The BEMA Podcast

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen to the second major discourse given by Jesus as he sends out his disciples on a mission to bring the Kingdom.Discussion Video for BEMA 104Matthew — BibleProjectMatthew Poster — BibleProjectBEMA 50: Micah — JudgeTranscript for BEMA 104

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the ninth chapter of Matthew, seeing a handful of stories where Jesus brings shalom to the chaos of others.Healing in His Wings Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 103Transcript for BEMA 103

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of a paralyzed man and his faithfully determined friends who inspire his healing.Addendum to BEMA 102 — Marty Solomon, YouTubeDiscussion Video for BEMA 102BEMA 80: Silent Years — PhariseesJesus H. Christ, Part 11: And Now the H — The RobCast, Episode 221BEMA 62: Daniel — Son of ManTranscript for BEMA 102

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue in Matthew’s narrative by jumping to the gospel of Mark, traveling to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.Discussion Video for BEMA 101BEMA 88: Setting the StageTranscript for BEMA 101

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch as Jesus brings the Kingdom to the brokenness of the world around him, observing the surprising responses of those who encounter it.Discussion Video for BEMA 100Transcript for BEMA 100

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the Sermon on the Mount, talking about gates, trees, fools, and houses.Discussion Video for BEMA 99Sermon on the Mount #10: Trees and Fruit sermon — YouTubeBEMA 29: Images of the Desert — Wadi and En GediTranscript for BEMA 99

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discover how worry leads to judgment, and judgment leads to muddy pearls.Discussion Video for BEMA 98Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois TverbergSitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois TverbergThe Divine Conspiracy by Dallas WillardTranscript for BEMA 98

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the Sermon on the Mount, looking at Jesus’s teachings on generosity, prayer, and fasting.Discussion Video for BEMA 97Donate to Impact Campus MinistriesSermon on the Mount #6: Prayer and Fasting sermon — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 97

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the fifth chapter of Matthew, surveying the many examples Jesus gives for properly interpreting the Text.Discussion Video for BEMA 96The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas WillardJesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris HawThe Irresistible Revolution by Shane ClaiborneBEMA 25: A Kingdom of What?Transcript for BEMA 96

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the next few verses in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus speaks of the relationship between his teaching and the teachings of the Hebrew scriptures.Discussion Video for BEMA 95BEMA 64: 3 Isaiah — ServantTranscript for BEMA 95

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings resume looking at the opening teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and how he sets the stage for his interpretation of Torah.Discussion Video for BEMA 94BEMA 35: Crossroads of the EarthBEMA 56: Jeremiah — WeepingLove Wins by Rob BellTranscript for BEMA 94

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the gospel of Matthew and into the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.Discussion Video for BEMA 93Rabbi Jesus by Bruce ChiltonBEMA 74: Silent Years — SynagogueThe Divine Conspiracy by Dallas WillardTranscript for BEMA 93

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the stories of Jesus’s baptism and temptation.How to Bring Order Out of Chaos Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 92BEMA 1: Trust the StoryBEMA 2: Knowing When to Say “Enough”BEMA 4: His Bow in the CloudsBEMA 5: A Misplaced CurseBEMA 20: With All Your HeartBEMA 21: With All Your Soul & “Very”Transcript for BEMA 92

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the third chapter of the gospel of Matthew, uncovering the ministry of John the Baptist.Discussion Video for BEMA 91Complete Jewish Bible by David SternJewish New Testament Commentary by David SternBEMA 42: The Fire of ElijahTranscript for BEMA 91

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish looking at the story of the birth of Jesus, juxtaposing two kings and the kingdoms that they bring.A Gospel of Two Kingdoms Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 90Herod the Great — WikipediaMasada — WikipediaHerodium — WikipediaCaesar’s Comet — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 90

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the trek through the gospel narrative of Matthew and the life and ministry of Jesus, starting with a look at the story of the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi.Discussion Video for BEMA 89Prepare the Way #5: In Our Present sermon — YouTubeMen Askaenos in Antioch of Pisidia — WikipediaThe Real Meaning of the Zodiac by D. James KennedyThe Nativity Story (2006 film)Picture of the Bull in the HouseTranscript for BEMA 89

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for our journey through the gospels by looking at the geographical region of the Galilee where Jesus did most of his ministry.Setting the Stage Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 88Transcript for BEMA 88

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings spend time in the gospel of John, investigating the different tools he uses in speaking to his particular audience.Discussion Video for BEMA 87Map of Asia and Asia MinorTranscript for BEMA 87

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the gospel of Luke and wrestle with the many perspectives regarding his audience and his agenda.Discussion Video for BEMA 86The Evangelists’ Calendar by M. D. GoulderPoet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. BaileyTranscript for BEMA 86

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the gospel narrative of Mark, noting his distinct audience and the intentional methods he used to communicate the euangelion to them.Discussion Video for BEMA 85Transcript for BEMA 85

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the record of Matthew, attempting to understand his unique agenda as he presents the life and ministry of his Rabbi Jesus.Discussion Video for BEMA 84Didache — WikipediaMamzer — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 84

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at the ancient use of gospel (euangelion in Greek) and how the New Testament writers are subversively playing off of this Greco-Roman idea.Discussion Video for BEMA 83The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. GundryRoman air conditioning — Twitter (thread)Transcript for BEMA 83

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrestle with the questions surrounding the authorship of the Text.Discussion Video for BEMA 82Documentary Hypothesis — WikipediaBEMA 71: The Prophetic TableBEMA 62: Daniel — Son of ManSilent Years — Welcome to Hellenism Presentation (PDF)Transcript for BEMA 82

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the perfect timing spoken of in Galatians 4:4 in reference to the coming of Jesus in his cultural context. We also wrestle with the personal implications of the different responses to Hellenism in our world today.Discussion Video for BEMA 81Rising Strong by Brené BrownTranscript for BEMA 81

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Megan Gambino, near the end of our journey through the silent years and the context of Jesus’s ministry, examining the Pharisees.Silent Years — Pharisees Presentation (PDF)Addendum to BEMA 80 — Marty Solomon, YouTubeDiscussion Video for BEMA 80Megan Gambino on InstagramMegan’s Website [no longer available]BEMA 74: Silent Years — SynagogueTranscript for BEMA 80

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, joined by special guest Megan Gambino, continue the journey through the silent years and the context of Jesus’s ministry, examining the group known as the Zealots.Silent Years — Zealots Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 79Megan Gambino on InstagramMegan’s Website [no longer available]Transcript for BEMA 79

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a look at the responses to Hellenism in the world of first-century Judaism, this time examining the group known as the Essenes.Silent Years — Essenes Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 78Qumran — WikipediaDead Sea Scrolls — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 78

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a look at the responses to Hellenism in the world of first-century Judaism, this time examining the group known as Herodians.Silent Years — Herodians Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 77Sepphoris (Zippori) — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 77

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin an in-depth look at the five different responses to Hellenism in the first-century world of Judaism by examining the priestly group known as the Sadducees.Silent Years — Sadducees Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 76Transcript for BEMA 76

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, joined by special guest Jim Feicht, continue their examination of the context of the world of Jesus. The last episode covered the context of Judaism specifically, whereas this episode covers the context of the surrounding culture.Silent Years — Welcome to Hellenism Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 75Jim Feicht on TwitterHellas — WikipediaEmpire of Alexander the Great — WikipediaTranscript for BEMA 75

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Jim Feicht. They begin the journey into the historical context of the world of Jesus, looking at the new Judaism that arose from the ashes of exile.Silent Years — Synagogue Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 74Jim Feicht on TwitterIn the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)NOOMA 008: Dust by Rob BellTranscript for BEMA 74

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings introduce the third session of the BEMA Podcast with special guest Jim Feicht, discussing what to expect in the upcoming session and reviewing where we have been to this point.Session 3 Intro Presentation (PDF)Jim Feicht on TwitterNOOMA 019: Open by Rob BellTranscript for BEMA 73

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give a summary of the prophets and the writings at the conclusion of Session 2 of the podcast.Session 2 Capstone Presentation (PDF)Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory BoyleImpact Campus MinistriesTranscript for BEMA 72

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the multifaceted dialogue and the many voices found within the prophets that represent the battling perspectives found in the world of God’s people as they attempt to respond to the effects of exile.Discussion Video for BEMA 71Out of Babylon by Walter BrueggemannTranscript for BEMA 71

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the book of Esther and the story that lies behind the celebration of Purim.Discussion Video for BEMA 70The Queen You Thought You Knew by Rabbi David FohrmanThe Story #20: The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 70

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the message of Malachi, seeing how he utilizes a question-and-answer format to prophetically speak to the people of God.Discussion Video for BEMA 69Out of Babylon by Walter BrueggemannTranscript for BEMA 69

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings study the apocalyptic message of Zechariah, a contemporary to Haggai, who sought to encourage God’s people with image-driven messages of forthcoming hope.Discussion Video for BEMA 68Transcript for BEMA 68

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings read through the prophecy of Haggai and find that the real issues rarely change—past, present, or future.Discussion Video for BEMA 67Transcript for BEMA 67

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the different leadership styles seen during the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.Discussion Video for BEMA 66BEMA Discipleship on FacebookTranscript for BEMA 66

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings move into the fourth voice of Isaiah, seen in chapters 55–66. We hear the compelling promise of restoration for God’s people and the invitation for them to become the people they were meant to be.Discussion Video for BEMA 651 Isaiah — Vineyard Presentation (PDF)Faith Unraveled by Rachel Held EvansSabbath as Resistance by Walter BrueggemannTranscript for BEMA 65

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings challenge the typical understanding of the voice of Isaiah, taking a look at the servant discourse in chapters 40–54.Discussion Video for BEMA 64Out of Babylon by Walter BrueggemannTranscript for BEMA 64

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discover that the famous story of Job is so much more than we ever realized.Discussion Video for BEMA 63NOOMA 012: Matthew by Rob BellLiterary Structure (Chiasm) of the BibleNOOMA 024: Whirlwind by Rob BellTranscript for BEMA 63

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the book of Daniel and its persistent and sometimes hidden message of perseverance.Daniel — Son of Man Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 62Double Rainbow — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 62

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the apocalyptic visions of Ezekiel and his message of encouragement to a people trapped in exile.Discussion Video for BEMA 61Transcript for BEMA 61

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the words of prophet Joel speaking to God’s people about the hope that exists, even in the midst of utter destruction.Discussion Video for BEMA 60Transcript for BEMA 60

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the shortest prophet in Tanakh—the book of Obadiah—and its condemnation of the nation of Edom for their lack of care for their brother and their neighbor.Obadiah — Petra Presentation (PDF)Discussion Video for BEMA 59Transcript for BEMA 59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into one of Marty’s favorite prophecies: the book of Habakkuk. They examine the complaints submitted by the prophet and his ensuing dialogue with God.Discussion Video for BEMA 58Transcript for BEMA 58

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the often-avoided book of Lamentations and the shocking space it creates for the dark things that need to be grieved.Discussion Video for BEMA 57Learning to Lament, Part 1: The Culture of Denial — The RobCast, Episode 92Learning to Lament, Part 2: Widow, Slave, Mother — The RobCast, Episode 93Learning to Lament, Part 3: She’s Finding Her Voice — The RobCast, Episode 94Learning to Lament, Part 4: As Deep as the Sea — The RobCast, Episode 95Learning to Lament, Part 5: Skirts and Virgins — The RobCast, Episode 96Transcript for BEMA 57

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin our journey through the Babylonian prophets, examining the famous weeping prophet: Jeremiah.Discussion Video for BEMA 56The Disciple Scroll by Allan RabinowitzLove Wins by Rob BellErasing Hell by Francis ChanTranscript for BEMA 56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the Assyrian period of history by looking at one of the most distressing prophets: the voice of 2 Isaiah as he delivers numerous woes to the nations of the world, including God’s people. Yet even this is not void of hope as we see it scattered throughout today’s portion of Text.Discussion Video for BEMA 55Transcript for BEMA 55