Pondering the Bible
A deeper dive into the bible. Hosts Rev. Rocky Ellison and Ken Corkins work through the books of the bible, uncovering historical background and word studies to deepen their understanding of God's Word. Weekly episodes. Find more information at www.pondergmc.org.
Episodes
236 episodes
"Paul's Anguish and the Promise of Salvation" Romans 9:1–13
Romans 9:1–13 (RSV). Paul’s Sorrow for Israel and God’s Election Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison open Season 18, Episode 20 of “Pondering the Bible,” noting Rocky’s recovery from recent throat surgery, then begin Romans 9:1–13 (RSV). They ...
The Unbreakable Bond: God's Love in Romans 8:31–39
Romans 8:31–39: Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison continue Season 18 of Pondering the Bible by finishing Romans 8:31–39 (RSV). They explain Paul’s “therefore” conclusion to the prior discussion of sin’...
The Cosmic Groan: Understanding Creation's Despair. Romans 8:18-30
Romans 8:18–30: Suffering, Creation’s Groaning, the Spirit’s Help, and Predestination Ken Corkins and pastor Rock Ellison record season 18, episode 18 of Pondering the Bible after Vacation Bible School and continue their study of Romans, readin...
The Spirit Within: A Guide to Assurance. Romans 8:1–17
Romans 8:1–17: No Condemnation, Life in the Spirit, and Adoption as God’s Children Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison discuss Romans 8:1–17 (RSV) on “Pondering the Bible,” focusing on Paul’s shift from despair in Romans 7 to assurance that th...
The Battle Within: Paul's Letter to the Romans Romans 7:7–25
Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison continue “Pondering the Bible” (Season 18, Episode 16) by finishing Romans 7:7–25 from the Revised Standard Version. They discuss Paul’s teaching that the law is holy and reveals sin—especially the internal ...
Beyond Rules: Life in the Spirit Romans 7:1–6
Romans 7:1–6 — Dead to the Law, Alive in the Spirit Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison host “Pondering the Bible” (Season 18, Episode 15), continuing their study of Romans by covering chapter 7:1–6 (RSV). They discuss Paul addressing the Jew–...
Slaves to Sin or Slaves to Righteousness Romans 6:15–23
Romans 6:15–23: Slaves to Sin or Slaves to Righteousness Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison discuss Romans 6:15–23, continuing Paul’s argument about law versus grace and revisiting the rejection of antinomianism. They explain Paul’s slavery m...
Baptism and the Journey of Faith Romans 6:1–14
Romans 6: Dead to Sin, Alive to God Co-hosts Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Alison discuss Romans 6:1–14 (RSV), focusing on Paul’s rejection of antinomianism (“Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means”) and the teaching that b...
Understanding Sin: From Adam to Christ Romans 5:12–21
Romans 5:12–21 — Adam, Sin, Death, and the Greater Gift of Grace in Christ Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison continue Season 18’s study of Romans by finishing chapter 5 (verses 12–21, RSV), focusing on Paul’s “big picture” comparison of Adam...
The Benefits of Salvation Romans 5:1–11
Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison discuss Romans 5:1–11 (RSV) as a shift from how salvation happens to the benefits of being saved. They emphasize Paul’s capitalized “THEREFORE,” arguing that sin makes people enemies at war with God, and jus...
A Legacy of Faith: Abraham’s Promise Romans 4:13–25
Romans 4:13–25: Abraham’s Faith, God’s Promise, and Resurrection Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison continue Season 18, Episode 10 of “Pondering the Bible,” finishing Romans 4:13–25 (RSV) on salvation by grace through faith using Abraham as P...
Faith vs. Works: The Abraham Debate Romans 4:1–12
Romans 4:1–12—Abraham, David, and Salvation by Faith Apart from Works Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison continue their Romans study (Season 18, Episode 9) by beginning Romans 4:1–12 in the RSV, where Paul answers objections to justi...
The Core of Christian Theology. Romans 8:21-31
Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison discuss Romans 3:21–31 (RSV) as Paul’s conclusion that everyone—Jew and Gentile—sins and cannot save themselves by obeying the law. They explain key terms Paul uses: saving faith in Jesus as the perfect God-...
Paul's Universal Condemnation: Understanding Sin's Grip. Romans 3:9-20
Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison discuss Romans 3:9–20 (RSV) in Season 18, episode seven. Rocky reviews Paul’s argument from Romans 2–3 that being a Jew is about obedience, not DNA, though Jews have the privilege of specific revelation in S...
The Essence of Being God's Chosen. Romans 3:1–8
Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison continue their Romans study switching from the NLT to the Revised Standard Version for its academic clarity. Covering Romans 3:1–8, they connect Paul’s argument from chapter 2 about who is truly a Jew—those ...
The True Essence of Being a Jew. Romans 2:17-29
Ken Corkins and pastor Rocky Ellison resume Season 18, noting upcoming travel breaks, and finish Romans chapter 2 by reading verses 17–29 from the Revised Standard Version to capture Paul’s deliberate word choices. They discuss Paul’s har...
Unity in Christ: No Favorites in Divine Judgment. Romans 2:1-16
In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison delve into the second chapter of Romans, focusing on verses 1 through 16. They discuss how Paul addresses both Jewish and Gentile Christians, emphasizing th...
The Consequences of Rejecting God. Romans 1:18-32
In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison delve into Romans 1:18-32, discussing God's anger and the consequences He allows for those who reject Him. They explore different translations, the concept ...
Paul's Call to Rome: Sharing and Receiving Gifts. Rom. 1:8-17
Hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison delve into Romans 1:8-17, discussing various themes and interpretations of faith. They reflect on the importance of spiritual gifts, Paul's desire to visit the Roman Christians, and the need for unity and ort...
Quick Update - Unable to coordinate schedules, See you next week!
We’re sorry to miss you this week! Due to some scheduling conflicts, we weren’t able to get together to record. We will be back next week with a brand-new episode.
Embarking on Romans: A New Journey Begins
In the Season 18 premiere of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison return from an extended break. Rocky reflects on his retirement and personal loss before introducing the new direction of the podcast. Without the constr...
Full Circle: A Return to Nazareth Matthew 2:19-23
In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison dissect Matthew 2:19-23. They discuss the historical context of Herod's death and his chaotic reign, including his brutal acts against his family. The episode elab...
Prophecies and Dreams in Bethlehem
In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison explore Matthew 2:13-18, discussing the flight of Jesus' family to Egypt and Herod's brutal massacre of Bethlehem's infant boys. The discussion highlights the signif...
Ancient Prophecies and Modern Misconceptions
In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' co-hosts Ken Corkins and Rocky Ellison delve into Matthew Chapter 2, focusing on the wise men's visit to Jesus. They discuss the timing of Jesus' birth, the historical inaccuracies of the December 25th ...
An Advent Revelation
In this episode of 'Pondering the Bible,' hosts Ken Corkins and Pastor Rocky Ellison discuss the meaning of Advent, focusing on the birth narrative of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. They explore the cultural context of marriage during J...