The BEMA Podcast

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the often-avoided book of Lamentations and the shocking space it creates for the dark things that need to be grieved. Discussion Video for BEMA 57 Learning to Lament, Part 1: The Culture of Denial — The RobCast, Episode 92 Learning to Lament, Part 2: Widow, Slave, Mother — The RobCast, Episode 93 Learning to Lament, Part 3: She’s Finding Her Voice — The Rob...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin our journey through the Babylonian prophets, examining the famous weeping prophet: Jeremiah. Discussion Video for BEMA 56 The Disciple Scroll by Allan Rabinowitz Love Wins by Rob Bell Erasing Hell by Francis Chan Transcript for BEMA 56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the Assyrian period of history by looking at one of the most distressing prophets: the voice of 2 Isaiah as he delivers numerous woes to the nations of the world, including God’s people. Yet even this is not void of hope as we see it scattered throughout today’s portion of Text. Discussion Video for BEMA 55 Transcript for BEMA 55

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the voice of Zephaniah as he warns the kingdom of Judah of impending judgment. Discussion Video for BEMA 54 Transcript for BEMA 54

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings juxtapose the book of Jonah against the other Assyrian prophet to Israel—the book of Nahum—looking at the other side of the equation of how God deals with evil. Discussion Video for BEMA 53 Information on BEMA Trips [Marty doesn’t need more emails] Transcript for BEMA 53

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the book of Jonah and try to uncover the message buried in this most unusual prophet. Presentation for Jonah — Potential (PDF) Discussion Video for BEMA 52 The Meaning of the Story of Jonah — Aleph Beta Academy Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership. Transcript for BEMA 52

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the first of four voices found in Isaiah — the pre-Assyrian voice that condemned the greed and injustice of the people of Judah. NB: Due to a malfunction with our original recording, this episode was recorded in 2021. Our environments and equipment setups have changed, but we did our best to present it as it was in 2017. Presentation for 1 Isaiah — Vineyard...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the warning of the prophet Micah as he speaks to the people of Judah about what God truly desires. NB: Due to a malfunction with our original recording, this episode was recorded in 2021. Our environments and equipment setups have changed, but we did our best to present it as it was in 2017. Discussion Video for BEMA 50 Transcript for BEMA 50

A simplified version of the daily prayer from Hosea 2. This recording is meant to follow Episode 49 . Verastikh le l'olam Verastikh lib'tzedek      uve'mishpat, uve'chesed, uve'rachamim Verastikh lib'emuna, v'yadat et Adonai I will betroth you to myself forever. I will betroth you to myself in righteousness,      and in justice, and in love, and in...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the message of Hosea as depicted in the prophetic theater of his own life through his marriage to the prostitute Gomer. Verastikh — Learn Hebrew Discussion Video for BEMA 49 Transcript for BEMA 49

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the book of Amos on a quest to find the heart of God as expressed in the first of His many mouthpieces. Presentation for Amos — Plumb Line (PDF) Discussion Video for BEMA 48 The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel Plumb Line — Wikipedia Transcript for BEMA 48

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the remaining books in Tanakh, most of which are prophets, attempting to understand prophetic history as a whole and the setting for each period of history. Presentation for The Lord’s Mouthpiece (PDF) Discussion Video for BEMA 47 Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann Transcript for BEMA 47

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the underaddressed book called Song of Songs and explore the ramifications of avoiding the topic of sexuality. Discussion Video for BEMA 46 Sex God by Rob Bell NOOMA 002: Flame by Rob Bell The Zimzum of Love by Rob and Kristen Bell Transcript for BEMA 46

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo continue our study of wisdom literature, examining the collection of Proverbs and the teaching of Ecclesiastes. Discussion Video for BEMA 45 Kevin Luo on Twitter A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans Less Is More Than Enough by Chris McNaught “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” by Simon Senek — TED NOOMA 012: Matthew by Rob Bell...

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo discuss the collection of ancient songs known as the Psalms. Discussion Video for BEMA 44 Classifying the Psalms by Genre Kevin Luo on Twitter Transcript for BEMA 44

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up a look at the kings of Israel, exploring the story of Naaman and its implications for us today. Discussion Video for BEMA 43 Transcript for BEMA 43

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent look at the story of Elijah and the lessons learned by one of Israel’s greatest prophets. The Gospel of Being Human by Marty Solomon and Reed Dent Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler Map of Phoenicia, Late Bronze Age — Wikipedia Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 42 The Companion for BEMA 42 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 42 Legacy Episo...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings revisit the two sources comprising this portion of the biblical narrative, analyzing the agendas found in each. They attempt to look at the differences between the sources to understand the reigns of David and Solomon and the split of the nation of God’s people, ultimately helping us figure out what went wrong. Presentation for The Story Behind the Story (PDF) Jesu...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the journey to understanding the historical record of the united kingdom of Israel by taking a look at the two sources comprising this biblical narrative. Presentation for One Story, Two Sources (PDF) Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 40 The Companion for BEMA 40 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 40 Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 22 June 202...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to examine the life of David, looking at the defeat of Goliath and making some general observations about the character of David. Promised Land — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon) TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family) “The Unheard Story of David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell — TED Valley of Elah — Wikipedia Champion Warfare — Wik...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at Israel’s first two kings and try to see what the Text is showing us in these two characters. Brock Lesnar — Wikipedia A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards Leap Over a Wall by Eugene H. Peterson David (2025 film) Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 38 The Companion for BEMA 38 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 38 Legacy Episode Content E...

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks zoom in on the mini-narrative of Ruth and gather tools for flourishing in the midst of trauma. Map of Moab and the Surrounding Region Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 37 The Companion for BEMA 37 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 37 Legacy Episode Content Episode updated 1 June 2026 Original audio from 13 July 2017 Transcript for BEMA 37 of 13 July...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the book of Judges and the cycle found therein. “Judges Cycle” on Google “Judges Cycle” on DuckDuckGo “Judges Cycle” on Bing “Judges Cycle” on Kagi BEMA 232: Introducing the Team — Jephthah’s Daughter w/ Elle Grover Fricks The Forgiving Flow, Part 2: Drop the Jawbone — The RobCast, Episode 39 Make Your Mark by Brad Gray Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA...

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of Joshua and bridge the gap toward the book of Judges, pondering the mission of God and His choice of real estate for His people. Presentation for Crossroads of the Earth (PDF) The Source by James A. Michener Study Tools Discussion Video for BEMA 35 The Companion for BEMA 35 Take Your Own Notes Transcript for BEMA 35 Legacy Episode Content E...

Marty Solomon shares the news about the live event for our 10-year anniversary celebration. Buy Tickets for the Anniversary Celebration BEMA 500: [10-Year Anniversary Announcement]