Armchair Theology: Recent Episodes
Clay Farrington and Ross Furio
Tastefully Irreverent Bible Podcast by Clay Farrington and Ross Furio. New podcasts every Monday morning. Follow on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com for daily readings and commentary.
In his letter to the churches in Galatia, Paul pushes grace to its limits. And on the other side is a holiness that will not be defined circumcision or any other adherence to religious piety or social norms. Paul insists that the only thing that matters is grace.
2 Corinthians is a tough letter to read because in it Paul expresses some pain of church hurt. If you've been hurt in church you may resonate. But beneath the pain is an honest defense of both Paul himself and the gospel he proclaims.
Sometime between Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth and this one, Paul was hurt. Words were exchanged. So in addition to all of the theological depth and pastoral care of any of Paul's letters, 2 Corinthians also carries with it the tone of reconciliation. Join Clay and Ross as they kick off Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.
Huge thanks and congratulations to John Archibald, Becca Andrews and their whole team on their podcast: American Shrapnel.
Paul ends 1 Corinthians by addressing some specific issues that may not affect you or your church but whose solutions are universal by using the logic of the cross. And Clay finds out that Ross has always wanted a mullet.
And be sure to check out John Archibald's new podcast here. https://www.alabamamediagroup.com/american-shrapnel-podcast/
Dr. Chuck Gutenson joins Clay and Ross to kickoff 1 Corinthians with a hard look at Paul's insistence on the foolishness of the cross and how it should affect our lives.
Thanks Doc.
THEREFORE...
Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown one of the biggest therefores in scripture as Paul moves from cause to effect, from theological foundation to practical application in how we ought to respond, grow and live lives of faith and love.
Literally everyone: Paul, has God pre-elected some? Or is salvation for all?
Paul: Yes.
Join Ross and Clay as they work through some of the most theologically dense reading in the New Testament.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For generations Romans chapter 8 has been a favorite among scholars, churchgoers, and podcaster. In seasons of mourning and feasting, the middle meat of Paul's letter to the church in Rome has comfort, promises and challenges for everyone.
Romans is one of the most theologically dense books in the New Testament and we did not want to take it on ourselves. Huge thanks to Dr. Jason Borders from Huntingdon College in Montgomery for helping us launch into Paul's epistles.
If you've ever studied Luke or Acts with any kind of academic integrity you've certainly read something Dr. Joel Green has written. I (Clay) was most fortunate to have stumbled in his class my first semester of seminary and we consider ourselves just as fortunate to have had this conversation with Dr. Green to wrap up the book of Acts.
Huge thanks to Dr. Green for joining us.
"What should the Church resistors be worried about in your neighborhood right now" - Matthew Skinner. As the good news of Jesus marched on toward the ends of the earth it threatened the balance of wealth and power. And those who had wealth and power were predictably upset.
Join Clay and Ross as they break down Acts 15-20 and the implications following Christ could have on your savings account or political influence. Also, Paul bored a kid to death.
"What God has called clean, don't call unclean." In this section of Acts the Church came face to face with the implications of a faith open to non-Jews. Huge thanks to Bishop Willimon for helping us work through week two of Acts and thinking about how it still applies to us.
You can find him at willwillimon.com
After the death and resurrection, Jesus early followers were faced with the question: Now What? This week Matthew Skinner joins us to help answer that very question.
Dr. Skinner is the Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary. He has written about the Bible for websites including Huffington Post, Working Preacher, and ON Scripture—The Bible. He co-hosts Sermon Brainwave, a popular weekly podcast that offers assistance to preachers as they interpret biblical texts to prepare their sermons.
Ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Skinner also serves as the Scholar for Adult Education at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis.
We've decided John's account of the crucifixion and resurrection are our favorite of the four gospels and the reinstatement of Peter after his denial is a beautiful story or redemption.
And with that we've finished the Gospels!
If you're interested in Bible study curriculum, visit armchairtheo.com
Calling all Johanine scholars, this one's for you! What an absolute joy it was to talk with Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles and peel back the layers of the Gospel of John! Thank you Dr. Clark-Soles!
You can find Dr. Clark-Soles at jaimeclarksoles.com and check out more of her work on John as well as some of her groundbreaking work on psychedelics and faith.
What really makes us blind? Join Clay and Ross in this episode breakdown who's able to see Jesus's good works and who's blinded by their own bias.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. There may be no more memorable opening line in all of scripture. Join Ross and Clay as they break down the iconic Gospel of John.
Happy Holy Week Friends. Join Clay and Ross as they break down Jesus's last days from wee Zacchaeus, to the Cross to the Resurrection.
The prodigal son, the persistent widow, the shrewd manager... in this episode Ross and Clay some of your favorite and least favorite parables from Luke's gospel. Thanks for listening!
Clay and Ross discuss rewriting the Bible, sitcoms without laugh tracks, when it's time to do the work of the kingdom and when it's time to be still. Join us as we work our way through the Gospel of Luke
One of the craziest God moments in my life happened when I ran into my old friend from seminary, Dr. Nabil Samara, not once but twice in Israel. And I'm so thankful, through the magic of the internet, to get to run into him again as Ross and I kick off the gospel according to Luke.
What do we do with the shortest Gospel ending somewhat unresolved? Join Clay and Ross as they put a brass buckle on the Gospel according to St. Mark.
Join Clay and Ross through the heart of Mark in this politically and culturally challenging Gospel and count how many times Clay mistakenly says Matthew.
Hahaha.
armchairtheo.com
Mark skips all the small talk and gets right down to the business of the good news of the Jesus Christ and from the outset Jesus shows that he's there to upset the apple cart of political and religious power dynamics. Join Ross and Clay as they take a look at what this good news really is according to Mark.
This is it folks. This is why many of you even choose to listen to a podcast about the Bible. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
As Jesus nears the crucifixion, his words to the religious elites become sharper, peaking with today's reading. This is a tough read for folks who've been in church more than a few minutes, but absolutely required reading. Thanks for joining Ross and Clay as they break it down.
As Jesus nears Jerusalem, his teachings grow more direct. Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown some of the most difficult passages in Matthew.
See Peter move from being the rock upon which the Church would be built to the stumbling block between Jesus and his cross all in one episode! Join Clay and Ross this week as they break down Matthew 15-18.
If you're interested in going with us to the Holy Land June 2024, click here.
We're right in the heart of Matthew with parables and miracles and feeding five thousand and John the Baptist asking a pretty important question of Jesus: Are you the one? Join us this week as Clay and Ross break down Matthew 11-14
Hey kids has Grandpa Peter ever told you about the time I walked on water?
Matthew takes the story of Jesus from words to actions to multiplication as Jesus travels throughout Galilee healing the sick, casting out storms and even raising the dead before sending out the disciples to do the same.
Jesus's sermon on the mount might be the three most important chapters in scripture, almost certainly is the most important sermon in the Bible. And today's episode is Clay's new favorite.
It opens a little differently and I hope you'll take a moment today to pause, be present, and consider the lilies of the field.
Thanks for listening.
If you're interested in joining us on our trip to Israel summer 2024 click here.
THE NEW TESTAMENT!!!
In classic Old Testament style, Matthew starts off with a genealogy and an origin story of Jesus, the one who would fulfill the covenants God made with Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets.
Join Clay and Ross as they continue through scripture and see the New Testament as never before.
If you're interested in joining them to visit the Holy Land June 2024, and see all the places we talk about in the podcast (except Dadeville), click here.
YOU DID IT!
Congratulations. You read the entire Hebrew Scriptures. Malachi wraps up the Old Testament with a nod to the Torah, the Prophets, and a hope that can only come from God's restoration.
Thanks for listening with us this far friends. Next week: The New Testament!
If you're interested in going with us to Israel, you can get more information and register here.
https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl24060424f56696#.ZHoIYu_MJVI
The second half of Zechariah continues with a little bit of everything and a lot of passages appropriated by the New Testament writers. Join Clay and Ross and
If you like the prophets you're going to love Zechariah, the Swiss army knife of the Book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets). Join Ross and Clay as they break down the judgment, apocalypse, call to faithfulness and hope for a better future for Israel.
If you're interested in going with us to the Holy Land June 2024, here's the link
https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl24060424f56696#.ZHoIYu_MJVI
What is distracting you from the work to which God has called you? The message of Haggai is simple: build the wall. But it's implications are much larger. Join Ross and Clay as they break down this short but powerful prophet
Another Minor Prophet that doesn't get much air time in pulpits, Zephaniah calls out the sins of Jerusalem and assures them that it it God who will act to rescue Israel.
Congratulations friends! You've almost made it through the Hebrew Scriptures!
You can contact us at armchairtheo.com, and on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @armchairtheo.
Habakkuk is a dirge over injustice in Jerusalem and a lament over the eminent threat from Babylon. It's not the pick-me-up of most morning devotionals. But it does contain the banger: "... the righteous will live by faith" (2:4) picked up and expounded upon by Paul in his letter to the churches in Rome and Galatia. Join Clay and Ross as they break down this textually small but theologically large prophet.
Short but not sweet. Nahum is a book that doesn't get much air time in pulpits for some pretty glaring reasons. As a condemnation on Assyria it contains some violent and offensive language and, if taken at face value, some violent and offensive theology. But read as resistance poetry given to those under oppression it offers hope for a better tomorrow.
What a privilege it was to work with the North Georgia Academy for Leadership and Innovation. To end our session we invited three volunteers to record a podcast with no prior knowledge and very little prep AND THEY CRUSHED IT.
If you're a pastor or spiritual leader and you're thinking about launching a podcast, let this be an encouragement. You can do it. And if you or your group would like to have Ross and Clay come speak to your group, DM us on social media at @armchairtheo or find us on our website armchairtheo.com
Special thanks to our friend Rev. Richard Hunter for the invitation!
Incredible conversation with our friend Wade Griffith of Shanta Foundation discussing issues of justice and mercy in the prophet Micah. And challenging us to think differently about missions. This is one you won't want to miss friends.
You can find Wade and donate at shantafoundation.org
Forget everything you learned in VBS about Jonah and the whale. In this episode Jared Byas, cohost of The Bible For Normal People, helps break down this incredible prophetic book.
You can find Jared at thebiblefornormalpeople.com where he and Pete Enns have been providing incredible Bible resources including the podcast, several books, and online classes all delivered with academic integrity and our favorite brand of humor.
Obadiah is quite certain that God has a zero-tolerance policy for bullies who kick others when they're down. Join Ross and Clay break down this pint-sized prophet who packs a punch.
"I hate your religious festivals", God exclaims in Amos 5:21, "Instead seek justice for the poor". (paraphrased) Amos pulls no punches for those whose religiosity doesn't lead to equality.
Garrett Harper; friend, colleague, and Executive Director at Urban Ministry in West End Birmingham, AL joins Clay and Ross to talk about ministry that makes a difference and how the kinds of folks that go to church and listen to Bible podcasts might do a better job obeying Amos. You can reach Garrett at urban-ministry.org
Joel may be short but it's dense enough to get air time later by Luke and Paul. Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown this pint-sized prophet that packs a punch.
Hosea begins with a somewhat demeaning view of women but ends with with God's love expressed as a mother. Huge thanks to Rev. Julie Holly for joining us today to break down this incredible book.
Julie is and ordained elder in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church serving as the Chaplain and Religious Life Director at Birmingham Southern College. She's a colleague and friend and an amazing person. You can find Julie on Instagram at @JulieBHolly
Hosea kicks off the Book of the Twelve with a bombshell request from God: that Hosea marry an unfaithful wife to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Join Ross and Clay as they break down this anything but minor prophet.
And stick around at the end for a conversation with our great friend, Anthony Nathan, who joined Clay 20+ years ago to terrorize the good citizens of Bardstown, KY to ask them Bible trivia about Hosea AND who is transcribing these podcasts for the hearing impaired.
The second half can get pretty trippy if you don't realize what all the metaphors mean. Join Clay and Ross and they shed some light on this apocalyptic text.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Daniel in the lion's den. A hand writing on the wall... Daniel 1-6 contains some of the most memorable stories in scripture. Join Clay and Ross as they break down this iconic book.
Putting on a bow on the one of the most difficult to read prophets. And it ends with a beautiful vision of a new temple and renewed Jerusalem. Join Clay and Ross as they wrap up Ezekiel.
If you have a problem. If no one else can help. And if you can find them. Maybe you can hire... The Armchair Theology Team.
Following a long criticism of Israel, Ezekiel turns the pen towards Israel's neighbors for allying with Babylon, for injustice, and for being Egypt. Join Clay and Ross as they breakdown Ezekiel 25-32.
Welcome back to the podcast friends. In this episode Ezekiel summons all of his vulgar artistic talent to write some of the most offensive metaphors in scripture describing Israel's infidelity. We kept it clean but this may be one you don't want to listen to with the kids.
100TH EPISODE!!! Ezekiel's visions continue as he's transported from Babylon to Jerusalem where he sees God leaving the Temple. Thanks for sticking with us friends.
Ezekiel comes out hot with an absolutely wild vision of God and it only gets better from here. Join Clay and Ross as they break down the first seven chapters of this most unique prophet.
Blessed are those who mourn. Mouring well is a holy discipline and we have an entire book in our Bible that models just that. Grab your tissues and join Ross and Clay as they dive into a book so sad they named it Lamentations.
That's a wrap on Jeremiah friends! Join Ross and Clay as they put a bow on one of the most influential books in all of scripture. This episode is dedicated to Baruch, the unsung hero of Jeremiah. Baruch, if you're listening, nothing but love friend. We look forward to meeting you.
Jeremiah tried to tell them. They just wouldn't listen. Join Clay and Ross as they break down the destruction of the Temple, assassination of Gedaliah and Jeremiah's kidnapping to Egypt.
Also this may be our favorite episode artwork to date.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans for you to get comfortable in Babylon and grow where you're planted. Jeremiah 30-36 offers hope but it's not the prosperity gospel some make it out to be. Join Ross and Clay this week as they turn the corner in Jeremiah.
Continuing his love of object lessons, Jeremiah introduces Jerusalem to the cup of God's wrath and his homemade wooden yoke (broken by a rival prophet). Join Ross and Clay as they walk with Jeremiah right up to the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah continues his unpopular prophecy against Jerusalem and you'd think he was asking them to change the color of their carpet. Join Clay and Ross and they realize just how timely the prophets are for us today.
Is there no balm in Gilead? Jeremiah continues pointing out Jerusalem's lack of faithfulness and justice making him a pariah and this section of his book difficult to read... but we should.
Jeremiah saw some stuff. He lived through the restoration of the temple and the destruction of the temple. And the word he shared from God was direct and harsh. Join Clay and Ross as they breakdown this incredible prophet.
For those who hold Christian theology or study the New Testament, this may be one of our most important episodes today. Isaiah ends with so much great literature from which the New Testament writers drew inspiration and in some cases preached from or even plagiarized whole sections.
Join Ross and Clay as they put a bow on the prophet Isaiah.
The Suffering Servant Songs in Isaiah paint a picture of willful humility to the point of death. No surprise, Christians saw (and still see) a lot of parallels with Jesus of Nazareth. Join Ross and Clay as they break down some of the most iconic passages of Isaiah.
Chapter 40 kicks off a whole new (and welcome) tone for the book of Isaiah. There are a lot of recognizable verses in this week's reading friends. Thanks for listening.
In this episode Ross and Clay discuss the third repeat of the Hezekiah story, the beauty of God's renewed creation and the difference between an envoy and a convoy.
In this episode Ross and Clay take a look at the Biblical genre of apocalypse: both the destruction of evil and the banquet prepared in God's restored creation. Then back to the woes... Hahaha.
In this episode Rabbi Mike Harvey joins Clay to discuss the different ways Jews and Christians read the prophecies in Isaiah. Although for centuries Christians have read understood (and we believe) Jesus to be the fulfillment of several of these passages, it's important to realize such passages had meaning before and apart from Jesus.
This is likely to be a challenging episode for Christians. We invite you to wrestle with your traditional understandings of these passages and look for common ground with our friends across the theological spectrum.
Rabbi Mike is very active on Twitter at @RabbiHarvey. His new book, "Let's Talk: A Rabbi Speaks to Christians" comes out Summer 2022. https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506481142/Lets-Talk
Long time friend and previous guest, Dave Barnhart comes on to help Clay introduce prophetic literature and breakdown the introduction to Isaiah. And we had a great time.
Huge Congratulations to Ross, who had to miss this week, on the birth of his first son. We love you and missed you this week friend. Blessings.
Clay's wife Leigh Ann Farrington joins the show to discuss the hottest book in the Bible, The Song of Songs, making Ross that awkward third wheel and making it very obvious that Clay out kicked his coverage
Ecclesiastes is one of the most difficult books in scripture. In this episode Ross and Clay wrestle with the text without jumping straight to the Jesus Juke to which Christians so often resort.
Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless... Could there be a more confusing way to open a book of scripture?
This week Ross and Clay take on one of their favorite books in the whole Bible and share why it has been so meaningful in their lives.
A wife of noble character who can find? This week Ross and Clay wrap up Proverbs, try to right the ways the woman of noble character has been wronged and make sense of this amazing book in scripture.
Proverbs offers very practical skills for living well. But sometimes it creates dualistic thinking and overly-simplistic binaries that can hurt our ability to love others. In this episode Ross and Clay look at some of the strengths and limitations of the wisdom of Proverbs, and how Jesus used them in his teachings.
One way many use Proverbs is as a daily devotional. 31 chapters for 31 days. Marcus Taylor did just that and joined us to talk about his experience.
You can find Marcus on Twitter at @brwneyedsoulman and online at browneyedsoulman.bandcamp.com
Lady Wisdom calls in the streets: "Listen to Armchair Theology!" This week Ross and Clay give a 30,000 foot view of Proverbs, break down the first nine chapters, answer the questions: What is Wisdom? and Why should we care about it? Thanks for listening.
In our first live podcast recording, at Wild Roast Cafe in Birmingham, AL, Cliff Jones joins us to talk about ways to combat racism and inequality in our own lives and communities. Cliff is the founder of the Facebook group Blended Lines, which he started in the aftermath of George Floyd's death to "bring awareness to racial/immoral injustice while working to bridge the gap for all through education and open dialogue."
Huge thanks to Bart and Shannon Styes at Wild Roast, Cliff Jones, the Blended Lines community and all who came out to support our first live recording.
You can find Cliff and Blended Lines on Facebook and at https://blendedlines.life
Find Bart on Twitter @bartstyes and Wild Roast on Insta @WildRoastCafe
In our third conversation on race, Tay Rowell joins Clay and Ross to discuss the effects of redlining, food deserts, white flight, and how racism persists today in systemic and sometimes subtle ways.
Tay is the owner of The Hair Headquarters in Hoover, AL. You can find him on Instagram at @cutsbytay or book an appointment at https://hairhq.as.me/schedule.php
Pulitzer-winning columnist and author, John Archibald, joins Ross and Clay to discuss his book, Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution, white silence and how we can all use our pulpits and platforms to say more about racism and injustice.
You can find John online at johnarchibaldink.com and on Twitter at @JohnArchibald. His book can be found wherever books are sold (we highly encourage you to read it) and his columns can be found pretty much everywhere in Alabama.
Racism is a problem that predominantly white churches have a hard time addressing. So although we may not be qualified to talk about race, we have been blessed with a platform and (we believe) a responsibility to try. This Black History Month (2022), while the daily reading is catching up the the podcast, we've decided to do our best to address racism.
Back by popular demand! Dr. Amy Cottrill literally wrote the book on the Psalms of Lament. They're raw. They're uncomfortable. The psalms of lament teach us how to mourn over injustice.
You can find Dr. Cottrill at bsc.edu and on Twitter at @AmyCottrill3. Her book on the psalms of lament is "Language, Power, and Identity in the Lament Psalms of the Individual".
Wisdom literature is one of the most unique genre's of scripture answering questions like: How best to live this short life we're given? Where's God when things turn sideways? What does it really mean to love God with our whole hearts? Generally we think about Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes. But they're not the only wisdom books in scripture. Join Clay and Ross in this episode as they take a deeper look at the psalms of wisdom.
Praise is more than raising your hands in church one hour a week. It's what you do with your whole life. Join Ross, Clay and special guest, Isaac Morehouse as they discuss turning your life into one big act of praise. Isaac is the founder of Praxis, a college alternative, the founder and CEO of Crash, a career placement service, author of several books, and regular guest on several cable news programs. His passion for helping people live into their calling and his knowledge of 90's worship music is unparalleled. You can find Isaac at isaacmorehouse.com and on Twitter at @isaacmorehouse.
The Royal Psalms celebrate David and his descendants, hold the throne accountable to the highest ideals of Torah and remind us just who the true king really is. Join Ross and Clay as they break down some of the Royal Psalms.
Enter His courts with thanksgiving in your hearts!
Join Ross and Clay as they break down some of the psalms of thanksgiving and Ross drops an absolute bomb.
Lisa Congo, who wrote her seminary dissertation on theomachy (wrestling with God), helps Ross and Clay wrap up Job and make sense of of suffering, theodicy and how wrestling with God can grow your faith.
You can find Lisa on Twitter at @LisaCongo or at her blog theomachology.wordpress.com
The middle section of Job is basically a story of would-be friends adding insult to injury instead of comfort and love. Being a victim of abuse within the Church herself, and then being attacked for blowing the whistle, Hannah-Kate knows Job's situation better than most. The joy and faith she maintains is really inspiring and the work she's doing to advocate for other victims is incredible. You can follow Hannah-Kate on Twitter @freedomsbride. Thanks for joining us HK.
What are Job's friends afraid of? What are they protecting?
In this episode Ross and Clay break down Job's friends, why they became so hurtful to the one they came to comfort and how the church can do better today.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Who is the satan? What should I say (or not say) to a friend who's suffering? Job tackles some of the most difficult questions in life and Ross and Clay are here to help make sense of it all. Thanks for listening.
Singer, songwriter, actor and friend, Jada Cato joins Ross and Clay to help wrap up the book of Esther and it is not one you want to miss. Thanks for joining us Jada. And friends, thanks for listening.
You can find Jada on Twitter and Instagram at @jadacatomusic
Esther is one of our favorite books in the Bible. Absolutely entertaining. Sex, violence, a strong female lead, made for Hollywood storytelling... Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown the first half of the book of Esther.
Stay on the wall friends. In E060 Nehemiah finishes the wall and we wrap up the book. Also the nation of Israel repents for something they didn't do and commits to making it right. A lesson for us all.
Nehemiah is so moved by the disrepair of the walls of Jerusalem that he leave's King Artaxerxes' palace, goes home and organizing the rebuilding efforts. Through tons of distractions, lies and threats he stays on the wall. Stay on the wall friends.
The end of Ezra illustrates the tension in scripture between being set apart (holy) and being a blessing to the nations. Thanks for listening friends.
After the downward spiral of Judges and Kings of Israel and exile to Babylon, Ezra bring hope for the future as the Temple is rebuilt and worship restored.
Happy half birthday to all you cool kids who had half birthday parties. Ross and Clay aren't jealous at all. This week they wrap up 2 Chronicles and what a ride. Enjoy!
What do you do when scripture tells different stories? This week Ross and Clay take on the kings of Judah during the rise of Assyria and the conflicting accounts of King Ahaz's reign.
We're continuing through Chronicles, this week covering Kings Asa and Jehoshaphat and their roller-coaster reigns. Thanks for listening friends.
And congrats to @morgan.chatham.watch.me.now for getting over that Leviticus-sized wall!
In this week's episode Ross and Clay cover Solomon's life post temple construction, his death and the next two kings of Judah. Thanks for listening!
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Thanks for listening and reading with us friends! This week Ross and Clay kickoff 2 Chronicles, Solomon's reign and the launch of the ministry of the Temple.
Clay and Ross wrap up the David Show, also known as 1 Chronicles and get ready for the one year anniversary Episode 52 next week!
Tackling one of the most in-your-face contradictions in scripture this week, we brought in long time friend and heavy hitter Dave Barnhart to help us make sense of it all.
Y'all go check out davebarnhart.net and find him on Twitter at @davebarbhart
Due to a COVID exposure this week Clay and Ross record from their homes via Zoom to break down the early days of David's monarchy and John Wesley's directions for singing.
Turns out Chronicles isn't just another repeat of the history of Judah's monarchy. It's a book of hope. Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown the opening of 1 Chronicles 1-10.
What does the history of Israel's kings have to do with me today? Our friend Dr. Langer really helps us give context and meaning to this whole section of scripture. Find him on Twitter @WadeLanger and @profnoctis
Today's scriptures cover a lot of ground and end in one of the saddest moments in Israel's history - the fall of the Northern Kingdom. Join Ross and Clay and they break it all down.
New Book! In this week's episode we start 2 Kings, Elijah passes the mantle to Elisha and Ross and Clay stumble over a bunch of kings' names.
1 Kings climaxes with a series of showdowns between King Ahab and the prophet Elijah that makes for some Hollywood worthy storytelling. Join Clay and Ross this week as they wrap up the first half of the Kings.
After the death of Solomon the people of the promise split into two nations and their kings go from bad to worse. Join Ross and Clay this as they break down the kings of the divided kingdom leading up to Ahab and Elijah.
The rise and fall of Solomon. In today's episode Ross and Clay discuss Solomon's reign and wrestle with whether this marks Israel's high point as a nation or the beginning of the end. Thanks for listening friends.
In David's last days, Solomon becomes king but not unchallenged. This week Ross and Clay take on the early days of Solomon's reign including his prayer for wisdom. Thanks for listening.
Ross and Clay wrap up 2 Samuel and survey the dog's breakfast that is the end of David's reign.
David's rise and fall all in one episode - from unifying Israel to Bathsheba to fleeing from his own son - this one is choc full friends.
Saul dies. David becomes king. Jerusalem becomes the capital. David dances naked and Crowder turns it into a worship song. It's a full podcast friends.
In this marathon episode we meet King David! Ross and Clay break down his rise to power, his defeat of Goliath, his friendship with Jonathan, and his move to the suburbs.
Israel has a new king. Meh.
Join Ross and Clay and they breakdown the train wreck rise and fall of Saul's kingship.
We have made it to Samuel friends! In this episode Ross and Clay break down the the birth of Samuel, the journey of the ark and where God plagued the Philistines with tumors. This is some great scripture.
Traci joins Ross and Clay to break down the book of Ruth and the ways that God continues to care for the least of these. TBH after the Mad Maxian ending of the book of Judges, Ruth is like a breath of fresh air.
Follow Traci on Twitter at @tracesoffaith where you can subscribe to her weekly email and find her new book "Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost"
Eleanor is back to help Ross and Clay breakdown the last five chapters of Judges and try to make some meaning out of this downward spiral into utter chaos.
We decided to dedicate an entire episode to Samson and we're so glad we did. In this episode Ross and Clay break down the good, bad and ugly with the last of the judges.
The book of Judges continues it's downward spiral with Gideon, Abimelek and Jephthah... and now we've reached the part of the Bible with child sacrifice. Ross and Clay break it down for you.
Judges 1-5 introduces us to Ehud, a lefty, and Deborah, a (pause for dramatic) woman. This week Ross and Clay take on one of the most adventurous books in all scripture. Also, Jael (another woman) kills a king with a tent peg.
Violence in Scripture is a problem. In this episode Ross and Clay wrap up Joshua and address some of the God ordained war, genocide and violence in the Bible.
In this episode Ross and Clay break down the conquest of the Promised Land and give you permission to not read scripture. Sort of.
We made it to the promised land! (Or at least Joshua and the Israelites have). Be strong and courageous as Ross and Clay break down Israel leaving the wilderness, crossing the Jordan and reestablishing their covenant with God.
You did it friends! You finished the Torah! Congratulations. In this episode Ross and Clay wrap up Deuteronomy and take a look at the big themes covered in the five books of Moses.
Who knew Deuteronomy was so funny and so rich? Join Ross and Clay as they mine some great nuggets from chapters 19-26.
Tip extravagantly. Pay employees well. Offer childcare, time-off and continuing education. Join Clay and Ross as they break down this super practical and relevant piece of the Torah.
Moses recounts God's faithfulness in the desert despite Israel's rebellion and reminds the people that faithfulness in the new land will mean loving the Lord their God with their whole being.
Eleanor Christiansen joins Ross and Clay to break down the first six chapters of Deuteronomy, including a recap of the Ten Commandments and what Jesus called the single most important teaching in the Torah: Love the LORD your God. This is definitely an episode you won't want to miss.
The Israelites near the end of their wilderness journeys teeing up Moses' recap of the law in Deuteronomy. Join Ross and Clay as they wrap up the book of Numbers and learn just a little bit more about the other promise land - Dadeville, AL.
Talking donkeys. Terrified political leaders desperately trying to hold onto power. Radical religious zealots. Rabbi Josh Yuter joins us this week to help Ross and Clay break down Numbers 22-26. Enjoy!
After years of wandering in the wilderness, much hardship and countless complaints, Israel heads north again on their march to the Promised Land. Join Clay and Ross as they break down Numbers 15-21 in this week's episode
We keep thinking that the Old Testament is going to be boring and antiquated but it keeps proving to be totally relevant and continues teaching us about grace and love and what it means to trust God with our whole being. Join Clay and Ross as they break down Numbers 7-14.
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We finally made it through Leviticus only to hit a book literally named for accounting. But no worries. The Book of Numbers is full of great stories and strong theology. And Ross and Clay are here to help you get the most out of it. Thanks for listening.
We did it friends. We broke through that Leviticus-sized wall. In this episode, Ross and Clay wrap up Leviticus covering the day of atonement, the scapegoat, the year of jubilee and the commandment Jesus said was the second most important in all scripture. Turns out Leviticus is pretty relevant after all.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross cover the middle of Leviticus including the ordination of the priesthood and ritual cleanness.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
We have hit the Leviticus-sized wall and Dr. Amy Cottrill is here to help Clay and Ross over it! In this episode we take a 30,000 ft view at this difficult book then zoom in on chapters 1-7 to look more closely at the multiple prescribed offerings.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross wrap up the last 16 chapters of Exodus: Sinai, the Tabernacle and the Golden Calf.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
One of my favorite things about Armchair Theology is new friends I've made on Twitter and through the podcast. In this episode one of those new friends, Meir-Simchah Panzer, helps us break down Exodus 19-24 and basically the whole Torah.
Meir lives in Jerusalem with his wife and their four children. He co-hosts TwoChristiansAndAJew.com and ArtifactPodcast.com and teaches the Hebrew language and Hebrew Scriptures for individuals and groups. If you like his podcasts, subscribe on your favorite platform so you don't miss any episodes. You can connect with Meir-Simchah on Twitter @MeirSimchah, by email meirsimchah@gmail.com, and on Facebook on his podcast pages facebook.com/TwoChristiansAndAJew and facebook.com/ArtifactPodcast.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode s Clay and Ross break down Exodus 13-18 and Jeremy Maxfield talks about how his new book Leveling the Church addresses Jethro's advice to Moses and how we might employ similar strategies.
You can find Jeremy at @JRMaxfield and jeremymaxfield.com.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross take a look at the plagues, Passover and the Exodus from Egypt.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Scott Barnes helps Clay and Ross break down Exodus 1-4.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Ron Martoia helps Clay and Ross wrap up the book of Genesis.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross take a look at Joseph, his dreams, his jealous brothers and how often we men get things wrong.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross take a look at Jacob: his weird family dynamics, his 12 sons, and of course his wrestling match with God.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross take a look at Isaac: his birth, almost sacrifice, brother Ishmael, wife Rebekah, and sons Jacob and Esau
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode special guest, Cristin Dedmon, helps Clay and Ross break down the treatment of women in Genesis chapters fifteen through twenty: Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael, Lot and his daughters, and Isaac.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross break down Genesis chapters nine through fourteen: Noah, Abram, Sarai, Lot and an unfortunate trip to Egypt.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome to Armchair Theology! In this episode Clay and Ross break down Genesis chapters one through eight: Creation, the Fall, Cain and Abel, and Noah.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. #Gen1 starts Labor Day, 2020.
Welcome to Armchair Theology: the podcast! Clay and Ross get ready for their third run through scripture, reveal just how long they'd each been a Christian before reading the Bible cover to cover and Clay tries to take ownership this whole project.
Read scripture and comment with us daily on Twitter and Instagram @ArmchairTheo and armchairtheo.com. Share with friends. Drop us a DM. #Gen1 starts Labor Day, 2020.