Biblical World

Episode: In this engaging conversation, Mark and Kyle chat with Eric Cline about his life as an archaeologist and about public archaeology—making scholarship approachable—and why it is important for scholars to engage with the interested public. We draw upon a number of Eric’s recent publications to highlight how this dialogue is possible and how it can be done well. Guest: Departmental webpage: h...

Episode: We're going back to the dirt in this episode with Cynthia Shafer-Elliott. We talk about bee hives, the Daniel diet, Ezekiel bread, gender & archaeology, and why Cynthia is willing to get up at 4am for weeks at a time each summer. This is a republished episode. Guest: Cynthia Shafer-Elliott is Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Biblical Studies in the The Faculty of Theology and Sch...

Episode: For this episode Mary Buck is joined by Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University. Dr. Greenspoon discusses his recently published book, " Jewish Bible Translations ," which represents an important contribution to our understanding of translation and transmission history, especially in Jewish communities from ancient to modern times. Host: ...

Episode: In this episode Chris and Kyle speak with Robert (Bob) Cargill about digital humanities—what those are and how they are done in the archaeology of ancient Israel and in biblical studies—technology and the potential for cutting edge research, and his recent book on Melchizedek. Along the way, Bob shares stories of travels in Israel, providing quality resources for people interested in the...

Episode: Jonathan Greer joins the show to talk about a big project he just co-edited on the history, context, archaeology, culture, and world of the Old Testament. Jonathan shares from his own work digging at Tel Dan, a very significant site for understanding the Jerusalem Temple and worship in ancient Israel. They discuss major archaeologists, the historicity of events in the Bible, the interacti...

Episode: This is part 5 in our look at views on the Exodus from Egypt. In this episode, Chris and Kyle speak with Peter Feinman about the Levite-Hyksos view. Peter Feinman is the author of  The Exodus: An Egyptian Story .  Hosts:  Mark Janzen (Louisiana College) and Chris McKinny ( Gesher Media ) Summary: In this episode, Mark and Chris interview Peter Feinman about the following: - The Egyptian e...

Episode: Chris McKinny sits down with Kyle Keimer to discuss the Tel Burna Archaeological Project, where he's been digging for over a decade. This important borderland site of biblical Libnah offers some important insights into historical Judah. They discuss the following topics: - The identification of Tel Burna with biblical Libnah - The Canaanite cultic remains found at Tel Burna  - The Judahit...

Episode: In this episode Chris and Kyle discuss the archaeology of Khirbet er-Ra‘i/Arai, a small site in the southern part of Israel that dates from the end of the Late Bronze Age into the early Iron Age IIA (ca. 13th-10th c. BC). This site is proving to be exceptional for this time period and appears to be the key site in the region, having taken over this role from the nearby site of Lachish fol...

Episode: This is Part 4 of our look at Five Views on the Exodus , this time with James Hoffmeier. Hoffmeier makes the case for a 13th century BC exodus from Egypt. In this episode, Mark and Chris interview James Hoffmeier about the following: - The Egyptian evidence for the Israelite Exodus - “Egyptianisms” in the Pentateuch - The historicity of the Exodus events and its importance to the Old Test...

Episode: This is part 3 of our 5 part look at five views on the exodus from Egypt. In this episode, Gary Rendsburg presents the 12th century BC view. Hosts:  Mark Janzen (Louisiana College) and Chris McKinny ( Gesher Media ) Guest: Gary A. Rendsburg (Rutgers University) Summary: In this episode, Mark and Chris interview Gary Rendsburg about the following:  - The Egyptian evidence for the Israelite...

Episode: Chris McKinny and Mary Buck discuss the archaeology and architecture of Iron Age Jerusalem.  Hosts:  Mary Buck (Shepherd’s Seminary) and Chris McKinny ( Gesher Media ) Summary: In this episode, Mary and Chris discuss the following: - The topography of ancient Jerusalem. - The history of research related to the “Millo” in Jerusalem (Judg 9:6, 20; 2 Sam 5:9; 1 Kgs 9:15, 24; 11:27; 2 Kgs 12:...

Episode: In this episode Jewish scholar Amy-Jill Levine engages some of the hard words of Jesus that followers then and now have found difficult. He instructs disciples to hate members of their own families (Luke 14:26), to act as if they were slaves (Matthew 20:27), and to sell their belongings and give to the poor (Luke 18:22). He restricts his mission (Matthew 10:6); he speaks of damnation (Mat...

Episode: This episode continues our series on five views on the exodus based on a book by that named that Biblical World host Mark Janzen just edited. Our second guest in this series is Scott Stripling, who presents the early (15th century) exodus view.  Hosts:  Mark Janzen  (Louisiana College) and  Chris McKinny  ( Gesher Media ) Guest: Scott Stripling serves as the provost at The Bible Seminary...

Episode: This begins the first of a series on five views on the exodus based on a book by that named that Biblical World host Mark Janzen just edited. Our first guest in this series is Ron Hendel, who presents the cultural memory view.  Hosts:  Mark Janzen (Louisiana College) and Chris McKinny ( Gesher Media ) Guest: Ron Hendel is Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at...

Episode: This episode discusses the importance of understanding the cultural backgrounds and context of the Bible for biblical interpretation. We look at examples from Egypt, Mesopotamian law, bedouin ethnography and more! Hosts:  Chris McKinny ( Gesher Media ) and Oliver Hersey ( Jerusalem University College )  Summary: In this episode, Chris and Oliver discuss the following: 1. The importance of...

Episode: This episode is the final installment in the 3-part archaeology of Passion Week discussion. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week. Chris and Kyle discuss the location of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, the Garden Tomb, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and traditions about Jesus...

Episode: This episode is part-two of the three-part series on the archaeology of Passion Week. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week. They delve into the Gospel of John, the Last Supper, and Jesus’ trials. Hosts: Chris and Kyle Summary: Chris and Kyle discuss the following topics: - Arc...

Episode: This episode is the first of a three-part series on the archaeology of the Passion week. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Summary: Chris and Kyle discuss the following topics: - Traditions about the Passion Week - How we connect the ar...

Episode: After being forgotten for over 3000 years, the ancient city of Ugarit was rediscovered by archaeologists in 1929. Perhaps the greatest find from the site was the stash of over 2500 texts written in the ancient language of Ugaritic, texts which illuminated the history of the ancient world and the life of the local inhabitants.  Join hosts Mary Buck and Chris McKinny as they discuss the anc...

Episode: This episode discusses whether it's possible to recover scenes from the Israel/Merneptah Stele, as well as cutting edge technology at Karnak, Egypt. Hosts:  Chris McKinny ( Gesher Media ) and Mark Janzen (Louisiana College) Summary: In this episode, Chris and Mark discuss the following: becoming an Egyptologist and the role of Egyptology in biblical studies; Karnak Temple - the most impre...

Episode: This inaugural Biblical World episode takes a deep dive into the archaeological background of King Hezekiah’s religious reform (2 Kgs 18:4). Hosts:  Chris McKinny ( Gesher Media ) and Oliver Hersey ( Jerusalem University College )  Episode Summary:  In this episode, Chris and Oliver discuss the following:  The historical background of Assyrian interactions with Israel and Judah in the lat...

OnScript is launching a new podcast focused on the history, archaeology, culture, and geography of the Bible. Hosted by Chris McKinny , Lynn Cohick , Oliver Hersey , Kyle Keimer , Mary Buck , and Mark Janzen , this new podcast will help you enter the biblical world through engaging interviews with archaeologists and scholars who live and breathe scripture's ancient air. Stay tuned!