Unbinding the Bible

This episode is a sermon I preached September 27 of this year while preaching through the gospel of Matthew. The passage is Matthew 20:1-16 - Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard. I preached this same text three years ago and inserted it as a sermon on this podcast as episode 020 - "Do You Begrudge My Generosity?"* I'm publishing this year's version on the podcast as an experiment, as a way of seeing how, over time, our understanding of Scripture deepens and becomes richer. I definitely encourage you to re-listen to episode 020 before listening to this episode, as what I preached then forms the foundation of what I preached this time around. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 16:1-9 - the pouring out of the first four bowl judgments. We'll pay particular attention to how the judgments of God work themselves out in a "let the punishment fit the crime" kind of way. We'll also highlight the ways in which these judgments mirror the plagues the LORD poured out on Egypt; and in doing so we'll see how the gods of various nations are ultimately judged for their oppressive, destructive, and death-producing ways. In contrast, worship of the LORD produces blessing for all peoples and nations, not merely for one nation over and against others. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 15 and focus in on the character of God, as one who is both just and true in his ways. Highlighting Jesus as the way God most faithfully revealed his righteousness to the nations, we'll honestly assess how God's judgment is a good thing, particularly for those who've been treated unjustly.

In this episode, I have a conversation with Rory Shiner about his book, One Forever: The Transforming Power of Being in Christ. As the title suggests, Rory's book is all about our union with Christ, arguably the single-greatest theological reality there is for the Christian. I've spoken loads on this podcast about how connected the church is to Jesus and Rory's book is an outstanding introduction to that connection. You want to buy this book and read it! I simply cannot recommend it highly enough! 

Buy Rory's book here: https://matthiasmedia.com/products/one-forever?_pos=1&_sid=7fb7feea9&_ss=r. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll look at a pattern of sorts that makes up the structure of the book of Revelation. Having already used this pattern repeatedly to help us interpret Revelation, this episode will state it explicitly to further clarify what John is doing. We will find that reading the book in strict chronological order is not the most effective (or correct) way to understand Revelation. Rather, through repeated phrases and recognizable patterns, we will see that entire sections of the book are simply retelling earlier ones from a different (and oftentimes more intense and focused) perspective. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll finish Revelation 14, looking at verses 14-20. We'll bring in a few passages from the gospels and the book of Hebrews to help us navigate a rather tricky (and somewhat gruesome) passage. Taking what we know of the way God has chosen to reveal himself, we'll attempt to understand how his judgment works. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 14:6-13. In it we'll see how the coming judgment of God can be considered "good news" by focusing on the way Jesus referred to his own "hour" and the glory he would share with his Father through it. We'll also pay close attention to the language John uses to describe this coming judgment and why these words are given primarily to the church. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

This episode is a sermon I preached January 20, 2019 from John 2: Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. I'm inserting it here on the podcast because of how it highlights Jesus honoring the bridegroom as well as how the imagery of wine and blood are often connected throughout the NT. As we approach Revelation 14-18, we'll see wine in connection with judgment: how some people's "feasting" came at the expense of others, and how their oppression and violence will be given them to drink in return. Jesus' miracle at Cana will help us think in the right categories as we approach many of these disturbing images in Revelation. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 14:1-5, where John describes the community of the faithful. The metaphors John uses to describe those "who follow the Lamb wherever he goes" contrast sharply with the metaphors used in chapter 13 to describe the followers of the beast. Revelation 14:1-5 gives the church tremendous hope and encouragement, especially when considering the union and intimacy they portray between Christ and his Bride. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, I have a conversation with Josh Butler about his book, The Skeletons in God's Closet: The Mercy of Hell, the Surprise of Judgment, the Hope of Holy War. Josh and I discuss just the first third of his book, The Mercy of Hell. What I love most about Josh's approach is how he emphasizes our need to root our understanding of hell in Scripture's narrative. Too often hell is spoken about from a few isolated verses of Scripture with little or no connection to the rest of the biblical story. Josh avoids this error and then takes us on a journey into just how it is that hell itself may best be understood in the context of mercy. This is a conversation you don't want to miss! 

Connect with Josh @ www.joshuaryanbutler.com. 

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

Email questions/comments to: [email protected].