The Biblical Mind

For decades, churches have built youth ministries around entertainment and behavior management. But what if all the data says that’s the wrong approach? In this powerful episode, Dr. Anthony Bradley joins Dru Johnson to reflect on 25 years of experience working with youth, revisiting the PBS documentary Raising Cain and what it reveals about the neglected emotional lives of boys. He shares stories from his time as a high school teacher, where the boys most emotionally adrift weren’t from broken homes—but from Christian families. Bradley argues that youth ministry has largely failed, citing data showing a 50–60% dropout rate among church youth group kids. “What the data shows is that spiritual formation happens at home,” he says. “And instead of churches focusing on the youth, they need to be focusing on Malachi 4:6.” He calls for churches to replace youth isolation with intergenerational community. “They need to physically experience almost in a sacramental sort of sense what a godly family is.” Boys don’t just need Bible studies—they need fathers, mentors, uncles, and grandfathers. This episode is an urgent wake-up call to rethink how we raise boys, how we disciple families, and how the church can once again become the place for forming whole people. For Anthony's Substack, click this link: https://anthonybbradley.substack.com/ We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters 00:00 The Impact of 'Raising Cain' on Understanding Boys 02:59 Cultural Shifts in Masculinity and Education 05:43 The Emotional Lives of Boys 08:39 The Crisis of Boys in Education 11:34 Masculinity and Emotional Expression 14:38 The Role of Culture in Defining Masculinity 17:39 Christian Perspectives on Masculinity 20:24 Historical Context of Masculinity in Christianity 25:44 The Shift in Youth Ministry Focus 28:29 The Role of Parents in Faith Formation 32:21 Creating Family-Centric Church Activities 35:18 The Importance of Intergenerational Relationships 40:16 Integrating Youth into Family Life 45:07 The Need for Community and Mentorship 50:52 Long-Term Faith Development and Patience

Was Peter’s hometown ever really lost—and have we just found it? In this episode, archaeologist and scholar Dr. Jeffrey Arroyo García joins Dru Johnson to explore how archaeology reshapes our understanding of the Gospels, popular media like The Chosen, and the portrayal of first-century Judaism. Drawing on his years excavating at El-Araj—the site increasingly believed to be biblical Bethsaida—Jeff walks us through how ancient inscriptions, Crusader-era churches, and Roman bathhouses reveal the story beneath the shoreline. But the episode takes a provocative turn when they discuss the show The Chosen. Jeff praises its storytelling and vibrancy but calls attention to a visual pattern with troubling roots: “The Pharisees are generally in black… And when they come into contact with Jesus… they wear lighter colors.” He explains how this “othering” of Pharisees—even subtly—echoes centuries of Christian anti-Jewish tropes. The conversation is honest, layered, and generous—balancing artistic license with historical clarity. “If you are interested in Jesus or a follower of Jesus,” Jeff warns, “then you can’t be a Pharisee—just from clothing alone.” We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org   Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Archaeology and the Galilee 02:48 Pharisees and Their Presence in Galilee 05:40 The Search for Bethsaida 08:48 Significant Discoveries at El-Araj 11:30 Cultural Context and New Testament Insights 14:21 The Chosen: Storytelling and Historical Accuracy 17:31 Creative Speculation in Biblical Portrayals 20:37 The Role of Pharisees in the New Testament 23:23 Touring Israel: Insights and Experiences

What if Genesis 1 wasn’t about the origin of matter—but the enthronement of God? And what if “rest” wasn’t the end of work, but the beginning of reign? In this episode, Rachel Booth Smith, author of Rest Assured, joins Dru Johnson to explore how the Genesis creation story contrasts with other ancient Near Eastern accounts. With a storyteller’s gift and a pastor’s heart, Smith explains how comparing biblical cosmogony to Egyptian or Hittite myths can actually strengthen, not weaken, our faith in the text. “Sometimes the campfire would get very upset,” she says, imagining ancient neighbors reacting to Genesis’ claim that the sun and moon are just objects—not gods. She also unpacks the significance of Sabbath as sacred reign, not divine nap time. “Rest is like saying sitting down at a throne because everything is operating correctly,” she explains. The seven-day structure wasn’t arbitrary—it was holy, “marked out,” signaling both the order of creation and the rhythm of life. Most importantly, Rachel shows how this re-reading of Genesis leads us to trust. “If I can get to the end of a Sabbath and realize you are God and I am not, I feel like that was a win.” For Rachel's book "Rest Assured," head here: https://www.moodypublishers.com/rest-assured/ We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 The Genesis of Understanding Creation 03:55 Bridging Ancient and Modern Perspectives 07:08 The Concept of Rest in Creation 10:18 Sabbath: A Rhythm of Work and Rest 13:22 The Nature of God’s Power and Authority 16:01 Cultural Contexts and Creation Narratives 19:23 The Role of the Sun and Other Deities 22:07 The Significance of Seven in Creation 25:14 The Uniqueness of Genesis' Creation Account 28:06 The Implications of a Non-Conflict Creation 31:16 The Importance of Trusting God 34:09 Conclusion: Insights from Ancient Near Eastern Literature

What happens when a senior biblical scholar changes their mind—publicly? In this episode, Dr. John Walton returns to explain key shifts in his thinking, especially about Genesis, the temple, and covenant theology. He unpacks two major paradigm shifts: first, that Genesis creation isn’t about material origins, but about functional order; second, that Genesis 3 isn’t even about sin—it’s about humanity’s search for order. He also revisits his earlier view that the cosmos should be seen as a temple, now offering a more nuanced perspective: “I’m very happy to think about this as establishing sacred space… without necessarily extending the temple metaphor to the concept of boundaries.” Walton explains how ancient Near Eastern concepts shape the biblical text, but cautions against overgeneralizing differences between Israel and its neighbors. “God does not have needs. Don’t think that way. Everybody else around you thinks that way.” He argues Israel’s rituals weren’t about feeding the deity, but forming covenant relationship—and this, he claims, is unique in the ancient world. More than anything, Walton champions a commitment to evidence over dogma. “If your commitment is to the evidence, your commitment has to be to cognitive flexibility.” We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Paradigm Shifts in Biblical Interpretation 03:03 The Temple and Creation 05:45 Understanding Ancient Near Eastern Thought 08:45 Cognitive Flexibility in Scholarship 11:58 Rituals and Their Significance 14:54 The Role of Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds 17:54 Literary Structures in Biblical Texts

In this thought-provoking episode, Walton explains his “cultural rivers” metaphor—how each culture swims in its own current of values, assumptions, and logic. We can’t read the Bible through modern, Western eyes without missing what mattered most to ancient audiences. Genesis, for example, isn’t about material origins but about God bringing order to a disordered world. From Genesis 1–11, which Walton calls a unified pursuit-of-order narrative, to covenant as God’s chosen method of establishing order in Israel, this episode reshapes how we think about law, sin, impurity, and even concepts like raʿ (evil). Walton shows how words like shalom, menucha, and tov are all part of a spectrum of order—not morality. He also addresses how Jesus and Paul recontextualize the Torah, why Exodus opens with a surprising parade of female heroes, and how poetry preserves communal memory in songs like Exodus 15. Whether you’re new to Walton’s “Lost World” series or a longtime reader, this episode offers fresh insight into how Scripture’s deepest themes emerge from its ancient context. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Methodological Approaches to Texts 02:02 Cultural Rivers: Understanding Context in Ancient Texts 05:19 Genesis 1-11: The Pursuit of Order 08:04 The Role of Women in Exodus: A Unique Perspective 11:04 Intertextuality: Connections Between Genesis and Judges 14:12 The Concept of Order in the Torah 17:10 Jesus and Paul: Recontextualizing the Torah 20:16 The Significance of Women in the Exodus Narrative 23:20 Joseph and Daniel: Conceptual Connections 26:07 Final Thoughts and Future Discussions 32:50 Poetry And Prose Intermixed

What if the Bible was written with deep structural patterns designed to echo across generations—economically and theologically? In this riveting episode, Dr. Joshua Berman joins Dru Johnson to reveal how literary design, verbal repetition, and cultural continuity make the Bible not a patchwork, but a carefully composed unity. Through examples ranging from Genesis and Judges to Exodus and Samuel, Berman shows how the same words, images, and narrative arcs—like “sword and bow” or reversal of blessing—carry deliberate echoes and layered meanings across the text. They also explore gendered storytelling in Exodus 2, the function of poetry in biblical prose, and why embedded songs like Exodus 15 don’t contradict the narrative—they expand it. Berman explains how ancient readers trained in repetition and orality would have caught these cues instantly, and why modern readers miss them. This episode is also a personal one, as Berman shares how leading Jewish tours in Egypt deepened his faith in the biblical text—and even led to unexpected moments of hope across religious and national divides. This is a masterclass in reading Scripture deeply—linguistically, literarily, and spiritually. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Methodology in Biblical Texts 04:06 Understanding Deep Structures in Scripture 09:15 The Role of Language and Translation 14:21 Genesis: Unity and Structure 19:02 Theological Implications of Interwoven Narratives 21:56 Exploring Sodom and Gomorrah's Legacy 27:11 The Role of Women in Exodus 33:09 Contradictions in Moses' Life 39:23 Archeological Work In Egypt

What does attachment theory have to do with discipleship, theology, or the church? According to Dr. Geoff Holsclaw, more than we realize. In this episode, Holsclaw—a pastor, theologian, and co-author of Landscapes of the Soul—joins Dru Johnson to explore how neuroscience and interpersonal attachment can illuminate both human development and the biblical story. From early childhood bonds to the way we experience God’s presence, he explains how secure and insecure attachments shape how we relate to others, ourselves, and the divine. The conversation dives into the four “attachment landscapes” (Jungle, Desert, War Zone, and Secure), and how trauma or neglect in childhood can subtly shape a lifetime of relational patterns—unless there is healing. But the episode offers real hope: not only is repair possible, but Scripture itself shows us the way. Holsclaw connects attachment theory to key biblical moments—from God’s face in the Psalms to Jesus’ sending of the disciples. This is not a self-help take on neuroscience. It’s a theologically rich exploration of embodied faith, community healing, and how God repairs the ruptures in our lives. To get your copy of Landscapes Of The Soul: https://www.tyndale.com/p/landscapes-of-the-soul/9798400505546 We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Neuroscience in Counseling and Theology 06:19 Understanding Attachment Theory 14:04 The Impact of Attachment Styles 20:13 Scriptural Foundations of Attachment 26:26 Jesus and Attachment Dynamics 33:50 Healing and Growth in Attachment 40:57 Community and Relationships in Healing

Did Jesus come to cancel the Law of Moses—or fulfill it? In this compelling episode, Dr. Paul Sloan joins Dru Johnson to challenge one of the most persistent misunderstandings in modern Christianity: the idea that Jesus and Paul opposed the Torah. Drawing from his book Jesus and the Law of Moses, Sloan explains how legalism, misunderstanding of impurity, and modern Christian readings of Paul have distorted our view of the biblical law. Instead of a rigid checklist of 613 rules, the Torah was a wisdom-guided, relational framework that assumed the realities of sin, forgiveness, and impurity—and offered ways to address them. They explore how Jesus engaged in sophisticated legal reasoning, why Paul continued to participate in the temple sacrificial system even after his conversion, and why the “burden” of the law has been misunderstood. Sloan also critiques how Pharisees are caricatured as villains, with damaging theological consequences—especially for how Christians view modern Jews and Judaism. This episode brings clarity to what Jesus and Paul were really doing with the law—and why recovering this perspective is crucial for theology, biblical interpretation, and interfaith understanding today. To get your copy of Jesus And The Law Of Moses: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781540966384_jesus-and-the-law-of-moses We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Understanding the Law and Jesus' Perspective 02:22 Hurdles in Understanding the Law 05:13 Legalism and Its Misinterpretations 08:20 The Case for Jesus and Paul Abolishing the Torah 11:35 Exploring Dietary Laws and Their Implications 14:33 The Nature of Law and Forgiveness 17:31 Ritual Purity and Its Misconceptions 20:24 Pharisees: Villains or Misunderstood Figures? 23:25 Modern Implications of Ancient Interpretations 24:43 Paul's Observance of the Torah 25:33 The Role of Sacrifices in Early Christianity 31:40 Jesus and the Sacrificial System 34:04 Cultural Critique: Rabbinics and Jesus' Teachings

“Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” We’ve all heard the phrase—but what does it actually mean in the Bible? In this episode, Mike Tolliver and Dr. Dru Johnson unpack the principle of Talion—Lex Talionis—and show why it’s one of the most misunderstood elements of biblical justice. They trace the concept across Leviticus, Exodus, and Deuteronomy, exploring how this principle wasn’t about vengeance or equal retaliation, but a wisdom-guided restraint on power and a warning to those in authority: “Don’t abuse the vulnerable.” Far from being a hard legal code, eye-for-eye was a principle, surrounded by interpretive examples—not a statute for rigid enforcement. The conversation moves from the Torah to Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5, where Jesus isn’t rejecting the Old Testament, but interpreting it through its own inner logic. Jesus deepens the Torah’s call: instead of demanding retaliation, he teaches mercy and vulnerability—mirroring the Torah’s own ethic of protecting the powerless. From ancient village courts to modern Twitter mobs, this episode challenges us to rethink how justice, mercy, and retaliation intersect in biblical ethics—and in our own lives. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Biblical Justice: The Principle of Talion 02:13 Exploring the Context of Eye for an Eye 05:15 The Role of Retributive and Restorative Justice 08:26 Examining the Instances of Lex Talionis 11:20 The Implications of Class in Biblical Law 13:45 The Shift in Perspective: Power Dynamics in Justice 16:36 Witnesses and the Nature of Justice 19:39 God's Role in Justice and Retribution 22:22 Connecting Lex Talionis to the Imago Dei 25:41 Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Law 28:32 The Kingdom of Heaven: A New Perspective on Justice 31:28 The Floor and Ceiling of Biblical Law 34:43 Practical Applications of Biblical Justice Today

Is communion just a symbolic snack—or a mysterious, formative act of grace? In this episode, Rev. Hannah King, an Anglican priest and author of the upcoming Feasting on a Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness, joins Dru Johnson to explore why the Lord’s Supper is essential for the Christian life. Hannah shares her journey from evangelical church spaces into Anglicanism, unpacking how the Eucharist re-centered her understanding of salvation as bodily, communal, and ongoing. She shares deeply personal stories—of trauma, grief, and healing—that reveal how the sacrament offers more than information: it offers union with Christ. Together, they tackle difficult questions: Will weekly communion become rote? Why is the Eucharist so often sidelined in modern worship? What do we gain when we treat the Table as the center, not the add-on? And how does this sacrament speak to survivors, children, skeptics, and the spiritually weary? Hannah reminds us that even when we feel nothing, the Table is still doing its work. Like Sabbath and marriage, it shapes us slowly—but surely. For more on Hannah's work: https://www.hannahmillerking.com/ We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Barriers to Worship 03:06 The Role of Liturgy in Worship 06:14 The Nature of Worship Experience 08:58 Structure of Anglican Worship 12:11 The Importance of the Eucharist 15:07 Embodied Faith and Redemption 22:21 Exploring the Nature of the Soul and Body 24:40 The Familial Nature of Faith and Community 26:20 The Dynamics of Church and Class 28:12 Rituals, Liturgy, and Their Impact on Worship 30:31 The Eucharist: A Meal of Fellowship and Equality 35:18 Embracing Mystery in the Lord's Supper 39:25 The Centrality of the Eucharist in Christian Worship

What if the Bible isn’t something you read—but something you hear, memorize, and perform? In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Fausto Liriano shares his work translating the Bible into indigenous languages without writing it down. Through oral Bible translation projects in Guatemala, Mexico, and the Philippines, Dr. Liriano helps communities internalize Scripture in their own languages—through performance, storytelling, and memorization. He explains how this work challenges not only Western assumptions about literacy and theology, but also confronts colonial patterns in missionary work, translation philosophy, and even what counts as “canonical” Scripture. The episode explores how indigenous languages often mirror Hebrew’s poetic ambiguity more than Spanish or English do, why repetition and redundancy are theological tools, and how people with no formal education are memorizing and performing hours of biblical material with precision and reverence. Dr. Liriano also reflects on the need for contextual theology in Latin America—one that isn’t imported from the North, but developed by the people, for the people. He calls for a theology of corruption, of wholeness, and of embodied participation in God’s word. For more on Fausto's work: https://translation.bible/staff-profile/fausto-liriano/ We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Latin American Theology 01:59 Misunderstandings of Latin American Theology 04:47 The Need for Contextual Theology 07:41 Corruption and Its Impact on Theology 10:43 The Role of Indigenous Voices in Theology 13:52 Oral Bible Translation in Guatemala 16:47 The Value of Orality in Cultural Contexts 25:08 Translating for Indigenous Cultures 27:57 Exploring Orality in Biblical Texts 30:13 The Process of Oral Bible Translation 34:57 Community Engagement and Performance 37:41 The Importance of Oral Tradition 42:14 Navigating Colonialism and Canonization 44:29 The Heart of Translation: Language and Connection

Is AI intelligent—or just artificial? In this provocative episode, Dr. Noreen Herzfeld, a rare scholar of both computer science and theology, joins Dru Johnson to expose what most people overlook about artificial intelligence. Drawing from her recent book The Artifice of Intelligence, she challenges the mythology of AGI (artificial general intelligence) and critiques the environmental, social, and theological costs of current AI use. Herzfeld argues that large language models are plateauing and that the real danger isn’t a superintelligence—it’s our uncritical, energy-intensive use of biased software masquerading as neutral tools. She warns of AI’s water and fossil fuel demands, its disembodied affirmation loops, and the illusion that chatbots are viable substitutes for therapists, pastors, or friends. Rooting her critique in Christian theology, Herzfeld defends the value of embodiment, human uniqueness, and community. She sees modern AI and transhumanist dreams as a return to ancient Gnostic heresies—disembodied, elitist, and ultimately dehumanizing. This episode is essential for anyone navigating the ethical, spiritual, and ecological implications of AI. You’ll come away more equipped to use AI critically—and to resist the false promises of digital utopia. For Noreen's Book "The Artifice of Intelligence": https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506486901/The-Artifice-of-Intelligence We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 The Current State of AI Technology 02:21 Environmental Impact of AI 07:55 Understanding AI and AGI 16:36 The Dangers of Chatbots 19:42 Embodiment and AI 30:47 Future of AI and Its Societal Role

Can you be a Christian without the church? In this timely episode, Dr. Carmen Imes argues forcefully—and pastorally—that Christianity without community is a contradiction. Drawing from her new book Becoming God’s Family, she and Dru Johnson explore why so many people are walking away from church and what it would take to draw them back. From church hurt to spiritual abuse to toxic celebrity culture, Carmen doesn’t shy away from the reasons people leave. But she also offers theological and pastoral wisdom on why we can’t give up on the church. They explore biblical stories of failed community, why Hagar’s story matters, and what healthy faithfulness looks like in a flawed body. They also discuss when it’s time to leave a church, how American and global cultures can distort biblical community, and why true belonging means discomfort, difference, and even lament. Drawing on stories from her life and ministry, Carmen makes the case that church isn’t about getting what we want—it’s about becoming who we’re meant to be. For Carmen Imes' substack: https://substack.com/@carmenjoyimes We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more resources: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 The Importance of Community in Faith 01:37 Addressing Church Disconnection Post-Pandemic 04:22 The Role of Scripture in Community Dynamics 07:17 Navigating Church Hurt and Abuse 10:36 Finding Hope in Faithful Communities 13:46 The Broader Picture of Church Life 16:38 Understanding God's Family Beyond the Church 18:39 The Power of Community and Discipleship 20:03 Cultural Blind Spots and Family Loyalty 21:42 The Radical Nature of Church Family 25:24 The Ananias and Sapphira Lesson 27:59 The Role of Green Rooms in Church 31:10 Lamenting Together as a Family 32:45 The Messiness of Community 35:34 The Quest for Like-Mindedness 37:32 Diversity in Church and Community 41:58 Creative Solutions for Multicultural Worship  

What do Tolkien, vocation, and gritty literature have in common? In this conversation, Dru Johnson talks with literary scholar Dr. Karen Swallow Prior about why Christians often gravitate toward fantasy and romantic ideals—and why that can be a problem. Karen critiques the elevation of genre fiction like The Lord of the Rings as literary canon and urges Christians to engage “thick texts” that challenge us and train us to read Scripture more deeply. They discuss how modern reading habits—dominated by email, social media, and skimmable articles—undermine our ability to understand both literature and biblical texts. Karen argues that literature forms our posture toward the world, and that our spiritual and moral imagination needs the grounding realism found in great novels and gritty stories. The conversation pivots to Karen’s new book on vocation, exploring how distorted expectations around passion, work, and calling are leaving young people disillusioned. Instead, she calls for a deeper, more historically grounded view of labor, meaning, and responsibility. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in education, theology, literature, and the subtle ways imagination shapes our lives of faith. For more of Karen's literature: https://karenswallowprior.com/ We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Literature and Vocation 02:37 The Role of Literary Criticism in Cultural Contexts 05:44 Tolkien, Lewis, and the Literary Canon 08:46 Understanding Thick Texts: Literature and the Bible 12:04 The Importance of Reading Skills in Biblical Studies 14:55 Interpreting the Bible: Layers of Meaning in Texts 19:49 The Importance of Humility in Understanding Literature 24:00 Navigating Vocation and Career Expectations 29:54 The Reality of Menial Jobs and Their Value 33:37 Balancing Idealism and Grit in Literature 38:47 Finding Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful

In this second conversation with political philosopher Yoram Hazony, we dive deeper into the biblical concept of nationhood, wrestling with listener-submitted questions on nationalism, empire, and political virtue. Hazony responds to critiques and clarifies his position: biblical nationalism is not about racial purity or imperialism, but about the virtue of limited, self-governing peoples—unified not by ethnicity but by shared laws, traditions, and faith. Hazony distinguishes biblical terms like am and goy, explores the status of converts like Ruth, and dismantles the modern racialized understanding of nationhood. He emphasizes that scripture assumes nations will be internally diverse, but not infinitely so—there must be a dominant center that holds people together. The conversation also explores why biblical literature, not Greco-Roman thought, shaped the American constitutional order, and why the prophets critique empire while affirming the need for some form of the state. As Hazony puts it, “Purity is not the goal. Faithful unity is.” For the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy article Yoram mentioned in the interview, access the PDF here: https://journals.law.harvard.edu/jlpp/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2025/06/Hammer-FINAL_TC-JH-YRH-edits.pdf For more of Yoram's literature: https://www.yoramhazony.org/ https://x.com/yhazony We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 The Virtue of Nationalism 05:19 Understanding Nation in Biblical Context 10:42 The Role of Genetics and Kinship in Nations 15:25 Diversity and Unity in National Identity 20:09 Power Dynamics in Heterogeneous Nations 25:23 Biblical Foundations of Western Political Thought 38:14 The Christian Heritage of the West 41:15 Separation of Powers and the Mosaic Constitution 44:37 Separation of Church and State 48:29 The Concept of Empire 59:00 The Role of Kings and the State 01:00:17 Eschatology and the Future of Nations

Should Christians serve in the military? In this sobering and nuanced episode, Dru Johnson sits down with retired Colonel Darren Duke—Marine Corps Special Operations commander and intelligence officer—to unpack this deeply personal and morally complex question. Drawing from over 30 years of military experience, Duke shares his evolving view of military service, from Cold War patriotism to the hard-earned disillusionment of post-9/11 combat. He offers insight into how symbols like the Punisher, Spartan helmets, and Valhalla became coping mechanisms for troops struggling with the trauma and moral ambiguity of prolonged warfare. Duke also warns young Christians to prepare not only for the battlefield but for the morally challenging culture within the military itself. This conversation does not prescribe easy answers but outlines how one might think Christianly about enlistment, national service, and the weight of violence in a fallen world. Listeners will walk away better equipped to consider military service with sober realism, moral clarity, and theological depth. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Military Service and Personal Background 09:54 Reflections on Military Service and Christian Identity 17:52 The Complexity of War and Its Justifications 20:13 The Weight of War: Moral Trauma and Reflection 22:12 Existential Questions in Military Service 24:26 Navigating Morality in Combat 28:12 The Christian Perspective on Military Service 32:27 Defending the Defenseless: A Moral Duty 35:32 The Role of Leadership in Military Ethics

In this update episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver pull back the curtain on the work happening at the Center for Hebraic Thought. From filing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and building a stellar advisory board, to launching a redesigned website and reviving in-person workshops, the CHT has been quietly preparing for long-term growth and broader influence. They discuss the newly relaunched Hebraic Thought Community (HTC) on Facebook—already hundreds strong—and the four activities that bring the community together: highlighting member-created resources, sharing weekend reading, gathering weekly for public listening of Scripture, and hosting scholar Q&As. This digital community is sparking cross-disciplinary conversations, surfacing unexpected gems from laypeople, and reimagining how Christians listen to the Bible together. Dru and Mike also explain why listening (not just reading) Scripture in community is a powerful and ancient discipline—and why it’s missing from most churches today. They reflect on the joy of watching Scripture come alive in unexpected ways through these communal practices. They close with a call to support: whether through recurring giving, hosting a workshop, or sharing the word, CHT is building something bigger than any one person—something rooted in Scripture and flourishing in community. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:03 Updates on The Center for Hebraic Thought 03:03 Community Engagement and Workshops 06:03 Hebraic Thought Community Initiatives 09:04 Public Listening of Scripture 11:55 The Importance of Listening to Scripture 15:10 Website Updates and Future Plans 17:53 Funding and Support for the Center 20:58 Workshops and Community Involvement  

Should Christians look for Jesus in every verse of the Old Testament—or are we missing the point when we do? In this wide-ranging and practical conversation, Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright, Langham Partnership’s Global Ambassador and one of the world’s leading Old Testament scholars, joins Dru Johnson to explore the difference between Christocentric and Christotelic readings of Scripture. Wright reflects on common instincts Christians have—either skipping the Old Testament or trying to make every text about Jesus—and explains what we lose when we fail to respect the voice and context of the original authors. Wright argues for a more faithful reading that respects the historical drama of God’s covenantal journey with Israel, leading to but not eclipsed by Christ. He explains how Luke 24 affirms that the Scriptures point to Jesus, but that doesn’t mean every verse must be “about” him. Instead, Scripture forms a unified story with Jesus as its destination, not its hiding place. The conversation ends with a powerful case for why the global church, especially in the majority world, has crucial theological insights to offer—and why Western Christians should be ready to learn. For more from Chris Wright: https://christopherjhwright.com/ For more about Langham Partnership: https://us.langham.org/ We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Understanding the Old Testament's Relevance 02:01 Challenges in Interpreting the Old Testament 05:26 The Importance of Context in Biblical Interpretation 08:09 The Role of Jesus in Old Testament Texts 11:00 Exegetical Approaches to the Old Testament 14:08 The Historical Unfolding of God's Promises 21:06 The Transition from Law to Grace 22:32 The Journey of Scripture Towards Christ 24:57 Understanding the Role of the Gospels and Acts 27:00 The Nature of Biblical Narrative 29:01 Langham Partnership: Resourcing Global Churches 32:37 The Importance of Preaching in the Majority World 36:00 Listening to Global Voices in Theology

What if the most politically influential Christian leaders in America aren’t the ones you’ve heard of? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Matthew D. Taylor joins Dru Johnson to explain how the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and related charismatic networks reshaped modern evangelicalism—and helped deliver the presidency to Donald Trump. Taylor, a scholar of religion and politics, traces how televangelists, prophets, and apostolic leaders operating outside denominational structures built a new Christian populist movement with real spiritual and political power. Far from being fringe actors, these leaders—like Paula White and Lance Wallnau—hold enormous sway through media networks and prophetic authority. Taylor explores how modern prophecy, celebrity culture, and populist theology have created a system resistant to critique, driven by revival language and unregulated influence. He explains why evangelical elites misjudged the NAR’s reach and how their dismissal of these leaders as “hucksters” only deepened the divide. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the New Apostolic Reformation Movement 02:50 Understanding Pushback and Misconceptions 05:46 Defining the New Apostolic Reformation 09:21 The Role of Charismatic Leaders in Politics 12:10 Trump and the Evangelical Connection 15:09 The Seven Mountain Mandate and Its Implications 18:05 Cyrus Prophecy and Its Significance 21:14 The Divide Between Evangelical Elites and Grassroots 26:19 Theological Divides in Modern Evangelicalism 27:40 Historical Context of Evangelicalism 29:06 Populism and the Rise of Trump 31:29 Scriptural Interpretation and Prophecy 35:19 The Role of Modern Prophecy 38:33 Leadership Dynamics in Non-Denominational Spaces 43:41 Christian Nationalism vs. Christian Supremacy 46:35 The Early Church's Ethos vs. Modern Power 50:58 Path Forward for Evangelicals

What do Hollywood, Joan Didion, and the Bible have in common? More than you’d expect. In this episode, New York Times film critic and author Alissa Wilkinson joins Dru Johnson to discuss the life, work, and worldview of Joan Didion, one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. Wilkinson’s new book, We Tell Ourselves Stories, explores how Didion made sense of chaos through narrative—and what her work reveals about faith, trauma, politics, and cultural memory. Together, Alissa and Dru explore Didion’s insight that stories are not just entertainment; they are survival mechanisms, tools we use to impose order on a chaotic world. But is that all Scripture is—just another human-made narrative? Wilkinson offers a careful reflection on the limits and power of storytelling, showing how Didion’s work can challenge both Christian belief and secular mythmaking. They also dive into conspiracy theories, the fusion of politics and Hollywood, and the rise of nostalgia as a cultural sickness. From John Wayne to 9/11 to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this episode traces the invisible threads between the stories we inherit and the truths we cling to. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Joan Didion's Influence 02:10 The Chaos of Life and Storytelling 05:08 The Impact of California on Didion's Work 08:15 Didion's Perspective on Conspiracy Theories 11:24 Hollywood's Political Landscape and Didion's Critique 14:26 The Intersection of Politics and Entertainment 17:29 Didion's Views on Feminism and Fixed Ideas 20:26 The Role of Nostalgia in Storytelling 23:24 The Modern Political Narrative 26:17 Conspiracies and Their Impact on Society 29:27 The Nature of Truth in Storytelling 32:10 Didion's Legacy in Film and Media 35:20 The Future of Storytelling in Politics