Reading the Bible Responsibly

Let's talk about what scripture says about scripture. One psalmist says that God's words are a light and a lamp. How so?

This is the final episode on Jonah. We'll look at each chapter and see how to read it more responsibly. Jonah is about more than big fishes and running from God. In this episode, we cover Jonah's angry response to God's compassion on the Ninevites, and we examine ways in which we might unfortunately mirror Jonah's mindset.

This is the third of a four episode series on Jonah. We'll look at each chapter and see how to read it more responsibly. Jonah is about more than big fishes and running from God. In this episode, we cover Jonah's 8-word sermon and the impressive, almost over-the-top, response from Nineveh. Jonah preaches their impending doom, but the people change God's mind.

This is the second of a four episode series on Jonah. We'll look at each chapter and see how to read it more responsibly. Jonah is about more than big fishes and running from God. In this episode, we cover Jonah's prayer in chapter 2. Jonah claims that that God is the cause of his descent into the sea, but Jonah also is certain of God's deliverance before it even happens. 

This is the first of a four episode series on Jonah. We'll look at each chapter and see how to read it more responsibly. Jonah is about more than big fishes and running from God.  In this episode, Josh gives some background on Jonah and walks through chapter 1. God tells Jonah to get up, but Jonah goes down, down, down. God calls Jonah to go one way, but he goes almost the direct opposite. Why is Jonah so opposed to going to Nineveh? And how is his disobedience inadvertently an act of evangelism?

Is feeding a hungry person a spiritual act? Are good deeds a second-class form of discipleship?

Is feeding a hungry person a spiritual act? Are good deeds a second-class form of discipleship?

Why are some of the details in the creation stories of Genesis 1-2 different? And what does that imply about their authorship? Links referenced in this episode: Breakdown of the two flood sources Wikipedia on the Documentary Hypothesis

Did Moses write every bit of Genesis-Deuteronomy? If others were involved, how does that inform our view of inspiration?

The dramatic and dangerous war in Ukraine is making many wonder if there are predictions in the Bible about this. So are there verses in the Bible that predict a cataclysmic war instigated by Russia, and is it the current one? Does the Bible predict events in general that are happening now? How should we think about Bible prophecy and current events?

Is “church” any gathering of believers in any format? Is it a building where that gathering happens?

When Jesus says “Where two or more are gathered in my name, I'm there with them,” what does he mean? Is he endorsing some sort of micro-church gatherings?

Was Peter the first pope? What kind of authority did he have, and was it different from other early Christian leaders?

What's going on verses that are missing from the Bible? How exactly does Mark's gospel end? Are your translators trying to keep things out of the Bible they don't like, or are there some other issues with the text?

Will Christians be whisked away unexpectedly, leaving non-Christians behind to fend for themselves, even for another thousand years? Is the rapture even a biblical concept?

Is a miracle something unnatural done by God? Is every unexpectedly good thing that happens to me a miracle? Is there a difference in how we should use “miracle” and, say, “blessing”? Join Josh for the sixth episode in the “You Keep Using That Word” miniseries.

If God loves the world (John 3:16), why are Christians commanded not to love the world (1 John 2:15)? What is the Christian posture toward “the world”? Join Josh for the fifth episode in the “You Keep Using That Word” miniseries.

Is “humbled” just a more modest synonym for “honored?” What does it truly mean to be humbled? Join Josh for the fourth episode in the “You Keep Using That Word” miniseries.

Is the freedom for believers that scripture talks about the same as democratic freedoms? Are we using the word "freedom" scripturally when we talk about it this way? Join Josh for the third episode in the “You Keep Using That Word” miniseries.

How can the Bible say “do not kill” (Exodus 20) and then go on to talk about capital crimes (Exodus 21)? What's going on with the word for “kill”/”murder” in the Ten Commandments? Join Josh for the second episode in the “You Keep Using That Word” miniseries.

We begin a new series called “You Keep Using That Word,” focusing on often-misunderstood Bible words. This episode is about the word “heart.” Is it the "emotional" part of humans, in contrast with the superior "thinking," "rational" head? How does scripture use this word?

This episode includes tips for forming meaningful, long-lasting habits - especially for reading the Bible - as we enter the New Year's resolution season. If you've wanted to create a scripture reading habit, these resources are a great place to start. Links mentioned in this episode: Josh's Facebook page (view live video) “How to Form Spiritual Habits” in the How to Christian podcast: 8 Daily Devotionals for a Great New Year

Why do Christians celebrate Christmas? Was Jesus born in December 25? Is Christmas in the Bible? Is it OK to celebrate it?

In this wrap-up episode to the Genesis mini-series, Josh gives 5 principles for reading Genesis responsibly. Links referenced in this episode: Atrahasis (Ancient Near-Eastern Creation Story) Enuma Elish (Ancient Near-Eastern Creation Story) Francis Collins, The Language of God

This episode is an interview with Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray, author of Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark: The Bible and Modern Science and the Trouble of Making It All Fit. Links referenced in this episode Dr. Ray's website Dr. Ray on Facebook Dr. Ray's book Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark

Genesis 3 tells a story of a proverbial tree of life and tree of knowledge, a bad choice about eating from one of them, and a talking snake. What do these stories teach us about humanity?

Why does there seem to be two creation stories in Genesis? Are we supposed to merge these stories? Do the apparent contradictions discredit the Bible? What's a responsible way to read the second creation story?

Why did God need to rest? Are we supposed to rest too? Are we supposed to keep the actual Sabbath?

Do humans look like God? Does God look like us? How exactly are we “in God's image”?

Is there a vault in the sky? What do we do with the dome that Genesis 1 talks about? Links reference in this episode: The Three-Storied Universe (see especially the graphic there) The Canopy Theory The Collapse of the Canopy Model

How should we read Genesis 1? This episode is part of a mini-series on Reading Genesis Responsibly.

What's with all the Bible translations? Are there any we should avoid completely? How do we choose?

Is money evil? What about the love of money? Does that phrasing make a difference?

Does Jesus tell us to pay our taxes? Links referenced in this episode: Samples of ancient Roman coins

What's the deal with gender in Bible translation? Links referenced in this episode: “Is the NIV Gender-Neutral?” Kate Shellnutt: “Gender Inclusivity Isn't Liberal: It's Biblical.”

What's the big deal with skipping church (or “forsaking the assembly”)?

Is the Old Testament just about law, and the New Testament about grace? Or is this perhaps an unfair division?

Are epidurals wrong according to Genesis 3? If not, what else might we need to think about the punishments God gives Adam and Eve?

Can rich people go to heaven? What's going on with Jesus's statement about camels going through needles' eyes?

If I choose the wrong job, spouse, or school, am I ignoring God's plan for my life?

Does everything happen for reason? Do I need to look for the greater good in everything I experience?

What does it mean to be the "weaker" brother or sister? And should we ever claim that?

Will God give you more than you can handle?

Does God have plans to prosper you?

Does good parenting always lead to faithful kids?

Does Jesus help me win sports matches, get promotions, and achieve all my goals?

What does it mean to turn the other cheek? Is this a way to ignore a threat?

Does the phrase “eye for an eye” require harsh punishment? Does God require vengeance? Or is something else going on with that phrase? Links referenced in this episode: · English translation of Hammurabi's code

Jesus says there will always be poor people around. Is that a reason to care less or more about helping those in poverty?

We hear lots of people described as “Good Samaritans,” but is that really a great compliment? Why is this story Jesus tells so shocking?

Many English speakers prefer to capitalize pronouns that refer to God. Others do not. Is there a right answer? Is capitalizing the more faithful way to go? And what about other languages – do they have the same rules? Links referenced in the episode: Wikipedia on Reverential Capitalization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverential_capitalization Wikipedia on Koiné Greek Uncial Manuscripts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_Testament_uncials