Dragons show up on page one of the Bible, named among the beings that feature in the seven-day creation narrative in Genesis 1. God creates dragons to inhabit the chaos waters, and we meet one early on that tries (and succeeds) to get the first humans to choose their own destruction. Why would God create these creatures? What is their purpose? Join Tim and Jon as they talk about the literary function of dragons in the Bible. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-8:29) P...
Aug 14, 2023•48 min•Ep. 372
When we read the word “myth,” often what comes to mind is a fictional story. However, a myth is a way of exploring universal concerns of human existence, using symbols for things we may or may not have words to describe. The dragon is one such myth—a symbol humans have used for millennia to talk about chaos and death. Some might say it was one of the first worldwide memes. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss ancient Near Eastern literature about dragons. View more resources on our website → Tim...
Aug 07, 2023•49 min•Ep. 371
Nahash , tanin , leviathan ––the Bible is full of strange words describing a creature many modern readers can’t quite categorize. All these words are ways of referring to a monster of the deep, a dragon. In this episode, Tim and Jon kick off a brand new theme study, the chaos dragon, with a look at the language the Bible uses to describe this creature. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-4:27) Part two (4:27-20:25) Part three (20:25-31:13) Part four (31:13-46:03) Refe...
Jul 31, 2023•46 min•Ep. 370
How could Abraham have anticipated a coming City of God, like the author of Hebrews said? What’s the connection between the shame of Adam and Eve and that of their son Cain? Was Genesis first an oral tradition, and how did it become a written account with so many literary hyperlinks? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions from the first half of The City series. Thank you to our audience for your incredible questions! View more resources on our website → Timestamps How Could Abrah...
Jul 24, 2023•51 min•Ep. 369
In the Bible, cities have a bad reputation as centers of immorality and unrighteous living. First-century followers of Jesus continued to live in cities, but they lived by an other-worldly ethic set by Jesus. Their way of living was so different that Jesus’ followers began to talk about their citizenship being primarily in a coming heavenly city, rather than the physical city in which they lived. In this episode, join Jon and Tim as they wrap up our theme study of the city. View more resources o...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 368
As the story of the Bible unfolds, the expectation for a city of God—a new Jerusalem where Heaven and Earth will be fully united—continues to grow. Yet the gospel authors seem to think this new Jerusalem is most fully realized in Jesus himself. So if Jesus is the new Jerusalem, what’s his relationship with the physical city of Jerusalem? In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss how Jesus and his followers become the new Jerusalem. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-19:01...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 367
Cities appear to be inherently bad in the story of the Bible. So when Jesus calls his followers a city on a hill, what does he mean? And why is the vision of the new creation a city instead of a garden? In this episode, Tim and Jon review some of the major motifs in the theme of the city so far and explore the concept of a city of God. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-22:02) Part three (22:02-33:57) Part three (33:57-44:17) Part four (44:17-54:52) Referenced Resour...
Jul 03, 2023•55 min•Ep. 366
The city of Jerusalem, established by David to be the home of God, is a glimpse of what a divine city could look like, but even Jerusalem becomes corrupt. Is there any kind of city we can actually put our hope in? Jesus seemed to think so. He said he was the place where Heaven and Earth are fully united, allowing God and humanity to dwell together. Then he took it a step further to say his followers are a city on a hill, the city of God. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss the new Jerusalem. Vi...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 365
Israel was meant to be a picture of the heavenly city of God, but over time, it began to look more like Babylon, Nineveh, and Sodom and Gomorrah. In the scroll of Isaiah, the prophet announces Yahweh’s coming judgment on Israel because of their oppression of other humans. Join Tim and Jon as they discuss the city of God in the scroll of Isaiah. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-13:05) Part two (13:05-28:38) Part three (28:38-36:29) Part four (36:29-51:00) Part five ...
Jun 19, 2023•58 min•Ep. 364
When Jesus tells Nicodemus people must be born again of water and Spirit, is that connected to the anointing theme? Is Jesus’ anointing in the Jordan supposed to remind us of the flood story? Does an antichrist have to first be a christ (anointed one)? In this episode, Tim and Jon explore your questions about the theme of the anointed. Thanks to our audience for your incredible questions! View more resources on our website → Timestamps Is Jesus’ Teaching on Water and Spirit Part of the Anointed ...
Jun 14, 2023•59 min•Ep. 363
When we first read about Jerusalem in the Bible, it appears to be a golden city—founded by David, a center of victory, prosperity, and unity. But it doesn’t take long for the cracks to begin to show, and Jerusalem becomes a home for idolatry and oppression. What happened to the city David founded to cause the prophet Micah to accuse it of being a city founded on human bloodshed? In this episode, Tim and Jon talk about how even the so-called city of God can resemble the city of Cain. View more re...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 362
Jerusalem is the Bible’s image of what a city of God should be. But from the earliest moments of its founding, it's clear that even this city has problems. What will it take for a city to truly become like the garden of Eden? In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss the founding of Jerusalem and what it will take for God and humans to dwell together. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-18:21) Part two (18:21-33:17) Part three (33:17-49:27) Part four (49:27-59:22) Part fiv...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 361
At last, there’s a positive example of a city in the Bible, the capital city of Egypt under the rule of Joseph. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they explore how a city—usually a perpetrator of death and violence—can become a source of life under the leadership of a wise human image of God. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-10:55) Part two (10:55-34:49) Part three (34:49-49:38) Part four (49:38-59:35) Referenced Resources Interested in more? Check out Tim’s libr...
May 29, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 360
If Babylon is the worst city in the Bible, then Sodom and Gomorrah are a close second. The injustice and oppression in Sodom and Gomorrah are so pronounced that God sends a flood of justice to completely wipe out these two cities. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss the theme of the city and the darkest parts of human nature. Content warning: Today's episode contains some mention of sexual abuse, rape, and incest. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-16:30) Part two (...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 359
You may have heard that Babylon was the biggest, baddest city in the Bible, but where did that reputation come from? Who founded the city, and what made it so detestable to God? In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they explore the story of the half-human, half-god Nimrod and the city he founded. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-16:08) Part two (16:08-30:37) Part three (30:37-41:00) Part four (41:00-59:28) Referenced Resources The Context of Scripture , William W. ...
May 15, 2023•59 min•Ep. 358
As the story of the Bible unfolds, humanity grows more and more violent. Cain is more violent than his parents, and his descendants are more violent than him. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss Lemek, Cain’s far more murderous descendant, and humanity’s escalating violence that prompts God to flood the earth. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-18:31) Part two (18:31-36:18) Part three (36:18-51:52) Part four (51:52-1:14:37) Referenced Resources Interested in more? C...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 357
In the story of the Bible, cities are a bad thing. They’re a symptom of humanity’s violence and attempts to protect themselves instead of trusting God. In fact, in the second chapter of Genesis, God “builds” something for humanity’s protection. And it’s not a city—it’s a woman. In this episode, Tim and Jon explore the theme of the city and the first thing God builds. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-12:51) Part two (12:51-35:26) Part three (35:26-44:40) Part four (...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 356
The theme of the city in the Bible is a surprising one. When cities are introduced in the story, they’re depicted as “bad”—a human response to increasing violence and the need for self-protection—and gardens are depicted as humanity’s ideal setting. However, in the book of Revelation, the new creation Jesus brings is a city. What’s going on here? Join Tim and Jon as they start exploring the biblical theme of the city. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-20:11) Part tw...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 355
“Jesus the anointed one” is the literal translation of the Greek title “Christ,” frequently applied to Jesus. In this podcast episode, Tim and Jon discuss both this title and Jesus’ baptism, which the gospel writers depict as his anointing ceremony. Listen in as we explore the theme of the anointed in the New Testament and how Jesus’ followers become anointed ones too. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-11:06) Part two (11:06-29:04) Part three (29:04-42:59) Part four...
Apr 17, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 354
Do the biblical authors consider women the second-born siblings of men? Were Joshua and Caleb rivals? Why is Korah, the disgraced rebel, honored in the Psalms? In this episode, Tim and Jon dive into your questions from the firstborn series. Thank you to our audience for your insightful questions! View more resources on our website → Timestamps Rijke from Japan (1:22) Ludy from the Netherlands) and Laura from Ireland (7:30) Craig from Australia (21:31) Daniel from Tennessee (25:02) Tara from Flor...
Apr 12, 2023•56 min•Ep. 353
David’s life gives us two parallel portrayals of what it means to be God’s anointed one: one is victorious—God’s anointed is the giant feller and the snake crusher. The other one is a suffering servant, waiting patiently in the wilderness for God’s deliverance. In today’s episode, join Tim and Jon in the Psalms, where they’ll explore both David’s victory and his suffering and discuss how Jesus saw himself living out both those roles too. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (...
Apr 10, 2023•59 min•Ep. 352
David was Israel’s greatest king, but even he failed to live as God’s anointed one. When Isaiah prophesied about the ultimate anointed one to come, he said that not only would this deliverer come from the line of David, but they would be a new David altogether. What does this mean? Learn more in this episode as Tim and Jon discuss the theme of the anointed in the Isaiah scroll. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-11:57) Part two (11:58-30:00) Part three (30:00-46:20) ...
Apr 03, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 351
Israel’s first anointed king, Saul, consistently makes choices that put him in conflict with God and the responsibilities God has entrusted to him. This turns Saul into the first anti-anointed one—or put another way, the first antichrist. In this episode, Tim and Jon explore the theme of anointing in the stories of Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-13:01) Part two (13:01-28:45) Part three (28:45-47:05) Part four (47:05-1:08:...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 350
What’s so special about oil? Why does the Bible specify that oil—not water or wine—must be used to anoint a person or place? In this episode, Tim and Jon continue discussing the biblical theme of anointing, exploring why God designates oil to symbolically represent the life-giving power of his Spirit. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-9:07) Part two (9:07-28:37) Part three (28:37-40:33) Part four (40:33-55:53) Referenced Resources Interested in more? Check out Tim’s...
Mar 20, 2023•56 min•Ep. 349
The title most often applied to Jesus is “the anointed one”—that’s what the Greek word “christ” means! But what is the practice of anointing? What does it signify, and who gets anointed? The practice of anointing people with oil is a theme we can trace throughout the entire story of the Bible. In this episode, Tim and Jon start a brand new theme study all about anointing. View more resources on our website → Timestamps Part one (00:00-21:48) Part two (21:48-36:43) Part three (36:43-49:12) Part f...
Mar 13, 2023•57 min•Ep. 348
In our final episode of the Firstborn series, we look at the New Testament’s description of Jesus as the firstborn of creation. Join Tim and Jon as they explore some of Paul’s letters, the book of Hebrews, and the Revelation, and discover how Jesus reveals who God is––and what it means to be truly human, too. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (00:00-14:29) Part two (14:29-25:26) Part three (25:26-48:43) Part four (48:43-1:08:38) Referenced Resources New Testament Chris...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 347
Under levitical law, touching anyone unclean would make you unclean too. But when Jesus touches people who are unclean, they get healed and become clean instead––it’s like his holiness is contagious. In this episode, Tim and Jon talk about the way Jesus uses his power and authority as the cosmic firstborn. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (00:00-19:35) Part two (19:35-31:19) Part three (31:19-46:15) Part four (46:15-1:03:45) Part five (01:03:45-1:12:51) Referenced Res...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 346
The authors of the gospel accounts in the Bible—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—regularly refer to Jesus as the Son of God, a title that’s connected to the theme of the firstborn. In this episode, Tim and Jon explore what it means that Jesus is God’s Son through the stories of his baptism and testing in the wilderness. Listen in to find out how Jesus uses his power in a way we’ve never seen another human do before. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (00:00-12:44) Part two...
Feb 20, 2023•55 min•Ep. 345
In the scroll of Samuel, Israel demands a king in place of the judges that have been ruling over them. It sounds like a simple enough request, but Yahweh calls it idolatrous. Why? In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss the motives behind Israel’s request and the role of Israel’s first kings, Saul and David, in the unfolding theme of the firstborn. View full show notes from this episode → Timestamps Part one (00:00-20:32) Part two (20:32-38:25) Part three (38:25-48:35) Part four (48:35-1:02:35) Ref...
Feb 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 344
This episode is a special re-release of an interview we did in 2018 with Dr. Michael Heiser. Mike has been a significant influence to Tim’s own scholarship and, by extension, much of BibleProject’s content, as well as to thousands of other people. Mike is in the final stages of his battle with pancreatic cancer, and we want to honor his incredible life by sharing this episode again. View the original episode → Timestamps Part one (00:00-18:05) Part two (18:05- 33:00) Part three (33:00-44:30) Par...
Feb 07, 2023•59 min•Ep. 343
