A stubborn prophet, a wicked nation, a giant fish––the story of Jonah is frequently translated into the popular imagination through TV and movies. But what is it really about? In this episode, learn from Tim about where Jonah fits into the story of the Bible that ultimately points to Jesus. This is a sneak peek into our free graduate-level course on Jonah which will be featured in the new Classroom resource available in 2022. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-18:...
Aug 23, 2021•54 min•Ep. 264
Does God hold children responsible for their parents’ sins? In the fifth installment of our most-listened-to podcast episodes, join Tim, Jon, and Carissa for a look at the most quoted verse in the Bible, Exodus 34:6-7, and find out why God’s justice and his loyal love go hand in hand as a central part of who he is. QUOTE If later generations repeat or persist in the covenant rebellion of their ancestors, they’re going to get the same consequences. But when we talk about these “thousands” that ge...
Aug 16, 2021•58 min•Ep. 263
The word “gospel” has acquired many meanings since the biblical authors first used it. What does it really mean? In the fourth of our five most-listened-to podcasts, Tim and N.T. Wright discuss the meaning of this important word in its original context, and explore what it means for Jesus to take charge as King and for his disciples to build his Kingdom. QUOTE When God takes charge, he doesn’t send in the tanks, he sends in the meek and the poor and the hungry-for-justice, the merciful, the peac...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 262
Earn it, lose it, take it, spend it, save it––we talk about time like currency. The Sabbath can be confusing to talk about, but it is God’s reminder to humanity that time is not a possession. In the third of our five most-listened-to podcasts, join Tim and Jon as they explore why the Sabbath is far less about a weekend or special religious service and far more about rescue and God’s miraculous provision. QUOTE To say that the Sabbath belongs to God is to jar you into remembering time doesn’t bel...
Aug 02, 2021•58 min•Ep. 261
Humans are like trees. While this thought might not have been at the top of your mind this week, it was a key idea for the biblical authors. In the second of our five most popular podcasts, explore the connection between humans and trees with Tim and Jon as we learn why trees are mentioned more times than almost anything else in the Bible. QUOTE If you look at days three and six, you’ll see they both have two creative acts. The second creative act on day three is a fruit tree, and on day six it’...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 260
God’s law––it can be an intimidating topic. Why are there over 600 laws? What do we do with them? We’re re-releasing our five most popular podcasts, and the episode with the most listens is also the first one we ever recorded. Listen in as Tim and Jon unpack what the laws meant for ancient Israel and what they mean for us today. Show produced by Cooper Peltz, Dan Gummel, and Zach McKinley. Remastering by Jake Trethaway. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast. Origina...
Jul 19, 2021•51 min•Ep. 259
Are Genesis 1 and 2 literal? What’s up with the differing timelines in those chapters? Where are the dinosaurs in the Bible? How do you know what ancient Hebrew words really meant? In this episode, Tim and Jon tackle your questions from the Ancient Cosmology series. Thanks to our audience for all your incredible questions! View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps How Can You Know the Correct Meaning of Ancient Words? (5:52 - 12:06) Can You Understand the Bible Without Other Resources?...
Jul 12, 2021•59 min•Ep. 258
Did humans originate by intelligent design or the process of evolution? This question has been debated by the scientific community and readers of Genesis for almost 200 years. In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and special guest Dr. S. Joshua Swamidass as they discuss human origins and a way to bridge the gap across such a significant debate. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0-20:40) Part two (20:40-35:00) Part three (35:00-47:30) Part four (47:30-59:00) Part five (59:0...
Jul 05, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 257
It’s easy to recognize the psalms as beautiful poems. But how do we understand their deeper meaning? How psalms are organized (both internally and within the book of Psalms) is just as significant to their meaning as the words themselves. In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and Carissa for a deep dive into Psalm 148, where we see Yahweh as the ideal king who restores order to all creation. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (00-8:30) Part two (8:30-16:45) Part three (16:45-...
Jun 28, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 256
How compatible is the Bible with science? And why does the creation story look different between Genesis 1 and 2? In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and special guest Dr. John Walton as they discuss these questions and the necessity of studying ancient culture and cosmology to truly understand our Bibles today. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0-14:30) Part two (14:30-25:00) Part three (25:00-35:20) Part four (35:20-48:20) Part five (48:20-end) Referenced Resources Inte...
Jun 21, 2021•59 min•Ep. 255
What does it mean that the biblical authors expected the return of Eden? The prophets anticipated waters of life from God would do miraculous things like restore the barren Dead Sea region to its former lush state and unite all humanity. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they follow the waters of life from Genesis 1-2 throughout time, in anticipation of the coming Day of the Lord. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0-11:15) Part two (11:15-28:30) Part three (28:30-3...
Jun 14, 2021•46 min•Ep. 254
Are there two creation stories in Genesis? How do Genesis 1 and 2 fit together and into the rest of the biblical story? In this episode, Tim and Jon explore these questions and the theme of water in the opening chapters of the Bible. Yahweh’s transformation of the chaos waters into waters of life set the stage for his calling upon his people and an important theme that will carry us from Genesis to Revelation. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-9:20) Part two (9:2...
Jun 07, 2021•40 min•Ep. 253
The biblical authors often use creation imagery that clearly didn’t come from Genesis 1. Did they borrow from the creation accounts of other cultures? In this episode, join Tim and Jon for a deep dive into Genesis 1:1-2 and discover its similarity to other ancient cosmologies, plus one key difference: Yahweh is infinitely greater than all other gods. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-9:00) Part two (9:00-26:00) Part three (26:00-40:00) Part four (40:00-50:00) Par...
May 31, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 252
What is existence? What existed before humans did? Ancient people groups asked the same questions we do today, with totally different answers. In this episode, Tim and Jon survey the cosmologies of Israel’s neighbors, ancient Egypt, Canaan, and Babylon––people groups the biblical authors shared more in common with than modern readers––to shed light on the Bible’s creation account. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0-6:30) Part two (6:30-19:00) Part three (19:00-39:30)...
May 24, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 251
What does the Bible really say about the origins of the universe? The biblical authors had a completely different framework for this question than we do. When we expect the Bible to settle our debates, we close ourselves off from understanding the text as they intended it. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they kick off a new series on Genesis 1-3, beginning with a look at ancient cosmologies. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-8:15) Part two (8:15-12:30) Part ...
May 17, 2021•35 min•Ep. 250
Who was at the beginning of the cosmos with God? God’s Spirit? God’s word? Or Lady Wisdom? Rich with creation narrative ties, the book of Proverbs contains important insights for how we understand God’s relationship to his creation and who Jesus is. Join Tim, Jon, and Carissa as they explore Proverbs 8. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-8:30) Part two (8:30-21:00) Part three (21:00-36:00) Part four (36:00-52:00) Part five (52:00-end) Referenced Resources Interest...
May 10, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 249
Of all the people in the Hebrew Bible, why is Melchizedek so crucial for understanding Jesus? In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and special guest Dr. Josh Mathews as they take a deep dive into the Old Testament, the book of Hebrews, and the life of the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek in relationship to the ultimate priest-king, Jesus. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-15:30) Part two (15:30-24:00) Part three (24:00-31:30) Part four (31:30-41:00) Part five (41:00...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 248
Jesus is our priest, our atoning sacrifice––and our brother? In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and special guest the Rev. Amy Peeler, Ph.D., as they discuss the book of Hebrews and how the many characteristics of God found in this epistle set him apart as wholly other and also form our identities as his followers. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-13:15) Part two (13:15-28:20) Part three (28:20-38:30) Part four (38:30-51:30) Part five (51:30-end) Referenced Resourc...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 247
Thanks to our audience for all your incredible questions! In this week’s episode, we tackle questions like: How could God break his covenant with the tribe of Levi? What’s the connection between the forehead markings of priests and followers of the beast? And why did offering his own sacrifice cost Saul his kingship? Listen in to hear the team answer your questions. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps What’s the Connection Between Israel’s Priests and Modern Church Leaders? (1:04...
Apr 19, 2021•46 min•Ep. 246
After Jesus’ disciples receive the Holy Spirit, they become God’s temple and the physical embodiment of Jesus on earth. This has huge implications for our understanding of what it means to be the church today and live in unity. Dive into this discussion with Tim and Jon as they unpack what it means for followers of Jesus to be the royal priesthood, now and in eternity. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-6:56) Part two (6:56-16:13) Part three (16:13-31:55) Part fou...
Apr 12, 2021•51 min•Ep. 245
What does it mean for Jesus to be humanity’s cosmic priest? It means he intercedes on behalf of humanity––and so much more! Through Jesus, God has forever included humanity into his own self. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they discuss Jesus’ ascension and the eternal union of heaven and earth. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-18:30) Part two (18:30-23:00) Part three (23:00-31:00) Part four (31:00-43:00) Part five (43:00-end) Show Music “Defender (Instrume...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 244
Why were the Levitical priests always getting mad at Jesus? Jesus identified himself as another of God’s anointed priests––except he came in his own authority. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss how Jesus fulfills Moses’ prophet-priest role and the priest-king role we saw in David. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-12:00) Part two (12:00-21:30) Part three (21:30-34:00) Part four (34:00-45:30) Part five (45:30-end) Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS C...
Mar 29, 2021•57 min•Ep. 243
What will God do with the continually failing Levitical priesthood? God announces that he will elect his own faithful priest from a household that can be counted on. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they follow the royal priesthood all the way to David, anointed priest-king of Jerusalem, fulfillment of Melchizedek’s role, and foreshadowing of the coming priest-king Jesus. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00–14:30) Part two (14:30–28:00) Part three (28:00–36:30)...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 242
The origins of Israel’s royal priesthood are anything but glamorous. From Moses rejecting God five times to Aaron creating an idol while God is instructing Moses about priests, the Levitical priesthood seems doomed from the start. In this episode, discover just how important the failed priesthood is to the story of the Bible. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-15:00) Part two (15:00-24:00) Part three (24:00-35:00) Part four (35:00-end) Show Music “Defender (Instru...
Mar 15, 2021•49 min•Ep. 241
What do Abraham, Melchizedek, and David all have in common? They’re part of the unfolding theme of the royal priesthood in the Bible. In this week’s episode, join Tim and Jon as they explore how this theme is part of humanity’s quest to get back to the blessings of Eden. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00–11:30) Part two (11:30–18:45) Part three (18:45–25:00) Part four (25:00–31:30) Part five (31:30–end) Show Music “Defender Instrumental” by Tents “We Must Believe...
Mar 08, 2021•44 min•Ep. 240
In the story of the Bible, all the main players are prophets, priests, or kings. While it might seem foreign to us today, those three roles are intimately connected to what it means to be people created in the image of God. Join Tim and Jon for the first episode of a new series on the royal priesthood! View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00–19:00) Part two (19:00–29:00) Part three (29:00–34:30) Part four (34:30–50:00) Part five (50:00–end) Mentioned Resources S. Dean ...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 239
A coming king and a bunch of crying babies? Psalm 8 can seem kind of confusing. But when we look closer and understand its context, we can see that it’s actually a beautiful meditation on the image of God. Join Tim, Jon, and Carissa as they discuss this important poem. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (00:00-10:45) Part two (10:45-26:45) Part three (26:45-46:30) Part four (46:30-54:30) Part five (54:30-end) Show Music “Defender Instrumental” by Tents “Psalm 8” by Poor...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 238
How can the book of Ephesians contribute to conversations surrounding modern race and justice issues? Tim and Jon interview New Testament scholar Andrew Rillera and discuss Ephesians 2 and the unified, diverse family of God. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one: (0:00–11:00) Part two: (11:00–19:45) Part three: (19:45–30:00) Part four: (30:00–43:30) Part five: (43:30–55:00) Part six: (55:00–61:15) Part seven: (61:15–64:30) Part eight: (64:30–end) Mentioned Resources Presto...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 237
From biblical deconstruction to the responsibility of Jesus followers in government and social justice, we’re looking at what the Bible has to say about some of society’s biggest questions today. Join Tim and Jon as they interview New Testament scholar Esau McCaulley, author of Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope . View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (0:00-13:00) Part two (13:00-26:30) Part three (26:30-33:30) Part four (3...
Feb 08, 2021•52 min•Ep. 236
Thank you to our audience for your incredible questions. In this week’s episode, we tackle questions like, did Adam represent a male human? Where did Cain’s wife come from? And what is the relationship of the Church to Israel? Listen in to hear the team answer your questions. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps How Could There Be Descendants of Cain After the Flood? (0:50) Where Did Cain’s Wife Come From? (13:25) Was Adam Male? (19:35) Was the Promised Land Conquest a Case of Sib...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 235
