Grace is such a familiar word that we often miss the depth of its meaning. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa look at how the Hebrew Bible uses the word grace to communicate one of the core attributes of God.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00–13:22)Part two (13:22–26:45)Part three (26:45–38:45)Part four (38:45–53:20)Part five (53:20–62:50)Part six (62:50–end)Additional ResourcesJohn M.G. Barclay, Paul and the GiftJohn M.G. Barclay, Paul and the Power of GraceShow Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by Tents“Friends Circle” by Sitting DucksShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

God describes himself as “compassionate,” but what does that mean? The answer might surprise you. The Hebrew word for compassion is closely related to the word for womb, and in this episode Tim, Jon, and Carissa discuss the Bible’s depiction of God’s compassion.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00–8:00)Part two (8:00–15:00)Part three (15:00–21:30)Part four (21:30–31:30)Part five (31:30–46:15)Part six (46:15–end)Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by Tents“My Room Becomes the Sea” by Sleepy FIsh“Ambedo” by Too North“Bloom” by Kyle McEvoy and Stan Forebee“Alive” by OuskaShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The golden calf story from the book of Exodus shows us how all of humanity continually tries to worship God on our own terms. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa examine the narrative context of Exodus 34:6-7 and discover how this description of God’s character is tied to the story of the golden calf.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00–8:40)Part two (8:40–35:00)Part three (35:00–47:50)Part four (47:50–55:20)Part five (55:20–end)Show Music Defender Instrumental by TentsReflection by SwørnCello From Portland by Beautiful EulogyFeather by WaywellWanderlust by CrastelShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Who does God say he is? In this first episode of a new series, Tim, Jon, and Carissa look at the most referenced passages in the Old Testament—a description of God’s character by God himself.View full show notes from this episode →Explore detailed video notes from BibleProject videos on our website: https://tbp.xyz/podvideonotes. Timestamps Part one (0:00–17:15)Part two (17:15–25:20)Part three (25:20–40:50)Part four (40:50–end)Show Music Defender Instrumental by TentsMid Summer by Broke in SummerYou Can Save Me by Beautiful EulogyWish You Were Here by Beautiful EulogyShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

This week, we finish our How to Read the Bible podcast series with one final Q+R episode where we answer questions like, “How do we know Paul’s letters are authentic?” and “Are morning devotionals still okay?” Tune in to hear your questions answered!View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Is there still a role for devotional reading? (02:12)Did the New Testament authors take the Old Testament out of context? (07:20)How much of the Hebrew Scriptures did Paul expect the Gentiles to know? (15:30)How much context do we need to really understand the letters? (21:37)How was Paul able to write letters while in prison? (30:38)Could the use of scribes explain differences in Paul’s style? (35:38)How do we apply Paul’s words in Romans to our context today? (42:42)Additional Resources G. Beale, The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts?: Essays on the Use of the Old Testament in the NewJerome Murphy-O'Connor, O.P., Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His SkillsRandolph Richards, Paul and First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and CollectionScot McKnight, Reading Romans BackwardsScot McKnight, The Blue ParakeetShow Music Defender Instrumental by TentsShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee.  Audience questions collected by Christopher Maier.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The New Testament letters can be difficult to follow, but the right tools can help us unpack their rich meaning. In this episode, Tim and Jon look at 1st century letter templates, Greco-Roman rhetoric, and argument tracing. Learn more in this week’s podcast episode.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00–15:50)Part two (15:50–37:30)Part three (37:30–55:45)Part four (55:45–63:40)Part five (63:40–end)Additional Resources John Lee White, Light from Ancient LettersRandolph Richards, Paul and First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and CollectionJerome Murphy-O'Connor, O.P., Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His SkillsShow Music Defender Instrumental by TentsDay and Night EP by AiguilleShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Writing a letter in Paul’s day wasn’t as simple as grabbing a pen and paper and placing the finished letter in a mailbox. In this episode, Tim and Jon explore the world of 1st century letter writing, including “cosenders,” letter drafts, the cost of production, and delivery. Listen in on this fascinating conversation.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00–19:40)Part two (19:40–29:15)Part three (29:15–44:30)Part four (44:30–57:30)Part five (57:30–end)Additional Resources Randolph Richards, Paul and First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and CollectionJerome Murphy-O'Connor, O.P., Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His SkillsShow Music Defender Instrumental by TentsScream Pilots by MobyLittle Spirit by DelaydeShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Do we have to follow all the commands in the New Testament? Did Paul know his words were inspired? And why doesn’t the Bible condemn slavery? Tim and Jon respond to these questions and more in this week’s Question and Response episode.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Could it be beneficial to memorize and perform New Testament letters? (00:36)Did Paul craft his letters as meditation literature? (03:17)What was included when Paul said “all Scripture” was God-breathed? (10:11)What about 1 Enoch? (15:54)Did Paul know his letters were inspired? (19:45)Are the letters wisdom or commands? (33:10)Why doesn’t the Bible condemn owning slaves? (39:58)What does it mean to submit to government authorities? (48:20)Additional Resources Scot McKnight, The Blue ParakeetScot McKnight, The Letter to Philemon (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) Esau McCaulley, Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in HopeShow Music Defender Instrumental by TentsShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Audience questions collected by Christopher Maier.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Did Paul actually say that? In this week’s podcast episode, Tim and Jon talk about how to wisely read the New Testament letters by asking key questions about Paul’s context. This practice, known as mirror reading, can help us read and apply these letters to our lives responsibly.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00–14:00)Part two (14:00–25:00)Part three (25:00–39:30)Part four (39:30–59:30)Part five (59:30–end)Additional Resources John M. G. Barclay, Obeying the Truth: Paul's Ethics in GalatiansScot McKnight, Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of EmpireNijay Gupta, “Mirror-Reading Moral Issues in Paul’s Letters,” in Journal for the Study of the New Testament, vol. 34 (2012), pp. 361-381.Robert Jewett, Romans: A Commentary, 59.Show Music Defender Instrumental by TentsPlaya by Mauro SommBubble by KVPale Horses by MobyA Case for Shame by MobyShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The New Testament letters were written to address specific situations among specific groups of people. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss how to discern situational context, what to do when information is missing, and how context helps us apply the wisdom of the letters today.View full show notes from this episode →Learn more about Classroom at Classroom.bible.Timestamps Part one (0:00–11:20)Part two (11:20–24:34)Part three (24:34–32:00)Part four (32:00–40:50)Part five (40:50–54:10)Part six (54:10–end)Show Music Defender Instrumental by TentsDreams by XanderCocktail Hour by StrehlowAcquired in Heaven by Beautiful EulogyShow produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.