The BEMA Podcast

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin the last leg of the journey through the Four Pillars, examining the commitment to wrestling.The Sin of Certainty by Peter EnnsThe Evangelical Imagination by Karen Swallow PriorThe Gospel of Being Human by Marty Solomon and Reed Dent“Gulliver’s Travels: Week 13” by Karen Swallow PriorArtemis II — WikipediaPontius Pilate Discovers He’s in the Apostles’ Creed — YouTubeBook Tour DatesAberfeldy [Scottish town] — WikipediaDunkeld Cathedral — WikipediaFire of Notre-Dame — WikipediaCurious by Ian LeslieBig Wheel (tricycle) — Wikipedia

Brent Billings and Reed Dent consider how to create the right conditions for discipleship.The Pastor by Eugene H. PetersonThe Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks nurture the roots of the third pillar, discipleship.

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the third of BEMA’s four pillars, being challenged by the historical setting and practice of discipleship.The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred EdersheimNahum M. Sarna — WikipediaShmuel Safrai — WikipediaDavid Flusser — WikipediaQuest for the Historical Jesus — WikipediaAlbert Schweitzer — WikipediaRudolf Bultmann — WikipediaDead Sea Scrolls — WikipediaN. T. Wright — WikipediaE. P. Sanders — WikipediaThe Jesus Quest by Ben Witherington IIISecond Temple Judaism — WikipediaScholasticism — Wikipedia

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are wrapping their hands around the pillar of community, guided by Elle Grover Fricks.Sam Goes With Frodo — Scene from The Fellowship of the Ring (2001 film)Father’s Letter — Scene from Little Women (2019 film)“Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah — Choir of King’s College, CambridgePalouse Choral Society“How far back in time can you understand English?” by Colin Gorrie — Dead Language SocietyDedicated by Pete Davis

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the pillar of community from the perspective of Reed Dent.“5 Spectacular Japanese Joints” by Emi Shinmura — Fine WoodworkingBEMA 356: Sabbath Practice — Friendship w/ Derrick James Rohr III“Followers, Not Admirers” by Søren Kierkegaard in Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings look at the second of BEMA’s four pillars: the commitment to and experience of community.About Impact Campus Ministries (Definition of Success)Loneliness Sucks — Marty Solomon, YouTubeLife Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks get the big picture about our holy book. Spiral Dynamics Illustration The Unseen Realm by Michael S. Heiser Review of The Unseen Realm — Brent Billings, Goodreads

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Rabbi Dr. David Rudolph, program director and professor at The King’s University, to talk about how the Council of Nicaea affected the dating of Easter and the implications of that for the Church and the Jewish people. Sign Up for the BEMA Messenger “The Council of Nicaea, the Dating of Easter, and Its Implications Concerning the Church’s Relationship to the Jewish People” by David Rudolph, Ph.D. Yachad BeYeshua Introduction to Messianic Judaism (Zondervan), edited by David J. Rudolph et al. A Jew to the Jews by David J. Rudolph Oxford Handbook on Jewish Christianity and Messianic Judaism [coming soon] Messianic Study Bible (Zondervan) [coming soon] “The Science of Worship” (Bulletin of Ecclesial Theology) via David’s website Covenant and the People of God, edited by David J. Rudolph, Jennifer M. Rosner, et al. New Testament after Supersessionism, David Rudolph (series editor) — Wipf and Stock The Voice of the Lord: Messianic Jewish Daily Devotional, edited by David J. Rudolph David’s websiteSpecial Guest: David Rudolph.

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Reed Dent to talk about his perspective on the pillar of Text.Drawing Hands by M. C. Escher — WikipediaThe Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2001 (PDF)“September 11” by Scott Cairns“Trump's name to appear on coronavirus stimulus checks sent to Americans” — Fox News“Trump Seeks To Stimulate Economy By Sending Rare Autographed Photo To Every American” — The OnionReviews of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003 film) — Reed Dent, LetterboxdReviews of Wake Up Dead Man (2025 film) — Reed Dent, LetterboxdThe Poetics of Biblical Narrative by Meir SternbergCross Vision by Gregory A. BoydCrucifixion of the Warrior God by Gregory A. Boyd“The Bible Talk: Part 1” by Reed Dent“The Bible Talk: Part 2” by Reed Dent“The Bible Talk: Postscripts” by Reed Dent

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings launch a new 12-part reflection on the Four Pillars of BEMA.BEMA 203: You Are HereBEMA 78: Silent Years — EssenesBrent on Instagram

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Brad Gray and Brad Nelson of Walking the Text to talk about the Lord’s Prayer and all of the projects they have in the works to cover this foundational practice of our faith.Walking the TextThe Sacred ThreadThe Lord’s Prayer (2025 film)Bringing Heaven Here by Brad Gray and Brad NelsonReview of Bringing Heaven Here — Marty Solomon, GoodreadsReview of Bringing Heaven Here — Brent Billings, Goodreads“Space philosopher Frank White on ‘The Overview Effect’ and humanity’s connection with Earth” by Leonard David — SpaceDidache — WikipediaSpecial Guests: Brad Gray and Brad Nelson.

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin Session 10 of the podcast and discuss what comes next.“Patient Trust” by Pierre Teilhard de ChardinJosh’s Memorial Service [occured on February 15, 2026]Impact Campus Ministries

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, Reed Dent, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé close out Session 9. This is Josh’s final episode, both in the sense of recording date (October 7, 2025) and release date.The Gospel of Being Human by Marty Solomon and Reed DentAsking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty SolomonFiadh Grover-Fricks at 6 monthsFiadh: Like Mother, Like DaughterIntroducing MapleMaple on InstagramJosh Bossé on CaringBridgeBEMA 465: Qohelet’s ReflectionLiving Unoffended by Brant HansenGood Books, Big Questions (Karen Stiller’s new podcast)Walter Brueggemann’s websiteFestschrift — WikipediaGod in the Fray: A Tribute to Walter Brueggemann by Tod Linafelt and Timothy K. BealFinally Comes the Poet by Walter BrueggemannThe Word Militant by Walter BrueggemannHopeful Imagination by Walter BrueggemannOut of Babylon by Walter BrueggemannThe Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

Brent Billings and Reed Dent close out this series in an unorthodox format, talking about the virtue of love and what it means to be fully known and fully loved.Wishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner

Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Josh Bossé talk about hope and the potential it leans into.Four Quartets by T. S. EliotWishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner“Holy, Holy, Holy” by Sufjan Stevens — YouTubeBEMA 430: It’s a Wonderful LifeHope — BibleProjectBEMA 52: Jonah — PotentialSpecial Guest: Mitch Lavender.

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent talk about the virtue of faith and the idea of trusting the story.“Bad Theology: A Quiz” by Scott Cairns — America MagazineWishful Thinking by Frederick BuechnerMere Christianity by C. S. LewisThe Gospel of Being Human by Marty Solomon and Reed DentAsking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty SolomonVelvet Elvis by Rob BellGravity and Grace by Simone WeilZero at the Bone by Christian WimanMark 8 — Reed Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined again by special guest Dr. Sandra Richter to talk about her latest book, Abigail and the Waterfall.Abigail and the Waterfall by Sandra L. RichterStewards of Eden by Sandra L. RichterRev. Dr. Ethan Johnson“My Journey into Coal Country” — Sandra Richter, Substack“My Journey into Coal Country, II” — Sandra Richter, Substack[Part III coming soon]Plant with PurposeThe Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McLarenMount HermonMount Hermon Women’s RetreatsCandy Darter (fish) — WikipediaHellbender Salamander — WikipediaBlack Beauty by Anna Sewell — Project GutenbergSpecial Guest: Sandra Richter.

Brent Billings and Reed Dent discuss the 1995 David Fincher film Seven.Seven (1995 film) — Letterboxd

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings share a special brief message about year-end giving, the financial needs of our ministry, and what we hope to do in the future.Support Our 2025 Year-End Ministry Efforts

Brent Billings and Reed Dent discuss justice. The regular episode is preceded by some thoughts on Josh Bossé from Marty Solomon and Elle Grover Fricks.Support for Sophia and Ronen after the loss of Josh — GoFundMeFor Josh — Text in UsLament for Josh ft. Reed Dent — Text in Us“Justice” by George MacDonald, Unspoken Sermons — The Literature NetworkBrent reads “Justice” by George MacDonald on InstagramJustice by Nicholas WolterstorffStewards of Eden by Sandra L. RichterThe Prophets by Abraham Joshua HeschelJustice — BibleProject

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent discuss courage. The regular episode is preceded by some thoughts on Josh Bossé from Reed and Brent.Support for Sophia and Ronen after the loss of Josh — GoFundMeFor Josh — Text in UsRemembering Josh Bossé — Brent Billings“When I Am Among the Trees” by Mary Oliver in Thirst“The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry in The Selected Poems of Wendell BerryDaily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community by Pádraig Ó TuamaThe Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis“Just Do It” Motivational Speech by Shia LaBeouf — YouTubeBEMA 39: A King After God’s Own HeartRocky IV (1985 film) — Letterboxd

Brent Billings marks the beginning of our mourning by sharing a final update about our beloved Josh Bossé.BEMA Messenger #79BEMA 465: Qohelet’s ReflectionBEMA 405: Practical Shabbat — KeepingJosh’s Cancer Journey on CaringBridgeSupport for Sophia and Ronen after the loss of Josh — GoFundMe“How to Sit Shiva” by Anita Diamant — My Jewish Learning

Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Elle Grover Fricks talk about the virtue of temperance.A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again by David Foster Wallace“A Thousand No’s for Every Yes” — YouTubeMere Christianity by C. S. LewisThe Screwtape Letters by C. S. LewisThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromFace with Steam From Nose — EmojipediaDedicated by Pete Davis

Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Josh Bossé dive into the virtues by talking about prudence (or wisdom).Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie DillardAsking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty SolomonThe Gospel of Being Human by Marty Solomon and Reed DentInspired by Rachel Held EvansBEMA 454: Qohelet Goes OffOrdet (1955 film) — LetterboxdThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromReed on Instagram

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are back again with Dallas Jenkins to mull over the questions that arose from Seasons 4 and 5 of The Chosen.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbThis Is Not a Pipe — WikipediaRoundtable Discussion on the Women’s SupperThe Chosen Adventures (2025 TV series)Dayenu in Many Languages — The Chosen, YouTubeSpecial Guest: Dallas Jenkins.

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Annie F. Downs, bestselling author, speaker, prolific podcaster, and “Queen of Fun.”Annie’s upcoming events (Tour with Cain, etc.)Let’s Read the Gospels PodcastThat Sounds Fun PodcastThat Sounds Fun 965: Jonathan Roumie Annie’s Recommended Episodes That Sounds Fun 906: Jonathan Merritt and Dr. James Merritt That Sounds Fun 964: John Eldredge That Sounds Fun 898: John Eldredge That Sounds Fun 388: John Eldredge That Sounds Fun 281: John Eldredge That Sounds Fun 210: John Eldredge That Sounds Fun 877: Esau McCaulley That Sounds Fun 485: Esau McCaulley That Sounds Fun 291: Dr. Matthew Sleeth That Sounds Fun 178: Dr. Matthew Sleeth That Sounds Fun 879: Dr. Scot McKnight That Sounds Fun 494: Dr. Scot McKnight That Sounds Fun 977: Lisa Harper That Sounds Fun 504: Lisa Harper That Sounds Fun 40: Lisa Harper Remember God by Annie F. DownsWhere Did TJ Go? by Annie F. DownsSingle Purpose LeagueCross Point ChurchThe UGA Wesley FoundationPastoring SinglesBlurry Creatures PodcastAnnie’s websiteSpecial Guest: Annie F. Downs.

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings bring the analysis of Season 5 of The Chosen to a close with a discussion of the eighth episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbLeil Shimurim — ChabadGethsemane — Blue Letter Bible“Flee as a Bird” by Mary S. B. D. Shindler (1842) — A Cappella Hymns, YouTube“Flee as a Bird” by Mary S. B. D. Shindler (1842) — The Cyber Hymnal

Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Josh Bossé talk about the capital vice known as sloth—or rather, acedia.David Hume’s Moral Philosophy: The Natural Virtues — Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyMaking All Things New by Henri NouwenInside Out 2 (2024 film)Glittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungAcedia & Me by Kathleen NorrisThe Message in the Bottle by Walker PercyBEMA 2: Knowing When to Say “Enough”1 Corinthians 3 — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipBEMA 400: Talmudic Matthew — SaltBEMA 401: Talmudic Matthew — LightBEMA 402: Talmudic Matthew — Lightly SaltedMark 11 (aroma reference) — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipWhere the Wild Things Are by Maurice SendakBEMA 136: Each OneThe Book of Delights by Ross Gay“Patient Trust” by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin“Followers, Not Admirers” by Søren Kierkegaard in Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and EasterPrayer of St. Teresa of Avila — Catholic Health Association of the United StatesLost in the Cosmos by Walker PercyThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Screwtape Letters by C. S. LewisCalorie — WikipediaCanada Geese and Diet Dr. Pepper — The Anthropocene Reviewed

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue analyzing Season 5 of The Chosen with a discussion of the seventh episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Brent Billings and Reed Dent talk about wrath (and anger and revenge).“Goodbye Earl” by The Chicks — YouTubeSlow to Anger — BibleProject“Justice” by George MacDonald, Unspoken Sermons — The Literature NetworkBrent reads “Justice” by George MacDonald on InstagramGlittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungSteve Holt! — YouTubeThe West Wing S1E3, “A Proportional Response” (Part 1) — YouTubeThe West Wing S1E3, “A Proportional Response” (Part 2) — YouTube

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue analyzing Season 5 of The Chosen with a discussion of the sixth episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Brent Billings and Reed Dent talk about envy.The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999 film) — LetterboxdGlittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung“The Other Six Deadly Sins” by Dorothy L. SayersThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromNo Exit (1944 play) by Jean-Paul Sartre — WikipediaBEMA 39: A King After God’s Own Heart

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue analyzing Season 5 of The Chosen with a discussion of the fifth episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbJesus and the Victory of God by N. T. Wright

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent talk about pride (or, rather, vainglory).The King of Comedy (1982 film) — LetterboxdWishful Thinking by Frederick BuechnerThere Will Be Blood (2007 film) — LetterboxdWhiplash (2014 film) — LetterboxdSoli Deo Gloria — WikipediaJohn Chrysostom — Wikipedia“This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace (YouTube)“This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace (Amazon)Glittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungJesus and the Victory of God by N. T. WrightThe Weight of Glory by C. S. LewisRaiders of the Lost Ark (1981 film) — Letterboxd

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue analyzing Season 5 of The Chosen with a discussion of the fourth episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbDayenu — Wikipedia

Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Elle Grover Fricks talk about greed.Wall Street (1987 film) — LetterboxdGlengarry Glen Ross (1992 film) — LetterboxdThe Wolf of Wall Street (2013 film) — LetterboxdWishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner“Is Greed Good? On God and Wealth” by Donald Goergen — Church Life JournalTo Have or to Be? by Eric FrommFight Club (1999 film) – LetterboxdBEMA 356: Sabbath Practice — Friendship w/ Derrick James Rohr IIIThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromBEMA 314: Parables — The Barn BuilderLa Pachanga Mexican Restaurant

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue analyzing Season 5 of The Chosen with a discussion of the third episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbJesus and the Victory of God by N. T. Wright

Brent Billings and Reed Dent gorge themselves on gluttony and its many forms.“Living Lent” by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton in Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and EasterGlittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungThe Screwtape Letters by C. S. LewisWhen Harry Met Sally (1989 film) — JustWatchThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-Soderstrom“Hungry Mungry” by Shel Silverstein in Where the Sidewalk Ends“The Satisfactions of the Mad Farmer” by Wendell Berry in The Mad Farmer Poems

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the analysis of Season 5 of The Chosen with a discussion of the second episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent dive into the first of our vices, lust.Confessions by Augustine of Hippo (Amazon)Confessions by Augustine of Hippo (Project Gutenberg)Glittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungGame Genie — WikipediaThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromThe Four Loves by C. S. LewisWishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner“The Two Loves” from The Hungering Dark by Frederick BuechnerNOOMA 002: Flame by Rob BellThe Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus — WikipediaThe Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings dive into Season 5 of The Chosen with a discussion of the first episode.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbThe Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci — Wikipedia

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent embark on a journey through the vices and virtues.The Gospel of Being Human by Marty Solomon and Reed DentConfessions by Augustine of Hippo (Amazon)Confessions by Augustine of Hippo (Project Gutenberg)Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas — WikipediaGlittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromThe Seven Deadly Sins by Kevin VostThe Seven Deadly Sins by Solomon SchimmelThe Inferno by Dante Alighieri (Amazon)The Inferno by Dante Alighieri (Project Gutenberg)Seven (1995 film) — Letterboxd

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Ethan Bryan, author of A Year of Playing Catch, along with many other books. He has found himself in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the White House, and he is self-proclaimed “one of the best benchwarmers [from his] high school junior varsity baseball team.”A Year of Playing Catch by Ethan D. BryanBaltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals, May 28, 1979 — Baseball Reference“Remembrance of Royals’ Krispy Kreme promotion in 2000s strikes a chord with KC fans” by Pete Grathoff — The Kansas City StarThe Center for Healing and Justice Through SportField of Dreams (1989 film) — LetterboxdField of Dreams (Dubuque County, Iowa) — WikipediaMary Moore (infielder) — WikipediaA League of Their Own (1992 film) — LetterboxdPerry Barber — Grassroots BaseballPerry Barber — J! ArchiveThe Art of Asking Better Questions by J. R. BriggsCommunity Partnership of the OzarksThe Life-Saving Adventure of Gracelyn Gordon and Her Dog by Ethan D. BryanBraum’s Ice Cream & Dairy StoreTen (Mostly) Recent Novels, Including Two Wonderful Reads You Haven’t Heard Of by Byron Borger — Hearts & MindsReview of The Life-Saving Adventure of Gracelyn Gordon and Her Dog — Brent Billings, GoodreadsAmerica at the Seams by Nathan Rueckert with Ethan D. BryanFor the Life of the World 63: Passionate God, Crucified God, Joyful God — Yale Center for Faith and Culture, April 10, 2021, with Jürgen Moltmann & Miroslav VolfGrit by Angela DuckworthQuiet by Susan CainThe Catch-Playing Wedding StoryEthan Bryan on FacebookCatch 365 with the Nashville SoundsEthan Bryan’s websiteSpecial Guest: Ethan Bryan.

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Josh Bossé close out this series, and—instead of letting Qohelet do the talking—consider the reflection of Qohelet in our hearts and in our lives.The Jesus Quest by Ben Witherington IIISabbath as Resistance by Walter BrueggemannOpportunities — Impact Campus MinistriesCampuses — Impact Campus MinistriesSign up for Josh’s newsletter — Constant Contact

Brent Billings and Josh Bossé see Qohelet peacefully on her way.

Brent Billings, Josh Bossé, and Reed Dent join Qohelet by the pond.“Go to the Limits of Your Longing” by Rainer Maria Rilke — The On Being Project

Brent Billings, Josh Bossé, and Elle Grover Fricks sharpen the ax with their friend Qohelet.

Brent Billings and Josh Bossé join Qohelet as she draws us closer to a conclusion.Abel Beth Maachah — Wikipedia

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Josh Bossé turn their ears to Qohelet and learn to avert disaster.