[Bible] Episode 333: Nathan MacDonald - The Messy History of the Priesthood

[Bible] Episode 333: Nathan MacDonald - The Messy History of the Priesthood

In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Nathan MacDonald about the origins of Israel’s priesthood, the role of the Levites, and why the Bible’s accounts of priests are far more complex than they first appear. They explore how biblical texts often function less as straightforward historical records and more as theological interpretations that seek to explain, shape, and reconcile Israel’s traditions. Together, they invite listeners to reconsider familiar assumptions about the priesthood, the development of the Torah, and how the Bible constructs meaning through its ongoing conversation with its own past. Show Notes → thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-333-nathan-macdonald-the-messy-history-of-the-priesthood [http://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-333-nathan-macdonald-the-messy-history-of-the-priesthood] Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/dBGX5hiPadg [https://youtu.be/dBGX5hiPadg] ********** This episode is brought to you by Brooklyn Bedding, which knows sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why they offer mattresses for every body, every sleep style – even in hard-to-find sizes. Go to brooklynbedding.com and use promo code BIBLE at checkout to get 30% off sitewide. This offer is not available anywhere else. ********** This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/normalpeople50off and use code normalpeople50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 9/27/2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

[Bible] Episode 332: Pete Ruins Everything with Dale Allison

In this week’s episode of Pete Ruins Everything, Pete talks with Dale Allison about the strengths and limits of biblical scholarship. They explore what historical research can and cannot tell us about Jesus, the Bible, and the ancient world, while reflecting on the value of expertise, intellectual humility, and the challenges of interpreting the past. Together, they discuss why scholars often disagree, how new evidence and perspectives can change long-held conclusions, and why faith and curiosity can coexist with uncertainty. Throughout the conversation, they invite listeners to embrace the complexity of history and theology with honesty, openness, and humility. Show Notes →  https://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-332-pete-ruins-everything-with-dale-allison Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/DaHZU-JINiQ [https://youtu.be/DaHZU-JINiQ] ********** This episode is brought to you by Brooklyn Bedding, which knows sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why they offer mattresses for every body, every sleep style – even in hard-to-find sizes. Go to brooklynbedding.com and use promo code BIBLE at checkout to get 30% off sitewide. This offer is not available anywhere else. ********** This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/normalpeople50off and use code normalpeople50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 9/27/2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

[Bible] Episode 331 : Jared Byas - 10 Aha Moments in Biblical Scholarship: Part 2

In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Jared continues his tour through the history of modern biblical scholarship, exploring five (or six) more “aha moments” that transformed how scholars understand the Bible. From Rudolf Bultmann’s challenge to interpret ancient texts in a modern world and the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, to new insights about editorial shaping, literary criticism, and the role of readers themselves, he traces how scholarship increasingly revealed the Bible as a dynamic, evolving tradition. Along the way, Jared highlights the rise of feminist, liberationist, and postmodern approaches, as well as the New Perspective on Paul, showing how fresh historical evidence and diverse voices have reshaped long-held assumptions about scripture, interpretation, and faith. Together, these developments invite listeners to approach the Bible with greater historical awareness, intellectual humility, and curiosity about the communities that produced, preserved, and continue to interpret these sacred texts. Show Notes → www.thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/bible-episode-331-jared-byas-10-aha-moments-in-biblical-scholarship-part-two [http://www.thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/bible-episode-331-jared-byas-10-aha-moments-in-biblical-scholarship-part-two] Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/9ON3DH-eGxk [https://youtu.be/9ON3DH-eGxk] ********** This episode is brought to you by Brooklyn Bedding, which knows sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why they offer mattresses for every body, every sleep style – even in hard-to-find sizes. Go to brooklynbedding.com and use promo code BIBLE at checkout to get 30% off sitewide. This offer is not available anywhere else. ********** This episode is sponsored by Garrett Theological Seminary. Whether you feel called to care and counsel, public service, prophetic arts, or non-profit management, there’s a program at Garrett Seminary that’s right for you. Apply by July 15th to begin a Master’s degree this fall. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠garrett.edu/normalpeople⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://garrett.edu/normalpeople]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

[Bible] Episode 330: Bruce Longenecker - The Vision of Galatians

In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Bruce Longenecker about Galatians, Paul’s understanding of the Torah, and the kind of community he believed the gospel creates. They explore how Paul reframes identity around participation in Christ rather than ethnic or religious hierarchy, and why Galatians is less about individual salvation and more about transformed relationships in a fractured world. Together, they invite listeners to see Paul’s vision as a radical challenge to systems of power, exclusion, and self-interest.  Show Notes → thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-330-bruce-longenecker-the-vision-of-galatians [http://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-330-bruce-longenecker-the-vision-of-galatians] Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/HLbV_EPfdhg [https://youtu.be/HLbV_EPfdhg] ********** This episode is brought to you by Brooklyn Bedding, which knows sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why they offer mattresses for every body, every sleep style – even in hard-to-find sizes. Go to brooklynbedding.com and use promo code BIBLE at checkout to get 30% off sitewide. This offer is not available anywhere else. ********** This episode is sponsored by Garrett Theological Seminary. Whether you feel called to care and counsel, public service, prophetic arts, or non-profit management, there’s a program at Garrett Seminary that’s right for you. Apply by July 15th to begin a Master’s degree this fall. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠garrett.edu/normalpeople⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://garrett.edu/normalpeople]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

[Faith] Episode 72: Roberto De La Noval & Jordan Wood - How the Early Church Read the Bible (Reissue from Bonus)

In this week’s episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared talks with Roberto de la Noval and Jordan Wood about the church fathers, the development of doctrine, and how early Christians approached the Bible. They explore how figures like Augustine and Origen understood Scripture as something meant to transform people rather than simply provide literal answers, and why “problem passages” were often seen as invitations to think more deeply. Together, they invite listeners to see Christian tradition not as static or simplistic, but as a long, creative conversation about how to make sense of God, Scripture, and human experience.  Show Notes → thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-72-roberto-de-la-noval-and-jordan-wood-how-the-early-church-read-the-bible [https://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-72-roberto-de-la-noval-and-jordan-wood-how-the-early-church-read-the-bible] Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/JukXifVwhQo [https://youtu.be/JukXifVwhQo] ********** This episode is brought to you by Brooklyn Bedding, which knows sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why they offer mattresses for every body, every sleep style – even in hard-to-find sizes. Go to brooklynbedding.com and use promo code BIBLE at checkout to get 30% off sitewide. This offer is not available anywhere else. ********** This episode is sponsored by Garrett Theological Seminary. Whether you feel called to care and counsel, public service, prophetic arts, or non-profit management, there’s a program at Garrett Seminary that’s right for you. Apply by July 15th to begin a Master’s degree this fall. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠garrett.edu/normalpeople⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://garrett.edu/normalpeople]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]