We delve into the fascinating historical context surrounding the birth of Jesus, who was born to be king, through the tumultuous world of King Herod and the Roman Caesars. Discover how Jesus' birth and teachings presented a radical departure from the totalitarian and often brutal reigns of worldly kings. This Christmas-themed podcast reveals the profound differences between the kings of men and the king who was laid in a manger. Tune in to explore the themes of humility, justice, and divine kingship that continue to inspire and challenge us today.
We delve into the historical background of the book of Judges and examine its structure, highlighting the cyclical pattern of Israel’s faithfulness and failure. After exploring the darkest chapters towards the end of Judges, illustrating Israel's moral decline, we throw in a bonus positive note by briefly discussing the book of Ruth!
The book of Joshua is difficult and sometimes controversial. By examining its structure and themes that lead us to some surprising key characters, like Rahab and the Gibeonites, we discuss the moral and historical complexities in this introduction to the book of Joshua.
Laurence and Paul try to make the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament, easier to read. By breaking down its seven distinct sections, from fatherly advice to the young, through to reflections at the end of life, they aim to make Proverbs more accessible and meaningful. They also think about how Proverbs relates to other ancient wisdom literature and finish up by testing Laurence on his ability to recognise types of parallelisms!
Paul and Dan talk with Dale Tuggy and Mark Cain to find out about all the work they do with the Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA) including their upcoming first conference outside the US to be held in Windsor, London 25 July 2024. They also discuss how increasing numbers of people are coming to understand the Biblical God, rather than one of the many 'trinity theories'. Learn more about how you can help the growing network of people coming to a Biblical understanding of God and his son Jesus!
We speak to Rachel Hocking from Brisbane, Australia about the latest Worship Book, a collection of "Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" crafted by members of the Christadelphian community. We discuss the blend of traditional and contemporary styles, the distinctive doctrines highlighted in song, and how this project is an exciting window into the global Christadelphian church.
In this episode, instead of a high level overview, we delve deep into one complex and much debated passage in Philippians 2 which says that Jesus was "in the form of God". We navigate through various translations, interpretations, and biblical contexts to uncover the essence of this pivotal scripture.
In this episode Dan and Paul embark on an exploration of John's Gospel, unraveling its sense of majesty and mystery right from the opening verses. They discuss the unique structure and content of John's Gospel, comparing it to the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—highlighting its distinct opening, key themes, and the explicit purpose stated in John's narrative. They delve into the significance of belief, the role of witnessing, and the powerful symbolism of water and blood, offering a compelling argument for understanding John’s Gospel as a carefully selected collection of events aimed at strengthening the reader's faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
In this episode, we discuss the relevance and impact of Christianity in the modern world. We delve into how aspects of Christianity have influenced society, not only in superficial ways like our calendar, but in deeper things such as values, moral codes, and societal norms. Many fundamental beliefs and values in Western society, such as the sanctity of life and the concept of equality, have their roots in Christian teachings. That may make Christianity relevant in modern society, but does it make it true?
Paul and Dan talk about "intertextuality" - basically, how the meaning of a text is influenced by references to other texts. The Bible (not surprisingly) is full of links between its 66 books. But how far can we take this? Can we go too far and see patterns where there are none (like seeing the face of Jesus in a slice of toast)?!