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.

Denver and Taylor interview Lois Tverberg about the Jewishness of Jesus, the importance of understanding Jesus in his Jewish context, and why that matters for how we interact with scripture. If you are interested in learning more, Lois has several books that you can purchase at these links:

Also, here are some other resources that are mentioned throughout the podcast episode:

Books:

Websites:

What is a graphic Hebrew love song doing in our Bibles? Must the Song of Songs be read as an allegory in order to contribute to our spiritual formation? What wisdom does this ancient poem have for Christians today?

In this episode, Taylor interviews Denver about the greatest love song ever written. They discuss the song’s history of interpretation as well as its theological significance and relevance for Christ followers. Denver contends that the song provides a theological defense of the goodness of physical reality and human romance, as well as an important (though often neglected) voice in the current debates within the church regarding gender roles.

Resources:

Song of Songs (NICOT) by Tremper Longman III

Curse-Free Love: The Rich Theology of the Song of Songs by Denver Rhodes

Song of Songs (Bible Project Article)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pastor missionaries? That's exactly the kind of ministry that Steve Henry engages in every day. Steve has been a pastor, a missionary, a sender of missionaries, and is currently a pastoral coach to missionaries serving overseas.

Denver and Taylor ask Steve about this unique ministry calling, as well as the topic of missionary care more generally. Steve describes the biblical basis of missionary care, the primary factors causing missionaries to return from the field, as well as best practices for churches who have a heart to care for their missionaries.

Resources:

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (ed. Winter & Hawthorne)

Serving as Senders by Neal Pirolo

Holding the Rope by Ryan Martin

Healthy, Resilient, & Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry by Laura Mae Gardner

To the Golden Shore by Courtney Anderson

John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides by John Paton

The Upstream Collective

Barnabas International

Global Member Care Network

Should we connect passages from Revelation to current events, such as the tragic crisis in Israel-Palestine? How can we cultivate a tov culture within the church? How can pastors stay up-to-date on the state of New Testament scholarship?

These and many questions are addressed by Dr. Scot McKnight on this episode of the Learning Laborers. Scot is the Julius R. Mantey Chair of New Testament at Northern Seminary and has written a plethora of books on the New Testament. He has a knack for being able to write books not only for other academics, but also for pastors, ministers, and the church at large.

Here are links to some of the many books mentioned throughout the episode:

Revelation for the Rest of Us by Scot McKnight

A Church Called Tov and Pivot by Scot McKnight

Everyday Bible Study Series by Scot McKnight

Jesus and the Victory of God by N. T. Wright

Judaism by EP Sanders

The New Testament and the People of God by N. T. Wright

King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight

A Fellowship of Differents by Scot McKnight

Pastor Paul by Scot McKnight

Would aliens bear the image of God? Would they need their own divine incarnation? Would God expect Christians to evangelize alien worlds?

In part two of their discussion on extra-terrestrial life, Taylor walks Denver through some helpful theological treatments of this topic by Andrew Davison and Michael Heiser. Taylor makes a thorough case for why the topic of aliens can actually lead us to think more deeply about a variety of theological topics, such as the fall, the incarnation, and the eschaton.

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.

Would the discovery of extra-terrestrial, intelligent life dismantle our Christian faith? Does the Bible have room for the existence of aliens? How should we as Christ followers approach conversations about aliens and UAP's?

In this two-part conversation, Taylor walks Denver through the topic of aliens and Christian theology. In part one, Taylor explains why this bizarre topic has gained so much attention over the past year and he gives some examples of typical Christian responses. Taylor argues that, if handled correctly, pastors can use these conversations to help church members think in new (and yet ancient) ways about Christian theology.

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.

Are there any situations in which Christians are permitted to use violence? How are Jesus followers supposed to think about military service?

Join us as we explore this complex but important topic. The episode begins with Taylor asking Denver about his journey to the position of Christian nonviolence. They are then joined by Leland Stephens, a former US marine and church planter. He shares about his journey to faith, his experience as a Christ follower in the Marine corps, and the discussions he has had over the years with fellow servicemen and seminarians about violence and military service. Leland's perspective is thoughtful, nuanced, and informed by real-world experience.

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.

How do hospitality practices play into God's mission for the Church? What does it mean for Christians to be not just good hosts, but also good guests, to those they are trying to reach?

In this episode, Taylor interviews Denver about his recent research into missional hospitality. They look at various examples throughout Scripture which show God's sent ones taking on a posture of needfulness upon entering a new community, and how that leads to an outpouring of God's blessing. They discuss Elijah and the Sidonian widow, the incarnation, Jesus and the Samaritan woman, and the instructions of Jesus in Matthew 10.

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.

Denver and Taylor wrap up the first season. As we take a break for the Summer, be sure to catch up on any episodes that you have missed. See below for how you can enter the book giveaway!*

Here is how you can enter the giveaway:

*This giveaway has now ended.

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