In our capstone episode examining Hebrew narrative genre, we take a wide view of the Joseph story to see its structure and conclusion and how biblical historic narrative helps us navigate our lives in the present. Join us in this lively and powerful discussion as we look at the rest of the story.

In this episode, we compare Scripture's treatment of Joseph in narrative with his appearance in Psalm 105 to illustrate the differences in genre between narratives and psalms. Join us in this lively discussion as we see some of the ways Hebrew narratives were crafted and how knowing their structure helps us understand and apply Scripture better.

Though this episode stands mostly on its own, be sure to check out Part 13 of this series for the introduction of the Joseph story.

In this episode, we begin our focused examination of how Hebrew narrative works to better appreciate the message the inspired writer is giving. Join us in this lively conversation as we dip our toes into the beginning of the Joseph narrative, the longest single-focused narrative in the Bible.

In this introductory session of the various genres in Scripture, we discuss the different kinds of books and writings found in the Bible and how understanding their literary forms helps us receive their intended message. Included in this episode is a cautionary tale on how not to read narrative history.

In this episode, we take a fresh look at the three parables recorded in Luke 15: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son. Taking into account the purpose and form of story parables along with the cultural context within which they were told allows us to see the point Jesus was driving home and the expected response from his declaration. Join us as we step into the audience of scribes and Pharisees to hear how this message would have impacted them and how they challenge us to this day.

In this episode, we look at the political and cultural context surrounding the birth of Messiah and contrast the King of kings' arrival and promise with the prominence of Caesar Augustus and Herod the Great.

"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse," the Lord said to Abram. Join us as we journey with the patriarch from Haran to Shechem and learn what this calling meant and what was its ultimate outcome.

Considering that the Scriptures were written and edited by approximately thirty-five different writers and other unknown persons under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit over the course of roughly 1600 years, familiarity with the biblical background of the text is crucial to our understanding and interpretation of it. We introduce the subject in this episode and discuss methods of discovering and applying the cultural context of holy writ.

Have you ever heard that "apostle" means "sent one"? How about "the church are the 'called our' or agape is the highest form of love? These were understandings that I carried for decades, not knowing that their conclusions came to me via a faulty road. In this episode, we discuss common ways of examining Scriptures that pull them out of context and thus from their intended meaning. Join us for this lively how-not-to discussion.

In this episode, we examine how reviewing words and ideas across the body of work of a particular author in Scripture can help us understand their meaning. In this sharing, we put a spotlight on Paul's use of "wrath" in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and John's use of "life" in John 10:10.