Podcast Summary: The BEMA Podcast – Episode 495: Session 9 Capstone (February 5, 2026)

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode serves as the capstone for Session 9 of The BEMA Podcast—a reflective, communal, and heartfelt wrap-up with the entire teaching team. The episode honors the memory of co-host Josh Bosse (featuring his final recorded session), reviews Session 9’s major thematic series, discusses the influence of Dr. Walter Brueggemann, and shares personal updates and community happenings. The team celebrates their evolving rhythm as educators and the impact of their shared journey, while also sprinkled with their signature camaraderie and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A Tribute and Content Warning: Remembering Josh Bosse

• The episode opens with Marty Solomon and Brent Billings preparing listeners for the emotional impact of hearing Josh Bosse’s voice, as this was the final episode recorded before his passing ([01:07]).
  • “If this experience of hearing his voice is too hard for any reason... you need to be free to skip this episode.” – Brent Billings ([02:28])
  • A note is given that Josh’s wife, Sophia, supported the use of Josh’s final recordings.

Emily’s Poem in Honor of Josh

• Listener Emily reads a moving poem about loss, memory, and hope in honor of Josh ([03:48]):
  • “and you'll notice the pain becomes softness and memories of love and space for something new and the world will turn.” – Emily ([04:48])

Personal Updates from the Team ([05:08]–[20:58])

• Elle Grover Fricks: Welcomed a new baby, Fia. “Literally a really cute baby from what I've heard… We love her so much.” ([13:55])
• Reid Dent and Marty Solomon: Announce their co-authored book, The Gospel of Being Human, second in the Asking Better Questions series, coming April 2026 ([15:15]).
• Brent Billings: Has a new German Shepherd puppy, Maple, with her own Instagram ([16:34]).
• Reid Dent: Celebrates his wife, Leanne Dent, earning her PhD ([17:28]).
• Josh Bosse: Updates on his cancer journey – finishing first round of chemo, mentions a Caring Bridge for updates ([18:12]).
  • “I'm still here. I'm still alive, still, still doing the thing. And... the fact that we've been able to do all this even in the midst of me battling cancer, is a point in favor of us having figured it out...” – Josh Bosse ([19:45])

Celebrating Session 9’s Structure & Rhythms ([07:27]–[20:58])

• Dual-track recording—simultaneous reboot of Session 1 and new Session 9 episodes ([10:23]).
  • Amber contributed a well-received companion resource for the reboot.
  • “It's the same old good stuff with just a little bit more goodness into it.” – Reid Dent ([11:34])
• Enhanced production with the addition of an assistant editor ([12:58]).
• Ongoing gratitude for listener financial support, which funds these innovations ([13:17]).

Series Recaps and Reflections ([21:04]–[33:27])

1. Hosea Series ([21:23]–[23:30])

• “We did a verse by verse journey through that book. I continue to love all the episodes where I get to share with these co-hosts…” – Marty Solomon ([21:23])
• Elle highlights Marty’s conclusion on God’s rescue and faithfulness in Hosea 14 ([22:27]).
  • “What do you have to do with Idols? I love that.” – Elle Grover Fricks ([22:27])
• Brent leaves in surprise audio of Elle singing Tarzan in the postscript, showcasing their fun, informal moments ([23:08]).

2. Talmudic Matthew ([23:30]–[24:53])

• Elle leads a deep dive, exploring dialogue between Matthew’s Gospel and the Talmud.
  • “Nerdy, bookish, detail-oriented people unite. These are my people.” – Elle Grover Fricks ([24:53])
• Team notes how each co-host has a devoted audience drawn to their unique style ([25:18]–[26:02]).

3. Vice and Virtue (Aquinas) Series ([26:02]–[29:20])

• Reed Dent tackles character formation through the lens of Aquinas, surprising listeners by making classical Christian theology “BEMA-flavored.”
  • “You can find good stuff in many places if you will just try to let anybody be your teacher.” – Reid Dent ([26:50])
• Marty and Brent appreciate fresh theological conversations beyond usual Jewish contexts ([27:43]).
• “Working on your character is pretty punk rock, right?” – Elle Grover Fricks ([28:47])

4. Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) ([29:31]–[33:29])

• Led by Josh, featuring dense, layered wisdom literature and its “Ramez structure” (hinting/alluding).
  • “A lot of stuff came out of that. That was way more than I bargained for.” – Josh Bosse ([29:54])
• Elle praises the treatment for taking difficult books verse by verse, rather than just summarizing themes ([32:44]).

Other Content Highlights

Special/Bonus Content ([33:44]–[41:14])

• The Chosen: Ongoing analysis and behind-the-scenes insights from seasons 4 and 5, with an anticipated interview with Dallas Jenkins, the show’s creator ([33:44]).
• Interviews: Notable guests from Christian academia, writing, and the wider BEMA community. Each interview is briefly discussed, often with anecdotes and continued relationships.
  • “Perhaps our most ambitious interview: Bema Kokomo… If there's anything that's gotten close to Tohu va vohu, that was it.” – Marty Solomon ([37:40])

Honoring Walter Brueggemann ([41:23]–[47:08])

• Recognizing the passing of the renowned Old Testament scholar during Session 9.
  • “We owe a great deal to Brueggemann.” – Elle Grover Fricks ([41:23])
• Brent recaps Brueggemann’s influence—seven doctorates, nearly 60 books (Wikipedia), and over 169 publications in total ([41:57]).
• Elle and Reid reflect on favorite Brueggemann works:
  • “Finally Comes the Poet… did something transformative and powerful for the way that I think of the preaching act.” – Reid Dent ([43:45])
  • “First introduction to thinking about the prophets as different voices talking about the same things with different rooted emotionality...” – Elle Grover Fricks ([45:14])
• Marty recounts just missing an opportunity to interview Brueggemann, and the scholar’s immense influence on BEMA and broader theological study ([46:16]).

Closing Thoughts and Team Gratitude ([47:47]–[49:08])

• The team expresses ongoing gratitude to supporters:
  • “We are here because people believe in what we're doing and, and want to enable us and support us to continue that work. And we're blessed by that.” – Elle Grover Fricks ([48:38])
• Lighthearted jokes about titles, merch, and internal camaraderie.
  • “Never be surprised by a surprise.” – Team refrain and inside joke ([48:00], [50:02])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I love our team. It's not getting worse, it's getting better.” – Marty Solomon ([48:31])
• “If this experience of hearing [Josh’s] voice is too hard... you need to be free to skip this episode.” – Brent Billings ([02:28])
• "You can find good stuff in many places if you will just try to let anybody be your teacher." – Reid Dent ([26:50])
• “Why mine gold if we're not going to share it?” – Elle Grover Fricks ([23:13])
• “Nerdy, bookish, detail-oriented people unite. These are my people.” – Elle Grover Fricks ([24:53])
• “Working on your character is pretty punk rock, right?” – Elle Grover Fricks ([28:47])
• “Stay in the room with the king.” – Listener callback from Kohelet ([32:07])
• “Never be surprised by a surprise.” – Team refrain ([48:00], [50:02])
• “We owe a great deal to Brueggemann.” – Elle Grover Fricks ([41:23])

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:07] – Content warning regarding Josh Bosse’s voice
• [03:48] – Emily reads a poem for Josh
• [05:08]–[20:23] – Personal updates from each co-host
• [21:23]–[23:30] – Hosea Series recap
• [23:30]–[24:53] – Talmudic Matthew reflections
• [26:02]–[29:20] – Vice and Virtue (Aquinas) recap
• [29:31]–[33:29] – Kohelet/Ecclesiastes discussion
• [33:44]–[41:14] – The Chosen, Interviews, and Bonus Content
• [41:23]–[47:08] – Remembering Walter Brueggemann
• [47:47]–[49:08] – Gratitude, closing reflections, inside jokes

Tone and Style

The conversation is warm, authentic, and often humorous, richly layered with personal connection, scholarly reflection, and informal, inside-joke banter. While the episode carries the weight of loss and the passing of both a beloved co-host and a respected scholar, it is ultimately marked by hope, collegiality, celebration, and an ethos of continual growth and teamwork.

For Further Engagement

• Visit baymadiscipleship.com for show notes, cited resources (including Brueggemann’s works), and to contact the team.
• Find updates on co-hosts, upcoming books, bonus materials, and the Caring Bridge for Josh Bosse.
• Listeners are encouraged to start at the beginning of the podcast for a structured journey through the Bible.

Final Note

This episode not only reviews an accomplished season of biblical exploration and spiritual formation, but stands itself as a living testament to a communal journey—a space of laughter, tears, growth, and friendship—across the shifting chapters of life and faith.