
Data Over Dogma
This ain't your pastor's Bible podcast. This is a deep interrogation of the book, and we're bringing receipts. Bible scholar Dr. Dan McClellan and atheist podcaster Dan Beecher team up to discover what the Bible actually says, what it decidedly doesn't say (even if everyone thinks it does), and explore the history of the most popular book of all time.
Latest episodes

Feb 12, 2024 • 1h 15min
Episode 45: The Dead Sea Scrolls With Kipp Davis
You've probably heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but how much do you really know about them? Where did they come from, when were they discovered, and what can they tell us about the Bible as it was handed down to us? Also, are all the scrolls and fragments that have found their way into private collections and museums legitimate?This week we talk to expert Dr. Kipp Davis, who gives us the skinny on the scrolls. It's all the history and mystery surrounding what some have called the most significant archaeological find of all time.To see more of Kipp's work, head over to his YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@DrKippDavisOr check out his course on ancient Israelite religions:https://sales.mvp-courses.com/israelite-religions/***PLEASE CONSIDER TAKING OUR SURVEY! For a limited time, you'll be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card!***https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DATAOVERDOGMAFor early access to an ad-free version of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Follow us on the various social media places:https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPodhttps://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 5, 2024 • 1h 7min
Episode 44: Biblical Marriage With Jennifer Bird
Dr. Jennifer Bird, author of Marriage in the Bible, sheds light on biblical conceptions of marriage, debunking the oversimplified notion of 'one man, one woman.' Topics include debates on biblical marriage, objectification of women, power dynamics, societal constructs, double standards in church upbringing, polygamy in the Bible, selective focus on passages, translation of 'Pornea,' and Augustine's influence on Christian views of sex.

11 snips
Jan 29, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 43: Jesus Murders A Tree
It's one of the most baffling moments of the new testament. Jesus talks to, and kills, foliage. Because he was hungry, and it was out of season, so it didn't have fruit. Dr. Dan does his best to make it make sense.Then we get into some really fascinating textual analysis! Don't let the fancy name intimidate you, this dive into deutero-Isaiah is super interesting. What do you think? Do you buy the hypothesis? Many have challenged the idea, but the Deut abides.For early access to an ad-free version of the show, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Follow us on the various social media places:https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPodhttps://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

37 snips
Jan 22, 2024 • 1h 5min
Episode 42: Is Jesus God?
In this podcast, the hosts tackle the question of whether Jesus is God, exploring the gospel of John and its implications. They also delve into the concept of the Trinity, its origins, and the debate around it. The chapters discuss the significance of 'I am' in connection to Jesus, the divine name in relation to angels and exalted humans, and Jesus' claim to existence before Abraham. They also explore the concept of oneness between God and Jesus and discuss metaphors for the Trinity.

6 snips
Jan 15, 2024 • 1h 7min
Episode 41: Modest is Hottest?
Uncovering Noah in his tent, the curse of Ham and biblical interpretations, exploring the traditions and interpretations of dressing modestly, and the double standards in conversations about modesty.

Jan 8, 2024 • 1h 3min
Episode 40: The Joel McHale Episode!
In this podcast, Joel McHale, a believing Christian in Hollywood, joins the hosts to discuss his experience. They also delve into the intriguing story of the necromancer of Endor and the challenges of harmonizing different stories in the Bible. The role of prophets, mediums, and wizards in ancient Israel is explored, along with the enjoyment of engaging with the Bible on its own terms.

Jan 1, 2024 • 1h
Episode 39: Revealing Revelation
In this podcast, they discuss the Book of Revelation, its manuscripts, vivid descriptions, and symbolism. They explore the letters to the churches in Asia, debate the literalness of angel descriptions, and examine the concept of deification. They also cover the authority of the book and its surprising endorsement.

Dec 25, 2023 • 1h 3min
Episode 38: The [Three] [Wise Men] With Eric Vanden Eykel
Dr. Eric Vanden Eykel, an expert in Magi, joins the podcast to dispel common myths about the mysterious wise men who visited baby Jesus. They discuss the enigmatic story of the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew, the Greek word 'Magoi' used to describe them, and their possible function in informing Herod about Jesus's birth. The significance of the magi as an outside confirmation of Jesus's divinity and royal lineage is explored along with the origin and symbolism of the three kings in the Christmas story.

Dec 18, 2023 • 1h 6min
Episode 37: Follow That Star!
A physicist? On a Bible podcast? At Christmas time? Well, there are a couple of ways that could go!This week, we welcome Dr. Aaron Adair onto the show. Dr. Adair's book, The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View, discusses the famous star that led the wise men to baby Jesus in the book of Matthew. What could such a star have been? Is there a known heavenly body that could be used to guide someone to a specific place? How did it appear?Well, we got the guy who wrote the book on the subject, so buckle up. This one's going to be fun!For early access to an ad-free version of the show, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Follow us on the various social media places:https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPodhttps://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 snips
Dec 11, 2023 • 1h 7min
Episode 36: The Why Question- With Jacob Wright
This week we're joined by Dr. Jacob Wright of Emory University. His new book Why the Bible Began leaves aside the questions of who wrote the Bible, what it is, when it was written, and how the Bible came to us, and instead focuses on the why. Why did the writings of this one small group of people survive and persist, when the records of much larger and more successful empires were often buried, forgotten, or lost to time?For early access to an ad-free version of the show, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Follow us on the various social media places:https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPodhttps://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices