OF EARTH & STONE

Shelley Jones and Becca McDonald
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

Earth & Stone were the most basic compositional items of the ancient life. As foundational building blocks, Earth & Stone presented an opportunity for existence, and as people's access to and familiarity with them grew, so did they, turning an opportunity for existence into one of flourishing. This podcast is an open invitation to join us as we discuss the compositional items of the Bible: its cultural, geographical, historical, and literary contexts. As we delve into the foundational elements of this great book, we invite the Lord to not only shape our hearts but to enable them to flourish.

Episodes

  1. 03/07/2025

    Fixing Our Gaze: Where are you from?

    In this episode, Becca and Shelley introduce a new series focused on understanding Jesus through various contextual questions. With today’s question, “Where are you from?” they unpack how cultural norms from first-century Roman Palestine shape our understanding of who Jesus is and what He taught. Their conversation explores the cultural dynamics of honor and shame, collectivism versus individualism, and patriarchal structures in an ancient Near Eastern society, particularly as it relates to the teachings of Jesus and the Gospels. As a whole, this series aims to deepen listeners' knowledge of Jesus by examining His context so they can love and serve Him more. We invite you to journey with us throughout the week. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ to learn more about us, connect, and see our ⁠⁠recommended resources⁠⁠ for biblical study. For resources specific to this week's topic, click here.

  2. 12/25/2024

    The Extraordinary and Ordinary Nature of Jesus' Birth

    In this special Christmas episode, Shelley and Becca explore the significance of the birth of Jesus and the cultural and geographical contexts surrounding this pivotal event. The conversation focuses on the story as told by Luke, highlighting the ordinary yet profound aspects of Jesus' entrance into the world, an approach that encourages listeners to reflect on the deeper meanings of Christmas. We invite you to journey with us throughout the week. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ to learn more about us, connect, and see our ⁠⁠recommended resources⁠⁠ for biblical study. For resources specific to this week's topic, click here.

  3. 12/05/2024

    Foundation Stones: The Connectivity of the Land

    In this final installment of the Foundation Stone series, Becca and Shelley explore the theme of connectivity in the Bible, focusing on the significance of roads in ancient Israel. They discuss how travel was a vital part of life, both literally and figuratively, and how the geography of Israel served as a land bridge connecting various empires and cultures. The conversation delves into the challenges of travel in antiquity, the reasons for local journeys, and the metaphorical implications of walking in God's ways. Ultimately, they emphasize that the greatest resource of ancient Israel was its roads, which facilitated trade, migration, and spiritual journeys. We invite you to journey with us throughout the week. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ to learn more about us, connect, and see our ⁠⁠recommended resources⁠⁠ for biblical study. For resources specific to this week's topic, click here.

  4. 11/25/2024

    Foundation Stones: The Security of Sound Resources

    In this episode of 'Of Earth and Stone', Becca and Shelley explore the foundational elements of ancient life, focusing on the significance of rock and soil in the context of the Bible. They discuss how these elements influenced daily life, agriculture, and the metaphors used in Scripture to convey deeper meanings about God and His people. The conversation highlights the diversity of the land of ancient Israel, the types of rocks and soils, and their practical applications in building, farming, and survival. We invite you to journey with us throughout the week. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ to learn more about us, connect, and see our ⁠⁠recommended resources⁠⁠ for biblical study. For resources specific to this week's topic, click here.

  5. 11/11/2024

    Foundation Stones: The Life-Source of Water

    In this episode, Shelley and Becca explore the significance of understanding the physical context of the Bible, particularly focusing on the land of ancient Israel and its resources. They discuss how the geography, climate, and available water sources shaped the lives of the biblical authors and the people of the Bible. The conversation emphasizes the importance of context in interpreting Scripture and highlights the theological insights that can be gained from understanding the role of water in the lands of the Bible. We invite you to journey with us throughout the week. Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ Follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠ Check out our ⁠website⁠ to learn more about us, connect, and see our ⁠recommended resources⁠ for biblical study. For resources specific to this week's topic, click ⁠here⁠.

  6. 11/04/2024

    Welcome to Of Earth & Stone

    In the inaugural episode of the Of Earth and Stone podcast, hosts Shelley and Becca introduce their mission to explore the Bible's historical, cultural, and geographical contexts. With a combined ten years of experience studying in the land of the Bible, they aim to share insights and knowledge that deepen listeners' understanding of scripture. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the gaps in time, culture, and language that separate modern readers from the biblical text, and the hosts express their desire to provide accessible tools for engaging with the Bible in a meaningful way. We invite you to journey with us throughout the week. Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ Follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠ Check out our ⁠website⁠ to learn more about us, connect, and see our recommended resources for biblical study.

  • 6 Episodes

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Earth & Stone were the most basic compositional items of the ancient life. As foundational building blocks, Earth & Stone presented an opportunity for existence, and as people's access to and familiarity with them grew, so did they, turning an opportunity for existence into one of flourishing. This podcast is an open invitation to join us as we discuss the compositional items of the Bible: its cultural, geographical, historical, and literary contexts. As we delve into the foundational elements of this great book, we invite the Lord to not only shape our hearts but to enable them to flourish.

Information

  • Creator
    Shelley Jones and Becca McDonald
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shelley Jones and Becca McDonald
  • Show Website
    OF EARTH & STONE