The Bible Nerds Podcast

What happens when your testimony threatens the status quo? In our modern era, being a witness might cost us social awkwardness or a filtered comment on social media. But in the early church, the word for witness (martus) underwent a radical transformation. In this episode, we explore the high stakes of the countercultural witness, tracing back how a simple Greek word for "one who remembers an...

In our modern context, we often think of "witnessing" as a high-pressure sales pitch or a personal testimony shared on a stage. But in the biblical context, a witness isn't a salesman—they are a crucial participant in a cosmic trial. In this episode, we trace the Hebrew and Greek roots of the word witness to discover a calling that is much older and much deeper than modern evangelism...

We use the word "Gospel" so often that we nearly miss its original meaning. For many, the Gospel has been reduced to a private transaction to ensure we go to heaven when we die. But in the first century, the word Gospel wasn't a religious suggestion; it was a political earthquake. In this new series on The Good News, we are stripping away the layers of modern misunderstanding to defi...

For centuries, Israel lived in a state of waiting. Even after returning to the land, the glory hadn't fully returned, the oppression hadn't ended, and the heart remained unchanged. They were home, but they were still in exile. In the final episode of the Exile series, we look at Jesus not just as a teacher or a healer, but as the long-awaited answer to the Exile. From his Jubilee manifesto...

We often think that if we could just "get back to normal" or change our external circumstances, our problems would vanish. But the story of Israel’s return from exile tells a different, more hauntingly familiar tale. In this episode, we look at the period of restoration. The wall was rebuilt and the Temple was finished, but the celebration was mixed with weeping. Why? Because while the p...

When the world demands total conformity, we often feel trapped between two bad options: total assimilation or aggressive hostility. But what if there is a "Third Way"? In this episode, we look at the life of Daniel and his friends in the Babylonian court. They didn't retreat into the desert, nor did they lead a violent insurrection. Instead, they practiced a sophisticated, non-violen...

When life feels foreign—whether due to unrest, cultural shifts, or personal hardship—our first instinct is often to retreat or wait for an escape hatch. But the biblical mandate gives us a different take. This episode explores building, planting, and seeking a future and hope amidst the difficult commands of life. Our calling is not one of escapism, but a deep, messy, and concrete journey through...

In a world that often asks us to "look on the bright side", the ancient practice of lament feels like a radical act. We often hear the phrase "thoughts and prayers" used as a shield against taking action, but what if biblical prayer is actually the fuel for transformative endurance? In this episode, we dive into the holy shadows of exploring why bringing our grief and brokennes...

The Exile is a period of biblical history often skipped over in favor of the dramatic parting of the Red Sea or the cozy imagery of the manger. But what if without the Exile, we can’t fully understand the story of Jesus—or our own? In this episode, we dive into one of the most painful yet pivotal chapters of the Great Story. We’re tracing the journey from the tragic fall of Jerusalem to the vision...

In this episode, we'll be looking at the stories of Nicodemus and The Samaritan Woman. Two different people, but both encountered Jesus in significant ways that would enrich our understanding of Jesus' message and mission. Both of them were from different social classes, which challenged their time's existing religious and social norms. Yet, still, Jesus longed to grow closer to them. And this ill...

During The Jewish Passover festival in Jerusalem, Jesus goes to the Temple and finds that the temple courts have been turned into a marketplace. Out of anger because of the desecration of the sacred place, Jesus drove out the sellers out of the temple—including the animals that were for sale! And because of this incident, Jesus foreshadows His death and resurrection as the Jewish leaders asked Him...

Weddings are beautiful celebrations of life and love through the union of man and woman with plenty of food, drinks, and dancing. In The Bible, they were weeklong celebrations that gathered the whole village together. And during those times, wine was a very big deal for such celebrations. But, something that could be found in The Bible as well is how the renewed heaven and earth is paralleled to a...

John is one of the most profound, beautiful pieces of Scripture that was designed to lead us into worship, crafted in the forms of poetry, narrative, and imagery that keep readers intrigued and wanting for more. The Gospel of John, just like the rest of The Bible, is meditation literature—it is not meant to be read just once. Throughout our walk with Jesus, we are encouraged that we be shaped more...

God's grand plan for family is much bigger than we could imagine. Jesus created a new family with His disciples, fostering unity to draw all families on earth to Him, and to heal brokenness at the core of humanity's struggles. In the concluding episode of this series, we see how God's plan to bless the world through families, as seen in His promise to Abraham in Genesis, continues through imperfec...

Jesus' ministry initially calls us to expand His reach outside of familiar circles we are already comfortable with. This manifests with how Jesus commissioned His disciples to spread The Word and His teachings to all nations, and how He calls us to do the same. In this episode, see how God calls the most unlikely people to be bear this mission, and how this traces back to His genealogy, bringing t...

For the past episodes, we have been discussing how our biological families are our first ministry, where Jesus calls us to love first. In the succeeding episodes, we will learn how Jesus now calls us to embrace His bigger family. And this begins with getting to know God The Father and how He shelters us in His loving embrace.

The biblical theme of marriage is evident from Genesis to Revelation, symbolizing the relationship between God and His people. Jesus was born into the family of Abraham and humanity intentionally by God, who chose to be with us. He was born into the marriage of Joseph and Mary, emphasizing the significance of marriage in forming a family. While not all families start with a wedding, all marriages...

Sometimes we ask God that if He will use our families to bless us and bless others, why were we born into the families we have? And this question usually arises as family history is unpacked—including past hurts, traumas, and the deepest family secrets. Though most of the time it is a difficult conversation to start and have, such conflicts and confrontations, when talked about willingly with an o...

God created the family as the most ancient institution. Throughout history, families have played a significant role in shaping individuals and societies. From the creation of the first family with Adam and Eve to the lineage of Jesus, family plays a central role in God's plan for humanity as it is considered the "domestic church," where we first learn about God's love and our place in the world. D...

Technology has become a huge source of stress and distraction. Social media has presented different views of what and how rest looks like. In today's modern times where everything is all about the hustle and bustle of life, how can we Filipino Catholics observe The Sabbath? How do we stop, rest, delight, and contemplate discerning real Sabbath in our lives?

In the four Gospels in The Bible, all share similar stories of Jesus' healing during The Sabbath. One might think 'but, didn't God command that The Sabbath be a day for rest?' or even 'is He allowed to do that?' God's idea of real rest is different from how we perceive rest to be. And through a very familiar bible verse, we see how our burdens are meant to lead us to real rest that only God provid...

Talk 5 is about Jesus, how He declared that He is the Messiah, created His Jubilee Team– and included us as part of the team. The key message: Your Jubilee has begun. Here’s a review of the amazing lessons we’ve learned so far: Humanity has a problem and it’s huge: Overworking but underliving. And God has the antidote. It’s called Shabbat—a rhythm of rest and relationship. Last week, we learned th...

This is the fourth episode of our seven-week series, RESTED. Talk 1, titled Rest, established that there’s a great pandemic going on, called Overworking but Underliving. Talk 2, titled Work, is the antidote to this pandemic: the Sabbath—which bestows two essential blessings: 1) a rhythm of rest; and 2) a rhythm of relationship. The key message: God wants to work with you. Talk 3, titled Time, give...

It is human to mark spaces we occupy. Though a much more abstract idea, we also do it for time. Take for example birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. But how is this a significant element in our faith? In this episode, receive The Sabbath rest's invitation to practice being in God's presence, dedicated as rhythms of rest accompanied with trust in God's rule and provision.

Work looks different for everybody. Some have to wake up early to beat traffic, others do it simply at the comfort of their homes. Work is what puts food on our tables and allows us to pay for monthly bills. But in the midst of feeling anxious and uncomfortable with work, it is where we spend most of our waking days! But is that how God really created the world's work to be?