Unbinding the Bible

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 22:17-21 - the closing verses of the book! We've come such a long way and in these verses we'll hear John's (and Jesus') final plea for the Bride to embody the posture of the kingdom. Drawing on one OT passage and one from the NT, we'll hear God's heart of compassion and how it, quite literally, far exceeds our own. 

This will be the final episode of Unbinding the Bible for several months. I'm in need of a Sabbath rest from the podcast and want to refresh myself so I can bring more episodes to you in the future. Ending the book of Revelation seemed like a fitting time to insert a break. But I encourage you to reach out; I'm not taking a break from those of you who listen in! Email me and share with me how Jesus has used this podcast to begin his work of transformation in you: [email protected]. 

And share this video with others who might be intrigued by what Unbinding the Bible has to offer: https://vimeo.com/381235030/868320d094.

In this By the Book episode, I have a conversation with Tim Muehlhoff about a book he co-authored (with Richard Langer) called, Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church. Tim and I had a blast talking together about a topic that is incredibly needed in the church today. This is one By the Book episode you don't want to miss! 

You can follow Tim, gather resources, or be linked to his podcast at www.winsomeconviction.com.

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 22:12-16. We'll address several themes already covered on the podcast and then focus in on Jesus' words that this testimony (the ENTIRE book of Revelation, by the way) is "for the churches." The church today desperately needs to understand this, as the all-too-common assumption is that our job is to tell those in the wider world how to live. Not so! Our calling, as followers of Jesus, is to put into practice what Jesus said in our own communities and individual lives. We'll look at Psalm 51 to help us understand how we might consider going about this for our own blessing as well as the blessing of the world. 

Unbinding the Bible Video - https://vimeo.com/381235030/868320d094.

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 22:6-9, paying particular attention to John's use of the words "keep the words of this book," which echo (or bookend) words he began the book with from Revelation 1:3. We'll talk a bit about what "keeping" the words of this book means and what it might look like for churches to faithfully do so. 

Unbinding the Bible Video - https://vimeo.com/381235030/868320d094

Email comments/questions to: [email protected]

In this week's episode, I have a conversation with Kaitlyn Schiess about her book, The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor. Kaitlyn brings together spiritual formation with political concerns in a way that faithfully expresses the reality of the kingdom of God and invites the church to live out its common life with others in a way that is faithful to that kingdom. Kaitlyn is someone whose voice the church will greatly benefit from for years to come. 

Get Kaitlyn's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Liturgy-Politics-Spiritual-Formation-Neighbor/dp/0830848304/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+liturgy+of+politics&qid=1620742970&sr=8-1

You can follow Kaitlyn on Twitter and Instagram: @KaitlynSchiess; or through her website and blog: https://www.kaitlynschiess.com/

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 22:1-5. In it John speaks of the tree of life and the river of the water of life. We'll look at several OT and NT passages to help us understand the significance of both and what they mean for the calling of the church and the flourishing of the world. 

Unbinding the Bible Video - https://vimeo.com/381235030/868320d094

Email comments/questions to: [email protected]

This week's episode is a sermon I preached at our church two weeks ago - where Jesus meets with his disciples in Luke 24 and shows them his hands and his feet. I'm inserting it here on the podcast for its connections between Jesus' resurrection and the eventual resurrection of all things, which John describes in Revelation 21-22, paying particular attention to the fact that even in the resurrection, Jesus still bears the marks of his humiliation and suffering - and why that ought to serve as an encouragement to us. 

Unbinding the Bible Video - https://vimeo.com/381235030/868320d094.

Email comments/questions to: [email protected]

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 21:22-27 and focus in on the purpose of "gates" in the heavenly city. Contrasting this scene with Jesus' description of hell's gates in Matthew 16 will shed immense light on the posture God has toward the world as well as the posture of the New Jerusalem. The "kings of the earth will bring their glory into" this heavenly city. We'll end the episode by exploring what this means and why it matters. 

Unbinding the Bible Video - https://vimeo.com/381235030/868320d094.

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

This episode is a By the Book conversation with Sandra Richter about her book, Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters. As an Old Testament scholar, Sandra looks closely at God's expectations for his image-bearers and what that means about the way we, as 21st century Americans, think about and treat the world God has entrusted to our care. 

Toward the end of our conversation, Sandra referenced some of her scholarly work, particularly a look at the treatment of women from the Deuteronomic Law. You can read her work here: https://hebraicthought.org/deuteronomic-law-women-marry-rapists/.

In this episode, we'll look at several themes John is weaving together in how he chooses to describe this holy city, New Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb. These insights will help tie together large swaths of biblical material and will encourage Christians to understand who we've been called to be and how Jesus has made it all possible. 

Unbinding the Bible Video - https://vimeo.com/381235030/868320d094

Email comments/questions to: [email protected]