Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro

Ryan and Brian reunite in person at "Bistro East" (Ryan's home in Indianapolis) to celebrate Ryan's 45th birthday and dive back into their ongoing Sermon on the Mount series. This episode covers Jesus' teaching on oaths and vows — what the Old Testament commanded, where things went wrong, and what Jesus calls his followers to instead. In This Episode A birthday dinner recommendation: Bodhi Thai re...

In this episode of Ryan and Brian’s Bible Bistro, Ryan and Brian continue their walk through the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 about adultery and divorce. What does Jesus mean when He says lust begins in the heart? Is He making the law stricter, or restoring its original intent? The conversation explores how desire, temptation, and the “lust of the eyes” work togeth...

Ryan and Brian hit their 200th episode while continuing their deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount. In this episode, they tackle one of Jesus’ most misunderstood statements: His relationship to the Law. Did Jesus do away with the Old Testament—or deepen it? Walking through Matthew 5:17–26, they explore how Jesus fulfills the Law by revealing its true purpose: not just external obedience, but tra...

In this episode of the Bible Bistro , Ryan and Brian return to their series on the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:13–16 about being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” They explore how these familiar metaphors would have been understood in their original context, emphasizing that salt functioned primarily as a preservative — pointing to the believer...

Ryan and Brian are back and picking up their study of the Beatitudes, focusing on the second half of Jesus’ opening words in the Sermon on the Mount. This episode explores what it looks like to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven—not just in belief, but in everyday relationships and public life. The conversation moves through mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and persecution, showing how...

Overview Ryan and Brian launch a fresh series on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus' iconic teaching on kingdom living. Often quoted but rarely lived out, it calls for radical repentance (metanoia: heart/mind shift to action) and distinctiveness from "hypocrites" and "pagans" (e.g., no showy prayers or fasting in Matt. 6:5–8, 16). They cover intro context, Jesus' authority, and the first...

In this episode of Ryan & Brian's Bible Bistro , Ryan and Brian explore the concept of "glory" in Paul’s writings, building on Brian’s paper on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and insights from Haley Goranson Jacob’s Conformed to the Image of His Son . They dig into the theological depth of doxa (glory) and its implications for Christian life. Key Points: What is Glory? The Greek doxa (glory) and doxazo...

In this episode of Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro, the hosts dive into a deep exploration of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, focusing on the intriguing phrase, "we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." Brian shares insights from his recent study, unraveling the paradox of seeing the unseen and its significance in Paul’s theology. From the contrast of the inner and outer person to the ete...

In this episode of Ryan & Brian’s Bible Bistro , Brian flies solo (no co-host required!) and sits down with Dr. Matthew Bates, Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and award-winning author of Why the Gospel? , Gospel Allegiance , and Beyond the Salvation Wars . Together, they explore: What it really means to say “Jesus is the Christ” — and why it’s a royal proclamation, not just a r...

In this episode of Ryan and Brian’s Bible Bistro , we welcome Dr. Jason Staples , Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at NC State University. Dr. Staples’ expertise spans biblical literature, early Judaism, Christian origins, ethics, and more—but today we’re diving deep into his groundbreaking book, Paul and the Resurrection of Israel . Jason shares h...

🎙️ Episode Summary: Welcome back to the Bistro! In this deep-dive episode, Ryan and Brian return from their summer break to explore a provocative theological question: What does Paul mean when he says Christ is the “end” or “culmination” of the law? Drawing from Jason Staples’ book, Paul and the Resurrection of Israel , they unpack Romans 10 and connect it to key Old Testament texts—especially Deu...

Overview: In this episode, Ryan and Brian return after a brief hiatus to dive into the topic of breaks in Scripture—chapter, verse, paragraph, and section breaks—and how these editorial additions impact the way we read and interpret the Bible. They discuss the historical origins of these breaks, their purpose, and how they can sometimes obscure the original flow of the text. Using examples from Jo...

In this episode, Ryan and Brian continue their discussion of Michael Heiser’s The Unseen Realm , shifting focus from the Old Testament to the New Testament. They explore Heiser’s “Deuteronomy 32 worldview,” which emphasizes spiritual beings, the Divine Council, and Jesus’ mission to reclaim authority over the nations. The hosts dive into key New Testament passages, connecting them to Heiser’s thes...

In this episode of Ryan and Brian’s Bible Bistro , the hosts dive into The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser, focusing on Old Testament themes. Heiser’s “Deuteronomy 32 worldview” explores a divine council of spiritual beings (Elohim) surrounding God, distinct from polytheism. Key passages like Psalm 82:1, Genesis 6:1-4, and Deuteronomy 32:8 highlight rebellions (Fall, Nephilim, Tower of Babel) and c...

Overview: In this episode, Ryan and Brian dive into a recent Christianity Today article by Daniel Silliman that sparked controversy by discussing scholar Jeffrey Paul Garcia’s research suggesting Jesus’ crucifixion may not have involved nails. The hosts explore the article’s implications, the role of biblical scholarship, and the historical and archaeological evidence surrounding crucifixion. They...

Episode Overview: Welcome back to Ryan and Brian’s Bible Bistro, where hosts Ryan and Brian dive into the Bible, theology, and all things pertaining to the Christian faith. Recorded during Holy Week, this episode explores the story of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, and discusses encouraging trends in Christian faith globally. From historical insights to modern revivals, Ryan and Brian co...

Overview: In this episode of Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro , the hosts dive into the intriguing world of First Enoch , a pseudepigraphical text that has captured the curiosity of many within and beyond Christian circles. Ryan and Brian discuss its origins, content, and significance while addressing common questions about its relationship to the biblical canon and its historical context. This episo...

Welcome back to Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro ! In this episode, hosts Ryan and Brian explore what worship really means. Inspired by the late '90s Christian song "The Heart of Worship" by Matt Redman, they discuss how worship is less about getting the form right—hymns, modern songs, or rituals—and more about the heart behind it. They start with a throwback to the "Worship Wars" of the '90s and a f...

Welcome back to Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro ! In this episode, your hosts Ryan and Brian dig into the rich imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10, but with a twist—they take a long, meandering path through the Old Testament to uncover the deeper context. From Genesis to the prophets, the shepherd motif isn’t just about care and comfort (think Psalm 23); it’s a complex tapestry of God’s...

Show Notes: Faith Over Sight: Unpacking Scripture at the Bible Bistro Episode: Walking by Faith, Not by Sight Hosts: Ryan and Brian Date: March 03, 2025 Website: thebiblebistro.com Welcome back to Ryan and Brian’s Bible Bistro ! In this episode, your hosts Ryan and Brian serve up a hearty discussion on what it means to "walk by faith, not by sight." With their signature bistro charm—real, unpolish...

Brian and Ryan have a conversation about a question many people wrestle with: what happens after we die? They acknowledge that it’s a heavy topic, especially for those grieving loved ones, and discuss common ideas about the afterlife—like the belief that the dead watch over us or reunite with family in another realm. While these ideas can be comforting, they question whether they align with what t...

The discourse provided within this podcast episode delves profoundly into the theological implications of John 15, where Jesus proclaims, "I am the true vine." This segment is meticulously crafted to elucidate the significance of Jesus' metaphorical representation as the vine, asserting the necessity of remaining connected to Him for the bearing of fruit. The speakers, Ryan and Brian, engage in a...

As we navigate through the theological implications of Zechariah's prophecies, we focus on the eschatological significance of the events foretold in Chapter 14. The narrative culminates in a vivid depiction of the future, where God's justice prevails, and the faithful are rewarded. The Feast of Tabernacles emerges as a critical focal point, embodying themes of gratitude and remembrance of God's pr...

The primary theme of this discourse revolves around the prophetic nuances encapsulated within Zechariah 14, specifically addressing the dichotomy between judgment and redemption. We delve into the apocalyptic imagery employed within the text, discerning its implications for both historical and eschatological contexts. Throughout our exploration, we scrutinize the complexities of interpreting the "...

The discussion centers around the prophetic messages found in Zechariah, particularly focusing on the significance of the phrase "on that day," which points to a future Messianic age. Ryan and Brian delve into the themes of cleansing from sin and the removal of idolatry as they explore Zechariah 13 and 14. They emphasize the prophetic imagery of a fountain that will bring purity to the people of J...