru Johnson talks to Dr. Valerie Hobbs, a Senior Lecturer and linguist at the University of Sheffield. Dr. Hobbs specializes in the construction, use, and progression of religious language in contemporary discourse. They discuss the definitions and origins of religious language and Christianese, and how they can be distinguished from simple "in-group" or technical language. Then, they consider how our most powerful (or just persistent) ideas about death, God, and spirituality find their way out of the church and into corporate discourse, or vice-versa. They conclude with remarks on how to think about prayer, apologizing, and even the idea of racial reconciliation, to help us choose better words and think more deeply. Show notes: 0:00 Defining “religious language” and "Christianese" 2:18 How religious language is constructed 4:26 The difference with in-group language 6:37 Religious language in the secular world 9:27 Corporate discourse and our values 13:25 Where we get our Christianese clichés  19:09 Learning how to express our experiences 23:43 Becoming sensitive to the way we speak 26:47 Apologizing 29:30 The problem with terms like "racial reconciliation" Learn more about Valerie Hobbs and her work. Her most recent book, An Introduction to Religious Language Show notes by Micah Long. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode was originally published on May 5, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. "It was most fitting for God to come save the people he made in the first place," says Dr. Lucy Peppiatt, Principal at Westminster Theological Centre. The early church loved to discuss the "fittingness of the Son to become human," because it implies that God has a passion for man. He purposed from the beginning of time that He would come to save us, as one of us, and that means that there is something about humans that is fitting to be united with God. And that is the gospel. In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson and Dr. Peppiatt talk all about Jesus of Nazareth: Who was he? Who did people think he was? Why did he teach and present himself indirectly rather than just revealing himself to man? Dru and Dr. Peppiatt address challenging questions about the hiddenness of God in Christ, the incarnation, the union of the divine and the human in the Son, and more.  Show notes: 1:55 Why didn’t Jesus reveal himself to man while he was on Earth? 5:24 Athanasius of Alexandria on Jesus 7:13 Wrestling in the church: Jesus intellectually reasoned with us 15:40 Is there value to the struggle? 19:50 Is there something human about God? 24:37 Impoverished theology Show notes by Serena Tuomi. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

You might have heard that being made in the image of God refers to human rationality, relationality, moral agency, or some combination of these qualities. Dr. Carmen Imes disagrees.  She and Dru discuss what they think the author of Genesis was actually referring to with the phrase "image of God," in light of Carmen's latest book Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters (forthcoming in June, 2023). Along the way, they discuss artificial intelligence, the resurrection and renewal of creation, and why Eve should have been more assertive. Carmen (PhD in Biblical Theology, Wheaton College) is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She is also the author of Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters. Carmen is an active member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Institute for Biblical Research, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies. Carmen keeps a blog called Chastened Institutions and releases weekly Torah Tuesday videos on her YouTube channel. 00:25 Rediscovering the biblical doctrine of the Imago Dei 08:47 "Male and female he created them" 12:17 The importance of the body 17:38 Eve wasn't too bossy—she wasn't assertive enough 20:18 Artificial intelligence and ChatGPT 28:08 Abdication of creation care and the renewal of the earth 38:02 Implications for how we should treat people   Show notes by Celina Durgin This episode's music was generated by artificial intelligence.

Herem warfare is the commandment to exterminate all survivors. The law of herem warfare appears in the Book of Joshua and contravenes the usual motivations for going to war in the ancient Near East. Armies in that context typically killed only males and took women, children, and possessions before turning the conquered nation into a subjugated satellite nation. The law of herem warfare, on the other hand, forbade enslavement and required that all be killed. Dru and Paul R. Hinlicky discuss this topic and more within the Book of Joshua. Dr. Hinlicky wrote Joshua for the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible series. Dr. Hinlicky (PhD, Union Theological Seminary, 1983) is an internationally known theologian who has published more than seventy articles and many books. He teaches theology at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. He is an authority on the theology of Martin Luther and how Luther's theology played out in history since the time of the Reformation.  Show notes: 00:26 Why don't we hear many sermons on the Book of Joshua? 02:55 The context of "be strong and courageous" 10:39 Herem warfare—does God command genocide? 15:17 The plan of herem warfare fails 25:32 The theological emphasis of the Book of Joshua Show notes by Celina Durgin

Instead of interviewing a guest, TBM host Dru Johnson and editor Celina Durgin discussed an article they co-wrote for Christianity Today: "Is It Time to Quit 'Quiet Time'?" Many people read their Bibles on their own, and some do so daily. When combined with communal study, some form of this practice is important for anyone wanting to become fluent in Scripture. However, private Bible-reading can go wrong. It can be fragmented, individualistic, uninformed, and essentially passive. It can be impotent or even deleterious for readers whose misunderstandings go uncorrected and who don't apply true biblical principles to life. At its most distinctive, the "quiet time" ritual of private prayer, listening, and devotional Bible-reading is an artifact of Western culture from the last 150 years. Dru and Celina explored the history of this practice in an article in Christianity Today, published online and slated to appear in the April print edition. They concluded that the form quiet time often takes is not conducive to Bible literacy and can actually compound misunderstanding over time. It can even be an empty ritual that Christians perform to feel pious while failing to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God. If you're a regular listener, you can probably guess that Dru and Celina favor community-based solutions to this problem. Dru hosts The Biblical Mind podcast, directs the Center for Hebraic Thought, and is an Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at The King’s College in New York City. Celina is the Editor of The Biblical Mind magazine and podcast. She was previously an editorial fellow at a political magazine in New York, and then, after graduate school, worked in the editorial department of a marketing company in downtown Boston. Some of her written work can be found in Christianity Today. Show notes by Celina Durgin

This episode was originally published by OnScript podcast. Thanks to the OnScript team for letting us share this episode with our listeners. Here are the OnScript show notes for this episode: Episode: The book we’re talking about today is Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church with IVP Academic. In this episode, we explore the data about women in Scripture and antiquity including ideas such as women’s leadership is an exception that relies upon the norm of male leadership, persistent myths about women in the Roman empire, and the hotly contested passages in Paul.  Guest: Dr. Nijay Gupta is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He has written over 21 books, including commentaries on Colossians, Thessalonians, and Philippians. He’s written 15 New Testament Words of Life: A New Testament Theology for Real Life (Zondervan), A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies: Understanding Key Debates (Baker Academic), and Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church (IVP Academic), discussed in this episode. He has also written several books helping scholars research, write, and get a sense of the field of NT studies. These include The Writer: A Guide to Researching, Writing, and Publishing in Biblical Studies (Cascade) and Prepare, Succeed, Advance: A Guidebook for Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies and Beyond (2nd ed.; Cascade).

Literature students who can analyze a passage from East of Eden with ease often flounder when trying to analyze a Bible passage. Why?  Dr. Andrew Abernethy explains how people can overcome barriers to understanding Scripture by using skills they already have, and by seeking not just to understand, but also to savor. Dru asks Dr. Abernethy, Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois, about his new book Savoring Scripture: A Six-Step Guide to Studying the Bible. Prior to joining the faculty at Wheaton, Dr. Abernethy was a Lecturer in Old Testament at Ridley College (Melbourne), where he benefited greatly from teaching and living with fellow Christians in a cross-cultural and post-Christian context. He has written numerous articles and is also the author of several other books: Eating in Isaiah (Brill, 2014); The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom (IVP, 2016); God’s Messiah in the Old Testament (Baker, 2020); Discovering Isaiah (Eerdmans/SPCK, 2021). Show notes: 00:26 Savoring Scripture 07:48 Do we need special knowledge to understand the Bible? 14:54 The humility to overcome the fear of getting Scripture wrong 21:15 Taking time to savor God  28:45 Applying existing skills to biblical interpretation Show notes by Celina Durgin

The rich and sad story of jazz has shaped both its sorrowful sounds and its joyful hope. William Edgar, the author of A Supreme Love: The Music of Jazz and the Hope of the Gospel, discusses the subtle and not-so-subtle ways the Bible has informed the movement and music of jazz throughout its history. William (BA, Harvard University, MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary, DTh, Université de Genève) is professor of apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He directs the gospel-jazz band Renewal, which features the legendary singer Ruth Naomi Floyd. He is also currently professeur associé at the Faculté Jean Calvin, Aix-en-Provence (France). He has published more than 20 books and numerous articles in French and in English. His most recent book is A Supreme Love: The Music of Jazz and the Hope of the Gospel (IVP Academic, 2022). He and his wife, Barbara, have two children and three grandchildren. Show notes: 00:25 What is jazz? Is it sinful? 05:08 Joyful with an edge of suffering 10:49 Punk rock, protest music, and intimidating jazz musicians 15:08 Entertaining jazz, delighting audiences, and fighting racism 21:20 Jazz in the trenches—gritty and ineffable 27:12 Parallel between Hebrew poetry and some jazz forms Show notes by Celina Durgin  

"Knowing is an activity that all of us are involved in, all of the time," writes Dr. Esther Meek in her book Longing to Know, which turns 20 this year. "Usually knowing happens without our taking great thought to the process. But sometimes we stop and think about what we're doing. When we stop and think, what we were doing without much thought becomes murky indeed." Think of learning to ride a bike. After a period of assisted practice, something clicks. A person who initially couldn't balance on a bike can suddenly ride off on their own. The external process of learning to ride a bike—guidance from a parent or a friend, training wheels, brief intervals of unassisted pedaling—are all easily identifiable. But the personal transformation—from not knowing how to ride a bike to knowing how—is more mysterious. Building on the thought of Michael Polanyi, Dr. Meek challenges conceptions of knowing that have reigned since the Enlightenment, which don't reflect the way the biblical authors appear to portray how we acquire knowledge. It turns out that, for instance, doing what YHWH commands "so that you may know" looks a lot like learning to ride a bike. Esther Lightcap Meek (BA Cedarville College; MA Western Kentucky University; PhD Temple University) is Professor of Philosophy emeritus at Geneva College, in Western Pennsylvania. She is also Senior Scholar with The Seattle School for Theology and Psychology, a Fujimura Institute Scholar, an Associate Fellow with the Kirby Laing Center for Public Theology, and a member of the Polanyi Society. Show notes: 00:26 The bike-riding paradigm of knowing 04:30 Modernism, postmodernism, and Longing to Know 10:40 The nature of science, and "risky confidence" 15:03 How Dr. Meek got into philosophy—"very odd questions" 18:44 Making contact with reality 27:54 Reality is person-like 29:49 Christians allied with modernism 31:20 The need for a stronger doctrine of creation—a metaphysics Show notes by Celina Durgin

Readers of the Book of Joshua (and many other parts of the Bible) are inevitably confronted with the poblem of violence in Scripture. Texts referring to the destruction of whole cities or the killing of men, women, and children can cause us to question whether God is truly loving and just. In this episode, Dr. Matt Lynch discusses violence in Scripture from his new book Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God. He considers the difficulties with approaching violence from a modern perspective, the ways of reading the different violent accounts presented in Scripture, and how literally we should take biblical rhetoric. Plus, hear why being so-called "New Testament Christians" doesn't really distance us from violence in the Bible. Dr. Lynch is an Associate Professor of Old Testament at Regent College in Vancouver. His research looks at issue of violence and the idea of monotheism in the biblical texts. Prior to his work at Regent, Matt taught at Westminster Theological Centre, Nashotah House, and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. In addition, he founded and co-hosts the OnScript podcast. Show notes: 0:00 Approaching violence in the Bible 3:50 Different cultural perspectives on violence 5:46 Violence for modern and ancient readers 10:25 Majority versus minority report 15:58 Idolatry in ancient Israel 18:53 Interpreting the Bible's rhetoric 23:40 The archaeology of Jericho 27:20 Christianity and violence 30:07 Joshua's challenges 34:14 Intermarriage 38:55 The primacy of some parts of Scripture Show notes by Micah Long

This episode was originally published on October, 2020. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. The poetry in Scripture can be hard to understand. And, especially when it is embedded within a story, such as the Song of Deborah, we might be tempted to skip over it. It uses a lot of allusion and metaphor and is pregnant with imagery and historical detail. We would rather the author just "get to the point" and give us a bullet-point summary. However, to ignore the stylistic force of biblical poetry (or any biblical genre) is to miss out on some of the deep theological underpinnings of the text. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Knight, Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, discusses biblical poetry and literary sensitivity to the genres of Scripture. She and Dr. Dru Johnson zoom in on the Song of Deborah in Judges and the violence it seems to celebrate, then expand to discuss Joshua and Judges more broadly. They cover biblical characterization, how the New Testament authors draw on motifs in Judges, and even compare Joshua to a Marvel movie. In the end, they aim to encourage us toward both theological understanding and literary prowess when we read the Bible. Show notes: 0:00 Reading biblical poetry 2:24 Dru squeezes his rubber ducky 3:55 Violence in the Song of Deborah 8:51 The purpose of poetic devices in conveying meaning 12:42 Understanding the "rules" of poetry 15:18 The style of Joshua versus that of Judges 18:53 Joshua and Judges in the New Testament 21:45 Are Samson and Gideon heroes? 25:24 Understanding the character of Joshua Read more about Michelle Knight. Show notes by Micah Long.

Despite their shared foundations and concern for the Word of God, Christians and Jews rarely interact on the basis of faith in the modern world. Many Jewish communities, in response to centuries of antisemitism and persecution, have shielded themselves from Christians, while modern Christians often know very little about the Jewish faith. Dru interviews Rabbi Pesach Wolicki about the state of relations between Christians and Jews. For Pesach, the Jewish faith centers on a universal mission to bless the whole world; as a result, his work focuses on sharing Judaism and Jewish readings of Scripture with Christians. They discuss thinkers from Maimonides to Luther, the way reading the Talmud can help Christians, and why tension still exists between Christians and Jews today. Plus, hear Pesach's critique of the popular worship song "Reckless Love." Rabbi Pesach Wolicki is an Orthodox Rabbi whose work focuses on relations between Christians and Jews. Currently, he works as the Executive Director of the Center for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation. He has taught at churches, Christian colleges, and seminaries across North America, and writes regularly for various news outlets. He currently lives in Israel with his wife and eight children. Show notes: 0:00 Jewish identity and its relation to Christianity 3:12 A kingdom of priests 5:45 Maimonides and the Messiah 9:55 Reading Scripture with Christians 14:48 Talmudic readings 19:44 Wolicki's method for reading the Bible 21:38 Historical perspective and current tension 29:52 Reckless love?!? 31:50 How Christians can start to understand Jews Show notes by Micah Long

Western culture relies extensively on written text to communicate. But the majority of people across the world rely far less on reading than they do on speech, body language, story, images, and their other senses. Charles Madinger joins the podcast this week to explore the concept of orality—the multifaceted way in which people were created to communicate. Though well-meaning pastors and missionaries may rely on three-point sermons and Bible translation projects, these efforts often miss the variety of ways that the active, living Word of God engages people's bodies and minds, in communities. Charles also examines Jesus' parables and the many ways God interacts with his people throughout Scripture, how McDonald's might do a better job communicating than most pastors, and whether Gen Z is escaping the low orality-reliance of Western culture. Dr. Charles Madinger is the Founder and Director of the Institutes for Orality Strategies, a collective of organizations committed to evangelizing to oral communicators. In addition to his scholarly publications in the field of orality, he has worked in global ministry for thirty years. He also serves the 4.2.20 Foundation as the Vice President of the Center for Oral Scriptures. Show notes: 0:00 Inner and outer speech 5:00 How do we best communicate? 7:39 Memory and multi-sensory communication 13:55 High versus low orality-reliance 16:40 Abstract versus concrete 23:00 Communication in the Bible 27:52 Carrying the Word of God in our bodies 30:29 The Western mind 36:03 The Gutenberg parenthesis 39:00 Teaching like Jesus taught Show notes by Micah Long

Despite the rich history of Armenia as an ancient Christian community, many Christians know very little about the Armenian ethnicity, culture, nation, and faith. In this episode, Dru interviews Dr. Heather Ohaneson, pastor of Armenian Martyrs' Congregational Church, about Armenian history from the early days of the church until now, along with her experience as an evangelical Protestant Armenian pastor. They discuss the culture, language, and global migration of the Armenian people, and the aftermath of the Armenian genocide and recent conflicts on their nation. And yes, the Kardashians get a mention. Dr. Heather Ohaneson is the pastor of Armenian Martyrs' Congregational Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania. She received her PhD in philosophy of religion from Columbia University, and taught at George Fox University and Azusa Pacific University. Currently, she is pursuing an MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary and ordination in the United Church of Christ to continue to serve the Armenian Evangelical community. Show notes: 0:00 The first Christian nation in history 4:44 The current conflict in Armenia 5:55 The Armenian language and dialects 6:49 The Armenian genocide 9:20 Modern Armenians 14:04 Protestant and evangelical churches 16:11 The gifts of Armenian Christianity 20:00 Heather Ohaneson's background 23:00 The spread of Armenian evangelical churches Show notes by Micah Long

How do we approach the Bible? Do we see it merely as a "perfect rulebook"? A piece of literature to be picked apart? Or do we see it as something that threatens to transform us and upend our preconceptions, helping us live in accordance with God and His activity? In this episode, Dru interviews Marty Solomon, cohost, creator, and Executive Producer of The BEMA Podcast and President of Impact Campus Ministries, about his approach to reading and teaching the Bible. They consider different approaches to Scripture, from fundamentalism to textual criticism to deconstruction, and explore the ways each might shed more light on the text. They also explore how understanding Jewish identity (both ancient and modern) can present both opportunities and pitfalls for understanding Scripture. Marty Solomon is an author, teacher, and resource creator who aims to help people read the Bible in its historical and Jewish context. Along with his work at The BEMA Podcast and Impact Campus Ministries, he has written a book called Asking Better Questions of the Bible: A Guide for the Wounded, Wary, and Longing for More (releasing February 7, 2023). He aims to bring the best of Christian history, modern scholarship, and discipleship to the church, especially college students, to help them love God and serve his kingdom. Show notes: 0:00 Inerrancy versus inspiration 2:13 Asking the Bible hard questions 5:09 Torah obedience and Jewish identity 10:02 Modern Jewish Messianism 12:09 Eastern versus Western thought 14:30 Deconstruction and college ministry 17:49 Passion for investigating Scripture 21:33 Accountability and academia 28:00 How should we approach the Bible? 31:45 What gives Marty hope Show notes by Micah Long.

How do we read the Bible like adults? For many people who grew up in communities of faith, the Bible stories have been a part of their lives for as long as they can remember. But it's often not until later in life that the richer meanings of the stories come alive, misconceptions are corrected, and the voices of the biblical authors become clearer—even as we relinquish naive certainties and the expectation of a black and white world. In this episode, Dru interviews Dr. Avital Hazony Levi, instructor in Jewish philosophy and Bible at Midreshet Nishmat. They discuss everything from the nitty-gritty vocabulary of the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar to the ways in which Western philosophical concepts threaten to drown out the voices of the biblical authors to the psychology of female characters in the Hebrew Bible. Along the way, they examine core biblical concepts such as loyalty, trust, responsibility, and generational sin. Currently a postdoctoral fellow at Tel Aviv University, Avital has a rich background in both the Hebrew Bible and philosophy, and her work spans from moral epistemology to the nature of loyalty and worship. She has taught philosophy, Jewish thought, and Tanakh at Nishmat, TVA, and the Orthodox Union college summer program. Show notes: 0:00 Reading the Bible like an adult 2:38 Abraham's loyalty 5:10 Why does Sarah give Hagar to Abraham? 11:33 Bitterness and faithlessness 17:00 Teaching the Bible in Hebrew 21:55 Free will and generational punishment 27:24 God's omniscience 30:19 Philosophical questions in the Bible 35:39 Responsibility and choice 40:49 The best thing about teaching Show notes by Micah Long

What does it mean for Christ to reign over every sphere of life? Many Christians relegate faith to "spiritual" activities, such as reading the Bible, going to church, and praying. However, the Christian tradition—and especially the Reformed tradition—can guide Christians in everything from personal ethics to politics to raising chickens. In this episode, Dru talks with Jessica Joustra, Assistant Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University, about the ideas of Reformed thinkers Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck (as well as the ways that they draw on John Calvin). As Protestants, these men wanted to capture a faithful, traditional, and thorough way of reading the Bible; as 19th-century men, they strove to live as Christians in the modern world, both through public theology and through active participation in politics. The Reformed tradition offers rich ways of thinking about law, vocation, systemic sin, economics, and even America's contemporary political structures, all while remaining rooted in Scripture's conceptual world. Jessica Joustra is an Assistant Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University and Associate Researcher at the Neo-Calvinist Research Institute of the Theologische Universiteit Kampen. She teaches in the areas of Reformed theology and ethics, and has contributed to several works centered around Bavinck and Kuyper. Most recently, she and her husband (Robert Joustra) released Calvinism for a Secular Age: A Twenty-First Century Reading of Abraham Kuyper’s Stone Lectures. Show notes: 0:00 Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck 3:20 Radical shaping of vocation 7:46 God's sovereignty in ethics and politics 11:45 The Reformed tradition and biblical interpretation 14:09 Reformed and "small-c catholic" 17:26 Individual, social, and systemic ethics and sin 26:10 Modernism and politics 31:56 Principled pluralism 37:22 Christian nationalism and the Reformed tradition 43:00 Antithesis and common grace Show notes by Micah Long

In case you missed it, this was our most popular episode of 2022. We hope this conversation encourages Christians with the biblical hope of the resurrection and the age to come. What happens to you when you die? Many Christians picture eternal life as spending time in an ethereal heaven with God, either immediately after death as a disembodied spirit or after a "rapture" of Christians. Books and films, made by and for Christians, have promoted this idea of the afterlife. Dr. J. Richard Middleton wants to challenge this particular view of the Christian afterlife. What happens immediately after we die does not much matter to the biblical authors; they concern themselves with proclaiming the hope of the eventual resurrection and preaching the Kingdom of God. In this episode, he discusses common words in our theological vernacular—spirit, soul, resurrection, hell, heaven, etc.—and challenges us to rethink them through a biblical lens. The story of the Bible is not the story of what happens between death and resurrection, but the story of the "redemption of the world." Dr. Middleton is Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Roberts Wesleyan College. He specializes in the Christian worldview, Christianity and postmodernism, Old Testament Theology, and eschatology. His most recent book is A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology. Show notes: 0:00 Introductions, N.T. Wright, and the redemption of the world 3:48 Reactions to debunking the rapture 4:57 "What happens to you when you die?" 7:59 God's glory entering the world 10:45 Spiritual versus physical 13:24 The hope of the resurrection 16:42 Believing you go to heaven when you die 18:32 Purgatory, limbo, and the grave 21:03 Resuscitation versus resurrection 25:20 The resurrection, final judgment, and hell Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Christians know that we should read the Bible. But often, the "should" eclipses the "why"—the fact that Scripture presents a unified, powerful, mysterious story written by God for the benefit of his people. In this episode, Dru interviews Kat Armstrong, a Bible teacher, speaker, and author who aims to cultivate joyful, imaginative reading of Scripture. The Bible contains rich networks of imagery, but we must read carefully to notice them. Kat's new Bible study series, Storyline Bible Series, takes a deep dive into some of the recurring motifs in Scripture, from mountains and valleys to sticks and stones. Additionally, Kat discusses how her son helps her pay closer attention to the Bible, why the Bible isn't an instruction manual, and how Scripture eschews dividing its characters into "good guys" and "bad guys." Kat Armstrong is a Bible teacher from Dallas who is passionate about helping people develop holy curiosity and delve more deeply into the story of the Bible. Her work includes speaking at events and conferences and writing books and Bible studies. You can find out more about her at her website. Show notes: 0:00 A message from Dru Johnson 2:05 Scripture as one unified story 3:34 How to read the details of Scripture 7:14 Getting "fresh eyes" 8:31 Enthusiasm for the Bible 12:05 Kat's experience at Dallas Seminary 15:18 Appreciating the artistic brilliance of Scripture 21:00 Tracking the connections in Scripture 24:12 Is biblical imagery just coincidental? 28:28 Mountains in the biblical narrative 31:48 Kat Armstrong's upcoming Storyline Bible Studies Show notes by Micah Long

The Near East carries a strange set of connotations in the modern West. On the one hand, it is the origin of our most significant ethical traditions. On the other, it is an area full of political tensions and years of violent conflict. In this episode, Robert Nicholson (Founder and President of Philos Project and CHT Senior Fellow) helps Christians evaluate their attitudes toward the Near East and its importance for Christian history and the faith today. From the perception of Israel, to the various groups of Muslims in the region, to the frequently-persecuted Christian communities, the Near East presents a complicated combination of religious, ethnic, and political identities. Christians have opportunities to pursue peace by advocating pluralistic respect, recognizing the positive developments in the region, and praying. Robert Nicholson is the Founder and President of Philos Project, an organization that seeks to promote positive Christian engagement in the Near East. He holds an MA in Middle Eastern history and a JD from Syracuse history, and he also co-founded Passages Israel, serves on the board of In Defense of Christians, and teaches at The King's College. His writings have appeared in major publications including The Wall Street Journal and First Things, and he also hosts the podcast The Deep Map. Show notes: 2:00 Difficulties engaging with the Near East 4:20 Avoiding negative associations 7:21 The Hebraic origins of the modern world 11:33 Power in the biblical tradition 15:32 "Christian engagement in the Near East" 19:12 Peace and pluralism 24:35 Ethnic and religious tensions 29:13 Jewish as an ethnic, religious, and political identity 32:48 Positive historical trends For more about one practical way to get involved with the work of Philos Project, check out their 21 Martyrs Pilgrimage Campaign, a fundraising effort to bring the families of the 21 Christian Copts killed in 2015 on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Show notes by Micah Long

Is it biblical to "follow your passion"? How do you know if the law is written on your heart? In this week's episode, Dru interviews CHT Fellow Ryan O'Dowd on engaging deeply with the Bible, living in accordance with the Torah's instruction, and ministering as the church. Scripture provides a host of instructions about how to live: everything from the proper view of our passions to helping the marginalized to saving money. But too often, we don't even know what it says—or we just don't take it seriously. As we mirror the practices described in Deuteronomy, like constant public engagement with Scripture, communal feasting, and building flourishing economic communities, we will find that the Bible will open up itself to our understanding.   Rev. Ryan P. O'Dowd is a Senior Fellow at Chesterton House at Cornell University, the pastor at Bread of Life Anglican Church, and an Academic Fellow at CHT. His research interests include wisdom literature and the epistemology of the Torah. He has written for The Biblical Mind about virtual worship and the Lord's Supper and the book of Proverbs as instruction in virtue. Show notes: 0:00 Confronted by Scripture 2:35 Following your passion 6:07 Jeremiah, Job, and suffering 8:28 Becoming immersed in Scripture 11:02 Engaging the Bible as a community 14:04 Constantly memorizing and discussing Scripture 17:17 Practices that bring us to knowledge of God 22:08 Deuteronomic churches 25:30 Serving and helping the lonely 30:01 Torah economics—saving and feasting 31:33 Right practice and right thinking about Scripture Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Constant cries of "fake news" and misinformation point to a central issue in our culture: we have far too much information from far too many sources, and we do not know whom to trust. Whether captivated by online communities and YouTube personalities or glued to Twitter and news sites, we consume a lot of content but remain ignorant, apathetic, and anxious. In this episode, Dru interviews Bonnie Kristian about her new book Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community. They discuss the dangers of our culture's approach to knowledge, the importance of emotion and tradition in developing our beliefs, and how our daily practices shape our knowledge-acquisition. As we critically evaluate our habits, we can learn to better cultivate our attention and equip ourselves to receive and consider information. Bonnie Kristian is a journalist and author. Currently, she writes the column "The Lesser Kingdom" at Christianity Today. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, Politico, and The Daily Beast. Additionally, she holds a Master's degree in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary. Show notes: 0:00 The dangers of the knowledge crisis 4:30 Habituation from media 6:50 Emotion and reason in the evangelical world 8:57 The role of tradition 10:52 Good epistemic practices and information overload 14:28 Trustworthy guides and sources of information 20:18 Blind-spots in reporting 24:03 Bonnie's interest in epistemology 28:00 The influence of YouTube and TikTok 32:48 Can we escape our bad knowledge systems? 35:35 Practices to develop right thinking Show notes by Micah Long

Christianity is a truly global religion, and every strand of Christianity has its own theological emphases. Western Christians tend to focus on individual salvation and the question of what happens when we die. But as we amplify other Christian voices, we find that the riches of the gospel might stretch far beyond our original conceptions. In this episode, Dru interviews Dr. Jangkholam Haokip, an Indian theologian, author, and former professor. Growing up in Churachandpur, Manipur, in Northeast India, Jangkholam converted to Christianity as a child. Drawing on his experiences with indigenous Indian culture and religion, he had the opportunity to develop a unique perspective on Christian theology, including Scripture's portrayal of sin's effects on nature, the value of yet-unheard perspectives, and the way that the gospels can affect the lives of whole communities. After his long career as a professor at Union Biblical Seminary in India, Jangkholam has founded the Bethesda-Khankho Foundation, which aims to transform indigenous Indian communities through education and poverty outreach. He also contributed to the recent book Voices from the Margins: Wisdom of Primal Peoples in the Era of World Christianity. Show notes: 0:00 Announcement about our upcoming event 1:22 Converting to Christianity 5:03 Further education and understanding the gospel 8:51 Individualism in Western Christianity 15:09 Sin and the health of nature 20:10 Tribal Indian thought in the biblical texts and Western theology 25:48 The value of indigenous theology 29:47 Christianity as a help for Indian history, identity, and culture 31:05 On Jangkholam's new book Voices from the Margins: Wisdom of Primal Peoples in the Era of World Christianity Show notes by Micah Long

Hitler is evil. Helping an old lady cross the street is good. Simple, right? But there’s an underlying question here: Why? What are good and evil? In this crossover with our partner organization Passages Israel, Dru Johnson (CHT Director) and Mattanah DeWitt kick off Season 2 of Discover Your Roots, which aims to unpack weighty questions about the nature of good and evil. In this episode, Dru gives an overview of the season, walking us through a few common conceptions (and misconceptions!) about good and evil through the lens of psychology, philosophy, culture, and—ultimately—Scripture. The whole season is available here! Discover Your Roots is produced by Passages Israel. Passages sponsors and coordinates journeys to the Holy Land to strengthen the faith of Christian students, connect them to Israel, and prepare them for a life of Christ-centered leadership. Show notes: 0:00 Announcing the upcoming CHT event in NYC 1:23 Introducing Season 2 2:20 How modern culture thinks about evil 7:40 Definitions of evil 9:57 The theological history of evil 13:42 The Hebrew word ra 15:20 Why our words lose their weight 17:07 An overview of the Bible's view 21:59 God using evil for good 23:29 Analyzing the golden calf story 27:29 Turning toward good 29:41 The redemption of the world 32:23 Preview of the rest of the season Show notes by Micah Long

Dru interviews Mariam Wahba, a Coptic Christian born in Egypt who immigrated to the U.S. as a child. They discuss the multiple facets of her identity and experience, including how being a Coptic Christian shaped everything from her interactions with Muslim Egyptians to how she now celebrates holidays in the U.S. She also describes some of the distinctives of Coptic Christianity, in contrast with Western Christianity, and explores the tension between cultural assimilation and retaining one's native identity as an immigrant. Mariam Wahba is the Associate Directory of Advocacy at the Philos Project. A graduate from Fordham University, she works in the areas of Middle Eastern foreign policy, religious freedom, and Israeli-Arab relations. She co-hosts the podcast Americanish. Show notes: 0:00 Moving to the United States 3:11 Egyptian and Coptic identity 7:50 Growing up in Islamic Egypt 11:00 Ethnic and religious identity 12:20 Moving to the west 16:30 Cultural assimilation and retaining identity 18:56 Coptic Christianity 23:47 Confession, intercession, and priesthood 25:51 The Coptic church calendar 30:04 Persecuted Christianity versus cultural Christianity 34:19 The most important part of being Egyptian Show notes by Micah Long

"Why wasn't I trained to read this way as a child?" —Rachel Wilkowski Over the last several decades, the Christian world has eagerly produced a host of children's Bibles—retellings of biblical stories in "kid-friendly" language, complete with cute, colorful illustrations. Many of these children's Bibles, however, come laden with assumptions about the nature of childhood, which parts of Scripture are considered appropriate, and what "lesson" the stories teach. Rachel Wilkowski, a researcher in the area of children's Bibles, joins Dru Johnson to discuss history and pitfalls of these books. They discuss the impacts of "pre-interpreting" the biblical texts for children, including the propensity toward moralism and sanitizing some of the difficult parts of Scripture. They also consider how religious beliefs and the publishing industry combine to shape what is presented in these retellings of Scripture. Rachel Wilkowski is a PhD student at Trinity College Dublin and Family Ministries Director at St. Peter's Fireside in Vancouver. She has particular research interest in how Genesis 1-3 (and other parts of the Hebrew Bible) are interpreted and retold in children's Bibles from different Jewish and Christian traditions. She has 14 non-biological nieces and nephews and one biological nephew. Show notes: 0:00 Rachel's interest in children's Bibles 4:18 The history of children's Bibles 8:38 Religious beliefs and retelling Scripture 12:05 What is considered appropriate for kids? 15:33 Examples of poor retellings 19:57 Sales, illustrations, and entertainment 24:14 A children's Bible that gets it? 26:42 Helping kids read Scripture 29:41 Avoiding pre-interpreting Scripture and moralism Show notes by Micah Long

What do we mean when we say that "Jesus was a Jew?" Scripture uses a lot of labels to refer to God's chosen people, including "Israelite," "Judahite," "Hebrew," and, of course, "Jew." In this episode, Jason Staples helps us sort through the etymologies, histories, ethnicities, and nationalities behind these labels, examining the earliest usage of "Jew" in the Hebrew Bible, its role in the Second Temple Period, and its interpretations in the modern era. He also considers key Bible passages that use these labels and helps debunk a common assumption about "Jew" as a pejorative term. Jason Staples teaches at North Carolina State University in the areas of biblical literature, early Judaism and Christianity, and modern issues in ethics and religion. He is the author of The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism: A New Theory of People, Exile, and Israelite Identity. In addition to his scholarly work, Jason has worked in sports media and voiceover narration. Show notes: 0:00 The history of the word "Jew" 3:54 "Jew" versus "Israelite" in Scripture and beyond 9:12 Jewish nationality and ethnicity after the exile 14:33 What happened to the other tribes? 15:50 Jesus was a Jew 20:23 "King of the Jews" and King of the universe 21:58 "The Israel of God" 26:09 Paul as an Israelite and a Hebrew Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

In this week's episode, Khalil Sayegh shares his experience as a Palestinian Christian. The territory of Palestine contains two regions: the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Though they share a people and a history, the two areas are separated by the country of Israel and are ruled by two different governments (the West Bank by the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Gaza Strip by Hamas). Khalil discusses the modern political and religious dynamics at play in the Gaza Strip, including the relationships between Israel and Hamas and between Islam and Christianity. He also surveys Christianity in Palestine, from its use of Scripture to its approach to evangelism. Khalil Sayegh is a Fellow at the Philos Project. He grew up in the Gaza Strip and currently lives in the West Bank. His public work focuses on challenging the negative perceptions of Jewish people in Palestinian society and promoting peace among the various religious groups in the region. He has studied at Bethlehem Bible College and American University. Show notes: 0:00 Growing up in Gaza 1:54 War, mobility, and Christianity in Gaza 5:35 Sunni Islam and political parties 7:24 Gaza's Christian churches 9:15 Interactions between Christianity and Islam 11:03 Political power in Gaza 14:36 Christmas, Hamas, and public Christianity 16:27 Conditions for visiting the West Bank 19:30 Views of Christian Scripture in Palestine 26:11 Evangelism and responses to conversion 28:22 Cultural distinctives of the Palestinian church Show notes by Micah Long

"This is a revelation of how things are, not so much how things have been." -Jason Staples Modern Christians reading the Book of Revelation tend to filter it through the lens of popular fiction (such as the Left Behind series) and a very modern concept of its strange language and imagery. From the four horsemen, to the secret thunder in chapter 10, to the mixing of metaphors throughout the text, Revelation presents a challenge for modern readers. In this episode, Dr. Jason Staples (Assistant Teaching Professor at North Carolina State University) helps sort through the symbols in the Book of Revelation. By examining the historical context of late Second Temple Judaism, the genre of apocalypse, and key passages from the Hebrew Bible, the meanings of the symbols begin to emerge. Though many passages remain mysterious, even to trained scholars, the Book of Revelation communicates a message of central importance about the present Kingdom of God and the role of the church in the world. Jason Staples teaches in the areas of biblical literature, early Judaism and Christianity, and modern issues in ethics and religion. He is the author of The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism: A New Theory of People, Exile, and Israelite Identity. In addition to his scholarly work, Jason has worked in sports media and voiceover narration. Show notes: 0:00 Signs and symbols 2:40 Understanding ancient reading norms 6:42 Finding context for Revelation in other literature 8:02 The Jewish experience in the 1st and 2nd centuries 14:16 Defining the apocalypse genre 19:40 Revelation and the Kingdom of God 23:31 Mystery and God's control 26:20 Reading the Hebrew Bible to understand Revelation 32:42 New Heavens and the New Earth Show notes by Micah Long

The Biden Administration's recent student debt forgiveness act in the U.S. has sparked conversations—many of them heated—about the nature of fairness, justice, poverty, and economic well-being. In this episode, Michael Rhodes joins Dru to discuss debt forgiveness in Scripture and the modern world. Rhodes surveys the radical Torah policies of cyclical debt forgiveness and the Year of Jubilee, and how they contrast with the debt forgiveness policies in the rest of the ancient Near East. A world of subsistence farming where predatory loans can create cycles of debt slavery and intergenerational poverty may not immediately seem similar to modern America—but on a closer look, similarities appear. Michael Rhodes is a Lecturer in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College in New Zealand. He has worked on community development programs in Kenya and South Memphis, and has also served as a pastor. His academic research focuses on the nature of justice and mercy in Torah economics and ritual meals in Scripture. He is also co-author of Practicing the King's Economy: Honoring Jesus in How We Work, Earn, Spend, Save, and Give. Show notes: 0:00 Debt entrapment and debt slavery 2:53 Predatory lending in the ancient Near East 4:19 Modern American versus ancient Israelite debt forgiveness 7:44 One-off debt forgiveness in the Bible 9:33 Subsistence farming and for-profit colleges 15:15 Intergenerational poverty 22:06 The issue of fairness 26:24 Righteousness, justice, and equity in Deuteronomy and Proverbs 31:04 The ends and means of debt forgiveness 32:26 Jesus and Jubilee Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

For Christians accustomed to certain ideas of heaven and hell, other views of the afterlife in Scripture may seem strange. But Jewish views of the afterlife have a storied and fascinating tradition of their own. In this episode, Dru is joined by Dr. Jeremiah Unterman, Senior Fellow at the Center for Hebraic thought. They discuss Jewish views of the afterlife from the ancient to modern times, encountering the concepts of sheol, ruach, gehenna, immortality, and judgment. Dr. Unterman offers perspectives on the story of Saul and the Necromancer, the phrase "gathered to their fathers," burial practices of the ancient Near East, and the role that theodicy plays in developing Jewish views of the afterlife. Jerry Unterman is a Resident Scholar at the Herzl Institute, former professor (Yeshiva University, Northwestern University, and others), an author, and Senior Fellow at the Center for Hebraic Thought. In 2017, he released Justice for All: How the Jewish Bible Revolutionized Ethics, a look at the influence of the Hebrew Scriptures on the values and practices of the modern world. Show notes: 0:00 Sheol and polytheism 1:37 Egyptian versus Hebraic views of the afterlife 4:09 Death in the Torah and Psalms 6:07 The Necromancer of Endor 9:18 Burial and "raising up" 13:20 Hellenistic Judaism 17:13 The idea of the soul and the world to come 21:46 Greek versus Hebrew thought in the Apocrypha 24:30 Medieval and Modern Jewish perspectives on the afterlife 29:08 Looking at the New Testament 33:40 The Talmud on Gehenna Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The Bible tells stories about individuals, families, and nations. But it also tells stories about institutions—the chosen and unchosen social structures that range from marriage, to news media, to the Supreme Court. Today, many people see major institutions as weak, corrupt, or untrustworthy (sometimes correctly). In this episode, Dru welcomes Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm back to the podcast for the fourth time to discuss the idea of institutions in the Hebrew Bible. Ari surveys the role of institutions the biblical narratives, looking at the earliest chapters of Genesis, the story of Abraham, the golden calf narrative, and the nations of Egypt and Babylon. They also discuss the right response to broken and corrupt institutions, the dangers of "spiritual highs," and the corrective role of prophetic voices. Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm is the CEO of Bnai Zion, an organization that aims to strengthen Israel and Jewish people, as well as the host of Good Faith Effort, a podcast that examines the Bible and its interactions with society. He studied Judaism and Christianity at University College London and Princeton University, and received his rabbinical ordination at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He frequently writes and speaks about Jewish values and their positive impact on the world. Show notes: 0:00 The biblical view of institutions 2:30 Biblical "false starts" 7:15 Abraham and the Bronze Age 10:07 How institutions come to exist 14:27 Unchosen obligations 19:40 Egypt and Babylon 23:38 Being born into corrupt systems 27:22 Spiritual awakenings and religious practices 34:08 The most important verse in the Bible 36:36 The political structure of biblical Israel 44:48 Dealing with broken institutions Show notes by Micah Long

Amid persecution from the Marxist state and a fragmented Ethiopian church, Gudina Tumsa became a figure who advocated a holistic theology of justice, church unity in Ethiopia, and the health and strength of the church more broadly. In this episode, Dru asks Abeneazer Urga about his book The Bonhoeffer of Africa, a biography of Ethiopian theologian Gudina Tumsa. Tumsa's life has brought him comparisons to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Along the way, Dru and Abeneazer discuss the state of the church in Ethiopia, from its fourth-century roots to its Christological theology to the way the Western church differs from the modern Ethiopian church. Abeneazer Urga teaches at the Evangelical Theological College in Ethiopia and is a member of Equip International. He specializes in New Testament and Missiology and has done work exploring holistic theology and theology from an African perspective. Show notes: 0:00 The history of Christianity in Ethiopia 3:35 Modern Ethiopian Christianity 6:11 Christology in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church 9:32 The persecution and influences of Gudina Tumsa 15:57 Tumsa in the United States 20:41 Practicing holistic theology 22:50 Unity of the Ethiopian church 25:53 The evangelical movement in Ethiopia 28:20 Tumsa and the youth of Ethiopia 29:55 Abeneazer's experience in modern Ethiopia and the United States Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode was originally published in July, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. If God is sovereign, what is the point of prayer? Is it merely a meditative exercise, or do our petitions shape the outcome of history? Prayer is a ritual and relational device Christians use to communicate with God. God is open to the requests of all people everywhere and actually wants to bring mercy and blessings instead of judgment—but that doesn’t mean that the function of prayer is simple to understand. Prayer is a nuanced activity. In this conversation, Dru Johnson and John C. Peckham answer a variety of questions surrounding prayer. Does God hear the prayers of people outside of the lineage of Israel? Can God act in contradiction to His promises and His Word if we pray for it? Does a person's character affect how God answers their prayers? Show notes: 0:00 Why pray to God? 3:33 What did the biblical authors think of prayer? 9:03 Effective prayers 14:25 Do we get all we pray for? 23:44 What is the role of hope? Show notes by Serena Tuomi. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

We live in a fame-saturated culture. Celebrity figures run our largest corporations, media entities, and megachurches. But the characteristics of celebrity—unquestioned authority, dynamic public personas, and tendency toward abuse—make it a dangerous feature in Christian churches. Recent stories about abusive, exploitative celebrity pastors have spotlighted this fact. In this episode, Katelyn Beaty discusses her new book Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church. She identifies the key features of fame and celebrity that infect every element of our culture and diagnoses their central issues, including secrecy, self-promotion, anger, and pride. She asks whether the business world has become the model for the church and whether the American church is unique in its elevation of celebrity pastors. The church needs to know the dangers of celebrity and find ways to remain accountable in its pursuit of the gospel. Show notes: 0:00 Seeking versus receiving fame 2:14 Celebrity and self-promotion 4:48 When the platform becomes the point 9:00 Public personality and false intimacy 12:21 Billy Graham and the Modesto Manifesto 18:06 Anger, narcissism, leadership, and celebrity 21:35 Privacy versus secrecy 24:40 Church boards 28:23 American megachurches 34:21 Avoiding celebrity pastors Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

We hear the word "trauma" a lot today—but what does it really mean? For Christians who have experienced horrific, overwhelming, life-threatening events events, the church can be a place either of fear or of healing. In this episode, Scott Harrower and Joshua Cockayne discuss their new book Dawn of Sunday: The Trinity and Trauma-Safe Churches (written with Preston Hill). They examine attitudes and practices that help us recognize, accept, and respond to traumatized individuals within the church. As the church becomes a community of help and safety, and as its members grow in Christlikeness, it can become a haven for the traumatized and vulnerable. Scott Harrower is a Lecturer in Christian Thought at Ridley College and an ordained Anglican minister. He writes on the history of early Christianity and philosophical issues such as the problem of evil. Joshua Cockayne is a Divinity Honorary Lecturer at the University of St. Andrews. His research focuses on spirituality and ecclesiology, and he works in the area of analytic theology. Show notes: 0:00 Distinguishing trauma from other kinds of pain or distress 3:20 Commonplace horrors and their effects 5:35 Writing Dawn of Sunday 8:26 Seeing and responding to grief 11:38 Responsible practices for dealing with trauma 14:49 Making church a safe place 20:21 Symptoms of trauma 26:00 The church as a community of help 31:03 Aiding those who are experiencing ongoing trauma Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

We all desire repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. But these concepts are complicated, and seeing them from a Jewish perspective on biblical law can provide a fresh perspective to non-Jews. In this episode, the discussion of repentance and forgiveness continues with Rabbi Shalom Carmy and Dru Johnson. They distinguish between the action of repentance and the intention of repentance and question whether you can really reconcile without both. They also consider group forgiveness, and whether any one member of a group can facilitate reconciliation on behalf of the group. Growing in these practices, and doing them biblically, requires sustained and frequent reflection on their significance. Shalom Carmy is Assistant Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Bible at Yeshiva University. He specializes in biblical interpretation and modern Jewish thought, and writes for several religious and Jewish publications. He previously wrote “And God Saw Their Deeds”: Biblical Repentance in Action (and Less So in Feeling) for The Biblical Mind. Show notes: 0:00 Actions versus words 3:32 Repentance and forgiveness for groups 7:00 Forgiveness in the Holocaust 13:03 Commanding repentance 17:28 Yom Kippur 20:39 Regret, confession, and resolve 26:17 Progressing in repentance 28:08 The inner experience of reconciliation 32:27 What is real forgiveness? Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

From Genesis, marriage looks like it is one of the most important parts of creation. So, does Jesus really say in Luke 20 that there will be no "marrying and giving in marriage" in the new heavens and earth? In the first episode of The Biblical Mind Q&A series, Dru Johnson examines the phrase "marrying and giving in marriage" across Scripture—and what Jesus really meant by it. In Luke 20, the Sadducees approach Jesus and ask about a woman who had multiple husbands. Jesus' response might seem to suggest that no one is married in the age of resurrection. Dru argues that Luke has in mind a broader, more subtle point about the resurrection and the end of the world. Dru Johnson is the Director for the Center of Hebraic Thought, the host of The Biblical Mind Podcast, and an Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at The King's College. He is also the author of the recent book Biblical Philosophy: A Hebraic Approach to the Old and New Testaments. Show notes: 0:00 Introduction—is there marriage in heaven? 2:43 Marriage as part of the structure of creation 4:10 Examining Luke 20 10:14 The purpose of Luke's gospel 14:35 Luke 17: "Marrying and giving in marriage" 21:21 Why Jesus isn't actually talking about marriage Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode previews the CHT's new book The Biblical World of Gender: The Daily Lives of Ancient Women and Men. Three of the authors from the book (Carmen Imes, Nijay Gupta, and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott) discuss their contributions. They touch on the gender assumptions in the ancient Near East and Roman Empire, along with some of the Bible's challenging passages about slavery and authority. Carmen Imes is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University and the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters. She has been a missionary to the Philippines and releases "Torah Tuesday" videos on her YouTube channel. Nijay Gupta is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Editor-in-Chief of the Bulletin for Biblical Research, and the author of Paul and the Language of Faith. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott is Associate Dean and Associate Professor in the School of Theology and Leadership at William Jessup University. She does archaeological research on ancient Israel, including households, food preparation, and gender dynamics in the family, and is an editor of the recent T&T Clark Handbook of Food in Ancient Israel and the Hebrew Bible. Show notes: Carmen Imes 0:00 Why we need to examine the biblical authors' view of gender 3:42 The "sanctified imagination" and entering into the biblical story 5:20 A selection from Carmen Imes's essay "Freedom Fighters of the Exodus" Nijay Gupta 9:07 Understanding Paul's "harshness" 11:58 The biblical authors on the rape of slaves 14:15 Examples of radical early Christian ethics 16:26 Gender differences in the first-century Roman Empire Cynthia Shafer-Elliott 18:48 The importance of household archaeology 21:19 Understanding the cultural assumptions of the biblical texts 25:44 Hierarchy versus heterarchy Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode was originally published in March, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. Many of us have learned definitions of faith, belief, and trust that merely concern internal mental states. We say we believe something when we mentally affirm its truth, and we say we trust God when we believe what the Bible says. But these introspective forms of faith aren't really what the biblical authors have in mind when they talk about faith in the Bible. For them, faith is more of a full-bodied allegiance to Jesus, a commitment to serve and work alongside Him as our King. In this episode, Dr. Matthew Bates talks to Dru Johnson about allegiance and faith in the Bible. They consider how, in the context of the Roman empire, the idea of loyalty in patron–client relationships shaped the way the biblical authors understood trust, authority, and honor. Along the way, they also discuss some of the biblical metaphors for salvation that are drawn from the social dynamics of the ancient world, and how the Hebrew Bible influenced the New Testament's view of power and authority. They conclude by outlining about how modern people can understand the language of kingdom and lordship in Scripture, and how the church can inculcate rituals of allegiance in the body of Christ. Show notes: 0:00 Trusting with our bodies, not just with our minds 3:55 The word pistis in the Roman world 6:50 Metaphorical language to describe our salvation 9:48 What allegiance looks like 14:15 How to think about Jesus' lordship 17:46 Continuity between the New Testament and the Hebrew Bible 20:00 Allegiance rituals in the church Learn more about Matt Bates. Matthew Bates's most recent book: Gospel Allegiance: What Faith in Jesus Misses for Salvation in Christ Show notes by Micah Long. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

When we think of the early church, some of us might imagine groups of illiterate believers guided by one or two trained readers or teachers. In fact, the historical reality was very different. Brian J. Wright describes an ancient world obsessed with reading—especially public, communal reading of significant texts, including lots of questioning and dialogue. In this episode, Dru Johnson and Brian Wright examine literacy levels in the Roman Empire, the early church's engagement with Paul's letters, and historical evidence about reading in the first and second centuries. They also discuss the modern church's Bible engagement, and how we can take a more dialogical and active approach to reading Scripture. Brian J. Wright is an associate pastor at Denia Community Church, an adjunct professor, and author of Communal Reading in the Time of Jesus: A Window into Early Christian Reading Practices. He studies communal reading in the scholarly context, challenging long-held views about literary culture, and also encourages contemporary communal reading practices. Show notes: 0:00 The "public reading mania" of the early Christian era 3:20 Transformative, communal texts 5:53 Literacy levels in the Roman Empire 9:40 Defining "communal" 12:23 Jewish practices for reading and debating Scripture 14:18 A culture of collective correction 17:27 Early Christian dialogue 21:11 Dialogue in the modern church 26:47 Reading entire epistles 32:40 Reading "as long as time permits" 35:28 Augustine about Ambrose reading Tweetable Quote "There's wisdom in us doing it [reading and teaching] together. Everything about the community is really at the heart of the conversation." Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Is the Book of Judges a morality play? A celebration of violence? An injunction against moral relativism? Could it be . . . good news? In this week's episode, Dru Johnson interviews Dr. Daniel J. Stulac, who challenges us to enter the hell and heartbreak of this grotesque, violent, and provocative part of Scripture. Rather than adopting moralistic readings of Judges (common in Sunday school classes and children's Bibles), Daniel wants us to read Judges prophetically—as a book that mirrors the violence in our own hearts and turns us to greater dependence on an a King who will set things right. Dr. Stulac is a visiting assistant professor of Old Testament at Duke Divinity School, and the author of the recent monograph, Gift of the Grotesque: A Christological Companion to the Book of Judges. His other areas of interest include the agriculture of ancient Israel and the intersection of agrarianism and biblical hermeneutics. Show notes: 0:00 Misconceptions about the Book of Judges 2:59 The "theological nightmare" 6:45 Violence in the Bible 9:12 Time shifting in Judges 12:46 Judges as literature of exile and testing 17:35 Entering hell 20:25 Idolatry and controlling the divine 25:46 Judges and the Torah 31:03 Why does Israel need a king? Tweetable quote: "At the heart of idolatry is the desire to be in control of the divine." (22:10) Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

In a world of distractions, hyperactivity, and burnout, many of us yearn for rest from our work and our devices. To find this rest, many have turned to the Jewish practice of shabbat or sabbath, ceasing at least some of their regular activity during one day of the week. Kelsey Osgood, a graduate of Colombia University and Goucher College, is a writer and practicing Orthodox Jew. In this episode, Dru and Kelsey discuss her recent article, "Why Your 'Digital Shabbat' Will Fail." Kelsey argues that resting in religious community, rather than as an individual—and not merely for personal reasons, but because God requires it—is a practice that, though difficult, is deeply beneficial. Show notes: 0:00 Preparing for Shabbat 5:35 Discussing Kelsey's recent article 9:00 Two major problems with an individual "digital shabbat" 12:56 Narcissism disguised as self-care 14:19 Can individual Christians practice shabbat? 19:28 The discomfort of practicing Judaism 22:47 The benefits of practicing shabbat Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The church should not only perform charity work, but also pursue economic justice. Dr. Gift Mtukwa joins Dru Johnson to discuss the Kenyan church and Gift's Pauline scholarship. They examine the importance of multiculturalism in the church, which requires navigating cultural differences in language, worship style, and socioeconomic status. Additionally, Gift explains how reading Paul helps the modern Kenyan church understand poverty, economic opportunity, and financial prudence. Gift Mtukwa is the Chair of the Department of Religion and Christian Ministry at Africa Nazarene University and lead pastor of the University Church of the Nazarene. Born in Zimbabwe, he now lives in Nairobi, Kenya. His research centers on contextual readings of Scripture, especially Paul's letters. Show notes: 0:00 Different Kenyan tribes in the same church 3:16 The importance of diverse leadership 5:50 Explaining the Kenyan tribes 9:24 Kenyan impressions of majority-white churches 12:03 Evangelism in Africa 13:45 Paul's approach to multiculturalism 19:15 Understanding "if you don't work, you don't eat" 22:58 Poverty in rural and urban Kenya 25:34 How the church can help people in poverty 30:49 Pastoral education in economics and community development 33:33 Pros and cons of the American church Show notes by Micah Long Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode was originally published on February 4, 2022. In light of the Southern Baptist Convention's release of a report on sexual abuse within the denomination, we thought this episode was worth reissuing for our newer listeners. This week, Rachael and Jacob Denhollander joined the podcast to discuss what reconciliation and restoration can look like following horrific abuse. Rachael Denhollander, a lawyer and former gymnast, rose to international prominence in 2016 when she became the first woman to publicly denounce and pursue criminal charges against former USA Gymnastics’ team doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually abused more than 500 girls and women. Rachael authored What Is a Girl Worth?, which explores her story in depth.  In cases of abuse and sexual misconduct within the church, Christians can become fixated on forgiving and forgetting, and fear what will happen if the church gets bad press. But God will continue preserving His church, hence our job is not to protect the church from critique; it is to pursue justice. Failure to do so systemically enables sexual abuse. Justice and reconciliation must go hand in hand. Show Notes: 0:26 Is forgiveness necessary for reconciliation? 6:41 Returning to a proper understanding of God's justice 11:49 There's a cost to caring 17:32 The spirit of humility 20:25 Sexual violence and the church 27:04 God's justice 31:40 How do we restore what was broken? 34:11 Complicit organizations—can you forgive an organization? Tweetable: "The church has an obligation to pursue justice because that's who God is." Resources: https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/6-ways-pastors-can-care-for-victims-of-sexual-abuse/ https://churchcares.com/   Show notes by Dominique LaCroix    Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The history of humanity is the history of migration. People have always been on the move, in Scripture and in the modern day. Understanding the migrants near us, their experiences, and the languages they speak can equip us to love them better. M. Daniel Carroll R., author of Global Migration and Christian Faith: Implications for Identity and Mission, explains our biblical obligation to love the foreigner, which includes not only people from a foreign country but also those with different socioeconomic backgrounds or even just very different life experiences.  Show notes: 1:07 Immigration in Scripture 4:11 Migration = people-moving 5:55 Dru's controversial view 7:15 Forced migration 12:45 Caring for the foreigner 20:46 The new has come 34:50 Language of the heart Q&A: Email us your questions about the intellectual world of the Bible at cht_administrator@tkc.edu, and we'll answer them in an upcoming Q&A episode. Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The Old Testament, especially Deuteronomy, repeatedly entreats the Israelites to welcome the stranger. The Israelites were required to love the stranger because God loves the stranger. In the gospels, Jesus practices this teaching continually, forming a makeshift family from the vulnerable around him. The church should likewise adopt the stranger and the vulnerable as family, because this is God’s design for humanity.  Mark Glanville, pastor and professor of pastoral theology, discusses the biblical ethic of welcoming refugees; his involvement in Kinbrace, a Canadian nonprofit that provides refugee housing and support; and how welcoming those on the margins can shape our view of Scripture and the world.  Show notes: 1:07 Welcoming refugees and Kinbrace 4:53 Welcoming is witnessing 6:53 Do Christians have a requirement to help refugees? 11:24 Addressing criminality 13:56 Exile 18:39 Shaping our view of the world 22:51 Kinship 35:20 Reading from diversity Q&A: Email us your questions about the intellectual world of the Bible at cht_administrator@tkc.edu, and we'll answer them in an upcoming Q&A episode. Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode was originally published on October 16, 2020. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. Many readers of Scripture are jarred when God and Israel commit violence in the Old Testament. From the conquest of Canaan, to the lives of the biblical patriarchs, to the great flood in Genesis, we cannot avoid the fact that God and His people fight and kill. This can lead to a crisis of faith—how can God be good if He is violent? Dr. Matt Lynch, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Regent College, wants to reframe our questions; rather than merely worrying about God's use of violence, we could instead ask how the biblical authors are critiquing our use of violence. In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Dr. Lynch about how the Bible portrays violence. They discuss Scripture's persistent connection between violence and tumult, and the difference between justified forceful harm and unjust violence. They also address the ethical connection between human beings and the rest of creation, and how violence in the Old Testament and New Testament separates humanity from God and the earth. Show notes: 0:00 The problem of violence in the Old Testament and New Testament 2:25 Introducing Dr. Matthew Lynch and his work 7:12 Violence in Scripture versus violence in the modern world 11:50 War with the Canaanites in the book of Joshua 14:28 Ethics, ecology, and the environment 22:47 The New Covenant and our relationship to creation 24:24 The overarching perspective on violence in Scripture 29:15 Listening to the biblical texts for their questions Dr. Lynch's new book: Portraying Violence in the Hebrew Bible: A Literary and Cultural Study Show notes by Micah Long. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

If God teaches us through rituals, then we have a responsibility to examine these rituals. By studying them, asking questions, and engaging with them, we can better understand God’s holiness. The Book of Leviticus is concerned with so many aspects of life (what we eat, what we wear, etc.), and it offers us a holistic way to interact with the world and truly be set apart.  Rev. Dr. Mark Scarlata joins Dru Johnson this week to discuss his book, A Journey through the World of Leviticus: Holiness, Sacrifice, and the Rock Badger and how engaging with Leviticus and its laws can help us better understand God and the rest of Scripture. Show notes: 0:26 Laying of hands and Leviticus 3:57 Tearing down walls of holiness (Leviticus 19) 11:04 Reaction to rules 18:30 Sacrificial animals and objects 24:15 Jesus’ concern with Leviticus 27:12 What do the Brits think about American Christians Q&A: Email us your questions about the intellectual world of the Bible at cht_administrator@tkc.edu, and we'll answer them in an upcoming Q&A episode. Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

We at the CHT and TBM are curious about your thoughts and questions regarding the intellectual world of the Bible! We’re now inviting listeners to send us questions, and we’ll start answering them in upcoming Q&A episodes. You can email us your questions at cht_administrator@tkc.edu.  Have you ever wanted to jump into a conversation between Dru and one of our guests? Do you want to probe more deeply into a topic of a previous episode? Or do you perhaps have a question on a topic we’ve never discussed, but that you think we could answer? We look forward to hearing from you!

This week, Jeff Jacoby, op-ed columnist for The Boston Globe since February 1994, joined Dru to discuss his essay in Sapir, "Jewish Study for Non-Jewish Clergy." He proposes a project of study with deep historical roots that would benefit clergy and anyone who takes religion seriously, not just as an abstract intellectual exercise. He writes, "Imagine that it were possible for non-Jewish clergy — Catholic, Muslim, Baha’i, Mormon, Baptist, Hindu — to have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the world of Torah study from the inside, even if for only a limited time." 0:30 Essay in Sapir 3:53 The Jethro Project 13:58 The Jewish style of questioning on the spot 28:51 Why would this program be valuable? 33:00 Experiencing Sabbath in Israel Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Certain modern stereotypes and gender roles influence how women and men in the church understand their humanity and sexuality. When people fall short of these expectations, they can feel inadequate. An idea that has pervaded church history is that men and women are polar opposites. Famous theologians have called women inferior. Regarding gender, what is actually "biblical," and what is merely cultural—and sometimes very harmful? This week, Aimee Byrd critiques the stereotypes in light of her new book The Sexual Reformation, with an eye to restoring the dignity of personhood. She focuses mainly on the Song of Solomon to explore what the roles of men and women, married and single, truly are based on God’s spousal love for His people. Show notes: 0:26 Am I feminine enough? Am I masculine enough? 4:57 The ideal human 7:45 Masculinity and aggression 11:26 Marriage as a picture of God’s love 13:20 The Aristotelian person 16:31 The effect on women 19:23 The last man standing is a woman 23:09 Women in Scripture 31:45 Embodied spirituality 34:40 You are valuable 38:00 What Aimee would say to those who disagree Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode was originally published on January 1, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. Why do many Christians elevate the practice of "quiet time": isolated, often hurried and brief daily Bible-reading? Jen Wilkin—author, speaker, and leader of many Bible studies—challenges this practice. She believes that, rather than instilling deep Bible literacy, the typical "quiet time" encourages shallow reading and pursuit of instant gratification in the form of cheap satisfaction or vague encouragement at the expense of comprehension. Reading any book this way would not yield a thorough grasp of its themes, narrative, characters, and worldview, Jen says, so why read the Bible this way? While affirming its inerrancy, Jen cautions against treating Scripture like a magic 8-ball. The practice of quiet time is indeed formative, but not necessarily for the better. She proposes an alternative method of Bible study involving, among other things, extended (if not daily) reading and regular input from other careful Scripture-readers. Show notes: 0:25 The problem with "quiet time" 8:06 English literature and magic 8-balls 18:56 Setting low expectations for Bible literacy in the church 23:17 The effectiveness of raising the bar 31:21 Why Jen Wilkin focuses on an audience of women Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

To find your place in the story of Scripture, you have to understand the story and then how the story continues into our world today. Many Christians haven't learned a method for reaching sound theological conclusions, and end up being more defensive than constructive. Some Christians are also content to lack Bible knowledge as long as the pastor or another leader has it, instead of becoming knowledgeable themselves within a community.  Caroline Smiley and Kyle Worley explain how they have partnered to help people learn theological methods and frameworks to study the Bible in a way that is sustainable and replicable.  Show notes: 0:27 Beyond Bible study: the contours of Scripture 3:00 What led to their method 5:06 From consumers to contributors 6:37 Help for poorly formed theology 13:49 Challenges of leadership 17:20 We disembody knowledge with one knower 24:30 An alternative to seminary 27:15 Theological education 30:16 Practicing knowledge in the church 31:40 Next steps; partnership and sustainability Book mentioned:  By the Renewing of Your Minds, by Ellen T. Charry Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Rituals aren't mechanistic activities that may or may not produce a direct, isolated result. Rather, rituals shape a person over time. What distinguishes mundane rituals such as brushing your teeth or drinking coffee from sacred rituals such as baptism? In Scripture, sacred rituals are formative for particular purposes, separating God’s people from the rest of the world, while simultaneously providing people with a community. Dr. Ben Noonan joins us to discuss rituals and practices: which ones from the Bible are meant for today, how they change us, and how the rituals we don’t necessarily practice today draw on principles that still can apply to our lives. Show notes: 0:26 Significance of rituals to faith 2:16 One-time thing? 3:38 The formative aspect of rituals 8:05 Individual and corporate identity 10:21 Is Sabbath a ritual? 14:15 Rituals and sacraments 18:54 “We don’t do those rituals anymore!” 23:32 Can we start with Jesus? 25:16 Talking to those worried about rituals Show Notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

For many people, the stress of the pandemic has amplified what would otherwise be small tensions and concerns. This tensions can eventually cause or manifest as creeping religious doubt, which may be interpreted, rightly or wrongly, as a sign of a larger underlying spiritual problem. Dr. Matthew A. LaPine, pastor of Theological Development at Cornerstone Church of Ames and author of The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology, joins us this week to discuss how he guides others through their doubts (especially college students), and reminds us that in the midst of brokenness, there is still tremendous joy that flows from fellowship with God and others.  Show notes: 0:27 The true sources of religious doubt 3:55 Faith and the college years 8:50 Emotions, rationality, and spirituality 10:17 How God addresses our doubts 15:20 Difference between determination and control 17:50 Is apologetics effective? 25:05 Befriending good scientists Show Notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The Jewish and Christian faiths exist because of the events that happened in a particular place and time. To understand biblical texts—including issues of justice and loving strangers and enemies—we should learn something about the places where the events they describe occurred. Danielle Parish, pastor of Spark Church in Palo Alto, CA, who leads study tours in Israel, discusses the importance of the biblical land and how enjoying creation as "guardians of the Garden" can deepen our knowledge of Scripture. Show Notes: 0:25 Perspectives of God 5:14 Consider the birds of the air 6:23 The Importance of the land 10:25 Climate and connection to the land 14:07 Love your enemies 21:44 Reconciliation 22:59 God of rescue and resurrection 24:19 Recommendation for the average church Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

One of the most countercultural sentences comes from the Heidelberg Catechism: our only comfort in life and death is that "I am not my own, but but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ." The loudest voices in the contemporary West seem to tell us that we belong to ourselves, that we author our own destinies and create our own identities. This is not the way of Scripture. It's also an exhausting, depressing, and disappointing way to live. Indeed, belonging to yourself is literally impossible. Counterculturally and even counterintiutively, we need to practice dying to ourselves and living for others, because we belong to God and to our communities. Though the burden of belonging to others is difficult to bear, with practice and the Holy Spirit’s help it is possible. Dr. Alan Noble joins us to discuss his book You Are Not Your Own, and how to practice belonging to God in a world that is self-seeking. Show Notes: 0:26 Comfort or solution? 3:42 Practice knowing that you are not your own 7:54 Counting the cost 10:07 Ways God belongs to us 13:55 Dirtlings 15:20 Being = belonging 17:34 Jacques Ellul 19:14 Weaving threads, and the middle-way between resignation and affirmation 27:01 What we’ve lost in renunciation 28:26 Dysfunctional legalism and the singular will 34:40 Stay-at-home parents 38:18 Non-techniques to solve the problem 40:20 Stumbling around, grace, and forgiveness Other resources mentioned: The Meaning of the City, by Jacques Ellul  Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Where you are situated in time and space affects how you interpret the world. This cultural, geographical, and historical consciousness likewise forms a hermeneutical lens whereby we read and understand Scripture. Professor Liz Mburu, a Kenyan theologian and author of African Hermeneutics, joins us this week on the podcast to discuss how she views Scripture through an African hermeneutical lens. One African way of seeing the Bible is as a text of power, with a strong focus on the role of the Holy Spirit. As members of the body of Christ, Christians around the globe need each other's perspective to develop a full understanding of Christianity and how to practice it. Show notes: 0:27 Biblical hermeneutics 5:06 Looking at Scripture through the Kenyan lens 10:40 Is there an African hermeneutic? 14:45 Scripture as a text of power 19:06 The native religion informing the hermeneutic 23:17 Pastors visiting witch doctors/syncretism 28:06 The Global church needs all its members  Show Notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.  

In the latter half of 20th century, the evangelical community's developing attitudes toward crime and punishment overlapped with the increasingly punitive approach of the American criminal justice system. Faith leaders such as Billy Graham and James Dobson cast crime as an issue of the criminal's heart, deemphasizing its enmeshment with broader social structures and ills. On this episode, Aaron Griffith discusses his book God’s Law and Order: The Politics of Punishment in Evangelical America and how thinking about criminality can help people deepen their understanding of sin and redemption. Show notes: 0:25 20th-century Christianity and justice 6:31 Crime: A matter of the heart? 15:45 Cities  21:37 How neighborhoods function 26:45 Biblical principles to guide policing 33:00 Equal treatment for all: a biblical perspective 39:00 Is there room for an inclusive, restorative justice model? Books/articles mentioned:  The Collapse of American Criminal Justice "5 Things to Consider When Reading Biblical Law" The Little Book of Restorative Justice Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been afflicted by war and violence. The people are not always ready for reconciliation, because they are busy seeking justice. Dr. Jacob Onyumbe Wenyi, a professor and a Roman Catholic priest of the diocese of Tshumbe (D.R. Congo), discusses his book on Nahum, "Piles of Slain, Heaps of Corpses." The violence in the book of Nahum connects directly to the experiences of people in the Congo. Dr. Onyumbe Wenyi explains how Nahum's portrayal of a vengeful God and abhorrent war scenes can speak to severely traumatized communities. Show notes: 0:27 Wars in the Congo 3:41 How the war affected the culture 6:29 How people live in a context marked by tragedy 10:35 Not ready for reconciliation 11:36 Dr. Onyumbe Wenyi's perspective on forgiveness 15:40 The Book of Nahum 18:36 Piles of Slain, Heaps of Corpses Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Reconciliation in practice involves local communities acknowledging the wrongs of their particular pasts and figuring out how to move forward— what the responsibilities are and how to live together in peace. In the area of racial reconciliation, we focus a lot on justice and the responsibilities of the offenders. But biblical reconciliation also requires the injured party to show mercy and eventually let go of the wrongs, which is profoundly humbling to those receiving the mercy. Dr. Anthony Bradley joins us this week to discuss what has informed current racial tensions and how churches and communities can move forward. Show notes: 0:26 Examining the racial tensions within a community 1:50 Racial reconciliation and ignoring history 4:19 What informs current racial tensions 7:05 The 80s  10:39 Reconciliation in Scripture and the local past 17:32 Truth required for reconciliation 20:43 Disconnection from history 28:20 Racial solidarity Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The nation of Israel was born into a world that was already culturally old and established. When the Torah appeared, the ancient Near East contained several law collections. CHT fellow Dr. Jerry Unterman explains that unlike other law codes of the ANE, the Torah is not a law book. Rather, its unique framework reveals it to be a treaty—a covenant between God and His people, embedded in a narrative. Show Notes: 0:26 What is the world of law in the Torah? 6:02 Hammurabi and "If x, then y" 9:58 The ANE laws were never promulgated to the people 12:43 The God who makes a treaty with the people 15:47 Laws for the people to "tend" 16:50 Shared responsibility 17:36 The way the law works 21:43 Michael LeFebvre's contested article 25:53 God is the source of justice 27:28 What's the difference between laws? Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

People don't ask for or grant forgiveness in the Bible—at least, not in the way modern people are familiar with. Scripture is less focused on whether someone feels sorry or magnanimous than on practical reconciliation and restoration. Repeatedly in biblical narratives, characters demonstrate this reconciliation with a kiss. Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman discusses how forgiveness as we understand it is a modern notion and how the relevant biblical notion differs. Show Notes: 0:26 The Hebrew Bible doesn't portray apology-and-forgiveness 4:38 Defining relationships 5:52 Forgiveness in Hebrew 7:48 The modern notion of forgiveness 10:35 Kissing  15:34 Torah and incarceration  19:40 We need to "get along" 21:05 The biblical authors on forgiveness  23:55 Reconciliation should be embraced 28:13 What does God think of us? 29:25 Postscript: The Prodigal Son  Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Discussing her book African American Readings of Paul: Reception, Resistance, and Transformation, Dr. Lisa Bowens identifies how people twisted the Scriptures written by the Apostle Paul to promote slavery and justify it as a Christian practice. But at the same time, Dr. Bowens explains, Black Americans were interpreting Paul's writings for themselves, and throughout history, they still appealed to Pauline texts extensively to protest and resist their oppression, and ultimately to build a strong foundation for the American church. Show notes: 0:26 Hidden voices in Black Christian thought 4:25 What does sScripture actually say? 6:15 Nancy Ambrose and how Paul was preached to the enslaved 10:18 1774 Slave Petition 16:37 The slavery project and the broadening of the canon 19:40 John Jea and the miracle of literacy 25:40 Why we need to hear different voices 29:50 Salvation is spiritual and physical 34:37 For economic gain Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

When it comes to preaching, less is more. If you really understand a complex issue, you should be able to write it down on a postcard. In light of this, how does one avoid dumbing down their preaching while still clearly communicating a complex message? Dru and CHT fellow Dr. Jonathan Pennington discuss his book Small Preaching: 25 Little Things You Can Do Now to Make You a Better Preacher, how to convey rich meaning in a sermon while keeping it simple, and the significance of preaching within a worship service.  Show notes: 0:26 Sermon prep 1:27 How can a preacher avoid common pitfalls? 3:22 Two schools: lofty and simple 7:55 Confidence 9:00 The ideal preacher's life/snack writing 12:48 Should you write your sermon? 17:16 The significance of preaching in the worship service 23:49 Teaching vs. preaching 31:06 "Celebrification" of preaching 33:23 Is preaching performance art? Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

It's that time of year again.  It's the time when those who hate eggnog, pretty lights, cheery music, presents, and joy itself crawl out of their dark, barren hovels, bent on ruining Christmas. Well, we aren't those people. Let us have our winter festival, says Dru. Let us have our (modest) presents, says Celina. Let us have our feasting, says Amy. But we all ask, what does the winter festival of American Christmas really have to do with the first and second comings of Jesus Christ? Are traditional Advent practices a straightforward way to redeem the holiday? Do we even want to put the "Christ" back in "Christmas"? Join Dru, Celina, and Amy as they discuss how we might faithfully improvise rituals of waiting and celebration to help us remember our place within the story of God's promise to the nations through Israel. 0:30 Rushing and conflating—why we're grumpy 6:08 Calling Dru out* 6:49 The fat man in the room: Christmas is not a biblical holy day 9:37 Redeeming Christmas through better rituals?  11:23 An Hebraic spin on Advent 17:22 Distraction from the establishment of God's peace through Israel 19:51 The biblical argument against telling children there's a Santa Claus 21:41 Theologically rich Advent practices *Despite her protestations, Celina has since admitted that Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" totally slaps.  Show notes by Celina Durgin Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

There is a deep division between work and worship in the West. However, the worship of the ancient Israelites integrated the sanctuary into the streets. What are ways that our work today (even sending emails) can be celebrated and offered to God as a form of worship? With reference to his book Work and Worship, Matthew Kaemingk explains how the tasks we do every single day can be integrated into our worship and daily liturgy. Show notes: 0:26 Wandering minds during worship 2:02 Integrated life 2:58 Spiritual divide 4:34 Work and worship 6:13 How do we celebrate our work? 12:00 Corey Wilson 12:40 Imago Dei—workers 17:40 Grander work 20:02 Physical participation in the work of God 22:57  Rituals and liturgies 27:37 Gathering rituals, and honesty with God 30:21 When wealth intercedes for work Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Pleas for justice in the book of Psalms—the imprecatory psalms—can make some Christians uncomfortable. They're often passed over in the psalter during worship. How do petitions for justice map onto the mission of Jesus? How are imprecatory prayers compatible with commands to love our neighbors? Though the Psalms contain many cries for vengeance, they also continually call readers back to a standard of holiness. Trevor Laurence discusses imprecatory prayers, the power of words to express profound pain to God, and how we can instinctively discern God and the world as we struggle through life. Show notes: 0:26 How should Christians reconcile imprecatory prayers? 4:00 Logic in the request for vengeance and vindication 6:40 Callback to the covenant justice of God 8:36 Rhetorical violence 9:10 Deadly false accusations and the power of words 12:30 What we're missing in our worship 15:36 Profound pedagogies of prayer 17:11 Imagination and embodied experience 20:35 Ritual epistemology  21:34 If Trevor could design a church service 25:32  Policy and advocacy in the church 28:22 Liturgy: patterns that govern your life Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

"Blackness is a part of American culture." Too often American Christianity is equated with white Christianity, while expressions of Black Christianity are overlooked. Continuing our series "By the Oppressed, to the Oppressed: How the Marginalized Church Reads Scripture," Esau McCaulley, author of Reading While Black, explains how American Black history has given Black Christians an important lens through which to understand Scripture, and how power can actually be a distorting lens. When people hear biblical interpretations they might have missed because of their own experiences, the narrative can change.  Show notes: 0:27 When we misunderstand what we see and hear 3:08 Black Bible reading 6:33 Expressions of Black Christianity 11:36 Distorting the influence of power 16:03 The "Slave Bible"  23:48 Suffering and biblical interpretation 27:14 The use of the Bible in the Civil War 28:24 We need a fuller range of interpretations  34:33 Reevaluating your theological perspective Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.  

A couple of weeks ago, The Biblical Mind published an article by Michael LeFebvre titled Jesus Restored the Original Purpose of the Law in the New Testament. Some readers expressed concern that the article endorsed supersessionist views. Not intending to suggest supersessionism, Michael revised some language in the article to address the concerns. It was retitled Jesus' Concept of the Law in the New Testament. Some Christians readers said they didn't fully understand the reaction. In response, Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm joined the podcast to explain supersessionism, the relationship between Christianity and Judaism, and the reaction to some language in Michael's original article. Show notes: 0:26 What the original title possibly conveyed 4:30 The relationship between Judaism and Christianity 8:01 Integration of "new" and "old" 9:40 Marcion's argument 14:34 Supersessionism 18:58 Intention with words 23:00 Response to comments  30:50 Ari's stance on the article 48:20 Why is "legalism" a bad word? 55:06 The Pharisees are too lenient  Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Does the Torah mention wealth redistribution? What is the purpose of leaving the corners of your field unharvested? What economic system does the Torah advocate, and how would one live in accordance with it? Join us this week as Michael Eisenberg discusses these questions and more, covered his latest book, The Tree of Life and Prosperity.  Show notes: 0:26 Is the Torah capitalist or socialist? Or . . . ? 4:00 Abraham and empowerment 5:40 Genesis: prescriptive vs. descriptive 8:33 Is "wealth" a bad word? 10:37 Modern example: CEO of Salesforce  11:39 Charity (tzedakah) 14:11 Difference between Adam Smith and Torah 17:49 Fruitfulness 22:40 "Justice with no incarceration" Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.  

New CHT fellow Dr. Vince Bantu of Fuller Theological Seminary is back on the podcast, this time to discuss the how historically marginalized and oppressed parts of the church understand Scripture better than the dominant church does—from the early church to the African church to the Black church in the U.S. today. Dr. Bantu and Dru explore the interpretive advantages that the lack of political and social power can confer on readers of the Bible—a book written largely by people who suffered oppression and exile. Show notes: 0:00 The dominant church vs. the marginalized church 6:10 Imperial Christendom and the temptation of political power 13:08 Dualisms of the white church that the Black church doesn't have 20:03 The Black church's grasp on biblical righteousness and justice 29:27 God's providence and the West African slave trade 36:35 The white church's incomplete gospel Show notes by Celina Durgin Credits for the music used in TBM podcast.

Starting 10/22: "By the Oppressed to the Oppressed: How the Marginalized Church Reads the Bible," featuring Vince Bantu, Esau McCaulley, Lisa Bowens, and Anthony Bradley Upcoming Series on repentance and reconciliation, featuring Rachael and Jacob Denhollander, and others TBD

The Pillar Seminary was founded to address persistent problems in churches and their leadership. Its students not only receive a Scripture-first education—as opposed to theology-first—but also quickly begin practicing what they're taught. The purpose of studying the biblical texts is to be transformed by them. True "head knowledge" of Scripture involves "heart knowledge"; by practicing biblical principles, we can understand the text better. Join us this week as Scott Booth, Dan Lowery, and Donnell J. Moore discuss how Pillar's approach to seminary and studying Scripture ultimately transforms students, equipping them to lead in their local churches, make disciples, and meet needs effectively within their ministries. Show Notes: 0:26 Purpose of the program 2:08 Common core for Bible and leadership 3:23 Leadership training 10:39 Bible classes for the purpose of transformation  11:52 Head knowledge and heart knowledge 14:28 Spiritual autobiography 18:17 Equipped by God 21:37 What is the mission? 22:33 Journeying through the text 28:41 What's the meal, where's the deal? 31:37 Reading the Bible three times through Show notes by Dominique LaCroix  Credits for the music used in TBM podcast.

Many Christians know that Jesus was a Jew, but they don't necessarily think much about this fact or grasp its significance. In this episode, Jen Rosner discusses the importance of recognizing that Jesus embraced his Jewish identity in his lifetime, and the implications of his Judaism for the church and for our understanding of the New Testament today.  Show notes: 0:27 Encountering the New Testament as a Jew 3:07 Shelving Judaism (for a time) 7:54 Keeping Second-Temple Judaism alive 11:03 Straying from our roots 15:05 Paul's Torah observance 20:08 Jesus, Torah-observant Jew 21:32 Healed by the tzitzit on his garments  23:39 Ritual purity and adding layers to the text 25:11 Jesus did not come to abolish the law 26:29 Jen's recommended reads 31:50 Pertaining to the land and Zionism Show notes by Dominique LaCroix  Credits for the music used in TBM podcast.

Left Behind. This Present Darkness. Love Come Softly. The culture of faith in the West has been greatly shaped by Christian fiction. Many books that are popular in Christian circles plant flags of doctrines within their pages, providing something for Christians to buy into.  Join us this week as Daniel Silliman (author of Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith and news editor for Christianity Today) discusses how books such as Left Behind have influenced evangelicalism, and how the book market more broadly has influenced Western Christianity.  Show notes: 0:27 Fictional vs. non-fictional arguments 2:44 Christian fiction and the effect on culture 4:44 Novel belief and worldviews 8:17 How to think about evangelicals 9:54 Advocating vs. reflecting 10:47 The book market shapes evangelical culture 13:54 Creating narratives literature 16:48 Mental spaces and formative belief 21:26 Supposing 24:26 Fighting the imagination 30:18 Assume the importance of the four gospels 31:59 How Scripture teaches through narrative 32:09 Objection to mass Christian literature 34:24 Book recommendations Show notes by Dominique LaCroix  Credits for the music used in TBM podcast.

Somewhere along the line, we have inherited many "mistruths" about Scripture, as Dr. Brent Strawn calls them. These are conceptions that aren't completely false, but are misleading—and sometimes pose a greater threat to truth than complete falsehoods do. He discusses his latest book, Lies My Preacher Told Me, and how misconceptions have seeped their way into the church, affecting their views of Scripture, God, and their faith.  Brent doesn't mean to pick on pastors per se, but his book explores various ways in which mistruths have taken hold. He identifies key mistruths—such as excessive christocentrism and neglect of or aversion to the Old Testament—in the church and suggests how we might overcome them. Show notes: 0:26 Lies My Preacher Told Me 2:44 Dru Johnson, children's pastor 4:21 The formative years 6:05 Examples of the lies 7:55 The Jesus question  12:20 Preaching is not King of the Hill 15:21 The conceptual world of the biblical authors 19:20 Constructing views of canon 20:50 Openness to different views 22:49 Stories 23:57 Poetic qualities 27:42 Dispositions toward God's means of revelation Show notes by Dominique LaCroix  Credits for the music used in TBM podcast.

In seminary, Dr. Cyndi Parker of Narrative of Place became frustrated with the lack of focus on understanding the lived experience of ancient people in the Bible. She decided to go to Israel for a full year to understand the physical context of the biblical world—to experience the seasons, to see when the grass grows, to feel the hot Middle Eastern sun, to set foot on the soil. Sitting and reading is so different from putting your feet on the ground in Israel. Join us this week as Cyndi shares about maps, the Middle East, and the importance of place for the student of Scripture. Show notes: 0:00 Cyndi shares about desiring deeper, tangible, real-world experiences 3:55 Archeological digs 5:21 Seminary, self-diagnosis, and the desire for Scripture 8:34 Entering an Asian context 12:07 The power of places 16:51 "Israel-Overwhelming Symptom" 19:52 Narrative at the forefront of Scripture 24:21 Engaging with the land from wherever you are 29:38 What pushed Cyndi into the theology of place Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast.

Why is the Book of Psalms important? How does reading the psalms as poetry help us to understand them? In this conversation, Dru Johnson talks with Chip Hardy and Matt Mullins about psalm 93 and the importance of the structure, metaphors, and wording of the psalms. They warn against reducing the poetry to a fluffy expression of an internal state (if that were all poetry is, it wouldn't be worth reading). The structure of the words in the Book of Psalms is integral to their meaning. The rhythm and pace of the language can conjure certain images and attitudes. In psalm 93, the language crescendos to suggest a sense of God's overwhelming power and majesty. Chip and Matt guide listeners carefully through this psalm and offer their advice on studying this book for life and ministry. Show notes: 0:00 Psalm 93 5:30 The psalms as poetry 7:55 The structure of the words 16:30 The Lord provides surety 20:35 How does holiness fit in? 25:57 There really is a God who is in control 32:49 How to use the poetry for ministry Show notes by Serena Tuomi. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Many Christians have extolled the “Proverbs 31 woman,” but that proverb must be read in the context of the others, or we might miss what it is really about. Dr. Dominick Hernandez says people cannot skip the poetic sections of the Bible and still claim to value Scripture. In this conversation, Dr. Hernandez and Dru Johnson dive into the book of Proverbs. They discuss the structure of the book, why we should read it, how we should read it, and the significance of its poetic form. Show notes: 0:00 Proverbs 31—a poem 3:21 An acrostic poem 8:43 The status of a woman 10:30 The structure of Proverbs 19:28 Hebraic poetry 25:18 Why read the Proverbs? 29:23 Do people respect poetry? 33:27 Why are there no Proverbs for girls? Show notes by Serena Tuomi. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Steve Prince knew he wanted to be an artist since he was five years old. Art can be a powerful way to worship, and being a maker of things allows us to reflect God the Creator. For Prince, being a Christian and an artist go hand and hand—he sees his artwork as a calling. In this episode, Dru Johnson talks to Steve about his life as a Christian artist, the influence of his Catholic upbringing in New Orleans, how he communicates through art, and how Scripture and art relate. They discuss a piece of Prince’s art. Show notes: 0:00 Being a Christian and an artist 6:43 Church background informing art 15:50 Using art to wrestle with Scripture 23:12 “Genesis: In the Beginning” 34:30 Should Christians make monuments of humans? 43:30 The Bible is alive Show notes by Serena Tuomi. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm returns to continue discussing the fascinating and fruitful ways that Jews approach studying Scripture. Dr. Lamm's Orthodox Jewish upbringing taught him to embrace the view of the Hebrew Bible as layered, complex, and challenging—for, the very idea of God suggests that He has complex and layered ideas to communicate with His creation. Dr. Lamm encourages Christians to be similarly comfortable with questioning biblical texts on a deeper level. Don’t forget to check out Dr. Lamm’s podcast Good Faith Effort. Show notes: 0:00 Determining a biblical perspective on a topic the Bible doesn't directly address 9:00 How the Bible is meant to be studied (if we're taking it seriously) 22:50 Explaining the harmony in heaven and the discord on earth 32:31 When Jesus reaffirmed the Jewish tradition of oral Torah 37:58 Christian political philosophers who relied on Jewish wisdom Show notes by Celina Durgin Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

When you hear the word "pilgrim," your first thought might be of the pilgrims who arrived in Plymouth Harbor in 1620, or of English medieval pilgrims. You might be less familiar with the ancient Jewish pilgrims who journeyed to the temple in Jerusalem. CHT fellow Dr. Jeffrey P. Garcia joins Dr. Dru Johnson to discuss this overlooked practice that fills in some historical context of the first-century biblical world. Show notes: 0:00 Overlooked Jewish pilgrimage, and sacrificial barbeque? 8:05 The historical practice and purpose of Jewish pilgrimage in the first century 14:07 The dangers of the pilgrimages 16:40 Galilean and Judean pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem 19:39 The friends who pilgrims made along the way 21:50 The Essenes' disagreements related to pilgrimage 27:43 Test case: Does John the Baptist create a pilgrimage? Show notes by Celina Durgin. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Due to a technical issue, Dru's audio is of lower quality than usual. There are many factors that hinder people from learning biblical Hebrew––cost, lack of resources, and the belief that Hebrew is only for the “spiritually elite.” But Beth and Andrew Case believe learning Hebrew is for everyone and want to make learning the language the new normal in Christian discipleship. The Cases have tools to make the biblical language available for free to everyone in the world. In this conversation, the Cases chat with Dru Johnson all about the Hebrew language, their special pedagogy, and their Youtube Channel Aleph with Beth where they teach the language of the Hebrew Bible, free to everyone. Show notes: 0:00 Is learning Hebrew for everyone? 6:50 Learning Hebrew is doable 14:50 Hebrew can help people understand Scripture 18:40 The Case’s history with Hebrew 24:04 Why they speak the name of God 28:18 Why the Cases only speak Hebrew in videos 36:30 How they assess if their methods are working 40:00 What the Cases have learned Show notes by Serena Tuomi.

David Moore believes the cultural moment in the United States has never before displayed such a dangerous combination of ignorance and arrogance as it does now. Most people have limited knowledge about few things, but the glut of information makes them feel like they are an expert on many issues. Most people get their news primarily from social media and their favorite news channel. We live in echo chambers partly because we cannot handle our beliefs being challenged. It is no wonder there is so much division.  David Moore and Dru Johnson chat about how history frees and forms Christians. Moore’s new book Stuck in the Present exists to teach Christians to be lifelong learners of history. Moore promotes the wisdom of understanding the bigger picture of history and befriending conversation starters who challenge you and your ideas. These habits also better prepare people to study Scripture productively. Show notes: 0:00 Stuck in the Present 4:37 Stuck in ideology 11:23 Progress of doctrine in America 17:09 How we think about history today 21:40 Where is America in history education today? 27:35 The inductive Bible study method 33:55 A fresh Bible study method Check out Stuck in the Present, by David Moore. Show notes by Serena Tuomi. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The moment you dip your toe into the world of serious biblical interpretation, you might feel overwhelmed by all the literary techniques, historical-cultural context, linguistic nuances, and extra-Biblical references that could affect how you understand Scripture. The average person might begin to doubt whether they can ever just open their Bible and start reading. CHT researcher Amy Gabriel talks with Dru about this concern. They discuss the role of all this "background knowledge" in helping us understand Scripture, and how we can approach the text even without knowing Hebrew or Greco-Roman philosophy. Plus, learn why we should all be the Proverbs 31 woman. Show notes: 0:00 The debate: How much do you have to know about the biblical world to understand Scripture? 4:18 Does everyone have to be a scholar of Hebrew and the ancient Near East to grasp Hebraic thought? 18:20 The uniqueness of the Bible in its own time 19:42 The primary sourcebook of the New Testament authors 33:45 Should Scripture be easy to interpret? Is there one right interpretation? 43:08 "Real talk" about pastors and sermons Show notes by Celina Durgin. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast may be found here: hebraicthought.org/credits

What is the biblical relationship between Christians and the Jewish community? Dr. Gerry McDermott wades through the tough topics of supersessionism, dispensationalism, and Zionism. Throughout history, beliefs about God's attitude toward the Jewish community have shaped Christians' treatment of Jewish people. Hence, Christian positions on supersessionism and dispensationalism are not merely academic disputes; they can bear on Jewish people's lives and well-being. They also bear on our understanding of biblical covenant, continuity between the Old and New Testaments, and salvation. Dr. McDermott discusses what he believes to be the biblical view, which he calls the "new Christian Zionism." He explains why he retained the contentious term "Zionism," and why this view is distinctive. Show notes: 0:00 Detangling the new Christian Zionism, dispensationalism, and supersessionism 7:55 Anglican and interdenominational support for Christian zionism 11:02 Why Gerry retains the term "Zionism" 17:13 Wait, are you saying that Jews are Christians, too? 25:24 Hopes for the relationship between the American church and the Jewish community and the state of Israel Check out Dr. McDermott's related book, The New Christian Zionism: Fresh Perspectives on Israel and the Land. Show notes by Celina Durgin Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Note: This episode was originally published February 25, 2020. ICYMI, please enjoy this lecture hosted by the Center for Hebraic Thought on February 15, 2020.  The Christian tradition describes God as “perfect”—but how the Bible describes this perfection might surprise us. When we think of God, we often start by asking, “What is God?” This is the approach of the Westminster Catechism as well as many philosophers. This seemingly common-sense approach, however, is strange at a second glance—after all, we wouldn’t typically ask, “What is your spouse?” or “What is Steve?” In this lecture, Dr. Peter Leithart argues for a different approach: asking, “Who is God?” To understand God’s nature (including His perfection), we must consider how Scripture reasons. Often, the biblical authors appeal to poetry, imagery, story, and history to define God. Dr. Leithart argues that these literary forms—far from being irrational or anti-philosophical—are rigorously intellectual and potent forms of knowing a God who is personal, transcendent, and yes, perfect. This episode is a recording of the evening lecture for our February 14-15 workshop with the Rev. Dr. Peter Leithart of the Theopolis Institute. Show notes: 0:00 Introduction by Dr. Dru Johnson 2:08 “What is God?” 13:59 The intellectual rigor of the Bible 22:04 How the Bible uses poetry and imagery to describe God’s nature 28:13 Anthropomorphic or theomorphic? 33:00 God defined by story and history 41:52 Conclusion

"Moral injury" has been associated with groups like wounded soldiers and sexually abused women, but it can also affect those who have simply learned about something incredibly painful or violent, whether it be in the media or in Scripture. Dr. Jill Firth has a PhD in the psalms of lament and a particular interest in suffering. In this episode, Dru Johnson and Dr. Firth discuss the issue of moral injury and its relation to the Bible. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Firth references the prophet Jeremiah and the lament psalms to address this heavy topic. We shouldn't shy way from studying the dark and violent parts of Scripture. These can help foster our imagination for the horrific parts of life, so that we can better understand others' experiences of suffering and our own. People often seek easy answers or comforting verses in the Bible when they are struggling, for similar reasons that they turn to food, Netflix, or friends. But what we really need is to trust God with our pain and give Him a chance to be our Living Water—even if that means we must experience the pain and not quickly numb or resolve it. Want to learn more? You can check out Dr. Firth's "Journey Through the Psalms" project. Show notes: 0:00 The field of moral injury 6:55 Why are people uncomfortable with lament in Scripture? 13:34 Cultivating your imagination for suffering 17:05 Responding to real stories of real people 21:00 The length of the moral injury metaphor 25:44 Needing to know God is with us 30:32 Missing the element of lament in worship Show notes by Serena Tuomi. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.  

We all need God’s word, and we need it desperately––this is why Jesse and Leah Roberts embarked on EveryPsalm. Jesse and Leah are parents, pastors, and musicians living in Kansas City, MO. They began their EveryPsalm project on January 1, 2020, after years of talking about the idea. They explain, “EveryPsalm is a three-year long musical journey consisting of simple, meditative songs based on the psalms. Starting with Psalm 1 and ending at Psalm 150.” Each song is based on a psalm, and almost all of their lyrics are taken word-for-word from the Bible. Their goal with this project is to help their listeners interact with Scripture in new ways and to make God’s Word applicable to any circumstances people might face. In this episode, Jesse and Leah talk with Dru Johnson about their project thus far (they're up to Psalm 75) and their goals for the rest of the songs to come. They discuss the songwriting process and how putting Scripture to music aids memorization and deeper engagement. You can check out their Youtube channel to listen to every song of the EveryPsalm project along with their other free music. You can also check out their website for more information and to subscribe to their weekly song release. Show notes: 0:00 How Jesse and Leah use the Psalms to write songs 6:39 How they pick their tone for each piece 10:02 What they’ve learned about the Psalms as they’ve worked through them 11:40 The role of lament 16:07 How they safely interpret each Psalm 22:10 Putting words to music 26:50 How they avoid “telling others how to feel" Show notes by Serena Tuomi. The music featured in this episode was used with permission from Poor Bishop Hooper. The audio clips are from "Psalm 7," "Psalm 13," "Psalm 16," and "Psalm 40."

Heather Cate reads "Recovering the Political Teachings of the Hebrew Bible," by Joshua Berman, published March 3, 2020.

Christians who feel uneasy with tricky texts in Scripture have something to learn from Jewish Bible readers. Jews actually seek out challenges in the Bible, because they believe these are God’s invitation to develop and use wisdom.   In this episode, Dru Johnson interviews Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, a “historian of religion who is interested in the role of religion, religious values, and tradition in shaping the global moral discourse.” His Orthodox Jewish upbringing taught him to embrace the view of the Hebrew Bible as layered, complex, and challenging—for, the very idea of God suggests that He has complex and layered ideas to communicate with His creation. Dr. Lamm encourages Christians to be similarly comfortable with questioning biblical stories on a deeper level. Don’t forget to check out Dr. Lamm’s podcast Good Faith Effort, where he “speaks with thinkers, writers, artists, and faith leaders to explore how the Bible continues to inform our lives today, from politics to psychology to pop culture, bringing Americans of different traditions and persuasions closer together as so much else threatens to pull us apart.” Show notes: 5:56 Humans can partner with God to extend the work of creation. 7:33 Hermeneutic of suspicion: Why doesn’t Joseph contact his father? 15:38 Is it typical for Jewish interpretation to ask questions that are constrained to the text? 17:35 The rabbis’ legends. 22:35 What made Joseph resilient? 26:04 The permission to ask questions of Scripture 29:32 Using one character to interpret another: Why does God choose Abraham? Show notes by Serena Tuomi Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Is the church gradually abandoning the Old Testament? Surveys of Americans from all walks of life and church backgrounds show that we have grown less and less literate in the Hebrew Scriptures. This causes a host of problems, such as mistaken preconceptions of the text or belief that the Old Testament is outdated or unnecessary. Especially in a culture so far removed from the original world of the text, how can we learn to read the Bible empathetically and humbly? In this episode, Dru Johnson interviews Dr. Brent Strawn, Professor of Old Testament and Law at Duke Divinity School. They discuss the church's widespread neglect of the Old Testament, and how to overcome the resulting problems. We should read the entire New Testament as situated within the conceptual world of the Old. They conclude with remarks about how the texts and art of other ancient Near Eastern cultures can help us understand Scripture. Show notes: 0:00 The difficulties of reading the Hebrew Bible as modern people 3:54 Approaching texts with humility 7:17 Brent's book The Old Testament is Dying 11:14 Boosting Bible literacy 17:18 Using the Old Testament well 25:48 Avoiding "word pollution" 29:00 Reading the New Testament through the Old Testament 34:33 Ancient Near Eastern views of the divine 39:57 Art and iconography as a window into the text Brent's book The Old Testament is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment Show notes by Micah Long. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.