The Biblical Mind

Dr. Paul Sloan, a New Testament scholar and author of *Jesus and the Law of Moses*, delves into the often-misunderstood relationship between Jesus, Paul, and the Torah. He argues that legalism distorts perceptions of biblical law, presenting it instead as a relational framework. Sloan explores how Jesus engaged in sophisticated legal reasoning and why Paul remained involved in the temple sacrifices post-conversion. He critiques the negative caricature of Pharisees, highlighting its damaging impact on views of Judaism today.

Dr. Dru Johnson, a Christian theologian and biblical ethics scholar, dives into the misunderstood principle of 'eye for an eye' from biblical texts. He explains how lex talionis is not about vengeance but serves as a wisdom-guided restraint on power. The discussion shifts to Jesus' teachings, illustrating how he reinterprets this principle to emphasize mercy over retaliation. This insightful conversation invites listeners to rethink justice and mercy, connecting ancient laws to contemporary issues like social media and cancel culture.

Hannah King, an Anglican priest and author, shares her transformative journey into the significance of the Eucharist in Christian life. She dives into the Lord’s Supper as a crucial act of grace, not just a ritual. The conversation tackles profound themes such as the impact of trauma and healing through communion, and how it can serve the spiritually weary. Hannah engages with questions about the potential for rote practice in regular communion and emphasizes the Table as a center for community and hope amidst life's challenges.

Dr. Fausto Liriano, a Bible translator and Hebrew scholar, dives into the transformative world of oral Bible translation for indigenous communities in Latin America. He challenges Western ideas of literacy, emphasizing the power of memorization and performance in internalizing Scripture. Liriano discusses how indigenous languages capture the poetic essence of biblical texts better than dominant languages. He advocates for a theology rooted in local experiences, confronting the legacy of colonialism while emphasizing wholeness and embodied participation in faith.

Dr. Noreen Herzfeld, a scholar blending computer science and theology, critiques the overhyped potential of AI in this thought-provoking discussion. She highlights the environmental toll of AI, emphasizing its high energy consumption and biases. Herzfeld argues against the belief that digital tools can replace human connection, reinforcing the importance of embodiment and community. She warns that our reliance on AI reflects ancient Gnostic heresies, advocating for critical engagement with technology rather than blind faith in its promises.

Carmen Imes, author of 'Becoming God’s Family,' passionately discusses the essential role of community in Christianity. She tackles pressing issues like church hurt, toxic culture, and how many are leaving church communities behind. Carmen shares insights on when to stay or leave a church, emphasizing the importance of belonging despite discomfort. With references to Hagar's story and the impact of cultural individualism, she makes a compelling case that true faith is about growth in community, not personal comfort.

In this engaging discussion, Karen Swallow Prior, a literary scholar and cultural critic, shares her insights into the intersection of literature and faith. She critiques the tendency of Christians to idealize genre fiction, like Tolkien's works, urging listeners to confront 'thick texts' that deepen biblical understanding. Karen highlights how modern reading habits limit our literary engagement and discusses a more grounded view of vocation, challenging disillusionment in the workplace. Her thoughts on the balance between gritty realism and romantic ideals are both thought-provoking and relevant.

In this engaging discussion, political philosopher Yoram Hazony delves into the biblical concept of nationhood, emphasizing a vision of unity based on shared laws and faith, rather than ethnicity or imperialism. He clarifies the meanings of Hebrew terms like 'am' and 'goy', challenging modern racialized views of identity. Hazony also explains how the teachings of ancient Israel have shaped America's political ideals and critiques outdated notions of purity, advocating for a diverse yet cohesive national identity.

Darren Duke, a retired Marine Corps Special Operations commander with over 30 years of military experience, provides a candid look at the ethics of military service from a Christian perspective. He discusses the moral complexities faced by service members, emphasizing the importance of preparing for both combat and the challenging military culture. Duke reflects on his transformation from Cold War patriotism to post-9/11 disillusionment, and explores how symbols like the Punisher and Valhalla help cope with the trauma of warfare.

In this update episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver pull back the curtain on the work happening at the Center for Hebraic Thought. From filing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and building a stellar advisory board, to launching a redesigned website and reviving in-person workshops, the CHT has been quietly preparing for long-term growth and broader influence. They discuss the newly relaunched Hebraic Thought Community (HTC) on Facebook—already hundreds strong—and the four activities that bring the community together: highlighting member-created resources, sharing weekend reading, gathering weekly for public listening of Scripture, and hosting scholar Q&As. This digital community is sparking cross-disciplinary conversations, surfacing unexpected gems from laypeople, and reimagining how Christians listen to the Bible together. Dru and Mike also explain why listening (not just reading) Scripture in community is a powerful and ancient discipline—and why it’s missing from most churches today. They reflect on the joy of watching Scripture come alive in unexpected ways through these communal practices. They close with a call to support: whether through recurring giving, hosting a workshop, or sharing the word, CHT is building something bigger than any one person—something rooted in Scripture and flourishing in community. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:03 Updates on The Center for Hebraic Thought 03:03 Community Engagement and Workshops 06:03 Hebraic Thought Community Initiatives 09:04 Public Listening of Scripture 11:55 The Importance of Listening to Scripture 15:10 Website Updates and Future Plans 17:53 Funding and Support for the Center 20:58 Workshops and Community Involvement