The BEMA Podcast

By BEMA Discipleship

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Category: Christianity

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Subscribers: 646
Reviews: 3

Mark Pepper
 Mar 7, 2023
Brings such good context to the stories...the stories make SO MUCH more sense, when viewed thru the lens of Jewish teachings and Hebrew language. So much better than my Sunday School growing up!


 Feb 1, 2023

Kevin Pickron
 Oct 13, 2019
really great podcast using the Eastern perspective, or Jewish mindset, worth the listen

Description

The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the context of the Bible and the Text itself, as well as surrounding history. We deconstruct our common readings of the Bible and attempt to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context. The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 and continue in order through episode 204. BEMA Discipleship is a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries.

Episode Date
322: The Forgotten Women of the New Testament
57:24
Mar 16, 2023
321: The Forgotten Women of the Tanakh
1:05:40

Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé draw their chairs closer to the fire of the accounts of women who may have been overlooked in the Hebrew Bible.

Binders Full of Women — Know Your Meme

BEMA 209: Midrash — Noah’s Backstory and the Nephilim

Mar 09, 2023
320: The Forgotten Women — Sages and Wise Women
47:21

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks study sages and wise women of the Text.

Nadītu — Wikipedia

Mar 02, 2023
319: The Forgotten Women — Presentism and Primitivism
46:43
Feb 23, 2023
318: Alonzo Felder — Discovering A. S. J. Allen
1:06:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Alonzo Felder, author of Discovering A. S. J. Allen. Over the course of his career as an IT analyst at Duke University, Alonzo became an expert in a number of research methods and has done extensive work on his own family history.

Discovering A. S. J. Allen by Alonzo Felder

“Do You Know” Scale

Review of Discovering A. S. J. Allen — Marty Solomon, Goodreads

Online Course for Family History Research [coming soon]

Documentary Film/Series [coming soon]

My Roots Foundation

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Alonzo Felder.
Feb 16, 2023
317: Asking Better Questions of the Bible w/ Erin Geiselman
1:08:36

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Erin Geiselman, leader of the launch team for Marty’s book Asking Better Questions of the Bible, to discuss what the experience of writing a book was like for Marty.

Asking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty Solomon

BEMA 207: J. R. Briggs — The Sacred Overlap

The Writing Life Course — Kairos Partnerships

From Novice to Expert by Patricia Benner

BEMA 57: Lamentations — Lament and Hope

Erin Geiselman on Twitter

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Erin Geiselman.
Feb 09, 2023
316: Parables — The Unforgiving Servant
1:14:42

Brent Billings and Reed Dent talk about the story of the unforgiving servant and the end of bookkeeping and seeing our enemies as ourselves.

BEMA 121: The Key to Your Own Prison

“The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” by Reed Dent — Campus Christian Fellowship

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Free of Charge by Miroslav Volf

Join the BEMA Slack

Feb 02, 2023
315: Parables — The Lost Son
1:14:38

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are back with Reed Dent to discuss the lost son of Luke 15 and what it means to be lost.

The Pharisees by Joseph Sievers and Amy-Jill Levine

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey

Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon

Jan 26, 2023
314: Parables — The Barn Builder
49:16
Jan 19, 2023
313: Parables — The Good Samaritan
1:23:29

Brent Billings is joined by Reed Dent and Elle Grover Fricks to talk about the story of the Good Samaritan and what it looks like to love people we’d rather not.

Elle Meets John Piper

“On Priests and Jericho in the Second Temple Period” by Joshua Schwartz — ResearchGate

“The Parable of the Good Samaritan” by Reed Dent — Campus Christian Fellowship

Jan 12, 2023
312: Parables — Dissecting a Swallow
1:09:36
Jan 05, 2023
311: Keith Simon — Truth Over Tribe
48:57

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Keith Simon, co-author of Truth Over Tribe, who co-planted The Crossing, a politically diverse church where he is the co-lead teaching pastor. He hosts a podcast by the same name, Truth Over Tribe, and teaches on Ten Minute Bible Talks.

Truth Over Tribe by Patrick Miller and Keith Simon

Truth Over Tribe Podcast

Ten Minute Bible Talks

BEMA 309: On Social Media

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Keith Simon.
Dec 29, 2022
310: The Nativity Story
46:53
Dec 22, 2022
309: On Social Media
39:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings address the Twitter-sized elephant in the room, talk about how each of them use social media, and consider ways all of us can engage this part of our world in a healthy way.

BEMA Poll/Survey (valid through 26 April 2023)

“Twitter suspends @ElonJet plane-tracking bot after Musk pledged to leave it up” — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica

“Elon Musk offloads another $3.6 billion of Tesla stock” — Dave Lee, Financial Times/Ars Technica

“One More for the ‘Everything Is Going Just Fine at Twitter’ File” — John Gruber, Daring Fireball

“Musk brings back Twitter Blue with new features to prevent impersonation” — Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica

“On the Prevalence of Hate Speech on Twitter” — John Gruber, Daring Fireball

“Goodbye, Twitter” — Ken White, Substack

Brent’s Tweet on Sabbath

“Platformer: Twitter Considering Making Personalized Ads and Location Sharing Mandatory” — John Gruber, Daring Fireball

Thought of the Day: The Social Dilemma — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Brent’s Tweet on Playback Controls

Tweet Thread on Infinite Scrolling

BEMA 2: Knowing When to Say “Enough”

Thought of the Day: Social Media Beatitudes — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Thought of the Day: Disagreement — Marty Solomon, YouTube

BEMA on Facebook

BEMA on Twitter

Marty on Instagram

Brent on Instagram

Brent’s Mastodon Invite Link

THINGS THAT TRANSPIRED BETWEEN RECORDING AND PUBLISHING

Elon’s Poll for Leadership of Twitter

Brent’s Tweet Commenting on How This Episode Quickly Became Outdated

Dave Lee’s Tweet on Linking to Mastodon

Aaron Levie’s Tweet on External Linking Policy

Dec 19, 2022
308: The Chosen S2E9 — “The Messengers”
50:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Maggi Billings to discuss The Chosen S2E9 (the 2021 Christmas special), “The Messengers.”

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Festival Edition: The Birth (w/ Katie Del Rocco) [Adaptation from Frederick Buechner] — Marty Solomon, YouTube

The Nativity Story (2006 film)

The Nativity Story on JustWatch

Special Guest: Maggi Billings.
Dec 15, 2022
307: Tohu va Vohu (State of the Podcast)
1:03:51

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Brian Truschinger, Elle Grover Fricks, Reed Dent, and Josh Bossé, all together for the very first time to discuss what is happening with BEMA and what we hope for the future.

BEMA Poll/Survey (valid through 26 April 2023)

The BEMA Liturgy

Tell It Slant by Eugene Peterson

Elle’s Website for Hebrew Classes

The Text In Us Podcast

Josh’s Beard Progress (surgery > shaved > 1 month > 3 months)

Sermon with Brian’s Toilet Story

“How to Speed Listen (for Students or Podfasters)” by Hugh Rayner — University of Melbourne

Special Guest: Brian Truschinger.
Dec 08, 2022
306: Brian David — Chiasms in John
59:49

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Brian David, who spent 37 years coaching people in software, and 25 years coaching high school sports, but now finds himself “coaching” the Text.

Chiasms in John by Brian David

BEMA 28: Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and Tamarisk

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey

Star Wars Ring Theory by Mike Klimo

Jesus and the Eyewitnesses by Richard Bauckham

Join the BEMA Slack

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Brian David.
Dec 01, 2022
305: Gary Burge — Interpreting the Gospel of John
1:04:14
Nov 17, 2022
304: The Construction of the Gospel of John
46:04

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the different elements of John’s construction and consider some of the scholarly theories and observations that have been made over the years, seeing what there might be to learn in those possibilities.

Interpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. Burge

Asking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty Solomon

Nov 10, 2022
303: The History and Style of the Gospel of John
46:48

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a tour through the history of textual criticism that surrounds the Gospel of John and we look at the unique styles and attributes of John’s writing.

Interpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. Burge

Historical Tradition and Sources in John

Nov 03, 2022
302: John — Do You Even Like Me?
41:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen in on the restoration of Peter and consider the conclusion John writes for his Gospel account.

BEMA 131: Betrayal

Pre-order: Asking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty Solomon

Oct 27, 2022
301: John — On Doubting and Locked Doors
1:12:42
Oct 20, 2022
300: John — The Migdal
1:15:58

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks witness the resurrection of Jesus and consider the figure of Miriam the Migdal, more commonly known as Mary Magdalene.

Isis — Wikipedia

Early Christian Women and Pagan Opinion by Margaret Y. MacDonald

The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene by Jane Schaberg

The Woman Jesus Loved by Antti Marjanen

Oct 13, 2022
299: John — One Pierced
29:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings pick up after the moment of Jesus’s death on the cross, looking at the preparations for his burial and the work of two unexpected characters who take their own stand in honoring Jesus.

Arimathea — Wikipedia

Oct 06, 2022
298: John — Not Forsaken
43:05

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into John’s account of Jesus’s crucifixion.

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

Shmuel Safrai — Wikipedia

Sep 29, 2022
297: Kat Armas — Abuelita Faith
47:34

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Kat Armas, author of Abuelita Faith, whose earliest theological formation came from her grandmother and ultimately inspired her to tell the stories of those we find on the margins. She teaches people to reflect on the abuelitas in their lives and shows us how to live out this kind of faith on a daily basis.

The Protagonistas

Abuelita Faith by Kat Armas

Abuelita Fe by Kat Armas

Sacred Belonging by Kat Armas

BEMA 52: Jonah — Potential

Kat Armas’s Website

Kat Armas on Twitter

Kat Armas on Instagram

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Kat Armas.
Sep 22, 2022
296: John — I Am He
45:31

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see Jesus arrested, finding himself questioned, Peter questioned, finding himself lacking in courage, and Pilate drawn into an argument, finding himself cornered.

Join the BEMA Slack

Sep 15, 2022
295: John — Strategy
41:17

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at Jesus’s famous prayer for unity. Why is this his foremost concern before he goes to the cross?

Sep 08, 2022
294: John — Sacrifice, Suffering, and Joy
1:10:00
Sep 01, 2022
293: John — Sin, Righteousness, Judgment
34:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue Jesus’s discussion about the place of persecution in the coming days, decades, and centuries. What is the Holy Spirit’s job (or at least one of them) in this process of glorification?

Join the BEMA Slack

Aug 25, 2022
292: John — The Pruning Work of Persecution
48:27

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings spend time in one of the staple passages of Impact Campus Ministries, and a foundational text for intimacy with God. Jesus is the true vine—what can we learn by taking this truth seriously?

BEMA 24: Creating a Space

About — Impact Campus Ministries

Aug 18, 2022
291: John — Parakletos
38:01

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue into Jesus’s discourse in preparation for his death, where he promises the Advocate, the Helper, the Counselor—the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit — BibleProject

Join the BEMA Slack

Aug 11, 2022
290: John — This Is the Way
48:10

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin Jesus’s final discourse in John as he prepares for his imminent arrest, considering what it means that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

BEMA 22: Under the Chuppah

The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Oxford University Press (NRSV)

BEMA 87: John — Grafted

BEMA 137: A Dry Tree

Aug 04, 2022
289: John — Loved to the End
36:07

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin an examination of the “Book of Hours” or the “Book of Glory.” What does it look like to believe in Jesus?

John — Loved to the End Presentation (PDF)

BEMA 131: Betrayal

The Fidelity of Betrayal by Peter Rollins

Jul 28, 2022
288: Steve Park — Little Lights
1:02:31

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Steve Park, founder of Little Lights Urban Ministries in Washington, DC. He teaches race literacy for Christians, provides after-school and summer programs, adult and employment programs, Christian mentoring and Bible studies, and so much more.

Little Lights

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

The World’s Religions by Huston Smith

Race: The Power of an Illusion — PBS

Race Literacy 101 Class

Little Lights on YouTube

Little Lights on Facebook

Little Lights on Instagram

Little Lights on LinkedIn

Little Lights on Twitter

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Steve Park.
Jul 21, 2022
287: John — The Test of Meat
1:08:22

Brent Billings and Josh Bossé resume an reexamination of John 6 as Jesus continues to subvert the expectations of the people as the second Moses.

Josh Bossé on CaringBridge

Join the BEMA Slack

Jul 14, 2022
286: John — The Test of Bread
50:12

Brent Billings and Josh Bossé examine John 6 for a second time, looking at the test Jesus gives to his disciples as they prepare to feed the 5000.

BEMA 281: John — You Are Gods

Josh Bossé on CaringBridge

Jul 07, 2022
285: John — Book of Signs
34:10

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish John’s “Book of Signs” and the concluding examination of belief and disbelief.

BEMA 64: 3 Isaiah — Servant

Thought of the Day: Two Hands of Faith — Marty Solomon, YouTube

The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr

Jun 30, 2022
284: John — The Hour Has Come
33:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings work toward the closing of the Book of Signs in the Gospel of John as Jesus states that his hour has come.

BEMA 124: Statement of Triumph

The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Oxford University Press (NRSV)

Voice of God — Wikipedia

Jun 23, 2022
283: John — Missing God in the Name of God
37:56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider the Pharisees’ reaction to the raising of Lazarus, as well as the story of Mary anointing Jesus for burial.

“Missing God in the Name of God” (sermon) — University Christian Church, YouTube

The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Oxford University Press (NRSV)

Jun 16, 2022
282: John — The Dance of Grief
1:22:28

Brent Billings and Reed Dent discuss a story about Mary and Martha and Jesus, which also happens to contain an episode about the death and resurrection of Lazarus.

“Lazarus Come Forth” by Carmen — YouTube

“The Way of Suffering: A Reasoning of the Heart” by Jerome A. Miller

Existence of God by John R. Jacobson

Jun 09, 2022
281: John — You Are Gods
54:35

Brent Billings and Josh Bossé discuss spiritual leadership and the conversations with Jesus in the temple courts at the Festival of Dedication.

Join the BEMA Slack

Josh Bossé on CaringBridge

Support Josh Bossé

Jun 02, 2022
280: The Road Back to Eden
46:00

Brent Billings provides an introduction for Marty Solomon to lead us in a special conversation that means a lot to him personally, meant to help us consider one of the things God is inviting us to as we partner with Him to put the world back together. How do we make it back to Eden?

BEMA 6: A Tale of a Tower

The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Amazon)

The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Aleph Beta)

May 26, 2022
279: John — My Sheep, My Voice
36:54
May 19, 2022
278: John — Only the Blind Can See
45:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the healing of a blind man and Jesus’s subsequent teaching on a different kind of blindness.

Everyman’s Talmud by Abraham Cohen

The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

Addendum to BEMA 80 — Marty Solomon, YouTube

May 12, 2022
277: John — Before Abraham Was
29:33

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider a provocative teaching of Jesus that nearly got him executed.

May 05, 2022
276: John — Who Is Your Father?
52:22

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the dispute Jesus has with those who believed him about who their father is.

Apr 28, 2022
275: Kate Schmidgall — BitterSweet
49:18

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Kate Schmidgall, the founder and director of BitterSweet Creative, and the founder and editor of BitterSweet Monthly.

National Community Church, Lincoln Theatre Campus

NCC Lincoln Theatre Campus Staff

Contemplations Series with Walter Brueggemann

An Other Kingdom by Peter Block, Walter Brueggemann, and John McKnight

Breaking Ground by Anne Snyder and Susannah Black

Comment Magazine

Resident Aliens by Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon

Flourishing on the Edge of Faith by Andrew DeCort

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Kate Schmidgall.
Apr 21, 2022
274: John — Light of the World
34:14

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear Jesus talk about his own identity and testimony in the face of those who grapple with his teachings.

BEMA 85: Mark — Roman Gospel

Written in the Dust (Brad Gray sermon) — Real Life on the Palouse

Interpreting the Gospel of John by Gary M. Burge

Jesus Within Judaism by James H. Charlesworth

Apr 14, 2022
273: John — Pericope of an Honor Contest
51:34
Apr 07, 2022
272: The Chosen S2E8 — “Beyond Mountains” (Bonus Episode)
42:18
Apr 04, 2022
271: John — The Greatest Day of the Feast
45:28

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish John 7, discussing the differing opinions about the identity of Jesus.

Miracles of Messiah by Ron Miller

BEMA 76: Silent Years — Sadducees

BEMA 130: The Plot to Kill Jesus

Mar 31, 2022
270: The Chosen S2E7 — “Reckoning” (Bonus Episode)
42:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue reviewing The Chosen with a discussion on the seventh episode of Season 2.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Mar 28, 2022
269: John — Any Time Will Do
31:32

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings jump into John 7, discussing Jesus’s engagement with the Festival of Tabernacles.

Sukkot & Simchat Torah — Chabad.org

Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton

Mar 24, 2022
268: The Chosen S2E6 — “Unlawful” (Bonus Episode)
32:53

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings return to The Chosen with a discussion on the sixth episode of Season 2.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Episode 6: "This line wrecks me." (Director Reaction) — The Chosen, YouTube

Mar 21, 2022
267: John — The Far Side of a Tumultuous Sea
1:11:47

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Reed Dent to finish examining the sixth chapter of John, and attempt to bring some closure to this challenging portion of the Text.

I Asked for Wonder by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Prototype by Jonathan Martin

BEMA 230: Mandy Smith — Unfettered

Unfettered by Mandy Smith

The Experience of God by David Bentley Hart

Join the BEMA Slack

Mar 17, 2022
266: The Chosen S2E5 — “Spirit” (Bonus Episode)
38:29
Mar 14, 2022
265: John — Make Him King
44:01
Mar 10, 2022
264: The Chosen S2E4 — “The Perfect Opportunity” (Bonus Episode)
45:51
Mar 07, 2022
263: John — Weighty Testimony
49:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider the reactions to Jesus healing on the Sabbath in John 5, and discuss the authority of and testimonies about Jesus.

Impact Staff Opening at the University of Oregon

BEMA 95: Abolish or Fulfill

God Was in This Place & I, I Did Not Know by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

BEMA 190: Session 4 Capstone

Mar 03, 2022
262: The Chosen S2E3 — “Matthew 4:24” (Bonus Episode)
48:48
Feb 28, 2022
261: John — What Do You Want?
1:00:26

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Kevan Chandler of We Carry Kevan to continue through the Gospel of John, exploring the healing of the official’s son and the healing at the pool of Bethesda.

BEMA 102: Son of Man

Addendum to BEMA 102 — Marty Solomon, YouTube

We Carry Kevan (Nonprofit Organization)

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Kevan Chandler.
Feb 24, 2022
260: The Chosen S2E2 — “I Saw You” (Bonus Episode)
37:24
Feb 21, 2022
259: Kevan Chandler — We Carry Kevan
1:04:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Kevan Chandler, author of the book We Carry Kevan, and founder of the nonprofit organization We Carry Kevan.

We Carry Kevan by Kevan Chandler

We Carry Kevan (Nonprofit Organization)

Andrew Peterson

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Kevan Chandler.
Feb 17, 2022
258: The Chosen S2E1 — “Thunder” (Bonus Episode)
48:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are breaking ground with a first-time-ever Monday episode of BEMA, beginning the continuation of our review of The Chosen with a discussion on the first episode of Season 2.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

BEMA 167: James — Mitzvoth

Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Feb 14, 2022
257: John — Wells and Husbands
56:06

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Elle Grover Fricks to continue through the Gospel of John, exploring who the Samaritans are, the place of women in Jewish and Christian practice around the first century, and a sprinkling of midrash to top it all off.

Samaritans Cooking for Passover

Targum — Wikipedia

Targum Jerusalem, Genesis 28:10 — Sefaria

The Samaritan Woman Story: An Alternative View — Israel Institute of Biblical Studies

“Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue” by Bernadette J. Brooten — JSTOR

Serah — Sefaria

Feb 10, 2022
256: John — The One from Above
42:03

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the Gospel of John, looking at the testimony of John the Baptist as he ratifies the identity and ministry of Christ.

Map of the Regions of Israel in Ancient Times

Thought of the Day: Imposter Syndrome — Marty Solomon, YouTube

sphragizo — Blue Letter Bible

Feb 03, 2022
255: John — Water, Spirit, Darkness, Light
1:09:16

Brent Billings and Josh Bossé continue the journey through the Gospel of John, discussing the meeting of Jesus and Nicodemus, and the themes of their conversation.

BEMA 226: The Chosen S1E7 — “Invitations”

The Great British Bake Off — Wikipedia

The Tree of Life (2011 film)

God in Search of Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Man Is Not Alone by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Jan 27, 2022
254: John — A Wedding and Some Housekeeping
39:22

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continuing the journey through the Gospel of John with the wedding at Cana and the clearing of the temple courts.

BEMA 79: Silent Years — Zealots

BEMA 224: The Chosen S1E5 — “The Wedding Gift”

The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Oxford University Press (NRSV)

Jan 20, 2022
253: John — Come and See
41:53

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the Gospel of John with the testimony of John the Baptist and Jesus’s call to his first disciples.

Targum — Wikipedia

Creation Series: John 1 — BibleProject

In the Beginning: John 1 — BibleProject Podcast

BEMA 78: Silent Years — Essenes

Jan 13, 2022
252: John — What’s in a Logos?
38:00
Jan 06, 2022
251: John Roberts — A Griever’s Guide to Life
49:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest John Roberts to discuss his book, A Griever’s Guide to Life.

A Griever’s Guide to Life by John McNeely Roberts

“September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire — YouTube

Home Video: La Paz, Bolivia Vol. 1 — Olivia Roberts, YouTube

“Not for Me to Say” by Johnny Mathis — YouTube

B-Olivia Library

John’s family in 2015 | Olivia in 2016

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: John Roberts.
Dec 30, 2021
250: The Chosen S1E0 — “The Shepherd”
38:11

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings go back to where it all started for The Chosen, reviewing what essentially became the pilot episode. “The Shepherd” was created as a short film for Dallas’s church in 2017 and took off like a wildfire.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

The Nativity Story (2006 film)

Dec 23, 2021
249: Michael Burns — Escaping the Beast
1:02:25

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Michael Burns, a teaching minister in the Two Cities Church in Minneapolis-St. Paul. He taught high school history in the central city of Milwaukee for nearly ten years before graduating from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a national and international biblical teacher at churches, schools of mission, and workshops. He has authored many books, including Crossing the Line; All Things to All People; and Escaping the Beast. Michael and his wife, MyCresha, have two adult sons.

Marty on the All Things to All People Podcast with Michael Burns

Marty’s Sasquatch GIF

Escaping the Beast by Michael Burns

Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Crossing the Line by Michael Burns

All Things to All People by Michael Burns

All Things to All People Podcast

Michael Burns Teaching Ministry Website

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Michael Burns.
Dec 16, 2021
248: Joy and Lot’s Untitled Wife w/ Elle Grover Fricks
45:38

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks go through a Hebrew lesson on joy and explore the account of Lot’s wife, examining what is said and what is not said about this character.

Learning Hebrew with Elle — Joy (PDF)

Elle’s Website

Text in Us Podcast

Lot’s Wife (crag) — Wikipedia

Sanhedrin (tractate) — Wikipedia

“Lot’s Wife” by Kristine Batey

“Women and Torah: Ancient and Modern Midrashim” by Janelle Glick

Dec 09, 2021
247: Sleepless in Susa w/ Josh Bossé
58:12

Brent Billings is joined by Josh Bossé to examine Esther’s plan for getting into the king’s throne room and what she is actually trying to accomplish once she’s there.

BEMA 70: Esther — Purim

Join the BEMA Slack

Dec 02, 2021
246: Eugenia Ortega — A Look into Our Window
44:20

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Eugenia Ortega to discuss her experience raising a child with autism, and encouraging all of us to have curiosity and empathy for people whose experiences are different than our own.

A Look into Our Window by Eugenia Ortega

John Whittaker

BibleProject

Eugenia Ortega on Facebook

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Eugenia Ortega.
Nov 18, 2021
245: Spiritual Abuse — Liturgy for Repentance and Healing
23:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Elle Grover Fricks to provide a liturgical space for repentance and healing.

This episode is adapted from “Prayers of the Faithful” from the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Rape, Assault & Incest National Network

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Nov 11, 2021
244: Spiritual Abuse — The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill
1:11:55
Nov 04, 2021
243: Spiritual Abuse — The Place We Find Ourselves
47:04

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings reflect on a conversation between Rachel Clinton Chen and Adam Young that provided some helpful notes to illuminate the journey into the world of spiritual abuse.

The Place We Find Ourselves 89: Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual Abuse Archives — The Allender Center

Spiral Dynamics — Wikipedia

Oct 28, 2021
242: Spiritual Abuse — Commodities and Variables
47:49

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin a series that reflects on the heartbreaking realities of spiritual abuse, using notes from a recent conference to guide the conversation.

Thought of the Day: Imposter Syndrome — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Campus House at Purdue

Join the BEMA Slack

Find a BEMA Group

Oct 21, 2021
241: Becky Solomon — Don’t Exasperate Your Kids
52:40

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the state of the podcast, and then Marty is joined by Becky Solomon to talk about parenting.

“How 936 Pennies Will Forever Change How You Parent” — Eryn Lynum

Special Guest: Becky Solomon.
Oct 14, 2021
240: Sin and the Archaeology of Joshua w/ Elle Grover Fricks
34:38
Oct 07, 2021
239: Abraham Considers a Catechism w/ Reed Dent
56:05

Brent Billings is joined by Reed Dent to discuss the meaning of faith and the fears associated with deconstruction, both within a person and for those around them.

Join the BEMA Slack

You Have Permission Podcast

Sep 30, 2021
238: Jewish Roots — What Difference Does It Make?
56:08

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings follow up on listener feedback from the episode with Jen Rosner before exploring the final three chapters of Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing the Jewish character of the Church and puzzling through what difference it makes to our lives as Christians.

Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott

The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill — Christianity Today

Mark S. Kinzer

Archbishop Foley Beach at the Anglican Church in North America

Gerald R. McDermott at Samford University

Join the BEMA Slack

Sep 23, 2021
237: Jewish Roots — Ways Parted for a Dark History
51:46

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the seventh and eighth chapters of Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing the divergence of Judaism and Christianity, and analyzing the relationship between the two groups in the centuries since.

Jewish Roots — Ways Parted for a Dark History Presentation (PDF)

Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott

Isaac W. Oliver at Bradley University

“Seeing What’s Next” (Technology Adoption Rates) — Asymco

Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn — Wikipedia

Sep 16, 2021
236: Jewish Roots — Paul, Jewish Law, and Atonement in Hebrews
55:29

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the fourth and fifth chapters of Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing Paul’s relationship to Jewish Law and the atonement process we see in Hebrews.

Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott

David Rudolph at The King’s University

David M. Moffitt at the University of St. Andrews

BEMA 147: Galatians — Two Women, Two Covenants

BEMA 165: Hebrews — Running a Better Race

BEMA 166: Hebrews — Atonement 101

Sep 09, 2021
235: Jewish Roots — Tanakh and Religion
43:20

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings venture further into the ideas from the book Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity, discussing chapters 2–3 on how the authors of the New Testament used Tanakh and whether Jesus intended to establish a new religion.

Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott

Mark S. Gignilliat at Beeson Divinity School

Inspiration and Incarnation by Peter Enns

Matthew Thiessen at McMaster University

Matthew Thiessen on Twitter

Sep 02, 2021
234: Jen Rosner — The Jewish Roots of Christianity
1:04:25

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. Jennifer Rosner, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. She also holds academic posts at The King’s University, Azusa Pacific University, and the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute. Her passion is to explore the relationship with Judaism and Christianity, and she spent time living in Jerusalem with her husband, Yonah, before returning to the States. They have two children.

Jen Rosner’s Website

Keely Boeving, Literary Agent and Freelance Editor

At the Foot of the Mountain by Joshua M. Lessard and Jennifer M. Rosner

The Torah and the Spirit (Part 1) with Jen Rosner and Josh Lessard

The Torah and the Spirit (Part 2) with Jen Rosner and Josh Lessard

The God of Israel and Christian Theology by R. Kendall Soulen

Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity by Gerald McDermott

Healing the Schism by Jennifer M. Rosner

Karl Barth — Wikipedia

Church Dogmatics by Karl Barth

Franz Rosenzweig — Wikipedia

Jen Rosner on Twitter

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Jen Rosner.
Aug 26, 2021
233: Introducing the Team — Striking the Rock w/ Josh Bossé
1:01:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by the next new host, Josh Bossé, to discuss his expanded role on the BEMA team. Josh is the Lead Campus Minister with Impact Campus Ministries in Cincinnati, a newly established team for ICM. He is passionate about digging deep into the Text and finding practical, psychological, cultural, and mystical ways of weaving ourselves into God's story. He and his wife, Sophia, have just purchased a home in College Hill and look forward to building a family.

BEMA 21: With All Your Soul & “Very”

BEMA 30: Lead with Your Voice

BEMA 23: Falling on Joyful Faces

Join the BEMA Slack

Aug 19, 2021
232: Introducing the Team — Jephthah’s Daughter w/ Elle Grover Fricks
41:12

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by their next new host, Elle Grover Fricks. Elle has undergraduate degrees in psychology and music from Washington State University, spent four years in mental health as a state-certified behavioral therapist, has a Master of Arts in the Bible & the Ancient Near East from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is the pastor of Refuge Church in Pullman, Washington. They discuss her new role on the BEMA team, the different words for laws and rules in the Old Testament, Jephthah’s daughter and the subject of violence against women, and other random topics.

Learning Hebrew with Elle — Laws, Decrees, Commands, etc. (PDF)

Elle Singing at St. Anne’s in Jerusalem — YouTube

Refuge Church Pullman on YouTube

Elle’s Website

Aug 12, 2021
231: Introducing the Team — Deconstruction w/ Reed Dent
1:02:21

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined again by Reed Dent, staff member with Campus Christian Fellowship at Truman State University in Missouri, to discuss his new role on the BEMA team and consider the idea of deconstruction.

Reed’s Handcrafted Kayak

Impossible Constructions — M. C. Escher

The Architecture of Dr. Seuss, a Brief History — Architizer

Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon

Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State University

Aug 05, 2021
230: Mandy Smith — Unfettered
52:12

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Mandy Smith, pastor, author, and speaker. She is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and Missio Alliance, and a part of the Ecclesia Network. She and her husband, Jamie, a New Testament professor, have two kids.

St. Lucia Uniting Church

The Vulnerable Pastor by Mandy Smith

Unfettered by Mandy Smith

The Wordless Book by Charles H. Spurgeon

The Whole Good News — Missio Alliance [this event happened in 2021]

Mandy Smith at Christianity Today

Mandy Smith at Missio Alliance

Mandy Smith at Ecclesia Network

Mandy Smith on Vimeo

The Way Is the Way

Mandy Smith on Twitter

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Mandy Smith.
Jul 29, 2021
229: Dallas Jenkins — Manna Program, Part 2
48:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a conversation with special guest Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of The Chosen, on Season 1 of this breakout series.

Thank you to Drew Schmitz of Harvest Bible Church in Phoenix for helping us set up this interview.

“Can you trust The Chosen?” — The Chosen, YouTube

The Chosen’s Channel on YouTube

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Dallas Jenkins.
Jul 22, 2021
228: Dallas Jenkins — Manna Program, Part 1
47:33

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of The Chosen, to discuss all of the burning questions from Season 1 of this breakout series.

Thank you to Drew Schmitz of Harvest Bible Church in Phoenix for helping us set up this interview.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Dallas Jenkins.
Jul 15, 2021
227: The Chosen S1E8 — “I Am He”
1:01:12
Jul 08, 2021
226: The Chosen S1E7 — “Invitations”
38:55

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the seventh episode.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

180-degree rule — Wikipedia

Todd Vaziri on the 180 Line — Twitter

Jul 01, 2021
225: The Chosen S1E6 — “Indescribable Compassion”
46:18

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the sixth episode.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Jun 24, 2021
224: The Chosen S1E5 — “The Wedding Gift”
1:01:12

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the fifth episode.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Jun 17, 2021
223: The Chosen S1E4 — “The Rock on Which It Is Built”
39:23

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the fourth episode.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Jun 10, 2021
222: The Chosen S1E3 — “Jesus Loves the Little Children”
36:27

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the third episode.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Jun 03, 2021
221: The Chosen S1E2 — “Shabbat”
54:16

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the second episode.

Eishet Chayil — Aleph Beta

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

May 27, 2021
220: The Chosen S1E1 — “I Have Called You by Name”
57:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings commence a review of The Chosen, starting with an overview of what the series is and discussing the first episode.

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Everyman’s Talmud by Abraham Cohen

May 20, 2021
219: Becky Solomon — Loving the Adventure
51:57
May 13, 2021
218: Midrash — Death at Dinner
32:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey back into the story of Eliezer finding Rebekah as a wife for Isaac. What is happening at dinner that evening? Why is Laban acting with such authority if the father, Bethuel, is alive and well?

Map of Abraham’s Servant Finding Isaac a Wife — Headwaters Christian Resources

BEMA 12: A Mission Realized

Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts

May 06, 2021
217: Midrash — Isaac’s Bad Eyes
42:40

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into some of the midrash surrounding the story of the “binding of Isaac.” What really happened to Isaac on that mountain, and what does this have to do with Isaac’s blindness?

BEMA 11: Here I Am

Map of Abraham’s Servant Finding Isaac a Wife — Headwaters Christian Resources

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.

Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts

Apr 29, 2021
216: Porshe Chiles — Can We Talk?
50:46

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Porshe Chiles. She holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of North Texas, and she is currently the associate director of global research at Wake Forest University. Moving from Texas to Japan to North Carolina, and other places in between, Porshe has a wealth of experience in language and intercultural studies.

Jude 3 Project Podcast

The Disrupters Podcast (Esau McCaulley)

Epiphany Fellowship Church Podcast (Eric Mason)

BEMA 192: Telling a Story

Endurance Consulting

Endurance Consulting on Instagram

Can We Talk? Facebook Community

Additional audio production by Gus Simpson

Special Guest: Porshe Chiles.
Apr 22, 2021
215: Character Study — Joseph, Part 2
32:43

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings merge the studies of Joseph and Jacob. As Joseph eventually experiences a reunification of his family, what more is left to do? Shouldn’t they sit back and enjoy the redemption in Egypt? Apparently not, according to Jacob.

The Exodus You Almost Passed Over by Rabbi David Fohrman

Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

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Apr 15, 2021
214: Character Study — Joseph, Part 1
37:06

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the arguments surrounding who bought Joseph from his brothers.

The Exodus You Almost Passed Over by Rabbi David Fohrman

Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

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Rashi — Wikipedia

Maimonides — Wikipedia

Nachmanides — Wikipedia

Apr 08, 2021
213: Character Study — Jacob, Part 2
45:58

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the conversation for this particular character study of Jacob. They suggested in the last episode that God was with Jacob, even if He did not approve of his actions. Why does God delay justice and/or punishment?

Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman

Aleph Beta Academy

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Rashi — Wikipedia

Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts

Apr 01, 2021
212: Character Study — Jacob, Part 1
53:48

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a deeper look at the character of Jacob and share some things they’ve learned since the previous episodes on Jacob from 2017.

Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

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Mar 25, 2021
211: John Whittaker — Blue Jeans Theology
52:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest John Whittaker. He holds degrees in theology and ministry from Boise Bible College and Cincinnati Bible Seminary, plus a doctorate in preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a professor of preaching and the New Testament for 19 years, spent 11 years planting and pastoring a church, and has taught and preached at various places around the world. He has been teaching people to follow Jesus by learning to hear what the Bible says, and his latest endeavors are more accessible to people than ever. He and his wife, Louise, have been married for more than 30 years.

The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

John Whittaker

Bible in Life Podcast

Tim Mackie: Skateboards, Jesus, and the Bible — Bible in Life Podcast

Brad Gray: The Power of the Original Context — Bible in Life Podcast

Brad Gray: The Old Testament Law and the Big Story of the Bible — Bible in Life Podcast

Jesus vs. Culture on Money and Wealth — Bible in Life Podcast

Core Training for Christians — Video Courses by John Whittaker

Prepare Them to Flourish by John Whittaker

About Prepare Them to Flourish

The Listener’s Commentary

Resources from John Whittaker

Intro to the Gospels — The Listener’s Commentary

Luke — The Listener’s Commentary

Special Guest: John Whittaker.
Mar 18, 2021
210: Midrash — The Man in the Fur Coat
37:32

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at even more midrash that surrounds the character of Noah. Some commentary describes Noah as the man in the fur coat. What is this all about?

Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

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Mar 11, 2021
209: Midrash — Noah’s Backstory and the Nephilim
49:11
Mar 04, 2021
208: Midrash — Iscah, Sarai, and Birth Orders
39:35

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a deeper dive into one of the topics they hear about from listeners the most—midrash—and answer the most commonly asked question from the entire run of the podcast: What is going on with the genealogy of Abraham?

BEMA 8: Buried in a Genealogy

BEMA FAQ: Midrash — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Jewish Women’s Archive

BEMA 173: Jude — False Teachers

Feb 25, 2021
207: J. R. Briggs — The Sacred Overlap
45:03

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. J. R. Briggs, the founder and director of Kairos Partnerships. His list of ministries and projects spans the gamut of possibility: from coaching pastors to instructing university students, from authoring books to hosting podcasts, J. R. brings a wealth of experience wherever he goes. He and his wife, Megan, have two boys and live just outside of Philadelphia.

About J. R. Briggs — Kairos Partnerships

Publications — Kairos Partnerships

Fail by J. R. Briggs

The Sacred Overlap by J. R. Briggs

Thought of the Day: Sacred Overlap — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Monday Morning Pastor Podcast

“Rubbing Shoulders with God” with Marty Solomon — Monday Morning Pastor

Resilient Leaders Podcast

Tweet on Hand Copying Luke

Practical Tips and Resources for Hand Copying Scripture — Kairos Partnerships

Tweet on Hand Copying John

J. R. Briggs on Twitter

A Time To Heal by J. R. Briggs

Special Guest: J. R. Briggs.
Feb 18, 2021
206: Reed Dent — The Nature of Truth
57:36
Feb 11, 2021
205: Session 6 Intro
48:30

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Session 6, what they hope to accomplish, and some of the things you can expect to find in the next chapter of the BEMA Podcast.

BEMA Merchandise — TeePublic

Join the BEMA Slack

News — BEMA Discipleship

Marty Solomon on YouTube

Groups — BEMA Discipleship

Feb 04, 2021
204: Session 5 Capstone
36:24

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings officially wrap up the journey through history and talk about what comes next for BEMA…

Out of Sorts by Sarah Bessey

Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey

Join the BEMA Slack

Marty Solomon on YouTube

Sign Up for the BEMA Messenger

Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall

Jan 28, 2021
203: You Are Here
22:05

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings try to evaluate the great takeaways from this five-session journey through the Bible and the world of faith, talking about “The Four Pillars of BEMA” and imagining a world that returns to partake in some of the same things those early followers did thousands of years ago.

Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann

“Time in Babylon” by Emmylou Harris — YouTube

Jan 21, 2021
202: AD 1925 to Today
19:24

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring the story to our current day, seeing what this last century has done to the world of faith that we call our own. What is Christian fundamentalism and where did it come from? And how does evangelicalism fit into all of this? As believers, we make many assumptions about the world around us, but knowing why it exists is often helpful in accepting what it is.

AD 1925 to Today Presentation

“Jacob Neusner, Judaic Scholar Who Forged Interfaith Bonds, Dies at 84” — The New York Times

Jacob Neusner — Wikipedia

Jan 14, 2021
201: AD 1800–1925
23:13

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings leave the French Revolution behind and move into the modern era. How was the newfound land of freedom and independence handled? How did it impact the theology and ecclesiology of the people?

AD 1800–1925 Presentation (PDF)

Union in Truth by James B. North

Jan 07, 2021
200: AD 1650–1800
17:15

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey up to the end of the eighteenth century and follow the world of Protestant history as it moves out of the Reformation and through the Age of Enlightenment.

AD 1650–1800 Presentation

Rediscovering Discipleship by Robby Gallaty

Dec 31, 2020
199: AD 1550–1650
26:22

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings walk through one century of history that experienced an unbelievable amount of change and progress. Even outside of church history, this evolving world was fertile soil for the Reformation.

AD 1550–1650 Presentation (PDF)

Geocentric Model — Wikipedia

Heliocentrism — Wikipedia

Dec 17, 2020
198: AD 1300–1550
20:37

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey from the Crusades and head toward the Protestant Reformation—but on the way, it is good to recognize some names that are often underappreciated. These figures truly paved the way for some of the formative changes coming to Christendom.

AD 1300–1550 Presentation

Dec 10, 2020
197: AD 1000–1300
18:47

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine one of the darkest chapters in the history of Christendom.

AD 1000–1300 Presentation

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Blue Like Jazz (2012 film)

The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong

Dec 03, 2020
196: AD 700–1000
26:24

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings walk through three centuries to see the great and famous East-West Schism, look at the idea of icons, and meet Charlemagne as a major character of this era of history.

AD 700–1000 Presentation

Byzantine Iconoclasm — Wikipedia

BEMA 0: Introductory Lesson

The Genesis of Science by James Hannam

Nov 19, 2020
195: AD 500–700
14:26

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey through the sixth and seventh centuries, examining the early monastic movements.

AD 500–700 Presentation

The Source by James Mishner

Nov 12, 2020
194: AD 300–500
23:41

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the fourth and fifth centuries and the period of the ecumenical councils of early Christendom.

AD 300–500 Presentation (PDF)

Nov 05, 2020
193: AD 100–300
26:12

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings walk through the second and third centuries of Church history. Why are we so not-Jewish in our Christian practice today? What happened to cause such a schism between Jews and Christians?

AD 100–300 Presentation (PDF)

Bar Kokhba revolt — Wikipedia

Didache — Wikipedia

Oct 29, 2020
192: Telling a Story
25:49
Oct 22, 2020
191: Session 5 Intro
21:24

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings prepare for the beginning of Session 5 and our journey through church history by taking one last look in our rearview mirror.

Session 5 Intro Presentation (PDF)

Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall

Sign Up for the BEMA Messenger

Discussion Groups Map

Join the BEMA Slack

Oct 15, 2020
190: Session 4 Capstone
51:29

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hold the usual capstone conversation, concluding our journey through the remainder of Scripture and reviewing the entirety thereof.

Session 4 Capstone Presentation (PDF)

Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall

Join the BEMA Slack

Sign Up for the BEMA Messenger

Discussion Groups Map

Oct 15, 2020
189: Revelation — The End Is a New Beginning
19:51

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the book of Revelation and the final verses of our journey through the New Testament, hearing the moving description of a new heaven and a new earth and an old world that has been made new.

Oct 08, 2020
188: Revelation — The Fall of Greatness
42:46

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings confront the great beast of Babylon as it appears in Revelation and consider which part of the story we should align with the most.

Revelation #14: Babylon’s Demise — Real Life on the Palouse

Oct 01, 2020
187: Revelation — The Blessed and Faithful Fallen
28:44

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the voices of those who stood against Empire and paid for it with their lives, and are reminded that Revelation is not a book of futuristic code, but an encouragement to those trying to remain faithful almost 2,000 years ago.

BEMA Discipleship — News

Sep 24, 2020
186: Revelation — Mother and Dragons
23:30

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see dragons and beasts and women riding on them. Who is this beast of land and sea? The same hermeneutic we’ve used throughout Revelation will help us know more.

Revelation — Mother and Dragons Presentation (PDF)

Sep 17, 2020
185: Revelation — Bittersweet Prophecy
20:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings press further into Revelation and this epic showdown and holy competition between Empire and Shalom.

Sep 10, 2020
184: Revelation — Let the Games Begin
27:57

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings put some context behind a cultural device that is setting up John’s Apocalypse, seeing the ancient Olympic Games and wrestling with John’s intent for the letter of Revelation.

Sep 03, 2020
183: Revelation — Seals from Scripture
21:16

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine some of the context behind the seals of the scroll that are opened and what happens when they are, taking note of the apocalyptic chaos that ensues.

Aug 27, 2020
182: Revelation — The Throne Room
22:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings head into the rest of Revelation and the apocalyptic vision that John is sharing with his persecuted audience, standing in the throne room and paying careful attention to what is seen.

Revelation — The Throne Room Presentation (PDF)

Aug 20, 2020
181: Revelation — Lukewarm Laodicea
26:29

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings travel to the last of the seven churches of John’s apocalypse: Laodicea. We’ve heard the warning against being a “lukewarm Christian.” Is there more context to this idea?

Revelation — Lukewarm Laodicea Presentation (PDF)

The Early Church — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

Aug 13, 2020
180: Revelation — Philadelphia and Their New Name
15:01

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine John’s apocalyptic letter to the church of Philadelphia and look for context, as well as Text spoken into that context.

BEMA 161: 1 Thessalonians — Parousia

Aug 06, 2020
179: Revelation — Waking Up in Sardis
38:57

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wake up in the ancient city of Sardis to see her history and glory, which should help us understand the message in the letter to her church.

Revelation — Waking Up in Sardis Presentation (PDF)

Jul 30, 2020
178: Revelation — Thyatira and Her Jezebel
27:28

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings consider the idea that John has been deliberately drawing off of apocalyptic prophets while speaking directly into culture, and we add one more layer to our hermeneutical toolbox as it relates to the book of Revelation.

Jul 23, 2020
177: Revelation — Pergamum and Satan’s Throne
33:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the ancient city of Pergamum and hear the letter to their church in its original context.

Revelation — Pergamum and Satan’s Throne Presentation (PDF)

Jul 16, 2020
176: Revelation — Smyrna and Their Crown
19:55

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to hone a hermeneutical prowess in the realm of apocalyptic literature, taking a look at the letter to Smyrna and asking, “What is the context?”

Jul 09, 2020
175: Revelation — Ephesus and Their First Love
16:52

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings travel to Ephesus, hearing the first of John’s seven letters in its context.

BEMA 158: Ephesians — Family Membership

Join the BEMA Slack

Jul 02, 2020
174: Revelation — A Book for Its Time
29:11
Jun 25, 2020
173: Jude — False Teachers
23:39
Jun 18, 2020
172: 3 John — Diotrephes
14:35

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a brief but meaningful and reflective journey through the short letter of 3 John, hearing the apostle warn the church about those who are trying to discredit and dismantle the faith.

BEMA 39: A King After God’s Own Heart

Jun 11, 2020
171: 2 John — The “Woman”
13:32

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the words of 2 John and toy with the question of who the woman is that John addresses his letter to.

Jun 04, 2020
170: 1 John — Love and Truth
20:11

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the letter of 1 John and his insistence on the role that love plays in truth—and not the other way around.

Docetism — Wikipedia

May 28, 2020
169: 2 Peter — The Other Side of a Conversation
30:53

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the second letter from the Apostle Peter to see how he utilizes the Midrash to encourage the early believers to keep walking in faithfulness and not give in to the temptation to return to the cultural norms around them.

Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts

The Bible as It Was by James L. Kugel

Noah (2014 film)

May 21, 2020
168: 1 Peter — Living Stones and a Spiritual House
16:44

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the first of two letters penned by Peter, hearing the heart of a man who had went everywhere with Jesus—including betrayal and restoration.

May 14, 2020
167: James — Mitzvoth
29:04

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the book of James and its challenging contents. Love it or hate it, this letter often provokes very strong reactions.

Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube

May 07, 2020
166: Hebrews — Atonement 101
45:47

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the many different theories and explanations of atonement that have arisen throughout the centuries—a very critical conversation for theology in our day and how we interact with the story.

A Better Atonement by Tony Jones

Did God Kill Jesus? by Tony Jones

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

Crucifixion of the Warrior God by Gregory A. Boyd

The Jesus Driven Life by Michael Hardin

A Community Called Atonement by Scot McKnight

Apr 30, 2020
165: Hebrews — Running a Better Race
34:23

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin to examine the letter of Hebrews and learn from its potential context, hearing the call for us to be people who suffer well and persevere in the faith and struggle authored by Jesus himself.

Hebrews (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse

Hebrews Infographic

Apr 23, 2020
164: Philemon — Faith Works
25:43

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey through a tiny letter from Paul with a big message to Philemon, enjoying Paul’s light-hearted encouragement to live as Jesus would have us live.

Apr 16, 2020
163: Pastoral Epistles — Timid Timothy & Tough Titus
23:21

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the lives of two very different pastors discipled by Paul—Timothy in Ephesus and Titus on Crete—and hear of their different personalities and how Paul uses each of them in his ministry.

Addendum to BEMA 163 — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Walk as Jesus Walked — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon

Apr 09, 2020
162: 2 Thessalonians — Man of Lawlessness
16:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the second letter to Thessalonica, learn about the “Man of Lawlessness,” and wrestle with the implications of this mysterious character.

Apr 02, 2020
161: 1 Thessalonians — Parousia
21:43

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings step into the context of the church in Thessalonica and examine the theme of “parousia.”

In Search of Paul by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed

Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright

Mar 26, 2020
160: Colossians — Gnostic Heresy
23:14

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the letter to the Colossians, pointing out the unique context that seems to surround the people there and the false thinking that seeks to pervade their lives of worship.

The Cave: An Adaptation of Plato’s Allegory in Clay — YouTube

Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright

Mar 19, 2020
159: Philippians — Joy
14:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear Paul’s warm letter to the Philippians and see him express joy at their faith, love, and generosity as they follow Christ.

Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon

Mar 12, 2020
158: Ephesians — Family Membership
28:48

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings travel to the second largest city in the Roman Empire and hear the words Paul wrote to the Ephesians.

Mar 05, 2020
157: 2 Corinthians — Apostleship
18:35

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the second letter to the Corinthians and see their continued struggle to live out the gospel in their unique context.

Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey

Feb 27, 2020
156: 1 Corinthians — Broken Body
33:05

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a trip to Corinth for an examination of the first letter to that complex city.

Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey

Join the BEMA Slack

Feb 20, 2020
155: Romans — God’s Mission, Paul’s Mission
38:18

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the verse-by-verse journey through the book of Romans and look back to see Paul’s big argument buried in this brilliant letter.

Romans — God’s Mission, Paul’s Mission Presentation (PDF)

Feb 13, 2020
154: Romans — Therefore
18:27

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch Paul transition from a larger argument to the massive implications for how we interact in this new Kingdom.

An Outline of Romans

Feb 06, 2020
153: Romans — The Potter
54:22

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings tackle the pesky idea of predestination and election.

In the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

BEMA 19: A Strengthened Heart

Jan 30, 2020
152: Romans — The Struggle
33:53

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings let Paul teach us from the metaphor of covenants and death. If part of us died at baptism, why would we live as if we were bound?

sarx — Blue Letter Bible

Join the BEMA Slack

Jan 23, 2020
151: Romans — Buried Alive
29:47

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen to what Paul says about walking in righteousness.

The Evolution of Adam by Peter Enns

Elementary Principles by D. Thomas Lancaster

Didache — Wikipedia

Jan 16, 2020
150: Romans — Righteousness from God
26:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through Romans, addressing the question of where we find righteousness.

Prototype by Jonathan Martin

Jan 09, 2020
149: Romans — Blended Family
38:17

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings enter into a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Romans, looking at Paul’s introductory section as he addresses this diverse group of believers.

Romans (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse

Pederasty — Wikipedia

Jan 02, 2020
148: Galatians — Set Free to Be Free
25:38

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the study of Galatians and try to grapple with the implications of this gospel for Jews and Gentiles.

The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas Lancaster

Dec 19, 2019
147: Galatians — Two Women, Two Covenants
25:41

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the importance of covenants and how they are relevant to different audiences.

Galatians — Two Women, Two Covenants Presentation (PDF)

The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter

Dec 12, 2019
146: Galatians — The Curse
32:38

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the third chapter of Galatians, unpacking big ideas about Gentiles, their relation to the family of God, and a “curse” that Paul seems to suggest the Law brings.

Gezerah Shavah — Wikipedia

The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas Lancaster

Dec 05, 2019
145: Galatians — Right Hand of Fellowship
35:13

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings spend time in the second chapter of Galatians, bringing some context to a much misunderstood and often misrepresented passage.

Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Backyard Tap House

Nov 21, 2019
144: Galatians — Paul’s Gospel
25:29

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, listening to Paul describe a gospel he received straight from Jesus, not from any human teaching.

The Holy Epistle to the Galatians by D. Thomas Lancaster

Nov 14, 2019
143: The Epilogue
27:29

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set everything we have studied about Acts back into the context of the larger Textual narrative, wrapping up the greater story and setting the stage for the inspired letters of the New Testament.

The Epilogue Presentation (PDF)

BEMA 7: The Preface

Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden

BEMA Messenger #3

A New Kind of Christianity by Brian D. McLaren

Nov 07, 2019
142: Calling of a Prophet
21:54

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings circle back to a question from a few episodes ago: Did Paul experience a conversion, a repentance, or something else entirely?

BEMA 138: Unclean Sheets

Oct 31, 2019
141: Mathetes or Talmidim?
38:57

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see how Paul’s methodology changes and then draw some conclusions about what we see happening in his ministry.

Theater at Ephesus

Oct 24, 2019
140: Not to Burden You
44:55

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine how the early church community handled applying the gospel to a major cultural problem, seeking to learn from their methods and seeing what we might be able to take into our own unique settings.

Addendum on James — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Latest Information on BEMA Trips

In Search of Paul by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed

Books by N. T. Wright

Books by E. P. Sanders

Books by James D. G. Dunn

Books by Mark D. Nanos

Oct 17, 2019
139: Theosabes
42:05

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings come back to the story of Saul and see what is impacting his experience and how that is calling him to impact the Greco-Roman world.

Paul’s First Missionary Journey — Bible History Online

Oct 10, 2019
138: Unclean Sheets
44:52

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings meet Saul, persecutor of Jesus, and wrestle with the questions of his identity and his experience; they also encounter the entrance of some unlikely characters into God’s narrative.

The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Oxford University Press (NRSV)

Oct 03, 2019
137: A Dry Tree
31:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings challenge listeners to consider our methods of advancing God’s agenda and the implications of this new king and new kingdom.

BEMA 64: 3 Isaiah — Servant

Sep 26, 2019
136: Each One
33:37

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings make observations about what this early church community was accomplishing together with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Story #28: New Beginnings (‘Each One’ Rant) — Real Life on the Palouse

Sep 19, 2019
135: Uncut Corners
28:57

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the opening of the book of Acts and the beginning of the Spirit-filled movement changing the course of human history.

Caesar’s Comet — Wikipedia

BEMA 22: Under the Chuppah

BEMA 37: A Love Story

Sep 12, 2019
134: Session 4 Intro
19:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin to see how God’s people apply the reality of Christ into their first-century contexts.

Session 4 Intro Presentation (PDF)

Donate to BEMA Ministry

Donate to Marty or the General Fund

Sep 05, 2019
133: Session 3 Capstone
44:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hold the usual capstone conversation, concluding a journey through the gospels, and reviewing the story from Genesis to John.

Session 3 Capstone Presentation (PDF)

Bible Book Timeline by Roger Schmidgall

How to Survive a Shipwreck by Jonathan Martin

Sep 05, 2019
132: Go
30:06

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring the discussion of the Gospels to a close with a brief look at the resurrection and the great commission.

Living Hope — Real Life on the Palouse

The Final Week #7: Just One Hope — Real Life on the Palouse

Aug 29, 2019
131: Betrayal
30:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the betrayals of Jesus and discuss which characters are involved in it.

BEMA 79: Silent Years — Zealots

Fidelity of Betrayal by Peter Rollins

Aug 22, 2019
130: The Plot to Kill Jesus
31:30

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the question of who brought about Jesus’s execution, acknowledging the different characters at play and the role they each had.

BEMA 76: Silent Years — Sadducees

The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan

Aug 15, 2019
129: The Final Week
37:49
Aug 08, 2019
128: Faithful and Wise Steward
43:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at one of the most perplexing passages of Jesus’s ministry, asking if this is about the end times or ancient times.

Faithful and Wise Steward Presentation (PDF)

Addendum to BEMA 128 — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Aug 01, 2019
127: Six or Seven?
28:31

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the list of woes Jesus gives to the Pharisees and ask what kind of person Jesus is describing.

The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan

Jul 25, 2019
126: Trapped by a Question
44:28

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see the religious leadership of both Pharisees and Sadducees attempting to trap Jesus with a series of testing questions, and witness the rabbinical brilliance of Jesus as a Jewish teacher.

Trapped by a Question Presentation (PDF)

The Parables by Brad H. Young (cites Flusser extensively)

“The Parable of the Good Samaritan” by Reed Dent — Campus Christian Fellowship

Jul 18, 2019
125: Are You Talking to Me?
32:36

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings see Jesus go on the offensive, confronting the corrupt priesthood that rules in Jerusalem.

BEMA 80: Silent Years — Pharisees

BEMA 76: Silent Years — Sadducees

BEMA 51: 1 Isaiah — Vineyard

Jul 11, 2019
124: Statement of Triumph
41:28

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the triumphal entry and Jesus’s confrontation of religious corruption on all sides.

Caesarea Maritima — Wikipedia

Map of Israel in New Testament Times — Wikimedia Commons

Jul 04, 2019
123: The Heat of the Day
33:26

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the parable of the vineyard, a generous God, and the interactions that follow as Jesus makes his way towards Jerusalem.

Discussion Video for BEMA 123

Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton

Jun 27, 2019
122: A Naked Thing
32:24

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings find our understanding of divorce challenged by Jesus, and an ancient discussion taking place between the rabbis about the importance and value of people.

Discussion Video for BEMA 122

The Ten Commandments — Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

BEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.

Jun 20, 2019
121: The Key to Your Own Prison
45:38
Jun 13, 2019
120: Truth and Light
41:15

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration as Jesus talks about his exodus with Moses and Elijah.

Discussion Video for BEMA 120

The BEMA Messenger

Shaping Faith #5: Fasting — Real Life on the Palouse

Jun 06, 2019
119: The Gates of Hell
39:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine Peter’s great confession at Caesarea Philippi and the intense conversation that follows.

The Gates of Hell Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 119

On the Early Church: Conquering the Gates of Hell — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

The BEMA Messenger

May 30, 2019
118: Eyes That Cannot See
28:51

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of the feeding of the four thousand and watch the disciples struggle to apply its meaning.

Discussion Video for BEMA 118

Map of Tyre and Sidon in relation to the Galilee

The BEMA Messenger

May 23, 2019
117: Jesus Resorts to Name Calling
30:36

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Dr. Christopher Gambino, talk about Jesus’s critique of rabbinic traditions and the surprise he encounters in the region of Phoenicia.

Discussion Video for BEMA 117

Dr. Christopher Gambino on Twitter

The Shuvah Project

May 16, 2019
116: She Giggled
23:34

Brent Billings introduces the story of Peter walking on water and Marty Solomon interacts with it by sharing some of his thoughts originally written years ago.

Discussion Video for BEMA 116

In the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

NOOMA 008: Dust by Rob Bell

She Giggled (Part 1) — Covered in His Dust

She Giggled (Part 2) — Covered in His Dust

Prototype by Jonathan Martin

May 09, 2019
115: 5 Loaves, 2 Fish, and 1 Big Lesson
38:27

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Dr. Christopher Gambino, look at Jesus’s time in Nazareth, pass briefly through the beheading of John the Baptist, and land in the story of feeding the 5000.

Discussion Video for BEMA 115

Dr. Christopher Gambino on Twitter

The Evangelists’ Calendar by M. D. Goulder

The Shuvah Project

May 02, 2019
114: Fish in a Net
29:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Corey Knadler, look at the final parable in the string of teachings found in Matthew 13, searching for the p’shat, remez, and drash found in the story of fish caught in a net.

Discussion Video for BEMA 114

Corey Knadler on Twitter

Why the Midrash Has Abraham Thrown into Nimrod’s Furnace — TheTorah.com

Apr 25, 2019
113: Treasures and Pearls
24:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Corey Knadler, discuss the next two parables of Jesus in Matthew 13.

Discussion Video for BEMA 113

Corey Knadler on Twitter

Apr 18, 2019
112: Explanations That Don’t Explain
35:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings try to learn from Jesus’s puzzling explanation for the parable of the weeds.

Discussion Video for BEMA 112

Apr 11, 2019
111: A Farmer and a Woman
31:04

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at two intimately connected parables in the stories of a crazy farmer and his mustard seed, and a credulous woman and her baked goods.

Discussion Video for BEMA 111

BEMA 11: Here I Am

The Parable of the Leaven — LeAnn Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship

Sermons — Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State University

Apr 04, 2019
110: Jewish Hermeneutics
38:48

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings learn how to engage the methods of rabbinical teaching and unpack what a rabbi is trying to accomplish with his cryptic instructions.

Addendum to BEMA 110 — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Discussion Video for BEMA 110

Hayamim: A Proposal [this event happened in 2019]

BEMA 12: A Mission Realized

Jewish Hermeneutics — Covered in His Dust

Mar 28, 2019
109: Which Soil?
29:30

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin an exciting trip through the parables of Jesus, starting with his conversation about four different soils.

Discussion Video for BEMA 109

Hayamim: A Proposal [this event happened in 2019]

BEMA 27: Images of the Desert — Rotem and Acacia

Mar 21, 2019
108: The Fruit of Beelzebul
32:33

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the critique of the Pharisees who want to write off Jesus’s ministry as the work of evil. They also see Jesus field their request for a sign.

Discussion Video for BEMA 108

Beelzebub — Wikipedia

Mar 14, 2019
107: Donkeys and Rabbis
44:37

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a verse-by-verse examination of the gospel of Matthew by dealing with the Sabbath and rabbinical arguments surrounding Torah.

Discussion Video for BEMA 107

Sefaria: A Living Library of Jewish Texts

BEMA 25: A Kingdom of What?

Mar 07, 2019
106: Jury Duty in Sodom
33:43
Feb 28, 2019
105: An Explosive Kingdom
44:26

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear what appears to be the doubt of John the Baptist and the challenging response of Jesus that honors him.

An Explosive Kingdom Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 105

BEMA 91: Tavilah T’Shuvah

“Sheep going through a gate, North Yorkshire moors” — YouTube

Feb 21, 2019
104: Innocent as Doves
39:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen to the second major discourse given by Jesus as he sends out his disciples on a mission to bring the Kingdom.

Discussion Video for BEMA 104

Matthew — BibleProject

Matthew Poster — BibleProject

BEMA 50: Micah — Judge

Feb 14, 2019
103: Healing in His Wings
38:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the ninth chapter of Matthew, seeing a handful of stories where Jesus brings shalom to the chaos of others.

Healing in His Wings Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 103

Feb 07, 2019
102: Son of Man
44:06
Jan 31, 2019
101: The Other Side
39:56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue in Matthew’s narrative by jumping to the gospel of Mark, traveling to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

Discussion Video for BEMA 101

BEMA 88: Setting the Stage

Jan 24, 2019
100: Healing at Great Cost
44:20

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch as Jesus brings the Kingdom to the brokenness of the world around him, observing the surprising responses of those who encounter it.

Discussion Video for BEMA 100

Jan 17, 2019
99: Fruit of Fools
34:52

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the Sermon on the Mount, talking about gates, trees, fools, and houses.

Discussion Video for BEMA 99

Sermon on the Mount #10: Trees and Fruit — Real Life on the Palouse

BEMA 29: Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi

Jan 10, 2019
98: A Good Eye
40:12
Jan 03, 2019
97: Done in Secret
36:27

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the Sermon on the Mount, looking at Jesus’s teachings on generosity, prayer, and fasting.

Discussion Video for BEMA 97

Donate to Impact Campus Ministries

Sermon on the Mount #6: Prayer and Fasting — Real Life on the Palouse

Dec 20, 2018
96: But I Say Unto You
38:15

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the fifth chapter of Matthew, surveying the many examples Jesus gives for properly interpreting the Text.

Discussion Video for BEMA 96

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne

BEMA 25: A Kingdom of What?

Dec 13, 2018
95: Abolish or Fulfill
37:55

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the next few verses in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus speaks of the relationship between his teaching and the teachings of the Hebrew scriptures.

Discussion Video for BEMA 95

BEMA 64: 3 Isaiah — Servant

Dec 06, 2018
94: Hope of the World
25:56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings resume looking at the opening teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and how he sets the stage for his interpretation of Torah.

Discussion Video for BEMA 94

BEMA 35: Crossroads of the Earth

BEMA 56: Jeremiah — Weeping

Love Wins by Rob Bell

Nov 29, 2018
93: Blessed
37:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the journey through the gospel of Matthew and into the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.

Discussion Video for BEMA 93

Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton

BEMA 74: Silent Years — Synagogue

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

Nov 15, 2018
92: How to Bring Order Out of Chaos
27:25
Nov 08, 2018
91: Tavilah T'Shuvah
37:41

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the third chapter of the gospel of Matthew, uncovering the ministry of John the Baptist.

Discussion Video for BEMA 91

Complete Jewish Bible by David Stern

Jewish New Testament Commentary by David Stern

BEMA 42: The Fire of Elijah

Nov 01, 2018
90: A Gospel of Two Kingdoms
23:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish looking at the story of the birth of Jesus, juxtaposing two kings and the kingdoms that they bring.

A Gospel of Two Kingdoms Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 90

Herod the Great — Wikipedia

Masada — Wikipedia

Herodium — Wikipedia

Caesar’s Comet — Wikipedia

Oct 25, 2018
89: Written in the Stars
44:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the trek through the gospel narrative of Matthew and the life and ministry of Jesus, starting with a look at the story of the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi.

Discussion Video for BEMA 89

Prepare the Way #5: In Our Present — Real Life on the Palouse

Men Askaenos in Antioch of Pisidia — Wikipedia

The Real Meaning of the Zodiac by D. James Kennedy

The Nativity Story (2006 film)

Picture of the Bull in the House

Oct 18, 2018
88: Setting the Stage
26:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for our journey through the gospels by looking at the geographical region of the Galilee where Jesus did most of his ministry.

Setting the Stage Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 88

Oct 11, 2018
87: John — Grafted
40:35

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings spend time in the gospel of John, investigating the different tools he uses in speaking to his particular audience.

Discussion Video for BEMA 87

Map of Asia and Asia Minor

Oct 04, 2018
86: Luke — Ordered
22:12

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the gospel of Luke and wrestle with the many perspectives regarding his audience and his agenda.

Discussion Video for BEMA 86

The Evangelists’ Calendar by M. D. Goulder

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey

Sep 27, 2018
85: Mark — Roman Gospel
39:32

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the gospel narrative of Mark, noting his distinct audience and the intentional methods he used to communicate the euangelion to them.

Discussion Video for BEMA 85

Sep 20, 2018
84: Matthew — Mumzer
32:12

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the record of Matthew, attempting to understand his unique agenda as he presents the life and ministry of his Rabbi Jesus.

Discussion Video for BEMA 84

Didache — Wikipedia

Mamzer — Wikipedia

Sep 13, 2018
83: Gospel Narrative
32:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at the ancient use of gospel (euangelion in Greek) and how the New Testament writers are subversively playing off of this Greco-Roman idea.

Discussion Video for BEMA 83

The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry

Roman air conditioning — Twitter (thread)

Sep 06, 2018
82: The Text — When, Where, Who, and Why
49:21
Aug 30, 2018
81: Silent Years — Association
36:08

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the perfect timing spoken of in Galatians 4:4 in reference to the coming of Jesus in his cultural context. We also wrestle with the personal implications of the different responses to Hellenism in our world today.

Discussion Video for BEMA 81

Rising Strong by Brené Brown

Aug 16, 2018
80: Silent Years — Pharisees
24:37

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, with special guest Megan Gambino, near the end of our journey through the silent years and the context of Jesus’s ministry, examining the Pharisees.

Silent Years — Pharisees Presentation (PDF)

Addendum to BEMA 80 — Marty Solomon, YouTube

Discussion Video for BEMA 80

Megan Gambino on Instagram

Megan’s Website

BEMA 74: Silent Years — Synagogue

Aug 02, 2018
79: Silent Years — Zealots
40:49

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, joined by special guest Megan Gambino, continue the journey through the silent years and the context of Jesus’s ministry, examining the group known as the Zealots.

Silent Years — Zealots Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 79

Megan Gambino on Instagram

Megan’s Website

Jul 19, 2018
78: Silent Years — Essenes
21:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a look at the responses to Hellenism in the world of first-century Judaism, this time examining the group known as the Essenes.

Silent Years — Essenes Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 78

Qumran — Wikipedia

Dead Sea Scrolls — Wikipedia

Jul 05, 2018
77: Silent Years — Herodians
31:15

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a look at the responses to Hellenism in the world of first-century Judaism, this time examining the group known as Herodians.

Silent Years — Herodians Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 77

Sepphoris (Zippori) — Wikipedia

Jun 21, 2018
76: Silent Years — Sadducees
32:24

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin an in-depth look at the five different responses to Hellenism in the first-century world of Judaism by examining the priestly group known as the Sadducees.

Silent Years — Sadducees Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 76

Jun 07, 2018
75: Silent Years — Welcome to Hellenism
31:17

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings, joined by special guest Jim Feicht, continue their examination of the context of the world of Jesus. The last episode covered the context of Judaism specifically, whereas this episode covers the context of the surrounding culture.

Silent Years — Welcome to Hellenism Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 75

Jim Feicht on Twitter

Hellas — Wikipedia

Empire of Alexander the Great — Wikipedia

May 24, 2018
74: Silent Years — Synagogue
42:00

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Jim Feicht. They begin the journey into the historical context of the world of Jesus, looking at the new Judaism that arose from the ashes of exile.

Silent Years — Synagogue Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 74

Jim Feicht on Twitter

In the Dust of the Rabbi — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

NOOMA 008: Dust by Rob Bell

May 10, 2018
73: Session 3 Intro
18:05

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings introduce the third session of the BEMA Podcast with special guest Jim Feicht, discussing what to expect in the upcoming session and reviewing where we have been to this point.

Session 3 Intro Presentation (PDF)

Jim Feicht on Twitter

NOOMA 019: Open by Rob Bell

Apr 26, 2018
72: Session 2 Capstone
26:32

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give a summary of the prophets and the writings at the conclusion of Session 2 of the podcast.

Session 2 Capstone Presentation (PDF)

Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle

Impact Campus Ministries

Transcript for BEMA 72

Apr 26, 2018
71: The Prophetic Table
22:30

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the multifaceted dialogue and the many voices found within the prophets that represent the battling perspectives found in the world of God’s people as they attempt to respond to the effects of exile.

Discussion Video for BEMA 71

Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann

Transcript for BEMA 71

Apr 19, 2018
70: Esther — Purim
34:43
Apr 12, 2018
69: Malachi — Q&A
17:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the message of Malachi, seeing how he utilizes a question-and-answer format to prophetically speak to the people of God.

Discussion Video for BEMA 69

Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann

Transcript for BEMA 69

Apr 05, 2018
68: Zechariah — Apocalyptic Literature
15:53

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings study the apocalyptic message of Zechariah, a contemporary to Haggai, who sought to encourage God’s people with image-driven messages of forthcoming hope.

Discussion Video for BEMA 68

Transcript for BEMA 68

Mar 29, 2018
67: Haggai — Build!
23:07

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings read through the prophecy of Haggai and find that the real issues rarely change—past, present, or future.

Discussion Video for BEMA 67

Transcript for BEMA 67

Mar 22, 2018
66: Ezra/Nehemiah — Passionate Leadership
23:06

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the different leadership styles seen during the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Discussion Video for BEMA 66

BEMA Discipleship on Facebook

Transcript for BEMA 66

Mar 15, 2018
65: 4 Isaiah — Hope
24:52

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings move into the fourth voice of Isaiah, seen in chapters 55–66. We hear the compelling promise of restoration for God’s people and the invitation for them to become the people they were meant to be.

Discussion Video for BEMA 65

1 Isaiah — Vineyard Presentation (PDF)

Faith Unraveled by Rachel Held Evans

Sabbath as Resistance by Walter Brueggemann

Transcript for BEMA 65

Mar 08, 2018
64: 3 Isaiah — Servant
25:43

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings challenge the typical understanding of the voice of Isaiah, taking a look at the servant discourse in chapters 40–54.

Discussion Video for BEMA 64

Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann

Transcript for BEMA 64

Mar 01, 2018
63: Job — Perspective
26:26

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discover that the famous story of Job is so much more than we ever realized.

Discussion Video for BEMA 63

NOOMA 012: Matthew by Rob Bell

Literary Structure (Chiasm) of the Bible

NOOMA 024: Whirlwind by Rob Bell

Transcript for BEMA 63

Feb 22, 2018
62: Daniel — Son of Man
21:05

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the book of Daniel and its persistent and sometimes hidden message of perseverance.

Daniel — Son of Man Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 62

Double Rainbow — YouTube

Transcript for BEMA 62

Feb 15, 2018
61: Ezekiel — Strength
24:03

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the apocalyptic visions of Ezekiel and his message of encouragement to a people trapped in exile.

Discussion Video for BEMA 61

Transcript for BEMA 61

Feb 08, 2018
60: Joel — Locusts
25:38

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the words of prophet Joel speaking to God’s people about the hope that exists, even in the midst of utter destruction.

Discussion Video for BEMA 60

Transcript for BEMA 60

Feb 01, 2018
59: Obadiah — Petra
21:20

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the shortest prophet in Tanakh—the book of Obadiah—and its condemnation of the nation of Edom for their lack of care for their brother and their neighbor.

Obadiah — Petra Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 59

Transcript for BEMA 59

Jan 25, 2018
58: Habakkuk — Watchtower
26:31

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into one of Marty’s favorite prophecies: the book of Habakkuk. They examine the complaints submitted by the prophet and his ensuing dialogue with God.

Discussion Video for BEMA 58

Transcript for BEMA 58

Jan 18, 2018
57: Lamentations — Lament and Hope
25:48
Jan 11, 2018
56: Jeremiah — Weeping
40:23

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin our journey through the Babylonian prophets, examining the famous weeping prophet: Jeremiah.

Discussion Video for BEMA 56

The Disciple Scroll by Allan Rabinowitz

Love Wins by Rob Bell

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan

Transcript for BEMA 56

Jan 04, 2018
55: 2 Isaiah — Woe
32:01

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the Assyrian period of history by looking at one of the most distressing prophets: the voice of 2 Isaiah as he delivers numerous woes to the nations of the world, including God’s people. Yet even this is not void of hope as we see it scattered throughout today’s portion of Text.

Discussion Video for BEMA 55

Transcript for BEMA 55

Dec 14, 2017
54: Zephaniah — T'shuvah
35:12

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear the voice of Zephaniah as he warns the kingdom of Judah of impending judgment.

Discussion Video for BEMA 54

Transcript for BEMA 54

Dec 07, 2017
53: Nahum — Diyn
22:56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings juxtapose the book of Jonah against the other Assyrian prophet to Israel—the book of Nahum—looking at the other side of the equation of how God deals with evil.

Discussion Video for BEMA 53

Information on BEMA Trips [Marty doesn’t need more emails]

Transcript for BEMA 53

Nov 30, 2017
52: Jonah — Potential
35:11

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the book of Jonah and try to uncover the message buried in this most unusual prophet.

Jonah — Potential Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 52

Challenging God: Why Did Jonah Run? — Aleph Beta Academy

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Transcript for BEMA 52

Nov 16, 2017
51: 1 Isaiah — Vineyard
37:32

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the first of four voices found in Isaiah — the pre-Assyrian voice that condemned the greed and injustice of the people of Judah.

NB: Due to a malfunction with our original recording, this episode was recorded in 2021. Our environments and equipment setups have changed, but we did our best to present it as it was in 2017.

1 Isaiah — Vineyard Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 51

Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann

The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Transcript for BEMA 51

Nov 09, 2017
50: Micah — Judge
42:06

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the warning of the prophet Micah as he speaks to the people of Judah about what God truly desires.

NB: Due to a malfunction with our original recording, this episode was recorded in 2021. Our environments and equipment setups have changed, but we did our best to present it as it was in 2017.

Discussion Video for BEMA 50

Transcript for BEMA 50

Nov 02, 2017
Verastikh (Hosea)
1:08
A simplified version of the daily prayer from Hosea 2. This recording is meant to follow Episode 49. Verastikh le l'olam Verastikh lib'tzedek      uve'mishpat, uve'chesed, uve'rachamim Verastikh lib'emuna, v'yadat et Adonai I will betroth you to myself forever. I will betroth you to myself in righteousness,      and in justice, and in love, and in compassion. I will betroth you to myself in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.
Oct 26, 2017
49: Hosea — Prostitute
27:01

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the message of Hosea as depicted in the prophetic theater of his own life through his marriage to the prostitute Gomer.

Verastikh — Learn Hebrew

Discussion Video for BEMA 49

Transcript for BEMA 49

Oct 26, 2017
48: Amos — Plumb Line
38:05

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the book of Amos on a quest to find the heart of God as expressed in the first of His many mouthpieces.

Amos — Plumb Line Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 48

The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Plumb Line — Wikipedia

Transcript for BEMA 48

Oct 19, 2017
47: The Lord’s Mouthpiece
19:39

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the remaining books in Tanakh, most of which are prophets, attempting to understand prophetic history as a whole and the setting for each period of history.

The Lord’s Mouthpiece Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 47

Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann

Transcript for BEMA 47

Oct 12, 2017
46: Song of Sexuality
33:11

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the underaddressed book called Song of Songs and explore the ramifications of avoiding the topic of sexuality.

Discussion Video for BEMA 46

Sex God by Rob Bell

NOOMA 002: Flame by Rob Bell

The Zimzum of Love by Rob and Kristen Bell

Transcript for BEMA 46

Oct 05, 2017
45: Wisdom and Meaning
27:00

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo continue our study of wisdom literature, examining the collection of Proverbs and the teaching of Ecclesiastes.

Discussion Video for BEMA 45

Kevin Luo on Twitter

A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans

Less Is More Than Enough by Chris McNaught

“How Great Leaders Inspire Action” by Simon Senek — TED

NOOMA 012: Matthew by Rob Bell

Transcript for BEMA 45

Sep 28, 2017
44: Our Harps in the Trees
31:49

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and special guest Kevin Luo discuss the collection of ancient songs known as the Psalms.

Discussion Video for BEMA 44

Classifying the Psalms by Genre

Kevin Luo on Twitter

Transcript for BEMA 44

Sep 21, 2017
43: Go in Peace
34:24

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up a look at the kings of Israel, exploring the story of Naaman and its implications for us today.

Discussion Video for BEMA 43

Transcript for BEMA 43

Sep 14, 2017
42: The Fire of Elijah
43:27

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of Elijah and the lessons learned by one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

Discussion Video for BEMA 42

Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler

Map of Phoenicia, Late Bronze Age — Wikipedia

Transcript for BEMA 42

Sep 07, 2017
41: The Story Behind the Story
36:30

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings revisit the two sources comprising this portion of the biblical narrative, analyzing the agendas found in each. They attempt to look at the differences between the sources to understand the reigns of David and Solomon and the split of the nation of God’s people, ultimately helping us figure out what went wrong.

The Story Behind the Story Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 41

Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden

Transcript for BEMA 41

Aug 31, 2017
40: One Story, Two Sources
32:56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the journey to understanding the historical record of the united kingdom of Israel by taking a look at the two sources comprising this biblical narrative.

One Story, Two Sources Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 40

Transcript for BEMA 40

Aug 24, 2017
39: A King After God’s Own Heart
32:03
Aug 10, 2017
38: A Donkey Herder to Lead Us
28:29

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at Israel’s first two kings and try to see what the Text is showing us in these two characters.

Discussion Video for BEMA 38

A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards

Transcript for BEMA 38

Jul 27, 2017
37: A Love Story
32:32

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings zoom in on the mini-narrative of Ruth — one story where the mission of God is realized in the way Israel treats the alien, the orphan, and the widow.

Discussion Video for BEMA 37

Map of Moab and the Surrounding Region

Transcript for BEMA 37

Jul 13, 2017
36: The Redemption Cycle
35:04
Jun 29, 2017
35: Crossroads of the Earth
35:37

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of Joshua and bridge the gap toward the book of Judges, pondering the mission of God and His choice of real estate for His people.

Crossroads of the Earth Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 35

The Source by James A. Michener

Transcript for BEMA 35

Jun 15, 2017
34: The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me)
43:10
Jun 01, 2017
33: Session 2 Intro
20:09

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings set the stage for Session 2 of the podcast. We review our journey through Torah to bring everyone up to speed for what we will study next.

Session 2 Intro Presentation (PDF)

BEMA Discipleship Support

BEMA Discipleship on Facebook

BEMA Discipleship on Twitter

Transcript for BEMA 33

May 18, 2017
32: Session 1 Capstone
28:01

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings give a summary of the books of Moses at the conclusion of Session 1 of the podcast.

Session 1 Capstone Presentation (PDF)

BEMA Discipleship on Facebook

BEMA Discipleship on Twitter

Transcript for BEMA 32

May 18, 2017
31: Remember Where You Came From
40:45

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring our study of Torah to a close by exploring the book of Deuteronomy, examining its call to remember our stories.

Remember Where You Came From Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 31

The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter

Topic: Deuteronomy 32 — Aleph Beta Academy

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Transcript for BEMA 31

May 11, 2017
30: Lead with Your Voice
46:15

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the discussion of the desert and the book of Numbers with the story of Moses striking the rock and subsequently having his entrance to the Promised Land denied.

Lead with Your Voice Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 30

Transcript for BEMA 30

May 04, 2017
29: Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi
33:18

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert. We will see God’s continual use of the desert to minister to us and to teach us how to minister to others.

Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 29

Lulav — Chabad.org

Flash Floods in Wadi Peres — YouTube

Flash Flood in Israel — YouTube

Israel: Flash Floods Hit Negev Desert — AP Archive, YouTube

Transcript for BEMA 29

Apr 27, 2017
28: Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and Tamarisk
22:01

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the series on images found in the desert, discussing the ar'ar and tamarisk trees and what they teach us about living in our own deserts.

Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and Tamarisk Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 28

BEMA Schedule (no longer active) — See our current Groups page

Noga Hareuveni — Wikipedia

Written Works of Noga Hareuveni

Hebrew University — Wikipedia

BEMA 24: Creating a Space

Transcript for BEMA 28

Apr 20, 2017
27: Images of the Desert — Rotem and Acacia
24:35
Apr 13, 2017
26: Images of the Desert — Shepherd
36:22

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the first in a series of images found in the desert — what it means to be a shepherd in the biblical world.

Images of the Desert — Shepherd Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 26

Walking with God in the Desert — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler

The Good Shepherd by Kenneth Bailey

Transcript for BEMA 26

Apr 06, 2017
25: A Kingdom of What?
40:28
Mar 30, 2017
24: Creating a Space
55:22
Mar 23, 2017
23: Falling on Joyful Faces
23:08

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the construction of the Tabernacle and its call to be a place of rest, covering Exodus 24–40.

Falling on Joyful Faces Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 23

With All Your Heart — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

Transcript for BEMA 23

Mar 16, 2017
22: Under the Chuppah
40:03

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss Israel’s arrival at Sinai and the ensuing covenant relationship with their God, covering Exodus 19–23.

Under the Chuppah Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 22

NIV Archaeological Study Bible

Transcript for BEMA 22

Mar 09, 2017
“Jesus Shema”
1:18
A simplified version of the daily prayer from Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 19. This recording is meant to follow Episode 21. Sh'ma Israel, adonai elohenu, adonai echad Ve'ahavta et adonai eloiekah      b'khol levavkah      uve'khol naphshekah      uve'khol meodeikah Ve'ahavta reyacha c'mocha Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Love the Lord your God      with all your heart,      with all your soul,      and with all your might. And love your neighbor as yourself.
Mar 02, 2017
21: With All Your Soul & “Very”
40:04

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the next two tests of God’s people on their way to Mount Sinai in Exodus 16–17.

With All Your Soul & “Very” Presentation (PDF)

“Jesus Shema” — Learn Hebrew

Discussion Video for BEMA 21

Transcript for BEMA 21

Mar 02, 2017
20: With All Your Heart
31:17

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 14, and then dissect their first test on the way to Mount Sinai in Exodus 15.

With All Your Heart Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 20

Transcript for BEMA 20

Feb 23, 2017
19: A Strengthened Heart
35:01

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into the story of the Passover and its plagues, God’s interaction with Pharaoh, and the call of God’s rescued people.

Discussion Video for BEMA 19

The Exodus You Almost Passed Over by Rabbi David Fohrman

kavad — Blue Letter Bible

hazak — Blue Letter Bible

Transcript for BEMA 19

Feb 16, 2017
18: A Tale of Two Kingdoms
43:36
Feb 09, 2017
17: A God Who Hears the Cry
43:34

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up the introduction to God’s story and set up the narrative of the remainder of Scripture in an effort to understand what God is rescuing His people from.

A God Who Hears the Cry Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 17

That the World May Know — Faith Lessons, Volumes 1–12 (Amazon)

God Heard Their Cry — Ray Vander Laan (Amazon)

TTWMK Faith Lessons on DVD and Digital (Focus on the Family)

BEMA listeners can use code BEMA12 for 20% off of one purchase. Details.

Transcript for BEMA 17

Feb 02, 2017
16: Out of the Pit
46:16

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish the study of the life of Joseph, covering Genesis 41–50.

Out of the Pit Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 16

Rabbi David Fohrman — TorahAnytime

The Joseph Story — Aleph Beta Academy

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Transcript for BEMA 16

Jan 26, 2017
15: Into the Pit
46:54

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin a study of the life of Joseph, covering Genesis 37–40.

Into the Pit Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 15

Transcript for BEMA 15

Jan 19, 2017
14: Grappling with God, Part 2
38:17

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to look at the life of Jacob, covering Genesis 32–35.

Discussion Video for BEMA 14

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

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Transcript for BEMA 14

Jan 12, 2017
13: Grappling with God, Part 1
36:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin a look at the life of Jacob, covering Genesis 25–31.

Discussion Video for BEMA 13

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

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God Was in This Place & I, I Did Not Know by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

Transcript for BEMA 13

Jan 05, 2017
12: A Mission Realized
38:14

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings cover the life of Isaac as told in Genesis 24 and 26, where we begin to see the initial realization of God’s promise to Abraham.

Discussion Video for BEMA 12

History of male circumcision — Wikipedia

George DeJong, Under the Fig Tree

The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter

Sandra Richter, Ph.D.

The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Volume I

Impact Campus Ministries

Transcript for BEMA 12

Dec 15, 2016
11: Here I Am
53:47

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue to look at the kind of partner God has chosen in Abraham.

Here I Am Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 11

Aleph Beta Academy

Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy

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Transcript for BEMA 11

Dec 08, 2016
10: Walking the Blood Path
49:49

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings work through Genesis 15–17, continuing to look at the evolving partnership between God and Abram.

Walking the Blood Path Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 10

Aleph Beta Academy

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Transcript for BEMA 10

Dec 01, 2016
9: Letting Go
40:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Genesis 12–14: the call of Abram and his initial adventures in the land of Canaan.

Discussion Video for BEMA 9

Transcript for BEMA 9

Nov 17, 2016
8: Buried in a Genealogy
27:08

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings ask the same question the Rabbis have asked over the centuries: Why did God choose Abraham?

Buried in a Genealogy Presentation (PDF)

Follow-up: BEMA 208: Midrash — Iscah, Sarai, and Birth Orders

Discussion Video for BEMA 8

The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter

Transcript for BEMA 8

Nov 10, 2016
7: The Preface
20:41

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look back over the first eleven chapters of Genesis and work to understand their significance to the greater narrative of the scriptures.

The Preface Presentation (PDF)

Discussion Video for BEMA 7

Transcript for BEMA 7

Nov 03, 2016
6: A Tale of a Tower
19:42

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the tower of Babel and some of the observations we can take away from the story.

Discussion Video for BEMA 6

Transcript for BEMA 6

Oct 27, 2016
5: A Misplaced Curse
22:59

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Noah’s departure from the ark and the tragedy that ensues.

Discussion Video for BEMA 5

Transcript for BEMA 5

Oct 20, 2016
4: His Bow in the Clouds
30:56

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the story of Noah and the Flood, digging through a wide variety of buried treasure from the author.

Discussion Video for BEMA 4

Transcript for BEMA 4

Oct 06, 2016
3: Master the Beast
25:16

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Cain and Abel and the idea of how fear and shame ruin the story.

Discussion Video for BEMA 3

The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Amazon)

The Beast that Crouches at the Door by Rabbi David Fohrman (Aleph Beta)

Aleph Beta Academy

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Transcript for BEMA 3

Sep 22, 2016
2: Knowing When to Say “Enough”
46:50

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and what the story might really be getting at.

Discussion Video for BEMA 2

Transcript for BEMA 2

Sep 15, 2016
1: Trust the Story
51:00
Sep 08, 2016
0: Introductory Lesson
38:19

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings have an introductory conversation about the world of the Bible, investigating the differences between eastern and western perspectives.

Introductory Lesson Presentation (PDF)

Transcript for BEMA 0

Special music by Logan Daily.

Sep 01, 2016
-1: What Is BEMA?
16:09

For the pilot episode of the BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about the hopes and dreams for this series in the years to come.

Transcript for BEMA -1

Aug 25, 2016