Deeper: Recent Episodes
The Bay Church
In Revelation 15, the faithful sing the song of Moses and the Lamb while God’s presence fills the temple with glory. Ryan and Lyndsie explore how this vision reveals both the holiness of God and the hope of those who remain faithful.
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In our second Q&A episode on Revelation, we do a high-level overview of chapters 7-14, hitting several hot topics: 666, the identity of the 144,000, the child snatched up to heaven, and several others. We also explore what loyalty to the Lamb vs. Beast looks like in the complexity of the public square today, and what it might mean to endure faithfully until the return of the king.
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The Bible is clear: those who "worship the monster" (Rev. 14:9) will share the monster's fate: destruction. Does this refer to the soul's annihilation, or eternal conscious torment? And how does the vision of judgment in Revelation 14 sit within its wider context of a call for patient endurance on the part of God's people?
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The Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 isn’t some vague and mysterious riddle—John’s first-century readers would’ve recognized what it meant instantly. Not only that, it’s part of the larger message of Revelation that speaks as much to our world as it did to theirs. In this episode, Ryan and guest Ron Herms unpack the history, decode the symbol, and explore why this warning still hits home today.
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The Bible has a Christmas story we don't often hear. It's not the one where a peasant girl named Mary gives birth to a boy nearly killed by Herod the Great. It's the one where a woman clothed with the sun gives birth to a prince who's nearly devoured by a dragon, but then snatched away to the throne of God. This is Christmas in apocalyptic mode, and it's found only in Revelation 12.
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📖 Check out the books Nathan mentioned (and more for your Revelation journey)📖
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😎 Ron's Revelation Outline 😎
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Books to aid your Revelation journey:
Start Here:
Richard Bauckham, "The Climax of Prophecy"
Richard Bauckham, "Theology of the Book of Revelation (New Testament Theology)"
John Collins, "The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature"
N.T. Wright, "History and Eschatology: Jesus and the Promise of Natural Theology"
N.T. Wright, "Revelation for Everyone (The New Testament for Everyone)"
Brent Sandy, "Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic"
Beale and Carson, "Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: (A Comprehensive Bible Commentary on Old Testament Quotations, Allusions & Echoes That Appear from Matthew through Revelation)"
Craig S. Keener, "The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament"
Also Helpful:
Steve Gregg, "Revelation: Four Views, A Parallel Commentary, Revised & Updated Edition"
Eugene Peterson, "Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination"
Marcus Bockmuehl, "Revelation and Mystery in Ancient Judaism and Pauline Christianity"
Michael Heiser, "The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible"
The Conversion of the Imagination: Paul as Interpreter of Israel's Scripture
J. Richard Middleton, "A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology"
Timothy Beal, "The Book of Revelation: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books)"
Miroslav Volf, "The Home of God: A Brief Story of Everything (Theology for the Life of the World)"
Books to aid your Revelation journey:
Start Here:
Richard Bauckham, "The Climax of Prophecy"
Richard Bauckham, "Theology of the Book of Revelation (New Testament Theology)"
John Collins, "The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature"
N.T. Wright, "History and Eschatology: Jesus and the Promise of Natural Theology"
N.T. Wright, "Revelation for Everyone (The New Testament for Everyone)"
Brent Sandy, "Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic"
Beale and Carson, "Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: (A Comprehensive Bible Commentary on Old Testament Quotations, Allusions & Echoes That Appear from Matthew through Revelation)"
Craig S. Keener, "The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament"
Also Helpful:
Steve Gregg, "Revelation: Four Views, A Parallel Commentary, Revised & Updated Edition"
Eugene Peterson, "Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination"
Marcus Bockmuehl, "Revelation and Mystery in Ancient Judaism and Pauline Christianity"
Michael Heiser, "The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible"
The Conversion of the Imagination: Paul as Interpreter of Israel's Scripture
Amazon Link J. Richard Middleton, "A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology"
Timothy Beal, "The Book of Revelation: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books)"
Miroslav Volf, "The Home of God: A Brief Story of Everything (Theology for the Life of the World)"
Watch the Episode 👈🏼
Support the Podcast
Learn More
Books to aid your Revelation journey:
Start Here:
Richard Bauckham, "The Climax of Prophecy"
Richard Bauckham, "Theology of the Book of Revelation (New Testament Theology)"
John Collins, "The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature"
N.T. Wright, "History and Eschatology: Jesus and the Promise of Natural Theology"
N.T. Wright, "Revelation for Everyone (The New Testament for Everyone)"
Brent Sandy, "Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic"
Beale and Carson, "Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: (A Comprehensive Bible Commentary on Old Testament Quotations, Allusions & Echoes That Appear from Matthew through Revelation)"
Craig S. Keener, "The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament"
Also Helpful:
Steve Gregg, "Revelation: Four Views, A Parallel Commentary, Revised & Updated Edition"
Eugene Peterson, "Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination"
Marcus Bockmuehl, "Revelation and Mystery in Ancient Judaism and Pauline Christianity"
Michael Heiser, "The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible"
The Conversion of the Imagination: Paul as Interpreter of Israel's Scripture
Amazon Link J. Richard Middleton, "A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology"
Timothy Beal, "The Book of Revelation: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books)"
Miroslav Volf, "The Home of God: A Brief Story of Everything (Theology for the Life of the World)"
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The Desire of the Nations by Oliver O'Donovan
What’s the relationship between my own plans for my life and God’s overarching providence? How far can I trust my heart and mind, and when do I risk self-deception? According to the Bible, what matters most when I make decisions in life? We discuss all these questions and more in today’s episode.
Anyone on a quest for truth must at some point square up to the fact that this quest is mediated by a three pound, two-hemisphere organ called the brain. In this episode, Ryan and medical doctor Paul Long discuss the work of British polymath Iain McGilchrist, whose findings about the right hemisphere’s capacity for "belief” (along with its knack for music, story, metaphor, context, and emotions) suggest that our brain’s strongest connection to reality is being perilously ignored in our time.
What if there was more to "amen" than saying grace and heartening a Sunday morning preacher? This week on Deeper, Ryan and Lyndsie explore why the biblical idea and thematic substance of the word "amen" is not just an invocation at the end of a prayer, but a dynamic, multifaceted way of life that emerges from the intentional integration of faith and faithfulness.
Resources Mentioned:
The Basic Works of Aristotle
A Theory of Justice, Revised Edition
Whose Justice? Which Rationality?
The Desire of The Nations: Rediscovering the Roots of Political Theology
Major Works on Religion and Politics
The Nature and Destiny of Man, Vols. I & II
God in Public: How the Bible Speaks Truth To Power Today
This week on The Deeper Bible Podcast, Pastor Ryan and guest host, Pastor Robert Peralta explore the idea of the Antichrist(s) introduced in 1 John. Focusing primarily on its historical ties with early Gnosticism, the team wrestles with some of the ways the modern church still encounters this all-too-familiar “assault on hope” and what it means that Jesus is soon returning.
Resources Mentioned:
- Resurrection and the Restoration of Israel: The Ultimate Victory of the God of Life
- The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity
- Resurrection: The Power of God for Christians and Jews
- The Book of Revelation: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books, 29)
- The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature
- A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology
- History and Eschatology: Jesus and the Promise of Natural Theology
Join us on the latest episode of 'Deeper' in our 'Explore God' series, where we take a deep dive into some fascinating questions that are sure to pique your curiosity. We'll explore the Old Testament's subtle references to the Trinity, question the credibility of biblical miracles, ponder the significance of prayer in our lives, and grapple with the idea of why Jesus, despite being God, felt the need to pray. It's a conversation that will challenge you and invite you to explore your faith with a fresh perspective. Don't miss out!
In Episode 59 of 'Deeper's 'Explore God' series, we're getting to the heart of it: Did Jesus say he's God? We'll dig into the evidence and find out which God he might have claimed to be. Plus, we'll explore how the Bible, aka the Word of God, relates to Jesus, also known as the Word of God. Could they be one and the same? Join us for this excitingdiscussion that'll make you rethink what you thought you knew!
In Part II of our 'Explore God' Q&A series, Ryan and Destiny discuss navigating conversations with loved ones who see the world differently and connecting the biblical vision for human purpose with our daily activities and jobs.
Books Mentioned:
Francis Collins: The Language of God
Check our our vodcast at: https://youtu.be/0Po3ciAeL98
Links for show notes:
· Sermon: Everyone You Serve Is Named Jesus
· Edwin Hatch, The Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages Upon the Christian Church
See the YouTube version of this talk here: https://youtu.be/yni-2Skc0bU
Links for Show Notes:
- Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program
- Miroslav Volf, Flourishing: Why We Need Religion in a Globalized World
Books by Jon D. Levenson:
• Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible
• The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacri-fice in Judaism and Christianity
• Resurrection and the Restoration of Israel: The Ultimate Victory of the God of Life
• Resurrection: The Power of God for Christians and Jews
• Inheriting Abraham: The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity & Islam
• Esther (Commentary in The Old Testament Library Series)
• Creation and the Persistence of Evil: The Jewish Drama of Divine Omnipotence
• The Love of God: Divine Gift, Human Gratitude, and Mutual Faithfulness in Juda-ism
• The Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, and Historical Criticism
Resources to check out:
- Cult and Cosmos: Tilting Toward a Temple-Centered Theology, edited by L. Michael Morales
- The Theology of the Book of Revelation, by Richard Bauckham
- The Climax of Prophecy: Studies on the Book of Revelation, by Richard Bauckham
- Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination, by Eugene Peterson
- Revelation for Everyone, by N. T. Wright
- A New Heaven and a New Earth: The Meaning and Function of the Old Testament in Revelation 21.1–22.5, by Dave Matthewson
• Iain McGilchrist, The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
To understand the battle of wits between the devil and a very hungry Jesus (Matthew 4), it’s vital to see how this scene replays the earlier biblical stories of Adam, Moses, Elijah, and the people of Israel.
· The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son, Jon D. Levenson
· Baptism: A Guide from Death to Life, Peter J. Leithart
Links
· The Orchard, by Yochi Brandes
· Startup Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle, by Dan Senor and Saul Singer
In the book of Jonah, God controls animals (the big fish, the worm), and he cares for animals (the cattle of Nineveh). This links up with a larger biblical theme of God’s affection for all his creation, furry and slimy things included.
Sources for linking:
·C.S. Lewis, Miracles
·Craig Keener, Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts
·Craig Keener, Miracles Today: The Supernatural Work of God in the Modern World
Episode 2: "What is a Prophet?" In this episode, we unpack what a "prophet” was in ancient Israel (hint: not a reader of palms and crystal balls), and how Jonah was in many ways the strangest prophet of them all.
What's the foundation of a great family? A great marriage. In this episode, we explore the complexities of lifelong commitment, and how God's wisdom equips us for a lifetime of married love.
During his climactic final week in Jerusalem, Jesus warns in Luke 21 that unimaginable destruction is coming to the holy city for its rejection of his Kingdom message. Often called an "apocalyptic" passage, Luke 21 contains some of Jesus' most urgent and most misunderstood words. Join us as we try to decode them.
David Perlmutter, Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain
Rick Warren, The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life
James Clear, Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones
The word “vocation” comes from the Latin vocatus, meaning “called.” God calls men and women not just to a certain career, but to a way of life that reflects God and embraces the Gospel. In this episode we explore the many dimensions of the human vocation.
The disciples of Jesus saw him as the "Christ," a Greek translation of the Hebrew term "Messiah." What did this title mean in the 1st century? How does it impact our relationship with Jesus and his Kingdom today?
Hosts:
Lyndsie Smith (Worship Leader), Pastor Ernesto Grijalva (Worship Pastor), Anna DuMond (Worship Leader)
Links:
Art and Faith: A Theology of Making, Makoto Fujimura
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Faith-Theology-Makoto-Fujimura/dp/0300254148/ref=asc_df_0300254148/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475750949230&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6530617002446159347&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031994&hvtargid=pla-920027808936&psc=1
The Goodness of God - CeCe Winans
https://youtu.be/9sE5kEnitqE
Here Again - Elevation Worship
https://youtu.be/aIdZ5KRiakM
Echo Holy - Red Rocks Worship
https://youtu.be/pz5t7XTCxNE
It Is Well With My Soul - Audrey Assad
https://youtu.be/zY5o9mP22V0
So Will I (100 Billion X) - Hillsong United
https://youtu.be/fyYn21RdBBQ
You Make Me Brave - Amanda Cook
https://youtu.be/6Hi-VMxT6fc
How Great Thou Art - Hillsong & Lauren Daigle
https://youtu.be/p-hvI1nbS80
Gratitude
https://youtu.be/UoHrBNTfzIs
I Thank God
https://youtu.be/C8k6jSS7sb4
Book Reference
Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity
In the second half of Colossians, Paul brings the Gospel into beautifying contact with the daily realities of life. It’s a rich vision of what it means to be the New Humanity in Jesus, clothed in the royal garments of love. In today’s conversation, we look closely at Paul’s appeal in Colossians 3.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Exodus 34:6-7: Attributes of God
- Bible Project: Character of God series
- Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary
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Part of growing up in the faith is knowing what to avoid—avenues of spiritual growth seem attractive and useful, but end up leading nowhere. In Colossians 2, Paul warns his young believers about the dangers of grounding their faith in anything but Jesus.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- The Present Age and of the Difference Between a Genius and an Apostle by Soren Kierkegaard
- Sin: A history by Gary Anderson
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Paul’s letter to the young church in Colossae challenges them to grow up into fully mature believers, reframing their whole world—belief systems and patterns of behavior—around Jesus. In our first conversation about Colossians, we discuss essential background issues and the high points of 1:1–2:5.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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In many ways, Genesis 50, the last chapter in the scroll, mirrors its beginning. It also gestures to the future — both the near-term future of Israel’s history and the long-term future in which Jesus plays a central role. In today’s conversation, we talk about the broader structures of Genesis and about “prophecy and Jesus,” pondering the multiple ways in which the history that begins in Genesis leads to Him.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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The reader of Genesis 45 gets to be a fly on the wall at a closed-door scene: the moment when Joseph reveals to his brothers who he really is. In today's podcast, we take a closer look at this poignant scene, observing the uncanny parallels it has with accounts in the New Testament of Jesus revealing himself after Easter. We also discuss “remnant” theology, and why it was so important for the early Christians. Listen in!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- 3D glasses example
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Are Joseph's brothers truly changed men? In Genesis 44 he tries to find out, tempting them to commit the same crime they did against Joseph as a boy. And the outcome of the test is startling: not only are the brothers truly changed, but Judah even offers to sacrifice his life for the family. This is the relational flashpoint where old wounds are healed and trust is reborn. Join us as we study the little details and overarching meaning of Genesis 44.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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After 20 years apart Joseph and his brothers finally meet again, and this time the roles are dramatically reversed: the younger brother is now in a position of power over his older brothers. The encounter is emotionally and relationally fraught, as Joseph is eager to learn whether his brothers are changed men. Listen in as we discuss.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness by Gene Edwards
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Things finally start looking up for Joseph in Genesis 41: ironically, Pharaoh’s nightmare lets Joseph realize his dream not only of getting out of prison, but also the deeper dreams God gave him as a teenager in Canaan. Joseph is swiftly Egyptianized—given a new name, a new appearance, a new wife—yet his identity as a fearer of the God of Israel remains unshaken. It’s out of this reverence for the one true God that the plan will emerge for shepherding Egypt, and the wider world, through a time of crisis.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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Unjustly framed for a crime, Joseph now finds himself in prison. Why? What’s the reason for this newest disaster in his life? And why does Joseph get promoted once again to second in command? What role do dreams play in the Bible, and do they mean anything in our own lives? We talk about all this and more in this week’s conversation.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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Judah fails a sexual test in Genesis 38 and Joseph passes one in Genesis 39. Yet surprisingly, Joseph suffers for his righteous actions—thrown in prison!—while Judah is shown grace. This week we take a closer look at this biblical study in contrasts, noting how it jives with earlier stories in Genesis and with ancient Near Eastern customs, while also containing a wealth of moral nuances. Listen in!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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The story of Joseph begins in Genesis 37 with many themes we’ve already seen: favoritism, jealousy, and a broken family. Yet from a theological and scholarly standpoint, there are several new elements that come online at this point in Genesis. Join in with this week’s conversation to find out more!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Positive Parenting Improves Multiple Aspects of Health and Well-Being in Young Adulthood by Ying Chen, et. al.
- Parental warmth and flourishing in mid-life by Ying Chen, Laura D. Kubzansky, and Tyler J. VanderWeele
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We resume our study of Genesis by looking at Chapters 34 and 35, where Jacob’s rather hectic life continues: the neighbors are mad, idolatry and incest appear again in the family, and three cherished relatives die. This hodgepodge of events nudges us to ask what is particularly “spiritual” about such inconveniences and misfortunes in Jacob’s life—and in ours.
Weekend teaching: Concord
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Genesis 30 continues the story of Jacob's season of exile, focusing on the sibling rivalry between his sister-wives, Rachel and Leah. As so often, the underlying question is: will humans try to make the good for themselves, or trust God to make the good for them? Listen in!
Weekend teaching: Concord
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When Jacob reunites with his mother’s side of the family in Haran, things start out well, but quickly turn sour. Our trickster Jacob is tricked into an awkward love triangle and years of harsh labor he hadn’t planned on. Join us for this week’s conversation as we go deeper into this biblical story from Genesis 29, full of ironies and poetic justice.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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The night before Jacob confronts his past he has a tortured, sleepless night, wrestling until dawn with a shadowy figure who, by the end, he’ll realize is God himself. In this week’s convo, we take a closer look at the identity transformation Jacob undergoes in the process of becoming “Israel,” and talk about why God often meets us in seasons of transition. Listen in!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
- A Screwtape Letter for the 21st Century by Jefrey Breshears
- The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World by Iain McGilchrist
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In today’s special Kids Episode, two of The Bay’s sharpest young people join us for a closer look at Genesis 25 and 27, two stories in the early life of Jacob when he uses food to cheat his brother Esau out of his identity. Listen in!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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Jacob is a brawler—even before he’s born! This week we begin Season 4 of our study in Genesis, called “Jacob: The Odyssey of a Trickster,” and the first story about him in Genesis 25 sets a life trajectory of both struggle and redemption. Join us as we begin our relationship with this most unlikely of patriarchs.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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Genesis 24 is a novella about how Abraham finds a wife for his son Isaac. The matchmaking occurs at a well (a special setting in the Bible) and the young lady, Rebecca, shows through her remarkable generosity and faith that she’s a lot like Abraham himself, her future father-in-law. Join us for this week’s special Youth Episode, as we talk with The Bay Church students about all this and more!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Couple riding a camel
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In Genesis 22, God puts Abraham to the ultimate test: whom does he love more, God, or his own beloved son, Isaac? This short story is packed with emotional and psychological drama, and also has great theological significance for Jews and Christians. Join us for this week’s convo, as we go Deeper in this story of Abraham’s “ultimate test.”
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard
- Confessions by Augustine of Hippo
- Fellowship of Differents by Scot McKnight
- Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son by Jon Levenson
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Our study of Abraham continues by looking at his unflinching obedience to put a sign of the covenant on his actual body: circumcision. What does this ritual mean in Genesis 17, in Genesis and the Old Testament as a whole, and how did the early followers of Jesus understand it? Join us for this week’s convo!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
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After God leads them to the Promised Land in Genesis 12, Abram and Sarai almost immediately flee to Egypt during a famine, where they lie about their relationship, offend their foreign hosts, and are expelled. What is the meaning of this strange little episode, and why do similar stories appear in Chapters 20 and 26 of Genesis? Join us for this week’s convo in Deeper!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Reading Moses, Seeing Jesus: How the Torah fulfills its goal in Yeshua by Seth Postell
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Is God funny? Are there jokes in the Bible? Why is Abraham’s son called, basically, “Laughter”? Today’s episode looks at a moment of comic relief in the book of Genesis, considering not only the passage itself, but important themes that spin out of it: surprise, resurrection, and God’s love.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- The Great Code: The Bible and Literature by Northrop Frye
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In Genesis 18, Abraham stands on a mountain with Yahweh, pleading mercy for the wicked cities down in the valley. This is one of the high moments in Abraham’s life since interceding for rebellious people is what being a prophet in the Bible is all about. Join us for this week’s episode as we discuss the role of Sodom and Gomorrah in the book of Genesis, and their continued role in cultural imagination today.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics by Robert A. J. Gagnon
- A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus by David Bennett
- Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin
- People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue by Preston Sprinkle
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In our first episode of the new year, we catch up on the story of Abraham, taking a closer look at the cameo cast of Lot, Hagar, and Ishmael. Who are they, and what role do they play in Abraham’s story? We also reflect on the “righteousness” Abraham receives for trusting in God’s audacious promises (Genesis 15:6), and what this means today for followers of Jesus. Listen in!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Abraham and Melchizedek by Bible Project
- Inheriting Abraham: The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by Jon D. Levenson
- Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification by Alister E. McGrath
- Sin: A History by Gary A. Anderson
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With the false starts of Genesis 1–11 behind us — the Tower of Babel, the Flood, the rebellion in Eden — the story now turns over a fresh page with Abraham and his family. In today’s conversation, we talk about why God chose Abraham at all (who is still called Abram at this point), why he was building altars all over Canaan, and how he fits into the larger narrative and theology of the Bible.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Inheriting Abraham: The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by Jon D. Levenson
- Call of Abraham: Essays on the Election of Israel in Honor of Jon D. Levenson (Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity) by Joel Kaminsky
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So a few people get together to build a tower. What's so bad about Babel? This week on Deeper we'll talk about why we find the story of Babel at such an important juncture in the story of Genesis. Who are these builders? What are they trying to build? Why is it so problematic? How does this story echo into the rest of the biblical narrative? Join our guest host, Pastor Nathan, and co-host, Destiny, to find out!
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Tower of Babel handout
- The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Dr. Michael S. Heiser
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God floods the world because of sin and starts all over with one righteous man, his family, and their floating zoo of animals. What does this story tell us about who God is, and what kind of world we live in? How does Noah figure into the larger story and theology of Genesis? And how does this ancient Israelite narrative square up—if at all— with modern scientific knowledge about dinosaurs, mega-floods, and things like that? We talk about all this and more in this week’s episode.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Noah as the new Adam comparison
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Brothers at war, suffering shepherds, and God’s choice of a younger brother: these biblical themes begin in Genesis 4, the story of Cain and Abel. And while the first violent crime in the Bible intensifies the downward spiral of sin, a closer look at Genesis 4 also betrays strong similarities with the failure in Eden itself. In today’s conversation, we explore all these connections, and also review where we’ve come so far in Genesis 1–3.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck
- Adam as Israel: Genesis 1–3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh by Seth Postell
- Reading Moses, Seeing Jesus: how the Torah fulfills its goal in Yeshua by Seth Postell
- Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by John Paul II
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Adam and Eve lose their home in Eden: their quest to be more “like God” backfires, and they can no longer be “with God.” How does this short story at the beginning of Scripture relate to the rest of the Bible? Are its effects felt in the remainder of the Old Testament? What did early Jesus followers make of it?
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Adam as Israel: Genesis 1–3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh by Seth Postell
- Reading Moses, Seeing Jesus: how the Torah fulfills its goal in Yeshua by Seth Postell
Visit our Resources page for more on Bible & Science.
Connect with us on Facebook & Instagram.
Is Satan jealous of humans? Does Jesus’ death on a tree mirror the tree in Eden? How does Jesus overturn the fatal choice of our first parents? We talk about all this and more in this week’s conversation...
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Standard collection of Old Testament Pseudepigrapha
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Sex in Eden? Woman is a “helper”? Man's solitude is “not good”? Genesis 2 contains some of the most important - and puzzling! - descriptions of human relationships, and in this week’s episode, we ask what it all means. (And a bonus discussion: who wrote Genesis anyways?)
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by John Paul II
Visit our Resources page for more on Bible & Science.
Connect with us on Facebook & Instagram.
Why is there a second story about God creating humans in Genesis 2? Why is Eden so lavish, with gold, precious stones, gushing rivers, and magical trees? Is the first human basically a groundskeeper, or did his job have a deeper purpose? How does all of this relate to Jesus, and also to us today?
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament by Sandra L. Richter
- Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters by Sandra L. Richter
- Joint Statement on the Environment
- Parallels between Eden and the Temple
- Parallels between Eden and the New Jerusalem
- Picture of the pinecone from The General Sherman tree
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Genesis 1 says humans are made “in the image and likeness of God.” How would an ancient Israelite have heard this phrase? And what does it mean for us today? In this episode we discuss Genesis 1:26–2:3, asking questions about human nature, gender,
sabbath, and the ways these themes lead to Jesus.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1 by Mark Middleton
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In this episode, we probe further into Genesis 1: what "heaven" means, points of contact with ancient Near Eastern myth, and how the Bible's account of creation squares (or doesn't) with modern science and evolutionary theory.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- The book Pastor Ryan found helpful in college, The Language of God by Francis Collins
- Creation, Evolution, and Christian Laypeople by Tim Keller
- Interview with S. Joshua Swamidass, author of The Genealogical Adam and Eve
- The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
- A thoughtful piece in the Wall Street Journal, Why Atheists Need Faith
- An amazing example of God's creativity in the plant world
- The miraculous development of humans from conception to birth
- John Walton's book is very helpful, The Lost World of Genesis 1: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate
- Evolution, Games, and God: The Principle of Cooperation (see esp. Timothy Jackson's article, 307–26, "The Christian Love Ethic and Evolutionary 'Cooperation': The Lessons and Limits of Eudaimonism and Game Theory")
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In our first episode, we talk about some basic approaches to reading the Bible that will be helpful for studying Genesis.
Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord
Other helpful links:
- Egyptian hieroglyphics: Pool & Palm trees
- Egyption hieroglypics: Bowl
- BibleProject
- Monet impressionism
- Patchwork illustration
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