BibleProject

In this podcast, Tim and Jon discuss the concept of the Divine Council and spiritual warfare in the Bible. They explore the portrayal of God as a military captain with lower-ranking officers, the existence of other gods, and the role of mediators. They also examine problematic behavior in Genesis, the allotment of nations to spiritual beings, and the Bible's purpose as a story of Jesus rather than a scientific account. The chapter descriptions provide further insights into the topics discussed.

Dive into the fascinating concept of Monotheism in the Bible, where ancient definitions challenge modern interpretations. Discover how Yahweh stands as the supreme Elohim amidst other spiritual beings. The discussion explores inclusive versus exclusive monotheism, revealing the vibrant complexity of ancient Jewish thought. Examine the Hebrew word 'Elohim' and its implications, alongside the significance of cultural context in praising Yahweh. Unravel how language nuances shape our understanding of divine supremacy and idol worship.

This is our first episode in our new series on the Bible’s portrayal of God! We are currently working on a theme video about God that will be released later in 2018. In part 1, (0-8:33) Tim overviews the whole subject. He says later on in the discussion they will talk about the Trinity in the Bible, but for now, they will just focus on the development of the word God in the Bible. In part 2, (8:33-37:34) Tim outlines the problems of modern conceptions with God compared with ancient Hebrew conceptions of God. Tim says that it comes down to how people use the word ‘God’. Today people use the word ‘God’ to refer to a personal being that exists. ‘God’ is both a title for a kind of being and a name for a specific being: the Judeo Christian God. Tim says that if you look up “monotheism” in the dictionary, they define it as “the belief there is only one God, specifically in Judeo Christianity.” Tim asks how can this be the case if the Bible says things like “Lord of lords” and “God of gods”. How did monotheism today come to mean something that it didn’t mean to the ancient Hebrews? Tim says the Hebrew word for “God” is ‘Elohim’. The short forms of this word is “el” and also “eloah”. Tim says that in Hebrew “Elohim” is plural. In part 3, (37:34-54:05) Tim outlines a unique use of the word “Elohim” the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 28:12-13: Saul has a spirit-medium conjure up the presence of the deceased Samuel: “And the woman saw Samuel, and she cried out...and said ‘I see a elohim rising up from the ground.” This refers to a human who exists apart from their body. This is not saying Samuel is “God” or a “god.” Rather, the word elohim apparently refers to the mode of existence: a member of the non-physical, spirit realm. The later biblical authors developed vocabulary to talk about these beings to more clearly distinguish between them as elohim and the one elohim: Angel, demon, spirits, etc… The implications are Yahweh is an elohim, but not the only elohim (= spirit being). He is the most powerful, and authoritative, and he alone is the creator of all things, including the other elohim. Tim cites this quote by theological scholar Michael Heiser: “Yahweh is an elohim, but no other elohim is Yahweh. Elohim is a place-of-residence term. The word tells you what the proper domain is for that being. By nature, the God of Israel, the many elohim of God’s council, demons, angels, the departed human dead like Samuel, they are part of a non-physical domain, that’s related to, but distinct from the physical, embodied domain. An elohim is by definition and by nature a disembodied entity, so the word can refer to many different beings who inhabit that realm.” In part 4, (54:05-end) Tim outlines a New Testament example. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6: Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” Tim says Paul is telling the Corinthians that there are other “Elohim” but for the Hebrews, their is “one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.” What does this mean to the Hebrews? Find out next time in episode 2! Thank you to all our supporters! Resources: Paul Jouon & T. Muraoka, A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew Michael Heiser: The Naked Bible Podcast 1 Samuel 28:12-13 Check out all our videos and resources at www.thebibleproject.com Produced By: Dan Gummel. Jon Collins. Matthew Halbert Howen Music By: Defender Instrumental: Rosasharn Music In the Distance: Tae the Producer Nocturne: Nomyn 2. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tim and Jon discuss exciting future developments, including new theme videos and a seasonal release format. They emphasize their commitment to quality and sustainability in content creation. Upcoming themes will explore the complexities of God's identity and the concept of monotheism. A groundbreaking initiative called 'Classroom' aims to make biblical education more accessible and engaging. The hosts express gratitude toward their audience, highlighting the importance of community in their journey.

Dive into an intriguing exploration of poetry in biblical texts, focusing on the poetic elements of Genesis 1 versus narrative. Discover the tension between viewing time as a possession versus divine stewardship, and how it reframes our understanding of moral responsibility. The discussion also reveals foundational metaphor schemes in Genesis that enhance the interpretation of scripture. Finally, explore how biblical themes inspire modern creativity, showing the profound influence of sacred texts on contemporary literature.

Dive into the fascinating metaphor of chaotic waters as a symbol of uncreation in the Bible. Explore its personification of evil, illustrated through powerful stories like the Exodus. Learn how water imagery shifts from chaos to the life-giving river in Eden, paralleling themes of danger and divine intervention. The discussion also touches on the significance of metaphors in shaping human existence and understanding, highlighting both the turmoil and renewal found within biblical narratives.

The hosts explore how common metaphors shape our understanding, linking them to Biblical imagery. They discuss God as dryland and reveal insights from Genesis, connecting those ideas to Eden as the ideal paradise. The conversation dives into the significance of the Fuller projection map, challenging conventional views of geography. Gardens and mountains serve as powerful symbols of divine presence and human flourishing, illustrating humanity's relationship with the sacred. The discussion reflects on the interconnectedness of Eden, Jerusalem, and divine sanctuary.

This is our first episode in our three-part series on the use of metaphor in the Bible! In part one, the guys discuss the metaphors used in Psalm 46. 1 God is our refuge and protection, found to be a great help in times of distress 2 Therefore we won’t be afraid when the land shifts when the mountains totter into the heart of the seas; its waters roar, they churn, mountains quake at its swelling. Selah. 4 A river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High God 5 God is in its midst, it will not totter; God will help it when morning dawns. 6 The nations roar, the kingdoms totter; He raised His voice, the land melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our tall fortress. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the land. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the land; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the land.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our tall fortress. Selah. ————————————- In this Psalm, there are some obvious metaphors used. Specifically, God // protective refuge (v.1) // tall fortress (v.7)
 God // Jerusalem temple // river Chaotic, pounding ocean waves // nations at war
 God melting earth // God breaking nations // God’s exaltation.
 These are vivid images, but what is going on here? Every culture has its own way of developing metaphors and imagery unique to their history and experience. Biblical poetry is drawing on a core “encyclopedia of production,” from which the poets draw to develop images and metaphors. In part two, the guys go over the core images that are presented above. Why would a poet use these image pairings and combine them in this specific way? Jon comments on how metaphors change over time and within each culture. For example, when the steam engine was popular and represented a huge change in society, people would say things like, "he’s hot-headed” or “my gears are turning.” Then once computers came along, our cultural metaphors shift to sayings like, “let me process that.” In part three, Tim and Jon discuss the differences between these figures of speech: Metaphor: Describing one thing as if it were another. Example: "She is a ball of fire." Simile: Explicit comparison between two things. Example: "She is like a ball of fire." Metonymy: Referring to something by naming what it’s associated with. Example: "The pen is mightier than the sword." "Hollywood produces so many films." Synecdoche: Naming a whole thing to refer to part of it, or naming part of a thing to refer to the whole of it. Example: "The U.S. won a gold medal today!" "Portland is a quirky town." " My hands were tied in this situation." "Let’s do a head-count." Thank you to all our supporters! You can find our more about The Bible Project and get free resources at www.thebibleproject.com Show produced by: Dan Gummel, Jon Collins Show Music: Defender, Instrumental Magnificent Defeat, Josh White Show Resources: Umberto Eco, The Name of a Rose Books by George Lakoff and Mark Turner: More Than Cool Reason: A Field Guide to Poetic Metaphor Metaphors We Live By Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss the power of biblical poetry and its ability to transform readers. They analyze examples from Psalm 51 and Isaiah 11, highlighting the use of parallelism and metaphor. They also explore the creative language pairing in Hebrew poetry and its infinite possibilities. The podcast concludes by discussing God's expression through poetry and the upcoming episode on metaphor in biblical poetry.

The hosts discuss the prevalence and significance of biblical poetry, exploring the blurred line between poetry and non-poetry. They analyze the power and imagery in Psalm 29, highlighting the significance of the word 'thunder'. They delve into the impact of vivid imagery and repetition in biblical poetry, as well as the portrayal of wild animals. The chapter also explores the conventions of poetry and the process of writing, highlighting the power of storms and the voice of God. The speakers discuss the depth and sophistication of biblical poetry, emphasizing the importance of understanding the Hebrew language. They reflect on the metaphor of passions and explore the plasticity of poetic form in biblical poetry.