Fig Tree Ministries Podcast

The Four Senses of Scripture: In today's lesson, we dive into the ancient and enduring methods used by both Judaism and Christianity to interpret the sacred texts of the Bible. Throughout history, scholars and spiritual leaders have recognized that Scripture offers layers of meaning that can only be unlocked through diverse approaches to interpretation. In this video, we introduce the four levels...

In the Gospel of John, scholars identify a foundational literary structure known as the "Mystical Way" or the "Mystical Path." This path represents the journey toward the ultimate desire of mystics—the profound union with God. John's approach to guiding believers towards this union is subtly integrated into his gospel, utilizing selective narratives rather than explicit declarations. For John, ach...

In this lesson, we embark on the first installment of our upcoming series, where we delve into the Gospel of John from a mystical perspective. The Gospel of John, often regarded as a mystical text, can be a source of confusion for many. In this session, our aim is to shed light on various aspects of Jewish mysticism and how they harmonize seamlessly with the Gospel of John. Mystics are captivated...

In today's session, we dive into the intriguing world of Mystical Judaism and explore a unique technique known as Gematria. Gematria is a profound method for exploring the depths of the Hebrew scripture, revealing hidden connections within God's cosmos. Join us as we uncover the mystical significance of Gematria, which harnesses the dynamic nature of the Hebrew alphabet, encompassing letters, numb...

In the Greek language, the word "baptize" takes on a fascinating range of meanings, from a short-term "to dip" to a more extended "to dye" as in coloring clothing. But the truest sense of its meaning lies within the context. Within the New Testament, baptize or baptism can mean to dip (short-term) or to dye, as in clothing (long-term). Within the context of the long-term process of making a discip...

In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to make disciples. But what exactly is a disciple? What was Jesus envisioning when He gave us this command? How did discipleship take shape within the unique context of the first-century world in which Jesus lived? In this lesson, we will delve into the essence of discipleship and uncover what it meant to be a disciple within the framework of the first-ce...

In this lesson, we'll explore the debate surrounding whether or not Jesus gave us a command to 'Go!' in Matthew 28:19. The disagreement revolves around the translation of the Greek participle Πορευθέντες (poreuthentes), which is usually rendered into English as 'go.' The primary question is whether we should interpret 'go' as an imperative. If so, how much emphasis should we place on it, consideri...

Welcome to our series on the Great Commission – or should we say, "The Great Omission?" Join us as we explore a fresh perspective on Matthew 28:19-20, a passage that has shaped the mindset and mission of many Christians. Is it possible that we've been misreading this important scripture? Could scholars like Dallas Willard be onto something when they suggest calling it "The Great Omission" instead?...

Entering the Kingdom of God involves a dynamic, ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ, characterized by the consistent acknowledgment of His lordship over our lives. This commitment requires continual repentance to align ourselves with the values and teachings of His kingdom. In doing so, we entrust our past to Jesus, inviting His judgment and grace to free us from the burdens that inhibit the fu...

Today's lesson delves into the relationship between Jesus, the cosmos, and the Myth of the Eternal Return. Ancient religions often perceived the cosmos as an endless cycle. They believed that, periodically, everything must revert to its original chaotic state from the dawn of time, only to be reborn or regenerated. Regrettably, the ancient mind was ensnared by this ceaseless loop. Enter the Old Te...

Mark employs a sophisticated literary technique known as Inclusio to unveil the true nature of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and the Son of God. Inclusio functions as a literary framework, where the author strategically places a central concept at the beginning and end of their work, indicating that everything contained within serves to reinforce this central idea. The Gospel of Mark is a piece...

In this lesson, we delve into the profound essence of a Hebrew word often translated as “to bear” or “to bring Good News.” Hebrew, as the foundational language of the Bible and the Israelites, is both dynamic and richly mystical. Those acquainted with Western traditions might find themselves surprised by the depths the Hebrew letters and words can reach. The Rabbis believed that every aspect of th...

Luke, the author of the book of Acts, employs a sophisticated literary technique known as Inclusio to illuminate his audience's grasp of his narrative. Inclusio functions akin to bookends, where the author strategically positions a central concept at the outset and conclusion of a composition, signifying that everything enclosed within serves to reinforce this central idea. Within the book of Acts...

In the first century, the Imperial Cult had extended its presence even into the land of Israel. King Herod, aiming to honor the Caesar who bestowed upon him his power, constructed three shrines or temples within his realm. In 1998, the exposure of ancient ruins due to a brushfire led to the discovery of the third among these temples in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi. In today's lesson, prompted...

In today's lesson, we will delve into the Roman Imperial Cult and the officially sanctioned worship of Caesar Augustus. As the message of the Kingdom of God, centered around Jesus as Lord, spreads throughout the Roman Empire, it encounters a direct clash with the Roman establishment, where Caesar is regarded as the supreme authority. Both Jesus and the writers of the New Testament possess a keen a...

Before anything was documented in writing, how did the disciples and the early church communicate the message of the "Good News"? In today's lesson, we will delve into the book of Acts and examine what biblical scholars consider to be the initial proclamation of the "Good News" concerning God's kingdom reign. Luke, a Greek writer, employed a common literary technique of the first century by incorp...

Chiastic structures were utilized by Bible authors to effectively communicate their intended messages. These underlying structures not only shape the scriptures but also aid the audience in visualizing important concepts. A prime example of this can be found in the Gospel of Mark, where a chiastic structure introduces the Good News of God's impending reign and highlights Jesus as the anointed Mess...

Welcome to today's lesson, where we delve into the origins of the Hebrew and Greek words associated with the term "Good News." Regardless of whether you identify as a Jew, Roman, or Greek, the concept of the "Good News" holds great significance and bears religious implications. Additionally, we will investigate the meaning of a Targum and its role in shedding light on first-century Jewish perspect...

What is meant by the term "Good News"? This question is crucial and needs to be addressed by both ourselves and others. The definition of this term varies between scholars and laypeople, but in this case, the scholars' perspective is correct. The Good News refers to the Kingdom of God, where Jesus reigns as Lord. In the first century, this proclamation had real-world implications as it meant that...

This lesson explores the ancient literary technique called a chiastic structure or a chiasm. The biblical authors use literary devices such as the chiastic structure to add depth to the text. The chiastic structure focuses the reader's attention and helps communicate the author's point. We will use the story of the Tower of Babel to help illustrate a chiastic structure. The Tower of Babel story is...

The Hebrew Bible uses a metaphor of marriage for the relationship between God and Israel. God is the faithful and true husband, while Israel is an unfaithful bride. The wedding takes place at Mount Sinai, and marriage language is used throughout by the prophets to emphasize the closeness of this special relationship. Marriage is also a metaphor for redemption. God’s plan of redemption will end wit...

Moses acts as a covenant mediator for the brand-new nation of Israel. God uses the ancient Near Eastern Suzerain Vassal covenant structure to communicate this new relationship to his people. When we understand the components of an ancient Near Eastern covenant, we begin to see the underlying structure within the Biblical text. If we don't understand ANE Covenants, we miss the details the Bible com...

Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/abrahamic-covenant#/ Concept of Covenant Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/concept-of-covenant-handout#/ "Cutting a Covenant" Handout - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/cutting-a-covenant-ha...

The message of the Bible is Redemption, and God has a plan to redeem the world. How does God communicate his plan of redemption to his people? He uses straightforward cultural metaphors that everyone understands. The Father's House is the cultural metaphor used to express the plan of redemption. Join us as we explore this wonderful metaphor. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/suppor...

The generations following Adam and Eve became wicked, violent, and murderous. God's heart was grieved, and, in His wisdom, He decided to "start over" through Noah and his family. Noah's story is a "de-creation" followed by "re-creation" and a new beginning for humanity. After the flood, God makes a covenant with humanity through Noah as the covenant mediator. His promise to humanity is that He wil...