The Bible (Unmuted)

What, exactly, is the soul? Is the soul different from the body? Why is having a good answer to these questions important? In this episode, Matt is joined by Dr. Joshua Farris to talk about the human soul, what it is, and why it matters. Dr. Farris is the editor and author of several books, including: The Creation of Self: A Case for the Soul and God, Souls and Consciousness: Deconditioning the Mi...

Matt chat with Dr. Joel Muddamalle about his latest book, The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers. Their conversation centers around topics such as spiritual warfare, demonization, physical healing, and cessationism. It covers a lot of ground, so buckle up! About Joel: https://www.muddamalle.com/ Joel’s book: The Unseen Battle +++ Pre-o...

Part 2 of 2 In this two-part series, Matt talks with Dr. Louis Markos about C. S. Lewis, his conversion to Christianity, and how his friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, influenced his decision to become a believer in Christ. By way of conversation with Tolkien, Lewis came to the conclusion that Christianity was myth that was true. This realization helped Lewis not only make sense of the stories of the past (a...

Part 1 of 2 In this two part series, Matt talks with Dr. Louis Markos about C. S. Lewis, his conversion to Christianity, and how his friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, influenced his decision to become a believer in Christ. By way of conversation with Tolkien, Lewis came to the conclusion that Christianity was myth that was true. This realization helped Lewis not only make sense of the stories of the past (a...

Everybody lives in a place -- in a specific physical, geographical context. And that geography informs and influences the way we live and the way we think. Similarly, the biblical stories are embedded within geographical places that give those stories meaning and significance. In this interview, Jack Beck comes back on the podcast for a second time to talk about his latest book, The Holy Land Work...

Matthew talks with biblical scholar, Dr. Leslie Baynes—Professor of Religious Studies at Missouri State University—about her new book on C.S. Lewis. In this episode, Dr. Baynes discusses specifically Lewis’ views on Scripture, as well as his use and interpretation of biblical texts in both his fiction and his non-fiction.  Dr. Baynes’ website: www.lesliebaynes.com Link to book: Between Interpretat...

In Acts 2, we read about Pentecost, which is the event when the Holy Spirit descended upon the church. To understand the full significance of this event, Matt takes listeners back to the creation narratives of Genesis. In doing so, he shows how Pentecost relates to the Bible's teaching on protology and eschatology. +++ Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimoni...

In John 15, Jesus tells his disciples to abide in him. But what exactly does Jesus mean by "abide"? And how does he expect his disciples to do that? How does abiding in Christ relate to faith and works? In this episode, Matthew takes listeners through these questions, explaining in practical terms this well known passage. +++ Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eye...

Many Christians think Jesus’ death only brought about the forgiveness of human sins. But Scripture tells us that there’s more to the story. Christ’s death was also the instrument by which the dark, spiritual powers were defeated. And according to the writings of Peter and Paul, our baptism allows us to participate in the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. In particular, Peter sees a conne...

In Acts 17, Paul argues from the Jewish Scriptures to make the case for his belief that the Messiah had to suffer, die, and be resurrected. What texts might he have used to make his case? And given that Paul himself became a believer in Jesus due to his experience on the Damascus road, what can we say about the way he (and other early Christians) understood the relationship between the Jewish text...

In John’s Gospel, Jesus calls himself “the good shepherd,” thus contrasting himself with the corrupt religious leaders of his day. It may appear to be a simple polemic, but in fact it is that and so much more. By identifying himself as the shepherd, Jesus recalls the prophecies of Ezekiel, which looks forward to the day when Israel’s God will redeem his people and raise up a Shepherd-King from Dav...

During Eastertide, Matt takes listeners through a series of reflections on the resurrection of Christ. In this episode, the focus is on 1 Peter 1, specifically vv. 3-25. Here we get a glimpse into how early Christians thought of Jesus’ resurrection, specifically how it relates to the concept of the new birth and ethics. This passage reveals how the resurrection is not just a decisive past event or...

The concept of "faith" (Greek: pistis) is often understood by Christians as being nothing more than just individual belief -- such as, say, personal belief in God. But "faith" can't be reduced to just the individual aspect. Faith, for instance, is also depicted in the New Testament as a communal reality. But the early Christians weren't doing anything novel. To the cont...

John Goldingay (PhD, University of Nottingham) joins The Bible (Unmuted) to chat about two important Old Testament prophetic books: Daniel and Ezekiel. Both texts are especially important for students of the New Testament to learn because they provide an immense amount of content that is utilized by the early Christian movement. This episode covers a lot of ground and will leave listeners/viewers...

Part 2 of 2Ellie Paley (PhD, Cambridge University) has spent a lot of time in the book of Job -- she even memorized the entire book in Hebrew! In this two-part discussion, Dr. Paley walks listeners carefully through this intriguing Old Testament text, addressing important questions and highlighting key aspects of its fascinating narrative. Visit Dr. Paley's blog: ⁠ https://elliemarie.substack....

Part 1 of 2 Ellie Paley (PhD, Cambridge University) has spent a lot of time in the book of Job -- she even memorized the entire book in Hebrew! In this two-part discussion, Dr. Paley walks listeners carefully through this intriguing Old Testament text, addressing important questions and highlighting key aspects of its fascinating narrative. Visit Dr. Paley's blog: https://elliemarie.substack.c...

In Part 2 of this discussion, Matt chats with Dr. Ingrid Faro about her book Redeeming Eden . She shares with listeners the ways in which women advance Scripture's narrative by furthering the story of God's plan of redemption. About Dr. Faro: Ingrid Faro (PhD, MDiv) is Interim President of Northern Seminary and Professor of Old Testament and Coordinator of the MA in Old Testament–Jerusalem...

Matt chats with Dr. Ingrid Faro about the problem of evil and suffering. Ingrid share with readers about not just the nature of evil, but how we can navigate through a world that finds itself caught up in it. Like the prophets, we must responsibly confront the evils of our own day as divine image-bearers.  About Dr. Faro: Ingrid Faro ( PhD, MDiv) is Interim President of Northern Seminary and Profe...

What does it mean to seek God, and what does it mean to desire God? What role do our emotions play in seeking and desiring God? Can we still desire God even if we feel nothing? In this episode, Matt addresses these and other questions. In the Western Christian world, there’s a tendency to center one’s relationship with God around emotion and feelings. Some Christians turn Christianity into nothing...

Matt welcomes to the show his Doktorvater, Thorsten Moritz, to talk about all things hermeneutics . This million-dollar word “hermeneutics” is often associated with interpreting the Bible, but it can’t be reduced down to just that. Hermeneutics actually has to do with the broader human experience itself. This insight serves as the basis for Matt and Thorsten’s discussion, which delves into a range...

Matt takes listeners through the text of Jeremiah 20, which records the prophet's prayer of dismay and discouragement. In his turmoil, Jeremiah questions God's character as he comes to term with his calling and his trials. Arguably, this text offers important insights about how prayer can become an avenue for experiencing God in the hard times, especially through seasons of doubt. +++ Supp...

Why are answers to prayers sometimes delayed?  Matt considers several possible reasons. But there's one possibility that, perhaps, many Christians may not have ever considered:  What if answers to our prayers are delayed because angels are fighting?  Mentioned in this episode: Frank Viola's,  Where's God? +++ Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In Part 1 of this series on prayer, Matthew addresses an important question: Why does God tell us to pray when he already knows what we need before we pray? +++ Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Matthew's blog:  matthewhalsted.substack.com Don't f...

Matthew chats with Dr. Carmen Imes about her new book, Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters. In this discussion, Carmen shares how the church can embody its mission effectively and faithfully in the world. As an Old Testament scholar, she offers an important perspective on this subject. Drawing from insights taken from the Hebrew Bible, Carmen outlines a vision of the church tha...

There's something interesting going on in Luke 16-19. It's a large swath off Scripture, full of seemingly distinct and self-contained events and parables. And yet, they are not completely distinct. A careful reading, actually, shows how every segment fits together in a beautiful whole. And within this narrative are important truths about how God treasures the very people who earthly societ...