History in the Bible
Garry Stevens
A guide to the history presented in the Bible, for people of all faiths and backgrounds, presented by an independent podcaster, and biblical studies buff. I explore the religion of ancient Israel, the beginnings of Christianity, then finally the evolution of the heirs of Abraham to the year 200. I discuss every single book in every Bible (there are more than you think!). Lightly garnished with a dash of drollery, a soupçon of scrutiny, and not one ounce of objectivity. Not one ounce! The main narrative concluded in January 2024. But I continue to publish Afterlife shows.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 7, 2025 • 21min
Afterlife Detour 4: Follow-up on Egyptian Hydraulics
A little while back, Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast and I discussed some recent research into the use of hydraulics at the step pyramid of Pharoah Djoser. Well, lordy lordy, we received an email from a hydraulic engineer who said that the original researchers were barking up the wrong tree. Let's see what he had to say. You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history.
Nov 23, 2025 • 25min
Afterlife 15: The Letter of Jeremiah
I'm back with Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions. In its 29th chapter, the book of Jeremiah contains a letter that the prophet wrote to the exiles in Babylonia. There is another letter of Jeremiah to the exiles, a very short work. In the Orthodox tradition, this is a separate book all to itself. In the Catholic canon, it is a chapter in the book of Baruch. Thanks to Martin Luther, the Protestants don't have it in any form. In this episode, Gil and I investigate the letter. Who wrote it, when, and why.
Nov 16, 2025 • 45min
Afterlife 14: Jeremiah and the Two Traditions
Gil Kadrone, an expert on biblical textual traditions and co-host of Biblical Proportions, dives into the intriguing differences between the Masoretic text and the Septuagint. He discusses the historical significance of these two ancient traditions and their contrasting narratives, especially in the book of Jeremiah. Kadrone sheds light on how the Masoretic text reflects priestly perspectives, while the Septuagint preserves Egyptian Jewish views. The discussion also touches on the origins, influence, and edits that shaped these texts over time.
Aug 31, 2025 • 18min
Afterlife Detour 3: Ancient Egyptian Hydraulics
Another detour episode. In this episode, Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast invited me onto his show to discuss new research into the step pyramid of Pharoah Djoser.
Aug 17, 2025 • 1h 3min
Afterlife Detour 2: Conclave
Another detour episode. This time I am with Gregg Gassmann of many podcasts: Popeular History (that's Popular with an "e"), Pontifacts, and Cardinal Numbers. You won't find a bigger Pope aficionado than Gregg. Gregg and I discuss the papal conclave of May 2025. You can find Gregg's podcasts at https://www.popeularhistory.com/ and https://pontifacts.podbean.com/. Yes, we are rather late in getting this show out, but sometimes life gets in the way.
Aug 3, 2025 • 57min
Afterlife 13: 50 Years of Biblical Archaeology Review
The year 2025 marks fifty years of publication by Biblical Archaeology Review, often known as BAR. This is halfway between a journal and a magazine, rather like National Geographic. It has worked as a bridge between professional archaeologists and historians, and the general public. In this show I am joined by my old mate Steve Guerra of the History of the Papacy podcast. We discuss BAR's history, and present some of its articles.
Jul 20, 2025 • 26min
Afterlife Detour 1: A Roman Mystery
On this first detour show, I am joined by Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast. We investigate the most mysterious objects ever produced in the Roman empire.
Jun 29, 2025 • 26min
Afterlife 12: Shavuot and Pentecost
In the last Afterlife episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions and I explored the relationship between the Jewish festival of Passover, and Christian Easter. This time, we explore two more parallels. This time, we explore the Jewish festival of Shavuot or Weeks, and its significance to the Christian celebration of Pentecost.
Apr 13, 2025 • 30min
Afterlife 11: Passover and Easter
In this Afterlife episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions (https://podcastofbiblicalproportions.com) explains to me the origins and customs of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Then I explain what Easter is about, and how it is intimately connected to Passover.
Feb 16, 2025 • 36min
Afterlife 10: Rabbis, Arise!
In this Afterlife episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions (https://podcastofbiblicalproportions.com), and I try to figure out where the rabbis came from.
