Better Than Fiction Bible Podcast

(Genesis 21:8-9) The last episode of the year! Thank you to all our listeners for a fantastic year of Biblical Discussions. This episode: a brother teases a brother, and the family is never the same.

When Matt is away, Gandalf and Nathan Vanhorn will play. Join us as we delve into completely unknown territory: The New Testament!

(Genesis 21:4) You've seen us do whole episodes on one verse, but have you seen us do our longest episode yet on just one word? Like we always say, there's always more, not less when it comes to the Bible. One word can make all the difference when interpreted by different people.

(Genesis 21) The gang's all here. We got: polemic, look, see, take, laughter, and above all a child with help from the Lord.

Welcome to the first episode of Season 4! Leave us a message at our website betterthanfictionbiblepodcast.com

After 100 episode of exploring the Biblical narrative, the crew finally make the jump to the New Testament. View this special live video episode at www.betterthanfictionbiblepodcast.com

(Genesis 19:29-38) We've seen this before and it should come as no surprise; In the ancient world family lines are EVERYTHING. So, if this passage feels familiar to you, think about why. Nothing in this story is by mistake.

(Genesis 19:8) Today, things get more heavy and somber than what is typical of the show. It all boils down to one question: "How many Daughters did Lot have?" It might sound like an easy question, but as we have so often learned in reading genesis; there more (not less) to this story.

(Genesis 19) Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt; a result of an angry God, or a final rejection of rescue? We'll find out what the ancients thought about this whole thing. And also, Nathan sings a bunch .

(Genesis 19) How can Lot be called righteous? After all, he’s shown to do some shady stuff, yet the New Testament names him “Righteous”. Like with everything else we’ve seen there really is more (not less) to the story that meets the eye.

(Genesis 19: 1-22) The door is quickly closing on Sodom, and Lot makes one last attempt to save anyone who would be saved.

(Genesis 19:1-11) Zombies, Halo, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings....This is a Bible podcasts right? Blending complementary things can be fun. but find out what happens when some cross the boundaries that God has put in place. As we learn in this episode, God boundaries aren't there for no reason.

(Genesis 19:1-11) The Wizard-less trilogy come to an end, and the story Sodom and Gamora begins in Ernest. We begin with a simple question: Is it wrong to live in Sodom? “Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you”

(Genesis 13:8-13) What do the Hunger Games, The Walking Dead, and the Lorax have in common? Beats me, I wasn't there. I guess we'll just have to listen together.

(Genesis 18:22) Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him. Matt and Nathan Vanhorn delve into the story to answer a simple question: What is the benefit of a Saint's prayer?

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(Genesis 18:16-33) Visit betterthanfictionbiblepodcast.com to see our first live episode!

(Genesis 18:16-21) We got a great show for you today! Lunchables, Star Wars, Michael Bay, Divine beings, and intercession. .

(Genesis 18) And we’re back. Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational podcast. Today we talk about a scandalous topic…or do we?

(Genesis 18:1-8) What do you do when God and His spiritual posse roll up while you're chilling in your tent? Abraham's response is a good place to start. We love connecting dots, and this episode is full of them. What do oaks, meals, divine visitors, and miraculous babies have in common? It means the author is trying to get you to pay close attention!

(Genesis 17:22-27) Nathan Vanhorn is not here, you know what that means, anything could happen. Guess what? We are going back to circumcision for the second time in a month, but don’t blame us we didn’t write the Bible. It’s a bit of an embarrassing topic, but like we always say: It’s more not less.

(Genesis 17:15-21)Ok, we are no longer talking about circumcision. Let’s talk about something a little more pleasant; Babies. Or more specifically, a baby. We are only 17 chapters into the Bible, but already we’ve seen several times God used the promise of a baby to change everything. This week: The return of Hook, talk of Theological systems, and Adam Sandler is not funny.

(Genesis 17:9-14) Get all the giggles out now, we’re all going to be mature adults about this. Today’s episode is about circumcision, and I don’t want the discussion to get cut off. No matter how you slice it, this is a topic of upmost importance to ancient Jewish readers.

(Genesis 17:3-8) What is the best Nolan movie? What date was modern Israel founded? When is Matt's anniversary? Who does Israel belong to? All these questions and more will be answered in today's episode.

(Genesis 17: 3-8) There are things going on that you can’t see. Not a conspiracy theory, literally things you can’t see. The players in the Bible narrative where not fiction characters, they lived in a real and storied world just like we do today. That world affected how it’s story interacted with theirs, and understanding how can help modern readers gain insight into the actions and motives of Biblical characters. Also, we talk about Spider-Man at one point.     

(Genesis 17: 1-8) The crew is once again united and ready to move into a new chapter of Genesis. We’ve seen the importance of names in The Story before, and this is no exception. A name for God and a new name for Abram, along with a promise that will shape the direction The Story from now on. Also, there’s some talk about the FBI, threats to the listeners, and Jason Webb.

(Genesis 16: 7-11) We’ve seen many references to angel and spiritual beings in the text, but what makes “The Angel of the Lord” different from the rest? Matt and Nathan Vanhorn discuss this topic in the absence of Gandalf and prove once and for all that they can record an episode all on their own.

(Genesis 16) Things are getting weird this week, but not in the text. An off-hand comment sends the Better than Fiction Crew down a rabbit hole that reveals clarity where once there was confusion. And Nathan Vanhorn sings, pop culture references are made, and Chapter 16 gets stretched out for another episode. So, not that weird after all.

(Genesis 16) You think you have family drama? Well, you’ve probably never been taken from your homeland and then been driven into the wilderness. But you probably have been in the spiritual wilderness. Just like Hagar, God sees you and is far more gracious than man.  

(Genesis 16) After many episodes, the crew leaves Genesis 15 behind and begins a new journey in Chapter 16. There is often more going on in the text of the Bible than what is immediately apparent, and other times it’s actually less complicated than you think. It’s tempting to read our own culture and customs into the text, but it’s important to remember that the Bible was written in a different place and time. This week: Superfans, Surrogate mothers, and Tom Hanks.

(Genesis 15:12-20) Not everything is as it first seems. The Bible uses genealogies, time, and now space to get it’s message across. Looking back on previously understood stories may reveal new truths. This week:  Jebusites, iniquity, maps, and  The Death Star.      Hook is a bad movie

(Genesis 12-21) Everything that follows, is a result of what you see here. My responses are limited, you must ask the right questions. "How long is a Generation?"I'm sorry, that is not the right question."Did God wait to free Israel from slavery?"That, is the right question.

(Genesis 15:12-21) This guy Abram, he’s great, really great, everyone says so. They come up to me and they say “Abram, his faith, it’s really outstanding”. Terrific guy. Wonderful guy. The dreams he’s having and deal’s he’s making, I’ve been saying it forever. I’ll just go ahead and say it: someone really loves this guy.

(Genesis 15:7-17) From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. We celebrate and discuss life changes this week, both our own and Abrams.

(Genesis 15:6) Gandalf and Nathan continue to explore the question of Abram’s Faith, and it relation to the faith of modern Christians. Naturally there’s some singing, pop-culture references, and the acknowledgement of our slow pace. It’s the podcast you know and love.

(Genesis 15:6) Nathan and Gandalf discuss (among other things) The faith of Abram, the writings of Paul, and Spielberg’s best water based movie.

(Genesis 15:1-5) What do you see when you look up at the stars? Flaming balls of gas burning billions of miles away? The Kings of the past? Nothing at all because of light pollution? Abram saw much more than that, thanks to the promises of God.

See the Listening Guide @ www.betterthanfictionbiblepodcast.com

(Genesis 15:1-6) Do you want to know who “Eliezer” is? He is all around, even now in this very room. I offer you a choice: You take the blue pill—the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill—you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.

(Genesis 14:7-24)  It was the best of times, It was the worst of times. But this isn’t Dickens we’re talking about and the two cites in questions are far from London and France.  This week we discuss a character from the Bible that you might never have heard of, and which good reason because he’s barely in it.

(Genesis 14: 1-16) We got it all for you this week: Giants, Callbacks, Nathan’s Hebrew accent, and more than one Lord of the Rings reference. Come hear about Father Abraham’s crack commando unit rescue Lot and plunder even more stuff. Also, hear this story of the Promised Land the way Israel did (or should have).

(Genesis 13) Imagine being so wealthy that you had to separate from your family. That’s where Abram and Lot are right now. But like we say every week: “There is more, not less to this story”

(Genesis 12:10-20) Tell me if you’ve heard this one before. You know, the one about Egyptians, plagues, and Pharaoh letting God’s people go. No not that one, the other one. This week: Abram makes some questionable choices and plants seeds of unforeseen consequences.  

(Genesis 12:1-8) Welcome to a very special episode of the show, now featuring 100% less Matt. That's right, it's another two person episode and this week we are talking about land....exciting I know. But tune in anyway because it's like we always say: It's always more, not less.

Family Tree graph: https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/746024993682358327/935237037525725265/unknown.png

(Genesis 11:27 – 12:3) ELECTION! There I said it. But it’s not a scary theological word, It’s an important concept we need to understand to help connect the dots of Abraham’s story. Also, it might used in a way you have never heard before. Strap in, this week: The White House, Chosen people, Matt’s Jokes, and The Princess Bride.  

What makes a person worthy to be chosen by God? Is it fate?, destiny?, election?, luck? Might be more (or less) to this some might think. This week we talk Jews, qualifications, dissertations, and schoolyard football.  

(Genesis 1-11) The slingshot is pulled back and ready to fire, the pieces have been laid out on the board, and the prelude to the greatest narrative is complete. But before all that, let’s take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been, and where we are going. Recaps, Covid, Yoda impressions, and new understandings on this week’s episode.  

We’ve come along way since Eden, but once again it’s time for humanity to leave and be changed forever. Join us on this wrap up of the City of Babel and get a look at what is to come. This week: Sons of God, Traitors, and the Death Star.

Pain, suffering, and misfortune: what does the heavenly counsel have to do with it? Today, we look at Job and his understanding of heavenly matter. When it comes to tough questions about God, you don’t have to know the answer, but don’t explain them away. This week: The Devil you know, Muppets, Publicists, and Peter Rabbit.