ProveText

What does a sabbatical actually look like for a biblical scholar? In this episode of Sabbatical Insider , Dr. Fredrick J. Long takes you behind the scenes of real academic work—translating Ephesians from the Greek, navigating textual variants, and wrestling with how to faithfully represent Scripture. From working with the Patriarchal Greek text to comparing it with modern critical editions, this e...

Dr. Lynn Cohick joins the ProveText Podcast to explore the world of early Christianity, the role of women in the New Testament, and the deeper meaning of the cross. In this conversation, we discuss: Why women in the early church have been misunderstood How cultural context shapes how we read Scripture What the cross really meant in the ancient world The difference between modern assumptions and hi...

What if the tree of the knowledge of good and evil wasn’t actually about knowledge? In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb unpacks Genesis 2–3 and shows that the real issue in Eden wasn’t a lack of information—but a lack of trust. Humans didn’t fall because they didn’t know enough… they fell because they stopped trusting the One who did. From the Hebrew phrase tov v’ra to the deeper question o...

Have you ever wondered if we sometimes use the Bible to justify our own views? In this episode of the ProveText Podcast, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb sits down with Dr. Charlie Hadjiev to explore the book of Joel and what it actually teaches about hope, enemies, and political division. Together they discuss: – Why it’s so easy to use Scripture to validate our own positions – The difference between re...

What if Eden wasn’t just a garden… but the first temple? In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb explores a powerful biblical pattern hiding in plain sight. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells a unified story—not just about sin and forgiveness, but about God dwelling with humanity. You’ll discover: - Why Eden functions like a temple from the very beginning - The meaning behind God “walk...

What does a sabbatical really look like behind the scenes? In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Dr. Fredrick J. Long shares an honest update on his research journey—from revising his project proposal to wrestling with how to structure his Ephesians commentary. It’s not just deep academic work… it’s also the challenge of staying organized, reworking ideas, and navigating uncertainty along the way...

Ryan Waldroop shares his powerful story—from childhood trauma and addiction to a near-fatal overdose… and what happened next changed everything. After years of brokenness, Ryan encountered the mercy of God and stepped into a life of freedom, healing, and ministry. In this episode, we talk about: • Addiction and early trauma • Hitting rock bottom • A near-death experience • Encountering Jesus • Fre...

What does it actually mean to be human? In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb explores a foundational biblical truth from Genesis: we have authority—but not autonomy. From the creation mandate in Genesis 1 to the fall in Genesis 3, Scripture presents a radically different vision of freedom than what our culture promotes. Humanity is given real authority—yet always under God’s rule. So what ha...

What does real academic work actually look like? In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Dr. Fredrick J. Long shares the honest reality of scholarship—the slow pace, unexpected progress, and behind-the-scenes challenges that no one talks about. From finally seeing years-old research published… to navigating sabbatical adjustments… to the surprising freedom that comes when pressure is lifted—this is...

Missed the YouTube live? Here’s the replay from April 2nd. “You are not lacking in any gift…” (1 Corinthians 1:7) But what does that actually mean? In this episode of the ProveTexts Podcast, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb and Dr. Fredrick J. Long unpack 1 Corinthians 1:7–9 and explore whether Paul is talking about spiritual gifts, God’s favor, or something deeper. This passage challenges how we think a...

Most people think salvation means escape. But if that were true… why resurrection? In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb connects Genesis and resurrection, showing that God is not abandoning creation—He’s restoring it. If creation is good… then it’s worth saving. 👉 Subscribe for more: language, culture, and theology 👉 Join the conversation in the comments #jesus #biblestudy #podcast #bible...

What do you do when you’re “productive”… but not actually moving forward? In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Dr. Fredrick J. Long shares the reality of hitting a research lull—that frustrating space between activity and real progress. From academic work and live teaching to fishing trips, broken equipment, farm life, and chasing sheep, this episode captures the messy middle of sabbatical life....

Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb and Dr. Fred Long continue their slow walk through 1 Corinthians, examining 1 Corinthians 1:5–6 in the Greek text. Paul says the Corinthians were “enriched in every way… in all speech and knowledge.” But what does that actually mean? In this episode they explore: • The significance of Paul’s repetition of “all” (παν) • Why logos and gnosis become key themes in the letter...

What does it actually mean that God “rested” in Genesis 1? Most people assume it means stopping, relaxing, or taking a break. But in the ancient world, “rest” didn’t mean inactivity—it meant enthronement. In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb explores how Genesis 1 presents God not as exhausted, but as taking His place as King over creation. That changes everything. 👉 Creation is not just ma...

Academic sabbatical sounds like a season of rest… but the reality is something else. In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Dr. Fredrick J. Long shares what this week actually looked like—paper proposals, long-term planning, overflowing emails, and the unexpected stress that comes with it all. From feeling “frazzled” to finding a reset out on the river during white bass fishing season, this is a r...

In this episode of the ProveText Podcast, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb is joined by Dr. Lance Hawley and Dr. Garrett Best to discuss their edited volume: Teaching God’s Sons and Daughters: Essays in Honor of Allen Black. This festschrift celebrates the life, scholarship, and influence of Allen Black, a beloved teacher whose work in Luke–Acts and whose passion for the church shaped generations of stud...

“I’m only human.” It’s a phrase we use often—but have we ever stopped to ask what we mean by it? In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb revisits Genesis 1 to explore how Scripture defines humanity—not by sin, but by vocation, identity, and purpose. If Jesus is truly human and without sin, what does that reveal about what it means to be human? 👉 This conversation invites us to rethink a deeply...

In this episode, Dr. Long reflects on returning to Kentucky after time in Arizona, adjusting back to rhythm, and rediscovering the value of hard skills—from cutting trees and building fences to baking bread, fishing, and living more intentionally. What can you actually do with your hands? What skills have we lost in modern life? And how might reclaiming them reshape the way we live? Along the way,...

In this episode of Corinth Conversations, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb and Dr. Fredrick J. Long continue their slow walk through 1 Corinthians, focusing on 1 Corinthians 1:3–4. What seems like a simple greeting—“grace and peace”—is actually packed with meaning. Paul blends Jewish and Greek greetings, emphasizes the lordship of Jesus, and roots everything in the grace of God given through Christ. In t...

Most modern readers approach Genesis 1 as if it’s answering scientific questions: How long were the days? How old is the earth? But in the ancient world, creation stories weren’t written to settle science debates — they were written to explain power. In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb explores Genesis 1 in its ancient Near Eastern context, comparing it to Babylon’s Enuma Elish and showing...

Professor Fred Long reflects on the final weeks of his sabbatical in Mesa, Arizona. After more than 30 years in academia, sabbatical provides a rare chance to slow down, work on meaningful projects, and spend time with family. In this episode, Fred shares highlights from the past 10–11 weeks: finishing major writing projects, helping publish several books, developing new courses, launching the 1 C...

In this episode of the ProveText Podcast, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb sits down with Christian author, speaker, and podcaster Melinda Patrick to talk about one of the most difficult journeys a parent can face: loving an LGBTQ-identified child without compromising biblical truth. Melinda shares her deeply personal story—what it felt like when her child first opened up, the grief and fear that followe...

In this episode of the ProveText Podcast, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb responds to a viral video claiming that people who leave the church haven’t lost their faith — they’ve simply left behind hate, hypocrisy, and harmful institutions. Is that true? As both a pastor and a biblical scholar, Dr. Halcomb offers a careful, pastoral, and analytical response. He examines several logical fallacies in the ar...

In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Dr. Fred Long shares the real ups and downs of sabbatical life—unexpected busy work, ongoing academic responsibilities, and even surprising reflections sparked by playing online games. From accreditation reports and recommendation letters to editing scholarly publications and calculating royalties for GlossaHouse, sabbatical often includes far more behind-the...

In this episode of The Corinth Conversations, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb and Dr. Fredrick J. Long walk word by word through 1 Corinthians 1:2.What does Paul mean by “the church of God in Corinth”? Why emphasize that they are sanctified and called holy? And what did it mean to confess that Jesus is Lord in a Roman imperial city? This single verse is loaded — ecclesiology, identity, unity, and a clai...