The BEMA Podcast

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks take a spin with Jesus’s concept of rewards or wages.Wealth, Poverty, and Charity in Jewish Antiquity by Gregg E. GardnerBEMA 97: Done in SecretDe Re Publica, De Legibus by Cicero — Internet ArchivePietas — WikipediaVirtus — WikipediaPolitics by Aristotle — Internet ArchivePolitics (Aristotle) — WikipediaEuergetism — WikipediaSynagogue Wall Decorations — Sardis ExpeditionInscriptions of the Megiddo Mosaic — Museum of the BibleSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks take a crack at what it means to be children of God.“What’s Wrong with Winsomeness?” by Russell Moore — Christianity TodayThe Greatest Prayer by John Dominic CrossanBEMA 80: Silent Years — PhariseesBEMA 102: Son of ManMisreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by E. Randolph Richards and Richard JamesDr. Anna C. Miller — Xavier UniversitySupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Brent Billings and Reed Dent team up with Elle Grover Fricks to excavate some ancient ideas about enemies.BEMA 96: But I Say Unto YouJesus and Nonviolence by Walter WinkThe Peaceable Kingdom by Stanley HauerwasRise and Kill First by Ronen Bergman1QS 1 (Community Rule) with Matthew 5:43 — Intertextual BibleBEMA 358: Sabbath Practice — PrayerGreek Priest Recreates Excitement of Resurrection Announcement — InstagramGreek Priest Recreates Excitement of Resurrection Announcement — TikTok“‘Flying Priest’ Marks Holy Saturday’s Liturgy in Greece” by Nick Kampouris — Greek ReporterSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Karen Stiller, author of Holiness Here and the author and editor of many other books, magazines, essays, and more.Holiness Here by Karen StillerReview of Holiness Here — Marty Solomon, GoodreadsReview of Holiness Here — Brent Billings, GoodreadsMeadow Lake Progress — WikipediaBooks by Frederick BuechnerBooks by Anne LamottThe Minister’s Wife by Karen StillerCraft, Cost & Call by Patricia Paddey & Karen StillerKaren Stiller’s coachingFaith Today PodcastKaren Stiller’s websiteKaren Stiller on InstagramKaren Stiller on SubstackSpecial Guest: Karen Stiller.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks investigate Jesus’s teaching on oaths.“Greek Oath-Rituals” by Irene Berti — OpenEdition Books“The Greek Oath in the Roman World” by Serena Connolly — Oxford Academic“Loosing Vows and Oaths in the Roman Empire and Beyond: Authority and Interpretation” by Moshe Blidstein — De Gruyter“The Kinyradai of Paphos” by John Curtis Franklin — The Center for Hellenic StudiesSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Elle Grover Fricks to contextualize Jesus’s teaching on divorce in its Jewish and Roman landscape.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025

Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé take a closer look at Jesus’s teachings on desire.BEMA 273: John — Pericope of an Honor ContestSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

Brent Billings joins Elle Grover Fricks to reconsider the topic of reconciliation through a Talmudic lens, featuring Reed Dent.BEMA 36: The Redemption Cycle“Dining in Heaven” by Robin M. Jensen — Biblical Archaeology Society LibrarySupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks consider Jesus’s teaching on anger through a Talmudic lens.Matthew 5:22 (Interlinear) — Bible HubA Rabbi Talks with Jesus by Jacob NeusnerSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks search out what life can be found in two short verses from the Sermon on the Mount.Halakha — WikipediaBEMA 95: Abolish or FulfillBook of Tobit — WikipediaSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Elle Grover Fricks to lay the groundwork for another series of Talmudic conversations in Matthew.“Dei Verbum” — Pope Paul VI, November 18, 1965Magisterium — WikipediaA Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus, Volume I, by John P. MeierEarly Jewish Messianism in the New Testament — “Introduction” by Serge RuzerJudah ha-Nasi — WikipediaBEMA 107: Donkeys and RabbisSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Brant Hansen, author, nationally syndicated radio host, and advocate for healing children through CURE International.CURE InternationalTenth Avenue North — WikipediaUnoffendable by Brant HansenLinchpin by Seth GodinLife Is Hard, God Is Good, Let's Dance by Brant HansenKingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar CaponBrant Hansen on Good Morning America — YouTubeThe Men We Need by Brant HansenThe (Young) Men We Need by Brant HansenUnoffendable Bible Study Guide plus Streaming VideoThe Unoffendable Small Group Questions Leaders GuideBrant Hansen’s websiteAdditional audio production by Gus SimpsonSpecial Guest: Brant Hansen.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings conclude an examination of Hosea, finding out what actually gets the last word. Featuring a special appearance by Elle Grover Fricks.1994 Minister’s Manual (HarperCollins, 1993). Series by Roger Lovette (Preaching from Hosea: A Gospel for Broken Things). Edited by James W. CoxTradition for Crisis by Walter BrueggemannAmos/Hosea by James M. WardHosea: A Commentary by James Luther MaysThe Interpreter’s Bible, Volume VI by George Arthur ButtrickSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings approach the penultimate chapter of Hosea’s prophecy, hearing him issue a final challenge to take stock of our idolatrous condition.1994 Minister’s Manual (HarperCollins, 1993). Series by Roger Lovette (Preaching from Hosea: A Gospel for Broken Things). Edited by James W. CoxSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings watch the prophet parallel the experience of God’s people with the history of their Patriarch Jacob.“Back to the Future” by Brad Gray (14 minutes) — Walking the Text“Back to the Future” by Brad Gray (55 minutes) — Central Holland Church, YouTube1994 Minister’s Manual (HarperCollins, 1993). Series by Roger Lovette (Preaching from Hosea: A Gospel for Broken Things). Edited by James W. CoxSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are with Elle Grover Fricks to venture into Hosea 11, seeing a shift in the prophet’s tone as he talks about who God is and how God feels.Your God Is Too Small by J. B. PhillipsSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 9 January 2025

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are with Josh Bossé to travel through Hosea 10, finding instructions for what can be done in the face of such idolatrous vanity.BEMA 109: Which Soil?BEMA 12: A Mission RealizedSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 2 January 2025

Brent Billings and Reed Dent drive this podcast into a tree and find out how many friends we actually have.It’s a Wonderful Life — WikipediaIt’s a Wonderful Life — JustWatchReed on LetterboxdBrent on LetterboxdPlanet Money Movie Club: It’s a Wonderful Life — NPRCPI Inflation Calculator — US Bureau of Labor StatisticsScorigamiSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 26 December 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Catherine McNiel, author of Fearing Bravely.Fearing Bravely by Catherine McNielReview of Fearing Bravely — Marty Solomon, GoodreadsReview of Fearing Bravely — Brent Billings, GoodreadsLong Days of Small Things by Catherine McNielAll Shall Be Well by Catherine McNielMid-Faith Crisis by Catherine McNielWomen’s Devotional BibleCatherine McNiel’s websiteCatherine McNiel on Twitter/XCatherine McNiel on ThreadsCatherine McNiel on FacebookCatherine McNiel on InstagramCatherine McNiel on LinkedInAdditional audio production by Gus SimpsonSpecial Guest: Catherine McNiel.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss Hosea 9 and the consequences of participating in imperial rebellion against the Lord.1994 Minister’s Manual (HarperCollins, 1993). Series by Roger Lovette (Preaching from Hosea: A Gospel for Broken Things). Edited by James W. CoxBEMA 362: Isaiah — Prophetic PathosHyacinth — WikipediaWater Hyacinth — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2024

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent discuss the futility of reaping a whirlwind, and why we would keep going back to empty expecting to find anything else.Presentation for Hosea — How Empty Is Empty? (PDF)Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings wrap up discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen with the emotional events of episode 8.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbBEMA 283: John — Missing God in the Name of GodBEMA 124: Statement of TriumphSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the conversation from the previous episode, considering the call to be different following our repentance.1994 Minister’s Manual (HarperCollins, 1993). Series by Roger Lovette (Preaching from Hosea: A Gospel for Broken Things). Edited by James W. CoxSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss Season 4 of The Chosen and the dramatic events of episode 7.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbAddendum: James Who? — Marty Solomon, YouTubeGospel of Mary — WikipediaSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings use the first portion of Hosea 6 to examine the relationship between God’s forgiveness and our repentance.BEMA 242: Spiritual Abuse — Commodities and VariablesSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen with episode 6.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbFestival Edition: Hiding Miracles — Marty Solomon, YouTubeSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Josh Bossé to consider Hosea 5 and the wisdom it holds, exhorting us to remember the dangers of trying to use God for our own agendas.1994 Minister’s Manual (HarperCollins, 1993). Series by Roger Lovette (Preaching from Hosea: A Gospel for Broken Things). Edited by James W. CoxSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen with the struggles of Jesus in episode 5.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. A. J. Sherrill, who has more than twenty years of experience as a pastor, including his current role as lead pastor at St. Peter’s Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He has served as adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and he is the author of a new book called Rediscovering Christmas.Rediscovering Christmas by AJ SherrillBeing with God by AJ SherrillThe Enneagram for Spiritual Formation by AJ SherrillExpansive by AJ SherrillAJ Sherrill’s websiteAJ’s InstagramAJ’s FacebookAJ’s Twitter/XAJ’s ThreadsSpecial Guest: A. J. Sherrill.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen with a big finally in episode 4.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbTel Dor — WikipediaSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2024

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent look to Hosea 4 to answer the question of how we can find ourselves in a mess like this.BEMA 386: Psalms — The Whole Human Experience“Lord’s Supper” by Frederick BuechnerSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue the discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen with the controversial episode 3.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb“Leading Like Jesus” sermon by Megan Trischler — University Christian ChurchSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings venture into the biblical Text of Hosea, letting the prophetic story of Hosea lead us into some reflections on wisdom for our day.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss some Chosen announcements, offer a mea culpa for episode 1, and continue into Season 4 of The Chosen with episode 2.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2024

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks begin a series on Hosea, considering a framework we can use to approach a passage with a fresh lens.The 6-Column Sheet (PDF)BEMA 49: Hosea — Prostitute“Israeli Archaeologists Find Enigmatic 2,500-year-old Burials in the Desert” by Ariel David — HaaretzThe Oxford Handbook of Hosea by Brad E. KelleThe Latter Prophets: A Feminist Companion to the Bible by Athalya Brenner-IdanTexts of Terror by Phyllis TribleGender and Difference in Ancient Israel by Peggy L. Day (contains “‘To Play the Harlot’: An Inquiry into an Old Testament Metaphor” by Phyllis Bird)Harlot or Holy Woman? by Phyllis A. BirdPhyllis Trible — WikipediaPhyllis Bird — WikipediaSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finally commence the discussion of Season 4 of The Chosen, starting things off with episode 1.The ChosenThe Chosen (TV Series) — WikipediaThe Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDbBEMA 310: The Nativity StorySupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings begin Session 9 of the podcast and discuss what comes next and what we can look forward to in the months to come.The Story of BEMASupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings close out Session 8 with Reed Dent, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. Sandra Richter, the Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, a graduate of Harvard University, and of course the author of The Epic of Eden, including a new study in that series covering Deborah.Deborah by Sandra L. RichterThe Epic of Eden by Sandra L. RichterIsaiah by Sandra L. RichterPsalms by Sandra L. RichterThe Story of God, the Story of Us by Sean GladdingThe Story by Zondervan, Max Lucado, and Randy FrazeeNIV Committee on Bible Translation (CBT)Sandra Richter on FacebookSandra Richter on InstagramSandra Richter at Westmont CollegeSpecial Guest: Sandra Richter.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 19 September 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the depths of Shabbat with Josh Bossé.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are breaking Shabbat with Josh Bossé.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 5 September 2024

Brent Billings and Reed Dent join Josh Bossé in remembering Shabbat.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelRRR (2022 film)I Asked for Wonder by Abraham Joshua Heschel and Samuel H. DresnerWho Is Man? by Abraham J. HeschelSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2024

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks keep Shabbat with Josh Bossé.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelBEMA 331: Sanctuary — Resting with the MishkanNerts — WikipediaSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2024

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks are joined by special guest Mariko Clark, author of The Book of Belonging. She is a mother and a storyteller, and her time as an editor of National Geographic Learning enabled her to make complex topics accessible and engaging. She and her husband live outside of Indianapolis with their three kids.The Book of Belonging by Mariko Clark and Rachel EleanorThe Book of Belonging — SubstackThe Book of Belonging websiteSpecial Guest: Mariko Clark.Support The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Elle Grover Fricks to close out this series from the Talmud and return to a well where Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman.Cairo Geniza — WikipediaUmm el-Qanatir — WikipediaPesher — WikipediaTargum — WikipediaPeshitta — WikipediaOnkelos — Wikipedia“Here’s Something about the Bible of the First Christians I Bet Many of You Didn’t Know (You’re Welcome)” by Peter Enns — PatheosOrigin of the Old Testament — The Bible for Normal People“Tell all the truth but tell it slant” (poem) by Emily Dickinson“Jacob Traditions and the Interpretation of John 4:10–26” by Jerome H. Neyrey — JSTOREliezer ben Hurcanus — WikipediaPirkei DeRabbi Eliezer — SefariaOnly the Lover Sings by Matthew ClarkSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 8 August 2024

Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé examine one more perspective on the ideas of salt and light found in the Sermon on the Mount.BEMA 257: John — Wells and HusbandsBEMA 313: Parables — The Good SamaritanSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2024

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Elle Grover Fricks to consider Jesus’s teaching on light through the lens of the Talmud.BEMA 94: Hope of the WorldBava Batra — Wikipedia1 Corinthians 3: Building a Temple — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipNumbers: The Wilderness Years, volume 4 of Covenant & Conversation by Rabbi Jonathan SacksSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2024

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks unearth a deeper meaning of salt through a Talmudic lens.“The Salt of the Land and the Light of the World” — BibleProject PodcastBEMA 248: Joy and Lot’s Untitled WifeSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2024

Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé browse through the Beatitudes one by one.Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing by Søren KierkegaardLive Q&A with Josh Bossé (April 2024) — YouTubeSupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2024

Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé crack open the question of what a biblical blessing is.To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’DonohueEvery Moment Holy, Volume I by Douglas Kaine McKelveyEvery Moment Holy, Volume II by Douglas Kaine McKelveySupport The BEMA Podcast

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2024