Bite Size Bible

Today's bonus episode is an extended edition of "What's Faith Learning in Seminary?" This episode doubles as her capstone project for the class Religious Literature of the Enslaved. Faith shares about the significance of the Exodus story in the quest for black freedom through today's ongoing quest for racial justice.

Bentley and Faith continue the conversation about LGBTQIA+ inclusion by unpacking "clobber verses" used to condemn homosexuality and same-sex relationships. They dive into how these verses are misused and taken out of context and what a more faithful reading looks like.

Bentley and Faith begin a new series exploring how Scripture can lead us to greater inclusion. This episode pulls together threads from many previous episodes about context, the overarching trajectory of Scripture, and the Spirit still speaks today. And it serves as an intro to why we welcome, affirm, and celebrate LGBTQ folks within our church community. BSB will dive deeper in coming weeks about...

Faith Kemmler is joined by guest, Harrison Burgess, to talk about the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Harrison shares highlights from a recent Veritas discussion on the story and what it has to say about welcome, hospitality, inclusion, and community.

Bentley and Faith dive more deeply into context, what it means to read Scripture in its historical and literary concert, and how the heck to do it. Faith shares helpful resources. And Bentley almost undermines the whole thing by asking when the Spirit might move us beyond the original meaning of the text. Resources:

Join Laura Bentley for a conversation with Senior Pastor, Jason Freyer, about his first sermon series as he starts his call at Westminster. What does it mean that God’s Word was made flesh? And what does it matter?

Alleluia! He is risen! Bentley and Faith talk about the resurrection narratives in each of the four Gospels, the role women play in these narratives, and why they're important. Plus a little bit about the season of Eastertide. Art mentioned by Faith: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWg78sNCvqa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This week, Bentley and Faith discuss Political Martyr and Moral Example theories of atonement, with a little detour into Scapegoat theory. These are often called, “Nonviolent theories of atonement,” and view the cross as humanity’s violence and injustice on full display. But in the end, love wins. The resurrection vindicates the way of love that Jesus lived. Hear these theories in more detail, and...

Next in the atonement series, Bentley and Faith discuss the Ransom and Christus Victor theories of atonement. Both of these center around the struggle between good and evil and the role Jesus' death and resurrection plays in that struggle. This episode breaks down each theory, compares and contrasts them, and discusses what we might take and leave from each.

To kick off the Atonement Series, Bentley and Faith take on Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Even if you haven't heard those words, you've probably heard some version of "Jesus taking our punishment" on the cross. This episode breaks down what this understanding of atonement is, and why we need alternatives to it.

Laura Bentley and Faith Kemmler are joined by Dave Heilman, moderator of the Pastor Nominating Committee, to hear more about the PNC's process over the last year and what the One Service Sunday and congregational meeting on March 15 will look like.

Join Laura and Faith for this introduction to atonement. During the season of Lent, BSB will explore different ways to think about what the death and resurrection of Jesus mean for us, the world, and the whole cosmos.

Faith Kemmler is joined by guest Nolan Daniele to discuss the scripture passages that guide them, how they chose them, and the meaning they carry. Faith's "Subway Art" https://bit.ly/1cor1031art

Paul was the most prolific writer of the New Testament, but we often don’t know what to do with him. Paul was and is a polarizing Apostle, often lifted up above the Gospels or pushed aside completely. Is there a third way? Laura Bentley talks with Faith Kemmler about Paul’s unconventional story, and how to read Paul in context as the passionate and radical messenger of Christ that he was.

WARNING: Be aware of your audience as you listen. Laura Bentley and Faith Kemmler have a candid conversation about Santa and the magic of Christmas.

How are we supposed to read about the Good News? Laura Bentley and Faith Kemmler talk about the Gospels and their place in Biblical literature.

It’s the end of the world as we know it…sort of. Laura Bentley and Faith Kemmler talk about what is going on with the strange and sometimes frightening imagery of apocalyptic literature. And why books like Revelation are about hope, not horror.

Description: Laura Bentley and Faith Kemmler discuss what it means to them to embrace wonder and mystery in faith and scripture.

This week, Laura Bentley welcomes special guest Jo Forrest, Westminster’s Senior Pastor. Jo helps us think about Scripture as alive with God’s Spirit, able to guide us to live in connection with our Creator, and a workout for our intellects. And she shares what she’s reading beyond the Bible.

Faith Kemmler and Laura Bentley discuss prophetic literature, whether or not the prophets could predict the future, and what prophecy may look like today.

Laura Bentley gives an overview of Wisdom literature in Scripture. And Faith Kemmler updates us on what she's learning in seminary.

While we call the Bible a book; it's more like a library. In this episode, Faith Kemmler walks through the Biblical canon, how it came to be, and what genres can be found in the Biblical library.

Our final installment of the creation stories that begin the Bible. Sin, the fall, an apple? None of it is in the text. What is going on in this story that has captured our imaginations for millennia?

Now that we've looked at both Creation Stories, let's zoom out and explore why there are two, why it matters, and how do we read both of them together?

Continue on our creation journey as we discuss the second creation story found in Genesis 2.