Shows
Halting Toward ZionOn the Third DayJoin Greg, Emily, and Rachel as they continue through the 2nd chapter of Acts.
2026-02-161h 01Halting Toward ZionThe Words of the ProphetsGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the Spirit giving gifts on the day of Pentacost.Transcript:https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-words-of-the-prophets?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2026-02-0255 minHalting Toward ZionThe Apostles of Jesus ChristJoin us this week as Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the necessity of Christ’s intercession and the installation of the apostles.Transcript:https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-apostles-of-jesus-christ?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2026-01-191h 03Halting Toward ZionThe Ascension, Authority, and ActsGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the ascension of Christ and the transition from the Gospels to the book of Acts, as historical fact.Transcript:https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-ascension-authority-and-acts?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2025-12-2255 minHalting Toward ZionThe Witnesses of the Risen LordThis week Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the people who saw Jesus after his resurrection.Transcript:https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-witnesses-of-the-risen-lord?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2025-11-2450 minHalting Toward ZionFor the Love of Storytelling - Featuring Nate Morgan Locke, the Reformed MythologistGreg and Emily are joined this week by a very special guest, Nate Morgan Locke, the Reformed Mythologist, and together they discuss the theology of storytelling.The Reformed Mythologist on Youtube:www.youtube.com/@ReformedMythologistThe Hero's Creed:https://www.heroscreed.comTranscript:https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/for-the-love-of-storytelling-featuring?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2025-11-101h 11Halting Toward ZionHe is Risen, IndeedJoin us this week as Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the removal of the body of Jesus from the cross, His burial, and the miraculous events of the following days.Transcript:https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/he-is-risen-indeed?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2025-10-2755 minHalting Toward ZionThey Killed Their KingJoin us this week as Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the crucifixion and death of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Transcript:https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/they-killed-their-king?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2025-10-131h 07Halting Toward ZionThe Road to CalvaryJoin us this week and Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the end of Jesus' trials with Pilate and Christ's journey to the cross. Transcript
2025-09-2951 minHalting Toward ZionSuffered Under Pontius PilateJoin us this week as Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the civil trials of Jesus Christ.Transcript
2025-09-1556 minHalting Toward ZionBetrayal in the GardenJoin us this week as Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayals by Judas and Peter, and Christ's 3 Jewish trials.Transcript
2025-09-0150 minHalting Toward ZionThe Upper Room DiscourseJoin us this week at Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the upper room discourse, or the "pre-Gethsemane discourse" as one might describe it - all that went down before Jesus headed to the garden.Transcript
2025-08-1850 minHalting Toward ZionThe Lord's SupperGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the the importance of Jesus' sharing of the Passover with his disciples the night he was betrayed.Transcript
2025-08-0438 minHalting Toward ZionOn the Mount of OlivesThis is History podcast.That being said, this week Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss Matthew 23-25 and the goings on atop the Mount of Olives.Transcript
2025-07-2152 minHalting Toward ZionGive Unto Caesar...As we approach Passover, in the time where the lambs were tested, Jesus too was questioned - questions about His authority, taxes, and the law. Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss all this and more in this week's episode.Transcript
2025-07-0754 minHalting Toward ZionPassover SeasonGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the days leading up to passion weekTranscript:
2025-06-2354 minHalting Toward ZionChrist's Ministry ContinuedGreg, Emily, and Rachel continue to discuss Christ's ministry up until the beginning of Passion Week and the miracles He performed in this time.Transcript:
2025-06-0956 minHalting Toward ZionThe Early Days of Christ's MinistryGreg, Emily, and Rachel continue their discussion of the Gospels with the first year of Jesus' ministry.Transcript
2025-05-2659 minHalting Toward ZionThe Harmony of the GospelsGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the Gospels and the way they are similar, different, and yet in harmony in their telling of the story of Jesus' life.Transcript
2025-05-1246 minHalting Toward ZionThe Life of John the BaptizerGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the life and ministry of John the Baptist - cousin of Jesus, lived in the wilderness, martyred by Herod, and much more.Transcript
2025-04-2146 minHalting Toward ZionThe Early Life of ChristJoin Greg, Emily, and Rachel this week as they discuss what we know of the life of Christ before His baptism. Transcript
2025-04-0752 minHalting Toward ZionBirth of the SaviorIn this week's episode Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the birth of Christ. The women give their insight on the true, historical significance of a real, human pregnancy, the meaning of espousal, their accommodations in Bethlehem, and the shepherds who came to visit. Transcript
2025-03-241h 02Halting Toward ZionThe Best and Worst of Christmas CarolsThis week Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss Simeon's song, holidays, and their favorites and the weakest Christmas carols.Transcript
2025-03-101h 01Halting Toward ZionIt's a MusicalGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the first three songs in the Gospels - Mary, Zachariah, the angels. Why does it matter that this information is shared with us as songs/poems?Transcript
2025-02-2452 minHalting Toward ZionMary, Mother of the Messiah"...Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, [and] born of the Virgin Mary..."Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the beginning of the Gospels and the historical event of the virgin birth.Transcript
2025-02-1053 minHalting Toward ZionRead the Text, What Does it Say?
Welcome to our re-inaugural episode! In preparation to discuss Church History, Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss how Christianity is represented in history textbooks of many persuasions.
Transcript
2025-01-2754 minHalting Toward ZionCynic, Epic, Stoic, Skeptic"This time we need to do a little more scene-setting and talk about the different philosophies that are sweeping the world at this point."
Join Greg, Emily, and Rachel as they continue their discussion of the Roman Empire as we quickly move toward the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/cynic-epic-stoic-skeptic?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-10-2152 minHalting Toward ZionFrom Republic to Oligarchy to Empire"We’ve gone from kingdom to republic to oligarchy, still pretending to be a republic, to the beginnings of an empire pretending to be an oligarchy pretending to be a republic."
Join Greg, Emily, and Rachel as they discuss the journey of the political and social structure of Rome and it's leaders.
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/from-republic-to-oligarchy-to-empire?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-10-0754 minHalting Toward ZionRome Wants Elbow RoomWouldn't the rest of the world be nicer if it was... Rome? Well, Rome certainly thought so. Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss Rome's creep towards owning the world.
Trascript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/rome-wants-elbow-room?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-09-2351 minHalting Toward ZionAlps and Americas: Rome and Their EnemiesGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the expansion of the Roman Empire and remind us of several things we should not forget, including "Hannibal took elephants over the Alps" and "Carthage must be destroyed."
Transcript
2024-09-0947 minHalting Toward ZionEpistemology, Metaphysics, and Ethics according to PlatoGreg, Emily, and Rachel wrap up their discussion of Plato and how his philosophies correspond (and warp) the three aspects of the image of God in man, Prophet, King, and Priest.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/epistemology-metaphysics-and-ethics?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-08-0544 minHalting Toward ZionBuilding a City State out of PlatoGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss Plato and his ideas for a "perfect republic."
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/building-a-city-state-out-of-plato?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-07-2954 minHalting Toward ZionWhat's so great about So-crates?Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the Greek philosopher Socrates, his Apology, and how he actually isn't a Christ figure.
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/whats-so-great-about-so-crates?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-07-2254 minHalting Toward ZionThe Pre-SocraticsJoin Greg, Emily, and Rachel as they discuss the Pre-Socratic philosophers and what those men did that set the foundation for future Greek philosophy.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-pre-socratics?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-07-1548 minHalting Toward ZionRational and Religious
Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the presocratics, objective truth, and much more in this week's episode.
Transcript :
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/htz-2024-06-04?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-07-0156 minHalting Toward ZionGreek LifeGreg, Rachel, and Emily discuss Greece and the ancient Greek religion, From Alexander the great to the philosophers, to the pantheon of gods.
Transcript:https://haltingtowardzion.substack.com/p/4488a429-e7a2-4c9e-b4bc-0ab5678f128c
2024-06-1755 minHalting Toward ZionFrom Marathon and OnGreg, Rachel, and Emily discuss the Greco-Persian Wars and the shift from Persia to Greece as the world power during the Hellenic Period.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/from-marathon-and-on?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-06-0342 minHalting Toward ZionHadassah, Queen of PersiaGreg, Rachel, and Emily continue their discussion of their kingdom of Persia, its relationship with the children of Israel, and the slow progress to rebuild the temple.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/hadassah-queen-of-persia?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-05-2759 minHalting Toward ZionCyrus, King of PersiaGreg, Rachel, and Emily continue their discussion of the Medo-Persian Empire, king Cyrus and his relationship with Israel, Zoroastrianism, and much more.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/cyrus-king-of-persia?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
2024-05-2043 minHalting Toward ZionThe Medo-Persian EmpireGreg, Rachel, and Emily discuss the origin of the Medo-Persian Empire, how it claimed the title of world power from Babylon, and the work God did through Daniel.
2024-05-1444 minHalting Toward ZionHananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and DanielGreg, Rachel, and Emily continue their discussion of world powers with Babylon, and the 4 brave Hebrews we follow through the book of Daniel.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/hananiah-mishael-azariah-and-daniel?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-04-2954 minHalting Toward ZionThis Ain't Your Mom's Traditional Greek/Roman Classical EducationWhy don't we know about Assyria? Why does a secular classical education ignore it?
Greg, Rachel, and Emily ask these questions and more as they discuss ancient Assyria/Persian culture.
2024-04-2255 minHalting Toward ZionThe Covenant of KingshipGreg, Emily, and Rachel summarize Israel's history up to the point they left off with the Phoenicians and Egyptians and setting the foundation of the Davidic Covenant as the framework for history going forward.
2024-04-1553 minHalting Toward ZionA is for Alphabet, Artist, and AhabGod commanded His people to read His word out loud- that requires it to be written down.
Join Greg, Rachel, and Emily as they discuss the impact of the Phoenician alphabet, the artist as a part of history and culture, why it is and has been imperative that history is written our history down, and much more.
Transcript:
https://haltingtowardzion.substack.com/p/947b3ccf-e3b0-4b48-917f-7d6652f540d1
2024-04-0847 minHalting Toward ZionPurple Dye and Child SacrificeGreg, Rachel, and Emily discuss the Phoenician/Punic/Canaanite peoples and what they brought to culture, technology, art, and what their relationship was like with Israel... and why that matters today.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/purple-dye-and-child-sacrifice?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-04-0143 minHalting Toward ZionThe Worldview that Shaped Western Civilization"Your ultimate priorities generate your ethics"
Join Greg, Emily, and Rachel as they continue their discussion of the 10 commandments. Why should we not kill? What does kill even mean? What is the significance of the marriage covenant? Why are liars grouped together with murderers and adulterers? Who and what defines ethics and why can't ethics change as time moves on?
Our hosts discuss all these questions and more in this weeks episode
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-worldview-that-shaped-western?r=1...
2024-03-251h 00Halting Toward ZionThe Law on Mount SinaiMoses went up to Mount Sinai and received the law from God. What does that mean for Isreal? For us? for all cultures? Join Greg, Rachel, and Emily as they discuss the first 4 of the 10 commandments.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-law-on-mount-sinai?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-03-1858 minHalting Toward ZionTell Me The Story... In OrderWhy does having an accurate record of history matter in God's story? Why does it matter that we tell a story in order? Why is it that secular histories refuse to consider the Bible an accurate historical text?
Join Greg, Rachel, and Emily as they discuss all this and more in this week's episode.
Transcript:
https://haltingtowardzion.substack.com/p/6c193884-cbf8-4048-a736-f348d5160ff6
2024-03-111h 02Halting Toward ZionEgypt Reaching for DeityGreg, Rachel, and Emily discuss "the gift of the Nile" -Egyptian. Tune in for their discussion of Egyptian Geography, Mythology, and death rituals, along with plenty more.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/egypt-reaching-for-deity?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-03-0441 minHalting Toward ZionBy Faith Abraham"He really didn’t do much. He didn’t lead Israel out of Egypt. He didn’t call fire down from heaven. He didn’t raise the dead. He didn’t survive a world flood. He mostly lived out in the wilderness and raised some good sheep and cattle. But God promised to do something incredible through him and his seed, and without him everything afterwards falls apart."
Join Greg, Emily, and Rachel as the discuss Abraham, who his seed are, and justification by faith.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltin...
2024-02-2648 minHalting Toward ZionI Believe in Dragons"As promised, we will talk about dinosaurs today – dinosaurs and the deification of the dead – and I hope we’ll get to Abraham as well, but let’s start with dinosaurs."
Join Greg, Emily, and Rachel as they discuss dinosaurs, the implications of the cultural shift from Dragons to Dinosaurs, and what past cultures believed about the diety of the dead.
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/i-believe-in-dragons?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/i-believe-in-dragons?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign...
2024-02-1941 minHalting Toward ZionThe Tower"We left off last time right on the precipice before the Tower of Babel..."
Mankind reached for godhood, building a tower they imagined was unto heaven, building a society in rebellion to God's command to "Fill the earth." God quickly showed them that wasn't going to happen.
Join Greg, Emily, and Rachel as they discuss the post-flood world,
ziggurats, the implementation of diverse languages, and cave dwellers.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-tower?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-02-1246 minHalting Toward ZionNephilim, The Flood, and CovenantWhat are the sons of God in Genesis 4? What was the actual scope of the flood? What happened to culture after the flood? Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss all this and more in this week's episode.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/htz-2023-12-28?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2024-02-0543 minHalting Toward ZionThe World Before the FloodGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss the way culture grew in the first 2,000 years of history, from Cain and Abel to the flood and the technology and other advancements of the time.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/the-world-before-the-flood?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
2024-01-2947 minHalting Toward ZionThe Story"I think we’re wrapping up and beginning the long trudge through 6,000 years of human history."
Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss what exactly we are looking forward to, what (who) the substitute really is, and the aspects of a good story that we get directly from God's storytelling.
Transcript:
https://haltingtowardzion.substack.com/p/674540dc-48dc-43a4-845b-f2f380bc11dc
2024-01-2246 minHalting Toward ZionThe Effects of Sin"What are the framing ideas to the way we look at history?"
Greg, Emily, and Rachel discuss how and why sin affects our actions and our perception of history.
Transcript:
https://haltingtowardzion.substack.com/p/32ae0b7c-ef65-496a-87f9-20e166c37e4d
2024-01-1543 minHalting Toward ZionBe Fruitful and MultiplyGreg, Emily, and Rachel discuss God's commandment to "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth," what being the image of God means, and the implications of continued Christian growth and fellowship in eternity.
Transcript:
https://haltingtowardzion.substack.com/p/daf67e49-f950-46ca-a59e-a9103fd9f792
2024-01-1250 minHalting Toward ZionIn the Beginning... AgainAs we enter season 3, we welcome our new host, Rachel Voytek, to join Greg Uttinger and Emily Maxson. In this new season, we're focusing on World History and Church History, and how they relate.
And as any discussion of history should, we start at the beginning... again.
Transcript:
https://open.substack.com/pub/haltingtowardzion/p/in-the-beginning-again?r=1mbq24&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
2024-01-0453 min
Halting Toward ZionDivided KingdomTranscript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQpHefHSvXT1Wi-TvAFlwzFtaRCFkhBVyvF6Wc9AHCsK03pHw_nofdB32q1iDI0vQ/pub
2 Chronicles 7, Psalm 89
CrashCourse on Youtube? (not sure if you all want to include that)
History of the Idea of Progress - Robert Nisbet
The Creedal Imperative - Carl Trueman
Person of Interest TV series
Recos:
Greg - Isaac Asimov Foundation series
Bryan - The Rest is History podcast (Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook) and Dominion by Tom Holland
2022-04-181h 00Halting Toward ZionSolomonTranscript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeugLZZKgLFUVzY9lRIysL3MDV54wDOhyw5-x3XWvTk4pUr0Mou2KX_7k41oE2MQ/pub
Scripture: 1 Kings 10-11
Recos:
Emily - The Great Sex Rescue
Greg - Deuteronomy 6, talking about the Bible with your kids
Bryan - Web app Notion.so
2022-04-111h 08Halting Toward ZionWhat Is Faith?Today we're beginning to answer a listener's question about the active nature of faith.
This Episode Features: Emily's Clean-The-House Music; Solo Scriptura; Quack Practice; BREAKING: Names Less Important Than Shenanigans; Snoopy; Greg's Favorite Meme; Mrs. Potts; and Darkest Peru.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/3po1ntK-htz-71
Links:
TELL THE TRUTH OR AT LEAST DON'T LIE ft. Jordan Peterson (J B P W A V E) - Akira the Don: https://youtu.be/iA8n9JTTM38
St. Patrick's Bad Analogies - Lutheran Satire: https://youtu.be/KQLfgaUoQCw
Westminster Shorter...
2021-06-071h 10Halting Toward ZionScience and WonderToday David Maxson hosts a panel discussion on the wonders of Math and Physics with Greg and special guests David Lawrence and David Farschman! David Lawrence is a physicist investigating outer space, and David Farschman is a long-time teacher of mathematics. Tune in for awe of God, His creativity, His communication, and the mathematical words that describe the world He made and holds together--and why math and science matter for the people of God as we halt toward Zion.
This Episode Features: Wonder At God's Handiwork; Lawfully Wedded Husband; Two More Davids; Mongolian Archery; The Scientific Mind...
2021-05-241h 33Halting Toward ZionShould Christians Read Fiction?Why in the world would you read or listen to a story that someone just made up--A FAKE STORY? In today's show, Greg and Emily discuss the philosophy of fiction... and of history, which isn't all that different, as it happens.
This Episode Features: The Philosophy Of Fiction (And Of History); Nutritional History; #Relatable; Superior and Inferior Storytellers; A Non-Story; Kate Gives Us A Spoiler Warning;
Transcript: https://bit.ly/3bdxlCW-htz-69
Links:
Captain Kangaroo (1961): https://amzn.to/2QJCUlS
The Little House - Virginia Lee Burton: https://amzn.to/3d1...
2021-05-101h 07Halting Toward ZionThe Ark and the AngelsMail call! Today we're answering some questions from a listener about Noah's Ark, angels, and the Declaration of Independence.
This Episode Features: Logistical Implications Of Dinosaur Captivity; The Water Buffalo Song; Rennaissance Paintings And Milton; The Theatre, The Theatre; Audience Participation And Angelic Cue Cards; Lives, Fortunes, Sacred Honour; and Why People Hate Brussels Sprouts.
Transcript: Coming soon
Links:
Genesis 6: https://www.esv.org/Genesis+6/
"The Water Buffalo Song" - Veggie Tales: https://youtu.be/ltG37Bbx1qk
"Song of the Cebu" - Veggie Tales: https://youtu...
2021-04-261h 00Halting Toward ZionThe Sociology of Social StudiesIn this second installment of our Cultural Transmission series, we take a look at "Social Studies": what is that section on standardized tests? Why does nobody know what it is? Well, partially because the people who came up with it weren't interested in telling us precisely what it meant. Today we'll dig a little bit into the history of social studies, and why its origins are a bit insidious as well as ambiguous.
This Episode Features: Social Studies; The Rat Dies; Isaac Asimov; Oculus Reparo; Cata-What-Now; McGuffey's Readers; Storytelling And Mysticism; and Bryan Is A History Teacher...
2021-03-2957 minHalting Toward ZionBe Ye ThankfulLike us, the Israelites were prone to grumble, rather than being thankful to God in the midst of trials. Saying "thank you" might seem like a little thing, but Romans 1 shows us what's really at stake. Not only is thanklessness a sin for which we need Christ's forgiveness, thanklessness begets all sorts of other sins and confusions. After all, to be thankful is at root simply to acknowledge that God is God and He is good to us.
This Episode Features: Thankfulness; Emily Issues A Retraction; Shutting Up; All The Things; and Duct Tape Vs. Gaff Tape.
2021-03-1551 minHalting Toward ZionLiberty and ResponsibilityThe God of the Bible is who He chooses to be--He has absolute and absolutely perfect freedom, and so is the source of all the derivative and analogical freedoms that we as creatures experience. So what does it mean for us to experience freedom?
Correction: Emily mistakenly calls the actor Robert Hardy (Harry Potter, All Creatures Great and Small) by the name of a different actor, Tom Hardy (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises). As far as we know, Tom Hardy is not an expert in medieval weaponry.
Transcript: https...
2021-03-0148 minHalting Toward ZionThe Economics of SacrificeHow much does it cost to worship God? How much did it cost in the Old Testament? The answer seems to be something rather than nothing--it's not free--yet the precise cost might depend on various vagaries of weather and international trade. In short, the market solves, and God expected Israel to participate in it.
This Episode Features: Sacrifice Means Killing Something; How Much For The Bull (China Shop Not Included)?; Lent And Fasting; Chocolate For Brownie Points; Greg The Potential Cattle Rustler; Cruel Tricks To Play On Your Children; Frankincense; Naturalism And Dominion; I, Pencil; and God...
2021-02-0145 minHalting Toward ZionProphecy and the Ten CommandmentsAfter reading some email about taxation (is it theft? Yes and no!) we dive into a discussion of the application of the law--who it's for, why we need it, and where it comes from... and how our view of prophecy, and our ideas of interpreting the Bible, influence our perspective on the law.
This Episode Features: Taxation And Tyranny; Prophecy And Law; Stealing Gnostic Thunder; The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine); 17th-Century Devotional Mysticism And Anabaptist Political Thought; and Eating One's Vegetables.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/3rgXsiQ-htz-51
2020-12-2157 minHalting Toward ZionBonus - Panel Discussion on Christian EducationTo celebrate our fiftieth episode, we've invited Kate Uttinger and Sam and Laura Negus (along with the usual suspects) for a roundtable on education and discipleship! Tune in for a lively discussion of parenting, teaching, the cost and the value of Christian schools, and the communion of saints.
This Episode Features: Greg and Kate Uttinger; Sam and Laura Negus; Ecumenical, Non-Parochial Schools; Don't Tell Your Parents I Said...; Classroom Discipleship; The Wild Wild West; Kate Does Not Equate Bryan To An Old Woman; Literature and Liturgy; Wanted: The Larry P. Arnn Of The Christian School; Could You...
2020-12-141h 55Halting Toward ZionImage and Word (part 1)The Second Commandment requires, in the words of the Heidelberg Catechism, that "We are not to make an image of God in any way, nor to worship him in any other manner than he has commanded in his Word." In other words, after settling the question of authority with the First Commandment, Yahweh establishes a principle of representation--how He intends to communicate to us, and how we are to offer Him homage. Spoiler: neither is by means of images.
This Episode Features: The Second Commandment; Gaston's Literary Preferences; Hocus Pocus; Metaphysical Hyperlinks; Stargate SG-1; Esmerelda the Gypsy...
2020-09-1458 minHalting Toward ZionPolytheism and Pluralism (part 2)In this episode we continue our discussion on the First Commandment and culture. Do Christian books have to be about missionaries? Do Christian shoes have to be tied with Christian shoelaces? We don't think so. But the Bible does shape our culture--the things we make--as we grow in conformity to the image of God's Son.
This Episode Features: Groups Of People Making Stuff; Pswaydoh Dragons; Christian Romance Novels; Smushed-Out Church; Progressive Sanctification; Something Stupid About The Puritan Work Ethic; and Our Favorite Bible Stories In The Most Boring Way Possible.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/3h65...
2020-09-0747 minHalting Toward ZionPolytheism and Pluralism (part 1)In approaching the topic of the First Commandment, we come to--surprise! The gospel, because God's plan was always to conform us to the image of His Son. Every human action is religious, because the very existence of humanity is for the sake of covenant with God. So if we are in Christ, everything we make and do is holy and acceptable to God for His sake. That applies to philosophy and art, as well as to our daily vocations, relationships, even hobbies.
This Episode Features: The First Commandment and the Cultural Mandate; While Poseidon's Away The Greeks...
2020-08-311h 02Halting Toward ZionThe Right to Imperfect JusticeWhat's better than perfect justice? Swift, reliable justice--at least, that's the case we make in this discussion of the appellate court system that Jethro recommended to Moses in Exodus 18, with God's blessing. Going to court these days is notorious for sapping time and energy from everyone involved... surely there's a better system.
This Episode Features: Justice Systems And The Nature Of Man; Going Splat; Thanks, I Hate It; Presbyterian Forms Of Government; Political Hot Potatoes; You Want The Whales To Die; In The Name Of Love, What More In The Name Of Love; and Alfred the Great.
2020-08-241h 01Halting Toward ZionSong of MosesThis week we're talking about the Song of Moses--both as hymn to God and as a national anthem... of sorts.
This Episode Features: The Song of Moses and National Anthems; Almost Heaven, West Virginia; Praise Choruses and Imprecatory Psalms; Running Away; Those Cheating Gibeonites; Stealing Bryan's Antiphonal Thunder; #Unhitch; and The Punisher.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/3aCP1X3-htz-33
Links:
Country Roads - John Denver: https://youtu.be/1vrEljMfXYo
Exodus 15: https://www.esv.org/Exodus+15/
Biblical Theology - Geerhardus Vos: https://amzn.to/3fr7SG1
...
2020-08-171h 06Halting Toward ZionIdentity Crisis: Passover, Community, and FreedomWho are you? And whom do you serve? If these two questions aren't exactly the same, they're at least very closely related, as we see from the account of the Exodus. When God called Israel out of Egypt, He gave them a new identity--new answers to these questions, and new demonstrations of their answers. Join us this week for a discussion of the Passover.
This Episode Features: The Passed-Over Identity; Month Zero; Whose Leaven Is It Anyway?; Read The New Testament Please; Oh. No.; Go Ask The Pastor; Thanksgiving Lambs; I'm So Glad You Asked; The Lord...
2020-08-1046 minHalting Toward ZionChronology, Community, and FreedomIf you've ever read the books of Chronicles in the Old Testament, you may have wondered, "Are these nine chapters of genealogy really necessary?" The short answer is, yes, they are. God put the boring bits in the Bible on purpose. He cares about keeping track of the years and dates; chronology, the precise ordering of events, is necessary to history--necessary to finding meaning in a sequence of events. In today's episode we take a look at the French Revolution and the Cambodian Genocide as attempts at human autonomy over history.
This Episode Features: The French Revolution...
2020-08-0349 minHalting Toward ZionRepairing the TimelineAfter sharing our favorite first lines of books, we return to Egyptology and the problem of chronology. In the ancient world, the task of history as we understand it today was rarely undertaken--the glory of the regime was more important than accurate records of events. With the few archeological records we have, it's quite a puzzle to piece together a timeline of ancient Egypt... if you overlook the records of Moses, that is.
This Episode Features: Famous First Words; Our Boi Augustine; A Renowned Actor-Historian; A High-Quality Girl; Thanks Tolkien; Good Barthianism; He Says In Words; and...
2020-07-2749 minHalting Toward ZionPrince of Egypt (part 3): Of Liberty and LiberationTo wrap up our discussion of the life of Moses, we talk today about the Exodus as co-opted by Liberation Theology, and as a true historical even by which God accomplished His purposes--both bringing about and foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ.
This Episode Features: Garlic and Onions; Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (and also Death); Why Do The Mormons Have All The Good Sci-fi; Stars Of The Muppet Show; and Dweeby Movie Writers.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/3jinuhH-htz-29
Links:
A House For My Name - Peter Leithart: https://amzn.to/2WyRdJm
2020-07-2043 minHalting Toward ZionPrince of Egypt (part 2): Of Miracles and MagicIn Part 2 of our series on the life of Moses, we look at the showdown between God and the Egyptian magicians (together with the gods they serve). Not only does Yahweh utterly overpower the Egyptians, but each of the miracles He works also confirms His promises to those who believe, and reminds us how He governs the world at every moment.
This Episode Features: We Don't Need No Stinking Frogs; Houdini Was That Good; Accidentally Accelerating Light Particles; Remnants Of The Planet Krypton; People Are Highly Stabbable; St. Augustine Throws Shade; and #AuditTheFED.
2020-07-1350 minHalting Toward ZionPrince of Egypt (part 1): The Battle BeginsIf you had four years to teach your son everything he needed to know, where would you begin? That was the question Jochebed, the mother of Moses, had to answer when she was hired on as nursemaid by the pharaoh's daughter. Join us as we discuss Christian education, how our own parents brought us up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and how unbelievably smart kids are.
This Episode Features: A Pretty Princess; Crazy Random Happenstance; Fond Days With Saxon Math; Our Parents' Stories; The Pledge Of Allegiance; Inspired Veggie Tales and Moralistic Floating Somethings...
2020-07-061h 01Halting Toward ZionPyramid Building and Social OrderIn this episode we bring together a few topics we've covered before--Ziggurats, Power Religion, and Egyptian beliefs--as we consider the great pyramids. It's still a mystery how exactly the pyramids were built, but we're busy with a different question: Why?
This Episode Features: Moderately Intentional Puns; A Man In Black (Not); Because It's There; The Winchester Mystery House; Follow The Money; Spoiled Magician Shows; and Okay, Javert.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/3eFC3ZV-htz-26
Links:
Chariots of the Gods - Erich von Daniken...
2020-06-2951 minHalting Toward ZionResurrection and the Cult of the DeadToday we're investigating the Ancient Egyptian understanding of burial magic and resurrection. (Spoilers: it's pretty messed up.) We also take the opportunity to talk about Christian burial and the true resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This Episode Features: There's A Myth For That; How To Grant Immortality; True Crocodile Facts; Return To Cream Of Wheat; Telegrams Jesus Never Sent; and Smoking Cures Salmon.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/2NBsuQ4-htz-25
Links:
Horus Ruins Christmas: https://youtu.be/s0-EgjUhRqA
In The Beginning...
2020-06-2249 minHalting Toward ZionTwo Models for ManhoodIn this episode, we get to know Isaac as the beloved, sacrificed son of Father Abraham, as well as in his role as the father of Jacob and Esau... and if you know Jacob and Esau as the Mama's Boy and the Man's Man, you may want to take another look at the text.
This Episode Features: And Robin; Cousin It; Hebrew Verbs That Aren't There; How To Impress A Shepherdess; That Red Red Stuff; No One Hunts Like Esau, No One Punts Like Esau, No One Sells His Birthright Like A Dunce Like...
2020-06-1558 minHalting Toward ZionThe Sacrifice of IsaacToday we’re talking about Abraham, Isaac, Kierkegaard, Resurrection, and the nature of faith. What exactly did Abraham think he was up to when he followed God’s commands to sacrifice his son?
This Episode Features: Unsatisfactory SparkNotes; Ancient Greek Ballistic Gel; Hebrews Hint Hints and Nudge Nudges; Probably Apocryphal Stories; and Bardic Inspiration.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/2Y6UeRo-htz-23
Links
Fear and Trembling - Soren Kierkegaard: https://amzn.to/3csl37t
Wikipedia: Regine Olsen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regine_Olsen
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy...
2020-06-0846 minHalting Toward ZionThe Sociology of DominionThis week we begin to ask, “How should a Christian relate to his society? How does Christianity advance within society?” There are essentially three answers, and two of them are wrong.
This Episode Features: Our Favorite and Least Favorite Star Wars Movies; And Put On Pants; Missionary Tourism; Rod Dreher Is, In Fact, Roman Catholic; General Cincinnatus; Level 15 In Dream Interpretation; and Discern-O-Goggles.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/2XlW4gI-htz-22
Links
Bleak House - Charles Dickens: https://amzn.to/36zciHL
When Helping Hurts - Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert: https://amzn...
2020-06-0155 minHalting Toward ZionAngels UnawaresAs we continue in the account of Abraham’s life, we come to the topic of hospitality--its cost, its importance, and its purposes.
This Episode Features: Proto-Indiana Jones; Spiritual Cookies and Phantom Chicken; Bad Wine Tastes of Bitter Death; Emily Is Female; Fancy Food and Fancy Dishes; and a Title Drop.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/2yrRjty-htz-21
Links
Genesis 18-19: https://www.esv.org/Genesis+18/
Genesis 15: https://www.esv.org/Genesis+15/
Living Life Backward - David Gibson: https://amzn.to/2WH5fJD
Luke 14: https://www.esv.or...
2020-05-2554 minHalting Toward ZionHe Looked For a CityIn this episode, we talk about Abraham’s hope and expectation for “a city, whose builder and maker is God.” There’s a lot that makes up a city, including shared laws and language, a variety of skills and resources, and community. While Abraham looked forward to the heavenly city and eternal fellowship with God, he also started building that city, after an earthly fashion, in his own life.
This Episode Features: Childhood Bible Class Dos and Don’ts; Lotsa Splainin; All Men Are Created Equal In One Very Specific Sense And Not Many Others; Sleight of Hand; Flou...
2020-05-1149 minHalting Toward ZionMythmakingToday we take another look at mythology, and the ways in which stories either reflect or distort the truths of the Gospel. We also look at some tendencies of ancient religion that still persist today, in politics and self-deification.
This Episode Features: No, Forget That, We Need Something Less Dramatic and Awesome; Babylon U; Greg Does Not Recommend Two Books; Habeas Corpus Schmabeas Corpus; Y’Are Not; Public Domain of Things; and Hug A Healthcare Provider (From A Distance).
Transcript: https://bit.ly/2VZ7w1c-htz-17
Links
The Seven Basic Plots...
2020-04-2749 minHalting Toward ZionThe Day the World DiedClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/3azI0Vr-htz-13
After supplementing our previous discussions of ooparts and self-atonement, in this episode we begin analyzing something so horrible and devastating that we draw it in cartoons and use it to decorate children’s nurseries: Noah’s Flood.
This Episode Features: The Only Trustworthy News Source; Time Travel; Bread Is Malicious (And Sneaky); Corn Flakes, Graham Crackers, and Grape Juice; the Giraffes are Here to View the Tapestries; Papa Kent’s Moral Compass; Emily Becomes Agitated; and a Phenomenal Little Tome.
Links
The Ba...
2020-03-301h 00Halting Toward ZionGuilt and Self-AtonementClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2xcmKYm-htz-11
Good and evil are inescapable categories for human thought and action, yet Christianity alone deals in these categories in its underlying philosophies. Everywhere we turn, we see this question: how can we be clean? If we don’t have Jesus’ life and death in our place, we try to figure out some way on our own… yet in our sins we continue to defy God and harm our neighbors and even ourselves, and we know something’s still wrong. In this episode we discuss some of the popular ways to...
2020-03-1648 minHalting Toward ZionMyth of NeutralityClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2yLVIHO-htz-10
Today we’re talking about the nature of knowledge: what do we know, and how can we know that we know it? When people talk about this question, it’s impossible to leave our religious--or anti-religious--convictions at the door. Because God personally defines reality, our attitude toward Him colors our relationship to absolutely everything else, including evidence and rationality. But trusting God makes a lot of the world make a lot more sense, and we don’t have to know everything in order to understand what God says to us...
2020-03-0951 minHalting Toward ZionDominionClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2VBnmzT-htz-9
When God first made Adam and Eve, He told them to “be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it.” After accomplishing our redemption, Jesus told the church to “make disciples of all nations.” In this episode, we discuss the relationship--in fact, the continuity--between these two commands. God’s purposes were not thwarted when the serpent persuaded Eve to eat the fruit. Rather, His desire for us to spread His image throughout the earth is fulfilled the more when we make disciples, whom He conforms to the image...
2020-03-021h 07Halting Toward ZionMan in the CaveClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2zvEGOp-htz-8
As it turns out, the Bible talks about people who lived in caves. Today Greg and Emily talk about who some of those people were, how cool their art was, and why evidence always comes with interpretation. Whether we’re ancients considering the world’s origin, or we’re modern scientists and archaeologists, our reading of the facts can vary widely based on what we’ve already assumed to be true. One site of cave paintings, La Marche, provides a particularly good example of archaeological evidence that was initiall...
2020-02-2442 minHalting Toward ZionCovenantClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2VDSA9L-htz-7
In this episode, we talk about how God structures His relationship to us. Generally, there are five aspects of how God relates to us: He establishes His lordship over us, appoints a way of communication and representation between us and Him, gives promises and guidance as to what we are to do and how, ordains an external sign of the covenant to seal the deal, and provides a way for this arrangement to continue into the future. All of these aspects serve to bind us, legally and...
2020-02-1753 minHalting Toward ZionTrinity (part 3)Click here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/3bEA4Ui-htz-6
Today we wrap up our discussion of the Trinity with thoughts on the love among the members of the Godhead. We can’t fully comprehend the self-existent life of God, but we can understand from the Bible that the Father and the Son share vibrant fellowship with and through the Holy Spirit--and when the Spirit unites His people to God, He brings us into this deep and lively communion. In fact, all three members of the Trinity acted in accord to accomplish the plan of our redemption, wi...
2020-02-1051 minHalting Toward ZionTrinity (part 1)Click here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2S6u9zo-htz-4
The God of the Bible is unique, not only as Creator, but as Trinity: we worship One God who exists eternally in three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Choosing words to describe this reality is difficult; after all, there’s nothing else just like God. So, we rely on the words of Scripture summarized very carefully in the historical creeds, which were developed in extensive, Scriptural study and debate. But the question is anything but coldly academic: in this episode we discuss ho...
2020-01-2750 minHalting Toward ZionChaos, Order, and OriginsClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2S6EThf-htz-3
Emily and Greg dive into the pagan and Christian philosophies of time, chaos, and order. When we look at archetypes in the world--chaos, order, goodness, beauty--we assume we can tell these things apart, and distinguish between the important and the transient. As Christians, we believe we can understand because our Heavenly Father governs all things for His glory and our good, and He made the world to be understood--and as creatures who experience time and change, we can look forward to an eternity full of activity and...
2020-01-2053 minHalting Toward ZionIn The BeginningClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/3eSntP9-htz-2
In this episode, we explore the claims of the Bible’s first verses and how they differ from every other explanation of the origins of the universe. From Genesis 1:1, we understand that God created the world out of nothing. In pagan origin myths, the world has always existed: the various gods rearranged the things that make up the world, but there was already something that existed, for them to rearrange. This difference helps us clarify what’s really going on when we speak with our unbelieving friends.
2020-01-131h 00Halting Toward ZionOnenessClick here for episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2VWyZ3F-htz-1
In our pilot episode, Emily and Greg introduce themselves and kick off a discussion of the Unity of God and some of its implications. Theology Proper--the study of God as He is in Himself--speaks of the Singularity and the Simplicity of God: that is, there is only one God (who created everything that exists), and God isn’t made up of pieces or parts. He expresses Himself fully in each of His infinite attributes, and reveals those attributes in the Bible.
This episode features: The Fr...
2020-01-0647 min