It Means What It Means

Ryan Stokes discusses his journey into academic ministry, focusing on his research about the figure of Satan in biblical texts. He explores the evolution of the concept of Satan, the terminology used in different texts, and the theological implications of suffering and evil. Stokes also addresses the Book of Job and its controversial perspectives, the role of the Prince of Mastema, and the broader understanding of sin and evil in biblical literature. He provides insights into how to engage with biblical texts and recommends resources for further study.

Leslie Baynes discusses her book Between Interpretation and Imagination: C.S. Lewis and the Bible, exploring the intersections of Lewis' literary works and biblical scholarship. She shares her journey to writing the book, critiques Lewis's famous “Liar, Lunatic, Lord” argument, and examines the role of allegory in his writings. Baynes also delves into the biblical themes present in The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy, offering insights into Lewis' views on inerrancy and interpretation. The discussion concludes with recommendations for further reading on Lewis and biblical texts. Recommendations in this episode include the Marion E Wade Center; C.S. Lewis on Scripture: His Thoughts on the Nature of Biblical Inspiration, The Role of Revelation and the Question of Inerrancy; The Cambridge Companion to C.S. Lewis; Further Up and Further In: Orthodox Conversations with C.S. Lewis on Scripture and Theology; Reflections on the Psalms; novelist Jane Austen; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies; and The Electra McDonnell Series.

Michael Naylor discusses his chapter on Trinitarian missiology in the book Reading Revelation Missiologically. Naylor shares insights from his extensive research on the Book of Revelation, particularly focusing on the unique representation of the Trinity within the text. He explains how John's portrayal of the Father, Son, and Spirit is distinct from other New Testament writings, emphasizing the rich imagery and theological implications that arise from this representation. The conversation delves into how these elements inform our understanding of mission and the role of the church in a contemporary context, highlighting the importance of engaging with cultural pressures while remaining faithful to the message of Christ. Recommendations in this episode include Revelation: An Exegetical Commentary; Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary; Revelation: A Shorter Commentary; Revelation; Foretaste of the Future: Reading Revelation in Light of God’s Mission; The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Seeing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John’s Apocalypse; God Draws Near: Rethinking the Biblical Theology of Mission; Rereading Revelation: Theology, Ethics, and Resistance; The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views; Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation; author JRR Tolkien; and Paul and the Gift.

In this conversation, Taylor Petrey, a professor of religion at Kalamazoo College, discusses his work on the book 'The Bible and the Latter-day Saint Tradition.' He explores the historical context of Latter-day Saints, their engagement with biblical texts, and the evolution of their scholarship. The conversation touches on the significance of missionary work, the role of sacred texts, and the unique structure of LDS church services. Petrey also addresses the challenges of biblical scholarship within the LDS tradition and the recent acceptance of alternative translations of the Bible. The discussion concludes with reflections on the impact of Mitt Romney's candidacy on the perception of Latter-day Saints in American society. Recommendations in this episode include American Zion, biblical scholar Dan McClellan, Mormons and the Bible, and Pluribus.

Daniel Glover discusses his book Jesus and Other Sons of God: Luke’s Christology and Mediterranean Myth. He explores the concept of 'Son of God' in ancient contexts, the impact of Hellenism, and the definitions of divinity in the ancient world. Glover contrasts ancient and modern views of God, delves into the political implications of Jesus as Lord, and examines the portrayal of Jesus as a demigod and hero in ancient literature. Recommendations in this episode include Daniel’s first book Patterns of Deification in the Acts of the Apostles, Divine Doppelgängers: YHWH’s Ancient Look-Alikes, Beyond Interpretation and Imagination: C.S. Lewis and the Bible, New Testament scholar Charles Talbert, New Testament scholar David Litwa, New Testament scholar Brittany Wilson, Kavin Rowe, novelist Cormac MacCarthy, There Is No Antimemetics Division, and author RF Kuang. Please make a donation to World Central Kitchen.

In this conversation, Aaron Davis discusses his chapter in the book Disability Theology and Eschatology: Hope, Justice, and Flourishing, exploring the implications of disability within Christian thought. The conversation also addresses healthcare practices, eugenics, and the future directions of disability theology, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in theological discussions. Recommendations in this episode include Williams Lauinger’s desire perfectionism theory; The Disabled God; The Bible, Disability, and the Church; The Disabled God Revisited; Feminist Eschatology; Anime, Religion, and Theology; Theology and Down Syndrome; Perfect in Weakness; Theologian Hans Reinders; A Constructive Theology of Intellectual Disability; Studies in Religion, Theology, and Disability; Lutheran Theology: A Critical Introduction; Health Problems; Womanist Bioethics; Passionate Embrace: Luther on Love, Body, and Sensual Presence; Essays Anglican and Analytic: Explorations in Critical Catholicism; the video game Sins of a Solar Empire II; and artist Shelby Scattergood. You can watch the Whitney Houston Challenge video Jared described here.

Ed Smither discusses his work on the book Reading Revelation Missiologically: The Missionary Motive, Message, and Methods of Revelation (the fourth book in a series on scripture and mission) and explores the themes of mission and hospitality within the context of scripture. He emphasizes the importance of understanding mission as crossing boundaries and the role of hospitality as both a means and an end in mission work. The conversation delves into the significance of ancient wedding feasts, the contrast between xenophobia and hospitality, and the contemporary expressions of love and welcome in church communities. Smither also reflects on the shift in mission focus from compassion to addressing global injustices. Recommendations from this episode include Foretaste of the Future, Making Room, Rereading Revelation, the late Walter Brueggemann, the late Rich Mullins, Caedmon’s Call, Andrew Peterson, International Justice Mission, Mission as Hospitality, The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Hans Boersma on Lectio Divina, and Anglican Spirituality.

In this conversation, Jonathan Sedlak discusses his background, his book on the Olivet Discourse, and his interpretation of Matthew's Gospel. He challenges traditional views of the Olivet Discourse, arguing that it pertains to first-century events rather than future eschatological predictions. Sedlak emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and literary context of the text, and he explores the evolution of interpretations throughout Christian history. He also shares insights on community engagement and the significance of local initiatives. Recommendations in this episode include Matthew: Living Everyday an Jesus Taught Us, Chiasmus in the New Testament, Literary Form in the New Testament, Resurrection: The Capstone In the Arch of Christianity, Matthew: Through the Centuries, Discovering Matthew, Matthew: A Commentary, Catena Aurea, Jesus’ Directions for the Future, The Influence of the Gospel of Matthew on Christian Literature Before Saint Irenaeus, New Testament Scholar Jason Staples, Peter Leithart, Tom Holland, and Kinship Community Food Center.

In this conversation, Sara Koenig discusses her book The Ten Commandments Through the Ages, focusing on the concept of reception history, which examines how biblical texts have been interpreted over time. She explores the differences in the presentation of the Ten Commandments in Exodus and Deuteronomy, the implications of apodictic and casuistic laws, and the relevance of these commandments in contemporary American law. The discussion also touches on cultural reflections of the commandments and their application in modern society, emphasizing the importance of context in biblical interpretation. Recommendations from this episode include:

·         The Beatitudes through the Ages

·         Tyrant Philosophers

·         Luther’s Catechism on the Ten Commandments

·         Broken Tablets: Restoring the Ten Commandments and Ourselves

·         Dekalog

·         Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment

·         Gulliver’s Travels

·         The Broken Earth

·         “A Legendary World-Bilder on Multiverses, Revolution and the ‘Souls’ of Cities”

The Scholomance Series

Authors Marissa Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis discuss their book, The Myth of Good Christian Parenting, exploring the ideologies underlying Christian parenting advice, the impact of cultural narratives, and the importance of empathy and understanding in parenting. They delve into the historical context of parenting books, the role of translation in biblical texts, and the evolving conversation around children's rights and parental control. They emphasize the need for open dialogue and critical examination of parenting resources, aiming to foster healthier family dynamics and relationships. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include author Bruce Waltke, Julie Ingersoll, Ask of Old Paths, Flourishing Homes & Families, The False Promises of Good Christian Parenting, Households of Faith, The Murder of Mr. Wickham, Agatha Christie, The Wheel of Time, Discworld, The Scholomance Series, Spinning Silver, and Framing Paul. Kelsey’s recommendations include Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith and How Music Works.