Episode Notes Episode 94 : Matthew 5-7 - Two Kingdoms, One Choice: The Sermon on the Mount in One Episode March 26, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we’ll be talking about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It spans nearly three chapters in Matthew’s gospel… and it will challenge you to rethink many assumptions you may have had about how this life of ours should be lived. This is a quick flyover looking at the structure of the sermon. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Where Luke puts the b...
Mar 26, 2025•34 min
Episode Notes Episode 93 : Matthew 5 - Blessings, Curses, and Moving Mountains: The Architecture of Matthew’s Gospel March 4, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we're diving into Matthew chapter 5 and we’ll notice a fascinating aspect of Matthew gospel. Matthew organizes Jesus’ major addresses into five distinct sermons. The first and the last of which are delivered on mountains. and today, we’ll unpack a link back to the Old Testament story of Moses and Joshua. Resources Referenced a...
Mar 04, 2025•25 min
Episode Notes Episode 92 : Matthew 4 - Not the First Calling of the First Disciples Feb 13, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we finish Matthew chapter 4 by looking at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and what some say is the calling of the first disciples. Did these men immediately leave everything in order to serve Jesus? We will discover… following Jesus might not be that simple, demanding, or immediate. All that and more in Episode 92 - Not the First Calling of the Fir...
Feb 14, 2025•33 min
Episode Notes Episode 91 : Matthew 3-4 - The Baptist Feb 5, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we’ll spend some time talking about Jewish baptism, take a look at a curious statement Jesus makes, and then talk about his testing in the wilderness at the beginning of Matthew 4. All of that and more in Episode 91 - Fulfilling the Theme of Baptism and Testing. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking Scripture Website: https://rethinkingscripture.com/matt...
Feb 05, 2025•28 min
Episode Notes Episode 90 : Matthew 3 - The Baptist March 14, 2024 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we’re in the first 12 verses of Matthew 3. It’s a deep dive into John the Baptist’s ministry and no matter how familiar you think you are with this New Testament character, I guarantee we’re going to discuss several things you’ve never… ever considered. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking Scripture Website: https://rethinkingscripture.com/matthew-stud...
Mar 14, 2024•37 min
Episode Notes Episode 89 : Matthew 1-2 - Let's Talk About the Birth Narrative March 4, 2024 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall The story of Jesus’ birth has become more than familiar to many. But even after hearing it year after year during the holiday season, there are still elements we may be missing. In this episode, we’ll focus in on some of the finer details you may have never considered regarding how this story was written. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking ...
Mar 04, 2024•24 min
Episode Notes Episode 88 : Matthew 1 - A Royal Genogram - Pt. 2 February 12, 2024 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall Mathew begins his gospel with a long list of names… and it’s a list you may be tempted to skip over just to move more quickly to the story of Jesus’ birth… but the birth story really begins with the list of names. It’s a list which includes, among other things, sexual scandal, and the stories of five faithful women. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking...
Feb 12, 2024•39 min
Episode Notes Episode 87 : Matthew 1 - A Royal Genogram - Pt. 1 February 1, 2024 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall I’ve always thought most of scripture was inspired… I mean, let’s be honest, those long lists of names in the genealogies, somebody must have snuck those in after the final edits. If that’s what you’ve always thought, get ready, because today’s episode is going to flip your script. Resources Referenced and/or Read: The Matthew Study at the Rethinking Scripture Website: https://rethinkingscri...
Feb 01, 2024•24 min
Episode Notes Episode 86 : Intro to Matthew - Recognizing the Ol’ Switcharoony January 25, 2024 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In the movie the Princess Bride, there is a battle of the wits between two characters, Vizzini, a “Sicilian man of genius,” and the main character Westley. For those who have seen it, you know it’s a great example of the old Switcharoony, which suggests a surprising change or reversal has taken place. Well... the gospel of Matthew is full of surprising and unexpected reversals...
Jan 25, 2024•30 min
Episode 84 - A New Year... with New Projects Jan 15, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall For those of you listening in real time… you realize I’ve been absent the last four months. And the beauty being on a podcast means that for many of you… this will just simply be Episode 85… the one that follows Episode 84. In this episode I discuss the War in Israel and I discuss my new projects for the new year. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Hall, Gregory D. "Rethinking Rest; Why Our Approach to Sabbath Isn'...
Jan 16, 2024•28 min
Episode 84 - From Exodus to Communion: Exploring the Biblical Roots of the New Covenant Sept 9, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In an attempt to better understand the signs of the new covenant, baptism and communion, we jump into 1 Corinthians 10 and consider the significance of Paul’s instruction about baptism and communion as displayed in the story of the exodus from Egypt. I bet you haven’t had anyone walk you through what happens in this episode. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Hall, Gregory...
Sep 09, 2023•37 min
Episode 83 - Shotgun Weddings, Rings and New Covenant Baptism Aug 23, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall Weddings are a big deal. I’m always amazed at the many details that go into such events. It usually takes months to properly plan and execute a modern wedding ceremony. But one doesn’t actually need that much time. There’s really only a few things needed for two people to get married. In today’s episode, we’ll take a closer look at the Biblical wedding metaphor and ask if, in our modern day rendit...
Aug 24, 2023•47 min
Episode 82 - John H. Walton - Q & R Aug 5, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode I welcome Dr. John H. Walton to the podcast to answer several questions posed by members of "The John H. Walton Discussion Group" on Facebook. Dr. Walton is a scholar and was, until just recently, a professor. He recently retired from his position as professor of Old Testament and coordinator of the Masters of Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton College in Illinois. Before Wheaton He taught at Moody Bible Insti...
Aug 05, 2023•53 min
Episode 81 - Three... It's a Magic Number July 29, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall I grew up listening to School House Rock. I know that dates me a little… but I suspect with the internet and all… there are many in every generation that are familiar with songs like Interjections, I’m Just a Bill, and Conjunction Junction. These songs were formative during my development years. It was during those years that I also learned that the number three… well... there’s something about that number that’s ma...
Jul 29, 2023•41 min
Episode 80 - The Translation/Transliteration Trouble Within Testament Texts July 8, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall Most people are familiar with the process of translation. But, fewer people are familiar with the process of transliteration. Translation is the process of reworking text from one language into another to maintain the original message and communication. Translation answers the question… what does that mean. In contrast… Transliteration changes the words from one language into another...
Jul 09, 2023•40 min
Episode 79 - REST API (After Pentecost Instruction) June 8, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In the world of computers, "REST API" stands for Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface. It is an architectural style and a set of principles for designing networked applications. In web development, REST is widely used to create efficient APIs that enable communication between different software systems. However, when it comes to the concept of rest in the Bible, "REST API" takes...
Jun 25, 2023•30 min
Episode 78 - Jesus as the "Son of Man" and "Lord" of Sabbath June 8, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we dive deep into the intriguing titles claimed by Jesus – "Son of Man" and "Lord" – and attempt to unravel their profound implications regarding sabbath rest. We will unravel the historical and theological significance of these titles, examining how they shed light on Jesus' teachings and interactions with sabbath rest. Join me as we discover the meaning cloaked within these titles...
Jun 08, 2023•42 min
Episode 77 - Jubilee Jesus May 25, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall One may be familiar with the term jubilee. It's a descriptor that is sometimes used in our modern culture in a variety of ways. In this episode we look into the biblical context for the idea of the jubilee. We will define it, look at the Old Testament context, and examine how Jesus interacted with the idea. And... spoiler alert... the whole concept points to Jesus' ministry. That's why I often refer to him as the Jubilee Jesus! Res...
May 25, 2023•43 min
Episode 76 - C.S. Lewis and His Platonic Christianity May 18, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall Throughout the centuries many authors have described a world-view consisting of a dualistic reality. In other words, there’s one reality that we all interact with in the physical realm, experience and know, but there is another reality that is unseen. And that unseen version is one of a higher quality and perfection. Bible readers may feel right at home with that description. But you may be surprised that...
May 18, 2023•53 min
Episode 75 - Ancient Perspectives on the Image of God April 20, 2023 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we explore how ancient the Near Eastern understanding of the image of God might influence how we think of this concept today. The concept of being made in the image of God has played a significant role in shaping our understanding of human nature, dignity, and purpose. But what did this idea mean in the context of the ancient Near East, where it first emerged? Join us on this journey of ...
Apr 20, 2023•41 min
Episode 74 - Easter and the Cultic Calendar April 7, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall It's an Easter special! In this episode we consider the Jewish cultic calendar, which includes the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. These divinely instituted assemblies are closely connected to the Christian celebration of Easter. We also introduce and examine a literary connection (regarding the gain harvest) which is often ignored by our modern English translations. Resources Referenced an...
Apr 07, 2023•37 min
Episode 73 - Ancient Cosmology & Divine Rest April 1, 2022 (no fooling!) - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we take a little trip. We’ll be visiting the world of the Ancient Near East (ANE). Why is this important? Because the Bible was written into that ancient culture. We’ll be looking at how people who lived in the Ancient Near East understood the creation of the cosmos and what they thought of the gods that they believed ruled over their world. It’s quite a journey, and it may cause...
Apr 01, 2023•55 min
Episode 72 - Religious False Dilemmas March 23, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we look discuss religious false dilemma fallacies. Sometimes these dilemmas are propagated by bad actors with malicious intent, but sometimes they are just passed along by people that don't know there are more options from which to choose. We look at how Jesus answered the false dichotomy... and venture into some modern examples of the same. Resources Referenced and/or Read: 2024 Israel Trip Information...
Mar 23, 2023•41 min
Episode 71 - Remember the Great Cessation - Exodus 20:8-11 March 2, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we venture into the sacred ground of the fourth commandment. When God says, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” He’s talking about the original 7th day of creation. That’s what He made holy. It’s because God stopped a certain type of work that day. He stopped the creative activity of the first six days. It was in those days he gave function and order to the universe. And at ...
Mar 02, 2023•43 min
Episode 70 - Remembering Michael Heiser Feb 22, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode, we take a moment to memorialize the passing of the theologian and scholar, Dr. Michael S. Heiser. In 2020, Heiser was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Pancreatic cancer. On Feb 15, 2023 he turned 60, and five days later he transitioned to experience the unseen realm he wrote so much about. He was a Christian author and biblical Old Testament scholar whose area of expertise was the nature of the spi...
Feb 23, 2023•41 min
Episode 69 - Unscrambling Christ's Easy Yoke Feb 16, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we attempt to unscramble Christ's easy yoke. When Jesus offered rest to the weary and heavy-laden, He harnessed a yoke to His offer. Throughout the Bible, yokes are closely associated with the work of slavery and unfortunately, Christ's yoke has been mixed-up and misunderstood by many. So, let's try unscramble this one. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Garrett, J. K. (2016). Yoke . In J. D. Barry,...
Feb 16, 2023•34 min
Episode 68 - What's Left of Sabbath Rest Feb 9, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall Many of the books written on the topic of biblical rest focus largely on the observance of the Old Testament's fourth commandment. But the seventh-day sabbath is just a small sliver of what the Bible has to say on the topic. The author of Hebrews spends nearly two chapters discussing the "rest that remains for the people of God," yet never mentions the seventh-day sabbath anywhere in his argument.This prompts the quest...
Feb 09, 2023•28 min
Episode 67 - Morris Dirks - 1980's Youth Group Culture Jan 26, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall 44eKtcdJnhPFE6ajx0YL Morris Dirks is well known in the Pacific Northwest corner of the United States. He was the head pastor at two large churches (in Oregon and Washington) and is the founding Director of Soul Formation, a non-profit that ministers to leaders in the church. But before all that, Morris was my youth pastor. In this episode we look back on the 1980's Evangelical Youth Group Culture and ide...
Jan 26, 2023•33 min
Episode 66 - Rethinking Rest Launch Day Special Jan 19, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall This is a very special episode of the podcast. In it we celebrate the launch of my first book, Rethinking Rest. I discuss some of the things I learned in the writing the book and in the publishing process. I also read through the book's introduction to introduce you to the flavor and tone of my writing. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Cantrell, Julie. Blog Post, 10 Things to Know Before You Publish Your Book;...
Jan 19, 2023•26 min
Episode 65 - Searching for Soul Rest an Interview w/ Author Curtis Zackery Jan 12, 2022 - Host: Dr. Gregory Hall In this episode we begin a new series where we will discuss and examine what it means when the Bible talks about rest. There have been many attempts to describe rest and today’s guest, author Curtis Zackery, brings a unique perspective to this ancient discussion. Resources Referenced and/or Read: Zackery, Curtis. Soul Rest: Reclaim Your Life; Return to Sabbath . Edited by Abigail Stoc...
Jan 12, 2023•38 min
