God Refuses to Give Up—Hope and restoration in the Hebrew narrative (R.A. Sweeney)

Send Jeromy a Message or VoicemailWhat if the Bible is far more playful, hopeful, and grace-soaked than we were ever told?In this episode of Slutty Grace, Jeromy Johnson sits down with R.A. Sweeney (Reed), a Hebrew scholar and author whose deep immersion in the original biblical languages reveals a God overflowing with love, humor, and relentless grace. Reed shares how learning Hebrew and Greek cracked open the text, uncovering layers of meaning, wordplay, and divine character that often get flattened in English translation.Together, they explore free will, the Kingdom of God, judgment, and the afterlife, gently but boldly challenging fear-based interpretations of Scripture. Reed reframes hell, exile, and judgment not as God walking away, but as part of a larger story of restoration, healing, and universal reconciliation. At the heart of it all is a God who refuses to abandon creation and who invites us to experience the life of the Kingdom here and now, not just someday after death.This conversation is for anyone navigating deconstruction, wrestling with hell theology, or longing for a faith rooted in grace over fear, relationship over rules, and hope over condemnation. It’s biblical scholarship without the threats. Theology with a sense of humor. And a vision of God that’s far bigger—and far kinder—than the one many of us inherited. Support the show_______________________________________________________Grace doesn’t hold back. She breaks the rules, softens hearts, and loves without apology. The open, universal, unapologetic love of God. Together we’re building a braver, more honest space. Thanks for your support and for listening. Got a story, question, guest suggestions, or topic idea? Email me.  Please share if you believe this show and its message of grace is important in our time—keep it spreading!Be sure to follow on whichever podcast platform you use.  Slutty Grace Facebook GroupEpisode written, hosted, edited and produced by Jeromy Johnson.  Once grace is tamed, it ceases to be grace. Grace doesn’t hold back. She breaks the rules, softens hearts, and loves without apology. The open, universal, unapologetic love of God. Together we’re building a braver, more honest space. Thanks for your support and for listening. Got a story, question, guest suggestions, or topic idea? Email me.Please share if you believe this show and its message of grace is important in our time—keep it spreading!Be sure to follow on whichever podcast platform you use.Untamed Grace Facebook GroupEpisode partnered with QuoirCast, and written, hosted, edited and produced by Jeromy Johnson.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.