Biblical World

Episode: New co-host Jason Staples speaks with Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill about her new book, Jerusalem Through the Ages: From Its Beginnings to the Crusades (Oxford University Press, 2024), the spectacular synagogue mosaic her team discovered at Huqoq, why specializing in pottery is an advantage for archaeologists, and lots more. Guest: Dr. Jodi Magness is Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Magness’ research interests, which focus on Palestine in the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods, and Diaspora Judaism in the Roman world, include ancient pottery, ancient synagogues, Jerusalem, Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Roman army in the East. Her most recent books are Jerusalem Through the Ages: From Its Beginnings to the Crusades (New York: Oxford University, March 2024); and Ancient Synagogues in Palestine: A Reevaluation Nearly a Century After Sukenik’s Schweich Lectures. The Schweich Lectures of the British Academy 2022 (London: The British Academy/Oxford University Press, June 2024). Three of Magness’ books have won awards: Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth (Princeton: Princeton University, 2019) was selected as a finalist for the 2019 National Jewish Book Award in the category of History, the Gerrard and Ella Berman Memorial Award; The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002; revised edition 2021) won the 2003 Biblical Archaeology Society’s Award for Best Popular Book in Archaeology in 2001-2002 and was selected as an “Outstanding Academic Book for 2003” by Choice Magazine; and The Archaeology of the Early Islamic Settlement in Palestine (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2003) was awarded the 2006 Irene Levi-Sala Book Prize in the category of non-fiction on the archaeology of Israel. Her other books include The 2003-2007 Excavations in the Late Roman Fort at Yotvata (co-authored with G. Davies) (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2015); The Archaeology of the Holy Land from the Destruction of Solomon’s Temple to the Muslim Conquest (New York: Cambridge University, 2012); and Stone and Dung, Oil and Spit: Jewish Daily Life in the Time of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2011). In addition, Magness has published dozens of articles in journals and edited volumes. (from the UNC website) Give: Help support OnScript and Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE.

Wave Nunnally, a Professor Emeritus of Early Judaism and Christian Origins, shares his recent experiences from Israel amid conflict and his dedication to support evacuees. He delves into the parables of the Kingdom found in the Gospel of Matthew, uncovering their cultural significance and Jesus’ clever use of imagery. Nunnally also explores the connection between New Testament texts and early rabbinic literature, enriching our understanding of scriptural context. Plus, he reminisces about his friendship with Petra's lead guitarist during the Christian rock wave.

Episode: Here’s the fifth in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! It's a fun and fascinating tour through Tablet 4, so tune in and enjoy! Click HERE  HERE HERE and HERE for parts 1, 2, 3 & 4. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image: Hero mastering a lion. Relief from the façade of the throne room, Palace of Sargon II at Khorsabad (Dur Sharrukin), 713–706 BCE. Unknown artist - Jastrow (2006), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=866865  

Episode: You asked (a long time ago), we answered (finally)! In this Q&A episode, we respond to listener questions about how to raise your kids to be like Chris and Kyle, prophetic practices, 1 Cor 11, chambered gates, Pharisees, forgery scandal, and much more! Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Description/Attribution: 6-chambered gate at Gezer. This iron-age gate shares a common pattern with iron-age gates at Lachish and Megiddo. Since these are listed in biblical texts as cities fortified by Solomon, these fortifications are often called "Solomonic" gates. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Six-chambered_gate_at_Tel_Gezer_%285751855767%29.jpg)

Oliver Hersey discusses how knowledge of ancient marriage customs can illuminate the Sinai Covenant, shedding light on events like the plundering of the Egyptians and the birth of Moses. The podcast explores parallels between ancient marriage contracts and the Sinai Covenant, drawing insights into power dynamics and cultural influences.

Episode: Kyle Keimer and Chris McKinny speak with Jeff Chadwick, Jerusalem Center Professor of Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies at BYU about his excavations at biblical Hebron (Tell er-Rumeide). Youtube Link - https://youtu.be/ovhfNwdcabQ Guest: Dr. Jeffrey R. Chadwick serves at BYU as Jerusalem Center Professor of Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies, and also as Religious Education Professor of Church History and Jewish Studies (in the Department of Church History and Doctrine). Dr. Chadwick has also researched, surveyed, and excavated at several historical and biblical sites in Israel, including Jerusalem and Hebron (Tell er-Rumeide) in the 1980s, Ekron (Tel Miqne) in the 1990s, and at Gath of the Philistines (Tell es-Safi) since 2001 and for the last twenty years. He is currently senior field archaeologist with the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project in Israel (Aren M. Maeir, Bar-Ilan University, Project Director), where he directs excavations in Area F in the "upper city" and in Area D in the "lower city" of the ancient Philistine capital city. He is also director of the American Expedition to Hebron (AEH) Publication Project and associate member of the original AEH excavation staff. He has served as a member of the board of trustees of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) and is a senior fellow at the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem. He is the author of three books, editor of a fourth, and has published more than seventy academic articles, chapters, and studies. (from the BYU website) Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: By eman - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1839054  

Episode: Here’s the fourth in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! It's a fun tour through Tablet 3, so tune in and enjoy! Click HERE  HERE and HERE for parts 1, 2 & 3. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image: By Katolophyromai - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67292492 

Episode: In final part of our three-part series (finally!), Chris and Kyle discuss the year’s top ten archaeological discoveries and stories related to the Bible, including in this one, a weird and strange discovery.  Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help OnScript and Biblical World continue by becoming a one-time or regular donor. Photo Attribution: Huqoq Samson Mosaic, from https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-vivid-color-1500-year-old-huquq-mosaic-depicts-samson-animals-hunting/

Episode: Here’s the third in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! It's a fun ep, so tune in! Click HERE and HERE for parts 1 & 2. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.

Episode: Here's the second in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! They finish Tablet 1 in this episode, discussing Gilgamesh's need to tame his passions, his journey into the wilds, the character Enkidu, links to early Genesis (e.g., Enkidu as Adam), links to Daniel and much more! Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.