BibleProject

This is a special episode in our podcast series on “How To Read The Bible”. Tim and Jon went on the road to do this podcast live before an audience in Milpitas, California! Tim and Jon discuss literature design patterns in the Bible and answer questions from the audience. The guys do a brief recap of the How to Read The Bible series. There are key elements to reading the Bible well. Understanding plot, character, setting and biblical narrative style. (We have videos on each of these, you can see the links below in the show notes.) In this episode, the guys combine all of these elements to talk about “patterns and design elements” in the Bible. Tim and Jon use the “hyperlink” analogy, saying that all the stories in the Bible link to each other in subtle and creative ways. People can learn to see these links and see the stories layering on top of each other by understanding key design patterns and techniques. Below are timestamps of questions and examples: (36:16) Jon asks the question, "Is understanding design patterns in the Bible an “elite” way to read the Bible?" Isn’t the Bible supposed to be user friendly? It seems like studying to understand the historical context of the ancient Hebrew biblical literature is a time consuming task that some people might not be able to do. (40:38) A gentleman asks a question about the city of Joppa being mentioned in both the book of Jonah and in Acts. Is this intentional and a reference to a hidden theme in the Bible? (42:25) A gentleman asks a question about the creation of stories in the Bible. What’s the role of historical accuracy, retelling and condensing of events in the writing of the Bible? (49:58) A gentleman asks a question: If the Bible is a magnificent piece of timeless art and literature, How do you explain the Bible to people who value brevity and directness, not artful literature and analogy? (52:40) Tim gives an example of word plays and repetition in the Bible. The hebrew word “Tov” means good. Tov/Good is used in the creation story as a key repeating word. It develops first to describe creation. Then it describes humans (very good). Then it describes the “tree of the knowledge of good and not good/evil.” This theme culminates when the woman “sees that the tree is good” when the serpent tempts her, she has effectively switched places with God. God was the original one who “saw things as good”. (1:03:05) Tim gives another example in Luke. The baptism of Jesus culminates with God speaking from heaven declaring Jesus is his son. Then the next story is not a story, it’s a genealogy that works its way backward to Adam being declared “the son of God”. Then Jesus is tempted, with the devil asking him if he “really is the son of God”. Then Jesus goes to his first town and people ask “Who’s son is this?” Then Jesus casts out a demon who declares that Jesus is “the son of God”. Luke uses repetition to make a point to the reader, that Jesus is indeed who he has been declared to be, he is the Son of God. (1:07:10) Tim gives an example of the selection of Saul to be the king of Israel. The hidden word in the story is “see or seeing.” At the start of the story, we are told Saul is tall. This is a strange detail. Most Bible characters have no physical attributes described about them, but here, Saul is tall, which is later used as a symbol in the story. Saul looks for a “seer” or a “prophet” when searching for his father’s donkeys. Why would the word “seer” be used in the story? Because it is a hidden key word in the story. Samuel “sees” Saul. Samuel tells Israel to look upon Saul and “see” their king. Samuel and Israel “see” Saul and they are impressed by his height. But Saul is not a good king and God rejects him. God sends Samuel to anoint a new king. God says he has “seen a new king.” Samuel “sees” Jesse’s son Eliab and thinks one of these is to be the new king. But God speaks to Samuel and says “God doesn’t ‘see’ as humans ‘see’, humans ‘see’ with their eyes, God ‘sees’ the heart.” This line is the climax of a whole trail of breadcrumbs that started at the introduction of Saul. Show Resources: Robert Alter: The Art Of Biblical Narrative Our How To Read The Bible Video Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak06MSETeo4&list=PLH0Szn1yYNedn4FbBMMtOlGN-BPLQ54IH Show Music: Defender Instrumental - Rosasharn Music Produced By: Dan Gummel, Jon Collins, Matthew Halbert-Howen Thank you to all our supporters!

The podcast explores the importance of understanding settings in Bible stories. They discuss how locations and directions hold symbolic meaning and how timing is used to pace narratives. They also delve into the significance of towns visited by biblical characters and the use of numbers and letters in the Hebrew Bible.

Topics discussed include caring for the environment and the concept of new creation, the importance of tribe identity in post-exile Israel, exile as a transformative experience, the role of repentance in the theme of exile, the connection between exile and death/resurrection in Ezekiel's vision, and the parable of the prodigal son as a form of self-imposed exile.

In this podcast, Tim and Jon discuss the concepts of home and exile. They explore the idea that human longings point to a future reality, and how ancient Israel looked to their past kings for vocabulary. They also emphasize that Christians are exiles in this age, loyal to God's kingdom. The ultimate story of the cross is God's willingness to take the consequences of humanity's creation of 'babylon.' The podcast ends with a discussion on the wisdom warrior's ethic and the hope of God recreating the physical world as a 'Home' for all.

In this podcast, Tim and Jon discuss the theme of Exile in the story of Jesus and the New Testament. They explore the historical context of Jesus' time under Roman occupation and his role as a wisdom warrior. They also discuss the ethic of nonviolence and the concept of living in Babylon with subversion and loyalty. Additionally, they examine the ideas of complicity in societal systems and the power dynamics between loyalty and ideologies. The podcast also delves into the concept of exile and the Garden of Eden, emphasizing the merging of heaven and earth.

Guest John the Baptist, symbolically rebooted the return from exile through baptism. Tim explains that baptism represents a symbolic rebooting from exile to a new way of life. The concept of exile continues in the New Testament, with believers referred to as 'immigrants and exiles in Babylon'. The Hebrews' exile resulted in spreading and blessing the nations. The book of Jeremiah emphasizes working for and doing good on behalf of the place of exile. The podcast explores the theme of exile in the Bible and its impact on the human story, along with the concept of exile and identity in Peter's letter. It also delves into the symbolism of Ezekiel bread and explores non-violent resistance in the book of Daniel.

In this podcast, Tim and Jon discuss the biblical theme of exile and its connection to the story of the Garden of Eden. They explore the symbolism of the garden as humanity's true home and the concept of a cosmic mountain. They also discuss the peace and abundance in the garden and the role of humans in cultivating it. They delve into the concept of a new creation and the harmony between humans and animals. They further explore the concept of exile in the Bible, particularly in Genesis, and its connection to later exiles. Overall, the podcast provides fascinating insights into the theme of exile and its significance in biblical stories.

The podcast explores the concepts of exile and home in the Bible, discussing how it applies to everyone's story. They delve into the idea of feeling displaced in life and the mystery of feeling alone in the world. The hosts explain that the solution to humanity's exile problem is a king who will reunite heaven and earth. They also discuss the origins of evil and the battle Christians face against spiritual and human evil. The chapter emphasizes the divinity of a Jewish man who combated evil through his death and resurrection.

The Exile. It’s one of the biggest, but least discussed themes in the Bible. And it’s the subject of our new podcast series and a theme video that will be coming out later this year (2018). The exile is a foreign concept to many modern people. Tim and Jon break down what and how the Jewish exile impacted our modern Bible. In the first part of the episode (0-20:00) Tim shares a background story of John Newton, the writer of Amazing Grace. Newton’s own personal story is one of exile and return from exile and led him to write Amazing Grace. Tim explains he thinks this is a good example of how trying experiences shape and color someone’s worldview. In the second part (20:00-25:50), Tim explains that our modern Bible was shaped by the Jewish people who were exiled from their homeland in 586 BC by the Babylonian Empire. The cultural trauma of that event influenced the writings that Christians hold dear today. The 586 exile colors all of the Bible, start to finish. In the third part (25:50-37:50), Tim does an overview of the whole Bible outlining Abraham’s nomadic roots, how his family originally immigrated from Babylon, how they lack a true home but Abraham has a promise from God that he will have a “promised land.” Tim quickly explains the divide of the nation of Israel into two smaller kingdoms after the death of Solomon. And how eventually both of those kingdoms were conquered by foreign invaders. Many of the Old Testament books like Ezekial are written in exile. Tim explains the Persian Empire coming to power and allowing the Jews to begin to return to their homeland, Jerusalem, but it was nothing like it had been before. Instead of returning independent, Israel was now living in their homeland but subject to a foreign ruler. In the final part (37:50-end), the guys discuss how the Hebrew authors who wrote the Bible used the exile experience to prophecy of a new king, a king who would deliver them from their occupiers. Show Resources: The Murashu Family (archeology documents): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murashu_family More info on our website: thebibleproject.com Show Music: Defender Instrumental: Rosasharn Music Amazing Grace Guitar Solo: Rick Graham. (Fair Use) Miss Emile: General Vibe Mellow Relaxed Background Music: Jonathan Dennill Show Produced by: Dan Gummel and Jon Collins Thank you to all our supporters!

Here is our Nephesh/Soul Q+R! Thank you to everyone who sent in questions! We love doing these and hearing what others are thinking. Q’s and Timestamps: (7:19) Sam: Why did Paul write that each of us has a soul, spirit and body in 1 Thessalonians 5? (18:57) Johnny: In Hebrews 4:12, it seems man is dual natured, physical and spirit, but how can we reconcile this by understanding man as a single natured being, meaning that man is a soul? (24:45) Daniel: In Psalm 63 it says that David’s Nephesh/Soul thirsts after God. What does that mean practically? (33:20) Kevin: What’s the biblical writers perspective on the future state of being? And how does that relate to burial practices like cremation? (45:47) Natalia: What do we actually know from the biblical writers and first century believers saying what our bodies will be like in the new creation? Resources / Books: John Cooper: Body, Soul and Life Everlasting: Biblical Anthropology and the Monism/ Dualism Debate Joel Green: Body, Soul and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible Ronald Rolheiser: The Holy Longing Ronald Rolheiser: Against An Infinite Horizon The Bible Project Video on Nephesh/Soul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_igCcWAMAM Show Music: Defender Instrumental: Rosasharn Music Show Produced by: Dan Gummel and Jon Collins.