
Disciple Dojo
What’s up with the name “Disciple Dojo”??
Great question! One of my lifelong passions has been studying the martial arts. And the place where you study and train in martial arts is a Dojo.
Christian Discipleship is similar to martial arts training (if you don’t believe me, just ask Paul–he says so himself in his letter to Christians in ancient Corinth [1Cor. 9:26-27]!). We have a Sensei (teacher): Jesus. We have a katana (sword): Scripture.
Thus Disciple Dojo is intended as a virtual Dojo–where students of the Master can be sharpened, challenged, equipped and encouraged as they continue to become more and more like the One they serve…minus the scrapes and bruises!
Latest episodes

Mar 4, 2025 • 22min
Black Belt Bible Tips: Numbers
Black Belt Bible Tips: Numbers by JM Smith

Mar 4, 2025 • 25min
Black Belt Bible Reading Tips: Leviticus
Black Belt Bible Reading Tips: Leviticus by JM Smith

Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 29min
Grappling with Hosea (part 1 of 2)
In this episode Dr. Andrew King and I discuss our mutual love for Jiujitsu, why everyone should train, and his work on the book of Hosea!
Andrew's faculty page: https://www.mbts.edu/about/faculty/dr-andrew-king/
Follow Andrew on Twitter at: @drandrewmking
The "Every Voice" database that Andrew helps run can be found at: https://database.everyvoicekingdomdiversity.org/
Other resources:
* 5 Things Churches can learn from Jiujitsu! - https://youtu.be/wJnjdSaIARY
* A 100% BLIND BJJ black belt enters the Dojo! - https://youtu.be/vbXvQi3YcUg
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 23min
Love in Biblical Theology (w/ Dr. Nijay Gupta)
In this episode Dr. Nijay Gupta returns to the Dojo to talk about something most NT scholars shy away from: LOVE!
Nijay's book is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Affections-Christ-Jesus-Heart-Theology/dp/0802877168/
Nijay's substack: https://nijaykgupta.substack.com/
Nijay's podcast with A.J. Swoboda: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slow-theology-simple-faith-for-chaotic-times/id1556188087
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 37min
What is "Christian Nationalism"? (w/ Caleb Campbell)
In this episode Pastor and author Caleb Campbell steps into the Dojo to discuss the controversial concept of "Christian Nationalism", including myths about it and how it is to be evaluated in light of the actual Christian faith.
Caleb's book Disarming Leviathan is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Disarming-Leviathan-Christian-Nationalist-Neighbor/dp/1514008513/
Caleb can be reached via his website: https://www.disarmingleviathan.com
Follow him on YouTube: Youtube.com/@DisarmingLeviathanUSA
Twitter: @DisarmingL
Other resources mentioned:
* Advice to Pro-Choice Friends - Advice for Pro-Choice Friends - https://youtu.be/lrgAcb54mSw
* SuperheroSeminary: Captain American on Nationalism vs. Patriotism - https://youtu.be/LdMz6EEUREk?si=XtJWP53wZ96xtJfL
* SuperheroSeminary: Aquaman explains Leviathan - https://youtu.be/DLuljp4QuYY?si=5CiAIcqRsWLng8Z9
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 36min
Is it true that "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven"??
Dr. Matt O’Reilly is Lead Pastor of Christ Church Birmingham, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
Matt's book "Free to be Holy" is available at: https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/
You can see more of Matt's work on YouTube at @TheologyProjectOnline and follow him on Twitter at @mporeilly
* Cleansed and Abiding by JM Smith is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Cleansed-Abiding-Proposed-Christian-Perfection/dp/1475128088
-----Some recommended resources on Methodism and Wesley:
* The Works of John Wesley - https://www.ebay.com/itm/186067649944
***Wesley’s writings are also available for free online at: https://godrules.net/library/wesley/wesley.htm
* The Theology of John Wesley by Kenneth Collins - https://www.amazon.com/Theology-John-Wesley-Shape-Grace/dp/0687646332/
* Wesley and the People Called Methodists by Richard Heitzenrater - https://www.amazon.com/Wesley-People-Called-Methodists-Second/dp/142674224X/
* The Next Methodism - https://www.amazon.com/Next-Methodism-Theological-Missional-Foundations/dp/1628249358/
———
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 26min
Why you should read the Targums
In this episode, our friend Isaac Paley returns to share some Aramaic insights from the Targums!
If you are interested in Hebrew or Aramaic reading, or have questions about anything rabbinics-related, you can email Isaac directly:
isaacbpaley @ gmail
Other resources mentioned:
* Sinai Tabernacle and Holiness - https://youtu.be/ID3gDSMO6dY?si=Ynr6OeW7rbiGNw1_
* Understanding Levitical food laws - https://youtu.be/T9pVPAaDA70?si=UfwWfx7Fs-qUof7e
* Sefaria - www.sefaria.org
* Daily Dose of Aramaic - @dailydoseofaramaic
* Biblical Aramaic for Biblical Interpreters - https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Aramaic-Interpreters-Hebrew-Aramaic-THEOLOGICAL/dp/1636630138/
* @accordance - https://www.accordancebible.com/
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 22min
Discussing Purgatory with a Catholic
I am excited to have my favorite Catholic scholar, Dr. Matthew Thomas, back in the Dojo! In this episode we talk about why Josephus is important for Christians to read.
The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is available at: https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-2h/
Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical - https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html
N.T. Wright's response to Pope Benedict's Encyclical - https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/04/05/saved-in-hope-reflections-on-an-encyclical/
Other videos mentioned in this episode:
* John Wesley on the "Catholic Spirit" - https://youtu.be/5nJzH-JrhhE
* A theology of shared meals (part 1) - https://youtu.be/WD5zdp3gZBg
* A theology of shared meals (part 2) - https://youtu.be/PtZI_29nCeY
* Ignatius Catholic Study Bible initial flip-through - https://youtu.be/oEcnpmXcFzc
* Dr. David DeSilva walks us through the Apocrypha - https://youtu.be/xh5n5okLaAI
* Why Christians should read the Aramaic Targums - https://youtu.be/e1GOvDxkBnc
* Rabbi Beth Lieberman on Jewish Bible translations - https://youtu.be/FRi3I-bESGQ
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 10min
Why should we read Josephus??
I am excited to have my favorite Catholic scholar, Dr. Matthew Thomas, back in the Dojo! In this episode we talk about why Josephus is important for Christians to read.
The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is available at: https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-2h/
Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical - https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html
N.T. Wright's response to Pope Benedict's Encyclical - https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/04/05/saved-in-hope-reflections-on-an-encyclical/
Other videos mentioned in this episode:
* John Wesley on the "Catholic Spirit" - https://youtu.be/5nJzH-JrhhE
* A theology of shared meals (part 1) - https://youtu.be/WD5zdp3gZBg
* A theology of shared meals (part 2) - https://youtu.be/PtZI_29nCeY
* Ignatius Catholic Study Bible initial flip-through - https://youtu.be/oEcnpmXcFzc
* Dr. David DeSilva walks us through the Apocrypha - https://youtu.be/xh5n5okLaAI
* Why Christians should read the Aramaic Targums - https://youtu.be/e1GOvDxkBnc
* Rabbi Beth Lieberman on Jewish Bible translations - https://youtu.be/FRi3I-bESGQ
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 29min
Jewish Bible Translations (w/ Rabbi Beth Lieberman)
In this episode we are joined by Literary Editor and Revising Translator of the new RJPS Tanakh, Rabbi Beth Lieberman!
RJPS DISCOUNT FOR DOJO LISTENERS:
Save 40% off with code 6AF23 at https://jps.org/books/the-jps-tanakh-gender-sensitive-edition/
Rabbi Beth Lieberman’s website: https://rabbibethlieberman.com/
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org