How the Old Testament offers more than just laws, wars, and weird stories—Tim Mackie joins Mike Erre to unpack how the Bible’s first testament reveals a sophisticated narrative of divine patience, justice, and rescue, and how it all points directly to Jesus. Whether you’re deconstructing your faith, questioning biblical violence, or struggling to reconcile the God of the Old Testament with the teachings of Christ, this conversation is a deep dive into understanding the Hebrew Scriptures on their own terms.
Mike and Tim explore the concept of divine accommodation—how God works within broken systems and with broken people—as a lens for reading difficult texts like the flood, the conquest of Canaan, and ancient warrior kings. They tackle some of the toughest questions from modern readers: Is the Bible compatible with science and history? Is the Old Testament even relevant under the new covenant? And why the way we read the Bible matters more than ever.
Key Takeaways: • Divine Accommodation as a Lens – Understanding how God chooses to work within sub-optimal human frameworks, like monarchies and violence, to bring about redemption. • Reading the Bible on Its Own Terms – Why assuming a modern, Western lens of historical accuracy misses what biblical authors were really doing—especially in narrative texts like the flood. • Old Testament as a New Covenant Document – How the Hebrew Bible itself anticipates the failure of the Mosaic covenant and prophesies the needs for spiritual renewal and a transformed heart. • Jesus and the Hebrew Scriptures – Why we can’t fully understand the mission and message of Jesus apart from the Old Testament storyline he lived and fulfilled. • Practical Advice for Deconstructing with Integrity – How letting go of certain assumptions and diving into biblical context can deepen both faith and intellectual honesty.
Guest Highlights: Tim Mackie – Co-founder of The Bible Project and former seminary professor, Tim brings a powerful combination of theological depth and pastoral heart. This episode showcases his gift for making ancient texts accessible and his clear-eyed view of how modern readers should engage with the Bible.
Resources Mentioned: • The Bible Project – bibleproject.com • Tim’s “My Strange Bible” Podcast – Archive of sermons and teachings by Tim Mackie • Genesis 1-9 – Discussion on the flood narrative and literary intent • Numbers 11, Deuteronomy 30, Ezekiel 36 – God’s desire for inner transformation through the Spirit • 1 Corinthians 15 – The resurrection as the historical anchor of Christian faith • Gilgamesh and Ancient Flood Stories – Comparison literature and mythic context
If you've ever wrestled with the tone, content, or teachings of the Old Testament, this one's for you. Join Mike and Tim as they model curiosity, reverence, and humility for these ancient texts.
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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
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