Biblical Literacy Podcast

Biblical Literacy Class 11/19/23 Noah and The Flood Genesis Biblical Literacy Class 11/19/23 Noah and The Flood Genesis Mark breaks down this lesson into three parts: 1. Genealogies/ Linage This is a look at the linage of Adam and Eve and what happens to the family. 2. Genealogies /Ages Then look at the genealogies because it is shocking that these people lived to be 900 and some odd years old. 3....

Biblical-Literacy 11-12-23 Mark diverted teaching from Genesis to interview Dr. Ed Stetzer,an evangelical scholar, author, missiologist, and Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in La Mirada, California. Dr. Stetzer also hosts a radio show and weekly podcast. Mark posed various questions that began with the highlights of Dr. Stetzer’s life. Through God’s leading, Dr. Stetzer share...

11-5-23 Biblical-Literacy Pastor David Fleming taught the next lesson in the Genesis series, with an emphasis on Genesis 3: The Garden of Eden and the fall. Pastor Fleming cited three points in today’s lesson: 1. The ancient context: Moses responded to the Hebrew people’s questions according to the historical language, vocabulary, understanding, and culture. While Adam and Eve lived in paradise wi...

10-29-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued with the study of Genesis and focused on the Garden of Eden as written in Genesis 2. Three points highlighted his discussion: Story basics: Information and meaning. Genesis was written for us but to ancient Israel. Mark gave a review of the pagan culture of the world during Moses’ time. We don’t know the exact location of the Garden of Eden. Discover the s...

10-22-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark interviewed Dr. John Lennox, who not only shared about his loving wife and family but also the spiritual and encouraging influence of his Irish parents. Dr. Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, internationally renowned speaker and author of several books on the interface of science, philosophy and religion, shared how his life experiences: educatio...

October 15, 2023 Genesis Session 5 In this session Mark discusses Moses on Mount Sinai +1240 BC A close look at "Enuma Elish and "Atrahasis" The Lesson is broken down into: Bizarre Story: The implications and teaching of what and how Moses communicated his message and how we as human beings should interpret the scriptures related thereto. What Moses and the people heard was massively different and...

10-8-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the Genesis series with a focus on Part 2 of Creation and asking the question: Are faith and science at war? Mark organized his teaching to cover: 1. Basics -The fundamental principles of creation. The ancients had different teachings for the creation. God is above creation, not captive to nature. God made space and time. 2.Theology -Important theologica...

Mark continued in the series on Genesis with a focus on addressing context in the creation story. 1. Translation and context: Written for us but to ancient Israel in ancient Hebrew vocabulary, culture, and understanding. The ancients used their common sense to explain the creation. 2. Cosmos and Moses: Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s house and was instructed in Egyptian and Mesopotamian culture.  Moses...

Mark interviewed the Revd. Dr. Michael Lloyd - Principal of Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University in England. He’s released a new book in the U.K. titled Image Bearers - Restoring our Identity and Living our Calling. It should release in the U.S. January 2024. The topic of the interview focused on Genesis 1:26-27. Michael Lloyd discussed seven points that show how we are made in the image of God 1. R...

Mark started a new class series on Genesis. This book is the prequel to the Torah or Pentateuch. It also sets up an understanding of the book of Moses, the Old Testament, and an introduction to the rest of the Bible. Mark divided the discussion of Genesis into three sections: Set Up - for cosmic approach, sin and its consequences, prophecy and blessing, and God and Revelation. Authorship - a varie...

In today’s class Mark interviewed guest Dr. Darrell Bock, the Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Mark posed a variety of questions to Dr. Bock, who expertly wowed us with his wisdom, humor, and relational biblical instructions for living in today’s culture. The interview covered: Personal info. Married 48...

Mark taught a standalone lesson on Judah and Assyria using a time travel theme all the way back to September 3, 701 BC. Mark, as tour guide shared: A tour of Nineveh: an expensive capital city built through Assyria's war machine. Nineveh was a large city in its day covering over 3 square miles. A tour of Jerusalem: 50 times smaller than Nineveh. King Hezekiah refused to pay tribute and chose to tr...

8-27-23 Bib-Lit  Brent Johnson taught BBS - Better Bible Study - on the topic of Communication.  Communication with God is prayer. Proper communication means the sender sends a message through a channel to the recipient. That channel is either verbal or nonverbal. The process takes time. Brent offers three points in our communication with God. 1. God speaks:       When God speaks, things happen be...

8-21-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark taught another class in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series with a focus on the Bible theme - Time. 1. God and time: God created time, people are under time and God is over time, and God doesn’t change. 2. People And time: people exist in time, does wisdom come with time? time is fleeting, time should affect how we live, and we have a longing in our heart for eternit...

8-13-23 Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Capes continued in the Better Bible Study, BBS, by highlighting principles of exegesis. Exegesis - a “close reading” of a text. Dr. Capes began with a review of the BBS lessons to-date, then turned his attention to the topic of Exegisis. Lesson points: What do you bring to the tasks of studying the Bible? History, disposition, culture, values, griefs, and hopes...

8-6-23 Biblical-Literacy  Pastor Jarrett Stephens shared his approach to Better Bible Study, BBS, during this week’s class. He encouraged us to create our own method for our time with the Lord. Start small and grow in time spent building your relationship with God.  Hour of power - a spiritual workout.  1. Prioritize your time 2. Use a Study Bible and journal your thoughts, prayers, and what God i...

Dr. David Capes taught the next lesson in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series focused on Immanuel in the Gospel of Matthew.  Matthew’s Gospel was placed first by the early church leaders. It’s a user-friendly handbook to the church. Dr Capes had three points. 1. Background of Immanuel in Matthew     Fulfillment of Scripture      Prophets both spoke and acted out their messages 2. Bookends      Mat...

Mark continued the Better Bible Study - BBS with a focus on the theme of exile—the state or period of forced absence from one’s home or country. 1. The “exile” began with the exile from the garden to restoration with God woven throughout the Bible. Sin resulted in exile. God had to clean us up. 2. Mark reviewed additional passages that deal with exile including echoes of creation and re-creation....

7-16-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series with the theme of Messiah throughout the Bible. Messiah is one who is anointed or consecrated to God’s purpose. The Bible speaks of 3 types of individuals who were Messiah'd: priests, kings, and prophets. Jesus fulfills all three as the ultimate Messiah. Mark divided his teaching between the roles & titles of Messiah t...

Mark continued BBS Better Better Study focused on the theme of sacrifice. The Bible was built over time, and associations are built into it. Mark defined sacrifice as the destruction or surrender for the sake of something else. Marks presents this lesson with two points: 1. Lessons on sacrifices from more obvious passages like with how Moses explained how sacrifice association are built into the P...

7-2-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued BBB - Better Bible Study - with two themes: the Bible as a love story and giving. 1. Love story narrative First, what is love? Mark shares the Greek words for love and the Hebrew word. God centers His love for us throughout the Bible: starting in Genesis, we are created in His image and His love continues through the wedding feast as depicted in Revelation....

6-25-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued BBB- Better Bible Study - with Lesson 4 using a hermeneutical approach. This week’s focus was on the Biblical theme of the temple. 1. What was the temple? Earthly home of a heavenly God, the presence of God among people, His dwelling and resting place. The tabernacle was a portable temple. 2. The temple theme throughout the Bible begins in the creation, sho...

Mark taught Lesson 3 in the summer’s Better Bible Study series expanding on three themes. 1. The surviving and thriving remnant. A remnant is a small piece or amount that is left from a larger original or amount. Mark detailed how God referred to the remnant of his people throughout scripture. 2. Spiritual warfare. This aspect begins in Genesis with Adam and Eve’s encounter with Satan and fall, an...

Mark taught Lesson 2 in the summer’s Better Bible Study series with a hermeneutical approach, the study of the methods of reading and understanding Bible passages. Mark covered three themes: 1. The kingdom of God come among His people. God will bring His kingdom to the redeemed. 2. God as a just God. Humanity has a problem: pride. 3. God’s provision of land for His people. The redemption story is...

Mark started a new summer series on Better Bible Study, BBS. The goal of this series is to learn how to study the Bible with each lesson building on the previous. Today’s overview reviewed the why, what & how of bible study.  Why? Timothy 3:12-17. The Bible is God-breathed, used for reproof, correction, train, inspired by God, and equips the believer for every good work. What? The Protestant Bible...