Episodes
The Bible Nerds Show is a series of podcasts released 6 days a week (Sunday through Friday) that helps the BibleNerd to go deeper into the historic, geographic, religious and cultural CONTEXT of the Bible resulting in a deeper relationship with its central figure – Jesus
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The Day of Pentecost: Peter’s Secret to Being Jesus’ Disciple
Jesus gives second chances. One look at Peter’s life makes that clear. After denying his Rabbi three times, Peter believed his time of following Jesus as a disciple was over. But after Jesus’ resurrection, He restores Peter and gives him a second chance. And Peter took full advantage of that chance. The Day of Pentecost is the beginning of this. I'll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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The Grace of God: How to Move on When We Fail
You've failed Jesus. You had the chance to stand with Him while He faced down His accusers. Instead, you told everyone around you that you didn't even know who He was. This is the moment you need the grace of God the most. And this is when you receive it. I'll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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The Apostle Peter: How to Fail as a Disciple
Christianity celebrates the Apostle Peter. Catholicism venerates him as the first Pope. Protestantism credits him with the declaration that Jesus is the "Son of God." He’s on the Mount Rushmore of the New Testament. But as a disciple, he was a failure. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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The Nazarene: The Prophecy that Never Was
Matthew ends the story of the birth of Jesus with a prophecy that He will be called a "Nazarene." But here's the big problem: the village of Nazareth wasn't settled until hundreds of years AFTER the Old Testament was written. But, this isn't a mistake or a contradiction. It's just Matthew showing off. I'll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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Am I Good Enough? Time for Self-Examination
All of Jesus’ disciples were rejects. They failed the test of discipleship long before the Rabbi from Nazareth came on the scene. Yet, Jesus called them to follow Him. It should force us to ask: am I good enough? It’s time for some self-examination. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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Discipleship is a Lot Harder Than You Think
First Century Discipleship was really hard. It required everything. And only a select few were given the privilege of following a rabbi. In fact, Jesus’ disciples had probably been rejected by other rabbis before He called them. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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Jesus’ Authority: It’s Time to Get Some Answers
In the days just before Jesus’ crucifixion, the religious leaders decided they’d had enough of Him. It was time to get some answers. They asked Jesus where He got His authority. Jesus’ answer to their question is brilliant. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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Was Jesus a Jewish Rabbi? (It Really Does Matter)
Was Jesus a Jewish Rabbi? And if so, what does that mean? When Jesus finished giving His interpretation of the Torah, the listeners were amazed. The Bible says: “He taught them with authority, and not like their scribes.” If you think that all this means is that He preached really confidently, you’re missing the whole point. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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What is Discipleship? (It’s NOT What You Think It Is)
The Talmud has a very special “blessing” in it: “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi, and may you drink deeply from their words.” A disciple sought to follow and observe their rabbi so closely that they would become covered in the dust the rabbi kicked up as he walked down the road. And this was considered the highest of honors. This is what discipleship meant in Jesus’ day. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
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The Slaughter of the Innocents: Jesus as the New Israel
In the story of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fleeing Israel and seeking refuge in Egypt, we see many allusions to Old Testament Scripture. The Slaughter of the Innocents mirrors pharaoh’s murder of the baby boys in the Exodus story. That one is easy to see. But Matthew ties in two other passages from the Hebrew Scriptures. And these are much more difficult to work with.
