Story / Symbol / Spirit

This week Abraham and Sarah find themselves in another difficult situation with another tyrant - this time in Gerar. What are the parallels to the Egypt story from Gen. 12? Will this time be any different? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a beautiful gift from God with the power to help us kn...

This week we see God’s judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Is this fair of God? What is the deal with the angels and the men of the city? What happens to Abraham’s cousin, Lot? What is next for Lot and his family? All this and more on this week’s episode! Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a beauti...

This week, God appears! Two angels and God Himself appear to Abraham at his tent, eat with him, make promises to him, and invite him into the divine council to participate in the judgment of Sodom. Why does God look like a human? Does this kind of appearance happen as we move forward in the story? Is this a Christophany (appearance of Christ)? And why does Abraham get to negotiate with God about h...

This week we see that God doubles down on His promise to Abram, which is revealed as He changes his name from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (Father of a multitude). He also changes Sarai’s name (my princess) to Sarah (Princess). What do these name-changes indicate? We also see the covenant sign of circumcision instituted. It seems like a strange practice or ritual to represent the covenant, so...

This week we look at the story of Hagar and Ishmael. As time drags on and the promised seed of Abram is not yet here, patience has worn thin. What does the episode with Hagar and the birth of Ishmael mean for Abram and Sarai? How has sin started to tangle God’s redemptive plan? Is Ishmael the promised descendant? We look into all of that this week. Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. -...

This week we look at a strange scene when God appears to Abram and officially cuts the covenant with him. What does it mean that Abram goes into a deep sleep? What about the thick and dreadful darkness? And what is the deal with the smoking firepot and flaming torch? We dive into all of that this week! Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about h...

In Genesis 14 there is a brief encounter with a mysterious Priest-King named Melchizedek. While he is only mentioned once and the story only takes up a couple verses, this character is mentioned in Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7. This week we discuss the details of Melchizedek. Who is he? What does his name mean? What is Salem? And why do the biblical authors go on to connect him with the Messiah? Hosted...

This week we see a multi-pronged war in which Abram’s nephew Lot is captured as spoil by the victorious Kedorlaomer. By the power of God, Abram rescues Lot, refuses tribute from Sodom, and breaks bread with a mysterious Priest-King named Melchizedek. What does this mean and how does it fit into the story thus far? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a pod...

This week we look at the separation of Abram and Lot. Lot goes toward Sodom and Abram goes toward Canaan. How does Lot’s decision reflect the Fall in Gen. 3? How does Abram’s decision reflect faithfulness? How will Abram’s patience and faithfulness resurrect fallen creation? We look into all of that this week! Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast...

This week we see that Abram’s faithfulness takes him towards the promised land, but a drought sends him down to Egypt. In this foreshadowing of the Exodus, we begin to see how the promises of God will come to fruition in Abram’s life. Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a beautiful gift from Go...

This week we look at God’s initial promise to Abram. He will become a great nation. His name will be made great. He will be blessed. And through him all the nations will be blessed. What does this mean and how does this set the foundation for the rest of redemptive history? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture...

This week we go through the genealogy that leads to Abraham. In this genealogy, we see how God begins His process of restoration and redemption. There is also mention of “Ur of the Chaldeans.” Where is this place? What was its significance in the ancient world and in the biblical story? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sens...

This week we go through a well-known story called the Tower of Babel. What does it mean that the people spoke one language? Why did they try to build a tower to make their name great? Why did God scatter them? What does this have to do with Abram, one of the main characters going forward? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sen...

This week we go through the Table of Nations. This is technically a genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japeth. Who are these nations? Where did the people groups that came from them settle? Why does any of this matter? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a beautiful gift from God with...

The flood has subsided and God has given His promise to Noah and his sons. What happens when they get off the ark? Will they remain righteous or will there be a repeat of the Garden rebellion? We get into all that and more this week! Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a beautiful gift from God...

God “remembers” Noah, and the flood subsides. Does this mean Noah had slipped His mind until He remembered? And what is the deal with the birds that Noah sends out? Finally, once the flood subsides, why does God have to promise to never allow the flood waters to overtake earth again? This week, we answer all of these questions! Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / S...

This week, we begin the story of the Flood - Noah has faithfully constructed the ark and all of the seeds of new creation are in this ark. It rains for 40 days and 40 nights. As we have discussed, numbers have symbolic meaning beyond their numerical value - what is the meaning of 40 days of rain? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to...

Last week we mentioned a strange story about the Nephilim - the Sons of God (angelic beings) have reproduced with the daughters of men and produced a race of “mighty men.” What does this mean? Can angelic beings reproduce with humans? This week we discuss this strange story. Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scriptu...

This week, we begin the flood story. Human wickedness has destroyed God’s good world, the Sons of God (angelic beings) have started reproducing with human women, and the blood of the innocent is crying out from the ground. God gives them 120 years to repent and turn away from their sin - how will they respond? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast...

This week we tackle Genesis 5, which is the genealogy from Seth to Noah. What does this genealogy tell us about the story? And why are the people listed in the genealogy so old? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a beautiful gift from God with the power to help us know God and better understand...

This week we continue the story of Cain. After slaying his brother, he is cursed from the ground. What does this mean? What is his future as a wanderer? What is being shown in the generations that come from him culminating in Lamech and his violent song? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a bea...

This week we begin the story of Cain and Abel - why does God not look upon Cain’s sacrifice with favor? What is ritual sacrifice? Why was this so central to ancient worship? We will also examine God’s warning to Cain regarding sin - and when Cain does not master sin and kills his brother, what will God do? Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast abo...

What exactly happens in the Fall? Why is there a talking snake? Why does this one act of humanity fracture everything in the created world? This week, we discuss all this and more as we cover all of Genesis 3. Hosted by John McCambridge and Jackie Mitchell. --- Story / Symbol / Spirit is a podcast about how to make sense of Scripture. The Bible is a beautiful gift from God with the power to help...

This week, in a special two-part episode, we look at Genesis 2 - Genesis 2 is a second account of Creation that zooms in on the creation of man. It gives us a fresh look from a different angle about humanity, identity, sex and gender, marriage, and other things that Genesis 1 does not show. Humanity is created as dirt + divine breath (spirit) with two priestly tasks: Work and guard the garden, and...

In part two of this week’s episode, we see the creation of woman and the pre-fall sacrament of marriage. We will also look at The Tree of Life and The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. What does it mean to have access to the Tree of Life? Why do the humans not have access to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Why would God put a tree in the garden that the humans are not allowed to...