Podcasts about Two Cities

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Brandon Grafius, who is academic dean and professor of biblical studies at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, and he's the author of several works on religion and horror, including the book that we're excited to talk about in this episode, Concerning Dust and Ashes: Affects of Horror in the Hebrew Bible (Oxford University Press). Over the course of our conversation, we discussed horrifying elements in the Bible. Specifically, we discuss how horror cannot be limited to narrative or scary monsters, but should be rooted in an affective mood that the text evokes. With this in mind, Dr. Grafius highlights how there's so much more terror in the Bible than is often acknowledged. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Brandon Hurlbert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Spencer and Ashish Varma reflect on the previous episode's conversation with Veronica Roberts Ogle — and on what happens when Augustine gets recruited for arguments he was writing against. The starting point is a claim James has encountered in political speeches: that the two cities can be collapsed, and that a nation might become the city of God. Both men think this misses Augustine's whole point. The cities are distinguished by their loves, and a community formed by self-love doesn't graduate into the other by improving its policies. From there the conversation widens. James connects Augustine's ordered loves to the Old Testament grammar of love as loyalty, and argues again that the ordo amoris isn't a ranked list. Ashish brings in Balthasar on faith as resonance — the violin that sounds because it's attuned — and Tolkien's music of creation, which is like unto a chorus without quite being one. They land on the wedge that can't be closed: a nation is bounded by resources and space, while there is always room in the kingdom for one more. Plus: pilgrims versus tourists, and why Las Vegas may be America's most honest city. Chapters: 00:00 Reflecting on the Ogle conversation 02:00 When Augustine gets enlisted for a Christian nation 06:48 Love as loyalty: Deuteronomy 6 and 1 John 09:11 Ordered loves is not a dartboard 11:25 The Good Samaritan and the outer ring 1 1:50 Balthasar: faith as resonance and attunement 17:03 Why not a chorus? Tolkien and the limits of language 19:30 Can non-Christians love? 25:11 Sameness that improvises rather than repeats 28:45 Wholesomeness is not holiness 33:07 False theologies and the sacred function of the state 39:27 The wedge: bounded nations, unbounded kingdom 44:48 What the church can do that the state cannot 50:08 O'Donovan: governing authorities as secondary witness 53:43 Pilgrims and tourists 59:39 Provision, anxiety, and the faith muscle Augustine City of God, two cities, ordo amoris, ordered loves, Christian nationalism, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Tolkien Ainulindalë, Oliver O'Donovan, William Cavanaugh, pilgrim and tourist, political theology, church and state, Veronica Roberts Ogle Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kutter Callaway, the William K. Brehm Chair of Worship, Theology, and the Arts and Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Seminary. He is also the author of Be Afraid: What Horror Reveals About Facing the Darkness (IVP Academic). During our conversation, we discuss what horror fiction in film and TV reveals about our fears and how we can find God within the horror genre. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Veronica Roberts Ogle teaches at Villanova and wrote Politics and the Earthly City in Augustine's City of God. She joins James Spencer for the third episode in the faith and politics series. She begins with why the book exists. Rome was sacked in 410, the first breach of the city's walls in centuries, and Romans wanted to know whether Christianity had cost them the protection of the old gods — while Christians, riding the high of a converted emperor, were asking why their God hadn't defended them either. Augustine's answer took thirteen years and twenty-two books. Ogle explains the two cities as loves rather than places: one formed by God's love carried as far as contempt of self, the other by self-love carried as far as contempt of God. She unpacks what "contempt of self" does and doesn't mean, and pushes back on reading the ordo amoris as a ranked list — everything is loved in God, not after God. The conversation turns to what this means for political life: why no political community has an eschatological end, why Augustine is no optimist about politics, and why he thought a judge should see himself as the woman caught in adultery. Chapters: 00:00 Introductions, and finding Augustine 04:01 The sack of Rome and why City of God got written 09:19 Nations can be healthier or sicker — but not transformed 13:54 Two cities, two loves 17:06 What "contempt of self" actually means 17:38 Ordered loves: not a ranked list 22:18 Political community and the peace it can reach 28:11 Is the church the same as the city of God? 34:41 What political participation actually is 38:39 Two kinds of father, two kinds of household 43:32 Augustine's letters to Christian judges 45:42 The loaf of bread: need and proximity 48:34 Compassion at a distance, and what we can actually do 53:25 Where to start reading Augustine Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

CW: Abuse, Spiritual Abuse, Grooming, Self-HarmIn this episode, we're joined by special guest Aimee Byrd to help us debrief the three-part docu-series on Netflix, Death of the Pastor's Wife. Aimee is the author of several books, including Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, The Hope in our Scars, The Sexual Reformation, Saving Face, and a few others. Over the course of our conversation, we discussed the grim details of this docu-series and processed together what we can learn from this tragic story as the church. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel 2:1-231 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. 2 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. 6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” 8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— 9 if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”12 Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. 14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15 He declared to Arioch, the king's captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. 16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said:“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; 22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 23 To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

In this episode we're joined by Dr. Patrick Schreiner, who is Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Gene and Jo Downing Endowed Chair of Biblical Studies, and Director of the Residency Ph.D. Program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. And he's the author of the book we're discussing in this episode, The Four Senses of Scripture: Learning from Ancient Ways of Reading the Bible (Baker Academic). Over the course of our chat we discuss what the four senses are, what the literal sense compares to the spiritual senses, and what is deficient about the ways that we typically teach exegesis and hermeneutics in theological education. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Rev. Daniel Parham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel 1:1-211 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 7 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus..

In this episode, we're joined by Ian Simkins, who is Pastor at Bridge Church outside Nashville, TN, and he's the author of the book we're discussing in this episode, Every Table an Altar: Reclaiming Connection in a World of Division, Distraction, and Loneliness (Zondervan). We talk about what makes meals so significant, what the value is of using the table as a means of community building, and why our kingdom imaginations need to be oriented towards table fellowship after the model of Jesus. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're talking about Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. We talk about our expectations going into it, what we thought about the small and major changes that Nolan made to Homer's epic, and how we regard the major interpretative moves that were made relative to the representation of the gods and the Trojan horse. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Brandon Hurlbert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Professor Paul Anderson, who is Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University, and he's the Editor of Archeology, Jesus, and the Gospel of John: What Recent Discoveries Show Us (Eerdmans). Over the course of our conversation, we discuss the essay contributions to Professor Anderson's new book and situate those in conversation with recent discussions on the Gospel of John. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Rev. Dr. Chris Porter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Nicholas Schaser, who is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the author of A Ransom for Israel: Jesus and Jewish Salvation in Matthew (published by SBL Press). In our conversation, we talk about christology and soteriology in Matthew, and how Dr. Schaser understands Matthew to be showcasing how Jesus secured salvation for ethnic Israel through the cross. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Logan Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Adam La Salle, the author of Perfect Vision: How Seeing Through God's Eyes Gives Us Sight. Adam is someone who has had a lifetime of reflecting on physical sight, forgiveness, the true essence of beauty, seeing through other people's eyes, and perseverance, all of which he discusses with us in this episode. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Stephanie Kate Judd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron explore the challenging Christian teachings on violence, forgiveness, justice, and discipleship through the lens of church history, biblical theology, and modern culture. Building on their previous discussion about Christian persecution in India, Nathan and Cameron examine the legacy of the Anabaptist tradition, the Radical Reformation, Constantine, Augustine's Two Cities, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Movement to ask what it truly means to follow Jesus in a world marked by conflict. They discuss Christian nonviolence, just war theory, mercy versus justice, the relationship between the Church and the state, and whether Jesus' commands to love enemies remain binding today. Rather than offering easy answers, Nathan and Cameron invite listeners into a thoughtful conversation about Christian ethics, faith, political power, and the Kingdom of God, encouraging believers to wrestle with Scripture and consider how the teachings of Christ shape everyday life, the Church, and society.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate  BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect  TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

In this episode, we're joined by Professor Christopher Stanley, who is Professor Emeritus of Theology at St Bonaventure University in New York, and he's the author of a number of books, including the historical fiction trilogy called “A Slave's Story” that we're discussing in this episode, with the volumes A Rooster for Asclepios, A Bull for Pluto, and A Ram for Mars. In our conversation, we overview Professor Stanley's historical fiction trilogy, the value of historical fiction as a medium of academic historical investigation, and how much work Professor Stanley put into making this series grounded in scholarship and accessible to the non-expert. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Josh Carroll and Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sermon Notes - Psalm 137 - A Psalm of Two CitiesMain Point: Even in the midst of our sorrows, God is faithful and just and will make all things right for his people.-Remembering God's People's Sorrows (1-3)-Remembering God's Faithfulness (4-6)-Remembering God's Justice (7-9)  -Not a call for infanticide  -Not a call for personal vengeance  -Not a call for injustice  -A call for justice  -A call for the Davidic King  -A call for Jesus

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Mathew Kim and his wife, Sarah Kim. Dr. Kim is Professor of Preaching and Leadership at Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University, and the author of Becoming a Friendlier Church: A Pathway to Genuine Community (published by Baker Academic). In our conversation, we talk about how churches can become more inviting (and not just more extroverted) in order to build better and more authentic community. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian and Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Alexiana Fry, who is guest researcher at the University of Copenhagen and the author of Esther Keeps the Score: Trauma, Body, and Politics in the Hebrew Bible (SCM Press). Our conversation explores what a trauma-informed reading of Esther would look like, highlighting how much more complexity there is to a biblical narrative that is already quite a complicated story (despite how simply it gets retold so often). Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Brandon Hurlbert, and Rev. Dr. Madison Pierce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, the 2025–2026 Karlson Scholar at Bethel Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the author of several books, including You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful (Brazos). Over the course of our conversation, we talk about the difference between passion and calling, and how pursuing the transcendentals of the true, good, and the beautiful is the best framework for reconceiving what our callings actually are. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Stanley Ng, Rev. Daniel Parham, and Dr. Sydney Tooth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Mario Baghos, who is Senior Lecturer in Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia. He's the owner of the YouTube channel, TERRA SYMBOLICA, and the author of a recent peer-reviewed essay on Orphic legends and Descent into Hades themes in the hit TV show, Twin Peaks. In our conversation, Dr. Baghos brilliantly and breathlessly surveys the full swath of Twin Peaks and the way it coheres with so many iterations of the Descent into Hades motif. It's a fascinating conversation full of nerdy Twin Peaks insights on religious and mythological imagery germane to the show. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities includes: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Kris Song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we're joined by Revd Dr Mike Bird, who is Deputy Principal and academic lecturer in theology at Ridley College, Melbourne. He's also the author of numerous books, including the book we're discussing here, the 10th anniversary edition of What Christians Ought to Believe: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine through the Apostle's Creed (published by Zondervan Academic). In our conversation we discuss the enduring value of the Apostle's Creed, and dive into some of its key features as well as some of its missing details. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Rev. Daniel Parham, and Rev. Dr. Chris Porter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the central argument of Hebrews?Jesus isn't from Levi so why does Hebrews think he can be a priest at all?What is "God's rest"?Support this show!! : https://www.bibspeak.com/#donateGrab your free gift: the top 10 most misunderstood Biblical verses: https://info.bibspeak.com/10-verses-clarifiedJoin the newsletter (I only send 2 emails a week): https://www.bibspeak.com/#newsletterShop Dwell L'abel 15% off using the discount code BIBSPEAK15 https://go.dwell-label.com/bibspeakDownload Logos Bible Software for your own personal study: http://logos.com/biblicallyspeakingSign up for Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaig…Use Manychat to automate a quick DM! It's great for sending links fast.https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/nd14879vojabStan.Store—way better than Linktree! It lets me share links, grow my email list, and host all my podcast stuff in one place.https://join.stan.store/biblicallyspeakingSupport this show!! : https://www.bibspeak.com/#donate Rev. Dr. Madison N. Pierce is Lecturer in New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews. She is the author of Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Cambridge University Press, 2020) and the co-author of Reading the Later New Testament as Christian Scripture (Baker Academic, 2026). Madison is ordained in the Reformed Church in America as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. She is also a New Testament Editor at Reviews of Biblical and Early Christian Studies and a co-host of The Two Cities podcast.Recommended reading inspired by this episode:

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Zach Wagner, who recently completed his DPhil at the University of Oxford, to talk about his new book, Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World (published by Brazos). In our conversation we talk about how the Fruit of the Spirit relates to virtues, whether the virtues are gendered, and what the Fruit of the Spirit looks like uniquely with respect to male embodiment. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Logan Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Elisabeth Lefebvre (associate professor of Education at Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN) and Dr. Kristin VanEyk (assistant professor of English Education at Hope College in Holland, MI). Together, they are the editors of the new book, Purpose & Joy: Pursuing a Meaningful Career in Christian Higher Education (published by Abilene Christian University Press). In our conversation, we talked about what the essays in their volumes address related to the state of Christian Higher Education, navigating academia over the course of a career, and some helpful tips and tricks for educators of all sorts. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Haejin and Makoto Fujimura. Together they're the authors of Beauty & Justice: Creating a Life of Abundance and Courage (published by Brazos). Haejin Shim Fujimura is a lawyer, entrepreneur, speaker, and strategist whose work bridges justice, beauty, and cultural transformation. She is the founding attorney of Shim & Associates, a law firm rooted in cultural renewal, and the CEO and cofounder of Embers International, a global NGO working to end intergenerational exploitation and prevent human trafficking. Makoto Fujimura is an internationally renowned artist, writer, and arts advocate. His books include Art + Faith, Silence and Beauty, Refractions, and Culture Care. In our conversation, we talk about the relationship between beauty and justice, art and law, and why they desperately need each other. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Rev. Dr. Josh Carroll, and Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Love in Two Cities: A Tale of Hope and Distance Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-06-01-22-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: תל אביב שקרנית ואורה שוטף את הרחובות.En: Tel Aviv is a liar and Ora washes the streets.He: בעיר הזו, החיים של נעם מלאים עבודה ומחויבויות.En: In this city, Noam's life is filled with work and commitments.He: ראשו טרוד.En: His mind is troubled.He: בבוקר אחד, בעודו יושב במשרדו, הודעה מגיעה.En: One morning, while sitting in his office, a message arrives.He: טליה, האהבה שלו, בבית חולים בניו יורק.En: Talia, his love, is in a hospital in New York.He: היא צריכה לעבור ניתוח דחוף.En: She needs to undergo urgent surgery.He: שעתיים בין העולם שבו הוא חי ובין העולם בו חיה היא.En: Two hours separate the world where he lives and the world where she lives.He: בניו יורק, האביב שולח קרני שמש חמימות.En: In New York, spring sends warm sunbeams.He: טליה צופה מחלון החדר בבית החולים באלונים הפורחים, מתקשה להאמין למצב שבו היא נמצאת.En: Talia watches the blooming oaks from the window of her hospital room, struggling to believe the situation she is in.He: הלב שלה חף ביטחון.En: Her heart lacks confidence.He: היא רחוקה ממשפחתה וחבריה, ורק אליאב, חבר קרוב של שניהם בניו יורק, נמצא עבורה.En: She is far from her family and friends, and only Eliav, a close friend of both of them in New York, is there for her.He: הנה יום השבעות, יום של תקווה והתחדשות, אך טליה מרגישה את העומס הבודד.En: Here comes the day of promises, a day of hope and renewal, but Talia feels the lonely burden.He: היא יודעת שעליה להישען על אליאב.En: She knows she must rely on Eliav.He: נעם מתבלט.En: Noam is indecisive.He: עליו לבחור לבת נו: האם לעזוב את כל מחויבויותיו בתל אביב ולהיות עם טליה?En: He must make a choice: should he leave all his commitments in Tel Aviv to be with Talia?He: הוא מתבונן בטלפון שלו, רואה את הטיסות המתוכננות.En: He looks at his phone, seeing the scheduled flights.He: יש טיסה אחת, ובעוד ימים או מה, אפשרות לסופות בדרך.En: There is one flight, and in a few days or so, the possibility of storms along the way.He: הזמן קצר, הלב רחוק.En: Time is short, the heart is far.He: לאור ההתלבטות הזו, טליה משתדלת לנשום עמוק ולהתכונן לניתוח.En: Amid this hesitation, Talia tries to breathe deeply and prepare for the surgery.He: אליאב יושב לצדה, מחזיק בידה.En: Eliav sits beside her, holding her hand.He: היא מבינה שהמצב דורש ממנה הרבה עוצמה, אך הנוכחות של אליאב עוזרת לה להירגע מעט.En: She understands that the situation requires a lot of strength from her, but the presence of Eliav helps her relax a little.He: רעש המטוסים נשמע חזק, וטליה מבינה שמשהו השתנה.En: The sound of airplanes is loud, and Talia realizes that something has changed.He: נעם, עם לב פועם, עולה למטוס בידיעה שהכניסה לתוך הסופה עלולה לעכב אותו.En: Noam, with a racing heart, boards the plane knowing that entering the storm might delay him.He: העננים מתעבים, והרעש מעליהם מטלטל.En: The clouds thicken, and the noise above them is unsettling.He: אך נעם מרגיש חייב להיות שם עם טליה.En: But Noam feels compelled to be there with Talia.He: הוא יודע שזו לא רק תחושת חובה, אלא צורך בנפש.En: He knows it is not just a sense of duty but a need in his soul.He: הטיסה אכן מתאחרת.En: The flight indeed gets delayed.He: נעם יושב במטוס בדאגה לוחצת, מחשבותיו נודדות לבשורת האבוד.En: Noam sits in the plane with pressing anxiety, his thoughts drifting to the lost message.He: כשהוא נוחת, הוא ממהר לבית החולים, תקוהו ונשימתו חסרות.En: When he lands, he rushes to the hospital, his hope and breath missing.He: אך כשהוא מגיע, הוא רואה את טליה כבר לאחר הניתוח, מוקפת אהבה וחיוכים.En: But when he arrives, he sees Talia already after the surgery, surrounded by love and smiles.He: היא נחלמת, והעיקר הוא שהוא שם.En: She is recovering, and the main thing is that he is there.He: נעם וטליה מתקרבים זה לזה, מחזיקים ידיים, ברגע של חיבור מחודש.En: Noam and Talia draw closer to each other, holding hands in a moment of renewed connection.He: טליה מתוודה לנעם על פחדיה, ונעם מבין את חשיבות הנוכחות בחיים של האנשים שאוהבים אותו.En: Talia confesses her fears to Noam, and Noam understands the importance of being present in the lives of those who love him.He: למרות המרחק הפיזי, הוא מבין שליבם תמיד היה, ולעד יהיה, אחד.En: Despite the physical distance, he realizes their hearts were always, and will always be, one.He: האביב מביא עמו התחדשות, ונעם לומד שדברים החשובים באמת שווים את המלחמה.En: Spring brings renewal, and Noam learns that things that truly matter are worth the struggle.He: אהבה, תקווה, ונוכחות אמיתית — אלו הדברים שמתקנים כל מרחק וטורנ מפערים ביניהם.En: Love, hope, and genuine presence — these are the things that heal every distance and bridge the gaps between them. Vocabulary Words:liar: שקרניתcommitments: מחויבויותurgent: דחוףundergo: לעבורblooming: הפורחיםconfidence: ביטחוןburden: עומסindecisive: מתבלטsurgery: ניתוחscheduled: המתוכננותhesitation: התלבטותstrength: עוצמהpresence: נוכחותunsettling: מטלטלcompelled: חייבdelay: לעכבpressing: לוחצתdrifting: נודדותconfesses: מתוודהgenuine: אמיתיתrenewal: התחדשותstruggle: מלחמהheal: מתקניםdistance: מרחקgap: פעריםurgent: דחוףpromises: השבעותrealizes: מבינהanxiety: דאגהrecovery: נחלמתBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Tim Vickery is joined by Philippe Auclair to discuss the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG this weekend. They chat about the professional football culture of London and Paris ahead of the clash in Budapest, discuss if Paris is a one club city and Tim gives us an update on Neymar. Order Tim's Book Mundiales here:https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/mundialesJoin the Brazilian Shirt Name Whatsapp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBNgO58PgsAgQXRP32T

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. T. Christopher Hoklotubbe, who is associate professor of indigenous theological studies at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago and NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community, and Dr. H. Daniel Zacharias, who is associate dean and professor of New Testament studies at Acadia Divinity College, and an adjunct faculty for NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. Together, they're the authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation (published by IVP Academic). In our conversation, we talk about interpreting the Bible from a North American Indigenous perspective, the distinctive hermeneutical features of that approach (including an emphasis on the personhood and agency of all of creation), and address the difference between syncretism and contextual interpretation. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Josh Carroll and Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Bo Lim, who is professor of Old Testament at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington, and the author of Contextual Theological Interpretation: An Integrated Model for Reading the Bible (published by Baker Academic). In the course of our conversation we talk about the value and importance of contextualizing our interpretations of scripture to our theological and cultural backgrounds, and we also discuss the relationship between contextual interpretation and historical critical exegesis. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Brandon Hurlbert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Elizabeth Backfish (PhD, Trinity International University), who is associate professor of biblical studies at William Jessup University, and Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott (PhD, University of Sheffield), who is associate professor of Hebrew Bible / Old Testament at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. And together they're the authors of Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Cultural Context That Formed Ancient Israel (Baker Academic). In our conversation we discuss the relationship between our biblical texts and material culture on a whole host of issues, highlighting how the two need to be understood together for proper interpretation. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Brandon Hurlbert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Jennifer Matheny, who is associate professor of Christian Scriptures at George W. Truett Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas, and the author of Hesed, the Seed of the Biblical Story: New Life for Old Testament Theology (published by Baker Academic). As we discuss, the term Hesed is notoriously difficult to translate, but by situating its variegated meanings within the stories and the Story of scripture, Dr. Matheny helps to shed new light on its significance. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Brandon Hurlbert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Andrew Remington Rillera, who is assistant professor of biblical studies and theology at The King's University in Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada, and the author of Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus's Death (Cascade). Over the course of our conversation, we discuss what the sacrificial death of Jesus means in the NT, how it relates to sacrifices in the Torah, and why Dr. Rillera finds Penal Substitutionary Atonement to be unbiblical and theologically problematic. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Rev. Daniel Parham, and Dr. Logan Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Professor Andrew Root, who is Professor and Carrie Olson Baalson Chair of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, MN. He's the author of several books, including: Baal and the gods of More: Rescuing Church Growth from Idolatry (published by Baker Academic). In our conversation, we discuss how capitalism has co-opted church growth discussions and turned it into a fertility idol. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Prof. Cor Bennema, Professor of New Testament at London School of Theology and the author of Imitation in Early Christianity: Mimesis and Religious-Ethical Formation (published by Eerdmans). Prof. Bennema talks about the distinctives of mimesis relative to other kinds of ethical formation/development, and where early Christianity is situated relative to mimesis in Greco-Roman philosophy. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Rev. Dr. Chris Porter, and Dr. Sydney Tooth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Max Botner, associate professor of New Testament at Jessup University, host of the On the Way podcast, and the author of How Then Shall We Read?A Student's Guide to Interpreting the New Testament (published by Eerdmans). Over the course of our conversation, we talk about how Dr. Botner's book compares to other primers on interpretation and how his book emphasizes the locationality of the interpreter, and the overall aim of faithful interpretation rather than "correct" interpretation. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Josh Carroll and Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we indulge in a little April Fool's fun by discussing the best worst movies we've ever seen, and why we absolutely love to watch them ironically and in some cases even unironically. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Brandon Hurlbert, and Rev. Dr. Chris Porter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Paul continued his missionary work in Macedonia, Luke records the response of two cities. The comparison gives us insights into why some respond to the gospel positively, and others respond negatively. It also offers a lesson in how we discern the truth and define success. 

In this episode we're joined by Professor, James F. McGrath, who is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University, and the author of the book that we're discussing in this episode, Beyond Deconstruction: Building a More Expansive Faith (published by Eerdmans). In our conversation, Prof. McGrath says about his own journey of deconstruction and how he wanted to write this book to leave behind "bread crumbs" to help people navigate faith on the other side towards a faith that is more expansive. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Prof. Kelly M. Kapic (PhD, King's College, University of London), who is Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College, and the author of several books, including the book that we're discussing in this episode, Christian Life (as part of the New Studies in Dogmatics series published by Zondervan Academic). Over the course of our conversation, we discuss Kelly Kapic's aims to ground his theology of the Christian life in the Triune God, insisting that a theology of Christian life is necessarily theological. We also address how the particulars of Christian life pertain to universals, which helps to situate the topic in relation to various cultural and contextual settings. To round out the conversation, Prof. Kapic also highlights one of his main emphases that Christian life as a response to God begins with the Messiah's response to God first. From there flows the ecclesial gathering of Christ followers whose Christian life is bound up in our relations to one another, but also to God and to creation. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Stephanie Kate Judd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we're joined by Dr. Preston Sprinkle, who hosts the Theology in the Raw podcast and is the author of From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership (published by David Cook). In our conversation we talk about what caused Dr. Sprinkle to change his mind on this topic, and we discuss several key issues and passages related to the topic of women in ministry in the Bible. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Okay, so most Christians have been handed exactly one question about alcohol — is it okay? — and look, I get it, but what if that question is not just too small, it's actually the wrong one? Because when you sit down with John Anthony Dunne, New Testament scholar, beer nerd, and author of The Mountain Shall Drip Sweet Wine, and you actually let the Bible speak on its own terms, what you find is a text that is soaking in fermented beverages — daily beer libations poured out in the temple, prophets describing God's restoration of all things as mountains literally dripping with sweet wine, and Jesus showing up to a wedding and turning water into not just wine, but the best wine the sommelier had ever tasted — and John's Gospel puts that right next to the temple cleansing, on purpose, because of course it does. John brings this brilliant "varietal" framework to the whole conversation: just like wine comes in Cabernet, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, the Bible's wine symbolism comes in distinct varieties — blessing, judgment, abundance, sacrifice, joy, wrath — and here's the thing, all of them blend together in the Eucharistic cup, which means the Lord's table isn't a symbol of one thing, it's the thematic climax of the entire biblical story. Bible nerds, craft beer lovers, people who've ever wondered if there's more going on at communion than grape juice in a tiny plastic cup — come on. This one's for you. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Dr. John Anthony Dunne is Associate Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he also teaches courses on wine in the Bible. He completed his PhD at the University of St. Andrews under the supervision of N.T. Wright, which means he has the theological pedigree to back up every bold exegetical claim he makes over a pint. John is a co-host of the Two Cities podcast—a collaborative project featuring 15+ scholars and theologians—and volunteers at St. Croix Vineyard in Stillwater, Minnesota, because of course he does. Join us at Theology Beer Camp, October 8-10, in Kansas City!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ONLINE LENT CLASS: Jesus in Galilee w/ John Dominic Crossan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What can we actually know about Jesus of Nazareth? And, what difference does it make? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Lenten class ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠begins where all of Dr. John Dominic Crossan's has work begins: with history. What was actually happening in Galilee in the 20s CE? What did Herod Antipas' transformation of the "Sea of Galilee" into the commercial "Sea of Tiberias" mean for peasant fishing communities? Why did Jesus emerge from John's baptism movement proclaiming God's Rule through parables—and what made that medium so perfectly suited to that message? Only by understanding what Jesus' parables meant then can we wrestle with what they might demand of us now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The class is donation-based, including 0, so join, get info, and join up here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we're joined by Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Jeannine Brown, New Testament professors at Bethel Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to talk about their new book, The Greatest Story Ever Retold: Jesus Narratives From Gospels to Film (with Baker Academic). As we discuss, Drs. Dunne and Brown share how Jesus films provide an external vantage point for thinking about the hermeneutical process of envisioning narratives while we read, making us like the directors of Jesus films inside our heads each time we read. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Brandon Hurlbert and Rev. Dr. Chris Porter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. John Anthony Dunne associate professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary and the Co-host and editor of The Two Cities podcast. John is the author of several books including his most recent book: The Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol, which is the topic of our conversation. What does the Bible say about alcohol? We talk about questions like: did wine have the same alcohol percentage as today? Was it diluted? What is strong drink? Is getting drunk or buzzed always condemned? How can Christians consume alcohol without abusing it? Or, should Christians simply stay away from alcohol? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.