The BEMA Podcast – Episode 498: The Four Pillars — Text

Release Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Marty Solomon
Co-host: Brent Billings

Episode Overview

This episode marks the launch of a new 12-part BEMA series reflecting on the "Four Pillars of BEMA": Text, Community, Discipleship, and Wrestling. Marty Solomon kicks off the discussion by focusing on the foundational pillar of "Text"—exploring its significance through scriptural exploration and personal narrative. The series promises insights from the broader BEMA team, blending personal stories with robust biblical engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Four Pillars Series (00:10–03:44)

• Series Concept: Inspired by listener feedback and Marty's own teaching journey, the series aims to revisit core BEMA themes—condensed into "four pillars."
• Four Pillars: Text (the place of Scripture), Community, Discipleship, Wrestling.
• Purpose: To reflect and refresh these big ideas for a new season, with each pillar explored over three episodes by multiple contributors.

Quote (Marty):
"If the Greeks could change the world with four pillars, so can we… We can change the world with four pillars." (04:39)

2. Marty's Personal Journey with Text (09:11–17:22)

• Role of Mentors: Early influences emphasized prayer and contemplation over scholarship.
• Encounter with Ray Vander Laan: Marty’s exposure to the historical and textual dimensions of faith during trips to Israel and Turkey profoundly shaped his approach.
• Essene Inspiration: The Qumran community’s devotion to scripture became a model.
• Integration of Identity: Marty's Jewish heritage and love for scholarship merged into a passion for the text as a life-giving pillar.

Notable Moment:
Marty shares a moving story of standing atop Qumran, quietly weeping while others shouted "I want to be an Essene!"—a symbol for committing to knowing and embodying the text (15:15).

3. Scriptural Foundations for the Pillar of Text

Several favorite “text texts” are read and discussed, each reinforcing the transformative and essential nature of engaging with Scripture.

a. Romans 3:1–4 — The Jewish Call to the Text (17:44–18:10)

• The unique custodianship of God’s words emphasized, affirming the special role of the Jewish people in maintaining the text.

b. Isaiah 55:6–13 — The Efficacy of God’s Word (19:48–23:05)

• God’s word accomplishes what He desires; it is generative, never returning void.
• Marty asserts a mystical, almost supernatural power to the text—"I just continue to believe in the power of the text, God to use the text to change our hearts and our lives." (53:23)

c. Ezekiel 40:4 — Look and Hear (23:05–26:05)

• The rabbinic insight that we must “trust God’s word, not what we see.”
• “Be people of the ears”—learning to trust and embody the text.

d. Deuteronomy 17:18–20 — The King’s Practice (26:05–28:25)

• The king’s charge: handwrite and constantly read the Torah as a practice of humility and reverence.

e. Joshua 1:7–9 — Meditating on the Law (28:25–31:15)

• God tells Joshua to keep the Book of the Law always on his lips, meditating on it day and night as central to leadership and success.

f. Hosea 14:1–9 — “Take Words With You” (31:15–32:51)

• Emphasis on returning to God with “words,” interpreted by Marty as bringing God’s words, not just our own, into repentance and relationship.

g. Proverbs 2:1–11 — Seeking Wisdom in the Text (34:39–36:21)

• True wisdom requires diligent searching; the path to wisdom is scriptural.

h. New Testament Application (36:21–39:59)

• Early Jewish disciples of Jesus exemplified a fusion of text and context—using Scripture as a living guide for their communities.

4. Text as the Unique Contribution of the Jewish Community (39:59–49:53)

• Romans 11:1–24 is explored in-depth to illustrate the dynamic between Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan.
• Marty argues that the "text" is the unique treasure the Jewish people bring into the church, and that when the church split from its Jewish roots, it also lost the depth of textual engagement.
• The BEMA Project seeks to "regather around the text"—the Bema (platform in the synagogue) as a symbol of this centrality.

Quote (Marty):
"If a part of what we're doing with the Bema Project is simply letting the Jewish Gentile relationship that we read about in Romans, that we read about in Ephesians, and if part of the BEMA Project is just doing that work, I suppose that would be enough. But it's why one of our foundational pillars is text." (47:27)

5. Practical Application: Creating Space for Text (49:53–55:42)

Marty outlines practical ways to build space for the text in daily life:

• Memorization: Even one verse per week (“50 verses a year!”) (50:55)
• Reading and Meditation: Practicing lectio divina-style engagement aside from just study.
• Writing the Text: Typing or hand-copying scripture (Marty describes his own years-long journey through the Tanakh).
• Listening: Audio Bibles, reading scripture aloud for oneself or family.
• Artistic Engagement: Marty’s daughter integrates text into visual art and poetry.

Quote (Marty):
"I promise, just as a closing idea, whatever you give yourself to, even the smallest of seeds, they won't come back void. It'll be like the kingdom of God, a little mustard seed." (53:23)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I want to be an Essene.” — Friend atop Qumran, inspiring Marty’s own quiet resolution (15:15)
• “Where are the people that are that committed to being people of the text… who want to get the Bible in them, who want to plant those seeds deep and let them grow?” — Marty recounting Ray Vander Laan’s teaching (14:22)
• “Text is not the thing to be worshipped. Text is not Jesus...we're not raising the Bible to a place it shouldn’t have, but we’re making sure it stands in the place that it should have.” (47:51)
• "It's hard to imagine there's a wrong way to do it. Like engage it on some level in some way...I can't imagine any investment done well with a heart seeking wisdom doesn't come back and pay amazing Kingdom dividends." (55:22)

Important Timestamps

• 00:10: Introduction to the new series and four pillars concept
• 03:44: Origin and significance of "four pillars"
• 09:11: Marty’s personal narrative—mentors and the journey into loving the text
• 17:44: Start of key scripture readings on the significance of the text
• 31:15: Hosea 14 and the charge to "take words with you"
• 39:59: Romans 11 and the unique Jewish contribution to Christianity
• 49:53: Practical suggestions on engaging with the text
• 55:42: Closing encouragements and show wrap-up

Tone and Style

The conversation blends humor, heartfelt storytelling, and deep scriptural engagement, maintaining BEMA’s signature tone: thoughtful, reflective, and invitational.

Conclusion and Practical Invitation

Listeners are encouraged to consider how the "pillar of text" can shape their spiritual life—not just as study, but as a lived discipline involving memorization, writing, listening, and practical meditation. The hosts affirm there is no single right approach, but that any consistent investment in the text will bear fruit.

Final Encouragement (Brent):
"Don't worry too much about going back to old BEMA. Take these extra weeks of the text mini-series and spend some time listening to text. I think it's a great idea." (55:42)

Show notes and episode references available at bemadiscipleship.com.