Bammerhab: Bible Explainer

Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:18 describes the church as a body with lots of different parts. These parts are not supposed to be the same, as Paul makes clear using an extended joke. Can a foot see? Can a hand hear? Can an eye smell? Well, duh, obviously not.The same thing goes for the body of Christ. We’re a part of the body if we’re connected vitally to the head, and the head is Christ. That’s what makes us a part of the body, not us looking the same.No one makes this point better than Keith Foskey, with his amazing viral videos gently teasing stereotypes of all the denominations doing their thing.This episode digs deeper into “melos” (μέλος - meaning ‘parts’) in 1 Corinthians 12:18.1 Corinthians 12:18 - “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (NIV)Mentioned:PREORDER: A Biblically Functioning Church by Keith Foskey Keith Foskey’s Site: www.keithfoskey.comKeith Foskey’s Substack: yourcalvinist.substack.comConversations with Calvinist - YouTubeChurch Soup - Keith Foskey(My Personal Favorite Denominations video)Also Mentioned:Assyrian Christian “Church of the East”Holiness of God by R.C. SproulOne Crazy Summer (1986) - Demi Moore, John Cusack“The Monster God Debate” - Michael Brown v. Brian ZahndThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext linksWhat is a Bammerhab?“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Season five has finally arrived!This episode also kickstarts a miniseries within season five about the seven churches of Revelation. Jesus said a lot to his disciples during his ministry, and they recorded some of it in the gospels. But, technically speaking, Jesus was very clear that he was first sent to the lost sheep of Israel, and so his ministry was primarily focused on that mission. Yes, Jesus’ first mission was to Israel, and only afterward did he form the church. Ever since, Jesus has spoken indirectly to his church through prophets, pastors, evangelists and others, but Revelation 2 and 3 are the biggest chunk of Jesus’ direct speech to the church in all of the New Testament. That makes those two chapters pretty important! So I’m going to dedicate seven episodes over this season to focus on each of those seven churches that Jesus dedicated so much of his focus on. That way, we can all better understand what Jesus said directly to those churches, and by extension to all of us in his church today!The first church is Ephesus.This episode digs deeper into “Epheso” (Ἐφέσῳ meaning ‘Ephesus’) in Revelation 2:1.Revelation 2:1-7 - “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (NIV)Mentioned:Bammerhab - Episode 24 about the “lampstands”Thanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext linksWhat is a Bammerhab?“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

What comfort can God offer against the inevitable collapse of all great men and great movements? Qum that’s what. Because qum can mean something that endures forever, but endures can also be translated as fulfills, stands, establishes, confirms or arises.Great trees rise up, and fall. But God rises up, and doesn’t fall.Great movements, great men, rise up and have great moments, but then they always stumble and collapse, but God doesn’t.Because God’s word is enduring.And not just his word. Again the Hebrew here isn’t incorrectly translated but this word for word “dabar” can actually mean action as well as word.So what God says, is what God does. And what God does grows and doesn’t collapse. God build things right. God builds things completely stable on a foundation that cannot break.Weeds grow up fast and fall down fast. Oaks grow up slow, but they just keep growing, through hurricanes and storms and all the madness of the world.God’s enduring word is like that.This episode digs deeper into “yaqum” (יָקוּם meaning ‘endures’) in Isaiah 40:8.Isaiah 40:8 - “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (NIV)Mentioned:Enduring Word Study Bible - Christian BookEnduring Word - www.enduringword.comEnduring Word on YouTubeEnduring Word AppCalvary Chapel - Santa BarbaraDavid Guzik - Instagram“Reverse Marco Polo” - Rabban Bar Sauma - Lance RalstonHistory of the Church Podcast - Lance RalstonBlue Letter BibleJesus Revolution TrailerBreastplate Prayer of St. Patrick (Lorica)“The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there. “ - L.P. HartleyMere Christianity - C.S. LewisSilverado (1985)Preachers Mentioned:Calvary Chapel - Modesto (Damian Kyle)Calvary Chapel - Philadelphia (Joe Focht)Calvary Chapel - Stone Mountain (Sandy Adams)Alistair BeggJ. Vernon McGeeJames Montgomery BoiceChuck SmithCharles SpurgeonPeter WaldoMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext linksWhat is a Bammerhab?“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

The spiritual world abhors a vacuum.That means if you reject Christ, you don’t revert back to being where you were as a pre-Christian, no, you actually get seven times worse. Jesus warns us of this in Luke 11:26.For example, think of Kanye.You see, dark spirits are parasites. But unlike a tick, these invaders have intelligence, and once removed they are angry, uncomfortable, restless and hungry. They’re furious they got ejected from their shelter, and if they ever get to reinvade, they want to make damn sure they doesn’t get booted out again.And yes, I am using damn sure intentionally. This spirit is the obstacle that wants to cut you off from God.I don’t know about you, but if Jesus hadn’t described the spiritual world this way, I wouldn’t have imagined it that way. I sort of somehow think of the spiritual world in more idealistic, mathematical movement of the spheres, platonic visions. But that isn’t what Jesus described in Luke 11. So what exactly does Jesus tell us about the spiritual world?This episode digs deeper into “cheiróna” (χείρονα meaning ‘worse’) in Luke 11:26.Luke 11:24-26 - “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” (NIV)Mentioned:“A Little Learning is a Dangerous Thing” - Alexander Pope“The Heart is Deceitfully Wicked” 4/10/15 - Anne KennedyBammerhab S2:E2 - Judas’ Heel - SDG MorganMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext linksWhat is a Bammerhab?“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Paul says in Romans 8:28 that everything will work out for good for the believer. Agathon means good in Greek. It’s a root word, an ancient word with no certain etymology. It just means good.I guess we just all know what good is. But we also all know that all things right now are not good. Things have never been good. So what is Paul talking about here?Thank you to poet Samantha Coté, of THOUGHTMOOT for sharing her poem “The Broken Generation”.This episode digs deeper into “agathon” (ἀγαθὸν meaning ‘good’) in Romans 8:28.Romans 8:28 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)Mentioned:Samantha Coté - ThoughmootRevelations of Divine Love - Julian of NorwichEucatastrophe in “On Fairy Stories” - J.R.R. TolkienThe Great Divorce - C.S. LewisSurprised By Hope - N.T. WrightMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

“We Three Kings” is my favorite Christmas carol. However, there weren’t three of them, and they weren’t kings!But yes, this caravan did come from the east and the Greek calls them magoi, or magicians or wizards.But these wizards were not actually wise men, and they aren’t the heroes in the Christmas story but rather a band of ambitious bunglers, who professing to be wise men make a series of foolish mistakes that bring about bloodshed and disaster. Only afterwards do they stumble onto the truth, and are shown great grace after they fumble their mission, but are allowed to escape Herod’s wrath.I’m very grateful to poet Rosa Lía Gilbert for her two amazing poems that she shares with us at the end of this episode! Find her brand new book of poetry, Under the Samán Tree, here.This episode digs deeper into “magoi” (μάγοι meaning ‘magicians’) in Matthew 2:1.Matthew 2:1 - “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.” (NIV)Mentioned:Rosa Lía Gilbert - Poet“We Three Kings of Orient Are” written by John Henry Hopkins Jr.Suetonius (Roman Historian)Tacitus (Roman Historian)Josephus (Hellenized Jewish Historian)Antigonius the HasmoneanHerod the GreatParthian Empire and Phraates IVDaniel’s “Prophecy of Weeks”My Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

A conversation with portraitist and comic artist Noah Snoke about how to pray from Philippians 4:6-7.Paul tells us to pray with supplication, but supplication is a phrase we don’t use all that often. Supplication sounds pretty elevated. However, in Greek the root word behind supplication means to beg. That’s remarkably un-elevated. We all know what begging is. But Paul doesn’t just tell us to beg when we pray. He says to beg… with gratitude.So Paul is advising us that we ought to beg God, but to beg with good grace. Beg like begging toddlers, but with the gratitude of a beggar satisfied, and yet still begging intensely.It’s an odd image, and one that I think Paul fully intends…That’s where I start my conversation with Noah Snoke, but first a little bit about Noah:Noah Snoke has been drawing since he was a kid, but only took it seriously during the senior year of high school. In the past few years he’s done portraits in various styles, from styles that range from fine art to cartoons and everything in between. He’s worked on multiple book covers and illustrations for apps and web pages. He has also released two full children’s book “Sterling’s Gift” and “My Buddy’s a Bear” which can be found on Amazon. When he’s not making art he’s probably off playing Volleyball.This episode digs deeper into “deēsei meta eucharistia” (δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας meaning ‘begging with thanking’) in Philippians 4:6-7.Philippians 4:6-7 - “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication (“begging”) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (KJV)Mentioned:Noah Snoke’s WebsiteSterling’s Gift - Noah SnokeMy Buddy’s a Bear - Noah SnokeCalvin & Hobbes - Bill Watterson “Out of Scale” (1951 Donald Duck Cartoon)Bandersnatch - Diana GlyerJake ParkerJohn Singer SargentJ.C. LeyendeckerN.C. WyethMarco BucciMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Vengeance is arguably the number one trait of our times. It lives on all sides of the aisle, among old, young and rich and poor.And it is antithetical to Christianity. But why?This episode digs deeper into “ekdikesis” (ἐκδίκησις meaning ‘vengeance’) in Romans 12:19.Romans 12:19 - “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (NIV)I’m very grateful to poet Olivia Oster for her two amazing poems that she shares with us at the end of this episode! Find more of her poetry here, and here.Mentioned:Olivia Oster - PoetFrancis FrangipaneBait of Satan - John BevereMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV) The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

[Continuing last week’s conversation with Chase Replogle about how pride is connected to offense.]When Jesus said that the last shall be first and the first shall be last, the concept of ga’on is certainly implied. The “first” would be the proud, those characterized by ga’on. Ga’on is for those who are exalted, those who grow, those who are lifted up, those who rise up.But isn’t that a goal we all have? We aim to prosper at what we do. So why is ga’on a danger? Why does it make us so susceptible to fall?Well, pride is a major issue of mine. I’ve been convicted of it before by the Spirit and convicted of it recently by C.S. Lewis’ amazing chapter on it in Mere Christianity. In it, Lewis says that most everyone thinks of pride as a virtue for themselves. However, they are disgusted by pride in others!But the truth is that pride is the only sin that can hit anyone, anywhere at any time.And I’m grateful to Chase Replogle for his conversation about this topic from his excellent book 5 Masculine Instincts.This episode digs deeper into “ga’ōn” (גָּא֑וֹן meaning ‘pride’) in Proverbs 16:18.Proverbs 16:18 - “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (NIV)Mentioned:Chase Replogle - www.chasereplogle.comThe 5 Masculine Instincts - Chase ReplogleA Sharp Compassion - Chase Replogle“Pastor Writer” Podcast - Chase ReplogleMere Christianity - C.S. LewisDead Sea Scrolls at Museum of the Bible (Nov. 22, 2025 - Sept. 7, 2026)My Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

A conversation with Chase Replogle about how Jesus handled offense. There’s no way to not get offended. It will happen. We can’t control that part. All we can control is how we respond to that inevitable offense. Satan has ensured there will be a trap of offense out there with our name on it. Offense is one of the fews thing that Jesus guarantees. He doesn’t say if, but when you are offended. And offense can either conceal or reveal depending on our response to it.Jesus frequently took the risk of offense, not because he liked strife, but because he knew of the potential for offense to reveal. His goal was to cut open to a true problem underneath. But the cutting hurts, the offense is wounding. A surgeon and an assailant both use a knife, but one carefully uses it to heal, the other to wound.And I’m grateful to Chase Replogle for his conversation about this topic from his excellent book A Sharp Compassion.Here’s a little bit about Chase:CHASE REPLOGLE is the pastor of Bent Oak Church in Springfield, Missouri. He’s the author of The 5 Masculine Instincts and A Sharp Compassion. He holds a degree in Biblical Studies and an M.A. in New Testament from The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. A native of the Ozark woods, he enjoys being outdoors with his wife and two kids, sailing, playing the mandolin (badly), and quail hunting with his bird dog Millie.This episode digs deeper into “skandala” (σκάνδαλα meaning ‘offenses’) in Luke 17:1.Luke 17:1 - “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.’” (NIV)Mentioned:Chase Replogle - www.chasereplogle.comA Sharp Compassion - Chase ReplogleThe 5 Masculine Instincts - Chase ReploglePastor Writer Podcast - Chase Replogle Ep. 211 - Randall Wallace Ep. 79 - Andrew Peterson Ep. 47 - Jonathan Rogers“The Four Quartets” - T.S. Eliot“The wounded surgeon plies the steelThat questions the distempered part; Beneath the bleeding hands we feelThe sharp compassion of the healer’s artResolving the enigma of the fever chart.”Mere Christianity - C.S. LewisNorman Centuries Podcast - Lars BrownworthThe Scandal of the Gospel - David McCrackenGettysburg (1993)Master and Commander: The Far Side of the WorldMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

You plant the seed. You let it grow. Then you take the fruit.That’s the normal way of things. It was just common sense.In fact, Jesus quotes an old Greek saying: “There’s still four months to the harvest!”The implication is just plant, then wait. Things don’t happen immediately. Rome wasn’t built in a day. But wait, Jesus says not so fast.The natural rules don’t always apply. Not in certain seasons!No, sometimes something strange can happen…And I’m grateful for Megan Huwa sharing her recently published poem about harvest: “Mirrored and Magnified” from her recently published collection Still Life.This episode digs deeper into “therismos” (θερισμός, meaning ‘harvest’) in John 4:35.John 4:35 - “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (NIV)Mentioned:Megan Huwa - www.meganhuwa.com STILL LIFE (2025, Poetry collection published by Wipf & Stock) www.meganhuwa.com/still-lifeEnduring Word - Free Online Bible Commentary - enduringword.comDavid Guzik - enduringword.com/about/david-guzik/Philip Ulrich - thegrowlybooks.com/aboutPhilip Ulrich Bammerhab Interview - Episode 33Amos 9:13 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills.” (NIV)My Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

So much of the ancient world was explicitly built to avoid shame. So much of the modern world is all about people pleasing to avoid shame or rejection. That makes sense as shame is one of the most damaging things a person can endure. Psychologically, shame warps the mind. We hide our shame constantly.Jesus was shamed in his death, shamed in his birth, but he scorned the shame. Why?And how do we scorn the shame that so many want to press on us?Hebrews 12:2 says the answer to both is Joy. So the writer of Hebrews (I think it’s Paul by the way) is intentionally connecting these two opposites.Scorning by others instinctively creates shame in us, but Jesus inverts that. That’s where I start my conversation with columnist, blogger and author Anne Kennedy.But first a little bit about Anne:She grew up in French-speaking West Africa and subsequently traveled all over the world, but now she is based in Upstate New York. She started as a blogger on Blogspot, then moved over to Patheos. Anne now blogs at Demotivations with Anne on Substack. She has a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary.Her devotional Nailed It is published by Square Halo Press.This episode digs deeper into “aischynēs kataphronēsas” (αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας meaning ‘scorning the shame’) in Hebrews 12:2.Hebrews 12:2 - “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NIV)Mentioned:Demotivations with Anne - annekennedy.substack.comStand Firm Podcast with Matt Kennedy Matt KennedyBart GingerichThird Culture Kid Ish-Bosheth Mephibosheth Baobab Tree SNL “Italian Tourism Sketch” Enchanted April (1991) Towers of Trebizond My Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Yom Kippur begins on October 1st in 2025, but what is it all about?Covering. God’s covering for us.At the beginning of history, Adam hid, which was silly if you think about it.Adam knew that God created the world, and God created his heart and his mind and none of that could be hidden behind a tree trunk. The first and worst betrayal in human history could not be covered by a fig leaf.Still Adam attempted it, which shows that the great wisdom and insight he’d been gifted had already dimmed.Adam hid, and it failed. But God covered, and covering is very, very different from hiding.This episode digs deeper into “yom kippurim” (י֤וֹם כִּפֻּרִים֙ meaning ‘day of atonement’) in Leviticus 23:28.Leviticus 23:28 - “Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.” (NIV)My Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

We all want to be new. We all want the world to be new. But we take many radically different paths toward that renewal. Yet, Paul says Jesus is the only path for real personal renewal. But when Paul speaks of renewal, he’s not saying to revert back to what your mind was like as a kid when it was young and new. He’s saying you’re gonna get a whole new different kind of thinking, a peace that’s new, a worldview that is new. A relationship with God that is new. An imagination that is new, and different.Another word for this is transformation, which Paul employs just before renewal (anakainōsei). Often transformation comes only through “chaos, chrysalises and caves” so to speak.But transformation is the main theme of Chris Barras’ ministry. He’s taught dozens of classes precisely on this theme. I attended one as he’s my pastor here in Richmond.To dig deeper, I interview writer pastor Chris Barras who has made transformation the focus of his ministry work. He’s taught dozens of classes precisely on this theme. I have attended several as he’s my pastor here in Richmond.Chris Barras - www.secondstorypartnership.comArea 10 Faith Community - www.area10church.comThis episode digs deeper into “anakainōsei” (ἀνακαινώσει meaning ‘renewing’) in Romans 12:2.Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)Mentioned:The Byrd Theatre - Richmond, VA - byrdtheatre.orgKevin Queen - “Cave for a King” - youtube.com/watch?v=R78ePdqwSSsBen Palpant - www.benpalpant.comDallas Willard - “The Divine Conspiracy” - dwillard.org/resources/books/divine-conspiracyGK Chesterton - “Ball and Cross” - www.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ball_and_the_CrossGK Chesterton - “Orthodoxy” - www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodoxy_(book)CS Lewis - “Learning in Wartime”My Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Ancient Israelites used alarms for the same reason you set an alarm on your cell phone, to wake up, or to remember something or to be alerted to a danger. So the Feast of Trumpets was all about blowing shofars to wake the people up for the fall feasts, to remember, to reflect and to be ready.But beyond that, the Feast of Trumpets is also connected to ancient Jewish wedding customs and also all the symbology that Jesus, Paul and John used about Jesus’ Second Coming.The Feast of Trumpets, Yom Teru’ah, is still celebrated but it has been somewhat subsumed by Rosh Hashannah, which is now the modern Jewish New Year.This episode digs deeper into “teru'ah” (תְּרוּעָה meaning ‘shofar, trumpet’) in Lev. 23:24.Leviticus 23:24 - “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.” (NIV)Mentioned:1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command [a loud shout], with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (NIV)1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (NIV)Revelations 4:1 - “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here!” (NIV)Leviticus 23:23 - “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.’” (NIV)My Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Paul was an ambassador for Christ.Now we are ambassadors for Christ, and there are lots and lots of ways to be an ambassador.To dig deeper, I interview writer Philip Ulrich who over his life has been a kid’s author (The Growly Books ), a missionary to Eastern Europe, the lead singer of a band called 5:20, a filmmaker and a graphic designer, and in all of those roles he was an ambassador for Christ.Philip & Erin Ulrich - thegrowlybooks.com/aboutThe Growly Books - thegrowlybooks.com/booksThis episode digs deeper into “presbeuomen” (πρεσβεύομεν meaning ‘ambassador’) in 2 Corinthians 5:20.2 Corinthians 5:20 - “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (NIV)Mentioned:Erin Ulrich Creative - erinulrichcreative.comKaty Bowser Hutson - www.katyhutson.comKaty Bowser Hutson’s Substack - katyplays.substack.comLake Bled, Slovenia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_BledCoonabarabran - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CoonabarabranMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Jesus could have easily healed the holes in his hands. Why did he let them remain? After all, in his resurrection, all of him was healed, and not only healed but he became the prototype human for all of us to follow in his footsteps one day.So why leave a scar?Well, honestly I don’t know. But I wonder if part of the reason Jesus’ hands didn’t heal is the same reason he cried at the tomb of Lazarus, moments before resurrecting him.Jesus wants us to know our grief is real to him, and not just a momentary bump in the road, or the montage of a movie.Grief is a hole in the heart, much like the holes in Jesus’ hands and feet.The Bible doesn’t shy away from grief, because grief is the hole where God’s comfort can enter and heal.But often the healing doesn’t fully remove the hole. No, sometimes the scar and the mark remains.This episode digs deeper into “typon” (τύπον meaning ‘mark, scar’) in John 20:25.John 20:25 - “So the other disciples told [Thomas], “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (NIV)Mentioned:Renee Emerson - reneeemerson.substack.com (Renee is the author of the poetry collections Keeping Me Still (Winter Goose Publishing 2014), Threshing Floor (Jacar Press 2016), and Church Ladies (Fernwood Press, forthcoming). She is also the author of the middle grade novel “Why Silas Miller Must Learn to Ride a Bike.”Habit Podcast, Ben Palpant: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ben-palpant-talks-to-poetsBanderpod, Ben Palpant: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-banderpod-s3-e9-ben-palpant/id1726742632?i=1000701703363Tyler Staton: www.tylerstaton.comLi-Young Lee: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Young_LeeRobert Cording: rabbitroompoetry.substack.com/p/a-conversation-with-robert-cordingbenMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

Surprise! We’ve got an extra bonus episode of Summer Bammerhab! (Summerhab?)This episode is a wide-ranging interview with pastor, podcaster and church historian Lance Ralston, however we’re still gonna start out focusing on a specific word, this time it is echaritōsen from Ephesians 1:6, and it means “He has made acceptable.” It comes from the root Greek word charis which is among the most difficult words to translate into English simply because the concept it describes is just so complex, nuanced and vast. So translators have used so many English words to try to capture all of the meanings of this one Greek word: acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace, gracious, joy, liberality, pleasure, thanksworthy, thankful, credit, or gracious work.But before I explain too much, I want to turn to the conversation I had with Pastor Lance Ralston about this word, and much more. Pastor Lance’s amazing podcast on church history was one of my main inspirations for creating Bammerhab, and if you haven’t heard that podcast then you absolutely have to add it to your list! Anyway, I had a really great time talking with Lance and if you get even a fraction of the joy I got from this conversation, then you all are gonna love it!This episode digs deeper into “echaritōsen” (ἐχαρίτωσεν meaning ‘He has made us accepted’) in Ephesians 1:6.Eph. 1:6 - “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (KJV)Mentioned:Pastor Lance Ralston: www.sanctorum.us/lances-bio/Pastor David Guzik: calvarychapel.com/posts/author/david_guzik/Enduring Word Free Online Commentaries: enduringword.comPastor Chuck Smith: calvarychapel.com/chuck-smithHistory of the Christian Church podcast: www.sanctorum.usHistory of Rome Podcast by Mike Duncan: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id26165447412 Byzantine Rulers by Lars Brownworth: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/12-byzantine-rulers-the-history-of-the-byzantine-empire/id73802687Jan Žižka: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_%C5%BDi%C5%BEkaJan Hus - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_HusNestorius - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NestoriusChurch of the East - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_EastChurch History - Lance Ralston (YouTube Channel): youtube.com/watch?v=M2i53ZgcnPkInto His Image (Lance Ralston’s Personal You Tube channel): youtu.be/3G0s05G7XPEBooks Mentioned:Marriage As It Was Meant To Be by Lance Ralston The Lost History of Christianity by Phillip JenkinsVoyager from Xanadu: Rabban Sauma and the First Journey from China to the West by Morris RossabiMy Links:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

In Jesus’ day Shavuot (Pentecost) was the best-attended of the great traveling feasts because traveling conditions were at their best. That meant that there was never a more international, diverse gathering in Jerusalem than on this day.Jews from nearly every known nation were there. And that’s when the Holy Spirit chose to birth the church, but you probably already knew that!But what you might not know is that there something in the Levitical instructions that strongly hinted at the future church instructions way back in Moses’ time.What was the hint? Great question! Let’s explore!This episode digs deeper into “Pentekostes” (Πεντηκοστῆς meaning ‘Fiftieth’) in Acts 2:1.Acts 2:1 - “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” (NIV)Mentioned:John & Addison Bevere - “The Holy Spirit”Map of Mentioned Nations in PentecostLinks:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

When you understand Jesus’ Old Testament references, you see that he spoke of end times more than anyone else in the Bible. But Jesus not only spoke of end times, he spoke of rapture, and he not only spoke of rapture, he demonstrated it.Ascension Day is May 29th this year; it could just as easily be called Rapture Day. The two concepts are synonymous. Just as Jesus modeled baptism for his church, and just as he was the first to have the spirit fall on him, just like Pentecost, and just like Jesus was the first to model how a Christian should live and how he expected his church to conduct herself, and just like Jesus was the first of his church to be resurrected, so too, Jesus was the first to be raptured. Only we miss it because of the language.We call it Ascension. Luke called it anapharo. Paul called it harpazo which means to grab, and the Romans called it rapture, which means pretty much the same thing.It’s a biblical theme. God can “grab” people and God does grab people.The only difference between ascension and rapture being of course that Jesus left, he wasn’t grabbed. But that’s his prerogative and it doesn’t minimize the picture he meant to leave us with.But maybe you are thinking that this is false because rapture theology is a recent invention? Well, that’s actually demonstrably false.Don’t believe me? Let’s explore!This episode digs deeper into “anephereto” (ἀνεφέρετο meaning ‘carried up’) in Luke 24:51.Luke 24:51 - “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” (KJV)Mentioned:Lance Ralston’s Church history podcast: www.sanctorum.usLance Ralston’s Rapture teaching: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rha4V9PkHbE&t=183sLinks:Bammerhab Site: www.bammerhab.comBammerhab Substack: bammerhab.substack.comSDG Morgan’s Substack: sdgmorgan.substack.comThanks to:• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design• Dave Allam of Allam House for advanced audio techniques: sound.allamhouse.com• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew hypertext links• Pixabay for sound effects (h/t jimena contreras & playsound) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com