The Bible in Context
Our goal is to explore the narratives of the Bible in light of their cultural and literary context. As we study the Bible, we want to get inside the mind of the author(s) to understand the intended meaning of scripture and how scripture informs our hope in Jesus.
Latest episodes
Nov 14, 2024 • 31min
Ep 61: Wrestling with Esau, Wrestling with God Gen 32-33 Part 1
As Jacob re-enters Canaan, he faces a potential conflict with Esau and a wrestling match with God. These two conflict and their resolutions are tied closely together.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
Nov 7, 2024 • 36min
Ep 60: Jacob’s Disappointing Flight From Laban Gen 31
Gen 31 has a lot to discuss. It is the fulfillment of Jacob’s Exodus from Laban, but our characters fail at every turn.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
7 snips
Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 5min
Ep 59: Is There a Rapture? With Matthew Halsted
In this insightful discussion, Matthew Halsted, an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and author of "The End of the World as You Know It," dives into the complexities of the rapture. He challenges traditional interpretations and explores how historical context reshapes our understanding of key biblical texts. Halsted emphasizes the importance of language and context to avoid misinterpretations, arguing for a more hopeful engagement with faith. He also critiques popular misconceptions shaped by recent global events, advocating for a transformative view of scripture in the modern world.
Oct 24, 2024 • 25min
Ep 58: Fruitful in Paddan-Aram Gen 29-30
Several new characters are introduced as Jacob goes into exile. Each of these characters plays an important role as Yahweh makes the conniving Jacob fruitful in a place of exile.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
Oct 17, 2024 • 15min
Ep 57: Jacob's Anti-Babel Blessing Gen 28:10-22
Jacob comes to a stairway with its top in the heavens. Here at this Babel-set-right scene, Jacob recieves a familiar blessing from Yahweh.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
Oct 10, 2024 • 54min
Ep 56: A Conversation with Jeffrey Niehaus - Ancient Near Eastern Themes in Biblical Theology
Caleb and Nate have a conversation with Jeffrey Niehaus about ancient Near Eastern cultural elements that show up in the Bible. This conversation is related to the series on Genesis but is relevant for the whole of scripture. This conversation stems from Dr. Niehaus' book Ancient Near Eastern Themes in Biblical Theology (paid link).Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
Oct 3, 2024 • 33min
Ep 55: Jacob's Elect Blessing and Exile Gen 27:1-28:9
The serpent-like character Jacob follows his mother's plot to steal his brother's blessing. This blessing echoes past blessings given to elect ones but his deception becomes the reason for his exile.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
Sep 26, 2024 • 29min
Ep 54: Rebekah's Exodus from Righteous Abimelech Gen 26
Following in the footsteps of his father, Isaac sells out his wife to Abimelech, she is given exodus, and he has a dispute over wells with the Philistines. This story will solidify much of what we have learned in Abraham's story.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
Sep 19, 2024 • 19min
Ep 53: Jacob Takes the Birthright Gen 25:19-34
The author of Genesis uses a bit of misdirection in the beginning of the Jacob and Esau story. God's promises come through two equally unexpected characters.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
Sep 12, 2024 • 25min
Ep 52: Abraham’s Other Sons Gen 25:1-18
Genesis 25 begins with genealogies of Abraham's descendants from another concubine and Ishmael's descendants. But, as usual, genealogies are not just boring historical lists. Within are significant details conveying Abraham's hope in Yahweh and the author's beliefs about the nations.Email us your questions and comments! thebibleincontextpodcast@gmail.comThe Bible in Context Podcast — Mercy Hill Church (mercyhillshep.org)Passages read from the ESV by Crossway 2001Music: Royal by Slenderbeats
