OneLife Nashville: Rare but vital conversations about Jesus

In this episode we have an amazing story to share from the book of Joshua, highlighting the remarkable journey of Rahab, a woman who plays a pivotal role in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Rahab's story begins in the most unconventional way possible, as she was a prostitute living in the city of Jericho. Her profession was scandalous and controversial, but it sets the stage for an even greater sc...

In this episode as we continue to situate the book of Joshua in the larger context of the Biblical narrative. We take a close look at Joshua chapter 11, which sheds light on the criteria for success in the military campaigns led by Joshua - the elimination of giant clan city-states, rather than indiscriminate killing of all people in their path. We discuss the presence of other narratives in Joshu...

In this episode, we dive into the backstory of the Book of Joshua, exploring its significance within the broader narrative of Scripture - specifically the narrative that chronicles the rise and proliferation of the Nephilim giant clans in the promised land. Join us as we chart the activity of the Nephilim and their persistent agenda to destroy God's plans in and through Israel. This aspect of...

In this episode we finish up our discussion of how Paul uses Deuteronomy 30:11-14 in Romans 10 to point his Jewish brothers and sisters to Christ as the finish line - the goal - of the law. Christ is the ultimate source of God's righteousness. In order for his Jewish brothers and sisters to reach the finish line and attain the righteousness they are looking for, they will have to submit to the...

In this episode we continue to look at the larger context of Romans 10:4-10 where Paul's quotes the passage of Deuteronomy 30:12-14, namely, Romans 10:1-5. Paul shares his heart for his Jewish brothers and sisters who have not been able to let go of their own strategy for becoming righteous and submit to the righteousness of God - Christ himself. Using the race metaphor, Israel according to th...

In this episode we continue to look at the larger context of Romans 10:4-10 where Paul's quotes the passage of Deuteronomy 30:12-14. In order to understand how Paul applies that passage in Deuteronomy to Christ and the gospel in Romans 10 we have to look at what Paul says in the surrounding verses leading up to that quotation, namely, Romans 9:30-33. There, Paul not only uses a "foot race...

In this episode we look at a specific passage in Deuteronomy 30 where Moses wants Israel to know that the commandment to love God, walk in his ways, and remain faithful to him is not mysterious. It doesn't require someone to have a mystical experience to gain access to it. It doesn't require someone to journey to the ends of the earth to find it. It's in their mouth and in their hearts...

In this episode we build on the previous episode of how Christ became a curse to make contact with those in a cursed condition, so that he could lead them out of - redeem them - from that curse into the blessing of the Spirit. In some ways, what Christ did by becoming a curse is similar to what a therapist does when they intentionally participate in what counselors call "transference". P...

On this episode we continue to look at how Paul uses certain passages in Deuteronomy to explain what Christ has done for both Jews and Gentiles. In Galatians 3:13 Paul says that Christ became a curse so that he could redeem those who were under the curse of the law. We define who "us" refers to, what it means to be "redeemed", why "for us" doesn't mean "inste...

In this episode we continue to work through Galatians 3 as a commentary on passages in Deuteronomy. As a way of convincing his audience that they cannot be justified/made righteous under the Mosaic law, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 which says there is a curse on all who do not continue to do everything written in the law. Essentially, Paul's argument is that whoever comes under the Mosaic cov...

In this episode we continue our journey through Deuteronomy, but we jump up into Galatians 3 to give us some context for how certain passages in Deuteronomy will be used. In Galatians, Paul is trying to convince his readers that they do not have to perform "works of the law" in order to receive the blessing of Abraham. In short, they don't have to be circumcised like Abraham. They on...

In this episode we look at God's instruction for Israel to circumcise their own heart so they can remain sensitive and responsive to his voice and keep their covenant with him. Moses knew that Israel would go in cycles of circumcising their heart and keeping covenant, as well as not circumcising and breaking the covenant, so later in the book of Deuteronomy he outlines the blessings and curses...

In this episode we finish up the story of Jesus passing through the wilderness of temptation from the devil. It's absolutely critical that Jesus never deviates from God's developmental path. Jesus has come to keep, pioneer, and perfect a new humanity, and in order to do this he has to keep pace with God's developmental plans for him. If he were to fall behind it would amount to a form...

In this episode we keep exploring Jesus' experience of passing through the wilderness of temptation from the devil. Jesus is entering into the story of Israel to recapitulate - correct and complete - their developmental journey. He is like Luke Skywalker who inherits the same kind of circumstances as Israel, but makes completely different choices to become a completely different person. In thi...

In this episode we jump up to the book of Matthew and look at how Jesus relied on the book of Deuteronomy - specifically chapters 6-8 - as he passed through the wilderness temptations from the devil. The first thing the devil attacks is Jesus' identity as the Son of God. The enemy knows that our identity as daughters and sons of God is foundational to our staying on God's developmental pat...

In this episode we look at God's intentions towards us as we pass through wilderness experiences. God allows us to go through wilderness experiences so that he can take us through a process of revealing what is in our hearts, and developing our dependence on him. God actually discovers things about us in our wilderness experiences. For example, he discovers whether or not we will allow him to...

In this episode we look at the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4 and approach it as a statement of God unique role as Israel's Lord. God wanted to be the ony one Israel gave it's covenant loyalty to. It was kind of like the beginning of marriage vow, followed by a commitment to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. The heart refers to a combination of thoughts and emotions; the soul re...

In this episode we start a journey through the book of Deuteronomy and how this connects with Jesus. The name of this book means "second law", and it's like a renewing of Israel's marriage vows to God. With the older generation of Israelites having died in the wilderness, God steps in to ensure this newer, second generation does not repeat the mistakes of their parents. He review...

In this episode we look at the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 and how Jesus uses this story to illustrate his own saving power. God sent serpents into the Israelites' camp to infect them with venom. Many Israelites died, but some cried out to Moses and asked him to pray to God for the snakes to be removed. God responded, not by taking the snakes away, but by telling Moses to create...

In this episode we finish up our look at the Israelites' struggle to believe the word of God's promise. We primarily focus on how to approach God for strength when we find ourselves struggling to have faith. The writer of Hebrews thinks it's important for us to recognize that Jesus himself struggled to believe God's promise in his own life. Jesus, too, had to go to God to receive h...

In this episode we keep digging into the story of the Israelites' struggle to believe the word of God's promise. We focus on what it means to enter God's rest, and how the good news of God's promise to enter his rest only benefits us when it is mixed with our faith. God really does want us to enter into his rest, but our struggle to experience his rest is directly linked with our s...

In this eposode we keep exploring the story of the Israelites' struggle to believe the word of God's promise. Part of our struggle to believe is connected with who we choose to listen to. The writer of Hebrews quotes the Psalmist who encourages us to listen and be responsive to God's voice. That means all of the other voices have to be sorted and silenced in light of God's voice. G...

In this episode we start journeying with the Israelites through the wilderness in book of Numbers. Specifically, we look at the famous story of the 12 leaders sent to spy out the Promised Land in Numbers 13-14. We take a closer look at their struggle to believe God's word when everything around them said "It's not going to happen." One of their basic problems was that they allowe...

It's the 100th episode! As mentionined in the podcast, here is a link to receive the four chapters on Jesus and the Atonement from a New Humanity perspective. In this episode we continue to unpack the Year of Jubilee and how it sheds light on God's concern for restorative and transformative justice in the practicalities of people's everyday lives. When someone fell on hard times financ...

In this episode we continue our exploration of the year of Jubilee and how that relates to Jesus. God promised the Iraelites that in the 48th year before the 50th year of Jubilee that he would give them 3x the harvest to last them through the 49th sabbatical year, the 50th Jubilee year, and the 51st year when they would begin sowing their fields with seed again. This promise was given to assure Is...