Questions? Comments? Text Us! In this deeply personal installment of What’s Your Spiritual Story, Jerry L. Martin speaks with Dr. Stephen Spector, professor of English, scholar of religion and literature, and author, for a profound conversation about spiritual experience, suffering, miracles, the Bible, and the changing nature of God. Spector recounts the moment that transformed his life forever. At fifteen years old, after his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only weeks to live, he made a bargain with God. What followed would shape his spiritual life, his understanding of faith, and his lifelong relationship with scripture. Drawing from his background in medieval literature, biblical interpretation, psychology, and Jewish thought, Dr. Spector explores the Bible not only as sacred text, but as a living literary and psychological journey. Together, he and Jerry discuss Genesis, trauma, forgiveness, Jewish identity, evangelical support for Israel, Jewish-Christian dialogue, Ethiopian Jews, Isaac’s suffering, the problem of evil, and the surprising idea that God may grow and change through relationship with humanity. This episode is thoughtful, intellectually rich, emotionally honest, and deeply human — ideal for listeners interested in spirituality, theology, religion, philosophy, biblical interpretation, spiritual transformation, and the search for meaning. What does it mean to wrestle with God? Can suffering transform us? And what happens when we begin reading scripture not as distant history, but as a living story about becoming human? Join the conversation on the Ultimate Questions Substack: Does each of us have a personal calling that responds to something beyond ourselves? Get the books: Radically Personal: God and Ourselves in the New Axial Age God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher Other Series: The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series: Radically Personal: Reflections on lived experience, divine encounter, and personal vocation, drawing on a seeker-centered approach to spirituality in a new Axial Age.From God to Jerry to You: Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue: Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What’s Your Spiritual Story: Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What’s On Our Mind: Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.The Life Wisdom Project: Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.What’s On Your Mind: Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Share Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
