The Churches The World

In this episode, I pick up where I left off a few episodes ago with the history of the New Kingdom, covering Pharaoh Amenhotep the 2nd, Thutmose the 4th, and Amenhotep the 4th. Their reigns spanned the years 1427 through 1353 BC and represent the high point of Egyptian civilization in the period. Next week, I'll continue the history of the New Kingdom. After listening, let me know what you think.

In this episode, I cover what is known about the pre-history of Egypt up through the Middle Kingdom. Embedded in this, I discuss the factors that led to the settlement of the area, the changing climate, and even touch on their medical knowledge. Next week, I'll pick up with the collapse of the Middle Kingdom and work through the time just before the birth of Christ.   After listening, let me know what you think.

This week I cover the geography of the Dead Sea. From the somewhat trivial, such as its size, to how it's thought to have formed, are explored. Also, is it really dead? Yes there is some life. And a relative of the manatee is discussed. Next week, I'll cover the history of the Dead Sea.

The Sumerians Part 6 This episode is the sixth and last episode that explores the history of Sumer, as referenced in Genesis Chapter 10 via the city-state of Uruk. The covers the government, language, society, people, and military of the 2,000 years of Sumer. In two weeks, I will cover the Elamites, of ancient western Iran.   After listening, let me know what you think.

The Sumerians Part 5 This episode is the fifth of probably six that will explore the history of Sumer, as referenced in Genesis Chapter 10 via the city-state of Uruk. The episode picks up where the Gutians are driven out of Mesopotamia and the establishment of the Third Dynasty of Ur. I chronicle the rulers of the so-called Sumerian Renaissance from the reestablishment of the kingdom through to their downfall. In two weeks I plan on wrapping up the Sumerians with an overview of their culture, language, military, and government.   After listening, let me know what you think.

This episode is the fourth of a few that will explore the history of Sumer, as referenced in Genesis Chapter 10 via the city-state of Uruk. Well actually, the episode is primarily about the Akkadians and the Gutians who ruled the same geographic area as the Sumerians between the second and third dynasties of Sumer. The Akkadians were also referenced in Genesis 10, and were ruled primarily by Sargon the Great. Like the last episode, I spend a little time with the legal code from the period, this time the code of Ur-Nammu. In two weeks I pick up the Sumerians again with the period known as the Sumerian Renaissance.   After listening, let me know what you think.

This episode is the third of a few that will explore the history of Sumer, as referenced in Genesis Chapter 10 via the city-state of Uruk. The episode takes a look at what is known as the Early Dynastic period of Sumer. I start with the Sumerian King list and walk through the different leaders of the numerous city states. Also, I spend a little time with the first known legal code, that of Urukagina.   The episode wraps up as when Sargon of Acadia shows up. In two weeks, I will pause the discussion of the Sumerians to look into what became of this man known as Sargon the Great.   After listening, let me know what you think.

The Sumerians Part 2 This episode is the second of a few that will explore the history of Sumer. This episode investigates the first people that would settle in the area that would later become known as Sumer. First, I touch on the modern archaeologist that discovered the once thought mythical city of Uruk. Next, I discuss the Ubaid period and the people who lived there at the time. Finally, the Uruk period is examined.  Also, I touch on the Sumerian King list. The discussion of the Sumerians will continue in two weeks.   After listening, let me know what you think.

The Sumerians Part 1 This episode is the first of a few that will explore the history of Sumer. This episode avoids most dates and really does not go into depth of the leaders and culture. Instead, I explore how the language, both written and oral developed.  Also the numeric system is investigated, along with the impact that system continues to have to this day. I take a little side trip into the Bronze Age and explain what this term actually means. Finally, the development of agriculture is looked at. The next episode will be in two weeks, when I'll begin with the leadership and culture of this society where it is believed Abraham lived.      After listening, let me know what you think.

This episode is the second of two about the tower at Babel, and specifically concentrates on the confusing of tongues as found in Genesis Chapter 11. The episode explores several stories from around the world concerning the origin of the many diverse languages. Then, I look at the views of the scientific community regarding the same subject. I pull in some contemporary examples of language development and delve into what separates man from animals. Finally, I explain why the scientific view of language development will probably always remain a hypothesis, and never develop into a theory.   The next episode will be in two weeks, and if you listen, you will know why. Join me next time when I'll get started on the Sumerians.

This episode is the first of two about the tower at Babel and the confusing of tongues as found in Genesis Chapter 11. I also formulate answers to a few questions. Where was the tower? How tall was the tower? Was it destroyed? What was the language they spoke? Who was the ‘us' God was referring to? Who was this Nimrod? Next week, I'll dive into the scientific theories around the origin of language as well as stories from other cultures about why there are so many languages.      After listening, let me know what you think.

This episode completes the dive into the Biblical flood story with an exploration of Mt. Ararat. Why is this mountain considered by many to be the resting place of the ark? Also, where are the other potential resting places?  I also explore other flood stories from around the globe including the Akkadian, Sumerian, and Babylonian, all from the same region and time as the Genesis story.  In addition, there are African, Hindu, Mayan, various European, Hawaiian, and Cherokee stories, among others. All of these are included since they are similar, in various ways, to the Biblical story. Next week, I'll discuss the Tower of Babel and the origin of language. No short task.      After listening, let me know what you think.

This episode dives into the Biblical flood story as presented in the book of Genesis. In it, the traditional misunderstandings of the story and a common misinterpretation are discussed. Also covered is the approximate date of the flood. In addition, a few possible scientific theories as to what would have caused such a great flood are examined. Finally, a brief explanation is given for a few of the items between the Creation Story and Flood Story that are not covered, such as the Land of Nod, Enoch, and the Nephilim. Next week, I'll explore flood stories from around the world.

This episode explores the ancient civilizations in the area on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. I walk, in a fair amount of detail, through the histories of the Sumerians, Persians, Egyptians, Akkadians, Greeks, Parthians, Aramaeans, and Chaldeans. All of this is in preparation for the forthcoming more extensive histories. Next week, dive into the biblical flood story.      After listening, let me know what you think.

The Fertile Crescent, also known as the Cradle of Civilization is explained and explored. This episode also walks through a few theories relating to the climate of that region in the time period of the Old Testament. But, before this is done, the methods used by researchers in deducing their theories is explained. Finally, I delve into the history of the ancient city of Kish, which many believe is the region of Cush, as mentioned in Genesis.  Next week, I'll give a general outline of the human history of the region that will serve as a basis for the forthcoming deep dives.

The four rivers of Genesis, namely the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates are explored. This episode also gives an overview into the geography of Mesopotamia.  Next week, I'll expand out geographically and give an overview into the Fertile Crescent as well as the climate of the time. I'll also give a general outline into the human history of the region that will serve as a basis for the forthcoming deep dives.      After listening, let me know what you think.

This episodes recounts the Christian creation story found in the first three chapters of the book of Genesis.  I conduct a shallow dive into whether there is a singular creation story or two separate stories. Next week, I'll explore the geography of the region known as Mesopotamia, where the creation story is thought to have taken place.

This episodes the creation myths from Mesopotamia, Samaria, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, India, Islam, and several Native American tribes.  Why do I do this? So that is becomes apparent that the ones that should be similar to the story in Genesis, due to their geographic proximity and shared cultures, are not. Indeed, the story in Genesis bears more resemblance to stories from the other side of the world. Next week, I'll do a shallow dive into the creation story of Genesis.

In this episode, I explore the tablet theory, sometimes referred to as the Wiseman hypothesis concerning the authorship of Genesis. And no, it's not the wisemen from the gospels, but a couple of Wisemen from a little later. I explore the basis of the theory as well as its limitations. I'll also let you know where these tablets can be found today. After listening, you can impress your friends with the three theories on how Genesis was written, including this one, the Moses authorship, and the Documentary Theory.      After listening, let me know what you think.

This episode provides an overview of the Pentateuch, known more commonly as the first five books of the Old Testament. I also dive into the theories surrounding who wrote the books and begin to touch on the societies and geographies of the Old Testament world. This will all serve as a background for the deeper dive into that time and region, which will be the focus of this chapter. After listening, let me know what you think.

This episode is the last episode of the first chapter. In it, I provide a summary of the making of the three Bible versions that will be utilized in the podcast. This summary, of course, has less detail than the six previous episodes, and helps to wrap up the chapter. I also provide an analogy that explains why I use three different versions instead of one.   

This episode is the second of two where the history of the New International Version of the Bible is studied. The episode walks the listener the criticisms of the so-called dynamic equivalence translations methodology, generally referred to as a paraphrase. I also dive a little deeper into the use of gender neutral language. 

This episode is the first of two where the history of the New International Version of the Bible is studied. The episode walks the listener through who formulated the idea for this version and the translation process that followed. I offer my own opinion on the use of gender neutral language. Also, the revisions and other versions that were published after the initial release are touched on. 

This episode is the second of two where I cover the history of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The episode picks up in the middle of the history of the Revised Standard Version and then culminates with the New Revised Standard Version. I wrap it up with some of the controversies stemming from the decisions of the translation panel and draw a parallel to the King James Version. 

This episode is the first of two where I cover the history of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Actually, in this first part, I cover the history and details of the English Revised Version a direct decedent of the King James Version, the American Standard Version, and make it part of the way through the Revised Standard Version. I also touch on the changing source material for the versions and the evolution of the English language that was part of the reason for the revisions.

This episode is the second of two where we explore the history of the King James Version of the Bible. In it, the translation process is explained and also how the book was brought to print in the 17th century.  Further, I explain why the KJV we read today is not that version, and why that is the case. Last, I answer the question, ‘Did William Shakespeare play a role in the creation of the version?'

This episode is the first of two where we explore the history of the King James Version of the Bible. In it, we learn why King James the First decided to authorize the version and look into the background of some of the scholars who participated in the translation. Also, we touch on the Greek and Hebrew texts from which the work was sourced.

This is the first episode of The Churches The World. There is no history in this episode, that will begin next week with a look into the King James Version. Instead, this episode talks the listener through the structure of the podcast and what exactly sets this educational podcast apart from the others currently on the market. It is a bit shorter than the anticipated length, running just over 12 minutes, but is the best place to start listening. Otherwise, you may wonder why it is structured as it is. So, give it a listen, and let me know what you think.