Shows / The Biblical Mind
The Biblical Mind
The Biblical Mind is dedicated to helping its audience understand how the biblical authors thought, promoting Bible fluency through curious, careful reading of Scripture. It is hosted by Dr. Dru Johnson and published by the Center for Hebraic Thought, a hub for research and resources on the intellectual world of the Bible.
Episodes
The Biblical MindCreation, Rest, and Reign: What Genesis Meant to the Ancient World (Rachel Booth Smith) Ep. #224
What if Genesis 1 wasn’t about the origin of matter—but the enthronement of God? And what if “rest” wasn’t the end of work, but the beginning of reign? In this…
The Biblical MindIsrael’s Rituals, God’s Needs, and the Covenant That Changed Everything (John Walton) Ep. #223
What happens when a senior biblical scholar changes their mind—publicly? In this episode, Dr. John Walton returns to explain key shifts in his thinking…
The Biblical MindCultural Rivers, Order, and Covenant: Tools For Reading Scripture Well (John Walton) Ep. #222
In this thought-provoking episode, Walton explains his “cultural rivers” metaphor—how each culture swims in its own current of values, assumptions, and logic…
The Biblical MindUnlocking The Deep Structures of Scripture: The Bible's Unified Message (Joshua Berman) Ep. #221
What if the Bible was written with deep structural patterns designed to echo across generations—economically and theologically? In this riveting episode, Dr…
The Biblical MindAttachment Theory, God’s Presence, & The Image of God: How God Heals Us (Geoff Holsclaw) Ep. #220
What does attachment theory have to do with discipleship, theology, or the church? According to Dr. Geoff Holsclaw, more than we realize. In this episode…
The Biblical MindPharisees, Torah, and Sacrifice: What We Miss When We Misread the Law (Paul Sloan) Ep. #219
Did Jesus come to cancel the Law of Moses—or fulfill it? In this compelling episode, Dr. Paul Sloan joins Dru Johnson to challenge one of the most persistent…
The Biblical MindIs "Eye For An Eye" Christian? Jesus, Justice, and The Limits of Vengeance (Dru Johnson) Ep. #218
“Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” We’ve all heard the phrase—but what does it actually mean in the Bible? In this episode, Mike Tolliver and Dr. Dru Johnson…
The Biblical MindFeasting on Hope: Sacraments, Trauma, and Formation in the Church (Hannah King) Ep. #217
Is communion just a symbolic snack—or a mysterious, formative act of grace? In this episode, Rev. Hannah King, an Anglican priest and author of the upcoming…
The Biblical MindTheology in the Mother Tongue: Oral Bible Translation and Embodied Faith (Fausto Liriano) Ep. #216
What if the Bible isn’t something you read—but something you hear, memorize, and perform? In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Fausto Liriano shares his work…
The Biblical MindThe Illusion of Intelligence: Why AI Can’t Replace Embodied Life (Noreen Herzfeld) Ep. #215
Is AI intelligent—or just artificial? In this provocative episode, Dr. Noreen Herzfeld, a rare scholar of both computer science and theology, joins Dru Johnson…
The Biblical MindBecoming God’s Family: Against Church Hurt, Isolation, and Autonomy (Carmen Imes) Ep. #214
Can you be a Christian without the church? In this timely episode, Dr. Carmen Imes argues forcefully—and pastorally—that Christianity without community is a…
The Biblical MindLiterature and Idealism: Or, How The Bible Is A "Thick" Story (Karen Swallow Prior) Ep. #213
What do Tolkien, vocation, and gritty literature have in common? In this conversation, Dru Johnson talks with literary scholar Dr. Karen Swallow Prior about…
The Biblical MindTribes, States, & Empires: Scripture’s Vision for a Virtuous Political Order (Yoram Hazony) Ep. #212
In this second conversation with political philosopher Yoram Hazony, we dive deeper into the biblical concept of nationhood, wrestling with listener-submitted…
The Biblical MindJust War, Christianity, and The Call to Serve: The Ethics of Military Service (Darren Duke) Ep #211
Should Christians serve in the military? In this sobering and nuanced episode, Dru Johnson sits down with retired Colonel Darren Duke—Marine Corps Special…
The Biblical MindBuilding a Movement: Why the Church Needs Hebraic Thought—and What We’re Doing About It Ep. #210
In this update episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver pull back the curtain on the work happening at the Center for Hebraic Thought. From filing 501(c)(3)…
The Biblical MindJesus Under Every Rock? Rethinking Christ-Centered Reading & Preaching (Chris Wright) Ep #209
Should Christians look for Jesus in every verse of the Old Testament—or are we missing the point when we do? In this wide-ranging and practical conversation…
The Biblical MindThe NAR, Power, and Prophecy: Inside America’s Forgotten Christian Movement (Matthew Taylor) Ep. #208
What if the most politically influential Christian leaders in America aren’t the ones you’ve heard of? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Matthew D. Taylor…
The Biblical MindHollywood, Scripture, and Politics: Joan Didion and the Power of Story (Alissa Wilkinson) Ep. #207
What do Hollywood, Joan Didion, and the Bible have in common? More than you’d expect. In this episode, New York Times film critic and author Alissa Wilkinson…
The Biblical MindWine, Worship, and Craftsmanship: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol (John Dunne) Ep #206
Was wine in the Bible just a calorie source—or something far richer? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, author of The Mountain Shall…
- The Biblical Mind
Is Nationalism Biblical? Yoram Hazony on Nations, Empires, and Justice (Yoram Hazony) Ep. #205
Is nationalism always bad—or does the Bible have a more nuanced view of nations, borders, and political life? In this fascinating episode, Israeli philosopher…
The Biblical MindDo You See What I See? Worship, Joint Attention, and Being Human (Cockayne & Salter) Ep. #204
Is church just a place to think about God—or are we wired to worship together? In this groundbreaking episode, theologian Dr. Josh Cockayne and developmental…
The Biblical MindHow Artists Think Biblically: Liturgies, Ritual, and the Weight of Words (Douglas McKelvey) Ep. #203
What gives someone the right to script your prayers? In this powerful conversation, Douglas McKelvey, author of the bestselling Every Moment Holy liturgical…
The Biblical MindIs Abraham a Hero or a Warning? How Genre Makes or Breaks Your Bible Reading (Andy Judd) Ep. #202
What if our biggest biblical misunderstandings come from reading the right words in the wrong way? In this episode, Old Testament scholar Dr. Andy Judd joins…
The Biblical MindStorge, Justice, and the Ten Commandments: Rethinking Biblical Love (Mike Tolliver) Ep. #201
Is loving your family first a biblical idea—or a betrayal of Jesus’ call to love your neighbor? In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Tolliver—Executive…
The Biblical MindManaging Fame, Faith, and the Stage: Inside the (Christian) Music Industry (Nick Barre) Ep. #200
What does it mean to call something “Christian music”? Nick Barré has spent decades in the music industry—from working at EMI with early Switchfoot to managing…
The Biblical MindWhy Intellectual Humility Is the Key to Understanding Scripture (Matt Whitman) Ep. #199
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson sits down with Matt Whitman, host of The Ten Minute Bible Hour, to explore why so many Christians—and skeptics—struggle with…
The Biblical MindEvolution and Identity: A Jewish Perspective on Science and Belief (Rachel Pear) Ep. #198
What happens when science, religion, and education collide? In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pear shares her remarkable journey from growing up in New York’s modern…
The Biblical MindIs Evolution a Dirty Word? Muslim Perspectives on Science and Religion (Shoaib Malik) Ep. #197
Is the relationship between Islam and science as well-developed as it is in Christianity? Not even close—but that’s changing. In this episode, Dr. Shoaib Ahmed…
The Biblical MindCan Muslims, Jews, and Christians Talk About Science and Scripture? (Dru Johnson) Ep. #196
What happens when you put 15 scholars—scientists and theologians, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian—in a room to talk about creation? In this episode of The…
The Biblical MindSyndicated: Jesus and Jewish Law (Logan Williams and Paul Sloan) Ep. #195
Was the Mosaic Law a burdensome set of rules meant to be broken? Did Jesus overthrow the Torah—or fulfill it? In this special episode of The Biblical Mind…
The Biblical MindICYMI - Wisdom of Primal Peoples in the Era of World Christianity (Jangkholam Haokip) Ep. #194
This episode was originally published on November 11, 2022. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. Christianity is a truly global religion…
The Biblical MindIs God Really Unchanging? Challenging Classical Theism’s View of God (R.T. Mullins) Ep. #193
Is God emotionless and unchanging? Many systematic theologians have long argued that God is completely impassible—meaning He cannot feel, suffer, or be…
The Biblical MindWhy We Struggle to Read the Bible—And How to Fix It (Alex Goodwin) Ep. #192
What if the way we format and structure the Bible is actually making it harder to read? In this episode, Alex Goodwin joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to…
The Biblical MindFaith, Politics, and Media: Rethinking Christian Political Involvement (Kaitlyn Schiess) Ep. #191
Are we mistaking media consumption for political engagement? In this episode, Kaitlyn Schiess joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to challenge the way Christians…
The Biblical MindFrom the Five Percent Nation to Biblical Scholar: CHT Fellow Hakeem Bradley Ep. #190
What if the Bible isn’t meant to be neatly packaged and easily explained? In this episode, CHT Fellow Hakeem Bradley joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to discuss…
The Biblical MindThe Contemporary Worship Music Pipeline, or "Where Did The Psalms Go?" (Marc Jolicoeur) Ep. #189
Who decides what worship songs we sing in church? It turns out, worship music is a massive industry, and the way songs make it from a Nashville songwriting…
The Biblical MindListening to the Bible: Why Scripture Was Meant to Be Heard (Dru Johnson) Ep. #188
Most of us read the Bible with our eyes—but what if we’re missing something essential by not listening to it? In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson challenges the…
The Biblical MindThe Rapture, the Mark of the Beast, & Christian Eschatology—Fact & Fiction (Matt Halsted) Ep. #187
What if much of what we believe about the end times is shaped more by modern speculation than by biblical theology? In this episode, Dr. Matthew L. Halsted…
The Biblical MindHow Scripture Reads Scripture: Understanding Biblical Intertextuality (Brent Strawn) Ep. #186
How does the Bible interpret itself? In this episode, Dr. Brent Strawn joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to explore intertextuality—the ways biblical authors…
The Biblical MindAmerican Christian Nationalism and the Way of Jesus (Caleb E. Campbell) Ep. #185
What if Christian nationalism isn’t a head problem but a heart problem? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Dru Johnson speaks with Caleb Campbell, author…
The Biblical MindJoseph's Brothers Never Sold Him Into Slavery (Ari Lamm) Ep. #184
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm about a provocative interpretation of the Joseph narrative: Joseph’s brothers did not sell him…
The Biblical MindThe State of Hebraic Thought in 2025 (Dru Johnson) Ep. #183
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver reflect on the growth and challenges of Hebraic thought over the past year and explore its future trajectory…
The Biblical MindHebraic Thought, "What Hath Darwin...", and What's Coming Next (Dru Johnson) Ep #182
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson, president and founder of the Center for Hebraic Thought, explains the concept of Hebraic thought and its enduring relevance…
The Biblical MindICYMI: The Church's Alarming Neglect of the Old Testament (Brent Strawn) Ep. 181
This episode was originally published on April 30, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews…
The Biblical MindICYMI: The Biblical Authors vs. Greek Philosophy (Joseph Dodson) Ep. 180
This episode was originally published on April 2, 2021. We thought it was worth a reissue for our newer listeners. In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson sits down…
The Biblical MindJudaism is About Love (Shai Held) part 2 Ep. 179
In this continuation of their conversation, Dr. Dru Johnson speaks with Rabbi Dr. Shai Held about the themes explored in his book, Judaism is About Love. The…
The Biblical MindJudaism is About Love (Shai Held) part 1 Ep. 178
In this special episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Rabbi Dr. Shai Held, president and dean of the Hadar Institute, about his book, Judaism is About Love. The…
The Biblical MindWhat Do You Want? (Mike Tolliver) Ep 177
Welcome to the final installment of this podcast series on the past, present, and future of the Center for Hebraic Thought! In this episode, hosts Dru Johnson…
The Biblical MindWhere Are We Going? (Mike Tolliver) Ep. 176
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson introduces Mike Tolliver, the new Executive Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought (CHT). Together, they discuss exciting…
The Biblical MindSo, What Happened? (Dru Johnson) The Biblical Mind Ep. 175
In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson, Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought (CHT), shares the journey of the Center, its recent challenges, and its exciting…
The Biblical MindWhy Does Church Matter? Learning from Jazz (Mark Glanville)
Quotes from this episode: "With the Bible in our hands, it's time to improvise church again and to see what the spirit is calling us to and how the spirit is…
The Biblical MindWhen No One Reads Books Anymore
Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore speaks with Dru Johnson about literacy, theology, and the need for bookstores to cultivate the Christian…
The Biblical MindWill AI Take Over the World (Adam Graber)
Appropriately: An AI generated summary of our conversation: The conversation explores the influence of technology on humanity and the reciprocal relationship…
The Biblical MindScripture, Sexuality, and Podcasting (Preston Sprinkle)
In the first half of this episode, Dru Johnson talks with Preston Sprinkle about his journeys into the LGBTQ+ communities, theologies, and conversations and…
The Biblical MindWhy We Need the Global Church (Stephen T. Pardue)
In this episode, we discuss Stephen T. Pardue's newest book Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…
The Biblical MindAre Psychedelics Good for Depression, or Anything at All? (Ben ”Doc” Askins) [Full Episode]
Audio editing (and strategic bleeping) by John Viinalass. In the first half of this extra long episode: We discuss the strange biography of Ben "Doc" Askins…
The Biblical MindA Bend in the Road for TBM and CHT, and Farewell Celina!
The Biblical Mind and the Center for Hebraic Thought are entering a new phase after ending a formal partnership with The King’s College. Additionally, CHT…
The Biblical Mind’Fireside’ Chat: Distance between Seminaries and Churches (Matt LaPine)
Dru enjoys a more casual conversation with Matthew A. LaPine (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), pastor of theological development at Cornerstone…
The Biblical MindIs ’Systemic Injustice’ Biblical? (Michael Rhodes)
Terms like "systemic sin" or "structural injustice" immediately make many people think of contemporary ideologies that they either strongly embrace or strongly…