Dan Kimball, pastor and author, dives into the complexities of interpreting difficult biblical passages. He highlights the often-misunderstood topics of violence, slavery, and the role of women in scripture. Using humor and personal anecdotes, he emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding these challenging texts. Kimball also explores the bizarre interpretations, like 'unicorns,' that stem from misreading scripture. Ultimately, he encourages a unified view of the Bible, pointing towards its core message of faith and equality.
56:26
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Conversion Story
Dan Kimball's journey to faith began in college after encountering a pamphlet about Jesus.
His friends' concerns about Christianity becoming a cult fueled his deep dive into apologetics.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Cult Concerns
A young woman, moved by Jesus but scared by stories like the talking snake, confided in Kimball.
She worried about joining a cult, highlighting a common fear about Christianity.
insights INSIGHT
Bible's Importance
Christians should desperately want to read their Bibles to ground their beliefs, not just church culture.
Scriptures are the origin of faith, but ironically, some are leaving faith due to their interpretation of scripture.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In *How (Not) to Read the Bible*, Dan Kimball tackles big questions about the Bible, such as its stance on women, science, violence, and slavery. He provides explanations for puzzling passages, helping readers to understand them in their historical and cultural context. The book is designed for both Christians and skeptics, offering a step-by-step approach to interpreting challenging biblical texts.
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis
In 'Mere Christianity', C.S. Lewis argues for the existence of God and defends Christian theology. The book is divided into four parts: the first argues for the existence of God based on the 'law of human nature'; the second defends Christian theology, including the 'Liar, lunatic, or Lord' trilemma regarding Jesus Christ; the third explores Christian ethics, including the cardinal and theological virtues; and the fourth discusses the Christian conception of God, particularly the Holy Trinity. Lewis also addresses topics such as free will, morality, sexual ethics, and the institution of marriage. The book is known for its clear and logical presentation of Christian apologetics and has been praised for its straightforward and humorous writing style[1][2][4].
A history of God
the 4000-year quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Karen Armstrong
In 'A History of God', Karen Armstrong provides a detailed and engaging narrative tracing the development of monotheistic traditions from their ancient roots to modern times. The book explores how these religions have shaped and been shaped by their historical contexts, highlighting commonalities and differences among them. Armstrong's work is praised for its clarity and depth, making complex religious history accessible to a broad audience.
What do we do with the passages in the Bible that are really difficult? Violence, slavery, the treatment of women—what the Bible has to say about these topics has, at times, been misinterpreted and misused. Join Tim, Jon, Carissa, and special guest Dan Kimball as they discuss his book, How (Not) to Read the Bible, and explore how any topic in the Bible looks different when we see it as part of a unified story.
How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-Women, Anti-Science, Pro-Violence, Pro-Slavery, and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture, Dan Kimball
BibleProject 
