Dr. Craig Blomberg discusses several possible objections to the Christian understanding of God from the perspective of a New Testament scholar. We cover suffering and evil in the world, the notion of hell, and the relationship between slavery, gender roles, and homosexuality. Dr. Blomberg also considers miracles, mythology, violence, and biblical contradictions. I apologize for the poor audio quality.

NOTES: In the interview at 20:55 I prompt Dr. Blomberg to address the wish that the New Testament would have prohibited believers from holding slaves altogether. Blomberg responds by considering the social upheaval this would cause throughout the whole Roman empire, describing it in terms of a sudden change brought about by edict, affecting the lowest ranking to the highest ranking slaves. However, this seems to miss the point since at the time of the writing of the New Testament documents Christians comprised a small and relatively powerless part of the population. The prohibition of slave owning by Christians would have only gradually (and indirectly) affected the Roman empire as Christianity spread little by little.

The Tremper Longman III interview can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KD8XH3YqHU&t=61s

I, Dennis would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at [email protected]

Dr. Craig Blomberg is Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary and the author of "Can We Still Believe in God? Answering Ten Contemporary Challenges to Christianity", published by Brazos Press. Check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Can-Still-Believe-God-Contemporary/dp/1587434040/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._pWMDdVTO4bMp9wGFPtd-OPcYyZmTbintAY3PezqzeULJSmpBII9KyZ1KZx_gKec7etjChoFxTrxK77N_7ThxaVtSQ475r1lBSlKlB57MtRDETyOje9BUyoiIi2J9uvU7cpOqa4kHIWhq-Oj-zpBnUj56YhpRU4AdBa7iSt_KeRfo0Azt8HljWVc11J1DRdmRKY7pecl5uz_aayPbR2orhAhtEtq-XNy1qeJmqjUPwE.rXlRByyZmeJ0lyFIVYFXudvCDUVht1GtMNuJjjEp_48&qid=1716946736&sr=8-1

Dr. Alain Epp Weaver discusses his 11 years in Israel-Palestine, ways not to talk about the conflict, the history of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism, Palestinian Christian experience and theology, Christian approaches to Judaism and Zionism, reasons behind October 7 attack, Israeli intelligence prior to October 7, the ongoing war and its effects, Netanyahu's plans, aid workers and the World Central Kitchen killings, IDF policies for killing civilians, resistance within the IDF, Orthodox military non-participation, Hamas and Fatah, current peacemaking efforts and future hope.

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at [email protected]

Dr. Alain Epp Weaver is Director of Strategic Planning at Mennonite Central Committee and the author of Inhabiting the Land: Thinking Theologically about the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. Check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Inhabiting-Land-Theologically-Palestinian-Israeli-Companions/dp/1498294308/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EICC8TY2KXH6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.egyK5U84FZTbIU3iL6iE1TQ8LeDeLMc3K9QCWc7mlSBKWK45Q71QZbjq5kDKALKgo0XWAiba4h3cYjrk87plNH6BzXV7_eV3ojlB9Ylsy6OQOVkYnrjRZfSi1IDqdiQt_BZUqjm6UEGUwQqdP5eUSo0F650N9EV0P2_6OVq7U-pbExLCUHGzCl7otVksI5-h9ugeed44mhoupuU9hYFA969PRqvPiumqtX0mGh_akE0.JaPcr1LbMAvamkCeMrLgXkU6P8IIdog-suy8wD5iHJA&dib_tag=se&keywords=inhabiting+the+land&qid=1713800074&sprefix=%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1

Dr. John Walton covers prophecy as a subset of divination, Ancient Near Eastern background, prediction, covenant, message categories, message and fulfillment, messianic fulfillment, eschatology, and apocalyptic.

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected]

Dr. Walton is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Wheaton College and the author of The Lost World of the Prophets: Old Testament Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Context

Check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-World-Prophets-Apocalyptic-Literature/dp/1514004895/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ES66Y6IWJMYX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xVnUD_k4HttSCHXXRFTitZxpsYhkCXdv64HlIp1iGoTHUGXTwtpAgaHSOV2RVFjw.gaDc8vtNa4b5aEVUnXVF1PRVdnI1sizPlOAcxx6eAJE&dib_tag=se&keywords=lost+world+of+prophets+walton&qid=1712186629&sprefix=lost+world+of+prophets+walton%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1

Dr. Beale discusses OT echoes and allusions, the controversy over "fullness", the nature of the false teaching, food and holy days, "elemental spirits of the world", worship of angels, self-abasement, visions, grace and peace, Christ's supremacy, new creation, reconciliation, eschatological maturity, "certificate of indebtedness", and "disarming the rulers and authorities".

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at [email protected]

Dr. Gregory K. Beale is Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Check out Dr. Beale's commentary on Colossians:

"Colossians and Philemon" (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

https://www.amazon.com/Colossians-Philemon-Exegetical-Commentary-Testament/dp/0801026679/ref=sr_1_1?crid=300Y4PEWPI2RP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y3Md6qgYqbaRX8X4T9eE_vPn_Xv9JhSS9qjyHZzj7gWjdNfZ8t05y0G7TPJ3Ma7IgN1gFQhgDFApbHNqd-5bXCw-HA_V_bHNBuZAvHxG_3Q.0cg1Tf8mklKJtghxZGVEBSyadogcDPnMP_z7rqpo5Os&dib_tag=se&keywords=GK+Beale+commentary+colossians&qid=1710639591&s=books&sprefix=gk+beale+commentary+colossians%2Cstripbooks%2C160&sr=1-1

Brian Blount tells his own story, discusses biblical directives and principles for power evangelism and healing, his look-listen-respond process, how he trains others, and gives amazing and compelling examples of his own ministry involving radical generosity, healings, evangelism, and salvations.

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or send me an email at [email protected]

Check out Brian Blount's book "Putting Jesus on Display with Power and Love":

https://www.amazon.com/Putting-Jesus-Display-Love-Power/dp/0800799305/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AA6WPKZ3TB14&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8AmR-IzdCm5COfAsWj_RRD34dkl-3TEHottnm5XpDm3eGCCEEMri8-bGCTDh7MUumj8WD_w-zVbX5-G-GjxYegKHZVXOjH_yG68lcbLRCR8QDwaQxraKESa4xRzaVr_s5RKEE9wG8crR4DrS1MYdZw.Am-g6iG0xpZW4GFCBfkNosZObxaQYgn-meYt4F_fBQI&dib_tag=se&keywords=putting+jesus+on+display+with+love+and+power&qid=1709100347&sprefix=Putting+Jesus+on+disp%2Caps%2C342&sr=8-1

We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both the egalitarian and complementarian views, third way alternatives, 19th and 20th century history of the issue, Scriptures, church, kingdom of God, ministry, marriage, equality, rights, inclusion, servant leadership, concept of reversal, unity, headship, and leadership.

I, Dennis would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at [email protected]

Dr. Michelle Lee-Barnewall is New Testament Professor at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology and the author of "Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate" Check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Neither-Complementarian-nor-Egalitarian-Evangelical/dp/0801039576/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YBNQG57ESGZG&keywords=Neither+Nor+Barnewall+Michelle&qid=1707526286&s=movies-tv&sprefix=neither+nor+barnewall+michelle%2Cmovies-tv%2C309&sr=1-1

Her most recent book is "A Longing To Belong: Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Race" Check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Longing-Belong-Reflections-Faith-Identity/dp/0310123984/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QTZHTB2VU3KG&keywords=a+longing+to+belong+Barnewall+Michelle&qid=1707526252&s=movies-tv&sprefix=a+longing+to+belong+barnewall+michell%2Cmovies-tv%2C345&sr=1-1

Dr. Witherington covers Pauline scholarship including Rudolf Bultmann, Ernst Kasemann, Krister Stendhal, E.P. Sanders, the new perspective, covenantal nomism, James D.G. Dunn, "works of the law", William Campbell, N.T. Wright, pistous christou, apocalyptic reading, John Barclay, and Stephen Chester.

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or send me a note at [email protected]

Check out "Voices and Views on Paul: Exploring Scholarly Trends" by Ben Witherington III and Jason Myers:

https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Views-Paul-Exploring-Scholarly/dp/083085231X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XUF0GUFX51TR&keywords=Views+on+Paul+Ben+Witherington+Myers&qid=1706059461&sprefix=views+on+paul+ben+witherington+myers%2Caps%2C240&sr=8-1

Using resources from the WWI era including church creedal statements, books, magazines, newspaper stories, Bureau of Investigation records, and draft cards Jay Beaman sheds light on Pentecostals' practice of pacifism when the movement was brand new. We look at the movement of conscientious objection as a whole as well as sectarian groups, Holiness groups, Zionism, British Israelism, nationalist myths, and various eschatologies. Dr. Beaman explores pacifist absolutism, compromise, and the implications for today concerning this vital piece of history.

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me at [email protected]

Dr. Jay Beaman is the author of "Pentecostal Pacifism: The Origin, Development, and Rejection of Pacific Belief among the Pentecostals" Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Pentecostal-Pacifism-Development-Pentecostals-Peacemaking/dp/1606088734/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?crid=15EAYR95MNSHE&keywords=pentecostal+pacifism+beamn&qid=1699656205&sprefix=pentecostal+pacifism+beamn%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-2-fkmr1

Dr. Lynn Cohick discusses background information to the Letter to the Ephesians including authorship and the social and historical situation at Ephesus. We then dive into its core theology, the place of the Trinity, the explication of the gospel, “faith in Christ” vs. the “faithfulness of Christ”, and being “seated in the heavenly realms”. We move onto Jews and gentiles and the cross, the principalities and powers, the “mystery”, the church’s witness to the cosmic powers, ethics, household codes, wives and husbands and submission, and slavery.

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or send me an email at [email protected]

Dr. Lynn Cohick is Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Director of Houston Theological Seminary. She is the author of “The Letter to the Ephesians in the New International Commentary on the New Testament”.

To check it out click on the link: https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Ephesians-International-Commentary-Testament/dp/0802868428/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CGRKXN8ULP74&keywords=letter+to+the+ephesians+cohick&qid=1702860941&sprefix=cohick+the+lett%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1

Dr. Bender discusses theological Bible commentaries, the theology of 1 Corinthians, Paul's problems in Corinth, apostolicity vs. giftedness, holiness, divisions in the church, the cross, weakness, power, foolishness, wisdom, sexuality, the Lord's Supper, women's head coverings, the gospel, the resurrection, and the application of 1 Corinthians for today.

I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at [email protected]

Check out Dr. Kimlyn Bender's book "1 Corinthians Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible" https://www.amazon.com/Corinthians-Brazos-Theological-Commentary-Bible/dp/1587433176/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701142747&sr=1-1