Biblical Literacy Podcast

Bib-Lit 12-7-25 Mark’s topic for today was a focus on:Learning to Study our Bibles Better. Many different versions of the Bible are available for readers. Warm up. Important ways to start studying the Bible Begin with prayer Psalm 119:18 shows the power of Bible study The Bible is a library with various types of literature. Workout Studying the Psalms. The Psalms are Israel’s prayer and book hymna...

Pastor David Fleming taught Part II: How to Deal with Relational Conflict—A Biblical Approach. Jesus dealt with conflict, which means we will too. Road map 1. The inevitability of relational conflict Paul dealt with conflict and resolution throughout his life. Opposition is part of ministry. Driven by reason or emotions? 2. The nature of relational conflict Relational storm and a cycle of emotions...

Pastor David Fleming taught part one of a two part class: How to Deal with Relational Conflict—A Biblical Approach. Today’s Road Map 1. The inevitability of Relational Conflict * You aren’t the only one * Jesus dealt with relational conflict * If you are a peacemaker, others need you 2. The nature of Relational Conflict The steps people consider in resolving relational conflict and how to glorify...

11-16-25 Bib-Lit Mark continued in the book of Romans with a study of Romans 7:14-25:The Struggle is Real. Part 1—Debating Romans 7:15. 3 Hidden problems or positions of this verse. 1. Assumes Paul is converted. 2. Assumes Christianity and Judaism were separate to Paul. 3. Assumes Paul had a clean break from Judaism. Paul never converted but learned to recognize the Messiah. Timeline: Paul is born...

11-9-25 Bib-Lit Pastor David interviewed Dr. Paul Copan, one of the leading voices in Christian Apologetics. He’s a philosopher, theologian, professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and authored and edited 45 books. During the interview, we learned about Dr. Copan’s views on campus life, Old Testament apologetics, and how to understand God in the Old Testament and New Testament. Apologetics is...

11-2-25 Bib-Lit Mark continued in the study of Romans with a focus on Chapter 7: 1-7—Paul’s most debated chapter, especially the verses studied today. Paul uses a legal analogy. What about the law? Marriage metaphor:  legal, exclusive, permanent. But when someone dies, everything changes. Death ends the legal agreement of the law. Illustration Paul draws out what Scripture says: We have died to th...

10-26-25 Bib-lit Mark continued in Romans with a study of chapter 6:14-23. The lesson focused on liberation: to live as free in Christ and dead to sin. Mark had three points: 1. The promise of grace The purpose, reason, and result of Christ’s sacrifice Sin will have no dominion over the believer. 2. The choice of masters We are slaves to the one we obey. True freedom is serving God because He free...

Biblical - Literacy — October 19, 2025 For Mission Sunday, Mark interviews Dr. John Barclay , a distinguished New Testament scholar known for his insights on the writings of Paul. Originally from London, Dr. Barclay grew up in a Christian home and studied classics and theology at Cambridge. He now serves as Professor of Divinity at Durham University. Dr. Barclay believes that living out our faith...

Bib-Lit Summary Oct 12,2025 Mark gives us a lot to think about in this lesson from Romans 6:11-13 Mark introduces us to a Novel by: C. E. Lewis, The Chronicles of NARNIA, The Silver Chair. In this mystical novel Lewis is asking a question through stories; Primarily What is Real? Mark addresses this through a detailed look at Romans 6: 11-13 1. Rom. 6:11, So you must consider yourself dead to sin a...

Bib-lit Class October 5, 2025 Mark begins the lesson by addressing a question or concern that we all may have had after giving our life to Christ.  We may be worried that we have done something wrong. Everything seems to be going wrong with my life. I am not living that Christian Victory. I am not that success story that says I gave my life to Jesus and now everything is rainbows. Mark dissects th...

9-28-25 Biblical-Lit Mark continued teaching the book of Romans with a focus on Chapter 6:5-7. How do we live when God forgives sins? We have been transformed. 3 verses Verse 5. The Certainty of our union with Christ. For If we have been United to Christ in death, then certainly we will have a resurrection like His. Verse 6: The old self crucified. We have been co-crucified with Christ. Knowledge...

Mark discusses Romans 6 in great detail. His initial focus is on WH Ouden who was a student at Christ Church College, at Oxford University. Mark discussed his life and family and his time at Gresham’s Boarding school. Religion was taught there. He made an observation, “People only love God when no one else will love them. While at Oxford he was a non-believer, at least in a personal God. Mark cont...

Pastor Jarrett Stephens taught from John 11 with the title of “It’s Okay to Ask Why.” The story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. We all experience struggling events that shape our faith and we ask why. It’s okay to ask “why?” - God can handle our questions. It’s okay not to understand “why”. - Don’t trade what you know for what you don’t know. Seven certainties in suffering: • Universal and unavoidab...

Mark continued in the study of Romans Chapter 5:12-21 addressing the "so-what" question. For example, So what does it mean that Jesus died for me? Mark focuses on looking at the Literary context aspect of the passage reading it from three perspectives: Reading through the ancient honor and shame culture: people avoided shame; determined social standing, economic opportunities, political influence,...

8-31-25 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the study of Romans with a focus on Chapter 5:12-15. He began by sharing that Paul who had a pastoral heart wrote to help us understand Jesus’ teachings and the inspiration of the Scriptures. With shovel in hand, Mark proceeded to dig deep in the few verses: 1. Sin's universal entry & reign (verse 12) Through one man, sin came into the world Sin is outsi...

8-24-25 Biblical-Literacy Mark Lanier taught from Romans 5:6-11 asking two questions: what is your “why” for experiencing the class, and what is God’s “why” we are here? He then divided the passage into three sections to answer the “why” questions covering the text, a related song and application. 1. Do we find our “why" in Romans 5:6-9? Text: Christ died for weak sinners, not good people. Christ...

8-17-25 Biblical-Literacy Mark returned to class to relaunch our study on the book of Romans. The class began with a review then centered on the first verses in Romans 5 followed by application. 1. Let’s remember where we were Review of past 11 classes. Paul’s reason for writing the letter to the Romans. The letter based on Paul’s 4 points in Romans 1:16-17. 2. Look at Roman’s 5:1-5 Putting the co...

Brent Johnson taught on the 1 Chapter book of 3 John with a focus on being a good ambassador for Christ. He started with some background: Author: the elder (John) Location: Ephesus Date: A.D. 85-95, end of John’s life (50 years after resurrection) Purpose: Commendation and Condemnation Recipient: Gaius Brent divided the lesson from John’s letter using three areas of focus: Gaius John loved Gaius i...

8-10-25 Biblical-Literacy Brent Johnson taught on the 1 Chapter book of 3 John with a focus on being a good ambassador for Christ. He started with some background: Author: the elder (John) Location: Ephesus Date: A.D. 85-95, end of John’s life (50 years after resurrection) Purpose: Commendation and Condemnation Recipient: Gaius Brent divided the lesson from John’s letter using three areas of focus...

8-3-25 Biblical Literacy Mark taught a unique class titled Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a Theology of Science / God's tools in human hands. Does artificial intelligence coincide with science and faith? Mark shares in three points: 1. A gift for flourishing Man has a biblical charge to watch, keep, preserve, and be active. God does not leave humanity helpless. God shows us how to survive. 2. Th...

7-27-25 Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Capes completed the summer series on Philippians with a study of Chapter 4 and friendship. Our words can be positive or negative. Chapter 4 1. Paul begins with terms of endearment. 2. Paul is calling the church together to help these women: my true yoke- fellows. 3. Paul stresses the indicative and the imperative: what we believe indicates how we behave. 4. Paul...

7-20-25 Biblical-Literacy Pastor David Fleming taught from Philippians 3 - with the theme of Destination - Knowing Jesus. He shared 3 points: Salvation is a gift - Ephesians 2:8-10 Beware of evil Grace plus works is not grace Is Jesus Enough? Did He do enough? Jesus paid it all. Spiritual growth Am I putting in the effort and energy? Am I making progress? Graduation Eventually we reach graduation...

7-13-25 Biblical-Literacy Pastor David Fleming led in Part 3 of the summer series on Philippians with a focus on Chapter 2’s call to Unity. A call to Unity 1.Unity is not uniformity 2.Unity is more than the absence of open warfare 3.Unity is a common faith and interests and purpose The Key to Unity... Humility 1.Lowliness of mind 2.Modest and accurate understanding of one’s own importance 3.Thinki...

7-6-25 Bib-Lit Pastor Brent Johnson continued with the summer series of Philippians. Week 2: “On Being a Good Citizen” as found in Chapter 1. Background Date Written: AD 60-62 Location: Paul wrote the letter while in prison Purpose: thanks and encouragement Audience: Romans, Greeks, a few Jews, and slaves Brent uses passport stamps to illustrate the lesson of Paul’s teachings. Stamp 1 Prayer - Pau...

6-29-25 Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Capes provided an introduction in a summer study of Philippians: an Epistle of Friendship. Paul’s relationship with the church: established on his 2nd missionary journey. First church in Europe. Paul wrote the letter during Roman military custody - Christian community supported him - He was able to communicate outside of jail - People were able to see him and te...