The Bible (Unmuted)

What does it mean to be "justified"? This is a question that has been discussed and debated for a long time within the Christian tradition. And it's one that continues to garner much attention even today. This week Dr. Matthew J. Thomas joins the show to chat about his recent article on the doctrine of justification, which was published by the St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology (link below). Dr. Thomas discusses the major historical players, the variety of reformed views, as well as fields listener questions. About Matthew J. Thomas: https://dspt.edu/matthew-thomas Read his article "Justification" here: https://www.saet.ac.uk/Christianity/Justification + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.matthewhalsted.com⁠

Matt is joined by Dr. Paul Thigpen, the author of Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Catholic Faith: Are We Alone in the Universe with God and the Angels?  Matt and Paul discuss some of the biblical and theological issues that might come up if we were to discover extraterrestrial existence. For example, what sort of ontological status would ETs have? Would they be with or without sin? Or a mix of both? And if ETs were sinful, how might God redeem them? As a historical theologian, Dr. Thigpen invites listeners to hear the wisdom of the Christian tradition. He believes the theologians of the past can lend invaluable insights for this topic. And in this vein, he leads us back to some of the church’s greatest thinkers: From Jerome to Augustine to Aquinas to the celebrated Christian apologist of the last century, namely, C.S. Lewis -- each of these giants of the faith can, arguably, help us ponder the ET question. About Paul Thigpen: Paul is the author of 60 books, as well as a graduate from Yale University in religious studies. He also has an MA and PhD in historical theology from Emory University. In addition to having been appointed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to their National Advisory Council, Paul has also served the church in a variety of capacities, including as a university professor, historian, apologist, catechist, and musician.  Purchase Paul's book: https://www.amazon.com/Extraterrestrial-Intelligence-Catholic-Faith-Universe/dp/1505120136 + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠ ⁠www.matthewhalsted.com⁠

In this episode, we visit some interesting (and, indeed, controversial) texts. What does Paul mean when he says wives should "submit" to their husbands (Ephesians 5)? When he writes a letter to Corinth, Paul also says that women are to be "silent" in the church (1 Corinthians 14). How should we interpret that passage? And why does Peter call women weaker vessels (1 Peter 3)? I address these questions and more by taking a look at not just the textual context, but also the Hellenistic/cultural context. To do this, I bring attention to an important ancient text, namely, Aristotle's Politics. This provides relevant background material that will help us to see what life was like for women in ancient Greek culture and how it compares to what the New Testament says about the roles of women in ministry, marriage, and society. + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠ ⁠www.matthewhalsted.com⁠

In Romans 9:14-33, Paul talks about God's right to show mercy in the way he wants, with the same being said about divine hardening. To illustrate this, the apostle brings to the fore the story of Pharaoh, who God hardened. Matt connects this story, and the concept of hardening, back to Romans 1, which arguably sheds some light on how to understand what Paul means by "hardening." Matt also explains the metaphor of God as "the potter," who, according to Paul, fashions some for destruction and others for glory. Does this mean that salvation (and damnation) is not ultimately up to the individual? How does this relate to the question of human free will? Moreover, how does all this talk of "election" relate to the question of God's righteousness and the covenant--not least with respect to the Jews and Gentiles? Listen to find out! + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠ ⁠www.matthewhalsted.com⁠

In this episode, Matt continues to discuss Paul's concept of election. He tackles a range of questions, such as: What do Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have in common with respect to their election? And what does that have to do with the Gentiles? Moreover, what does Paul intend to communicate in Romans 9:13, when he says that God has “loved Jacob, but... hated Esau" (quoting Malachi 1:2)? Is this proof that God elects some to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation? Listen to find out! + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠ ⁠www.matthewhalsted.com⁠

In this episode, Matt revisits Romans 8, specifically drawing attention to verses 29-30. These verses have for years been the subject of much attention, debate, and controversy. Do these verses teach that God has predestined some for eternal life? If so, does this mean that God also predestined some to eternal reprobation? If so, what does this say about the nature and character of God and human free will? To answer these questions, Matt gives a brief overview of the various conceptions of free will, as well as offers thoughts on how God's love factors into the equation. In the end, Matt offers a christological conception of election as an alternative to theories which conceive of election as individualistic in nature. + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted www.matthewhalsted.com

Matt takes listeners through Romans 8, where Paul continues his engagement with the Old Testament's Exodus narrative. In this chapter, Paul appears to be alluding back to God's leading the people of Israel out of Egypt, his dwelling with his people in the tabernacle, his adoption of Israel as his "son," and his judgment upon spiritual beings (the "gods"). Paul connects each of these themes to the Christian's own "exodus" from slavery by outlining the work/leading of the Spirit. The final aim of God's work, says Paul, is to restore all things, thus granting the cosmos the freedom after which it longs and for which it was made. + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted www.matthewhalsted.com

In this episode, Matt talks with Dr. Nijay Gupta, a biblical scholar at Northern Seminary. They chat about his latest book, Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. In his book, Nijay does a fantastic job showing how the Bible depicts women taking up the mantle of ministry, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah. In this conversation, Nijay discusses the Old Testament's depiction of Deborah as a judge of Israel, the New Testament's portrayal of Phoebe as a deacon, Junia as an apostle, as well as the so-called "household codes" within the context of the Greco-Roman world. Purchase Tell Her Story: https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Her-Story-Taught-Ministered About Dr. Gupta: https://www.seminary.edu/faculty/nijay-gupta/ Follow him on Twitter/X: @NijayKGupta + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted www.matthewhalsted.com

In this episode, Matt chats with Dr. Dan Wilt, the author of the new book Receive the Holy Spirit: A 70-day Journey through the Scriptures. Dan shares about why he wrote the book, as well as fields some questions about how (and whether) God speaks to us today, the contemplative life, and how we can use our Spirit-wrought gifts in our various contexts. In this fascinating conversation, Dan offers a plethora of wise thoughts on Scripture, life, and ministry that you'll find immediately encouraging and eternally beneficial. Buy Dan's book, Receive the Holy Spirit: A 70-day Journey through the Scriptures, here: https://seedbed.com/receive About Dan: For the past 30 years, Dr. Dan Wilt has served as an author, educator, worship leader, pastor, songwriter, and conference/seminar leader in the US and abroad. He is the author of the books, Receive the Holy Spirit, Jesus in the Wild, and Roots: Advent and the Family Story of Jesus (Seedbed), as well as being the co-author of two books of prayers inspired by the Psalms, Sheltering Mercy and Endless Grace (Brazos Press). Dan teaches on the topics of the Holy Spirit, worship, spiritual formation, and creativity in university and seminary settings, as well as in churches internationally. He has a longing to see God’s people awaken to the love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, and has invested decades mentoring artistic leaders as they influence from their vocational center in Christ. Dan works with Seedbed, a resourcing network that has the mission to “gather, connect, and resource the people of God to sow for a great awakening.” He lives with his wife Anita outside of Nashville, TN, and they have three grown children. You can connect with Dan's weekly spiritual formation email at DanWilt.com. + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted www.matthewhalsted.com

This episode builds upon the previous one, which outlined the ways in which Paul retells the Exodus story in Romans 6 in light of his christological convictions. It was there where Paul contextualized Christian baptism as an "exodus." In this episode, Matt explores Romans 7, where Paul continues with that same line of thinking. Paul argues that only Christ can rescue people out of their spiritual Egypt. Torah-keeping, he says, can't rescue anyone. In fact, Torah actually intensifies the problem of sin and, hence, one's spiritual enslavement (in the metaphorical Egypt). Does this mean the Torah is flawed? The answer for Paul is a resounding "no." The Torah is holy, just, and good. So how does Paul conceptualize all this -- namely, the relationship between Torah, Christology, and human sinfulness? Listen to find out! + + + Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with others! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted www.matthewhalsted.com