Most of us read the Bible with our eyes—but what if we’re missing something essential by not listening to it? In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson challenges the modern tendency to engage Scripture primarily as a written text, arguing that the Bible was designed to be heard. From the Torah readings of Moses to the public proclamation of Paul's letters, Scripture has always been an aural experience—one meant to be absorbed in community rather than private, silent reading.

Dr. Johnson explains why listening changes how we understand Scripture, uncovering literary structures like repetition, parallelism, and chiasms that are far easier to hear than to see. He also explores the cognitive science behind reading vs. listening, showing why oral engagement helps us retain and interpret biblical texts more deeply.

Could reclaiming the practice of hearing Scripture together revolutionize the way we experience the Bible? This episode dives into why the church should return to communal listening, what ancient Jewish and Christian traditions teach us, and how modern worship services might be reshaped by putting Scripture at the center—not just as a text to analyze, but as a living word to hear.

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What if much of what we believe about the end times is shaped more by modern speculation than by biblical theology? In this episode, Dr. Matthew L. Halsted joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to debunk common misconceptions about eschatology, including the rapture, the mark of the beast, and the role of the Middle East in biblical prophecy.

Halsted and Dru Johnson explore how American Christianity has often read Revelation through a me-centered lens, focusing on personal fears rather than the broader biblical narrative of renewal and justice. They discuss the history of end-times speculation, tracing it from the 16th century to modern prophecy teachers, and why discipline in reading scripture is crucial to avoiding theological confusion.

Drawing from his book The End of the World as We Know It, Halsted unpacks how early Christians understood eschatology and why the Bible’s emphasis is not on escaping the world but on God’s renewal of creation.

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How does the Bible interpret itself? In this episode, Dr. Brent Strawn joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to explore intertextuality—the ways biblical authors intentionally or unconsciously connect their writings to earlier texts. Strawn breaks down different types of intertextuality, from direct citations (like Jesus quoting Psalm 22) to subtle patterns that only emerge when we read scripture holistically.

Together with Dru Johnson, Strawn unpacks how intertextuality deepens biblical meaning and why recognizing these connections can transform the way we understand scripture. They also discuss the surprising link between Solomon and the Mark of the Beast (666) and how Revelation critiques imperial power using the legacy of Israel’s wealthiest king.

Strawn argues that biblical authors weren’t just making random allusions—they were teaching us how to read scripture well. If we can recognize these hyperlinks, we can move beyond surface-level readings and grasp the depth of biblical theology.

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What if Christian nationalism isn’t a head problem but a heart problem? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Dru Johnson speaks with Caleb Campbell, author of Disarming Leviathan, about the rise of Christian nationalism in America and how Christians can engage this movement missionally rather than combatively.

Campbell discusses the anxieties that drive people to embrace Christian nationalism, highlighting the fear of pluralism, the longing for safety, and the allure of worldly power. Drawing from his experience as a pastor and cultural observer, he argues that many Christian nationalists are not inherently motivated by hatred but by a deep desire for rest and stability in a changing world.

The conversation delves into themes of hospitality, humble subversion, and the transformative power of the cross, challenging listeners to rethink how they approach those with opposing views. Campbell offers practical steps for engaging Christian nationalists, emphasizing the need for curiosity, safety, and scripture-centered dialogue.

Find Caleb E. Campbell at:

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm about a provocative interpretation of the Joseph narrative: Joseph’s brothers did not sell him into slavery. Rabbi Lamm explains that while the brothers planned to sell Joseph, they never completed the act. Instead, Midianite merchants discovered Joseph in the pit and sold him to Ishmaelites, creating ambiguity in the biblical text.

Rabbi Lamm delves into the narrative techniques of the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing its minimalist yet profound storytelling. He discusses how key Hebrew words and repeated motifs, such as “sell” (Machar), link the Joseph story to broader biblical themes of chosenness, rejection, and familial dynamics. Joseph’s perception of rejection by his father, Jacob, is also explored, tying his emotional journey to the larger narrative of Genesis. The discussion highlights the development of key characters, including Judah’s moral growth and Reuben’s failure to lead.

These arcs foreshadow the future roles of the tribes of Israel, underscoring Genesis’s role as a foundational text for understanding biblical theology and history. This episode invites listeners to engage deeply with scripture, appreciate its narrative sophistication, and consider alternative interpretations that illuminate its enduring relevance.

Find Ari Lamm at:

https://twitter.com/arilamm

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00:00 Introduction

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver reflect on the growth and challenges of Hebraic thought over the past year and explore its future trajectory in 2025. They highlight recent scholarly advancements, key publications, and practical tools that are shaping the field. Dr. Johnson discusses notable books, including Human Divine Interactions in the Hebrew Scriptures by Beryl Dove Lerner and Just Discipleship by Michael Rhodes, which integrate Hebraic thought into contemporary issues such as justice and divine-human relationships. Resources like the Bible Project, Disciple Dojo, and Bible Dojo are emphasized for their contributions to making Hebraic thought accessible to diverse audiences. The episode also tackles challenges, including the oversaturation of content and the difficulty of discerning reliable voices. Dr. Johnson advocates for careful engagement with diverse perspectives and emphasizes the communal nature of Hebraic thought, encouraging listeners to study scripture collaboratively and critically. Looking ahead, the Center for Hebraic Thought plans to expand its offerings with online courses, workshops, and collaborative discussions that challenge traditional theological paradigms and realign them with biblical insights. This forward-looking conversation underscores the vibrancy and relevance of Hebraic thought in academic and faith communities.

Articles:

Philosophical Engagement with the Hebrew Bible by Arthur Keefer https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1476993X221124950

The Hebrew Bible and The Philosophy of Religion by Jaco Gericke

https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt32bzm3

Books:

Human-Divine Interactions in the Hebrew Scriptures: Covenants and Cross-Purposes By Berel Dov Lerner

Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God by Matthew J. Lynch (Portraying Violence in the Hebrew Bible)

Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World by Michael J. Rhodes

https://www.ivpress.com/just-discipleship

Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary by Peter Altmann and Caio Peres https://www.christianbook.com/numbers-an-introduction-and-commentary/9780830842902/pd/842902

Reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Survey by Mark S. Gignilliat (Author), Heath A. Thomas (Author)

Jesus and the Law of Moses: The Gospels and the Restoration of Israel within First-Century Judaism by Paul T. Sloan (Author)

Paul the Storyteller: A Narratological Approach by Christoph Heilig https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802878953/paul-the-storyteller/

Wine, Soil, and Salvation in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament By Mark Scarlata https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/wine-soil-and-salvation-in-the-hebrew-bible-and-new-testament/1C1B582958A9591ACE009889987EB238

Paul and the Resurrection of Israel By Jason Staples

Cursing with God: The Imprecatory Psalms and the Ethics of Christian Prayer By Trevor Laurence https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481316477/cursing-with-god/

Organizations:

Theopolis: https://theopolisinstitute.com/

Disciple Dojo: https://www.youtube.com/@DiscipleDojo

BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/ Learning/

Software:

Aleph with Beth: https://www.youtube.com/@AlephwithBeth

BibLingo: https://biblingo.org/

BibleDojo: https://www.enterthebibledojo.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:13 Recent Scholarly Contributions to Hebraic Thought

07:20 Diverse Resources and Authors in Hebraic Thought

15:33 Organizations and Platforms Supporting Hebraic Thought

23:31 Tools and Resources for Understanding Hebraic Thought

29:45 Navigating the Challenges of Hebraic Thought

34:54 The Importance of Questioning and Community Engagement

45:07 Evaluating Influential Voices in Hebraic Thought

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson, president and founder of the Center for Hebraic Thought, explains the concept of Hebraic thought and its enduring relevance. Hosted by Mike Tolliver, the discussion explores how the biblical authors understood and conveyed ideas about freedom, justice, morality, and the nature of reality. Dr. Johnson defines Hebraic thought as the intellectual framework reflected in the Hebrew Bible and extended into the New Testament.

The conversation highlights the distinctiveness of Hebraic thought compared to Greek and modern Western philosophy. Dr. Johnson emphasizes that the biblical authors often prioritized restoration and community over punitive justice, demonstrating a wisdom-centered approach to ethics and relationships. The discussion also clarifies common misconceptions, distinguishing Hebraic thought from later Jewish philosophical traditions and situating it as a foundational framework for understanding scripture.

Dr. Johnson addresses how Hebraic thought can inform contemporary issues, from justice to scientific inquiry, by offering a conceptual foundation rooted in scripture. He also introduces his upcoming projects, including a book on Hebraic philosophy of science, aimed at bridging ancient biblical insights with modern intellectual challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:26 Understanding Hebraic Thought

04:04 The Distinction of Hebraic Thought

06:34 Hebraic Thought in Historical Context

08:06 Paul and the Greco-Roman Influence

09:55 Philosophical Misunderstandings of Hebraic Thought

12:05 Biblical Scholars and Hebraic Thought

14:51 Cross-Pollination of Disciplines

17:50 Hebraic Thought in Everyday Ethics

22:37 Cultural Forces Against Understanding

24:59 Community Engagement with Scripture

27:32 Exploring Hebraic Thought and Darwin

32:00 The Conceptual Worlds of Natural Selection

33:46 Reception of the Book and Future Implications

34:23 Exploring Hebraic Thought and Science

38:36 The Intersection of Logic, Math, and Science

This episode was originally published on April 30, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners.

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Dr. Brent Strawn to discuss his thought-provoking book, The Old Testament is Dying. Dr. Strawn argues that the Old Testament is increasingly neglected in many Christian circles, resulting in a loss of scriptural literacy and depth. Comparing the Old Testament to a language, he explains how fluency in its teachings requires immersion and consistent practice. Without this, the language of faith risks fading into irrelevance.

Dr. Strawn outlines the challenges posed by cultural and chronological distance from the biblical authors, making empathetic and accurate interpretation of scripture more difficult. He emphasizes the need for Christians to approach the Old Testament as authoritative scripture, not just as a historical or theological backdrop to the New Testament. Through engaging examples, he illustrates how neglecting the Old Testament diminishes a believer’s understanding of foundational concepts like justice, love, and God’s covenantal promises.

The conversation also offers practical solutions, including incorporating more Old Testament readings into worship, sermons, and Christian music. Dr. Strawn’s insights inspire a renewed commitment to rediscovering the Old Testament’s rich vocabulary and its vital role in shaping a vibrant and holistic faith. A must-listen for anyone passionate about scripture!

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Challenges of Biblical Interpretation

Brent’s book The Old Testament is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment

This episode was originally published on April 2, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners.

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson sits down with Dr. Joseph Dodson to explore the intersection of Greco-Roman philosophy, Stoicism, and Hebraic thought in shaping the New Testament. Dr. Dodson explains how the Bible didn’t emerge in a vacuum but within a dynamic cultural context influenced by Judaism and Greco-Roman ideas.

The discussion highlights Stoicism, the dominant philosophy of the first century, which emphasized overcoming passions, achieving contentment, and the transformative power of reason. Dr. Dodson demonstrates how Stoic principles overlap with Christian teachings, as seen in Paul’s writings and the Gospel of John, which incorporates philosophical concepts like the Logos. He also examines how biblical authors adapted, affirmed, and challenged these ideas to articulate a distinctly Hebraic worldview.

Dr. Dodson emphasizes the importance of studying texts like the Apocrypha and Greco-Roman writings to fully grasp the intellectual milieu of early Christianity. He explains how Jewish and Hellenistic ideas coexisted in a “roundabout,” influencing each other in profound ways.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hebraic and Greco-Roman Thought

In this continuation of their conversation, Dr. Dru Johnson speaks with Rabbi Dr. Shai Held about the themes explored in his book, Judaism is About Love. The discussion delves into the complexities of love, law, and chosenness within Jewish thought, offering a profound perspective on the relationship between particularity and universalism.

Rabbi Held addresses the idea of divine chosenness, emphasizing that God’s love for Israel is unique but not exclusive. He critiques modern rejections of chosenness as caricatured and argues for a theology that balances grace with humility. Rabbi Held also explores the tension between loving one’s own and extending love universally. He describes Judaism’s “particularist universalism,” where love for one’s family and community naturally expands to encompass all humanity as bearers of God’s image.

The conversation turns to the ethics of love, including the challenges of enemy love and the discernment required to navigate complex relationships. Rabbi Held shares deeply personal stories that illustrate the real-life implications of these ideas, demonstrating how love can be both demanding and transformative.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction