Strangely Biblical

Ep. 13 - Baptism & Its Cultural River

We are so far removed from the original command of baptism. What did it mean to the original audience? Where did it begin? How has it traced through Jewish and Christian history? Today Jeff & Shelby peel back those layers to better understand this covenantal act.  
 
Scripture & References: 
Matthew 3:6
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible - "Baptism" 
Zecheriah 13:1
Ezekiel 36:25
Mark 7: 3-4
Georgica - Nicander of Colophon
Acts 8:36-38
Matthew 3:8
Matthew 3:13-17
Luke 3:16
Faithlife Study Bible - entry on Luke 3:16 
Acts 2:38-41
Acts 18:24-19:6
John 3:1-8
Matthew 28:18-20
Galatians 3:26-27
Galatians 3:24
Francis Chan sermon:
(https://youtu.be/_OYFECXN3n0?si=v5B7OEtPZlNhOseZ)
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 16:16
James 2:20-26
Faithilfe Study Bible - entry on James 2
Bible Hub - word study "pistis" 
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 10:17
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes by E. Randolph Richards & Brandon J. Obrien
Naked Bible Podcast - episode 419 with Dr. Michael Heiser and Dr. Matt Halstead
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 6:1-11
Colossians 2: 6-15
Naked Bible Podcast - episode 6 with Dr. Michael Heiser & Trey Strickland
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary - "Baptism"
1 Samuel 15:22-23
Clementine Recognitions Book VI
On Baptism 1 [A.D. 203]
The Instructor of Children 1:6:26:1 [A.D. 191]
First Apology 61:14–17
The Didache
The Shepherd of Hermas
Letter of Barnabas 11:1–10
Acts 22:16
 
Music in this episode: 
Loving Caliber - The One Who Saved Me - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Rebecca Mordal - Safe Place - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Ludlow - Float (Instrumental Version) - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
baegel - Hazy Memories - Courtesy Of www.epidemicsound.com
Cristoffer Moe Diflevsen - Alluvion - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Sam Will - The Long Ride - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Bomull - Fin - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Duke Herrington - Unbound Spirit - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Mary's Back Lawn - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Gravitation - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Breathe Tree - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Clarence Reed - From the Very Beginning - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Nevin - Summer Came For Us (Instrumental Version) - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Ep. 12 - Bashan

Bashan is a region rich in Biblical history, but it is often overlooked. In this episode, Jeff and Shelby take a deep dive into the valley to highlight what scripture teaches us about its influence and presence of demonic activity. When Jesus shows up on the scene, the powers of darkness don't stand a chance. 
 
References: 
Deuteronomy 3
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary - Bashan
Lexham Bible Dictionary - Bashan
Numbers 21:33
Deuteronomy 3:5-11
Amos 2
Unseen Realm - Dr. Michael S. Heiser 
"Biblical King Og and the Ugaritic Deity Rapiu" - Matthew McCaffee (Acadamia.edu)
Byblos 13 - translated by Starcky and Rollig
Reversing Hermon - Dr. Michael S. Heiser 
Job 25:5-6
Psalm 88:10
Proverbs 21:6
Isaiah 14:9-15
Judges 18:27-31
1 Kings 12:28-31
Revelation 7
Matthew 3:13
John 10:40
Luke 19:29
Matthew 16:13-20
Strangely Biblical - Episode 5 - The Nephilim, Gilgamesh, and Other Giant Tales
Strangely Biblical - Episode 2 - Reclaiming the Nations 
 
 
Music in this episode: 
Hampus Naeselius - Forever - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - The Vice - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Reynard Seidel - We Are Legends - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Francis Wells - Beautiful Mystery - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Miles Arida - If You Dare - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Deep Inside - Painting the Horizon - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Deep Inside - Morning Hue - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
DEX 1200 - Grief and Isolation - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Clarence Reed - Rewind Time - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
DEX 1200 - Disillusioned Path - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Remember What Mama Said - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jakob Ahlbom - Pulsar - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Lost Empire - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Ep. 11 - Genesis 4 & 5 - The Seed of the Serpent

In Genesis 3:15 we see the first declaration of Yahweh's plan for redemption. We learn of two seeds, one of the serpent and the other of the woman. From the woman will come a Redeemer to crush the serpent's head. Only one chapter later, we see the story of the serpent's seed begin to unfold when Cain kills his own brother. Genesis 5 follows two genealogies, one associated with evil while the other will bring about the Promised Seed to crush the serpent's head. 
 
References: 
Genesis 3:15
The Debate Between Summer & Winter
Genesis 4
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
Numbers 24:21
Joshua 15:57
Judges 1:6
Judges 5: 24 
Numbers 13:33 
Dictionary of Deities and Demons - Rabisu 
Faithlife Study Bible
Job 16:18
Numbers 35:33
Deuteronomy 21
Strangely Biblical - Episode 9 - Genesis 2, Eden & Mankind
Genesis 9:6 
The Commentary Critical and Explanatory On The Whole Bible
Genesis 5
Excursus on Numbers in Genesis by Gordon J Wenham
 
 
Music in this episode: 
Jo Wandrini - Odyssey of the Lost - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Christoffer Moen Ditlevsen - Abyss  - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Go On, Be Gone  - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Sphinx - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hanna Lindgreen - Sending - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Ruiqi Zhao - The Mysterious Cave - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Gabriel Lewis - Oh the Humanity - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Dream Cave - You Saved Me  - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Bitwraith - My Friend, The Warlock - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
 

Ep. 10 - Genesis 3, the Nachash, & becoming like the Elohim

Evil is brought to earth. Why was this allowed? Who was the Tempter? Who was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for? What was Yahweh's intentions for mankind? Were they changed or just delayed? All these questions are discussed in this episode as Jeff and Shelby continue the Genesis narrative. 
 
Music in this episode: 
Jakob Ahlbom - The Gordian Knot - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Trevor Kowalski - Pretty Sacrifice - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
 - Sending - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - In Shadows of the Stars - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - My Greatest Hero - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - The Misty Mountains - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jakob Ahlbom - Birds of Passage - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hanna Lindgren - Sending - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Coco Begins His Journey - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jo Wandrini - Odyssey of the Lost - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

BONUS EPISODE: Is Your Understanding of the Bible Missing Key Ancient Contexts?

Jeff got the opportunity to be a guest on The Lion, the Way, and the War podcast with Craig Allison. They discuss faith, biblical narratives, and Mesopotamian literature. 
 
Tellsonic - A Forest Melody - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Ep. 9 - Genesis 2, Eden & Mankind

Welcome to the garden. Why is Genesis 2 also seemingly a creation account? Were Adam & Eve the first humans on earth? What does it mean that woman was created from man? Let's discuss. 
 
Music in this episode: 
Jakob Ahlbom - Crossing the Rubican - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jakob Ahlbom - Afternoon Coffee - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
 
 

Ep. 8 - A Deep Dive into Genesis 1

Welcome to the beginning. This episode covers a deep dive into Genesis in a way the original audience would understand. It answers the questions of who created the cosmos, why was it called good, and what it means to be made in the image of God. The previous two episodes will get listeners into the ancient near eastern mindset beforehand! 
 
Scripture References: 
Genesis 1 LEB
2 Peter 3:5 ESV
Jeremiah 4:23
1 Samuel 2:8
Genesis 8:22
Isaiah 66:1
 
Sources:
Faithlife Study Bible 
The Lost World of Genesis One by John H. Walton
The Creation of Light and Time by Anto Popovic
A Commentary Critical and Explanatory of the Whole Bible by David Brown, Andrew Robert Fausset & Robert Jamieson
The Star of Bethlehem Documentary 
The Exploits of Ninurta
The Unseen Realm by Michael S. Heiser
The Image of God by John Piper (published on Desiring God)
 
Music in this episode: 
Victor Lundburg - Epic Elevation - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Aerian - Earthshine - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Birds of Eden - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hanna Lindgren - Past Lives - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jakob Ahlbom - Odonata - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
 

Ep. 7 - Ancient Creation Myths

The creation story we read in Genesis 1 was not the first or only written creation narrative of the ancient world. It also was not written to answer our modern questions we bring to the text. Before diving into the creation story of the Bible in the next episode, it is important to have a foundational understanding of what ideas about creation were popular for the ancient near eastern peoples. This will set our minds in the appropriate context for understanding the intent. 
 
Sources:
The Lost World of Genesis One by John H. Walton
Enuma Elis from the Library of Ashurbanipal
The Ba'al Cycle ancient story. 
 
Scripture References: 
Psalm 104
 
Music in this episode: 
August Wilhelmsson - Our Journey - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Magnus Ludvigsson - Melancolique - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jakob Ahlbom - Crossing the Rubicon - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
John Abbot - A March Across the Ancient Land - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
August Wilhelmsson - Felicia's Secret - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - Adapted by Dark - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - I See You - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - In the Shadow of the Stars - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Shrines - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
 
Sound Effects in this episode: 
SFX Producer - Horse Gallup - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Large Stormy Waves Crashing on a Pebble Beach - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Thunder Rumble - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Forest Rain 1 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Produce Flame - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Mountain Wind Gusts - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Ep. 6 - Ancient Flood Myths

We know a flood happened in the ancient world, but what are the details surrounding the deluge? Ancient civilizations had their own stories for how and why this event occurred. In Genesis 6 we read the account of Yahweh bringing on the flood after the horrors of man's wickedness and the Nephilim crimes against humanity reach the gates of heaven. But this isn't the only flood narrative we have from the ancient world. In this episode, Jeff & Shelby discuss other flood narratives from the ancient Mesopotamian world including the story of Gilgamesh and Atrahasis. 
 
Sources:
Merriam Webster Dictionary: Polemic
The Lost World of the Flood by Tremper Longman III & John H. Walton
How to Tell a True War Story by Tim O'Brien
FaithLife Study Bible: Exodus & Large Numbers
Mark Ronan Gilgamesh Overview - MarkRonan.com
Grand Valley State University Atrahasis summary. 
 
Scripture References: 
Deuteronomy 7: 1&7
Genesis 6: 5-22
Genesis 8: 20-22
Genesis 9: 12-17
Genesis 2:10 
 
Music in this episode: 
David Celeste - Sphinx - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - Shrines - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Gavin Luke - Spirits of Machu Picchu - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - Remembering a Heartbeat - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - I See You - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
John Abbot - A March Across the Ancient Land - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - The Misty Mountains - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
David Celeste - The Seeds We Sow - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
 
Sound Effects in this episode: 
SFX Producer - Boots Walk - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Fight Grunt 1 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Fight Grunt 4 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Fight Grunt 5 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Bull Breaths 9 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Bull Bellows 24 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Horse Gallup - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Large Stormy Waves Crashing on a Pebble Beach - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Thunder Rumble - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Bird Chirp 1 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Bird Raven Caged - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Swimming Pool Dive - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - River Forest - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Restaurant Crowd - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Forest Rain 1 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Hammer Hit Nail 2 - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
SFX Producer - Bedroom Door Slam - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Ep. 5 - The Nephilim, Gilgamesh, & Other Giant Tales

What we read in scripture about the Nephilim is backed by many ancient texts and legends including 1 Enoch, found among the dead sea scrolls and quoted by biblical authors, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the legends of the giants in Babylonian culture. Jeff & Shel examine these stories against scripture to gain a deeper understanding of what happened in Genesis 6, the conquests of Joshua, the transfiguration event, and more. 
 
Book References:
Giants, the Sons of the Gods by Doug Van Dorn
 
Scripture & Extra Biblical References: 
Genesis 6:1-4
1 Enoch 6: 1-8
1 Enoch 7, 8 & 10
Genesis 6: 1-4 & 5
Deuteronomy 3:11
Numbers 13: 21-22
Deuteronomy 2: 10-11, 20-21, & 23
Joshua 11: 21-22
Matthew 16: 13-18
2 Peter 2: 4-5 & 10
Jude 6-7, & 14
1 Enoch 15
 
Music in this episode: 
Bonnie Grace - Awaken the Immortals - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - Behind the Moon - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Deskant - Black Bullet - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Giants - Trevor Kowalski - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Hampus Naeselius - I See You - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Eden Avery - The Lost City Chooses Who May See - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Dream Cave - Narrow Escape - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
August Wilhelmsson - Felecia's Secret - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com