Bible Jazz

100 EPISODES! BIBLE JAZZ'S FIRST BIRTHDAY! We're celebrating our 100th episode on June 1, and the first anniversary of our rebranding as "Bible Jazz." Help us celebrate by MAKING AN IMPACT. For every rating we get on APPLE PODCASTS (link below) BY JUNE 1, WE'LL DONATE $1 to FAMILIES UNLIMITED NETWORK! So rate us and get all your friends and family to as well! Subscribe on Apple! https://podcasts.a...

Bible Jazz is excited to begin doing more interviews like this one -- who would you like to listen to? We're ready to reach far and wide during this remote-meeting time to talk to guests on video chat and phone! LET US KNOW your ideas for great guests, and we'll see if we can get them on the show. Email your ideas to uppcbiblejazz@gmail.com ! Subscribe on Apple! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...

Chris Wang is one of the coolest people I know. A young husband and father, Chris is also the teaching pastor at St. John's church in Suzhou, China. I had the chance to meet and spend a week with Chris about a year-and-a-half ago, and I'll never forget it. This week, Chris lets us in on what it was like to experience the unfolding of Covid-19 in his city and church, as a Chinese citizen, and how G...

Rachel Ayres is a sophomore at Whitworth University, an upcoming summer fellow at UPPC, a future Smithsonian intern, and just around cool. Joined by our director of communications, Kate Evarts, Rachel explores with us some of her life and faith background, the art and craft of communication, and what it has been like to be a college student in the era of Covid-19. (Rachel's interview starts at 12:...

Nathan Murphy (@nathangmurphy) is a young and passionate follower of Jesus who works as a serial entrepreneur, passionate about helping people and making positive influence. Nathan and I met randomly a few months back, hit if off in conversation, and now I've learned a lot from him in this week's interview. Check out what Nathan is up to on Instagram, and pray for him as he makes a big move! Bible...

WHO would you like to hear as a guest on Bible Jazz? We're ready to reach far and wide during this remote-meeting time to talk to guests on video chat and phone! LET US KNOW your ideas for great guests, and we'll see if we can get them on the show. Email your ideas to uppcbiblejazz@gmail.com ! THANK YOU for sticking with Bible Jazz, as our greatest hope is to continue to engage a wide audience in...

This week we're looking at what Paul may have meant, or not meant, when he told people, "Do not be anxious." What are we supposed to do with those natural anxious feelings, anyway? Spiritual Director Lorina Meade will give some practical ways to pray and redirect our anxious attention to Jesus. THANK YOU for sticking with Bible Jazz, as our greatest hope is to continue to engage a wide audience in...

Part of the fun of Bible Jazz is the organic conversation that happens when we gather in the "Gray Room 2" studio. Welp...that ain't happening for the time being because of the COVID-19 pandemic. BUT--we're still going to get some content to you! For now, we're uploading audio from the week's teaching (including some great interviews!) while we're working on doing some remote interviews in the com...

Northern Ireland. For many people around the world, it is a country whose history conjures images of civil unrest and militia-style warfare. Mike lived in Belfast in 2000-01 and has remained friends with several people there, including Beth McGardle. As we explore the idea of Jesus having a "bigger table" for people, Beth brings wise insight about the healing message of the Gospel in a divided cou...

Actor, dancer, chaplain, pastor, and all around interesting dude, Adam Jones joins us in this important conversation about what is means for Jesus to be inviting everyone to his "table" (with a little nostalgia, a lot of laughter, and one jawbone of a...well listen to the episode.) LOTS of links and resources today! Here they are, with a sum of the episode below: Follow Adam on Instagram, Facebook...

We're going over a quick summary of this latest series, then moving into some basic principles for reading the book of Revelation. PLUS, we'll answer a listener email about how to read 1 Timothy when it comes to women in the church. Oh yeah, "Ancient Aliens" and "Higglytown Heroes" get some free advertising. Help others find Bible Jazz and subscribe on Apple! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/...

We finally get our good friend and pastor Harlan Shoop on the show! We're talking about how to read "epistles," otherwise known as letters, in the New Testament. A lot of damage has been done by irresponsible interpretation, and this is one example. Let's see if we can avoid letting Paul's letter get lost in translation. Help others find Bible Jazz and subscribe on Apple! https://podcasts.apple.co...

Faux fur. Robot aliens. And some of our favorite stories! It's story time in this series as Aaron brings us one of Jesus' parables. What's up with the vineyard? What do you think about how the landowner treats the latecomers? Also, we discuss a great question from a listener! Help others find Bible Jazz and subscribe on Apple! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uppc-podcast/id1450663729?mt=2 Fo...

What's one of your favorite stories? Tell us about it at uppcbiblejazz@gmail.com Would you rather ride a donkey or a giraffe? Would you rather be baptized in a river or a tub? This week we're looking at narrative again, from the New Testament -- Luke's narratives about baptism in the book of Acts. What parts were "there and then," and what aspects are for "here and now?" Help others find Bible Jaz...

Can you smell the hush puppies? What is the Hebrew for "baldy"? What do female bears have to do with it? Experience the epitome of improvised conversation! (And don't forget to listen to the Easter egg at the end of the episode). We'll take a look at the difference between "narrative" and "normative" as we read the Hebrew scriptures (also known as the Old Testament) -- what elements of God's Word...

Popcorn in kids' ears! A dog named Dandy! A cat named Hermeneutics! And of course, an honest look at the presuppositions we bring to the Bible, how it affects our perception and reception, and what it means for becoming more mature readers of the most prolific book in history. Follow Bible Jazz's #1 fan, Julie Judy! Instagram: @julierjudy Facebook: Julie Amster Judy Learn more about Coffee Oasis:...

Yes! Another listener email to UPPCBibleJazz@gmail.com You can also write us on Instagram @biblejazz! www.instagram.com/biblejazz This week: Rusty Rivets! Genealogies! Two new Bible Jazz guests! Emily and Camille join us in this improvised conversation about the Bible -- what is it, how do we approach it, what parts do we like or not like, and what does "dual nature" mean? Subscribe, rate, and rev...

$10 Wayside gift card to the 16th person to write to Bible Jazz by January 12 and share your New Year's resolutions! Write to us at uppcbiblejazz@gmail.com ! This week: The worst-ever baby card idea! Intentional discomfort! Mike's thoughts on tapioca! And of course, the best news for the whole world. Subscribe, rate, and review Bible Jazz at Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up...

$10 Wayside gift card to the 16th person to write to Bible Jazz by January 5 and share your New Year's resolutions! Write to us at uppcbiblejazz@gmail.com ! This week: Christmas trivia! Used candy canes! Sorcerers and new year's resolutions! And of course Rob, Kate, Randi, and Mike look into some of the meaning of the visit of the Magi as part of the Christmas story. Subscribe, rate, and review Bi...

We kick things off with MORE EMAILS from listeners about your favorite Christmas songs! Share your comments, questions, or favorite songs: Email: uppcbiblejazz@gmail.com Twitter & Instagram: @biblejazz Each week we say our conversations at Bible Jazz are "always improvised." On this special episode, Mike and his college buddy Erik share some memories as they look at the art of improv theater, its...

We got an early Christmas present this week -- EMAILS from listeners! Keep sending your favorite Christmas songs and we'll share them on an upcoming episode. Write to us at uppcbiblejazz@gmail.com , and on Twitter or Instagram @biblejazz. Robin, Aaron, and Mike get into the dangerous and challenging journey Mary and Joseph would have taken from Nazareth to Bethlehem as we try to cultivate a better...

What's worth waiting for (besides the bonus soundbite at the very end of the episode)? Christmas, of course! As we begin this Advent season, we take a look at a real couple in a real place and time. Steeped in meaning from the history of Israel, this story echoes much of what God did in the past, and also projects much about the new era God would usher in with the messiah, as well as directing us...

"Band Name or Movie Title" kicks things off, and then new guest Kristen joins Randi and Mike in the Gray Room 2, located this week at the Tacoma Mall, for a chat about whether or not there really is enough to go around. If there is (spoiler: the Bible suggests there is) then why is there need? And how does God's overabundant generosity set us free to give of ourselves? Re-engage with each week's t...

Julia, Randi, and Mike cover the difference between wailing and whaling and play Name the Tune, and then jump into a discussion of how painful experiences can become a source of beauty and value. What does it mean for our own pain? How does it inform our interactions with others in pain? With kids? What would one day of complete "shalom" look or feel like for you? Listen to this episode to learn m...

Join the conversation as Mary, Randi, and Mike gain new perspective on Dumbledore, compare prayer to texting, and consider what it means to mature into our walk with Jesus. Questions, comments, or ideas? Message Mike on Insta or Twitter: @biblejazz Learn more at UPPC.org