Biblical Literacy Podcast

10-27-24-Biblical-Literacy

Mark picked back up with the series: Lesser-known Bible Women with a focus on Judges 19. Mark shared some context for the storyline, what went wrong and some application points for home.

Storyline: 1200 BC to 1040 BC. Israel is in the promised land. No earthly kings yet. A young woman of the Levite tribe is brutally murdered in the area of the Benjaminites. Her body is cut into twelve pieces and sent to the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Eleven tribes war against the tribe of Benjamin. All the women and children are killed with unrighteousness actions and results and blame God for the situation!

What went wrong: God was supposed to be king, but not in the eyes of the Israelites.

Points for home

Is God your King?

I hate sin!

How are you treating those on the edges of society?

Listen to Mark teach the challenges of culture and timing when understanding stories of the Bible.He shares the status and meaning of a pilegesh or what has been translated in English as concubine during the times of Judges. This story shows what happens when God is not King, and everyone does what they believe is right in their own eyes.

10/13/2024

Bib-lit Class Synopsis

Dr. Esau McCauley

Mark interviewed Dr. Esau McCauley, an incredibly focused and jovial

Messenger of God’s word.

Dr. McCauley is a Professor at Wheaton College. He discusses his child hood growing up in a God loving home and learning about the Bible from a “Cartoon Bible” which he read with great diligence. He was born in 1979 and he was raised in Huntsville Alabama. His mom taught him that he could be whatever he wanted to be and he chose a Christ filled life.

He discussed, in detail, the impact the Bible has on living a Christian life and how he studied the various languages the Bible were written in such as Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. He attended Gordon Conwell Theology Seminary in Massachusetts to achieve this study.

Dr. McCauley discusses how he was separated from his wife Navy Capt. while she was deployed during the pandemic. He had to deal with the needs and education of 4 children 16,14,10 and 8 (two boys and two girls). He discusses writing children’s books which were influenced by his own children, writing a children’s book about each one. Other books he discusses are a Children’s Bible, and a book about interracial marriage.

Dr. McCauley is a passionate follower of Christ and it is reflected in his writings and his day-to-day life. You don’t want to miss this interview.

As a short but incredible interlude, a young man from Korea, born in Jamaica, joined Mark and Esau on stage and discussed a 700,000 member church in Korea that has 60-70,000 people attending a prayer meeting at 05:30 in the morning.

10-6-24 Biblical-Literacy

Mark completed A Study of Revelation with a focus on The Great News in Revelation 22.  This final lesson closed out the study of Apocalyptic Literature and recapped the 7 vignettes each covering a segment of the age of the church to the 2nd coming.

Mark revisited the 7th vignette acknowledging varied interpretations of the millennium, the binding of Satan, and Jesus’ 2nd coming where He will judge all humanity on the Great White Throne and create a new heaven and a new earth.

Points for Home:

1. Revelation speaks to us.

2. Live in Faith.

3. What a great ending.

Listen to Mark read Revelation 22 with insight and wisdom concluding with “Surely I  am coming soon.” Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.  Amen

9-29-24 Biblical-Literacy

Mark continued A Study of Revelation acknowledging controversial viewpoints about the

tribulation with a focus on the seventh or final vignette from Revelation 20:1-6. The

context deals with Satan and his symbolic “binding” for a thousand years. We hear about 3

views of the Millennium, premillennial, postmillennial, & amillennial which is described as

Satan bound for church age, a coming tribulation, and a 2nd coming.

Points for home: Regardless of our millennial view, we should 1) live like the redeemed, 2)

spread the word and 3) be confident that Glory is assured.

Listen to Mark review the history of apocalyptic literature written in cycles and symbolism

for all time, the advent of Jesus in a dark world and why Satan can never destroy the church

9-22-24 Biblical-Literacy

Dr. David Capes interviewed Dr. Amy Orr Ewing, writer, scholar, and evangelist who shared her

life and passion for transforming lives for Jesus.

Dr. Ewing relayed her family background and how she and her parents came to know Jesus. Amy

holds a doctorate (DPhil) in Theology from the University of Oxford, and serves as Honorary

Lecturer in Divinity at the University Aberdeen. She has influenced the Kingdom all over the

world as evidenced with numerous accolades during her 25+ year career.

Listen to Dr. Ewing offer scriptural insights from her years of study and application of

apologetics and evangelism to believers and unbelievers all over the world.In

9-15-24 - Biblical-Literacy

Mark returned to the Study of Revelation starting with a fast but important review of chapters 1-16 noting that we need to go back in time to fully understand the writings. Understanding the aspects of apocalyptic literature changes how we read & understand Revelation. Marks explains it as a series of vignettes that reflect the age of the church to the second coming. Mark then shifted attention to some highlights of the ending chapters asking the question:

So how do we live?

With open eyes

With godliness

Remember who wins

See what awaits the family of God

See what awaits the world

Points for home

See truth

Live right

Don’t lose heart

Listen to Mark show how Revelation is written like Daniel and the vignette’s meanings. We can be confident that Jesus is coming back, and He wins.

Dr. David Fleming taught the 2nd class in Lesser Known Women of the Bible with a focus on Joanna from the Gospel of Luke. She was the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager. David’s discussion was divided into:

Context: Joanna’s religious and social context as a wealthy woman. Jesus' respect and affirmation of Joanna and women.

Content: Joanna had a personal encounter with Jesus. She became a follower, disciple, and financially supported Jesus. She was there for Him at His crucifixion.

Contributions: Joanna was among those who were first to see Jesus at His resurrection.

Points for Home

What is, & am I, a disciple of Jesus?

Am I living/working with and for Jesus?

There’s no such thing as lesser known to God.

Listen to dr. Fleming teach about Joanna, her unlikely conversion, and what it means to follow Jesus today. You cannot stay where you are and follow Jesus. Your name is known to God.

Dr. David Fleming taught the first lesson in the "Lessor Known Women of the Bible" series. The focus today was on Achash, Caleb’s daughter and subsequent wife of Othniel, from Judges 1. Our roadmap:

Context—Caleb ensured the right man for his daughter, a man to provide for her, and to strengthen their family.

Conduct—Achash respectfully trusted her father, not passive, encouraged her husband, and made a bold request from her father.

Contribution—Achash's family got what they needed to thrive in the land.

Points for home:

A Lesson on trust and obedience

A lesson on faith and obedience that leads to action.

A lesson on who God uses.

Listen to Dr. Fleming teach the value of trusting God and believing in His provision. God is good. God never fails. Choose God and live. Sometimes God will choose you for a very important job.

August 25,2024

Traits of God, The Holy Spirit

Mark Lanier

Mark asks three questions:

1. What is the Holy Spirit?

2. What does the Holy Spirit do?

3. How do we see the Scripture?

Mark addressed these questions:

1. What is the Holy Spirit?

Holy: 1. Connected with God or a particular Religion

2. Good in a moral and religious way

Spirit: 1. The part of a person

2. The soul thought of as separate from the Body

Ghost: Soul

Mark explains in some detail from, verses in Scripture, the

Difference between Spirit and spirit.

2. What does the holy spirit do? Ref: John 14-16, John 14-17

1.The Spirit will indwell in the believer

2.The Spirit will teach and remind

3.Bear witness to Jesus(w/apostles)

4.Convict of sin

5.Glorify Jesus

3. How do we see this in scripture:

Ref: Acts 2:4, 5:32, 7:55, 10:38 and 1Cor 3:15

Homework: checkout OT and NT pre-Pentecost

Take home: Affirm the Spirits work, Glorify Christ, and Pray for the Spirit’s work

8-18-24 Biblical-Literacy

Brent Johnson provided insight into the Attributes of God with a focus on Jesus Incarnate reflected

who God is and what God wants through His teachings, commands, actions, and parables.

Brent has three focus areas:

1. Why does Jesus matter? He is the Word, God, and eternal life.

2. Ethics of Jesus as seen in the 4 Gospels and themes:

Matthew: The kingdom of God - Organization

Mark: Radical fellowship - Reliance on God

Luke: Status & expectations Reversed - Servant leadership

John: Love ethic - Beloved disciple

3. Jesus shows love

Concerns and priorities

Power over the world and people

Power over the demonic

Power over death

Listen to Brent's review on the Traits of God and the attributes of Jesus as God as shown in the Gospels.