Amy Peeler, Biblical Studies Professor, discusses Paul's use of a pregnancy/maternal metaphor in Galatians 1:16 and his view of himself as a maternal figure birthing Christ into the world through preaching the gospel.

Ben Witherington III passionately argues against unfounded speculations and mistranslations in Luke's nativity stories, challenging the popular understanding of Jesus being born in a barn. He suggests a rustic setting at the back of a house or even a cave. The power of the original story is emphasized, and Wheaton College's programs are promoted.

Through a Hebrew word play, the writer of Ecclesiastes highlights the neck and neck race between those who accumulate wealth and those who take it from them. Dr. Phil Ryken, who has been a regular on our podcast, is the President of Wheaton College, 8th in the college’s history. Relevant to this conversation, he has published Why Everything Matters: The Gospel in Ecclesiastes. You can hear many of his talks at Family Life Ministry – Podcast or at Every Last Word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, Latin: https://bit.ly/3SOu1VG M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3SOtIKw

Grant Flynn, Visiting Assistant Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, discusses the cries of the harvesters in James 5:4, highlighting the exploitation of workers by wealthy landlords. He explores connections between biblical passages, emphasizing the cultural context and textual alignment. The podcast also addresses the importance of staying sharp in the Greek language and the eschatological perspective of James.

Andrew Abernethy, Professor of Old Testament and Director of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton Graduate School, discusses the relevance of Isaiah 2:2-5 in a world filled with war. They explore the hope for God's peace to fill the nations, the belief in God as the ultimate king and judge, and the importance of following the Lord during difficult times. Contact information and mention of Wheaton College are provided.

Guest Takamitsu Muraoka, former professor at Universities of Manchester, Melbourne, and Leiden, discusses the significance of verb tenses in Luke 7:36-50, the contrasting use of pronouns to highlight differences, the identity of the humble woman, and the challenges of Bible translation.

A listener to this podcast has asked whether “Adam” in Hosea 6:7 is a name of a place or an allusion to the man of Genesis 1-2. Translations and commentators differ. Dr. Danny Carroll Rodas helps us understand how each view is supported. Prof. Carroll is the Scripture Press Ministries Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy at Wheaton College. Among his many publications are The Lord Roars: Recovering the Prophetic Voice for Today and “Hosea” in Hosea, Amos, Micah (The Expositor's Bible Commentary). He has contributed several episodes to this podcast series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: Biblical Exegesis MA: https://bit.ly/3FD62kp Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, Latin) BA: https://bit.ly/45XCsk9  

In Luke 23:33, Luke writes that “they” crucified Jesus. Who are “they”? Tracking back through the Greek of Luke’s narrative leads us to the Jews, though plainly Jesus was crucified by the Romans on a Roman cross. In light of later church history, this merits reflection. Dr. J. Christopher Edwards is Professor of Religious Studies at St. Francis College (Brooklyn). His publications include: (author) Crucified: The Christian Invention of the Jewish Executioners of Jesus and (editor) Early New Testament Apocrypha (9) (Ancient Literature for New Testament Studies). Learn more about related programs at Wheaton College: M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3FvylB6 B.A. in Classical Languages: Greek, Hebrew, Latin: https://bit.ly/46Far1X

In this episode, Professor Takamitsu Muraoka, who was born in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1938, narrates his life’s story with an eye on how the biblical languages came to be of such importance to him. Following his conversion and years of academic preparation, he taught at Manchester University and Melbourne University, before becoming Professor of Hebrew at the Leiden University until his retirement. He founded the Dutch-Japanese-Indonesian Dialogue against the background of the Pacific War and is Representative of The Japanese Language Biblical Church in The Netherlands. In 2017, he was awarded the British Academy’s Burkitt Medal for Hebrew Bible studies, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the study of Hebrew grammar and syntax and the Septuagint. His many publications include A Syntax of Septuagint Greek,  A Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint,  A Grammar of Qumran Aramaic,  A Syntax of Qumran Hebrew, and Why Read the Bible in the Original Languages?  Learn more about related programs at Wheaton: M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/46OMTHR B.A. in Classical Languages: Greek, Hebrew, Latin: https://bit.ly/3FkLEV4

For Prof. Vincent Bacote, his vocation as a professional theologian led him to value the biblical languages, study them, and make use of that training in his ongoing work with the Scriptures. He recommends the same for younger people entering on the same path. Dr. Vince Bacote is Professor of Theology and Director of Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College. Among his publications are The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life (Ordinary Theology) and Reckoning with Race and Performing the Good News: In Search of a Better Evangelical Theology (Theological Traditions).