BEMA Podcast Notes

Your Complete Guide to the BEMA Podcast

My personal notes on the BEMA Podcast, 283 episodes and counting: insights and connections to help you understand the Bible in its ancient Hebrew context

An independent listener's notes · Not affiliated with BEMA Discipleship

Start from Episode -1 Search Episodes New to BEMA?

Latest notes: 390: Psalms — Feeling Dumb with a Great Cloud of Witnesses (Session 8)

Notes so far: 283 of 521 episodes, with more added as I listen

Newest episode: 517: The Gospel of Being Human. Every episode has a page with its player and description, even before it has notes.

New Here?

What is BEMA?

The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the Bible and its surrounding historical context, hosted by Marty Solomon and co-hosted by Brent Billings. The podcast "deconstructs our common readings of the Bible and attempts to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context"—helping listeners understand Scripture through its original ancient Hebrew and cultural setting rather than through modern Western assumptions.

The name "BEMA" comes from the Hebrew word meaning "platform" or "raised place"—historically, it's where the Torah was read in the synagogue. The podcast lives up to this name by carefully examining biblical texts, exploring what they meant to their original audiences, and discovering how that understanding transforms our reading today.

What You'll Find Here

This site contains my personal notes on 283 of the 521 episodes so far, with more added as I listen. In them I've captured key concepts, historical context, Hebrew terms, connections between episodes, and episode summaries.

Want to keep your own notes too? Every episode page has a My Notes space at the bottom. Your notes save in your browser as you type, and you can download them for one episode or export them all as a single file.

Recommended Starting Points:

Begin Your Journey

A BEMA Sampler

Think of these as a stone skipped across the whole podcast: a handful of episodes from different sessions that give a taste of where the journey goes. They're a preview, not a shortcut. When you're ready to dive in, start at the very beginning with Episode -1 and listen in order, the way the BEMA team recommends, since each session builds on the one before it.

Episode 0 · Session 1

0: Introductory Lesson

Eastern and Western Perspectives

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Episode 18 · Session 1

18: A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Empire vs. Shalom

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Episode 110 · Session 3

110: Jewish Hermeneutics

PaRDeS

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Episode 190 · Session 4

190: Session 4 Capstone

Conclusion of Session 4

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Episode 203 · Session 5

203: You Are Here

The Four Pillars of BEMA

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Episode 305 · Session 6

305: Gary Burge — Interpreting the Gospel of John

Context Is King

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Quick Access

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All Sessions & Episodes

Click any session to expand and see all episodes. Sessions 1-5 form the core curriculum, covering the entire biblical narrative and church history.

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Session 1: Torah Genesis through Deuteronomy (35 episodes · 33 with notes)
-1: What Is BEMA? — Definitions and Goals Notes
0: Introductory Lesson — Eastern and Western Perspectives
1: Trust the Story — The Creation Story of Genesis 1 Notes
2: Knowing When to Say “Enough” — Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden Notes
3: Master the Beast — Cain and Abel Notes
4: His Bow in the Clouds — Noah and the Flood Notes
5: A Misplaced Curse — Noah after the Flood Notes
6: A Tale of a Tower — The Tower of Babel Notes
7: The Preface — Summary of Genesis 1–11 Notes
8: Buried in a Genealogy — Why Abraham? Notes
9: Letting Go — Abram in Canaan and Egypt Notes
10: Walking the Blood Path — Abram and the Blood Path Covenant Notes
11: Here I Am — A Partner in Abraham Notes
12: A Mission Realized — The Life of Isaac Notes
13: Grappling with God, Part 1 — The Life of Jacob, Part 1 Notes
14: Grappling with God, Part 2 — The Life of Jacob, Part 2 Notes
15: Into the Pit — The Life of Joseph, Part 1 Notes
16: Out of the Pit — The Life of Joseph, Part 2 Notes
17: A God Who Hears the Cry — Introduction and Narrative Notes
18: A Tale of Two Kingdoms — Empire vs. Shalom Notes
19: A Strengthened Heart — The Passover and the Plagues Notes
20: With All Your Heart — Crossing the Sea and Test of the Heart Notes
21: With All Your Soul & “Very” — Test of the Soul and Test of the “Very” Notes
“Jesus Shema” — A Daily Prayer
22: Under the Chuppah — The Ten Commandments Notes
23: Falling on Joyful Faces — The Tabernacle Notes
24: Creating a Space — Spiritual Disciplines Notes
25: A Kingdom of What? — Leviticus Notes
26: Images of the Desert — Shepherd — Shepherds Notes
27: Images of the Desert — Rotem and Acacia — Rotem and Acacia Trees Notes
28: Images of the Desert — Ar'ar and Tamarisk — Ar'ar and Tamarisk Trees Notes
29: Images of the Desert — Wadi and En Gedi — Wadi and En Gedi Notes
30: Lead with Your Voice — Moses and the Promised Land Notes
31: Remember Where You Came From — The Call of Deuteronomy Notes
32: Session 1 Capstone — Conclusion of Session 1 Notes
Session 2: The Prophets and the Writings Joshua through Malachi (41 episodes · 40 with notes)
33: Session 2 Intro — Introduction to Session 2 Notes
34: The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) — Joshua, Part 1 Notes
35: Crossroads of the Earth — Joshua, Part 2 Notes
36: The Redemption Cycle — Judges Notes
37: A Love Story — Ruth Notes
38: A Donkey Herder to Lead Us — Saul and David Notes
39: A King After God’s Own Heart — David and Goliath Notes
40: One Story, Two Sources — Samuel & Kings and Chronicles Notes
41: The Story Behind the Story — David and Solomon in Chronicles Notes
42: The Fire of Elijah — Elijah Notes
43: Go in Peace — Naaman Notes
44: Our Harps in the Trees — The Psalms Notes
45: Wisdom and Meaning — Proverbs and Ecclesiastes Notes
46: Song of Sexuality — Song of Songs Notes
47: The Lord’s Mouthpiece — The Prophets Notes
48: Amos — Plumb Line — Amos Notes
49: Hosea — Garden — Hosea Notes
Verastikh (Hosea) — A Daily Prayer
50: Micah — Judge — Micah Notes
51: 1 Isaiah — Vineyard — 1 Isaiah Notes
52: Jonah — Potential — Jonah Notes
53: Nahum — Diyn — Nahum Notes
54: Zephaniah — T'shuvah — Zephaniah Notes
55: 2 Isaiah — Woe — 2 Isaiah Notes
56: Jeremiah — Weeping — Jeremiah Notes
57: Lamentations — Lament and Hope — Lamentations Notes
58: Habakkuk — Watchtower — Habakkuk Notes
59: Obadiah — Petra — Obadiah Notes
60: Joel — Locusts — Joel Notes
61: Ezekiel — Strength — Ezekiel Notes
62: Daniel — Son of Man — Daniel Notes
63: Job — Perspective — Job Notes
64: 3 Isaiah — Servant — 3 Isaiah Notes
65: 4 Isaiah — Hope — 4 Isaiah Notes
66: Ezra/Nehemiah — Passionate Leadership — Ezra and Nehemiah Notes
67: Haggai — Build! — Haggai Notes
68: Zechariah — Apocalyptic Literature — Zechariah Notes
69: Malachi — Q&A — Malachi Notes
70: Esther — Purim — Esther Notes
71: The Prophetic Table — The Prophets in Conversation Notes
72: Session 2 Capstone — Conclusion of Session 2 Notes
Session 3: The Gospels The Gospels & Life of Jesus (61 episodes · 61 with notes)
73: Session 3 Intro — Introduction to Session 3 Notes
74: Silent Years — Synagogue — Synagogue and Education System Notes
75: Silent Years — Welcome to Hellenism — Hellenistic Culture Notes
76: Silent Years — Sadducees — Sadducees, Chief Priests Notes
77: Silent Years — Herodians — Herodians Notes
78: Silent Years — Essenes — The Essenes Notes
79: Silent Years — Zealots — The Zealots Notes
80: Silent Years — Pharisees — The Pharisees Notes
81: Silent Years — Association — Christ’s Perfect Timing Notes
82: The Text — When, Where, Who, and Why — Biblical Authorship Notes
83: Gospel Narrative — What Gospel Means Notes
84: Matthew — Mumzer — Overview of Matthew Notes
85: Mark — Roman Gospel — Overview of Mark Notes
86: Luke — Ordered — Overview of Luke Notes
87: John — Grafted — Overview of John Notes
88: Setting the Stage — Geography of the Galilee Notes
89: Written in the Stars — The Birth of Jesus and the Visit of the Magi Notes
90: A Gospel of Two Kingdoms — Herod the Great Notes
91: Tavilah T'Shuvah — John the Baptist Notes
92: How to Bring Order Out of Chaos — The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus Notes
93: Blessed — The Beatitudes Notes
94: Hope of the World — Salt and Light Notes
95: Abolish or Fulfill — To Abolish or Fulfill the Law Notes
96: But I Say Unto You — Murder, Adultery, Divorce, etc. Notes
97: Done in Secret — Generosity, Prayer, Fasting Notes
98: A Good Eye — Treasure, Worry, Judgment, Gifts Notes
99: Fruit of Fools — Gates, Trees, Fools, and Houses Notes
100: Healing at Great Cost — Jesus Heals the People Notes
101: The Other Side — The Demon-Possessed Man Notes
102: Son of Man — The Paralyzed Man, Matthew, and Fasting Notes
103: Healing in His Wings — Healing and Harvest Notes
104: Innocent as Doves — Sending the Disciples Notes
105: An Explosive Kingdom — John the Baptist and Eschatology Notes
106: Jury Duty in Sodom — Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom Notes
107: Donkeys and Rabbis — Sabbath and the Law Notes
108: The Fruit of Beelzebul — Demons and a Sign Notes
109: Which Soil? — The Parable of the Soils Notes
110: Jewish Hermeneutics — PaRDeS Notes
111: A Farmer and a Woman — The Parables of a Mustard Seed and Yeast Notes
112: Explanations That Don’t Explain — The Parable of the Weeds “Explained” Notes
113: Treasures and Pearls — The Parables of Treasure and a Pearl Notes
114: Fish in a Net — The Parable of Fish Caught in a Net Notes
115: 5 Loaves, 2 Fish, and 1 Big Lesson — Feeding the 5000 Notes
116: She Giggled — Peter Walks on Water Notes
117: Jesus Resorts to Name Calling — The Canaanite Woman Notes
118: Eyes That Cannot See — Feeding the 4000 Notes
119: The Gates of Hell — The Confession at Caesarea Philippi Notes
120: Truth and Light — Transfiguration and Taxes Notes
121: The Key to Your Own Prison — Stumbling and Forgiveness Notes
122: A Naked Thing — Divorce, Children, and Wealth Notes
123: The Heat of the Day — The Parable of the Vineyard Notes
124: Statement of Triumph — Donkeys, Cleansing, and Authority Notes
125: Are You Talking to Me? — Sons, Tenants, and a Wedding Banquet Notes
126: Trapped by a Question — Tribute, Marriage, Commands, Son of David Notes
127: Six or Seven? — The Seven Woes Notes
128: Faithful and Wise Steward — The Fall or the End Notes
129: The Final Week — Trial and Crucifixion Notes
130: The Plot to Kill Jesus — Who Killed Jesus? Notes
131: Betrayal — Who Betrayed Jesus? Notes
132: Go — Resurrection and Commission Notes
133: Session 3 Capstone — Conclusion of Session 3 Notes
Session 4: The First-Century Church Acts through Revelation (57 episodes · 57 with notes)
134: Session 4 Intro — Introduction to Session 4 Notes
135: Uncut Corners — Pentecost and the Spirit Notes
136: Each One — Bringing the Kingdom Notes
137: A Dry Tree — Martyrs and Eunuchs Notes
138: Unclean Sheets — Saul and Cornelius Notes
139: Theosabes — Saul Becomes Paul Notes
140: Not to Burden You — A Covenant for the Gentiles Notes
141: Mathetes or Talmidim? — Progression of Paul Notes
142: Calling of a Prophet — When Saul Became Paul Notes
143: The Epilogue — The Epilogue of the Narrative Notes
144: Galatians — Paul’s Gospel — Received from Jesus Notes
145: Galatians — Right Hand of Fellowship — Not Running in Vain Notes
146: Galatians — The Curse — Why We Have the Law Notes
147: Galatians — Two Women, Two Covenants — Belonging to a Covenant Notes
148: Galatians — Set Free to Be Free — New Creation in Christ Notes
149: Romans — Blended Family — All Fall Short Notes
150: Romans — Righteousness from God — Where We Find Righteousness Notes
151: Romans — Buried Alive — The Greatest Kal Va'chomer Notes
152: Romans — The Struggle — More Than Conquerors Notes
153: Romans — The Potter — Predestination and Election Notes
154: Romans — Therefore — Called to Love Notes
155: Romans — God’s Mission, Paul’s Mission — Closing and Overview of Romans Notes
156: 1 Corinthians — Broken Body — Reminded of Love Incarnate Notes
157: 2 Corinthians — Apostleship — Paul’s Credentials Solidified Notes
158: Ephesians — Family Membership — Living Out the Gospel Notes
159: Philippians — Joy — Faith, Love, Generosity Notes
160: Colossians — Gnostic Heresy — Wrestling with Shadows Notes
161: 1 Thessalonians — Parousia — The Second Coming Notes
162: 2 Thessalonians — Man of Lawlessness — The Mysterious Character Notes
163: Pastoral Epistles — Timid Timothy & Tough Titus — The Right Man for the Job Notes
164: Philemon — Faith Works — Living for the Right Reasons Notes
165: Hebrews — Running a Better Race — A Better Way to Live Notes
166: Hebrews — Atonement 101 — He Sat Down Notes
167: James — Mitzvoth — Faith in Action Notes
168: 1 Peter — Living Stones and a Spiritual House — A View of Hope Notes
169: 2 Peter — The Other Side of a Conversation — Encouraging Early Believers Notes
170: 1 John — Love and Truth — Loving Each Other Notes
171: 2 John — The “Woman” — Seeing Through the Lens of Love Notes
172: 3 John — Diotrephes — A Lack of Hospitality Notes
173: Jude — False Teachers — Idolatry, Sexual Immorality, and Wealth and Influence Notes
174: Revelation — A Book for Its Time — A Retelling of Apocalyptic Literature Notes
175: Revelation — Ephesus and Their First Love — Changing Conditions in Ephesus Notes
176: Revelation — Smyrna and Their Crown — Unlocked by Cultural Context Notes
177: Revelation — Pergamum and Satan’s Throne — Rooted in Paganism Notes
178: Revelation — Thyatira and Her Jezebel — Using Text and Context Notes
179: Revelation — Waking Up in Sardis — Engaging Sh’phelah Notes
180: Revelation — Philadelphia and Their New Name — The Doorway to Asia Minor Notes
181: Revelation — Lukewarm Laodicea — We Did It Ourselves Notes
182: Revelation — The Throne Room — Deliverance from Persecution Notes
183: Revelation — Seals from Scripture — The Return of the Horses Notes
184: Revelation — Let the Games Begin — The Olympic Format Notes
185: Revelation — Bittersweet Prophecy — Familiar Witnesses Notes
186: Revelation — Mother and Dragons — A Beast Rising Notes
187: Revelation — The Blessed and Faithful Fallen — Plagues and Bowls of Wrath Notes
188: Revelation — The Fall of Greatness — The Spirit of Prophecy Returns Notes
189: Revelation — The End Is a New Beginning — New Heaven and New Earth Notes
190: Session 4 Capstone — Conclusion of Session 4 Notes
Session 5: Church History Church History (100 AD - Today) (14 episodes · 14 with notes)
191: Session 5 Intro — Introduction to Session 5 Notes
192: Telling a Story — The Narrative of Church History Notes
193: AD 100–300 — A Schism Between Jews and Gentiles Notes
194: AD 300–500 — Christianity in Council Notes
195: AD 500–700 — Rise of the Monastic Movement Notes
196: AD 700–1000 — The East-West Schism Notes
197: AD 1000–1300 — A Dark History Notes
198: AD 1300–1550 — Indulgences and the Spark of the Reformation Notes
199: AD 1550–1650 — Church and State Notes
200: AD 1650–1800 — Exponential Division and Diversity Notes
201: AD 1800–1925 — Theological and Scientific Movements Notes
202: AD 1925 to Today — A Fundamental Shift Notes
203: You Are Here — The Four Pillars of BEMA Notes
204: Session 5 Capstone — Conclusion of Session 5 Notes
Session 6: Starting a New Journey Deep Dives & Guest Conversations (129 episodes · 66 with notes · 7 guides)
205: Session 6 Intro — Starting a New Journey Notes
206: Reed Dent — The Nature of Truth — All Facts Are Truthful, but Not All Truth Is Factual Notes
207: J. R. Briggs — The Sacred Overlap — Embracing the Tension of the Bible Notes
208: Midrash — Iscah, Sarai, and Birth Orders — Why Midrash Is Told and How to Relate to It Notes
209: Midrash — Noah’s Backstory and the Nephilim — Are the Nephilim Part of Noah’s Story? Notes
210: Midrash — The Man in the Fur Coat — Insulator, Assimilator, or Engager Notes
211: John Whittaker — Blue Jeans Theology — Learning to Hear What the Bible Says Notes
212: Character Study — Jacob, Part 1 — Family Dysfunction Notes
213: Character Study — Jacob, Part 2 — Family Dysfunction Notes
214: Character Study — Joseph, Part 1 — Who Bought Joseph? Notes
215: Character Study — Joseph, Part 2 — Family Redemption Notes
216: Porshe Chiles — Can We Talk? — Being Seen in the Narrative of God Notes
217: Midrash — Isaac’s Bad Eyes — Trauma on the Mountain Notes
218: Midrash — Death at Dinner — Eliezer and Radical Hospitality Notes
219: Becky Solomon — Loving the Adventure — Finding a New Way to Live Notes
220: The Chosen S1E1 — “I Have Called You by Name” — Mary Magdalene Redeemed Notes
221: The Chosen S1E2 — “Shabbat” — A Practice Spanning the Centuries Notes
222: The Chosen S1E3 — “Jesus Loves the Little Children” — The Humanity of Jesus Explored Notes
223: The Chosen S1E4 — “The Rock on Which It Is Built” — Simon Encounters Jesus Notes
224: The Chosen S1E5 — “The Wedding Gift” — Jesus Performs His First Public Miracle Notes
225: The Chosen S1E6 — “Indescribable Compassion” — Jesus Heals Leprous and Paralyzed Men Notes
226: The Chosen S1E7 — “Invitations” — Jesus Meets with Nicodemus and Calls Matthew Notes
227: The Chosen S1E8 — “I Am He” — Jesus and the Woman at the Well Notes
228: Dallas Jenkins — Manna Program, Part 1 — The Chosen, Season 1 Notes
229: Dallas Jenkins — Manna Program, Part 2 — The Chosen, Season 1 Notes
230: Mandy Smith — Unfettered — Childlike Faith and Western Culture Notes
231: Introducing the Team — Deconstruction w/ Reed Dent — Removing the Scaffolding Notes
232: Introducing the Team — Jephthah’s Daughter w/ Elle Grover Fricks — Words for Laws, Decrees, Commands, etc., and Jephthah’s Daughter Notes
233: Introducing the Team — Striking the Rock w/ Josh Bossé — An Issue of Rebellion Notes
234: Jen Rosner — The Jewish Roots of Christianity — Healing the Jewish-Christian Schism Notes
235: Jewish Roots — Tanakh and Religion — Using Tanakh in the New Testament and Jesus’s Plans for Religion Notes
236: Jewish Roots — Paul, Jewish Law, and Atonement in Hebrews — Whether Paul Followed Jewish Law and Comparing the Atonement Process in Hebrews to the Mosaic Processes Seen in Torah Notes
237: Jewish Roots — Ways Parted for a Dark History — When and How Judaism and Christianity Diverged, and How Jewish-Christian Relations Have Worked Throughout the Centuries Notes
238: Jewish Roots — What Difference Does It Make? — The Jewish Character of the Church and the Difference It Makes for Christians Notes
239: Abraham Considers a Catechism w/ Reed Dent — Faith and the Fears of Deconstruction Notes
240: Sin and the Archaeology of Joshua w/ Elle Grover Fricks — Exploring the Archaeological Age of Joshua Notes
241: Becky Solomon — Don’t Exasperate Your Kids — State of the Podcast and Parenting Notes
242: Spiritual Abuse — Commodities and Variables — An Overview of Spiritual Abuse Notes
243: Spiritual Abuse — The Place We Find Ourselves — Definitions and Symptoms of Spiritual Abuse Notes
244: Spiritual Abuse — The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill — The Good, the Bad, and the Complexities Notes
245: Spiritual Abuse — Liturgy for Repentance and Healing — Prayers and Reflections for Humanity Notes
246: Eugenia Ortega — A Look into Our Window — Curiosity and Empathy Notes
247: Sleepless in Susa w/ Josh Bossé — Esther’s Plan for the King’s Throne Room Notes
248: Joy and Lot’s Untitled Wife w/ Elle Grover Fricks — Considering What the Text Actually Says Notes
249: Michael Burns — Escaping the Beast — Politics, Allegiance, and Kingdom Notes
250: The Chosen S1E0 — “The Shepherd” — Where It All Started Notes
251: John Roberts — A Griever’s Guide to Life — Believing in a God Who Provides the Right People at the Right Time Notes
252: John — What’s in a Logos? — An Introduction to Jesus Notes
253: John — Come and See — John the Baptist Transfers Disciples
254: John — A Wedding and Some Housekeeping — The First Sign and Cleaning the Temple Notes
255: John — Water, Spirit, Darkness, Light — The Fundamentals of the Kingdom Notes
256: John — The One from Above — John the Baptist Ratifies the Identity and Ministry of Christ Notes
257: John — Wells and Husbands — Samaritans and the Woman at the Well
258: The Chosen S2E1 — “Thunder” (Bonus Episode) — Building Relationships in Samaria
259: Kevan Chandler — We Carry Kevan — Experiencing a Miracle
260: The Chosen S2E2 — “I Saw You” (Bonus Episode) — Philip and Nathanael Join the Disciples
261: John — What Do You Want? — Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
262: The Chosen S2E3 — “Matthew 4:24” (Bonus Episode) — Jesus Heals and the Disciples Wrestle
263: John — Weighty Testimony — The Authority of and Testimonies about Jesus
264: The Chosen S2E4 — “The Perfect Opportunity” (Bonus Episode) — Healing at the Pool and the Introduction to Simon the Zealot
265: John — Make Him King — Feeding the 5000 and Walking on Water
266: The Chosen S2E5 — “Spirit” (Bonus Episode) — Simon the Zealot Joins the Disciples and Mary Struggles
267: John — The Far Side of a Tumultuous Sea — Jesus Is the Bread of Life
268: The Chosen S2E6 — “Unlawful” (Bonus Episode) — Mary Returns, Jesus Continues Sabbath Work
269: John — Any Time Will Do — Jesus and the Festival of Tabernacles
270: The Chosen S2E7 — “Reckoning” (Bonus Episode) — Jesus Detained While Planning a Sermon
271: John — The Greatest Day of the Feast — Jesus Offers Living Water
272: The Chosen S2E8 — “Beyond Mountains” (Bonus Episode) — Jesus Finishes His Sermon and the Disciples Meet Judas
273: John — Pericope of an Honor Contest — The Woman Caught in Adultery
274: John — Light of the World — Continuing Disputes on the Identity of Jesus
275: Kate Schmidgall — BitterSweet — The Kingdom Work of Storytelling
276: John — Who Is Your Father? — Father God, Father Abraham, or the Father of Lies
277: John — Before Abraham Was — Jesus Makes Another Claim of Divinity
278: John — Only the Blind Can See — Jesus Heals a Blind Man on the Sabbath
279: John — My Sheep, My Voice — Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
280: The Road Back to Eden — Learning to Speak Other Languages
281: John — You Are Gods — Jesus Confronts a Charge of Blasphemy
282: John — The Dance of Grief — Approaches to Grief by Mary and Martha
283: John — Missing God in the Name of God — The Plot to Kill Jesus and His Anointing by Mary
284: John — The Hour Has Come — Jesus Comes to Jerusalem and Predicts His Death
285: John — Book of Signs — Wrestling with Belief
286: John — The Test of Bread — Jesus Tests Philip and Andrew
287: John — The Test of Meat — Jesus Increases the Stakes
288: Steve Park — Little Lights — The Kingdom of God Is a Diverse Community
289: John — Loved to the End — Jesus Washes Feet and Makes Predictions
290: John — This Is the Way — Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
291: John — Parakletos — Jesus Makes Preparations for the Holy Spirit
292: John — The Pruning Work of Persecution — Jesus Is the True Vine
293: John — Sin, Righteousness, Judgment — The Holy Spirit Guides Into Truth
294: John — Sacrifice, Suffering, and Joy — A Hebrew Lesson on Sacrifices and the Suffering and Joy of the Disciples
295: John — Strategy — Jesus Prays for Unity
296: John — I Am He — Jesus Is Arrested and Tried
297: Kat Armas — Abuelita Faith — Finding the Greatest Theologians
298: John — Not Forsaken — Jesus Is Crucified
299: John — One Pierced — Jesus Is Buried
300: John — The Migdal — Miriam the Migdal, or Mary Magdalene
301: John — On Doubting and Locked Doors — Thomas, Doubt, and Belief Notes
302: John — Do You Even Like Me? — Jesus Restores Peter and John Concludes His Gospel Notes
303: The History and Style of the Gospel of John — The History of Textual Criticism on John and His Style Notes
304: The Construction of the Gospel of John — The History of Textual Criticism on John and His Style
305: Gary Burge — Interpreting the Gospel of John — Context Is King
306: Brian David — Chiasms in John — That You May Believe
307: Tohu va Vohu (State of the Podcast) — Thankful for How Far We’ve Come, Hopeful for What Lies Ahead
308: The Chosen S2E9 — “The Messengers” — A Special Christmas Presentation
309: On Social Media (Bonus Episode) — Addressing Our Use of Twitter and Social Media
310: The Nativity Story — Marty’s Favorite Christmas Movie
311: Keith Simon — Truth Over Tribe — Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb
312: Parables — Dissecting a Swallow — An Introduction to Parables Notes
313: Parables — The Good Samaritan — How to Love People We’d Rather Not Notes
314: Parables — The Barn Builder — Accumulating Worthless Wealth Notes
315: Parables — The Lost Son — Also Known as the Prodigal Son Notes
316: Parables — The Unforgiving Servant — Bookkeeping and Enemies Notes
317: Asking Better Questions of the Bible w/ Erin Geiselman — Turning the Table on Marty and His Book
318: Alonzo Felder — Discovering A. S. J. Allen — Understanding Who We Are by Honoring Our Ancestors
319: The Forgotten Women — Presentism and Primitivism — Dodging the Dangers of Presentism and Primitivism
320: The Forgotten Women — Sages and Wise Women — Identifying Prominent Roles in the Community
321: The Forgotten Women of the Tanakh — Women from Genesis, Exodus, and Isaiah
322: The Forgotten Women of the New Testament — Prophets, Servants, and Ministers
323: The Forgotten Women of the Apocalypse — Two Figures in Revelation
324: Anita Grace Brown — Finding Christ in Yoga — Engaging Yoga to Find Healing
325: Sanctuary — Waking Up in the Mishkan — The Testimonies of Light and Darkness Notes Guide
326: Sanctuary — Entering the Mishkan — Inviting People into the Tent Notes Guide
327: Sanctuary — Feasting at the Mishkan — Growth in Community Notes Guide
328: Sanctuary — Listening by the Mishkan — Engaging Spiritual Leadership Notes Guide
329: Sanctuary — Moving the Mishkan — Meeting God in Surprising Ways Notes Guide
330: Sanctuary — Traversing the Mishkan — The Image and Likeness of God Notes Guide
331: Sanctuary — Resting with the Mishkan — Exploring Sabbath in the Presence of God Notes Guide
332: Andrew DeCort — Flourishing on the Edge of Faith — Taking the Prayer of Jesus Seriously
333: Session 6 Capstone — Conclusion of Session 6
Session 7: Stepping into Sabbath Sabbath & Spiritual Practices (27 episodes)
334: Session 7 Intro — Stepping into Sabbath
335: The Chosen S3E1 — “Homecoming” (Bonus Episode) — Practical Application of the Words of Jesus
336: Sabbath Reflection I — Truth — Reflecting on the Tabernacle
337: The Chosen S3E2 — “Two by Two” (Bonus Episode) — The Disciples Are Sent Out
338: Sabbath Reflection II — Love — Reflecting on the Tabernacle
339: The Chosen S3E3 — “Physician, Heal Yourself” (Bonus Episode) — Jesus Returns to Nazareth
340: Sabbath Reflection III — Community — Reflecting on the Tabernacle
341: The Chosen S3E4 — “Clean, Part 1” (Bonus Episode) — The Disciples Engage in Healing
342: Sabbath Reflection IV — Teaching — Reflecting on the Tabernacle
343: The Chosen S3E5 — “Clean, Part 2” (Bonus Episode) — Jesus Takes Healing to a New Level
344: Sabbath Reflection V — Place — Reflecting on the Tabernacle
345: The Chosen S3E6 — “Intensity in Tent City” (Bonus Episode) — Pilate Enters, John Questions, Jesus Heals
346: Sabbath Reflection VI — Wonder — Reflecting on the Tabernacle
347: The Chosen S3E7 — “Ears to Hear” (Bonus Episode) — Simon Takes a Step Forward
348: Sabbath Reflection VII — Trust — Reflecting on the Tabernacle
349: The Chosen S3E8 — “Sustenance” (Bonus Episode) — Taking the Text Seriously
350: Kat Armstrong — Storyline Bible — Exploring Themes Found Across the Bible
351: Sabbath Reflection Music (Bonus Episode) — Extended Music
352: Sabbath Practice — Attentiveness — Attending to the World Around Us
353: Sabbath Practice — Heart — Or Baseball Bats
354: Sabbath Practice — Flow — Letting the Spirit Carry You as a Sail
355: Sabbath Practice — Discipline — Doing the Work to Create Space
356: Sabbath Practice — Friendship w/ Derrick James Rohr III — Engaging the Work of Friendship
357: Sabbath Practice — Fasting — In the Bible and History
358: Sabbath Practice — Prayer — In the Bible and History
359: Dallas Jenkins — Humanity and Historicity (Bonus Episode) — God Does Impossible Math
360: Session 7 Capstone — Conclusion of Session 7
Session 8: Returning to Ordinary Time Isaiah, Psalms & Talmudic Matthew (50 episodes · 12 with notes)
361: Session 8 Intro — Returning to Ordinary Time
362: Isaiah — Prophetic Pathos — A Prophet Who Feels Fiercely
363: Isaiah — Prophetic Imagination — Grief and Hope
364: Isaiah — Opening Provocations — Under the Reign of King Uzziah
365: Isaiah — Prophet vs. Wizard Priests — Contrasting Isaiah with the Surrounding Culture
366: Isaiah — Let the Man Cook! — Hope in the Face of Cynicism and Despair
367: Isaiah — Burdens — The Care of God for All Nations
368: Elisa Bosley — Spiritual Eldercare — Just Show Up
369: Isaiah — The Choice Is Yours — Hope Waits to Be Chosen
370: Isaiah — Woes — God’s Message to His People
371: Isaiah — The Hulk Factor — All Nations Are Subject
372: Isaiah — History and Redaction — Thinking Critically About the Source
373: Preston Ulmer — Deconstruct Faith, Discover Jesus — Doubts as a Sign of a Vibrant Faith
374: Isaiah — When Suffering Is the Way — Isaiah and Tikkun Olam
375: Isaiah — What Perseverance Produces — The Suffering Servant
376: Isaiah — Maternal Images of God — As a Mother Comforts Her Child
377: Isaiah — The Fruit of Faithfulness — A New World of Hope Realized
378: Lea Schrumpf — Entering Our Stories — Story Is the Heartbeat of God
379: Psalms — Every Season of Life — Orientation, Disorientation, New Orientation Notes
380: Psalms — The Hidden Face — Psalm 13 Notes
381: Psalms — A Sheep in the Mirror — Psalm 23 Notes
382: Psalms — Small, Not Insignificant — For My Sake the World Was Created; I Am but Dust and Ashes Notes
383: Psalms — Praying Hate — Properly Utilizing Hate Notes
384: Derek Vreeland — Centering Jesus — The Four Sides of Faith Notes
385: Psalms — Ultimate Mario Star — Becoming the Shady Refuge for Others Notes
386: Psalms — The Whole Human Experience — Comfort and Terror, Wonder and Dread Notes
387: Psalms — More Distant Reflections — Growth from Tragedy Notes
388: Psalms — Are You Listening? — Will You Join in the Proclamation? Notes
389: Psalms — 23 & Me — My Cup Is Abundantly Satisfied Notes
390: Psalms — Feeling Dumb with a Great Cloud of Witnesses — Conclusion to the Psalms Notes
391: Tommy Brown — The Ache for Meaning — The Temptations of Christ
392: Talmudic Matthew — Legacy — Examining a Genealogy
393: Talmudic Matthew — Dreams — A Meatloaf of Guacamole
394: Talmudic Matthew — Stars and Magic — The Magi, Their Map, Their Gifts
395: Talmudic Matthew — Jordan — The Layers of John the Baptist’s Message
396: Talmudic Matthew — Desert and Sea — Temptation and Testing
397: Mitch Lavender — Respect and Dignity — Finding New Perspectives
398: Talmudic Matthew — Blessing — Perspectives on Blessing
399: Talmudic Matthew — Household of God — Two Approaches to the Beatitudes
400: Talmudic Matthew — Salt — The Eternal Value of Salt
401: Talmudic Matthew — Light — It Cannot Be Hidden
402: Talmudic Matthew — Lightly Salted — Keeping Your Righteousness Out of the Trash
403: Talmudic Matthew — But Actually John — A Woman, a Well, and a Targum Walk into a Bar
404: Mariko Clark — The Book of Belonging — Belonging, Beloved, Delightful
405: Practical Shabbat — Keeping — Guarding Sacred Time
406: Practical Shabbat — Remembering — The Activity of Shabbat
407: Practical Shabbat — Breaking — Not at the End, but in the Middle
408: Practical Shabbat — Deepening — The Spiritual Side of Sabbath
409: Sandra Richter — The Epic of Eden — Deborah and Other Unlikely Heroes
410: Session 8 Capstone — Juicing the Bird
Session 9: Embracing New Rhythms Hosea & Qohelet (Ecclesiastes) (85 episodes)
411: Session 9 Intro — Embracing New Rhythms
412: The Chosen S4E1 — “Promises” (Bonus Episode) — The Way of the Lord Is Prepared
413: Hosea — Context and Caution — How to Examine a Text
414: The Chosen S4E2 — “Confessions” (Bonus Episode) — Peter and Matthew Make Progress
415: Hosea — Living Metaphor — Applying the Wisdom of Hosea to Our Day
416: The Chosen S4E3 — “Moon to Blood” (Bonus Episode) — A Controversial Turn of Events
417: Hosea — Staring Brokenness in the Face — Acknowledging the Mess We Are In
418: The Chosen S4E4 — “Calm Before” (Bonus Episode) — Finally!
419: A. J. Sherrill — Rediscovering Christmas — Learning to Wait for the Messiah
420: The Chosen S4E5 — “Sitting, Serving, Scheming” (Bonus Episode) — Also Human
421: Hosea — When God Goes Missing — God Will Not Be a Pawn for Us
422: The Chosen S4E6 — “Dedication” (Bonus Episode) — Foundations of Hanukkah
423: Hosea — Forgiveness — The Process of Repentance
424: The Chosen S4E7 — “The Last Sign” (Bonus Episode) — Raising Lazarus
425: Hosea — Fruit in Keeping with Repentance — The Call to Be Different
426: The Chosen S4E8 — “Humble” (Bonus Episode) — Donkey Time
427: Hosea — How Empty Is Empty? — Reaping a Whirlwind
428: Hosea — Consequences — Birds and Flowers
429: Catherine McNiel — Fearing Bravely — 170 Tomato Plants
430: It’s a Wonderful Life — Merry Christmas, You Wonderful Movie
431: Hosea — Stubborn Soil — Sow and Reap, Break Up and Seek
432: Hosea — God’s Avatar — Now We Know
433: Hosea — Doomed to Repeat It — Remember the Good and the Bad
434: Hosea — Who Among Us? — Experiencing the Effects of Our Choices
435: Hosea — The Hope of Healing — In Need of Love and Forgiveness
436: Brant Hansen — 3D Chiastic Chess — Unoffendable
437: Talmudic Matthew — Mainstream or Marginal — Considering Our Sources
438: Talmudic Matthew — Truly(?) I Say to You — The Weight of the Amen
439: Talmudic Matthew — Anger — Soaking in the Hot Tub of Conviction
440: Talmudic Matthew — Reconciliation — Engaging the Process with Urgency
441: Talmudic Matthew — Thymos — Lust and Desire
442: Talmudic Matthew — Marriage — Jesus Addresses Two Radical Approaches
443: Talmudic Matthew — Oaths — Addressing the Greco-Roman Context
444: Karen Stiller — Holiness Here — Big Holiness, but also Small Holiness
445: Talmudic Matthew — Enemies — Removing Exceptions
446: Talmudic Matthew — Children — Children of Our Father in Heaven
447: Talmudic Matthew — Wages — Considering the Murky Waters of Due Wages
448: Talmudic Matthew — Secret — Looking to Jesus for Our Example
449: Talmudic Matthew — The Seven — Jesus Simplifies and Subverts
450: Talmudic Matthew — The 7 — The Exodus in the Lord’s Prayer
451: Ashlee Eiland — Say Good — Joining God’s Redemptive Work on Earth
452: Qohelet Gets Out of Bed — What Remains?
453: Qohelet Tries to Party — Is There Meaning in Joy?
454: Qohelet Goes Off — Are We Better Than Animals?
455: Qohelet Fights the Power — Guest Starring Samson and Joseph
456: Qohelet Weeds the Garden — The Roots of Evil
457: Qohelet Checks the Time — Are We Getting Anywhere?
458: BEMA Kokomo — The Body of Christ — Resurrection Has Happened
459: Qohelet Buys a Coffin — Hello, Joseph
460: Qohelet Hears Bad Words — Being in the Room Where It Happens
461: Qohelet Gives a Pep Talk — Wisdom’s Strength and Sin’s Chaos
462: Qohelet Rolls the Dice — Considering the Ways of the Fool
463: Qohelet Feeds the Ducks — A Sweet Encouragement
464: Qohelet Goes Home — A Peaceful Transition
465: Qohelet’s Reflection — Finding Meaning by Living in the Present
466: Ethan Bryan — If You Were Brave — Not Easy, but So Good
467: Vice & Virtue — Introduction — The Image of God Building the Kingdom of God
468: The Chosen S5E1 — “Entry” (Bonus Episode) — Weeping Where Now?
469: Vice & Virtue — Lust — The Vice That Uses People
470: The Chosen S5E2 — “House of Cards” (Bonus Episode) — The Cleansing of the Temple
471: Vice & Virtue — Gluttony — The Tension of Fasting and Feasting
472: The Chosen S5E3 — “Woes” (Bonus Episode) — The Seven Woes
473: Vice & Virtue — Greed — Unchecked Acquisition
474: The Chosen S5E4 — “The Same Coin” (Bonus Episode) — The Dayenu
475: Vice & Virtue — Vainglory — Yourself on Display
476: The Chosen S5E5 — “Because of Me” (Bonus Episode) — Limited Understanding
477: Vice & Virtue — Envy — Living in Misery
478: The Chosen S5E6 — “Reunions” (Bonus Episode) — Making Deals with Enemies
479: Vice & Virtue — Wrath — Anger and Revenge
480: The Chosen S5E7 — “The Upper Room, Part 1” (Bonus Episode) — We Set the Table Anyway
481: Vice & Virtue — Sloth — The Rest Podcast Responds
482: The Chosen S5E8 — “The Upper Room, Part 2” (Bonus Episode) — Hope Against Hope
483: Annie F. Downs — That Sounds Fun — Queen of Fun
484: Dallas Jenkins — It Would Have Been Enough (Bonus Episode) — Jesus, an Intimate God
485: Vice & Virtue — Prudence — The Virtue of Wisdom
486: Vice & Virtue — Temperance — Knowing When to Say “Enough”
487: Sitting Shiva for Josh Bossé — A Time of Mourning
488: Vice & Virtue — Courage — Throw Your Stone
489: Vice & Virtue — Justice — The Actions of Shalom
490: Seven (Bonus Episode) — What Is the Nature of the World?
491: Sandra Richter — Abigail and the Waterfall — The Call to Steward Creation
492: Vice & Virtue — Faith — Trust the Story
493: Vice & Virtue — Hope — Potential Triumphs
494: Vice & Virtue — Love — Fully Known, Fully Loved
495: Session 9 Capstone — Never Be Surprised by a Surprise
Session 10: A Season of Mourning The Four Pillars, Women in Joshua & Judges (22 episodes)
496: Session 10 Intro — A Season of Mourning
497: Brad Gray and Brad Nelson — The Lord’s Prayer — Bringing Heaven Here
498: The Four Pillars — Text — A Mustard Seed
499: The Four Pillars — Truth in Text — Inspired, Heart-Level Transformation
500: David Rudolph — Passover — The Council of Nicaea and the Dating of Easter
501: The Four Pillars — Tome at the Center of the Spiral — The Text and Spiral Dynamics
502: The Four Pillars — Community — Intimacy with God in Community
503: The Four Pillars — Japanese Woodworking Joint — Friendship, Conversation, Practice
504: The Four Pillars — Coming Home to Community — The Ood Thing
505: The Four Pillars — Discipleship — Looking to Second Temple Judaism
506: The Four Pillars — Talmid & Morah — Student & Teacher
507: The Four Pillars — Discipleship as a Forge — Creating the Right Conditions for Discipleship
508: The Four Pillars — Wrestling — Puzzles and Mystery
509: The Four Pillars — Don’t Let Go — Text, Community, Spirit
510: The Four Pillars — Soul Wrestling — From Better Answers to Better Person
511: Dieula Previlon — Does God See Me? — Empowering Women and Healing Trauma
512: Ten Years of BEMA (Live in Boise) — Reflections and Chaos
513: Women in Joshua & Judges — Introduction — Theory of the Case: Context of Joshua and Judges
514: Women in Joshua & Judges — Rahab — Surprise Matriarch
515: Women in Joshua & Judges — Daughters of Zelophehad — Boldly Seeking Their Claim
516: Women in Joshua & Judges — Akhsah — Confident Wisdom
517: The Gospel of Being Human — Discussing Marty and Reed’s Book

How to Navigate This Site

If You're Brand New to BEMA

Start at the very beginning with Episode -1 and work your way through in order. BEMA builds concepts progressively, with later episodes referencing ideas introduced earlier. The main body of teaching is in Sessions 1-5 (Episodes -1 through 204).

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Old Testament: Sessions 1-2
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