Biblical World

Episode: What happens when we ignore the physical settings of the Bible? In this episode, Biblical World co-hosts explore the significance of the land for biblical interpretation. We journey to Shechem, Nahal Besor, and the end of the Jordan River to discover the historical and theological significance of geographical locations for biblical interpreters. We also discuss some helpful resources for understanding the geography of the Bible. Co-hosts: Chris McKinny, Amy Balogh, Kyle Keimer Mentioned in this episode: 1. The Sacred Bridge: Carta's Atlas of the Biblical World 2. https://www.biblicalbackgrounds.com/ Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World HERE. Thanks to all of you who have supported us! Photo attribution: Jordan River Aerial by W. Robert Moore - The National Geographic Magazine, Dec. 1938, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29624912 Tell Balata/Shechem - By TrickyH, Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48030017  

Episode: In this episode, we discuss the god Moses. Yes, you heard that right! It's there in Exod 7:1. But what does this mean? How can we make sense of the transformation of Moses from a man of "uncircumcised lips" to a god? What happens if we read this story in its ancient Near Eastern context? How is Moses also like an idol? We explore this and many other intriguing aspects of the character Moses in this episode with new Biblical World co-host Amy Balogh. This ep is cross-listed with the OnScript podcast.  Guest: Amy L. Balogh, Ph.D., is Lead Lecturer of the Humanities for the Department of Liberal Arts at Regis University’s School for Professional Advancement. She is also founder and co-chair of the new Society of Biblical Literature program unit Comparative Method in Biblical Studies, and Assistant Editor of the forthcoming Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Historical Books (2 vols., Lexham Press). In December 2022, Balogh also became the founding president of the newly formed Religion & Bible Society of the Rocky Mountain Great Plains Region, a 501(c)3 professional organization dedicated to the academic study of the Bible and religion. She's the author of Moses among the Idols: Mediators of the Divine in the Ancient Near East (Lexington Books, 2018). Her forthcoming book uses comparison and myth theory to examine the tension between humankind and nature as expressed in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient Near Eastern literatures. She now joins as a new co-host on the Biblical World podcast! Hosts: Matt Lynch and Chris McKinny Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World HERE. Thanks to all of you who have supported us!

Explore the Egyptian background of the ten plagues in Exodus, including real-world calamities. Delve into the restoration of Karnak Temple and the Hypostyle Hall, conservation efforts in Egypt, and literary aspects of the plagues. Discover theological and territorial themes in the plagues, ancient perspectives on deities, and the analysis of Egyptian deities in Exodus.

Episode: Elephantine continues to fascinate scholars of Second Temple Judaism, in part, because it shows that there wasn't just one Jewish temple after the return from exile. In this episode, which is part of longer episode to be released later on OnScript, Collin Cornell discusses this fascinating site and its significance for understanding early Judaism. This is part 1 of a longer interview that will release later on OnScript.  Guest: Collin Cornell is Office of the Provost-Candler School of Theology Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow at Candler School of Theology (at Emory University). Before returning to Emory, he taught for three years as a visiting assistant professor of biblical studies in the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee). For one year he managed Sewanee’s Center for Religion and Environment, coordinated Sewanee’s Indigenous Engagement initiative, taught Old Testament for Duke Divinity School’s hybrid MDiv program, and served as academic dean of the Stevenson School for Ministry, a local formation project of the Episcopal Church. Collin is author of one book, Divine Aggression in Psalms and Inscriptions (Cambridge University Press, 2020), editor of two, Divine Doppelgängers: YHWH's Ancient Look-Alikes (Penn State University Press, 2020) and The Incomparable God: Readings in Biblical Theology (Eerdmans, 2023), and co-translator of a third, Biblical ABCs: The Basics of Christian Resistance (Lexington Books, 2021). He is currently working on a book entitled, Monotheism and Divine Aggression, for Cambridge University Press. He is also working on The Lords that Never Were: Early Judaism and the Gods of the Hellenistic Levant. He has also written several articles on Elephantine. (adapted from the Candler School of Theology Website) Image Attribution: "Aswan, Elephantine, west bank, Egypt, Oct 2004." CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=181182 Host: Matt Lynch Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World HERE. Thanks to all of you who have supported us!

Episode: In this episode - Chris and Kyle are joined by Nathan Steinmeyer (Biblical Archaeological Review, Assistant Editor) to discuss BAR’s dig issue - one of the best resources for finding a place to dig! Also, hear about how Kyle got into archaeology.  To find a dig:  https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/digs/ To find out more about Biblical Archaeology Review:  https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/magazines/ Hosts: Chris and Kyle Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World HERE. Thanks to all of you who have supported us!

Episode: George Pierce joins hosts Kyle Keimer and Chris McKinny to discuss their newly edited volume The Ancient Israelite World (Routledge, 2022). This volume brings together a world-class line-up of scholars and includes a whopping 47 essays on ancient Israelite society, economy, religion, language, culture, history, and more!  Participants: Kyle, Chris, and George A. Pierce. Book: The Ancient Israelite World (Routledge, 2022). For a table of contents, see HERE. Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World HERE. Thanks to all of you who have supported us!

Chris McKinny, an expert in religious origins, and Kyle Keimer, a specialist in biblical contexts, dive deep into the historical and archaeological significance of Christmas. They explore the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and discuss the impact of ancient Assyrian and Babylonian conquests on the nativity narrative. Delving into the parallels of pagan deities and early Christian beliefs, they challenge traditional interpretations of Jesus' birth, emphasizing how understanding these contexts enriches the biblical stories we know today.

Dive into the intriguing historical and archaeological context of Christmas! Discover the significance of Nazareth and Bethlehem as key sites in the nativity story. Unearth the cultural shifts in Jewish society after Alexander the Great. Explore the contrasting legacies of Augustus and Jesus during the Roman Empire. Delve into the Church of the Nativity and uncover mysterious archaeological findings, including a crypt linked to local narratives. Rethink traditional beliefs about the Christmas story through the lens of history!

Episode: One site in Jerusalem, this episode explores the cultural backgrounds to the book of Ruth. We discuss agriculture, famine, marriage relationships, orphans, widows, geography and much more!  Hosts: Oliver Hersey (JUC) and Chris McKinny (Geshur Media). Find out more on Jerusalem University College and Geshur Media.  Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help support the ongoing work of OnScript and Biblical World!

Episode: In this episode, Chris and Kyle interview Koert van Bekkum (ETF Leuven) about his views on Solomon’s Administrative Division in 1 Kings 4 in its Ancient Near Eastern context. What is the purpose of this list? Are there parallels to this list in the ANE? What does this list tell us about the nature of Solomon’s “kingdom”? Hosts: Kyle and Chris Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help support the ongoing work of OnScript and Biblical World! Resource: See Koert's ARTICLE "The Situation is More Complicated: Archaeology and Text in the Historical Reconstruction of the Iron Age IIA Southern Levant."