Genesis Marks the Spot

In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey continues tracing the theme of fire through Scripture—this time by pairing it with the biblical theme of glory and the language of God as a “consuming fire” and “jealous God.” We explore how glory functions as weight, radiance, presence, boundary, purification, guidance, evaluation, and honor—and how fire shows one way those realities are enacted. Walking through key passages like Deuteronomy 4, Exodus 13–14, Numbers 9, and Hebrews 12, demonstrates how God’s jealous love guards covenant loyalty, guides His people, and exposes what cannot survive His holy presence. Along the way, we situate these texts in a Divine Council framework and wrestle with different readings of the “allotment of the nations.” Finally, we step into the water–fire–Spirit framework of baptism: how the flood, the Red Sea, and Pentecost help us see baptism not just as a declaration of allegiance, but as a boundary marker, a call into sanctification, and an invitation to live near holy love without being consumed. You’ll also hear about a Frame Semantics Study Guide on Glory & Fire, created to help you visualize the overlapping frames that Carey describes throughout the episode. In this episode, we explore: Why glory is more than “brightness”—it’s God’s gravity, weight, and worth How glory and fire overlap but are not identical (glory answers why, fire answers how) Deuteronomy 4’s “consuming fire and jealous God” in light of the Divine Council Several textually plausible options for what it means that the nations are “allotted” to the heavenly host—and why Carey leans toward a “handing over” reading The pillar of cloud and fire as a moving fence, guide, and protector in Exodus and Numbers Hebrews 12’s contrast between Sinai and Zion, and why “acceptable worship with reverence and awe” still matters for the church How baptism sits inside a broader water–fire–Spirit pattern: flood, Red Sea, Spirit as distributed fire, sanctification as a furnace Why baptism is more than a finish line—it enrolls us into a space where God’s jealous love guards, purifies, and forms us for communion and mission Resources mentioned: Frame Semantics Study Guide on Glory & Fire: God is a Consuming Fire: How “Glory” and “Fire” Frames Help You Read the Bible  Carey’s broader Frame Semantics Study Guide can be found here. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/ Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/... Chapters (00:00:00) - Fire Theme, Biblical Theology & Resources(00:03:23) - Glory as Weight, Radiance, Presence & Boundary(00:17:14) - Purification, Guidance & Honor: Overlapping Glory Frames(00:22:23) - How Fire Frames Relate to Glory(00:26:22) - Deuteronomy 4: Consuming Fire and Jealous God(00:29:52) - Divine Council and the Allotment of the Nations(00:44:25) - Exodus and Numbers: The Mobile Pillar of Fire and Cloud(00:51:09) - Hebrews 12: Sinai, Zion and Acceptable Worship(00:55:57) - Baptism in the Water–Fire–Spirit Framework

This episode launches a new mini-series on the theme of fire in Scripture and how it works as more than just a judgment or “end times” metaphor. Fire marks boundaries, tests fitness for nearness, guards holy space, and signals God’s own presence with His people. Starting at the flaming sword of Eden, Carey traces how fire shows up as a guardian of sacred space, a refining presence, and a covenant sign—from Noah’s burnt offerings and Abram’s smoking firepot to Moses and the burning bush. Along the way, she draws on frame semantics to help us see fire not as a single symbol, but as a cluster of overlapping frames: guardian, purifier, theophany, judgment, empowerment. We also explore some fascinating scholarly debates about Genesis 3:24: Is the flaming sword just a weapon… or a spiritual being in its own right? How do ancient Near Eastern parallels and Psalm 104 factor in? What do later readings like the Targums suggest about God’s presence “east of Eden”? From Cain and Abel to Noah, Abram’s covenant ceremony, and Moses at the burning bush, this episode asks: What counts as a boundary in these stories? What makes someone fit to draw near? How do judgment and mercy belong together in God’s fiery presence? Finally, these themes connect to the bigger biblical story of glory, conquest, and God’s dangerous-yet-merciful nearness—with an invitation to go hunting for fire imagery in your own studies, using word studies as a launchpad but not the destination. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/ Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: Chapters (00:00:00) - Why Fire is a Burning Topic(00:04:26) - Flaming Sword of Eden: Judgment or Mercy?(00:11:17) - Divine Council Readings: Is the Sword a Spiritual Being?(00:21:24) - Targums and Divine Presence(00:28:21) - Fire, Boundaries, and Sacrifice I: Cain and Abel(00:32:59) - Fire, Boundaries, and Sacrifice II: Noah(00:38:08) - Covenant by Fire: Abram’s Vision and the Smoking Firepot(00:43:46) - Names, Circumcision, and Ishmael in the Promise(00:49:01) - The Burning Bush: Holy Ground and a Reluctant Prophet(00:54:01) - Glory and Word Studies

In this sweeping synthesis episode, Carey zooms out from Mesopotamian exorcism texts to contrast ancient magic/technique with the Bible’s holiness/presence frame. We explore how Scripture attributes sickness and calamity to God’s covenant governance (not a sprawling demonology), why ritual ≠ incantation, and how protection language (Psalm 91) differs when it’s used as prayerful trust rather than magical leverage. We also trace Passover’s blood as sign of covenant loyalty (protection for presence) versus pagan apotropaic rites (protection from volatile powers), and we re-situate baptism as incorporation into a purified people indwelt by the Spirit. Along the way: John Walton on conflict theology, Heiser’s take on Psalm 91 and the “evil eye,” Egypt’s maat, Hittite purity, and the danger of the sacred. We finish by reframing discipleship around holiness first, not death first—so that ethics flow from presence, not technique. Resources & references mentioned Psalm 91 and Jesus’ temptation (Matt 4); Heiser’s Naked Bible episodes on Psalm 91 & “evil eye” (ep. 162 and 321 referenced). Udug-hul Tablet 12; Shurpu confessional series; Egypt’s maat; Hittite rituals and kings. Community note In November 2025 the On This Rock community is discussing the church—join the conversation; link in show notes. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: Chapters (00:00:00) - Agency & sickness(00:05:36) - Ritual vs technique(00:07:21) - Psalm 91 & the “evil eye”(00:09:07) - Guarding against “magical drift”(00:15:25) - Holiness-first ethics(00:18:49) - Baptism in the holiness frame(00:22:37) - Plague & providence(00:25:30) - Priest vs healer roles(00:27:12) - Shurpu confessions & fire(00:32:49) - Incantation vs prayer(00:36:22) - Divination & technique creep(00:41:02) - Jesus’ temptation and amulets(00:44:43) - Comparing Egypt and Israel(00:50:31) - The danger of the sacred(00:59:32) - Holiness that transforms

Concluding the mini-series reading from Udug-hul (Udug-hul) Tablet 12, a Mesopotamian exorcism/purification text, and tracing how a single goat in this ritual ends up doing several jobs—substitute, container of breath, apotropaic object, and finally the thing that carries evil away. From there, Carey compares the logic of the text with Leviticus 16 (Day of Atonement) and Numbers 19 (red heifer) and asks the hard question: where’s the line between ritual and magic? The answer is more nuanced than “the Bible isn’t magical.” Sometimes the Bible does very ANE-looking things—but without trying to force the deity. We also see that Mesopotamia loved protective objects (bells, cords, incense, figurines, “good” demons) and how Israel’s Scriptures both fit into and flip that world. What we cover Quick recap of the first two episodes in this series Reading the next section of Tablet 12 (the “one goat doing many jobs” part) Apotropaic magic 101: bells, cords, circles, incantations, and why people felt vulnerable Why Mesopotamia can use the same class of being (storm demon) for harm or healing Parallels and contrasts with Leviticus 16 and Numbers 19 “You don’t do a ritual if you don’t think it does something” — but what kind of “something”? How Israel’s rituals purify space without acting like they’re trapping a stray demon The seven protective figures and divine-council overtones A pastoral-ish landing: how might Christians still hedge their bets with low-key magical thinking? On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://ww... Chapters (00:00:00) - Re-reading the scapegoat section(00:03:21) - Magic vs ritual refresher(00:08:59) - Biblical parallels: Leviticus 16 and Numbers 19(00:16:14) - Water, radiance, and binding the goat to the patient(00:23:30) - Containment and boundary-making around the bed(00:30:03) - Naming the demons and sending them to the netherworld(00:35:06) - Temple statue, sunrise, craftsman, and mediation layers(00:45:44) - The seven protective storm demons by city(00:51:56) - Fire, fat, milk, wrestlers, and threshold protection(00:57:47) - Recap of ritual logic

This episode continues last week’s deep dive (Ep. 149) into Udug-hul Tablet 12, exploring how ancient Mesopotamians understood purity, sacred space, demons, and ritual—and how that compares (and collides) with the Bible’s worldview. Carey walks through Ea (Enki), Marduk, Belet-ili, Eridu, decreed destinies, and a striking black-goat “scapegoat” rite tied to breath, life, and expulsion—then turns to the big question: what’s the difference between magic and ritual for Christians, and how does that shape practices like baptism, exorcism, and embodied worship? 150 TRANSCRIPT In this episode: Why look before Sinai to grasp biblical purity and sacred space Mesopotamian divine council logic: Ea → Marduk → priest as mediator Eridu as a prototype of divine order; destinies and lots language Belet-ili (Mami/Nintu) and “learning the ways of the demons” The black goat rite: breath, life, and removing the ālu/utukku demon Biblical contrasts: Leviticus 16 scapegoat vs. Mesopotamian incantation Magic vs. ritual: mechanistic tech vs. covenantal, participatory practice Embodied sacred space/time: why liturgy, baptism, Eucharist still matter Mentioned texts & themes: Genesis 1–2 (cosmic temple), Deut 32 (lots), Enūma Eliš, Atrahasis, Eridu traditions, Leviticus 16 (scapegoat), Ezekiel 37 (breath & life). 150 TRANSCRIPT Join the community: On This Rock (Carey’s biblical-theology community) and ways to support via Patreon/PayPal. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: Chapters (00:00:00) - Mesopotamian demonology vs. Bible terms(00:04:59) - Tablet 12 overview: the eco-destroying demon(00:07:27) - “Not a god”: categories of beings & elohim(00:09:02) - Ea (Enki), Marduk, and priestly mediation(00:15:03) - Eridu, Apsu, and heavenly blueprints(00:24:21) - Consulting Belet-ili: learning the demons’ ways(00:29:19) - Order vs. chaos: does chaos have a pattern?(00:35:12) - The black-goat rite: setup & purpose(00:38:56) - Personal deities(00:43:30) - Prayers & offerings: doing the same work(00:47:59) - Who can be a "son of the god"?(00:50:58) - Activated mercy via performance(00:52:37) - The strange case of the breathing goat(00:56:23) - Breath, life, and expulsion mechanics(01:03:50) - Magic vs. ritual: Christian stakes(01:11:11) - Embodied sacred space/time today

Today we step before Leviticus into Sumerian and Akkadian worlds to see how ancient people thought about purity, danger, and the sacred—and how Israel both echoes and upends that world. We sample Udug-hul exorcism tablets (incl. Tablet 12), meet storm-like demons, and trace common ancient ritual media (living water, flour circles, fire, incense, bells, tamarisk).  Along the way we test big claims: holiness as a spatial/ritual frame, why “purity precedes holiness,” why Israel’s God doesn’t do “conflict theology” like Mesopotamia, and how not to over-systematize the Divine Council.  If you’ve read Heiser, Walton, or dabbled in 1 Enoch, apkallu lore, or Enuma Elish, this episode gives you a more complex, historically grounded backdrop—without ransacking your faith.  Don’t forget to check out the community at On This Rock for resources for Geller’s Healing Magic and Evil Demons. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - Ancient Frames and Why They Matter(00:06:09) - Recap: Holiness as a Spatial/Ritual Frame(00:09:57) - How to Read ANE Texts Responsibly(00:19:11) - Clean/Unclean as Ritual Categories(00:21:30) - Research Question: Did Purity Precede Holiness?(00:25:49) - The Ancient World’s Pragmatic Religion(00:27:17) - Demons, Disease, and Incantations(00:29:02) - Demons in ANE vs the Bible(00:31:23) - “Conflict Theology” vs Israel’s God(00:34:29) - Tablet 7: Water Rites & Feeding the Ghosts(00:40:56) - Tablet 8: Birds, Omens, and Red Garments(00:42:42) - Tablet 9: Purifying Buildings(00:44:47) - Tablet 12 (Reading): The Storm Demon’s Ruin(00:49:26) - Context Matters: Storm God vs Storm Demon(00:52:04) - Apkallu & Geography Cautions(00:54:59) - Not Exegesis: Parallels to Genesis 1–9(00:58:14) - “Not a God,” Yet Gigantic: Status & Radiance(01:00:48) - Multiple Chaos Frames in the ANE(01:02:54) - Contrast of Solutions: Udug-hul vs Genesis(01:05:51) - Takeaways from Mesopotamian Materials

Carey sits down with Mike Chu to talk through the new Unseen Realm - Expanded Edition, how Heiser clarified his stance on creeds, why frame semantics and ancient contexts matter, and why a Christotelic reading (aimed at the eschaton) can keep Scripture’s big story intact. Along the way: pastoral cautions about celebrity culture, the value of scholarship and seminary, and a practical reframing of Imago Dei as being made as God's image (not merely "in" it). Highlights include: Heiser’s "non-credal" (not anti-credal) posture, Genesis 6 in an exilic frame, and how holiness as "other" reshapes baptism, worship, and daily vocation. What's actually new in Unseen Realm (Expanded Edition) and why it matters for teachers and small-group leaders Heiser on creeds: non-credal vs anti-credal, and using creeds as boundaries, not as an interpretive lens Christocentric vs Christotelic: aiming at the end goal of Christ (including the Spirit and the Eschaton) Reading Genesis 6 with an exilic Mesopotamian frame vs a Mosaic/Egyptian frame Imago Dei as vocation: "made as God's image," and why that lands pastorally The completion of AWKNG School of Theology's "Seminary on a Thumb Drive" initiative On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  Website: genesismarksthespot.com   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot   Music credit: "Marble Machine" by WintergatanLink to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/  Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcoming Mike; DCW year ahead & community vibe(00:05:01) - Expanded Edition notes (preface timeline, Awakening)(00:06:46) - "Vibe shift": hunger for scholarship & plain speech(00:08:34) - Pushback & avoiding Heiser-only celebrity culture(00:10:21) - Listening > labels; scholarly retrieval as discipleship(00:21:05) - Heiser and the Creeds: Non-credal, Not Anti-credal(00:25:21) - Christocentric vs Christotelic (aiming at the eschaton)(00:35:59) - Theological Messaging: God with Us(00:41:28) - Genesis 6: Exilic Mesopotamian Frame vs Mosaic/Egyptian(00:48:05) - The value of listening in scholarly study(00:53:24) - Imago Dei: "as" God’s image, not merely "in" (pastoral payoffs)(00:58:55) - Why we need teachers who do the dirty work(01:05:12) - Are seminaries cemetaries?(01:09:21) - The value of learning in cohorts(01:12:36) - Diversity, cohesion, and the need to find support(01:17:47) - Remind, Remind, Remind: Don't lose your identity(01:24:07) - Wrapping up thoughts on The Unseen Realm Expanded Edition(01:24:08) - AWKNG School of Theology: Seminary on a Thumb Drive

Continuing the water series by framing purification and holiness through an ancient Near Eastern lens and a Christotelic (telos-aimed) reading of Scripture. We contrast Christocentric “reading back” with Christotelic “reading forward,” explore holy/common vs clean/unclean as two distinct axes, and ask whether Leviticus was ever meant to be a sin-management system—or a way to host a holy God in sacred space. Along the way: covenant at Sinai, ritual logic, righteousness in OT vs NT, and why Jesus as incarnate Holy One unites holy and common in himself. Bonus at the end: Carey’s first look at The Unseen Realm: Expanded Edition and its nods to frame semantics and christological lenses. In this episode Editing experiment: does lighter editing serve the mission better? Why hermeneutics matters: Christocentric vs Christotelic readings Purity → Holiness: which comes first in human religious imagination? Two spectra, not one: holy/common and clean/unclean Leviticus beyond “sin management”: making space for divine presence Covenant first, cult second; why Israel is unique amid the ANE Righteousness reconsidered across Testaments Word-study pointers: “pure/purge/refine” (gold, oil, incense), ritual vs ethical usage Teaser: upcoming episodes on atonement frames, water vs fire, and Divine Council themes Resources mentioned Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm — Expanded Edition (new front-matter on frames & christological lenses) John Walton on Christotelic reading (telos-oriented Scripture) Carey’s On This Rock community (October theme: Unseen Realm) Support / connect Join the convers... Chapters (00:00:00) - Why hermeneutics matters (not talking past each other)(00:06:03) - Ritual & baptism recap; the big question: purity or holiness first?(00:09:28) - A Christological lens: setting the stage(00:10:40) - Christocentric reading (arrows radiating back)(00:15:06) - Christotelic reading (arrows moving forward to Jesus)(00:17:26) - Case study: purification as our test-bed(00:20:51) - Is Leviticus a sin-management system? Rethinking assumptions(00:24:34) - What is holiness? Modern conflations vs ancient otherness(00:27:07) - Holiness as divine “set-apartness,” not mere moralism(00:30:41) - Don’t import later ideas into earlier texts(00:33:31) - Two axes: holy/common and clean/unclean (and the “powder-keg” mix)(00:36:33) - Why purification precedes holiness; historical signals(00:39:04) - Covenant first, cult second; Israel vs the ANE(00:43:41) - Intuitive logic of purification; why it feels “obvious”(00:47:17) - Word-study invites: pure, purge, refine; ritual vs ethical purity(00:50:45) - Fire, water, and purging; future directions(00:53:01) - Righteousness OT vs NT: behavior, justice, belonging(00:57:38) - Bonus: Unseen Realm Expanded, frame semantics, and themes for October

This episode of Genesis Marks the Spot explores the meaning and function of ritual with a special focus on baptism. From Jewish mikvahs and Qumran practices to Greco-Roman mystery rites and John the Baptist’s wilderness call, baptism emerges as more than a symbol—it’s participation in a story of death, resurrection, and new creation. We’ll look at biblical passages (Romans 6, Galatians 3, Colossians 2, and more), denominational perspectives, and how ritual frames help us move beyond false binaries of “just symbolic” versus “mechanistic.” Topics include: What ritual is and why it matters Rituals as communal participation and transformation Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts for baptism Jesus’ baptism as a Trinitarian theophany Baptism in Acts and the Pauline letters Denominational views on baptism How rituals shape identity, allegiance, and belonging On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - Ritual Before Purification(00:04:33) - Defining Ritual(00:10:24) - Scriptural Examples(00:13:25) - Ritual Frames(00:16:12) - Backgrounds: Jewish & Greco-Roman(00:22:14) - John the Baptist(00:24:36) - Jesus’ Baptism as Theophany (Identity and Revelation)(00:27:16) - Baptism in Acts(00:29:42) - Paul on Baptism(00:38:34) - New Creation & Reconciliation(00:42:02) - Baptism as Allegiance/Exodus(00:43:55) - What Baptism Does(00:49:28) - Baptism, Spirit, & Sacred Space(00:52:24) - Denominational Snapshots(00:55:08) - Reflection Questions and Moving Past False Binaries

This episode continues our deep dive into the biblical theme of water. From Genesis to the prophets, from Eden’s rivers to Israel’s covenant rain, water frames the story of God’s presence, judgment, and renewal. Along the way we’ll explore: How waters above (rain) and waters below (springs, rivers) carry distinct theological meanings Why the flood brings both destruction and recreation Ancient Near Eastern cosmology of water and how the Bible reframes it The difference between living water, rainwater, and cisterns—and how they connect to Spirit and baptism Stories like Hagar in the wilderness and Rebekah at the well as pictures of God’s provision and promise What does all of this mean for baptism, covenant, and discipleship today? Join me as we trace the living streams back to their source. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Various Frames of Water(00:05:17) - The Flood and Cosmic Collapse(00:07:12) - Baptism in Living Water(00:09:08) - Genesis 2 and the Mist/Stream Debate(00:12:00) - Ancient Views: Canopy, Myth, or Irrigation?(00:18:38) - Irrigation, Eden, and God’s Presence(00:24:14) - Three Kinds of Water(00:25:51) - Rain as Divine Gift (and Judgment)(00:28:27) - Ancient Near Eastern Cosmology(00:32:58) - Paradise and Covenant: Two Water Frames(00:36:12) - Spirit as Living Water(00:40:10) - Springs Drying Up: Judgment & Apostasy(00:43:53) - Toil, Curse, and Exile from Eden(00:53:22) - Rebekah at the Well: Hospitality & Testing...Who?(00:56:29) - Israel’s Water Supply, Covenant, and Thresholds(00:58:47) - Thematic Tracing & Frame Semantics(01:04:01) - Resources & Invitation

In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey sits down with Phil Bray—author of Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block and creator of the YouTube channel Leviticus is Fun—for a wide-ranging conversation on sacrifice, atonement, and the surprising beauty of Leviticus. They explore: How Leviticus reframes atonement away from wrath and toward restoration Why sacrifice isn’t about death, but about life and communion What Phil learned from being both a butcher and a Bible nerd How Leviticus helps us understand Hebrews, Jesus, and the Lord’s Supper Whether the sacrificial system was an accommodation… and if so, what kind Why blood and water both purify—and how Jesus’ life transforms both Why Passover and atonement aren't the same, and why that matters for communion The deeper frames behind the word “substitution” Carey and Phil also dive into the contagious holiness of Jesus, purification rituals, and why Christians must learn to disambiguate muddy theological terms like “atonement” and “substitution.” This episode is part of our Atonement monthly theme over at the On This Rock biblical theology community. Join us to discuss the many frames of substitution, atonement, and covenant—and be sure to check out Phil’s channel and book!   Links & Resources: Phil’s YouTube: Leviticus Is Fun Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block   On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro & Guest Welcome(00:02:00) - From Butcher to Bible Nerd(00:04:32) - Echo Chambers & Reading the Bible for Yourself(00:08:14) - Making Leviticus Fun(00:14:09) - Was Leviticus an Accommodation?(00:18:07) - Life, Not Death, Is the Goal(00:20:53) - Fellowship Meal and...Purification??(00:25:04) - Passover and Blood on the Doorframe(00:27:45) - Was Passover a Sacrifice?(00:29:52) - The Blood is for Covenant(00:33:28) - Leviticus and Christian Communion(00:36:45) - Water & Blood: The Life Connection(00:41:21) - Contagious Holiness(00:46:12) - What If We Didn’t Have the Word Atonement?(00:50:01) - Restoring Creation, Not Just Covering Sin(00:52:46) - Phil’s Channel & Upcoming Projects(00:55:51) - Leviticus Helps Us Read Hebrews(00:57:43) - Frames of Substitution: A Project is Born(01:01:31) - Leviticus on the Butcher's Block(01:05:56) - An Immersive Experience

Water flows through Scripture as far more than a backdrop — it carries covenant, hospitality, conflict, and even divine judgment. This episode of Genesis Marks the Spot traces how the Bible uses water as a sign of both intimacy and power. We begin at the wells of Genesis, where stories like Rebekah’s hospitality and the Samaritan woman in John 4 tie water to covenant, marriage, and the faithful love of God. These encounters at the well aren’t just about refreshment — they become turning points where covenant identity is revealed and extended. From there, the theme widens: Isaac’s struggle over wells in Genesis 26, Hezekiah’s tunnel in 2 Chronicles 32, and the strange, unsettling story of 2 Kings 3 where water looks like blood and wrath erupts on the battlefield. In each case, water symbolizes more than survival — it becomes a stage where covenant promises, human conflict, and divine purposes collide. Through these narratives, we see how living water ultimately finds fulfillment in Christ, the true Bridegroom, who offers hospitality at the well and baptismal union in the Spirit. Water can be a gift of life, a sign of covenant marriage, or even a weapon of war — but all of these streams converge in Jesus, the one who brings both judgment and renewal. Wade into the deep waters — from covenant hospitality to power struggles — and uncover how Scripture’s water stories prepare us to understand baptism in all its richness. Explore more and join the conversation at On-This-Rock.com On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Many Faces of Water in Scripture(00:05:34) - Water in Creation(00:07:12) - Water Bookends the Bible(00:10:23) - Water, Hospitality & Covenant(00:11:32) - Rebekah at the Well (Genesis 24)(00:17:19) - John 4: The Samaritan Woman(00:21:19) - Narrative vs. Doctrinal Reading(00:23:39) - Marriage, Wells, and Covenant in Scripture(00:25:36) - Marriage Type Scenes and John 4(00:27:42) - Covenant & Baptism Connections(00:32:44) - Transition to Water as Conflict & Power(00:33:34) - Isaac’s Wells (Genesis 26)(00:36:49) - Hezekiah and the Tunnel (2 Chronicles 32)(00:41:29) - Toil vs. God’s Provision (Deuteronomy 11)(00:43:31) - Strange Story of 2 Kings 3(00:50:03) - Whose Wrath? Interpretive Puzzles(00:55:24) - Water, Wrath, and Mercy(00:58:15) - Christ as the Fulfillment of the Water Stories

In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey Griffel sits down with Dr. Matthew Bates—New Testament scholar and author of Salvation by Allegiance Alone, Gospel Allegiance, and Beyond the Salvation Wars. Together, they explore what it really means to proclaim Jesus as King, how allegiance reframes faith, and why justification should be seen as a benefit of the gospel rather than the gospel itself. The conversation touches on: The difference between biblical theology and systematic theology How gospel allegiance compares with “lordship salvation” and “believing loyalty” Substitution, atonement, and representation in Paul’s letters Baptism, corporate identity, and the role of children in the believing community How Catholics and Protestants might find common ground This dialogue bridges scholarship and discipleship, inviting us to think deeply about what the gospel is, what it isn’t, and how it calls us to live together as the people of God. Links mentioned in the show: Dr. Matthew Bates’ website:  Matthew W. Bates   On Script Podcast:  OnScript    On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Win... Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction to Dr. Bates’ Work(00:06:12) - Matthew Bates’ Journey(00:10:53) - What Is Biblical Theology?(00:13:14) - The Gospel as Royal Allegiance(00:17:25) - Allegiance, Lordship Salvation, and Believing Loyalty(00:23:01) - Gospel, Holiness, and Priesthood(00:27:20) - Justification and the Gospel(00:33:20) - Cross-Shaped Love and Substitution(00:41:44) - Individual and Corporate Salvation(00:45:34) - Baptism and Allegiance(00:53:21) - Beyond the Salvation Wars(00:57:17) - Catholic Responses to the Book?(00:59:05) - Looking Ahead: Tracing Baptism-Adjacent Themes

In this follow-up to the discussion of J. Harvey Walton’s dissertation, let’s look closer into his reframing of Eden—not as a perfect paradise but as fragile divine order. Carey pushes back on Walton’s rejection of covenant in Genesis 2–3 and explores how his ideas intersect with Paul’s Adam–Christ typology in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15. Along the way, we’ll examine: The tension between fragile order, chaos, and evil in Genesis Whether Eden was covenantal “proto-temple” space Adam’s act as covenantal headship rather than simple rebellion How covenant strengthens Paul’s Adam–Christ parallel without collapsing it into a theodicy What Christ’s resurrection means as “secured divine order” If Eden sets the stage for fragile human order, then Christ secures incorruptible life. This episode explores how covenant, resurrection, and divine order fit together in the big story of Scripture.      On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/    Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - Walton’s Reframing of Eden(00:04:49) - Mortality and the Tree of Life(00:08:33) - Trees as Legitimate Choice?(00:11:16) - Sin vs Premature Disobedience(00:15:38) - Pushback: Did Adam Still Break Order?(00:18:25) - Ancient Theodicy vs. Genesis’ Covenant Story(00:23:30) - The Gospel in Genesis?(00:28:29) - Walton’s Major Inconsistency(00:32:37) - Adam as Universal Archetype and Proto-Israel(00:38:12) - Proto-Covenant Theology vs. Walton’s Break(00:42:33) - Adam and Jesus: Temptation in Parallel(00:43:19) - Romans 5 in Covenant Light(00:55:37) - 1 Corinthians 15: Resurrection as Secured Order(01:03:07) - Comparing Theological Traditions(01:05:23) - Resurrection as Completed Divine Order

Was Eden ever the perfect paradise we imagine? Exploring J. Harvey Walton’s groundbreaking dissertation on Genesis 2–4. Walton challenges the familiar Eden–Fall–Redemption narrative, arguing that the text’s original audience didn’t see a perfect paradise shattered by sin, but a fragile, unfinished order constantly threatened by chaos and evil. We unpack: Walton’s tri-fold framework of order, chaos, and evil; Genesis’s critique of Babylonian cultural ideals; and the surprising role of Eden as divine—but uncomfortable—space which leads to the choice between two trees: stay eternally in discomfort or enter the realm of human-ordered existence. Along the way, Carey offers her own insights, engages early church perspectives, and asks what this reframing means for our understanding of the gospel.      On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/    Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - Walton’s Threefold Framework: Order, Chaos, and Evil(00:05:35) - Eden as Divine Space, Not Perfect Paradise(00:10:34) - The Hebraic Mindset vs Greek Dualism(00:15:21) - Civilization, Legacy, and the Problem of Mortality(00:21:16) - Cain, Cities, and the Fragility of Human Order(00:26:41) - Chaos vs. Evil in Biblical Theology(00:32:01) - Eternal Life or Human Ordered Existence?(00:37:38) - Axiology: That Which Brings Good(00:42:43) - ANE Death, Legacy, and the Defeat of Chaos(00:50:02) - Seeing Chaos, Not Just Evil(00:55:33) - Opening the Door to New Ideas

In this special episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey shares the heart and vision behind her new online community—On This Rock—a distraction-free space for deep Bible study, discipleship, and ministry growth. From the biblical inspiration in Matthew 16 to the practical ways members can connect, learn, and serve together, Carey invites you into a global conversation that’s Christ-centered, Scripture-drenched, Spirit-led, and community-shaped. Whether you’re passionate about the Divine Council Worldview, eager to explore the Bible in its original context, or simply looking for a place to grow in faith alongside others, this is your invitation to join a movement where theology meets life. Links & Resources: Join the community: on-this-rock.com Related places & spaces: Genesis Marks the Spot, Leviticus is Fun, Answers to Giant Questions, the Two Trees Podcast, and more. Website: genesismarksthespot.com      Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Vision: A Biblical Theology Community(00:04:44) - Why Social Media Isn’t Enough(00:07:41) - Launching “On This Rock” & Why the Name(00:11:20) - Faith, Evidence, and Unity in Christ(00:16:23) - Asking Questions While Staying Christ-Centered(00:20:01) - Unity at the Table & Romans 14(00:29:04) - Critical Thinking Meets Discipleship(00:32:09) - Bridging Scripture, Tradition, and Church History(00:36:06) - The Holy Spirit’s Role in Community(00:40:31) - What “On This Rock” Is & Isn’t(00:45:07) - Spaces, Themes, and Paid Tier Benefits(00:54:13) - How to Join & Participate(00:57:55) - August Theme: How to Read a Book(00:59:08) - Closing Thoughts & Next Week’s Topic

Did female Nephilim exist? It's a fascinating question—and one that seems straightforward from a modern lens. But this episode takes you deep into the symbolic, theological, and cultural frameworks of the ancient world to explore why the biblical narrative omits female Nephilim entirely. Unpack the logic of Genesis 6 through the lens of biblical theology, cultural anthropology, ancient gender norms, and frame semantics. You'll also explore the significance of “gibborim,” the role of the queen mother in Israelite tradition, ancient conceptions of reproduction, and why projecting modern biological assumptions onto Genesis may distort what the text is affirming. This episode loops in Walton’s concepts of “referent and affirmation” and gives bonus insight into the conquest narratives, giant clans, and the enduring theological danger of false worship—whether it comes from the sword or the seduction of idolatry. Are queen mothers the female counterpart to the gibborim? ⚔️ Why is violence—not biology—the defining symbol of Nephilim identity? What does this all mean for how we read Genesis today? A thoughtful, bold, and theologically grounded journey through ancient texts and modern assumptions. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/    Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Question Nobody’s Asking(00:01:37) - Sons of God, Not Just Angels(00:03:56) - Affirmation, Referent, and Modern Assumptions(00:06:39) - Symbolism, Genre, and Mount Hermon(00:12:07) - Ancient Frame: Chaos, Corruption, and Cosmic Rebellion(00:13:44) - Who Are the Gibborim?(00:24:00) - Gender, Power, and the Queen Mother(00:31:07) - Two Paths of Power: Warrior vs. Womb(00:37:16) - Ancient Theories of Conception(00:44:43) - Why Nephilim Were Always Male(00:49:27) - Queen Mothers as Chaos Agents(00:56:28) - Giant Clans, the Flood, and the Disconnect(01:01:19) - Conquest Fears, Violence, and False Worship

What if the Bible talks about things it doesn’t actually affirm? That’s the question John and J. Harvey Walton explore in their referent/affirmation hermeneutic—a method that seeks to distinguish between what Scripture uses culturally and what it teaches theologically. In this content-heavy episode, we dig deep into the Waltons' approach, explore strengths and critiques (especially in relation to canonical reading and supernatural conflict), and propose ways to integrate their work into a more theological, Christ-centered, and canonically-aware method of reading. We’ll examine where this model helps (especially with ancient Near Eastern context), where it struggles (like with canonical coherence and spiritual conflict), and how it interacts with voices like Michael Heiser. Along the way, we’ll ask the hard questions: Can a time-bound referent convey timeless truth? Does later canonical development affirm what earlier authors left open? Are we treating the Bible like a spiritual taxonomy or a wisdom text? If you’ve wrestled with how the Bible speaks of firmaments, spirits, demons, cosmic powers—or just how to read your Bible with both eyes open—this episode is for you. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/ Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan  Chapters (00:00:00) - Conflict Theology as Time-Bound Context(00:02:48) - Minimalist vs Maximalist Hermeneutics(00:04:48) - Waltons’ Book on Demons(00:06:03) - Heiser: "Danger, Danger John Walton"(00:09:06) - Referent vs Affirmation: Genesis and Cosmology(00:11:07) - The Core Tension: Cultural Context & Lasting Truth(00:13:11) - Defining Referent and Affirmation(00:16:29) - Are the Waltons DeMythologizing?(00:18:45) - Why Methodology, Not the Model, Is the Problem(00:21:52) - Methodology and Canonical vs Minimalist Readings(00:25:03) - Dangers of Misreading Referent as Affirmation(00:30:36) - Baal, Pharaoh, Accommodation, and Ontology(00:35:11) - Canon, Redaction, and Authorial Intent(00:40:20) - Beyond “New”: Reaffirming, Recontextualizing, Redeeming(00:44:18) - Is Supernatural = Not Scientific?(00:47:49) - The Problem of Mapping Ancient Deities Across Time(00:54:18) - Affirmation Without Systematizing(00:57:32) - Turning It Up to 11

Venturing deep into the world of biblical interpretation—exploring the methods that shape how we read Scripture, how we understand righteousness, holiness, and obedience, and why John Walton's work continues to spark both admiration and controversy. We’ll survey key interpretive methodologies: literalist, historical-grammatical, canonical, literary-narrative, historical-critical, and the socio-cultural ancient Near Eastern approach. Then, we dive headfirst into the power of frame semantics—a tool that challenges modern assumptions and re-centers our understanding around ancient biblical worldviews. Topics covered: What’s the difference between exegesis, interpretation, and hermeneutics? Why biblical theology requires a mix of methods How John Walton’s approach reframes key concepts The covenantal, vocational meaning of obedience Holiness as divine presence, not moral perfection Righteousness as relational fidelity, not legal status How salvation is more about divine rescue than a heavenly transaction Mentioned Resources: Frame Semantics Study Guide  Whether you're a seminarian, a Sunday school teacher, or just someone who wants to understand the Bible on its own terms, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Also, join my new Biblical Theology Community!  Find it here: on-this-rock.com “On This Rock” Biblical Theology Community   Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Walton’s Work(00:04:29) - Frame Semantics Mention & Community Plug(00:06:15) - Why Methodology Matters(00:07:11) - Defining Interpretation, Exegesis, and Hermeneutics(00:11:17) - My Toolkit: Method Crossover(00:18:26) - Method #1: Literalist Reading(00:20:03) - Method #2: Historical-Grammatical(00:22:41) - Method #3: Canonical Approach(00:27:23) - Comparison: Historical-Grammatical vs Canonical(00:33:31) - Method #4: Literary / Narrative Criticism(00:36:12) - Comparison: Historical-Grammatical vs Literary(00:37:15) - Method #5: Historical-Critical(00:39:17) - Method #6: Socio-Cultural / Ancient Near Eastern (Walton's Method)(00:44:58) - Introduction to Frame Semantics(00:46:30) - Compatibility with Each Method(00:51:24) - Reframing Key Words (Walton Examples)(00:52:12) - Frame: Righteousness(00:55:05) - Frame: Holiness(00:57:26) - Frame: Obedience(01:03:48) - Frame: Salvation(01:11:39) - Righteousness vs. Salvation: Comparative Frames(01:14:55) - Frame Review: How Righteousness & Salvation Work Together(01:18:13) - Why Frame Semantics Matters for Interpretation(01:19:05) - Outro & Community Invitation

This episode of Genesis Marks the Spot centers on an example of biblical theology, reframing how we understand law—not as rigid legislation, but as wisdom anchored in covenant relationship. Drawing from The Lost World of the Torah by John Walton and J. Harvey Walton, Carey challenges modern assumptions about law, obedience, and divine command theory, while weaving in reflections on context, tradition, and the role of interpretation in the church. Why does it matter how we define “law”? What does Torah as wisdom mean for our modern theological frameworks? And how can covenant thinking reshape our understanding of justice, purity, and faithfulness? Carey doesn’t shy away from the complexities—she explores the intersection of Scripture, culture, and context with clarity and conviction. If you’ve ever wrestled with the law/grace debate or wondered how ancient covenants connect with contemporary discipleship, this episode is for you. Plus, Carey shares details about an exciting new community platform for deeper study, discussion, and collaboration in biblical theology. Don’t miss it! Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan Chapters (00:00:00) - Wisdom, Wine, and the Covenant Trail(00:04:56) - Defining What’s Essential in Church and Sacrament(00:06:55) - What Do We Do With All This Theology?(00:10:27) - Interpretation: Why No Method is Sufficient Alone(00:13:35) - Walton Framework: Torah as Covenant, Not Legislation(00:17:54) - Can We Ever Really Leave Our Context Behind?(00:22:05) - Law as Order: Oracles, Wisdom, and the Ancient Mindset(00:27:32) - Legal Frameworks: Divine Command, Natural Law, and Legalism Today(00:32:45) - Torah and the Two Ways: Life Through Wisdom, Not Death by Rulekeeping(00:38:49) - Covenant Obligations vs. Codified Law(00:46:00) - Holiness and Identity: More Than Moral Behavior(00:50:00) - Sacrifice and Covenant: Participation, Not Propitiation(00:55:19) - Law, Covenant, and the Ten Words: Genre Mashup or Divine Treaty?(00:57:52) - The Three Pillars: Justice, Purity, and Faithfulness(01:01:22) - Wrap-Up: Identity, Wisdom, and What’s Next(01:02:40) - New Project Announcement: A Community for Biblical Theology(01:08:30) - Final Thoughts and Gratitude