BibleProject Podcast Series

How To Read the Bible

Follow discussions between Tim & Jon as they prepare to write the "How to Read the Bible" series of videos. This series is aimed at helping you read the Bible more wisely, and with greater understanding!

41 Episodes
The Bible as Divine Literary Art

Why are the books of the Bible ordered the way they are? Is there a value in reading the Bible in any other order?

What's in Your Bible?

In this episode, Tim and Jon give an overview of the entire Bible with a focus on the Hebrew Scriptures.

What Is the Story of the Bible?

In this episode Tim and Jon discuss the big narrative arcs of the Bible. What is the Bible really talking about?

Ancient vs. Modern Ways of Reading Scripture

Tim and Jon discuss the differences in ancient and modern ways of reading scripture, including why the Hebrew people would read scripture together as a group. The guys also talk about how challenging it can be to read the Bible by yourself.

Is Reading the Bible Together Just a Form of Groupthink?

A jam-packed episode where Tim and Jon discuss the ancient Hebrew practice of reading the Bible aloud, the sociology of both creating environments and being created by environments in Christianity, and the different kind of power between stories and facts.

Literary Genres and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Tim and Jon discuss the three literary styles used in the Bible: narrative, poetry, and prose discourse.

Poetry, Narrative, and Prose Discourse

Jon and Tim discuss the different literary styles used in the Bible.

Why Isn't There More Detail in Bible Stories?

Maybe, like us, you've asked yourself this questions or found yourself confused while reading the Bible. We don't know why a character did what they did, or what they looked like, or even what the moral of the story is. How do we make sense of this?

The Bible as Jewish Meditation Literature: Jewish Scripture Meditation vs. Modern Meditation

In this episode, Tim and Jon continue their conversation about Cain and Abel and why it is a good example of Jewish meditation literature.

Plot in Biblical Narrative

Tim and Jon discuss how understanding the unique ways plot and narrative are used by the Hebrew authors to write Bible stories can impact how we read the Bible.

Character in Biblical Narrative

In this episode Tim and Jon discuss character design in the Bible.

Setting in Biblical Narrative

Tim and Jon discuss the importance of understanding “Setting” in Bible stories.

Live from Milpitas! Part 1

Tim and Jon discuss literature design patterns in the Bible to a live audience and answer questions from the audience.

Live from Milpitas! Part 2

This is part 2 in our live conversation from Milpitas California! Tim and Jon continue their discussion on design patterns in the Bible.

Crossing the Chaotic Waters

Tim and Jon discuss literary design patterns in the Bible.

Chaotic Waters and Baptism

Tim and Jon continue to recap key stories in Genesis and the Old Testament. The key themes in these stories are the chaotic waters and salvation through them.

The Thunder of God

This is episode 1 in our series on Biblical Poetry!

God Speaks in Poetry

This is the 2nd episode in our Art of Biblical Poetry podcast where we explore how God speaks in poetic language.

Metaphor and Our Imagination

This is our first episode in our three-part series on the use of metaphor in the Bible.

The Mountain Garden and the Human Ideal

This is our second episode in our series on metaphors in the Bible.

Chaotic Waters

In the last episode of our Metaphor series, Jon and Tim discuss how water is often displayed as rambunctious and dangerous in the Bible.

Poetry Q+R

Here is our question and response episode where we answer our listeners' questions about poetry and metaphor in the Bible.

What Prophecy Is for

Welcome to episode one in our miniseries on how to read the Prophets.

Prophets as Provokers

Welcome to episode two in our series on How to Read the Prophets.

The Purpose of the Law

Listen in as we begin our disccusion on the laws in the Bible.

The Law as a Covenantal Partnership

Welcome to our second episode on how to read biblical law!

God's Wisdom in the Law

Welcome to our third episode on how to read biblical law!

The Law as a Revolution

Welcome to our fourth episode on how to read biblical law!

Jesus Fulfills the Law

Welcome to another episode exploring how to read biblical law. This is the final part of this discussion before our Q+R episode for this series.

Law Q+R

Listen to our audience's questions about how to read biblical law.

The Quest for Wisdom

Welcome to our new series on how to read the wisdom books in biblical literature!

Solomon: The Wisest of the Fools

Welcome to our third episode discussing the theme of Wisdom in the Bible.

The Tree of Knowing Good and Bad

Welcome to part two in our series on reading the books of wisdom literature in the Bible.

Proverbs: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly

Welcome to episode four in our series on how to read the wisdom literature of the Bible. Today, Tim and Jon dive into the book of Proverbs.

Song of Songs: Semi-Erotic Love Poetry

Welcome to episode 5 in our series on How to Read Biblical Wisdom Literature! In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss Song of Songs.

Solomon the Cynic and the Job You Never Knew

Welcome to our final episode discussing wisdom literature in the Bible. In this episode, Tim and Jon cover two books, Ecclesiastes and Job.

Wisdom Q+R

Enjoy our Q+R episode on the wisdom literature in the Bible.

What Does the Word "Gospel" Mean?

Explore the history of the word, "gospel," how modern Western Christians often use the word different than the biblical authors. What is the gospel? The answer is far more exciting and complex than we've been led to believe.

The Gospel Is More Than You Think

Where does the word "gospel" come from, and are we using it right? Learn the history of this word and dive into how the biblical authors talked about the Gospel.

Why Are There Four Accounts of the Gospel?

Each of the four gospels begin differently—and for a reason. Learn more about the unique opening chapters of each gospel and discover new ways to read these accounts and understand their claims.

The Obvious and Extravagant Claim of the Gospel

All four gospels are pointing toward the same simple yet profound claim. As we read the Gospels, how should we understand discrepancies and variations to see the point of it all?