Data Over Dogma

In this riveting discussion, Bible scholar Michael Kok dives into the controversial topic of Gospel authorship. He reveals why many scholars doubt that the apostles Matthew and John wrote the texts attributed to them. Kok shares fascinating detective work from biblical scholarship that examines early traditions and church influences. The complexities of Papias's writings and their significance in early Christianity also take center stage. Expect intriguing insights that could challenge your understanding of these foundational texts!

In this episode, the podcast dives into Biblical misogyny, focusing on the story of Tamar and levirate marriage. They discuss harsh laws in Deuteronomy 22 regarding extramarital affairs, shedding light on societal norms and ancient customs. The hosts explore challenging themes, feminist perspectives, and the complexity of moral judgments in biblical narratives.

Dr. Aaron Higashi discusses his upcoming 'for normal people' book about First and Second Samuel from the Bible. They analyze the portrayal of biblical figures like David and the challenges of reconciling childhood beliefs with critical adult interpretations. The podcast explores the significance of studying less popular biblical books, thematic elements, character development, and varied perspectives on historical figures like Saul and Samuel. They also touch on the Tel Dan inscription's insights into King David's historicity and the complexities of biblical storytelling.

Delving into the debate over displaying the Ten Commandments in schools, exploring interpretations and controversies. Discussion on Supreme Court justices' views, therapy benefits, and differences in religious texts. Analyzing the commandment on using God's name, prayer's healing power, and the origins of deity names. Exploring the impact of the 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' commandment on identity and power dynamics.

Exploring the concept of soul and self, development of intention and agency in children, ancestral worship and deity connection, interpretation of Ezekiel 13:17-23, immaterial vs. material aspects of human existence, supernatural beliefs and consequences of meddling with souls

It's a judge and a king this week, and both are fascinating! First we're looking at Deborah, a prophet, a judge, and a really interesting figure whose story gets told twice in the Bible: back-to-back! Women often get short-shrift in the Bible, but Deborah's story is pretty satisfying. She's tough and her army wins the battle, and even more awesome-- she's not the only badass woman in the story! Stay tuned for the exciting (and gratuitously gorey) conclusion!Speaking of staying tuned, you're DEFINITELY going to want to stick around for our second half, where we discuss one of the most important figures in the whole book! Who was this David character? A lowly shepherd who rises to be King? A roving warlord? A bisexual rapist? DID HE EVEN EXIST AT ALL?For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the 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

It's questionable heroes week here on the Data Over Dogma show, and we've packed in some big names! How big? How about the guy they named the whole tribe of Israel after? You know... Jacob. We're asking the big questions here: do striped sticks really make sheep have spotted lambs? Is a cruel trick fair-play if the other person falls for it? And most importantly- if you beat a stranger in a wrestle, does that stranger get to change your name?Then we look at famous strong-man and the judge of Israel with possibly the poorest judgement, Sampson. Yes he was absurdly foolish with Delilah, but more importantly: what's the deal with all those foxes?For early access to an ad-free version of every episode 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

It's the book that didn't make the cut. Enoch (or first Enoch, if you're nasty) is an important book, both historically and religiously. As a matter of fact, New Testament writers considered it scripture. So why, when you open your Bible at home, is Enoch nowhere to be found?This week we're exploring the mysteries of the book that got the boot. Where did it come from? Was it really written by Enoch the patriarch (hint: no)? Why was it not included in the popular canons? Is there anyone that still considers it scripture (hint: yes)?For early access to an ad-free version of every episode 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

Get ready for some fascinating stuff! It won't be a baptism by fire, but we will be immersed in some cutting edge information about John the Baptist. Dr. James McGrath joins us to discuss John and his new book Christmaker. And trust us- you're going to learn some cool stuff.Many people's image of John is just a wild-haired itinerant preacher dressed like a cave man and roaming the desert and dunking people in water every chance he got. It turns out, he was likely a far more important and more interesting figure than that. Was he a disciple of Jesus, or was it the other way around?For early access to an ad-free version of every episode 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

This podcast delves into two famous Bible stories involving women, one showcasing Jesus' mercy and the other imposing silence on women in the church. It challenges traditional interpretations, addresses gender roles, and explores the impact of biblical verses on societal expectations. The hosts provide insightful analysis and thought-provoking discussions, inviting listeners to reconsider established norms and interpretations.