The BEMA Podcast: Recent Episodes
BEMA Discipleship
The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the context of the Bible and the Text itself, as well as surrounding history. We deconstruct our common readings of the Bible and attempt to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context. The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 and continue in order through episode 204. BEMA Discipleship is a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the healing of a blind man and Jesus’s subsequent teaching on a different kind of blindness.
Everyman’s Talmud by Abraham Cohen
The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann
Addendum to BEMA 80 — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider a provocative teaching of Jesus that nearly got him executed.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the dispute Jesus has with those who believed him about who their father is.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Kate Schmidgall, the founder and director of BitterSweet Creative, and the founder and editor of BitterSweet Monthly.
National Community Church, Lincoln Theatre Campus
NCC Lincoln Theatre Campus Staff
Contemplations Series with Walter Brueggemann
An Other Kingdom by Peter Block, Walter Brueggemann, and John McKnight
Breaking Ground by Anne Snyder and Susannah Black
Comment Magazine
Resident Aliens by Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon
Coming Soon: Practice Flourishing by Dr. Andrew DeCort
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Kate Schmidgall.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear Jesus talk about his own identity and testimony in the face of those who grapple with his teachings.
BEMA 85: Mark — Roman Gospel
Written in the Dust (Brad Gray sermon) — Real Life on the Palouse
Interpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. Burge
Jesus Within Judaism by James H. Charlesworth
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks talk about the cultural context of Jesus being confronted in the courts with the woman accused of adultery in John 8.
Hebrew Classes with Elle
“John 7:53-8:11: A Study in Misreading” by Gail R. O’Day — JSTOR
BEMA 82: The Text — When, Where, Who, and Why
Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by E. Randolph Richards and Richard James
The Pericope Adulterae, the Gospel of John, and the Literacy of Jesus by Chris Keith
“Earth Accuses Earth: Tracing What Jesus Wrote on the Ground” by Jennifer Knust and Tommy Wasserman — JSTOR
To Cast the First Stone by Jennifer Knust and Tommy Wasserman
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings conclude a review of Season 2 of The Chosen with a discussion on the eighth episode.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Dallas Regrets This One Thing (Season Finale Reaction) — The Chosen, YouTube
BEMA 93: Blessed
BEMA 99: Fruit of Fools
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish John 7, discussing the differing opinions about the identity of Jesus.
Miracles of Messiah by Ron Miller
BEMA 76: Silent Years — Sadducees
BEMA 130: The Plot to Kill Jesus
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue reviewing The Chosen with a discussion on the seventh episode of Season 2.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings jump into John 7, discussing Jesus’s engagement with the Festival of Tabernacles.
Sukkot & Simchat Torah —Chabad.org
Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings return to The Chosen with a discussion on the sixth episode of Season 2.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Episode 6: "This line wrecks me." (Director Reaction) — The Chosen, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Reed Dent to finish examining the sixth chapter of John, and attempt to bring some closure to this challenging portion of the Text.
I Asked for Wonder by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Prototype by Jonathan Martin
BEMA 230: Mandy Smith — Unfettered
Unfettered by Mandy Smith
The Experience of God by David Bentley Hart
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the controversial fifth episode of Season 2.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Zealot by Reza Aslan
I'm firing back about one criticism — The Chosen, YouTube
Whoa! Episode 5 was controversial (Director reacts) — The Chosen, YouTube
Our Bible consultants discuss our most controversial moment — The Chosen, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrestle with the potential interpretations of what is happening in the beginning of John 6.
A Harmony of the Gospels (NASB) by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry
The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry
A Harmony of the Gospels by A. T. Robertson
BEMA 115: 5 Loaves, 2 Fish, and 1 Big Lesson
Boaty McBoatface — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings venture further into a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the fourth episode of Season 2.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Pool of Bethesda — Wikipedia
BEMA 261: John — What Do You Want?
Cohortes Urbanae — Wikipedia
Our best ever? Episode 4 Director Reaction — The Chosen, YouTube
100 Fold Studio
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider the reactions to Jesus healing on the Sabbath in John 5, and discuss the authority of and testimonies about Jesus.
Impact Staff Opening at the University of Oregon
BEMA 95: Abolish or Fulfill
God Was in This Place & I, I Did Not Know by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
BEMA 190: Session 4 Capstone
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue reviewing The Chosen with a discussion on the third episode of Season 2.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Our most talked about scene ever? Chosen director reacts — The Chosen, YouTube
Story by Robert McKee
“Who Would Have Dreamed” by Sovereign Grace Music — YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Kevan Chandler of We Carry Kevan to continue through the Gospel of John, exploring the healing of the official’s son and the healing at the pool of Bethesda.
BEMA 102: Son of Man
Addendum to BEMA 102 — Marty Solomon, YouTube
We Carry Kevan (Nonprofit Organization)
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Kevan Chandler.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the second episode of Season 2.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
BEMA 78: Silent Years — Essenes
BEMA 253: John — Come and See
BEMA 119: The Gates of Hell
Banias Archaeological Dig of 2020 — YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Kevan Chandler, author of the book We Carry Kevan, and founder of the nonprofit organization We Carry Kevan.
We Carry Kevan by Kevan Chandler
We Carry Kevan (Nonprofit Organization)
Andrew Peterson
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Kevan Chandler.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are breaking ground with a first-time-ever Monday episode of BEMA, beginning the continuation of our review of The Chosen with a discussion on the first episode of Season 2.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
BEMA 167: James — Mitzvoth
Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Elle Grover Fricks to continue through the Gospel of John, exploring who the Samaritans are, the place of women in Jewish and Christian practice around the first century, and a sprinkling of midrash to top it all off.
Samaritans Cooking for Passover
Targum — Wikipedia
Targum Jerusalem, Genesis 28:10 — Sefaria
The Samaritan Woman Story: An Alternative View — Israel Institute of Biblical Studies
“Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue” by Bernadette J. Brooten — JSTOR
Serah — Sefaria
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the Gospel of John, looking at the testimony of John the Baptist as he ratifies the identity and ministry of Christ.
Map of the Regions of Israel in Ancient Times
Thought of the Day: Imposter Syndrome — Marty Solomon, YouTube
sphragizo — Blue Letter Bible
Brent Billings and Josh Bossé continue the journey through the Gospel of John, discussing the meeting of Jesus and Nicodemus, and the themes of their conversation.
BEMA 226: The Chosen S1E7 — “Invitations”
The Great British Bake Off — Wikipedia
The Tree of Life (2011 film)
God in Search of Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Man Is Not Alone by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continuing the journey through the Gospel of John with the wedding at Cana and the clearing of the temple courts.
BEMA 79: Silent Years — Zealots
BEMA 224: The Chosen S1E5 — “The Wedding Gift”
The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Oxford University Press (NRSV)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the Gospel of John with the testimony of John the Baptist and Jesus’s call to his first disciples.
Targum — Wikipedia
Creation Series: John 1 — BibleProject
In the Beginning: John 1 — BibleProject Podcast
BEMA 78: Silent Years — Essenes
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings start a verse-by-verse journey through the Gospel of John, beginning with a discussion about how John introduces us to Jesus.
Reading the Gospel of John Through Palestinian Eyes by Yohanna Katanacho
The Fifth Gospel: Interview with Gary Burge — GTI Tours Podcast #4
Why Context Matters: Interview with Dr. Gary Burge — GTI Tours Podcast #45
Interpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. Burge
Publications of Gary M. Burge
BEMA 87: John — Grafted
Word Pictures by Brian Godawa
Zondervan Archaeological Study Bible
John 1 in the New English Translation
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
Heart and Mind by Alexander John Shaia
John 1–12 — BibleProject
John 13–21 — BibleProject
Creation Series: John 1 — BibleProject
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest John Roberts to discuss his book, A Griever’s Guide to Life.
A Griever’s Guide to Life by John McNeely Roberts
“September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire — YouTube
Home Video: La Paz, Bolivia Vol. 1 — Olivia Roberts, YouTube
“Not for Me to Say” by Johnny Mathis — YouTube
B-Olivia Library
John’s family in 2015 | Olivia in 2016
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: John Roberts.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings go back to where it all started for The Chosen, reviewing what essentially became the pilot episode. “The Shepherd” was created as a short film for Dallas’s church in 2017 and took off like a wildfire.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
The Nativity Story (2006 film)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Michael Burns, a teaching minister in the Two Cities Church in Minneapolis-St. Paul. He taught high school history in the central city of Milwaukee for nearly ten years before graduating from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a national and international biblical teacher at churches, schools of mission, and workshops. He has authored many books, including Crossing the Line; All Things to All People; and Escaping the Beast. Michael and his wife, MyCresha, have two adult sons.
Marty on the All Things to All People Podcast with Michael Burns
Marty’s Sasquatch GIF
Escaping the Beast by Michael Burns
Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw
Crossing the Line by Michael Burns
All Things to All People by Michael Burns
All Things to All People Podcast
Michael Burns Teaching Ministry Website
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Michael Burns.
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks go through a Hebrew lesson on joy and explore the account of Lot’s wife, examining what is said and what is not said about this character.
Learning Hebrew with Elle — Joy (PDF)
Elle’s Website
Text in Us Podcast
Lot’s Wife (crag) — Wikipedia
Sanhedrin (tractate) — Wikipedia
“Lot’s Wife” by Kristine Batey
“Women and Torah: Ancient and Modern Midrashim” by Janelle Glick
Brent Billings is joined by Josh Bossé to examine Esther’s plan for getting into the king’s throne room and what she is actually trying to accomplish once she’s there.
BEMA 70: Esther — Purim
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Eugenia Ortega to discuss her experience raising a child with autism, and encouraging all of us to have curiosity and empathy for people whose experiences are different than our own.
A Look into Our Window by Eugenia Ortega
John Whittaker
BibleProject
Eugenia Ortega on Facebook
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Eugenia Ortega.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Elle Grover Fricks to provide a liturgical space for repentance and healing.
This episode is adapted from “Prayers of the Faithful” from the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Rape, Assault & Incest National Network
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Elle Grover Fricks to discuss The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast.
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast
“Unintended Consequences of Failure Porn” — Liam Thatcher
“Sharing Many of the Same Flaws as its Subject ‘The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill’ Podcast Puts Blame Anywhere But Where It Belongs” — Religion Dispatches
“Trouble” by Taylor Swift (Angry Mark Driscoll Edition)
Marty’s Interview with Joshua Brown
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings reflect on a conversation between Rachel Clinton Chen and Adam Young that provided some helpful notes to illuminate the journey into the world of spiritual abuse.
The Place We Find Ourselves 89: Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual Abuse Archives — The Allender Center
Spiral Dynamics — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin a series that reflects on the heartbreaking realities of spiritual abuse, using notes from a recent conference to guide the conversation.
Thought of the Day: Imposter Syndrome — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Campus House at Purdue
Join the BEMA Slack
Find a BEMA Group
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the state of the podcast, and then Marty is joined by Becky Solomon to talk about parenting.
“How 936 Pennies Will Forever Change How You Parent” — Eryn Lynum
Special Guest: Becky Solomon.
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks discuss sin and the archaeology of Joshua.
Learning Hebrew with Elle — Sin (PDF)
List of Archaeological Periods (Levant) — Wikipedia
History of the Ancient Levant — Wikipedia
Doron Ben-Ami — Wikipedia
Elle’s Website
Brent Billings is joined by Reed Dent to discuss the meaning of faith and the fears associated with deconstruction, both within a person and for those around them.
Join the BEMA Slack
You Have Permission Podcast
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings follow up on listener feedback from the episode with Jen Rosner before exploring the final three chapters of Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing the Jewish character of the Church and puzzling through what difference it makes to our lives as Christians.
Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill — Christianity Today
Mark S. Kinzer
Archbishop Foley Beach at the Anglican Church in North America
Gerald R. McDermott at Samford University
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the seventh and eighth chapters of Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing the divergence of Judaism and Christianity, and analyzing the relationship between the two groups in the centuries since.
Jewish Roots — Ways Parted for a Dark History Presentation (PDF)
Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott
Isaac W. Oliver at Bradley University
“Seeing What’s Next” (Technology Adoption Rates) — Asymco
Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the fourth and fifth chapters of Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing Paul’s relationship to Jewish Law and the atonement process we see in Hebrews.
Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott
David Rudolph at The King’s University
David M. Moffitt at the University of St. Andrews
BEMA 147: Galatians — Two Women, Two Covenants
BEMA 165: Hebrews — Running a Better Race
BEMA 166: Hebrews — Atonement 101
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings venture further into the ideas from the book Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing chapters 2–3 on how the authors of the New Testament used Tanakh and whether Jesus intended to establish a new religion.
Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott
Mark S. Gignilliat at Beeson Divinity School
Inspiration and Incarnation by Peter Enns
Matthew Thiessen at McMaster University
Matthew Thiessen on Twitter
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. Jennifer Rosner, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. She also holds academic posts at The King’s University, Azusa Pacific University, and the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute. Her passion is to explore the relationship with Judaism and Christianity, and she spent time living in Jerusalem with her husband, Yonah, before returning to the States. They have two children.
Jen Rosner’s Website
Keely Boeving, Literary Agent and Freelance Editor
At the Foot of the Mountain by Joshua M. Lessard and Jennifer M. Rosner
The Torah and the Spirit (Part 1) with Jen Rosner and Josh Lessard
The Torah and the Spirit (Part 2) with Jen Rosner and Josh Lessard
The God of Israel and Christian Theology by R. Kendall Soulen
Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott
Healing the Schism by Jennifer M. Rosner
Karl Barth — Wikipedia
Church Dogmatics by Karl Barth
Franz Rosenzweig — Wikipedia
Jen Rosner on Twitter
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Jen Rosner.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by the next new host, Josh Bossé, to discuss his expanded role on the BEMA team. Josh is the Lead Campus Minister with Impact Campus Ministries in Cincinnati, a newly established team for ICM. He is passionate about digging deep into the Text and finding practical, psychological, cultural, and mystical ways of weaving ourselves into God's story. He and his wife, Sophia, have just purchased a home in College Hill and look forward to building a family.
BEMA 21: With All Your Soul & “Very”
BEMA 30: Lead with Your Voice
BEMA 23: Falling on Joyful Faces
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by their next new host, Elle Grover Fricks. Elle has undergraduate degrees in psychology and music from Washington State University, spent four years in mental health as a state-certified behavioral therapist, has a Master of Arts in the Bible & the Ancient Near East from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is the pastor of Refuge Church in Pullman, Washington. They discuss her new role on the BEMA team, the different words for laws and rules in the Old Testament, Jephthah’s daughter and the subject of violence against women, and other random topics.
Learning Hebrew with Elle — Laws, Decrees, Commands, etc. (PDF)
Elle Singing at St. Anne’s in Jerusalem — YouTube
Refuge Church Pullman on YouTube
Elle’s Website
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined again by Reed Dent, staff member with Campus Christian Fellowship at Truman State University in Missouri, to discuss his new role on the BEMA team and consider the idea of deconstruction.
Reed’s Handcrafted Kayak
Impossible Constructions — M. C. Escher
The Architecture of Dr. Seuss, a Brief History — Architizer
Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon
Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State University
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Mandy Smith, pastor, author, and speaker. She is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and Missio Alliance, and a part of the Ecclesia Network. She and her husband, Jamie, a New Testament professor, have two kids.
St. Lucia Uniting Church
The Vulnerable Pastor by Mandy Smith
Unfettered by Mandy Smith
The Wordless Book by Charles H. Spurgeon
The Whole Good News — Missio Alliance [this event happened in 2021]
Mandy Smith at Christianity Today
Mandy Smith at Missio Alliance
Mandy Smith at Ecclesia Network
Mandy Smith on Vimeo
The Way Is the Way
Mandy Smith on Twitter
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Mandy Smith.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a conversation with special guest Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of The Chosen, on Season 1 of this breakout series.
Thank you to Drew Schmitz of Harvest Bible Church in Phoenix for helping us set up this interview.
“Can you trust The Chosen?” — The Chosen, YouTube
The Chosen’s Channel on YouTube
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Dallas Jenkins.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of The Chosen, to discuss all of the burning questions from Season 1 of this breakout series.
Thank you to Drew Schmitz of Harvest Bible Church in Phoenix for helping us set up this interview.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Dallas Jenkins.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue reviewing The Chosen with a discussion on the eighth and final episode of Season 1.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill
Forever Changed #3: The Woman at the Well — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the seventh episode.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
180-degree rule — Wikipedia
Todd Vaziri on the 180 Line — Twitter
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the sixth episode.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the fifth episode.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the fourth episode.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the third episode.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the second episode.
Eishet Chayil — Aleph Beta
Aleph Beta Academy
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The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings commence a review of The Chosen, starting with an overview of what the series is and discussing the first episode.
The Chosen
The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia
The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb
Everyman’s Talmud by Abraham Cohen
Marty Solomon is joined by his wife, Becky. They talk about what it is like to live their lifestyle, and how that plays out in their marriage and their parenting.
Family Culture Project
Marty’s Holiday Series — YouTube
Supersessionism — Wikipedia
Cultural Appropriation — Wikipedia
BEMA 25: A Kingdom of What?
The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Amazon)
The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Aleph Beta)
Special Guest: Becky Solomon.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey back into the story of Eliezer finding Rebekah as a wife for Isaac. What is happening at dinner that evening? Why is Laban acting with such authority if the father, Bethuel, is alive and well?
Map of Abraham’s Servant Finding Isaac a Wife — Headwaters Christian Resources
BEMA 12: A Mission Realized
Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into some of the midrash surrounding the story of the “binding of Isaac.” What really happened to Isaac on that mountain, and what does this have to do with Isaac’s blindness?
BEMA 11: Here I Am
Map of Abraham’s Servant Finding Isaac a Wife — Headwaters Christian Resources
Aleph Beta Academy
Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy
BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.
Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Porshe Chiles. She holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of North Texas, and she is currently the associate director of global research at Wake Forest University. Moving from Texas to Japan to North Carolina, and other places in between, Porshe has a wealth of experience in language and intercultural studies.
Jude 3 Project Podcast
The Disrupters Podcast (Esau McCaulley)
Epiphany Fellowship Church Podcast (Eric Mason)
BEMA 192: Telling a Story
Endurance Consulting
Endurance Consulting on Instagram
Can We Talk? Facebook Community
Additional audio production by Gus Simpson
Special Guest: Porshe Chiles.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings merge the studies of Joseph and Jacob. As Joseph eventually experiences a reunification of his family, what more is left to do? Shouldn’t they sit back and enjoy the redemption in Egypt? Apparently not, according to Jacob.
The Exodus You Almost Passed Over by Rabbi David Fohrman
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Aleph Beta Academy
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Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the arguments surrounding who bought Joseph from his brothers.
The Exodus You Almost Passed Over by Rabbi David Fohrman
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Aleph Beta Academy
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BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.
Rashi — Wikipedia
Maimonides — Wikipedia
Nachmanides — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the conversation for this particular character study of Jacob. They suggested in the last episode that God was with Jacob, even if He did not approve of his actions. Why does God delay justice and/or punishment?
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Aleph Beta Academy
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BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.
Rashi — Wikipedia
Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a deeper look at the character of Jacob and share some things they’ve learned since the previous episodes on Jacob from 2017.
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Aleph Beta Academy
Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy
BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest John Whittaker. He holds degrees in theology and ministry from Boise Bible College and Cincinnati Bible Seminary, plus a doctorate in preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a professor of preaching and the New Testament for 19 years, spent 11 years planting and pastoring a church, and has taught and preached at various places around the world. He has been teaching people to follow Jesus by learning to hear what the Bible says, and his latest endeavors are more accessible to people than ever. He and his wife, Louise, have been married for more than 30 years.
The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
John Whittaker
Bible in Life Podcast
Tim Mackie: Skateboards, Jesus, and the Bible — Bible in Life Podcast
Brad Gray: The Power of the Original Context — Bible in Life Podcast
Brad Gray: The Old Testament Law and the Big Story of the Bible — Bible in Life Podcast
Jesus vs. Culture on Money and Wealth — Bible in Life Podcast
Core Training for Christians — Video Courses by John Whittaker
Prepare Them to Flourish by John Whittaker
About Prepare Them to Flourish
The Listener’s Commentary
Resources from John Whittaker
Intro to the Gospels — The Listener’s Commentary
Luke — The Listener’s Commentary
Special Guest: John Whittaker.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at even more midrash that surrounds the character of Noah. Some commentary describes Noah as the man in the fur coat. What is this all about?
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Aleph Beta Academy
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Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at the backstory of Noah and talk about the midrash surrounding the Nephilim from Genesis 6.
BEMA 5: A Misplaced Curse
“Pete & Jared on Genesis” — The Bible for Normal People Podcast, Episode 100
Genesis for Normal People by Peter Enns and Jared Byas
Tallest Living Person — Guinness World Records
Hurtaly — Wikipedia
Noah (2014 film)
Parshat Noach — Aleph Beta Academy
Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy
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Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
BEMA 7: The Preface
“What’s So Bad about Babel?” — BibleProject Podcast, December 7, 2020
Jewish Women’s Archive
Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts
BEMA FAQ: Midrash — Marty Solomon, YouTube
The Social Dilemma — Netflix
Thought of the Day: The Social Dilemma — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a deeper dive into one of the topics they hear about from listeners the most—midrash—and answer the most commonly asked question from the entire run of the podcast: What is going on with the genealogy of Abraham?
BEMA 8: Buried in a Genealogy
BEMA FAQ: Midrash — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Jewish Women’s Archive
BEMA 173: Jude — False Teachers
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. J. R. Briggs, the founder and director of Kairos Partnerships. His list of ministries and projects spans the gamut of possibility: from coaching pastors to instructing university students, from authoring books to hosting podcasts, J. R. brings a wealth of experience wherever he goes. He and his wife, Megan, have two boys and live just outside of Philadelphia.
About J. R. Briggs — Kairos Partnerships
Publications — Kairos Partnerships
Fail by J. R. Briggs
The Sacred Overlap by J. R. Briggs
Thought of the Day: Sacred Overlap — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Monday Morning Pastor Podcast
“Rubbing Shoulders with God” with Marty Solomon — Monday Morning Pastor
Resilient Leaders Podcast
Tweet on Hand Copying Luke
Practical Tips and Resources for Hand Copying Scripture — Kairos Partnerships
Tweet on Hand Copying John
J. R. Briggs on Twitter
A Time To Heal by J. R. Briggs
Special Guest: J. R. Briggs.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Reed Dent. He’s been on staff with Campus Christian Fellowship at Truman State University in Missouri for the last twelve years. He and his wife, LeAnn, have three boys, who provide some great sermon illustrations.
Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State University
Truman State University — Wikipedia
Staff — Campus Christian Fellowship
“The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” by Reed Dent — Campus Christian Fellowship
“The Parable of the Good Samaritan” by Reed Dent — Campus Christian Fellowship
The Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2001 (PDF)
“September 11” by Scott Cairns
“Trump's name to appear on coronavirus stimulus checks sent to Americans” — Fox News
“Trump Seeks To Stimulate Economy By Sending Rare Autographed Photo To Every American” — The Onion
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
“The Seeing Heart” by Frederick Buechner — YouTube
Secrets in the Dark by Frederick Buechner
John H. Walton — Wikipedia
The Lost World of Genesis One by John H. Walton
The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy
The War by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
The Art of Biblical Narrative by Robert Alter
The Art of Biblical Poetry by Robert Alter
The Art of Bible Translation by Robert Alter
The Poetics of Biblical Narrative by Meir Sternberg
What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell
Inspired by Rachel Held Evans
Special Guest: Reed Dent.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Session 6, what they hope to accomplish, and some of the things you can expect to find in the next chapter of the BEMA Podcast.
BEMA Merchandise — TeePublic
Join the BEMA Slack
News — BEMA Discipleship
Marty Solomon on YouTube
Groups — BEMA Discipleship
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings officially wrap up the journey through history and talk about what comes next for BEMA…
Out of Sorts by Sarah Bessey
Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon on YouTube
Sign Up for the BEMA Messenger
Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings try to evaluate the great takeaways from this five-session journey through the Bible and the world of faith, talking about “The Four Pillars of BEMA” and imagining a world that returns to partake in some of the same things those early followers did thousands of years ago.
Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann
“Time in Babylon” by Emmylou Harris — YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring the story to our current day, seeing what this last century has done to the world of faith that we call our own. What is Christian fundamentalism and where did it come from? And how does evangelicalism fit into all of this? As believers, we make many assumptions about the world around us, but knowing why it exists is often helpful in accepting what it is.
AD 1925 to Today Presentation
“Jacob Neusner, Judaic Scholar Who Forged Interfaith Bonds, Dies at 84” — The New York Times
Jacob Neusner — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings leave the French Revolution behind and move into the modern era. How was the newfound land of freedom and independence handled? How did it impact the theology and ecclesiology of the people?
AD 1800–1925 Presentation (PDF)
Union in Truth by James B. North
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey up to the end of the eighteenth century and follow the world of Protestant history as it moves out of the Reformation and through the Age of Enlightenment.
AD 1650–1800 Presentation
Rediscovering Discipleship by Robby Gallaty
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings walk through one century of history that experienced an unbelievable amount of change and progress. Even outside of church history, this evolving world was fertile soil for the Reformation.
AD 1550–1650 Presentation (PDF)
Geocentric Model — Wikipedia
Heliocentrism — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey from the Crusades and head toward the Protestant Reformation—but on the way, it is good to recognize some names that are often underappreciated. These figures truly paved the way for some of the formative changes coming to Christendom.
AD 1300–1550 Presentation
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine one of the darkest chapters in the history of Christendom.
AD 1000–1300 Presentation
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
Blue Like Jazz (2012 film)
The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings walk through three centuries to see the great and famous East-West Schism, look at the idea of icons, and meet Charlemagne as a major character of this era of history.
AD 700–1000 Presentation
Byzantine Iconoclasm — Wikipedia
BEMA 0: Introductory Lesson
The Genesis of Science by James Hannam
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey through the sixth and seventh centuries, examining the early monastic movements.
AD 500–700 Presentation
The Source by James Mishner
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the fourth and fifth centuries and the period of the ecumenical councils of early Christendom.
AD 300–500 Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings walk through the second and third centuries of Church history. Why are we so not-Jewish in our Christian practice today? What happened to cause such a schism between Jews and Christians?
AD 100–300 Presentation (PDF)
Bar Kokhba revolt — Wikipedia
Didache — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss what history is, what it isn’t, and give some disclaimers about the intentions of Session 5.
Making an Impact: Message — Covered in His Dust
Constantine’s Sword by James Carroll
Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelly
The History of Christian Thought by Justo L. González
Christian History Project
The Fall of Rome Podcast
Tikkun olam — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings prepare for the beginning of Session 5 and our journey through church history by taking one last look in our rearview mirror.
Session 5 Intro Presentation (PDF)
Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall
Sign Up for the BEMA Messenger
Discussion Groups Map
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hold the usual capstone conversation, concluding our journey through the remainder of Scripture and reviewing the entirety thereof.
Session 4 Capstone Presentation (PDF)
Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall
Join the BEMA Slack
Sign Up for the BEMA Messenger
Discussion Groups Map
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the book of Revelation and the final verses of our journey through the New Testament, hearing the moving description of a new heaven and a new earth and an old world that has been made new.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings confront the great beast of Babylon as it appears in Revelation and consider which part of the story we should align with the most.
Revelation #14: Babylon’s Demise — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the voices of those who stood against Empire and paid for it with their lives, and are reminded that Revelation is not a book of futuristic code, but an encouragement to those trying to remain faithful almost 2,000 years ago.
BEMA Discipleship — News
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see dragons and beasts and women riding on them. Who is this beast of land and sea? The same hermeneutic we’ve used throughout Revelation will help us know more.
Revelation — Mother and Dragons Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings press further into Revelation and this epic showdown and holy competition between Empire and Shalom.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings put some context behind a cultural device that is setting up John’s Apocalypse, seeing the ancient Olympic Games and wrestling with John’s intent for the letter of Revelation.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine some of the context behind the seals of the scroll that are opened and what happens when they are, taking note of the apocalyptic chaos that ensues.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings head into the rest of Revelation and the apocalyptic vision that John is sharing with his persecuted audience, standing in the throne room and paying careful attention to what is seen.
Revelation — The Throne Room Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings travel to the last of the seven churches of John’s apocalypse: Laodicea. We’ve heard the warning against being a “lukewarm Christian.” Is there more context to this idea?
Revelation — Lukewarm Laodicea Presentation (PDF)
The Early Church — Ray Vander Laan
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine John’s apocalyptic letter to the church of Philadelphia and look for context, as well as Text spoken into that context.
BEMA 161: 1 Thessalonians — Parousia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wake up in the ancient city of Sardis to see her history and glory, which should help us understand the message in the letter to her church.
Revelation — Waking Up in Sardis Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider the idea that John has been deliberately drawing off of apocalyptic prophets while speaking directly into culture, and we add one more layer to our hermeneutical toolbox as it relates to the book of Revelation.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the ancient city of Pergamum and hear the letter to their church in its original context.
Revelation — Pergamum and Satan’s Throne Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to hone a hermeneutical prowess in the realm of apocalyptic literature, taking a look at the letter to Smyrna and asking, “What is the context?”
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings travel to Ephesus, hearing the first of John’s seven letters in its context.
BEMA 158: Ephesians — Family Membership
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings prepare for a journey through the book of Revelation, remembering the function and method of apocalyptic literature and trying to remove the “crazy” from the study.
BEMA 68: Zechariah — Apocalyptic Literature
Christ and the Caesars by Ethelbert Stauffer
The Christians: Their First Two Thousand Years — A Pinch of Incense by the Christian History Project
The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse and Roman Culture by Roland H. Worth, Jr.
The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse and Greco-Asian Culture by Roland H. Worth, Jr.
Imperial Cult and Commerce in John’s Apocalypse by J. Nelson Kraybill
The Letters to the Seven Churches by William M. Ramsay
The Days of Vengeance by David Chilton
The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era by James S. Jeffers
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the short, often forgotten, and confusing book of Jude. Just what is Jude talking about?
BEMA 169: 2 Peter — The Other Side of a Conversation
BEMA 156: 1 Corinthians — Broken Body
The Book of Enoch — Wikipedia
The Book of Enoch — Academy of Ancient Texts
The Assumption of Moses — Wikipedia
The Assumption of Moses — The Wesley Center
Jude — The Bible Project
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a brief but meaningful and reflective journey through the short letter of 3 John, hearing the apostle warn the church about those who are trying to discredit and dismantle the faith.
BEMA 39: A King After God’s Own Heart
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the words of 2 John and toy with the question of who the woman is that John addresses his letter to.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the letter of 1 John and his insistence on the role that love plays in truth—and not the other way around.
Docetism — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the second letter from the Apostle Peter to see how he utilizes the Midrash to encourage the early believers to keep walking in faithfulness and not give in to the temptation to return to the cultural norms around them.
Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts
The Bible as It Was by James L. Kugel
Noah (2014 film)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the first of two letters penned by Peter, hearing the heart of a man who had went everywhere with Jesus—including betrayal and restoration.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the book of James and its challenging contents. Love it or hate it, this letter often provokes very strong reactions.
Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the many different theories and explanations of atonement that have arisen throughout the centuries—a very critical conversation for theology in our day and how we interact with the story.
A Better Atonement by Tony Jones
Did God Kill Jesus? by Tony Jones
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Crucifixion of the Warrior God by Gregory A. Boyd
The Jesus Driven Life by Michael Hardin
A Community Called Atonement by Scot McKnight
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin to examine the letter of Hebrews and learn from its potential context, hearing the call for us to be people who suffer well and persevere in the faith and struggle authored by Jesus himself.
Hebrews (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse
Hebrews Infographic
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey through a tiny letter from Paul with a big message to Philemon, enjoying Paul’s light-hearted encouragement to live as Jesus would have us live.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the lives of two very different pastors discipled by Paul—Timothy in Ephesus and Titus on Crete—and hear of their different personalities and how Paul uses each of them in his ministry.
Addendum to BEMA 163 — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Walk as Jesus Walked — Ray Vander Laan
Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the second letter to Thessalonica, learn about the “Man of Lawlessness,” and wrestle with the implications of this mysterious character.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings step into the context of the church in Thessalonica and examine the theme of “parousia.”
In Search of Paul by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed
Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the letter to the Colossians, pointing out the unique context that seems to surround the people there and the false thinking that seeks to pervade their lives of worship.
The Cave: An Adaptation of Plato’s Allegory in Clay — YouTube
Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear Paul’s warm letter to the Philippians and see him express joy at their faith, love, and generosity as they follow Christ.
Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings travel to the second largest city in the Roman Empire and hear the words Paul wrote to the Ephesians.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the second letter to the Corinthians and see their continued struggle to live out the gospel in their unique context.
Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a trip to Corinth for an examination of the first letter to that complex city.
Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the verse-by-verse journey through the book of Romans and look back to see Paul’s big argument buried in this brilliant letter.
Romans — God’s Mission, Paul’s Mission Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch Paul transition from a larger argument to the massive implications for how we interact in this new Kingdom.
An Outline of Romans
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings tackle the pesky idea of predestination and election.
In the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan
BEMA 19: A Strengthened Heart
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings let Paul teach us from the metaphor of covenants and death. If part of us died at baptism, why would we live as if we were bound?
sarx — Blue Letter Bible
Join the BEMA Slack
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen to what Paul says about walking in righteousness.
The Evolution of Adam by Peter Enns
Elementary Principles by D. Thomas Lancaster
Didache — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through Romans, addressing the question of where we find righteousness.
Prototype by Jonathan Martin
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings enter into a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Romans, looking at Paul’s introductory section as he addresses this diverse group of believers.
Romans (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse
Pederasty — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the study of Galatians and try to grapple with the implications of this gospel for Jews and Gentiles.
The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas Lancaster
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the importance of covenants and how they are relevant to different audiences.
Galatians — Two Women, Two Covenants Presentation (PDF)
The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the third chapter of Galatians, unpacking big ideas about Gentiles, their relation to the family of God, and a “curse” that Paul seems to suggest the Law brings.
Gezerah Shavah — Wikipedia
The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas Lancaster
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings spend time in the second chapter of Galatians, bringing some context to a much misunderstood and often misrepresented passage.
Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Backyard Tap House
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, listening to Paul describe a gospel he received straight from Jesus, not from any human teaching.
The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas Lancaster
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set everything we have studied about Acts back into the context of the larger Textual narrative, wrapping up the greater story and setting the stage for the inspired letters of the New Testament.
The Epilogue Presentation (PDF)
BEMA 7: The Preface
Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden
BEMA Messenger #3
A New Kind of Christianity by Brian D. McLaren
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings circle back to a question from a few episodes ago: Did Paul experience a conversion, a repentance, or something else entirely?
BEMA 138: Unclean Sheets
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see how Paul’s methodology changes and then draw some conclusions about what we see happening in his ministry.
Theater at Ephesus
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine how the early church community handled applying the gospel to a major cultural problem, seeking to learn from their methods and seeing what we might be able to take into our own unique settings.
Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Latest Information on BEMA Trips
In Search of Paul by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed
Books by N. T. Wright
Books by E. P. Sanders
Books by James D. G. Dunn
Books by Mark D. Nanos
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings come back to the story of Saul and see what is impacting his experience and how that is calling him to impact the Greco-Roman world.
Paul’s First Missionary Journey — Bible History Online
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings meet Saul, persecutor of Jesus, and wrestle with the questions of his identity and his experience; they also encounter the entrance of some unlikely characters into God’s narrative.
The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings challenge listeners to consider our methods of advancing God’s agenda and the implications of this new king and new kingdom.
BEMA 64: 3 Isaiah — Servant
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings make observations about what this early church community was accomplishing together with the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Story #28: New Beginnings (‘Each One’ Rant) — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the opening of the book of Acts and the beginning of the Spirit-filled movement changing the course of human history.
Caesar’s Comet — Wikipedia
BEMA 22: Under the Chuppah
BEMA 37: A Love Story
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin to see how God’s people apply the reality of Christ into their first-century contexts.
Session 4 Intro Presentation (PDF)
Donate to BEMA Ministry
Donate to Marty or the General Fund
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hold the usual capstone conversation, concluding a journey through the gospels, and reviewing the story from Genesis to John.
Session 3 Capstone Presentation (PDF)
Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall
How to Survive a Shipwreck by Jonathan Martin
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring the discussion of the Gospels to a close with a brief look at the resurrection and the great commission.
Living Hope — Real Life on the Palouse
The Final Week #7: Just One Hope — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the betrayals of Jesus and discuss which characters are involved in it.
BEMA 79: Silent Years — Zealots
Fidelity of Betrayal by Peter Rollins
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the question of who brought about Jesus’s execution, acknowledging the different characters at play and the role they each had.
BEMA 76: Silent Years — Sadducees
The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for the final week of Jesus’s earthly ministry.
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan
A Better Atonement by Tony Jones
Did God Kill Jesus? by Tony Jones
A Community Called Atonement by Scot McKnight
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at one of the most perplexing passages of Jesus’s ministry, asking if this is about the end times or ancient times.
Faithful and Wise Steward Presentation (PDF)
Addendum to BEMA 128 — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the list of woes Jesus gives to the Pharisees and ask what kind of person Jesus is describing.
The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see the religious leadership of both Pharisees and Sadducees attempting to trap Jesus with a series of testing questions, and witness the rabbinical brilliance of Jesus as a Jewish teacher.
Trapped by a Question Presentation (PDF)
The Parables by Brad H. Young (cites Flusser extensively)
“The Parable of the Good Samaritan” by Reed Dent — Campus Christian Fellowship
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see Jesus go on the offensive, confronting the corrupt priesthood that rules in Jerusalem.
BEMA 80: Silent Years — Pharisees
BEMA 76: Silent Years — Sadducees
BEMA 51: 1 Isaiah — Vineyard
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the triumphal entry and Jesus’s confrontation of religious corruption on all sides.
Caesarea Maritima — Wikipedia
Map of Israel in New Testament Times — Wikimedia Commons
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the parable of the vineyard, a generous God, and the interactions that follow as Jesus makes his way towards Jerusalem.
Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings find our understanding of divorce challenged by Jesus, and an ancient discussion taking place between the rabbis about the importance and value of people.
The Ten Commandments — Aleph Beta Academy
Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy
BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the many teachings of Matthew 18, including some parables and rabbinic insights from Jesus.
Love Wins by Rob Bell
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan
BEMA 36: The Redemption Cycle
The Queen You Thought You Knew by Rabbi David Fohrman
BEMA 70: Esther — Purim
“The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” by Reed Dent — Campus Christian Fellowship
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration as Jesus talks about his exodus with Moses and Elijah.
The BEMA Messenger
Shaping Faith #5: Fasting — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine Peter’s great confession at Caesarea Philippi and the intense conversation that follows.
The Gates of Hell Presentation (PDF)
On the Early Church: Conquering the Gates of Hell — Ray Vander Laan
The BEMA Messenger
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of the feeding of the four thousand and watch the disciples struggle to apply its meaning.
Map of Tyre and Sidon in relation to the Galilee
The BEMA Messenger
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Dr. Christopher Gambino, talk about Jesus’s critique of rabbinic traditions and the surprise he encounters in the region of Phoenicia.
Dr. Christopher Gambino on Twitter
The Shuvah Project
Brent Billings introduces the story of Peter walking on water and Marty Solomon interacts with it by sharing some of his thoughts originally written years ago.
In the Dust of the Rabbi — Video Study by Ray Vander Laan
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
NOOMA 008: Dust by Rob Bell
She Giggled (Part 1) — Covered in His Dust
She Giggled (Part 2) — Covered in His Dust
Prototype by Jonathan Martin
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Dr. Christopher Gambino, look at Jesus’s time in Nazareth, pass briefly through the beheading of John the Baptist, and land in the story of feeding the 5000.
Dr. Christopher Gambino on Twitter
The Evangelists’ Calendar by M. D. Goulder
The Shuvah Project
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Corey Knadler, look at the final parable in the string of teachings found in Matthew 13, searching for the p’shat, remez, and drash found in the story of fish caught in a net.
Corey Knadler on Twitter
Why the Midrash Has Abraham Thrown into Nimrod’s Furnace — TheTorah.com
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Corey Knadler, discuss the next two parables of Jesus in Matthew 13.
Corey Knadler on Twitter
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings try to learn from Jesus’s puzzling explanation for the parable of the weeds.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at two intimately connected parables in the stories of a crazy farmer and his mustard seed, and a credulous woman and her baked goods.
BEMA 11: Here I Am
The Parable of the Leaven — LeAnn Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship
Sermons — Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State University
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings learn how to engage the methods of rabbinical teaching and unpack what a rabbi is trying to accomplish with his cryptic instructions.
Addendum to BEMA 110 — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Hayamim: A Proposal [this event happened in 2019]
BEMA 12: A Mission Realized
Jewish Hermeneutics — Covered in His Dust
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin an exciting trip through the parables of Jesus, starting with his conversation about four different soils.
Hayamim: A Proposal [this event happened in 2019]
BEMA 27: Images of the Desert — Rotem and Acacia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the critique of the Pharisees who want to write off Jesus’s ministry as the work of evil. They also see Jesus field their request for a sign.
Beelzebub — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a verse-by-verse examination of the gospel of Matthew by dealing with the Sabbath and rabbinical arguments surrounding Torah.
Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts
BEMA 25: A Kingdom of What?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine Jesus as he moves on from John the Baptist and begins to confront the religious worldview around him.
Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg
Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg
New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus by David Bivin
The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian D. McLaren
PaRDeS (Jewish exegesis) — Wikipedia
BEMA 61: Ezekiel — Strength
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear what appears to be the doubt of John the Baptist and the challenging response of Jesus that honors him.
An Explosive Kingdom Presentation (PDF)
BEMA 91: Tavilah T’Shuvah
“Sheep going through a gate, North Yorkshire moors” — YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen to the second major discourse given by Jesus as he sends out his disciples on a mission to bring the Kingdom.
Matthew — The Bible Project
Matthew Poster — The Bible Project
BEMA 50: Micah — Judge
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the ninth chapter of Matthew, seeing a handful of stories where Jesus brings shalom to the chaos of others.
Healing in His Wings Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of a paralyzed man and his faithfully determined friends who inspire his healing.
Addendum to BEMA 102 — Marty Solomon, YouTube
BEMA 80: Silent Years — Pharisees
Jesus H. Christ, Part 11: And Now the H — The RobCast, Episode 221
BEMA 62: Daniel — Son of Man
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue in Matthew’s narrative by jumping to the gospel of Mark, traveling to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
BEMA 88: Setting the Stage
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch as Jesus brings the Kingdom to the brokenness of the world around him, observing the surprising responses of those who encounter it.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the Sermon on the Mount, talking about gates, trees, fools, and houses.
Sermon on the Mount #10: Trees and Fruit — Real Life on the Palouse
BEMA 29: Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discover how worry leads to judgment, and judgment leads to muddy pearls.
Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the Sermon on the Mount, looking at Jesus’s teachings on generosity, prayer, and fasting.
Donate to Impact Campus Ministries
Sermon on the Mount #6: Prayer and Fasting — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the fifth chapter of Matthew, surveying the many examples Jesus gives for properly interpreting the Text.
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
BEMA 25: A Kingdom of What?
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the next few verses in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus speaks of the relationship between his teaching and the teachings of the Hebrew scriptures.
BEMA 64: 3 Isaiah — Servant
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings resume looking at the opening teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and how he sets the stage for his interpretation of Torah.
BEMA 35: Crossroads of the Earth
BEMA 56: Jeremiah — Weeping
Love Wins by Rob Bell
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the gospel of Matthew and into the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton
BEMA 74: Silent Years — Synagogue
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the stories of Jesus’s baptism and temptation.
How to Bring Order Out of Chaos Presentation (PDF)
BEMA 1: Trust the Story
BEMA 2: Knowing When to Say “Enough”
BEMA 4: His Bow in the Clouds
BEMA 5: A Misplaced Curse
BEMA 20: With All Your Heart
BEMA 21: With All Your Soul & “Very”
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the third chapter of the gospel of Matthew, uncovering the ministry of John the Baptist.
Complete Jewish Bible by David Stern
Jewish New Testament Commentary by David Stern
BEMA 42: The Fire of Elijah
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish looking at the story of the birth of Jesus, juxtaposing two kings and the kingdoms that they bring.
A Gospel of Two Kingdoms Presentation (PDF)
Herod the Great — Wikipedia
Masada — Wikipedia
Herodium — Wikipedia
Caesar’s Comet — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the trek through the gospel narrative of Matthew and the life and ministry of Jesus, starting with a look at the story of the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi.
Prepare the Way #5: In Our Present — Real Life on the Palouse
Men Askaenos in Antioch of Pisidia — Wikipedia
The Real Meaning of the Zodiac by D. James Kennedy
The Nativity Story (2006 film)
Picture of the Bull in the House
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for our journey through the gospels by looking at the geographical region of the Galilee where Jesus did most of his ministry.
Setting the Stage Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings spend time in the gospel of John, investigating the different tools he uses in speaking to his particular audience.
Map of Asia and Asia Minor
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the gospel of Luke and wrestle with the many perspectives regarding his audience and his agenda.
The Evangelists’ Calendar by M. D. Goulder
Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the gospel narrative of Mark, noting his distinct audience and the intentional methods he used to communicate the euangelion to them.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the record of Matthew, attempting to understand his unique agenda as he presents the life and ministry of his Rabbi Jesus.
Didache — Wikipedia
Mamzer — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at the ancient use of gospel (euangelion in Greek) and how the New Testament writers are subversively playing off of this Greco-Roman idea.
The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry
Roman air conditioning — Twitter (thread)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrestle with the questions surrounding the authorship of the Text.
Documentary Hypothesis — Wikipedia
BEMA 71: The Prophetic Table
BEMA 62: Daniel — Son of Man
Silent Years — Welcome to Hellenism Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the perfect timing spoken of in Galatians 4:4 in reference to the coming of Jesus in his cultural context. We also wrestle with the personal implications of the different responses to Hellenism in our world today.
Rising Strong by Brené Brown
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Megan Gambino, near the end of our journey through the silent years and the context of Jesus’s ministry, examining the Pharisees.
Silent Years — Pharisees Presentation (PDF)
Addendum to BEMA 80 — Marty Solomon, YouTube
Megan Gambino on Instagram
Megan’s Website
BEMA 74: Silent Years — Synagogue
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, joined by special guest Megan Gambino, continue the journey through the silent years and the context of Jesus’s ministry, examining the group known as the Zealots.
Silent Years — Zealots Presentation (PDF)
Megan Gambino on Instagram
Megan’s Website
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a look at the responses to Hellenism in the world of first-century Judaism, this time examining the group known as the Essenes.
Silent Years — Essenes Presentation (PDF)
Qumran — Wikipedia
Dead Sea Scrolls — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a look at the responses to Hellenism in the world of first-century Judaism, this time examining the group known as Herodians.
Silent Years — Herodians Presentation (PDF)
Sepphoris (Zippori) — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin an in-depth look at the five different responses to Hellenism in the first-century world of Judaism by examining the priestly group known as the Sadducees.
Silent Years — Sadducees Presentation (PDF)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, joined by special guest Jim Feicht, continue their examination of the context of the world of Jesus. The last episode covered the context of Judaism specifically, whereas this episode covers the context of the surrounding culture.
Silent Years — Welcome to Hellenism Presentation (PDF)
Jim Feicht on Twitter
Hellas — Wikipedia
Empire of Alexander the Great — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Jim Feicht. They begin the journey into the historical context of the world of Jesus, looking at the new Judaism that arose from the ashes of exile.
Silent Years — Synagogue Presentation (PDF)
Jim Feicht on Twitter
In the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan
NOOMA 008: Dust by Rob Bell
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings introduce the third session of the BEMA Podcast with special guest Jim Feicht, discussing what to expect in the upcoming session and reviewing where we have been to this point.
Session 3 Intro Presentation (PDF)
Jim Feicht on Twitter
NOOMA 019: Open by Rob Bell
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give a summary of the prophets and the writings at the conclusion of Session 2 of the podcast.
Session 2 Capstone Presentation (PDF)
Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle
Impact Campus Ministries
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the multifaceted dialogue and the many voices found within the prophets that represent the battling perspectives found in the world of God’s people as they attempt to respond to the effects of exile.
Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the book of Esther and the story that lies behind the celebration of Purim.
The Queen You Thought You Knew by Rabbi David Fohrman
The Story #20: The Queen of Beauty and Courage — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the message of Malachi, seeing how he utilizes a question-and-answer format to prophetically speak to the people of God.
Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings study the apocalyptic message of Zechariah, a contemporary to Haggai, who sought to encourage God’s people with image-driven messages of forthcoming hope.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings read through the prophecy of Haggai and find that the real issues rarely change—past, present, or future.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the different leadership styles seen during the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
BEMA Discipleship on Facebook
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings move into the fourth voice of Isaiah, seen in chapters 55–66. We hear the compelling promise of restoration for God’s people and the invitation for them to become the people they were meant to be.
1 Isaiah — Vineyard Presentation (PDF)
Faith Unraveled by Rachel Held Evans
Sabbath as Resistance by Walter Brueggemann
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings challenge the typical understanding of the voice of Isaiah, taking a look at the servant discourse in chapters 40–54.
Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discover that the famous story of Job is so much more than we ever realized.
NOOMA 012: Matthew by Rob Bell
Literary Structure of the Bible
NOOMA 024: Whirlwind by Rob Bell
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the book of Daniel and its persistent and sometimes hidden message of perseverance.
Daniel — Son of Man Presentation (PDF)
Double Rainbow — YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the apocalyptic visions of Ezekiel and his message of encouragement to a people trapped in exile.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the words of prophet Joel speaking to God’s people about the hope that exists, even in the midst of utter destruction.
Discussion Video for BEMA 60
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the shortest prophet in Tanakh—the book of Obadiah—and its condemnation of the nation of Edom for their lack of care for their brother and their neighbor.
Obadiah — Petra Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 59
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into one of Marty’s favorite prophecies: the book of Habakkuk. They examine the complaints submitted by the prophet and his ensuing dialogue with God.
Discussion Video for BEMA 58
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the often-avoided book of Lamentations and the shocking space it creates for the dark things that need to be grieved.
Discussion Video for BEMA 57
Learning to Lament, Part 1: The Culture of Denial — The RobCast, Episode 92
Learning to Lament, Part 2: Widow, Slave, Mother — The RobCast, Episode 93
Learning to Lament, Part 3: She’s Finding Her Voice — The RobCast, Episode 94
Learning to Lament, Part 4: As Deep as the Sea — The RobCast, Episode 95
Learning to Lament, Part 5: Skirts and Virgins — The RobCast, Episode 96
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin our journey through the Babylonian prophets, examining the famous weeping prophet: Jeremiah.
Discussion Video for BEMA 56
The Disciple Scroll by Allan Rabinowitz
Love Wins by Rob Bell
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the Assyrian period of history by looking at one of the most distressing prophets: the voice of 2 Isaiah as he delivers numerous woes to the nations of the world, including God’s people. Yet even this is not void of hope as we see it scattered throughout today’s portion of Text.
Discussion Video for BEMA 55
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the voice of Zephaniah as he warns the kingdom of Judah of impending judgment.
Discussion Video for BEMA 54
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings juxtapose the book of Jonah against the other Assyrian prophet to Israel—the book of Nahum—looking at the other side of the equation of how God deals with evil.
Discussion Video for BEMA 53
Information on BEMA Trips [Marty doesn’t need more emails]
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the book of Jonah and try to uncover the message buried in this most unusual prophet.
Jonah — Potential Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 52
Challenging God: Why Did Jonah Run? — Aleph Beta Academy
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Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the first of four voices found in Isaiah — the pre-Assyrian voice that condemned the greed and injustice of the people of Judah.
NB: Due to a malfunction with our original recording, this episode was recorded in 2021. Our environments and equipment setups have changed, but we did our best to present it as it was in 2017.
1 Isaiah — Vineyard Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 51
Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann
The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the warning of the prophet Micah as he speaks to the people of Judah about what God truly desires.
NB: Due to a malfunction with our original recording, this episode was recorded in 2021. Our environments and equipment setups have changed, but we did our best to present it as it was in 2017.
Discussion Video for BEMA 50
A simplified version of the daily prayer from Hosea 2. This recording is meant to follow Episode 49. Verastikh le l'olam Verastikh lib'tzedek uve'mishpat, uve'chesed, uve'rachamim Verastikh lib'emuna, v'yadat et Adonai I will betroth you to myself forever. I will betroth you to myself in righteousness, and in justice, and in love, and in compassion. I will betroth you to myself in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the message of Hosea as depicted in the prophetic theater of his own life through his marriage to the prostitute Gomer.
Verastikh — Learn Hebrew
Discussion Video for BEMA 49
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the book of Amos on a quest to find the heart of God as expressed in the first of His many mouthpieces.
Amos — Plumb Line Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 48
The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Plumb Line — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the remaining books in Tanakh, most of which are prophets, attempting to understand prophetic history as a whole and the setting for each period of history.
The Lord’s Mouthpiece Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 47
Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the underaddressed book called Song of Songs and explore the ramifications of avoiding the topic of sexuality.
Discussion Video for BEMA 46
Sex God by Rob Bell
NOOMA 002: Flame by Rob Bell
The Zimzum of Love by Rob and Kristen Bell
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo continue our study of wisdom literature, examining the collection of Proverbs and the teaching of Ecclesiastes.
Discussion Video for BEMA 45
Kevin Luo on Twitter
A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans
Less Is More Than Enough by Chris McNaught
“How Great Leaders Inspire Action” by Simon Senek — TED
NOOMA 012: Matthew by Rob Bell
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo discuss the collection of ancient songs known as the Psalms.
Discussion Video for BEMA 44
Classifying the Psalms by Genre
Kevin Luo on Twitter
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up a look at the kings of Israel, exploring the story of Naaman and its implications for us today.
Discussion Video for BEMA 43
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of Elijah and the lessons learned by one of Israel’s greatest prophets.
Discussion Video for BEMA 42
Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler
Map of Phoenicia, Late Bronze Age — Wikipedia
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings revisit the two sources comprising this portion of the biblical narrative, analyzing the agendas found in each. They attempt to look at the differences between the sources to understand the reigns of David and Solomon and the split of the nation of God’s people, ultimately helping us figure out what went wrong.
The Story Behind the Story Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 41
Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the journey to understanding the historical record of the united kingdom of Israel by taking a look at the two sources comprising this biblical narrative.
One Story, Two Sources Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 40
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to examine the life of David, looking at the defeat of Goliath and making some general observations about the character of David.
Discussion Video for BEMA 39
Promised Land — Ray Vander Laan
“The Unheard Story of David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell — TED
Valley of Elah — Wikipedia
Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden
Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at Israel’s first two kings and try to see what the Text is showing us in these two characters.
Discussion Video for BEMA 38
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings zoom in on the mini-narrative of Ruth — one story where the mission of God is realized in the way Israel treats the alien, the orphan, and the widow.
Discussion Video for BEMA 37
Map of Moab and the Surrounding Region
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the book of Judges and the cycle found therein.
Discussion Video for BEMA 36
The Forgiving Flow, Part 2: Drop the Jawbone — The RobCast, Episode 39
Make Your Mark by Brad Gray
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of Joshua and bridge the gap toward the book of Judges, pondering the mission of God and His choice of real estate for His people.
Crossroads of the Earth Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 35
The Source by James A. Michener
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings address the nagging questions about the book of Joshua and its stories of mass slaughter and genocide.
The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 34
The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) — Covered in His Dust
Stele — Wikipedia
The Forest in the Trees: Jesus — Woodland Hills (Greg Boyd)
[no longer available] Why Is the Old Testament So Violent? (blog post)
What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell
The Source by James A. Michener
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for Session 2 of the podcast. We review our journey through Torah to bring everyone up to speed for what we will study next.
Session 2 Intro Presentation (PDF)
BEMA Discipleship Support
BEMA Discipleship on Facebook
BEMA Discipleship on Twitter
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give a summary of the books of Moses at the conclusion of Session 1 of the podcast.
Session 1 Capstone Presentation (PDF)
BEMA Discipleship on Facebook
BEMA Discipleship on Twitter
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring our study of Torah to a close by exploring the book of Deuteronomy, examining its call to remember our stories.
Remember Where You Came From Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 31
The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter
Topic: Deuteronomy 32 — Aleph Beta Academy
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Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of the desert and the book of Numbers with the story of Moses striking the rock and subsequently having his entrance to the Promised Land denied.
Lead with Your Voice Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 30
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert. We will see God’s continual use of the desert to minister to us and to teach us how to minister to others.
Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 29
Lulav — Chabad.org
Flash Floods in Wadi Peres — YouTube
Flash Floods in Wadi Qumran — YouTube
Israel: Flash Floods Hit Negev Desert — AP Archive, YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert, discussing the ar'ar and tamarisk trees and what they teach us about living in our own deserts.
Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and Tamarisk Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 28
BEMA Schedule (no longer active) — See our current Groups page
Noga Hareuveni — Wikipedia
Written Works of Noga Hareuveni
Hebrew University — Wikipedia
BEMA 24: Creating a Space
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert, discussing the rotem and acacia trees and what they teach us about living in our own deserts.
Images of the Desert — Rotem and Acacia Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 27
The Story #28: New Beginnings (‘Each One’ Rant) — Real Life on the Palouse
Walking with God in the Desert — Ray Vander Laan
Hebrew University — Wikipedia
Noga Hareuveni — Wikipedia
Written Works of Noga Hareuveni
“The Broom Usually Grows in the Wilderness” — Bar-Ilan University (via Jim Feicht)
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the first in a series of images found in the desert — what it means to be a shepherd in the biblical world.
Images of the Desert — Shepherd Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 26
Walking with God in the Desert — Ray Vander Laan
Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler
The Good Shepherd by Kenneth Bailey
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
A Kingdom of What? Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 25
Leviticus: A Call to Priesthood (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider the implications of the story of the Tabernacle in our own pursuits of God.
Creating a Space Presentation
Discussion Video for BEMA 24
Walter Brueggemann, “An Alternative Way” — The Work of the People
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the construction of the Tabernacle and its call to be a place of rest, covering Exodus 24–40.
Falling on Joyful Faces Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 23
With All Your Heart — Ray Vander Laan
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss Israel’s arrival at Sinai and the ensuing covenant relationship with their God, covering Exodus 19–23.
Under the Chuppah Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 22
Zondervan Archaeological Study Bible
A simplified version of the daily prayer from Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 19. This recording is meant to follow Episode 21. Sh'ma Israel, adonai elohenu, adonai echad Ve'ahavta et adonai eloiekah b'khol levavkah uve'khol naphshekah uve'khol meodeikah Ve'ahavta reyacha c'mocha Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And love your neighbor as yourself.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the next two tests of God’s people on their way to Mount Sinai in Exodus 16–17.
With All Your Soul & “Very” Presentation (PDF)
“Jesus Shema” — Learn Hebrew
Discussion Video for BEMA 21
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 14, and then dissect their first test on the way to Mount Sinai in Exodus 15.
With All Your Heart Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 20
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the story of the Passover and its plagues, God’s interaction with Pharaoh, and the call of God’s rescued people.
Discussion Video for BEMA 19
The Exodus You Almost Passed Over by Rabbi David Fohrman
kavad — Blue Letter Bible
hazak — Blue Letter Bible
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set up the narrative of God’s story as a contrast between empire and shalom.
Discussion Video for BEMA 18
That the World May Know — Faith Lessons, Volumes 1–12
God Heard Their Cry — Ray Vander Laan
God Heard Their Cry, Lesson 1 — YouTube
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the introduction to God’s story and set up the narrative of the remainder of Scripture in an effort to understand what God is rescuing His people from.
A God Who Hears the Cry Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 17
That the World May Know — Faith Lessons, Volumes 1–12
God Heard Their Cry — Ray Vander Laan
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the study of the life of Joseph, covering Genesis 41–50.
Out of the Pit Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 16
Rabbi David Fohrman — TorahAnytime
The Joseph Story — Aleph Beta Academy
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Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin a study of the life of Joseph, covering Genesis 37–40.
Into the Pit Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 15
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to look at the life of Jacob, covering Genesis 32–35.
Discussion Video for BEMA 14
Aleph Beta Academy
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Transcript for BEMA 14
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin a look at the life of Jacob, covering Genesis 25–31.
Discussion Video for BEMA 13
Aleph Beta Academy
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God Was in This Place & I, I Did Not Know by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
Transcript for BEMA 13
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings cover the life of Isaac as told in Genesis 24 and 26, where we begin to see the initial realization of God’s promise to Abraham.
Discussion Video for BEMA 12
History of male circumcision — Wikipedia
George DeJong, Under the Fig Tree
The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter
Sandra Richter, Ph.D.
The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Volume I
Impact Campus Ministries
Transcript for BEMA 12
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to look at the kind of partner God has chosen in Abraham.
Here I Am Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 11
Aleph Beta Academy
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Transcript for BEMA 11
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings work through Genesis 15–17, continuing to look at the evolving partnership between God and Abram.
Walking the Blood Path Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 10
Aleph Beta Academy
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Transcript for BEMA 10
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Genesis 12–14: the call of Abram and his initial adventures in the land of Canaan.
Discussion Video for BEMA 9
Transcript for BEMA 9
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings ask the same question the Rabbis have asked over the centuries: Why did God choose Abraham?
Buried in a Genealogy Presentation (PDF)
Follow-up: BEMA 208: Midrash — Iscah, Sarai, and Birth Orders
Discussion Video for BEMA 8
The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter
Transcript for BEMA 8
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look back over the first eleven chapters of Genesis and work to understand their significance to the greater narrative of the scriptures.
The Preface Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 7
Transcript for BEMA 7
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the tower of Babel and some of the observations we can take away from the story.
Discussion Video for BEMA 6
Transcript for BEMA 6
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Noah’s departure from the ark and the tragedy that ensues.
Discussion Video for BEMA 5
Transcript for BEMA 5
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the story of Noah and the Flood, digging through a wide variety of buried treasure from the author.
Discussion Video for BEMA 4
Transcript for BEMA 4
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Cain and Abel and the idea of how fear and shame ruin the story.
Discussion Video for BEMA 3
The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Amazon)
The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Aleph Beta)
Aleph Beta Academy
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Transcript for BEMA 3
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and what the story might really be getting at.
Discussion Video for BEMA 2
Transcript for BEMA 2
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the creation story in Genesis 1 and the foundation it lays for understanding the scriptural narrative correctly.
Trust the Story Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 1
The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
BEMA Discipleship — Groups
Join the BEMA Slack (I forgot to mention this!)
Marty on Twitter
Brent on Twitter
BEMA Discipleship on Twitter
BEMA Discipleship on Facebook
Marty on Instagram
Brent on Instagram
BEMA Discipleship — Subscribe (Recommended Apps)
Transcript for BEMA 1
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings have an introductory conversation about the world of the Bible, investigating the differences between eastern and western perspectives.
Introductory Lesson Presentation (PDF)
Transcript for BEMA 0
Special music by Logan Daily.
For the pilot episode of the BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the hopes and dreams for this series in the years to come.
Transcript for BEMA -1