Pondering the Bible

Send us Fan Mail Ken and Rocky continue the walk through 1st Peter, picking up where we left off two weeks ago. We start with the Greek word: 'zelotes', which we translate as 'zealot', someone who is fanatical about something. Rocky discusses 4 different theories for the time Jesus spent after he was crucified. He descended to Hell, but who did he preach to while there? And the...

Send us Fan Mail Special guest Katie Bristow joins Rocky and Ken as this week is Laity Sunday in the United Methodist Church. We discuss what Laity Sunday is, and what a Lay Servant (Lay Speaker) is called to do in the UMC. We discuss Katie's chosen scripture; Luke 12:35-48. With a primary focus on leadership, we discuss leading with God's guidance. The sermon for this episode is called...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Rocky and Ken continue to work through 1st Peter chapter 3, covering verses 8-12. Peter asks the new Christians to work for the common goal of building the faith, and how to behave when faced with persecution. Ken and Rocky delve into textural criticism. The sermon for this episode is called "Something New" and can be found at: https://ponderumc.org/mini...

Send us Fan Mail This week Ken and Rocky begin chapter 3 with a shorter reading, verses 1-7. Peter tells wives how to behave if their husband is not a Christian. And uses Sara and Abraham as an example. Peter tells husbands that wives are equal, which for the time, was a radical idea.  The sermon for this episode is called "Evangelism By Wedlock" and can be found at: https://ponderumc.or...

Send us Fan Mail This week we finish chapter 2 of 1st Peter. Peter discusses authority. and how Christians must respect legal authority. Ken and Rocky discuss the word "slave" in Peter's letter, and what it means. There are two different Greek words are translated as "slave" in the new testament; 1. Doulos 2. Oiketai Peter tells the young Christian churches that sometimes...

Send us Fan Mail Starting chapter 2 of First Peter, covering verses 1-12.  Ken and Rocky discuss Antinomianism, the heresy that because Jesus paid the ransom for our sins, Christians are not bound by moral rules. They also discuss the "stone" scriptures. Peter tells the Christians in Turkey that Jesus was rejected for his beliefs, so it shouldn't surprise them if they are being reje...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, we finish chapter 1 of 1 Peter, covering verses 13-25. Co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rev. Rocky Ellison discuss how Peter's letter calls Christians to "be holy, as God is holy. New church word: Theosis, which means to become more like God (not God-like) Peter discusses judgement and how the blood of Jesus is the price paid for our forgiveness. &qu...

Send us Fan Mail Continuing our discovery of First Peter, Ken and Rocky dig into verses 3-12.  Two main concepts emerge as Peter lays out the main points of the letter in this section; 1. Born again 2. Resurrection Peter introduces a new word, Anagenao, meaning "born again".  Peter tells us that once we are born again, we become something different, we are "regenerated" with th...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 1: Introduction to the first epistle (letter) of Peter. Co-hosts Rocky and Ken discuss the author,  purpose, and themes or Peter's first letter. Written to the Christians in the region, Peter gives them encouragement as they face persecution. The major themes of this letter are Sanctification, being more like Jesus everyday, and Peter tells Christians they are God&apo...

Send us Fan Mail A brief introduction to Pondering the Bible. In this trailer, we describe how we plan to study the bible. Differences from other types and styles of Bible Study. Meet the co-hosts, Ken Corkins and Rev. Rocky Ellison.   Find us at www.ponderumc.org . Feedback is welcome: PonderMethodist@gmail.com Music performed by the Ponder UMC worship team Cover Art: Joe Wagner Recorded, edited...