The Bible Project

The word “blessing” brings to mind a variety of images for all of us. But what exactly does it mean when God blesses someone? And where did the curse come from? In this episode, Tim and Jon start exploring the third movement of Genesis, tracing the theme of blessing and curse.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-18:35)Part two (18:35-37:40)Part three (37:40-51:30)Part four (51:30-1:01:42)Referenced ResourcesThe Blessing and the Curse: Trajectories in the Theology of the Old Testament, Jeff S. AndersonInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Endless Beginnings” by Smile High and Teddy RoxpinShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Today would have been our 287th podcast episode. We haven’t missed a single week in seven years! Unfortunately, we won’t be able to release our next episode until a week from now, Monday, February 7th, when we will dive into the third movement of Genesis, focusing on the life of Jacob.This week take the time to explore our catalogue and listen to an episode you haven’t heard before. You can also listen to the podcast in our new app and check out our new interactive podcast feature. As you listen to podcast episodes on the app, you can access additional content (videos, articles, other podcast episodes, books) that relate to that episode as they pop up in real time. You can download the app for Android and iPhone.In preparation for the next theme we’re studying on the podcast, check out our series on Generosity, as well as an interview we shared a number of years ago called God and Money. It’s  the story of two Harvard business grads whose understanding of money and generosity was radically transformed by the

The family of Abraham is chosen by God. But despite God’s promises to them, they continually act out of greed, division, fear, deception, and lack of trust in Yahweh. How does God respond to this? What will he do to make sure his blessing comes to all nations? Join Tim, Jon, and Carissa as they continue tracing the theme of the tree of life in the second movement of Genesis.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-13:50)Part two (13:50-27:45)Part three (27:45-36:30)Part four (36:30-53:45)Part five (53:45-1:05:28)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“We Must Believe in Spring” by Psalm Trees & Guillaume MuschalleShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Blessing, testing, failure, success, God’s plan for the nations—you’ll find all these themes woven through the story of the Bible, often accompanied by … trees? While it might not seem obvious, trees play an important role in the Bible and, notably, in the life of Abraham. In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and Carissa as they dive into the second movement of Genesis and trace the theme of trees through the story of Abraham.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-08:25)Part two (08:25-20:26)Part three (20:26-27:28)Part four (27:28-38:00)Part five (38:00-50:20)Referenced ResourcesThe Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus, L. Michael MoralesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Invisible” by Philanthrope and mommyShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

When we think of God’s Spirit, judgment is probably not what comes to mind. But the biblical authors saw God’s Spirit as the one who gave life and took it away—the one who could create, de-create, and recreate. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa follow the theme of God’s Spirit through the second half of the first movement of Genesis.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-10:20)Part two (10:20-29:00)Part three (29:00-35:00)Part four (35:00-43:30)Part five (43:30-end)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Meraki” by Juan RiosShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Why does the author of Genesis make a point to name God’s Spirit in Genesis 1 and 2? In this week’s episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa embark on a new journey for the BibleProject podcast—reading the Bible in thematic movements, starting with a close look at the Holy Spirit’s role in the book of Genesis.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-10:00)Part two (10:00-23:00)Part three (23:00-39:00)Part four (39:00-50:00)Part five (50:00-end)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Wanderlust” by MakzoShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In the final episode of the year, Tim, Jon, Carissa, and the CEO of BibleProject, Steve, reflect on our journey together in 2021 and look forward to some exciting plans for 2022 and beyond. Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters for your generosity and for joining us as we experience the Bible together.View full show notes from this episode →Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

How do we apply the biblical paradigm to our own Bible reading? It starts with reading the Bible in movements—the thematic patterns in which the biblical authors organized their ideas long before chapters and verse numbers were printed. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa introduce us to biblical movements and walk through how to identify and trace biblical themes on our own.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00-14:00)Part two (14:00-19:45)Part three (19:45-29:30)Part four (29:30-37:45)Part five (37:45-48:00)Part six (48:00-57:21)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Into the Past” by CYGN“Me.So” by Mind Your Time“Invisible” by Philanthrope & mommy“Alive” by OuskaShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

How do we teach the Bible to our children? How can a book written by humans be divinely authoritative? Is the Bible historically accurate? In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa wrap up the Paradigm series by responding to your questions!View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps How Do We Teach the Bible to Our Children? (1:01)Are the Epistles Meditation Literature? (15:54)Can Anyone Understand the Bible? (25:45)How Do We Help Our Churches Learn How to Read the Bible? (32:32)How Can a Book Written by Humans Be Divine? (41:44)Is the Bible Historically Accurate? (51:32)Referenced ResourcesThe Jesus Storybook BibleWestminster Confession of Faith (Section 1.7 is referenced in this episode.)Interested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder.  Audience questions collected by Christopher Maier.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

What do we do with the passages in the Bible that are really difficult? Violence, slavery, the treatment of women—what the Bible has to say about these topics has, at times, been misinterpreted and misused. Join Tim, Jon, Carissa, and special guest Dan Kimball as they discuss his book, How (Not) to Read the Bible, and explore how any topic in the Bible looks different when we see it as part of a unified story.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-15:20)Part two (15:20-26:40)Part three (26:40-44:00)Part four (44:00-57:14)Referenced ResourcesHow (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-Women, Anti-Science, Pro-Violence, Pro-Slavery, and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture, Dan KimballGregory KouklJohn H. WaltonMere Christianity, C. S. LewisA History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Karen ArmstrongInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Cycles” by SwuMShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Ed

Are there ways to read the Bible other than a private quiet time? For most of Church history, followers of Jesus read the Bible out loud in groups and passed along its message verbally. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa talk about what it means for the Bible to be communal literature and how knowing that might just change the way we experience it today.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00-9:30)Part two (9:30-13:45)Part three (13:45-21:30)Part four (21:30-31:30)Part five (31:30-47:30)Part six (47:30-55:30)Part seven (55:30-1:02:25)Referenced ResourcesEarly History of the Alphabet, Joseph NavehThe JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy, Jeffrey H. TigayScripture and Its Interpretation: A Global, Ecumenical Introduction to the Bible, Michael J. GormanInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Uncut Gems” by Mezhdunami“Dreams (Instrumental)” by Xander“Like the Sky, or Something Else” by Sleepy Fish“Life” by KVShow produced by Cooper

Have you ever figured out halfway through a conversation that you and another person were on totally different pages? Reading the Bible can feel like this at times. We’re all products of our cultures, families, and environments, and it affects how we understand others. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa prepare us for a cross-cultural conversation with the Bible by discussing the cultural values of the biblical authors.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-13:20)Part two (13:20-25:30)Part three (25:30-41:15)Part four (41:15-48:00)Part five (48:00-59:45)Part six (59:45-1:10:33)Referenced ResourcesThe Biblical Cosmos: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Weird and Wonderful World of the Bible, Robin A. ParryApostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and His Letters, Michael J. GormanPaul and the Gift, John M.G. BarclayInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Scream” by Moby“Euk’s First Race” by David Gummel“Where P

What makes the biblical languages so important? Because the Bible was written in another time and culture, we need to honor its ancient historical context and original languages as we read and study it. In this week’s podcast episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa explore why an awareness of the Bible’s culture––and our own––can help us be better interpreters of the Bible.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-15:00)Part two (15:00-20:30)Part three (20:30-33:15)Part four (33:15-44:45)Part five (44:45-58:37)Referenced ResourcesThe Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament, Sandra L. RichterMisreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible, E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’BrienMisreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes: Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World, E. Randolph Richards and Richard JamesA Theory of Semiotics, Umberto EcoReading the Bible Intertextually, Richard B. Hays, Stefan Alkier, Leroy A. HuizengaI

As followers of Jesus, how can we know we are making the “right” choice in situations the Bible doesn’t address? How can we know the difference between what’s good and bad? In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa talk about the Bible’s purpose as wisdom literature designed to reveal God’s wisdom to humanity––even for complex circumstances it doesn’t explicitly address.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0-13:20)Part two (13:20-19:45)Part three (19:45-31:00)Part four (31:00-43:15)Part five (43:15-55:20)Part six (55:20-1:01:50)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Loving Someone You Lost” by The Field Tapes“Vexento” by Yesterday on Repeat“Everything Fades to Blue” by Sleepy FishShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

How were the books of the Bible selected? What should we do if we have a hard time reading the Bible? How does the Bible apply to daily life? In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa respond to your questions from the Paradigm series so far. Thanks to our audience for all your incredible questions!View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Do Christians Need To Have a Daily Quiet Time? (0:38)What’s the Difference Between Inspired and Inerrant? (9:57)What Bible Did Jesus Use? (31:09)Should We Call the Bible the Word of God? (37:14)Should the Apocryphal Books Be in the Protestant Bible? (45:40)What About the JEDP Theory? (55:52)How Should We Apply Scripture to Our Lives? (1:03:30)What Do You Do if the Bible Was Used Against You? (1:09:20)Referenced ResourcesThe Chicago Statement on Biblical InerrancyFive Views on Biblical Inerrancy (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology), J. MerrickThe Pentateuch: International Perspectives on Current Research, Thomas DozemanParadigm Change in Pentateuchal Research, Matthias

The apostle John is the most poetic of the Gospel storytellers, but what is he really communicating with his beautiful, imagery-laden language? Join Tim, Jon, and Carissa for a closer look at John 1 and discover how John incorporates elements of the Genesis and Exodus narratives to form a portrait of how God responds to rebellious people.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0-13:15)Part two (13:15-24:45)Part three (24:45-37:30)Part four (37:30-48:00)Part five (48:00-54:00)Part six (54:00-1:01:17)Referenced ResourcesDavid Andrew Teeter, Hebrew Bible scholarWilliam Arthur Tooman, Hebrew Bible scholarGod Dwells with Us: Temple Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel, Mary L. ColoeJohn (Word Biblical Commentary Volume 36), George R. Beasley-MurrayThe Jewish Temple: A Non-Biblical Sourcebook, C. T. R. HaywardInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Day and Night” by Aiguille“Movement” by FeltyShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel an

What’s the ideal way to study the Bible? Is it 20 minutes of reading every morning or larger blocks of time throughout the week? In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and Carissa as they discuss what it means for the Bible to be ancient Jewish meditation literature. The biblical authors never intended for it to be understood in one sitting, but over the course of a lifetime of re-reading.View full show notes from this episode →TimestampsPart one (0-19:30)Part two (19-30-32:00)Part three (32:00-46:00)Part four (46:00-end)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.David Andrew Teeter, Hebrew Bible scholarShow Music“Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Acedotes” by MakzoShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Is the story of the Bible about humans or God? Because the Bible is about the Messiah—the God who became human—it’s about both God and humans. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa discuss how the story of the Bible and all of its main themes come to their fulfillment in Jesus, making it a story that’s personal but not private, a redemption story for all of us.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00 - 16:45)Part two (16:45 - 31:00)Part three (31:00 - 46:30)Part four (46:30 - End)Referenced ResourcesThe Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1, J. Richard MiddletonDavid Andrew Teeter, Hebrew Bible scholarInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“On a Walk” by FantompowerShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Zach McKinley. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

At first glance, the New Testament can seem wildly different from the Old Testament––but is it? Jesus saw himself as the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures and the climax of the story that began thousands of years before his birth. In this episode, join Tim, Jon, and Carissa as they explore the unity of the New Testament and the intricate yet consistent storyline of the Bible.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-10:40)Part two (10:40-23:30)Part three (23:30-34:50)Part four (34:50-End)Referenced ResourcesThe Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance, Bruce M. MetzgerThe Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate, Michael J. KrugerAll Things New: Revelation As Canonical Capstone, Brian J. TabbThe Oxford Handbook of ChristologyInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Day One” by Deric Torres“Day Two” by Deric Torres“Temple Garden” by BVGShow produced by Cooper Peltz, Da

How can a collection of ancient manuscripts written by numerous people over thousands of years tell one unified story? In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Carissa dive into how the Bible was written and how such a diverse collection of authors, literary styles, and themes can form one divinely inspired, unified story.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00 - 13:30)Part two (13:30 - 22:00)Part three (22:00 - 36:00)Part four (36:00 - 45:40)Part five (45:40 - end)Referenced ResourcesThe Shape of the Writings (Siphrut: Literature and Theology of the Hebrew Scriptures), Julius Steinberg and Timothy J. StoneThe Journey from Texts to Translations: The Origin and Development of the Bible, Paul D. WegnerLee Martin McDonald’s collected worksDominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible, Stephen G. DempsterThe Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative, Christopher J. H. WrightInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Aftersome"