Bite Size Seminary

Most Christians know the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. But many feel that actually learning these languages is impossible or only for the select few. Dr. Catherine McDowell joins JC Schroeder to talk about her new book The Rewards of Learning Greek and Hebrew and argues that you can and should learn the biblical languages. They also talk about some of the strategies and resources to do so as well as the spiritual help it can bring.

⏰ Timestamps:
1:26 Introduction
4:09 Why Learn the Biblical Languages?
7:55 The Biblical Languages in Ministry and Spiritual Formation
11:17 The Use of the Languages in Scripture
15:16 Resources for Studying
21:35 Routine to Adopt
26:15 Outro

📚 Resources:
The Rewards of Learning Greek and Hebrew by Catherine H. McDowell and Philip H. Towner

Séminaire Théologique Modelus, Milot, Haiti

Basics of Hebrew Grammar by Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt – Hebrew Grammar Dr. McDowell uses

Daily Dose of Hebrew and Daily Dose of Greek – free lectures and daily videos

Aleph with Beth – free YouTube videos teaching Hebrew like a living language

Biblingo – Hebrew and Greek language software

The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

📬 Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.
Website | bitesizeseminary.com
Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast
Twitter | @bitesizesem

Special Christmas episode!

JC Schroeder talks about how during the Christmas season we can reflect on Christ's humility.

⏰ Timestamps:
0:44 Introduction
1:16 Christ’s Humility in Humanness
3:49 Christ’s Humility in Shame
7:00 Christ’s Humility in Nearness
9:19 Outro

📚 Resources:
The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

📬 Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.
Website | bitesizeseminary.com
Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast
Twitter | @bitesizesem

Dr. Nijay K. Gupta joins JC Schroeder to talk about his book A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies: Understanding Key Debates. They talk about different views on hermeneutics, Paul’s theology, and how to listen to both sides of a debate. Dr. Gupta gives great insight into different ways of reading the Bible and how to best understand those positions.

⏰ Timestamps:
1:37 Introduction
4:01 A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies
8:31 Presenting Both Sides to a Debate
13:55 Application and Hermeneutics
21:05 Paul’s Theological Perspective
28:56 Academic and Spiritual Reading
32:35 Conclusion
34:24 Outro

📚 Resources:
“A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies: Understanding Key Debate”

The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

📬 Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.
Website | bitesizeseminary.com
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Twitter | @bitesizesem

Why are Bible translations different? Is there one that is the most accurate? The many translations can be mystifying.

In this episode JC Schroeder gives 3 issues that influence the differences between Bible translations. These 3 issues help us to see not only the differences but also the usefulness and joy of having multiple translations.

Timestamps:
1:30 Introduction
2:59 The Translating Process
6:39 Translation Style
12:30 Bible Manuscripts
15:08 Interpretation
17:48 Conclusion
20:03 Outro

Resources:
https://www.biblegateway.com
Parallel Plus Bible App

The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.
Website | bitesizeseminary.com
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Twitter | @bitesizesem

Jesus as a philosopher? Dr. Jonathan T. Pennington joins JC Schroeder to discuss his new books “Jesus the Great Philosopher” and “Small Preaching.” He shows how the Bible presents Jesus as a philosopher who lays out a powerful and nuanced philosophy of life. They also discuss what it means to educate our emotions and how this relates to human flourishing. Additionally, they discuss practical tips for small, incremental changes to make preaching better.

Timestamps:
1:30 Introduction
3:16 “Jesus the Great Philosopher”
6:17 Christianity as a Philosophy of Life
9:00 Educating Your Emotions
17:04 Human Flourishing
18:34 “Small Preaching”
22:29 Snack Writing

Resources:
“Jesus the Great Philosopher”
“Small Preaching”


The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.
Website | bitesizeseminary.com
Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast
Twitter | @bitesizesem

When you pray, do you feel like you’re going through a to-do list? It can be such a struggle to pray, let alone how to pray for others. But the apostle Paul’s example shows us something different. He doesn’t just run through his list and move on with his busy day. He prays creatively and thoughtfully.

In this episode JC Schroeder looks at Paul’s prayer life, and how it can shape our own prayer life.

Timestamps:
0:54 Introduction
2:47 Prayer in Paul’s Letters
4:10 Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians
15:03 Ramifications for Others
19:04 Ramifications for Us
21:32 Conclusion
21:55 Outro

Resources:
The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review. Share with a friend too!
Website | bitesizeseminary.com
Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast
Twitter | @bitesizesem

Many people’s favorite portion of Scripture are the Psalms. They are rich, emotional, and beautiful. But they can also be confusing. This can leave readers loving the Psalms but left with a sense of missing something.

In this episode JC Schroeder highlights three features of the Psalms to be sensitive to, which helps bring out more of the Psalm’s richness. 

Timestamps:
0:59 Introduction
2:06 The Types of Psalms
9:31 The Use of Parallelism
14:31 The Use of Figures of Speech
22:03 Conclusion
22:15 Outro

Resources:
How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman III
Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Psalms and Wisdom Literature by Ernest C. Lucas
The Art of Biblical Poetry by Robert Alter

I am also indebted to Dr. John Hilber, Professor of Old Testament at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, for his impression on me for the different types of Psalms. 

The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Connect with JC:
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Website | bitesizeseminary.com
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Twitter | @bitesizesem

Discussions of the Trinity can either put people to sleep or freak them out. “Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith” by Michael Reeves does neither; it is a breath of fresh air. Reeves brings out not only a helpful articulation of the Trinity but also its practical implications for the individual.

In this episode JC Schroeder reviews “Delighting in the Trinity” published by IVP Academic and gives it an enthusiastic recommendation.

If you are looking for a book to make your heart draw closer to the Lord, then check this one out. This is how theology books should be written!

Timestamps:
1:42 Reading “Delighting in the Trinity”
2:53 Overview
4:45 Introduction
7:14 Chapter 1
9:37 Chapter 2
10:56 Chapter 3
14:29 Chapter 4
17:21 Chapter 5
23:04 Evaluation
26:22 Outro

Resources:
Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.
Website | bitesizeseminary.com
Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast
Twitter | @bitesizesem

We love the individual stories from the Gospels, but do we see how the individual pieces fit together? To read the Gospels better involves being sensitive to four characteristics of a Gospels. In this episode JC Schroeder discusses how the Gospels are historical, narratival, theological, and virtue forming and how it influences our reading of them.

Show Notes:
0:59 Reading as clips
2:32 Historical
6:58 Narratival
10:50 Theological
13:45 Virtue Forming
19:19 Conclusion

 Resources:
Four Portraits, One Jesus by Mark Strauss
Reading the Gospels Wisely by Jonathan T. Pennington
Cultural Background Study Bible
IVP Bible Background Commentaries: Old Testament
IVP Bible Background Commentaries: New Testament

The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

 
Connect with JC:
If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review.

Website | bitesizeseminary.com
Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast
Twitter | @bitesizesem

Welcome to Bite Size Seminary, a podcast where we discuss issues in biblical studies, theology, ministry engagement, and following Jesus. 

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Bible but didn’t have the time or money for a theological education? The Bite Size Seminary podcast seeks to bring home the seminary experience in an exciting and short form package (or is that bite size?). With new episodes every other week, we’ll dive into the biblical text, discuss resources, book reviews, and interviews. 

I’m JC Schroeder. I’m an instructor at The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism and a ThM student at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. I’m excited to share some of the things I have learned along the way as well as some things I’m still learning. I hope that we can encourage each other to live and read Scripture more faithfully. 

If you want to be challenged by new ideas and encouraged by old ones, then check out and follow the Bite Size Seminary podcast.

Connect with JC:

-       If you enjoyed the show, make sure to subscribe and give an honest review. 

-       Website | bitesizeseminary.com

-       Facebook | Bite Size Seminary Podcast

-       Twitter | @bitesizesem