Best The Library Coven Podcasts (2024)

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97. A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

29d ago

—

It’s our final episode (!), and we’re discussing A Tempest of Tea, the much anticipated new novel by Hafsah Faizal. We meet Arthie Casimir and her crew who run a tea-house-turned-blood-house called Spindrift in the city of White Roaring. When Spindrift is threatened, Arthie is forced to make alliances and pull off a dangerous heist. There are vampi…

1
Body and Blood: The Mysterious Origins of the Eucharist 57:48

2d ago57:48

57:48

The Eucharist is such a common part of Christian worship that it's easy to overlook how strange it is — drinking wine that represents Jesus's blood, eating bread that represents His flesh. The ritual would have been even more shocking to Jesus's Jewish followers, for whom consuming blood (even metaphorically) was absolutely forbidden. The New Testa…

1
Sunday Gathering - Father's Day Gathering, Pastor William Whitehead, "The Male Man" 11:21

5d ago11:21

11:21

Sunday Gathering Father's Day Gathering Pastor William Whitehead "The Male Man" June 16th @ 10amBy Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Sunday Gathering - Father's Day Gathering, Min Lovell Lee, "The Male Man" 11:29

5d ago11:29

11:29

Sunday Gathering Father's Day Gathering Min Lovell Lee "The Male Man" June 16th @ 10amBy Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Sunday Gathering - Father's Day Gathering, Min Cedric Hodges "The Male Man" 12:05

5d ago12:05

12:05

Sunday Gathering Fathers Day Gathering Min Cedric Hodges "The Male Man" June 16th @ 10amBy Lifeline Church Chicago

51
A Crash Course in Biblical History with Dan McClellan 1:03:33

9d ago1:03:33

1:03:33

Join Helen and Dave as they attempt the impossible — to cover the entirety of biblical history in one fact-packed episode! To help us, we recruited Dan McClellan from the Data Over Dogma podcast to walk us century by century, book by book through the creation of the Bible. It's like listening to a full season of Biblical Time Machine in one sitting…

1
Sunday Gathering at Main, Pastor Cargo "Heart of the Matter" 40:40

15d ago40:40

40:40

Sunday Gathering at Main Pastor Cargo "Heart of the Matter" 060924By Lifeline Church Chicago

101
The History of Prayer from Ancient Judaism to Early Christianity 58:32

16d ago58:32

58:32

The "Song of Miriam" is one of the oldest verses in the Hebrew Bible and it's a prayer. What was the nature and role of prayer in ancient Israelite religion? And how can we trace the evolution of prayer into the New Testament period and Jesus's institution of the "Lord's Prayer"? Guest Judith Newman takes us on a fascinating exploration of the hist…

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Sunday Gathering, Pastor Reggie, "HOTM: Practicing Godliness", Part 2 38:54

18d ago38:54

38:54

Sunday Gathering Pastor Reggie "HOTM: Practicing Godliness", Part 2 060224By Lifeline Church Chicago

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Food: What Did They Eat in Ancient Israel? 54:58

24d ago54:58

54:58

Finally, Helen and Dave turn to the most important topic of any time period — food! What the heck did regular folks in the Levant eat back in the 12th and 11th centuries BCE? The Hebrew Bible is a lousy recipe book, so we talked to Jacob Damm, an archeologist who specializes in the food and foodways of Ancient Israel. Grab a snack for this one. You…

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LSOC Covenant Gathering, Pastor Lance, "You Owe Me an Especially" 33:36

29d ago33:36

33:36

LSOC Covenant Gathering Pastor Lance "You Owe Me an Especially" 052624By Lifeline Church Chicago

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Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie, Pentecost, Part 2, "Practicing Godliness" 42:33

29d ago42:33

42:33

Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie Pentecost, Part 2, "Practicing Godliness" 052604By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
A Face-Melting Look at the Ark of the Covenant 35:43

1M ago35:43

35:43

If Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is accurate, peering inside the fabled Ark of the Covenant will result in mild to severe face-melting and occasional head exploding. In the Hebrew Bible, the Ark doesn't melt any faces, but it does inflict its fair share of divine violence. Guest Rachelle Gilmour explains the fascinating history and …

1
Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie, "The Heart of the Matter: Pentecost Sunday" 52:59

1M ago52:59

52:59

Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie "The Heart of the Matter: Pentecost Sunday" May 19th @ 10amBy Lifeline Church Chicago

1
The Case for Q, the 'Lost Gospel' 53:52

1M ago53:52

53:52

One of the longest-running debates among biblical scholars is over the existence of a hypothetical "lost gospel" called Q. If you compare the synoptic gospels — Mark, Matthew and Luke — there are similarities and differences that can't easily be explained. Was there an even earlier source about Jesus that these gospels were based on? And if so, who…

1
Sunday Gathering at Main, Mother's Day, Tonia Thomas, "I Get It From My Mama" 19:49

1M ago19:49

19:49

Sunday Gathering at Main Mother's Day Tonia Thomas "I Get It From My Mama" 051224By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Sunday Gathering at Main, Mother's Day, Marilyn Ross 6:27

1M ago6:27

6:27

Sunday Gathering at Main Mother's Day Marilyn Ross 051224By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Sunday Gathering at Main, Mother's Day, Betty Tapia, "The Importance of Self-care" 10:11

1M ago10:11

10:11

Sunday Gathering at Main Mother's Day Betty Tapia "The Importance of Self-care" 051224By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
96. I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea 37:17

1M ago37:17

37:17

Show announcement: several months ago we decided that it’s time for The Library Coven to come to an end, so this will be our final season. Over the past nearly 6 years we’ve loved making the show and forging connections with folks we never would have met otherwise. But it’s time for our HEAs*. Whether you’re a new listener or someone who’s been wit…

1
Samson: Hero or Psychopath? 42:37

2M ago42:37

42:37

Of all the problematic heroes in the Hebrew Bible, Samson takes first prize. Samson is hailed as a hero of the Israelites — a "Nazirite" consecrated to God with superhuman strength — but he's also a mass murderer, womanizer and all-around menace to society. Helen and Dave welcome Mahri Leonard-Fleckman to the podcast to try to make sense of the wil…

1
Gnosticism and the Nag Hammadi Library Explained 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

In 1945, dozens of previously unknown Christian texts were discovered near the Egyptian desert town of Nag Hammadi. Some texts were closely tied to the New Testament, like the Gospel of Thomas, but others were pretty wild, portraying the God of the Hebrew Bible as a demon trickster. All of these texts were labeled "gnostic," but scholars continue t…

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95. House of Marionne by J. Elle 46:12

2M ago46:12

46:12

Today we’re talking about House of Marionne by J. Elle, which introduces us to 17-year-old Quell who has lived an itinerant life with her mother for *reasons* (namely, the forbidden power Quell wields), but is then forced to go directly into the belly of the beast…the magic boarding school at a lavish estate near New Orleans. Will Quell be able to …

1
Surgery or Spit? Healthcare in the Ancient World 43:53

2M ago43:53

43:53

Countless things could sicken or injure you in the ancient world, so where did people turn for help? Much like today, there were no shortage of healthcare options: herbs, drugs, surgery, saliva — even a literal hole in the head! Helen and Dave welcome historian Jared Secord to discuss what passed for medical care in the ancient Mediterranean and wh…

1
Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie, The Heart of the Matter: "Identifying and Healing" 45:11

2M ago45:11

45:11

Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie The Heart of the Matter: "Identifying and Healing" 042124By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Passover: Did the Exodus Really Happen? 49:26

2M ago49:26

49:26

Every Passover, Jewish families gather to recount the miraculous story of Moses leading the Hebrews out of captivity in Egypt. But how much of this age-old tale is true? Helen and Dave welcome Carol Meyers back to the podcast to talk about the limits of Exodus archeology and to put forward some intriguing theories about the historical origins of th…

1
How Horrible Were Ancient Prisons? LIVE from SBL 1:18:54

2M ago1:18:54

1:18:54

If you thought everyday life in the 1st century was disgusting, wait until you step inside a Roman prison. In our very first LIVE episode, we talk with Matthew Larsen, historian of ancient incarceration, about the conditions Paul and other early Christians experienced in ancient prisons — nasty food, nastier smells and what it meant to be sent off …

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94. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose 45:15

3M ago45:15

45:15

In this episode we discuss the first book in the Nampesheweisit series, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. We both listened to the audiobook narrated by Charlie Flyte. J starts the show giving it 4.5 stars but revises the rating up to 5 by the end –– this book rocks! Recommend if you like… How to Train Your Dragon ofc Magic school …

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Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie, The Heart of the Matter: "The Offensive Trap" 1:14:32

3M ago1:14:32

1:14:32

Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie The Heart of the Matter: "The Offensive Trap" 040724By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Enslaved Christians and the Making of the Bible 40:26

3M ago40:26

40:26

In the 1st-century Roman world where Christianity was born, 20% of the population was enslaved. Enslaved people were laborers, farmers, artisans, scribes, teachers, servants and sex workers. And as our guest Candida Moss explains, enslaved people also played a critical role in the spread of Christianity, including the authorship of biblical texts. …

1
Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie, "My Response to the Cross" 42:42

3M ago42:42

42:42

Sunday Gathering, Easter Gathering Pastor Reggie "My Response to the Cross" 033124By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Easter: Behind the Scenes of "The Chosen" 36:27

3M ago36:27

36:27

"The Chosen" is a global phenomenon. The streaming series about the life of Jesus is now in its 4th season, which is building toward Jesus's final week in Jerusalem. Helen and Dave were thrilled to chat with actor Richard Fancy, who plays high priest Caiaphas on "The Chosen." Richard did some serious research to prepare for his role — he even read …

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93. The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa 37:19

3M ago37:19

37:19

Our season 6 winning streak continues with The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa. We both LOVED the audiobook narrated by the incomparable Vico Ortiz (Jim from Our Flag Means Death). The novel tells the story of Mar, a magical enby/genderqueer/trans-guy whose father made a deal with the literal devil that comes back to haunt everyone. It’s a book a…

1
Sunday Gathering at Main, Pastor Antione - "The Heart of the Matter", Part 5 57:18

3M ago57:18

57:18

Sunday Gathering at Main Pastor Antione "The Heart of the Matter", Part 5 032424By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Easter: A Closer Look at the Resurrection 47:15

3M ago47:15

47:15

The Resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity, but the reality of the empty tomb is largely a matter of faith, not history. All of the evidence pertaining to the Resurrection is found within the New Testament. So how can anyone definitively prove that the Resurrection did or did not happen? If anyone can do it, Dale Allison can. Dale…

1
Sunday Gathering with Pastor London, "The Heart of the Matter", Part 4 58:20

3M ago58:20

58:20

Sunday Gathering with Pastor London "The Heart of the Matter", Part 4 031724By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Easter: Crucifixion in the Roman Empire 51:31

3M ago51:31

51:31

Jesus's mortal life ended on a Roman cross, one of the cruellest execution methods known to man. But how common was crucifixion in the Roman world and how accurate was the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus's agonizing end? In this fascinating (and somewhat gruesome) episode, we dive into the debate over the true shape of Roman crosses, whether Jes…

1
Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie - "The Heart of the Matter" Part 3 54:35

4M ago54:35

54:35

Sunday Gathering Next Level Living: The Heart of the Matter, Part 3 Pastor Reggie 031024By Lifeline Church Chicago

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92. That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams 38:28

4M ago38:28

38:28

Y’all, we’re on a winning streak with the books this season! That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams is the first book in the Forage and Fracture Saga, and it’s set in 1600s England.. It’s got Fae, Orisha, Shakespeare, a cool magical system, and a gorgeous cover! Get thee to the library for a copy! Recommend if you like… Legendborn and Bloodma…

1
Capernaum: the Archeology of a Jewish and Christian Village 46:19

4M ago46:19

46:19

Capernaum is known as "the Town of Jesus," since so many of Jesus's miracles and preaching happened in this small town on the Sea of Galilee. In the centuries after Jesus's death, Capernaum transformed from a Jewish fishing village into a Christian holy site. Thanks to archeology, we can learn more about Jewish-Christian relations in Capernaum duri…

1
Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie, Next Level Living - The Heart of the Matter, Part 1 55:25

4M ago55:25

55:25

Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie Next Level Living - The Heart of the Matter, Part 1 030324By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Leprosy in the Bible — What Was It? 47:18

4M ago47:18

47:18

The history doctor is in! Helen and Dave welcome Dr. Ricky Shinall — an MD with a PhD in biblical studies — to help us diagnose leprosy in the ancient world. Did biblical leprosy have anything to do with modern Hansen's disease? Were lepers considered "untouchable" pariahs? And what does all of this have to do with ritual impurity? For more, check …

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91. The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag 37:10

4M ago37:10

37:10

We absolutely loved The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag! This graphic novel is a quick and cute read that digs into the nuances of coming out in various contexts and relationships, among other conflicts (*cough* rich people and their yachts *cough*). And the illustrations are beautiful! Note: k’s audio is a bit weird on this one, but we tr…

1
The Ancient Jews (and Temple) of Elephantine Island 55:46

4M ago55:46

55:46

In the 6th Century BCE, on a tiny island in the Nile River, once stood a Temple to Yahweh. Far from Jerusalem, the ancient Jews of Egypt's Elephantine Island worshipped a mighty god they called "Yaho" in one of the first diaspora Jewish communities outside of Palestine. How they got there and who they became is a fascinating and little-known story.…

1
Sunday Gathering at Main, Pastor Antoine, Next Level Living: Follow, Part 3 53:14

4M ago53:14

53:14

Sunday Gathering at Main Pastor Antoine Next Level Living: Follow, Part 3 021824By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Who Wrote the King James Bible? 49:27

4M ago49:27

49:27

"Thou shalt not" miss this episode about the King James Bible, the most-read literary work in the English language! But who was King James? Why did he order a new English translation of the Bible (there were plenty out there already)? And who were the translators tasked with this monumental project (hint: not Shakespeare)? Helen and Dave are joined…

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90. Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong 36:20

5M ago36:20

36:20

In this episode we discuss Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong, a novel in her “Secret Shanghai” series. While technically preceded by These Violent Delights and These Violent Ends, we didn’t start with those and still very much enjoyed Foul Lady Fortune. The sequel, Foul Heart Huntsman, is out now. Thanks to the publisher for sending us some of Chloe’…

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Sunday Gathering at Main, Pastor Antoine, Next Level Living, Follow, Part 2 - "Follow-ship Requires Submission" 37:21

5M ago37:21

37:21

Sunday Gathering at Main Pastor Antoine Next Level Living, Follow, Part 2, "Follow-ship Requires Submission" 021124By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
Did Jesus Bless a Same-Sex Relationship? 48:46

5M ago48:46

48:46

The New Testament story known as the "Healing of the Centurion's Slave" has been the subject of some intriguing scholarship in recent years. In the Greco-Roman world, the Greek word translated as "slave" or "servant" in the Bible also meant the younger partner in a same-sex male relationship. So the question is: by healing the Centurion's partner, …

1
Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie, Next Level Living - Follow, Part 1 "A Heart to Follow" 44:11

5M ago44:11

44:11

Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie Next Level Living - Follow, Part 1 "A Heart to Follow" 020424By Lifeline Church Chicago

1
David & Goliath Like You've Never Read It Before 48:12

5M ago48:12

48:12

Heroic stories like David and Goliath were told for centuries before they were written down. But the creative storytelling process didn't end there. Written texts were "performed" and improvised upon, creating new variations that made it into later texts. The Bible that we have today was the product of ongoing "conversations" between oral and writt…

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