Enter the Bible

Enter the Bible from Luther Seminary
Enter the Bible

The Enter the Bible podcast is where you can get answers (or at least reflections) on everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask.

  1. JUN 24

    Why the Gospel of Mark Has No Resurrection Eye Witness Accounts (Biblical Scholar Explains)

    Why Doesn't the Gospel of Mark Include Any Resurrection Eye Witness Accounts Like the Other Gospels? Why doesn't the Gospel of Mark contain any resurrection eye witness accounts when the other three gospels do? This question about the gospel of mark resurrection eye witness problem has fascinated biblical scholars for generations. In this episode, New Testament professor Kristofer Phan Coffman from Luther Seminary tackles this complex issue, explaining why Mark - considered the oldest and potentially most historically accurate gospel - ends so abruptly without Jesus appearing to his followers after the resurrection. Through expert analysis of ancient manuscripts like Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, Coffman reveals how the "longer ending" of Mark was likely added later to address this very concern. He explores the literary context of ancient Greek writings, the relationship between Paul and the original disciples, and what Mark's unique ending tells us about early Christian communities. Rather than undermining the resurrection, Mark's approach may actually invite readers into the ongoing story of faith in ways that make the Gospel of Mark resurrection eye witness question less problematic than it initially appears. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The Oxford Handbook of the Synoptic Gospels (2023) MORE FROM US:Our website: https://enterthebible.org/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enterthebible/ SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Mentioned in this episode: Stepping Up to Supervision

    25 min
  2. JUN 17

    Is it Possible to Read Hebrews Without Displacing the Jews?

    The Hidden Agenda Behind How We've Been Reading Hebrews All Wrong. Can you read the Book of Hebrews without displacing the Jews? This crucial question gets to the heart of how Christians interpret one of the New Testament's most challenging books. In this episode, New Testament scholar Craig Koester explains why centuries of interpretation have wrongly positioned Hebrews as anti-Jewish, tracing this problematic reading back to John Chrysostom's 4th-century commentary. Koester, author of the Anchor Bible Commentary on Hebrews, reveals how the book was actually written to encourage a small, beleaguered community of Jesus-followers—not to condemn or replace Jewish people. Rather than promoting displacement theology, Hebrews invites its readers into Israel's ongoing story and God's expanding covenant. Koester demonstrates how understanding the book's original context, audience, and purpose completely transforms its meaning, showing how early Christians saw themselves as participants in—not replacements of—God's relationship with Israel. This conversation offers essential insights for pastors, Bible study leaders, and anyone seeking to read Scripture responsibly in our contemporary context, where anti-Semitism remains a persistent threat. HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: 1. The Anti-Jewish Reading of Hebrews Is a Historical Mistake – The interpretation of Hebrews as demonstrating Christianity's superiority over Judaism traces back to John Chrysostom's 4th-century agenda to prevent Christians from participating in Jewish community life. 2. Hebrews Includes Rather Than Excludes – The Book of Hebrews never condemns Jewish people who don't follow Jesus, but instead shows how Jesus-followers participate in Israel's expanding story through journey metaphors and covenant language. 3. Understanding Context Transforms Interpretation – Reading Hebrews as encouragement to a discouraged early Christian community—rather than as anti-Jewish polemic—reveals it as a book about God's expanding grace rather than religious replacement. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: - Anchor Bible Commentary on Hebrews by Craig Koester - John Chrysostom's 4th-century commentary on Hebrews Mentioned in this episode: Stepping Up to Supervision

    26 min
5
out of 5
21 Ratings

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The Enter the Bible podcast is where you can get answers (or at least reflections) on everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask.

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