The Learning Laborers

In this episode of the Learning Laborers podcast, Denver and Taylor explore the intersection of biblical scholarship and ministry with Matt Trexler, a campus minister at UCLA working with the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF). Matt shares his journey into college ministry, offering insights into his research on the Sermon on the Mount and its impact on college students. They also discuss the cultural moment of Gen Z, their search for purpose and mentorship, and how churches can effectively engage with this generation. With a mix of humor and depth, Matt highlights the importance of creating authentic spaces for students to explore faith and scripture.

Resources mentioned by Matt in this episode:

Join Denver and Taylor in a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Andy McQuitty, founder and CEO of Kaleo Collective.

They delve into the origins and mission of Kaleo Collective, a network providing support and community for pastors through Zoom cohorts. Andy shares compelling stories from his own 30+ years of pastoral experience and offers wisdom on handling the unique pressures faced by church leaders. If you're a pastor seeking encouragement or simply curious about what it takes to sustain a long-term ministry, this episode promises to be both enlightening and inspiring. Don't miss the curated book recommendations that can prepare you for a marathon of ministry.

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

Books cited/mentioned in this episode:

Season 3 kicks off with Denver and Taylor discussing the topic on ministry transitions. Taylor shares about his own ministry transition, where he is leaving the church he grew up in and served on staff for the past decade. Together, Denver and Taylor reflect and creatively interact with the story of Abraham's journey in Genesis 12 to spark conversation about how to faithfully leave a place in order to follow God's call.

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

Books mentioned/cited in this episode:

In this season two finale, Denver and Taylor reflect on the last 14 episodes and also share about the topics they are currently researching. Denver is studying the Transfiguration of Jesus and its impact on Peter, James, and John. What was the significance of this bizarre experience? And why did Moses and Elijah show up for it?

Taylor has been spurred on by our conversation with Spencer Owen to dig even deeper into the concept of atonement.  He briefly discusses the term “atonement” and how it relates to the sacrifices outlined in Leviticus. Where did this English word “at-one-ment” even come from?

Write us at [email protected] to let us know what your favorite episode of Season Two was. We also welcome suggestions for future episode topics or guests! Thank you for listening and being a part of this learning journey with us!

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Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

Continuing our conversation with Spencer Owen, Denver and Taylor discuss the atonement and the implications our theories of atonement have on how we view God, salvation, and our own discipleship to Jesus.

Spencer provides several resources if you are interested in hearing more.

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

What is the significance of Jesus' death? What exactly happens on the cross?

These and other questions related to Jesus' death and the idea of "atonement" are tackled in this episode. Denver and Taylor have a conversation with Spencer Owen, and the focus is on a close reading of Isaiah 53. We seek to understand how Jesus' death is conceptualized and given significance by the authors of the Bible.

This is a two-part episode, so stay tuned for the next episode.

Check out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

What does trinitarian theology have to do with prayer? How can we inspire our communities of faith to engage in movements of prayer? What does it look like to pray the Scriptures?

In this episode, Denver and Taylor have a delightful chat with the passionate Sam McVay. Sam is keen to explore trinitarian theology - not just on a theoretical level, but also as it relates to the nitty-gritty, everyday life of the church, and especially the church’s prayer life. Sam walks us through a variety of subjects, including the relational dynamics of the trinity, the importance of theologically-centered prayer in the life of the Church, the practice of praying the Scriptures, the primary place of the Lord’s Prayer, and ways to help believers get excited about an hour-long prayer meeting!

Sam McVay is the founder and president of Disciple Nations, a ministry support network based in Wichita, Kansas which seeks to encourage and equip ministry leaders who engage in prayer and disciple-making initiatives. Be sure to check out the Lord’s Prayer App, along with other resources mentioned in the episode:

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

Should our eschatology make us fearful or hopeful? Is there any Scriptural evidence for some kind of coming Rapture event? How should we approach the difficult and complex topic of Last Things?

In this episode, Taylor and Denver sit down with Dr. Matthew Halstead to talk about his new book, ⁠The End of the World as You Know It: What the Bible Really Says about the End Times (And Why It's Good News)⁠. Matthew is a superb guide into all things eschatological, bringing a wealth of Scriptural knowledge, but also a pastor's heart to approach this conversation with humility and charity. Whatever your particular views on the end times, we think you will really enjoy hearing from Matthew's perspective.

Matthew is the Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Eternity Bible College and also authored ⁠Paul and the Meaning of Scripture⁠.

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

What is the Apocrypha? Why is it included in some Bibles and not in others? Is it safe for an evangelical Protestant to read these “hidden” books?!

Denver and Taylor sit down with Matthew McBirth to discuss these questions and others related to the study of Second Temple Jewish literature. Matthew is a Professor of Bible and Ministry at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri. In this episode, Matthew does a great job explaining why it is so important for students of the Bible to be familiar with works like those found in the Apocrypha, and how this knowledge can enhance their understanding of Scripture within its ancient context.

Here are links to the fantastic resources that Matthew and Taylor mentioned towards the end of the episode:

Origin of the Bible (Philip W. Comfort, ed.)

Introducing the Apocrypha (David DeSilva)

David DeSilva YouTube Video

The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha (James H. Charlesworth, ed.)

Discovering Second Temple Literature (Malka Z. Simkovich)

Malka Simkovich OnScript Episode

Check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ for articles and more resources.

Support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠. All funds are used to design, create, host, and advertise the podcast.

Has our traditional, familiar version of the Christmas story distanced us from the Bible's version? Were Mary and Joseph really turned away from inhospitable innkeepers? Did they trek to Bethlehem in the middle of the night? Was Jesus born in a stable? Taylor and Denver dive into Luke 2 as to provide a fresh reading of a familiar (perhaps too familiar) story.

Here is a link to an image of a first century Palestinian home.

See also chapter one in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey.

Cited Luke Commentaries:

See also this blog post on Luke commentaries from Taylor.