Geocaching Scripture - podcast cover

Geocaching Scripture

Geocaching Scripture – tiny treasures in the big truth. Exegesis brought to you by the last kids picked for kickball. History, language, cultural background, context, church history—let’s crack open the smallest detail and see what’s there. It’s deep dives into a shot glass—one story, just a few verses, even one word—ain’t no treasures like these treasures. Podcast about theology, bible study, scripture study, Christianity, Christian theology, exegesis, Old Testament, New Testament
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Episodes

Mark 10: The Child's Welcome

Jesus always welcomed children, stopping everything to do so. Have you ever tried to "sort of" welcome a child? You can't! If you're going to welcome them, you have to drop everything. The Kingdom of God is the same way.

Aug 04, 202014 minSeason 1Ep. 31

JI Packer was a friend o’ Mine - Titus 1:1-4

A tribute to my professor the late JI Packer, who I had half a conversation with once. Paul greets Titus with his usual salutation but it’s packed (hehe) with treasures.

Jul 22, 202013 minSeason 1Ep. 28

You Lie Like the Truth–Titus 1:10-14

Paul sends Titus instructions for going to the difficult area of Crete. One of their own philosophers called them all liars and brutes. Their local mythology was full of stories of their conniving, double-crossing deities.

Jul 15, 202011 min

John 7-8: What Would Jesus Do(odle)?

The Pericope Adulterae, or as we probably call it “Jesus and the Women Taken in Adultery”, is a bit of a homeless story. Most of the best manuscripts either don’t include it or don’t include it in this part of John. Despite this, many scholars believe it to be historical and it certainly seems like Jesus, leaning down next to the woman and doodling in the sand. That’s where the geocache is.

Jun 30, 202014 minSeason 1Ep. 26

Geocaches that Never Happened

As with any human community, myths and rumors have a way of becoming "fact" in the echo chamber. Through Sunday school lessons and sermon illustrations, there are a few of these stories that have made their way into the Christian conversation. Our faith is rooted in history, and anything that comes between the history and our faith story may not be outright harmful but isn't too helpful.

Jun 24, 202010 minSeason 1Ep. 25

1 Corinthians 9: The Hermeneutic of Love

Get on your oxygen tank and pack your best gear, this one's way at the top! Paul talks at length about meat offered to idols – not a conversation we’re used to having in the modern world, but a very everyday concern in Corinth. Paul writes to them about the hermeneutic of love, the driving principle that should determine your behavior as a community in Christ. A very localized pastoral discussion that still has application for us today. Also, you get to listen to me trip over my own tongue tryin...

Jun 15, 202016 minSeason 1Ep. 24

When the Bow is at Rest: Genesis 9

We've all heard the story that the rainbow was the symbol of God's promise to Noah, but have we looked closer at the actual text? As usual, it's got more dimension and color than we might have thought. God's promise, using some metaphorical imagery that would have made sense to the original readers, that he will always work with us and won't start humanity over again.

Jun 08, 20209 minSeason 1Ep. 24

More Precious than Silver: Talking Faith and Finance (Guest Starring Paul West)

The second in my guest star series! Financial advisor Paul West CFP®, CAP®, sits down to talk with us about stewarding money and serving the financial needs of families all across the financial spectrum. This episode is a tour de force of me talking with someone much smarter than myself about how money works, how philanthropy works and how to frame it all in faith. There's also a brief interlude about the '86 Chicago Bears. Enjoy.

May 10, 202032 minSeason 1Ep. 23

Mark 1: The Voice and the Water

Jesus’ baptism takes a few paragraphs but ties together the story of Israel and all humanity. “It is happening again.”

Apr 29, 202012 minSeason 1Ep. 22

When the Plague Comes to Town: Guest Star Pastor Dan Hintz Talks Church History

My first guest star! My pastor, Dan Hintz, puts his enormous brain to work on a geocache in church history. Pandemics are part of the early growth of the church, in which the believers served the sick and dying in a way that astounded the surrounding society. We discuss the Antoine Plague (250-260 AD) and the Plague of Cyprian (165-175 AD). Our ancestors in the faith showed a love born out of their theology, which offered more hope and greater dimension than the predominate pagan folk beliefs. T...

Apr 15, 202032 minSeason 1Ep. 20

John 20: Saturday in Quarantine

Mary mistakes Jesus for the gardener. God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. Pay attention.

Apr 11, 202010 minSeason 1Ep. 20

Matthew 21: Wash Your Palms Sunday

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey in a torrent of misunderstanding about His identity. But the upset and confusion is just beginning. Big changes on the way.

Apr 05, 202011 minSeason 1Ep. 19

Just a Little Tiny Apocalypse: Mark 13

Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple in AD 70 in the genre of the apocalyptic, a highly symbolic language that's more about feelings than exact events. He is Lord, even when it seems like the world is ending.

Mar 27, 202015 minSeason 1Ep. 18

Caesarea Philipi: What the Hell is with These Gates?

Matthew 16. Jesus takes the disciples to Caesarea Philippi, a temple to the fertility god Pan and a cross between a Red Light district and a frat party gone way wrong. Here at the corner of desperation and dissolution, Jesus asks us, Who do you say that I am?

Mar 10, 202010 minSeason 1Ep. 17

John 5: Napping with Snakes

Jesus heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda – a location that was a hospital, a witch doctor and a dumping ground for people with disabilities. In short, a repository of desperation.

Mar 03, 202011 min

John 2 – Jesus Saves the Party

Jesus turns the water into wine at a wedding. How much wine we talkin'? Why would He do a miracle involving a luxury item?

Jan 29, 202011 minSeason 1Ep. 13

1 Corinthians 12: To Speak the Angel-Tongue

The phenomenon of speaking in tongues – Glossolalia – was well-known in the surrounding cults and other faiths in the ancient world. Paul's discussion of it in Corinthians speaks to a larger pastoral issue.

Jan 24, 202010 minSeason 1Ep. 12

Mark 6: The Weirdest Fourth Watch Since Ever!

"And about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea..." The story of Jesus walking on water is iconic, baffling and a little frightening. What does the language used tell us about who Jesus is? What were beliefs at the time about the sea? Let's geocache!

Jan 15, 202012 minSeason 1Ep. 11

John 3: Born Again from Above

If you grew up like I did, John 3:16 is tattooed on the inside of your eyelids. Did you know that the phrase "born again" has a double meaning? What exactly was going on in this late-night rooftop conversation?

Jan 07, 202012 minSeason 1Ep. 10

Matthew 1: Joseph, Step-Father of God

Joseph, husband of Mary and step-father of Christ, has no recorded dialogue. What do the few lines about him scripture tell us about who he was? His short cameo was vital to the story.

Dec 26, 201911 minSeason 1Ep. 9

Isaiah 11 – Hope in the Dirt

Isaiah 11: "...a shoot will come from Jesse." Throughout the Old Testament, God's people are cut down again and again, but a remnant of hope always remains. The Great Hope grew from an unlikely place when all seemed lost.

Dec 09, 20199 minSeason 1Ep. 7

"Son of Man" – Everyday Stardust

In Matthew 10, and many other places, Jesus refers to himself as the "Son of Man." Where does that term come from?

Dec 03, 201912 minSeason 1Ep. 6

John 4 – Jesus at High Noon

This episode's geocache looks at the well-worn story of the Woman at the Well. Yes, there's cultural tensions and religious differences, but let's dig even deeper to see how Jesus treats this forgotten, thrown-away person.

Nov 07, 201913 minSeason 1Ep. 2

John 21 – The Greatest Epilogue Ever Told

This week's geocache looks at Jesus' reinstatement of Peter in John 21. Peter, do you love me? He asks him three times, but the nuances of language might tell us something different. Let's get digging.

Nov 07, 201912 minSeason 1Ep. 1
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