The BEMA Podcast

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch Paul transition from a larger argument to the massive implications for how we interact in this new Kingdom.An Outline of RomansDiscussion Video for BEMA 154Transcript for BEMA 154

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings tackle the pesky idea of predestination and election.Discussion Video for BEMA 153In the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)BEMA 19: A Strengthened HeartTranscript for BEMA 153

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings let Paul teach us from the metaphor of covenants and death. If part of us died at baptism, why would we live as if we were bound?Discussion Video for BEMA 152sarx — Blue Letter BibleJoin the BEMA SlackTranscript for BEMA 152

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen to what Paul says about walking in righteousness.Discussion Video for BEMA 151The Evolution of Adam by Peter EnnsElementary Principles by D. Thomas LancasterDidache — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 151

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through Romans, addressing the question of where we find righteousness.Discussion Video for BEMA 150Prototype by Jonathan MartinTranscript for BEMA 150

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings enter into a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Romans, looking at Paul’s introductory section as he addresses this diverse group of believers.Discussion Video for BEMA 149Romans (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the PalousePederasty — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 149

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the study of Galatians and try to grapple with the implications of this gospel for Jews and Gentiles.Discussion Video for BEMA 148The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas LancasterTranscript for BEMA 148

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the importance of covenants and how they are relevant to different audiences.Galatians — Two Women, Two Covenants Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 147The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. RichterTranscript for BEMA 147

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the third chapter of Galatians, unpacking big ideas about Gentiles, their relation to the family of God, and a “curse” that Paul seems to suggest the Law brings.Discussion Video for BEMA 146Gezerah Shavah — WikipediaThe Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas LancasterTranscript for BEMA 146

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings spend time in the second chapter of Galatians, bringing some context to a much misunderstood and often misrepresented passage.Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTubeDiscussion Video for BEMA 145Backyard Tap HouseTranscript for BEMA 145

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, listening to Paul describe a gospel he received straight from Jesus, not from any human teaching.Discussion Video for BEMA 144The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas LancasterTranscript for BEMA 144

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set everything we have studied about Acts back into the context of the larger Textual narrative, wrapping up the greater story and setting the stage for the inspired letters of the New Testament.The Epilogue Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 143BEMA 7: The PrefaceJesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don GoldenBEMA Messenger #3A New Kind of Christianity by Brian D. McLarenTranscript for BEMA 143

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings circle back to a question from a few episodes ago: Did Paul experience a conversion, a repentance, or something else entirely?Discussion Video for BEMA 142BEMA 138: Unclean SheetsTranscript for BEMA 142

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see how Paul’s methodology changes and then draw some conclusions about what we see happening in his ministry.Discussion Video for BEMA 141Theater at EphesusTranscript for BEMA 141

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine how the early church community handled applying the gospel to a major cultural problem, seeking to learn from their methods and seeing what we might be able to take into our own unique settings.Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTubeDiscussion Video for BEMA 140Latest Information on BEMA TripsIn Search of Paul by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. ReedBooks by N. T. WrightBooks by E. P. SandersBooks by James D. G. DunnBooks by Mark D. NanosTranscript for BEMA 140

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings come back to the story of Saul and see what is impacting his experience and how that is calling him to impact the Greco-Roman world.Discussion Video for BEMA 139Paul’s First Missionary Journey — Bible History OnlineTranscript for BEMA 139

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings meet Saul, persecutor of Jesus, and wrestle with the questions of his identity and his experience; they also encounter the entrance of some unlikely characters into God’s narrative.Discussion Video for BEMA 138The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Oxford University Press (NRSV)Transcript for BEMA 138

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings challenge listeners to consider our methods of advancing God’s agenda and the implications of this new king and new kingdom.Discussion Video for BEMA 137BEMA 64: 3 Isaiah — ServantTranscript for BEMA 137

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings make observations about what this early church community was accomplishing together with the help of the Holy Spirit.Discussion Video for BEMA 136The Story #28: New Beginnings (‘Each One’ Rant) sermon — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 136

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the opening of the book of Acts and the beginning of the Spirit-filled movement changing the course of human history.Discussion Video for BEMA 135Caesar’s Comet — WikipediaBEMA 22: Under the ChuppahBEMA 37: A Love StoryTranscript for BEMA 135

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin to see how God’s people apply the reality of Christ into their first-century contexts.Session 4 Intro Presentation (PDF)Donate to BEMA MinistryDonate to Marty or the General FundTranscript for BEMA 134

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hold the usual capstone conversation, concluding a journey through the gospels, and reviewing the story from Genesis to John.Session 3 Capstone Presentation (PDF)Bible Book Timeline by Roger SchmidgallHow to Survive a Shipwreck by Jonathan MartinTranscript for BEMA 133

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring the discussion of the Gospels to a close with a brief look at the resurrection and the great commission.Discussion Video for BEMA 132Living Hope sermon — YouTubeThe Final Week #7: Just One Hope sermon — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 132

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the betrayals of Jesus and discuss which characters are involved in it.Discussion Video for BEMA 131BEMA 79: Silent Years — ZealotsFidelity of Betrayal by Peter RollinsTranscript for BEMA 131

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the question of who brought about Jesus’s execution, acknowledging the different characters at play and the role they each had.Discussion Video for BEMA 130BEMA 76: Silent Years — SadduceesThe Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic CrossanTranscript for BEMA 130

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for the final week of Jesus’s earthly ministry.Discussion Video for BEMA 129The Case for Christ by Lee StrobelThe Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic CrossanA Better Atonement by Tony JonesDid God Kill Jesus? by Tony JonesA Community Called Atonement by Scot McKnightTranscript for BEMA 129

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at one of the most perplexing passages of Jesus’s ministry, asking if this is about the end times or ancient times.Faithful and Wise Steward Presentation (PDF)Addendum to BEMA 128 — Marty Solomon, YouTubeDiscussion Video for BEMA 128Transcript for BEMA 128

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the list of woes Jesus gives to the Pharisees and ask what kind of person Jesus is describing.Discussion Video for BEMA 127The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic CrossanTranscript for BEMA 127

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see the religious leadership of both Pharisees and Sadducees attempting to trap Jesus with a series of testing questions, and witness the rabbinical brilliance of Jesus as a Jewish teacher.Discussion Video for BEMA 126Trapped by a Question Presentation (PDF)The Parables by Brad H. Young (cites Flusser extensively)The Parable of the Good Samaritan — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipTranscript for BEMA 126

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see Jesus go on the offensive, confronting the corrupt priesthood that rules in Jerusalem.Discussion Video for BEMA 125BEMA 80: Silent Years — PhariseesBEMA 76: Silent Years — SadduceesBEMA 51: 1 Isaiah — VineyardTranscript for BEMA 125

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the triumphal entry and Jesus’s confrontation of religious corruption on all sides.Discussion Video for BEMA 124Caesarea Maritima — WikipediaMap of Israel in New Testament Times — Wikimedia CommonsTranscript for BEMA 124

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the parable of the vineyard, a generous God, and the interactions that follow as Jesus makes his way towards Jerusalem.Discussion Video for BEMA 123Rabbi Jesus by Bruce ChiltonTranscript for BEMA 123

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings find our understanding of divorce challenged by Jesus, and an ancient discussion taking place between the rabbis about the importance and value of people.Discussion Video for BEMA 122The Ten Commandments — Aleph Beta AcademySubscribe to Aleph Beta AcademyBEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.Transcript for BEMA 122

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the many teachings of Matthew 18, including some parables and rabbinic insights from Jesus.Discussion Video for BEMA 121Love Wins by Rob BellErasing Hell by Francis ChanBEMA 36: The Redemption CycleThe Queen You Thought You Knew by Rabbi David FohrmanBEMA 70: Esther — PurimThe Parable of the Unforgiving Servant — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipTranscript for BEMA 121

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration as Jesus talks about his exodus with Moses and Elijah.Discussion Video for BEMA 120The BEMA MessengerShaping Faith #5: Fasting sermon — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 120

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine Peter’s great confession at Caesarea Philippi and the intense conversation that follows.The Gates of Hell Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 119On the Early Church: Conquering the Gates of Hell — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)The BEMA MessengerTranscript for BEMA 119

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of the feeding of the four thousand and watch the disciples struggle to apply its meaning.Discussion Video for BEMA 118Map of Tyre and Sidon in relation to the GalileeSign Up for the BEMA MessengerTranscript for BEMA 118

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Dr. Christopher Gambino, talk about Jesus’s critique of rabbinic traditions and the surprise he encounters in the region of Phoenicia.Discussion Video for BEMA 117Dr. Christopher Gambino on TwitterThe Shuvah ProjectTranscript for BEMA 117

Brent Billings introduces the story of Peter walking on water and Marty Solomon interacts with it by sharing some of his thoughts originally written years ago.Discussion Video for BEMA 116In the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)Velvet Elvis by Rob BellNOOMA 008: Dust by Rob BellShe Giggled (Part 1) — Covered in His DustShe Giggled (Part 2) — Covered in His DustPrototype by Jonathan MartinTranscript for BEMA 116

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Dr. Christopher Gambino, look at Jesus’s time in Nazareth, pass briefly through the beheading of John the Baptist, and land in the story of feeding the 5000.Discussion Video for BEMA 115Dr. Christopher Gambino on TwitterThe Evangelists’ Calendar by M. D. GoulderThe Shuvah ProjectTranscript for BEMA 115

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Corey Knadler, look at the final parable in the string of teachings found in Matthew 13, searching for the p’shat, remez, and drash found in the story of fish caught in a net.Discussion Video for BEMA 114Corey Knadler on TwitterWhy the Midrash Has Abraham Thrown into Nimrod’s Furnace — TheTorah.comTranscript for BEMA 114

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Corey Knadler, discuss the next two parables of Jesus in Matthew 13.Discussion Video for BEMA 113Corey Knadler on TwitterTranscript for BEMA 113

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings try to learn from Jesus’s puzzling explanation for the parable of the weeds.Discussion Video for BEMA 112Transcript for BEMA 112

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at two intimately connected parables in the stories of a crazy farmer and his mustard seed, and a credulous woman and her baked goods.Discussion Video for BEMA 111BEMA 11: Here I AmThe Parable of the Leaven — LeAnn Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipSermons — Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State UniversityTranscript for BEMA 111

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings learn how to engage the methods of rabbinical teaching and unpack what a rabbi is trying to accomplish with his cryptic instructions.Addendum to BEMA 110 — Marty Solomon, YouTubeDiscussion Video for BEMA 110Hayamim: A Proposal [this event happened in 2019]BEMA 12: A Mission RealizedJewish Hermeneutics — Covered in His DustTranscript for BEMA 110

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin an exciting trip through the parables of Jesus, starting with his conversation about four different soils.Discussion Video for BEMA 109Hayamim: A Proposal [this event happened in 2019]BEMA 27: Images of the Desert — Rotem and AcaciaTranscript for BEMA 109

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the critique of the Pharisees who want to write off Jesus’s ministry as the work of evil. They also see Jesus field their request for a sign.Discussion Video for BEMA 108Beelzebub — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 108

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a verse-by-verse examination of the gospel of Matthew by dealing with the Sabbath and rabbinical arguments surrounding Torah.Discussion Video for BEMA 107Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish TextsBEMA 25: A Kingdom of What?Transcript for BEMA 107

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine Jesus as he moves on from John the Baptist and begins to confront the religious worldview around him.Discussion Video for BEMA 106Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. BaileySitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois TverbergWalking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois TverbergReading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois TverbergNew Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus by David BivinThe Secret Message of Jesus by Brian D. McLarenPaRDeS (Jewish exegesis) — WikipediaBEMA 61: Ezekiel — StrengthTranscript for BEMA 106

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear what appears to be the doubt of John the Baptist and the challenging response of Jesus that honors him.An Explosive Kingdom Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 105BEMA 91: Tavilah T’Shuvah“Sheep going through a gate, North Yorkshire moors” — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 105