Bible Feed

Dan Weatherall welcomes back Becky Lewis to discuss neurodiversity in church life, recorded during Autism Acceptance Month and following a Birmingham Neurodiversity Awareness Day run by the Christadelphian Support Network (chsn.org.uk). Drawing on family, personal, and teaching experience, they define neurodiversity (which includes everyone) and neurodivergence (about one in seven people) and outline common strengths and struggles for autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. They discuss how, in a church context, this can affect worship, relationships, Bible reading, and participation, while also bringing gifts like deep interests, creativity, justice-focus, and big-picture thinking. They close with the biblical call to unity in diversity, for example in the "one body" image of Ephesians 4.

Dan and Paul conclude their series on the prophets by surveying the “minor prophets” as the intentionally arranged “Book of the Twelve,” noting editorial links between books and recurring themes. They explain how prophets spoke to real historical audiences (both before and after the Babylonian exile) while also pointing beyond their own time. Key themes explored include covenant faithfulness, fruitfulness, the “day of the Lord” as justice and restoration and promises of a coming deliverer highlighted especially in Zechariah and Micah.

We start a new series for 2026 addressing problems people have with the Bible, for newcomers, the curious, and those whose faith has been challenged. Dan and guest Jon Davies begin by asking why God’s message comes in the form of such a long, and sometimes complicated collection of texts. They talk through examples from poetry, law, prophecy, including Revelation’s vivid imagery and suggest that all this complexity has deliberate benefits. It provokes reflection in the context of real life, encourages community reading while avoiding coercion or legalism. While the Bible is complex, they also stress that the core gospel about Jesus is actually really simple.

Join us for the final Bible Feed Podcast episode of 2025 as we explore Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in an advent calendar format! Guided by Paul, the arbiter of chocolate rewards, Dan and Laurence delve into 24 quotations, discussing their origins, contexts, and fulfillment in Jesus' life, ministry, and resurrection. From Genesis to Isaiah and beyond, discover how these ancient texts foretell the coming of the Messiah, his humble birth in Bethlehem, and his ultimate role in salvation. Tune in for an enriching journey through scripture as 2025 draws to a close.

Join hosts Dan Weatherall and Paul Davenport as they continue reviewing the book of Isaiah. Starting with a recap of their series so far on prophets, they explore the historical context of Isaiah, focusing on its connections to King Hezekiah and the Assyrian crisis. The discussion then moves to the structure and themes of Isaiah 40 to 66, highlighting the famous servant songs and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  This is intertwined with thinking about the scholarly debates around authorship to provide a robust framework for reading one of the Bible's most intricate books as inspired scripture.

In this episode Dan and returning guest Jon Davies explore the concept of the 'canon of scripture,' the historical debates surrounding the inclusion of various books in the Old and New Testaments, and the influence of early church councils. By highlighting that the gospel message was preached even before the New Testament was written, they emphasize the extensive agreement on core scriptures throughout history. They also discuss how Jesus and His followers viewed these authoritative texts, offering helpful perspectives for anyone grappling with this foundational topic.

Join Dan Weatherall and Paul Davenport as they continue their mini series on the Old Testament prophets by starting to look at the Book of Isaiah. They explore Isaiah's historical context and, referring to the seven types of prophetic content introduced in the previous episode, they work through some examples of his messages to Judah, the surrounding nations and the promise of future blessings for all people. Discussing key themes and passages in chapters 1 to 39, Dan and Paul aim to demystify Isaiah's complex but rich narrative, encouraging listeners to dive into the text themselves. This episode sets the stage for the second part of the discussion, which will cover chapters 40 onwards.

Dan Weatherall and Paul Davenport introduce a mini-series exploring the role of prophets in the Bible. Recalling their first podcast on prophecy and faith back in 2020, they revisit key themes, focusing on the significance of prophets in the covenant history of Israel. They identify the prophets in the Hebrew Bible, including the major and minor prophets, and discuss the diverse ways prophets conveyed their messages—through criticism, warnings, and symbolic actions. Dan and Paul set the stage for a more detailed exploration of Isaiah and the minor prophets, offering listeners practical tools to read and reflect on the writings of the prophets.

In this episode of the Bible Feed Podcast, host Dan Weatherall talks with Sam Mansfield from Australia, delving into the Nicene Creed's origins, historical context, and importance. They explore early Christian doctrinal developments, the controversies leading up to and following the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, and the eventual establishment of the Trinitarian doctrine by the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. Through a series of quotes from Christadelphian writings from the 19th and early 20th century, the discussion highlights the doctrinal shifts and theological debates that shaped early Christianity, and reflects on the necessity of adhering to Bible based creeds for contemporary Christians.

Bible Feed podcast hosts Paul and Dan return after a hiatus to provide an in-depth exploration of John 14:2, a verse often cited for comfort during funerals. The episode discusses how the verse 'In my Father's house are many mansions' has been traditionally interpreted and its possible deeper meanings. They connect this with Jewish concepts of the temple and heaven, showing that Jesus's words about 'going away to prepare places' refer to his impending death and resurrection, which then allows his followers to dwell in the presence of God. By examining both the textual and cultural context, they reveal a profoundly comforting understanding of how Jesus enables a renewed, spiritually rich life for his followers, with a living relationship with God, rather than a literal journey to heaven.

Dan and Laurence delve into the fascinating historical context surrounding the birth of Jesus. Journey through the regal yet tumultuous world of King Herod and the Roman Caesars, and uncover the stark contrasts between their rule and the teachings of Jesus. Discover how Jesus' birth and teachings presented a radical departure from the totalitarian and often brutal reigns of worldly kings. This Christmas-themed podcast reveals the profound differences between the kings of men and the king who was laid in a manger. Tune in to explore the themes of humility, justice, and divine kingship that continue to inspire and challenge us today.

This episode on the book of Judges, with Dan and Paul, kicks off by placing Judges in its historical timeline immediately following the book of Joshua. Then they examine the structure of Judges, highlighting its three main sections and the cyclical pattern of Israel’s faithfulness and failure. After exploring the darkest chapters towards the end of Judges, illustrating Israel's moral decline, they conclude on a more positive note by briefly discussing the book of Ruth. This is a story of loyalty and redemption set in the same tumultuous period, but showcasing God's continued faithfulness in moving his plan for redemption forward in an unexpected way.

Josh and Dan explore the Book of Joshua in this episode, as a sequel to our series on the 5 books of the Torah. They trace its placement in the biblical narrative as a transition from the Torah and describe its themes of conquest and faith. Highlighting key figures like Rahab and the Gibeonites, they discuss the moral and historical complexities and offer context to understand the destruction narratives. By connecting Joshua's story to larger biblical themes and references in later scriptures, Josh and Dan provide a nuanced understanding that avoids simplistic interpretations and points towards a broader divine purpose in Jesus.

In today's episode, Laurence and Paul try to make the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament, easier to read. They explore the theme of wisdom contained within this unique and sometimes challenging book. By breaking down its seven distinct sections, from fatherly advice to the young, through to reflections at the end of life, they aim to make Proverbs more accessible and meaningful. They also think about how Proverbs relates to other ancient wisdom literature and finish up by testing Laurence on his ability to recognise types of parallelisms! 

Paul and Dan talk with Dale Tuggy and Mark Cain to find out about all the work they do with the Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA) including their upcoming first conference outside the US to be held in Windsor, London 25 July 2024. They also discuss how increasing numbers of people are coming to understand the Biblical God, rather than one of the many 'trinity theories'.  It's exciting times for unitarian theology so listen in to find out about the UK conference or just how you can help the growing network of people coming to a Biblical understanding of God and his son Jesus!

Dan is joined for this episode by Rachel Hocking from Brisbane, Australia. Rachel has been instrumental in the creation of the latest Worship Book, a further collection of "Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" crafted by members of the Christadelphian community. Together, they discuss the origins, development, and significance of the Worship Book project, including its blend of traditional and contemporary styles and the global collaboration it fostered. Tune in for a look at the creative process behind this remarkable anthology and its role in expressing the faith and identity of Christadelphians worldwide.

In this episode, instead of a high level overview, we delve deep into one specific passage, the "in the form of God" verse in Philippians 2, to explore the possible nuanced interpretations. Josh Dean and Dan Weatherall consider this complex and much debated passage. Focusing on what it means for Jesus to be "in the form of God", they navigate through various translations, interpretations, and biblical contexts to uncover the essence of this pivotal scripture. Join them as they attempt to demystify one of the most important and challenging sections in the letter to the Philippians, shedding light on its implications for understanding Jesus and the message of personal service it conveys to believers.

In this episode Dan and Paul embark on an exploration of John's Gospel, unraveling its sense of majesty and mystery right from the opening verses. They discuss the unique structure and content of John's Gospel, comparing it to the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—highlighting its distinct opening, key themes, and the explicit purpose stated in John's narrative. They delve into the significance of belief, the role of witnessing, and the powerful symbolism of water and blood, offering a compelling argument for understanding John’s Gospel as a carefully selected collection of events aimed at strengthening the reader's faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Tune in to this episode for an insightful high-level overview of one of the most profound texts in the New Testament.

Dan and Jon discuss the relevance and impact of Christianity in the modern world. They delve into how aspects of Christianity have influenced society, not only in superficial ways like our calendar, but in deeper things such as values, moral codes, and societal norms. The hosts reference various sources, including notable historians and authors like Tom Holland and Yuval Noah Harari, asserting that many fundamental beliefs and values in Western society, such as the sanctity of life and the concept of equality, have their roots in Christian teachings. That may make Christianity relevant in modern society, but does it make it true?

In our first episode of 2024 Paul and Dan talk about "intertextuality" - basically, how the meaning of a text is influenced by references to other texts. The Bible (not surprisingly) is full of links between its 66 books. But how far can we take this? Can we go too far and see patterns where there are none (like seeing the face of Jesus in a slice of toast)?!  What guardrails might we have to make sure we read responsibly?

Relaunching the podcast, Dan and Laurence celebrate by pondering a lesser known Christmas story. They encounter Simeon, Anna and a community of people in the temple at Jerusalem "waiting for the consolation of Israel". As the baby is held high by Simeon, they realise that the birth of Jesus is not only deeply rooted in a backstory, but is the climax of a centuries old narrative. Complete with mystery deaths and incomplete sentences, this is an invitation to have yourself a lesser known Christmas story!

Paul and Dan continue their exploration of the Divine Council worldview by looking at claims made about verses in Deuteronomy 32, the introduction to the book of Job and Psalm 82.  In summary, they conclude that while it is useful to understand the cultural background to the text of the Bible, it is also important to avoid being distracted by relatively speculative ideas from the main thrust of the Bible message - that Jesus died to reconcile humans to God.  Let us know what you think!

Having explored how the Bible uses the terms 'devil', 'satan' and 'demons', Paul and Dan now turn to the whole subject of whether the Bible talks about fallen angels.  Is the phrase 'sons of God' used to refer to angels?  If so, does that include spiritual beings with independent power to oppose God and his people?  Using the framework of Michael Heiser's book, Unseen Realm, they start to examine what is termed the 'Divine Council' worldview.  This involves grappling with some of the most mystifying parts of the Bible text - but hey, we're just ordinary people trying to understand the Bible better!

Dan and Laurence step into the New Testament for an introduction to the three letters of John.  After exploring the stark contrasts and Torah references in the first letter they then see how the second and third letters apply the theory from the first letter to two opposite situations. And finally, little children, keep yourselves from idols...uh?

Laurence and Paul finish our series on the 5 books of Moses, the Torah by looking at Deuteronomy.  It turns out that this section doesn't conclude with the people of Israel reaching their destination, then the main character dies (sorry for the spoiler...)! Instead they find that this book acts as a stage-setter, defining how leaders of this ancient people will be described for the next 600 years.  Remarkably, they also find Deuteronomy making a surprise appearance at the end of that history, just before Israel were exiled to Babylon. 

In this 3rd episode in the series, Paul and Dan go off on a tangent to think about demons.  They start by looking at where they appear in the Old Testament and find them linked to the idols worshipped by the peoples around the ancient Israelites and presented as having no real existence or power.  When they come to the Gospels they explore why they suddenly appear so often there and why they are linked with certain types of illness.  They conclude with the overriding point that God is the only source of power and so Christians have no need to fear them and can safely ignore them while embracing the love of God expressed through his Son.

Paul and Dan continue their exploration of how these 'characters' appear in the Bible.  In part 1 they reached a preliminary conclusion that they are used as terms to personify our inherent tendency to want to go our own way rather than God's way.  In this episode they look at many more of the biblical passages that refer to the devil and satan and try to categorise them to get a comprehensive view of what they mean.

This episode was recorded just before Easter 2023 and Dan welcomes a guest, John Launchbury, to discuss the vital question: why did Jesus have to die?  They explore the meaning of the word atonement and consider the pros and cons of some, so-called atonement theories that theologians have proposed over history.  As they explore the key scriptural passages involved they find that the impact of the death of Jesus can be just as profound today as it was in the 1st century - and it's all about changing us rather than changing God! 

Josh and Paul continue our series of book introductions, taking on the next of the five books of the Torah - Numbers, which is actually not just about counting things, it's about a journey through the wilderness.  As they work through the sections of the narrative, they find a pattern that has already been repeated several times in previous books and has its roots in Genesis.  They also look at the purpose of the two censuses and conclude that it says more about God's overarching care for his people to protect, preserve and remain true to his promises. Listen in to find out where the journey ends! 

Paul and Dan embark on a multi-part exploration of the terms devil and satan and how they are used through the Bible.  They aim to lay some foundations here by thinking about how our worldview might affect how we read the Bible and the importance of taking notice of how Jesus interpreted his Bible. They do (eventually) start to explore some verses that talk about the devil and satan and draw an initial conclusion that they may not be referring to a supernatural being... but there's so much more still to cover!

Jordan and Dan continue working through the 'books' within the Psalms. This time they look at books three, four and five and find that they can be seen to follow a spiritual journey.  They find that some Psalms express doubts and uncertainties and deeply question what God is doing. But by remembering what God has done in the past the Psalmist is led back to peace of mind and trust in God, ending with a call for "everything that has breath to praise the LORD"!

For the next of our Bible book introductions, Jordan Walton and Dan Weatherall tackle the Psalms.  As there are 150 of them we thought they deserved two episodes! So here is part 1, with part 2 to follow in a couple of weeks.  Dan and Jordan consider whether the Psalter is just a random collection of prayers and songs or whether there is some structure to it.  Having identified a five book structure, they start to delve into the focus of books one and two. 

For the next of our Bible book introductions, Paul and Laurence take a look at the smallest of Paul's letters, his letter to Philemon.  After clearing up the centuries old debate about how to pronounce his name, they proceed to explore why a personal letter about fixing a very personal relationship should be included in the scriptures.  They find that it is, in fact, an incredibly revealing case study into how being a Christian should change the way we view society and people around us.

The Bible Feed core team of Paul, Dan, Josh and Laurence get together to reflect on some serious, and some less serious, themes from 2022 and look forward to our plans for 2023.  We thank all our listeners for their support in 2022 and wish you all the best for 2023, may it see the full realisation of the kingdom of God in the earth.

In keeping with the season, Paul and Dan consider the concept of "the Son of God".  They consider examples of that phrase throughout the Bible, but concentrate on what it means for Jesus to be the only son of the Father. How can Jesus uniquely be called the Son of God?  Does calling him the Son of God make him Deity in any sense?  What is Jesus claiming when he says he is the Son of God?  All these questions and more are considered - including which are Paul and Dan's favourite carols!

We continue our introductions to the books of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, with Paul and Laurence covering the book of Leviticus.  This is maybe not the most appealing read, after all, what does how long you remain unclean if you touch a dead body, have to do with a Christian today?  But as Paul and Laurence scratch the surface they find that the careful structure of this book points to something, or rather someone, who is so much greater than the law (no prizes for guessing who!)

Dan introduces a new guest to the podcast, James Andrews, to consider the whole question of how we read the Old Testament in the light of Jesus.  Do we even need to pay it any attention now that Jesus has come?  They consider what it means for Jesus to fulfil the Old Testament and find that, when Jesus reads and applies the different parts of the Hebrew Bible, he shows us how to bring it to life in our lives as Christians today. 

Josh and Paul tackle the far-reaching concept of inspiration.  What does it mean for something to be the inspired word of God?  Is it possible to explain how that happens, and if we can't, what certainty can we have about divine authority behind the text of the Bible?  As they consider these questions it becomes clear how important it is to treat the text with respect and be responsible and humble in how we draw out our interpretations.   

Paul and Laurence pick up from where the previous episode left off with a look at the book of Exodus. They find it's a book that starts with a great story about how the Israelites escaped from Egypt. There's high action, drama, goodies and baddies... and then intricate detail about how to construct a large tent. Why is that included?  How does that fit into the overall narrative?  Listen in to hear Paul and Laurence's ideas on that!

We're hoping this new series turbocharges your Bible reading!  We're doing little introductions to different books of the Bible to give you a head start on how they are structured and what the main themes are to look out for.  And where better to start than Genesis?!  Dan and Laurence discuss the first book in the Bible and think about where it all began, but they also find some pointers on where it all might be heading!

We've invited Becky Lewis back for this discussion.  In past centuries, going to church was a deeply embedded part of how western society worked.  But today, with so much emphasis on personal faith and opportunity to do community activities outside church, is there any point in being part of a religious group and meeting with people?  Becky talks about three key reasons: Support, Diversity and Magnifying.  Listen in to see what she means by each of those! 

We're back!  After a break for a couple of months we're back with a new season of podcasts on the Bible and faith in the modern world.  To kick off a new series on Biblical themes, Dan and Paul look at 8 different ideas about the Kingdom of God.  They find that both Jesus' statements about it and the expectations of his audience were deeply rooted in the Old Testament, Hebrew scriptures.  This brings to life a tangible picture of what is involved but also something far greater and more universal than even the Jews expected!

Dan welcomes a new guest and author, Martha Sales, to talk about her zany novel, "The Enormous Tiny Experiment". In the story, aimed at 8 to 12 year olds, a somewhat idealistic professor creates a perfect mini world free from suffering - or so he thought. What could possibly go wrong when 21 tiny people are placed together in a wonderful environment without rules or regulations?! The conversation ranges from the New Atheists and questions about suffering to plate tectonics, go-karts and the universal existence of morality. Listen in to discover more about the book and Martha's approach to stimulating discussion on the important issues of life.

Laurence and Stephen conclude this 3 part series looking into aspects of early church history.  This time they explore how people became members of a church and the significance of sharing the bread and cup of wine to remember Jesus.  As in previous episodes, there are some similarities with churches today, but also some differences that are worth reflecting upon.

Paul and Dan investigate the many and varied Biblical images for the judgement.  They discuss whether we should think that any of those word-pictures and metaphors describe what will actually happen - or are they designed to teach us something else?  If you've ever experienced that moment of fear at the thought of trying to explain what you've done, listen in, as there are some encouraging messages of comfort hidden away in this topic!

Paul chats to Mark Vincent, the author of a small book with big ambitions, entitled Life's Biggest Questions.  They talk about how the book came about and step through some thoughts on those major questions - Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we headed?  The book is a highly accessible read (at only 140 pages), so enjoy the conversation with Mark and we hope you'll enjoy reading the book as well!

Laurence and Stephen continue this mini-series on themes from early church history. This time they look at Jesus' prediction that Christians might be persecuted for believing in him and how that unfolded over the first few centuries of the church.  Stephen explains what led to two periods of persection - under Emperor Nero and the Great Persecution of Diocletian - and how the church emerged from them as a changed institution. Was that a good thing?  Listen in to find out!

Dan and Phil finish their conversation about the work of textual critics and what that can tell us about the New Testament that we read today.  They dive into some examples of accidental copying mistakes as well as more deliberate changes that a scribe might make when copying texts.  This is just a brief overview of a vast field of study and so Phil gives some really useful resources at the end that you can use if you want to explore further!

In this two-part episode Dan talks to Phil Evans about what the discipline of Textual Criticism can tell us about the New Testament that we read today.  Is it reliable? How strong is the evidence behind it?  Can we ever know how close it is to the original?  In this first part, Dan and Phil compare the manuscript evidence for the New Testament with the writings of other ancient, classical Greek and Latin authors.

Laurence introduces Stephen Blake for a new 3 part series on aspects of church history.  For this episode they look at the Christian practice of baptism from the early church, through the Middle Ages and beyond.  How and why does it change over time, and does it matter?  Listen in and tell us what you think!