As we continue to work our way through the books of the Bible, we come to two of Paul's most well-known letters, his letters to the church in Corinth. The Corinthian church was facing pretty serious problems, but Paul took the time to work through them in two theologically rich letters. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores the first of those letters. We discuss the background and the major themes.  

The book of Romans is one of the most theologically dense books of the Bible and can be one of the most challenging to understand. In today's episode, we take a closer look at the background of the letter, Paul's situation, and the context of writing to Rome, and we explore the letter's major themes and lessons. Though challenging, Romans also contains some rich explanations of the gospel and the hope we have for Jesus. 

In this week's conversation, we take a closer look at the Book of Acts. We discuss how Luke structured the book to work with his gospel and how Acts introduces us to the early church and the ministry of Paul. Pastor Jim explores what the church today can learn from those first days of the church, taking Jesus's message from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible and over the last few weeks, the gospels, we come to the book of John. John stands out amongst the Gospel writers as containing a unique style and a significant amount of unique content. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim takes a closer look at John, his gospel writing, and what we can learn from it.

As we continue our conversations through the books of the Bible and over the last few weeks, the gospels, we come to the book of Luke. As perhaps the only gentile writer in the New Testament, Luke offers a carefully constructed two-part account of Jesus and the church. Pastor Jim explores Luke's approach, his reason for writing, and what we can learn from Luke's work. 

This week's episode takes us back to the gospels to take a look at Mark's account. As normal, we discuss the author, the book's historical context, and its major themes. Each of the gospels offers a unique perspective on Jesus' life and work. Pastor Jim explores the unique place of Mark's gospel in those accounts. 

In today's episode, we're moving from the Old Testament to the New. Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at each of the gospel accounts. We'll discuss the author, the reason for writing, and what makes each of the gospel books unique. In our conversation today, we're discussing the book of Matthew. We hope these conversations will help you learn and inspire you to read and love Scripture in all of its fullness.

Today is a milestone conversation for us. We are discussing our final book of the Old Testament, Malachi. As the last of the minor prophets, Malachi offers us some of the prophetic words closest to the arrival of Jesus in the New Testament. We take a closer look at Malachi's words, his lessons, and reflect on our time together in the Old Testament.  

As we come close to the end of our conversations in the Old Testament, we find ourselves in the post-exilic period discussing the prophets of that time. In today's episode, Pastor Jim looks at the life and work of Zechariah. We'll see the unique challenges Israel faced upon their return from exile and how Zechariah called them to faithfulness and obedience. We'll also discuss how Zechariah's words can be read for today.

We are continuing our conversations through the Bible. Today, we come to a new section within the minor prophets. For the next few weeks, we will be looking at the post-exilic prophets, those prophets who did their work after Israel's return from exile. Pastor Jim helps us better understand the historical moment, the work of these prophets, and how their voices prepare us for the story of the New Testament.

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Zephaniah. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. The scope of the coming judgment Zephaniah saw was immense, including not only Judah but also the surrounding nations. Zephaniah also included one of the prophet's most expansive views of coming salvation as well. 

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Habakkuk. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. Habakkuk offers us a unique kind of prophetic work. Habakkuk describes his own personal struggles as a prophet and the challenges that go with seeing the sin of his people and speaking the truth of God.

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Nahum. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. Naham turns his prophetic attention to the ancient Assyrian empire. Pastor Jim offers historical background on Naham and suggestions on what we can learn from this prophet today.

In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at the book of Micah. Working our way through the Old Testament minor prophets, we've been exploring how God speaks to his people and the prophetic warnings against sin, corruption, and injustice that are often themes of these books. Pastor Jim offers historical background on Micah and suggestions on what we can learn from this prophet today.

Lately, we have been working through the books of the minor prophets. Many of those books are unfamiliar to believers, but the story of Jonah is one of the Bible's most recognized stories. In today's episode, we discuss the book of Jonah and take a closer look at the often neglected portions of the story. Pastor Jim offers lessons and a compelling case for the heart of God, which is to reach all people.

We are continuing our conversations through the Bible with today's discussion on the book of Obediah. Recently, we have been discussing the minor prophets and recognizing similar themes but also the frequent quotation of these prophets in the New Testament. Obediah is a short book, but it is significant enough to have been passed down for generations. Pastor Jim explores the book's historical setting and what it can mean for believers today.

In today's episode, we are continuing our look at the minor prophets. Each episode, another conversation on a book of the Bible. Pastor Jim explores the historical setting for Amos as well as its major themes. We also recognize the overlapping themes between these minor prophets and their role in the larger prophetic section.

As we continue our series through the books of the Bible, we come to the minor prophet Joel. Well known for its quotation in Acts 2, we explore the fuller historical context for Joel's prophecy and its major themes, how it warns of destruction but in the midst of that judgment also holds out the opportunity of repentance and the promise of hope. Joel recognized a day was coming when God's Spirit would be poured out on all people. 

Hosea is the first of what is commonly called the minor prophets. In today's episode, we discuss the category of minor prophets and take a closer look at the book of Hosea. Pastor Jim offers some historical context for the book and its major themes. Hosea is a book full of emotional images and prophetic actions but also offers one of the Old Testament's most moving descriptions of the gospel. 

In today's episode, we're continuing our conversation on the books of the Bible by taking up the book of Daniel, the last of the major prophets. Pastor Jim explores its historical context, images, and themes featured in the book. Daniel is a mix of narrative and poetic prophecy and it offers readers powerful examples of faithfulness and obedience. We hope our conversation helps you read the book with better clarity and recognize its importance in the Biblical canon.

In today's episode, we're continuing our conversation on the books of the Bible by taking up the book of Ezekiel. Listed as one of the major prophets, Ezekiel is an important but complex book. Pastor Jim explores its historical context as well as its images and themes. We hope our conversation helps you read the book with better clarity and recognize its importance in the Biblical canon.

As we continue our progress through the prophetic works, we come to the unique book of Lamentations. Attributed to Jeremiah, Lamentations acknowledges the destruction of Jerusalem and offers readers both language and reflection on loss. But that loss is never without hope. Pastor Jim explores the historical moment in which Lamentations was produced, the grief it articulates, and also the hope to be found at the book's center. 

The prophet Jeremiah worked in complicated times and left us not only his prophecies but stories of his own life and struggle. In today's conversation, we continue our look at the prophets as we discuss the book of Jeremiah. Pastor Jim explores the prophet's life, historical moment, and the major themes of his work, many of which reemerge throughout the New Testament. In spite of the challenges Jeremiah faced, he remains a model of faithful obedience, one that can inspire any believer today. 

Beginning with today's episode, we're moving into the books of the prophets, beginning with one of the longest prophetic books, the book of Isaiah. Key to reading the prophets is situating them in their historical context. Pastor Jim describes the person of Isaiah as well as the historical moment in which he did his work. We also explore the book's themes, how it was used by New Testament writers, and what believers today can take away from the book of Isaiah. 

As we continue our conversations on the books of the Bible we come to our final wisdom book, the Song of Songs. There have been a lot of debates throughout history on how best to read the Song of Songs or if they should be read at all. A collection of love poetry, the book is about human love, marriage covenant, and sexuality. It also raises those questions in the context of divine love and a divine covenant. In today's episode, Pastor Jim offers help reading the Song of Songs, and we discuss where this book fits best in the life of the believer.