ProveText

What comes to mind when you hear “spiritual gifts”—a special ability, a ministry role, or a test that tells you where to serve? What if that picture is incomplete? Pastor and author Dr. Daniel J. Brendsel joins Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb to explore how we think and talk about spiritual gifts—and what we might be missing. Drawing on Ephesians 4 and stories from pastoral ministry, Dan asks a deeper q...

Why do some students pick up a language quickly while others struggle in the same classroom? In this episode of SLA Insights , Dr. Jennifer Noonan explores language learning aptitude and what it means for teaching ancient languages. She looks at four areas researchers study: sensitivity to sounds, recognizing language patterns, working memory, and combinations of abilities used for particular task...

Why can students in the same language class learn at such different rates? In this short preview, Dr. Jennifer Noonan introduces a new SLA Insights mini-series on learner differences and what they mean for teaching ancient languages. The series will explore differences in aptitude, age, motivation, emotions, and attitudes, then turn to practical strategies for instructors and students learning Heb...

What if the Sermon on the Mount isn’t primarily showing us an impossible standard—but teaching us how to flourish? Dr. Jonathan T. Pennington joins Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb to explore Jesus as a philosopher in the ancient sense: a teacher offering a comprehensive vision of the good life. They discuss what the Beatitudes really mean, why “blessed” may not be the best translation of makarios , and...

Is spiritual warfare still a present reality—and what might it look like in everyday life? In the second-to-last episode of Sabbatical Insider , Dr. Fredrick J. Long shares where his recent study and personal experiences have led him as he explores spiritual warfare, deliverance, forgiveness, negative thought patterns, and the biblical command to resist evil and renew the mind. Drawing from the Lo...

What does the name Joseph actually mean—and how does that meaning shape the stories of both Joseph in Genesis and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus? In this episode of What’s in the Name? , Dr. Mario Melendez explores the Hebrew meaning of Yosef , “to add” or “to increase,” and traces that idea through Scripture. From Rachel’s prayer for another son, to Joseph being taken away and restored, to t...

Is self-esteem something Christians should pursue—or does Scripture point us toward something deeper? In this episode of Wholly Love, Ben Hundley and Patrick Holley explore one of modern culture's most common assumptions: that our well-being depends on building healthy self-esteem. Drawing from Christian psychology and biblical theology, they ask whether our identity is meant to rest on self-e...

What does it mean to truly know a word—and how can biblical language instructors help students learn, retain, and retrieve vocabulary? In this episode of SLA Insights, Dr. Jennifer E. Noonan concludes her vocabulary-acquisition series with a guided recap of episodes 85–95. Explore each topic and watch the individual episodes below. VOCABULARY ACQUISITION SERIES ► SLA Insights #85: What Does It Mea...

What can research on second language acquisition teach us about Biblical Hebrew vocabulary learning? In this episode of SLA Insights , Dr. Jennifer Noonan highlights three helpful publications for those teaching Biblical Hebrew. These studies explore vocabulary-learning strategies, the effectiveness of shorter word lists, and how vocabulary frequency can help determine which chapters of the Hebrew...

Solomon asked God for wisdom—and God said yes. But what if wisdom wasn't the greatest gift Solomon could have asked for? In this episode, Dr. Michael Halcomb sits down with pastor and author Dr. Jim Samra to explore one of the most surprising questions in Scripture: Should Solomon have asked for something else? Together they discuss: • Why Solomon's story ends in tragedy despite receiving...

🎙️ Wholly Love Bonus Conversation Can you truly empathize with someone without agreeing with their choices? In this follow-up conversation, Dr. Fredrick J. Long, Ben Hundley, and Patrick Holley continue their discussion on counseling, spiritual direction, and Christian formation. They explore the difference between empathy and endorsement, why understanding someone is not the same as approving of...

What is the difference between counseling and spiritual direction? In this episode, Dr. Fredrick J. Long, Ben Hundley, and Patrick Holley explore one of the most important questions in Christian formation: Which better facilitates love—counseling or spiritual direction? Along the way, they discuss empathy, spiritual formation, God's will, emotional healing, Christian counseling, prayer, discer...

Welcome back to Wholly Love. In this rebooted episode, Dr. Fredrick J. Long is joined by Patrick Holley and Ben Hundley for a conversation about one of the most important questions facing Christians today: Is psychology compatible with Christian faith? Together they explore: • Freud's critique of religion • The relationship between psychology and theology • What Scripture means by "the so...

What happens when the success everyone sees hides the struggle no one knows about? In this powerful testimony, Darryl McGregory shares how he went from living a hidden double life to finding lasting freedom in Jesus Christ. Growing up in Alabama, Darryl wrestled with rejection, pornography, same-sex attraction, shame, and questions of identity. While gaining millions of views through viral comedy...

How do you stay encouraged when life, work, and ministry often feel thankless? In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Dr. Fredrick J. Long reflects on the importance of encouragement, prayer, and intentional appreciation. After receiving a simple thank-you note from a student, Fred opens a collection of letters and emails he has saved for decades—messages from students, mentors, colleagues, and fa...

How do you keep your Biblical Greek from becoming rusty? For author Mark Joseph Simon, the answer was unexpected: pray in Greek. In this conversation, Mark shares how praying in Biblical Greek transformed his language retention, helped him move beyond rote memorization, and deepened both his understanding of Greek and his devotional life. Topics include:📖 Why so many students forget Biblical Gree...

Was the flood really about God's anger? Most of us learned the story of Noah as children: people were bad, God got angry, and the flood happened. But Genesis tells a much bigger story. In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb explores how the flood is actually a story of decreation, restraint, and God's determination not to give up on creation. Along the way, you'll discover why the...

What does the office of a biblical scholar actually look like? In this Sabbatical Insider episode, Dr. Fredrick J. Long takes you on a personal tour of his office at Asbury Theological Seminary, sharing the books, commentaries, original language resources, research methods, and personal stories that have shaped decades of teaching and scholarship. Along the way, you'll learn why original langu...

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Terry Lindvall. If you haven't seen Part 1 yet, start there first: https://youtu.be/jBuZ6d7O2es What happened to Christian humor? For centuries, Christians laughed, joked, mocked hypocrisy, and used satire to expose pride, corruption, and foolishness. But somewhere along the way, many believers became afraid to laugh. In Part 2 of this conversation,...

Many Christians assume the Old Testament is primarily about rules, restrictions, sacrifices, and barriers between God and humanity. But what if those things existed for the exact opposite reason? In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb explores one of the Bible's most important themes: God's relentless desire to dwell with His people. From Eden to the Tabernacle, from the Temple to Jesu...

Do our prayers really make a difference? In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Dr. Fredrick J. Long reflects on the ministry of intercession while giving viewers a glimpse inside Asbury Theological Seminary, including the Richard Allen Chapel and his office in the Beeson Center. Drawing from Andrew Murray's classic work The Ministry of Intercession , Fred explores Christ's ongoing interce...

Most Christians read the Bible far too seriously. But what if Scripture contains far more humor, irony, satire, and laughter than we've been taught to see? In this conversation, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb sits down with humor scholar Dr. Terry Lindvall to explore the hidden comedy of the Bible—from Sarah's laughter and Noah's drunkenness to Jewish humor, biblical irony, and the surprisi...

Most Christians define holiness as "being set apart." But what if that's not how Scripture introduces holiness at all? In this episode of the ProveText Podcast, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb explores holiness through the lens of Genesis and the broader biblical story. Rather than beginning with moral behavior, the Bible begins with God's presence. From Eden to the Tabernacle, from th...

Today’s episode is a deeply personal one. Fred reflects on the passing of his beloved dog, Callie, after fifteen years together. As he processes grief, he explores some of Christianity’s biggest questions: What happens when we die? Do believers immediately go to be with the Lord? Is "soul sleep" biblical? And what hope, if any, might there be for the animals we love? Drawing from passage...

What happens when Christians start choosing sides? In this episode of Corinth Conversations, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb and Dr. Fredrick J. Long explore one of the earliest leadership crises in the church. Why were believers saying, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas"? Was this simply a disagreement—or something deeper? Together they unpack 1 Cori...