Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro

This week, we're talking all about Bible translations. If you're like me (Ryan), you’ve read several different translations throughout your life. They all say things a little bit differently, which sometimes can be confusing. Brian tells us about the two different styles of translations and the strengths and weaknesses of both. We also talk about how comparing different translations can give us some hints about what's going on with the Greek and how that can be helpful as we read and study.

Last week, Ryan and Brian talked about the relationships that are broken because of sin, and in this episode, they take another look at what sin does to us. Brian gives us a way of looking at it that you may not have considered before. Listen in to this helpful and interesting conversation!

Last week, Brian and Ryan talked about who God is. In this episode, they discuss the nature of sin, what sin can tell us about who God is, and the 4 relationships that have been broken because of sin. It's easy to think of sin as only a list of "do nots," but it actually may be so much more than that.

This week Brian and I are talking about the theology of God. If that sounds scary to you, no worries, it simply means we are talking about who God is and what he has revealed to us about himself. It’s a great conversation that is for everyone.

In early 2020, Ryan called Brian to discuss the book “Justification” by N.T. Wright, whom they have mentioned several times. Last week they talked at length about what the word can mean and how it was used in scripture and this week, they continue that conversation by looking at Roman chapter 8. As mentioned in the previous episode, the can be a controversial topic but the Bistro is a place for conversation and dialogue and that's what we are going to do.BooksJustification: God's Plan Paul's VisionThe Day the Revolution Began: Reconsidering the Meaning of Jesus's CrucifixionResident Aliens: Life in the Christian ColonyThe New Testament and the People of God.

This week, we're talking about the book and topic that led us to start this podcast. In early 2020, Ryan called Brian to discuss the book "Justification" by N.T. Wright, they we have mentioned several times. This is a heavy topic and one that comes with its fair share of controversy. If you’ve been to church or read your Bible, you’ve probably heard or read the word "justification" or "justify." It first appears in one of Paul's earliest letters to the Galatians, and he goes on to use it several more times throughout his letters. Unfortunately, Paul didn’t include a glossary of terms with his letters. In this episode, Ryan and Brian are talking about some of the scholarship that has gone into understanding the word and how's its definition might have more of a horizontal or relational aspect to it. We realize not everyone will agree on this subject, but the Bistro is a place of conversation -- so listen in to the discussion!

This week, Ryan and Brian are taking about Bible study preparation. They both share the tools they use and processes they go through to make sure they are getting to the Biblical authors' true intent. These are methods they use for their personal discipleship as well as when they are teaching, preaching, or facilitating discussions. Book RecommendationsHearers and Doers: A Pastor's Guide to Making Disciples Through Scripture and DoctrineCore 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a YearCSB Day-by-Day Chronological BibleA Long Obedience in the Same Direction

This week, Ryan and Brian are discussing archaeological evidence that proves the historical value of the Gospel of John. As they highlighted in Episode 18 ("The Gospels are Different -- Is That a Problem?"), the Gospel of John is different from the Synoptic Gospels, which has led some to believe that part of the content in John is not historical. However, recent discoveries are pushing against that view and that’s what we're sharing.Related EpisodesUnderstanding Symbolism in John6 Recent Discoveries in Biblical ArchaeologyThe One about Biblical Archeology with Mark ZieseThe Gospels are Different -- is That a Problem?

This week, Ryan and Brian discussing some recent discoveries in biblical archaeology and how they help us understand scripture. While some of these discoveries are literally small things, they continue to affirm and show the validity of the narratives in the Bible. There have been some fascinating discoveries that we think you will enjoy hearing about.Related EpisodesThe One about Our Israel-Palestine TripsThe One about Biblical Archeology with Mark ZieseOther LinksSecond Temple-era synagogue to be moved stone by stone for highwayIsraeli Archaeologists Find First Purple Fabric from King David’s EraAncient observation tower discovered in present IDF paratrooper base'Half-shekel' from First Temple era unearthed near City of DavidA Carved Stone Block Upends Assumptions About Ancient JudaismUnsealing of Christ's Reputed Tomb Turns Up New Revelations 

For this episode, Ryan and Brian are staying in the Gospels and looking at the book of Mark, specifically at the vineyard imagery in Mark 12. They look at how Jesus uses Isaiah to make His point, how the original audience would have understood it, and what some of the verses mean about God's nature and relationship with humanity.Related EpisodesThe One where We Rethink John 14The Bonus One about John 14Exploring the Temple Theme in the Gospel of John