The Learning Laborers

In this Christmas episode of the Learning Laborers podcast, Denver and Taylor explore the multi-dimensional nature of Jesus' Messiahship through the lens of Matthew 1-2. Drawing on the work of Novenson, they explore the dynamics of Second Temple Messiah figures - some of who claimed messiahship based on birth, others based on merit. All of these figures, though, are compared to David in one way or another.

How does Jesus' birth story fit into this matrix of Messiahship? What makes Jesus the legitimate heir to David's throne? Tune in to to hear a fresh perspective on the Christmas story.

The Grammar of Messianism by Matthew Novenson

The True Meaning of Christmas by Michael Barber

00:00 Introduction to the Learning Laborers Podcast00:44 Christmas Greetings and Traditions02:20 Exploring Jesus as the Messiah06:39 Understanding the Term 'Messiah'10:16 Messianic Expectations in Second Temple Judaism16:57 Legitimizing Messianic Claims26:05 Matthew's Genealogical Claim for Jesus32:59 Jesus as the New David34:08 The Christmas Story and Prophecies35:06 Herod's Threat and Jesus' Early Life38:42 Jesus' Anointing and Baptism47:22 The Vulnerability of Baby Jesus49:26 Concluding Thoughts and Christmas Wishes

In this episode, Matt, Denver, and Taylor welcome Dr. Shane J. Wood, a professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College and Lincoln Seminary.

The discussion delves into Dr. Wood's unique approach to biblical interpretation, which emphasizes empathy and vulnerability. Drawing from his books like Thinning the Veil and ongoing works, Dr. Wood explains how understanding the humanity of biblical characters and allowing the text to unearth personal experiences can lead to profound transformation. The conversation also touches on the challenges and responsibilities of pastors in guiding their congregations through the scriptures. Resources and methods for deeply engaging with the Bible across its various genres are discussed, offering listeners practical insights for their own study and ministry.

Thinning the Veil by Shane J. Wood

Between Two Trees by Shane J. Wood

The Drama of Ephesians by Timothy Gombis

Shane's Website

00:00 Welcome to the Learning Laborers Podcast

00:51 Introducing the Hosts and Today's Episode

01:19 Conversation with Dr. Shane J Wood

03:15 Diving into Biblical Interpretation

06:21 Empathy and Vulnerability in Biblical Study

18:06 The Transformative Power of Scripture

40:34 Challenges in Pastoral Ministry

43:16 The Inner Journey and Empathy in Pastoral Work

44:35 Challenges in the Modern Pulpit

46:00 Personal Struggles and Authenticity

48:12 Addressing Congregational Needs and Identity

52:00 The Role of Story in Scripture and Ministry

56:46 Empathy and Understanding in Biblical Context

01:00:36 The Transformative Power of Scripture

01:06:23 Living Out the Biblical Narrative

01:21:35 Final Reflections and Encouragement for Pastors

What did authentic hospitality look like in the ancient world? What were the lifelong implications for those who engaged in hosting and being hosted? How can the church get back to its roots of hospitality today?

These questions and more will be explored in this episode of the Learning Laborers, as Matt walks Denver and Taylor through the idea of biblical hospitality. This topic served as the central focus of Matt's doctoral research and so he brings some great insights for us to meditate on together.

Resources Mentioned:

Saved by Faith and Hospitality by Jipp

Exclusion and Embrace by Volf

Making Room by Pohl

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In this episode, Denver invites Matt and Taylor into a discussion of the theme of sleep in the narratives of Scripture. They explore the various Old Testament stories that feature sleep, probing to understand what kind of role it tends to play in these moments of revelation, covenant-making, and vulnerability. These ideas are then brought into conversation with particular stories of Jesus that feature sleep, illustrating how being familiar with the themes and motifs of the Hebrew Bible makes us better readers of the New Testament.

Resource Mentioned:

Theosomnia: A Christian Theology of Sleep (Bishop)

00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup00:35 Discussing Sleep in the Bible05:40 Famous Sleep Stories in the Hebrew Bible07:23 Sleep as Opportunity for Divine Revelation and Covenant19:16 Sleep as Vulnerability in the Hebrew Bible28:01 Sleep and Death: A Metaphorical Connection35:04 Sleep in the New Testament36:42 Joseph's Dreams and Egypt Connection37:11 Jesus Describing Death as Sleep37:54 Sleep in the Parables of Jesus39:16 Mark 4: Sleeping in the Storm41:19 Jesus and Jonah: A Deeper Connection51:34 Mark 14: Sleep in the Garden of Gethsemane53:45 The Disciples' Weakness and Jesus' Resolve01:00:23 Theological Reflections and Conclusions01:12:37 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

In this episode of the Learning Laborers, hosts Matthew and Denver sit down with Dr. Brenton Fessler, lead pastor at Refuge OC in Orange, California. They discuss the journey and challenges of church planting, the importance of contextualization in ministry, and the key principles derived from Paul's missionary career in the book of Acts. Brenton shares personal anecdotes from his experience, including the unique approach his church has taken to sustain and grow in an expensive urban area.

The conversation touches on the value of pastoral care, the significance of building community credibility, and the importance of mentorship and support for new church planters. Whether you're involved in ministry, considering church planting, or just intrigued by the integration of biblical scholarship with church planting principles, this episode will offer you valuable insight and encouragement.

Brenton received a Doctor of Theological Ministry (New Testament Context) from Northern Seminary. He is also a contributing author to the volume And Upon this Rock⁠.

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Pastor Paul by Scot McKnight
• The First Urban Christians by Wayne Meeks

00:00 Introduction to the Learning Laborers Podcast00:34 Meet the Hosts and Today's Guest00:46 The Absence of Taylor and Its Impact02:02 Introducing Dr. Brenton Fessler02:34 Brenton's Journey to Church Planting03:19 The Practical Side of Church Planting04:54 Diving into the Podcast with Dr. Fessler06:38 The Early Days of Church Planting12:27 Challenges and Realities of Church Planting17:40 Building Community and Credibility21:27 Learning from the Book of Acts23:38 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Church Planting25:51 The Importance of Contextualization33:55 Collaborating with Other Churches34:47 The Importance of Diversity in Church Communities36:25 Promoting Other Churches in the Community37:05 Challenges and Competition in Church Planting38:37 Supporting New Church Plants41:06 The Role of a Parent Church45:27 Personal Reflections on Church Planting55:31 The Evolution of a Church Planter01:03:11 Encouragement for Aspiring Church Planters

The Learning Laborers podcast is honored to host Dr. Carmen Joy Imes. Carmen is an Old Testament professor at Biola University and in this episode, we discuss her forthcoming book - Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters (which you can pre-order here).

The conversation covers the biblical foundation of the "family" metaphor for God's people, examining how both the Old and New Testament share this important motif. Just as the people of Israel formed a community around the presence of God, so too the church has been called to rally together as a family around Christ. Carmen also shares practical ways that churches can learn to foster community and wait on God together, while at the same time appreciating their place in the global family of God.

Resources from Carmen:

Becoming God's Family

Torah Tuesday Video Series

LL Episodes Mentioned:

Transfiguration Episode⁠Matthew Kimbrough Interview⁠

Other Resources Mentioned:

Churches and the Crisis of Decline by Andrew Root

Paul and the Resurrection of Israel by Jason Staples

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

Exodus (The Story of God Bible Commentary) by Christopher J. H. Wright

00:00 Welcome to the Learning Laborers Podcast02:57 Introducing Dr. Carmen Joy IMEs and Her Work03:54 The Church's Identity and Mission: Old Testament Insights09:11 The Importance of Waiting and Faithfulness20:12 Practical Ways to Foster a Posture of Waiting in Church26:11 The Role of Worship and Community in Spiritual Growth37:05 The Analogy of Drifting Off Course38:40 The Ark of the Covenant and Its Significance42:36 Jesus and the Reconstitution of Israel49:50 Challenges of Consumerism in the Church50:56 Practical Steps for Church Unity01:00:17 The Global Family of God01:04:47 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Does the Law of Moses still matter for Christians today? Does Jesus expect his followers to obey the Torah?

In this episode of the Learning Laborers, Taylor and Matt sit down with Dr. Paul Sloan - associate professor of Early Christianity at Houston Christian University - to discuss his new book Jesus and the Law of Moses. Together, they discuss how Jesus' ministry expresses Restoration Eschatology and how his teachings about the Torah neither nullify nor abolish it, but rather fulfill and reinterpret it. Specific topics covered include the Sabbath, the eschatological Jubilee, and the continuing importance of the Mosaic Law today. Buckle up learning laborers!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Jesus and the Law of Moses (Sloan)

Lamb of the Free (Rillera)

Jesus and the Forces of Death (Thiessen)

Torah Praxis after 70 CE (Oliver)

Matthew Commentary (Davies & Allison)

You can check out our website at ⁠LearningLaborers.wordpress.com⁠.

If you are interested in supporting our efforts on Patreon, you can sign up to give a small monthly donation at this ⁠link⁠. All proceeds go to episode production costs and promotion of the podcast.

00:00 Introduction to the Learning Laborers Podcast01:19 Introducing Dr. Paul Sloan and His New Book05:04 Deep Dive into Jesus and the Law of Moses08:34 Understanding Israel's Predicament and Restoration14:16 Jesus' Role in Announcing Restoration24:26 The Concept of Jubilee and Its Significance36:05 Jesus' Teachings and Controversies on the Law42:29 Jesus and the Food Laws: A Torah-Affirming Perspective44:23 Ritual Impurity: Understanding Jesus' Teachings47:49 The Cleansing Process: Jesus' Explanation51:14 Peter's Vision and the Cleansing of the Gentiles56:38 Gentiles and the Food Laws: A New Testament Perspective01:02:47 Jesus' Commissioned Work and Sabbath Law01:11:27 Eschatological Nomism: Jesus' Authority and the Law01:16:18 Bridging Scholarship and the Pulpit: Legalism and Torah Observance01:21:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Should we live to work or work to live? How does Jesus want his followers to work? In the new creation, will we finally be done working forever?

To kick off season 4, co-hosts Taylor, Denver, and Matt look at the topic of work from a biblical perspective. The discussion explores the idea of work in Genesis and how our vision of work is transformed through the life and teachings of Jesus. They also imagine what work might be like in the new creation, arguing that labor will once again be sacred and fulfilling. Lastly, they discuss how your work can play a role in God's redemptive purposes.

Books Mentioned:

• Work in the Spirit (Miroslav Volf)
• Every Good Endeavor (Timothy Keller)
• Garden City (John Mark Comer)
• Work (Ben Witherington III)

You can check out our website at LearningLaborers.wordpress.com.

If you are interested in supporting our efforts on Patreon, you can sign up to give a small monthly donation at this link. All proceeds go to episode production costs and promotion of the podcast.

00:00 Introduction to the Learning Laborers Podcast

00:09 Meet the Co-Hosts: Denver, Taylor, and Dr. Matt

01:18 Matt's Academic Journey and Thesis

02:38 A Day in the Life of a Professor

07:12 Would You Rather: Bible Professor Edition

21:10 The Future of Work and Labor Day Discussion

29:58 The Significance of Rest in Creation

30:44 Work as a Theme in Genesis and the Torah

31:06 The Paradigm of Work in Creation

31:25 Technology and Its Ambiguous Role in Work

31:49 The Evolution of Wages and Money

32:52 The Disconnect from Raw Materials

33:24 The Goodness of Work in Genesis

34:47 The Impact of the Fall on Work

37:14 The Dual Nature of Work: Fulfillment and Frustration

41:20 The New Testament Perspective on Work

42:01 Jesus as a Worker and His Parables

45:20 The Sacredness of All Types of Work

56:40 The Role of Spiritual Gifts in Work

59:22 Work in the New Creation

01:04:59 The Future of Work and Technology

01:07:46 Recommended Readings on Theology of Work

01:09:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this special season finale of The Learning Laborers Podcast, Denver and Taylor dive into a comprehensive recap of Season 3. They discuss their favorite episodes, notable guests, and memorable moments. Additionally, they hint at big plans and announcements for Season 4, including the introduction of a new co-host and upcoming topics focused on biblical scholarship and ministry. 00:00 Scorching Heatwave Discussion01:09 Season Three Recap Begins01:18 Podcast Recording and Trivia03:13 Guest Appearances and Highlights08:41 Alien Talk and Pop Culture10:11 Navigating Political Issues in Congregations11:00 Discussing Resident Aliens and Exiles11:29 Reflecting on Recent Episodes and Season Three12:21 Ministry Transitions and Writing Projects13:17 Exploring Messianism and Second Temple Judaism16:31 Restoration Eschatology and Upcoming Guests18:32 Introducing a New Co-Host for Season Four20:57 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward to Season Four

In this summer episode, Taylor and Denver discuss the central theme of the gospel in the book of 1 Peter. They explore how Peter's testimony about Jesus as the Christ shapes the Christian life, encouraging listeners to embody the gospel through their actions and community. For more on this topic, read Taylor's Substack articles that provide more detail.

• And Upon This Rock by McKnight & Spaulding
• Becoming the Gospel by Gorman

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:46 Reflecting on Past Episodes01:22 Discussing Peter's Significance02:13 Exploring First Peter04:37 Defining the Gospel12:05 Peter's Gospel in Acts19:09 Restoration of Israel and the Role of the Messiah20:21 Peter's Insight: Jesus for All Nations20:55 Peter's Testimony in First Peter24:04 The Gospel as a New Way of Life27:56 Imitating Christ's Suffering and Goodness33:38 The Church's Witness Through Compassion36:06 The Gospel's Political Implications38:02 Living the Gospel in Community42:06 Creative Ways to Embody the Gospel44:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts