The Bible Reset

Rediscovering the Bible's Story w/ Alex Goodwin (The Bible Reset Pt. 3)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0500

IFBR co-founder and author of The Bible Reset, Alex Goodwin joins us for Part 3 of this series, exploring the grand narrative of Scripture and how we're invited to join that story in our time and place.

Read Chapter 1 for free + links to order here: https://thebiblereset.com/

If you've read The Bible Reset, please consider leaving a rating on Amazon or on Goodreads to help others find the book.

A Dive into the 6-Act Drama of Scripture: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/episode-14-genesis-to-revelation-the-6-act-story-of-the-bible/

Rethinking our Bible Reading Practices w/ Alex Goodwin (The Bible Reset Pt. 2)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

IFBR co-founder and author of The Bible Reset, Alex Goodwin joins us for Part 2 of this series to discuss Bible engagement habits and practices that may need to be rethought.

Read Chapter 1 for free + links to order here: https://thebiblereset.com/

Resetting the Bible's Format w/ Alex Goodwin (The Bible Reset Pt. 1)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

IFBR co-founder and author of The Bible Reset, Alex Goodwin joins us to talk about his new book in Part 1 of a three-part series.

Read Chapter 1 for free + links to order here: https://thebiblereset.com/

The Choice We Need to Make (+ a big announcement)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:02:33 -0400

On a Limb Productions: https://www.onalimbproductions.com/
"Destroyer of the Gods" by Larry Hurtado
Find links to all podcast episodes here: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/

A Better Way to "Apply" Bible Stories

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0400

All too often, Bible stories such a David and Goliath, Joseph's adventures, and Daniel in the Lions Den are reduced to setups for a moral lesson or spiritual principle. The classic children's book "Sounder" models a better way. By constantly immersing ourselves in the Bible's stories, we come to see how those stories reverberate into our stories.

Find links to all podcast episodes here: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/

Architecture, Poetry, and How the Bible Speaks to our Hearts

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0400

After historical narrative, poetry is the most common form of literature in the Bible. The Bible's story is broad, but it is also incredibly deep. The craftsmanship of biblical poetry shows us that God wants to speak to our hearts, to help us feel, and to give us footholds to experience him more fully through all of the emotions of life.

Find links to all podcast episodes here: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/

How the Bible Narrates History

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Our modern priorities of exactitude and just-the-facts reporting can lead us to come to the Bible's stories with a certain set of expectations. The authors of the Bible, however, had different agendas which are reflected in the ways they tell stories. By learning to read the Bible's narratives with careful eyes, we can uncover meaning and significance that has been hiding in plain sight all along.

The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Supercut: From Chapters and Verses to a Better Bible Reading Experience

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Lots of people struggle to read the Bible, but few stop to question why our Scriptures look like a dictionary. Why are we expected to read something that looks so unreadable? The truth is, chapters and verses and the format of our Modern Bible are some of the most overlooked barriers in the push for better Bible literacy.

In this episode, we cut and arranged clips from three of our earliest episodes into one episode exploring the massive impact of the Bible's physical format. We discuss the origin of chapters and verses and how they led to an avalanche of Bible "features" that hide the natural literature. Then we show how a different Bible format changes everything – a format that makes for an easier reading experience and displays the Bible's literature the way the authors first intended.

Learn more about Immerse: The Reading Bible - https://www.immersebible.com/

Comparison of poetry in 1-column vs. 2-column Bible: https://bit.ly/2FLzRUH

Listen to the full episodes:
Episode 4: Chapters, Verses, and the Impact of the Modern Bible
Episode 5: How to Make a Reader's Bible w/ Christopher Smith
Episode 6: The Game-Changing Power of Reader's Bibles

How Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes Work Together

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400

What does wisdom look like? Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job present three distinct perspectives on living well in God's world. Rather than offering a one-dimensional answer, they give us a conversation.

Demystifying the Book of Revelation

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400

In our second episode on apocalyptic literature, we look at the book of Revelation. As the source of a lot of confusion (and a lot of bad modern 'prophecy') Revelation can feel like a strange ending to the biblical narrative. But a closer look at the ancient historical circumstances of the early church can help shed light on the wild imagery of John's apocalypse, bringing a message that's still relevant for followers of Jesus today.

Some resources to get started on Revelation:
Richard Bauckham - The Theology of the Book of Revelation
Gordon Fee - Revelation
Michael Gorman - Reading Revelation Responsibly
N. T. Wright - Revelation for Everyone

Weird & Wild Apocalypse in the Bible

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400

One of the key skills we need to read the Bible well is understanding and "playing by the rules" of the various types of literature we encounter. Apocalypse, often misunderstood as a checklist for the end-times, was a common literary style in ancient times, and is better understood as an "unveiling." Today we talk about some key things to keep in mind as you make your way through the Bible's strange and wild apocalyptic literature.

Have you learned or talked much about literary genres? Send us an email here: info@ifbr.bible

Practicing Jesus-Shaped Lament w/ Rebekah Eklund

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Most of us are familiar with the book of Lamentations and the many Psalms of lament, but what role does lament play in the New Testament?

Rebekah Eklund, Associate Professor of Theology at Loyola University Maryland and author of Jesus Wept and Practicing Lament, joins us to explore the significant role of lament in Jesus' life. In the time between the resurrection and the eschaton, Christians are still called to lament – to cry out to God to come and make all things new.

Also by Rebekah: The Beatitudes through the Ages

Gen Z's Struggle With the Bible w/ Clay Crofford

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Clay Crofford was a student at Indiana Wesleyan University when he realized that his confusion and discontentment with the Bible was not unusual. Among his friends and classmates, a lack of connection with Scripture was the norm.

For his senior project Clay produced a documentary, Reading Blind, that explores the true costs of misreading the Bible and the possibilities of a different way forward. Today he joins us to talk about Gen Z's struggles with Scripture and his hope for his generation becoming immersed in its story.

Watch the Reading Blind documentary: https://youtu.be/RV7St0zvTfA

Listener Q&A

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400

It's The Bible Reset's 50th episode! To celebrate, we invited listeners to submit their questions about anything we've covered on the show so far, about IFBR's work, or about the Bible in general.

Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, and to all of our listeners who have made this show successful!

Links to some resources mentioned in this episode:
Episode 35: Powers and Principalities: The Bible's Most Overlooked Storyline
Episode 36: Jesus' Upside-Down Victory Over the Powers

Learn more about Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience
Invite IFBR to speak to your organization or on your podcast
Got a question or comment? Get in touch via our contact form

To help more people discover The Bible Reset podcast, leave a rating or review in Apple Podcasts

The Afterlife...and the After-Afterlife

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 18 May 2022 05:00:00 -0400

What happens to us (and our loved-ones) when we die? Christians have long held the belief that we go to somewhere called "heaven" for the rest of eternity, but another look at the New Testament shows that the answer is a bit more complicated and mysterious than that.

To read more on this topic, check out:
Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
A New Heaven and a New Earth by J. Richard Middleton

The Bible's Subversive Witness w/ Dominique DuBois Gilliard

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 04 May 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Bible tells stories of people using their status to subvert the status quo and serve their neighbor. Dominique DuBois Gillard, author of Subversive Witness, joins us to talk about how Scripture and the gospel call followers of Jesus to use privilege to sacrificially love their neighbors, enact systemic change, and grow more Christlike as citizens of God's kingdom.

Get the book: Subversive Witness: Scripture's Call to Leverage Privilege
Watch IFBR's 2020 webinar, which Dominique participated in: How The Bible's Story Helps Us Talk About Racism

Reconsidering Salvation, Loyalty, and Our Response to the Gospel w/ Matthew Bates

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0400

What does it mean to have faith in Jesus? If the gospel is more centered on Jesus' kingship (as we've explored on our previous two episodes) perhaps Christian faith looks more like allegiance. Matthew Bates, Associate Professor of Theology at Quincy University, joins us to discuss the relationship between the gospel, salvation, faith, obedience, and grace.

Matthew's Books:
The Gospel Precisely
Gospel Allegiance
Salvation by Allegiance Alone

What the Bible Actually Says About the Gospel

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Have we made the gospel too small? Personal salvation and "Jesus dying for my sins," are certainly essential to the good news, but the gospel presented in the Bible is so much bigger and so much better.

The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight
How God Became King by N. T. Wright

The Gospel of Jesus vs. The Gospel of Rome

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:18:06 -0400

We can be tempted to think of the word "gospel" as a private, spiritual word. But in Jesus' day, "gospel" was public news with implications for the whole world.

When Jesus was born, he entered a world that already had it's own gospel: the good news of Caesar and the Roman empire. The similar language is striking, and shows that the announcement about a Jewish Messiah directly confronts the Roman story.

Records and sources showing how Rome told their story:

Roman statesman Pliny the Elder declared that Rome was a universal gift to the world:

The Roman peace has a boundless grandeur, a peace which takes in not only men in their different lands and tribes, but also the mountains and peaks soaring into the clouds, their offspring and even the plants. May this gift of the gods last, I pray, forever! Truly the gods seem to have given to the human race the Romans, as it were, a second sun.

Later, Aristides, another historian, added this about the rise of the empire:

Before the rule of the Romans the dregs came to the surface and everything happened through blind chance; but since your appearance confusion and revolt have come to an end. Order has returned everywhere and in everyday life and in the state there is clear light of day. Cities now gleam in splendor and beauty, and the whole earth is arrayed like a paradise.

A decree about Caesar Augustus, written just a few years before Jesus was born:

The birthday of the most divine emperor is the fount of every public and private good. Justly would one take this day to be the beginning of the Whole Universe . . . for when everything was falling into disorder and tending toward dissolution, he restored it once more and gave to the whole world a new aspect. Justly would one take this day to be the beginning of Life and Living for everyone.

Virgil, a friend of Augustus, wrote in the Aeneid:

This, this is he whom so often you hear promised to you, Augustus Caesar!

Son of a god, who shall again set up the golden age in Latium,

Amid the fields where Saturn once reigned,

And shall spread his empire past Libya and India,

To a land that lies beyond the stars

And in the Eclogues he says:

He will live as god and observe the heroes of ancient times;

walking among the gods: they will behold him in amazement.

Peace he will bring to the world, governing it with the Father’s power.

The goats themselves will come home with udders full.

No longer will the herds of grazing cattle fear the lion,

Even from his cradle sprouts a wreath of flattering flowers.

The serpents will disappear; harmful, poisonous plants will vanish;

the fields of Assyria will yield balsam in abundance.

Now, offspring of Jupiter, dear child divine,

Already comes the time; assume the dignity sublime!

See the heavy burdens of the world convulse and heave,

Lands and seas’ breadth alike, and the depths of heaven,

See how they all rejoice at the golden age that now appears.

A Roman inscription found near Ephesus, written in 4 BCE:

[Caesar is] the god made manifest, the universal savior of human life. Land and sea

have peace, the cities flourish in harmony and with an abundance of food, there is

an abundance of all good things, people are filled with happy hopes for the future

and with delight in the present.

An inscription found in Asia Minor from 9 BCE:

The Providence which has ordered the whole of our life, showing concern and zeal,

has ordained the most perfect consummation for human life by giving to it Augustus,

by filling him with virtue for doing the work of a Benefactor among men, and by sending

in him, as it were, a Savior for us and those who come after us, to make war to cease,

to create order everywhere; the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning for

the world of the gospel that has come to men through him.

How to Pray the Lord's Prayer as a Modern Christian

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500

In the final episode of our mini-series on the Lord's Prayer, we take a look at what this ancient prayer means for modern Christians. If each line creates a connection between the Exodus story and Jesus' specific historical moment, does it still have a place for us today? How might we pray a New Exodus prayer in our own lives?

The Lord's (New Exodus) Prayer - Part 2

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Israel's Exodus from Egypt formed the prototype for how God rescues his people. In Jesus' last days, he teaches his disciples a prayer that urges God to bring a New Exodus, a bigger rescue from the deeper powers of sin and death.

Today we dive into the second half of the Lord's prayer and show how each line connects back to the Exodus story.
Give us today our daily bread

Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone indebted to us.

Don’t bring us to the time of trial. The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry.

Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

The Lord's (New Exodus) Prayer - Part 1

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Israel's Exodus from Egypt formed the prototype for how God s rescues his people. In Jesus' last days, he teaches his disciples a prayer that urges God to bring a New Exodus, a bigger rescue from the deeper powers of sin and death.

Today we dive into the first half of the Lord's prayer and show how each line connects back to the Exodus story.
Father
Make your name holy
Bring your kingdom

Make the Lord's Prayer 'Risky' Again

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 09:24:10 -0500

Has the most famous Christian prayer become a little bit...routine? Maybe even boring?

By returning to the Lord's Prayer and reading it in context, we can recover it as the bold, revolutionary, maybe even risky prayer that it was originally meant to be.

A Less Stressful, More Realistic Bible Reading Plan

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0500

It's a new year and maybe you've resolved, once again, to read the Bible more this year. But is reaching for the same kind of reading plan that has proved unsustainable so many times really the best move? Could there be a better way?

In this first episode of the new year we discuss what doesn’t work about the typical Bible reading plans, plus the habits and mindsets we can change to give us a fruitful, flourishing relationship with Scripture.

Links:
How long it takes to read each book of the Bible
Episode 6: The Game-Changing Power of Reader's Bibles
Episode 13: The Bible is a Story. Here's Why That Matters
Episode 14: Genesis to Revelation - The 6-Act Story of the Bible
Episode 16: Reading the Entire Bible Through the Jesus Lens

Christmas Special: The Immanuel-Shaped Storyline of the Bible

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0500

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means, 'God is with us'"

Was Immanuel a brand-new idea that arrived with Jesus, or had it been there all along? Today we trace the theme of "God with us" through the Bible's grand narrative. God created the world intending to dwell with his image-bearers, and the Bible tells the story of him working relentlessly to overcome creation's great rupture in order to be with us again.

The Real Cost of Misreading the Bible w/ Philip Yancey

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 05:15:00 -0500

Our conversation with Philip Yancey continues, focusing on his life and upbringing as told in his new memoir Where the Light Fell. We discuss the role the Bible played both in the toxic culture of his youth and later as a book that drew him back into the arms of a loving God.

Where the Light Fell: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Light-Fell-Philip-Yancey/dp/0593238508

Returning to the Bible Jesus Read w/ Philip Yancey

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Renowned author Philip Yancey joins us for a wide-ranging discussion on reading, being counter-cultural, and the importance of the First Testament for understanding the story of the Bible.

The Bible Jesus Read: https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Jesus-Read-Philip-Yancey/dp/0310245664
Where the Light Fell: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Light-Fell-Philip-Yancey/dp/0593238508

Jesus' Upside-Down Victory Over the Powers

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0500

In Episode 35 we unveiled the "powers and principalities," these mysterious villains who are present throughout the Bible's story. Today we dive into Jesus' life and sacrificial death, both of which are crucial for understanding how God has dealt with the rebellious powers and principalities. And as followers of Jesus, how can we step into the model he has provided for dealing with ongoing struggles against the forces of darkness today?

If you're interested in reading more, check out the series of articles on our blog:
Part 1: Meet the Powers
Part 2: The World-Rulers of this Darkness
Part 3: The Satan and the Law that Enslaves
Part 4: The Bondage of Creation
Part 5: Jesus' Victory Over the Powers
Part 6: The Powers and the People of Jesus Today

Powers and Principalities: The Bible's Most Overlooked Storyline

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0500

The sons of God, the gods, the heavenly council, the hosts of heaven, the princes of the nations, the force of chaos, unclean spirits, demons...

They go by a variety of names, but are often overlooked in the Bible's story. These powers and principalities, created by Christ and for Christ, have since rebelled against their vocation and work together with humans to wreak havoc in God's created order. They're mysterious forces, hard to nail down and systematize, yet we absolutely must pay attention to their critical role in the narrative of Scripture.

Rethinking the Book of Ruth w/ Carolyn Custis James

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:19:15 -0400

The book of Ruth is often miscast as the Bible's version of a "Christian romance story," which significantly reduces its meaning and power. Carolyn Custis James helps us see Ruth through the appropriate historical and cultural lenses, and we explore the ways in which Ruth and Naomi's story is one full of bravery, sacrifice, creativity, and hesed.

The Gospel of Ruth: https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Ruth-Loving-Enough-Break/dp/0310330858

Lamentations' Hope in the Middle of Pain

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Everyone loves those verses in Lamentations, but when we take these hopeful passages out of their settings of crisis and loss we may actually be emptying them of their power. Scripture helps us come to terms with the world as it really is — a place where hope and pain must often coexist.

Join us for part two of our series on lament in Scripture where we dive into the book of Lamentations: its historical backdrop, literary structure, and how it can speak to the way we practice our faith today.

Lament: A Hope Not Yet Realized

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Sometimes life can be so hard it crushes you.

Our co-host Glenn Paauw returns to the podcast to share about the unexpected tragedy that rocked him and his family this summer, and how it has brought him back to the lament passages of Scripture.

The Bible is full of hard stories and unjust endings. And while we live in the "already" of Christ's victory, we have to make room for the "not yet."

Click here to contribute a gift to Preemptive Love in Jain's memory: https://preemptivelove.org/

Setting the Table for Good Bible Reading w/ BibleProject's Tim Mackie & Jon Collins

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 13:49:17 -0400

Interacting with the Bible can be a confusing cross-cultural experience — where should you even start? And how can we overcome some of the conventions in modern-day Bible publication that can obscure the patterns and features of the original text, adding more layers of confusion?

In our second episode with BibleProject co-founders Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, we zoom out from their story to talk more generally about the state of Bible engagement as a whole. Listen as they share the most important approaches and ideas they want people to walk away with when it comes to interacting with the Scriptures.

Learn more about BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/

Check out Glenn Paauw's Seminary Now course mentioned in this episode: Reading and Living the Bible Well

The Origins of BibleProject w/ Tim Mackie & Jon Collins

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0400

BibleProject has become one of the world's most popular resources for learning about the sophisticated literary artistry of the Bible. So how did it get started? What were some of the fundamental questions that led to its creation?

Co-founders Tim Mackie and Jon Collins join us to share about their personal history, how BibleProject was born out of their own journeys to make sense of the Bible, and how they hope their work helps others get swept up in the beauty and wisdom of the Scriptures.

Learn more about BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/

Re-Enchanting the Scriptures

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0400

God didn't give us a systematic theology — He gave us a story. But with the scientific revolution came a way of using the Bible that turned it from a library of literature into a list of spiritual facts. We preferred a Bible we could dissect and master, so we disenchanted the Bible, draining it of much of its beauty and power.
Our Senior Director of Content, Glenn Paauw, helps us understand how we got here and how we can work to re-enchant the Bible again.

Learn more about the Anselm Society: https://www.anselmsociety.org/
Learn more about the Imagination Redeemed conference: https://www.imaginationredeemed.com/

How (Not) To Read the Bible w/ Dan Kimball

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Are there unicorns in the Bible? Did Jesus ride on dinosaurs? If we're honest, there are a lot of strange and uncomfortable passages in Scripture, and lately they've led to a lot of people abandoning the faith. Many others have used them to attack the Bible and discredit Christianity.

Dan Kimball joins us to talk about these difficult parts of the Bible and how understanding their ancient context helps us make sense of them. His new book How (Not) To Read the Bible equips Christians and non-Christians alike with ground rules for reading Scripture well, which leads to better interpretation of some of its wildest and most challenging parts.

How (Not) to Read the Bible: https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-to-Read-the-Bible/dp/0310254183/

7 Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible w/ Dr. Michael Bird (Part 2)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0400

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Michael, which covers topics like the Bible's authority, the importance of understanding ancient context, and how to read Scripture with Jesus at the center. If you missed Part 1 of the interview, click here to listen.

Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Things-Christians-about-Bible/dp/0310538858
The New Testament in its World Video Lectures: https://zondervanacademic.com/products/the-new-testament-in-its-world-video-lectures

7 Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible w/ Dr. Michael Bird (Part 1)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 05:30:00 -0400

What is the Bible? What are we supposed to do with it? Bible scholar, author, and Anglican minister Michael Bird joins us to share what he's come to believe about the Bible after 20 years of teaching it and wrestling with it himself. We cover some big topics from his new book, including how the Bible was put together, inspiration, inerrancy, and more.

Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Things-Christians-about-Bible/dp/0310538858

Does the Bible Support Slavery?

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:56:37 -0400

Slavery in the Bible can be a really difficult topic to wrestle with. The First Testament approves of harsh treatment of slaves, Jesus doesn't talk about it, and the New Testament apostles seem to take it for granted as well. What are we supposed to do with this troubling issue?

Understanding the Bible's redemptive movement on the institution of slavery requires a different kind of interpretive lens. Alex and Glenn discuss the Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic and how it sheds light on Scripture's subversion of slavery.

William Webb's books on the Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic:
Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals
Corporal Punishment in the Bible

How the Reformation Changed Bible Engagement w/ Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:49:38 -0400

Dr. McNutt is a Church historian and Reformation specialist from Wheaton College. She joined us to discuss the period of innovation and change for the Bible during the Reformation period. The innovators of the Reformation, she argues, succeeded in solving the problems of their time. Now it's our job to solve the problems of our time.

Learn More about Dr. McNutt: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/faculty/jennifer-powell-mcnutt/
The People's Book: The Reformation and the Bible: https://amzn.to/2Ua8sTc

Luke, Mark, Matthew, John. What Happens When You Change the Order of the Bible's Books?

Institute for Bible Reading — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 00:07:42 -0400

The order of books in the Bible isn't something we often think about, but it can have a huge impact if we're reading long sections like the New Testament cover-to-cover. Are we allowed to change the order? What might a new order look like, and what kinds of benefits would it bring?

Learn More about Immerse: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/immerse/
The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Technology, Distraction, and The State of Reading w/ Andy Crouch (Part 2)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 19 May 2021 17:00:26 -0400

How can we expect people to read the Bible in a technology-saturated culture where fewer and fewer people read anything at all?

This is Part 2 of our interview with Andy Crouch. Andy is an author, speaker, and member of our Board of Advisors, and he joins us to discuss how technology wires us for distraction and instant gratification, making focused longform reading even more difficult.

If you missed Part 1, check out Episode 21 for the first half our interview with Andy.

The Tech-Wise Family: https://amzn.to/3h5H95F
My Tech-Wise Life: https://amzn.to/3nU31me
Barna Group's Tech-Wise Resources: https://www.barna.com/tech-wise/
Culture Making: https://amzn.to/33lYlvT

Technology, Distraction, and The State of Reading w/ Andy Crouch (Part 1)

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 05 May 2021 16:52:38 -0400

How can we expect people to read the Bible in a technology-saturated culture where fewer and fewer people read anything at all?

Andy Crouch, author, speaker, and member of our Board of Advisors, joins us to discuss how technology wires us for distraction and instant gratification, making focused longform reading even more difficult.

The Tech-Wise Family: https://amzn.to/3h5H95F
My Tech-Wise Life: https://amzn.to/3nU31me
Barna Group's Tech-Wise Resources: https://www.barna.com/tech-wise/
Culture Making: https://amzn.to/33lYlvT

Bible Reading and Spiritual Formation w/ Dr. Stephanie Nance

Institute for Bible Reading — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:17:05 -0400

Stephanie Nance is the Adult Spiritual Formation Pastor at Chapel Springs Church in Bristow, VA. In 2019 she brought Immerse to Chapel Springs and played a vital role in leading the entire congregation through the entire Bible using Immerse in just 2 years. She joins us to reflect on how being immersed in Scripture together impacts spiritual formation at a whole-church level.

Immerse stories from Chapel Springs Church:
Immerse at Chapel Springs
Elizabeth shares how her Immerse group impacted her life
Chapel Springs members share their Immerse stories

Learn More about Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience: ImmerseBible.com
The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Why Bible Literacy Isn't the Right Goal

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0400

"Bible Literacy Crisis!"
"How to Promote Bible Literacy at Home"
"How to Improve Your Biblical Literacy"

Everywhere you look, literacy is touted as the primary goal for Bible engagement. And while literacy is certainly important, it's only partway to an even more important objective. On this episode, Paul, Glenn, and Alex discuss literacy as it relates to Bible fluency, which they believe represents a deeper and more comprehensive knowledge of Scripture.

Send your comments (scroll to the bottom of the page): TheBibleReset.com
Boost your Bible fluency with Immerse: https://www.tyndale.com/l/immerse

How to Stop Shrinking Jesus' Death

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 11:25:40 -0400

Holy Week is coming up. All too often we have a habit of skipping from Palm Sunday to Good Friday, concluding that the whole point of the week was "Jesus dying for my sins." The cross is certainly not less than this, but it also so much more.

The days and events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion frame his sacrificial death in ways that are often overlooked. On this episode we dive into each day of Holy Week and unpack what they contribute to the overall meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection.

As so often happens with the Bible, when we read big, read in context, and make connections, the meanings and takeaways we're used to are transformed into something bigger and more beautiful than we ever anticipated.

Improvising the Bible's Story w/ Dr. Glenn Packiam

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 10:06:35 -0500

Wrapping up our series on the Bible's story, Dr. Glenn Packiam joins us to explore what it looks like to live the story in real life. Rather than mechanical obedience, the Bible's unfinished story invites us to faithfully improvise our parts in the drama today.

Connect with Glenn on Facebook or Twitter
Glenn's Books:
Worship and the World to Come
Blessed, Broken, Given
Lucky
Discover the Mystery of Faith

Reading the Entire Bible Through the Jesus Lens

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Jesus is the interpretive key that pulls all of the Bible's narrative threads together into himself. In order to read the Bible well, we need to read every inch of it – including the First Testament and the non-gospel New Testament books – through the Jesus Lens.

Reading Backwards by Richard B. Hays: https://amzn.to/3usreTu
The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Zooming Out: Reading Bible Stories in Light of the Big Story

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 12:34:03 -0500

Now that we have an overview of the Bible's big 6-Act Story, how can we read individual stories and passages with a proper understanding of their place within the story? Today we take a look at the Ten Commandments and a well-known phrase from the Sermon on the Mount and reframe them in their proper narrative context.

*If you haven't listened to Episode 14 on the 6-Act Story of the Bible, you may want to listen to that first.

Questions, comments, complaints? Send them through our Contact form at TheBibleReset.com

Genesis to Revelation: The 6-Act Story of the Bible

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0500

In our previous episode we argued that the Bible is primarily a unified story, but how does that story actually work? Today we do our best to summarize the 6 'acts' of the Bible's story:

Act 1: World's Genesis
Act 2: Humanity's Rebellion
Act 3: Israel's Quest
Act 4: King's Advent
Act 5: Community's Calling
Act 6: God's Homecoming

This is a bulky episode covering a lot of content, so feel free to take a couple breaks and process it if you need.

'Venn Diagram' Illustration Alex mentioned in Act 5: https://bit.ly/3iNqL8O

Read more: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/drama-of-the-bible/
The Drama of Scripture by Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen: http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-drama-of-scripture-2nd-edition/231504
The New Testament and the People of God by N.T. Wright pp 139-143

The Bible is a Story. Here's Why That Matters

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 10:12:43 -0500

*People hear "story" and think "fairy tale." But stories are everywhere, and they play a definitive role in who we are. The Bible's claim is that it's the true story of the entire world – here's why that matters.

5 Worldview Questions:

Who Are We?
Where Are We?
What Is Wrong?
What Is The Solution?
What Time Is It?

*Borrowed from N.T. Wright's The New Testament and the People of God pp 132-133

Christmas Special: The One Where We Ruin the Nativity Scene

Institute for Bible Reading — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:12:32 -0500

The traditional understanding of the Christmas story is well-established in Christian imagination: Mary and Joseph arrive in the town of Bethlehem as strangers, only to find "no room in the inn." With nowhere to go, they find shelter in a lonely stable and Christ is born into the company of livestock.

But what if that story has been shaped more by Christian tradition than what's actually in the text? We take an in-depth look at the birth of Christ as told in Luke's gospel and unpacked by Dr. Kenneth Bailey in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes. With a keen understanding of ancient Near Eastern culture and Greek language, Bailey helps us see a much more realistic version of the Christmas story, full of richness and beauty that has been overlooked for centuries.

Click here to download the excerpt of Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes
Sign up for the IFBR Christmas devotional: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/christmas/

How Reading Together Changes Communities w/ Pastor Chris Morrison

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:34:21 -0500

"What became clear immediately was how different our discussions were about God's Word." We've spent the past few episodes talking about why community Bible reading and organic conversations make all the sense in the world, but what difference does it actually make? Pastor Chris Morrison's church was the very first church to try Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience, and it completely changed how they interact together around Scripture. Chris joined us to talk about their experience.

Watch Chris' video story: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/church-read-entire-bible-immerse/

4 Steps to Recovering Community Bible Reading

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0500

In our last episode we traced the historical shift of the Bible from a book read in community to one read in private. Today, we take a look at the problems inherent in only reading alone, then suggest 4 ways we can work to recover the community interaction around the text that God's people have enjoyed for so long.
Bowling Alone: https://amzn.to/39zlUps
Unleashing the Word: https://amzn.to/3odInfz
Learn more about Immerse: ImmerseBible.com
Order Immerse (use code IFBR10 for 10% off!): https://www.tyndale.com/l/immerse

From Synagogues to 'Quiet Time': How the Bible Became Privatized

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 11:04:20 -0500

From a book read, heard, and discussed in community to a book experienced in quiet isolation. How did we get from there to here?

Links:
Nehemiah 8 Story
Y'allVersion
Destroyer of the Gods by Larry Hurtado

(Part 2) How Literary Genre Unlocks Meaning w/ Jeannine Brown

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 11:01:59 -0500

"The way we've read the Bible is very much monochromatic – as if it's all the same thing...I think we need to get past that." Dr. Jeannine Brown joins us to discuss the importance of understanding the different types of literature in the Bible, and how being attuned to literature can unlock the Bible in "full color." Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Brown.

Jeannine Brown Bio
Scripture as Communication: Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics
Gospels as Stories

(Part 1) How Literary Genre Unlocks Meaning w/ Jeannine Brown

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 11:00:18 -0500

Jeannine Brown Bio
Scripture as Communication: Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics
Gospels as Stories

The Game-Changing Power of Reader's Bibles

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:00:00 -0400

What is the Bible? What are we supposed to do with it? Simply changing the format can change how we answer those two questions.

In this episode, the last in our series on the Bible's format, we dive into the ways Reader's Bibles fundamentally change how we interact with the text.

Comparison of poetry in 1-column vs. 2-column Bible: https://bit.ly/2FLzRUH

How to Make a Reader's Bible w/ Christopher Smith

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 10:03:31 -0400

In Episode 4 we outlined the deficiencies of the Modern Reference Bible. But what's the alternative? What could the future of the Bible look like?

Christopher Smith joins us to talk about the work and research that goes into the creation of Reader's Bibles – Bibles which remove all of the modern additives and replace them with literary structures which actually honor and display the natural contours of each book. He and Glenn tell the story of how they met to create The Books of the Bible, a Reader's edition which became the precursor to Immerse: The Reading Bible.

The Rev. Dr. Christopher Smith is a writer and biblical scholar who is also an ordained minister and served local churches as a pastor for nearly twenty years. He has an A.B. from Harvard in English and American Literature and Language, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell, and a Ph.D. in the History of Christian Life and Thought, with a minor concentration in Bible, from Boston College, in the joint program with Andover Newton Theological School. He was heavily involved in the design and creation of Immerse: The Reading Bible.

After Chapters and Verses: https://amzn.to/2Sx2R5l

Chapters, Verses, and the Impact of the Modern Bible

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0400

The physical format of our modern Bible is often taken for granted. But where did chapters and verses come from? How did we go from stories, letters, and song lyrics to something resembling an encyclopedia? And what are the implications of a Bible that invites us to use it like a reference manual?

Nathan Smith - Getting Students Immersed in the Bible

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0400

By the time they reach his classroom as high school freshmen, many students in Nathan Smith's Bible classes are very familiar with the Bible. They're also quite bored with it.

Nathan shares his take on some of the systemic blind spots in the Bible education space, and how the narrative-based, whole-book, community discussion model of Immerse has reshaped how he teaches the Bible to his students. Simply reading the words of Scripture rather than "words about the words" helps the Bible come alive for them and changes their lives.

64% Of Young People Leaving the Church: https://www.barna.com/research/resilient-disciples/
Immerse at Calvin Christian HS: https://youtu.be/Vg_2UsDTL-8
Written Reflections from Nathan's Students: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/student-reflections-immerse/

The 3 biggest barriers to Bible engagement

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

In Episode 1 we looked at Bible reading trends in America and discussed the huge disparity between the amount of Bible resources and the number of Bible readers. We have more Bibles than ever yet reading trends are in freefall. On this episode we diagnose what's actually broken. From unhealthy expectations to flawed cultural habits, there are a number of unrealized factors actively working against our goals of deep, fruitful Bible engagement.

*Correction: Philip Yancey was described as being on our Board of Directors. He is on our Board of Advisors.

Support IFBR: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Why does the Bible need a reset?

Institute for Bible Reading — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

The average American household possesses more than 4 Bibles, yet Bible reading trends are plummeting. Nearly 9 in 10 American churchgoers want help understanding the Bible, but only 19 percent say they're getting the help they need. What's missing? What's not working?

Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience: ImmerseBible.com

The Bible Reset Trailer

Institute for Bible Reading — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 20:04:02 -0400

Welcome to The Bible Reset, a new podcast from the Institute for Bible Reading. Listen along as we discuss what’s broken in the Bible world and introduce fresh new ideas for stellar Scripture engagement.

Learn more about the Institute for Bible Reading: https://instituteforbiblereading.org