Flipping Tables 34. The Bible Says!- With Dr. Dan McClellan
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Sep 25, 2025 
Dr. Dan McClellan, a public scholar of the Bible with a PhD in theology, joins to share his insights on biblical scholarship. He discusses the impact of misinformation on social media and how he aims to correct it. Topics include the plural nature of Elohim in Genesis, the concept of ancient Israelite polytheism, and the politicization of abortion rooted in biblical interpretation. Dan also delves into the Bible's views on LGBTQ issues and corporal punishment, promoting a nuanced understanding of scripture that embraces its complexities.
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Asherah Was Once Worshiped In Israel
- Archaeology and inscriptions show Israelite worship of a female deity, Asherah, as Adonai's consort.
- Josiah's 7th-century BCE cult-centralization suppressed Asherah worship to consolidate temple resources and authority.
Ancient Law Ties Personhood To Birth
- The Bible contains no explicit statement that abortion equals murder; Hebrew law treats fetal loss differently from killing a born person.
- Personhood in the Hebrew Bible generally begins at birth, linked to breath entering the body.
Christian Views On Ensoulment Evolved
- Early Christian debates mirrored Greek views on ensoulment: conception, development, or birth.
- Augustine popularized an Aristotelian 'delayed ensoulment' view that influenced Christian thought until the 19th century shift.
