The Divine Council Worldview Podcast

In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) What are some DCW topics that could benefit from further scholarly attention? 2) Was Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:20 unique? 3) Was the mal’ak of Yahweh in the OT the pre-incarnate Jesus? 4) How should we understand human decision-making and God's sovereignty playing out together? 5) Were some of Jesus’ miracles uniquely “messianic” in nature, proving that he was God's predicted messiah?

In this episode, Ronn Mike Chu discuss the man healed at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). They describe how this story ultimately illustrates loyalty to the correct deity, as this pool had traditionally been understood to be dedicated to Asclepius, the Roman god of healing. Thus when Jesus cautioned the man to “sin no more” (5:14) he was warning the man to never appeal to another god for healing from that day forward. The episode concludes with a discussion of the implications of the Sabbath, as well and Jesus’ authority in relation to contemporary faith practices.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the second half of John 4 (verses 27 through 54) which concludes the Samaritan woman narrative. They note how eternal life, which originally was linked to promises made to Israel, now becomes a promise for the entire world as any person places their loyalty in Jesus Christ. They investigate the meaning of “savior” in the ancient world, ultimately realizing that the role of Jesus as Savior encompassed more than just salvation from sin, but also protection and guidance. They conclude by reviewing Jesus’ second recorded sign in the gospel, affirming Jesus’ authority over life and death.

Mel, Rich, and Ronn unpack their experience at the Divine Council Worldview Conference, highlighting meaningful connections, diverse perspectives, and Spirit-led conversations. They dive into deep topics like the authority of Scripture, the role of the church fathers, and the centrality of atonement within the Divine Council framework. This episode is a reflection on unity, truth, and the shared mission of living out faith with purpose.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the story of the woman of Samaria in John chapter 4. They discuss the theological implications of faith and loyalty, responding to critiques of Matthew Bates' work on salvation. The conversation also describes the historical context of the relationship between Jews and Samaritans, highlighting the long-standing conflict and its roots in biblical history. They discover that the historical and cultural context of Samaritan worship is ultimately what is at stake in Jesus' concern for this conversation. In conclusion, the dialogue emphasizes the transformative nature of true worship and the understanding of Jesus' role in bridging cultural divides.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the various themes present in John 3:22-36: righteousness, sin, Jesus’ atonement, the significance of baptism, and the acceptance of Gentiles into the family of Abraham. Ronn particularly introduces his understanding of the Holy Spirit’s “sanctification” of Gentile communities in the upcoming Book of Acts, recommending that this idea will satisfy so many of the tensions both in the ministry of Jesus and the growth of the later church. They conclude by emphasizing the importance of understanding the gospel in the context of Abraham family dynamics and the unfulfilled story of Israel.

In this episode, Ronn & Mike explore Nicodemus' interview with Jesus as recorded in John 3:1-21. They discuss the possiblew misconceptions surrounding the Mosaic law, the Jewish expectations of what a messiah would accomplish, the nature of Jesus' teachings, and the meaning behind the term 'born again.' The conversation highlights the historical context of the Pharisees and their relationship with Jesus, as well as the broader themes of Gentile inclusion and understanding what kind of thought world Jesus would have shared with someone like Nicodemus. 

Recorded live at the DCW Conference in Indianapolis, Mel sits down with Jason Bostow, host of the Ring Them Bells podcast, for a powerful conversation on the legacy of Dr. Michael Heiser. They explore Heiser’s impact on biblical scholarship, the need for interdisciplinary boldness, and the personal stories inspiring Jason’s upcoming documentary.

In this discussion, Dr. Matthew Bates, a New Testament scholar and author of 'Beyond the Salvation Wars,' delves into the complexities of faith among various Christian denominations. He explores the Greek term 'pistis' and its implications for understanding loyalty to Christ, while addressing misconceptions about grace between Protestants and Catholics. Bates emphasizes the need for church unity and the importance of allegiance to the Gospel, proposing a fresh perspective on kingship in faith that could bridge the divides within Christianity.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the final three verses of John 2. This short passage allows their conversation to develop at length the concepts of “belief" and “faith” in both the Old Testament (Hebrew, aman) and the New Testament (Greek, pisteou). The study details the implications of Jesus' understanding of belief and loyalty when it comes to his expectation of “following” him into eternal life. Along the way they emphasize the importance of viewing faith as an expression of loyalty rather than as a passive acceptance of Jesus’ work on the cross, in the end critiquing modern theological interpretations of faith.