Biblical Literacy Podcast

In the last installment of the Gospel of John and the seven miracles, Mark Lanier emphasizes the beauty and reason that each of the 'sign's were chosen, so that we might have everlasting life in communion with our Father. Watch, listen, and learn in one of the best, most clear lessons yet on how wonderful the Messiah, Christ Jesus is in His gift to us, redemption.  

In a continuation of the introduction to the Gospel of John, Mark Lanier traces the Hebrew themes that John used to reach his audience. John linked familiar old testament ideas including themes of creation, the tabernacle, the Jewish festivals, and the bread of life to Christ as the Messiah and the Son of God. You might be familiar with Passover, but find out the role that the Festival of Sukkot p...

The term "Son of God"... how did John link the seven miracles he describes in his Gospels to understand that Christ was the true, unique, Son of God? Do you wonder about the Trinity? Listen to this continung lesson of the Gospel of John and the miracles he uses to understand Christ, the Messiah.

In John's gospel, he details seven miracles. Only seven. Why? Are you curious as to why of all the miracles Christ performed, John in his wisdom of advancing years, picked the seven he did for his 'spiritual' gospel?  

The Gospel of John was written when John was an old man, in Ephesus, and decades after the physical events of Christ's life, death, burial, and resurrection. It is considered a spiritual gosple, different than the three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Follow along with Mark Lanier as he introduces this beautiful gospel and why the maturity and wisdom of John provided a continuing reve...

Thirty five percent of content of Luke is not found in any of the other three gospels. Does this mean Luke made it up? In part 2, Mark Lanier discusses the parables and events that are unique to Luke. See if he convinces you that that Luke had a reason for the inclusions. See if you can have confidence in God's revelation of the greatest moment in earth's history through Luke's account, a physicia...

Thirty five percent of content of Luke is not found in any of the other three gospels. Does this mean Luke made it up? In part 1, Mark Lanier discusses  the Magnificat, Benedictus, Gloria, and Nunc Dimittis, songs that only Luke recorded. Listen to the beauty of them and understand their importance for Christians durings Luke's time and in ours! See if he convinces you that that Luke had a reason...

Luke was highly educated, a doctor, and traveled with Paul. How do these attributes testify to the validity of Luke's account of the Good News about Christ? In this introduction to the Gospel according to Luke, find out why there are differences in this account compared to Mark, Matthew, and John; discover the relevance of 'why' Luke penned his account; and decide for yourself how valid Luke's cho...

The Incarnation refers to God emodied in Christ. Did you ever wonder what verses in the Old Testament point to the coming Messiah? Find out! Mark Lanier uses the beautiful illustrations from the Stone Chapel to guide evidence of the coming Incarnation through Old Testament prophecy.  

How do a lawyer's rules of court and the knowledge of how to recognize a good witness give information on the synoptic phenomenon found in Matthew, Mark and Luke? Follow along as Mark Lanier tackles why these three gospels each tell their story of Jesus in their own words.

Do you wish you knew of a present day miracle? Why was Jesus in the business of doing miracles during his day? Mark Lanier explains why Christ performed the miracles, as He set about the kingdom work of this time and the Kingdom that is to come.  

There has been a steady decline in self-identified church going Christians in the last decade. At the root of this is  academic pursuits that have attempted to show that the Bible is not the Holy revealed word of God. Mark Lanier addresses the integrity of the Gospel of Matthew and what it means to our faith and the generation after us. If you are  worried about the integrity of God's word or doub...

What do idioms have to do with the gospel of Matthew? Do you have a healthy eye? Mark Lanier continues to breakdown the Jewishness of this gospel by explaining not only the idioms but the gematria and Hebrew story line that Matthew used to explained the good news to his Jewish audience.

Matthew was a gospel written for the Jewish mindset. What does that mean? Why is that important? Mark Lanier explains how the author of this gospel tailors his writing and the recollection of Christ's sacrifice to the Jewish audience of his day. In doing so, he hoped to spread the Good News. Find out how understanding the message of a Jewish savior two thousand years ago is applicable today in our...

We are called to be discplies and to usher in the kingdom of Heaven. The Sermon on the Mount gives three pinciples on how to achieve this. Guest teacher, Jared Richard provides insight on the New Kingdom as described by Christ.  

What portrait of Jesus does Matthew paint? How does he tell the Good News story? Mark Lanier answers these questions through each of the 28 chapters in Matthew. Beginning with the first chapter where  “Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” is identified as the one conceived by the Holy Spirit, and called “Immanuel” – God, to the last chapter when Matthew ends with the words of the re...

Did you know that Mark isn't written in chronological order? Are you familiar with Mark's writing style? Explore the gospel of Mark, considered the earliest written gospel, and find out where it differs or is similar to Matthew, Luke, and John. Find out what Mark says as he paints the picture of Christ's life.

Do books that are written to make you doubt whether or not the Bible is God's revelation. Won't want to be scared? Read this lesson  to know how you can be certain of the Canon!

Why is the “canon” of Scripture considered the closed collection of documents regarded as Holy Scripture? Do you know how to judge the value of ancient texts, such as the "Gospel of Jesus' Wife" with regards to the "canon"? Mark Lanier takes you through the reasons you can have confidence in the Christian New Testament.

A continuation of Lesson 2, in Part 2 gives Mark Lanier a chance to dissect the differences found in over 5500 texts that have bearing on the accuracy of the New Testament as we have it today. How many of the estimated 300,000 differences make a difference? Check this lesson  to find out!