Does the Bible say THAT?!?

Theologian and chiropractor Kayla Jentes joins Dave and Mike to discuss Genesis 18. We talk about the 3 strangers that came to visit Abraham and Sarah where the couple performs radical acts of hospitality. We also chat about Sarah's famous laugh from the tent and everything that means given what we know about her from the Biblical text. Finally, we dive deep into Abraham bargaining with God over the looming judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. What can we learn about God and the nature of humanity?Follow and read Kayla Jentes' writings: https://thenerdychiro.substack.com/Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 16-50 by Gordon J. Wenham*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas*The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 18-50 by Victor P. Hamilton*Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook*Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne By Wilda C. GafneyOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Everything you wanted to know about circumcision but were afraid to ask. Co-hosts Dave Lester and Mike Mason welcome guest, Pastor Jeffrey Prager, to walk through perhaps the pinnacle of the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 17. God says the sign of the covenant will be circumcision for the males. While visiting Abram (who changes to Abraham), God promises a son with Sarai (who changes to Sarah) named Isaac. Lots of rich theology in this passage that is discussed in depth.Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 16-50 by Gordon J. Wenham*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas*The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton*The JPS Torah Commentary by Dr. Nahum Sarna*Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the BIble and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook*Reading Genesis by Marilynne RobinsonOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

In this special episode, host Dave Lester preaches a sermon on Revelation 3:7-13 (the church of Philadelphia) walking through the passage and reminding listeners that Jesus holds the key of David and is the exclusive One that can open and close the door.Church website: https://ckpres.org/Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Author Liz Charlotte Grant joins the podcast to discuss the account of Hagar in Genesis 16. We dive deep into Hagar's abuse at the hands of Abram and Sarai, her fleeing into the desert and her encounter with the Angel of the Lord. Liz Charlotte Grant also talks about her debut book "Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible".Get a copy of Liz Charlotte Grant's book "Knock at the Sky" right here: https://www.amazon.com/Knock-Sky-Seeking-Genesis-Losing/dp/0802883753Read the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy right here: https://reformation.net/uploads/1/1/7/6/117618790/the_chicago_statement_on_biblical_inerrancy.pdfRead Liz Charlotte Grant's perspective on the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy right here: https://www.christiancentury.org/features/certainty-summitSources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas*The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton*Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible" by Liz Charlotte Grant*Reading Genesis by Marilynn Robinson*Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda GafneyOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Reuben Lester returns! Host Dave Lester and his son talk about Christmas memories, their favorites Christmas songs and movies and the birth of Jesus. They read from the Gospel of Matthew and Luke.Sources used for this Episode:*The NIrV Adventure Bible for Early Readers. Published by ZonderKidzOpening Music: Holly Jolly Christmas by Burt IvesOther Music Used: He Shall Reign Forevermore by Matt Maher (from the album: The Advent of Christmas)

This is a sermon host Dave Lester preached at Central Valley Presbyterian Church on November 23rd, 2025. He speaks on the closing credits of Philippians 4:10-20 including the Apostle Paul's contentment in all circumstances and his statement about how believers can do all things through Him who strengthens us- a profound verse that has been abused.Website for the church: https://ckpres.org/Sources used for this message:*The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Paul's Letter to the Philippians By Gordon D. Fee*St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians by JB Lightfoot*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament By Craig S KeenerOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Host Dave Lester and his friend Mike Mason are joined by Laura Pugh- a wife, a mother, a teacher and an advocate for the least of these- to talk about Genesis 15:12-21. The first half of Genesis 15 involved a beautiful vision of Abram's descendants being as numerous as the night time sky. Now comes a disturbing prophetic dream of Abram's descendants being enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. On this episode, we talk slavery, the problem of suffering, views of the afterlife, ancestors and more.Sources for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham*The JPS Torah Commentary by Dr. Nahum Sarna*Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife by Bart Ehrman*"Who Were the Kenites in the Bible?" Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/q/who_were_the_kenites_in_the_bible.htm*"Kenizzites" Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/topical/k/kenizzites.htm*"Kadmonites" Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/topical/k/kadmonites.htm*Hittites" Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/topical/naves/h/hittites--the_descendants_of_heth.htm*"Who Were the Rephaites?" Gotquestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Rephaim.html*"Amorites" wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorites*"Who Were the Canaanites and Why Did God Order Their Destruction?" by Mike Leake. biblestudytools.com. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/who-were-the-canaanites-and-why-did-god-order-their-destruction.html*"Who Were the Girgashites in the Bible?" biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/q/who_were_the_girgashites_in_the_bible.htm*"Who Were the Jebusites in the Bible?" biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/q/who_were_the_jebusites_in_the_bible.htmOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Dave Lester is joined by authors Billie Hoard (a previous guest on the "Drunk and Naked Noah" episode) and Dr. Paul Hoard (his literal neighbor down the street) to chat about their new book: "Eucontamination: Digust Theology and the Christian Life". The book is an intersection between theological and psychological ideas and is super fascinating, contains many CS Lewis quotes and contains relevant challenges for the church in our present age. We also relate a recent news story involving Rev David Black being shot in the face with a pepper ball while protesting the government's treatment of immigrants to disgust theology and eucontamination.**Buy the book "Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life" right here: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385213726/eucontamination/References for this episode:*Read Dr. Paul Hoard's Substack: https://paulhoard.substack.com/*Read Billie Hoard's Substack: https://substack.com/@billieiswriting*"Freud's Last Session: Finding the Other in the Question of God" by Dr. Paul R. Hoard and Billie Hoard. The Other Journal. https://theotherjournal.com/2024/04/freuds-last-session/**The Integrative Mindset by Brad D. Strawn and Earl D. Bland. https://www.amazon.com/Integrative-Mindset-Practicing-Association-Psychological/dp/1514002205Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Host Dave Lester talks about the horrific murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He also plays Charlie Kirk's ugly comments regarding race, DEI, affirmative action and more that have been called out by many people including the black community and black pastors. Analysis is offered regarding those comments. Furthermore, Dave discusses Kirk's comments about Taylor Swift's engagement and Kirk's surprising comments on the Tucker Carlson Show about Gen Z and economics.Sources Used For This Episode:**"Is Hate Speech Free Speech? What to Know After Charlie Kirk's Death?" by Angele Latham. msn.com. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/is-hate-speech-free-speech-what-to-know-after-charlie-kirks-death/ar-AA1MPeOx?ocid=BingNewsSerp**"Eric Metaxes Answers Hard Questions About the Murder of Charlie Kirk" Real Talk with Marissa Streit. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=eric+metaxes+answers+hard+questions+the+murder+of+charlie+kirk&mid=243CFC256AC15541970F243CFC256AC15541970F&FORM=VIRE&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0**"Charlie Kirk, Redeemed: A Political Finds Its Lost Cause" by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/charlie-kirk-ezra-klein-tanehisi-coates**"Ta-Nehisi Coates on Bridging Gaps Vs Drawing Lines". The Ezra Klein Show. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-ta-nehisi-coates.html**"Charlie Kirk: Black Crime is a Major Issue in Our Country" Media Matters. https://www.mediamatters.org/charlie-kirk/charlie-kirk-black-crime-major-issue-our-country**"Charlie Kirk: Affirmative Action Does Not Address the 'Real Problem' of 'Black Crime' and Black Fathers abandoning Their Children". Media Matters. https://www.mediamatters.org/charlie-kirk/charlie-kirk-affirmative-action-does-not-address-real-problem-black-crime-and-black**Charlie Kirk goes on Unhinged Racist Rant: 'Prowling Blacks Go Around For Fun to Go Target White People- That's a Fact." Media Matters. https://www.mediamatters.org/charlie-kirk/charlie-kirk-goes-unhinged-racist-rant-prowling-blacks-go-around-fun-go-target-white**"Charlie Kirk: 'If I See a Black Pilot, I'm going to be Like, 'Boy, I Hope he's Qualifed'" Meidas News. https://meidasnews.com/news/charlie-kirk-if-i-see-a-black-pilot-im-going-to-be-like-boy-i-hope-hes-qualified**"Right Wing Pundit Charlie Kirk Claims Taylor Swift's engagement Travis Kelce is a sign she'll Become Conservative". The Independent-UK. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/charlie-kirk-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engagement-b2814724.html**"Charlie Kirk : How Debt Has Radicalized Young Americans" The Tucker Carlson Show. https://tuckercarlson.com/tucker-show-charlie-kirk-2025**"I Forgive Him- Erika Kirk on Alleged Shooter of her Husband Charlie Kirk." https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=erika+kirk+I+forgive+him&mid=EE8F196A2DD5C821EEE6EE8F196A2DD5C821EEE6&FORM=VIRE&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0**"Black Clergy and Christians Grapple with Charlie Kirk’s Legacy" by Haleluya Hadero Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/black-clergy-and-christians-grapple-with-charlie-kirks-legacy/**"If You Are Elevating Charlie Kirk, Consider Who You Are Crushing Underfoot" by Nijay K Gupta. https://nijaykgupta.substack.com/p/if-you-are-elevating-charlie-kirk?fbclid=IwY2xjawM_6_xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsbgWctGNDZw8jKmHsK4RSaVTLT98Nbn0zy7b1DV8g6wv4L8Bga_iiinCL40_aem_wMsCyjml22syZZN7ud3vSQ**"Proof Charlie Kirk Is Not a Racist" The Official Tatum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlv7YljaUPE**"The Myth of Low Income Black Father's Absence From the Lives of Adolescents". By Jay Fagan. Future of Families & Child Well-Being Study

Host Dave Lester is joined again by long time friend, Mike Mason, to discuss Genesis chapter 15:1-11. We chat about Abram challenging God over his childless status. Then God makes a huge promise to Abram while ushering him outside on a clear night. The promise: Abram's descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Also talked about his acts of faith producing declarations of righteousness and the strange ritual of cutting animals in half and birds of prey being chased off. Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas*The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton*The JPS Torah Commentary by Dr. Nahum Sarna*Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda C. GafneyOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

On this special episode, host Dave Lester discusses the religious impulse in humanity to create sacred Scriptures (documents that human beings for a very long time have considered inspired by God). From that foundation, Dave gives a general survey as to when the books of the Bible were written and talks about the process leading up to their canonization and then transmission down through the ages.Sources used for this episode:*The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development and Significance by Bruce M. Metzger*Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why by Bart D. Ehrman*The Bible by Karen Armstrong*Against Apion by Flavius Josephus*First Apology by Justin Martyr*Against Celsus by Origen*Systematic Theology I by Dr. David Plaster (Syllabus)*"Hinduism Religion" Britannica by Vasudha Narayanan and Wendy Doniger. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism*"Buddhism Religion" Britannica by Giuseppe Tucci and Joseph M Kitagawa. https://www.britannica.com/topic/BuddhismOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Having quite the challenging year, host Dave Lester shares about his cancer diagnosis and his journey (so far) this year. He also shares some reflections about faith and a Bible passage in Acts 17 that he has thought about.Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

On this special episode of the podcast, host Dave Lester discusses 3 author's thoughts and views of the Bible.Sources used for this episode:*The Bible by Karen Armstrong*The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers are Considering Christianity Again by Justin Brierley*Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda C. GafneyOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

On this special episode, Dave Lester is joined by his son, Reuben! There is talk of favorite Bible stories, what kinds of Bibles Reuben reads and his favorite verse. It was so much fun!Sources used for this episode:*The NIrV Adventure Bible for Early Readers by Lawrence O Richards*The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story by Sergio Cariello and David C. Cook*The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers are Considering Christianity Again by Justin BrierleyOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Host Dave Lester is joined by his friend and former pastor, Brent Rood, to discuss the Lot kidnapping situation and Abram springing into action for the rescue. Abram leads 318 men on a daring night time raid against kings and their armies around the Dead Sea.Brent also discusses his background in fundamentalism and his views of the Bible.Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas*The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton*The JPS Torah Commentary by Dr. Nahum Sarna*Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott FriedmanOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Dave Lester is again joined by Mike Mason and they explore the strange text of Genesis 14 which involves two different alliances of kings going to war with one another around the Dead Sea. And then there are tar pits! And Lot is kidnapped!Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas*The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton*The JPS Torah Commentary by Dr. Nahum Sarna*"Battle of Siddim" Wikipedia article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_SiddimOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

This episode is a sermon that Dave Lester preached at Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church on April 27th, 2025. The message was on Exodus 15:1-6 which is an ancient song that Israelites sang after being delivered from slavery in Egypt and crossing the Red Sea.Website for the church: https://ckpres.org/Sources used for this message:*The NIV Application Commentary: Exodus by Peter Enns*Word Biblical Commentary: Exodus by John I. Durham*The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus by Nahum M. SarnaOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

In this special episode, Dave Lester talks about Dr. Bart Ehrman's book "How Jesus Became God" which he is currently reading (at the time of recording). He gives a brief bio of Dr. Ehrman and engages his ideas about Jesus' deity and resurrection.Sources used for this episode:*How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee by Bart D. EhrmanOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

On this special episode, Dave Lester shares a reflection that he gave on Good Friday at his church (Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church). It was a reflection that was part of a larger presentation remembering Jesus Christ's death on the cruel cross. The reflection was based on Matthew 26:47-52 where Judas Iscariot leads a group of Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus and one of Jesus' companions cuts off a soldier's ear.Visit Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church's website: https://ckpres.org/

Abram and Lot officially separate with Lot moving eastward toward Sodom and Gomorrah and Abram staying within the promised land. Mike Mason joins me to discuss the conflict between Abram and Lot and some geography in this ancient Biblical land.Special thanks to AD Riddle for insight he provided to Mike Mason for this episode.Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton*Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham*The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas*The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton*Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-BrookOpening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Dave preached a sermon at Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church on January 26, 2025 out of Exodus 2:15-25. Info on Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church: https://ckpres.org/ Sources used for the sermon: *Word Biblical Commentary: Exodus by John I. Durham *The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus by Nahum Sarna *The NIV Application Commentary: Exodus by Peter Enns Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Returning guest Mike Mason and I talk about Abram, Sarai, Lot and their caravan coming back up out of Egypt to the promised land. There is a dispute between Abram and Lot which leads an amicable separation. Go to the right! Go to the left! Or vice versa! Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Host Dave Lester shares a Christmas reflection for the season of 2024 while quoting from the final book by Rachel Held Evans called "Wholehearted Faith". Sources used for this episode: *Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans (with Jeff Chu) Opening Music: "The Gift of St. Cecilia" Jars of Clay from their album "Christmas Songs"

In this episode, Dave Lester shares a sermon he preached out of Acts 26 at Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church on November 17, 2024. The message highlighted the Apostle Paul preaching an inclusive gospel of transformation that is foolishness to the Gentiles. Sources used for this message: *The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Book of Acts by F.F. Bruce *New Testament Commentary: Acts by Simon J. Kistemaker Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Children's Director at Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church, Mary Hoard, joins the podcast to talk about Abram and Sarai fleeing to Egypt because of a severe famine. We dive into the bizarre and disturbing plan of Abram's to pretend that Sarai was his sister so he would not be killed in Egypt. What is going on with this account? We cannot promise concrete answers. Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church information: https://www.ckpc.org/ Sources used for this episode: *Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda Gafney *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *The New International Commentary: The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook *"Footsteps of Abraham" by Malachi Martin. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/13/travel/footsteps-of-abraham-by-malachi-martin.html Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Pastor Ryan Egli of City Line Church in Philadelphia joins the podcast to talk about the call of Abram. We discuss Abram, Sarai, Lot and their caravan leaving comfortable surroundings for the unknown land of Canaan. We also dive deep into the Abrahamic covenant and how this seismic theological idea has had ripple effects throughout history that continue to this day. Finally, Pastor Ryan challenges me on the grammatical/historical/cultural interpretation lens for this podcast while powerfully advocating for a Christocentric interpretative lens. Check out the website for City Line Church: https://citylinechurch.net/ Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook *Peoples of the Old Testament World edited by Alfred J Hoerth, Gerald L Mattingly and Edwin M Yamauchi *The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones *This is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, About Living a Compassionate Life By David Foster Wallace. https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/ Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

This episode chronicles the origin story of Abram (who will become Abraham), a major religious figure in history. We observe Abram's beginnings via his father Terah. The family was from Ur of the Chaldeans (not quite sure where that is), leave for Canaan (don't know why), and settle in Harran instead (no reason given). In short, there is a lot we don't know about this passage which is sparse. Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson *Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

In this special episode, Dave Lester shares a sermon he preached at Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church on July 28, 2024. The passage was Acts 9:32-43 which has Peter healing Aeneas and Dorcas and an early church community pushing back against death. Visit CK Pres' website right here: https://www.ckpc.org/ Sources for this episode: *New Testament Commentary: Acts by Simon J. Kistemaker *"Stifled Grief: How the West Has it Wrong". by Michelle Steinke-Baumgard. Huffington Post. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/stifled-grief-how-the-wes_b_10243026 *Film: About Schmidt. Directed by Alexander Payne. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257360/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_About%2520Schm *Song: "Further On Up the Road" Performed by Johnny Cash. Written by Bruce Springsteen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKpqRbxk4Yk Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

More Genealogy! One cannot read through Genesis without stumbling upon ancient genealogies recording Israelite history as people who lived a long time ago recorded names that meant a lot to their culture and faith. This episode focuses on Shem's genealogy recorded after the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Noah's son leads us to a major religious figure in history: Abram. Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *"The Sumerian King List" Britannica.com (https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Sumerian-King-List) *"Chaldean: Meaning, Empire & Culture" by Reed Hepler and Flint Johnson. Study.com (https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-chaldeans-definition-history-culture.html) Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Host Dave Lester spoke at "The Word and the World: Science and the Christian Life" conference in Kitsap County on Saturday, June 8th, 2024. He did a breakout session talking about "Interpreting the Genesis Creation Account" and also discussed the interpretative lenses we have been handed from a cultural war brewing before we were born. Visit "The Word and the World" Conference web page: https://www.ckpc.org/media/series/pnqdry6/the-word-and-the-world-conference Listen to Ezra Klein interview Marilynn Robinson (author of "Reading Genesis") right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marilynne-robinson-on-biblical-beauty-human-evil-and/id1548604447?i=1000648054080 Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *Reading Genesis by Marilynn Robinson *Reading Genesis 1-2: An Evangelical Conversation edited by J. Daryl Charles Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Guest Mike Mason joins Dave Lester to discuss the epic but sparse account of the Tower of Babel. They talk about how surprisingly subversive the story is to, perhaps, Babylonian gods of the ancient near east in favor of the true God- Yahweh. Special guests Josh Tyra and Munir William Fahmy read the Genesis 11:1-9 passage in various languages. Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook *"The Gospel and Babel: A Christocentric Reading of Genesis 11:1-9" by David Hionides *The Double Etymology of Babel in Genesis 11 by Jonathan Grossman *The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language by John McWhorter Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

More names. More genealogy. A lot of geography. Dave tackles the Table of Nations chronicling people groups from Shem, Ham and Japheth spreading out from the ancient near east. Dave spends a fair amount of time discussing the outlier of Nimrod being included in this genealogy. Plus, a very special guest right around the 1 hour mark of the show. Sources for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *The JPS Torah Commentary by Dr. Nahum M. Sama *"...A Mighty Hunter Before the YHWH": Genesis 10:9 and the Moral-Theological Evaluation of Nimrod". Vetus Testamentum by Mary Katherine Y.H. Hom *Nimrod the Mighty, King of Kish, King of Sumer and Akkad (Paper) by Yigal Levin Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

The gnarly and wild chapter of Genesis chapter 9 is tackled with help from the wonderful Billie Hoard. Dave and Billie talk about the rainbow sign included in the Noahic covenant, capital punishment, drunk and naked Noah, the curse of Ham, and how the Bible can be weaponized to harm people when theology is imposed on the Bible and is not supported by the text. Listen to Billie and Dr. Paul Hoard talk about disgust theology on The New Evangelicals: https://podcastaddict.com/the-new-evangelicals-podcast/episode/154893865 Follow Billie Hoard on social media (@billieiswriting): -Instragram -Twitter/X -Blue Sky Sources used for this episode: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 by Victor P. Hamilton *Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson *Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook *The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used And Abused in American Politics And Where We Go From Here by Kaitlyn Schiess *The Cross and the Lynching Tree by Dr. James Cone *From Noah's Curse to Slavery's Rationale". The New York Times by Felicia R. Lee. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/arts/from-noah-s-curse-to-slavery-s-rationale.html Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Continuing on with the flood account, Dave walks listeners through God's judgment winding down. The waters begin to recede. A world is re-created. Noah sends out birds. God smells the pleasing aroma of a burnt sacrifice. Sources used for this episode: *The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Genesis 1-17 by Victor P Hamilton *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *"Julian Calendar". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Julian-calendar Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

In this special episode which is complimentary to going through the account of Noah's Ark and the Great Flood located in Genesis 6-9, host Dave Lester discusses how churches teach about Noah's Ark, talks about varying views on the scope of the great deluge and goes into detail about the truly wild accounts of people trying to search for Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey. Buckle up! Sources for this episode: Evangelicals and Science in Historical Perspective, "A Sign for an Unbelieving Age: Evangelicals and the Search for Noah's Ark" by Larry Eskridge *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *Noah's Ark and the Ziusudra Epic by R. M. Best *"The Mediterranean Flood". Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith by G.R. Morton *"The Pseudoarchaeology of Noah's Ark" Archaeology Review by Carl Feagans. https://ahotcupofjoe.net/2020/12/the-pseudoarchaeology-of-noahs-ark/?utm_source=www.google.com&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google&referrer-analytics=1 *"Avalanche at Mount Ararat". Trove. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/38282531 *"Did Sennacherib, King of Assyria, Worship Wood From Noah's Ark as a Deity?" Life and Land by Gordon Franz. https://www.lifeandland.org/2013/10/did-sennacherib-king-of-assyria-worship-wood-from-noah%E2%80%99s-ark-as-a-deity/ *"Did Someone Really Find Noah's Ark" ICR Institute for Creation Research by Brian Thomas. https://www.icr.org/article/did-someone-really-find-noahs-ark *The Landing Place of Noah's Ark: Testimonial, Geological and Historical Considerations Part Four" Associates for Biblical Research by Rick Lanser. https://www.biblearchaeology.org/research/contemporary-issues/4112-the-landingplace-of-noahs-ark-testimonial-geological-and-historical-considerations-part-four *"Major Events of the Noah's Ark Expedition" https://biblearchaeology.org/research/contemporary-issues/4112-the-landingplace-of-noahs-ark-testimonial-geological-and-historical-considerations-part-four *History of the Armenians Book Three by P'awstos Buzandac'i's. https://www.attalus.org/armenian/pb2.htm#10. *The Eytomologies of Isidore of Seville by Isidore of Seville *"Culture Ministry Launches Investigation Over Noah's Ark Claim" Today's Zaman by https://web.archive.org/web/20141022162942/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_culture-ministry-launches-investigation-over-noahs-ark-claims_208841.html *"NZ Hoax Went Round the World" New Zealand Herald by Brian Rudman and Ana Samways https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ibrian-rudmani-nz-hoax-went-round-world/562U6HFYSYYWWNASL4TLSQWGMU/ *The Ark on Ararat by Tim LaHaye and John Morris *"French Expedition to Mt. Ararat Fails to Find Traces of Noah's Ark" Jewish Telegraphic Agency https://www.jta.org/archive/french-expedition-to-mt-ararat-fails-to-find-traces-of-noahs-ark *The Ark File by Rene Noorbergen *Noah's Ark: Fable or Fact by Violet M Cummings *"Ex-Astronaut James Irwin, 61, Founded Evangelical Organization". Chicago Sun Times by New York Times News Service. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/08/11/ex-astronaut-james-irwin-61-founded-evangelical-organization/ *In Search of the Lost Mountains of Noah: The Discovery of the Real Mts of Ararat By Robert Comuke *Agri-Dagh (Mount Ararat): The Painful Mountain by Don Shockey "The Search for Noah's Ark (Critique of the 2008 Video Tape Produced by the BASE Institute of Colorado Springs, CO) by Gordon Franz, Bill Crouse, and Rex Geissler. https://www.noahsarksearch.com/Cornuke_The_Search_For_Noah's_Ark_DVD_Review.pdf *"Sun Goes Down in Flames: The Jammal Ark Hoax" by Jim Lippard. https://www.discord.org/lippard/skeptic/02.3.lippard-ark-hoax.html "Phony Arkaeology". Time Magazine by Leon Jaroff *"Doubt Cast on Noah's Ark Found in Turkey". The Christian Science Monitor by Stephen Kurczy. https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-Issues/2010/0428/Doubt-cast-on-Noah-s-ark-found-in-Turkey Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

On this special episode, Eli Price joins Dave Lester to chat about Darren Aronofsky's Noah movie which came out in 2014. Listen to Eli Price's podcast right here: https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Watch the preview for the Noah movie right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdu10cX3pWA Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

The Genesis Flood account part two! Eli Price (from The Establishing Shot podcast) joins me to talk about this main section of one of the most famous disaster stories of all time. We talk about the scope of the flood, clean and unclean animals and more. Plus, Eli talks about his podcast "The Establishing Shot" and Louisiana food cuisine. Listen to Eli Price's podcast right here: https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Sources used for this episode: *New American Commentary: Genesis by Kenneth Matthews *Come Out My People!: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook *From Creation to the Cross: Understanding the First Half of the Bible by Albert H Baylis *Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace by Miroslav Volf *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *"What Made Some Animals Clean and others Unclean? Gotquestions.org (https://www.gotquestions.org/animals-clean-unclean.html) Sources for a local flood in the Ancient Near East (Black Sea area): *"Evidence for a Flood". Smithsonianmag.com by James Trefil (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/evidence-for-a-flood-102813115/) *"Evidence Noah's Biblical Flood Happened, Says Robert Ballard" abcnews.go.com (https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/evidence-suggests-biblical-great-flood-noahs-time-happened/story?id=17884533) Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

In this special episode, host Dave Lester shares a sermon on Luke 7:36-50 that he preached at Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church on January 28, 2024. Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church website: http://www.ckpc.org/ Sources for this episode (Sermon): *The New Testament In Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature and Theology of the First Christians by NT Wright and Michael F. Bird *Word Biblical Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:20 by John Nolland *The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Gospel of Luke by Joel B. Green Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

After the weird start to Genesis 6, Dave Lester and Pastor Tyler Kirkpatrick wrestle with part 1 of the Genesis Flood in the Scriptures. They discuss the character of Noah, the problem of evil (including the question of why God would want to wipe out a creation that God had previously called "very good"), they discuss universal flood vs local flood and how to read/interpret the first 11 chapters of Genesis primeval history. Tyler also shares what it is like to be a pastor in a bitterly divided time. You can read more information on Pastor Tyler Kirkpatrick and CK Presbyterian Church right here: http://www.ckpc.org/leadership Sources used for this episode: *"Lebanese Cedar- The Prized Tree of Ancient Woodworking" by Biblical Archaeology Society Staff on https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/lebanese-cedar-the-prized-tree-of-ancient-woodworking/ *"Ethical Conundrums: How Long is a Biblical Cubit?" by Michael L Cox on https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-1126,00.html *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

In the prelude to the Great Flood story, we encounter the "sons of God" marrying the daughters of men as well as the Nephilim. Plus God repents of making humanity and declares God is going to send a great flood? Who are the sons of God? Who are the Nephilim? What does it mean that God repented? Dave Lester tackles one of the most difficult passages in the Bible to interpret with assistance from his college and seminary friend: Pastor Lee Compson. The first guest ever on the show! Pastor Lee Compson is a published author and is the pastor of First Milford Brethren Church in Indiana and is an all-around great guy. Get a copy of Lee Compson's commentary he co-authored right here: https://www.amazon.com/Kings-Commentary-Biblical-Preaching-Teaching/dp/0825425581 Sources used on this episode: *"The Sons of God and the Daughters of Men" by Bob Deffinbaugh on bible.org: https://bible.org/seriespage/sons-god-and-daughters-men-genesis-61-8 *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties By Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe *Genesis: History, Fiction, or Neither? Three Views on the Bible's Earliest Chapters by James K Hoffmeier, Gordon J Wenham, and Kenton L Sparks Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for listening to this podcast! In this special episode, Dave Lester gives a Christmas reflection while drawing back to the account of the first Christmas and what that can mean for us today. Sources used for this episode: *The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey *"God’s power or human violence: The meaning of the virgin birth" by Dr. Esau McCaulley. In Religion News Service. https://religionnews.com/2022/12/21/gods-power-or-violence-the-meaning-of-the-virgin-birth/ *"The Nativity and Mission of Jesus" by Shelli M Poe. In Women in Theology. https://womenintheology.org/2020/12/13/the-nativity-and-mission-of-jesus/ *Mere Christianity by CS Lewis *Follow Munther Isaac on X/Twitter: @muntherisaac *Follow Shane Claiborne on X/Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

On this special episode, host Dave Lester discusses the problem of evil called the nastiest question that theists have to deal with. He talks about how the problem of evil is philosophically formulated, how people of faith respond to the challenge of theodicy and ends talking with Terrence Malick's all-encompassing spiritual vision of life in his film, "The Tree of Life." Sources for this episode: *Questions that Matter: An Invitation to Philosophy by Ed L. Miller *"Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" by David Hume *"God, Freedom and Evil" by Alvin Plantinga *"Process Theology" (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/process-theology/) by John S. Feinberg *"Process and Reality" by Alfred North Whitehead *"Face of the Deep: A Theology of Becoming" by Dr. Catherine Keller *The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis *"The Blink of a Life, Enclosed by Time and Space" (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-tree-of-life-2011) by Roger Ebert Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

On this episode, Dave tackles a big, long genealogy in Genesis chapter 5. Lots of names. Lots of begetting. From Adam to Noah, Dave unpacks the passage and dives into two major questions: how did people in the Bible live so long (900+ years in most cases in this chapter)? Also, are there gaps or holes in the genealogy? Sources: *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey by Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer *When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties By Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe *Genesis: History, Fiction, or Neither? Three Views on the Bible's Earliest Chapters by James K Hoffmeier, Gordon J Wenham, and Kenton L Sparks Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

The start of genealogies in Genesis. Cain gets a wife, has a son and builds a city. His lineage adds culture to the city with more expansive shepherding (perhaps animal domestication), music and arts and metalworking. Finally, there are dueling genealogies between Cain's offspring and the children of Seth (Adam and Eve's third recorded son). Plus what is up with polygamy? Sources: *Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda C Gafney *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

The first murder in the Bible! The tragic account of Cain and Abel and the unfolding drama east of Eden. Plus, where did Cain get his wife? All of this and more on this episode of Does the Bible Say THAT?!? with David Lester. Sources for this episode: *"The Mark of Cain: Marked for Death. Marked for Life" Womanists Wading in the Word by Dr. Wil Gafney. https://www.wilgafney.com/2021/04/25/markofcain/ *Come Out My People! God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *From Creation to the Cross: Understanding the First Half of the Bible by Albert H. Baylis *The Evolution of Adam: What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say About Human Origins by Peter Enns Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Dave unpacks the curse delivered to Adam and Eve and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. Trouble in paradise. And what does it mean for God to be walking in the cool of the day? Sources for this episode: *Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda C. Gafney *Come Out My People! God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond by Wes Howard-Brook *Man and Woman, One in Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Paul's Letters by Philip B. Payne *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe *She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse by Elizabeth A. Johnson *The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H Matthews & Mark W. Chavalas *The Kingdom of Children: A Liberation Theology by R. L. Stollar *The Challenge of Liberation Theology: A First World Response by L. Dale Richesin *"The Truth About Pain in Childbearing" The Gospel Coalition by Jen Wilkin (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-truth-about-pain-in-childbearing/) *"Why Do So Many Black Women Die in Pregnancy? One Reason: Doctors Don't Take Them Seriously" AP News by Kat Stafford Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

The Fall of Humanity, the serpent's deception of Adam and Eve and an analysis of if Adam and Eve were historical people on this episode of "Does the Bible Say THAT?!?" Sources for this episode: *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *The New Interpreter's Bible: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans; 1 Corinthians 10 by Robert W Wall, J. Paul Sampley, N.T. Wright *Genesis: History, Fiction, or Neither? Three Views on the Bible’s Earliest Chapters by James K Hoffmeier, Gordon J. Wenham and Kenton L. Sparks *Logos.com: "Tremper Longman Responds to Justin Taylor on the Historicity of Adam by Tremper Longman III. https://www.logos.com/grow/tremper-longman-responds-to-justin-taylor-on-the-historicity-of-adam/) *The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H Walton, Victor H Matthews and Mark W Chavalas  *The Knowledge of Good and Evil as the Knowledge for Administering Reward and Punishment by Nathan French *Rediscover the Bible Or Discover It for the First Time by Michael Pickard *Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson *And the Leaves of the Tree are for the Healing of the Nations: Biblical and Theological Foundations for Eco-Justice by Carol Johnston *Confessions by Augustine of Hippo *A Treatise on the Grace of Christ and On Original Sin by Augustine of Hippo Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

in this special episode, Dave Lester offers a community prayer that he prayed on 10/08/2023 at his Presbyterian Church USA congregation that his family attends. Pray for peace.

In this episode, Dave Lester talks about the two creation accounts (Genesis 1 and Genesis 2) and how to think about them. He also dives deep into the text of Genesis chapter 2 discussing the Garden of Eden, the tree of Life, the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the formation of Adam and Eve. Sources consulted for this episode: *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *Biologos article: "What is the Relationship Between the Creation Accounts in Genesis 1 and 2?" by J. Richard Middleton. https://biologos.org/articles/what-is-the-relationship-between-the-creation-accounts-in-genesis-1-and-2 *Biologos article: "Israel's Two Creation Stories" by Pete Enns. https://biologos.org/articles/israels-two-creation-stories *Reading Genesis 1-2: An Evangelical Conversation edited by J. Daryl Charles *When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe *Religion News Service article: "Breath, the Divine Metaphor, Becomes a Hallmark of America's Twin Crises" by Holly Lebowitz Rossi. https://religionnews.com/2020/07/08/breath-the-divine-metaphor/ *The Cosmology of Ancient Egypt by JM Plumley *Biblical Archaeology Society article: "The Adam and Eve Story: Eve Came from Where?" by Biblical Archaeology Society Staff *Marriage in the Bible: What Do the Texts Say by Dr. Jennifer Bird. https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538121054/Marriage-in-the-Bible-What-Do-the-Texts-Say *The New Evangelicals Podcast: Tim Whitaker interviews Dr. Jennifer Bird. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/143-why-you-dont-want-a-biblical-marriage-jennifer-bird/id1557794865?i=1000614196039 Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong

Host David Lester walks through the remainder of the creation account starting with Day 5 and closing out with God resting (the establishment of a Sabbath day). Dave also shares ideas that he is thinking about after studying and walking through the Bible's first passage. Sources for this episode: *Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman *The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis by Dr. John Walton *Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham *Learning to Speak God From Scratch: Why Sacred Words Are Vanishing- and How We Can Revive Them by Jonathan Merritt *The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Dr. Michael Heiser *BioLogos article: "What does "Image of God" Mean? by Pete Enns https://biologos.org/articles/what-does-image-of-god-mean *The Weight of Glory by CS Lewis Opening Music: Struttin With Some Barbeque by Louis Armstrong