Biblical Literacy Podcast

In Part III of Why I'm not an atheist, Mark uses Scripture to show humans don't define God: he's not a genie. Mark continues by refuting the various arguments atheists use to disprove God. Listen to the lesson to better understand an atheist doesn’t understand who God is.

In Part 2 of Why I’m not an Atheist, Mark poses the question, “How do atheists know there is no God?” To claim that something is true means to carry the Burden of proof. Mark shares the writings of the 4 horsemen of the new atheism and how they use fallacies and rhetoric tricks to claim there is no God.

Pastor Melvin Tinker from Hull, England taught Part I of this week’s class, “Why I Am Not a Buddhist. Buddha believed the way to eliminate suffering in life was to eliminate desire, and that meant reducing self to nothing. Our God is alive and relational in a real world, contrary to Buddhists who claim this world is but a dream. Listen to this powerful lesson.

Mark began a new series titled “Why I am Not …”.  with the first class, "Why I Am Not an Atheist.”  This session takes us into Mark’s world as a trial lawyer where allegations must be proven with facts and evidence. The burden of proof belongs to the atheist to prove the nonexistence of God. Listen to Mark’s argument for a real and alive God.

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 49: David Capes taught 2 and 3 John. The writer, the Apostle John, identifies himself as the elder. John warned the readers of antichrists, gnosticism, and false teachers by telling the readers that Jesus is God made flesh. John encourages believers to grasp the Truth of Jesus and to show His love and humility to others, even strang...

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 48:

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 47: This week Mark gave an introduction to Revelation. The writer is widely believed as Apostle John while imprisoned on the island of Patmos. The book is unusual, complicated, a puzzle, filled with imagery, ideas, and symbolism. Mark explains why we should study Revelation in the context of apocalyptic literature. 

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 46: In this third and final lesson of 1 John, Mark shares some of his favorite passages. The first one is how the Disciple John explained love and feelings, with the understanding that faith is not a feeling  but a decision of faith. John also deals with heresy, the progression of love, and love’s transforming power.

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 45: 1 John focuses on the metaphors related to light and darkness, good and evil. Too many early believers were using their freedom in Christ to sin, not grasping that sin is darkness.  Mark says, “God’s light makes the sun look like a 20 watt bulb.”

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 44: Mark begins the first of three lessons covering 1 John. The overview show us the Apostle John’s concerns for Christians nearly three decades after Jesus’ resurrection. John was an eye witness to Jesus, and he wanted believers to know without a doubt that Jesus was really the Son of God who came in the flesh. Mark teaches about t...

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 43:

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 42:

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 41:

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 40: Did the apostle Peter write 1 Peter? Although the beginning words indicate Peter is the writer, some disagree with his authorship. Marks gives us the arguments for and against with insight into the world during the first century church. Weigh the arguments and explanations then choose who wrote 1Peter.

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 39: The book of James gives us a fresh perspective on how to find encouragement and practical ways for the Christian to live in an imperfect world. Brent's teachings give us insight into how God uses life's trials, maturity, good works, and actions to show our faith in Jesus Christ.  

Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey – Lesson 38: Hebrews – A lesson on Prayer How do we pray? Is there a formula for prayer? Does God even care or listen? How can we be certain God wants to hear from us and speaks to us? Mark’s lesson on the power of prayer uses Hebrews as well as other Scripture passages to offer hope and reassurance in God’s desire to be in constant communi...

New Testament Survey- Lesson 37: Hebrews: Faith Part 2 Mark’s lesson this week concluded Hebrews 11. The stories of faith in this chapter confirm the power of God working through frail man destined for divine purposes. God desires our faith to move beyond salvation to obedience, and faith deals with real consequences.  Study Mark’s lesson to discover what God says about the how and why of faith.  

New Testament Survey- Lesson 37: Hebrews: Faith Hebrews 11 gives us an overview of Old Testament historical figures who walked by faith. But what did faith mean to them, and what does faith mean to us today? Mark shows us through the range of meanings of the Greek word pistis how faith is woven with trust to provide a dynamic witness to God. Can our faith translate to what we give back to God?  

New Testament Survey- Lesson 36: Hebrews: Melchizedek Ever wonder where the origin of the priesthood began? Does the name of Melchizedek jar your memory? He’s mentioned in only three places in the Bible: Genesis, Psalms, and Hebrews. What can Believers today learn from the Priest Melchizedek, and how does Jesus relate to him? Are you curious about the first instance of tithing. Mark addresses thes...

New Testament Survey – Lesson 35: Hebrews – Listening to God The writer of the book of Hebrews used numerous references from the Old Testament to demonstrate the ’voice’ of God through the prophets is consistent with His actions of love in the New Testament. His speaking to us is one long event, and not only by His Word but also by His deeds. Jesus was never a new idea or a new dialogue. He is the...

New Testament Survey – Lesson 33: Paul’s Last Letter (2 Timothy) and Last Days A quick review of what we know of Paul in the book of the Acts is recounted followed by what took place after events in the Acts. In 2 Timothy Paul is again under arrest in Rome only this time the conditions are much worse and Paul sees the coming of his death. This gives him a special perspective on his hope of salvati...

New Testament Survey – Lesson 32: Paul’s Letter to Titus Titus is both a pastoral letter and it is a thorough to-do list for Titus to follow in the churches Paul expected him to minister within. Titus was a Greek convert of Paul’s who traveled extensively with him; as such he was well versed and shared much of Paul’s understanding of doctrine. And he used him as his agent or representatives to the...