Biblical Literacy Podcast

Mark Lanier interviewed Dr. Tremper Longman, one of the world’s authorities on the Old Testament, and honed in on questions about the Old Testament image of God as a “warrior God” who instructs Israel to slaughter large groups of people. This is an important dialogue as it is a challenging part of understanding God and His character. It seems at odds with the God we see in Jesus.

This week Mark taught the last lesson in the series: Paul, a Legal Case Study. Mark reviewed the several week study of how he would have prepared a case to defend the Apostle Paul. Today’s class focused on Paul’s motivation as his higher calling. He was progressive in his views of women, slaves, culture, and social status. His imprisonment provided an opportunity to proclaim the truth about Jesus to the high rulers of Rome. For Jesus, Paul willingly stepped into death’s gate. Listen to Mark explain the political turmoil in Rome during this time and the positions of key players.

Mark focused this week’s class on what motivated Paul. He had a higher calling to talk to high Roman rulers about Jesus as the Messiah. Paul spoke to the epicureans, who were materialists and believed truth came only from reasoning. They also claimed no afterlife. Happiness was life's goal, to be free from pain and fear. Paul also spoke to the stoics, who believed in one God without shape. Their philosophy was God doesn't care about us and is non emotional, and so their ideology was to avoid emotions. The epicurean and stoics believed the purpose of life was achieving happiness through moderate expectations. Listen to Mark teach about how Paul professed a higher calling than being happy

As an attorney when Mark Lanier takes on new clients he has to ask a question: “What do you want”? For most people the driving motivation is selfish intent. It could be for freedom, fame, or fortune… but this wasn't the case with Paul. Together, let’s discover Paul's true motivation.

Mark taught Round Two of why he’s writing devotions based on the Torah, the first five books of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). He began with a review from the previous week showing how the Tanakh is divided into three divisions. He then moved on to share devotions from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Listen to Mark teach from Genesis about Jacob’s journey to God beginning with the deception of his birthright, flight to safety, wrestling with God, and God giving him a new name of Israel. But God never tells Jacob His name. God is God, and that’s enough. Listen to Mark as he shares what God has stirred up in him while writing the Torah devotions.