The Scriptures Are Real

Reyna Aburto, a Latter-day Saint educator and former Relief Society leader, explores Christ’s healing, liberty, and promise to transform mourning into joy. Robert Millet, an emeritus BYU scripture professor, examines Isaiah’s imagery of the winepress, Christ’s Atonement, redemption of the dead, and future judgment. Together, they uncover Jubilee, restoration, deliverance, and the Savior’s role as Messiah.

Paul Hoskisson, a Hebrew and biblical scholar; Daniel Belnap, an expert in Northwest Semitic languages; Jared Grover, a Toronto-area rabbi; and John Howell, a scripture educator, explore Isaiah 52–54. They trace Exodus and wilderness imagery, examine the Messiah as both triumphant king and suffering servant, and compare Jewish and Christian readings of Israel’s suffering. They also discuss covenant gathering, expanding Zion, and God’s enduring love.

Heidi Smith, a BYU scripture educator, and Kent Jackson, a biblical studies scholar, explore Isaiah 40–49. They examine the book’s unity, its message of comfort, and Isaiah’s vivid critique of idolatry. The discussion follows the Lord’s servant as Israel, prophets, and Jesus Christ, then connects Isaiah 49 to the Book of Mormon, scattered Israel, covenant gathering, and freedom from Babylon and the natural man.

Travis Mühlstein, author of The Isaiah Chronicles, brings Isaiah’s world to life. Biblical scholars Shon Hopkin and Paul Hoskisson explore the prophet’s layered poetry, Babylon’s fall and Lucifer’s shadow, and Jerusalem’s crisis. They unpack Eliakim, the “nail in a sure place,” Christ’s priestly authority, His sword against chaos, and the victory that wipes away every tear.

Sean Hopkin, a BYU biblical scholar; John Howell, a physicist and Hebrew student; and Kent Jackson, an Old Testament scholar, guide a lively tour through Isaiah 1–12. They explore Hebrew poetry, metaphor, parallelism, historical context, Isaiah’s throne vision, hard hearts, and the layered meanings of Isaiah 11, linking Christ, the Restoration, and prophecy.

Andrew Skinner, an emeritus BYU scripture professor, and Josh Matson, a BYU scholar of prophetic literature, explore what “prophet” meant in ancient Israel and what it means today. They discuss prophetesses, seers, prophetic disciples, revelation versus prediction, and the challenge of communicating divine truth. The conversation also considers how to recognize inspired messages and seek personal revelation.

Rabbi Joe Charnes, Jewish educator; Michael Biggerstaff, Hebrew Bible professor; and Josh Matson, scholar of wisdom literature, explore Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. They discuss practical wisdom, reverence for God, situational guidance, learning through mistakes, gentle speech, and the tension between fleeting worldly success and lasting meaning. A rich conversation blending Jewish interpretation, biblical scholarship, and spiritual reflection.

Rabbi Jared Grover, an interfaith educator who explains the Egyptian Hallel; Paul Hoskisson, an Old Testament scholar who examines Psalm 110; Jenny Oaks Baker, a celebrated violinist who blends music and faith. They discuss music and worship shaping trust, Psalm 110’s messianic language and names of God, Psalm 127 on God building our lives, and the Hallel psalms’ liturgical and Hebrew insights.

Nathan Pacheco, a classical-crossover tenor known for stirring performances, and Rabbi Joe Charnes, a Hebrew teacher offering linguistic and devotional insights. They talk about music as worship and consecration. They discuss casting burdens on the Lord, David’s plea for a new heart, and Hebrew angles on trust and silent refuge in the Psalms.

We are very, very excited about the upcoming Isaiah workshop for only $39 (via Zoom) or $75 (for in person). We believe it will make a real difference in your ability to understand Isaiah. We will do hands on work together, focusing on helping you develop the skills to really get more out of Isaiah, both as we study it this year, and throughout your life. We will be holding the workshop right as we hit Isiah in the Come Follow Me reading assignments. Here is the key information you need to know: It will be via Zoom only on Thursday night, September 10th. That evening we will introduce a few things, and give you some homework to do in order to prepare you to get more out of the rest of the workshop. Then we will meet both in person and via Zoom on Friday, evening, Sept. 11th. Then we will meet on Saturday the 12thin the morning.We will meet on the edge of the Provo/Orem border.All proceeds go towards supporting The Scriptures Are Real podcast. I make absolutely no money off of this at all.The cost of the in-person meeting is $75, and of Zoom is $39. The cost for two people to use the same Zoom is $49.You can register by sending us your name, email address, and payment.Payment can be made toVenmo @julianne-muhlesteinZelle using the email address [email protected] us at that same email address if you would prefer to pay in other ways.Join us for fantastic content on our Patreon website. This week on Patreon we will delve more into depth on how to get more out of the Psalms and worship with them, and more into depth on some specific psalms.Join us for an incredible cruise with amazing spiritual momentum where you hear from Elaine Dalton, myself, Jasen Wade, Kirby Heyborne, Jenny Oaks Baker, Nathan Pacheco, and more. During July you can get $250 off for the second person, and $50 of for each person with the discount code KERRY. Click here and join right away!In this episode Kerry and Ryan Davis teach you about what the Psalms are and how to get more out of them. They explain some of the poetic background, and also ways to think about them and study them to gain better understanding and be touched more deeply. They talk about how they are about our relationship with God, and about temples, and explore other genres with in Psalms. Then Kerry and Kim Matheson dive into Psalm 1 together, looking at what it teaches about praise, worship, and cries for help. Then Kerry and Paul Hoskisson explore Psalm 22 and what it teaches about Jesus Christ, and how it connects with His time on the cross. They look at how it helps us understand Christ's suffering on the cross, and what that means for us. Then Kerry and Jenny Oaks Baker discuss Psalm 27 and how we can trust in God. She shares stories from her life about how she has turned to the Lord and been her salvation. She talks about how God has our back when we follow Him. Then Kerry and Rosalynde Welch go through Psalm 42. They use the beautiful imagery in the psalm to help us deepen our relationship with God. They explore how the Psalms will capture the feelings and needs you experience and help you understand them, express them, and turn them to God.We are grateful for our executive producers, P. Franzen, J. Parke, D. Watson, B. Van Blerkom, the Dawsons, M. Cannon, M. Rosema, B. Fisher, J. Beardall, D. Anderson, M. Zitar, J. Edwards, A. Dixon, T. Cottrell, and H. Umphlett, and for all our generous and loyal donors.