Data Over Dogma

Call Ted Danson, because this week we're going to the bad place. Does the Bible really threaten sinners and nonbelievers with eternal torment? Was the idea of hell made up long after the Bible was written? Get out your asbestos snorkle and mask, because we're going to probe deep into the lake of eternal fire, and see what we can find.  Then, it's "what ever happened to baby Judas" as we look at two Biblical accounts of how brother Iscariot met his earthly end, and realize they don't quite match up. Do you yearn for redemption for the wayward apostle, or are you hungry for revenge? There's a story to fit any appetite.    If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at: https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma       Also, follow us on the various social media places: https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're delving into the legends, myths, misunderstandings, and slanders surrounding Lilith. Who or what is Lilith? Feminist icon? First wife to Adam? Night demon? Owl? We break down the origin stories, and get to the bottom of this mysterious and fascinating character. Then, "stele" Dan McClellan gives the inside scoop on the standing stones of ancient southwestern Asia. We discuss their archaeological importance, their cultural and religious significance, and where you can get one of your own (if you're the unscrupulous enterprising type).  If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at: https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma       Also, follow us on the various social media places: https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Dr. Dan says "alright, let's see it" to claims about whether or not God can regret. Does Genesis actually say that God repented for making humanity? Then, hot on the heels of a big trip to Israel, the Dans discuss modern archaeology and what it can tell us about the ancient world. If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Bible scholar (and singer/songwriter) Elizabeth Schrader Polczer joins us to discuss Mary Magdalene. Dr Schrader Polczer plumbs the depths of textual criticism to explore a fuller and possibly more accurate view of the mysterious and often misunderstood character. Could it be that she was a much more prominent figure than we previously thought? If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron atwww.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Also, follow us on the various social media places: facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPodtwitter.com/data_over_dogma  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many of our listeners have asked "which translation of the Bible is the best?" Well this week, the Dans do a deep dive into the Bible's journey from ancient Hebrew and Greek into English. We're tackling the twists and turns and socio-political machinations that led to the words we read in today's versions of the text.   If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Pride month, everybody! This week, Dr. McClellan takes a deep dive into gayness. Wait. That doesn't sound right... He takes a deep dive into the Bible's view on gayness. Yeah, that sounds better. What does the Bible actually say? What DOESN'T it say? And how much of what it says actually applies in a modern context? Homosexuality is one of the great dividing issues of our time, and much of that division is driven by Christian leaders using the Bible to condemn members of the LGBTQIA+ community. But are they interpreting the Bible correctly?  If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dan B looks to the book of Revelation to explain why UPC bar codes and covid vaccines are bad. But Dan M steps in with his decoder ring, and with just a little sleuthing, they finally solve the mystery of the mark of the beast (hint: it was old man Caruthers, the spooky mansion's caretaker, and he would've gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for those meddling kids!) Then, Dan M digs into his dissertation grab-bag and pulls out Prototype Theory. And somehow in the process, he manages to ruin dictionaries for everyone.   If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, guest Aaron Higashi, a scholar and biblical TikToker, discusses the theological context and the rewards of turning biblical scholarship towards the public. Topics include intermarriage crisis in ancient Judea, analyzing book reviews and translations of Bibles, and the challenges and rewards of engaging with TikTok to bridge biblical scholarship with the mainstream.

This week we dive into the deep end of biblical polytheism. First, we go "chapter and verse" discussing 2 Kings, chapter 3. It's a war campaign with a VERY surprising ending. Next it's a fascinating look at what's happening in Psalm 82 and the cultural and historical context of the divine council.If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron atwww.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Also, follow us on the various social media places: facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPodtwitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is all scripture written (or breathed) by God? This week we use big words like "univocal" to explore the implications of the Bible having only one author. Is every verse divinely inspired? And if not, what are the implications of a fallible text? If you want to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron atpatreon.com/DataOverDogma Also, follow us on the various social media places: facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPodtwitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices