The Learning Laborers

In the season four finale of Learning Laborers, the we begin by reflecting on the season’s journey, highlighting conversations with guests like Paul Sloan, Carmen Joy Imes, Dru Johnson, and Teresa Roberts - plus other research episodes on hospitality, sleep in Scripture, a theology of work, and Pontius Pilate. After that, each of us cohosts discuss what we're currently researching. Taylor is c...

In this episode, Matt, Taylor, and Denver do a live study of Ezekiel 37 - the famous Valley of Dry Bones. What's going on in this nightmarish vision that feels like it's straight out of a zombie movie? Where did the bones come from? Who do they belong to? Why are they so dry and what would it mean for them to live again with flesh? All of this and more will be explored in this penultimate...

This special Holy Week episode features an interview with Jesse Roberts from the band Poor Bishop Hooper . Jesse and his wife Leah have been making music and ministering together since 2013. All of their music is deeply rooted in the Bible, and their corpus of work represents an immensely rich gift to the Church. As such, we've interspersed some of their work throughout the episode for your enjoym...

As we draw closer to Holy Week, Matt and Taylor devote an episode to the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Matthew details the importance of this episode in the story of the Gospels and also explains why Pilate is so prominent in Scripture and later tradition. Have you ever noticed that Pilate is mentioned not just in all four Gospels, but also in Acts, 1 Timothy, and the Nicene Creed? What&#3...

The Learning Laborers hosts a conversation about Leviticus with Dr. Dru Johnson. Dru frames Leviticus as forming God’s people through embodied, communal practices that keep God’s presence among them and train them for justice and righteousness. In other words, it is not simply a “tech manual” for carrying out sacrifices and other rituals unfamiliar to us today. Rather, it continues to speak to tho...

Matt, Taylor, and Denver welcome Dr. Teresa Roberts (professor at Ozark Christian College) to discuss why children’s ministry is vital to a healthy church. Roberts argues that the most significant formation happens in the first 13 years of life, making the local church an essential partner - alongside parents - in building a strong foundation of faith and serving as an extended family for children...

In this episode of the Learning Laborers Podcast, Taylor hosts a conversation with Dr. Matthew McBirth on the themes of persecution and suffering faced by the recipients of 1 Peter. They delve into the historical and sociological contexts of early Christians, discussing how their faith led to social and cultural conflict. The episode surveys scriptural references and relevant historical background...

In this Christmas episode of the Learning Laborers podcast, Denver and Taylor explore the multi-dimensional nature of Jesus' Messiahship through the lens of Matthew 1-2. Drawing on the work of Novenson, they explore the dynamics of Second Temple Messiah figures - some of who claimed messiahship based on birth, others based on merit. All of these figures, though, are compared to David in one way or...

In this episode, Matt, Denver, and Taylor welcome Dr. Shane J. Wood, a professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College and Lincoln Seminary. The discussion delves into Dr. Wood's unique approach to biblical interpretation, which emphasizes empathy and vulnerability. Drawing from his books like Thinning the Veil and ongoing works, Dr. Wood explains how understanding the humanity of biblic...

What did authentic hospitality look like in the ancient world? What were the lifelong implications for those who engaged in hosting and being hosted? How can the church get back to its roots of hospitality today? These questions and more will be explored in this episode of the Learning Laborers, as Matt walks Denver and Taylor through the idea of biblical hospitality. This topic served as the cent...

In this episode, Denver invites Matt and Taylor into a discussion of the theme of sleep in the narratives of Scripture. They explore the various Old Testament stories that feature sleep, probing to understand what kind of role it tends to play in these moments of revelation, covenant-making, and vulnerability. These ideas are then brought into conversation with particular stories of Jesus that fea...

In this episode of the Learning Laborers, hosts Matthew and Denver sit down with Dr. Brenton Fessler, lead pastor at Refuge OC in Orange, California. They discuss the journey and challenges of church planting, the importance of contextualization in ministry, and the key principles derived from Paul's missionary career in the book of Acts. Brenton shares personal anecdotes from his experience,...

The Learning Laborers podcast is honored to host Dr. Carmen Joy Imes. Carmen is an Old Testament professor at Biola University and in this episode, we discuss her forthcoming book - Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters (which you can pre-order here ). The conversation covers the biblical foundation of the "family" metaphor for God's people, examining how both the O...

Does the Law of Moses still matter for Christians today? Does Jesus expect his followers to obey the Torah? In this episode of the Learning Laborers, Taylor and Matt sit down with Dr. Paul Sloan - associate professor of Early Christianity at Houston Christian University - to discuss his new book Jesus and the Law of Moses . Together, they discuss how Jesus' ministry expresses Restoration Escha...

Should we live to work or work to live? How does Jesus want his followers to work? In the new creation, will we finally be done working forever? To kick off season 4, co-hosts Taylor, Denver, and Matt look at the topic of work from a biblical perspective. The discussion explores the idea of work in Genesis and how our vision of work is transformed through the life and teachings of Jesus. They also...

In this special season finale of The Learning Laborers Podcast, Denver and Taylor dive into a comprehensive recap of Season 3. They discuss their favorite episodes, notable guests, and memorable moments. Additionally, they hint at big plans and announcements for Season 4, including the introduction of a new co-host and upcoming topics focused on biblical scholarship and ministry. 00:00 Scorching H...

In this summer episode, Taylor and Denver discuss the central theme of the gospel in the book of 1 Peter. They explore how Peter's testimony about Jesus as the Christ shapes the Christian life, encouraging listeners to embody the gospel through their actions and community. For more on this topic, read Taylor's Substack articles that provide more detail. And Upon This Rock by McKnight &...

In this episode, Taylor and Denver dive into a thought-provoking discussion on violence in the Old Testament with Dr. Matthew Lynch. The conversation delves into the implications of violence in scripture, how to put Old Testament violence into dialogue with Jesus’ teachings, and the historical context surrounding the conquest narratives in Joshua. They also discuss practical tips for pastors and e...

In this episode of Learning Laborers, Taylor and Denver sit down with their fellow classmate Noah Schumacher - a pastor and contributor to the new volume And Upon This Rock, which explores the life of the Apostle Peter. Noah shares his 11-year journey in pastoral ministry, including transformative moments and crises that shaped his vision of success in ministry. He discusses how he found inspirati...

What do you do when someone in your congregation or church community starts to get wrapped up in conspiracy theories? Join us in this episode where we dive into the world of conspiracy theories and their impact on evangelical Christianity. Taylor and Denver engage in a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Jared Stacy, a theologian and ethicist, exploring the challenges and pastoral responses to conspi...

In this insightful episode of the Learning Laborers podcast, hosts Taylor and Denver sit down with Paul Hoffman, co-author of AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep . They delve into the complex world of artificial intelligence, exploring its impact on ministry, theology, and practical applications in the church. The conversation covers a range of topics including the ethical implications of AI, its role...

In this episode, Taylor and Denver dive deep into the intriguing and puzzling world of Luke 16. The teachings of Jesus in this chapter can seem pretty bizarre on the surface. From the Parable of the Shrewd Manager to the comment about people "forcing their way into" the kingdom to the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus, there's a lot going on in this passage. Denver and Taylor discuss...

In this episode, Taylor walks us through the timely topic of taxes. Yep it's that time of year again! But don't worry, no IRS forms to fill out here! Instead, Taylor and Denver discuss Jesus' teachings on taxation in the first century (found in Mark 12 and Matthew 17), and what they show us about Jesus' relationship to earthly kingdoms. Explore how Jesus navigated this tricky polit...

Cannabis and Christians: A Thoughtful Examination In this episode, Taylor and Denver welcome Dr. Todd Miles, a professor of theology at Western Seminary and a pastor, to dive deep into the complexities of marijuana use from a biblical and theological standpoint. With cannabis legalization becoming more widespread, they discuss the importance of understanding the substance both scientifically and s...

Merry Christmas to all our Learning Laborers! In this festive episode, Denver and Taylor dive into the fascinating story of the Magi, or wise men, from the East and the significance of the Christmas star in Matthew 2:1-18. The discussion reveals the deep connections between this story and the Old Testament, the role of Gentile inclusion in the Gospel of Matthew, and the social and political subver...