
The BEMA Podcast
The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the context of the Bible and the Text itself, as well as surrounding history. We deconstruct our common readings of the Bible and attempt to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context.
The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 (or even -1) and continue in order through episode 204. Beyond that, we explore new topics, revisit old topics, and dive deeper into practical ways of living out the things we have learned together.
BEMA Discipleship is a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries.
Latest episodes

Dec 15, 2022 • 50min
308: The Chosen S2E9 — “The Messengers”
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Maggi Billings to discuss The Chosen S2E9 (the 2021 Christmas special), “The Messengers.”The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbFestival Edition: The Birth (w/ Katie Del Rocco) [Adaptation from Frederick Buechner] — Marty Solomon, YouTubeThe Nativity Story (2006 film)The Nativity Story on JustWatchSpecial Guest: Maggi Billings.Support The BEMA Podcast

Dec 8, 2022 • 1h 4min
307: Tohu va Vohu (State of the Podcast)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Brian Truschinger, Elle Grover Fricks, Reed Dent, and Josh Bossé, all together for the very first time to discuss what is happening with BEMA and what we hope for the future.BEMA Poll/Survey (valid through 26 April 2023)The BEMA LiturgyTell It Slant by Eugene PetersonElle’s Website for Hebrew ClassesThe Text In Us PodcastJosh’s Beard Progress (surgery > shaved > 1 month > 3 months)Sermon with Brian’s Toilet Story“How to Speed Listen (for Students or Podfasters)” by Hugh Rayner — University of MelbourneSpecial Guest: Brian Truschinger.Support The BEMA Podcast

Dec 1, 2022 • 60min
306: Brian David — Chiasms in John
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Brian David, who spent 37 years coaching people in software, and 25 years coaching high school sports, but now finds himself “coaching” the Text.Chiasms in John by Brian DavidBEMA 28: Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and TamariskPoet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. BaileyStar Wars Ring Theory by Mike KlimoJesus and the Eyewitnesses by Richard BauckhamJoin the BEMA SlackAdditional audio production by Gus SimpsonSpecial Guest: Brian David.Support The BEMA Podcast

Nov 17, 2022 • 1h 4min
305: Gary Burge — Interpreting the Gospel of John
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. Gary Burge, author of Interpreting the Gospel of John, and one of the foremost authorities on John. He was a professor at Wheaton College for 25 years and now serves as a New Testament scholar at Calvin Theological Seminary.Gary M. Burge, Professor of New Testament — Calvin Theological SeminaryInterpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. BurgeJames Dunn — WikipediaThe Anointed Community by Gary M. BurgeSociety of Biblical LiteratureC. H. Dodd — WikipediaJohn Robinson — WikipediaThe Gospel of John: A Commentary by Rudolf BultmannJohn’s Wisdom by Ben Witherington IIIActs: An Exegetical Commentary by Craig S. KeenerThe Gospel of John: A Commentary by Craig S. KeenerThe Historical Reliability of John’s Gospel by Craig L. BlombergJesus the Purifier: John’s Gospel and the Fourth Quest for the Historical Jesus by Craig L. BlombergJohn: The NIV Application Commentary by Gary M. BurgeThe Letters of John: The NIV Application Commentary by Gary M. BurgeThe New Testament in Antiquity by Gary M. Burge and Gene L. Green“The Fifth Gospel — Interview with Gary Burge” — GTI Tours Podcast #4“Why Context Matters — Interview with Dr. Gary Burge” — GTI Tours Podcast #45Gary Burge’s websiteBanias Archaeological Dig of 2020 — YouTubeAdditional audio production by Gus SimpsonSpecial Guest: Gary Burge.Support The BEMA Podcast

Nov 10, 2022 • 46min
304: The Construction of the Gospel of John
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the different elements of John’s construction and consider some of the scholarly theories and observations that have been made over the years, seeing what there might be to learn in those possibilities.Interpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. BurgeAsking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty SolomonSupport The BEMA Podcast

Nov 3, 2022 • 47min
303: The History and Style of the Gospel of John
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a tour through the history of textual criticism that surrounds the Gospel of John and we look at the unique styles and attributes of John’s writing.Interpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. BurgeHistorical Tradition and Sources in JohnSupport The BEMA Podcast

Oct 27, 2022 • 42min
302: John — Do You Even Like Me?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen in on the restoration of Peter and consider the conclusion John writes for his Gospel account.BEMA 131: BetrayalPre-order: Asking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty SolomonSupport The BEMA Podcast

Oct 20, 2022 • 1h 13min
301: John — On Doubting and Locked Doors
Brent Billings and Reed Dent discuss Thomas—a seemingly strange disciple—and question the nature of doubt and belief.“The Seeing Heart” by Frederick Buechner — YouTube“Frederick Buechner, Novelist With a Religious Slant, Dies at 96” by Robert D. McFadden — The New York TimesWishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner“St. Thomas Didymus” by Denise LevertovThe Stream & the Sapphire by Denise LevertovJoin the BEMA SlackSupport The BEMA Podcast

Oct 13, 2022 • 1h 16min
300: John — The Migdal
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks witness the resurrection of Jesus and consider the figure of Miriam the Migdal, more commonly known as Mary Magdalene.Isis — WikipediaEarly Christian Women and Pagan Opinion by Margaret Y. MacDonaldThe Resurrection of Mary Magdalene by Jane SchabergThe Woman Jesus Loved by Antti MarjanenSupport The BEMA Podcast

Oct 6, 2022 • 30min
299: John — One Pierced
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings pick up after the moment of Jesus’s death on the cross, looking at the preparations for his burial and the work of two unexpected characters who take their own stand in honoring Jesus.Arimathea — WikipediaSupport The BEMA Podcast
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