The Biblical Mind

This episode was originally published on October 16, 2020. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. Many readers of Scripture are jarred when God and Israel commit violence in the Old Testament. From the conquest of Canaan, to the lives of the biblical patriarchs, to the great flood in Genesis, we cannot avoid the fact that God and His people fight and kill. This can lead to a crisis of faith—how can God be good if He is violent? Dr. Matt Lynch, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Regent College, wants to reframe our questions; rather than merely worrying about God's use of violence, we could instead ask how the biblical authors are critiquing our use of violence. In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Dr. Lynch about how the Bible portrays violence. They discuss Scripture's persistent connection between violence and tumult, and the difference between justified forceful harm and unjust violence. They also address the ethical connection between human beings and the rest of creation, and how violence in the Old Testament and New Testament separates humanity from God and the earth. Show notes: 0:00 The problem of violence in the Old Testament and New Testament 2:25 Introducing Dr. Matthew Lynch and his work 7:12 Violence in Scripture versus violence in the modern world 11:50 War with the Canaanites in the book of Joshua 14:28 Ethics, ecology, and the environment 22:47 The New Covenant and our relationship to creation 24:24 The overarching perspective on violence in Scripture 29:15 Listening to the biblical texts for their questions Dr. Lynch's new book: Portraying Violence in the Hebrew Bible: A Literary and Cultural Study Show notes by Micah Long. Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

If God teaches us through rituals, then we have a responsibility to examine these rituals. By studying them, asking questions, and engaging with them, we can better understand God’s holiness. The Book of Leviticus is concerned with so many aspects of life (what we eat, what we wear, etc.), and it offers us a holistic way to interact with the world and truly be set apart.  Rev. Dr. Mark Scarlata joins Dru Johnson this week to discuss his book, A Journey through the World of Leviticus: Holiness, Sacrifice, and the Rock Badger and how engaging with Leviticus and its laws can help us better understand God and the rest of Scripture. Show notes: 0:26 Laying of hands and Leviticus 3:57 Tearing down walls of holiness (Leviticus 19) 11:04 Reaction to rules 18:30 Sacrificial animals and objects 24:15 Jesus’ concern with Leviticus 27:12 What do the Brits think about American Christians Q&A: Email us your questions about the intellectual world of the Bible at cht_administrator@tkc.edu, and we'll answer them in an upcoming Q&A episode. Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

We at the CHT and TBM are curious about your thoughts and questions regarding the intellectual world of the Bible! We’re now inviting listeners to send us questions, and we’ll start answering them in upcoming Q&A episodes. You can email us your questions at cht_administrator@tkc.edu.  Have you ever wanted to jump into a conversation between Dru and one of our guests? Do you want to probe more deeply into a topic of a previous episode? Or do you perhaps have a question on a topic we’ve never discussed, but that you think we could answer? We look forward to hearing from you!

This week, Jeff Jacoby, op-ed columnist for The Boston Globe since February 1994, joined Dru to discuss his essay in Sapir, "Jewish Study for Non-Jewish Clergy." He proposes a project of study with deep historical roots that would benefit clergy and anyone who takes religion seriously, not just as an abstract intellectual exercise. He writes, "Imagine that it were possible for non-Jewish clergy — Catholic, Muslim, Baha’i, Mormon, Baptist, Hindu — to have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the world of Torah study from the inside, even if for only a limited time." 0:30 Essay in Sapir 3:53 The Jethro Project 13:58 The Jewish style of questioning on the spot 28:51 Why would this program be valuable? 33:00 Experiencing Sabbath in Israel Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Certain modern stereotypes and gender roles influence how women and men in the church understand their humanity and sexuality. When people fall short of these expectations, they can feel inadequate. An idea that has pervaded church history is that men and women are polar opposites. Famous theologians have called women inferior. Regarding gender, what is actually "biblical," and what is merely cultural—and sometimes very harmful? This week, Aimee Byrd critiques the stereotypes in light of her new book The Sexual Reformation, with an eye to restoring the dignity of personhood. She focuses mainly on the Song of Solomon to explore what the roles of men and women, married and single, truly are based on God’s spousal love for His people. Show notes: 0:26 Am I feminine enough? Am I masculine enough? 4:57 The ideal human 7:45 Masculinity and aggression 11:26 Marriage as a picture of God’s love 13:20 The Aristotelian person 16:31 The effect on women 19:23 The last man standing is a woman 23:09 Women in Scripture 31:45 Embodied spirituality 34:40 You are valuable 38:00 What Aimee would say to those who disagree Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

This episode was originally published on January 1, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. Why do many Christians elevate the practice of "quiet time": isolated, often hurried and brief daily Bible-reading? Jen Wilkin—author, speaker, and leader of many Bible studies—challenges this practice. She believes that, rather than instilling deep Bible literacy, the typical "quiet time" encourages shallow reading and pursuit of instant gratification in the form of cheap satisfaction or vague encouragement at the expense of comprehension. Reading any book this way would not yield a thorough grasp of its themes, narrative, characters, and worldview, Jen says, so why read the Bible this way? While affirming its inerrancy, Jen cautions against treating Scripture like a magic 8-ball. The practice of quiet time is indeed formative, but not necessarily for the better. She proposes an alternative method of Bible study involving, among other things, extended (if not daily) reading and regular input from other careful Scripture-readers. Show notes: 0:25 The problem with "quiet time" 8:06 English literature and magic 8-balls 18:56 Setting low expectations for Bible literacy in the church 23:17 The effectiveness of raising the bar 31:21 Why Jen Wilkin focuses on an audience of women Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.

To find your place in the story of Scripture, you have to understand the story and then how the story continues into our world today. Many Christians haven't learned a method for reaching sound theological conclusions, and end up being more defensive than constructive. Some Christians are also content to lack Bible knowledge as long as the pastor or another leader has it, instead of becoming knowledgeable themselves within a community.  Caroline Smiley and Kyle Worley explain how they have partnered to help people learn theological methods and frameworks to study the Bible in a way that is sustainable and replicable.  Show notes: 0:27 Beyond Bible study: the contours of Scripture 3:00 What led to their method 5:06 From consumers to contributors 6:37 Help for poorly formed theology 13:49 Challenges of leadership 17:20 We disembody knowledge with one knower 24:30 An alternative to seminary 27:15 Theological education 30:16 Practicing knowledge in the church 31:40 Next steps; partnership and sustainability Book mentioned:  By the Renewing of Your Minds, by Ellen T. Charry Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

Rituals aren't mechanistic activities that may or may not produce a direct, isolated result. Rather, rituals shape a person over time. What distinguishes mundane rituals such as brushing your teeth or drinking coffee from sacred rituals such as baptism? In Scripture, sacred rituals are formative for particular purposes, separating God’s people from the rest of the world, while simultaneously providing people with a community. Dr. Ben Noonan joins us to discuss rituals and practices: which ones from the Bible are meant for today, how they change us, and how the rituals we don’t necessarily practice today draw on principles that still can apply to our lives. Show notes: 0:26 Significance of rituals to faith 2:16 One-time thing? 3:38 The formative aspect of rituals 8:05 Individual and corporate identity 10:21 Is Sabbath a ritual? 14:15 Rituals and sacraments 18:54 “We don’t do those rituals anymore!” 23:32 Can we start with Jesus? 25:16 Talking to those worried about rituals Show Notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

For many people, the stress of the pandemic has amplified what would otherwise be small tensions and concerns. This tensions can eventually cause or manifest as creeping religious doubt, which may be interpreted, rightly or wrongly, as a sign of a larger underlying spiritual problem. Dr. Matthew A. LaPine, pastor of Theological Development at Cornerstone Church of Ames and author of The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology, joins us this week to discuss how he guides others through their doubts (especially college students), and reminds us that in the midst of brokenness, there is still tremendous joy that flows from fellowship with God and others.  Show notes: 0:27 The true sources of religious doubt 3:55 Faith and the college years 8:50 Emotions, rationality, and spirituality 10:17 How God addresses our doubts 15:20 Difference between determination and control 17:50 Is apologetics effective? 25:05 Befriending good scientists Show Notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.

The Jewish and Christian faiths exist because of the events that happened in a particular place and time. To understand biblical texts—including issues of justice and loving strangers and enemies—we should learn something about the places where the events they describe occurred. Danielle Parish, pastor of Spark Church in Palo Alto, CA, who leads study tours in Israel, discusses the importance of the biblical land and how enjoying creation as "guardians of the Garden" can deepen our knowledge of Scripture. Show Notes: 0:25 Perspectives of God 5:14 Consider the birds of the air 6:23 The Importance of the land 10:25 Climate and connection to the land 14:07 Love your enemies 21:44 Reconciliation 22:59 God of rescue and resurrection 24:19 Recommendation for the average church Show notes by Dominique LaCroix Credits for the music used in TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.