The Stone Chapel Podcast
David Capes
"The Stone Chapel Podcast" is a weekly podcast of the friends and staff of The Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center in Houston, Texas. It is hosted by David Capes, Director of Academic Programming of the Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center. David is an engaging host, a respected New Testament scholar, and the author of Rediscovering Paul and Matthew through Old Testament Eyes. "The Stone Chapel Podcast" features theologians, scholars, and thought leaders from around the world for lively, informative, and educational discussions. With over 200 compelling, uplifting episodes that are valuable for all spiritually curious listeners, the Stone Chapel Podcast provides an unique, weekly refresh and renewal resource for pastors and church leaders.
In case you're interested in going deeper and want more educational content, most of the Stone Chapel podcasts are associated with The Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center's public lecture series, programs, and classes. Please visit our website for videos and panel discussions with many of the podcast visitors David has hosted, as well as all our resources and opportunities!
You can find all "The Stone Chapel Podcast" episodes on your favorite podcast platform.
"The Stone Chapel Podcast" is now part of the ChurchLeaders Podcast Network.
Copyright Lanier Foundation
In case you're interested in going deeper and want more educational content, most of the Stone Chapel podcasts are associated with The Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center's public lecture series, programs, and classes. Please visit our website for videos and panel discussions with many of the podcast visitors David has hosted, as well as all our resources and opportunities!
You can find all "The Stone Chapel Podcast" episodes on your favorite podcast platform.
"The Stone Chapel Podcast" is now part of the ChurchLeaders Podcast Network.
Copyright Lanier Foundation
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 24, 2026 • 19min
Paul, the Stoic Rabbi with Joey Dodson
Since the work of W. D. Davies, the Jewishness of Paul has been well established. But there have been other scholars like Dr. Joseph Dodson who regard Paul's Greek background as also formative to Paul's thinking and ethics. He joins David Capes on The Stone Chapel Podcast to discuss his new book, Paul the Rabbi Philosopher: Stoic and Jewish Philosophy In the Apostles' Thought. How was God at work among the Stoic philosophers? Well, listen and see. Listen to more great episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast. Here is the transcript from this episode. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the Church Leaders Podcast Network. Get Dr. Dodson's book.
Mar 17, 2026 • 26min
Who Is the Beloved Disciple? with Ben Witherington
Veteran New Testament scholar, Ben Witherington III, is coming to lecture at the Lanier Theological Library April 18, 2026. He joins David Capes on this episode of the podcast to give the audience a preview of the kinds of insights and arguments he will make regarding the identity of "the Beloved Disciple." Listen to see if you agree or disagree. Here is the transcript for this episode. Listen to more episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast. Watch the video version of this episode on our Youtube channel. The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the Church Leaders Podcast Network. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org
Mar 10, 2026 • 25min
Staying Christian In College with Karl Johnson
Many parents (and grandparents) are concerned to send their sons and daughters off to secular colleges because they may lose their faith. But Karl Johnson, Executive Director of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, thinks this is a good time to send them to certain elite universities. Why? Well keep listening and you'll find out. For more information about the Christian Study Centers, click to see their website. Here is a transcript of this episode. Listen to more episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast. The Stone Chape Podcast is created and produced by the Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center in Houston, TX. The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the Church Leaders Podcast Network.
Mar 3, 2026 • 23min
Did the Disciples have Doubts with J.D. Atkins
J. D. Atkins was a scholar-in-residence at the Lanier Theological Library in Autumn 2025. He stopped by to talk with David Capes on the Stone Chapel Podcast about his book, The Doubt of the Apostles and the Resurrection Faith of the Early Church: The Post Resurrection Appearance Stories of The Gospels in Ancient Reception and Modern Debate. According to Atkins, "doubt" in the Gospels does not have an apologetic purpose, it has another purpose altogether. What is that? Give the podcast a listen and you can see. You can find a transcript for this episode here. Listen to more fascinating episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast! The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the ChurchLeaders Podcast Network. For Atkins book, The Doubt of the Apostles and the Resurrection Faith of the Early Church: The Post Resurrection Appearance Stories of The Gospels in Ancient Reception and Modern Debate. The book is now in open access from its German publisher. Link below. https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/the-doubt-of-the-apostles-and-the-resurrection-faith-of-the-early-church-9783161581663/
Feb 24, 2026 • 11min
Matthew and Luke on Jesus' Birth, with Caleb Freideman
This is part two of David Capes' discussion with Caleb Friedeman about his book Gospel Birth Narrative and Historiography: Reopening a Closed Case (Baylor University Press, 2025). In this podcast Friedeman comments on the historical sources behind the birth stories in Matthew and Luke. There are many opportunities for scholars to do further study into these matters. Listen to more great episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org Here is a transcript of this episode. The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the Church Leaders Podcast Network. For Caleb's book: Gospel Birth Narratives and Historiography: Reopening a Closed Case
Feb 17, 2026 • 26min
Jesus' Birth Stories with Caleb Friedeman
For decades historical Jesus scholars assumed the birth stories in the Gospels (Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2) were not historical accounts; but they were legends or myths. Case Closed. Not so fast. Caleb Friedeman is reopening the cold case and asking the right kinds of questions. Not just of the Gospels, but of other kinds of ancient biographies. The kinds you read in Suetonius, Philo, and Plutarch, just to name a few. Did they intend to write history? Or not? How can you tell? This is part one of a two-part conversation. Here is a link to the transcript of this episode. Listen to more great episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the Church Leaders Podcast Network. For Caleb's book: Gospel Birth Narratives and Historiography: Reopening a Closed Case
Feb 10, 2026 • 20min
Surrendered Leadership with Nicole Martin
Nicole Martin is coming to lecture at the Lanier Theological Library February 27—March 1, 2026. She is the newly appointed CEO and president of Christianity Today. Dr. Martin is a marvelous leader and influencer. She's written a number of books on leadership. We discuss one of her recent books, Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender (InterVarsity, 2025). Get the book here. Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender Watch the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel. Here is the transcript for today's episode. Listen to many more episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast here. The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the Church Leaders Podcast Network. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org.
Feb 3, 2026 • 17min
Study in Jerusalem with Baruch Kvasnica
Starting a seminary in Jerusalem has been no easy task with the Covid-pandemic and the war in Gaza since 2022. But somehow, providentially, it is not only surviving in Jerusalem, it is thriving. You can study in Jerusalem with some gifted and committed teachers. Earn a certificate or a MA in Biblical Studies. Jerusalem Seminary's president, Baruch Kvasnika, joins David Capes to talk about the inspiration for this new work and how it has developed. Is this the place for you to learn Hebrew, Greek or the Bible? For more information go to jerusalemseminary.org You can here more amazing episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast here. Here is the transcript for this episode. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the Church Leaders Podcast Network.
Jan 27, 2026 • 26min
"The Africa God Wants" with Master Obi
Dr. Obi is Secretary General of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, AEA. His organization represents 380 million evangelicals and Pentecostals in Africa. There are more Christians in Africa than people in the United States. In this podcast David Capes talks with Master Obi about "the Africa God Wants." Africa has been changed by the gospel yet there is so much work to do. There is also the constant threat of persecution in many nations. If you ever wanted to pray for Africa, this podcast will tell you how. To learn more, go to https://aeafrica.org/ You can find a transcript of this episode here. Listen to more great episodes of The Stone Chapel Podcast. The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the ChurchLeaders podcast network. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org
Jan 20, 2026 • 18min
Technology's Transforming Power with Lyndon Drake
Lyndon Drake, a research fellow at the University of Oxford, joins David Capes on The Stone Chapel Podcast to talk about his upcoming lecture at Lanier Theological Library in Houston. Dr. Drake has two doctorates: one in Artificial Intelligence; and another in Theology. He brings his expertise to the question of how our tech tools shape us. There is a lot of talk these days about AI. This is talk that makes sense. Here's a transcript of this episode. Listen to more great episodes here. Here are two videos from Lydon Drake's weekend at the Lanier Theological Library. AI and The Christian Life with Lyndon Drake, Gretchen Huizinga, and Toby Kurth. AI, Theology, and Human Formation: How Our Tools Should Shape Us with Lyndon Drake The Stone Chapel Podcast is part of the ChurchLeaders Podcast Network. Email us at podcast@lanierlibrary.org
