65 episodes

This ain't your pastor's Bible podcast. This is a deep interrogation of the book, and we're bringing receipts. Bible scholar Dr. Dan McClellan and atheist podcaster Dan Beecher team up to discover what the Bible actually says, what it decidedly doesn't say (even if everyone thinks it does), and explore the history of the most popular book of all time.

Data Over Dogma Daniel McClellan and Daniel Beecher

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 1K Ratings

This ain't your pastor's Bible podcast. This is a deep interrogation of the book, and we're bringing receipts. Bible scholar Dr. Dan McClellan and atheist podcaster Dan Beecher team up to discover what the Bible actually says, what it decidedly doesn't say (even if everyone thinks it does), and explore the history of the most popular book of all time.

    I Got Soul, and I'm Super Bad

    I Got Soul, and I'm Super Bad

    People talk all the time about souls. "He's my soulmate." "It was so scary, my soul left my body." "I'm going to destroy that piano if you don't stop playing Heart and Soul." But what are we actually talking about? Is there really a non-corporeal entity, an animating force inside each of us? Or are we just crude matter? And what does the Bible have to say about it?
    This week on Data Over Dogma, we're getting soulful. We'll discuss the development of the concept of the soul, and some very surprising ways that concept shows up in the Bible. Do NOT trust a woman with a pillowcase until you've heard this episode!

    For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
    https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   
     
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    https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
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    • 1 hr 2 min
    The Historicity of David

    The Historicity of David

    It's a judge and a king this week, and both are fascinating! First we're looking at Deborah, a prophet, a judge, and a really interesting figure whose story gets told twice in the Bible: back-to-back! Women often get short-shrift in the Bible, but Deborah's story is pretty satisfying. She's tough and her army wins the battle, and even more awesome-- she's not the only badass woman in the story! Stay tuned for the exciting (and gratuitously gorey) conclusion!
    Speaking of staying tuned, you're DEFINITELY going to want to stick around for our second half, where we discuss one of the most important figures in the whole book! Who was this David character? A lowly shepherd who rises to be King? A roving warlord? A bisexual rapist? DID HE EVEN EXIST AT ALL?

    For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
    https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   
     
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    https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
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    • 1 hr 2 min
    Wrastlin' With God

    Wrastlin' With God

    It's questionable heroes week here on the Data Over Dogma show, and we've packed in some big names! How big? How about the guy they named the whole tribe of Israel after? You know... Jacob. We're asking the big questions here: do striped sticks really make sheep have spotted lambs? Is a cruel trick fair-play if the other person falls for it? And most importantly- if you beat a stranger in a wrestle, does that stranger get to change your name?
    Then we look at famous strong-man and the judge of Israel with possibly the poorest judgement, Sampson. Yes he was absurdly foolish with Delilah, but more importantly: what's the deal with all those foxes?

    For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
    https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   
     
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    https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
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    • 1 hr 1 min
    The Book of Enoch

    The Book of Enoch

    It's the book that didn't make the cut. Enoch (or first Enoch, if you're nasty) is an important book, both historically and religiously. As a matter of fact, New Testament writers considered it scripture. So why, when you open your Bible at home, is Enoch nowhere to be found?
    This week we're exploring the mysteries of the book that got the boot. Where did it come from? Was it really written by Enoch the patriarch (hint: no)? Why was it not included in the popular canons? Is there anyone that still considers it scripture (hint: yes)?

    For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
    https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   
     
    Follow us on the various social media places:
    https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
    https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 59 min
    Christmaker! With James McGrath

    Christmaker! With James McGrath

    Get ready for some fascinating stuff! It won't be a baptism by fire, but we will be immersed in some cutting edge information about John the Baptist. Dr. James McGrath joins us to discuss John and his new book Christmaker. And trust us- you're going to learn some cool stuff.
    Many people's image of John is just a wild-haired itinerant preacher dressed like a cave man and roaming the desert and dunking people in water every chance he got. It turns out, he was likely a far more important and more interesting figure than that. Was he a disciple of Jesus, or was it the other way around?

    For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
    https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   
     
    Follow us on the various social media places:
    https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
    https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Silence, Woman!

    Silence, Woman!

    Well, strap in y'all, because we're going after two of the most famous passages in all of the Bible. One of them is a nice story of Jesus and his mercy, the other is... less nice. Both are about women. And look out, M. Night Shyamalan, because we have a twist ending for both!
    We start it off with the story of the woman taken in adultery. This is the beloved tale that Jesus ends with "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." A lovely, poetic moment for the prince of peace. Did it really happen? You'll have to tune in to find out.
    Then we turn to one of the more pernicious of all scriptures. It's the bit about women being silent in the church. To this day, this scripture is a favorite of those who want biblical support for their oppressive ideas about gender roles. Are these people justified?

    For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and an opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
    https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   
     
    Follow us on the various social media places:
    https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
    https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 58 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
1K Ratings

1K Ratings

PodListeningGuy ,

Captivating, Entertaining, Educational

Dan and Dan are reaching people who would likely have no interest in the Bible. I am fascinated by the Bible from an historical perspective and they offer plenty. I have great love for this show and it's one of the few I subscribe to.

Team dirty gentile ,

Love this podcast

It’s my absolute favorite podcast.
I love the dynamic between the two Dans.
I’ve learned a lot from listening.
Knowledge that has been useful in deconstructing errant dogma, healing religious trauma and (believe it or not) deepening my faith. Thank you Dans! Keep doing this thing. Always looking forward to what comes next.

myNidecker ,

Very informative

Academic and entertaining, great having the perspectives of both hosts.

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