The BEMA Podcast (BEMA Discipleship)
Explorez tous les épisodes de The BEMA Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jun 2023 | 336: Sabbath Reflection I — Truth | 00:33:26 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings start a series of reflection, working to apply the lessons of the Mishkan once again. | |||
| 11 Jun 2020 | 172: 3 John — Diotrephes | 00:14:35 | |
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. | |||
| 19 Dec 2024 | 429: Catherine McNiel — Fearing Bravely | 00:41:07 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Catherine McNiel, author of Fearing Bravely. Fearing Bravely by Catherine McNiel Review of Fearing Bravely — Marty Solomon, Goodreads Review of Fearing Bravely — Brent Billings, Goodreads Long Days of Small Things by Catherine McNiel All Shall Be Well by Catherine McNiel Mid-Faith Crisis by Catherine McNiel Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Catherine McNiel. | |||
| 01 Apr 2021 | 213: Character Study — Jacob, Part 2 | 00:45:58 | |
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 Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy BEMA listeners can use code | |||
| 19 Sep 2024 | 409: Sandra Richter — The Epic of Eden | 00:57:35 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. Sandra Richter, the Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, a graduate of Harvard University, and of course the author of The Epic of Eden, including a new study in that series covering Deborah. The Epic of Eden by Sandra L. Richter The Story of God, the Story of Us by Sean Gladding The Story by Zondervan, Max Lucado, and Randy Frazee NIV Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) Sandra Richter at Westmont College Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Sandra Richter. | |||
| 21 Oct 2021 | 242: Spiritual Abuse — Commodities and Variables | 00:47:49 | |
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 | |||
| 23 Dec 2021 | 250: The Chosen S1E0 — “The Shepherd” | 00:38:11 | |
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. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 250 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia | |||
| 13 Apr 2023 | 326: Sanctuary — Entering the Mishkan | 01:11:53 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are back with Josh Bossé to consider the boundaries established for the tabernacle and the love hidden within them. Presentation for Sanctuary — Entering the Mishkan (PDF) Symbolism of the Biblical World by Othmar Keel | |||
| 04 Apr 2024 | 385: Psalms — Ultimate Mario Star | 00:49:15 | |
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent discuss Psalm 91. | |||
| 04 Feb 2021 | 205: Session 6 Intro | 00:48:30 | |
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. | |||
| 27 Feb 2020 | 157: 2 Corinthians — Apostleship | 00:18:35 | |
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. | |||
| 10 Nov 2022 | 304: The Construction of the Gospel of John | 00:46:04 | |
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. | |||
| 22 Sep 2022 | 297: Kat Armas — Abuelita Faith | 00:47:34 | |
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. Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Kat Armas. | |||
| 10 Jun 2021 | 223: The Chosen S1E4 — “The Rock on Which It Is Built” | 00:39:23 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the fourth episode. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 223 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia | |||
| 26 Oct 2023 | 364: Isaiah — Opening Provocations | 00:53:32 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey into the text of Isaiah, hearing the call of a father to his stubborn children. The Ache for Meaning by Tommy Brown The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary by Robert Alter Isaiah: Holy, Holy, Holy — Derrick Rohr, Campus Christian Fellowship | |||
| 13 May 2021 | 219: Becky Solomon — Loving the Adventure | 00:51:57 | |
Marty Solomon is joined by his wife, Becky. They talk about what it is like to live their lifestyle, and how that plays out in their marriage and their parenting. Family Culture Project (website) Family Culture Project (email) Use code Marty’s Holiday Series — YouTube Cultural Appropriation — Wikipedia 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) Special Guest: Becky Solomon. | |||
| 18 Aug 2022 | 292: John — The Pruning Work of Persecution | 00:48:27 | |
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? | |||
| 27 Jul 2023 | 348: Sabbath Reflection VII — Trust | 00:35:30 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings conclude this series of reflection by working to apply the lessons of trust from the Mishkan. Presentation for Sabbath Reflection VII — Trust (PDF) | |||
| 03 Dec 2020 | 197: AD 1000–1300 | 00:18:47 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine one of the darkest chapters in the history of Christendom. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller | |||
| 21 Mar 2022 | 268: The Chosen S2E6 — “Unlawful” (Bonus Episode) | 00:32:53 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings return to The Chosen with a discussion on the sixth episode of Season 2. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 268 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb Episode 6: "This line wrecks me." (Director Reaction) — The Chosen, YouTube | |||
| 14 May 2020 | 168: 1 Peter — Living Stones and a Spiritual House | 00:16:44 | |
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. | |||
| 24 Oct 2024 | 417: Hosea — Staring Brokenness in the Face | 00:51:02 | |
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent look to Hosea 4 to answer the question of how we can find ourselves in a mess like this. | |||
| 09 Mar 2023 | 321: The Forgotten Women of the Tanakh | 01:05:40 | |
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. | |||
| 18 May 2023 | 331: Sanctuary — Resting with the Mishkan | 01:47:09 | |
Brent Billings, Josh Bossé, and Elle Grover Fricks muse on the mysteries of rest and holiness, and conclude the anthology on the tabernacle. Presentation for Sanctuary — Resting with the Mishkan (PDF) Strong Bad Email #58: Dragon — YouTube The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel | |||
| 23 Jun 2022 | 284: John — The Hour Has Come | 00:33:45 | |
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) | |||
| 12 May 2022 | 278: John — Only the Blind Can See | 00:45:59 | |
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 | |||
| 08 Sep 2022 | 295: John — Strategy | 00:41:17 | |
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? | |||
| 12 Oct 2023 | 362: Isaiah — Prophetic Pathos | 00:56:18 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are with Reed Dent to begin a journey deep into the prophecy of Isaiah by considering what we can learn from Abraham Joshua Heschel about the prophetic pathos. The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel Isaiah: History — Reed Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship A Collision or (3+4=7) by David Crowder*Band Collected Poems of W. H. Auden (see Part IX) Lost in the Cosmos by Walker Percy NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible “I Have a Dream” (Martin Luther King Jr. speech) — Wikipedia “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” (Martin Luther King Jr. speech) — Wikipedia | |||
| 20 Jun 2024 | 396: Talmudic Matthew — Desert and Sea | 01:17:47 | |
Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Reed Dent revisit Matthew 4 with a Talmudic lens. BEMA 92: How to Bring Order Out of Chaos Ethics Ratings of Nearly All Professions Down in U.S. — Gallup “Questions About Angels” (poem) by Billy Collins | |||
| 14 Feb 2022 | 258: The Chosen S2E1 — “Thunder” (Bonus Episode) | 00:48:45 | |
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. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 258 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia | |||
| 11 Mar 2021 | 210: Midrash — The Man in the Fur Coat | 00:37:32 | |
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 Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy BEMA listeners can use code | |||
| 04 Jan 2024 | 372: Isaiah — History and Redaction | 01:12:02 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are with Elle Grover Fricks to discuss the historical portion of Isaiah that bridges the two parts of the prophetic work, considering the possibilities for voices and redactions. BEMA 82: The Text — When, Where, Who, and Why Documentary Hypothesis — Wikipedia Asking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty Solomon The Documentary Hypothesis and the Composition of the Pentateuch by Umberto Cassuto (PDF) “You have been weighed, measured, and found wanting” — A Knight’s Tale, YouTube BEMA 365: Isaiah — Prophet vs. Wizard Priests Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler | |||
| 22 Oct 2020 | 192: Telling a Story | 00:25:49 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss what history is, what it isn’t, and give some disclaimers about the intentions of Session 5. Making an Impact: Message — Covered in His Dust Constantine’s Sword by James Carroll Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelly | |||
| 04 Apr 2022 | 272: The Chosen S2E8 — “Beyond Mountains” (Bonus Episode) | 00:42:18 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings conclude a review of Season 2 of The Chosen with a discussion on the eighth episode. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 272 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb Dallas Regrets This One Thing (Season Finale Reaction) — The Chosen, YouTube | |||
| 21 May 2020 | 169: 2 Peter — The Other Side of a Conversation | 00:30:53 | |
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 | |||
| 05 Mar 2020 | 158: Ephesians — Family Membership | 00:28:48 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings travel to the second largest city in the Roman Empire and hear the words Paul wrote to the Ephesians. | |||
| 04 May 2023 | 329: Sanctuary — Moving the Mishkan | 01:40:41 | |
Brent Billings is with Josh Bossé and Reed Dent to see how God’s presence shows up in surprising ways throughout the tabernacle. | |||
| 28 Feb 2022 | 262: The Chosen S2E3 — “Matthew 4:24” (Bonus Episode) | 00:48:48 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue reviewing The Chosen with a discussion on the third episode of Season 2. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 262 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb Our most talked about scene ever? Chosen director reacts — The Chosen, YouTube | |||
| 06 Oct 2022 | 299: John — One Pierced | 00:29:59 | |
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. | |||
| 16 Dec 2021 | 249: Michael Burns — Escaping the Beast | 01:02:25 | |
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 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. | |||
| 15 Jul 2021 | 228: Dallas Jenkins — Manna Program, Part 1 | 00:47:33 | |
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. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 228 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Dallas Jenkins. | |||
| 10 Sep 2020 | 185: Revelation — Bittersweet Prophecy | 00:20:42 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings press further into Revelation and this epic showdown and holy competition between Empire and Shalom. | |||
| 19 Oct 2023 | 363: Isaiah — Prophetic Imagination | 00:50:04 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are back with Reed Dent to continue the introduction to the prophecy of Isaiah and consider Walter Brueggemann’s ideas about the prophetic imagination. The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann “What Prophecy Is For” — BibleProject Podcast Thought of the Day: Prophetic Imagination — Marty Solomon, YouTube | |||
| 03 Sep 2020 | 184: Revelation — Let the Games Begin | 00:27:57 | |
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. | |||
| 24 Aug 2023 | 354: Sabbath Practice — Flow | 01:10:51 | |
Brent Billings and Josh Bossé discuss his spiritual practices and how they have evolved throughout his journey with God. Schottenstein Interlinear Complete Chumash by Rabbi Menachem Davis | |||
| 20 Mar 2025 | 442: Talmudic Matthew — Marriage | 00:38:40 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Elle Grover Fricks to contextualize Jesus’s teaching on divorce in its Jewish and Roman landscape. | |||
| 12 Nov 2020 | 195: AD 500–700 | 00:14:26 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings journey through the sixth and seventh centuries, examining the early monastic movements. | |||
| 16 Jun 2022 | 283: John — Missing God in the Name of God | 00:37:56 | |
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) | |||
| 19 May 2022 | 279: John — My Sheep, My Voice | 00:36:54 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at Jesus’s claim to be the true gate and the good shepherd for his sheep. John — My Sheep, My Voice Presentation (PDF) BEMA 26: Images of the Desert — Shepherd BEMA 105: An Explosive Kingdom | |||
| 03 Oct 2019 | 138: Unclean Sheets | 00:44:52 | |
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) | |||
| 08 Jul 2021 | 227: The Chosen S1E8 — “I Am He” | 01:01:12 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue reviewing The Chosen with a discussion on the eighth and final episode of Season 1. (No) Discussion Video for BEMA 227 The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill | |||
| 30 May 2024 | 393: Talmudic Matthew — Dreams | 01:11:29 | |
Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Reed Dent explore how the Talmudic conversation might shed new light on the account of Joseph’s angelic visitation in Matthew 1. | |||
| 11 Nov 2024 | 422: The Chosen S4E6 — “Dedication” (Bonus Episode) | 00:39:15 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen with episode 6. The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia | |||
| 27 Mar 2025 | 443: Talmudic Matthew — Oaths | 00:38:55 | |
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks investigate Jesus’s teaching on oaths. “Greek Oath-Rituals” by Irene Berti — OpenEdition Books “The Greek Oath in the Roman World” by Serena Connolly — Oxford Academic “The Kinyradai of Paphos” by John Curtis Franklin — The Center for Hellenic Studies | |||
| 05 Dec 2019 | 146: Galatians — The Curse | 00:32:38 | |
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. | |||
| 13 Jan 2022 | 253: John — Come and See | 00:41:53 | |
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. Creation Series: John 1 — BibleProject | |||
| 22 Feb 2024 | 379: Psalms — Every Season of Life | 01:02:06 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Reed Dent as he launches a series on the Psalms. Asking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty Solomon Free at Last by dc Talk — YouTube “[Psalm] 40” by dc Talk — YouTube The Art of Biblical Poetry by Robert Alter The Art of Biblical Narrative by Robert Alter The Art of Bible Translation by Robert Alter Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible by Thomas G. Long BEMA 349: The Chosen S3E8 — “Sustenance” (Bonus Episode) The Message of the Psalms by Walter Brueggemann Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott | |||
| 23 Apr 2020 | 165: Hebrews — Running a Better Race | 00:34:23 | |
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. | |||
| 10 Feb 2022 | 257: John — Wells and Husbands | 00:56:06 | |
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 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 — Brown University Library | |||
| 21 Oct 2024 | 416: The Chosen S4E3 — “Moon to Blood” (Bonus Episode) | 00:41:00 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen with the controversial episode 3. The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb “Leading Like Jesus” sermon by Megan Trischler — University Christian Church | |||
| 13 Mar 2025 | 441: Talmudic Matthew — Thymos | 00:46:35 | |
Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé take a closer look at Jesus’s teachings on desire. | |||
| 20 Feb 2025 | 438: Talmudic Matthew — Truly(?) I Say to You | 00:36:54 | |
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks search out what life can be found in two short verses from the Sermon on the Mount. | |||
| 19 Jun 2023 | 337: The Chosen S3E2 — “Two by Two” (Bonus Episode) | 00:45:01 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings return to The Chosen to watch as the disciples are commissioned as apostles and sent out in pairs. The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb The Kingdom (Teaching Series) — Marty Solomon, YouTube | |||
| 17 Aug 2023 | 353: Sabbath Practice — Heart | 00:51:00 | |
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks chat about her spiritual practices. Notebook Classic — LEUCHTTURM1917 | |||
| 05 Sep 2019 | 133: Session 3 Capstone | 00:44:09 | |
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 | |||
| 16 Jan 2025 | 433: Hosea — Doomed to Repeat It | 00:39:06 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch the prophet parallel the experience of God’s people with the history of their Patriarch Jacob. “Back to the Future” by Brad Gray (14 minutes) — Walking the Text “Back to the Future” by Brad Gray (55 minutes) — Central Holland Church, YouTube | |||
| 20 Aug 2020 | 182: Revelation — The Throne Room | 00:22:50 | |
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. | |||
| 06 May 2021 | 218: Midrash — Death at Dinner | 00:32:45 | |
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 | |||
| 12 Sep 2019 | 135: Uncut Corners | 00:28:57 | |
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. | |||
| 11 Feb 2021 | 206: Reed Dent — The Nature of Truth | 00:57:36 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Reed Dent. He’s been on staff with Campus Christian Fellowship at Truman State University in Missouri for the last twelve years. He and his wife, LeAnn, have three boys, who provide some great sermon illustrations. Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State University Truman State University — Wikipedia Staff — Campus Christian Fellowship The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant — Reed Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship The Parable of the Good Samaritan — Reed Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship The Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2001 (PDF) “September 11” by Scott Cairns “Trump's name to appear on coronavirus stimulus checks sent to Americans” — Fox News “Trump Seeks To Stimulate Economy By Sending Rare Autographed Photo To Every American” — The Onion Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5 Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak “The Seeing Heart” by Frederick Buechner — YouTube Secrets in the Dark by Frederick Buechner The Lost World of Genesis One by John H. Walton The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy The War by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick The Art of Biblical Narrative by Robert Alter The Art of Biblical Poetry by Robert Alter The Art of Bible Translation by Robert Alter The Poetics of Biblical Narrative by Meir Sternberg Special Guest: Reed Dent. | |||
| 18 Nov 2021 | 246: Eugenia Ortega — A Look into Our Window | 00:44:20 | |
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 Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Eugenia Ortega. | |||
| 09 Jul 2020 | 176: Revelation — Smyrna and Their Crown | 00:19:55 | |
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?” | |||
| 15 Apr 2021 | 215: Character Study — Joseph, Part 2 | 00:32:43 | |
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 Subscribe to Aleph Beta Academy BEMA listeners can use code | |||
| 02 May 2024 | 389: Psalms — 23 & Me | 01:14:25 | |
Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé take a second stroll through the words of Psalm 23. Saving Paradise by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker | |||
| 20 Oct 2022 | 301: John — On Doubting and Locked Doors | 01:12:42 | |
Brent Billings and Reed Dent discuss Thomas—a seemingly strange disciple—and question the nature of doubt and belief. “The Seeing Heart” by Frederick Buechner — YouTube Wishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner “St. Thomas Didymus” by Denise Levertov | |||
| 26 Sep 2019 | 137: A Dry Tree | 00:31:42 | |
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. | |||
| 17 Feb 2022 | 259: Kevan Chandler — We Carry Kevan | 01:04:00 | |
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) The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Kevan Chandler. | |||
| 06 Aug 2020 | 180: Revelation — Philadelphia and Their New Name | 00:15:01 | |
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. | |||
| 25 Feb 2021 | 208: Midrash — Iscah, Sarai, and Birth Orders | 00:39:35 | |
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 FAQ: Midrash — Marty Solomon, YouTube | |||
| 01 Oct 2020 | 188: Revelation — The Fall of Greatness | 00:42:46 | |
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. | |||
| 18 Mar 2021 | 211: John Whittaker — Blue Jeans Theology | 00:52:00 | |
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 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 Intro to the Gospels — The Listener’s Commentary Special Guest: John Whittaker. | |||
| 17 Apr 2025 | 446: Talmudic Matthew — Children | 00:50:22 | |
Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks take a crack at what it means to be children of God. “What’s Wrong with Winsomeness?” by Russell Moore — Christianity Today The Greatest Prayer by John Dominic Crossan BEMA 80: Silent Years — Pharisees Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by E. Randolph Richards and Richard James | |||
| 28 May 2020 | 170: 1 John — Love and Truth | 00:20:11 | |
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. | |||
| 30 Apr 2020 | 166: Hebrews — Atonement 101 | 00:45:47 | |
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 | |||
| 28 Sep 2023 | 360: Session 7 Capstone | 00:32:30 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up Session 7 of the podcast by hearing about Marty’s sabbatical experience and reflecting on what we’ve all been through in this season of rest. “Closing Time” (Marty’s sabbatical recap blog post) Meet the Solomons: Sabbatical Recap — Marty Solomon, YouTube Ignatius of Loyola — Wikipedia BEMA 350: Kat Armstrong — Storyline Bible | |||
| 08 Dec 2022 | 307: Tohu va Vohu (State of the Podcast) | 01:03:51 | |
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) Tell It Slant by Eugene Peterson Elle’s Website for Hebrew Classes 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. | |||
| 16 Jan 2020 | 151: Romans — Buried Alive | 00:29:47 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings listen to what Paul says about walking in righteousness. The Evolution of Adam by Peter Enns | |||
| 02 Jun 2022 | 281: John — You Are Gods | 00:54:35 | |
Brent Billings and Josh Bossé discuss spiritual leadership and the conversations with Jesus in the temple courts at the Festival of Dedication. | |||
| 24 Feb 2022 | 261: John — What Do You Want? | 01:00:26 | |
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. Addendum to BEMA 102 — Marty Solomon, YouTube We Carry Kevan (Nonprofit Organization) Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Kevan Chandler. | |||
| 14 Jan 2021 | 202: AD 1925 to Today | 00:19:24 | |
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. “Jacob Neusner, Judaic Scholar Who Forged Interfaith Bonds, Dies at 84” — The New York Times | |||
| 02 Sep 2021 | 235: Jewish Roots — Tanakh and Religion | 00:43:20 | |
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 | |||
| 12 Jan 2023 | 313: Parables — The Good Samaritan | 01:23:29 | |
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. “On Priests and Jericho in the Second Temple Period” by Joshua Schwartz — ResearchGate The Parable of the Good Samaritan — Reed Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship | |||
| 14 Oct 2021 | 241: Becky Solomon — Don’t Exasperate Your Kids | 00:52:40 | |
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. | |||
| 17 Mar 2022 | 267: John — The Far Side of a Tumultuous Sea | 01:11:47 | |
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 BEMA 230: Mandy Smith — Unfettered | |||
| 05 Nov 2020 | 194: AD 300–500 | 00:23:41 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings examine the fourth and fifth centuries and the period of the ecumenical councils of early Christendom. | |||
| 25 Sep 2023 | 359: Dallas Jenkins — Humanity and Historicity (Bonus Episode) | 01:19:04 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are back with Dallas Jenkins to mull over the questions that arose from Seasons 2 and 3 of The Chosen. The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb Ancient Israel by Roland de Vaux Additional audio production by Gus Simpson Special Guest: Dallas Jenkins. | |||
| 16 Nov 2023 | 367: Isaiah — Burdens | 00:47:11 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings hear Isaiah communicate the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of how God carries the burdens of all nations, not just the ones that bear His name. Presentation for Isaiah — Burdens (PDF) NIV Archaeological Study Bible NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary by Robert Alter | |||
| 14 Nov 2019 | 144: Galatians — Paul’s Gospel | 00:25:29 | |
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. | |||
| 09 Jun 2022 | 282: John — The Dance of Grief | 01:22:28 | |
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 | |||
| 05 Sep 2024 | 407: Practical Shabbat — Breaking | 00:52:00 | |
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are breaking Shabbat with Josh Bossé. | |||