As we continue our series through the books of the Bible, we come to the minor prophet Joel. Well known for its quotation in Acts 2, we explore the fuller historical context for Joel's prophecy and its major themes, how it warns of destruction but in the midst of that judgment also holds out the opportunity of repentance and the promise of hope. Joel recognized a day was coming when God's Spirit would be poured out on all people. 

Hosea is the first of what is commonly called the minor prophets. In today's episode, we discuss the category of minor prophets and take a closer look at the book of Hosea. Pastor Jim offers some historical context for the book and its major themes. Hosea is a book full of emotional images and prophetic actions but also offers one of the Old Testament's most moving descriptions of the gospel. 

In today's episode, we're continuing our conversation on the books of the Bible by taking up the book of Daniel, the last of the major prophets. Pastor Jim explores its historical context, images, and themes featured in the book. Daniel is a mix of narrative and poetic prophecy and it offers readers powerful examples of faithfulness and obedience. We hope our conversation helps you read the book with better clarity and recognize its importance in the Biblical canon.

In today's episode, we're continuing our conversation on the books of the Bible by taking up the book of Ezekiel. Listed as one of the major prophets, Ezekiel is an important but complex book. Pastor Jim explores its historical context as well as its images and themes. We hope our conversation helps you read the book with better clarity and recognize its importance in the Biblical canon.

As we continue our progress through the prophetic works, we come to the unique book of Lamentations. Attributed to Jeremiah, Lamentations acknowledges the destruction of Jerusalem and offers readers both language and reflection on loss. But that loss is never without hope. Pastor Jim explores the historical moment in which Lamentations was produced, the grief it articulates, and also the hope to be found at the book's center. 

The prophet Jeremiah worked in complicated times and left us not only his prophecies but stories of his own life and struggle. In today's conversation, we continue our look at the prophets as we discuss the book of Jeremiah. Pastor Jim explores the prophet's life, historical moment, and the major themes of his work, many of which reemerge throughout the New Testament. In spite of the challenges Jeremiah faced, he remains a model of faithful obedience, one that can inspire any believer today. 

Beginning with today's episode, we're moving into the books of the prophets, beginning with one of the longest prophetic books, the book of Isaiah. Key to reading the prophets is situating them in their historical context. Pastor Jim describes the person of Isaiah as well as the historical moment in which he did his work. We also explore the book's themes, how it was used by New Testament writers, and what believers today can take away from the book of Isaiah. 

As we continue our conversations on the books of the Bible we come to our final wisdom book, the Song of Songs. There have been a lot of debates throughout history on how best to read the Song of Songs or if they should be read at all. A collection of love poetry, the book is about human love, marriage covenant, and sexuality. It also raises those questions in the context of divine love and a divine covenant. In today's episode, Pastor Jim offers help reading the Song of Songs, and we discuss where this book fits best in the life of the believer. 

We continue our conversations on the wisdom books of the Bible with today's discussion on the book of Ecclesiastes. As Pastor Jim notes, Ecclesiastes can be a challenging book to read, but for the careful reader willing to take their time, it offers profound wisdom and a particular kind of freedom from the pressures of the world. We discuss the book's major themes, how Pastor Jim has preached from the book in the past, and how it can impact believers today. 

In today's episode, we're exploring the book of  Proverbs. As part of the books of wisdom, Proverbs offers readers a collection of sayings and wisdom statements meant to describe a life of wisdom. In our conversation, Pastor Jim helps reveal the book's overarching structure and some of its key themes, critical to understanding the whole. The conversation will help you better understand the Book of Proverbs and how to apply its lessons to your life