PODCAST · religion
The Third Hour Podcast
by The Third Hour Podcast
Welcome to the Third Hour, a Latter-Day Saint home study podcast!This year we're doing a deep dive into the New Testament. Some of our talking points will be familiar. Other ideas may sound new. That's okay! Together, we'll learn something about the New Testament no matter what our starting level.Every week, we'll let you know which verses we're studying. If you miss some reading, we'll recap what's going on. And don't worry about spoilers; this stuff is two thousand years old.
Episodes
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#67. Tobit
First of the apocryphal books is Tobit, a comedic tale of gifted goats, concealed angels, and happy conclusions. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss its significance.
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#66. Robbing God
The Books of Obadiah and Malachi complete our tour of the Twelve Minor Prophets and the Hebrew Bible. But wait! There's more!
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#65. Other Visions
What do the books of Joel and Jonah have in common? Spurious provenance! But what's more unexpected is the way they present contrasting approaches to the peoples who live around Judea. Join us on the Third Hour Podcast to learn more!
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#64. Epiphany
The second half of the Book of Daniel concerns apocalyptic images — although those images refer to an apocalypse that never arrived, and which was never intended to communicate anything about the modern world. Today on the Third Hour, we discuss the not-so-hidden history of Antiochus IV…
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#63. Danny Boy
The first six chapters of the Book of Daniel recount a handful of folktales. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we examine these tales in detail, touching on not only their historical inaccuracies, but also their profound moral meanings to those in the diaspora.
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#62. Carnival
The Book of Esther takes us into the realm of historical fiction, riffing on ancient figures and sparking a drinking festival. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss its background, departures from reality, and why it's a worthwhile text.
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#61. Paneled Houses
Today we investigate the books of Haggai and Zechariah, which illuminate another perspective on the beginning of the Second Temple Period, and in some cases contrast with the narratives found in Ezra and Nehemiah.
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#60. The Walls Came Tumbling Up
The Book of Nehemiah portrays yet another step in the reconstruction of post-Exile Jerusalem. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss some of the ways Nehemiah's priorities differ from Ezra's, the composition of the religious classes, and the politics behind the rebuilding of the city walls.
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#59. Endogamy
At long last, the Babylonian Exile is over! Thanks to the edicts of Cyrus the Great, the Jewish people have been released, allowing the reconstruction of Jerusalem as a client state of Persia. However, the state of affairs is far from perfect, leaving the inhabitants of the...
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#58. Biblical Trash
The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, doesn't have a good reputation in Mormonism. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss the reasons behind the poem's ignominy, as well as the beauty of its prose and some of the ways it has been interpreted throughout history.
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#57. Mo'Job
The Book of Job has been interpreted and reinterpreted countless times across the centuries. Today, we look at two modern retellings: Joel and Ethan Coen's A Serious Man and Edward Greenstein's Job: A New Translation. Along the way, we discuss the book's many meanings, its ancient context, and…
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#56. Job
The Book of Job ranks among the Hebrew Bible's most poetic and enigmatic books, an examination of suffering and the answers we offer to that suffering. Today on a double-length episode of the Third Hour Podcast, we dig into the particulars of the story, our own reactions to it, and the ways it...
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#55. Lament & Wisdom
The Babylonian Captivity is the watershed event of the Hebrew Bible, a catastrophe that will preoccupy its latter books. Today we examine Lamentations and Ecclesiastes, which offer contrasting responses to the destruction of Jerusalem.
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#54. Third Isaiah
Whoa! Another Isaiah! This week on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss Trito-Isaiah in some depth, including the textual clues that have led most scholars to conclude that it was written by a different author than those who wrote the first two Isaiahs, the way its author's understanding of the...
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#53. Second Isaiah
Early Christians often identified the Book of Isaiah as "the fifth gospel." Yet its theology, rhetoric, and even authorship complicates such easy description. Today, the Third Hour Podcast talks about the book's second major section. Who was Deutero-Isaiah? What did they hope their audience would...
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#52. Ezekiel, Part Two
In its second half, the Book of Ezekiel tones down the sexual imagery but becomes no less enigmatic. This week on the Third Hour Podcast, we investigate some of the book's most notable passages, including the valley of dry bones and the destruction of Gog and Magog, and discuss some complicating...
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#51. Ezekiel, Part One
Age Warning! The Book of Ezekiel has traditionally been withheld from students until the age of thirty — the reasons for which we will investigate in this episode as we discuss the extreme visions, behaviors, and ethical code that are the hallmarks of this prophet.
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#50. The Jeremiad, Part Two
In stark contrast to the first half of the Book of Jeremiah, the second half shifts tone, genre, and even theology. Join us for a discussion of Jeremiah's politicking, prophecy, and his unique approach to Babylon.
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#49. The Jeremiad, Part One
The Book of Jeremiah is famous for its lamentations. What might surprise some listeners, however, is the ways that Jeremiah inverts expectations. In this episode, we discuss the prophet's laments, sarcasm, and perhaps most importantly, his invective for the priests, temple, prophets, and even God.
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#48. Four Minor Prophets
As the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel progressed, the prophets of the Kingdom of Judah reacted in a variety of ways. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we're looking at four such prophets, each with their own perspective on the invasion of Assyria: Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum, and Habakkuk.
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#47. First Isaiah
You've heard it before: the Book of Isaiah is notoriously difficult, nigh impossible to decipher without a deep understanding of symbolism. Nothing could be further from the truth! Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss the particulars of First Isaiah — the original author whose works fill the...
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#46. Reap the Whirlwind
The Book of Hosea is a challenging text for a number of reasons: translation, transmission, and complex political dynamics, not to mention the distastefulness of its central metaphor. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we examine what we can learn from engaging with a difficult text.
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#45. The Day of the Lord
With the Book of Amos, we witness the birth of a new literary tradition, one that will continue throughout the remainder of the Hebrew Bible. Utilizing song, poetry, persuasive essays, oracles, and other forms, the author expresses a new ethical model, complete with a novel understanding of...
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#44. Chronicles, Chronicles
The Books of Chronicles have always presented unique problems to Biblical scholars and religious authorities. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss not only what makes Chronicles difficult, but also why it can prove instructive to our understanding of the history and theology of its time.
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#43. Collapse
The final chapters of Kings cover two collapses as Assyria defeats Israel and Babylon defeats Judah. Interspersed with these disasters are accounts of kings both righteous and wicked — according to the Deuteronomist, that is. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we dig into the authorship and history…
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#42. Elisha
As successor to Elijah, Elisha immediately sets about either replicating or one-upping his predecessor's miracles — by having two bears chow down on some churlish adolescents. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss Elisha and some bonus royal squabbles.
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#41. Elijah
Elijah looms large in the imagination of multiple religions. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we examine the passages behind that reputation and ask whether it comports to our understanding of this enigmatic figure.
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#40. Two Kingdoms
The division of King David's United Monarchy marks a watershed moment in the Hebrew Bible, not to mention the Deuteronomistic History. Blending history, folktale, and propaganda, the feud between Rehoboam's Judah and Jeroboam's Israel soon becomes a tale of multiple succession crises, conflicts,...
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#39. Solomon
The tale of King Solomon has inspired countless interpretations, filled with wisdom narratives about divided babies and flattering visits from the Queen of Sheba. But the story that comes to us is filled with editorializing from our good friend the Deuteronomist. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we...
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#38. David Finished
As we reach the conclusion of King David's life, readers of the Hebrew Bible are confronted with a troubling image: a feeble old man who in his last words requests vengeance against those who slighted him. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss the appendix to the Books of Samuel, the…
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#37. Absalom, Absalom!
The tale of Absalom — son of David, avenger of Tamar, murderer of Amnon, rebel king of Israel — is an enigmatic chapter in the long tale of King David. It's a story full of cowardly justice and bold injustice, one that touches upon courtly intrigues and distasteful sexual ethics. What can we…
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#36. David the Murderer
Something is wrong in King David's court, but it's even worse than you've been told. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss the curdling of David's tale, including the fate of Jonathan's son, David's rape of Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, and Nathan's rebuke of the king's behavior.
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#35. David the King
Through sheer serendipity, the path has been paved for David's ascent to the kingship, and his good favor continues when his rivals stumble over themselves time and time again. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss holy dice, cheapened revelation, and why David is perhaps not the paragon of...
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#34. David the Philistine
With his options quickly running out, David decides that it isn't enough to be a criminal — he must also join the Philistines. Meanwhile, King Saul is so uncertain about his future that he resorts to necromancy, raising Samuel's spirit to ask for advice. In the end, Saul is killed in battle...
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#33. David the Criminal
We all know the story. On the run from King Saul, David assembles a band of outlaws to survive both the rugged landscape and the pursuits of the King. Except the text doesn't quite line up with the plucky image. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss David's time as a ruffian, from his two...
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#32. Davids & Goliaths
Continuing into 1 Samuel, we reach one of the most famous stories in all of human literature: David and Goliath. Or rather, two intertwined stories about David and Goliath, plus a third later in 2 Samuel. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we not only peel apart those tales, but also dig into…
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#31. Kingmaking
The people want a king to rule over them. Sound familiar? Samuel balks at the idea, but he soon finds a suitable candidate in the person of Saul. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss Samuel's scheming, Saul's bumbling, and why we really ought to read the text of the Bible before coming up…
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#30. The Lost Ark
The Book of Samuel offers an enigmatic and compelling portrait of multiple men of power. This week, we examine the passing of the mantle from the House of Eli to Samuel, including questions of authorship, the way we read the text versus what it actually argues, and the value of thinking outside…
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#29. Ruth
There's a good chance you know the story of Ruth. After the horror and bloodshed of Judges, this is the one where everybody's courteous and does the right thing. Right? Well, about that. Today on the Third Hour Podcast, we're talking about who wrote Ruth, why they wrote it, and how that should...
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#28. They Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes
The last few episodes in the Book of Judges contain some of the most difficult material in the entire Hebrew Bible. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss Micah's idol, the Levite's concubine, and the Benjamite War — and why these episodes exhibit the Bible at its most morally coherent.
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#27. Sweeter than Honey, Stronger than a Lion
Abimelech! Jephthah! Samson! This week on the Third Hour Podcast, there isn't a single male role model to be found. Join us as we discuss the bloodsickness evident in Judges — and why, despite all that, it might be one of the most moral books we've read in the Hebrew Bible so far.
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#26. Relapse
The Book of Judges throws the triumphal narrative of Joshua into disarray, introducing a chaotic landscape dominated by guerrilla warfare, extreme violence, and charismatic leaders. Today, the Third Hour Podcast discusses the Song of Deborah, the many identities of Gideon, and why Judges might…
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#25. Allotments
It's time for everybody's favorite scriptural topic — land allotments! The second half of the Book of Joshua is markedly less thrilling than the first, parceling out land to the various tribes of Israel. Fortunately, we're also taking the time to discuss the origins of the tribal system and how…
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#24. Crossing the Jordan
As the Book of Joshua begins, the Camp of Israel crosses the Jordan and begins conquering the Promised Land. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss holy war, archaeological evidence (or lack thereof), and the long history of massaging these tales to make them more palatable.
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#23. Exhaling Moses
With the blessing and death of Moses, the Torah is finished. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss the final chapters of Deuteronomy, the various covenants presented in the Torah, and what we can draw from altered scripture.
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#22. The Temple Scroll
The middle portion of Deuteronomy is the torah itself, the scroll of law that forms the basis for King Josiah's reforms. Yet it's filled with difficult material: child sacrifice, human spoils, rape, temple prostitution. What can we learn from troublesome scripture? Moreover, where does this...
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#21. Shema
Meet the Deuteronomist! The final authorial school of the Torah brings an entirely new way of looking at scripture, and the Third Hour Podcast investigates how it modifies what's come before.
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#20. Holy War
The final portion of the Book of Numbers makes for a rough journey. Balak, the King of Moab, asks Balaam to curse Israel, only for Balaam to have a peculiar interaction with a speaking donkey. The Israelites and Midianites spend some intimate time together, resulting in slaughter. The daughters…
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#19. Wandering
The middle portion of Numbers contains a few familiar passages, most notably the Bronze Serpent and Moses's thoughts on the goodness of God. We tend to skip over the rest: divine anger and vanity, selective punishments, and a worldview very unlike our own. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we…
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#18. Bitter Oaths
Numbers may be named after its two censuses, but it also begins with two major examples of oath-taking: the Nazirite vow and the test of bitter waters. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we delve into their possible meanings — and explore what it means to read scripture that's vague or horrifying.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to the Third Hour, a Latter-Day Saint home study podcast!This year we're doing a deep dive into the New Testament. Some of our talking points will be familiar. Other ideas may sound new. That's okay! Together, we'll learn something about the New Testament no matter what our starting level.Every week, we'll let you know which verses we're studying. If you miss some reading, we'll recap what's going on. And don't worry about spoilers; this stuff is two thousand years old.
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The Third Hour Podcast
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How many episodes does The Third Hour Podcast have?
The Third Hour Podcast currently has 164 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Third Hour Podcast about?
Welcome to the Third Hour, a Latter-Day Saint home study podcast!This year we're doing a deep dive into the New Testament. Some of our talking points will be familiar. Other ideas may sound new. That's okay! Together, we'll learn something about the New Testament no matter what our starting...
How often does The Third Hour Podcast release new episodes?
The Third Hour Podcast publishes regularly with 164 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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The Third Hour Podcast is created and hosted by The Third Hour Podcast.
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