The Bible (Unmuted) With Dr. Matthew L. Halsted

Shows

The Bible (Unmuted)#100: The Christmas Story: Politics, Theology, HopeMost would be surprised to learn that the first Christmas 2,000 years ago had a lot to do with politics—indeed, it radically challenged the politics of the day. But in what way? And how can this help us navigate political life in the modern world? Matt addresses these questions, as well as discusses other theological truths and devotional implications of Christmas that are important to consider as we celebrate the Messiah’s birth this season. + + +Support the podcast via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read Matt's blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠matthewhalsted.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)!2024-12-2432 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#99: Revelation, Part 20 (Rev. 12)Revelation 12 is full of Old Testament allusions -- what are they, and how do they help us understand the meaning of John's vision? This chapter also contains an abbreviated re-telling of the life and ministry of Jesus. It's a re-telling that features a woman about to give birth to a baby -- a child that a certain dragon seeks to devour. Who is this woman (Mary? Israel?), and how would have the first readers of Revelation understood John's way of telling the story -- those, that is to say, who were familiar with Greek myth? And lastly, how can...2024-12-1754 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#98: Revelation, Part 19 (Rev. 11)Revelation 11 kicks off by talking about a "temple." Is this a reference to a physical temple? Or is there another way to understand it? How might considering other passages in the New Testament help us in this regard? And who are the two witnesses? Is John saying that, at some point in the future, there will be two individuals who show up (Moses? Elijah? Others?) to prophesy? Many modern prophecy teachers are confident this is the case. In this episode, though, Matt argues that, perhaps, the truth of the matter is far more interesting -- and relevant for today.2024-12-1053 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#97: The Concept of Faith in Luke 17:1-19On the podcast, Matt has been going verse-by-verse through Revelation. The core narrative found in this last book of the New Testament is how the weak (the slain Lamb and his people) are victorious over the strong (the dragon and his people). We see this same narrative elsewhere in the New Testament, namely, in the Gospels. There Jesus elevates the small, the weak, the marginalized; the heroes of his stories are often cultural outcasts. In this vein, how does Jesus' teaching on faith in Luke 17 shed light on the faithfulness the seven churches are called to exhibit in Revelation? 2024-12-0334 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#96: Reflections on anti-intellectualism, dialogue, and the need for communityThis episode is brought to you from sunny San Diego, where the 2024 annual IBR/SBL/AAR conference was hosted. Matt offers thoughts on the value of academic conferences, not least with respect to the Bible. In short, deep reflection happens best in community, where the back-and-forthness of dialogue can take place and where encouragement and critique can blossom. Biblical hermeneutics, after all, is a dialogical endeavor, one that simply cannot happen in the silo of individualism. In this vein, Matt also discusses anti-intellectualism in the church and why the academic study of Scripture is a gift to the kingdom. 2024-11-2621 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#95: Restoring the Boundaries: Brief Thoughts on Peacemaking in a Messy WorldChristians are called to be peacemakers. But what, exactly, does this entail? Specifically, how do we live as peacemakers in a world such as ours? How are we, for instance, called to handle toxic relationships? And how can the story of creation in Genesis 1 help us answer these questions? + + + Support the podcast via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read Matt's blog: ⁠⁠⁠matthewhalsted.substack.com⁠⁠⁠ Matt's newest book: ⁠⁠⁠The End of the World As You Know It⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 2024-11-1912 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#94: Revelation, Part 18 (Rev. 10)Revelation 10 introduces a "mighty angel" from heaven. The angel's speech, message, and activities resemble that of an angel depicted in the Old Testament (i.e. in Daniel). But there are also dissimilarities between the two. How might observing these features help us understand Revelation 10, especially with respect to the angel's enigmatic speech about time (10:6)? There's also the mysterious message of "the seven thunders," which John is told not to write down. What does this mean, and how could the Old Testament help us understand the message's concealment? Finally, what's going on with John being told to "eat" a scroll...2024-11-1251 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#93: Revelation, Part 17 (Rev. 9:13-21)The sixth trumpet brings about the release of four angels, who had been bound (imprisoned) at the Euphrates River. Who are these angels, and what's the point of their being bound at a geographical location such as the Euphrates? Readers also encounter a cavalry that numbers 200 million. What's the significance off this number, and what, exactly, is this cavalry? Is it a demonic ? Is it a human? And will this cavalry appear in the future, or should we think differently about it? + + + Support the podcast via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read Matt's blog: ⁠matthewhalsted.substack.com⁠ Matt's newest book: ⁠The En 2024-11-0545 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#92: Revelation, Part 16 (Rev. 9:1-12)Matt discusses the events that occur at the fifth trumpet. Who is the "star" that Revelation says "had fallen from heaven to earth"? Is this the "destroyer" of Exodus 12? And what relationship do these texts have with Isaiah 14:12-20? Furthermore, what are the locust-beings that come up from the "bottomless pit," and what are they doing to the earth and its inhabitants? Does this text describe acts of judgments, and if so, what is their purpose? + + + Support the podcast via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read Matt's blog: matthewhalsted.substack.com Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It 2024-10-2951 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#91: An Interview with Mark Beuving: The Life & Thought of Søren KierkegaardMatt chats with pastor and author Mark Beuving about the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, whose thought-provoking writings have captivated readers ever since they were first published. Mark unpacks this intriguing thinker, sharing specifically how Kierkegaard's essays on love and faith could influence our own thinking about what it means to live out the Christian life. Get a copy of Mark Beuving's book: Resonate: Enjoying God's Gift of Music + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ (link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Support...2024-10-221h 05

The Bible (Unmuted)#87: Q&A - Angels, Divine Wrath, Evangelism, InerrancyMatt takes listener questions about angels (are they still active in the world today?), God's wrath (who is the destroying angel in the Old Testament? How does divine wrath relate to free will?), the "Romans road salvation plan" (does it capture the full story of the Gospel? How can we better incorporate the story of Israel in our evangelistic efforts?), and the inerrancy of Scripture (is "inerrancy" a good word to use for describing the Bible? What are some pitfalls in the way it's often employed in contemporary discussions?). + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The...2024-10-0136 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#86: Revelation, Part 15 (Rev. 8)Revelation 8 raises a lot of questions, such as: Who are the seven angels with seven trumpets? What is the significance of their using trumpets? What is the "great mountain" that is "thrown in the sea"? Is this literally a mountain? How does one interpret the "great star" (called "Wormwood") that falls from heaven (this, after all, can hardly be taken as a literal "star")? And, lastly, why is the fraction "one-third" used so often in Revelation 8? How does this number fit into the larger narrative? These questions and more are addressed in this episode. Listen to explore some answers!2024-09-2449 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#85: Revelation, Part 14 (Rev. 7)In Revelation 7, there are 144,000 people sealed on their foreheads -- 12,000 drawn from 12 Jewish tribes. What is John describing in this vision? Should we interpret this literally, as a group of 144,000 individual Jewish people? Or is this symbolic for something else? In this episode, Matt dives into the text and offers reasons why the 144,000 should be understood as referring to the fulness of God's multi-ethnic church -- a company of saints who exist within (and because of) the story of Israel. + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ (link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) 2024-09-1750 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#84: Revelation, Part 13 (Rev. 6:9-17; 8:1-5)There's a lot to consider in Revelation 6:9-17; 8:1-5. First, after the 5th seal is opened, we read of martyrs under an altar praying to God for justice to be restored to the earth; they are given white robes and told to "rest a little longer." What's significant about their prayer? What do the white robes signify? Second, with the opening of the 6th seal, the cosmos undergoes a dissolution of sorts -- the sun is darkened, the moon turns blood red, the stars fall from the sky. This symbolism can be found in the prophets (e.g. Joel...2024-09-1056 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#83: God as Sovereign, Creator, and Sustainer (A Sermon)What do you think of God? What thoughts come to mind when you hear the words "sovereign" applied to him? Do you think of God as a Father -- one who has intimate knowledge of, and deep care for, his creation? In this sermon, Matt unpacks Psalm 147:4-5, which speaks of both God's infinite wisdom/understanding and the comos' contingency/finitude. The implications of these two verses are far-reaching, inviting us to think deeply and carefully about the one, true eternal God and our relationship with him. + + + Check out Matt's newest book...2024-09-0334 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#82: Revelation, Part 12 (Rev. 6:1-8)In Revelation 6:1-8, we encounter "the four horseman of the apocalypse." And, to be sure, there are many questions to consider: Who are these characters? Are they angelic beings (the "good guys?") simply carrying out God's judgment? Or are they sinister forces who are allowed to bring chaos and destruction? Does this text describe exclusively future events (i.e., a future tribulation), or is there a better way to understand it? Finally, how does John's vision of the four horsemen relate to the visions of Zechariah's horsemen and chariots? + + + Check out Matt's...2024-08-271h 00

The Bible (Unmuted)#81: Revelation, Part 11 (The Structure of Rev. 6-22)If there's one cardinal rule about interpreting Revelation, it's this: If you want to understand the content of Revelation, it's a good idea to have a grasp on the structure of Revelation. In this episode, Matt addresses this very issue. How, for example, should readers understand the three cycles of judgment -- that is, the seals, trumpets, and bowls? Are they depicting events that occur chronologically? Are they describing future events? Or is something else going on? + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ (link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Don't forget to subscribe to The B...2024-08-2052 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#80: Revelation, Part 10 (Rev. 5)There's a big reveal in Revelation 5 -- a vision that allows John to get a glimpse into the heart, the way, and the character of God. What does John see that is so extraordinary? How does his vision counter the politics of his day? How might it challenge ours? And how does this vision in particular recall (and shed light upon) key Old Testament texts? Listen to find out! + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ (link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! ...2024-08-1354 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#79: Revelation, Part 9 (Rev. 4)Some popular prophecy teachers think Revelation 4 references a future "rapture" of the church. In this episode, Matt offers a different take, arguing that such notions read more into the text than is justified. Matt also discusses the many Old Testament texts that comprise the background for the throne room scene in this chapter. In fact, the OT context can shed some meaningful light on not just the scene itself, but the important elements and characters within the scene -- e.g., the twenty-four elders and the living creatures. + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The End...2024-08-0645 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#78: Tosha's TakeoverThe Mrs. Halsted takes over the microphone to explain why there's no episode this week. + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ (link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Support the podcast via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠⁠2024-07-3001 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#77: The Sheep in the Wilderness (musings on Mark 6:33-44)In this episode, Matt discusses the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. This event is by no means an isolated, random miracle. To the contrary, it's allusions back to the Old Testament reveal it's true, Jewish context. What allusions can be detected? Why are they important for this text in particular, and how do they contribute to larger story of redemption? Importantly, how can this story offer hope to the church of the 21st century? Listen to find out. + + + Check out Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ (link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Don't forge...2024-07-2344 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#76: An Interview with Joey Dodson: Paul, Romans, and SenecaIn this episode, Matt chats with Joey Dodson, a New Testament professor at Denver Seminary. Their conversation centers around Paul and his theology (and in particular what Paul means by "wretched man" in Romans 7). Joey also talks a bit about Seneca and how knowing about his life and writings can be helpful for modern readers of Paul. A range of other things are covered as well: Paul and Empire, "the righteousness of God," the value of reading fiction, and the list goes on. Dr. Dodson's bio: Dr. Joseph (Joey) Dodson is the...2024-07-1657 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#75: An Interview with Aimee Byrd: The Hope in our ScarsHave you ever felt (or currently feel) discouraged by the church? If so, you're not alone. In this episode, Matt chats with Aimee Byrd about this very issue. In her latest book, The Hope in Our Scars, Aimee offers insights on how to find hope, truth, and beauty for those who have grown disillusioned with the church. In an era when the modern church has become infatuated with power and intoxicated by celebrity culture -- leading many to abandon their faith altogether -- Aimee's voice of reason offers a better way: A way of finding hope in Christ. Drawing...2024-07-091h 02

The Bible (Unmuted)#74: An Interview with Ryan Dillion: Sacramental IdentityHow does one go about crafting a theology of human identity? That's the question today's guest, Ryan Dillon, seeks to answer. Ryan recently published a book called Sacramental Identity: Finding Who We Are through Participation in God's Story (link below). In this conversation, listeners get a taste of what the book is all about, as well as some additional insights from Ryan about "theology" in general and why it's important to read the church Fathers. Purchase Ryan's book here: https://a.co/d/hBEIGYI +++ Check out Matt's newest book: The End of the...2024-07-0253 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#73: An Interview with Emmanuel Engulu: Apophatic theology, Trinitarianism, and HermeneuticsIn this conversation, Matt chats with Emmanuel Engulu (PhD candidate at Kings College, London). The conversation travels down many paths: apophatic theology, christology, incarnation, trinitarianism, the problems of subordinationism, and the list goes on. Weaved throughout the conversation is the thread of hermeneutics. Emmanuel discusses the role tradition plays in hermeneutics and how engaging with the Fathers can help us read Scripture well. +++ Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ (link ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠) Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Support the podcast via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...2024-06-2558 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#72: Revelation, Part 8 (Rev. 3:14-22)The church of Laodicea considered itself rich and self-sustaining. And yet, it wasn't. Jesus calls it "wretched" and "poor." He also says the church is "lukewarm" and that he'd rather it be either "cold" or "hot." These metaphors have led to a lot of confusion and misunderstanding. What does Jesus mean by "hot"? Why does he say he'd rather them be "cold" than "lukewarm"? As with anything, if we want to understand the content of Revelation, we need to know a thing or two about the context of Revelation. And this includes Laodicea's geographical context. How does this help...2024-06-1838 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#71: Revelation, Part 7 (Rev. 3:7-13)In the message to the church at Philadelphia, Jesus is described as one who possesses "the key of David." What is significant about a "key" in this context, and how does Isaiah shed light upon it? Many prophecy teachers, furthermore, think this message to the Philadelphian believers is actually a message about the final tribulation and specifically alludes to the "rapture" when it says that Jesus will keep this church "from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world" (v. 10). How well does this idea stack up? Listen to find out! +++ Check...2024-06-1151 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#70: Revelation, Part 6 (Rev. 3:1-6)The church at Sardis has a reputation for "being alive," but in reality they are a "dead" church. Jesus's response is simple: he tells them to have a change of heart and "wake up." But there are other aspects of this passage that are difficult to understand. For example, Jesus tells Sardis that, if they don't repent, he "will come like a thief." Does this mean his second coming is contingent on their decision? Moreover, Jesus seems to imply that, depending on how they respond, Christians in Sardis risk having their names blotted out of the "book of life."...2024-06-0349 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#69: Revelation, Part 5 (Rev. 2:18-29)In this episode, Matt leads listeners through the message given to the church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29). This church was a growing church, though not without problems. A local false prophet, a person called "Jezebel," was apparently wreaking havoc upon the congregation by her teaching. Matt explores what, exactly, this might have been all about, as well as discusses how to make sense of the judgments depicted in vv. 22-23. He also explains the role Psalm 2:8-9 plays in this passage and outlines the textual difference between the Hebrew Bible and its corresponding Greek text. Lastly, Matt talks about...2024-05-2842 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#68: An Interview with Brian Zahnd, Part 2 (The Wood Between the Worlds)Part 2 of 2 of Matt's interview with Brian Zahnd, the author of The Wood Between the Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross (link below). Description: Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story―the axis upon which the biblical story turns. But it would be a mistake to think we could sum up the significance of the crucifixion in a tidy sentence or two. That kind of thinking only i...2024-05-2139 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#67: An Interview with Brian Zahnd, Part 1 (The Wood Between the Worlds)Part 1 of 2 of Matt's interview with Brian Zahnd, the author of The Wood Between the Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross (link below). Description: Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story―the axis upon which the biblical story turns. But it would be a mistake to think we could sum up the significance of the crucifixion in a tidy sentence or two. That kind of thinking only i...2024-05-1440 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#66: Revelation, Part 4 (Rev. 2:12-17)The city of Pergamum had a long history with the Imperial Cult. How might knowing about that relationship help modern readers understand Rev. 2:12-17 -- particularly with respect to how John writes that "Satan's throne" resides in Pergamum? Are there other things in Pergamum to which this could refer? There's also the mention of the Old Testament character Balaam, which may shed light upon the enigmatic Nicolaitans. How do we make sense of this group? And finally, there is the mysterious "hidden manna" reference in v. 17. What is John talking about and what role does it play in encouraging...2024-05-0744 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#65: Revelation, Part 3 (Rev. 2:1-11)In this episode, Matt takes listeners through the first and second messages to the seven churches -- to Ephesus and Smyrna, respectively. How do we understand the critique given to the Ephesian church? What is meant, for example, by their having "abandoned the love [they] had at first"? Moreover, who were the Nicolaitans, and what challenge did they present to these believers? When the church at Smyrna was told they would encounter difficulties for "ten days," how should we interpret that? +++ Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know...2024-04-3052 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#64: Revelation, Part 2 (Rev. 1:9-20)John’s opening vision of “the Son of Man” is full of Old Testament allusions, and readers need to gain familiarity with these OT texts in order to understand the depth of meaning John seeks to convey. It invites us to ask, “What did John’s vision—and the symbols inherent to it—intend to communicate? Why was it important for the seven churches to learn about this vision?” Moreover, some prophecy teachers think John’s “seven churches” represent seven eras of church history. How plausible is this view? Is there warrant for this idea? +++ Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World A...2024-04-2353 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#63: Revelation, Part 1 (Rev. 1:1-8)Revelation is an ancient text that garners a lot of speculation in today's modern world. Sadly, it's been read in such a way that has spread a lot of fear --not to mention confusion about what Christianity actually teaches about eschatology. In this episode, Matt kicks off a new series on this fascinating text, showing how it was originally intended to spread encouragement and clarity for the church, not despair and confusion. A range of questions are explored, such as: What (or who!) is Revelation revealing? What kind of "book" is it? How did it's author intend it to...2024-04-1647 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#62: Hermeneutics and Genre Theory: An Interview with Andrew JuddIn this episode, Matt talks with Andrew Judd, whose research brings together hermeneutics, genre theory, and biblical studies. Andrew gives listeners a tour of some of the more troubling/difficult passages of Scripture and brings to bear upon them them the insights of his research, specifically as it has to do with genre theory and the hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer -- both of which can help modern interpreters think critically and carefully about interpreting the Bible. Andrew's website: www.andyjudd.com Check out Andrew's books: www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CPLZNJKF + + + Check...2024-04-091h 08

The Bible (Unmuted)#61: All The Genealogies of the Bible - An Interview with Nancy DawsonMatt chats with Dr. Nancy Dawson about her new book, All the Genealogies of the Bible: Visual Charts and Exegetical Commentary⁠. Why are genealogies important? How do they contribute to discovering Scripture's narrative? How do genealogies give us insights into the way early Jewish and Christian people viewed the past in relation to their present? Listen to find out! Order Dr Dawson's book: https://a.co/d/62Ysg27 + + + Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/7fuglXx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Support the podcast...2024-04-021h 17

The Bible (Unmuted)#60: The Divine Council Worldview - An Interview with Ronn Johnson and Mike ChuMatt chats with Ronn Johnson and Mike Chu, who both host The Divine Council Worldview Podcast. The conversation covers a range of topics, from what is a divine council worldview and the fall of spiritual beings to translation issues and the practical benefits of DCW. Subscribe to The Divine Council Worldview Podcast on all major podcast platforms, including: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4UdkIcEWNTw9EoniNWSa4e... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-divine.../id1732773760 Audible: https://www.audible.com/.../The-Divine-Council.../B0CW783R23 Website: ⁠https://sites.libsyn.com/513968/⁠ AWKNG School of Theology: ⁠https://awkngschooloftheology.com/⁠2024-03-261h 27

The Bible (Unmuted)#59: Thy Kingdom Come: Rethinking the Darkness of Earth in Light of the Dawn of HeavenHow can the Lord's Prayer help us anticipate the eschaton? In this episode, Matt takes listeners from Eden to Easter, showing how the bodily resurrection of Jesus can inspire us to work for the Kingdom here and now as we await our own resurrection. *This is based on an article posted to Matt's website, which you can read here: "Thy Kingdom Come" + + + Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://a.co/d/7fuglXx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Support the podcast via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...2024-03-2010 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#58: Eschatology and Psalm 45 LXX (46 MT)Matt takes listeners through Psalm 45 LXX (46 MT). This Psalm is well-known ("Be still, and know that I am God"; NRSV, v. 10), but many people might not be aware of its eschatological context -- the first clue of which can be found in the LXX superscription ("For the end"). What, for instance, does this Psalm have to do with the temple visions of Ezekiel and Revelation? And how does all this connect to the Creation story of Genesis 1? Listen to find out! + + + Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://a.co/d/7fuglXx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subs...2024-03-1947 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#57: Musings on Psalm 22 (LXX)Matt takes a deep dive into Psalm 22 LXX (23 MT). Lots of questions are explored. For example, what is meant by "soul" in v. 3? And what does it have to do with the body? Moreover, what sort of image is evoked in v. 5, where God sets a table "opposite those who afflict" the psalmist? Furthermore, how might Christians understand this "table" in light of what Paul says about the Eucharist in 1 Corinthians? + + + Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://a.co/d/7fuglXx⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subscribe to The...2024-03-121h 00

The Bible (Unmuted)#56: Romans, Part 25 (Rom 16)In this final episode of the Romans series, Matt tackles a number of topics and addresses several important questions, such as: How does Romans 16 fit within the letter as a whole? Are there reasons for thinking it was not part of the original letter and, if so, how do these reasons hold up to critical scrutiny? Paul mentions a number of other people in this section, too, (Phoebe, for example) and their ministry work. What can we learn from this "greeting section"? Moreover, how does the reference to Satan being crushed under the feet of the Roman Christians shed...2024-03-051h 06

The Bible (Unmuted)#55: Romans, Part 24 (Rom 15:14-33)How did Paul envision his apostolic ministry with respect to, say, the Old Testament's levitical/sacrificial system? Did Paul think his ministry was wholly discontinuous with that system? Or did he see it as operating in continuity with it? Moreover, how did Paul think his missionary efforts related to the ministry of Isaiah's suffering servant? And finally, what role did "signs and wonders" play in Paul's work as an apostle? Listen to find out! + + + Check out Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It:⁠ ⁠https://a.co/d/7fuglXx⁠⁠ Don't fo...2024-02-2741 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#54: Acts and More - An Interview with Steve WaltonMatt chats with Steve Walton, a Senior Research Fellow at Trinity, College, Bristol. Steve is the author of Reading Acts Theologically, which was published by T&T Clark in the Library of New Testament Studies series. He is currently working on an Acts commentary, which will be published as part of the Word Biblical Commentary set. Steve’s Acts commentary comes in three volumes, the first of which will come out in October of 2024. Steve and I discuss a range of topics, including the way Luke depicts early Christian ecclesiology and missions, visions and divine revelation, the Roman empire, an...2024-02-201h 00

The Bible (Unmuted)#53: Covenants and Cross-Purposes - An Interview with Berel Dov Lerner, Part 2In this episode (Part 2 of 2), Matt talks with philosopher Berel Dov Lerner (PhD, Tel Aviv University) about his new book, Human-Divine Interactions in the Hebrew Scriptures: Covenants and Cross-Purposes. The conversation touches on a range of topics, including the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Hebrew Bible, the Abrahamic Covenant, the problem of evil, Job's suffering, the concept of "negative theology," and other topics as well. Berel's bio: ⁠https://herzlinstitute.org/en/people/berel-dov-lerner/⁠ Check out Berel's book here: ⁠https://a.co/d/aFuT4uR⁠ Berel also mentioned Charlotte Katzoff...2024-02-131h 08

The Bible (Unmuted)#52: Covenants and Cross-Purposes - An Interview with Berel Dov Lerner, Part 1In this episode (Part 1 of 2), Matt talks with philosopher Berel Dov Lerner (PhD, Tel Aviv University) about his new book, Human-Divine Interactions in the Hebrew Scriptures: Covenants and Cross-Purposes. The conversation touches on a range of topics, including the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Hebrew Bible, the Abrahamic Covenant, the problem of evil, Job's suffering, the concept of "negative theology," and other topics as well. Berel's bio: https://herzlinstitute.org/en/people/berel-dov-lerner/ Check out Berel's book here: https://a.co/d/aFuT4uR Berel also mentioned Charlotte...2024-02-061h 07

The Bible (Unmuted)#51: The Hebrew Bible - Language, Translation, and "The Heresy of Explanation": An Interview with Robert AlterIn this episode, Matt talks with Dr. Robert Alter (PhD, Harvard University) about his Hebrew Bible translation. They discuss translation theory in general and what Alter calls "the heresy of explanation." A range of other topics are discussed as well: How the language of the Hebrew Bible compared with the everyday language of an ancient Hebrew, the poem in Jeremiah 20, the two creation stories of Genesis 1-2, as well as Alter's personal writing practices through the years and a new book he's working on. About Robert Alter: https://complit.berkeley.edu/user/260 Alter's Hebrew Bible...2024-01-301h 04

The Bible (Unmuted)#50: Romans, Part 23 (Rom 15:1-13)In Romans 14-15, Paul appeals to his christological convictions to help believers learn how to navigate for themselves life within a church full of different opinions. But he does this by way of appealing to Scripture, particular to Psalm 68 (LXX) in Romans 15. Matt argues that Paul's use of Scripture here -- like the many times before in Romans -- occurs within the context of a story so important to Paul, namely, the story of God's plan to use Israel to bless the nations (Genesis 12). This episode takes listeners through Romans 15:1-13 while revisiting the concept of a "storied approach"...2024-01-2350 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#49: Romans, Part 22 (Rom 14)In the early Roman church, it appears there might have been some serious disagreements about whether (and how) to follow certain dietary restrictions. While Jewish Christians, for instance, would have wanted to follow the dietary regulations outlined in Torah, Gentiles Christians likely had different opinions on the matter. In Romans 14, Paul offers his readers some helpful guidelines for how to navigate these sorts of disagreements. When it comes to opinions over matters adiaphora, the Apostle thinks there's a lot of freedom to enjoy. In other words, Christians have the right (and responsibility) to follow the dictates of their individual...2024-01-1639 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#48: Romans, Part 21 (Rom 13)Questions about the relationship between earthly empires and the heavenly Kingdom is one that garners a lot of discussion and debate these days. But as we read through Romans 13 (and, at the same time, taking into account the witness of other relevant New Testament texts) the message is clear: Christians are to pass their days in exile by exhibiting the cruciform love of Christ. This type of ethic is powerful, for it testifies to the world that Christians have a different sort of politics than the world does. By imitating Christ, believers show themselves to be part of a...2024-01-0942 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#47: Celebrating Advent with Apocalyptic EyesDuring this Advent season, we prepare our hearts for Christmas. This involves, quite naturally, reflecting on Jesus' coming to the earth 2,000 years ago. (And it also involves anticipation -- awaiting the day when he returns again.) But as we reflect upon the coming of Jesus, we have to ask ourselves, What did Jesus reveal to us by his coming? One place to find the answer is at the back of the book, in Revelation -- originally known as The Apocalypse, which means the revealing. In Revelation, Jesus reveals a lot of things. But Jesus is also himself the revelation...2023-12-1953 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#46: What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture? An Interview with Dr. Dru JohnsonSo what hath Darwin to do with Scripture? That's the question Dr. Dru Johnson seeks to answer in his latest book. In this episode, I chat with Dru about all things evolution -- well, not all the things. Due to time constraints I, quite naturally, had to select only a few of the important ones (did you see what I did there?). At any rate, the question of evolution is one that causes many Christians (particularly North American evangelicals) a bit of angst, to say the least. Why is that? And what is the relationship between nature and the...2023-12-1256 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#45: Preview PodIn a few days I will be interviewing Dr. Dru Johnson about his new book, What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture? Comparing Conceptual Worlds of the Bible and Evolution. If you have questions you would like to ask Dr. Johnson about evolution and how it might relate to the scriptural creation stories, send them my way. You can do so by submitting the contact form on my website (link below). Pre-order Dru Johnson's book: https://a.co/d/4wi0fvW Send me your questions here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.matthewhalsted.com⁠⁠ + + + Pre-order Matt's newest book, The End o...2023-12-0801 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#44: Torah & Meditation - Reading Psalm 1 (LXX)Has the practice of extended and uninterrupted attention become a lost art -- not least with respect to meditating on Scripture? In the first chapter of the Psalter, we learn that the godly person lives a life of meditation on Torah. In this episode, Matt takes listeners through this text and discusses ways in which the righteous life is contrasted with the unrighteous life. Matt also discusses how Psalm 1 accords with Paul's discussions about Torah in Romans. Pre-order Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It here: ⁠⁠⁠Lexham Press⁠⁠⁠. Check out Eternity Col...2023-12-0551 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#43: Romans, Part 20 (Rom 12:9-21)In this episode, we take a look at Romans 12:9-21, where Paul encourages Christians to live out genuine, unhypocritical love toward others. The apostle gives readers a strategy for facing the trials and tribulations of life -- namely, exhorting them to a life of hope, endurance, and prayer. As Matt comments, prayer entails communication with God, but it is also, at the same time, deeper than that. It is, most fundamentally, communion with God. Matt also connects the discussion back to Genesis 1, outlining the way Paul conceives the Christian life as one that embodies God's original creation plan by...2023-11-281h 01

The Bible (Unmuted)#42: Romans, Part 19 (Rom 12:1-8)In this episode, Matt dives into Romans 12:1-8, where Paul encourages the church to be a living sacrifice. What does this mean? What is the significance of that word "sacrifice," and how does Paul use this concept to shape his readers' ecclesiology? And what does it have to do with spiritual gifts? Listen to find out! Pre-order Matt's newest book, The End of the World As You Know It. You can purchase through (1) ⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or (2) ⁠Lexham Press⁠ (as well as other outlets). + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.c...2023-11-2149 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#41: Romans, Part 18 (Rom 11)If you read Romans 9, you need to read Romans 11. The points Paul makes in Romans 11 are so significant such that, if you were to miss them (or ignore them), you'll misunderstand how he reads key parts of the Jewish story. In this episode, we dive into Romans 11 and see how Paul continues, and builds upon, his previous discussions about "foreknowledge," "election," and "hardening." We also look at Genesis 12 -- what does that passage have to do with Paul's argument in Romans 11? The answer is: everything. Listen to find out how Paul understands the promise of Genesis 12:1-3 in light...2023-11-1455 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#40: Romans, Part 17 (Rom 10)In this episode, Matt gives a tour through Romans 10, where Paul showcases some of his creative exegetical moves. In this chapter, Paul says Jesus is the telos (culmination) of the Torah (Rom 10:4). In this vein, Paul continues along the same road as his previous statements about the Law and its relationship to the manifestation of the righteousness of God through Jesus the Messiah (e.g. Rom 2-3). In Romans 10, readers see specifically how, for Paul, everything (including his hermeneutics!) revolves around Jesus the Messiah. Pre-order Matt's newest book: The End of the World As You Know It...2023-11-0742 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#39: Artemis and the New Testament: An Interview with Dr. Sandra GlahnIn this episode, Matt chats with Sandra Glahn (PhD, University of Texas at Dallas) about her latest book, Nobody's Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament. Sandra's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Greco-Roman world and, specifically, the New Testament. Of particular interest in this conversation is how to make sense of the phrase "she will be saved through childbearing" (1 Tim 2:15). Sandra makes a strong case that Paul is addressing the Artemis cult in this passage, which, arguably, has ramifications for how one interprets this and other parts of the pericope. Buy...2023-10-3159 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#38: The Doctrine of Justification: An Interview with Dr. Matthew J. ThomasWhat does it mean to be "justified"? This is a question that has been discussed and debated for a long time within the Christian tradition. And it's one that continues to garner much attention even today. This week Dr. Matthew J. Thomas joins the show to chat about his recent article on the doctrine of justification, which was published by the St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology (link below). Dr. Thomas discusses the major historical players, the variety of reformed views, as well as fields listener questions. About Matthew J. Thomas: https://dspt.edu/matthew-thomas Read...2023-10-241h 19

The Bible (Unmuted)#37: Are We Alone in the Universe? An Interview with Dr. Paul ThigpenMatt is joined by Dr. Paul Thigpen, the author of Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Catholic Faith: Are We Alone in the Universe with God and the Angels? Matt and Paul discuss some of the biblical and theological issues that might come up if we were to discover extraterrestrial existence. For example, what sort of ontological status would ETs have? Would they be with or without sin? Or a mix of both? And if ETs were sinful, how might God redeem them? As a historical theologian, Dr. Thigpen invites listeners to hear the wisdom of the Christian tradition. H...2023-10-171h 11

The Bible (Unmuted)#36: Women, Submission, and Household CodesIn this episode, we visit some interesting (and, indeed, controversial) texts. What does Paul mean when he says wives should "submit" to their husbands (Ephesians 5)? When he writes a letter to Corinth, Paul also says that women are to be "silent" in the church (1 Corinthians 14). How should we interpret that passage? And why does Peter call women weaker vessels (1 Peter 3)? I address these questions and more by taking a look at not just the textual context, but also the Hellenistic/cultural context. To do this, I bring attention to an important ancient text, namely, Aristotle's Politics. This provides relevant...2023-10-1049 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#35: Romans, Part 16 (Romans 9:14-33)In Romans 9:14-33, Paul talks about God's right to show mercy in the way he wants, with the same being said about divine hardening. To illustrate this, the apostle brings to the fore the story of Pharaoh, who God hardened. Matt connects this story, and the concept of hardening, back to Romans 1, which arguably sheds some light on how to understand what Paul means by "hardening." Matt also explains the metaphor of God as "the potter," who, according to Paul, fashions some for destruction and others for glory. Does this mean that salvation (and damnation) is not ultimately up...2023-10-0348 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#34: Romans, Part 15 (Rom 9:1-13)In this episode, Matt continues to discuss Paul's concept of election. He tackles a range of questions, such as: What do Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have in common with respect to their election? And what does that have to do with the Gentiles? Moreover, what does Paul intend to communicate in Romans 9:13, when he says that God has “loved Jacob, but... hated Esau" (quoting Malachi 1:2)? Is this proof that God elects some to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation? Listen to find out! + + + Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! Patreon: ⁠https...2023-09-2640 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#33: Romans, Part 14 (Rom 8:29-30)In this episode, Matt revisits Romans 8, specifically drawing attention to verses 29-30. These verses have for years been the subject of much attention, debate, and controversy. Do these verses teach that God has predestined some for eternal life? If so, does this mean that God also predestined some to eternal reprobation? If so, what does this say about the nature and character of God and human free will? To answer these questions, Matt gives a brief overview of the various conceptions of free will, as well as offers thoughts on how God's love factors into the equation...2023-09-191h 39

The Bible (Unmuted)#32: Romans, Part 13 (Rom 8)Matt takes listeners through Romans 8, where Paul continues his engagement with the Old Testament's Exodus narrative. In this chapter, Paul appears to be alluding back to God's leading the people of Israel out of Egypt, his dwelling with his people in the tabernacle, his adoption of Israel as his "son," and his judgment upon spiritual beings (the "gods"). Paul connects each of these themes to the Christian's own "exodus" from slavery by outlining the work/leading of the Spirit. The final aim of God's work, says Paul, is to restore all things, thus granting the cosmos the freedom after...2023-09-1254 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#31: Tell Her Story: An Interview with Dr. Nijay GuptaIn this episode, Matt talks with Dr. Nijay Gupta, a biblical scholar at Northern Seminary. They chat about his latest book, Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. In his book, Nijay does a fantastic job showing how the Bible depicts women taking up the mantle of ministry, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah. In this conversation, Nijay discusses the Old Testament's depiction of Deborah as a judge of Israel, the New Testament's portrayal of Phoebe as a deacon, Junia as an apostle, as well as the so-called "household codes" within...2023-09-0553 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#30: Receive the Holy Spirit: An Interview with Dr. Dan WiltIn this episode, Matt chats with Dr. Dan Wilt, the author of the new book Receive the Holy Spirit: A 70-day Journey through the Scriptures. Dan shares about why he wrote the book, as well as fields some questions about how (and whether) God speaks to us today, the contemplative life, and how we can use our Spirit-wrought gifts in our various contexts. In this fascinating conversation, Dan offers a plethora of wise thoughts on Scripture, life, and ministry that you'll find immediately encouraging and eternally beneficial. Buy Dan's book, Receive the Holy Spirit: A 70-day Journey...2023-08-291h 01

The Bible (Unmuted)#29: Romans, Part 12 (Rom 7)This episode builds upon the previous one, which outlined the ways in which Paul retells the Exodus story in Romans 6 in light of his christological convictions. It was there where Paul contextualized Christian baptism as an "exodus." In this episode, Matt explores Romans 7, where Paul continues with that same line of thinking. Paul argues that only Christ can rescue people out of their spiritual Egypt. Torah-keeping, he says, can't rescue anyone. In fact, Torah actually intensifies the problem of sin and, hence, one's spiritual enslavement (in the metaphorical Egypt). Does this mean the Torah is flawed? The answer for...2023-08-2259 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#28: Romans, Part 11 (Rom 6)In many ways, the meaning of Romans 6 is straightforward: If you're a Christian, baptized into the Messiah, then don't go back to the old ways of sinful living. Paul is adamant that, for those who have been united to Christ, the sinful lifestyle must be a thing of the past. This much is clear from the text. But is there more going on beneath the text? Arguably, there is. In this episode, Matt shows how Romans 6 harkens back to the Exodus story. By alluding to this important Jewish story, Paul effectively frames Christian baptism as a new Exodus event and...2023-08-151h 07

The Bible (Unmuted)#27: Romans, Part 10 (Rom 5)In Romans 5, Paul continues his discussion about justification by describing what results in justification, namely, peace with God. Paul continues his exposé by hearkening readers back to Genesis, where Adam sins. Modern readers are left with pressing questions -- not least about how the sin of Adam impacted humanity as a whole. Does this negate individual responsibility? Following other scholars, Matt offers a perspective that keeps a balance between the communal and individual aspects of human sinfulness. Additionally, with respect to hermeneutics, other questions are just as important: Does Paul argue from plight to solution or from solution to p...2023-08-0843 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#26: Theology and the Bible: An Interview with Dr. Andrew HollingsworthWhat is theology? And what is the relationship between theology and the Bible? In this episode, Matt chats with Andrew Hollingsworth, a well-versed theologian who has a knack for these sorts of questions. Matt and Andrew discuss the role reason and tradition play in interpreting Scripture, as well as the ins and outs of theological method -- dabbling into hermeneutical and philosophical issues along the way. + + + Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with others! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted www.matthewhalsted.com 2023-08-011h 40

The Bible (Unmuted)#25: Christianity, ET, and UFOsWould the discovery of aliens undermine Christianity? In this short episode, I introduce a new article I wrote for Premier Christianity magazine (link below). Premier Christianity article: https://www.premierchristianity.com/features/why-its-time-for-christians-to-take-ufos-seriously/15974.article Interview with Ross Coulthart: https://youtu.be/ZljDzLn1wso + + + Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with others! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted www.matthewhalsted.com 2023-07-2702 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#24: Questions and Answers 2In this episode, Matt address two listeners questions about eschatology: (1) What does it mean to "watch" and "wait" for Jesus' future return in the current day? And (2) when the Bible says God will save Christians from "wrath," how does this square with the view that says there will be no rapture? Both questions are fantastic, and the various biblical texts explored in this episode make for intriguing conversations and further discussion as we think about eschatology. Submit your questions to: https://matthewhalsted.com/contact/ + + + Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast an...2023-07-2529 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#23: Reflections on Table, Time, and ChurchIn this episode, Matthew talks about the benefits of taking weekly communion and following the Christian calendar. He reminds us that Christianity is a communal faith -- one that promotes unity with Christ and each other. There are no "lone ranger" Christians, and rugged individualism is not part of our ancient faith. As a church, therefore, we are called to the communion table, and we are summoned to fix our time and attention around the rhythms of the biblical story -- the center of which is Jesus the Messiah. + + + Don't forget to subscribe to the po...2023-07-2108 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#22: Bible Education (Unmuted): An Interview with Ernesto Duke and Joshua WalkerIn this episode, I interview two of my Eternity Bible College colleagues, Ernesto Duke (President) and Joshua Walker (Vice President/Academic Dean). We talk about a range of things: from the rising cost of biblical education to curriculum to the virtues of thinking deeply and critical about our theological assumptions. In this honest and transparent conversation, we talk about the history, heart, and aims of Eternity Bible College. At the heart of our mission is to provide quality education in a way that is accessible (geographically/financially) to students all across the world. To learn more about...2023-07-181h 18

The Bible (Unmuted)#21: Romans, Part 9 (Rom 4)In this episode, Matt offers an interpretive tour through Romans 4. In this chapter, Paul quotes from Psalm 31 (LXX) and key portions of Genesis. One of the interesting questions about these quotations is the way in which Paul employs them as part of his argument that circumcision (works of Torah) are not required for covenant membership. But how would Paul's contemporaries (his non-Christian Jewish interlocutors) have thought about Paul's argument? Would they be persuaded by his interpretations of Genesis and Psalm 31? We answer these questions and more in this episode, addressing the nature of Paul's interpretive posture with respect to...2023-07-1159 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#20: Romans, Part 8 (the Servant in Philippians 2)This episode serves as a bridge of sorts between Romans 3 and 4. In the last episode, Matt discussed Paul's idea that God's righteousness is revealed through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah. This took listeners back to Genesis 11-12, as well to Isaiah's "Servant Songs" and connected those back to Jesus. In this episode, Matt look further into Paul's understanding of Isaiah's servant -- only this time taking a detour through Philippians 2:5-11, the "Christ Hymn." In this passage, Paul quotes from Isaiah, taking a YHWH text and reconfiguring it around Jesus the Messiah -- what one might call a...2023-07-0450 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#19: Romans, Part 7 (Rom 3)In this episode, we dive back into Romans -- this time in chapter 3. This is a pivotal chapter in the book itself. From the start, Paul asks a very important question: If Israel has been unfaithful to her God-given vocation to be a light to the nations, then will God be unfaithful too? Will God backtrack on his promises to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3)? That's the question of Romans 3. For Paul, the answer is simple: God will be faithful to the covenant promises. But how? That's another key question. And the answer is that God's faithfulness is demonstrated through the...2023-06-2746 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#18: The Judas We Never Knew: An Interview with Jerome Van KuikenIn this episode, Matt talks with Jerome Van Kuiken about his new book The Judas We Never Knew. Everyone is familiar with Judas in the New Testament, namely, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. But there's another Judas who many might not be familiar with at all. This Judas wrote a little book that can be found near the end of the New Testament -- the book of Jude. It's a rather short letter, and if you blink, you'll miss it altogether. Who was this Judas? What message would he have for today's world? Despite the small size of his...2023-06-2056 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#17: Questions & Answers 1In this episode, it's all about Q&A. Matt is accompanied by a very special guest as he offers answers to a range of questions, such as: Is evolution compatible with the Bible? Can the "Divine Withdrawal" view of God's wrath capture the full scope of what it means for God to bring judgment? Can Christians lose their salvation? and Would the existence of aliens undermine the truth of the Bible? A lot of ground is covered, so buckle up! + + + Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with others! Patreon: https...2023-06-131h 05

The Bible (Unmuted)#16: Romans, Part 6 (Rom 2:17-29)In this episode, Matt continues the journey through Romans 2, this time addressing vv. 17-29. The discussion centers around Israel's calling to be a light to the nations and how, due to her sin, Israel has not fulfilled this God-given mission. In fact, according to Paul, not only has Israel not glorified God's name among the nations, but her sin (and exile) has caused God's name to be dishonored among the nations -- despite the fact that Israel has boasted in Torah, believing it to be the source of truth and wisdom. Given that Israel is called to be a...2023-06-0650 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#15: Romans, Part 5 (Romans 2:1-16)In this episode, Matt takes listeners through the first section of Romans 2 (vv. 1-16). This episode covers a lot of ground, tackling topics such as the relationship between good works and the final judgment, as well as addressing larger questions about the relationship between "grace" and "faithfulness." Specifically, this show focuses in on Paul's enigmatic statement that "it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified" (2:13). What does Paul mean by doing the law in this verse? And, furthermore, how does this statement align with...2023-05-3052 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#14: Romans, Part 4 (Rom 1:18-32)In this fourth installment of the Romans series, Matt guides listeners through the text of Romans 1:18-32, where Paul talks about the "wrath" of God. How should we think of divine wrath and judgment? Is the concept of divine wrath consistent with the idea that God is love? Matt addresses these and other questions in light of Greg Boyd's work on the subject -- particularly with respect to his idea of divine wrath as "aikido" and "divine withdrawal." + + + Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with others! Patreon: https://www.p...2023-05-1653 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#13: Updates and Preliminary Thoughts on Divine Wrath+ + + If you like this podcast, consider becoming a Patreon supporter. You can do so by visiting https://www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted Don't forget to subscribe and share with others! www.matthewhalsted.com 2023-05-0930 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#12: Romans, Part 3 (Romans 1:8-17)In this third installment of our series through Romans, Matthew gives a tour through Romans 1:8-17. He begins by talking about "charisma" and Paul's mention of "grace-gift" in vv. 11-12. After a brief discussion regarding "spiritual gifts," Matthew takes listeners to the heart of this section, namely, to vv. 16-17. It is there where Paul offers readers his fundamental thesis that, in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed. Time is spent investigating what, exactly, Paul meant by not being "ashamed" of the gospel (especially in light of the Old Testament texts like Psalm 71). Matthew also addresses questions...2023-05-0244 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#11: Romans: Introduction, Part 2In this episode, Matthew continues through Romans 1:1-7, finishing up the introduction of Paul's letter to Romans. He revisits the concept of "gospel" by looking at Isaiah 52:7 and how Paul uses this verse in Romans. Matthew also looks at how Paul thinks Jesus' resurrection vindicated (=justified) his claim to be "son of God" and how this helps us understand the believer's own justification in Christ. Listeners are also given a tour into that ambiguous phrase "the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5). What did Paul mean by this? What is the relationship between obedience and faith? How does this phrase relate...2023-04-2536 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#10: Romans: Introduction, Part 1In this episode, Matthew kicks off his extended series through the book of Romans. In this first installment, Matthew focuses on Romans 1:1. Specifically, he talks about Paul's calling as an apostle and his Damascus Road experience of the risen Christ. The remainder of the time is spent unpacking what Paul meant by "gospel” (Rom 1:1). To guide us in this investigation, Matthew points listeners to an ancient inscription -- the so-called "Priene Inscription," which was written around 9 BC. Arguably, this inscription offers important insights into how people of the first century thought about, and used, the word "gospel.” As a resu...2023-04-1827 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#9: Review and PreviewIn this “review and preview” episode, Matt offers reflections on some of the highlights from the last 8 episodes. He also shares about an upcoming series from the New Testament he will be doing, as well as the various topics/subjects that will be explored in the weeks and months ahead related to that series. Hint: If you’re interested in questions surrounding divine and human agency with respect to sin/evil, judgment, and salvation, then you won’t want to miss future episodes! + + + If you like this podcast, consider becoming a Patreon supporter. You can do so by visit...2023-04-1143 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#8: The Resurrection of Jesus - An Interview with Gary HabermasIs it reasonable to believe Jesus rose from the dead? Do the historical facts support the conclusion that Jesus resurrected? During this holy week (2023), I chat with Dr. Gary Habermas about these and other related questions. Gary is a well-known scholar of resurrection studies, and in this conversation he shares about his lifelong investigation into what really happened on that first Easter morning. A link to Gary's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gary-R.-Habermas/author/B001H6IJPO?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 2023-04-041h 10

The Bible (Unmuted)#7: Revelation for the Rest of Us - An Interview with Scot McKnightIn this episode, we dive back into Revelation, only this time with a special guest: Dr. Scot McKnight. Scot is a Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He's a well-known biblical scholar and is the author of a number of books. Our conversation centers around his latest book, Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple. We talk about a host of topics that revolve around all things Revelation, such as understanding concepts like divine wrath and judgment and how that relates to Jesus being depicted as "Lamb." We also...2023-03-2859 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#6: Revelation: The mistakes we make, Part 2In this episode, Matthew continues his discussion on Revelation. In the previous episode, Matthew talked about one mistake people make when they read Revelation -- namely, not knowing that Revelation is a letter to seven first-century churches (it's not a book in the modern sense of the word). In this episode, Matthew talks about two other common mistakes people make. He draws awareness to the fact that Revelation is an apocalypse, which is a genre of ancient writing that includes the use of symbols to convey important truths. He also corrects mistaken ideas about prophecy. Since Revelation describes itself...2023-03-2041 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#5: Revelation: The mistakes we make, Part 1In this episode, Matthew talks about one of the most common mistakes people make when they read Revelation. Many people have been taught that Revelation is a play-by-play of future, eschatological events. A lot of people assume that this last book of the New Testament lays out a blueprint for the end times. Is this true? In this episode, Matthew tackles these and other questions. He helps readers see the importance of becoming familiar with Revelation's historical context. He offers an example from Revelation 17 on how knowing historical/cultural context can shed much-needed light on an otherwise enigmatic passage. ...2023-03-1330 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#4: What the Psalms can teach us about doubt, faith, and prayerIn this episode, Matthew offers some quick thoughts on Psalms. How can reading the psalms teach us to pray? What can we learn from them about faith and doubt? Is it ever okay to share our doubts with God, even if they're about him? What about the imprecatory psalms -- should we pray them, too? What do they reveal about humanity, and what can they teach us about God? +++ If you like this podcast, please consider subscribing and sharing with others. www.matthewhalsted.com 2023-03-0611 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#3: How to read the Bible faithfully: Three things to keep in mindIn this episode, Matthew talks about reading the Bible faithfully. What things should we keep in mind when we read Scripture? Does a person need to know the original context? If so, how does the original context relate to the interpreter's modern context? Can we read Scripture without bringing our presuppositions to it? Does applying Scripture to our unique situation play a role in our understanding of Scripture? In many ways, this episode only scratches the surface when it addresses these (and other) questions. But it provides listeners a launching point for thinking about how to read Scripture rightly...2023-02-2713 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#2: Encountering Mystery - An interview with Dale C. AllisonIn an age dominated by secularism and philosophical naturalism, the idea that people have supernatural experiences is often considered to be a relic of a bygone era. And yet, credible people still report such experiences. That's the subject of this episode, which features an interview with Dale C. Allison about his recent book, Encountering Mystery: Religious Experience in a Secular Age. In his book, Allison documents and discusses a range of religious experiences that people have reported -- including his own (which he shares in this interview). For students of the Bible, this topic is an important one to...2023-02-2057 min

The Bible (Unmuted)#1 Introducing The Bible UnmutedIn this episode, Matthew introducesThe Bible Unmuted. What can you expect from the podcast in the days ahead? What's the format going to be like? In addition to answering these questions, Matthew also explains why he named the show "The Bible Unmuted." Here's a hint: the name is all about hermeneutics! If you like this podcast, consider subscribing and sharing with your friends.2023-02-1522 min