The Bible For Normal People

In this episode, Pete responds to an article from The Gospel Coalition entitled, "3 Beliefs Some Progressive Christians and Atheists Share." He takes issue with the harmful rhetoric that polarizes Evangelicalism creating an "us vs. them" mentality among brothers and sisters in Christ. He points out that Progressive Christianity shouldn't be a pejorative term but one that describes a creative and inquisitive faith seeking to evolve with their understanding of the scripture. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete and Jared speak with Daniel Kirk about the Gospel of Mark. Mark's gospel goes to great lengths to provide unparalleled detail and symbolism that get more and more meaningful the deeper you traverse into the text. You'll find yourself anxious to read through it again and again! Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared speak with Trey Pearson, former lead singer of the popular Christian band Everyday Sunday. Two years ago, Trey came out publicly and lost the support of his record label, church and many friends. He shares openly about the isolation and heartbreak that he endured being ostracized from his faith community. But he found hope and joy in accepting who God made him to be. And has a renewed love for the Bible and for God through new ways of reading and thinking about scripture. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared talk to Jonathan Merritt about the language of scripture, how it's changed over the years and how our interpretation and understanding must adapt to fully appreciate what the Bible has to say. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared takes us into the book of Jeremiah and delves into some of the historical and cultural significance of the text. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode from Season 1, Jared and Pete talk to Dr. Kent Sparks about the origins of the Israelites. Along the way they get into the nature of the Bible, the nature of the Christian faith, fundamental theological issues like soteriology, and the nature of God. After all, you can't talk about anything without talking about everything. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Pete & Jared sit down with Kevin Makins, founding pastor of Eucharist Church in Hamilton, Ontario. They talk about community, how he reads the Bible and how it informs the culture of his faith community. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does the Bible have to say about politics? Nothing, really. On the other hand, a lot—but not the way many tend to think. Rather than supporting a political agenda, the biblical story challenges us to hold those agendas to account when they fail to promote justice. What is needed more then another clever politician with resources to ram things through are prophetic voices that remain distant from adopting wholesale any party ideology. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Jared & Pete talk to Brent Strawn about the Old Testament. They discuss some of the common criticisms of the Old Testament and how the modern Church has over-emphasized the New Testament much to its detriment. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared discuss the value that creeds have in shaping the way we practice our faith. And how they can sometimes fall short, as demonstrated by the modern Statement on Social Justic & The Gospel. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared & Pete talk to Mark Smith about the origin of Yahweh and how the term was understood in the first century. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared tackles the question of how to engage with people that believe differently that we do. Many times we're guilty of shutting down the conversation and alienating people with opposing viewpoints rather than seeking to hear and understand their perspective. Jared shares some excellent tools in helping us move the conversation forward. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared & Pete talk to William M. Schniedewind, professor of Near Eastern Languages & Cultures at UCLA. They discuss the challenges of accurately capturing the oral tradition of the Hebrew scriptures and what we can learn from looking at the history and context of how it was written. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bible for Normal People podcast LIVE from the Wild Goose festival. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete Enns unpacks some of the problems presented by the Bible additional. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this reissue from Season 1, Jared and Pete talk to Rachel Held Evans on wrestling with doubt, how women are portrayed in the Bible and loving the scriptures even through personal doubt and deconstruction. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared & Pete answer questions submitted from The Bible For Normal People community. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared talk with Sarah Bessey about her background in the Word of Faith movement, her deconstruction, and her journey to finding freedom in the Scriptures as she learned to read and understand it in a new way. They also discuss how to raise kids with strong faith without transferring your own doubt and theological baggage to them. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete takes a look at 9 things you need to know to get the somber book of Ecclesiastes. He cautions us against an optimistic reading as the author intends to question everything—even God. It's a book that's not for the faint of heart (or for the new believer), as you need to have weathered the storms of faith to fully appreciate the tough questions being asked . . . and ultimately, the hope found within! Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete and Jared talk with Jamie Wright, whose experience as a missionary in Costa Rica had led her to question the church, missions and evangelicalism all while retaining her deep love for and faith in Jesus. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared & Pete talk with Rob Bell about his new book, "What is the Bible" and his own evolution in his thinking about the Bible [re-broadcast of Episode 1 from March 20, 2017] Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared define critical thinking and unpack what it means to read the Bible critically. They suggest that a "God said it, that settles it" approach to scripture may not factor in the context, audience and literary style that the author employs in writing. Thinking critically about how we approach scripture allows us to experience the fullness and richness of the text. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared speak with Jeffrey Stackert about the origins of the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Old Testament. Rather than looking at the books as separate works written by Moses, they discuss the documentary hypothesis which suggests that the Pentateuch was compiled from four sources. And many of the contradictions in the text may actually be indications of converging viewpoints from editors including or omitting details to preserve the integrity of the text. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared speak with recording artist Audrey Assad about her music, her theology, and the shift from her conservative fundamentalist roots to Catholicism. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared & Pete talk to Wil Gafney about the Womanist interpretation of the Bible. In their discussion, she brings out fascinating nuances in the text and challenges the predominantly patriarchal interpretation of the past. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete (joined by his cat Marmalade) shares 10 things essential to understanding the book of Romans. He's quick to point out a number of varying opinions about this important letter and suggests that the ways in which we've come to understand Paul's writings may be incomplete at best. And the trite ways that some of the more familiar passage have been recited are far from Paul's original intent. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared & Pete talk to Craig Allert about how the canon of scripture was curated. They also discuss the doctrine of "sola scriptura" and how the intertestimental books can be beneficial in bringing addition context and detail to our understanding of scripture. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Jared walks us through the ways in which the Bible is true and in some ways untrue. He'll start by unpacking what we mean when we talk about truth and give us some helpful insights into how we can approach historical facts that sometimes seem to be at odds with the Biblical text. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jared & Pete talk to author, teacher and Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor. They discuss the many different stages and "human fingerprints" involved in getting the Bible from the original manuscripts to the printed translations that we read, including our own theological history and tradition. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete & Jared talk to William Paul Young, author of the NY Times bestselling book and feature film, "The Shack." Young describes his thought process behind his controversial portrayal of God the Father as an African-American woman and reminds us that we all bring some level of interpretation to the Biblical text. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode we have Fr. Richard Rohr to talk about a contemplative approach to the Bible. [re-broadcast from March 26, 2017 (Episode 2)] Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete and Jared discuss Deuteronomy, the so-called “Deuteronomistic History,” and why God in these books is so over-the-top angry most of the time. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, we talk with Peter Rollins about how Christians have made the Bible (along with their views of God) into a "sacred object.” And, spoiler alert: that's actually not a good thing. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Archaeologist Cynthia Shafer-Elliott turns a 2D Bible into a 3D picture by digging up artifacts from everyday ancient Israelite life. These were real people with real habits and customs that we never really see on the pages of the Bible. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Pete Enns works through 7 big-picture issues that help us see what Proverbs is all about and why the idea of Wisdom is such an absolutely central and vital biblical concept that many know very little about. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jared & Pete talk with Brian McLaren about the dangers of a "weaponized Bible" and how our own bias and interpretation may cause us to reach some incomplete conclusions. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this season 2 opener, Pete & Jared talk with Jen Hatmaker about what can happen, emotionally and relationally, when you change your mind about the Bible. And how to survive it with your faith intact. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here's a glimpse of what's coming in season 2 of The Bible for Normal People, featuring Jen Hatmaker, Barbara Brown Taylor, William Paul Young, Brian McLaren, and Cynthia Shafer-Elliot. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-bible-for-normal-people/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 1 wrap-up. Pete and Jared reflect on the first season of guests and topics and how they helped inform the big questions that drive this podcast. Season 2 is coming late January or early February 2018! Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, Pete and Jared speak with Carolyn Custis James. Carolyn is an award-winning author who thinks deeply about what it means to be a female follower of Jesus in a postmodern world. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our continuing effort to corrupt the minds of college students (because college students don't already have corrupt minds), Pete and Jared recently took a road trip to Penn State to record an episode of The Bible for Normal People in front of a live audience. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete Enns—without any adult supervision whatsoever—gives his own take on divine violence, specificially: the Flood story, the curses in Deuteronomy 28, and, of course, the one every one wants to talk about, God's command to the Israelites to wipe the Canaanites off the face of the earth and take their land. And a good time was had by all. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, Pete and Jared speak to New Testament scholar Anthony Le Donne about The Gospels as memories of Jesus rather than strictly speaking "historical" accounts. Le Donne is the author of several books on Jesus and the Gospels and also edits the Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The week’s guest is pastor and author Greg Boyd, and our topic is how the crucifixion of Jesus helps us see divine violence in the Old Testament from a fresh angle. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, Pete and Jared riff with great eloquence and profundity on three big words that come up sooner or later whenever you start talking about the Bible, especially when you start thinking about the Bible in new ways. Is the Bible still authoritative? What does that even mean? Same with Revelation and Inspiration. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, Pete and Jared speak with Drew Hart about race and the Bible. Hart is assistant professor of theology at Messiah College, author of Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, and an activist with ten years of pastoral experience. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, Jared digs deep into that theologically deep, literarily complex, and definitely not "children's story," the book of Jonah. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's episode looks at Womanist Biblical Interpretation with Pete and Jared’s guest Nyasha Junior, assistant professor in the department of religion at Temple University in Philadelphia. She writes, teaches, speaks, and frequently tweets on race, gender, religion, and their intersections. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Jared and Pete speak with Beverly Gaventa. Beverly is Distinguished Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Baylor University and Helen H.P. Manson Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis Emerita at Princeton Theological Seminary. Her latest book is called “When In Romans”. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode, Pete Enns lays out 5 things to keep in mind when reading the Adam story that will challenge your preconceptions, offer fresh points of view, and likely turn our entire political climate around for the better. Show Notes → Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices