Orthodocs.faith: Recent Episodes
John Harman and Ron Bentley
John Harman and Ron Bentley attempt to put their PhDs to use so that interpretation of scripture and Christian theology make sense.
John and Ron conclude their series on Old Testament quotes and allusions in the New. This time they look at the Gospel of John, the letters of John, and Revelation.
The post Old in the New, pt. 4: John and Revelation appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron conclude their series on Old Testament quotes and allusions in the New. This time they look at John and Revelation.
Ron and John conclude their survey of the Bible with a review of the final books of the New Testament and a brief look at the process by which the Christian Bible was recognized as scripture by Christians.
The post Bible Survey, Part 5: Epistles and Revelation (Encore) appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
The prophet Jeremiah used the phrase “new covenant” to describe God’s restored relationship with Israel. That phrase was crucial to the way Jesus described what God was doing through him, and the apostles picked it up. It has even come to represent the documents of the New Testament itself. In this third installment of their series “Old in the New,” John and Ron turn their attention to this crucial phrase.
The post Old in the New, pt. 3: New Covenant appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
This is the fourth episode in the Introduction to the Bible series John and Ron first released several years ago. In this episode, they turn their attention to the New Testament.
When they first released this episode in Season 2, John and Ron solicited ideas for a series. The series they suggested, the Sermon on the Mount, actually happened! You can find it on their website.
However, suggestions are still welcome. Send a message to contact@orthodocs.faith. We’d love to hear from you.
The post Bible Survey, Part 4: The Good News (Encore) appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
This is the fourth episode in the Introduction to the Bible series John and Ron first released several years ago. In this episode, they turn their attention to the New Testament for the first time.
When they first released this episode several years ago, John and Ron solicited ideas for series. The series they suggested, the Sermon on the Mount, actually happened! You can find it on their website.
However, suggestions are still welcome. Send us a message at contact@orthodocs.faith. We'd love to hear from you.
No New Testament without the Old … John and Ron have repeated it over and over. In this episode they look at how the apostle Paul quoted the Old Testament in his first letter to the Corinthians. According to them, Paul’s point was intellectual humility, although he had a point to make about hope, too. He reached for the Old Testament multiple times to support his argument.
The post Old in the New, pt. 2: 1 Corinthians 1-3 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John conclude the Old Testament portion of their survey through the Bible. We talk about King David, some history of the Israelite kingdoms that followed him, the prophets that spoke to those kingdoms and their neighbors, and the poetry that reflected on life with God.
The post Bible Survey, Part 3: Kings, Prophets, and More (Encore) appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron tackle the majority of the Old Testament in this third of the series where they introduce the Bible in just five episodes!
From the Historical Books to the Writings to the Prophets ... they cover it all in a whirlwind tour. The goal, though, is the big picture, and they argue the Old Testament sets up a problem the New has to solve.
John and Ron open their new series, Old in the New, with a study of Peter's sermon at Pentecost, Acts 2. How did Peter rely on his Bible, the Old Testament, to interpret what they had seen up to that day?
The story continues as God works through Moses and his successors in Israel to fulfill a promise to redeem humankind. Ron and John survey the books of Exodus through the reign of Saul in 1 Samuel.
The post Bible Survey, Part 2: From Moses to King Saul (Encore) appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
This is the second installment in John and Ron's whirlwind five episode introduction to the Bible as a whole. Here they conclude their discussion of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.
In the next episode, John and Ron will begin their series on the Old Testament in the New.
John and Ron conclude their series on Faith and Reason with this episode. In a wide ranging discussion, they cover everything from Galileo’s discoveries to modern biblical criticism.
The post Faith and Reason, Pt. 5: Modern Conundrums appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron conclude their series on Faith and Reason with this episode. In a wide ranging discussion, they cover everything from Galileo's discoveries to modern biblical criticism.
As we enter the summer of 2024, John and Ron are wrapping up a series on Faith and Reason. They will finish that series in the next release.
Through the summer they plan to release a series of episodes called The Old Testament in the New. They will examine places where the New Testament quotes or alludes to the Old.
When they do that, it will help to have the big picture of how the Bible is put together. The Bible is a complex set of documents assembled over a vast period of time. When the New Testament relies on the Old, it makes more sense when you know how those pieces fit together.
To help with that, John and Ron are re-releasing a series they produced in Season 2. It is a survey of the whole Bible in just five episodes! Over the summer, they will intersperse these episodes from the Bible survey with newer episodes on the Old Testament in the New.
This episode begins the re-release, and it is the first in that Bible Survey series. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the new series along with the encore.
The post Bible Survey, Part 1: From the Beginning (Encore) appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
As we enter the summer of 2024, John and Ron are wrapping up a series on Faith and Reason. They will finish that series in the episode after this one.
Through the summer they plan to release a series of episodes on the Old Testament in the New. They will examine places where the New Testament quotes or alludes to the Old.
When they do that, it will help to have the big picture of how the Bible is put together. The Bible is a complex set of documents assembled over a vast period of time. When the New Testament relies on the Old, it makes more sense when you know how those pieces fit together.
To help with that, John and Ron are re-releasing a series they produced a few years ago. It is an introduction to the whole Bible in just five episodes! Over the summer, they will intersperse these episodes from the introduction to the Bible with newer episodes on the Old Testament in the new.
This episode begins the re-release, and it is the first in that series. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the new series along with the old.
What does it mean to “bet on God”?! That’s the question as John and Ron read through portions of the classic argument called “Pascal’s Wager.” They introduce Pascal himself, and they tease out what he was trying to say.
The post Faith and Reason, Pt. 4: Pascal appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode, John and Ron turn their attention to Anselm, a medieval archbishop of Canterbury. They walk through Anselm’s “ontological proof” for the existence of God—and then argue the proof isn’t really what mattered to Anselm!
The post Faith and Reason, Pt. 3: Anselm appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode, John and Ron turn their attention to Anselm, a medieval archbishop of Canterbury. They walk through Anselm's "ontological proof" for the existence of God -- and then argue the proof isn't really what mattered to Anselm!
This is the second episode in the Faith and Reason series, and John and Ron consider an ancient figure named Irenaeus. Irenaeus argued that Christian faith is far more reasonable than alternatives being offered by the Gnostics.
Did you ever wonder when Christians started calling the New Testament "scripture"? What was the Gnostics' big secret? These and other questions crop up in the discussion.
In this new series, John and Ron argue that Christian faith is reasonable. Christians have reasons for what they believe, and those reasons are defensible. Perhaps most surprising, they insist there is no virtue in a "blind leap of faith"!
In this episode, John and Ron conclude their series on Ruth. The story is ultimately a story of redemption, a story where God provides hope where there was none before.
In episode 3 of their series on Ruth, John and Ron discuss the famous -- some would say infamous! -- threshing floor scene. As always, though, the focus is on the original context. Naomi and Ruth still have pressing needs. How will God provide?
Ron and John continue into chapter 2 of the Book of Ruth as the picture begins to change dramatically for the two main characters, Naomi and Ruth. God's providential guidance emerges along with hope in God's redemptive work.
Season five opens with a new series on the book of Ruth. Ruth is a masterful example of Hebrew narrative and a favorite story of many. In this episode, John and Ron discuss the background of the book and work their way through chapter 1 and the setup to the story.
John and Ron conclude their survey of the Gospel of John in this episode. They look closely at the remarkable opening chapter of the book.
In this episode, John and Ron work their way through John 9, where Jesus heals a man born blind. This fascinating mini-drama yields crucial clues to the context in which the Gospel was likely written.
John and Ron revisit an episode from a few years ago where they address John 2, the story of Jesus turning water into wine. Why is that story so important? Why does the Gospel of John place it first among the miracles Jesus performs?
In this second episode on the Gospel of John, Ron and John survey the "march to the cross," and they examine John's unique emphases in the story of the crucifixion.
John and Ron introduce a new series on the Gospel of John. In this first episode they examine how John tells the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. They compare it to the way Mark tells the same story, and they uncover several of the features that make the Gospel of John so distinct.
John and Ron conclude their series on throne room scenes throughout scripture. In this episode, they address the baffling book of Revelation, chapters 4-5. The author of Revelation sees himself in direct line with the prophets of the Old Testament, and the throne room scene of Revelation bears remarkable similarities to experiences that the prophets reported.
In this second episode of the series, John and Ron explore how the ancient Hebrews understood the heavenly court. They also examine encounters with the presence of God by Moses, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
John and Ron introduce their new series, Before the Throne. It starts with the awe-inspiring and terror-inducing pyrotechnics of Isaiah 6! Join them as they survey the prophets' encounters with the presence of God.
John and Ron conclude their series on the pivotal character of Samuel. In this episode, Saul falls and David rises, but Samuel’s story ends with a strange scene: a medium conjures his spirit for Saul at Endor.
The post The Strange Ending to Samuel’s Story appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron conclude their series on the pivotal character of Samuel, but it concludes with one of the stranger stories in the Bible, Saul at Endor!
The nation of Israel demanded a king, and it fell to Israel’s prophet-judge and acting priest Samuel to fulfill their demand. In this episode John and Ron address the quandary Samuel faced and the way this pivotal character led the nation through a fundamental leadership change.
The post Samuel the Kingmaker appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
The nation of Israel demanded a king, and it fell to Samuel to satisfy their demand. In this episode John and Ron address the quandary Samuel faced and the way this pivotal character led the nation through a fundamental change.
John and Ron move deeper into the story of Samuel. Now it becomes the story of two families, Samuel and his parents on one side, Eli and his sons on the other. In one of the most moving scenes of the entire cycle, the boy prophet Samuel hears directly from God and [...]
The post Samuel: Prophet and Leader appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron move deeper into the story of Samuel. Now it becomes the story of two families, Samuel and his parents on one side, Eli and his sons on the other. In one of the most moving scenes of the entire cycle, the boy prophet Samuel reluctantly confronts the high priest Eli with the stern rebuke God had delivered.
Samuel’s story in the Old Testament begins with a birth narrative that highlights his importance in God’s redemptive work. In fact, he is a key figure in Israel’s transition to the monarchy that begins with Saul and David. His early story bears similarities to other stories from Israel’s history. It is [...]
The post Samuel: Born to Make a Difference appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode, John and Ron begin their focus on the character of Samuel. Not only was he a central character ushering in Israel's kings, his story bears similarities to other stories from Israel's history. It is a model that even gets repeated in the gospels.
In this episode John and Ron conclude their series on grace and free will. Can modern Christians maintain original sin but stop short of predestination? Who has done this in the past, and how did they do it? How do modern Christian philosophers approach this problem? Join them as they conclude [...]
The post Grace and Free Will: A Middle Way appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode John and Ron conclude their series on grace and free will.
Can modern Christians maintain original sin but stop short of predestination? Who has done this in the past, and how did they do it? How do modern Christian philosophers approach this problem?
Join them as they conclude this search for a "middle way" between Pelagius and Augustine.
We as humans are completely dependent on God’s grace to restore the relationship God always intended for us. At the same time, though, it’s clear humanity is called to make a decision to side with God and participate in the restored relationship. The tension between God’s grace and our own [...]
The post Grace and Free Will: The Clash appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
We as humans are completely dependent on God's grace to restore the relationship God always intended. At the same time, though, it's clear humanity is called to make a decision to side with God and participate in the restored relationship.
The tension between God's grace and our own free will flamed into an explosive debate between Augustine and Pelgius in the fifth century, shortly after the sack of Rome. In this episode, John and Ron take a look at the outline of that debate.
This is the second episode where Ron and John explore the interplay between grace—what God does for us—and free will—what we decide for ourselves. In this episode, they delve into numerous excerpts from scripture that inform this topic, but it includes passages that also raise as many questions as they [...]
The post Grace and Free Will, Ep. 2 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
This is the second episode where John and Ron explore the interplay between grace -- what God does for us -- and free will -- what we decide for ourselves.
In this episode, they delve into numerous excerpts from scripture that inform this topic, but it includes passages that also raise as many questions as they answer. As always, though, they look to all of scripture, the Old and New Testaments alike, and they discover a key in the Old Testament perspective that clearly illuminates New Testament language about predestination.
Join John and Ron as they take this next step exploring a question that subsequently consumed the ancient world: if we are utterly dependent on God's grace to restore our relationship, what do our own decisions have to do with it?
Ron and John begin discussing a longstanding tension in Christian theology in this first episode of the series, “Grace and Free Will.” They set the stage to examine the theological question of human choice. How do free will and what many call “predestination” interact? What are the extremes in this discussion, and are these ideas meant to be pitted against each other?
The post Free Will: What’s Grace Got to Do With It? appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
This episode is the second of two in which Ron and John each choose a favorite from the archives to share. This time it’s John’s choice. We hope you enjoy this as we prepare to begin our newest series in the next episode. Here’s what John has to say about his selection:
“My favorite episodes are those that blend our expertises especially well to bring a fully biblical witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For my choice, I’m reaching back to the end of our first season, which we concluded with a series called ‘Ultimate Hope Has a Name’. The first episode in that series opened the door to a great four-episode discussion of what Christian hope is ultimately about. We brought Old Testament, New Testament, history, theology, and the early Church into the conversation in the kind of collaboration that I think makes Orthodocs.faith unique.”
The post John’s Choice: How Christian Hope Goes Beyond Words appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
This episode is the first of two in which Ron and John each choose a favorite from the archives to share. Ron goes first, and next time it’s John’s choice. We hope you enjoy this as we take time to prepare our next series and get ready to lean into the summer. Here’s what Ron has to say about his selection:
“One of my favorite episodes was our treatment of the Doctrine of God. It was the second in our series on basic Christian theology. It may sound odd, but I’m convinced that if I’ve got anything worth saying to the world, it’s what I said about God in my monologue there. I enjoyed how we got to play that out in the subsequent discussion.”
The post Ron’s Choice: Doctrine of God appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
After feeding more than 5,000 people, Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him in a boat while he stayed behind. But when they ran into trouble, Jesus walked out to them on the water. Mark tells us that Jesus went to “pass by” them, but that probably means much more than most of us realize. John and Ron look at this and other surprises in the dramatic and well-known story from Mark 6.
The post Straining at the Oars: Mark 6 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John conclude their short series on the temptation of Jesus. They examine closely the exchange between the devil and Jesus because it is packed with allusions, parallels, and direct references to the history of the ancient nation of Israel.
The post Temptation of Jesus, part 2 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John conclude their short series on the temptation of Jesus. They examine closely the exchange between the devil and Jesus because it is packed with allusions, parallels and direct references to the history of the ancient nation of Israel.
There are fascinating connections between the Old Testament and the New in the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. In this episode, Ron and John look closely at this scene in the gospels. They look for what’s going on with each of the offers that the devil makes, the background to Jesus’ responses from scripture, and how that informs our reading.
The post Temptation of Jesus, part 1 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
There are fascinating connections between the Old Testament and the New in the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. John and Ron look closely at this episode in the gospels to see what’s going on with each of the offers that the devil makes, the background to Jesus’ responses, and how that informs our reading.
This is the final episode in the series that covers the first three chapters of Genesis. Guided by a close reading in the original context, John and Ron look back and ask: What is essential from this story?
The post Genesis 1-3: Conclusion appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
This is the final episode in the series that covers the first three chapters of Genesis. Guided by a close reading in the original context, John and Ron look back and ask: What is essential from this story? What is not?
The story of the fall in Genesis 3 may be one of the most widely recognized sections of scripture. John and Ron push past millennia of interpretation, reinterpretation—and outright misinterpretation!—to consider just what original readers of Genesis might have perceived in the story.
The post Genesis 1-3: The Fall appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this third episode on Genesis, John and Ron move into the creation story told in chapter 2. If chapter 1, is the “God’s-eye view,” chapter 2 might be called the “view from the ground.”
The post Genesis 1-3: View from the Ground appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this second episode of their series on Genesis 1-3, John and Ron begin looking directly at the text . . . in the beginning. They start with Genesis 1 and the first of the creation stories in these three chapters.
The post Genesis 1-3: In the Beginning appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron open their fourth season of Orthodocs.faith with a new series on the first three chapters of Genesis. The stories told there are crucial to the way Christians describe God’s work in the world—just not always the way we expect! John and Ron open with an orientation to these foundational three chapters, and they discuss how important it is to read them in context.
The post Genesis 1-3: The Story in Context appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron conclude their third season of Orthodocs.faith with a Christmas episode on joy. This is a key theme in the Bible for Christians, and it is one that can be easily misunderstood in today’s culture. What is joy in scripture? How does it work? And why do we associate it so closely with Christmas?
The post Joy appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode John and Ron have a returning guest, Dr. Craig Gilbert of Purposed Heart Ministries. They discuss his new book, Launching a New Worship Community: A Practical Guide for the 2020s, and get his perspective on some important topics in Christian worship today.
You can find resources, podcast episodes, teaching, sermons, and contact information for Dr. Gilbert at purposedheartministries.com.
The post Creating New Worship Communities: Interview with Dr. Craig Gilbert appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron conclude their Introduction to Christian Theology series by asking, What can we reasonably say about God’s final purposes for creation given what we read in scripture? Wild theories abound. What real biblical expectations do we have, and what do they mean for us today as we live toward what [...]
The post Doctrine of Last Things appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John now consider the doctrine of the church as they near the end of their series on a basic introduction to Christian theology. What is the church? What role does it play? The conversation takes a noticeably practical turn as John and Ron ask how someone can know the Holy [...]
The post Doctrine of the Church appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron now consider the doctrine of the church as they near the end of their series on a basic introduction to Christian theology. What is the church? What role does it play? The conversation takes a noticeably practical turn as John and Ron ask how someone can know the Holy Spirit is at work in a specific congregation.
It is no surprise to anyone that “salvation” is a central topic for Christians, but what is it, what does it mean, and why do we need it? Ron and John address those questions in this episode.
The post Doctrine of Salvation appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
It is no surprise to anyone that "salvation" is a central topic for Christians, but what is it, what does it mean, and why do we need it? John and Ron address those questions in this episode.
At long last! What are we as human beings? What is our purpose? John and Ron address these questions, and the question of what God intended comes front and center.
The post Doctrine of Human Beings appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
At long last! What are we as human beings? What is our purpose? John and Ron address these questions, and the question of what God intended comes front and center.
John and Ron turn their attention to creation and providence. How does God interact with the world God created? But … lurking in the background is the ever-present “problem of evil.” Now they have to tackle that problem head on.
The post Creation, Providence, and the Problem of Evil appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron now turn their attention to creation and providence. How does God interact with the world God created? But ... lurking in the background is the ever-present "problem of evil." Now they have to tackle that problem head on.
In this fourth episode of their introduction to basic Christian Theology, John and Ron tackle the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Who is the Spirit? What role does the Spirit play? They also take the opportunity to step back and treat the doctrine of the Trinity in its entirety.
John and Ron continue their introduction to basic Christian theology, and in this episode they reach the doctrine of Jesus Christ at the heart of the Christian message.
In this second episode of their introduction to basic Christian theology, Ron and John tackle the doctrine of God: Who is God? What is God like? They navigate the difficult terrain of talking about God in a way that represents responsibly what we can know but avoids bold claims about the [...]
The post Doctrine of God appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this second episode of their introduction to basic Christian theology, John and Ron tackle the doctrine of God. Who is God? What is God like?
Where do we start a discussion of basic Christian theology? How about with the question of how we know what we know? As Christians, we make certain claims about what is true. It seems worthwhile, then, to take time up front to examine the basis for those claims. Where does [...]
The post Prolegomena appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron begin their introduction to basic Christian theology with a session on "prolegomena," the things that need to be said at the beginning.
In this episode, John and Ron conclude their series on the letter of 1 John, and this time it’s no holds barred as they go after misreadings of the letter!
The post First John, pt. 4: Conclusion appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode, John and Ron reach the heart of the letter: God is love. But does it mean what we think? Or is the author of 1 John saying something about love we don’t expect?
The post First John, pt. 3: God is Love appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode, John and Ron reach the heart of the letter: God is love. But does it mean what we think? Or is the author of 1 John saying something about love we don't expect?
In this second episode of the series on First John, John and Ron delve into the division that lay behind the letter’s sharp admonitions to its readers.
The post First John, pt. 2: Division appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this second episode of the series on First John, John and Ron delve into the division that lay behind the letter's sharp admonitions to its readers.
Ron and John introduce a new series on the letter of First John. The letter opens with an emphatic statement about the concrete reality of the gospel, and it moves quickly to the difficult topic of love in the context of bitter division.
The post First John, pt. 1: What We Have Seen and Heard appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John and Ron introduce a new series on the letter of First John. The letter opens with an emphatic statement about the concrete reality of the gospel, and it moves quickly to the difficult topic of love in the context of bitter division.
The final episode in the Book of Joshua series reviews the results of Israel’s campaigns to take the land of Canaan and God’s instructions for its distribution to the tribes. The text appears to report that Israel both did and did not subdue the whole of Canaan. Ron and John [...]
The post Joshua, part 5: Settling a Promised Land appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this fourth episode of their series in Joshua, Ron and John tackle the exciting but difficult episodes that describe the conquests of Jericho and Ai. Before those battles, however, important rituals set up what follows in order to keep the focus on the real message of the Book of [...]
The post Joshua, part 4: Jericho and Ai appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In the discussion this time, Ron and John follow the people of Israel as they cross the Jordan River into the promised land. In Joshua 3-4, God arranges their passage in a spectacular way. This episode takes a close look at how that happens and how the story is told—and [...]
The post Joshua, part 3: Crossing the Jordan River appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In the discussion this time, Ron and John follow the people of Israel as they cross the Jordan River into the promised land. In Joshua 3-4, God arranges their passage in a spectacular way. This episode takes a close look at how that happens and how the story is told—and retold.
In the second installment of their series on Joshua, John and Ron take a close look at chapter 2. Joshua—once a spy for Moses—now dispatches his own spies to scope out Jericho. Their encounter with a woman named Rahab proves intriguing. Image “Scarlet Cord” by Jon Marlow is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
The post Joshua, part 2: Spies Visit Rahab appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John begin a new series in the Book of Joshua by looking at how Joshua’s story fits into the biblical narrative and how Israel begins its final preparations to enter the promised land. “Be strong and courageous” is the word in chapter 1 as Israel moves toward the [...]
The post Joshua, part 1: Be Strong and Courageous appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John conclude their treatment of the Sermon on the Mount, but there are still some surprises to come in the statements Jesus makes during his epilogue.
The post Sermon on the Mount, Part 6: Conclusion appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode, John and Ron reach the end of the primary instruction in the Sermon on the Mount with the Golden Rule as the grand finale. Along the way, though, they have to confront the challenging address about worrying.
The post Sermon on the Mount, Part 5: Unwavering Kingdom Focus appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
John returns from a recent trip to the Holy Land, and in this episode he and Ron explore the background and significance of Jesus’ teaching on prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is a central part of this teaching, and a special treat related to it waits for you at the end [...]
The post Sermon on the Mount, Part 4: The Lord’s Prayer appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
With one example after another, the surprises continue as Jesus challenges his audience in the Sermon on the Mount. Ron and John continue their treatment of Matthew 5-7 and the question of what righteousness looks like in the kingdom of God. Jesus gives his answer to this question in increasing detail as [...]
The post Sermon on the Mount, Part 3: The Kingdom’s High Standards appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John continue to work through the Sermon on the Mount. In this episode, they deal with the claim Jesus makes early in the Sermon that he fulfills the Law. The question of “What is righteousness?” also comes up as Jesus continues to surprise those listening to him teach.
The post Sermon on the Mount, Part 2: Fulfilling the Law appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
What does life in the kingdom of God look like? Jesus takes on that question in the Sermon on the Mount, and in this first episode of a new series Ron and John begin a close look at his answer. He starts with some surprises and raises some unexpected expectations.
The post Sermon on the Mount, Part 1: Introduction appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this final episode of the Day of the Lord series, John and Ron examine the letters of Paul and the New Testament books associated with the apostle John. They conclude (as they must, of course!) with the baffling book of Revelation. This episode released on Christmas Eve, 2021. What does [...]
The post The Day of the Lord, Part 3 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
New Testament Christians insisted that all our hopes are fulfilled in the work God accomplished in Jesus Christ. A cursory examination of the world around us suggests that all our hopes are clearly not yet fulfilled. What gives? Concentrating on the story that Luke tells in the books of Luke [...]
The post The Day of the Lord, Part 2 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John kick off a new season and a new series with the topic “The Day of the Lord”. The Bible looks forward to a future time when God would make all things right. In this first of three episodes, they look at the Old Testament foundations for a [...]
The post The Day of the Lord, Part 1 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Season 2 is over! Season 3 is here. As they prepare for a new Advent series in the Year of our Lord 2021, Ron and John pause to reflect on where they’ve been and where they’re headed. Also, come see what Christmas has to do with the end of the world!
The post Season 3 Begins: Catching Up appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode John and Ron conclude their series on the problem of evil. They ask what we can say when we’re confronted with evil—as well as what we should not say! They also dive back into scripture. How does this account of the problem of evil square with what scripture says, [...]
The post The Problem of Evil, Part 4 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode Ron and John dive into the core of the problem of evil. We consider the “argument from evil”—an argument that says because evil exists, God cannot exist as Christians describe God: all-knowing, all-powerful, and good. As an answer, we discuss what is known as the “free will defense.”
The post The Problem of Evil, Part 3: Free Will Defense appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode Ron and John sort out what good and evil are. We conclude by examining an episode where Jesus’ disciples demand to know: why did this particular bad thing happen?
The post The Problem of Evil, Part 2 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
Ron and John begin a four-episode series on what is traditionally called “the problem of evil.” In this episode, we lay the groundwork for a conversation that deals with the problem of accounting for evil things that happen in the world around us given what we say we believe about [...]
The post The Problem of Evil, Part 1 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.
In this second of two interim summer episodes, Ron and John take a look at Mark 2, where Jesus heals a man who was paralyzed. What Jesus says and does when friends lower the man through the roof in order to reach him is unexpected, intriguing, and even scandalous. Image: [...]
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In this interim episode at the end of summer, 2021, John and Ron ask: why is it so important that Jesus turns water into wine early in the Gospel of John?
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We are working on upcoming episodes and busy with summer activities right now, so we are taking a short, one-episode break. In the meantime, for those who haven’t discovered it yet, we’d like you to hear our “behind the scenes” episode from the start of this season.
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How does the story end? Ron and John conclude their survey of Jonah as we find Jonah and God in conversation for the first time. Through their dialogue we see Jonah’s motivations, God’s heart, and the big lesson of the story. Image: Davidbena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Jonah survived his encounter with the sea in chapter 2. What happens next? Ron and John follow Jonah to his next destination and explore the startling events that now happen on land.
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In the second chapter of Jonah, the fact that the prophet spends three days and three nights in the belly of a fish is not the only surprising development. Ron and John take a deep dive into what Jonah has to say as he ponders his predicament.
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Ron and John begin a new series through the book of Jonah. In this episode, we introduce the book with a look at its background and setting, what kind of story it is, and how the drama gets underway in chapter 1.
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On May 2, Ron and John joined Dr. Doug Fox, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Irving, Texas, for a live discussion in their worship service. Our focus was the Bible as a single story and the importance of reading the Old and New Testaments together. We hope [...]
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This episode concludes our series through the Book of Philippians with chapter 4. Paul exhorts the Philippians to rejoice as he does, experiencing God’ peace in all circumstances.
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Our series in Philippians continues in chapter 3, where we learn that next to knowing Christ, everything else is valueless in comparison. Ron and John explore this crucial point that Paul makes and how he makes it, along with a further look at how he appeals to the Roman Philippians [...]
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Ron and John continue in Philippians with chapter 2, including a discussion of how this chapter instructs Christians in both beliefs and behavior. The person and example of Jesus Christ are at the very center of what the apostle Paul has to say to both the Philippian church and to [...]
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In this first of four episodes surveying the Book of Philippians, Ron and John explore the unique background of Philippi as it relates to understanding Paul’s letter and dive into the first chapter.
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Ron and John conclude their survey of the Bible with a review of the final books of the New Testament and a brief look at the process by which the Christian Bible was recognized as scripture by Christians.
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We continue our survey through the Bible to follow the core story into the New Testament. As the long-awaited Messiah comes and the good news spreads, the work that God began in and through Israel advances. Ron and John discuss the four gospels and the Book of Acts as the [...]
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Ron and John conclude the Old Testament portion of their survey through the Bible. We talk about King David, some history of the Israelite kingdoms that followed him, the prophets that spoke to those kingdoms and their neighbors, and the poetry that reflected on life with God.
The story continues as God works through Moses and his successors in Israel to fulfill a promise to redeem humankind. Ron and John survey the books of Exodus through the reign of Saul in 1 Samuel.
Ron and John begin a five-episode survey of the biblical story's basic outline. We start with an introduction to the Bible itself and a look back to the beginning—the Book of Genesis.
Ron and John conclude the series Prepare the Way with a look at two faithful followers of God who worshiped continuously as they waited for their Savior. When they saw him, they knew that God had fulfilled his promise to comfort and to restore humankind. We can learn much from their worship, waiting, and witness.
For information about our companion eBook for this series, Prepare the Way, visit the store at orthodocs.faith/shop.
In this episode, Ron and John take a close look at the classic nativity story in Luke 2. The fulfillment of God’s promise in Isaiah 40 bursts into the world as heaven sings!
For information about our companion eBook for this series, Prepare the Way, visit the store at orthodocs.faith/shop.
In the second episode of our series “Prepare the Way,” Ron and John show how Isaiah 40 is a key setting for how the gospels introduce Jesus. We look specifically at Matthew 3:1-12 and listen to the “voice of one calling” humankind to “prepare the way.” That voice is John the Baptist’s, and its connection to Isaiah sheds important light on the person and mission of Jesus.
Ron and John introduce Isaiah 40, a magnificent chapter with dual themes of comfort and hope on one hand and the majesty of God on the other. This key passage is a foundation upon which all four New Testament gospel writers introduce the life and ministry of Jesus. Many Christians will recognize it, and all Christians should know why it is so significant.
We have examined where hope was fixed in the biblical story and how that informs us as we think about where our hope belongs today. In this final episode of Ultimate Hope Has a Name, Ron and John describe how early Christians focused all the hopes of ancient Israel on the individual Jesus. How did they know that Jesus was the answer to their ancient hope? Where exactly should we place our hope for the future now? Is there such a thing as ultimate hope, beyond which there is no need to hope for anything else?
We find our best understanding of Christian hope when we look for it in the biblical story itself. In this third episode of our series Ultimate Hope Has a Name, we look at a time in history when hope could have been lost. God’s promises seemed to have no way of coming to pass. When it came to hope, some things went right and others got off track. We can learn from both as we search for ultimate hope ourselves.
Our series Ultimate Hope Has a Name continues in this episode that looks into hope’s Old Testament past. Biblical hope focuses on the fulfillment of ancient promises that God made and that gather around a coming Messiah-King. What are those promises, and how does a future Israelite king relate to them? Ron and John discuss how those hopes for a Messiah developed in ancient Israel and why they became important to the intense expectations that arose in the years before Jesus’ birth.
In this opening episode of our new series Ultimate Hope Has a Name, Ron and John begin to dig into what Christian hope really is. It is far more substantial and powerful than a mere desire for something to happen in the future. We begin a journey here toward a deeper, biblical understanding of hope—one that will not only change our lives but will also change the world. Is there an ultimate hope that leaves us longing for nothing more? Can we name that hope? A careful quest to grasp an ultimate hope for our future requires us to start with a look to the past.
Celebrate Episode 20 with us as we visit with special guest Dr. Craig Gilbert of Purposed Heart Ministries! Together we explore how the Christian community’s corporate worship differs from personal, individual worship. Then, we look specifically at the important role that lament (as we have come to understand it in the Psalms) can play in the Christian community’s worship today. In our conversation, Dr. Gilbert brings all of this together in some practical ways.
This episode examines some of the smaller (but equally important) categories of psalms. Psalms of trust, songs of Zion, historical psalms, and wisdom and Torah psalms get a brief look, along with some examples that include the beloved Psalm 23 and the epic Psalm 119. We continue to experience the depth and breadth of life experience that the Psalms offer us as they lead us to God from the many different circumstances in which we find ourselves.
While some psalms praise God for who God is, others praise God for something specific that God has done in our lives. In this episode, we explore praise psalms of thanksgiving and look at Psalm 116 as an example. We also discuss where we find this in the New Testament and early Church, and how these psalms can lead us in faithful thanksgiving today.
In this episode, John and Ron explore praise psalms of thanksgiving and look at Psalm 116 as an example.
Some psalms offer praise to God simply for who God is. In this episode, Ron and John take up this kind of praise psalm and focus on Psalm 8 as an example. We also connect with how the New Testament understood Psalm 8. These psalms of praise help to lead us today in our created purpose to worship God, and we explore that potential in the discussion as well.
Psalms express real life, including the low places of grief, frustration, despair, and even anger at God. Can we complain to God at such times? Can we be exasperated and faithful at the same time? In this episode, Ron and John explore psalms of lament, which can help to lead us in those seasons of anguish, and to cling to God in life’s storms. We look at Psalms 13, 22, and 85 as examples of how this works.
In this new series called Journey through the Psalms, Ron and John begin the trek by introducing the Book of Psalms as a whole and discussing the role of Psalms in Jewish and Christian tradition. Next, we examine the “front door” of this magnificent book, Psalm 1. How does it invite us onto the journey? What choice does it encourage us to make as we seek a life that ultimately leads to the core of our created purpose: the pure, unbridled praise of God?
Ron and John explain what they set about to accomplish with their podcast on Orthodocs.faith.
In this episode, we wrap up our series on Resurrection from 1 Corinthians 15. What do we know about our future rising from the dead and the resurrection bodies that we will have? How does this all connect to the bigger picture of what God is doing? Listen in as we follow how Paul brings his discussion of resurrection and hope in this chapter to a close with an important command that should encourage every Christian.
In this second of three episodes on 1 Corinthians 15, Ron and John continue the discussion of resurrection and why the hope of the Christian faith rests so heavily on it. How does the logic work? What should our response be? And what is the “big-picture” point of it all? We look at First Corinthians 15:12-34 for some answers.
With a dive into 1 Corinthians 15, Ron and John continue the conversation about resurrection and why it is an essential foundation for the Christian faith. In this episode, we discuss 1 Corinthians as a whole and begin to work through chapter 15 and its crucial resurrection message for us with a look at verses 1-11.
In this special Easter weekend episode, Ron and John explore the core Christian doctrine of resurrection from the dead. Why is it such a critical, indispensable foundation for our faith? Why does it matter so much, and how can reflecting on this topic nourish our hope in our own challenging times?
In this last episode in our series on basic Christian theology, Ron and John explore some essentials of Christian belief about the end times.
John and Ron take up the question of the church. What is the church? What role does it play in the lives of Christians?
In this episode, Ron and John explore what salvation is: What does it mean to be “saved,” why do we need to be saved, and what is the goal of salvation?
What does it mean to be human? In this episode on a Christian doctrine of humanity, Ron and John build on the doctrine of God as they look into who we are as human beings created in the image of God. Who are we? Why are we? And whose are we?
John and Ron tackle the doctrine of creation and providence, but hard on its heels comes the problem of evil. If God has the power, why doesn't God fix everything that goes wrong?
John and Ron will say many times that Christians worship one God in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In this episode they take up the following question: who is the Holy Spirit?
The story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is absolutely central to a Christian understanding of the world. But how is it related to the doctrine of God? John and Ron explore that in this episode.
Who is God? What is God like?
These and other questions about God are front and center as Ron and John navigate the difficult terrain of talking about God in a way that represents responsibly what we can know but avoids bold claims about the things we cannot.
What is Christian theology? What assumptions does it begin with? What questions is it trying to answer? How does scripture factor into all this? John Harman and Ron Bentley take up these questions and more in this initial episode of a series on basic Christian theology.