Spoken Gospel

Water flows through nearly every chapter of John's Gospel. From Jesus' baptism to the woman at the well, from healing beside a pool to walking on the sea, John uses water imagery to describe Jesus' ministry. David and Christine dive into the Old Testament to trace the theme of water through the biblical story and how rescue from chaotic depths and provision of life-giving streams are images that prepare us for Jesus, who invites all who are thirsty to come to him and drink.

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2026

The Gospel of John is structured around seven signs that build toward an eighth—the resurrection of Jesus. To understand what John means by a "sign," David and Christine walk through the biblical story, tracing where and how signs appear in Scripture. From the heavenly lights of creation to the plagues that fell on Egypt, John shows that Jesus' signs reveal that he is God in the flesh who has come to bring new creation and salvation to humanity.

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2026

John opens his Gospel not with a birth narrative or a genealogy, but with a stunning claim about who Jesus has always been. David and Christine walk through John's prologue and talk about how the Word of God appears as a visible divine person over 100 times in the Old Testament, how the logic of creation itself proves Jesus is uncreated and therefore God, and why the incarnation—God becoming flesh and dwelling among us—is not just something we celebrate at Christmas but the very means by which God saves and restores the world.

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2026

John's account of Jesus' life and Gospel has long been noted for its uniqueness compared to the synoptic accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In this episode, David and Christine begin the series on the Gospel of John, exploring who John is as a unique eyewitness, his purpose for writing, and the importance of reading John on his own terms to see Jesus as the God who incarnates and fulfills Scripture's images, themes, and patterns.

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2026

After nearly seven years of reading through the entire Bible together, Seth Stewart steps away from the Spoken Gospel Podcast to pursue eldership and family ministry full time. In this episode, Seth and David reflect on how seeing Jesus on every page of Scripture changed their understanding of who he is, what it really means to read the Bible faithfully, and why no podcast — including this one — can replace the local church.

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2026

As the gospel continues to spread among the Gentiles, a dispute arises as to whether non-Jewish converts need to follow Jewish customs like circumcision to be included in the kingdom of God. David and Christine explore the depths of the apostles' discussion in Jerusalem surrounding this issue, taking a closer look at how the apostles interpreted the Scriptures in light of Jesus' ascension to reach their conclusion.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2026

As the gospel spreads from Jerusalem to distant lands, the church lives out Jesus' life on earth through patterns of growth, persecution, and deliverance. In fact, this has been the story of God's people since the very first Passover in Egypt. David and Christine trace the Passover themes in Peter's escape from prison, which showcase Jesus' ultimate Passover that all people are invited into.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2026

What does it mean that Gentiles are made clean? How can the Holy Spirit fill Gentiles supposedly outside of God's Kingdom? David and Christine explore the events surrounding Peter's visit to Cornelius, the implications that Jesus' ascension and worldwide atonement have on the nations, and how the Gentile Pentecost connects to the stories of Ezekiel, Jonah, and even Noah's descendants.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2026

Saul was breathing out threats and murder against the followers of Jesus—until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. David and Christine explore how this story echoes both King Saul's pursuit of David and Elisha's surprising hospitality to enemy soldiers. Together, they uncover a stunning theme: God saves his people by showing kindness to his enemies.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2026

Stephen was the first person to give his life for Jesus, and his death mirrors the death of Jesus in stunning ways. David and Christine walk through Stephen's brilliant sermon, his vision of the risen Christ, and how his martyrdom set the stage for the gospel to spread and for Saul's transformation into the Apostle Paul.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2026

A wealthy Ethiopian official journeys to Jerusalem seeking the God of Israel, only to find himself excluded from the very temple he longed to enter. David and Christine talk about ancient riddles, the Queen of Sheba, and how Philip's encounter with this outsider shows that the Gospel breaks down every barrier to bring the nations into God's family.

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2026

When persecution scatters the church beyond Jerusalem, Philip takes the gospel to Samaria—a region synonymous with religious syncretism and idolatry for centuries. In this episode, David, Christine, and Josh explore how Philip's ministry mirrors Jesus' own work, bringing healing and freedom to a people long excluded from God's family.

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025

Pentecost wasn't just another Jewish festival—it was God's cosmic reset button for all creation. David, Christine, and Josh walk through the dramatic events of Acts 2, where the theophanic cloud that once filled the temple now fills God's people. They explore how Peter's sermon reveals the most scandalous aspect of the Gospel: those who killed God are offered forgiveness, cleansing, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The same number who died at Sinai for worshiping the golden calf—3,000—are now saved through the ultimate crime of crucifying God Himself.

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

What does it mean that Jesus ascended on a cloud and promised to return the same way? David, Christine, and Josh explore how Acts continues the story Jesus began in Luke's Gospel, showing Jesus as the cloud-riding Son of Man from Daniel 7 who conquers evil empires and shares his throne with his people.

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

The final five Songs of Ascent (Psalms 130-134) complete Israel's journey from the watery depths of exile to the heights of God's temple. David and Seth explore how these psalms reveal God's plenteous forgiveness, the promises made to King David, and Israel's calling as a kingdom of priests who will bless the nations through the coming Messiah.

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

The middle songs of ascent (Psalms 125-129) form the climactic high point of these ancient worship songs, with Solomon's temple psalm at the very center. Seth and David explore how these psalms promise that those who trust in God are as immovable as Mount Zion itself, while wicked rulers will never permanently rest in God's land.

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025

The Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) tell the story of Israel's return from exile. In this episode, Seth and David walk through the first five psalms in this collection, exploring how they capture the journey from the farthest point of exile—surrounded by enemies and word vipers—through the wilderness, and finally arriving at Jerusalem's gates. These songs show us how God comes to us in our exile to bring us home.

Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2025

The Songs of Ascent are 15 psalms that form a unique "concept album" within Scripture, telling the story of God's people returning from exile to Jerusalem and the temple. In this podcast episode, Seth and David explore how these interconnected psalms represent a pilgrim's journey from Babylon back to God's mountain, moving through three movements: calling on God from exile, finding safety within the temple walls, and finally becoming instruments of God's blessing to the nations.

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2025

The identity of the woman in Proverbs 31 has been debated for generations. In this sermon episode, David reveals how she represents far more than an impossible standard for individual women—she's actually the culmination of the entire biblical story. From the Garden of Eden to the New Testament church, David traces the hope that a wise king would marry Wisdom itself. This hope points directly to and is fulfilled in Jesus and his bride, the church, who together bring God's flourishing kingdom to a broken world.

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025

Paul's "thorn in the flesh" has sparked countless theories about physical ailments and personal struggles, but the answer may be simpler than we think. Seth and David explore Paul's third heaven experience and show how his thorn in the flesh connects to the pattern of Old Testament prophets and God's power being made perfect in weakness.

Transcribed - Published: 28 August 2025

Paul spends two entire chapters in 2 Corinthians asking for money, which seems to contradict his earlier insistence that he never charged the Corinthians for his ministry. In this podcast episode, Seth and David explore Paul's teaching on generosity and show how he reframes giving as participating in God's miracle of provision and proving the genuineness of our faith through Christ-like sacrifice.

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2025

The phrase "do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" is commonly applied to Christian marriage, but that wasn't Paul's original intent. Seth and David explore the rich biblical background of this famous passage and show how Paul was actually warning the Corinthians against yoking themselves to false teachers who were leading them away from Jesus and his Gospel.

Transcribed - Published: 11 August 2025

Everyone in Mark's trial narrative bears false witness about who Jesus is—the religious leaders, the crowds, and even Peter who denies knowing him three times. But Jesus himself bears true witness, revealing that he is the merciful God who dies for those who betray him. In this podcast episode, David explores how this passage completes the story Scripture has been telling since Eden about God's relentless pursuit of his unfaithful people.

Transcribed - Published: 17 July 2025

For the first time in Mark's Gospel, Jesus crosses from Jewish territory into Gentile lands to confront the spiritual forces that have oppressed the nations. In this podcast episode, David walks through the longest exorcism account in Scripture, showing how Jesus fulfills God's promise to bless all nations by liberating a man possessed by a legion of demons and demonstrating his authority over every fallen spiritual power.

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2025

The Pharisees created extra laws around God's commands to bring the Messiah and restore Israel as a blessing to the world. But when Jesus comes, he shows that he is the fulfillment, authority, and purpose of the law. In this podcast episode, David walks through three stories in Mark where Jesus demonstrates His lordship over the Sabbath and reveals Himself as the long-awaited bridegroom, King, and God of the new creation.

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2025

In this podcast episode, David Bowden delves into Mark 1:2-15 on John the Baptist.

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2025

In this episode of the Spoken Gospel Podcast, David and Seth explore one of the most challenging passages in 1 Corinthians - chapter 14. They examine Paul's teachings on spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy, as well as his instructions for orderly worship. Given Corinth's pagan context, Paul is determined to teach these new Christians that the purpose of their God-given gifts is to benefit and build up one another rather than competitively trying to outdo one another.

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2025

In this episode of the Spoken Gospel Podcast, David and Seth explore the controversial passage on head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11. They examine the cultural context of ancient Corinth, unpack Paul's arguments, and reveal how this challenging text ultimately points to the beauty of Jesus and the Gospel.

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2025

In this episode of the Spoken Gospel podcast, David and Seth explore the complex issue of food sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8-10. They unpack the historical context of Corinth as a pagan Greek city and how new Christian converts struggled with questions about eating meat offered to idols.

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025

In this episode of the Spoken Gospel Podcast, host David Bowden sits down with Daniel Day from Our Daily Bread Ministries to discuss Bible engagement and the Reclaim Today initiative.

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

In this podcast episode, David Bowden delves into Mark 11:12-25, exploring the interconnected stories of Jesus cursing the fig tree, cleansing the temple, and teaching about faith and prayer. David unpacks the rich symbolism and theological significance behind these events, demonstrating how they relate to God's larger plan for redemption and the role of the temple throughout biblical history.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

In this podcast episode, David Bowden explores Jesus' teaching on divorce from Mark 10:1-12. David examines the passage within the broader narrative of Mark's gospel and the overarching story of Scripture. He unpacks how Jesus' response to the Pharisees reveals profound truths about God's design for marriage and His relationship with His people.

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into Mark 7:24-30, exploring the challenging story of Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman. This passage has often confused and even offended readers, but when understood in its proper context, it reveals a beautiful picture of Jesus' ministry to outcasts and foreigners.

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

In this episode, David and Seth explore the cast of characters that fill the book of Proverbs, from the Fool and the Wicked to the Wise and the Righteous. Through the journey of "Pete the Simple" - the malleable youth open to instruction - they show how these characters serve as warnings and examples on the path to wisdom, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the perfect model to follow.

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

In this podcast episode, Seth and David explore what it means to "fear the Lord" in the quest for wisdom. Starting in Genesis, they track the theme of wisdom and folly throughout the biblical story - from Adam and Eve's fateful choice in Eden to Jesus' perfect example of godly wisdom. Though the world saw the cross as foolishness, Jesus' humble obedience revealed God's true wisdom and opened the way back to paradise.

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

God made the world to reflect his wisdom. As people observe God’s wise ordering of the universe they compile proverbs, short sayings meant to be contemplated and applied to everyday life. Every culture has proverbs, so it’s no surpise we should find a book full of them in our Bibles. But what is wisdom as the Bible sees it? How do we live well in the world God made? David and Seth explore the genre of Proverbs and how we encounter God’s wisdom perfectly reflected in Jesus.

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2025

Seth and David ask why a song about the honeymoon night is in our Bibles and try to tell the story of the Hebrew people and Jesus as the story of a marriage.

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2024

Seth and David go deep into the five main poetic movements in the Song of Songs.

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2024

Get ready to hear about the greatest of all songs, the Song of Songs, or as it's also known, the Song of Solomon. Seth and David talk about the interconnected poems of the Song and the unique contribution it makes to the Bible's story.

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2024

In this podcast episode, Seth and David do a deep dive into one of their favorite verses in the Bible.

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2024

A group of "super-apostles" have invaded the church in Corinth. In this episode, Seth and David talk about what exactly an apostle is and why Paul spends so much of this letter defending his ministry.

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2024

In this podcast episode, Spoken Gospel Executive Director David Bowden shares about his latest book, Learning to Be Loved. This episode also includes a free audio version of Chapter 9: Bible, where you'll learn how the Bible is a place to encounter Jesus and be transformed.

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2024

There are four songs in Isaiah attributed to God's Servant. Seth and David walk though each one and show how they anticipate the coming of Jesus and restoration of God's people.

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2024

Every Christmas, Christians worldwide hear Isaiah's prophecies about a child called "Immanuel." Seth and David talk about one of the best-known prophecies in Scripture and how it prepares us for the birth of Jesus.

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2024

One of Isaiah's most famous prophecies talks about a "suffering servant." But that idea is found all the way back in the book of Genesis. Seth and David trace the theme of servants throughout the Bible and talk about servants in the book of Isaiah.

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2024

Isaiah is one of the most important books for both the Old and New Testaments. In this intro episode, Seth and David talk about what prophecy is and why Isaiah is so important to the Biblical story.

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2024

Underneath almost every command Paul gives the Corinthian church is a summons to remember that Jesus is coming back soon. Jesus' second coming and the resurrection of all people are the motivation for almost everything he calls his church to do. In this podcast episode, Seth and David talk about bodies, Jesus' resurrection, and why resurrection bodies were so important to Paul.

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2024

The church in Corinth had a lot of problems and most of them had something to do with Corinthian’s posture towards their culture and their understanding of the resurrection. Seth and David introduce the book of Corinthians, talk about the strange way the ancient philosophy of Dualism pops up in modern culture, and how Corinthians is really good news for really broken churches.

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2024

The final section of Romans opens with a question. If non-Jews have been included in God's promises to Israel because of faith in Jesus, what about Jews who do not believe in Jesus? Seth and David talk about the faithfulness of God and how he is still faithful to God's people.

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2024

Paul tells us everything we "get" because of our faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. Seth and David talk about what it means to be God's heirs, to have the Spirit, to be adopted, and to be free.

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2024