The Learning Laborers

The Learning Laborers
  • 4.9 (18)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Denver is a missionary, Taylor is a pastor, and Matt is a professor. All of them, however, are passionate about bridging the gap between scholarship and ministry. They want to take the insights gained through academic study of the Bible and bring them directly to the fields of ministry. Sometimes Christians are led to believe they must choose between being a capable scholar and having a fruitful ministry. The Learning Laborers believe that the opposite is true. When brought together in the right way, scholarship enhances ministry and ministry experience also enhances biblical scholarship.

  1. 5d ago

    63 - A Woman's Place Is in the Story with Sandra Glahn

    How did Shiphrah and Puah save Israel before Moses was even toddling around? Was Tamar an immoral or righteous woman? Was it okay for Abigail to undermine her husband? Was the Samaritan woman at the well really just trying to distract Jesus with her theological questions? And who in the world were the five daughters of Zelophehad? In this episode, Elijah and Taylor interview professor Dr. Sandra Glahn about her fantastic new book: A Woman’s Place Is in the Story. Rather than treating the stories of biblical women as isolated “cameos,” demonizing them, or ignoring them altogether, Dr. Glahn argues that we need to understand the role of each woman within the larger narrative. By paying attention to the basic elements of storytelling (plot, setting, names, characterization) and historical/cultural context, Sandra helps us to unlock what is really going on in a lot of these confusing/misunderstood stories. If you enjoy what Dr. Glahn has to say, be sure to order her book by clicking the link below! It's worth its weight in exegetical gold. Mentioned Resources: Sandra's Podcast: The Chick ReportSandra's SubstackCurrent Book: A Woman's Place in the StoryPrevious Book: Nobody's Mother

    63 - A Woman's Place Is in the Story with Sandra Glahn

  2. Sep 14

    62 - Jesus, People, Pharisees with Scot McKnight

    In this episode, Elijah and Taylor welcome back our very first return guest to the Learning Laborers: Dr. Scot McKnight. Together we discuss Scot's new book, called Jesus, People, Pharisees. In it, McKnight frames the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees within the political power structures of first-century Palestine. The place of the Pharisees in this political system, he argues, is as power-brokers - that is, "go-betweens" for the leaders in Jerusalem (think Caiaphas, Pilate, etc.) and the common people. As the leader of a grassroots movement, Jesus posed a threat to the status quo which these power structures sought to maintain. As a result, Jesus ends up in constant competition with the Pharisees for the heart and loyalty of the people. Scot maintains that this view of the Pharisees is more historically faithful than the common caricatures of them which have led to and fueled antisemitism over the centuries. Resources on the Pharisees: Jesus, People, Pharisees (Scot McKnight) The Pharisees (Kent Yinger) Pharisees (ed. Sievers and Levine)

    62 - Jesus, People, Pharisees with Scot McKnight

  3. Sep 2

    61 - Why We Labor to Learn the Bible (and Denver Reveals His Real Name)

    How would you describe the Bible to someone who had never heard of it? Would you start with its purpose? Its contents? Its history? In this kick-off to season 5 of the Learning Laborers, we dig down into one of the foundational motivations for the podcast - our desire to read, understand, and teach the Bible. Before we jump back into another season of topics that engage the intersection of ministry and Scripture, we thought it would be prudent to take a moment to re-orient ourselves with what exactly Scripture is and what we are supposed to do with it. Additionally, one of our cohosts puts to rest his long-running pseudonym (Denver) now that he is in a less sensitive ministry context. Join Elijah, Matt, and Taylor as they jump back into a new season! Lots of great stuff to come! Resources: How to Read the Bible Series (BibleProject) Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew about the Bible (Michael Bird) Scripture and the Authority of God (N.T. Wright) Music: "Robed in White" by Poor Bishop Hooper

    61 - Why We Labor to Learn the Bible (and Denver Reveals His Real Name)

  4. May 25

    60 - "Amen" on Season 4: Israelite Identity, Torah, and the Firstborn in Genesis

    In the season four finale of Learning Laborers, the we begin by reflecting on the season’s journey, highlighting conversations with guests like Paul Sloan, Carmen Joy Imes, Dru Johnson, and Teresa Roberts - plus other research episodes on hospitality, sleep in Scripture, a theology of work, and Pontius Pilate. After that, each of us cohosts discuss what we're currently researching. Taylor is currently studying Israel’s restoration in Luke-Acts using works by Isaac Oliver and Mark Kinzer. Denver continues to lean on Paul Sloan as he works through translation issues concepts like law/Torah for Christians from an Islamic background. Matthew has been doing a slow reading of Genesis and is diving into the recurring theme of the last becoming first. If any of the elements of this conversation spark your interest, be sure to go back and find the corresponding episode in the back catalog! All featured music by Poor Bishop Hooper "Good News""The Lord's Prayer (1)""David v. Goliath""Revelation 22"00:00 Amen Or Ameen01:14 Season Finale Setup02:50 Guest Highlights Recap04:45 Research Episodes Favorites07:43 Poor Bishop Hooper Impact08:35 Mark 7 And Ritual Purity17:20 Learning Questions Ahead18:41 Restoration Eschatology Deep Dive22:45 Acts 1 And Kingdom Expansion26:31 Gentiles And Israel Identity30:18 Humility In Ongoing Study31:34 Kingdom and Nationalism33:03 Torah and Muslim Context37:45 Translating Law as Sharia39:05 Jewish Believers and Torah42:15 Beyond the New Testament45:45 Was Luke Jewish49:33 Genesis Last Becomes First54:55 Joseph and Ethical Power01:04:55 Slow Down in Scripture01:07:12 Season Wrap and Break

    60 - "Amen" on Season 4: Israelite Identity, Torah, and the Firstborn in Genesis

  5. May 4

    59 - Dry Bones and the Hope of Restored Israel (Ezekiel 37)

    In this episode, Matt, Taylor, and Denver do a live study of Ezekiel 37 - the famous Valley of Dry Bones. What's going on in this nightmarish vision that feels like it's straight out of a zombie movie? Where did the bones come from? Who do they belong to? Why are they so dry and what would it mean for them to live again with flesh? All of this and more will be explored in this penultimate episode of season 4. Be sure to like, subscribe, rate, and all that jazz as we begin to make preparations for season 5 of the Learning Laborers. Music Credits: Revelation 22 by Poor Bishop HooperA Ghost to Guide You by Poor Bishop HooperThe Resurrection by Poor Bishop Hooper

    59 - Dry Bones and the Hope of Restored Israel (Ezekiel 37)

  6. Mar 29

    58 - Music, Scripture, and Holy Week w/ Poor Bishop Hooper

    This special Holy Week episode features an interview with Jesse Roberts from the band Poor Bishop Hooper. Jesse and his wife Leah have been making music and ministering together since 2013. All of their music is deeply rooted in the Bible, and their corpus of work represents an immensely rich gift to the Church. As such, we've interspersed some of their work throughout the episode for your enjoyment. In their conversation with Jesse, Denver and Taylor ask about his experience creating scriptural music with his wife. They dig especially into the history and process of making the EveryPsalm project as well as the Golgotha album (14 Stations of the Cross dramatized through original songs). They also pick Jesse's brain about the role of art in society, in the church, and in the hard seasons of life. Poor Bishop Hooper performs their Golgotha album all over the midwest every Lenten season. If you are in the Kansas City area, be sure to check whether they are hosting a Golgotha experience near you this week! 00:00 Holy Week Intro00:24 Psalm One Performance03:21 Meet Jesse Roberts04:03 Origins of Poor Bishop Hooper06:24 Golgotha Stations Beginnings10:44 Touring and Partnering Churches12:49 Band Name Explained15:58 Psalm Twenty Five Song17:54 Why Art Matters22:45 Every Psalm Project27:08 Writing Psalms Weekly32:17 Golgotha Visual Art34:42 Artist Jeremy Collaboration36:43 Prophecy Driven Albums37:59 Art That Teaches Worship39:05 Prison Book Impact44:15 Lent And Suffering Focus48:41 Designing Darkness And Space53:33 Shifting Narrator Perspectives57:04 New Record Lonely Encounters01:00:45 Fresh Insights Over Time01:08:50 Advice For Ministry Artists01:13:32 Artists As Cultural Seers01:15:09 Final Blessing And Praise

    58 - Music, Scripture, and Holy Week w/ Poor Bishop Hooper

  7. Mar 23

    57 - Pontius Pilate: Power, Pressure, and the Trial of Christ

    As we draw closer to Holy Week, Matt and Taylor devote an episode to the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Matthew details the importance of this episode in the story of the Gospels and also explains why Pilate is so prominent in Scripture and later tradition. Have you ever noticed that Pilate is mentioned not just in all four Gospels, but also in Acts, 1 Timothy, and the Nicene Creed? What's more, there have been a whole host of different portrayals of this Roman governor across history. From Josephus to Dante to the Chosen, he is one of the most nuanced and varied characters in Christian tradition. But how do the Gospels actually portray Pilate? And what does this tell us about the character and experience of Jesus? Matthew gives us a fresh take on these very important questions in this episode of the Learning Laborers. Recommended Resources: Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation (Helen Bond)The Trials of Jesus by Paul BarnettDon't forget to rate and subscribe to the Learning Laborers, and also check out our new Substack!

    57 - Pontius Pilate: Power, Pressure, and the Trial of Christ

  8. Mar 9

    56 - Ritual and Leviticus with Dru Johnson

    The Learning Laborers hosts a conversation about Leviticus with Dr. Dru Johnson. Dru frames Leviticus as forming God’s people through embodied, communal practices that keep God’s presence among them and train them for justice and righteousness. In other words, it is not simply a “tech manual” for carrying out sacrifices and other rituals unfamiliar to us today. Rather, it continues to speak to thoughtful Christians through its beautiful structure and visceral imagery. If you have questions about why Leviticus matters, how we should read it today, and how it helps us understand Jesus' life and death, then tune in! Welcome to the wonderful world of ritual! Resources: Understanding Biblical Law by Dru JohnsonA Journey through the World of Leviticus by Mark ScarlataLeviticus by Jay SklarThe Sacrifice of Jesus by Christian Eberhart00:00 What Leviticus Is About00:39 Podcast Welcome01:35 Meet Dru Johnson06:27 Why Study Leviticus13:26 Big Idea of Leviticus21:19 Purity and Sacrifice29:11 Atonement and Mystery38:11 God Wants Communion39:56 Slaves and Beloved40:59 Skin in the Game43:03 Beauty of Leviticus46:03 Jesus and Torah47:21 Bootcamp Rituals54:16 Ritual Worldview59:40 Jesus and Sacrifice01:05:56 Priests and Accountability01:13:01 Resources and Wrap Up

    56 - Ritual and Leviticus with Dru Johnson
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Denver is a missionary, Taylor is a pastor, and Matt is a professor. All of them, however, are passionate about bridging the gap between scholarship and ministry. They want to take the insights gained through academic study of the Bible and bring them directly to the fields of ministry. Sometimes Christians are led to believe they must choose between being a capable scholar and having a fruitful ministry. The Learning Laborers believe that the opposite is true. When brought together in the right way, scholarship enhances ministry and ministry experience also enhances biblical scholarship.

Information

  • Creator
    The Learning Laborers
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Learning Laborers
  • Show Website
    The Learning Laborers

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