Podcast
History in the Bible
Hosted by Garry Stevens · EN
A guide to the history presented in the Bible, for people of all faiths and backgrounds, presented by an independent podcaster, and biblical studies buff. I explore the religion of ancient Israel, the beginnings of Christianity, then finally the evolution of the heirs of Abraham to the year 200. I discuss every single book in every Bible (there are more than you think!). Lightly garnished with a dash of drollery, a soupçon of scrutiny, and not one ounce of objectivity. Not one ounce! The main narrative concluded in January 2024. But I continue to publish Afterlife shows.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Afterlife 18: King David and the Two Traditions
Mar 1900:25:06Tap to summarizeA few episodes ago, I mentioned the two distinct literary traditions behind the OT or Tanakh). Most important is the rabbinic Hebrew language tradition, known as the Masoretic tradition. The other tradition is the Greek language bible, known as the Septuagint. This was translated from some unknown Hebrew original. In many instances, the Septuagint draws upon ancient Hebrew documents that differ from those used by the rabbis. While the two traditions are in broad agreement, sometimes they diverge quite significantly. One of those places is in the origin story of King David. In this episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions and I explore these differences.
Transcribe →Afterlife Detour 6: Surviving Vesuvius
Feb 800:23:41Tap to summarizeI always thought that the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in Roman imperial times not only destroyed the city of Pompeii, but all its inhabitants. Turns out that quite a lot of people escaped. In this detour episode join Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast and I, as we find out who died and who escaped. You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history. And be sure to check out Bernie's new youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fanofhistory4701
Transcribe →Afterlife 17: Reprise of We Three Kings Epiphany Special
Jan 400:44:33Tap to summarizeThis is a reprise of my Epiphany 2019 show (2-33), just in time for Epiphany 2026. It relates the story of Christmas as told by the gospel of Matthew. In Matthew, the story is told from Joseph's point of view, not Mary's. Matthew has wise men, the infamous massacre of the innocents, and the flight to Egypt. No angels and no shepherds. He does not mention Mary's relative Elizabeth, and her son John the Baptist. If you read Matthew carefully, he says nothing of the day of Christmas, but he has a lot to say about the day of Epiphany, 6th January, the day the magi paid homage. I also introduce the Gospel of James, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.
Transcribe →Afterlife 16: Reprise of Hark the Herald! the Christmas 2018 show
Dec 2100:44:39Tap to summarizeThis is a reprise of my Christmas 2018 show, just in time for Christmas 2025. It relates the story of Christmas as told by the gospel of Luke. With lots of canticles: the Magnificat, the Benedictus, and the Nunc Dimmitis. Luke has many unique stories. He concentrates on Jesus' mother Mary and her relative Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. The angel Gabriel makes two cameo appearances.
Transcribe →Afterlife Detour 5: Chasing Proto-Indo-European
Dec 1400:34:29Tap to summarizeIn this detour episode we go way, way back. Six thousand years ago, a language was forming that would spawn dozens of descendants, who came to occupy most of Europe and much of Anatolia, India and Iran. This ancient tongue is Proto-Indo-European. Join Bernie Maoplski of the Fan of History podcast and I, as we chase down the latest theories on the origins of this ancestral language. You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history.
Transcribe →Afterlife Detour 4: Follow-up on Egyptian Hydraulics
Dec 700:20:41Tap to summarizeA little while back, Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast and I discussed some recent research into the use of hydraulics at the step pyramid of Pharoah Djoser. Well, lordy lordy, we received an email from a hydraulic engineer who said that the original researchers were barking up the wrong tree. Let's see what he had to say. You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history.
Transcribe →Afterlife 15: The Letter of Jeremiah
Nov 2300:25:01Tap to summarizeI'm back with Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions. In its 29th chapter, the book of Jeremiah contains a letter that the prophet wrote to the exiles in Babylonia. There is another letter of Jeremiah to the exiles, a very short work. In the Orthodox tradition, this is a separate book all to itself. In the Catholic canon, it is a chapter in the book of Baruch. Thanks to Martin Luther, the Protestants don't have it in any form. In this episode, Gil and I investigate the letter. Who wrote it, when, and why.
Transcribe →Afterlife 14: Jeremiah and the Two Traditions
Nov 1600:44:30Tap to summarizeThere are two distinct literary traditions behind the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). Most important is the Masoretic Hebrew tradition. The other tradition is the Greek bible, known as the Septuagint. While the two traditions are in broad agreement, sometimes they diverge quite significantly. One of those places is in the book of Jeremiah. In this episode, Gil and I explore these differences.
Transcribe →Afterlife Detour 3: Ancient Egyptian Hydraulics
Aug 3100:17:53Tap to summarizeAnother detour episode. In this episode, Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast invited me onto his show to discuss new research into the step pyramid of Pharoah Djoser.
Transcribe →Afterlife Detour 2: Conclave
Aug 1701:03:22Tap to summarizeAnother detour episode. This time I am with Gregg Gassmann of many podcasts: Popeular History (that's Popular with an "e"), Pontifacts, and Cardinal Numbers. You won't find a bigger Pope aficionado than Gregg. Gregg and I discuss the papal conclave of May 2025. You can find Gregg's podcasts at https://www.popeularhistory.com/ and https://pontifacts.podbean.com/. Yes, we are rather late in getting this show out, but sometimes life gets in the way.
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