Bible Feed

Josh and Dan explore the Book of Joshua in this episode, as a sequel to our series on the 5 books of the Torah. They trace its placement in the biblical narrative as a transition from the Torah and describe its themes of conquest and faith. Highlighting key figures like Rahab and the Gibeonites, they discuss the moral and historical complexities and offer context to understand the destruction narratives. By connecting Joshua's story to larger biblical themes and references in later scriptures, Josh and Dan provide a nuanced understanding that avoids simplistic interpretations and points towards a broader divine purpose in Jesus.

In today's episode, Laurence and Paul try to make the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament, easier to read. They explore the theme of wisdom contained within this unique and sometimes challenging book. By breaking down its seven distinct sections, from fatherly advice to the young, through to reflections at the end of life, they aim to make Proverbs more accessible and meaningful. They also think about how Proverbs relates to other ancient wisdom literature and finish up by testing Laurence on his ability to recognise types of parallelisms! 

Paul and Dan talk with Dale Tuggy and Mark Cain to find out about all the work they do with the Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA) including their upcoming first conference outside the US to be held in Windsor, London 25 July 2024. They also discuss how increasing numbers of people are coming to understand the Biblical God, rather than one of the many 'trinity theories'.  It's exciting times for unitarian theology so listen in to find out about the UK conference or just how you can help the growing network of people coming to a Biblical understanding of God and his son Jesus!

Dan is joined for this episode by Rachel Hocking from Brisbane, Australia. Rachel has been instrumental in the creation of the latest Worship Book, a further collection of "Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" crafted by members of the Christadelphian community. Together, they discuss the origins, development, and significance of the Worship Book project, including its blend of traditional and contemporary styles and the global collaboration it fostered. Tune in for a look at the creative process behind this remarkable anthology and its role in expressing the faith and identity of Christadelphians worldwide.

In this episode Dan and Paul embark on an exploration of John's Gospel, unraveling its sense of majesty and mystery right from the opening verses. They discuss the unique structure and content of John's Gospel, comparing it to the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—highlighting its distinct opening, key themes, and the explicit purpose stated in John's narrative. They delve into the significance of belief, the role of witnessing, and the powerful symbolism of water and blood, offering a compelling argument for understanding John’s Gospel as a carefully selected collection of events aimed at strengthening the reader's faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Tune in to this episode for an insightful high-level overview of one of the most profound texts in the New Testament.

Dan and Jon discuss the relevance and impact of Christianity in the modern world. They delve into how aspects of Christianity have influenced society, not only in superficial ways like our calendar, but in deeper things such as values, moral codes, and societal norms. The hosts reference various sources, including notable historians and authors like Tom Holland and Yuval Noah Harari, asserting that many fundamental beliefs and values in Western society, such as the sanctity of life and the concept of equality, have their roots in Christian teachings. That may make Christianity relevant in modern society, but does it make it true?

Relaunching the podcast, Dan and Laurence celebrate by pondering a lesser known Christmas story. They encounter Simeon, Anna and a community of people in the temple at Jerusalem "waiting for the consolation of Israel". As the baby is held high by Simeon, they realise that the birth of Jesus is not only deeply rooted in a backstory, but is the climax of a centuries old narrative. Complete with mystery deaths and incomplete sentences, this is an invitation to have yourself a lesser known Christmas story!

Paul and Dan continue their exploration of the Divine Council worldview by looking at claims made about verses in Deuteronomy 32, the introduction to the book of Job and Psalm 82.  In summary, they conclude that while it is useful to understand the cultural background to the text of the Bible, it is also important to avoid being distracted by relatively speculative ideas from the main thrust of the Bible message - that Jesus died to reconcile humans to God.  Let us know what you think!