The Biblical Mind
The Biblical Mind is a podcast dedicated to helping its audience understand the deep structures of Scripture. It is published by the Center for Hebraic Thought, a hub for research and resources promoting biblical literacy and the intellectual world of the Bible.
Episodes
Should Christians Watch Horror Movies? Fear as a Spiritual Teacher (Kutter Callaway) Ep. #259
Can Christians watch horror movies? Is horror merely entertainment, or can it reveal profound theological truths? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson sits down with theologian and film scholar Dr. Kutter Callaway to explore why horror has become one of today's most influential storytelling genres—and why Christians should take it seriously.
Drawing from his new book, Be Afrai
Were Ancient Synagogues Town Halls with a Torah? (Jordan Ryan) Ep. #258
What were synagogues actually like in the time of Jesus? Were they places of worship, centers of local government, or something entirely different?
In this episode, archaeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Jordan Ryan joins Dru Johnson to challenge common assumptions about ancient synagogues. Drawing on archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the New
Israel, Palestine, & Christian Responsibility: A Challenging Conversation (Fisk & Bannoura) Ep #257
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dru Johnson sits down with theologians Daniel Bannoura and Bruce Fisk, contributors to Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza, to explore the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of Palestinian Christian experience. Drawing on history, theology, and personal experience, Bannoura and Fisk argue that the crisis in Gaza cannot be understood apart
Reimagining Biblical Politics: A New Podcast (Michael Rhodes, Marshall Teague) Ep. #256
What does the Bible actually say about politics, and how should Christians engage public life in an age of division and polarization?
In this inaugural episode of Reimagining Biblical Politics, biblical scholar Michael Rhodes joins co-host Marshall Teague to explore the foundational claim at the heart of Scripture: God reigns. Rather than offering partisan talking points or commentary on current p
Are we Doomed to Lonely and Isolated Lives? No. (Alan Noble) Ep. #255
What does it mean to truly live well in an age of loneliness, distraction, and endless self-improvement advice?
In this episode, Dru Johnson sits down with Alan Noble to discuss his new book on the seven Christian virtues and why recovering ancient wisdom may be the key to human flourishing today. Together they explore how virtues such as courage, temperance, prudence, justice, faith, hope, and lo
When Helping Still Hurts (Brian Fikkert) Ep. #254
In this episode, Dru Johnson interviews Dr. Brian Fikkert about poverty, charity, economic development, and the role of the church in helping vulnerable communities flourish. Drawing from decades of experience in poverty alleviation and Christian mission, Fikkert explains why many well-intentioned efforts to help the poor can unintentionally create dependency, undermine dignity, and fail to
Are There Other Gods in the Bible?: James Duguid on Divine Council (James Duguid) Ep. #253
Did the biblical authors believe in a divine council of heavenly beings surrounding God? In this episode, Dru Johnson sits down with Hebrew Bible scholar Jamie Duguid to unpack one of the most controversial debates in modern biblical scholarship: the meaning of “sons of God” in Deuteronomy 32 and the growing influence of Michael Heiser’s Divine Council worldview.
The conversation explores the Hebr
Is Job a Trauma Survivor?: Suffering, PTSD, and Healing in the Bible (Michelle Keener) Ep. #252
What if the Book of Job is not primarily about explaining suffering—but about surviving trauma?
In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson sits down with Old Testament scholar and licensed therapist Michelle Keener to explore the Book of Job through the lens of trauma, PTSD, lament, and healing. Drawing from her book Comfort from the Ashes, Keener argues that the long poetic section
What Hegseth Gets Wrong About Pharisees (Jeffrey Garcia) Bonus Episode
In this episode, biblical scholar Jeffrey Garcia joins Dru Johnson to unpack one of the most misunderstood groups in the New Testament: the Pharisees. Prompted by recent public comments from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the conversation explores how the term “Pharisee” has often been used as a caricature for hypocrisy—and why that misunderstanding can contribute to anti-Jewish and anti-Semi
Vocation vs. Career vs. Calling (Steven Garber) Ep. #251
What does it truly mean to have a vocation—and how is it different from a career? In this thought-provoking conversation, Steven Garber and Dru Johnson explore the deep disconnect between faith and everyday work, challenging the dualism that separates “spiritual” callings from ordinary life.
Garber argues that vocation is not reserved for clergy or religious roles but is integral to the mission of
C.S. Lewis Under the Microscope: Biblical Accuracy, Errors, and Influence (Leslie Baynes) Ep. #250
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Leslie Baynes explores the complex relationship between C.S. Lewis and the Bible. While Lewis is widely celebrated for his theological insight and literary brilliance, Baynes’ research uncovers a more nuanced reality—one where Lewis occasionally misquotes scripture, relies heavily on memory, and even attributes statements to Jesus that do not appear in
Rethinking Women in Ministry: From Genesis to Paul (Preston Sprinkle) Ep. #249
What does the Bible actually say about women in church leadership—and are we asking the wrong questions? In this episode, Dru Johnson sits down with biblical scholar Preston Sprinkle to explore the complex, often misunderstood topic of gender roles in Scripture. Drawing from his book From Genesis to Junia, Sprinkle shares his “exegetical journey,” a multi-year study that avoids predetermined concl
Inside the Bible Business: The Story behind Publishing the NIV (Paul Caminiti) Ep. #248
In this episode, former Bible publisher Paul Caminiti shares an insider look at the global Bible industry, revealing surprising truths about how Scripture is translated, marketed, and consumed. From his leadership role at Zondervan to overseeing millions of Bible sales annually, Caminiti uncovers the business dynamics behind modern Bible publishing—including why Bibles remain the bestselling book
Was Paul a Philosopher? Rethinking the Apostle as Rabbi and Thinker (Joseph Dodson) Ep. #247
How should we understand Paul—as a rabbi, a philosopher, or something else entirely?
In this episode, Dr. Joseph Dodson explores Paul as a figure who operates within both Jewish and Greco-Roman intellectual worlds. Rather than forcing a choice between “rabbi” or “philosopher,” the discussion shows how Paul embodies elements of both. He is deeply trained in the Scriptures of Israel and interprets t
Bible First: The Bible And Politics Go Great Together, But How? (Mike Tolliver) Ep. #246
In this episode, Mike Tolliver and Dru Johnson reflect on the inaugural Bible First conference on politics, assessing both its successes and its limitations. Designed to “cut through the noise” of contemporary political commentary, the conference aimed to resource Christians with biblically grounded thinking rather than culturally inherited assumptions.
The conversation highlights a central tens
The Truth About Iran: Religion, Power, & the Rise of Underground Churches (Farhad Rezaei) Ep. #245
Is Iran truly an Islamic nation—or is that a misconception shaped by politics and media?
In this episode, Dru Johnson speaks with political scientist Dr. Farhad Rezaei, who offers an insider’s perspective on religion, culture, and power in modern Iran. Contrary to common assumptions, Rezaei explains that only a minority of Iranians actively identify as Muslim, with many describing themselves as se
Where Is the Ark of the Covenant? Legends, Evidence, & Real Possibilities (Chris McKinny) Ep. #244
What happened to the Ark of the Covenant—and why does it still capture the imagination of both scholars and the public?
In this episode, Dru Johnson speaks with archaeologist Dr. Chris McKinny about his documentary Legends of the Lost Ark and the enduring mystery surrounding Israel’s most sacred object. McKinny explains that while many assume the Ark was destroyed in the Babylonian invasion, the b
Embodied Knowing: Polanyi, Scripture, and the End of the Mind-Body Divide (Dru Johnson) Ep. #243
Why does Michael Polanyi matter—and why should Christians care?
In this episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver reflect on the Hebraic Thought Community’s recent book study of Personal Knowledge and explore why Polanyi’s work remains so influential. A chemist-turned-philosopher, Polanyi challenged the modern view of knowledge as detached, purely mental, and objective. Instead, he argued that all kn
Antisemitism and the Holocaust: Or, How Normal People Become Killers (David Pileggi) Ep. #242
Is the Holocaust fading from living memory—and if so, what are the consequences?
In this sobering and historically grounded conversation, Dru Johnson speaks with longtime Jerusalem resident and Anglican rector David Pileggi about why the Holocaust must be understood not merely as Jewish history, but as a defining event in modern human history. Pileggi argues that the Holocaust was not simply a tra
Syndicated: The Bible Bar - Genesis 1 (Joshua Berman & K Lawson Younger) Ep. #241
In this syndicated episode, The Biblical Mind features the inaugural release of The Bible Bar, a new podcast from Bar-Ilan University hosted by Dr. Joshua Berman. The first episode dives into one of the most debated chapters in Scripture: Genesis 1.
Dr. Berman welcomes eminent Assyriologist and Old Testament scholar Lawson Younger to explore how the biblical creation account relates to ancient Nea
Is “I’m Sorry” Biblical? Honor, Social Order, and Forgiveness in Scripture (Joshua Berman) Ep.#240
Does it matter whether we feel sorry when we ask for forgiveness?
In this conversation, Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman returns to discuss the surprising findings of his long-term research into forgiveness in the Hebrew Bible. The biblical word slicha (“forgiveness”) appears only in relation to God—not between people. In fact, there is no word for “apology” in biblical Hebrew.
So how were offenses resolve
Love, Justice, and the American Prison System: A Biblical Rethink (Abigail Pasiuk) Ep. #239
In this eye-opening conversation, PhD researcher Abigail Pasiuk joins Dr. Dru Johnson to explore how the Hebrew Bible can inform modern conversations about mass incarceration. Drawing on her personal experience—her father’s time in federal prison—and academic research at Oxford, Abby offers a theologically rich critique of retributive justice models prevalent in the U.S. prison system.
She explain
Archaeology of the Everyday: Grounded Theology in Ancient Israel (Backfish & Shafer-Elliott) Ep. #238
What if theology isn’t something abstract but grows directly from the soil beneath our feet? In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott and Dr. Libby Backfish discuss their new book Grounded Theology, which argues that Israel’s theological reflections were deeply intertwined with daily life—especially as subsistence farmers in a land marked by both promise and struggle.
Drawing on archaeological
Redeeming Eden & Eve: How the Bible Strategically Uplifts Women (Ingrid Faro) Ep. #237
Why does Scripture so often portray women as central to God’s work of redemption—even in stories of deep dysfunction and failure? In this episode, Dr. Ingrid Faro, Old Testament scholar and interim president of Northern Seminary, joins Dru Johnson to explore her groundbreaking work in Redeeming Eden: How Women in the Bible Advance the Story of Salvation.
Dr. Faro shares how her personal journey th
Seeing What’s Really There: A Guide to Biblical Allusions (Matt Swale) Ep. #236
Can you trust that viral “Bible connection” you just saw on TikTok?
In this episode, Matt Swale, author of "Scripture’s Use of Scripture in the Old Testament," joins Dr. Dru Johnson to discuss how biblical allusions really work—and why we need better instincts and better tools when interpreting Scripture. Swale wrote the book to help lay readers and undergraduates navigate the exciting (and someti
The State of Hebraic Thought In 2026 (Dru Johnson) Ep. #235
In this episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver reflect on the Center for Hebraic Thought’s evolving impact and expanding community. They revisit the promise made in 2025 to annually assess their work and celebrate how that commitment has borne fruit: from the flourishing Hebraic Thought Facebook community and its scripture reading groups, to the launch of a Michael Polanyi reading club. They annou
Sacrifice, Atonement, and Presence: Maybe Leviticus Doesn't Mean What We Think? (Phil Bray) Ep #234
What happens when an Australian butcher starts reading Leviticus—and finds it fun? In this unique episode, Dru Johnson speaks with Phil Bray, author of Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block, about how his day job cutting lambs and steaks helped him see the book of Leviticus in a whole new light. Phil traces his journey from casual Bible reader to Leviticus superfan, exploring how rituals, sacrifice, an
ICYMI: How Old Testament Laws Can Shape Christians Today (Carmen Imes) Ep. #233
In this episode, Old Testament scholar Dr. Carmen Imes unpacks widespread Christian misunderstandings of Torah and shows how the laws of the Old Testament were never meant as a means of salvation, but as a way of living out Israel’s covenant identity. Rather than a legalistic burden, Torah was a gift of freedom—a lifestyle for a people already redeemed.
Dr. Imes explains how Jesus wasn’t raising t
ICYMI: Is the NT Just Stoic Philosophy? (Jonathan Pennington) Ep. #232
ICYMI: This episode is one of our earliest episodes, and originally aired on 5/14/2020
In this introductory conversation, Dr. Jonathan Pennington joins the Center for Hebraic Thought as its newest fellow and shares how his journey through philosophy and biblical scholarship led him to see the New Testament as part of a deeply sophisticated intellectual tradition. Pennington discusses how early C
Faith, Innovation, and the Church's Future: Rethinking Tech and Ministry (Kevin Kim) Ep. #231
What happens when the tech elite of Silicon Valley use their skills to serve the church?
In this episode, Kevin Kim, executive director of Crazy Love Ministries and founder of Basil Tech, joins Dr. Dru Johnson to explore a radical idea: that technology, creativity, and innovation can be spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ. Drawing from his experiences with venture capitalists, Stanford
Getting Egypt Out of Israel: The Exodus Plagues as Spiritual Formation (Avery & Wadholm) Ep. #230
Are the ten plagues just divine punishment? Or are they intended to form a people?
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson sits down with Dr. Rick Wadholm and Pastor Dalton Avery, co-authors of Plagued by Faith, to explore a more layered vision of the plague narratives in Exodus. Rather than merely acts of judgment, the plagues are portrayed as formative, disruptive events that unmake Egypt’s religious,
Hebraic Thought On The Big Screen? Biblical Themes in Non-Biblical Movies (Dru Johnson) Ep. #229
What makes a movie biblical—even if it’s not about the Bible?
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson explores that question with a curated list of films that reflect deep biblical structures—movies that “get what’s going on in Scripture” better than many that explicitly reference the Bible. These aren’t Sunday School adaptations—they’re gritty, layered, and emotionally raw.
Dru walks through Tree of Lif
Equip the Church to Think Biblically: How Your Church Can Fuel This Work
In this special message to church leaders, Dr. Dru Johnson speaks directly to pastors, elders, and ministry teams preparing next year’s budget. As someone who has served as a full-time pastor, he knows how critical and crowded those budget conversations can be—and he makes a case for why the Center for Hebraic Thought deserves a place in your missions giving line.
“If you’ve passed along our artic
Fueling Hebraic Thought: How You Can Help
In this candid and heartfelt message, Dr. Dru Johnson steps out from behind the mic to speak directly to you—the listener, the learner, the potential donor.
“I’m a recurring giver. I actually pay to do this work.” That’s how strongly he believes in the mission of the Center for Hebraic Thought. In this short but powerful donor appeal, Dru explains how the Center’s podcast, public resources, book s
Why Scholars Gather: A Tour Through the Wild World of Biblical Academia (Dru Johnson) Ep. #228
What actually happens when thousands of biblical scholars descend on a single convention center?
In this unusual and behind-the-scenes episode, Dru Johnson roams the floor of the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting in Boston to ask a range of publishers and scholars—from Langham Publishing to Prairie College—what these conferences are really like. From the excitement of free books to the
Where Is God? Eucharist, Trauma, and Divine Presence in Poland (Ela Wyrzykowska) Ep. #227
Where is God present—and how do believers describe it?
In this thoughtful and poetic episode, Polish theologian Dr. Elżbieta Łazarewicz-Wyrzykowska joins Dru Johnson to reflect on theology, trauma, and spiritual presence. From her childhood in Warsaw—where bullet holes and tanks marked the legacy of war—to her academic path through Hebrew Bible, literary theory, and empirical psychology, Elżbieta
On Biblical Masculinity, The Boy Crisis, And The Church's Missed Mission (Anthony Bradley) Ep. #226
For decades, churches have built youth ministries around entertainment and behavior management. But what if all the data says that’s the wrong approach?
In this powerful episode, Dr. Anthony Bradley joins Dru Johnson to reflect on 25 years of experience working with youth, revisiting the PBS documentary Raising Cain and what it reveals about the neglected emotional lives of boys. He shares stories
What The Chosen Gets Right (And Wrong): Archaeology, Pharisees, and Color (Jeffrey Garcia) Ep. #225
Was Peter’s hometown ever really lost—and have we just found it?
In this episode, archaeologist and scholar Dr. Jeffrey Arroyo García joins Dru Johnson to explore how archaeology reshapes our understanding of the Gospels, popular media like The Chosen, and the portrayal of first-century Judaism. Drawing on his years excavating at El-Araj—the site increasingly believed to be biblical Bethsaida—Jeff
Creation, Rest, and Reign: What Genesis Meant to the Ancient World (Rachel Booth Smith) Ep. #224
What if Genesis 1 wasn’t about the origin of matter—but the enthronement of God? And what if “rest” wasn’t the end of work, but the beginning of reign?
In this episode, Rachel Booth Smith, author of Rest Assured, joins Dru Johnson to explore how the Genesis creation story contrasts with other ancient Near Eastern accounts. With a storyteller’s gift and a pastor’s heart, Smith explains how comparin
Israel’s Rituals, God’s Needs, and the Covenant That Changed Everything (John Walton) Ep. #223
What happens when a senior biblical scholar changes their mind—publicly? In this episode, Dr. John Walton returns to explain key shifts in his thinking, especially about Genesis, the temple, and covenant theology.
He unpacks two major paradigm shifts: first, that Genesis creation isn’t about material origins, but about functional order; second, that Genesis 3 isn’t even about sin—it’s about humani
Cultural Rivers, Order, and Covenant: Tools For Reading Scripture Well (John Walton) Ep. #222
In this thought-provoking episode, Walton explains his “cultural rivers” metaphor—how each culture swims in its own current of values, assumptions, and logic. We can’t read the Bible through modern, Western eyes without missing what mattered most to ancient audiences. Genesis, for example, isn’t about material origins but about God bringing order to a disordered world.
From Genesis 1–11, which Wal
Unlocking The Deep Structures of Scripture: The Bible's Unified Message (Joshua Berman) Ep. #221
What if the Bible was written with deep structural patterns designed to echo across generations—economically and theologically?
In this riveting episode, Dr. Joshua Berman joins Dru Johnson to reveal how literary design, verbal repetition, and cultural continuity make the Bible not a patchwork, but a carefully composed unity. Through examples ranging from Genesis and Judges to Exodus and Samuel, B
Attachment Theory, God’s Presence, & The Image of God: How God Heals Us (Geoff Holsclaw) Ep. #220
What does attachment theory have to do with discipleship, theology, or the church? According to Dr. Geoff Holsclaw, more than we realize.
In this episode, Holsclaw—a pastor, theologian, and co-author of Landscapes of the Soul—joins Dru Johnson to explore how neuroscience and interpersonal attachment can illuminate both human development and the biblical story. From early childhood bonds to the way
Pharisees, Torah, and Sacrifice: What We Miss When We Misread the Law (Paul Sloan) Ep. #219
Did Jesus come to cancel the Law of Moses—or fulfill it? In this compelling episode, Dr. Paul Sloan joins Dru Johnson to challenge one of the most persistent misunderstandings in modern Christianity: the idea that Jesus and Paul opposed the Torah.
Drawing from his book Jesus and the Law of Moses, Sloan explains how legalism, misunderstanding of impurity, and modern Christian readings of Paul have
Is "Eye For An Eye" Christian? Jesus, Justice, and The Limits of Vengeance (Dru Johnson) Ep. #218
“Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” We’ve all heard the phrase—but what does it actually mean in the Bible? In this episode, Mike Tolliver and Dr. Dru Johnson unpack the principle of Talion—Lex Talionis—and show why it’s one of the most misunderstood elements of biblical justice.
They trace the concept across Leviticus, Exodus, and Deuteronomy, exploring how this principle wasn’t about vengeance
Feasting on Hope: Sacraments, Trauma, and Formation in the Church (Hannah King) Ep. #217
Is communion just a symbolic snack—or a mysterious, formative act of grace?
In this episode, Rev. Hannah King, an Anglican priest and author of the upcoming Feasting on a Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness, joins Dru Johnson to explore why the Lord’s Supper is essential for the Christian life.
Hannah shares her journey from evangelical church spaces into Anglicanism, unpacking how the Eu
Theology in the Mother Tongue: Oral Bible Translation and Embodied Faith (Fausto Liriano) Ep. #216
What if the Bible isn’t something you read—but something you hear, memorize, and perform?
In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Fausto Liriano shares his work translating the Bible into indigenous languages without writing it down. Through oral Bible translation projects in Guatemala, Mexico, and the Philippines, Dr. Liriano helps communities internalize Scripture in their own languages—through perf
The Illusion of Intelligence: Why AI Can’t Replace Embodied Life (Noreen Herzfeld) Ep. #215
Is AI intelligent—or just artificial? In this provocative episode, Dr. Noreen Herzfeld, a rare scholar of both computer science and theology, joins Dru Johnson to expose what most people overlook about artificial intelligence. Drawing from her recent book The Artifice of Intelligence, she challenges the mythology of AGI (artificial general intelligence) and critiques the environmental, social, and
Becoming God’s Family: Against Church Hurt, Isolation, and Autonomy (Carmen Imes) Ep. #214
Can you be a Christian without the church? In this timely episode, Dr. Carmen Imes argues forcefully—and pastorally—that Christianity without community is a contradiction. Drawing from her new book Becoming God’s Family, she and Dru Johnson explore why so many people are walking away from church and what it would take to draw them back.
From church hurt to spiritual abuse to toxic celebrity cultur
Literature and Idealism: Or, How The Bible Is A "Thick" Story (Karen Swallow Prior) Ep. #213
What do Tolkien, vocation, and gritty literature have in common? In this conversation, Dru Johnson talks with literary scholar Dr. Karen Swallow Prior about why Christians often gravitate toward fantasy and romantic ideals—and why that can be a problem. Karen critiques the elevation of genre fiction like The Lord of the Rings as literary canon and urges Christians to engage “thick texts” that chal
Tribes, States, & Empires: Scripture’s Vision for a Virtuous Political Order (Yoram Hazony) Ep. #212
In this second conversation with political philosopher Yoram Hazony, we dive deeper into the biblical concept of nationhood, wrestling with listener-submitted questions on nationalism, empire, and political virtue. Hazony responds to critiques and clarifies his position: biblical nationalism is not about racial purity or imperialism, but about the virtue of limited, self-governing peoples—unified
Just War, Christianity, and The Call to Serve: The Ethics of Military Service (Darren Duke) Ep #211
Should Christians serve in the military? In this sobering and nuanced episode, Dru Johnson sits down with retired Colonel Darren Duke—Marine Corps Special Operations commander and intelligence officer—to unpack this deeply personal and morally complex question. Drawing from over 30 years of military experience, Duke shares his evolving view of military service, from Cold War patriotism to the hard
Building a Movement: Why the Church Needs Hebraic Thought—and What We’re Doing About It Ep. #210
In this update episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver pull back the curtain on the work happening at the Center for Hebraic Thought. From filing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and building a stellar advisory board, to launching a redesigned website and reviving in-person workshops, the CHT has been quietly preparing for long-term growth and broader influence.
They discuss the newly relaunched Hebraic
Jesus Under Every Rock? Rethinking Christ-Centered Reading & Preaching (Chris Wright) Ep #209
Should Christians look for Jesus in every verse of the Old Testament—or are we missing the point when we do?
In this wide-ranging and practical conversation, Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright, Langham Partnership’s Global Ambassador and one of the world’s leading Old Testament scholars, joins Dru Johnson to explore the difference between Christocentric and Christotelic readings of Scripture. Wright ref
The NAR, Power, and Prophecy: Inside America’s Forgotten Christian Movement (Matthew Taylor) Ep. #208
What if the most politically influential Christian leaders in America aren’t the ones you’ve heard of?
In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Matthew D. Taylor joins Dru Johnson to explain how the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and related charismatic networks reshaped modern evangelicalism—and helped deliver the presidency to Donald Trump. Taylor, a scholar of religion and politics, traces how te
Hollywood, Scripture, and Politics: Joan Didion and the Power of Story (Alissa Wilkinson) Ep. #207
What do Hollywood, Joan Didion, and the Bible have in common?
More than you’d expect. In this episode, New York Times film critic and author Alissa Wilkinson joins Dru Johnson to discuss the life, work, and worldview of Joan Didion, one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. Wilkinson’s new book, We Tell Ourselves Stories, explores how Didion made sense of chaos through narr
Wine, Worship, and Craftsmanship: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol (John Dunne) Ep #206
Was wine in the Bible just a calorie source—or something far richer? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, author of The Mountain Shall Drip Sweet Wine: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol, joins Dru Johnson to explore how wine and alcohol shaped ancient Israel’s culture, theology, and imagination.
Dr. Dunne traces how biblical wine reflected not only the scarcity and agricultural h
Is Nationalism Biblical? Yoram Hazony on Nations, Empires, and Justice (Yoram Hazony) Ep. #205
Is nationalism always bad—or does the Bible have a more nuanced view of nations, borders, and political life? In this fascinating episode, Israeli philosopher Yoram Hazony joins Dru Johnson to explore the political vision of the Old Testament, from the Table of Nations in Genesis to the prophetic hope of nations learning from Israel in peace.
Hazony explains how the Bible’s anti-empire stance emer
Do You See What I See? Worship, Joint Attention, and Being Human (Cockayne & Salter) Ep. #204
Is church just a place to think about God—or are we wired to worship together? In this groundbreaking episode, theologian Dr. Josh Cockayne and developmental psychologist Dr. Gideon Salter join Dru Johnson to explore how human beings are made for joint attention, and why gathering for worship is a deeply embodied, social necessity.
Drawing from their book Why We Gather, the conversation unfolds ho
How Artists Think Biblically: Liturgies, Ritual, and the Weight of Words (Douglas McKelvey) Ep. #203
What gives someone the right to script your prayers? In this powerful conversation, Douglas McKelvey, author of the bestselling Every Moment Holy liturgical series, joins Dru Johnson to unpack the spiritual and theological journey behind his work. From a childhood steeped in neo-charismatic theology to a disillusioning college experience at Oral Roberts University, McKelvey shares how God used a p
Is Abraham a Hero or a Warning? How Genre Makes or Breaks Your Bible Reading (Andy Judd) Ep. #202
What if our biggest biblical misunderstandings come from reading the right words in the wrong way? In this episode, Old Testament scholar Dr. Andy Judd joins Dru Johnson to unravel the complex and often misused concept of genre in biblical interpretation. Drawing from his background in English literature and law, Dr. Judd explains how many theological debates, misreadings, and even dangerous inte
Storge, Justice, and the Ten Commandments: Rethinking Biblical Love (Mike Tolliver) Ep. #201
Is loving your family first a biblical idea—or a betrayal of Jesus’ call to love your neighbor? In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Tolliver—Executive Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought—joins Dru Johnson to explore his developing PhD thesis on Storge (family love), the kinsman-redeemer, and what biblical justice actually looks like.
Drawing on Torah, philosophy, and early Christian tex
Managing Fame, Faith, and the Stage: Inside the (Christian) Music Industry (Nick Barre) Ep. #200
What does it mean to call something “Christian music”? Nick Barré has spent decades in the music industry—from working at EMI with early Switchfoot to managing major names like Casting Crowns, KB, Brandon Heath, and more. In this 200th episode of The Biblical Mind, he joins Dru Johnson to reflect on the Christian music label, the tension between calling and category, and how artists navigate fait
Why Intellectual Humility Is the Key to Understanding Scripture (Matt Whitman) Ep. #199
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson sits down with Matt Whitman, host of The Ten Minute Bible Hour, to explore why so many Christians—and skeptics—struggle with Scripture. Whitman shares what he’s learned from engaging millions online: people are often afraid to be wrong, shaped by graceless experiences in church and cancel culture in the wider world. The solution? Modeling curiosity, empathy, and i
Evolution and Identity: A Jewish Perspective on Science and Belief (Rachel Pear) Ep. #198
What happens when science, religion, and education collide? In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pear shares her remarkable journey from growing up in New York’s modern Orthodox Jewish community to researching how evolution is taught and received across Israeli society.
A scholar of science education and prehistoric archaeology, Rachel discusses how Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities in Israel grapp
Is Evolution a Dirty Word? Muslim Perspectives on Science and Religion (Shoaib Malik) Ep. #197
Is the relationship between Islam and science as well-developed as it is in Christianity? Not even close—but that’s changing. In this episode, Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Lecturer in Science and Religion at the University of Edinburgh, joins Dru Johnson to share the emerging field of Islam and science, focusing on the hot topic of evolution.
Shoaib unpacks the historical development of Islamic engagem
Can Muslims, Jews, and Christians Talk About Science and Scripture? (Dru Johnson) Ep. #196
What happens when you put 15 scholars—scientists and theologians, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian—in a room to talk about creation? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dr. Dru Johnson shares his experience launching the Abrahamic Theistic Origins Project in Oxford.
Far from being a formal academic conference, the gathering focused on “enduring collegial co-learning”—building trust and curi
Syndicated: Jesus and Jewish Law (Logan Williams and Paul Sloan) Ep. #195
Was the Mosaic Law a burdensome set of rules meant to be broken? Did Jesus overthrow the Torah—or fulfill it? In this special episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, we revisit the pilot episode of the Jesus and the Jewish Law podcast, hosted by Paul Sloan and Logan Williams. Together, they walk through seven widespread misconceptions about the Law and how these misunderstandings distort our reading
ICYMI - Wisdom of Primal Peoples in the Era of World Christianity (Jangkholam Haokip) Ep. #194
This episode was originally published on November 11, 2022. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners.
Christianity is a truly global religion, and every strand of Christianity has its own theological emphases. Western Christians tend to focus on individual salvation and the question of what happens when we die. But as we amplify other Christian voices, we find that the riches of t
Is God Really Unchanging? Challenging Classical Theism’s View of God (R.T. Mullins) Ep. #193
Is God emotionless and unchanging? Many systematic theologians have long argued that God is completely impassible—meaning He cannot feel, suffer, or be influenced by creation. But is this truly what the Bible teaches?
In this episode, Dr. R.T. Mullins joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to challenge traditional ideas about God’s nature, emotions, and engagement with the world. He explains how philosop
Why We Struggle to Read the Bible—And How to Fix It (Alex Goodwin) Ep. #192
What if the way we format and structure the Bible is actually making it harder to read? In this episode, Alex Goodwin joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to discuss how chapter breaks, verse numbers, and footnotes—while useful for study—can actually disrupt the natural flow of Scripture.
Alex shares his journey from marketing to Bible publishing, how his first exposure to serious theology transformed
Faith, Politics, and Media: Rethinking Christian Political Involvement (Kaitlyn Schiess) Ep. #191
Are we mistaking media consumption for political engagement? In this episode, Kaitlyn Schiess joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to challenge the way Christians think about politics, faith, and media. She explains why binge-watching C-SPAN or endlessly scrolling Twitter doesn’t make us politically engaged—but actually forms us into people less capable of real advocacy.
Dru and Kaitlyn discuss the mod
From the Five Percent Nation to Biblical Scholar: CHT Fellow Hakeem Bradley Ep. #190
What if the Bible isn’t meant to be neatly packaged and easily explained? In this episode, CHT Fellow Hakeem Bradley joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to discuss how engaging scripture means leaning into tension rather than eliminating it. He explains why asking better questions leads to deeper understanding and why forcing Jesus into every Old Testament passage can sometimes do more harm than good.
The Contemporary Worship Music Pipeline, or "Where Did The Psalms Go?" (Marc Jolicoeur) Ep. #189
Who decides what worship songs we sing in church? It turns out, worship music is a massive industry, and the way songs make it from a Nashville songwriting room to a Sunday morning service might surprise you.
In this episode, Marc Jolicoeur joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to break down the business of contemporary worship music (CWM). He explains how four major megachurches dominate the industry,
Listening to the Bible: Why Scripture Was Meant to Be Heard (Dru Johnson) Ep. #188
Most of us read the Bible with our eyes—but what if we’re missing something essential by not listening to it? In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson challenges the modern tendency to engage Scripture primarily as a written text, arguing that the Bible was designed to be heard. From the Torah readings of Moses to the public proclamation of Paul's letters, Scripture has always been an aural experience—one
The Rapture, the Mark of the Beast, & Christian Eschatology—Fact & Fiction (Matt Halsted) Ep. #187
What if much of what we believe about the end times is shaped more by modern speculation than by biblical theology? In this episode, Dr. Matthew L. Halsted joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to debunk common misconceptions about eschatology, including the rapture, the mark of the beast, and the role of the Middle East in biblical prophecy.
Halsted and Dru Johnson explore how American Christianity has
How Scripture Reads Scripture: Understanding Biblical Intertextuality (Brent Strawn) Ep. #186
How does the Bible interpret itself? In this episode, Dr. Brent Strawn joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to explore intertextuality—the ways biblical authors intentionally or unconsciously connect their writings to earlier texts. Strawn breaks down different types of intertextuality, from direct citations (like Jesus quoting Psalm 22) to subtle patterns that only emerge when we read scripture holist
American Christian Nationalism and the Way of Jesus (Caleb E. Campbell) Ep. #185
What if Christian nationalism isn’t a head problem but a heart problem? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Dru Johnson speaks with Caleb Campbell, author of Disarming Leviathan, about the rise of Christian nationalism in America and how Christians can engage this movement missionally rather than combatively.
Campbell discusses the anxieties that drive people to embrace Christian nationalism
Joseph's Brothers Never Sold Him Into Slavery (Ari Lamm) Ep. #184
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm about a provocative interpretation of the Joseph narrative: Joseph’s brothers did not sell him into slavery. Rabbi Lamm explains that while the brothers planned to sell Joseph, they never completed the act. Instead, Midianite merchants discovered Joseph in the pit and sold him to Ishmaelites, creating ambiguity in the biblical text.
Ra
The State of Hebraic Thought in 2025 (Dru Johnson) Ep. #183
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver reflect on the growth and challenges of Hebraic thought over the past year and explore its future trajectory in 2025. They highlight recent scholarly advancements, key publications, and practical tools that are shaping the field. Dr. Johnson discusses notable books, including Human Divine Interactions in the Hebrew Scriptures by Beryl Dove Lerner
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