Book & Spade: Recent Episodes
John
Defending scripture and a biblical world view through archaeology, philosophy, and science. It is the intention of this page to provide a platform for all devout Christians to examine and defend the claims of scripture regardless of denomination, in order to arrive at a clear understanding of truth. This site will provide the latest in archaeological and theological hypotheses for the reliability of the biblical narrative and common questions associated with the claims they are in. However as a disclaimer, we encourage every viewer to diligently research everything that is provided so that they can come to their own conclusion in their quest for veritas [truth]. We do not claim to possess answers that will be satisfying to every inquirer, but we do hope that or explanations will be intriguing and will spur you on in your own study of the word. God speed, and many thanks,JohnFounder of Book & Spade
A brief overview concerning what has, and has not been revealed regarding the third secret of Fatima.
In light of the highly insensitive depiction of The Last Supper shown at the opening of the Olympics, we raise the primary question: How are we, as followers of Jesus, to respond?
When the third secret of Fatima was released, seemingly to the public in the early 2000s, many questions arose as to whether the full secret had been released. Book & Spade investigates this matter further.
Unmasking the Beloved Disciple. The authorship of the Gospel of John has been hotly, contested and scholarly circles since the rise of the historical critical method in the 19 Century. Despite this, the vast consensus of the historical tradition has pointed to the identity of the author being John, the Apostle, the son of Zebedee.
In this follow-up interview with Dr. Lydia McGrew, author of ‘The Eye of the Beholder,’ seminarian John Evans discusses the implications of apostolic authorship for the fourth gospel, and the grounds to assert the traditional claim.@LydiaMcGrewChannel
Lydia's channel: @LydiaMcGrewChannel
Lydia's Website: https://lydiamcgrew.com
A short reflection on the powerful meaning of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
A dramatic recitation of Psalms 109 through 111 by Samantha Evans for spiritual formation.
A brief meditation on the power of Christ resurrection in light of scripture and his Jewish context
An overview of how Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King Jr used media available to them to proclaim the Good News.
A brief sketch of why we can trust Matthew's account of the magi and the star in light of writings of Ignatius of Antioch, disciple of the apostle John.
A closer look at the symbolism behind the manger in Bethlehem in light of the Old Testament.
An in-depth discussion on a biblical understanding of worship and the materials ways God reaches us. Covering questions like:
What is the use of relics?
What is the future use of the Ark of the Covenant?
What is the nature of love?
Why Resurrection Matters. An exploration as to why the bodily resurrection influences our beliefs about life.
A closer look at the possibility J.R.R. Tolkien's subconscious understanding of the papacy, its possible corruption, and need for future reformation.
A sermon offered for United Lutheran Seminary defending the needs for a Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century while also emphasizing our need for respect for our Catholic tradition.
Even in many self-proclaimed conservative Bible colleges, seminaries, and churches, the events of the fall of man, the ancient flood, and many other passages of the Bible are approached as largely allegorical. However, the authors of the New Testament and the so-called historical Jesus Himself thoroughly believed in those events and people as historically reliable.
In this episode, student of theology, John Evans offers his own personal perspective on the powerful testimony of Jesus regarding the veracity of the Hebrew Bible and scripture as a whole.
A Defense of the Redemptive Power of the Cross of Christ in Light of the Ministry of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and the Death of George Floyd
In this lecture for United Lutheran Seminary, I seek to defend the biblical conviction that the cross of Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and is a call for radical solidarity with one another against the thesis of new theologians such as Richard Rohr that would seek to draw a wedge between the earthly ministry of Jesus and his execution. According to contemporary theologians, the death of Jesus is a horrendous tragedy and should not be held up as a sign of anything other than a great tragedy.
However, as a committed Christian who believes in the atoning power of Jesus’ death for the forgiveness of my sins, I have submitted this lecture responding to these claims drawing on contemporary history in the 20th Century and events in the 21st pointing out how indebted we are to the message of the cross. While I emphasize these historic moments, I offer neither a conservative of liberal political affirmation of them, but only list them as recent examples where humanity was called to respond with love and protest as a result of their conviction of the atoning power and suffering.
A brief overview of my journey to churches and parish communities throughout the Hudson Valley. For United Lutheran Seminary.
Evangelical Lutheran seminarian, John Evans discusses with childhood friend, Matthew Lewis, perspectives on the Immaculate Conception.
A brief overview of Psalm 91 in its context as a deliverance prayer, and the spiritual warfare we all face.
Even in many self-proclaimed conservative Bible colleges, seminaries, and churches, the events of the fall of man, the ancient flood, and many other passages of the Bible are approached as largely allegorical. However, the authors of the New Testament and the so-called historical Jesus Himself thoroughly believed in those events and people as historically reliable.
In this episode, student of theology, John Evans offers his own personal perspective on the powerful testimony of Jesus regarding the veracity of the Hebrew Bible and scripture as a whole.
Wrestling in the Wilderness - Satan’s Defeat from a Scriptural Lens. The temptation of Jesus is one of the most provocative passages in the New Testament. It is a revelation in modern questions of spiritual warfare. The following is composed in light of John’s ongoing work to revisit the Hebrew Bible New Testament and its historical and spiritual context.
Pastoral Responsibility – A Reflection for United Lutheran Seminary. The study of models of pastoral responsibility and their practical application in ministry.
A brief reflection for United Lutheran Seminary on the concept of identity in pastoral formation as well as in the psychological needs of those whom we will be ministering.
A brief overview of the life Thomas Aquinas, a brief sketch of implications of his Christology, and some pastoral implications for his thoughts for United Lutheran Seminary.
In 1373, Julian of Norwich had an extraordinary experience of mystical proportions. Her experience of Jesus crucified has inspired popes, Protestant theologians, and feminist voic3es in the 20th and 21st centuries. Nevertheless, little is known about this iconic figure of medieval history.
In this episode of Book & Spade, recorded for United Lutheran Seminary, seminarian theologian John C. Evans revisits the life of this iconic figure, controversial profit, and mystic of our times.
A brief explanation of the doctrine of the incarnation as expressed by Saint Anselm of Canterbury, and his work, “Why God Became a Man?” This is a piece for United Lutheran Seminary.
A brief reflection on the resurrection as understood by the sacred scripture and its historical and Jewish context.
The council of Chalcedon and Saint Leo's Tome remain foundational for the study of Christology. How is this council still relevant and what implications does it still have for the church today?
In this lecture for United Lutheran seminary, seminarian John C. Evans discusses in brief Saint Cyril of Alexandria’s masterpiece on the unity of Christ in light of the council of Ephesus invoked to discuss the primary issue — should Mary be called mother of God or merely mother of Christ?
Most of us remember the story of Daniel in the Lions' Den as a colorful narrative depicted in a cartoonish manner in storybooks and in children's catechesis. However, the truth is more challenging, radical, and relevant to our own climate.
Join us as we review the book of Daniel and its historical and Jewish context.
Where can we find the idea of the fall and salvation in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings? I've been asked to answer this question for a course on systematic theology for United Lutheran Seminary.
The Gifts of the Spirit -
What Can The Early Pentecostal Tradition Teach Us about Liturgical Practice?
A Review of the early Pentecostal revival of 1906 and what it can teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in our church cross-denominationally today.
An overview of the question of marriage, family, and sexuality in the Hebrew Bible. A lecture given for United Lutheran Seminary.
The book of Job is perhaps one of the most enigmatic texts of the Hebrew Bible which has become a source of inspiration for Jews, Christians, and students of ancient literature. But its meaning continues to be elusive.
In this lecture for united Lutheran seminary, student of theology, John Evans explores the complex riddle underlying this powerful and amazing book.
Insights into our baptismal vocation in light of the work of Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams.
Is Kathryn Tanner's article linking the incarnation with the atonement, in light of feminist critiques, sufficient on pastoral grounds to explain the relevancy of the passion to women in modern church contexts?
The role of prophecy is commonly discussed and debated among Christians. The question remains: what makes a prophet? Are they chosen before the foundations of the world, or were they simply born this way? Or have they done something to have acquired this unique status? Join us as we explore this contested issue.
A review of Oliver Crisp's work on the incarnation of the Son of God and pastoral questions about how to make this doctrine relevant.
Saint Augustine, the fourth-century church father, is believed to be one of the first thinkers to develop the concept of original sin from sacred scripture; yet, theology is often contested in light of supposed advances in the material sciences.
Can faith and reason be reconciled in light of these scientific and philosophical discoveries?
In what ways can we understand Jesus and the early Christian movement within its Jewish context?
In what ways have Christian interpretations of the Old Testament damaged or obscured our understandings of the origins of the early Church?
Is the concept of election dangerous in the modern world?
This video presents a defense of the idea of election as contained in the book Joel Kaminski's "Yet I Loved Jacob: Reclaiming the Biblical Concept of Election"
An exploration of the links between the Eucharist and the Passover
In this episode, John Evans discusses the intricacies of interfaith celebration of the Passover and the links between the Eucharist and the Passover and scholarship in history.
A popular private revelation found within Roman Catholicism is that of the Three Days of Darkness. Scattered across the writings of several mystics, it has become popular in recent years among more traditional-minded Catholics. In this podcast, John attempts to go through this material and step through its reliability in light of the historical and theological record.
In this podcast, student of theology, John Evans, explores the early church data in defense of the traditional belief that Mary was taken body and soul into heaven. This exploration is conducted in hopes of building bridges between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox interpretations of this material.
A theological perspective and meditation on a manuscript intended to continue the saga of the Lord of the Rings.
A continuation of our lecture series on Martin Luther.
A brief overview of his marriage and the influence of Luther’s theology in England during the reign of Henry VIII.