151 episodes

Fig Tree Podcast's mission is to help you understand the Bible through the lens of first-century cultural context.

Fig Tree Ministries Podcast Scott Broberg

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 5.0 • 8 Ratings

Fig Tree Podcast's mission is to help you understand the Bible through the lens of first-century cultural context.

    #154 - Four Senses of Scripture - (Gospel of John - pt. 3)

    #154 - Four Senses of Scripture - (Gospel of John - pt. 3)

    The Four Senses of Scripture:

    In today's lesson, we dive into the ancient and enduring methods used by both Judaism and Christianity to interpret the sacred texts of the Bible.

    Throughout history, scholars and spiritual leaders have recognized that Scripture offers layers of meaning that can only be unlocked through diverse approaches to interpretation.

    In this video, we introduce the four levels of interpretation, revealing how each layer offers unique insights into the divine messages contained within the Bible.
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    Support Fig Tree Ministries:
    https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

    Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
    https://amzn.to/3USMelI

    www.figtreeteaching.com

    Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/four-senses-of-scripture

    Seven Churches of Revelation:
    https://www.figtreeteaching.com/seven-churches-of-revelation1.html

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/In0YUqMS0LM

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

    References: (Affiliate Links)
    William Countryman - The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel
    https://amzn.to/49Frv9d

    NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

    Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
    https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

    Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

    Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

    Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

    Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

    Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
    Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

    • 37 min
    #153 - John's Path to God - (Gospel of John - pt. 2)

    #153 - John's Path to God - (Gospel of John - pt. 2)

    In the Gospel of John, scholars identify a foundational literary structure known as the "Mystical Way" or the "Mystical Path."

    This path represents the journey toward the ultimate desire of mystics—the profound union with God.

    John's approach to guiding believers towards this union is subtly integrated into his gospel, utilizing selective narratives rather than explicit declarations.

    For John, achieving union with God involves an enlightening process that bestows "New Life" upon the faithful.

    Followers of Jesus within John's community are encouraged to embark on this path, which promises a gradual but continuous drawing closer to God as the true essence of reality unfolds before them.
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    Support Fig Tree Ministries:
    https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

    Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
    https://amzn.to/3USMelI

    www.figtreeteaching.com

    Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/johns-path-to-god

    Seven Churches of Revelation:
    https://www.figtreeteaching.com/seven-churches-of-revelation1.html

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/1Ljo17HH-Is

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

    References: (Affiliate Links)
    William Countryman - The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel
    https://amzn.to/49Frv9d

    NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

    Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
    https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

    Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

    Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

    Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

    Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

    Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
    Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

    • 52 min
    #152 - Mystical Gospel of John - (Gospel of John - pt. 1)

    #152 - Mystical Gospel of John - (Gospel of John - pt. 1)

    In this lesson, we embark on the first installment of our upcoming series, where we delve into the Gospel of John from a mystical perspective.

    The Gospel of John, often regarded as a mystical text, can be a source of confusion for many. In this session, our aim is to shed light on various aspects of Jewish mysticism and how they harmonize seamlessly with the Gospel of John.

    Mystics are captivated by the essence of reality and often seek to perceive, with the mind, the mysteries beyond our ordinary sight. During this session, we will explore specific Bible verses that are central to mystical contemplation. These verses often revolve around moments in the Bible where the barrier separating humanity from God is momentarily lifted.

    One such example is found in Ezekiel's first of two visions, as described in Ezekiel chapter One. The story commences with the heavens opening up, leading to a remarkable vision of the divine likeness on the throne—a likeness resembling a human form. This apparent paradox raises intriguing questions: How can the formless God possess an image resembling a man?

    Join us as we embark on a journey to demystify the mystical and reveal how John's Gospel communicates the profound message of who Jesus truly is.
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Support Fig Tree Ministries:
    https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

    www.figtreeteaching.com

    Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/gospel-of-john

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/5omWyxyfnLg

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

    List of Signs from John - see either of the books below

    NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

    Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
    https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

    Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

    Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

    Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

    Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

    Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
    Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

    • 39 min
    #151 - Gematria and the Lamb of God - Fig Tree Five

    #151 - Gematria and the Lamb of God - Fig Tree Five

    In today's session, we dive into the intriguing world of Mystical Judaism and explore a unique technique known as Gematria.

    Gematria is a profound method for exploring the depths of the Hebrew scripture, revealing hidden connections within God's cosmos.

    Join us as we uncover the mystical significance of Gematria, which harnesses the dynamic nature of the Hebrew alphabet, encompassing letters, numbers, and symbolic meaning.

    We will focus on the Gospel of John, a profound mystical text where John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the "Lamb of God."

    Discover the profound connection between Jesus' name in Hebrew and the phrase "Lamb of God."

    Remarkably, these two hold an equal numerical value, showcasing the divine connection between Jesus and His role as the Lamb of God for the entire world.
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    Support Fig Tree Ministries:
    https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

    www.figtreeteaching.com

    Hebrew Alphabet Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/gematria-and-the-lamb-of-god

    Apple Podcasts:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

    References:

    Gematria: https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6571-gematria

    Explore the Name of Jesus:
    Abarim Publications - an excellent resource to help expand your Biblical studies: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Jesus.html

    The WORD in Hebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9rbee18M-M

    • 18 min
    #150 - Unlocking the Meaning of Baptizing - The Great Commission? (pt. 4)

    #150 - Unlocking the Meaning of Baptizing - The Great Commission? (pt. 4)

    In the Greek language, the word "baptize" takes on a fascinating range of meanings, from a short-term "to dip" to a more extended "to dye" as in coloring clothing. But the truest sense of its meaning lies within the context.

    Within the New Testament, baptize or baptism can mean to dip (short-term) or to dye, as in clothing (long-term).

    Within the context of the long-term process of making a disciple, it appears that the 'baptizing' we find in Matthew 28:19 should be interpreted on the longer-term end of the scale.

    An example of this can be found within Greek literature and has to do with pickling a vegetable. Pickling involves the immersion – baptism- into an agent that permanently changes the vegetable. What was once a cucumber is not a pickle.

    This is the essence of Baptizing when it comes to making a disciple. The agent of change is the 'reality of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.'

    When we immerse an individual in the long-term process of becoming a disciple, the result is a permanent change that cannot be undone.

    Join us in this lesson as we explore the profound meaning of the word Baptizing in the context of making a disciple.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Support Fig Tree Ministries:
    https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

    www.figtreeteaching.com

    Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/the-great-commission.html

    Apple Podcasts:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

    References:
    Greek Participle/Present/Active: https://equip.biblearc.com/course/greek/61248

    Present Active Participle in English: https://tinyurl.com/3v8uvpvs

    Example of Pickling in Greek: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/strongs/G907
    Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship
    https://amzn.to/3QxEEJO

    David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://amzn.to/3swj549

    (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

    • 44 min
    #149 - How Old Were the Disciples? - The Great Commission? (pt. 3)

    #149 - How Old Were the Disciples? - The Great Commission? (pt. 3)

    In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to make disciples. But what exactly is a disciple? What was Jesus envisioning when He gave us this command? How did discipleship take shape within the unique context of the first-century world in which Jesus lived?

    In this lesson, we will delve into the essence of discipleship and uncover what it meant to be a disciple within the framework of the first-century Rabbi-disciple model.

    The answer will likely surprise you.

    During the first century, individuals typically embarked on their journey as disciples around the age of fifteen. By the age of thirty, they often ascended to the esteemed position of a Rabbi and began making their own disciples. It's worth noting that according to Luke, Jesus commenced His ministry at thirty.

    Consequently, this would mean that the disciples who walked alongside Him were, in essence, teenagers! This fact may challenge some preconceived notions.

    Two key factors contribute to the misconception surrounding the age of Jesus' disciples. Firstly, there's a gap in our understanding of the cultural context of the first-century Rabbi-disciple dynamic in Israel during Jesus's time. Secondly, historical art representations have often depicted Jesus and His disciples as aging, balding men in their sixties or seventies—a far cry from reality.

    Join us on this journey as we explore the significance of making disciples of Jesus and why the first-century Rabbi-disciple model holds the power to profoundly impact God's kingdom and the world.

    Support Fig Tree Ministries:
    https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

    www.figtreeteaching.com

    Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/understanding-discipleship

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/U5mc8vd-nSI

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

    References:
    Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship
    https://amzn.to/3QxEEJO

    David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary - https://amzn.to/3swj549

    (Support our work. We are Amazon Associates! We may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the link provided.)

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

Bonniebro11 ,

Bible study at its best!

If you desire to go deep in your Bible study lessons, these podcasts are for you. Pastor Scott Broberg gives you all the background information from 1st Century Christian culture. Geography, politics, Rabbinic thought and even horticulture help put all Bible stories in context. There’s also a focus on building your character by following In the footsteps of Jesus. Highly recommend. Blessings!

Bonnie B.

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