A Historian's Take on Josephus and 'The Jewish War'
Today's guest, historian Steve Mason, has called Josephus's The Jewish War "perhaps the most influential non-biblical text of Western history." And he's got a point! Read alongside the Bible, The Jewi...
13 Jan 20251h 7min
Real Time Travel with Ancient Papyri
Of course Helen and Dave have a fully functioning, very real Time Machine. But if you can't wait your turn (the line is ridiculously long), check out "documentary papyri." These scraps of ancient writ...
6 Jan 202554min
"Unto Us a Child is Born" Was Isaiah Talking About Jesus?
The prophet Isaiah lived in the 8th century BCE, yet his writings are quoted throughout the New Testament and especially around Christmas. Who was the historical Isaiah? And who (or what) was he writi...
30 Des 20241h 4min
Ancient Censuses — Does Luke's Christmas Story Make Sense?
In the Gospel of Luke, Joseph and a very pregnant Mary travel to Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus has ordered a census of the entire Roman Empire. But does Jesus's birth story in Luke align with what...
23 Des 202448min
Hanukkah: All About Menorahs and Ancient Oil Lamps
Hanukkah celebrates a miraculous event, when the eternal light of the temple burned for 8 days without being extinguished. In this special holiday episode, scholar Gregg Gardner tells Helen and Dave a...
16 Des 202448min
Boy Jesus: Taking the Nativity Stories Seriously
Most biblical scholars — including us! — are quick to dismiss the Nativity stories in Matthew and Luke as later theological additions. But what if there are important cultural and even historical memo...
9 Des 20241h 1min
Before Heaven and Hell: Afterlife in the Bible
Every good churchgoer knows that after we die the faithful will be welcomed into a heavenly paradise and the baddies will be consigned to eternal damnation. But don't go looking for any of that stuff ...
2 Des 202454min
Who Tried to Erase Mary Magdalene?
Mary Magdalene is one of the most intriguing figures in the New Testament. She clearly held a special place in Jesus's heart and in his ministry, but that popularity also made her controversial. In to...
25 Nov 202455min
