Show Notes
Torah Crash Course E1 — For many modern readers, the first five books of the Bible—known as the Torah—can feel strange, overwhelming, or confusing. But when we look at these five books as a single narrative, we can begin to see how it sets up a larger story of God’s rescue plan for humanity that is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. In this episode, we’ll start with Genesis. From creation and humanity’s calling as God’s image-bearers to God’s surprising promise to bless all people through one man and his family, Genesis sets the stage for the rest of the Bible. In this episode, Tim traces the structure and themes of the book, revealing how God’s purpose to bring good out of human evil shapes the entire biblical story. This series was taught in the early 2010s at Door of Hope Church in Portland, Oregon.
More from Exploring My Strange Bible
Psalms E2 — The book of Psalms follows a wide diversity of people with different emotional journeys and life experiences. Their prayers teach us what it means to talk to God through the whole range of life experiences, from good to horrible. In this second teaching of a four-part series, Tim explores Psalm 22, reflecting on the poet's experience of extreme suffering and pain, alongside his conviction that God is good and has redemptive purposes for the world. Tim gave this message at Door of Hope Church in Portland, Oregon, on May 26, 2013.
Psalms E1 —The book of Psalms has played a significant role in Jewish and Christian history for thousands of years. Observant Jews have always memorized and prayed the Psalms. At multiple points in Jesus’ life, he used the language of the Psalms to express his own thoughts. And Jesus models for us what it can look like to use the Psalms as the language of our own prayers. In this first teaching of a four-part series, Tim explores Psalm 3 as a way to pray when we're in the midst of great fear and anxiety. Tim gave this message at Door of Hope Church in Portland, Oregon, on May 19, 2013.
The Language of Faith E4 — This is the final episode of a four-part series looking at foundational words and concepts in the Bible and Christian faith. These words rarely come up in modern culture, and when they do, they’re often used very differently. In this teaching, Tim explores the controversial word and concept of atonement by diving into the biblical story and letting it speak for itself. Tim gave this message at Door of Hope Church in Portland, Ore., on October 16, 2016.
The Language of Faith E3 — This four-part series looks at some of the most common and important words in the Bible and Christian faith that are often misunderstood and underused in modern culture. In this teaching, Tim explores the word covenant and how it's crucial for understanding the storyline and architecture of the whole biblical story. Tim gave this message at Door of Hope Church in Portland, Oregon, on November 20, 2016.
The Language of Faith E2 — In this short series, we’re looking at three foundational words and concepts in the Bible and Christian faith. These words rarely come up in modern culture, and when they do, they’re often used very differently. In this teaching, Tim explores the biblical word of glory, which is commonly used and misunderstood among Christians but crucially important in the biblical story.