The Jim Bradford Podcast

We are coming close to the end of our conversations through the Bible. In this week's episode, we discuss the book of Jude. The next to last book of the Bible, Jude is often missed by readers of the Bible. Though it is not long, it gives us a fascinating look into the world of the early church and a compelling description of the work of discipleship. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the...

In this week's conversation, we're wrapping up our look at the letters of John. Pastor Jim offers an explanation of 3 John and its historical setting. It gives us the opportunity to talk about false teaching and the dangers of accumulating power as leaders. 

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come to the second letter of John. Though one of the shortest books in the New Testament, 2 John offers some important warnings to the Church. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical context of the letter and what we can learn from John's advice.

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come to three letters attributed to John. In today's episode, we explore John as an author and the unique time and setting of John's letters. It gives us a chance to see how the church was growing and the new challenges the church faced. Pastor Jim will help you apply John's first letter to your life as a believer and leader as...

In this week's episode, we continue our conversations through the Bible by discussing the book of 2 Peter. Last week, we had a chance to discuss the role of Peter in the New Testament; today, we dig deeper into his life and his second letter. Pastor Jim explores the book's major themes and helps us reflect on lessons we can learn for today.

In this week's episode we're exploring Peter's letters in the New Testament with a conversation on 1 Peter. A familiar figure to the gospel stories and the book of Acts, Pastor Jim explores Peter's life and writings to the churches of Asia Minor. We also discuss what today's believers can learn from Peter's teaching.  

We're continuing our series through the books of the Bible with today's conversation on the book of James. James is a unique book in the New Testament. It has often raised questions about the relationship between faith and works. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim explores the book's authorship and how James' advice shapes us as followers of Christ. 

In today's episode, we continue through the books of the Bible by discussing the book of Hebrews. While the authorship of the book is debated, it is certainly one of the richest and most complicated books of the New Testament, full of Old Testament allusions and theological comparisons. We take a closer look at the letter, its famous warnings, and also its encouragement of faith. 

In today's episode, we continue through the books of the Bible by discussing the book of Philemon. Among the Bible's shortest books, Philemon recounts a complicated personal situation that Paul sought to reconcile. In our conversation, we'll discuss ancient slavery and how the gospel transforms our identities and relationships. Though short, there is a lot to be learned from this li...

In today's episode, we continue through the books of the Bible by discussing the last book of the pastoral epistles, Titus. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical context of the letter and compares it to Paul's letters to Timothy. We get to see how Paul instructs a pastor to lead a new church, and we find advice for our own day as well. 

In this week’s episode, we take a closer look at Paul’s second letter to Timothy. In a past series, we spent several weeks working through this letter. Today, we’ll do it with just one conversation, but it's a chance to reconsider Paul’s words and the important lessons the letter contains. Pastor Jim offers historical context and practical applications that every believer can take away from t...

In today's episode, we discuss Paul's first letter to Timothy. As one of only three letters written to an individual, 1 Timothy is among some of Paul's most personal words. Paul offers advice to the younger minister, Timothy. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the context of the letter and what lessons we can learn from Timothy and Paul's advice to him. 

In this week's episode, we're discussing Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. Last week, we saw how questions about Christ's return had been spreading in Thessalonica.  In his second letter, Paul returns to the topic and expands the conversation in his discussion of the lawless one. Yet Paul will see the truths of Christ's come as the source of real hope and an oppor...

In this week's episode, we're taking a look at the first letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians may be the earliest of Paul's letters, and it was written to a church Paul loved, but one which faced very real persecution and some challenging questions about Christ and his return. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical moment and how Paul's answer for the chur...

We are continuing our conversations through the Bible as we come to another of Paul's prison letters. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the background and message of Colossians. We discuss its geographic setting, its historical context, and what is some of Paul's greatest writings on the divinity of Christ. It's an important letter to people living through challenging tim...

We are continuing our conversations through the Bible as we come to another of Paul's prison letters. For many people, the letter to the Philippians is a favorite book of the Bible. And for good reason. It offers some of Paul's most moving and encouraging words. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the background of the letter and how it can be an encouragement to believers today...

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible, we come to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Known as the first of Paul's prison letters, Ephesians was not only an important letter in the life of Paul but the church played an important role in Paul's life and ministry. Pastor Jim describes the situation of the letter and offers thoughts on what we can learn from it to...

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come to Paul's letter to the Galatians. The book is one of Paul's strongest and most direct words. And it also offers one of Paul's most impassioned appeals for the centrality of the gospel. Pastor Jim explores the historical context for the book including the tensions that risked dividing the early church. We also discuss how G...

As we continue our conversations through the Bible, we come this week to the book of Second Corinthians. Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church is one of Paul's most personal and painful. Paul was forced to defend his own claim to be an apostle. Pastor Jim explores the difficult situation that led to this letter and what we can learn from it as believers and ministers. 

As we continue to work our way through the books of the Bible, we come to two of Paul's most well-known letters, his letters to the church in Corinth. The Corinthian church was facing pretty serious problems, but Paul took the time to work through them in two theologically rich letters. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the first of those letters. We discuss the background and the...

The book of Romans is one of the most theologically dense books of the Bible and can be one of the most challenging to understand. In today's episode, we take a closer look at the background of the letter, Paul's situation, and the context of writing to Rome, and we explore the letter's major themes and lessons. Though challenging, Romans also contains some rich explanations of the...

In this week's conversation, we take a closer look at the Book of Acts. We discuss how Luke structured the book to work with his gospel and how Acts introduces us to the early church and the ministry of Paul. Pastor Jim explores what the church today can learn from those first days of the church, taking Jesus's message from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible and over the last few weeks, the gospels, we come to the book of John. John stands out amongst the Gospel writers as containing a unique style and a significant amount of unique content. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim takes a closer look at John, his gospel writing, and what we can learn from it.

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible and over the last few weeks, the gospels, we come to the book of Luke. As perhaps the only gentile writer in the New Testament, Luke offers a carefully constructed two-part account of Jesus and the church. Pastor Jim explores Luke's approach, his reason for writing, and what we can learn from Luke's work. 

This week's episode takes us back to the gospels to take a look at Mark's account. As normal, we discuss the author, the book's historical context, and its major themes. Each of the gospels offers a unique perspective on Jesus' life and work. Pastor Jim explores the unique place of Mark's gospel in those accounts.