How does Judaism approach the topic of disability? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Julia Watts Belser joins Pete and Cynthia to examine how the Hebrew Bible portrays disability and how Jewish tradition engages these texts in both ancient and modern contexts. She explains what a “blemish” means in Leviticus, the rabbinic tradition of…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete dives into the chaotic sibling soap opera of Jacob and Esau and all its trickery, questionable family dynamics, and divine wrestling matches. Pete explains how and why this ancient family drama was likely written and edited much later to make sense of Israel’s political squabbles. Show Notes → **…

Does the Hebrew Bible matter for Christians? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete is joined by Nerds-in-Residence Anna Sieges-Beal, Aaron Higashi, and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott to answer your questions about the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament) including the role it plays for Christians, the historical basis for events like the exodus,…

What parts of our faith are worth holding onto? In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry joins Pete and Jared to discuss ways to think differently about scripture and the importance of keeping love at the center of your being. This is a reissue of The Bible for Normal People Episode 192 from February 2022. Show Not…

In this podcast, Daniel Rogers explores the phrase 'join the church of your choice' and its implications within the context of religious division. He discusses the quest for the true church, the question of biblical authority, and how to evaluate different churches based on the fruit of the Spirit. The podcast emphasizes that not all churches are e…

Should Christians use the Bible as a template for a healthy marriage? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Dr. Jennifer Bird joins Jared and Angela Parker to bust the myth of “biblical” marriage. She dives into the ways scripture has been used to enforce traditional gender roles, the cultural assumptions embedded in biblical texts about …

In this conversation, Daniel Rogers and Scott McKnight discuss Scott's book 'Invisible Jesus' and his personal journey of deconstruction from a conservative Christian background. They explore the reasons behind deconstruction, the search for a more authentic faith centered on Jesus, and the implications of leaving traditional church structures. Sco…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Lee Camp joins Pete and Jared to discuss the relationship between Christianity and politics, challenging the idea that Christianity is apolitical by arguing that Christian faith is inherently political in addressing fundamental human concerns like reconciliation, justice, and community. He also addresses …

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete dives into the story of Abraham in Genesis. Pete explores Abraham’s importance as a pivotal figure in the Bible, detailing his journey, covenants with God, and major themes found in the stories about him. Through a "flyover" of Abraham's life, Pete highlights connections to other parts of the Bib…

In this episode, Daniel Rogers addresses various Bible questions submitted by listeners during the off-season of his podcast. He discusses the timing of baptism, the practices surrounding the Lord's Supper, the importance of choosing a church that aligns with one's beliefs, and how to navigate family dynamics when dealing with legalism. Additionall…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Elizabeth Orr joins Pete and Jared to discuss the Enneagram and its role in fostering self-compassion and personal growth. Together they highlight how understanding your Enneagram type can lead to greater self-awareness and healthier relationships, and how self-discovery tools like the Enneagram give us a…

This is the last planned episode for season 1! Season 2 is planned to launch in January. There will be a few bonus episodes between then now though. We are just giving ourselves the freedom to take a break. In this engaging conversation, Daniel Rogers and Aram Mitchell explore themes of personal transitions, pastoral leadership, and the creative pr…

In this bonus episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared continue their conversation with Jon D. Levenson about the theme of child sacrifice in the Bible, focusing on how the idea evolved from ancient times into later religious traditions. They uncover how the practice became condemned while the meaning persisted through symbolic acts l…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Jon D. Levenson to discuss the complex and ancient practice of child sacrifice, focusing on biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts. Together they explore the historical, theological, and cultural significance of these sacrifices, particularly in relation to divine favo…

Deborah, a prominent figure in the book of Judges, challenges the perception that women are only in the text because there are no good men available. In a male-dominated society, Deborah's leadership and influence as a judge for over 40 years is exceptional. She is one of the few judges in the Old Testament who is also titled as a prophet, highligh…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Valarie Kaur, a renowned Sikh activist, lawyer, and author, about the Sikh tradition and her philosophy of Revolutionary Love. Together they explore the history of Sikhism and its roots in love, oneness, and social justice, as well as the importance of music, poetry, and storytell…

In this conversation, Daniel Rogers, Kyler Burk, and Jared Byas discuss the book of Jonah and how it should be interpreted. They explore the idea that Jonah may not be a historically accurate tale, but rather a work of satire, parody, or allegory. They highlight clues within the text, such as hyperbole and the use of different literary styles, that…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Aaron Higashi talk to Madhavi Nevader about the rise and fall of monarchy in ancient Israel and its representation in the Bible. Together they explore how Israel's kingship model of power developed, the tension between divine rule and human kingship, and how the theological shifts shown in th…

In this episode, Daniel and Kyler discuss Acts 17 and the different perceptions of God in Greek thought. They explore the idea of an abstract, impersonal deity and the Stoic belief in a withdrawn and indifferent God. They highlight how Jesus, through the Incarnation, challenges these views and reveals a God who is compassionate, loving, and present…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete continues his exploration of the Book of Genesis, diving into Genesis 5-11 by examining the complexities of the genealogies and the flood narrative, defining source criticism, and more. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Beam. If you want to try Beam’s Greens, get up to 40% off …

In this episode, Daniel and Kyler discuss the emphasis on the Holy Spirit and the inclusivity of all people in the outpouring of the Spirit. The sermon in Acts 2 is examined, focusing on the resurrection of Jesus and his exaltation as Lord and Messiah. They discuss the significance of baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, highlighting the tra…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Greg Carey to explore the concept of apocalyptic literature within the Bible and its broader implications. Greg delves into the meaning of apocalyptic, explains the evolution of apocalyptic literature from proto-apocalyptic texts in the Old Testament to its more developed …