Biblical Literacy with Mark Lanier

This is a Romans Bible study podcast (the final class on Romans chapters 1–8) in which the speaker uses Sullivan Ballou's famous Civil War letter as a launching point to explore Paul's declaration in Romans 8 that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The lecture walks through key Greek words andliterary devices — including the concept of chorizo (separation), the word hupernikomen (more than conquerors), and Paul's use of a lament Psalm — to argue that God's love is not a hopeful gesture like Ballou's letter, but an unbreakable promise proven at the cross. The post Session 36 – Romans; Romans 8:35-37: Mark Lanier, 06/21/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Drawing on Romans 8:33-34, Lanier uses a courtroom metaphor to show that no charge can be brought against God's people- because God himself is both judge and justifier. Christ's death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession mean the case is permanently closed, and no voice -not Satan's, not your own inner critic's -has the authority to condemn you. The post Session 35 – Romans; Romans:33-34: Mark Lanier, 06/14/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

This message unpacks the doctrine of salvation — what it means to be saved from sin, and why Jesus Christ alone is the foundation of that salvation. You'll walk away equipped to answer common questions about assurance, eternal security, and what it truly means to receive the free gift of God. The post Special Event – Doctrine of Salvation: Dr. David Fleming, 06/07/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Romans 8:31-32 shows that God is not a distant God who merely tolerates us — He is actively invested in, committed to, and acting on our behalf. The cross is the ultimate proof. The post Session 34 – Romans; Romans 8:31-32: Mark Lanier, 05/31/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

God knew you intimately before time began and predestined you to be conformed to the image of His Son. Sin was never your destination — Christlikeness is. The post Session 33 – Romans; Romans 8:29-30: Mark Lanier, 05/24/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

The Spirit doesn't just pray for you — He prays with you, facing you, gripping the same burden, lifting together. That's what Paul means by sunantilambano: you're never carrying it alone. The post Session 32 – Romans; Romans 8:28: Mark Lanier, 05/17/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

When words fail and you don't know what to pray, you're not praying alone — the Holy Spirit is lifting the other side of the load. God hears the groanings of the Spirit interceding on your behalf, answering prayers you didn't even know you were praying. The post Session 31 – Romans; Romans 8:26-27: Mark Lanier, 05/10/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

This Bible class traces the Passover from its origins in Egypt through to the Last Supper, showing how Jesus intentionally used 1,500 years of Passover symbolism to establish the new covenant. The post Special Event – Don’t Pass Over the Passover: Pastor Brent Johnson, 05/03/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

As Christians, we groan inwardly not because something is wrong, but because the Holy Spirit within us creates a deep longing for the full redemption that is yet to come. We live in hopeful anticipation of our bodily resurrection and complete adoption into God's family — a guaranteed future anchored in the empty tomb of Jesus. The post Session 30 – Romans; Romans 8 Continued; Dr. David Capes, 04/26/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Meet these two very special gentlemen who have spent their lives doing something a bit unusual — they've actually dedicated themselves to understanding what crucial scriptural texts that we love so much mean for us today. The post Special Event – Conversation with Dr. Ben Witherington and Dr. Steve Walton: Mark Lanier, 04/19/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

What can you endure if you know something great is coming in the future? I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. The post Session 29 – Romans; Romans 8:18-22: Mark Lanier, 04/12/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

In Romans 8, Paul uses the Roman law of adoption to show that in Christ, our debts are cancelled, our identity is made new, and our inheritance is secure. This lesson is a powerful reminder that we are not called to live as fearful slaves or self-reliant strivers, but as beloved children of God led by His Spirit. The post Session 28 – Romans; Romans 8 Continued: Mark Lanier, 03/29/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

The verdict is already in: in Christ, there is no condemnation—no penalty, no second trial, no reversal. You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, and the same power that raised Jesus now lives in you. The post Session 27 – Romans; Romans 8:9-13: Mark Lanier, 03/22/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Waiting is not a failure of the system—it is the place where God is actively at work, shaping us and preparing what comes next. What feels like delay is often divine timing, where faith is formed and purpose unfolds. The post Special Event – A Theology of Waiting: Mark Lanier, 03/15/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

In the Bible, a “name” is more than a label—it’s a track record. It’s a résumé that reveals character, history, and reputation. In this Biblical Literacy lesson, Mark Lanier explores what it means to know God’s “name,” why Scripture says God acts for His name’s sake, and why believers must be careful not to take credit for what belongs on God’s CV. The post Special Event – Don’t Steal from God’s CV: Mark Lanier, 03/08/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

The Psalms teach us to place God continually before us, trusting that when we face life through Him our souls can find peace even in the midst of trials. They remind us that God is actively shaping our lives, and that every victory, strength, and good work ultimately belongs on His resume, not ours. The post Special Event – Devotional Studies in the Psalms: Mark Lanier, 03/01/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Using the imagery of Olympic athletes and Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4, this message challenges us to ask what kind of “summary statement” our lives are writing. It’s a call to fight the right battles, stay focused in the race of faith, and finish well by keeping our eyes on Christ. The post Special Event – Summary Statements; 2 Timothy 4:1-8: Dr. David Fleming, 02/22/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

A deep dive into Romans 8 exploring how your mindset shapes your life, faith, and spiritual direction. Discover Paul’s contrast between living by the flesh or the Spirit—and why one leads to death while the other leads to life and peace. The post Session 26 – Romans; Romans 8: Mark Lanier, 02/15/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

What does it mean that there is “now no condemnation” in Christ? This teaching from Romans 8 explores how grace removes guilt, reshapes identity, and invites believers to live in the freedom and victory found in Jesus. The post Session 25 – Romans; Romans 8:1a, No Condemnation: Dr. David Fleming, 02/08/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

The question isn't 'Is this physical or spiritual?' The question is: 'Am I relying on myself or on God?' The post Session 24 – Romans; Romans 8: Mark Lanier, 02/01/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Mark Lanier brings Romans to life with clarity, insight, and warmth, showing why Paul’s words still matter for faith today. This brief but rich lesson invites listeners to think deeply, listen closely, and discover the gospel anew. The post Session 23 – Romans; Romans 8: Mark Lanier, 01/18/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Mark Lanier sits down with Lyndon Drake to explore faith, neuroscience, Scripture, and what it really means to be human in a scientific age. The post Special Event – Conversation with Rev’d Dr. Lyndon Drake: Mark Lanier, 01/11/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Learn practical methods for studying Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels using four key questions that transform Scripture from confusing text into meaningful, applicable wisdom. The post How to Use a Study Bible, Part II: Mark Lanier, 01/04/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Jesus is the light of the world, and He should be the center of your Christmas celebration. Listen to God's message, obey it quickly, and share what He's doing in your life with others. The post Special Event – A Christmas Devotion; Brent Johnson, 12/14/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

The Bible isn't a book it's a library with over 60 different books that require different reading approaches. If you want to truly understand Scripture, you need to know how to read poetry differently than history, and wisdom literature differently than narrative. The post How to Use A Study Bible, Part I: Mark Lanier, 12/07/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Paul never converted to a new religion—he recognized Jesus as the Messiah while remaining a faithful Jew. The real issue isn't whether this happened before or after Damascus Road, but whether you're living under the law's demands or the Spirit's power. The post Session 22 – Romans; Romans 7: 14-25: Mark Lanier, 11/16/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Mark continued in the study of Romans with a focus on Chapter 7: 1-7—Paul’s most debated chapter, especially the verses studied today. Paul uses a legal analogy. The post Session 21 – Romans; Romans 7:1-7: Mark Lanier, 11/02/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

True freedom isn't the absence of a master—it's serving the right master. You are slaves of the one whom you obey. The post Session 20 – Romans; Romans 6:14-23: Mark Lanier, 10/26/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Don't let the witch—the serpent—beguile you into wrong thinking. Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. The post Session 19 – Romans; Romans 6:11-13: Mark Lanier, 10/12/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Mark begins the lesson by addressing a question or concern that we all may have had after giving our life to Christ.  We may be worried that we have done something wrong. Everything seems to be going wrong with my life. I am not living that Christian Victory. I am not that success story that says I gave my life to Jesus and now everything is rainbows. The post Session 18 – Romans; Romans 6-8: Mark Lanier, 10/05/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Summary: Mark Lanier delivers a detailed biblical teaching on Romans 6:5-7, addressing the theological question of whether grace gives believers a license to sin. The session covers: Introduction Lanier opens by discussing the difficulty of Romans 9-11 and introduces the context through W.H. Auden’s Christmas oratorio, where Herod grapples with the implications of the Messiah’s […] The post Session 17 – Romans; Romans 6:5-7: Mark Lanier, 09/28/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Grace is the cross of Christ, and in Christ crucified, we have sin defeated. Sin needed the death of Christ to get us out from under the thumb and dominion of sin and death. The post Session 16 – Romans; Romans 6: Mark Lanier, 09/21/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

We don't boast in our achievements or our ancestry—we boast only in the cross of Christ. Your life has cosmic significance; you're not just trying to be a good person, you're participating in God's restoration of all things. The post Session 15 – Romans; Romans 5:15-21: Mark Lanier, 09/07/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Embrace the love of your Lord who has worked for eternity to save you—because it is that awesome. The post Session 14 – Romans; Romans 5:12-15: Mark Lanier, 08/31/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Christ died for weak sinners—not because we deserved it, but because God's love triumphs over human failure. You are not God's enemy anymore; through Christ's death, God has turned you into His friend. The post Session 13 – Romans; Romans 5:6-11: Mark Lanier, 08/24/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope—and hope will not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts. The post Session 12 – Romans; Romans 5: Mark Lanier, 08/17/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Friendship in the ancient world meant sharing your life together—participating in both the good and the bad. Christianity comes along and redefines those categories, breaking down barriers of inequality between rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, slave and free. The post Session 5 – Philippians; Friendship: David Capes, 07/27/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Grace plus anything is not grace - it's works. Knowing Jesus is the most important thing you can do. The post Session 4 – Philippians; Destination – Knowing Jesus: David Fleming, 07/20/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Humility isn't about thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. The way to unity in the body of Christ is through putting others' interests first, again and again. The post Session 3 – Philippians; A Call to Unity: David Fleming, 07/13/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Communication is the key to any relationship, whether from you to God, you to your family, or you to strangers The post Session 2 – Philippians; On Being a Good Citizen: Brent Johnson, 07/06/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Friendship is central to the gospel and there is a tremendous lack of friendship in probably your life. True friendship means we share life together—the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows. The post Session 1 – Philippians; An Epistle of Friendship: David Capes, 06/29/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Abraham was justified by faith 30 years before circumcision, proving righteousness comes through trusting God, not through works or law. Grace—God's unmerited favor through Christ's death and resurrection—has always been God's plan A for making us right before Him. The post Session 11 – Romans; Romans 4: Mark Lanier, 06/22/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Abraham was justified by faith, not works—a principle that applies to all believers. God justifies the ungodly through Christ, offering complete forgiveness and joy to anyone who believes. The post Session 10 – Romans; Romans 4:1-9: Mark Lanier, 06/15/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Mark interviewed a special guest during today’s class: Dr. W. Scott Sager, minister, professor, speaker, community leader, and author based in Nashville,TN. The post Special Event – Conversation with Dr. W. Scott Sager: Mark Lanier, 06/08/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

No human being can be justified before God through works of the law; instead, God's righteousness is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Our only boast is in Christ's sacrifice, for salvation is entirely God's initiative and grace, not something we earn through our own efforts. The post Session 9 – Romans; Romans 3:20-31 through 4:1: Mark Lanier, 06/01/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

God's righteousness is revealed through Christ's death and resurrection, declaring all believers "not guilty." Christ's sacrifice satisfies God's wrath and covers our sins, justifying us before Him. The post Session 8 – Romans; The “Gold” in Paul’s Words, Romans 3:21-26: Mark Lanier, 05/25/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

5/18/25 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the book of Romans with insights into Romans Chapter 3:21-26 with an exploration into the Greco Roman language vs English. He divided the lesson as follows: 1. Explore the word group  Ancient Greek origin of “dike” which means, right, justice, punishment.  Translated into English it uses various words […] The post Session 7 – Romans; Romans 3:21-26: Mark Lanier, 05/18/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

If Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection is good news for us, then what is life without that? Paul uses a courtroom metaphor to show that everybody has sinned and fallen short of God's glory, and no one is good enough to save themselves. The post Session 6 – Romans; The Flow of Paul’s Logic: Mark Lanier, 05/11/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

Paul warns against judging others while ignoring one’s own sin and explains that God’s righteous judgment is impartial and based on each person’s deeds.  This teaching shows that conscience and God’s law accompany every human life. The post Session 5 – Romans; God’s Principles of Judgement: Mark Lanier, 05/04/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.

In Romans 1:18-32, Paul explains how suppressing the truth revealed by God leads to idolatry and moral decline, showing God’s wrath as a righteous response to human rebellion. The post Session 4 – Romans; The Wrath of God: Mark Lanier, 04/27/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy.