• Hebrews: the most popluar book

    Feb 20, 16 • Bible Books, Culture, HebrewsComments Off on Hebrews: the most popluar book
    Hebrews: the most popluar book

    I’ve not addressed Hebrews before in the 5minuteBible podcasts, and it’s a book I learned to love through studying it while learning Greek… yet one that’s strangely (or not so strangely) unpopular today&#...

  • Why do you read? Part two: The genocide of the Canaanites

    Feb 18, 16 • GenocideComments Off on Why do you read? Part two: The genocide of the Canaanites
    Why do you read? Part two: The genocide of the Canaanites

    In this podcast I’ll suggest that noticing the importance of why we read Scripture can help clarify at least the theological question about the genocide of the Canaanites. Listen to my previous two posts for more on how knowing why we read matters: Why do you read? Or: Was God married? Are you an idolater? [&hellip...

  • Introducing: Mark’s Gospel

    Jan 29, 16 • Bible Books, MarkComments Off on Introducing: Mark’s Gospel
    Introducing: Mark’s Gospel

    Mark is the first (probably) and shortest gospel. Yet it is full of tension and ends (if we accept the short ending as most likely original) mysteriously. Mark provides the key to the gospel in his introduction. After listening to this five minute introduction listen also to the whole Gospel (just over another hour)...

  • Where do you read “from”?

    Dec 12, 15 • Luke, ReadingComments Off on Where do you read “from”?
    Where do you read “from”?

    Way back, at the turn of the century, I wrote an article for  Festschrift volume: Tim Bulkeley, “Where do you read.” in Mission without Christendom: exploring the site, essays for Brian Smith (Carey Studies in Theology) Auckland: Carey Baptist College, 13-22. Among other things it noted how the assumptions and cultural baggage we bring to [&hellip...

  • Would a rose smell as sweet? What’s in a name? Genesis 22

    Would a rose smell as sweet? What’s in a name? Genesis 22

    Usually I try to present the ideas in these podcasts so that anyone can understand. However, this time if you cannot read Scripture except in translation and you have not learned to use an interlinear or computer Bible to get beyond that handicap, this podcast may be less accessible. It deals with the naming of [&hellip...

  • Jeremiah 4:23-27 Uncreation

    Dec 2, 15 • JeremiahComments Off on Jeremiah 4:23-27 Uncreation
    Jeremiah 4:23-27   Uncreation

    We looked at this passage in class last week. I’ve based this podcast on my own very literal translation (so as to make spotting how if works easier). The translation with a couple of explanatory notes is here: Jeremiah 4:23-27 (translation and notes)...

  • God the Dalek (Part One): Cotext

    Nov 13, 15 • Context, Deuteronomy, Genocide3 Comments
    God the Dalek (Part One): Cotext

    In some Bible passages, as atheists and others who want to avoid the claims of God are quick to point out, God sounds like a Dalek. Deut 7:2 is a typical case. When the LORD your God hands these nations over to you and you conquer them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaties [&hellip...

  • Decoding Revelation: the KIIC principle

    Nov 11, 15 • Context, Revelation3 Comments
    Decoding Revelation: the KIIC principle

    Well,the end of the world has passed, again 🙂 That’s the second time this year! It is the Bible that causes all the problems. or rather it is bad reading of the Bible that causes all the problems. No book is more commonly misread than Revelation. Christians keep wanting it to predict tomorrow. And boy, [&hellip...

  • Jeremiah’s fourth confession: Jer 18:18-23 the continuing drama of Jeremiah and his Yahweh

    Nov 3, 15 • Arguing with God, Complaint, JeremiahComments Off on Jeremiah’s fourth confession: Jer 18:18-23 the continuing drama of Jeremiah and his Yahweh
    Jeremiah’s fourth confession: Jer 18:18-23 the continuing drama of Jeremiah and his Yahweh

    Sorry this podcast is firstly out of order (it should have come before the last confession 😉 and then late (it should also have come a while back but I’ve been busy trying to get a paper on Isaiah finished 🙁 This fourth confession illustrates strongly both the dramatic narrative character of these “confessions” and [&hellip...

  • 1 Samuel 23:7 – 24:22: Two noble opponents

    Sep 13, 15 • 1 SamuelComments Off on 1 Samuel 23:7 – 24:22: Two noble opponents
    1 Samuel 23:7 – 24:22: Two noble opponents

    Many Old Testament stories in the history books seem to have no message but that human-beings are broken and need mending, are sinful and therefore keep spoiling God’s lovely world and hurting each other! Then along comes this story to remind us of another truth… 1 Samuel 24  is set amid political jostling and attempted [&hellip...