Rethinking Scripture

Rethinking Scripture Podcast - Episode 99 - Matthew 10 - The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel: A Fresh Look at Jesus' Mission InstructionsJanuary 12, 2026 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we continue our study of the Gospel of Matthew. This episode discusses Matthew  chapter 10—Jesus' second major discourse. It’s where Jesus commissions His twelve disciples. We discuss the list of apostles, the true meaning of the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel,' and the challenging instructions on freely giving, expecting persecution, and taking up the cross. Readers often adopt Jesus' instructions as their own, but what if the instructions in chapter 10 were only for the original 12 disciples?Referenced Resources:Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 159). Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans."Certainly the other disciples mentioned in these verses belonged to the band of the twelve apostles. The most likely suggestion is that Nathanael is the personal name of ‘Bartholomew’, (i.e. identifying the person as the son of someone: ‘the son of Tholomaeus’ or the like). In three of the four lists of apostles, this Bartholomew is linked with Philip (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:14; but not Acts 1:13)".Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Rethinking Scripture Podcast - Episode 98:  Introducing the "Rethinking Advent" User GuideDecember 14, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallRethinking Advent was never meant to be just a podcast series (episodes 28-33)—it was designed to be walked through. In this short special episode, I introduce the new Rethinking Advent User Guide, created to help listeners slow down, reflect, and engage the Advent story through weekly rhythms, discussion questions, and devotional prompts. Whether you’re returning to the series or encountering it for the first time, this guide offers a deeper, more formative way to experience Advent. Everything is available for free at: RethinkingScripture.com/rethinking-advent/Referenced Resources:Charlie Brown's Question - "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"  posed by Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas. A tv movie from 1965.Show Music:Background music - jazzy bells (jingle bells) by Dee Yan-Key - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dee_Yan-Key/my_christmas_music/02--Dee_Yan-Key-jazzy_bellsPodcast Website:RethinkingScripture.com/rethinking-advent/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comSocial Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 97: Matthew 9 - Touching the Fringe: The Function of Tassels in Jesus’ Remnant-Gathering MissionNovember 30, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked symbols in the Gospels—the tassels on Jesus’ garment. From Torah commands to the touch of a desperate woman, these fringes reveal His identity, His mission to gather the remnant of Israel, and the healing found in the ‘wings’ of the Messiah.Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 96: Matthew 8-9 - Reporting Safe From a Cross-Reference TornadoNovember 11, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we’ll be introducing you to the idea of a cross-reference tornado. That’s the term I’ve given to those Bible stories that send you spinning through several other passages in rapid succession. It’s a cross-reference tornado… and so hold on to Toto… cause were not in Kansas anymore. Resources Referenced and/or Read:Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew. W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press. - "By casting out demons outside Israel, Jesus shows that his authority is not limited by geography, ethnicity, or ritual purity. Evil spirits recognize and submit to him even in foreign soil — implying that God’s reign is breaking into all creation, not just within the covenant land.This anticipates the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), where the resurrected Christ claims, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” and sends his disciples “to all nations.” The Gerasene exorcism is an early foreshadowing of that global mission." Lindsey, R. (2009) 2nd ed. Jesus, Rabbi and Lord: A Lifetime’s Search for the Meaning of Jesus’ Words. Jerusalem Perspective, LLC.— specifically in chapter 13  titled “Healing Everywhere.” Available at www.JerusalemPerspective.comDr. Halvor Ronning discussed Dr. Robert Lindsey's work  on my first trip to Israel in 2007. We were in the synagogue in Capernaum. Dr. Robert L. Lindsey treats Matthew 9:2 in his bookRead... but not used in this episode: Ingolfsland, D. (2004). Review of Christianity in the Making, vol. 1: Jesus Remembered by James D. G. Dunn. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 47(4), 715. "… in his discussion of a passage in which Jesus heals a paralyzed man and announces that the man’s sins are forgiven (Mark 2, Matthew 9, Luke 5), Dunn argues that the passive form of the verb (ἀψἰδνται) shows that Jesus was not usurping a prerogative that belonged only to God, but was simply announcing forgiveness the way a modern priest would declare a penitent sinner forgiven. According to Dunn, the subsequent protest by the religious leadership occurred simply because Jesus exceeded his authority by pronouncing forgiveness outside of the Temple cult."Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 95: Matthew 8 - Using Infectious Skin Diseases for OutreachNovember 1, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we’ll dive into a particular formula (3 stories of healing followed by a call to discipleship) that Matthew uses to present Jesus’ ministry. When we’re done, you might ask if infectious skin diseases could be a part of your church’s outreach ministry!Resources Referenced and/or Read:The list of Lepers in the Bible is pretty short:  Exod 4 - Moses’ hand became leprous as snow, as if he had a skin disease, after he encountered God at the burning bush.Numbers 12:10 - Miriam, sister of Moses, became leprous when she spoke against Moses’ leadership.Naaman - 2 Kings 5 - Elisha sent a messenger to him saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.”Gehazi, the servant of Elisha - 2 Kings 5:20Joab - 2 Samuel 3:292 Kgs 15; 2 Chr 26  - Uzziah [Azariah], king of Judah, was punished with a skin disease after he went into the temple of the Lord so that he might burn incense.Simon the Leper - Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9Three gospels likely share the same event: Matthew 8:2-4 - unnamed, Mark 1:40-45 - unnamed, Luke 5:12-16 - unnamedLuke 17:11-21 - 9 unnamed Jews - one unnamed SamaritanMatt 11:1-6 - When John the Baptist was imprisoned, John asks if Jesus is the Expected One… and in his response Jesus mentions several miracles associated with his ministry including “the lepers are cleansed”.Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.