In this episode, Ryan sits down with Dr. Merrill Greene, Director of Intercultural Studies at Kingswood University, to tackle one of the most pressing questions of our digital age: How do we discern good sources of Christian teaching in a world flooded with online voices? From Dead Sea Scrolls and demonology to TikTok theologians and urban legends about ropes around high priests, Ryan and Merrill dive into how scholarship, church tradition, and discernment intersect, wrestling honestly with the messiness of Scripture and scholarship. Get Merrill's Book: (Canadian Amazon) (USA Amazon) Merrill's Website: https://www.weirdgod.com Episode Highlights 00:00 – 00:02:20 | Introductions & Banter – Ryan introduces Dr. Merrill Green, his research background, and they kick off with playful banter about friends, music obsessions, and theology bro conversations. 00:04:13 – 00:10:02 | Evaluating Sources Online – The challenge of discerning TikTok theology, denominational bias in publishing, and why good scholarship requires careful training. 00:11:24 – 00:15:08 | Textual Criticism & the “Messiness” of Scripture – From Bart Ehrman to manuscript debates, they explore how the Bible’s complex history actually strengthens, not weakens, its credibility. 00:15:08 – 00:19:53 | Scholarship, Bias, and Footnotes – How academic echo chambers shape scholarship, why “footnote chasing” can uncover shaky claims, and the importance of returning to primary sources. 00:19:53 – 00:25:09 | Misinformation in the Church – Popular myths like the Red Sea chariots and temple ropes, how appeal to authority spreads them, and pastoral wisdom for correcting gently. 00:25:09 – 00:27:23 | Faith, Questions, and Critical Scholarship – What “critical” really means in biblical studies, how to communicate complex ideas without overwhelming people, and why asking questions is an act of faith. 00:27:32 – 00:27:55 | Closing & Resources – Where to find Dr. Merrill Greene online and his books. This post may contain affiliate links so we may receive compensation if you sign up for or purchase products linked above. As an Amazon Associate, I can earn from qualifying purchases.
