The Origins of the Bible: Alternative History and Defeat

The podcast episode explores the alternative history of how the Bible was written and its origins. The speaker suggests that the real-world context behind the ancient apocalyptic text of Revelation is important to understand and find meaning for our own time. It is highlighted that the Bible emerged as a response to the defeat and trauma inflicted on the Jewish kingdoms, leading to the need to establish a new sense of community and identity. The defeat and downfall of the kingdoms shaped the rewriting and revision of texts, as well as the emergence of collaborative and public reading practices. The episode emphasizes the importance of studying when the texts started to gain traction in communities and how they were shaped by the prevailing power dynamics.