Unbinding the Bible

In this episode, we'll focus in on Revelation 13:16-18 - John's description of the mark of the beast and the number of its name. Probably the single most well-known idea in the entire book, we'll look at how John has already been developing this idea throughout Revelation so far. And we'll draw on the OT's most famous passage (at least in Jesus' mind) to help us understand the language John uses in describing this "mark" of the beast. 

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

Email questions/comments to: [email protected]

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 13:11-18, John's description of the second beast. We'll see how this beast utilizes religion to encourage  "those who dwell on the earth" to worship the first beast: the political power of empire. And we'll also see just how deceitful and tempting (not to mention destructive) it is to mix the kingdom of God with the ways of the empire. And as we'll see, John's message needs to be heeded even in our day, especially among Christian churches. 

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

Email comments/questions to: [email protected].

The following is a sermon I preached this past Sunday (July 26, 2020) from Matthew 13, where Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. Jesus' teaching, believe it or not, is intensely political in nature and he wants his followers to think of the kingdom he's come to bring in political terms. What Jesus means, though, is different from what many people in our world today (including Christians) imagine that he means. 

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

Email question/comments to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 13:1-10 and pay particular attention to three things that the dragon gives to the beast: his power, his throne, and his great authority. And then we'll compare how power, thrones, and authority have been spoken about in reference to God and the Lamb. We'll end this week's episode discussing why these oppressive kingdoms are called "beasts" and where we might expect to find other beast-like structures or institutions today. 

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

Please email comments/questions to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll finish our look at Revelation 12, paying particular attention to the dragon's rage toward "those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 12:17). John provides us with incredible explanatory power to understand not only what followers of Jesus can expect in this world, but also the way in which we can persevere in the midst of it. 

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

Please email comments or questions to: [email protected]

This week's episode is a By the Book conversation with Rob Reimer, author of the book, Soul Care. Rob and I talk about how identity issues, fears, hurts, and other matters of the soul can be access points for either God or the enemy. We talk about addictions, shame, fundamentalism, spiritual accountability, and confession. The truth is, everyone needs a healthy soul; and Jesus very well may choose to use Rob's book to strengthen your soul, as he has used it to help reshape mine.  

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

In this episode, we'll look at Revelation 12. Drawing on C.S. Lewis's and J.R.R. Tolkien's understanding of "myth" and the power of the imagination, we'll see how John means for us to interpret the Christian story as the greatest "myth" ever conceived. And in a day where Christian "truth" is thought to be primarily cognitive, we'll discover the power that our imaginations play in gripping our emotions and hearts, as well as our minds. 

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

This episode is a sermon I preached this past Sunday (June 28, 2020) on Matthew 10:34-39. Simply preaching through the Lectionary, I was surprised at how relevant Jesus' teachings are to our current cultural moment. While I didn't set out this week to address the underlying causes of society's unrest, Jesus' words to his disciples spoke to it anyway. So I decided to share my message on the podcast as a BONUS episode. I offer to you, then, my most recent sermon: Not Peace, But A Sword*. 

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

This week's episode is a By the Book conversation with Michael Gorman, author of the book Reading Revelation Responsibly. If you've listened to the Revelation series on this podcast, you've heard me reference this book quite a bit. Dr. Gorman and I discuss interpretive approaches to the book of Revelation, the state of the church, the dangers of civil religion, and a Lamb-centered understanding of power. This is a conversation you don't want to miss! 

Reading Revelation Responsibly 

Cruciformity: Paul's Narrative Spirituality of the Cross

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

Email any questions/comments to: [email protected].

In this episode, we'll finish Revelation 11, looking specifically at verses 15-19. In this song of praise, we'll see how the LORD's coming is both faithfulness to his covenant promises for his people as well as judgment on those opposed to God and his ways. And we'll look at how God "destroying the destroyers of the earth" is a fitting way to describe how "the punishment fits the crime" (see Deuteronomy 19:15-21; Psalm 7:14-16). 

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

Email any questions/comments to: [email protected]