Bible and Archaeology

Why are witches linked with black cats, and does the Bible have anything to do with it? This week, Dr. Peter Miller joins us to uncover how biblical ideas about magic shaped later Christian traditions about witches, black cats, and the devil.👉 We’ll discuss:– What “magic” means in the Bible– How witchcraft appears in the Bible– How biblical texts became witch-hunt propaganda🔗 Resources & Links – Watch "Blacklisted: The Sacred Magic of Black Cats"– Support the House of Black Cat Magic shelter✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. Peter MillerHosted and Produced by Dr. Jordan JonesEdited by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

Do demons have bodies? And if they do, what do they look like? This week, Dr. Travis Proctor joins us to explore how ancient Jews and Christians understood demons, possession, and the world of spiritual beings.From their origins as the spirits of the Nephilim, to possession and exorcism stories in the Bible, we’ll unpack how early writers imagined the complicated role of demons in the Bible and how this shaped their portrayals of demonic bodies, evil spirits, and human vulnerability to possession.👉 We’ll discuss:– Where people thought demons came from– How different biblical authors used demons as an explanation– Why the biblical authors believed humans could be possessed– How ideas about demon bodies shaped ideas of exorcism📖 Check out Demonic Bodies and the Dark Ecologies of Early Christian Culture 🔗 Resources & Links – You can join Dr. Proctor for a class on demons and ghosts in the Bible through the Biblical Studies Academy– You can join Dr. Proctor for a class on the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity through the Religion Department ✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. Travis ProctorHosts: Dr. Jordan JonesProduced and Edited by Jordan Jones Additional Contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

Why does Jesus appear to hold a magic wand in early Christian art? And what does that symbol really mean? This week, Dr. Robyn Walsh joins us to explore early Christian iconography, what the so-called “wand” represents, and how depictions of Jesus evolved from a youthful, beardless healer to the bearded teacher we recognize today.👉 We’ll discuss:– What early Christian art tells us about Jesus– Why Jesus holds a rod or wand in ancient images– How Jesus’ beard became part of his divine image📖 (I’ve Got the) Magic Stick: The Virgus and Vitis in Roman Imperial and Early Christian Art🔗 Resources & Links – Find more from Dr. Walsh HERE– See more videos from Dr. Walsh HERE✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. Robyn WalshHosts: Dr. Jordan JonesProduced and Edited by Jordan Jones Additional Contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

Was the Gospel of John really written independently, or did its author know and use Matthew, Mark, and Luke as sources? This week, Duke professor Dr. Mark Goodacre is back to explore John’s surprising connections to the Synoptic Gospels and how these links could completely change how we read the New Testament.Dr. Goodacre helps us explore:– Did John really know and use the other Gospels?– How “hidden details” connect John to Matthew, Mark, and Luke– What this means for the Synoptic Problem and New Testament studiesCheck out the book The Fourth Synoptic Gospel Mark's Podcast the NTPodFind Mark on YouTubeJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cities of the Bible⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Dr. Mark GoodacreHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

She seduced her father-in-law, he sacrificed his daughter, and it’s all in the Bible! In this episode, we explore two of the most disturbing stories in the Hebrew Bible: the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) and the tragic tale of Jephthah’s daughter (Judges 11). These are two of the most shocking stories in the Bible, so why did they make it in? Are these stories misunderstood?Join us as we unpack the historical, literary, and cultural background behind these two controversial texts, explore how ancient Israel understood them, and discover why they still matter today. 👉 We’ll explore: – Who were Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38 – What was Onan’s sin?– What is Levirate marriage?–  Why did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter in Judges 11?– What these disturbing Bible stories reveal about ancient Israel.📚Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cities of the Bible⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Credits Hosts: Dr. Bob Cargill, Dr. Jordan JonesProduced and Edited by Jordan Jones Additional Contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

Dr. Sidnie White Crawford, a leading scholar on the Dead Sea Scrolls, dives into the mysteries of Qumran. She discusses whether the scrolls were intentionally stored in caves or not, and reframes Qumran as an elite, non-public library. Crawford compares it to famed libraries like Alexandria, exploring its communal setup and unique archaeological features that suggest scribal activities. Plus, she highlights how these ancient texts influence our understanding of the Bible's development and how modern technologies are reshaping scroll studies.

Who was Haman, and why has he endured as one of the Bible’s most infamous villains? In the Book of Esther, Haman rises to power in the Persian court and plots against the Jewish people, but the story also raises deeper questions. Does the story portray him as a villain to be feared, mocked, or both? This week, we're talking with Dr. Adam Silverstein, author of "Haman: A Biography," about one of the most infamous villains from the Bible. Dr. Silverstein helps us explore:–Haman's centrality to the story of Esther–How Haman is remembered during Purim–The various identities that get connected to Esther–Why Haman is such an adaptable characterCheck out the book HEREJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cities of the Bible⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Dr. Adam SilversteinHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

Did Josephus really write about Jesus? Or is the famous Testimonium Flavianum a later Christian addition? This week, we're talking with Dr. Tom Schmidt, author of "Josephus and Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ," about one of the most debated passages in ancient history and what it reveals about the historical Jesus.Get a free PDF of the book HERE Access made possible by the Institute for Christian ReflectionLearn more about Dr. Schmidt HEREJoin Dr. Schmidt at the New Insights into the New Testament conference (September 26–28) ⁠HERE⁠Affiliate Disclosure: As an affiliate we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you sign up for New Insights into the New Testament using the link above.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cities of the Bible⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Dr. Tom SchmidtHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

At the heart of Jesus’s message was a call to repentance in anticipation of the coming Kingdom of God, so why did his followers dramatically reverse this teaching after his death?Join Dr. Ehrman for his talk "A Core Teaching of Jesus—and Why His Followers Abandoned It" at the New Insights into the New Testament conference (September 26–28) HEREAffiliate Disclosure: As an affiliate we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you sign up for New Insights into the New Testament using the link above.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cities of the Bible⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Dr. Bart EhrmanHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

This week, we're talking about Homer with Dr. Celsiana Warwick! What do we actually know about Homer? Was Homer a real person? And why does Homer still matter to us today?Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cities of the Bible⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Dr. Celsiana Warwick, Assistant Professorand Director of Graduate Studies at the University of IowaHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone