Most people reading the Bible take the same reading skills to it they use for the morning paper. This promotes a literal outcome quite naturally. Without being schooled in biblical genres, it's easy to confuse narrative and other writings as exact representations of reality. The problem is, they are seldom that. Today's podcast episode introduces the theme of the next episodes: the curse of literalism. We will look at several of the most abused texts that need to be redeemed from their literal understanding. I will briefly comment on each of these in the episode. Next week will be a thorough look at the struggle Israel had in fully embracing monotheism. This will shed light on how the notions of God evolved over time, and surface a side of the Bible that most have never seen, or perhaps wish they never had. But it sheds light on how the Bible cannot function as "every word coming from God and is the absolute truth," as literalism would have it. TONIGHT: 4 PM (PST)—Join with other listeners for a discussion of the podcast AND let me know what you think are the most harmful literal interpretations of the Bible. Look for Pastor2Pew on Facebook. We will do this each Wednesday.Look for an invitation to join this Facebook page!

The church in America is losing members at an alarming rate, especially among the Millennials and younger groups. The fastest-growing religious self-designation is "no religious affiliation," the "Nones." The reason most often given: irrelevancy. Dr. Eric Elnes is one of the most innovative pastors in America. He has built an enormous following among all age groups and religious types through his online ministries, books, and personal involvement as a pastor. In this episode, I ask Eric to share with us his thinking on how he finds relevance and is able to deliver the same to his various audiences. I believe you will want to follow up with his resources. Below, you will find links to his important books and online ministries. 

This book will raise your congregation's relevancy more than any I know.  I have used in adult studies as well as youth settings. It offers 12 affirmations that challenge conventional thinking and offer hope for the future.

Order Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004G5Z29Y/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

If you are looking for a resource to strengthen your own faith or assist others in deepening theirs, this is your book! Here's how the publisher describes it:

Have you left the faith you used to have but don’t know what to move toward? When you can’t see the road ahead, do you feel lost and alone? Do you wish you had a group of companions willing to wander with you?    Order Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UCBO1IO/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Critical biblical scholarship has opened up the Bible as never before. We owe a large debt of gratitude to all those since Jean Astruc first asked critical questions of the Bible. One of the most meaningful realities of the Bible is that it argues with itself. Therefore, it gives us permission to argue with it as well. Not to defeat it, but to learn from it. This episode is devoted to looking at the major contributions of critical scholars. We also look at how the church interpreted the Bible before the modern era. 

Anyone moving from the Hebrew Bible to the New Testament is immediately confronted with a very different world of understanding. The Hebrew Bible knows of no eternal life, Hell, Satan as the arch-enemy of God, or a final judgment, just to mention a few radical changes. And most dramatically of all, the kingdom of God moves from the prophetic vision of an ever-increasing world-awareness of the magnificence of Yahweh to a violent overthrow of the world that precedes the imposition of the kingdom.  How did these come about? In this episode, we have the benefit of an interview with the world's leading expert in apocalyptic theology, Dr. John J. Collins, of Yale Divinity School. He will shed light on much of this, and additionally, why Paul advised against marriage, didn't condemn slavery, and counseled coexistence with the Roman Empire, among other engaging topics. 

Webinar Available

I created a webinar, "Apocalyptic Theology: How its view of history leads to misconceptions about God and our world." We look at how apocalyptic thinking arose during the Babylonian Captivity and its exposure to dualistic Zoroastrianism, its flowering in the Intertestamental Period, and how it influenced virtually all of the New Testament. I'm offering the recorded version of it here. [1 hour 10 minutes]

$10.00

 

The Trinity as articulated in the Nicene Creed (325 CE) took a long time to arrive and an even longer time to understand. Most attempts to describe its meaning end in one heresy or another. To help us with this I've invited two theologians who have authored books to this goal. Dr. Bob Cornwall, a Disciples of Christ pastor, and Barrister Christopher Eyre (yes, he's English). Bob is a Trinitarian who endorses the Nicene Creed, and Chris finds difficulty with a high view of the Trinity. As for me, well, I'm just confused. By talking with these highly informed thinkers, it helped clarify some of the issues for me, and likely will for you, as well. Give it a listen.

  https://www.energiondirect.com/product/a-holy-mystery-taking-apart-the-trinity/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081947R98/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4

 

 

 

Never in my lifetime, and probably yours, has America witnessed such a direct attack on its democracy from within as occurred on January 6th with the assault on the Capitol in Washington, D.C. In this episode, Dr. Bruce Epperly and I discuss the implications of this for American Christians. How are we to react in the face of mortal threats? What specific Christian values are at play here? Is it even possible to love the very enemies who would take your life? And how is it that a version of Christianity is part of the problem? Listen in as we discuss these and other questions of great importance.

You will find this book helpful if you want to dig deeper into these issues.Although it deals with a different crisis, a similar response is needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Time-Pandemic-Topical-Drives-ebook/dp/B0866DRVY3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21TOIFULB5XBW&dchild=1&keywords=faith+in+a+time+of+pandemic&qid=1610846807&sprefix=faith+in+a+ti%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1

We're all familiar with the bogus question, "Can God create a rock so heavy that God can't lift it?" Illogical questions such as this should not be considered worthy of a response. However, there are many questions, mostly ethical, that arise in biblical discussions such as why God permits evil. In this episode, Dr. Thomas J. Ord and I examine such questions and--well, to put it mildly--discover that "God can't" do many things. Really? Well, listen in and see if you agree. We also dive into the issue of the open future. He has a lot of interesting observations on both subjects and more. 

Dr. Oord  is a theologian, philosopher, and multidisciplinary scholar who directs a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary and the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He formerly taught for sixteen years as a tenured professor at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. He is the author or editor of more than twenty books and hundreds of articles. Oord is known for his contributions to research on love, open theism, postmodernism, the relationship between religion and science and evangelical theology. 

https://www.amazon.com/God-Cant-Believe-after-Tragedy-ebook/dp/B07MP93F1W/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=thomas+j+oord&qid=1610390233&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyMkVYVUhPRjZLVUJFJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTEzMzc5MlhPMTBENFdTMUZITSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTU3ODM3TUJHWUpMVDhVRU01JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

 

 

There's a problem with the Bible? Yes, but it's not the Bible's fault! In this interview with one of the most productive scholars of the New Testament, Dr. Ron Allen, we look at how the Bible has been variously interpreted and why there is so much disagreement. We even suggest a path forward through the thicket that is biblical interpretation.

Dr. Allen, a native of Poplar Bluff Missouri and ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is Professor of Preaching, and Gospels and Letters, Emeritus. He served at CTS from1982 to 2019. In retirement, his current project is You Never Step into the Same Pulpit Twice: Preaching from the Perspective of Process Theology. Allen’s most recent publication is the fruit of 40 years of research and teaching: I Will Tell You a Mistery: A Commentary of Preaching from the Book of Revelation (Cascade, 2019).

Here's one way to order the book:

https://www.amazon.com/Will-Tell-You-Mystery-Commentary-ebook/dp/B07YQ7PR5H/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=I+will+tell+you+a+mystery&qid=1609790496&sr=8-1

This is our inaugural episode. We answer the question, "Why should I spend time listening to this podcast?"

It's short (9 minutes), so if it's not for you, you can quickly move on. We do hope you'll subscribe.

Podcasts will resume in January 2021

Future episodes will include experts in many of these categories:

What Is Progressive Christianity? Why Is It Necessary Today?

How the Bible Shapes Progressive Christianity

What Are Progressive Biblical Interpretive Values?

What to Make of  Adam and Eve in the 21st century

Living into an Open-ended Future

Apocalyptic Influence on the New Testament (including the origin of Satan, end-time judgment, world annihilation, and "The Late, Great Planet Earth"))

The "New Testament Church." What is it (if anything)?