Data Over Dogma

Magi- they're the gift that keeps on giving! Last week we talked about a star, this week we're unpacking the mysteries of the fellas who followed that star. We've all seen them represented in nativity scenes: three men in elaborate dress, each bearing a different gift for the infant king, but is any of that actually biblical? What do we actually know about the Magi? What role did they play in the story?

Fortunately, we have Dr. Eric Vanden Eykel with us to unpack it all. He literally wrote the book on the subject. His book The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate delves deep into these enigmatic easterners. He'll help us dispel some common myths, and get a deeper understanding of Jesus' most baffling visitors.

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A physicist? On a Bible podcast? At Christmas time? Well, there are a couple of ways that could go!

This week, we welcome Dr. Aaron Adair onto the show. Dr. Adair's book, The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View, discusses the famous star that led the wise men to baby Jesus in the book of Matthew. What could such a star have been? Is there a known heavenly body that could be used to guide someone to a specific place? How did it appear?

Well, we got the guy who wrote the book on the subject, so buckle up. This one's going to be fun!

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This week we're joined by Dr. Jacob Wright of Emory University. His new book Why the Bible Began leaves aside the questions of who wrote the Bible, what it is, when it was written, and how the Bible came to us, and instead focuses on the why. Why did the writings of this one small group of people survive and persist, when the records of much larger and more successful empires were often buried, forgotten, or lost to time?

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Will the real authors of the Bible please stand up?

This week on Data Over Dogma, we dig deep into who wrote what and why we know what we know. Did someone named Matthew write the gospel of Matthew? Did Paul actually write ALL the Pauline epistles? Authorship is a big question when it comes to the Bible, and it can be a very contentious topic. But don't worry. We'll get through this together.

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This week, Dan and Dan discuss Dan! That's right, it's time to discuss the book of Daniel, and hoo boy- it's a doozy! If you thought being chucked in with a bunch of lions is all there is to this book, you're in for a wild ride. Sure, the first half of the book is some fun stories about dream interpretation and lions and furnaces, but then things take a turn for the apocalyptic!

Will the Dans survive this descent into madness? Will the Biblical book of Daniel survive Data Over Dogma? Who is Belteshazzar? Tune in to find out!

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Was the apostle Paul disabled? His letters may well point in that direction. But the more interesting question is: how much would it matter if he had been?

This week, we welcome Dr. Isaac Soon to discuss disability--both now and in the ancient world--and how the lens of disability can provide stunning insights into the Bible, theology, and our own outlooks in our daily lives.

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Is the second coming... coming?

This week we're exploring the end. Not the end of the Bible, but the end of us! It's eschatology time, baby, and we're digging deep. Is the apocalypse described in the New Testament upon us? How will we know when it's coming? DID IT ALREADY HAPPEN?

If you're anxious that current events might bring about the end of the world, don't be. But if you're not convinced, check out this episode. And then relax. And be kind to your neighbors.

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How well do you know the ten commandments? Could you list them out in order? Which number is “You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk?"

This week we're tackling the decalogue (decalogues?), and if you think that is a simple topic, you're in for a crazy ride. We explore the multiple lists of laws that have been called "The Ten Commandments" (you'll be surprised by which one is actually called that in the Bible), and we'll go over differences of opinion even in the most famous ten words.

Strap in, because like so many Biblical things you thought you knew, God's top ten may not be what you always thought it was.

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This week Data Over Dogma gets political as we welcome Dr. Andrew Whitehead. Dr. Whitehead is an Associate Professor of Sociology at IUPUI, director of the Association of Religion Data Archives, and author of the incredibly timely book American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church.

As a sociologist, Whitehead is bringing receipts as he discusses the current rise of racist, xenophobic power-seekers within American Christianity, and why that rise is... you know... bad. Bad for the country and democracy, but also very possibly bad for Christianity.

We'll also discuss some of the Bible verses that have been used by Christian Nationalists, and figure out if those verses actually support the arguments they're making.

For more Andrew:

https://andrewwhitehead.substack.com

Also look out for the American Idols podcast series.

For an ad-free version of the show, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:

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Is it possible for God to lie? The Bible says no. Multiple times, actually. But this is the Bible we're talking about, so even when it says no, yes might also be true...

We start this week with the famous story of the Bible's worst mariner, Jonah. Why was he running away from God? Why did he spend some time in a fish? What did he smell like after?

Then things get a little dicey as we dive into whether the God of the Bible might tell the odd fib (spoiler alert... yup)

For an ad-free version of the show, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:

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