What does it really mean to fear God?

In this powerful episode, Johnny Ova sits down with Old Testament scholar Prof. Bradley Cameron to unpack one of the most misunderstood biblical themes, the fear of God. Far from being a message of fear-based control, the Bible presents fear as something emotionally rich, theologically grounded, and deeply transformational.

Together they explore:

• Why the fear of God is more than just respect
• How the Hebrew Bible defines fear across Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Leviticus
• What the tabernacle teaches us about awe, ritual, and reverence
• Why the fear of God can draw us closer, not push us away
• How modern Christians can cultivate a healthy fear that leads to wisdom, joy, and relationship, not shame

Whether you've struggled with fear-based teaching or you're hungry for a deeper understanding of God’s character, this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and context to a vital biblical idea.

📨 Connect with Professor Bradley Cameron:
📧 [email protected]

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Can you be faithful to God and still cry out in protest? Can you worship while you’re wounded?

In this episode of The Dig In Podcast, Johnny Ova is joined by Dr. William Morrow, Professor Emeritus at Queen’s University and author of Protest Against God, to explore the deep emotional and theological world of the lament Psalms. Together, they unpack how ancient Israel responded to suffering, why protest was once considered a holy act, and what it means for people of faith today who are walking through grief, trauma, or silence from God.

This conversation is honest, pastoral, and theologically rich. If you’ve ever wrestled with divine justice, questioned suffering, or wondered how the Old Testament speaks to modern pain, this episode will offer both clarity and compassion.

The Dig In Podcast is a long-form series that dives deep into Scripture, history, and theology, not to debate, but to discover. Every episode is built around curiosity, context, and the goal of helping listeners see the Bible with fresh eyes and open hearts.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Protest Against God by William Morrow
• Dr. Morrow’s faculty page
• Learn more about Sound of Heaven: https://soh.church
• The Dig In Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@johnnyova

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In this episode of The Dig In Podcast, Johnny Ova sits down with Dr. Iain Provan, respected Old Testament scholar and author of Seriously Dangerous Religion, to explore how the ethical vision of the Old Testament still speaks into the moral confusion of today.

They unpack the difference between biblical law and ethics, the prophetic message of Isaiah, and how to faithfully wrestle with some of the harder or more disturbing Old Testament texts. Dr. Provan also shares insight into his newest work Cuckoos in Our Nest and explains why understanding what it means to be human is one of the most urgent issues facing the Church.

If you’ve ever wondered how to read the Old Testament with wisdom and relevance, this conversation will open your eyes.

📚 Learn more about Dr. Iain Provan:
 Website: https://iainprovan.ca
Seriously Dangerous Religion
Cuckoos in Our Nest

🎙️ Connect with Johnny Ova:
 Website: https://soh.church
Podcast Hub: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dig-in-podcast-w-johnny-ova/id1173741212
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnnyova

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If God has always looked like Jesus, what does that mean for how we understand wrath, judgment, and justice? What do we do with the violence in the Old Testament, or the warnings of hell in the New?

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Dr. Brad Jersak joins Johnny Ova for a deeply theological yet pastoral conversation on one of the most urgent questions of our time: What is God really like?

Together, they explore:

• Why Brad believes Jesus (especially crucified) is the full and final revelation of God’s nature
• How this reshapes the way we interpret divine wrath, judgment, and Old Testament violence
• Whether the doctrine of eternal conscious torment fits the character of a Christlike God
• How to read Scripture through the lens of Jesus, rather than flattening all parts of the Bible equally
• Why many traditional views of justice fail to reflect the restoration, mercy, and nonviolence revealed in Christ

Johnny and Brad dig in with honesty, humility, and a shared passion for helping believers rediscover the God who is love, not abstractly, but as revealed in Jesus crucified and risen.

If you've ever wrestled with difficult portrayals of God in Scripture or longed to reconcile the Bible’s harshest passages with the kindness of Christ… this episode is for you.

🔗 Explore Brad Jersak’s Work:

• 📚 A More Christlike God 
• 📚 Her Gates Will Never Be Shut
• 📚 A More Christlike Word
• 📚 Can You Hear Me?
• 🎓 Brad’s University (SSU)

🎧 Listen + Subscribe to The Dig In Podcast:

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#BradJersak #DigInPodcast #ChristlikeGod #JesusIsTheLens #Deconstruction #Wrath #Hell #Judgment #TheologyPodcast #Christianity #BibleStudy #OldTestamentViolence

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How can ancient Hebrew manuscripts help us understand the Bible more clearly, and what do they reveal about the Messiah?

In this episode of The Dig In Podcast, Pastor Johnny Ova is joined by Old Testament scholar and author Dr. Kevin Chen to explore the powerful story that unfolds through preserved Hebrew texts. From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Messianic vision in Genesis, they unpack how the literary structure, repetition, and narrative design of the Old Testament all point to Jesus Christ.

Together, they discuss:

• Why Hebrew manuscripts still matter today
• How they confirm the reliability of Scripture
• The meaning of Genesis 3:15 and the promised seed
• What “nexus passages” are and why they matter
• How the Old Testament builds a redemptive arc toward Jesus

This conversation is rich, eye-opening, and deeply encouraging for anyone who wants to engage Scripture with context, clarity, and curiosity.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Kevin Chen's work at Gateway Seminary (gs.edu)

📚 The Messianic Vision of the Pentateuch is available on Logos, Amazon, and other platforms.

Be sure to follow, rate, and share if this episode speaks to you. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

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Dr. James Nogalski joins Pastor Johnny Ova on The Dig In Podcast to walk us through the Book of the Twelve, not as twelve random prophetic books, but as one unified scroll with a powerful message. From Hosea to Malachi, this conversation uncovers how themes of justice, restoration, and covenant all come together across time, space, and scribal design.

We explore:

• Why the prophets were compiled into one scroll
• How recurring themes create literary and theological unity
• The role of the Day of Yahweh and its misunderstood meaning
• What we miss when we read these books in isolation
• And why Jonah might be the most surprising book in the Bible

Dr. Nogalski is the Craig Professor of Hebrew Bible at Baylor University and has spent four decades researching this topic.

📚 Explore his books HERE

🎙 Hosted by Pastor Johnny Ova of The Sound of Heaven Church

 💬 The Dig In Podcast explores Scripture with context, compassion, and curiosity.

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What really happened in Sodom and Gomorrah? Was it about immorality, or something deeper?

Dr. Dylan Johnson, expert in ancient Near Eastern law and the Hebrew Bible, joins Pastor Johnny Ova of Sound of Heaven Church to explore the historical, literary, and cultural context of this iconic story. From Mesopotamian parallels to the evolving biblical traditions, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew.

It's now time to Dig In!

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Join us on The Dig In Podcast as we delve into the profound depths of the book of Isaiah with Dr. Paul D. Wegner, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Gateway Seminary in Ontario, California. With a Ph.D. from King's College, University of London, Dr. Wegner brings decades of scholarly expertise to our discussion, illuminating the historical context and literary structure of Isaiah's prophecies.

In this episode, we explore:

• The significance of Isaiah's historical backdrop
• The structural composition of the book and its theological implications
• The concept of the guilt-offering in Isaiah 53
• The messianic expectations within Isaiah's prophecies

Dr. Wegner's insights offer a richer understanding of Isaiah, bridging the ancient text to contemporary faith.

Explore Dr. Wegner's Publications:

• Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary
  
  
• The Journey from Texts to Translations: The Origin and Development of the Bible
  
  
• A Student's Guide to Textual Criticism of the Bible: Its History, Methods, and Results
  
  
• The Prophets and the Apostolic Witness: Reading Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel as Christian Scripture
  
  

Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation for the book of Isaiah and its enduring relevance.

More About The Host Johnny Ova:

Follow on Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@johnnyova
Follow on Instagram- /johnnyovaaa
Follow on Facebook- /thejohnnyova
Follow on TikTok- Johnny Ova
Website- www.soh.church

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What if everything you were taught about hell... deserves a second look?

In this bold and freeing episode of The Dig In Podcast, Johnny sits down with Bishop Jamie Englehart for an honest and eye-opening conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity...HELL.

Jamie is the creator of the course Get the Hell Out, a deep theological dive that challenges the traditional view of eternal conscious torment and invites believers to explore what Scripture actually says about judgment, destruction, and God’s ultimate purpose for humanity. In this episode, Jamie brings that same clarity and conviction to the table as he and Johnny unpack the biblical origins of hell, the meaning of words like Gehenna, Hades, and Sheol, and how our view of hell shapes how we see God.

Together, they explore:

• Where the modern idea of hell came from
• What Jesus really meant when He spoke about fire and judgment
• How first-century Jewish context changes everything
• Why a shift in our understanding of hell can lead to deeper peace, love, and trust in God

This is not about ignoring Scripture. It is about reading it with fresh eyes, asking real questions, and letting the gospel speak louder than fear.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the concept of hell, or wondered how a good God fits into the picture, this episode is a safe and powerful space to start digging.

Pull up a chair and join the conversation. You might just leave with more hope than you came with.

More About The Host Johnny Ova:

Follow on Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@johnnyova
Follow on Instagram- /johnnyovaaa
Follow on Facebook- /thejohnnyova
Follow on TikTok- Johnny Ova
Website- www.soh.church

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TBA