Armchair Theology

This is it folks. This is why many of you even choose to listen to a podcast about the Bible. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

As Jesus nears the crucifixion, his words to the religious elites become sharper, peaking with today's reading. This is a tough read for folks who've been in church more than a few minutes, but absolutely required reading. Thanks for joining Ross and Clay as they break it down.

As Jesus nears Jerusalem, his teachings grow more direct. Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown some of the most difficult passages in Matthew.

See Peter move from being the rock upon which the Church would be built to the stumbling block between Jesus and his cross all in one episode! Join Clay and Ross this week as they break down Matthew 15-18. If you're interested in going with us to the Holy Land June 2024, click here .

We're right in the heart of Matthew with parables and miracles and feeding five thousand and John the Baptist asking a pretty important question of Jesus: Are you the one? Join us this week as Clay and Ross break down Matthew 11-14 Hey kids has Grandpa Peter ever told you about the time I walked on water? 

Matthew takes the story of Jesus from words to actions to multiplication as Jesus travels throughout Galilee healing the sick, casting out storms and even raising the dead before sending out the disciples to do the same.

Jesus's sermon on the mount might be the three most important chapters in scripture, almost certainly is the most important sermon in the Bible. And today's episode is Clay's new favorite. It opens a little differently and I hope you'll take a moment today to pause, be present, and consider the lilies of the field. Thanks for listening. If you're interested in joining us o...

THE NEW TESTAMENT!!! In classic Old Testament style, Matthew starts off with a genealogy and an origin story of Jesus, the one who would fulfill the covenants God made with Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets. Join Clay and Ross as they continue through scripture and see the New Testament as never before. If you're interested in joining them to visit the Holy Land June 2024, and see all t...

YOU DID IT!  Congratulations. You read the entire Hebrew Scriptures. Malachi wraps up the Old Testament with a nod to the Torah, the Prophets, and a hope that can only come from God's restoration. Thanks for listening with us this far friends. Next week: The New Testament! If you're interested in going with us to Israel, you can get more information and register here. https://www.eo.trav...

The second half of Zechariah continues with a little bit of everything and a lot of passages appropriated by the New Testament writers. Join Clay and Ross and 

If you like the prophets you're going to love Zechariah, the Swiss army knife of the Book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets). Join Ross and Clay as they break down the judgment, apocalypse, call to faithfulness and hope for a better future for Israel. If you're interested in going with us to the Holy Land June 2024, here's the link https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl24060424f56696#...

What is distracting you from the work to which God has called you? The message of Haggai is simple: build the wall. But it's implications are much larger. Join Ross and Clay as they break down this short but powerful prophet

Another Minor Prophet that doesn't get much air time in pulpits, Zephaniah calls out the sins of Jerusalem and assures them that it it God who will act to rescue Israel. Congratulations friends! You've almost made it through the Hebrew Scriptures! You can contact us at armchairtheo.com , and on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @armchairtheo.

Habakkuk is a dirge over injustice in Jerusalem and a lament over the eminent threat from Babylon. It's not the pick-me-up of most morning devotionals. But it does contain the banger: "... the righteous will live by faith" (2:4) picked up and expounded upon by Paul in his letter to the churches in Rome and Galatia. Join Clay and Ross as they break down this textually small but theol...

Short but not sweet. Nahum is a book that doesn't get much air time in pulpits for some pretty glaring reasons. As a condemnation on Assyria it contains some violent and offensive language and, if taken at face value, some violent and offensive theology. But read as resistance poetry given to those under oppression it offers hope for a better tomorrow.

What a privilege it was to work with the North Georgia Academy for Leadership and Innovation . To end our session we invited three volunteers to record a podcast with no prior knowledge and very little prep AND THEY CRUSHED IT. If you're a pastor or spiritual leader and you're thinking about launching a podcast, let this be an encouragement. You can do it. And if you or your group would...

Incredible conversation with our friend Wade Griffith of Shanta Foundation discussing issues of justice and mercy in the prophet Micah. And challenging us to think differently about  missions. This is one you won't want to miss friends. You can find Wade and donate at shantafoundation.org

Forget everything you learned in VBS about Jonah and the whale. In this episode Jared Byas, cohost of The Bible For Normal People, helps break down this incredible prophetic book. You can find Jared at thebiblefornormalpeople.com  where he and Pete Enns have been providing incredible Bible resources including the podcast, several books, and online classes all delivered with academic integrity and...

Obadiah is quite certain that God has a zero-tolerance policy for bullies who kick others when they're down. Join Ross and Clay break down this pint-sized prophet who packs a punch.

"I hate your religious festivals", God exclaims in Amos 5:21, "Instead seek justice for the poor". (paraphrased) Amos pulls no punches for those whose religiosity doesn't  lead to equality. Garrett Harper; friend, colleague, and Executive Director at Urban Ministry in West End Birmingham, AL joins Clay and Ross to talk about ministry that makes a difference and how the kin...

Joel may be short but it's dense enough to get air time later by Luke and Paul. Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown this pint-sized prophet that packs a punch.

Hosea begins with a somewhat demeaning view of women but ends with with God's love expressed as a mother. Huge thanks to Rev. Julie Holly for joining us today to break down this incredible book. Julie is and ordained elder in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church serving as the Chaplain and Religious Life Director at Birmingham Southern College. She's a colleague an...

Hosea kicks off the Book of the Twelve with a bombshell request from God: that Hosea marry an unfaithful wife to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Join Ross and Clay as they break down this anything but minor prophet. And stick around at the end for a conversation with our great friend, Anthony Nathan, who joined Clay 20+ years ago to terrorize the good citizens of Bardstown, KY to a...

The second half can get pretty trippy if you don't realize what all the metaphors mean. Join Clay and Ross and they shed some light on this apocalyptic text.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Daniel in the lion's den. A hand writing on the wall... Daniel 1-6 contains some of the most memorable stories in scripture. Join Clay and Ross as they break down this iconic book.