The Biblical Mind

In this enlightening discussion, John Dunne, author of *The Mountain Shall Drip Sweet Wine*, reveals the rich cultural and theological significance of wine in ancient Israel. He examines the artistry behind winemaking, emphasizing its connection to divine blessing and abundance. Dunne challenges modern perceptions, highlighting wine's role in biblical miracles, such as Jesus turning water into white wine. The conversation delves into fermentation methods and ancient techniques, offering a fresh perspective on how wine shaped both community rituals and spiritual life.

Yoram Hazony, an Israeli philosopher and author of The Virtue of Nationalism, dives into the complex relationship between nationalism and biblical teachings. He discusses the Old Testament's vision of nations, citing the Table of Nations in Genesis and critiques of empires like Babylon. Hazony argues for the value of independent nations with borders, traditions, and moral guidelines. His insights challenge modern Christian perspectives on nationalism and highlight the Old Testament's relevance in today's political landscape.

Join theologian Josh Cockayne and developmental psychologist Gideon Salter as they delve into the profound nature of communal worship. They discuss how we are neurologically wired for joint attention and why gathering together is not just a ritual but a crucial aspect of understanding God. From the behavior of infants to the significance of liturgical practices, they challenge the idea of individuality in faith, emphasizing that worship is an embodied, social necessity that enriches our connection with each other and the divine.

Douglas McKelvey, author of the bestselling Every Moment Holy liturgical series, shares his spiritual journey from neo-charismatic roots to solidifying a biblically coherent faith. He discusses the transformative power of community, particularly through the Rabbit Room, and highlights the responsibility of crafting impactful prayers. McKelvey also opens up about finding beauty and meaning in rituals, the art of liturgy, and how art can beautifully intertwine with faith, offering listeners a deeper understanding of creativity in spiritual practice.

What if our biggest biblical misunderstandings come from reading the right words in the wrong way? In this episode, Old Testament scholar Dr. Andy Judd joins Dru Johnson to unravel the complex and often misused concept of genre in biblical interpretation. Drawing from his background in English literature and law, Dr. Judd explains how many theological debates, misreadings, and even dangerous interpretations arise not from misused Hebrew dictionaries—but from unspoken assumptions about genre. Why do readers assume Abraham’s behavior is exemplary? Why do sermons treat biblical laws like modern legal codes? Why do people interpret apocalyptic visions as historical predictions? From Genesis to Judges, Paul’s letters to Revelation, Judd shows that failing to ask, “What kind of text is this?” is often where interpretation goes off the rails. Blending humor, literary theory, and deep biblical insight, Judd offers practical ways to become better “travelers” in the ancient biblical world—learning to coordinate with texts the way we coordinate with traffic rules in a new country. Andy Judd's personal website can be found here: https://www.andyjudd.com/ 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 00:54 The Journey into Genre Studies 03:26 Misinterpretations and Conflicts in Biblical Genre 06:26 Understanding Narrative and Ethical Frameworks 10:18 The Role of Genre in Biblical Interpretation 12:39 Defining Genre: Conventions and Contexts 14:37 Cultural Contexts and Genre Navigation 18:35 The Boomerang Test: A Practical Approach to Genre 24:32 Deep Structures and Genre Regulation 28:08 Understanding Genre in Scripture 33:54 The Role of Genre in Biblical Interpretation 39:22 Biblical Law: A Unique Genre 43:56 The Social Function of Biblical Law 49:42 Wisdom and the Interpretation of Law

Is loving your family first a biblical idea—or a betrayal of Jesus’ call to love your neighbor? In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Tolliver—Executive Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought—joins Dru Johnson to explore his developing PhD thesis on Storge (family love), the kinsman-redeemer, and what biblical justice actually looks like. Drawing on Torah, philosophy, and early Christian texts, Mike argues that Storge love is not only natural—it’s essential to a functioning society, and that Israel’s family-based justice system was designed to eliminate categories like “orphan” and “widow.” He explores why Paul uses the metaphor of adoption—and not kinsman-redeemer—for Gentile inclusion, and why the Ten Commandments are saturated with family ethics. From Sophie's Choice-style sermon illustrations to questions about circumcision, baptism, and ethnic election, this episode unpacks the implications of what it means to love your kin without devaluing the stranger. As Mike prepares for PhD work, his big question is: What does rightly ordered family love look like in Scripture—and what happens when it gets misordered? 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 Exploring Academic Pursuits and Career Paths 05:47 The Kinsman Redeemer: A Social Safety Net 14:35 Storge and Kinsman Redeemer in Biblical Context 19:54 Theological Implications of Kinship and Election 27:34 Exploring the Promise of Descendancy 29:03 Navigating the Path to a PhD 30:56 The Challenge of Proposal Writing 31:57 Understanding Storge in Hebraic Thought 39:07 The Role of Storge in the Ten Commandments 41:07 Stranger Love vs. Family Love 43:55 Moral Dilemmas in Love 49:56 The Future of Intergenerational Family Focus

What does it mean to call something “Christian music”? Nick Barré has spent decades in the music industry—from working at EMI with early Switchfoot to managing major names like Casting Crowns, KB, Brandon Heath, and more. In this 200th episode of The Biblical Mind, he joins Dru Johnson to reflect on the Christian music label, the tension between calling and category, and how artists navigate faith and fame. Nick argues that labeling music—or restaurants or plumbers—as “Christian” may do more harm than good. He shares why genre categories are a business necessity but spiritually unhelpful, and why the most important questions artists must answer are about calling, audience, and identity—not chart placement. From spiritual burnout to public affirmation, from the temptations of platform to the dangers of envy, Nick shares pastoral, industry-hardened wisdom on how to guide artists into longevity and spiritual wholeness. He even offers advice for aspiring Christian musicians—and what it really means to “show, not tell” when pursuing a creative calling. Nick Barre's Company "Proper Management" can be found here: https://www.propermanagement.net 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 Defining Christian Music 03:11 The Evolution of Music Genres 06:10 Navigating the Music Industry 08:57 The Dangers of Labeling 12:09 The Role of Artists in Ministry 15:16 The Impact of Fame on Identity 18:24 Identifying Unique Gifts in Artists 25:41 Exploring Diverse Artist Portfolios 28:29 Navigating Hard Conversations in the Music Industry 31:05 Defining Success in the Arts 33:15 The Challenge of Artistic Compromise 37:06 Understanding Market Dynamics in Music 40:22 Fragmentation of the Music Industry 46:39 Advice for Aspiring Christian Artists

Matt Whitman, host of The Ten Minute Bible Hour and a digital evangelist, shares insights on the challenges people face in understanding Scripture. He discusses the fear of being wrong and the pressures of church hurt. Whitman advocates for intellectual humility, curiosity, and empathy in scriptural engagement. The conversation highlights the importance of interpretive grace and the revolutionary shift in understanding divine presence. Ultimately, it’s about embracing uncertainty and fostering a compassionate dialogue in faith.

What happens when science, religion, and education collide? In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pear shares her remarkable journey from growing up in New York’s modern Orthodox Jewish community to researching how evolution is taught and received across Israeli society. A scholar of science education and prehistoric archaeology, Rachel discusses how Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities in Israel grapple differently with the question of human origins. Why do some teachers avoid the topic altogether? Why do secular and religious students draw such hard lines around what’s “acceptable” to believe? And how do family, community, and national identity shape scientific acceptance? Rachel also shares her experience presenting three distinct rabbinic views on evolution in schools, showing students that Jewish thought isn’t monolithic—and that questioning is part of the tradition. She explores the cultural weight of science, the legacy of eugenics, and how educators can create space for real dialogue in science classrooms. Whether you’re an educator, a religious thinker, or just curious about how evolution meets identity, this episode offers a rich, honest look at a complex conversation that’s still evolving. 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 to Rachel's Journey 02:49 Exploring Prehistoric Archaeology and Cultural Contexts 05:48 The Intersection of Evolution and Religion 08:48 Cultural Perspectives on Evolution in Israel 11:57 The Role of Education in Science and Religion 14:57 Diverse Views on Evolution in Arab Schools 17:58 The Complexity of Science and Cultural Identity 20:50 Reflections on Science, Culture, and Religion 27:27 Navigating Values in Education 32:20 The Complexity of Teaching Evolution 35:53 Epistemology and the Scientific Method 40:51 Cultural Perspectives on Evolution 45:32 The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity

Is the relationship between Islam and science as well-developed as it is in Christianity? Not even close—but that’s changing. In this episode, Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Lecturer in Science and Religion at the University of Edinburgh, joins Dru Johnson to share the emerging field of Islam and science, focusing on the hot topic of evolution. Shoaib unpacks the historical development of Islamic engagement with science, tracing it from early encounters with Western scientific frameworks to the present. He explains why the Islamic world lacks infrastructure like textbooks, academic chairs, and journals for the science-religion conversation—and why that’s finally beginning to change. But what about evolution? Shoaib shares why it remains a highly sensitive subject in Muslim-majority countries (including stories of professors losing jobs over it) and how Muslim views differ from Christian ones, especially around original sin, Adam, and human suffering. This is an honest, fascinating look at how Muslims are navigating modern science, why cultural and religious taboos persist, and how Shoaib’s work is shaping new conversations at the intersection of Islamic theology and science. 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 to Shoaib Ahmed Malik's Journey 03:11 Transition from Engineering to Humanities 06:00 Teaching Experience in the UAE 09:14 Pursuing Philosophy, Science, and Religion 12:18 Publishing and Academic Recognition 15:11 Navigating Career Changes and New Opportunities 18:29 Exploring Science and Religion Conversations 26:43 Navigating Conversations with Students 27:29 Understanding Islam: Sunni vs Shia 30:19 The Contemporary Muslim World: Sunni and Shia Dynamics 31:34 The Intellectual History of Islam 35:17 Muslim Perspectives on Science and Religion 39:01 Islamization of Science: A Discourse Emerges 42:48 The Development of Islamic Science Education 44:25 Evolution and Its Reception in the Muslim World 48:11 Unique Questions Muslims Ask About Evolution