The Jacobs Theology Show

This is another sneak preview into the future unit 5, covering the Second Cosmic Act of Salvation History, The Falls. Stay tuned for the full unit and more coming soon! 

This is a sneak preview into the future unit 5, covering the Second Cosmic Act of Salvation History, The Falls. Stay tuned for the full unit and more coming soon! 

The Biblical Catective wakes up from his nap and tackles the big one: seven days vs. science. Using the literary tool of genre criticism he shows how Catholics can take Genesis seriously without treating it like a science textbook.

Picking up right where we left off, Brandon and Alice finally discover the Day 6 “bonus creation” that Alice teased last time — humanity itself! Then, with the Biblical Catective’s help, they do a little “creation math,” noticing a pattern that perfectly pairs the six days like columns in a ledger. And guess what? All that symmetry points to the true highlight of the story: Day 7, the Sabbath, when creation finally rests and becomes holy.

Brandon and Alice continue walking through the first creation story in Genesis—covering Days 3 through the beginning of Day 6. Alice even points out a cool pattern: some days include “bonus” creation acts! But of course the Biblical Catective has to show up to do some explaining too! Enjoy!

In this episode, Brandon and Alice begin exploring the first creation story in the Bible—Genesis 1:1 to 2:3. They walk through the first and second days of creation and come across a strange phrase: “the dome in the midst of the waters.” What is that supposed to mean? The Biblical Catective arrives to explain ancient Israelite cosmology, the idea of a world-dome or firmament, and how historical context helps us make sense of confusing biblical passages like this one! Enjoy!

In this follow-up to Episode 16, the Biblical Catective returns with a religious studies take on why Genesis opens with two creation stories. Using a new literary tool — source criticism — we explore how ancient texts were woven together to form the Bible as we know it today… plus, a solid fish joke! Enjoy!

In this episode, Brandon and Alice are joined by the Biblical Catective to dig into the first chapters of Genesis — and why the Bible seems to tell the creation story twice. What’s up with that? The Catective breaks it down theologically — and promises to return next time with the religious studies perspective! 

The word Genesis means “beginning” or “birth.” In this episode, Brandon and Alice explore how the Book of Genesis is all about origin stories — from the creation of the world and humanity (chapters 1–11) to the beginnings of the People of Israel (chapters 12–50). It’s the Bible’s grand prologue, setting the stage for everything that comes next. 

This is the audio for article ten: The Torah: More than Books 

In this episode, Brandon wants to finally start reading the Bible — but Alice and the Biblical Catective say there’s one more thing they have to do first. Before we crack open the Bible’s pages, we’ve got to tackle a big question: what is the Torah (a.k.a. the Pentateuch)? Yes, it’s the first five books of the Bible… but it’s more than just five ancient scrolls. It’s a covenant, a love story, and even (get this)… like a marriage contract?! Enjoy! 

Does calling God “Father” mean God is male? In this episode, Brandon wonders if Ariana Grande’s song God is a Woman is heresy, and Alice breaks down what Catholic theology actually says about it. With help from the Catechism and Aquinas, they explore what the title “God the Father” really means, and how Jesus’s own words shape the way we talk about God. Enjoy!

In this episode, Brandon and Alice continue their journey through the theology of Creation—but this time, it gets personal. What does it mean that you were loved before you were born? Why does God want us to participate in creation instead of doing it all Himself? Drawing from the Catechism, Pope Francis, and Father Mike Schmitz, they explore what it means to be made in God’s image, how freedom is both a gift and a responsibility, and why a human being fully alive is the glory of God. Enjoy!

This is the audio for article nine: Theology of Creation 

Why is there something rather than nothing? In this episode, Brandon and Alice dive into the very beginning of Salvation History: Creation. With quotes from Genesis, the Creeds, and some great theologians, they explore what Catholic theology says about why God created—and what it means to call God the “fount of all being.” Spoiler: it’s not about flexing. It’s about love. Real, self-giving, explosion-of-grace love.

This is the audio for article eight: Genre Criticism 

In today’s episode, Brandon and Alice are back on the case, and so is their crafty theology detective friend, the Biblical Catective! Last time they cracked the case on Historical Criticism. Now they’re opening a new file: Genre Criticism. From cookbooks to horror scripts to psalms, the Catective shows how a little genre awareness can keep us from straying too far off the case! 

Ready to level up your theology detective skills? In this episode, Brandon, Alice, and the Biblical Catective dive into the actual tools we use to uncover what the human authors of Scripture really meant. They break down what Historical Criticism is, why it matters, and how it helps us read the Bible beyond the surface layer — even without a time machine. Another literary tool is waiting in the wings for next time, but for now, grab your magnifying glass and enjoy!

How do you actually do biblical interpretation? In this episode, Brandon and Alice pick up right where they left off — but this time, they bring in a special guest: the Biblical Catective! Together they break down the three layers of Sacred Scripture: the surface words, the human author’s intentions, and the Holy Spirit’s deeper message behind it all. It’s a quick, fun crash course in thinking like a theology detective. Enjoy! 

This is the audio for article seven: Interpreting the Bible Why and How

Is reading the Bible as easy as… well, just reading it? In this episode, Brandon and Alice tackle the question of why it’s necessary to look past the surface layer and learn how to interpret the biblical books. They break down how Catholics see Scripture as both fully inspired by God and deeply shaped by its human authors, and why that means real understanding can take more than just reading the words on the page. Enjoy!

This is the audio for article  six: The Five Acts of God’s Theo-Drama: The Cliff Notes

In today's episode, Brandon and Alice break down how the Bible, according to Christian theology, tells the true story of the whole universe! This is the story of Salvation History, or God's "Theo-Drama." Moreover, they briefly overview the five big phases or "acts" of that story: Creation, the Falls, the Formation of the People Israel, the Life of Jesus Christ, and the Church. Enjoy!

This is the audio for article  five: Salvation History as God’s Theo-Drama, and the Existential Importance of Story

Ever feel that foggy “what’s the point” vibe creeping in? In today’s episode, Brandon and Alice dig into the root of that uneasy feeling, known as an existential crisis, and why philosophers like Sartre called it having “existential nausea.” But they don’t stop at the angst. They unpack why humans need story to find meaning and explain how, according to Catholic theology (and Bishop Barron), the biggest story ever told—Salvation History—is where the answers to life’s deepest questions are really found. It’s theology, philosophy, and a little therapy, all rolled into one episode. Enjoy!

This is the audio for article four: What Is the Bible A Theological Look

Is the Bible just a bunch of old and dusty books, or something more? In this episode, Brandon and Alice switch gears from history to theology to unpack what the Bible really is if you’re a believer. How can it be God’s Word if humans wrote it? What does “Divine Inspiration” actually mean? And why would God help write books in the first place? Tune in for a quick, honest look at the Bible as Sacred Scripture. 

This is the audio for article three: What Is the Bible A Religious Studies Look

What is the Bible? Where did it come from? Did Jesus write it? In today’s episode, Brandon and Alice ditch the preacher hats and grab the historian glasses to take a cold religious studies look at the history of the Bible. And they talk about Greek food? You’re not going to want to miss this one!! 

This is the audio for article two: Exploring the Theological Landscape .

Why do different religions believe different things? Brandon and Alice trace it all back to the big family tree of philosophy — this time exploring how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam trust different sources of Divine Revelation. They even dig into why Christians don’t always believe the exact same things. Another brain snack coming right up!! 

This is the audio for article one: Science, religion, and philosophy.  

Are science and theology destined to be mortal enemies? Nope. In today’s episode, Brandon and Alice show how science and theology are more like siblings in the big family tree of...philosophy? From pea plants to Sacred Scripture, this episode will feed your brain and your soul.