Matthew talks with biblical scholar, Dr. Leslie Baynes—Professor of Religious Studies at Missouri State University—about her new book on C.S. Lewis. In this episode, Dr. Baynes discusses specifically Lewis’ views on Scripture, as well as his use and interpretation of biblical texts in both his fiction and his non-fiction.

Dr. Baynes’ website: www.lesliebaynes.com

Link to book: Between Interpretation and Imagination: C. S. Lewis and the Bible

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Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown: https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz

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In Acts 2, we read about Pentecost, which is the event when the Holy Spirit descended upon the church. To understand the full significance of this event, Matt takes listeners back to the creation narratives of Genesis. In doing so, he shows how Pentecost relates to the Bible's teaching on protology and eschatology.

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Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown: https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz

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Matthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.com

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In John 15, Jesus tells his disciples to abide in him. But what exactly does Jesus mean by "abide"? And how does he expect his disciples to do that? How does abiding in Christ relate to faith and works? In this episode, Matthew takes listeners through these questions, explaining in practical terms this well known passage.

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Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown: https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz

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Many Christians think Jesus’ death only brought about the forgiveness of human sins. But Scripture tells us that there’s more to the story. Christ’s death was also the instrument by which the dark, spiritual powers were defeated. And according to the writings of Peter and Paul, our baptism allows us to participate in the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. In particular, Peter sees a connection between Noah’s flood and baptism, drawing upon the worldview as found in the Jewish text of 1 Enoch. In this episode, Matt demonstrates how knowing that worldview helps readers understand the otherwise difficult passage in 1 Peter 3:18-22.

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Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown: https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz

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In Acts 17, Paul argues from the Jewish Scriptures to make the case for his belief that the Messiah had to suffer, die, and be resurrected. What texts might he have used to make his case? And given that Paul himself became a believer in Jesus due to his experience on the Damascus road, what can we say about the way he (and other early Christians) understood the relationship between the Jewish text and the revelation of Christ?

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Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown: https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz

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In John’s Gospel, Jesus calls himself “the good shepherd,” thus contrasting himself with the corrupt religious leaders of his day. It may appear to be a simple polemic, but in fact it is that and so much more. By identifying himself as the shepherd, Jesus recalls the prophecies of Ezekiel, which looks forward to the day when Israel’s God will redeem his people and raise up a Shepherd-King from David’s line to bring them back from exile. In Jesus, the return from exile finds its fulfillment in the return from death—indeed, in resurrection.

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Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown: https://a.co/d/00CzAv1h

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During Eastertide, Matt takes listeners through a series of reflections on the resurrection of Christ. In this episode, the focus is on 1 Peter 1, specifically vv. 3-25. Here we get a glimpse into how early Christians thought of Jesus’ resurrection, specifically how it relates to the concept of the new birth and ethics. This passage reveals how the resurrection is not just a decisive past event or just the basis of our hope for the future – it is those things and more. The resurrection of Christ also has consequences for today, for it is the foundation for how we are to live presently as exiles in the world.

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Pre-order Matt’s newest book, Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown: https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz

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The concept of "faith" (Greek: pistis) is often understood by Christians as being nothing more than just individual belief -- such as, say, personal belief in God. But "faith" can't be reduced to just the individual aspect. Faith, for instance, is also depicted in the New Testament as a communal reality. But the early Christians weren't doing anything novel. To the contrary, they drew from the rich tradition of the Jews, whose emphasis on the community can be seen clearly in many Old Testament passages.

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