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James McGrath is a religious studies professor and author of the book Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist. In this conversation, McGrath explains how his interest in John the Baptist was sparked by his previous work on the Gospel of John and the Mandaeans, a group that emerged from followers of John the Baptist. He also challenges common misconceptions about John's appearance and lifestyle, highlighting the complexity of his family background and his role as a charismatic figure challenging the religious establishment. The conversation explores the foundational tradition of John the Baptist and his role in challenging the existing religious practices of his time. It delves into the connection between John and Jesus, the influence of the prophetic tradition, and the significance of baptism. The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding John the Baptist in order to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus and Christian origins. Recommended resources for further study are provided, along with a discussion on the author's approach to writing and the connection between his work and his personal interests.

In this conversation, Nathan McDonald discusses the concept of priestly hegemony and its utilization of different aspects of culture to establish power. He explains the development of the biblical text and the complex history behind it. Nathan also explores the connection between the priestly and Deuteronomic sources and how they collided and harmonized over time. He highlights the significance of the names of the sons of Israel in the priestly vestments as a representation of the transformation of identity. Overall, this conversation provides insights into the construction and evolution of the biblical text. This conversation explores the development of the text, the significance of the breastplate, the relationship between the tabernacle and the temple, and the power dynamics within the priesthood. It also delves into the puzzling figure of Moses and the role of sacrifice in priestly power. The chapters cover topics such as the interpretation of the text, the different meanings of the sons of Israel, and the complex nature of power in the ancient world. Overall, the conversation highlights the nuanced and multifaceted nature of the biblical text and its ongoing interpretation. The conversation explores the profound reflections found in priestly literature, which engages with big issues and offers insights on creation, humanity, sin, and redemption. It highlights the influence of priestly literature on later texts, including the New Testament and early Judaism. The original focus of the book is on ritual change and innovation, particularly the ordination rituals and the transformation of rituals over time. Recommended books on priestly literature are mentioned, including Consuming Fire by Leanne Feldman and Ritual and Rhetoric in Leviticus by Jim Watts. The conversation also touches on reading history for fun and the importance of approaching texts in a better way. It concludes with a discussion on epiphanies and revelatory moments in biblical studies.

In this conversation, Eric J. Harvey discusses his research on blindness in the ancient Middle East, particularly in the Hebrew Bible. He explains the differences between the categories of not seeing, unseeing, and blind, and how interpreters have often misunderstood and conflated them. Eric also delves into the concept of the normate body and the ableist interpretations of biblical texts. He explores the significance of Second Isaiah and its portrayal of disability as a metaphor for the end of exile and a new beginning. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the embodiment and corporeality of God in the Hebrew Bible. In this conversation, Jared and Eric discuss the concept of materiality in the Bible and its implications for disability. They explore passages in Corinthians and Galatians that highlight the material nature of bodies and breath. They also delve into the tension between spirituality and material embodiment, questioning whether disability will exist in the eschaton and the importance of grappling with the intersection of disability and materiality. Eric recommends books such as Biblical Corpora: Representations of Disability in Hebrew Biblical Literature by Rebecca Raphael and The Bodies of God and the World of Ancient Israel by Benjamin D Sommer for further exploration of bodies and disability in biblical studies. For fun, Eric suggests science fiction books like The Power by Naomi Alderman and Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

In this episode, Jared talks to William Morrow about his article “Mourning for Tammuz: Prophecy and Projection in Ezekiel 8:14” from The Journal of Biblical Literature. Recommendations made include the Society of Biblical Literature website, Bible Odyssey, Biblical Archaeological Review, American Theological Library Association, Review Biblical Literature, Ancient World Online, and Ian Rankin’s Rebus books. Click here to find out where you can follow the podcast.

Jonathan Rowlands, a theology lecturer, discusses the book of Hebrews and its themes. He explains that Hebrews is a unique text in the New Testament, and its genre and authorship are still debated. The book emphasizes Jesus as a high priest and his role in atonement. Rowlands explores different readings of Hebrews 1:3b and how they impact the understanding of the text. He also discusses the importance of Jesus' pre-crucifixion life in the overall message of Hebrews. In this conversation, Jonathan Rowlands discusses his research on the book of Hebrews and the sacrificial system. He explains that the sacrifice Jesus offers in the heavenly temple is not his death on the cross, but the totality of his obedient life. The author of Hebrews is primarily concerned with what Jesus is doing now, present tense, as a high priest. There are glimpses of a broader renewal of all things, including heaven and earth, in the book. Rowlands recommends reading the works of David Moffat and Matthew Thiessen for further insights into Hebrews and biblical studies.

In this episode, Jared talks to Curtis Freeman about his essay “The Faith of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Conundrum” from the book Beyond Old and New Perspectives on Paul: Reflections on the Work of Douglas Campbell. Recommendations made include James William McClendon, Glen Butner, Fred Sanders, NT Wright, Richard Hays, and Mark A Noll features prominently in the conversation. Reach out with feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com, on Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Spoutible, or check out the podcast Linktree.