Beyond Sunday School

We take a look at the eight presuppositions that we have about the resurrection in the Gospel narratives. 

This week we look at what Paul says about resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. 

We explore what Romans has to say about resurrection and its ongoing impact in our lives. 

We take a dive into Ephesians and Colossians to see what Paul has to say about the resurrection and its impact on our lives. 

In this week's episode we look at what the Apostle had to say about resurrection. 

We explore the writings of post biblical second Temple Judaism and their views of the after life. 

In this week's episode we look at what the Old Testament has to say about life after death. 

In the season 5 premiere we take a look at some of the Greek and Roman conceptions of what happens when you die. 

This week we take a deep dive into Jesus' death on the cross. 

We ask the question, "Did Jesus think he was God?"

We do a deep dive into the question of whether or not Jesus understood himself to be the Messiah. 

This week we explore the Jesus' self understanding as the "son of man."

We begin a deep dive into the self-identity of Jesus. 

In this week's episode we explore Jesus' relationship to the Temple and how engages as prophet. 

In this week's episode we continue our dive into Jesus as prophet. We look at how understanding the idea "kingdom of God" in its context helps give shape to Jesus prophetic ministry and message.

In this week's episode we begin our deep dive into Jesus as prophet. We begin by looking at some indisputable facts, then a look at John the Baptist, and finally we lay the groundwork for Jesus as prophet. 

In the season premiere we set the stage for our dive into the history of Jesus. We ask the question, "Why study Jesus in history?"  We will be using NT Wright and Michael Bird's text, The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians as our guide.  You are welcome to join us in the Zoom Room on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm for the live recording: Beyond Sunday School: Putting Jesus in His Place

We explore what it means to read the New Testament as theology in this week's episode. We will return July 21!

In this week's episode we look at what it means for the New Testament to be a text. How do we engage it as such? We also do a little case study on Isaiah 52-53. 

In today's episode we wrestle through the questions of why do we read the New Testament as history and how do we do it? We also walk through a case study of Mark 12:13-17. Some resources to help you access the history of the New Testament:  Bible Handbook Study Bible The New Testament In Its World

In the opening episode of this season we will take a look at the nature of the New Testament and what makes up the New Testament.  We would encourage you to grab The New Testament in its World by N.T. Wright and Michael Bird as it will be our textbook for this season. 

How did we get the New Testament? We explore this question in this week's Beyond Sunday School. 

We explore the education, literature, sects, and the what does "diaspora" mean around the time of the New Testament. 

In this episode we begin covering Judaism at the time of the New Testament. We spend a little time discussing the seven Jewish feasts and thought it might be helpful to provide a little outline of them here. Nisan (April) - Passover: The celebration covers two Sabbaths and celebrates the leaving of Israelites from Egypt. Iyar (May) - No feast. Sivan (June) - Pentecost (or the Feast of Weeks): This is the celebration of the giving of the law from from Mt. Sinai. Tammuz (July) - No feast. Ab (August) - No feast. Elul (September) - No feast. Tishri (October) - The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah): This the beginning of the civil new year. It was celebrated with the sounding of trumpets from morning to night in the Temple and the reading of the Law. The Day of Atonement: The was the festival when the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies one day a year to make sacrifice and also atone for the sins of the people by laying his hands on the head of the scapegoat. The Feast of Tabernacle: A remembrance of the wandering in the wilderness and it covered two Sabbaths. The second Sabbath was the "last great day of the feast." Marchesvan (November) - No feast. Kislev (December) - Feast of Lights (Hanukkah): A celebration of the dedication of the Temple under the Maccabes and the miracle of the oil. Tebeth (January) - No Feast. Shebet (February) - No feast. Adar (March) - The Feast of Purim: Remembrance of Esther and functioned as a national holiday.

This week we explore the religious and philosophical context of the first century. We focus on the non-Jewish religions this week and will look at Judaism over the next two episodes.  The book we are using: New Testament Survey

In this episode we explore the structure of society and economics in the time of the New Testament.  The book we are using: New Testament Survey

We take a quick look at the Roman Empire and its leaders during the times of the New Testament.   I am using the provided by Merrill C. Tenney in his New Testament Survey.

We explore the history of the kings of the Southern Kingdom

We explore the history of the Northern Kingdom.

We explore 1 Kings 1-11 and look at the life and influence of Solomon. 

We explore David, "the man." His flaws and strengths and try to answer the question, "How could he be a man after God's own heart?"

In this week's episode we look at the reign of David from the perspective of his government, structure, and military. We focus our attention on the first part of 2 Samuel. Next week we look more in depth at David, the man. 

In this week's episode of Beyond Sunday School we look at 1 Samuel 16-31. This is the time when Saul and David were active together. We see the downfall of Saul and his heartbreaking end.

In this episode of Beyond Sunday School we look at the first king of Israel, Saul. We cover 1 Samuel 9-16.

On Sundays I am teaching through Micah and to really grapple with what Micah's talking about we need to have an understanding of his context. The story of Israel's monarchy brings us that important context. I hope you find it helpful.   I am recording these on Wednesday night via Zoom. So you might hear some other voices and a question or two. If you would like to be part of the live recording let me know.