In this conversation, Daniel Rogers, Kyler Burk, and Jared Byas discuss the book of Jonah and how it should be interpreted. They explore the idea that Jonah may not be a historically accurate tale, but rather a work of satire, parody, or allegory. They highlight clues within the text, such as hyperbole and the use of different literary styles, that…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Elizabeth Orr joins Pete and Jared to discuss the Enneagram and its role in fostering self-compassion and personal growth. Together they highlight how understanding your Enneagram type can lead to greater self-awareness and healthier relationships, and how self-discovery tools like the Enneagram give us a…

This is the last planned episode for season 1! Season 2 is planned to launch in January. There will be a few bonus episodes between then now though. We are just giving ourselves the freedom to take a break. In this engaging conversation, Daniel Rogers and Aram Mitchell explore themes of personal transitions, pastoral leadership, and the creative pr…

In this bonus episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared continue their conversation with Jon D. Levenson about the theme of child sacrifice in the Bible, focusing on how the idea evolved from ancient times into later religious traditions. They uncover how the practice became condemned while the meaning persisted through symbolic acts l…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Jon D. Levenson to discuss the complex and ancient practice of child sacrifice, focusing on biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts. Together they explore the historical, theological, and cultural significance of these sacrifices, particularly in relation to divine favo…

Deborah, a prominent figure in the book of Judges, challenges the perception that women are only in the text because there are no good men available. In a male-dominated society, Deborah's leadership and influence as a judge for over 40 years is exceptional. She is one of the few judges in the Old Testament who is also titled as a prophet, highligh…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Valarie Kaur, a renowned Sikh activist, lawyer, and author, about the Sikh tradition and her philosophy of Revolutionary Love. Together they explore the history of Sikhism and its roots in love, oneness, and social justice, as well as the importance of music, poetry, and storytell…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Aaron Higashi talk to Madhavi Nevader about the rise and fall of monarchy in ancient Israel and its representation in the Bible. Together they explore how Israel's kingship model of power developed, the tension between divine rule and human kingship, and how the theological shifts shown in th…

In this episode, Daniel and Kyler discuss Acts 17 and the different perceptions of God in Greek thought. They explore the idea of an abstract, impersonal deity and the Stoic belief in a withdrawn and indifferent God. They highlight how Jesus, through the Incarnation, challenges these views and reveals a God who is compassionate, loving, and present…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete continues his exploration of the Book of Genesis, diving into Genesis 5-11 by examining the complexities of the genealogies and the flood narrative, defining source criticism, and more. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Beam. If you want to try Beam’s Greens, get up to 40% off …

In this episode, Daniel and Kyler discuss the emphasis on the Holy Spirit and the inclusivity of all people in the outpouring of the Spirit. The sermon in Acts 2 is examined, focusing on the resurrection of Jesus and his exaltation as Lord and Messiah. They discuss the significance of baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, highlighting the tra…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Greg Carey to explore the concept of apocalyptic literature within the Bible and its broader implications. Greg delves into the meaning of apocalyptic, explains the evolution of apocalyptic literature from proto-apocalyptic texts in the Old Testament to its more developed …

In this conversation, Daniel Rogers interviews William Paul Young, the author of The Shack. They discuss the imagery of God as Father and why some people struggle with this concept. Young explains that many people have difficulty with the Father imagery because of negative experiences with their own fathers. He emphasizes that God as Father is a me…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared and J. Aaron Simmons delve into the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard’s radical critique of Christendom, explaining why he thought institutionalized religion had strayed from a more true Christian faith. They also cover Kierkegaard’s belief in faith as a lived experience rather than mere doctrine and th…

In this episode, Daniel and Kyler have a conversation with author, podcast host, and all around great guy Jason Clark of "Rethinking God with Tacos." We talk about "Leaving and Finding Jesus", living "from" and not "to" God, and how our mind is renewed through encountering God's kindness through Jesus. We discuss our backgrounds and experiences wit…

In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Amy-Jill Levine about misconceptions surrounding the Pharisees and how to understand them in their context. The conversation delves into the historical background of the Pharisees, their role in Jewish society, and how they have been stereotyped over time. Show Notes → *******…

In this episode, Daniel and John Philip Newell discuss his new book "The Great Search." They explore original goodness, Celtic Christianity, and how all of us have a longing for Love, Peace, and a place to call home. Preorder "The Great Search" today: https://www.earthandsoul.org/ Subscribe to my substack for weekly posts: https://danielcrogers.sub…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared and Angela Parker talk to Yolanda Pierce about the different paths of deconstruction, how womanist and intersectional theology provides plenty good room, and why true multicultural diversity is more than just different faces in a shared space. Show Notes → ********** Mentioned in This Episode Class:…

This is a follow up of the last episode (Season 1: Episode 4). In this episode, Daniel and Kyler discuss how Kyler's new perspective on God and life has lead him to seek fellowship with Christians of other denominations. Subscribe to my substack for weekly posts: https://danielcrogers.substack.com Daniel's Usual Self-promotion Daniel's new book (an…

A tale as old as time…Pete is ruining the book of Genesis! In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete lovingly dissects Genesis 1-4 and the biblical story of “how things began.” Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Lumi. To learn more about microdosing THC, go to Microdose.com and use code NORMALPEOPLE to get free shipping…

In this podcast, Daniel talks with Kyler Burk, a listener of Exploring Faith, Pursuing Grace. Kyler began listening to the podcast after reading Daniel's book "How a 25-Year-Old Learned He Wasn't the Only One Going to Heaven." Through the podcast, he learned about grace, mercy, and the love of God. Here's here now to tell his story. Subscribe to my…

In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete talks to David Dark about the necessity of doubt in the life of faith and the human experience. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by AG1. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs …

In this podcast, Daniel and Brian McLaren talk about his new book "Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart." You can find details about it here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/194534247-life-after-doom Subscribe to my substack for weekly posts: https://danielcrogers.substack.com Daniel's Usual Self-promotion Daniel's new …

What makes biblical studies different from theology, and vice versa? Why does it matter? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared ruminate on the goals, methods, and focus of each distinct field and why it’s important to understand the difference when engaging with the Bible and faith. Show Notes → ********** This episode is s…