• Episode 105: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11

    June 21, 2022 /

    Ben flies solo in this episode on 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. The reign of David and Solomon are the golden age of Israelite history. Despite civil wars and brutal rebellions, the monarchy persists and grows in its prestige and splendor. David’s sins bring great tragedy and sorrow, but seem to have some profound and timeless lessons. Solomon fulfills his father’s promise to build the temple and the project takes on cosmic themes that remind us of the creation in Genesis.

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  • Episode 104: 1 Samuel

    June 13, 2022 /

    Ben and Christopher continue with a discussion of the first book of Samuel. The various sources that make up the book portray multiple perspectives on monarchy and the kingship. Saul is anointed as the first king of Israel. His military success initially endears him to the people, but his disobedience causes him to lose favor with Samuel and God. David is anointed to succeed Saul and the narrative recounts stories of his bravery, piety, and military prowess. The story of David and Goliath is the unmistakable source of literary allusion in Nephi’s account of slaying Laban in the Book of Mormon. What might this say about Nephi’s intent, message, inspiration,…

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  • Episode 103: Ruth

    June 5, 2022 /

    The book of Ruth is a love story about a particular kind of love. Hesed is often translated as loving kindness, but it is also loyalty, grace, and courage. It is the kind of love that characterizes the covenant relationship of God with the people or of a man and his wife. Ruth exemplifies hesed in her relationships with Naomi and with Boaz, counting her a worthy ancestor to the Davidic line despite being a foreigner. Hannah pours out her soul to God and is filled. The life of Samuel prepares him for the unique role he will play in transitioning Israel from being ruled by judges to being ruled…

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  • Episode 102: Judges

    June 4, 2022 /

    The book of Judges traces a pseudo-history of the Israelites after the conquest of Joshua. Israelite judges are more often legendary military heroes than arbitrators of justice. The people follow a cycle of obedience, success, idolatry, bondage, and deliverance. The message is that while God will always deliver his people, the cycle of disorder and bondage can only be broken by a centralized monarchy. “There was no king in Israel” foreshadows the arrival of an anointed king and also evokes a Christological hermeneutic. The symbolism of trees returns in the account of the prophetess Deborah, the calling of Gideon, and the fable of the trees in search of a king.…

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  • Episode 101: Joshua

    May 27, 2022 /

    The Book of Joshua recounts the Israelites’ story of their conquest of Canaan. The Israelites are tasked with creating a sacred space for God’s presence. Ben and Christopher discuss the perennial question of Divine Genocide as presented in the text. How does the rhetoric of the text match up with actual known history? If the Israelites didn’t actually kill the Canaanites en masse, then why does the text say they did? What does the Book of Joshua have to say to modern peace-loving Christians?

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