Are the Amarna Letters diplomacy or manipulation?The Amarna Letters, ancient tablets from Pharaoh Akhenaten’s capital in Egypt, reveal a world of royal drama, political gaslighting, and fragile alliances between the superpowers of the Late Bronze Age. These 3,000-year-old messages between the kings of Egypt, Babylon, Canaan, and the Hittites expose the psychology of empire, but how much can we really trust what these ancient rulers wrote?This week, Dr. Eric Cline joins us to talk about his new book Love, War, and Diplomacy and to explore what the Amarna Letters reveal about ancient diplomacy, international politics, and the tensions that existed before the Late Bronze Age Collapse. Together, we ask: Who were these kings and envoys? How did early scholars shape our understanding of them? And did anyone see the coming disaster? 👉 Dr. Cline helps us explore: – What the Amarna Letters really say about ancient diplomacy– The political psychology of the Late Bronze Age– How early scholars framed the discovery– Did the letters foreshadow the collapse of civilization? 🔗 Resources & Links – Love, War, and Diplomacy– 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed– After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: Linktree🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. Eric ClineHosted, Produced, and Edited by Dr. Jordan JonesAdditional contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
What can a lost Jewish temple in Egypt teach us about early Judaism? The Elephantine Papyri reveal how Jews lived, worshiped, and but why don’t they mention the Bible? This week, we’re joined by Dr. James D. Moore to explore the big questions about the Elephantine papyri and what they tell us about the Jewish community living at and around the border fortress at Elephantine. 👉 Dr. Moore helps us explore: – What do the Elephantine papyri tell us about ancient Judaism?– Why aren’t there any biblical texts in the Elephantine papyri? – What happened to the people who lived at Elephantine?🔗 Resources & Links – Want to explore some papyri? Check out: Digital Editions of Aramaic and Phoenician Sources– Read: New Aramaic Papyri from Elephantine in Berlin✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: Linktree🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. James D. MooreHosted and Produced by Dr. Jordan JonesEdited by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
Why are witches linked with black cats, and does the Bible have anything to do with it? This week, Dr. Peter Miller joins us to uncover how biblical ideas about magic shaped later Christian traditions about witches, black cats, and the devil.👉 We’ll discuss:– What “magic” means in the Bible– How witchcraft appears in the Bible– How biblical texts became witch-hunt propaganda🔗 Resources & Links – Watch "Blacklisted: The Sacred Magic of Black Cats"– Support the House of Black Cat Magic shelter✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: Linktree🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. Peter MillerHosted and Produced by Dr. Jordan JonesEdited by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
Do demons have bodies? And if they do, what do they look like? This week, Dr. Travis Proctor joins us to explore how ancient Jews and Christians understood demons, possession, and the world of spiritual beings.From their origins as the spirits of the Nephilim, to possession and exorcism stories in the Bible, we’ll unpack how early writers imagined the complicated role of demons in the Bible and how this shaped their portrayals of demonic bodies, evil spirits, and human vulnerability to possession.👉 We’ll discuss:– Where people thought demons came from– How different biblical authors used demons as an explanation– Why the biblical authors believed humans could be possessed– How ideas about demon bodies shaped ideas of exorcism📖 Check out Demonic Bodies and the Dark Ecologies of Early Christian Culture 🔗 Resources & Links – You can join Dr. Proctor for a class on demons and ghosts in the Bible through the Biblical Studies Academy– You can join Dr. Proctor for a class on the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity through the Religion Department ✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: Linktree🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. Travis ProctorHosts: Dr. Jordan JonesProduced and Edited by Jordan Jones Additional Contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
Why does Jesus appear to hold a magic wand in early Christian art? And what does that symbol really mean? This week, Dr. Robyn Walsh joins us to explore early Christian iconography, what the so-called “wand” represents, and how depictions of Jesus evolved from a youthful, beardless healer to the bearded teacher we recognize today.👉 We’ll discuss:– What early Christian art tells us about Jesus– Why Jesus holds a rod or wand in ancient images– How Jesus’ beard became part of his divine image📖 (I’ve Got the) Magic Stick: The Virgus and Vitis in Roman Imperial and Early Christian Art🔗 Resources & Links – Find more from Dr. Walsh HERE– See more videos from Dr. Walsh HERE✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: Linktree🎙️ Credits Guest: Dr. Robyn WalshHosts: Dr. Jordan JonesProduced and Edited by Jordan Jones Additional Contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
Was the Gospel of John really written independently, or did its author know and use Matthew, Mark, and Luke as sources? This week, Duke professor Dr. Mark Goodacre is back to explore John’s surprising connections to the Synoptic Gospels and how these links could completely change how we read the New Testament.Dr. Goodacre helps us explore:– Did John really know and use the other Gospels?– How “hidden details” connect John to Matthew, Mark, and Luke– What this means for the Synoptic Problem and New Testament studiesCheck out the book The Fourth Synoptic Gospel Mark's Podcast the NTPodFind Mark on YouTubeJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Mark GoodacreHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
She seduced her father-in-law, he sacrificed his daughter, and it’s all in the Bible! In this episode, we explore two of the most disturbing stories in the Hebrew Bible: the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) and the tragic tale of Jephthah’s daughter (Judges 11). These are two of the most shocking stories in the Bible, so why did they make it in? Are these stories misunderstood?Join us as we unpack the historical, literary, and cultural background behind these two controversial texts, explore how ancient Israel understood them, and discover why they still matter today. 👉 We’ll explore: – Who were Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38 – What was Onan’s sin?– What is Levirate marriage?– Why did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter in Judges 11?– What these disturbing Bible stories reveal about ancient Israel.📚Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the Bible✨ Become a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.✉️ Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu🔗 Want to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.🌐 Everywhere you can find us: Linktree🎙️ Credits Hosts: Dr. Bob Cargill, Dr. Jordan JonesProduced and Edited by Jordan Jones Additional Contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made, but what do they actually tell us about ancient Judaism, the Bible, and the mysterious site of Qumran? Were they really part of a library, or something else entirely?This week, we’re joined by Dr. Sidnie White Crawford, author of Scribes and Scrolls at Qumran, to explore the big questions about the Scrolls.Dr. Crawford helps us explore:– Were the Scrolls connected to Qumran, or placed in caves by chance?– What do they reveal about ancient Jewish life and religion?– Can we ever know who wrote the Scrolls?Check out the book HEREJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Sidnie White CrawfordHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
Who was Haman, and why has he endured as one of the Bible’s most infamous villains? In the Book of Esther, Haman rises to power in the Persian court and plots against the Jewish people, but the story also raises deeper questions. Does the story portray him as a villain to be feared, mocked, or both? This week, we're talking with Dr. Adam Silverstein, author of "Haman: A Biography," about one of the most infamous villains from the Bible. Dr. Silverstein helps us explore:–Haman's centrality to the story of Esther–How Haman is remembered during Purim–The various identities that get connected to Esther–Why Haman is such an adaptable characterCheck out the book HEREJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Adam SilversteinHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
Did Josephus really write about Jesus? Or is the famous Testimonium Flavianum a later Christian addition? This week, we're talking with Dr. Tom Schmidt, author of "Josephus and Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ," about one of the most debated passages in ancient history and what it reveals about the historical Jesus.Get a free PDF of the book HERE Access made possible by the Institute for Christian ReflectionLearn more about Dr. Schmidt HEREJoin Dr. Schmidt at the New Insights into the New Testament conference (September 26–28) HEREAffiliate Disclosure: As an affiliate we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you sign up for New Insights into the New Testament using the link above.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Tom SchmidtHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
At the heart of Jesus’s message was a call to repentance in anticipation of the coming Kingdom of God, so why did his followers dramatically reverse this teaching after his death?Join Dr. Ehrman for his talk "A Core Teaching of Jesus—and Why His Followers Abandoned It" at the New Insights into the New Testament conference (September 26–28) HEREAffiliate Disclosure: As an affiliate we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you sign up for New Insights into the New Testament using the link above.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Bart EhrmanHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
This week, we're talking about Homer with Dr. Celsiana Warwick! What do we actually know about Homer? Was Homer a real person? And why does Homer still matter to us today?Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Celsiana Warwick, Assistant Professorand Director of Graduate Studies at the University of IowaHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
This week, we're talking about AI with Matthew Cunningham! How does AI actually think? What is AI really? Is AI going to take over everything? And how should we think about the impact of AI on our lives? Join us for a deep dive into the complicated world of AI and its implications.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Matthew CunninghamHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
This week, we're talking about the Serabit El-Khadim inscriptions with Dr. Aren Wilson-Wright! Join us for a deep dive into the history and significance of these inscriptions and a discussion of some of the problems that exist with the readings proposed by Michael Bar-Ron.Sinai 357 (Photo by Cédric Paulhiac)Sinai 357 Bar-Ron (Photo by Michael Bar-Ron)Sinai 361 (Photo by Aren Wilson-Wright)Sinai 361 Bar-Ron (Photo by Michael Bar-Ron)For more from Dr. Aren Wilson-Wright, look HERE or HEREFor a good article on Sinai 357, consider "Sinai 357: A Northwest Semitic Votive Inscription to Teššob" by Dr. Aren Wilson-WrightJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Aren Wilson-Wright, Assistant Instructional Professor at the University of ChicagoHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
There are a lot of archaeological news stories every month and with every story come questions. This week on the podcast, we wanted to round up three stories from July 2025 that deserve more discussion. Check out our news shorts for weekly archaeology news updates.Aeneashttps://deepmind.google/discover/blog/aeneas-transforms-how-historians-connect-the-past/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09292-5Genome Sequencinghttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09195-5https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-have-sequenced-an-ancient-egyptian-skeletons-entire-genome-for-the-very-first-time-heres-what-they-found-180986935/Burialshttps://apnews.com/article/israel-archaeology-paleolithic-burial-skeletons-6813bf418566721409f2c3c94b5d627cJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeHosted by Jordan Jones and Mary Kathryn LichtyProduced and Edited by Jordan JonesThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
Did plague bring an end to the age of Pax Romana? This week, Dr. Colin Elliott joins the podcast to explain the Antonine plague and the influence this wide-reaching plague had on the decline of the Roman Empire.Looking for more from Dr. Elliott?Check out his book Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World.His podcastOr his YouTube channelJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Colin Elliott; Professor, Department of History, Indiana University BloomingtonHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
What's the real message of the Tower of Babel? This week, Bob and Jordan walk through four different versions of the Tower of Babel story to see how this story has grown over time and unpack the real meaning of this story.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeHosted by Jordan Jones and Robert CargillProduced and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
This week, we're talking about magic! What is the line between magic and religion? What makes something a miracle instead of magic? Join us for a dive into the text to see if the Bible is actually as opposed to magic as it gets depicted to be.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeHosted by Jordan Jones and Mary Kathryn LichtyProduced and Edited by Jordan JonesThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
This week, we're talking with Dr. Briana Jackson about propaganda in ancient Egypt! What counted as propaganda? How was it used? And how different is Egyptian propaganda to what we see today?Interested in more? RSVP for Dr. Jackson's upcoming online class (July 12th) Never Has There Ever: Royal Propaganda in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (it's free!)Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Briana JacksonHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone
This week, we're talking with Dr. Paula Fredriksen about her new book: "Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years." We discuss one of the larger questions that runs throughout the book: Christian persecution. When did it happen? How common was it? And why does it become such a dominant part of early Christian identity?Buy "Ancient Christianities" HERE Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant to watch the show? Find us on YouTube to see a video recording of this show.Everywhere you can find us: LinktreeGuest: Dr. Paula Fredriksen, Aurelio Professor of Scripture emerita, Boston University; Distinguished Visiting Professor, The Hebrew University of JerusalemHosted, Produced, and Edited by Jordan JonesAdditional Contributions by Mary Kathryn LichtyThe Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone