On a Limb Productions: https://www.onalimbproductions.com/ "Destroyer of the Gods" by Larry Hurtado Find links to all podcast episodes here: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/ 

On a Limb Productions: <a href="https://www.onalimbproductions.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.onalimbproductions.com/ </a> <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/destroyer-early-christian-distinctiveness-roman-world/larry-hurtado/9781481304740/pd/304740" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Destroyer of the Gods" by Larry Hurtado</a> Find links to all podcast episodes here: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/</a>

The Choice We Need to Make (+ a big announcement)

All too often, Bible stories such a David and Goliath, Joseph's adventures, and Daniel in the Lions Den are reduced to setups for a moral lesson or spiritual principle. The classic children's book "Sounder" models a better way. By constantly immersing ourselves in the Bible's stories, we come to see how those stories reverberate into our stories.Find links to all podcast episodes here: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/ 

All too often, Bible stories such a David and Goliath, Joseph's adventures, and Daniel in the Lions Den are reduced to setups for a moral lesson or spiritual principle. The classic children's book "Sounder" models a better way. By constantly immersing ourselves in the Bible's stories, we come to see how those stories reverberate into our stories.Find links to all podcast episodes here: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/</a>

A Better Way to "Apply" Bible Stories

After historical narrative, poetry is the most common form of literature in the Bible. The Bible's story is broad, but it is also incredibly deep. The craftsmanship of biblical poetry shows us that God wants to speak to our hearts, to help us feel, and to give us footholds to experience him more fully through all of the emotions of life.Find links to all podcast episodes here: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/ 

After historical narrative, poetry is the most common form of literature in the Bible. The Bible's story is broad, but it is also incredibly deep. The craftsmanship of biblical poetry shows us that God wants to speak to our hearts, to help us feel, and to give us footholds to experience him more fully through all of the emotions of life.Find links to all podcast episodes here: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/</a>

Architecture, Poetry, and How the Bible Speaks to our Hearts

Our modern priorities of exactitude and just-the-facts reporting can lead us to come to the Bible's stories with a certain set of expectations. The authors of the Bible, however, had different agendas which are reflected in the ways they tell stories. By learning to read the Bible's narratives with careful eyes, we can uncover meaning and significance that has been hiding in plain sight all along.The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Our modern priorities of exactitude and just-the-facts reporting can lead us to come to the Bible's stories with a certain set of expectations. The authors of the Bible, however, had different agendas which are reflected in the ways they tell stories. By learning to read the Bible's narratives with careful eyes, we can uncover meaning and significance that has been hiding in plain sight all along.The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

How the Bible Narrates History

Lots of people struggle to read the Bible, but few stop to question why our Scriptures look like a dictionary. Why are we expected to read something that looks so unreadable? The truth is, chapters and verses and the format of our Modern Bible are some of the most overlooked barriers in the push for better Bible literacy.In this episode, we cut and arranged clips from three of our earliest episodes into one episode exploring the massive impact of the Bible's physical format. We discuss the origin of chapters and verses and how they led to an avalanche of Bible "features" that hide the natural literature. Then we show how a different Bible format changes everything – a format that makes for an easier reading experience and displays the Bible's literature the way the authors first intended. Learn more about Immerse: The Reading Bible - https://www.immersebible.com/Comparison of poetry in 1-column vs. 2-column Bible: https://bit.ly/2FLzRUHListen to the full episodes:Episode 4: Chapters, Verses, and the Impact of the Modern BibleEpisode 5: How to Make a Reader's Bible w/ Christopher SmithEpisode 6: The Game-Changing Power of Reader's BiblesThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Lots of people struggle to read the Bible, but few stop to question why our Scriptures look like a dictionary. Why are we expected to read something that looks so unreadable? The truth is, chapters and verses and the format of our Modern Bible are some of the most overlooked barriers in the push for better Bible literacy.In this episode, we cut and arranged clips from three of our earliest episodes into one episode exploring the massive impact of the Bible's physical format. We discuss the origin of chapters and verses and how they led to an avalanche of Bible "features" that hide the natural literature. Then we show how a different Bible format changes everything – a format that makes for an easier reading experience and displays the Bible's literature the way the authors first intended. Learn more about Immerse: The Reading Bible - <a href="https://www.immersebible.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.immersebible.com/</a>Comparison of poetry in 1-column vs. 2-column Bible: <a href="https://bit.ly/2FLzRUH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2FLzRUH</a>Listen to the full episodes: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/episode-4-chapters-verses-and-the-impact-of-the-modern-bible/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 4: Chapters, Verses, and the Impact of the Modern Bible</a> <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/episode-5-how-to-make-a-readers-bible-christopher-smith/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 5: How to Make a Reader's Bible w/ Christopher Smith</a> <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/episode-6-the-game-changing-power-of-readers-bibles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 6: The Game-Changing Power of Reader's Bibles</a>The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Supercut: From Chapters and Verses to a Better Bible Reading Experience

What does wisdom look like? Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job present three distinct perspectives on living well in God's world. Rather than offering a one-dimensional answer, they give us a conversation.The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

What does wisdom look like? Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job present three distinct perspectives on living well in God's world. Rather than offering a one-dimensional answer, they give us a conversation.The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

How Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes Work Together

In our second episode on apocalyptic literature, we look at the book of Revelation. As the source of a lot of confusion (and a lot of bad modern 'prophecy') Revelation can feel like a strange ending to the biblical narrative. But a closer look at the ancient historical circumstances of the early church can help shed light on the wild imagery of John's apocalypse, bringing a message that's still relevant for followers of Jesus today.Some resources to get started on Revelation:Richard Bauckham - The Theology of the Book of RevelationGordon Fee - RevelationMichael Gorman - Reading Revelation ResponsiblyN. T. Wright - Revelation for EveryoneThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

In our second episode on apocalyptic literature, we look at the book of Revelation. As the source of a lot of confusion (and a lot of bad modern 'prophecy') Revelation can feel like a strange ending to the biblical narrative. But a closer look at the ancient historical circumstances of the early church can help shed light on the wild imagery of John's apocalypse, bringing a message that's still relevant for followers of Jesus today.Some resources to get started on Revelation: Richard Bauckham - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Book-Revelation-New-Testament/dp/0521356911" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Theology of the Book of Revelation</a> Gordon Fee - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Nccs-New-Covenant-Commentary/dp/1608994317" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Revelation</a> Michael Gorman - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Revelation-Responsibly-Following-Creation/dp/1606085603" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reading Revelation Responsibly</a> N. T. Wright - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Everyone-New-Testament/dp/066422797X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Revelation for Everyone</a>The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Demystifying the Book of Revelation

One of the key skills we need to read the Bible well is understanding and "playing by the rules" of the various types of literature we encounter. Apocalypse, often misunderstood as a checklist for the end-times, was a common literary style in ancient times, and is better understood as an "unveiling." Today we talk about some key things to keep in mind as you make your way through the Bible's strange and wild apocalyptic literature.Have you learned or talked much about literary genres? Send us an email here: info@ifbr.bibleThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

One of the key skills we need to read the Bible well is understanding and "playing by the rules" of the various types of literature we encounter. Apocalypse, often misunderstood as a checklist for the end-times, was a common literary style in ancient times, and is better understood as an "unveiling." Today we talk about some key things to keep in mind as you make your way through the Bible's strange and wild apocalyptic literature.Have you learned or talked much about literary genres? Send us an email here: <a href="mailto:info@ifbr.bible">info@ifbr.bible</a>The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Weird & Wild Apocalypse in the Bible

Most of us are familiar with the book of Lamentations and the many Psalms of lament, but what role does lament play in the New Testament?Rebekah Eklund, Associate Professor of Theology at Loyola University Maryland and author of Jesus Wept and Practicing Lament, joins us to explore the significant role of lament in Jesus' life. In the time between the resurrection and the eschaton, Christians are still called to lament – to cry out to God to come and make all things new.Also by Rebekah: The Beatitudes through the AgesThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Most of us are familiar with the book of Lamentations and the many Psalms of lament, but what role does lament play in the New Testament?Rebekah Eklund, Associate Professor of Theology at Loyola University Maryland and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Wept-Significance-Laments-Testament/dp/0567656543" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jesus Wept</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Lament-Cascade-Companions-Rebekah/dp/172527258X/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Practicing Lament</a>, joins us to explore the significant role of lament in Jesus' life. In the time between the resurrection and the eschaton, Christians are still called to lament – to cry out to God to come and make all things new.Also by Rebekah: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beatitudes-through-Ages-Rebekah-Eklund/dp/0802876501/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Beatitudes through the Ages</a>The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Practicing Jesus-Shaped Lament w/ Rebekah Eklund

Clay Crofford was a student at Indiana Wesleyan University when he realized that his confusion and discontentment with the Bible was not unusual. Among his friends and classmates, a lack of connection with Scripture was the norm.For his senior project Clay produced a documentary, Reading Blind, that explores the true costs of misreading the Bible and the possibilities of a different way forward. Today he joins us to talk about Gen Z's struggles with Scripture and his hope for his generation becoming immersed in its story.Watch the Reading Blind documentary: https://youtu.be/RV7St0zvTfAThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Clay Crofford was a student at Indiana Wesleyan University when he realized that his confusion and discontentment with the Bible was not unusual. Among his friends and classmates, a lack of connection with Scripture was the norm.For his senior project Clay produced a documentary, Reading Blind, that explores the true costs of misreading the Bible and the possibilities of a different way forward. Today he joins us to talk about Gen Z's struggles with Scripture and his hope for his generation becoming immersed in its story.Watch the Reading Blind documentary: <a href="https://youtu.be/RV7St0zvTfA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/RV7St0zvTfA</a>The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Gen Z's Struggle With the Bible w/ Clay Crofford

If the Bible is so important, why is it such a struggle to read? The truth is, many Christians have been inadvertently set up for failure with the Bible. We need to hit the 'reset' button. Glenn Paauw, Paul Caminiti, and Alex Goodwin from the Institute for Bible Reading host discussions that break down misguided assumptions about the Bible, offering fresh perspectives on reading and living it well.

It's The Bible Reset's 50th episode! To celebrate, we invited listeners to submit their questions about anything we've covered on the show so far, about IFBR's work, or about the Bible in general.Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, and to all of our listeners who have made this show successful!Links to some resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 35: Powers and Principalities: The Bible's Most Overlooked StorylineEpisode 36: Jesus' Upside-Down Victory Over the PowersLearn more about Immerse: The Bible Reading ExperienceInvite IFBR to speak to your organization or on your podcastGot a question or comment? Get in touch via our contact formTo help more people discover The Bible Reset podcast, leave a rating or review in Apple PodcastsThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

It's The Bible Reset's 50th episode! To celebrate, we invited listeners to submit their questions about anything we've covered on the show so far, about IFBR's work, or about the Bible in general.Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, and to all of our listeners who have made this show successful!Links to some resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 35: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/episode-35-powers-and-principalities-the-bibles-most-overlooked-storyline/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Powers and Principalities: The Bible's Most Overlooked Storyline</a> Episode 36: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/episode-36-jesus-upside-down-victory-over-the-powers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jesus' Upside-Down Victory Over the Powers</a>Learn more about <a>Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience</a> <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/speaking/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Invite IFBR to speak</a> to your organization or on your podcast Got a question or comment? Get in touch via our <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/contact/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">contact form</a>To help more people discover The Bible Reset podcast, leave a rating or review in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-reset/id1525806872" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a> The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Listener Q&A

What happens to us (and our loved-ones) when we die? Christians have long held the belief that we go to somewhere called "heaven" for the rest of eternity, but another look at the New Testament shows that the answer is a bit more complicated and mysterious than that. To read more on this topic, check out:Surprised by Hope by N.T. WrightA New Heaven and a New Earth by J. Richard MiddletonThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

What happens to us (and our loved-ones) when we die? Christians have long held the belief that we go to somewhere called "heaven" for the rest of eternity, but another look at the New Testament shows that the answer is a bit more complicated and mysterious than that. To read more on this topic, check out: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Surprised-Hope-Rethinking-Resurrection-Mission/dp/0061551821" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Surprised by Hope</a> by N.T. Wright <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Heaven-Earth-Reclaiming-Eschatology/dp/0801048680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A New Heaven and a New Earth</a> by J. Richard MiddletonThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

The Afterlife...and the After-Afterlife

Dominique DuBois Gilliard

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Bible tells stories of people using their status to subvert the status quo and serve their neighbor. Dominique DuBois Gillard, author of Subversive Witness, joins us to talk about how Scripture and the gospel call followers of Jesus to use privilege to sacrificially love their neighbors, enact systemic change, and grow more Christlike as citizens of God's kingdom.Get the book: Subversive Witness: Scripture's Call to Leverage PrivilegeWatch IFBR's 2020 webinar, which Dominique participated in: How The Bible's Story Helps Us Talk About RacismThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Bible tells stories of people using their status to subvert the status quo and serve their neighbor. Dominique DuBois Gillard, author of Subversive Witness, joins us to talk about how Scripture and the gospel call followers of Jesus to use privilege to sacrificially love their neighbors, enact systemic change, and grow more Christlike as citizens of God's kingdom.Get the book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Subversive-Witness-Scriptures-Leverage-Privilege/dp/0310124034" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subversive Witness: Scripture's Call to Leverage Privilege</a> Watch IFBR's 2020 webinar, which Dominique participated in: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/how-bibles-story-helps-us-talk-about-racism/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How The Bible's Story Helps Us Talk About Racism</a>The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

The Bible's Subversive Witness w/ Dominique DuBois Gilliard

Matthew Bates

What does it mean to have faith in Jesus? If the gospel is more centered on Jesus' kingship (as we've explored on our previous two episodes) perhaps Christian faith looks more like allegiance. Matthew Bates, Associate Professor of Theology at Quincy University, joins us to discuss the relationship between the gospel, salvation, faith, obedience, and grace. Matthew's Books:The Gospel PreciselyGospel AllegianceSalvation by Allegiance AloneThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

What does it mean to have faith in Jesus? If the gospel is more centered on Jesus' kingship (as we've explored on our previous two episodes) perhaps Christian faith looks more like allegiance. Matthew Bates, Associate Professor of Theology at Quincy University, joins us to discuss the relationship between the gospel, salvation, faith, obedience, and grace. Matthew's Books: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1949921662" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Gospel Precisely</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Allegiance-Misses-Salvation-Christ/dp/1587434296/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gospel Allegiance</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Salvation-Allegiance-Alone-Rethinking-Gospel/dp/0801097975" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Salvation by Allegiance Alone</a>The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Reconsidering Salvation, Loyalty, and Our Response to the Gospel w/ Matthew Bates

Have we made the gospel too small? Personal salvation and "Jesus dying for my sins," are certainly essential to the good news, but the gospel presented in the Bible is so much bigger and so much better. The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnightHow God Became King by N. T. WrightThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Have we made the gospel too small? Personal salvation and "Jesus dying for my sins," are certainly essential to the good news, but the gospel presented in the Bible is so much bigger and so much better. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/King-Jesus-Gospel-Original-Revisited/dp/0310531454" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The King Jesus Gospel</a> by Scot McKnight <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Became-King-Forgotten/dp/0061730602/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How God Became King</a> by N. T. WrightThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

What the Bible Actually Says About the Gospel

We can be tempted to think of the word "gospel" as a private, spiritual word. But in Jesus' day, "gospel" was public news with implications for the whole world. When Jesus was born, he entered a world that already had it's own gospel: the good news of Caesar and the Roman empire. The similar language is striking, and shows that the announcement about a Jewish Messiah directly confronts the Roman story. The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/Records and sources showing how Rome told their story:Roman statesman Pliny the Elder declared that Rome was a universal gift to the world: The Roman peace has a boundless grandeur, a peace which takes in not only men in their different lands and tribes, but also the mountains and peaks soaring into the clouds, their offspring and even the plants. May this gift of the gods last, I pray, forever! Truly the gods seem to have given to the human race the Romans, as it were, a second sun. Later, Aristides, another historian, added this about the rise of the empire:  Before the rule of the Romans the dregs came to the surface and everything happened through blind chance; but since your appearance confusion and revolt have come to an end. Order has returned everywhere and in everyday life and in the state there is clear light of day. Cities now gleam in splendor and beauty, and the whole earth is arrayed like a paradise. A decree about Caesar Augustus, written just a few years before Jesus was born: The birthday of the most divine emperor is the fount of every public and private good. Justly would one take this day to be the beginning of the Whole Universe . . . for when everything was falling into disorder and tending toward dissolution, he restored it once more and gave to the whole world a new aspect. Justly would one take this day to be the beginning of Life and Living for everyone. Virgil, a friend of Augustus, wrote in the Aeneid:This, this is he whom so often you hear promised to you, Augustus Caesar! Son of a god, who shall again set up the golden age in Latium,Amid the fields where Saturn once reigned,And shall spread his empire past Libya and India, To a land that lies beyond the stars And in the Eclogues he says: He will live as god and observe the heroes of ancient times;walking among the gods: they will behold him in amazement.Peace he will bring to the world, governing it with the Father’s power.  The goats themselves will come home with udders full.No longer will the herds of grazing cattle fear the lion,Even from his cradle sprouts a wreath of flattering flowers.The serpents will disappear; harmful, poisonous plants will vanish; the fields of Assyria will yield balsam in abundance.  Now, offspring of Jupiter, dear child divine,Already comes the time; assume the dignity sublime!See the heavy burdens of the world convulse and heave, Lands and seas’ breadth alike, and the depths of heaven, See how they all rejoice at the golden age that now appears. A Roman inscription found near Ephesus, written in 4 BCE:[Caesar is] the god made manifest, the universal savior of human life. Land and sea have peace, the cities flourish in harmony and with an abundance of food, there is an abundance of all good things, people are filled with happy hopes for the future and with delight in the present.An inscription found in Asia Minor from 9 BCE: The Providence which has ordered the whole of our life, showing concern and zeal, has ordained the most perfect consummation for human life by giving to it Augustus, by filling him with virtue for doing the work of a Benefactor among men, and by sending in him, as it were, a Savior for us and those who come after us, to make war to cease, to create order everywhere; the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning for the world of the gospel that has come to men through him. 

We can be tempted to think of the word "gospel" as a private, spiritual word. But in Jesus' day, "gospel" was public news with implications for the whole world. When Jesus was born, he entered a world that already had it's own gospel: the good news of Caesar and the Roman empire. The similar language is striking, and shows that the announcement about a Jewish Messiah directly confronts the Roman story. The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>Records and sources showing how Rome told their story:Roman statesman Pliny the Elder declared that Rome was a universal gift to the world: The Roman peace has a boundless grandeur, a peace which takes in not only men in their different lands and tribes, but also the mountains and peaks soaring into the clouds, their offspring and even the plants. May this gift of the gods last, I pray, forever! Truly the gods seem to have given to the human race the Romans, as it were, a second sun. Later, Aristides, another historian, added this about the rise of the empire:  Before the rule of the Romans the dregs came to the surface and everything happened through blind chance; but since your appearance confusion and revolt have come to an end. Order has returned everywhere and in everyday life and in the state there is clear light of day. Cities now gleam in splendor and beauty, and the whole earth is arrayed like a paradise. A decree about Caesar Augustus, written just a few years before Jesus was born: The birthday of the most divine emperor is the fount of every public and private good. Justly would one take this day to be the beginning of the Whole Universe . . . for when everything was falling into disorder and tending toward dissolution, he restored it once more and gave to the whole world a new aspect. Justly would one take this day to be the beginning of Life and Living for everyone. Virgil, a friend of Augustus, wrote in the Aeneid:This, this is he whom so often you hear promised to you, Augustus Caesar! Son of a god, who shall again set up the golden age in Latium,Amid the fields where Saturn once reigned,And shall spread his empire past Libya and India, To a land that lies beyond the stars And in the Eclogues he says: He will live as god and observe the heroes of ancient times;walking among the gods: they will behold him in amazement.Peace he will bring to the world, governing it with the Father’s power.  The goats themselves will come home with udders full.No longer will the herds of grazing cattle fear the lion,Even from his cradle sprouts a wreath of flattering flowers.The serpents will disappear; harmful, poisonous plants will vanish; the fields of Assyria will yield balsam in abundance.  Now, offspring of Jupiter, dear child divine,Already comes the time; assume the dignity sublime!See the heavy burdens of the world convulse and heave, Lands and seas’ breadth alike, and the depths of heaven, See how they all rejoice at the golden age that now appears. A Roman inscription found near Ephesus, written in 4 BCE:[Caesar is] the god made manifest, the universal savior of human life. Land and sea have peace, the cities flourish in harmony and with an abundance of food, there is an abundance of all good things, people are filled with happy hopes for the future and with delight in the present.An inscription found in Asia Minor from 9 BCE: The Providence which has ordered the whole of our life, showing concern and zeal, has ordained the most perfect consummation for human life by giving to it Augustus, by filling him with virtue for doing the work of a Benefactor among men, and by sending in him, as it were, a Savior for us and those who come after us, to make war to cease, to create order everywhere; the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning for the world of the gospel that has come to men through him.

The Gospel of Jesus vs. The Gospel of Rome

In the final episode of our mini-series on the Lord's Prayer, we take a look at what this ancient prayer means for modern Christians. If each line creates a connection between the Exodus story and Jesus' specific historical moment, does it still have a place for us today? How might we pray a New Exodus prayer in our own lives?The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

In the final episode of our mini-series on the Lord's Prayer, we take a look at what this ancient prayer means for modern Christians. If each line creates a connection between the Exodus story and Jesus' specific historical moment, does it still have a place for us today? How might we pray a New Exodus prayer in our own lives?The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

How to Pray the Lord's Prayer as a Modern Christian

Israel's Exodus from Egypt formed the prototype for how God rescues his people. In Jesus' last days, he teaches his disciples a prayer that urges God to bring a New Exodus, a bigger rescue from the deeper powers of sin and death.Today we dive into the second half of the Lord's prayer and show how each line connects back to the Exodus story.Give us today our daily breadForgive us our sins,     for we also forgive everyone indebted to us.Don’t bring us to the time of trial. The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Israel's Exodus from Egypt formed the prototype for how God rescues his people. In Jesus' last days, he teaches his disciples a prayer that urges God to bring a New Exodus, a bigger rescue from the deeper powers of sin and death.Today we dive into the second half of the Lord's prayer and show how each line connects back to the Exodus story. Give us today our daily breadForgive us our sins,     for we also forgive everyone indebted to us.Don’t bring us to the time of trial. The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

The Lord's (New Exodus) Prayer - Part 2

Israel's Exodus from Egypt formed the prototype for how God s rescues his people. In Jesus' last days, he teaches his disciples a prayer that urges God to bring a New Exodus, a bigger rescue from the deeper powers of sin and death.Today we dive into the first half of the Lord's prayer and show how each line connects back to the Exodus story.FatherMake your name holyBring your kingdomThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Israel's Exodus from Egypt formed the prototype for how God s rescues his people. In Jesus' last days, he teaches his disciples a prayer that urges God to bring a New Exodus, a bigger rescue from the deeper powers of sin and death.Today we dive into the first half of the Lord's prayer and show how each line connects back to the Exodus story. Father Make your name holy Bring your kingdomThe Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

The Lord's (New Exodus) Prayer - Part 1

Has the most famous Christian prayer become a little bit...routine? Maybe even boring?By returning to the Lord's Prayer and reading it in context, we can recover it as the bold, revolutionary, maybe even risky prayer that it was originally meant to be.The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/

Has the most famous Christian prayer become a little bit...routine? Maybe even boring?By returning to the Lord's Prayer and reading it in context, we can recover it as the bold, revolutionary, maybe even risky prayer that it was originally meant to be.The Institute for Bible Reading is a nonprofit ministry. Support our work, including the production of The Bible Reset podcast, by joining ChangeMakers: <a href="https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://instituteforbiblereading.org/changemakers/</a>

Make the Lord's Prayer 'Risky' Again

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