What does it really mean to stand in solidarity with the marginalized? Pete Enns and Angela Parker are joined by scholar and activist Dr. Larycia Hawkins in this episode of Faith for Normal People to explore the risks and challenges of embodied solidarity, the radical model set by Jesus, and how everyday activism intertwines with a life of faith. Show Notes → https://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episode-52-larycia-hawkins-embodied-solidarity/ Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/jWe8_...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re back for Season 9 of The Bible for Normal People and we’re still asking ourselves, “What is the Bible, and what do we do with it?” In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete Enns and Jared Byas examine how biblical criticism raises questions about traditional understandings of Scripture. They explore the historical evolution of biblical interpretation, from the medieval period to the Enlightenment and then modernism, highlighting the influence of major intellectual and religious ...
Feb 03, 2025•52 min•Ep 290•Transcript available on Metacast Happy holidays! Podcast producer Brittany and audio engineer/editor Stephen have joined forces to bring you a new tradition—our yearly blooper episode! All of these behind-the-scenes clips were collected throughout Season 8 of The Bible for Normal People and Season 2 of Faith for Normal People. From all of us at B4NP, we wish you a joyful, hopeful end to 2024. See you next year! Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 23, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this festive finale of The Bible for Normal People Season 8, Pete and Jared unwrap a big question: does the Old Testament really predict Jesus’s birth? They dive into Matthew’s creative storytelling, explore what prophecy and fulfillment actually mean, and break down some common assumptions about the Christmas story. Show Notes → ********** This episode is brought to you by Pretty Litter. Pretty Litter sounds amazing, and we’re excited to give it a try. If you’d like to try it too, go to pret...
Dec 16, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast How do experiences of pain, identity, and reconciliation shape one’s understanding of God and faith? In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Esau McCaulley to talk about how his faith has been formed in the midst of family trauma, anti-Black racism, and the search for identity in America. Together they ponder forgiveness as a transformative process, the hard parts of cultivating a desire for others' flourishing, and the ways suffering can deepen faith. Show Notes...
Dec 09, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast What if the Song of Songs isn’t just ancient love poetry but a key to unlocking deeper biblical conversations about a better world? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Havilah Dharamraj explores how intertextual readings connect Song of Songs with the prophets, revealing themes of deity-devotee connection, sacred marriage, divine hope, and a return to Eden. Show Notes → ********** This episode is brought to you by Litter Robot! Litter-Robot by Whisker is the solution to all your litt...
Dec 02, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared Byas talks with therapist and author Hillary McBride along with theologian and psychological scientist Preston McDaniel Hill about the psychological impacts of navigating faith transitions. They explore how faith intersects with mental health and discuss the importance of community, self-trust, and relational support during the process. Hillary and Preston work together on the Spiritual First Responders Project (https://www.sfrproject.org). The S...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast How does Judaism approach the topic of disability? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Julia Watts Belser joins Pete and Cynthia to examine how the Hebrew Bible portrays disability and how Jewish tradition engages these texts in both ancient and modern contexts. She explains what a “blemish” means in Leviticus, the rabbinic tradition of sacred interpretation, and how disability wisdom can make a better world for everybody. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...
Nov 18, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete dives into the chaotic sibling soap opera of Jacob and Esau and all its trickery, questionable family dynamics, and divine wrestling matches. Pete explains how and why this ancient family drama was likely written and edited much later to make sense of Israel’s political squabbles. Show Notes → ********** This episode is brought to you by Pretty Litter. Pretty Litter sounds amazing, and we’re excited to give it a try. If you’d like to try it to...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Does the Hebrew Bible matter for Christians? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete is joined by Nerds-in-Residence Anna Sieges-Beal, Aaron Higashi, and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott to answer your questions about the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament) including the role it plays for Christians, the historical basis for events like the exodus, and the structure of biblical texts. They explore the origins of familiar stories, differing interpretations, and what these ancient writings mean fo...
Nov 04, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast What parts of our faith are worth holding onto? In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry joins Pete and Jared to discuss ways to think differently about scripture and the importance of keeping love at the center of your being. This is a reissue of The Bible for Normal People Episode 192 from February 2022. Show Notes → ********** This episode is brought to you by Litter Robot! Litter-Robot by Whisker is the solution to all your litter box problems, with self-cle...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Should Christians use the Bible as a template for a healthy marriage? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Dr. Jennifer Bird joins Jared and Angela Parker to bust the myth of “biblical” marriage. She dives into the ways scripture has been used to enforce traditional gender roles, the cultural assumptions embedded in biblical texts about marriage, sex, and property rights, and how these interpretations have influenced Christian thought. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
Oct 21, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Lee Camp joins Pete and Jared to discuss the relationship between Christianity and politics, challenging the idea that Christianity is apolitical by arguing that Christian faith is inherently political in addressing fundamental human concerns like reconciliation, justice, and community. He also addresses the problematic notion of America as a "Christian nation" and calls for a more thoughtful, less partisan Christian engagement in politics. Show Notes ...
Oct 14, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete dives into the story of Abraham in Genesis. Pete explores Abraham’s importance as a pivotal figure in the Bible, detailing his journey, covenants with God, and major themes found in the stories about him. Through a "flyover" of Abraham's life, Pete highlights connections to other parts of the Bible and explores theological tensions for Christians today. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Elizabeth Orr joins Pete and Jared to discuss the Enneagram and its role in fostering self-compassion and personal growth. Together they highlight how understanding your Enneagram type can lead to greater self-awareness and healthier relationships, and how self-discovery tools like the Enneagram give us a chance to love ourselves—and therefore our neighbors—better. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Greenlight is a debit c...
Sep 30, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared continue their conversation with Jon D. Levenson about the theme of child sacrifice in the Bible, focusing on how the idea evolved from ancient times into later religious traditions. They uncover how the practice became condemned while the meaning persisted through symbolic acts like substitution rituals and how its theology extended into the New Testament. Want to hear the full episode? Become a member of our online community ...
Sep 24, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Jon D. Levenson to discuss the complex and ancient practice of child sacrifice, focusing on biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts. Together they explore the historical, theological, and cultural significance of these sacrifices, particularly in relation to divine favor, gift-giving, and the transformation of such practices in Judaism and Christianity. You can get part two of this conversation by becoming a member o...
Sep 23, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Valarie Kaur, a renowned Sikh activist, lawyer, and author, about the Sikh tradition and her philosophy of Revolutionary Love. Together they explore the history of Sikhism and its roots in love, oneness, and social justice, as well as the importance of music, poetry, and storytelling in awakening wisdom and fostering connection with others. Show Notes → ********** Join Valarie on the Revolutionary Love tour in your city by goin...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Aaron Higashi talk to Madhavi Nevader about the rise and fall of monarchy in ancient Israel and its representation in the Bible. Together they explore how Israel's kingship model of power developed, the tension between divine rule and human kingship, and how the theological shifts shown in the Bible after the fall of the monarchy led to the rise of priests and prophets. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give ...
Sep 09, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete continues his exploration of the Book of Genesis, diving into Genesis 5-11 by examining the complexities of the genealogies and the flood narrative, defining source criticism, and more. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Beam. If you want to try Beam’s Greens, get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/normal and use code NORMAL at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Greg Carey to explore the concept of apocalyptic literature within the Bible and its broader implications. Greg delves into the meaning of apocalyptic, explains the evolution of apocalyptic literature from proto-apocalyptic texts in the Old Testament to its more developed forms in Second Temple literature and the New Testament, and also addresses how apocalyptic themes might resonate with contemporary issues like politi...
Aug 26, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared and J. Aaron Simmons delve into the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard’s radical critique of Christendom, explaining why he thought institutionalized religion had strayed from a more true Christian faith. They also cover Kierkegaard’s belief in faith as a lived experience rather than mere doctrine and the challenge to consider what is truly worthy of our worship and finitude. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Amy-Jill Levine about misconceptions surrounding the Pharisees and how to understand them in their context. The conversation delves into the historical background of the Pharisees, their role in Jewish society, and how they have been stereotyped over time. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bnp and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more a...
Aug 12, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared and Angela Parker talk to Yolanda Pierce about the different paths of deconstruction, how womanist and intersectional theology provides plenty good room, and why true multicultural diversity is more than just different faces in a shared space. Show Notes → ********** Mentioned in This Episode Class: August Class “Banned Books: The Apocrypha Edition” with Dr. Brandon Hawk Books: 1 & 2 Samuel for Normal People by Aaron Higashi In My Grandmother’s H...
Aug 05, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast A tale as old as time…Pete is ruining the book of Genesis! In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete lovingly dissects Genesis 1-4 and the biblical story of “how things began.” Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Lumi. To learn more about microdosing THC, go to Microdose.com and use code NORMALPEOPLE to get free shipping and 30% off your first order. ********** This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Greenlight is a debit card and money app made for families: parents...
Jul 29, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete talks to David Dark about the necessity of doubt in the life of faith and the human experience. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by AG1. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/normalpeople. That’s drinkAG1.com/normalpeople. Check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...
Jul 22, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast What makes biblical studies different from theology, and vice versa? Why does it matter? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared ruminate on the goals, methods, and focus of each distinct field and why it’s important to understand the difference when engaging with the Bible and faith. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bnp and get on your way to being your best self. ********** This episode is sponso...
Jul 15, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared and Jennifer Garcia Bashaw talk with Regina Shands Stoltzfus about the intersection of faith and nonviolence, how theology taught in church moves us to certain beliefs about violence, and how we can begin addressing societal issues through peace-focused actions. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 08, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Who was really responsible for the execution of Jesus—Roman soldiers or Jewish leaders? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, J. Christopher Edwards joins Pete and Jared to explore early Christian narratives that began shifting culpability for the crucifixion from Roman soldiers to Jewish leaders, and highlighting how these misconceptions rooted in the New Testament have contributed to anti-Judaism throughout Christian history. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Green...
Jul 01, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does Nehemiah have to teach us about the challenge of hermeneutics and theology today? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete ruins the book of Nehemiah by illuminating the key concepts, overarching themes, character arcs, and sociopolitical context found in the text; plus gives some takeaways about biblical interpretation for our time and place. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by AG1. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Try AG1 ...
Jun 24, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
