It Means What It Means

Marianne Bjelland Kartzow discusses her chapter “Metaphors of Enslavement” in the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts. Her research focuses on the significance of slavery in ancient texts and its implications for understanding figures like Mary and Paul. She explores the complexities of consent in slavery, the metaphorical use of slavery in biblical texts, and how these concepts resonate with contemporary discussions about human dignity and societal structures. The conversation concludes with recommendations for further reading and a call for curiosity and action regarding social issues. Marianne recommends that listeners use libraries as much as possible. To that end, check out this global directory of libraries or this resource for locating sources. Online resources for research also include JSTOR and Google Scholar. She also mentioned her appreciation for the poet Edith Södergran. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Brad Kelle discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “Is Hosea Also among the Traumatized? The Book of Hosea and Trauma Hermeneutics.” He explores how trauma hermeneutics has evolved, emphasizing the shift from individual to communal trauma interpretations. Kelle highlights the complexity of prophetic literature, the layers of meaning within texts, and the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts of these writings. He encourages readers to engage with biblical texts as living documents that can provide insight into personal and communal trauma, while also recommending further reading on the subject. Recommendations in this episode include (friends of the podcast) Alexiana Fry, Sarah Emanuel, and Tod Linafelt as well as Göran Eidevall’s forthcoming Hosea Commentary, Juliana Claassens, Naomi Novick’s Scholomance Series, David Janzen, Jeremiah: Pain and Promise, The Trauma Healing Institute, Bible Through the Lens of Trauma, Holy Resilience: The Bible’s Traumatic Origins, You Are My People: An Introduction to Prophetic Literature, and the television series Andor. Previewed in this episode is my conversation with Marianne Bjelland Kartzow on her chapter “Metaphors of Enslavement,” in the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Ryan Chester discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “The Jurisprudential Significance of אשר: A Case Study in Leviticus 10:1–3.” He delves into the significance of Leviticus 10:1-3, exploring the concept of “ashér” and its implications in biblical law and jurisprudence. The discussion highlights the nuances of translation, particularly the role of punctuation, and the importance of understanding atonement in the context of sacrificial practices. Chester emphasizes the need to grasp the philosophical underpinnings of law as opposed to merely its textual aspects, providing a comprehensive view of biblical jurisprudence. Resources recommended in this conversation include Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish Women in Greco-Roman Palestine: An Inquiry into Image and Status, From Hew Cradle to Hew Grave: The Role of Religion in the Life of the Israelite and the Babylonian Woman, Anthropology of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy and the Material Transmission of Tradition, and the novels of Louis L’Amour. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Troy Troftgruben discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “The Time It Takes: Prolonged Pace in Luke’s Travel Narrative (9:51-19:44).” He brings a wealth of valuable insights on the Gospel of Luke, particularly focusing on the travel narrative from chapters 9 to 19. He explores the significance of time and pacing in the narrative, the multifaceted nature of salvation in the canonical Gospels, and the central theme of discipleship. Troftgruben also emphasizes the unique language of journey in Luke, the key features of the travel narrative, and the theological motivations behind Luke's narrative structure and highlights the artistic craft of Luke's writing, suggesting that the journey itself is as important as the destination. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include Friederich Schleiermacher, J Leonard Hug, Rubicon, Loveday Alexander, Joel Green, Callirhoe, Xenophon, The Lord of the Rings, Andy Weir, and Adrian Tchaikovsky. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Sarah Emanuel discusses her book Trauma Theory, Trauma Story: A Narration of Biblical Studies and the World of Trauma. She explores the intersection of various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and literary studies in understanding trauma and its effects on narratives. Emanuel emphasizes the importance of narrative in trauma recovery and how modern interpretive frameworks can enhance our understanding of ancient texts. The discussion also touches on the communal aspects of trauma and the impact of unrecognized trauma on storytelling and the intricate relationship between trauma and food, exploring how trauma affects individuals' eating habits and emotional responses. Resources mentioned in this conversation include Alexiana Fry, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body In the Healing of Trauma, sociologist Jeffrey Alexander, Elizabeth Boase, Daniel Smith-Christopher, Nancy Bowen, Women Who Went Before Podcast, The Hunger Games Series, and The Scholomance Series. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

David DeJong discusses his research on the reception history of the Hebrew Bible, particularly focusing on the Day of Adonai and the role of Elijah in eschatological thought. He introduces the concept of the 'anti-eschatological Elijah,' arguing that this figure serves to defer the Day of the Lord by establishing prerequisites for its arrival. The discussion also explores the diverse messianic expectations in Second Temple Judaism, the interpretive role of scribes, and the differences between the Hebrew text and the Septuagint. DeJong emphasizes the dynamic interplay between sociological and scriptural interpretations in ancient Judaism and early Christianity, particularly regarding the delay of eschatological expectations. Books and authors mentioned or recommended in this episode include The Reformation: A History, Seconding Sinai: The Development of Mosaic Discourse in Second Temple Judaism, Paul D Hanson, Otto Plöger, John J Collins, Anathea Portier-Young, James C VanderKam, James F McGrath, Joel Marcus, Rivka Nir, Jeremy Ott, Jocelyn McWhirter, Wolf Hall, Patrick Rothfuss, and Brandon Sanderson. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Javal Coleman discusses his chapter, “Enslavement in the Roman World,” from the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts. He highlights the story of Acte, an enslaved woman, to illustrate the nuances of manumission and the societal perceptions of enslaved people. The discussion also delves into the concept of citizenship in antiquity, the dehumanizing aspects of slavery, and the ongoing relevance of these themes in contemporary scholarship. Resources mentioned and recommended in this episode include author Saidiya Hartman, Finding Phoebe, Greek Slave Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Context, Slavery in the Roman World, Freed Slaves and Roman Imperial Culture, Slavery and Social Death, Greek and Roman Slaves, Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market, River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom, The Lord of the Rings, Fourth Wing, Sinners, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Hogwarts Legacy. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Science fiction and fantasy writer Adrian Tchaikovsky discusses his series The Tyrant Philosophers, exploring themes of colonialism, morality, and the lives of ordinary people amidst grand historical events. He delves into character development, particularly focusing on the character Yasnic, who embodies passive resistance and moral integrity. Tchaikovsky also shares insights on world-building, the consequences of healing magic, and the complexities of power and corruption within his narratives. Other works and authors recommended or mentioned in this episode include The Revolutions Podcast, The Raven Tower, NK Jemisin, Joe Abercrombie, Small Gods, Brandon Sanderson, Babel, Piranesi, The Starless Sea, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Night Circus, Dominion of the Fallen, City of Stairs, Semiosis, Dark Eden Series, Gogmagog, Perdido Street Station, Jonathan L Howard, and Lives of Bitter Rain. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Kyle Hughes discusses his work on prosopological exegesis and its significance in early Christianity. He explains how early church fathers interpreted scripture, focusing on key figures like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen. The dialogue explores the challenges of reading biblical texts through an historical-critical lens and the importance of understanding the church's tradition in interpreting scripture. Hughes emphasizes the need for humility in engaging with early Christian writings and the value of prosopological exegesis in understanding the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Learn more about prosopological exegesis from Kyle’s book Scripting the Son: Scriptural Exegesis and the Making of Early Christology. Other resources mentioned or recommended in this conversation include, Sanctified Vision: An Introduction to Early Christian Interpretation of the Bible, Against Heresies, Origen’s Homilies, Popular Patristics Series, Ancient Christian Writers Series, Fathers of the Church Series, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, Father Brown Series, The Stormlight Archive, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Peter F Hamilton, Neal Stephenson, and The Scholomance Series. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

This conversation explores the concept of manumission in ancient Mediterranean societies, particularly during the New Testament era. Chance Bonar (a contributor to the book Ancient Slavery and its New Testament Contexts) discusses the various types of manumission, the complex relationship between freedom and manumission, and the challenges faced by enslaved individuals seeking to purchase their freedom. The dialogue also delves into biblical perspectives on slavery and the implications of these historical practices for modern understandings of freedom and anti-slavery movements. This conversation explores the complexities of slavery in antiquity, particularly focusing on the legal framework of manumission during the Roman Empire and its implications. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic, Slaver in Early Christianity, Green Grass, Running Water, and the work of Kevin Bales. Chance Bonar ended his chapter with the following suggested reading: Bonar, Chance E. God, Slavery, and Early Christianity: Divine Possession and Ethics in the Shepherd of Hermas. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, forthcoming. Harrill, J. Albert. The Manumission of Slaves in Early Christianity. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1995. Mouritsen, Henrik. The Freedmen in the Roman World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Nasrallah, Laura S. “‘You Were Bought with a Price’: Freedpersons and Things in 1 Corinthians.” Pages 54-73 in Corinth in Contrast: Studies in Inequality. Edited by Steven J. Friesen, Sarah A. James, and Daniel N. Schowalter. Leiden: Brill, 2014. Petersen, Lauren Hackworth. The Freedmen in Roman Art and Art History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Zelnick-Abramovitz, Rachel. Not Wholly Free: The Concept of Manumission and the Status of Manumitted Slaves in the Ancient Greek World. Leiden: Brill, 2005. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Timothy A Lee discusses his article from the Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, “Jude’s Use of A Kaige Edition of Enochic Scripture.” He talks about his academic journey from mathematics to biblical studies, ultimately focusing his research on the proposed Kaige revision of Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible. He emphasizes the importance of the Ethiopic texts in biblical studies and analyzes how Jude's use of Enoch reflects the author's linguistic background and the popularity of Enochic literature in the first century. Other resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include, works by Jean-Dominique Barthélemy, The Online Critical Pseudepigrapha, Textual Evolution and Growth of the Enochic Theophany in the Book of the Watchers 1:1-9, Richard Bauckham’s Commentary on Jude, Septuagint, Scrolls and Cognate Writings: Papers Presented to the International Symposium on the Septuagint and Its Relations to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Other Writings, The SBL Study Bible, Invitation to the Septuagint, An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, The Text-Critical Use of the Septuagint in Biblical Research, The Septuagint in Context, The New English Translation, the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, the works of Charles Dickens, the works of Jane Austen, Prisoner of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World, The Power of Geography: Ten Maps That Reveal the Future of Our World, and podcasts produced by the BBC. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Scholars Katherine Shaner and Christy Cobb discuss their collaboration as editors for the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts and their respective contributions. They explore the historical context of slavery, the implications of household codes, and the importance of language in discussing these topics. Additionally, the conversation delves into the complexities of enslavement as depicted in biblical texts, exploring the nuances of translation, the ethical implications of modern slavery, and the importance of reading against the grain to uncover the presence and roles of enslaved individuals in scripture. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include, Corinthian Democracy: Democratic Discourse in 1 Corinthians, The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism, Slavery in Early Christianity, Criminalization in Acts of the Apostles: Race, Rhetoric, and the Prosecution of an Early Christian Movement, Mitzi J Smith, Angela N Parker, Kristin Hannah, A Mercy, and James. Further Reading from Katherine Shaner: Brooten, Bernadette J. “Early Christian Enslaved Families (First to Fourth Century).” Pages 111-34 in Children and Family in Late Antiquity: Life, Death and Interaction. Edited by Christian Laes, Katarina Mustakillo, and Ville Vuolanto. Leuven: Peters, 2015. Cohen, Shaye, ed. The Jewish Family in Antiquity. Providence, RI: Brown Judaic Studies, 1993. Johnson, Sylvester. “The Bible, Slavery, and the Problem of Authority.” Pages 231-48 in Beyond Slavery: Overcoming Its Religious and Sexual Legacies. Edited by Bernadette J. Booten. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Martin, Clarice J. “The Haustafeln (Household Codes) in African American Biblical Interpretation: ‘Free Slaves’ and ‘Subordinate Women’.” Pages 206-31 in Stony the Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation. Edited by Cain Hope Felder. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2021. Shaner, Katherine A. “Family Structures: New Testament.” Pages 217-22 in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Gender Studies. Edited by Julia M. O’Brien. Oxford University Press, 2014. Smith, Mitzi J. Chloe and Her People: A Womanist Critical Dialogue with First Corinthians. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2023. Smith, Shively. Strangers to Family: Diaspora and 1 Peter’s Invention of God’s Household. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2016 Further Reading from Christy Cobb: Briggs, Sheila. Lavery and Gender.” Pages 171-92 in On the Cutting Edge: The Study of Women in Biblical Worlds: Essays in Honor of Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza. Edited by Jane Schabeg, Alice Bach, and Esther Fuchs. New York: Continuum, 2004. Brooten, Bernadette J. “Gender and Slavery in the Acts of Andrew.” Pages 165-86 in Ancient Christian Apocrypha: Marginalized Texts in Early Christianity. Edited by Outi Lehhtipuu and Silke Petersen. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2022. Cobb, Christy. Slavery, Gender, Truth, and Power in Luke-Acts and Other Ancient Narratives. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019. Glancy, Jennifer A., and Stephen D. Moore. “How Typical a Roman Prostitute Is Revelation’s ‘Great Whore’?,” Journal of Biblical Literature 130, no. 3 (2011): 551-69. Glazebrook, Allison. “Gender and Slavery.” Pages 1-23 in The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Slaveries. Edited by Stephen Hodkinson, Marc Klejwegt, and Kostas Vlassopoulos. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017. Smith, Shanell T. Woman Babylon and the Marks of Empire: Reading revelation with a Postcolonial Womanist Hermeneutics of Ambivalence. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2014. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible,...

Matthew Boedy discusses the Seven Mountains Mandate, a concept within certain evangelical circles that seeks to reclaim seven areas of cultural influence in America: government, religion, education, family, media, entertainment, and business. He explores the historical context of this movement, its key figures, and the implications for democracy and national identity. The discussion also delves into how biblical texts are interpreted to support this mandate and the coalitional politics that have emerged around it, particularly in relation to authoritarianism and Christian nationalism. Make sure to check out Matthew’s book The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy. Other resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include, The Enigma of Clarence Thomas, How to End Christian Nationalism, Bad Faith (documentary), Paradise (television series), and Abbot Elementary. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

In this conversation, Sam Blankenship discusses her research on Persian-style historiography in the context of Ezra-Nehemiah. She explores the contributions of Arnaldo Momigliano to historiography, the definition of history, and the role of charts in historical documentation. The discussion delves into how Persian administration influenced Jewish historiography and the dual nature of historical narratives in Ezra-Nehemiah, highlighting the complexities of audience and purpose in historical writing. Resources mentioned or recommended in this conversation include, Arnaldo Momigliano, Persian Fire, Bruce Lincoln, Aspects of History and Epic in Ancient Iran, From Cyrus to Alexander, The Persian Empire: A Corpus of Sources from the Achaemenid Period, An Empire Far and Wide, Archival Historiography in Jewish Antiquity, War and Peace, and Martyr. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Andrew Rillera discusses his book Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus’s Death, exploring the multifaceted nature of sacrifice in Christianity, particularly focusing on Jesus' death and its significance. He emphasizes the importance of understanding sacrifice beyond traditional interpretations, advocating for a framework of solidarity and participation. The discussion delves into the role of Levitical sacrifices, the significance of Passover, and the implications of Jesus' ascension in relation to purification and atonement. Other resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include, The works of David Moffitt, Christian Eberhardt, Joel Baden, Jacob Milgrom, Liane Feldman, Simon Gathercole, and Brandon Sanderson; as well as Jesus and Jewish Law Podcast, Jesus and the Forces of Death, Jesus and the Law of Moses. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Elizabeth Arnold shares her journey from a New Testament scholar to a minister within the Baptist tradition (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship). She discusses her experiences at Candler School of Theology, her views on the radical roots of Baptists, and the importance of individualism in American faith. Elizabeth emphasizes the need for democratizing theological education and making biblical languages accessible to all. The conversation also delves into the significance of Bible translations and the role of marginal notes in understanding scripture. Other resources mentioned or recommended in this conversation include The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity; Towards Baptist Catholicity: Essays of Tradition and the Baptist Vision; Ecumenism Means You Too: Ordinary Christians and the Quest for Christian Unity; Aaron Weaver; Sources of Light: Resources for Baptist Churches Practicing Theology; Arturo Pérez-Reverte; Cal Newport; and Rick Riordan. Next week, Andrew Rillera discusses his book Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus’s Death. Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Reed Carlson discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “Spirit Possession and Intimate Partner Violence in the Law of Jealousy.” He delves into the social dynamics of jealousy and how they relate to intimate partner violence (IPV). The discussion highlights the importance of understanding these themes within the broader framework of community and relationships in the Hebrew Bible. Carlson also emphasizes the need for local action against IPV. Other resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include classicist (and friend of the show) Anthony Ellis, Jealousy in Context, Ingrid Lily, Annette Yoshiko Reed, The Idea of Possession, Unfamiliar Selves:Possession and Other Spirit Phenomena, Demonic Bodies and the Dark Ecologies of Early Christian Culture, The SBL Study Bible, The Jewish Study Bible, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, The Jewish Annotate Apocrypha. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Tzvi Novick, Abrams Professor of Jewish Though and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, discusses his book Judaism: A Guide for Christians. He explores the complexities of Jewish identity, the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and the significance of rabbinic literature. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding Judaism not just as a religion but as a cultural and ethnic identity, delves into the role of Torah in Jewish life, explores the concept of the afterlife, and discusses the community aspect of Jewish observance. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include 18Forty, Judaism Unbound, Rabbi Shai Held, television shows Srugim and Shtisel, and poet Wallace Stevens. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Amy Peeler discusses her book Women and the Gender of God, exploring the complexities of gender in theology, the nature of God, and the role of women in the church. She emphasizes the importance of understanding gender as it relates to divine revelation and the implications of language used to describe God. The discussion also delves into ancient perspectives on conception, the political and ontological aspects of the title “Son of God,” and the significance of fatherhood in understanding divine relationships. Authors and resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include Michael Peppard, Lynn Marie Tonstad, Jürgen Moltmann, Andrew Lincoln, Oliver D Crisp, Madison Pierce, Elisabeth Behr-Sigel, Sarah Coakley, Ben Witherington, Lynn H Cohick, Amy Brown Hughes, Susan Hylen, Two Cities Podcast, and Sparrow. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon.

Jared interviews Elesha Coffman, a professor of history at Baylor University, about her book Turning Points in American Church History. They discussed the genesis of the book, the importance of understanding contingency in history, and the idiosyncratic approach Coffman takes in her analysis of pivotal events. The conversation also delves into the complexities of American Protestantism, the political realignments throughout history, and the nature of hierarchies in American society. Elesha and Jared mentioned or recommended the following Rebel on Main, Nice Try, and the writings of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon.