Apologetics are important, reading the Bible well is important, but we can make a big mistake when we read our Bible with apologetics-driven questions in mind. The history of the church is full of strange (and sometimes troubling) interpretations arising from apologetics-driven interpretations. Nick and Matt discuss the difference between reading Scripture for answers, and reading scripture for wisdom, looking at God’s purpose for Israel’s law, modern creation debates, and the church’s interpretation of scripture on slavery.

Resource Referenced: The Troublesome Nature of Apologetics [https://preachersinstitute.com/2009/06/10/the-troublesome-nature-of-apologetics-part-one-fr-patrick-reardon/] by Patrick Henry Reardon, St Augustine: From the Literal Meaning of Genesis [https://kolbecenter.org/st-augustine-rediscovered-a-defense-of-the-literal-interpretation-of-st-augustines-writings-on-the-sacred-history-of-genesis/] by Mark J Joshua, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity [https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Points-Decisive-Moments-Christianity/dp/1540964884] by Mark Noll, Reclaiming the Atonement: An Orthodox Theology of Redemption [https://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Atonement-Orthodox-Redemption-Incarnate/dp/B0CLM6RRK6] by Patrick Henry Reardon, Wisdom for Faithful Reading [https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Faithful-Reading-Principles-Interpretation/dp/B0C1HMVWT5/] by John H. Walton, The Lost World of the Torah [https://www.amazon.com/Lost-World-Torah-Covenant-Ancient/dp/B09BBL5K5D/] by John H. Walton and J. Harvey Walton

Interlude Music: The Softer Side [https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/c864b76c-13bc-3ca0-b927-f2fd886f190e/] by Wave Saver

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

The Apologetics Problem

Is the Lord’s Supper an act of resistance against empire? What does Christ the logos mean for how we know God? Where has the church missed the mark? Dr. Paul Axton, Director of Ploughshares Bible Institute and host of the Forging Ploughshares Podcast, joins Matt and Nick in discussing psychology, atonement, and the church’s call to live as a peaceful kingdom community. He offers some harsh critiques for christian participation in the ways of the world rather than the way of the cross.

Theme Song: Believe [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT9z3AMHr-A] by Posthumorous [https://linktr.ee/posthumorous]

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

The God We Meet in Jesus - Dr. Paul Axton of Forging Ploughshares

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great!” Revelation is loaded with descriptions of Rome’s oppressive systems, exploitative wealth, and coming downfall. Nick and Matt discuss the vivid imagery used to embolden the early Christian communities against their surrounding corruptions. They consider how Revelation encourages Christians to stand against Babylon in our own day as we look forward to the future restoration of all things.

Resources: In the Shadow of Empire [https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Empire-Reclaiming-Faithful-Resistance/dp/0664232329], Revelation chapter by Greg Carey, Edited by Richard Horsley, Exiles: the Church in the Shadow of Empire [https://www.amazon.com/Exiles-Church-Shadow-Empire/dp/0830785787/ref=asc_df_0830785787?mcid=622e2eba54d830b4b9bf94aca2b77333&hvocijid=5820589477346250974-0830785787-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5820589477346250974&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019548&hvtargid=pla-2281435179498&psc=1] by Preston Sprinkle, Reading Revelation Responsibly [https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Revelation-Responsibly-Following-Creation/dp/1606085603] by Michael Goreman, Revelation for the Rest of Us [https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Rest-Us-Prophetic-Dissident/dp/0310135788/ref]by Scot McKnight, “Towards an Ethical Reading of the Apocalypse: Reflections on John’s Use of Power, Violence, and Misogyny,” by David L. Barr, Revelation [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310577942?ref] (Word Biblical Commentary) by David Aune, Revelation [https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-International-Greek-Testament-Commentary/dp/080282174X] (The New International Greek New Testament Commentary) by G.K. Beale, The problem of violence: discipleship and non-violence in the Book of Revelation [https://www.academia.edu/43726955/The_problem_of_violence_discipleship_and_non_violence_in_the_Book_of_Revelation?sm=b] by Rob Nicholls, The Lion and the Lamb in Revelation 5 [https://www.academia.edu/11829507/The_Lion_and_the_Lamb_in_Revelation_5?sm=b] by Sergio H Monteiro.

Interlude Music: Heavy Handed [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ejSRL70nuq/] by Ballpoint

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Revelation as Anti-Imperial Christian Manifesto 

Revelation is often read as a predictive prophecy for the Western Church, full of obscure symbolism and veiled oracles awaiting future fulfillment. However, if we take seriously the context of the letter, and seek to understand the purpose of apocalyptic literature - we’ll find the letter becomes less cryptic and far more practical to its original audience. Nick explores how this letter would have served as both a challenge and a form of encouragement to Jesus communities seeking faithful allegiance to Jesus in a world that demanded allegiance to the Emperor.

Resources Referenced: In the Shadow of Empire [https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Empire-Reclaiming-Faithful-Resistance/dp/0664232329], Revelation chapter by Greg Carey, Edited by Richard Horsley, Exiles: the Church in the Shadow of Empire [https://www.amazon.com/Exiles-Church-Shadow-Empire/dp/0830785787/ref=asc_df_0830785787?mcid=622e2eba54d830b4b9bf94aca2b77333&hvocijid=5820589477346250974-0830785787-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5820589477346250974&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019548&hvtargid=pla-2281435179498&psc=1] by Preston Sprinkle, Reading Revelation Responsibly [https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Revelation-Responsibly-Following-Creation/dp/1606085603] by Michael Goreman, Revelation for the Rest of Us [https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Rest-Us-Prophetic-Dissident/dp/0310135788/ref]by Scot McKnight, Tim LaHaye, Revelation Unveiled [https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Unveiled-Tim-LaHaye-audiobook/dp/B003GWNNZ8/ref], “Towards an Ethical Reading of the Apocalypse: Reflections on John’s Use of Power, Violence, and Misogyny,” by David L. Barr, Revelation [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310577942?ref] (Word Biblical Commentary), Revelation [https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-International-Greek-Testament-Commentary/dp/080282174X] (The New International Greek New Testament Commentary) by G.K. Beale

Interlude Music: Radioactive Cover [https://soundcloud.com/joel-ansett/radioactive-cover] by Joel Ansett

Theme Song: Believe [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT9z3AMHr-A] by Posthumorous [https://linktr.ee/posthumorous]

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

This is it, the Apocalypse - How to Read Revelation

Is human violence ever right? Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter’s work Blessed are the Peacemakers: A Biblical Theology of Human Violence [https://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Are-Peacemakers-Biblical-Theology/dp/B0C47JFK8M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3096L5NWPRQKL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.H6YAc5KQ6cJDsBFufwLgJJHbbhKAbruLQHfGKol5jBQFT13aBYcu42kVg5Jp-e4E.gb33v-yxr92hhpqfR0TqxFgDl68Bup_gZOae7DqTods&dib_tag=se&keywords=blessed+are+the+peacemakers&qid=1750104216&s=audible&sprefix=blessed+are+the+peacemaker%2Caudible%2C94&sr=1-1] dives into the difficulties of finding a consistent Biblical theology among the variety of voices and perspectives offered in Scripture. Dr. Paynter joins Reparadigmed to discuss how Christians can find ethical guidance in Scriptures for navigating a fallen world. She addresses some common pitfalls and problematic assumptions that can skew our understanding of what Scripture has to say about human violence. She also discusses how a community of faith can work to hold the eschatological goals of justice, peace, and holiness in a tempered tension on this side of restoration.

Resource Referenced: The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So: Why you don't have to submit to domestic abuse and coercive control [https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Doesnt-Tell-Me-So/dp/0857469894/ref], The Church, the Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity, [https://www.amazon.com/Church-Far-Right-Claim-Christianity/dp/0334065496/ref]  Blessed Are the Peacemakers: A Biblical Theology of Violence [https://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Are-Peacemakers-Biblical-Theology/dp/B0C47JFK8M/] by Helen Paynter

Blessed are the Peacemakers - Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter

Have you ever wondered why early Jesus-followers called each other siblings, holy ones, or beloved? Norman Hubbard sits down with Matt and Nick to discuss the early church’s use of normal language in surprising ways to express and shape their unique relationships. He describes how these unique relationships were an expression of the gospel of Jesus, and considers ways our church tradition has been teaching an incomplete gospel when it prioritizes justification at the expense of reconciliation and redemption. Check out this conversation about Norm’s book, “More than Christians: Practicing Gospel-Shaped Community with the Language of the Early Church [https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Christians-Practicing-Gospel-Shaped/dp/B0DRPQGYP3/ref]”.

Theme Song: Believe [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT9z3AMHr-A] by Posthumorous [https://linktr.ee/posthumorous]

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

More Than Christians - Norman Hubbard

Greek translations of the Hebrew Scriptures helped prepare the way for the message of Jesus and the spread of Christianity. These translations (the Septuagint) were the Scriptures used by the earliest churches, and help us understand connections between our Old and New Testaments. Nick and Matt take a look at some of the interesting and significant differences between the Septuagint and the Masoretic text like the inclusion of Apocryphal writings. They consider the disagreement between Augustine and Jerome around which version to use when developing the Vulgate, Finally they discuss the multiple text forms present in the Dead Sea Scrolls which raise important questions for Bible translators considering the importance of the Septuagint.

Resources Referenced: Invitation to the Septuagint [https://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Septuagint-Karen-H-Jobes/dp/0801036496] by Karen Jobes and Moises Silva, The Septuagint, What is is and Why it Matters [https://www.amazon.com/Septuagint-What-Why-Matters/dp/1433570521/ref] by Gregory Lanier and William Ross, When God Spoke Greek: the Septuagint and the Making of the Christian Bible [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTGJUTM/?bestFormat=true&k=when%20god%20spoke%20greek&ref] by Timothy Michael Law, Koine Greek Reader, Selections from the New Testament, Septuagint, and Early Christian Writers [https://www.amazon.com/Koine-Greek-Reader-Selections-Septuagint/dp/0825424429/ref] by Rodney Decker, A Plea for the Septuagint [https://www.amazon.com/First-Bible-Church-Septuagint-Testament/dp/0567273202]by Mogens Muller, Was There only ONE Version of the Old Testament In Ancient Times? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tJpc5K7xNE] by Michael Heiser

Interlude Music: Between Moments [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/eFZSVtnLVS/] by Amber Glow, After the Fight [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/E8cRyhmD16/]by Cherry the Penguin

Theme Song: Believe [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT9z3AMHr-A] by Posthumorous [https://linktr.ee/posthumorous]

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

The Septuagint - The First Bible of the Church

When astronomers like Copernicus and Galileo challenged conventional beliefs, Christians held to their understanding of Scripture’s plain teachings against the dangerous new ideas. Today we look back at those who stuck to their Biblical convictions and we celebrate … the astronomers. In this episode Nick and Matt reflect on the church’s response to heliocentrism and compare modern approaches to reading the Bible’s cosmology, and how understanding strange (to us) ancient cosmology can help us read the Bible better.

Resources Referenced: The Firmament and the Water Above [https://www.adventistas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Seely-Firmament-WTJ.pdf] by Paul Seely, The Hebrew Conception of the World: A Philological and Literary Study [https://archive.org/details/hebrewconception0000stad]by Stadelmann, Luis, Ancient Near Eastern thought and the Old Testament [https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Near-Eastern-Thought-Testament/dp/0801027500] by John Walton, John Calvin on Nicolaus Copernicus and Heliocentrism [https://biologos.org/articles/john-calvin-on-nicolaus-copernicus-and-heliocentrism] by Wyatt Houtz, Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture After Genetic Science [https://www.amazon.com/Adam-Genome-Reading-Scripture-Genetic/dp/158743394X/ref] by Scot McKnight and Dennis Venema, Reality is Not What it Seems [https://www.amazon.com/Reality-Is-Not-What-It-Seems-audiobook/dp/B01N49GVM1/ref] by Carlo Rovelli, The Faith and Reason of Father George Lemaître [https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8847] by Joseph R. Laracy, Geocentrism: History and Background [https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/geocentrism-history-background/] by Danny R. Faulkner, NET Bible Translation Notes [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201&version=NET]

Interlude Music: On a Stroller [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/vqxKsNPxye/]by Harry Edvino, Space Waves [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/pcF11D6Fha/]by Ben Elson

Theme Song: Believe [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT9z3AMHr-A] by Posthumorous [https://linktr.ee/posthumorous]

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

The Bible's Ancient Cosmology - Did the Sun Stand Still? 

The Bible doesn’t sound very Christian when it talks about the soul… Wait that didn’t sound right. Could it be that Christians don’t sound very Biblical when they  talk about it? In this episode, Matt and Nick do a thorough lexical study of the most common Hebrew and Greek words translated into English Bible’s as soul. What they find is surprising, and it makes them think that maybe (just maybe), Christians are yet again more influenced by Greek and Enlightenment-era philosophers than they are by the Bible itself.

Resources Referenced: The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament [https://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-Aramaic-Lexicon-Old-Testament/dp/9004124454] by Ludwig Koehler et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature [https://www.amazon.com/Greek-English-Lexicon-Testament-Christian-Literature/dp/0226039331]by William Arndt et al., Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible [https://www.amazon.com/Body-Soul-Human-Life-Interpretation/dp/0801035953] by Joel B. Green, The Case for the Reality of the Traditional Christian Soul [https://www.academia.edu/125879598/The_case_for_the_reality_of_the_traditional_Christian_soul]by Peter Gordziejko [https://independentresearcher.academia.edu/PeterGordziejko?swp=tc-au-125879598].

Interlude Music: Turning Over a New Leaf [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/TJDRlP0evZ/]by Auxjack, In Foam [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/vmUBRrVaBN/]by Lama House

Theme Song: Believe [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT9z3AMHr-A] by Posthumorous [https://linktr.ee/posthumorous]

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

The Soul (According to the Bible) - Wordsmatter

Heaven and Earth - Resurrection Ep 3

Do humans have souls? What is the difference between spirit and flesh? Will the earth be turned into a giant zoo free from humans? Where do the dead go until the resurrection? What is heaven? Matt and Nick discuss the importance of creation in the Biblical story, the mixing of platonism with Christianity, and some of the strange readings of the Bible that occur when we lose sight of God’s plans for restoration.

Resources Referenced: Four Views on Heaven [https://www.amazon.com/Four-Views-Heaven-Counterpoints-Theology/dp/0310093880] Edited by Michael Eugene Wittmer and Stanley, From Plato to Christ [https://www.amazon.com/Plato-Christ-Platonic-Thought-Christian/dp/0830853049] by Louis Markos, The Purpose Driven Life [https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Driven-Life-What-Earth/dp/031033750X] by Rick Warren, Mere Christianity [https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-Paperback-C-Lewis/dp/B07HNFB4M7] by C.S. Lewis

Interlude Music: Somewhat Elegant [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/kJfj0hH1qc/] by Dye O, A Tiny Spark [https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/xQLt4oz5Pg/]by Edgar Hopp

Theme Song: Believe [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT9z3AMHr-A] by Posthumorous [https://linktr.ee/posthumorous]

Connect with Us: Website [https://www.reparadigmed.com/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@reparadigmed] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reparadigmed/] Email [reparadigmed@gmail.com]

Plato's Heaven or Creation's Renewal? Resurrection E3

We think Jesus of Nazareth is the king of the land and of humanity. We also think the Bible is a gift from God that gives us wisdom for being human. We aim to “reparadigm” our modern theological and ethical systems to conform to originalist readings of the Bible that honor its ancient Jewish context. Because the Bible is patently NOT a rulebook of universal moral principles but is rather an anthology recounting the grand narrative of human restoration, we think that its wisdom, though antiquated, has binding significance for our present contexts. American Evangelical theology often finds itself adrift from the Bible's ancient contextual moorings, and the bad fruit of modern, western readings continues to become evident in the church and in culture. Evidence of this bad fruit includes all forms of nationalism, exploitative economic and social systems, and consumeristic disregard for God's good creation. This sad commentary has led, not surprisingly, to a widespread rethinking of Christianity in America, manifesting in individuals as "deconstruction." We empathize with those who have deconstructed, and we seek to offer a way in the faith that is not based on Western nationalism or Eurocentrism, brazen political interests, or simplistic epistemic paradigms. We are convinced that as bad as Christianity in the West has often been, the proverbial baby need not be thrown out with the bathwater. We are excited to showcase how a more ancient understanding of the Jesus-faith is not only still relevant but it also offers the healing power our societies desperately need today.

For more , check out Reparadigmed.com [https://www.reparadigmed.com/]

Nick Paine

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