The Reformational

Listening and Dialogue

When it comes to controversial issues in the church there are some who claim wanting to dialogue is a bad thing. As if having conversations and trying to understand another person’s point of view leads to compromising your faith. St. Benedict begins his rule with the word “Listen”. Of course, he’s talking about listening to God, and to him as he writes the rule, but there’s also a case to be made that he’s talking about listening to each other. That relationality, and listening, might just be the foundation for Christian community. Give it a listen! Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

The Prophets

This episode focuses on the prophetic writings of the Old Testament, and how they speak to Israel’s exile and hope of restoration. By speaking to Israel, they connect to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

The Former Prophets

This episode focuses on the story of Israel being given the land, and the rise of the Davidic monarchy. (As well as a guy getting what’s coming to him with a hammer and tent peg.) Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

The Law in the Old Testament

The Old Testament law is part of God’s covenant with the people of Israel. How do we make sense of the strange laws and prohibitions in books like Leviticus? This episode will explore the purpose and function of God’s law. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

The Exodus

The Exodus is the story of God’s deliverance of the Israelites through the water. This episode explores the theological implications of this event as the pattern of God’s action throughout the biblical story. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

Genesis 12-20

This episode explores the call of Abraham and the covenant God makes in Genesis 15 and 17. We will also talk about Ishmael and Isaac, and how Abraham demonstrates Israel’s role as a priestly nation. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

Genesis 4-11

In this episode we explore the biblical story as it moves from Adam and Eve to Abraham through Cain and Abel, Noah, and the Tower of Babel. The focus will be on the impact of human sin as it reverberates out into the world, and on the corresponding acts of grace that culminates in the call Abraham. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

The Pattern of Genesis 2 & 3

Taken together, Genesis 2 & 3 provide the pattern of the Old Testament. God creates a priestly people who give in to temptation, disobey God’s Word, and end up in exile. This episode unpacks this pattern that moves from Adam and Eve, to Israel, to Jesus Christ. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

Reading Genesis 1 as an Ancient Text

In How to Read the Bible for All it’s Worth, the authors focus on the need to determine the “plain meaning” of the biblical text. This is the task of interpretation. What makes this difficult is the difference between the culture in which these texts were written, and our contemporary world. Our tendency is to bring our own presuppositions and worldviews to these ancient texts. So what does Genesis 1 say about God, humanity, and creation? That’s the focus of this episode. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

Interpreting the Bible

I’ve heard people say they don’t interpret the bible, they read it. I think I know what they mean, but it’s not a good understanding of biblical interpretation. In this episode, I explore basic principles of biblical hermeneutics that help us get to the meaning of the text. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe