Rebuilding Biblical Imagination: A Fresh Way to Read Scripture - w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis (Understanding the Bible Series)

How the Bible’s diversity of genres, cultural contexts, and ancient languages shape our spiritual understanding—and how to rediscover scripture as a life-giving, imaginative world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off a brand new series on the Bible with special guest Dr. Tim Gombis, diving deep into how the Bible can move from confusing and discouraging to enlightening and liberating. This episode is the beginning of a multi-part exploration aiming to help listeners reapproach the Bible with fresh eyes and renewed confidence.

Key Takeaways: • Breaking Free from “The Bible Says It, That Settles It” – Why simplistic readings fall short and how to embrace a more meaningful engagement with scripture. • Understanding the Bible as a Library, Not a Manual – Dr. Gombis outlines the major literary genres of the Bible and why each must be approached differently. • Replacing Certainty with Curiosity – How making the Bible “strange” again opens the door to deeper faith, richer theology, and a more beautiful gospel. • Reading the Bible Patiently – Why cultivating imagination through repeated exposure to individual books (especially the Gospels) is more transformative than seeking daily life application. • Torah as a Gift, Not a Burden – Rethinking Old Testament law from punitive legalism to joyful instruction on life in a liberated community. • Wrestling with Difficult Passages – Genocide, patriarchy, and troubling texts point us toward an interpretive humility and trust in the God revealed in Jesus.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Tim Gombis – Biblical scholar, teacher, and host of the “Faith Improvised” podcast. Gombis brings both academic clarity and pastoral wisdom to topics like biblical interpretation, genre sensitivity, and reading scripture in its original historical context.

Resources Mentioned: • “The Lost Letters of Pergamum” by Bruce Longenecker • “The Making of Biblical Womanhood” by Beth Allison Barr • Faith Improvised Podcast – Listen here • Recommended Bible Translations: NIV (New International Version) and NASB (New American Standard Bible) • Timothy Gombis’s Romans series on his podcast • CEB (Common English Bible) translation • “How Can the Bible Be Authoritative?” – Essay by N.T. Wright (recommended reference)

Start immersing yourself in the biblical world, not just its words. Give your imagination time to be reshaped by the stories, poetry, and prophetic voices that build up the Kingdom vision Jesus embodies. Want to build a practice around this? Gombis suggests reading one Gospel repeatedly over several weeks for formational impact.

Join the journey as we begin rediscovering the Bible as a wild, strange, but ultimately beautiful narrative revealing the love and justice of God. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us for the next stages in this conversation.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy



As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy