

The BEMA Podcast
BEMA Discipleship
The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the context of the Bible and the Text itself, as well as surrounding history. We deconstruct our common readings of the Bible and attempt to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context.
The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 (or even -1) and continue in order through episode 204. Beyond that, we explore new topics, revisit old topics, and dive deeper into practical ways of living out the things we have learned together.
BEMA Discipleship is a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries.
The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 (or even -1) and continue in order through episode 204. Beyond that, we explore new topics, revisit old topics, and dive deeper into practical ways of living out the things we have learned together.
BEMA Discipleship is a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 25, 2021 • 54min
212: Character Study — Jacob, Part 1
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a deeper look at the character of Jacob and share some things they’ve learned since the previous episodes on Jacob from 2017.Discussion Video for BEMA 212Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David FohrmanAleph Beta AcademySubscribe to Aleph Beta AcademyBEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.Transcript for BEMA 212Support The BEMA Podcast

Mar 18, 2021 • 52min
211: John Whittaker — Blue Jeans Theology
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest John Whittaker. He holds degrees in theology and ministry from Boise Bible College and Cincinnati Bible Seminary, plus a doctorate in preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a professor of preaching and the New Testament for 19 years, spent 11 years planting and pastoring a church, and has taught and preached at various places around the world. He has been teaching people to follow Jesus by learning to hear what the Bible says, and his latest endeavors are more accessible to people than ever. He and his wife, Louise, have been married for more than 30 years.Discussion Video for BEMA 211The Pursuit of God by A. W. TozerThe Practice of the Presence of God by Brother LawrenceJohn Whittaker’s websiteBible in Life PodcastTim Mackie: Skateboards, Jesus, and the Bible — Bible in Life PodcastBrad Gray: The Power of the Original Context — Bible in Life PodcastBrad Gray: The Old Testament Law and the Big Story of the Bible — Bible in Life PodcastJesus vs. Culture on Money and Wealth — Bible in Life PodcastCore Training for Christians — Video Courses by John WhittakerPrepare Them to Flourish by John WhittakerAbout Prepare Them to FlourishThe Listener’s CommentaryResources from John WhittakerIntro to the Gospels — The Listener’s CommentaryLuke — The Listener’s CommentaryTranscript for BEMA 211Special Guest: John Whittaker.Support The BEMA Podcast

Mar 11, 2021 • 38min
210: Midrash — The Man in the Fur Coat
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at even more midrash that surrounds the character of Noah. Some commentary describes Noah as the man in the fur coat. What is this all about?Discussion Video for BEMA 210Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David FohrmanAleph Beta AcademySubscribe to Aleph Beta AcademyBEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.Transcript for BEMA 210Support The BEMA Podcast

Mar 4, 2021 • 49min
209: Midrash — Noah’s Backstory and the Nephilim
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a look at the backstory of Noah and talk about the midrash surrounding the Nephilim from Genesis 6.Discussion Video for BEMA 209BEMA 5: A Misplaced Curse“Pete & Jared on Genesis” — The Bible for Normal People Podcast, Episode 100Genesis for Normal People by Peter Enns and Jared ByasTallest Person Living — Guinness World RecordsHurtaly — WikipediaNoah (2014 film)Parshat Noach — Aleph Beta AcademySubscribe to Aleph Beta AcademyBEMA listeners can use code friendsofbema for one month off of a monthly Premium membership.Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David FohrmanBEMA 7: The Preface“What’s So Bad about Babel?” — BibleProject PodcastJewish Women’s ArchiveSefaria: A Living Library of Jewish TextsBEMA FAQ: Midrash — Marty Solomon, YouTubeThe Social Dilemma — NetflixThought of the Day: The Social Dilemma — Marty Solomon, YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 209Support The BEMA Podcast

Feb 25, 2021 • 40min
208: Midrash — Iscah, Sarai, and Birth Orders
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings take a deeper dive into one of the topics they hear about from listeners the most—midrash—and answer the most commonly asked question from the entire run of the podcast: What is going on with the genealogy of Abraham?Discussion Video for BEMA 208BEMA 8: Buried in a GenealogyBEMA FAQ: Midrash — Marty Solomon, YouTubeJewish Women’s ArchiveBEMA 173: Jude — False TeachersTranscript for BEMA 208Support The BEMA Podcast

Feb 18, 2021 • 45min
207: J. R. Briggs — The Sacred Overlap
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Dr. J. R. Briggs, the founder and director of Kairos Partnerships. His list of ministries and projects spans the gamut of possibility: from coaching pastors to instructing university students, from authoring books to hosting podcasts, J. R. brings a wealth of experience wherever he goes. He and his wife, Megan, have two boys and live just outside of Philadelphia.Discussion Video for BEMA 207About J. R. Briggs — Kairos PartnershipsPublications — Kairos PartnershipsFail by J. R. BriggsThe Sacred Overlap by J. R. BriggsThought of the Day: Sacred Overlap — Marty Solomon, YouTubeMonday Morning Pastor Podcast“Rubbing Shoulders with God” with Marty Solomon — Monday Morning PastorResilient Leaders PodcastTweet on Hand Copying LukePractical Tips and Resources for Hand Copying Scripture — Kairos PartnershipsTweet on Hand Copying JohnJ. R. Briggs on TwitterA Time To Heal by J. R. BriggsTranscript for BEMA 207Special Guest: J. R. Briggs.Support The BEMA Podcast

Feb 11, 2021 • 58min
206: Reed Dent — The Nature of Truth
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Reed Dent. He’s been on staff with Campus Christian Fellowship at Truman State University in Missouri for the last twelve years. He and his wife, LeAnn, have three boys, who provide some great sermon illustrations.Discussion Video for BEMA 206Campus Christian Fellowship, Truman State UniversityTruman State University — WikipediaStaff — Campus Christian FellowshipThe Parable of the Unforgiving Servant — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipThe Parable of the Good Samaritan — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipThe Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2001 (PDF)“September 11” by Scott Cairns“Trump's name to appear on coronavirus stimulus checks sent to Americans” — Fox News“Trump Seeks To Stimulate Economy By Sending Rare Autographed Photo To Every American” — The OnionDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak“The Seeing Heart” by Frederick Buechner — YouTubeSecrets in the Dark by Frederick BuechnerJohn H. Walton — WikipediaThe Lost World of Genesis One by John H. WaltonThe Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture TrilogyThe War by Ken Burns and Lynn NovickThe Art of Biblical Narrative by Robert AlterThe Art of Biblical Poetry by Robert AlterThe Art of Bible Translation by Robert AlterThe Poetics of Biblical Narrative by Meir SternbergWhat Is the Bible? by Rob BellInspired by Rachel Held EvansTranscript for BEMA 206Special Guest: Reed Dent.Support The BEMA Podcast

Feb 4, 2021 • 49min
205: Session 6 Intro
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings talk about Session 6, what they hope to accomplish, and some of the things you can expect to find in the next chapter of the BEMA Podcast.BEMA Merchandise — TeePublicJoin the BEMA SlackNews — BEMA DiscipleshipMarty Solomon on YouTubeGroups — BEMA DiscipleshipTranscript for BEMA 205Support The BEMA Podcast

Jan 28, 2021 • 36min
204: Session 5 Capstone
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings officially wrap up the journey through history and talk about what comes next for BEMA…Out of Sorts by Sarah BesseyJesus Feminist by Sarah BesseyJoin the BEMA SlackMarty Solomon on YouTubeSign Up for the BEMA MessengerBible Book Timeline by Roger SchmidgallWhole Bible Story — BibleTelling, YouTube (via Roger Schmidgall)Transcript for BEMA 204Support The BEMA Podcast

Jan 21, 2021 • 22min
203: You Are Here
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings try to evaluate the great takeaways from this five-session journey through the Bible and the world of faith, talking about “The Four Pillars of BEMA” and imagining a world that returns to partake in some of the same things those early followers did thousands of years ago.Discussion Video for BEMA 203Out of Babylon by Walter Brueggemann“Time in Babylon” by Emmylou Harris — YouTubeTranscript for BEMA 203Support The BEMA Podcast


