Podcast
The Bible Sojourner
Hosted by Peter Goeman · EN
Welcome to The Bible Sojourner, the podcast that dives into challenging Bible passages, thought-provoking theology, and the cultural intricacies that shape our world. Join Dr. Peter Goeman, a seasoned professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages, as he embarks on a captivating journey through the text of Scripture and beyond. Unravel the mysteries behind enigmatic passages and gain a deeper understanding of ancient world and their relevance in our modern lives. The Bible Sojourner is your compass to navigate the fascinating landscapes of Scripture, history, and contemporary thought.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Greek and Hebrew Matter for Every Christian (Ep 232)
2w ago01:05:45Tap to summarizeThe Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Greek, and a little Aramaic. But if we have so many good English translations today, do the original languages still matter?In this episode, we argue that Greek and Hebrew are not just academic extras for pastors and theologians. They are deeply connected to the health of the church, the clarity of Scripture, and the preservation of sound doctrine.We’ll look at why the Reformers cared so much about the biblical languages, especially Martin Luther and John Calvin. We’ll also consider what happens when churches, pastors, seminaries, and Christians begin to downplay the importance of returning to the original text of Scripture.Even if you never personally learn Greek or Hebrew, this episode explains why you should still care whether your pastors and teachers value them.Article mentioned: The Reformers and the Original Languages (https://petergoeman.com/papers/reformers_and_original_languages.pdf)Timestamps0:00 — Introduction3:22 — When Christians downplay the biblical languages5:15 — The dumbing down of theological education6:27 — Biblical languages as a barometer of church health8:20 — Before the Reformation: Latin and the average churchgoer9:47 — Wycliffe and the groundwork for reform11:27 — Luther, Bible translation, and the languages24:20 — Luther’s warning about neglecting the languages27:29 — Modern examples of being swayed by attractive false teaching29:44 — Calvin and the importance of literal interpretation34:02 — Calvin’s Geneva Academy and language training40:38 — Why English alone can sometimes limit interpretation42:27 — Do modern translations and commentaries make languages unnecessary?47:49 — Three problems when teachers lack biblical language tools52:34 — Machen and Princeton Seminary56:33 — Three benefits of studying biblical languages1:04:32 — Final appeal: be strong advocates for the biblical languagesIf you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →How Old Was Isaac when Abraham Sacrificed Him? (Ep 231)
May 900:14:17Tap to summarizeHow old was Isaac when Abraham took him to Mount Moriah in Genesis 22?In this short episode of The Bible Sojourner, we take a fresh look at one of the most famous passages in the Old Testament and ask a question many readers have never really considered: was Isaac a small child, or was he much older than we often assume? Drawing from the chronological clues in Genesis, I walk through the biblical data and argue that Isaac was likely old enough to understand what was happening, carry the wood for the sacrifice, and willingly submit to his father.That changes the way we read the story. Instead of picturing Abraham overpowering a helpless boy, this episode explores the possibility that Isaac knowingly trusted his father and participated in the event in a far more meaningful way. We also consider how this helps us understand Genesis 22, highlights the character of God, and sheds light on the substitutionary pattern that runs through Scripture.If you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →Peter or James: A Case for James's Leadership in the Early Church (Ep 230)
May 100:56:40Tap to summarizeWas Peter really the undisputed leader of the early church—or does the New Testament point somewhere else?In this episode of The Bible Sojourner, we walk through Will Varner’s provocative article, “Was James the First Pope?” and explore the biblical and historical evidence that James, the brother of Jesus, may have functioned as the central leader of the early church in a way many Christians have overlooked.We look at the centrality of Jerusalem, James’s growing prominence in Acts, Galatians, and 1 Corinthians, his decisive role at the Jerusalem Council, and the way both Josephus and early church writers seem to confirm his importance. Along the way, we also consider what this means for common assumptions about Peter, Paul, Roman Catholic claims, and even Protestant blind spots.Whether you agree or disagree, this is a fascinating discussion that challenges tradition and pushes us back to the text of Scripture.If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on the Bible, theology, and culture, be sure to subscribe and join the discussion in the comments.Chapter Headings00:00 Intro: Was James More Important Than Peter?00:00:47 Why This Argument Was So Eye-Opening00:02:06 The Main Thesis of Varner’s Article00:04:35 James and the Centrality of Jerusalem00:06:23 The Gospel Expands From Jerusalem to the Nations00:09:55 Why Jerusalem Was Seen as the Center of the World00:12:25 James’s Rise to Leadership in the Early Church00:15:18 Paul’s Early Contact With Peter and James00:17:02 James, Peter, and John as the “Pillars”00:20:11 Peter Defers to James00:21:31 The Jerusalem Council and James’s Final Judgment00:28:18 Paul Continues to Follow James’s Lead00:33:35 Josephus and the Historical Importance of James00:36:29 James in Early Church Tradition00:42:09 The Letter of James and the Order of the Canon00:45:26 Why James’s Leadership Matters00:50:09 Implications for Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism00:54:06 Final Conclusions: Was James the First Pope?00:56:06 OutroArticle Written by Will Varner: https://cf.sbts.edu/equip/uploads/2024/05/SBJT-27.3-Was-James-the-First-Pope-Varner.pdfIf you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →Progressive Covenantalism vs. Dispensationalism: The Real Issues (Ep 229)
Apr 1901:13:21Tap to summarizeHow do progressive covenantalists understand Israel and the land promise?In this episode of Bible Sojourner, Peter Goeman reviews comments from Stephen Wellum in a recent interview with Grant Castleberry. Peter interacts with the core claims of progressive Covenantalism and talks about many of the presuppositions involved.The big questions in this discussion are these:• How does progressive covenantalism understand the people of Israel? • What happens to the Old Testament land promises? • Does Christ’s role as the true Israel mean national Israel no longer has significance?• Does typology fulfill earlier promises in a way that sets aside their specific details?• What role should the New Testament and Old Testament play in shaping our hermeneutic? If you enjoy thoughtful discussions on Bible, theology, and culture, subscribe and join the conversation.Video reviewed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4p3UKiZ1ccTime Stamps00:00 Introduction: Progressive Covenantalism, Israel, and the Land Promise00:01:43 Setting the Stage: Grant Castleberry and Stephen Wellum00:06:54 Wellum’s Summary of Dispensationalism00:09:35 Peter’s Initial Response: A Fair Definition, but One Addition00:11:50 Castleberry’s Experience with Older Dispensationalism00:13:04 Why Those Older Views Are Not Essential to Dispensationalism00:18:50 Why Wellum Rejects Dispensationalism00:27:56 Are All God’s Promises Fulfilled in Christ in the Same Way?00:33:31 Does Representation Erase Israel’s National Identity?00:37:36 Is the Church “Spiritual Israel”? Romans 9 and Galatians 600:43:13 The Problem of New Testament Priority00:45:27 Matthew 19, Acts 1, and Acts 3 on Israel’s Future00:50:04 Wellum on the Land Promise and New Creation00:53:49 Peter’s Response: The Presuppositions Behind That View01:09:27 The Real Divide: Typology and Whether the Type Must DisappearIf you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →Are Biblical Israel and Modern Israel the Same? (Ep 228)
Apr 1001:03:13Tap to summarizeDoes the modern state of Israel have any real connection to biblical Israel? In this episode of The Bible Sojourner, Peter Goeman works through that question by interacting with an article by Dr. Mike Vlach on the relationship between modern Israel and Israel in Scripture. The discussion addresses a major issue in current theology and culture: when people claim that modern Israel has no meaningful connection to biblical Israel, does that claim actually fit with the Bible’s own storyline?This episode walks through key biblical categories for understanding Israel as an ethnic, national, and territorial people. It also explains the purpose of Israel’s election, the importance of the faithful remnant, the covenant pattern of rebellion, exile, and restoration, and why passages like Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28–30, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 20, Matthew 19, Acts 3, and Romans 11 are so important in this discussion.Peter also makes an important clarification: the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 did not create Israel as a people, nor does it automatically equal the fulfillment of every prophetic promise. At the same time, the continued existence of the Jewish people and their presence in the land does matter and should not be dismissed lightly.Links mentioned in this episode include Dr. Mike Vlach’s article and books on the Bible’s storyline and Israel’s place within it.1. Vlach's Article: https://www.michaeljvlach.com/blog/modern-israel-and-israel-in-the-bible-clarifying-the-relationship2. Vlach's Bible Storyline Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Storyline-Unstoppable-Creation-Establish/dp/0979853982/3. Vlach's Israel in God's Storyline Book: https://www.amazon.com/Israel-Bibles-Storyline-Genesis-Revelation/dp/B0GSZJGV9Z4. Video that contains discussion on Jewish DNA issue: https://youtu.be/KofqCqKqeGw?t=3743Chapter titles00:00 — Does Modern Israel Connect to Biblical Israel?00:27 — Why This Question Matters Right Now01:41 — Mike Vlach’s Article and Why It Helps03:19 — Two Helpful Books on the Bible’s Storyline05:24 — Start with Scripture, Not Red Herrings07:39 — Israel as an Ethnic, National, and Territorial People13:06 — Why God Chose Israel in the First Place18:21 — Israel as a Transgenerational People21:26 — God’s Promise That Israel Will Endure24:13 — The Remnant Within Israel28:55 — The Covenant Pattern: Sin, Exile, Restoration40:23 — So How Does This Relate to Modern Israel?41:12 — Why 1948 Matters, and Why It Is Not Everything48:33 — Key Features of the Modern State of Israel51:10 — Is Modern Israel Connected to Biblical Israel?54:07 — The Big Challenge to “Replacement” or “Fulfillment” Claims57:25 — Final Thoughts on Israel, Prophecy, and the FutureIf you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →Eschatology 101: Understanding the Millennium, Rapture, Tribulation, Israel, and More (Ep 227)
Apr 501:01:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Peter Goeman answers ten foundational definitional questions to help listeners better understand conversations about eschatology. He explains what eschatology is, outlines the major millennial views, and explores the meaning of the tribulation and the rapture. He also discusses why covenant theology and dispensationalism matter so much in end-times discussions, and why hermeneutics is often the real key behind many of these debates. Finally, he addresses why Israel is such a central part of eschatological conversations. For those looking for a broad overview of end-times terminology and the theological assumptions behind it, this episode provides a helpful starting point.Chapters0:00 Intro — 10 Questions to Understand Eschatology1:56 What Is Eschatology?4:49 What Is Premillennialism?12:17 What Is Amillennialism?15:36 What Is Postmillennialism?23:13 What Is the Tribulation?27:22 What Is the Rapture?32:34 What Is Covenant Theology?38:48 What Is Dispensationalism?45:09 What Is Hermeneutics and How Does It Relate to Eschatology?54:28 Why Does Everyone Talk About Israel So Much in Eschatology?If you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →Three Catholics Challenge Dispensationalism (Ep 226)
Mar 2701:00:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Peter Goeman reviews three Catholic commentators and their critiques of dispensationalism. This breakdown comes from the following video:Catholicism and Dispensationalism, Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_cWJ9COAJ8Video referenced on Ezekiel's Temple sacrifices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTD4x5-qij4Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction to the Catholicism and Hermeneutics10:16 Introduction to Ken Hensley12:55 Begin Catholic Critique of Too Much Literalism35:41 Problems from Ezekiel 44:946:44 Final Thoughts on Hermeneutics and the Jesus LensIf you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →What’s Wrong with Secret Bible Codes? (Ep 225)
Mar 1300:52:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we spend the first part discussing the issue of whether it is correct to say Jesus was a Jew (apparently, that's a topic up for debate nowadays). Then we spend the rest of the episode discussing whether the Bible has secret codes built into it. This discussion includes a fascinating discussion of the development of the Hebrew language. Time Stamps:00:00 Intro02:30 Was Jesus a Jew?16:39 Are Bible Codes Real?21:37 #1: The Development of Hebrew31:40 #2: The Problems with Hebrew Dataset36:03 #3: The Problems with the Process of Finding Codes49:03 Summary Webbon Video Reviewed: https://youtu.be/vrY9FdOMGXc?t=1213If you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →Vintage Clip: Does the Cross Change Satan's Authority?
Mar 600:10:42Tap to summarizeHow does the Cross change Satan's authority? What does the Bible say?This is a clip from a full episode on Satan and his authority and rule. For the full episode, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZKmF37wy0MIf you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →The Tucker-Huckabee Talk Israel—What does the Bible Say? (Ep 224)
Feb 2701:15:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we review a recent interview between Tucker Carlson and Mike Huckabee, the United States' Ambassador to Israel. Sections of this interview provide good opportunities to talk about God's promises to Israel and what that means practically as far as our understanding of modern Israel. Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction03:43 Video 1: Israel's Right to Exist12:54 Is Israel Unfairly Treated?17:28 The Importance of Nations Biblically20:17 Video 2: Israel's Divine Conquest Right43:16 Video 3: Who are Abraham's Descendants?1:02:23 Jewish DNA1:10:25 Spiritual Descendants of Abraham1:14:37 OutroLinks:Was Caleb a Native Israelite?: https://petergoeman.com/was-caleb-the-kenizzite-a-native-israelite/Who are Abraham's Descendants?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4U2GfCIxqcJoshua 21 and the Land of Israel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJJ0os6oDyEAncient Philistine DNA Article: https://www.timesofisrael.com/know-thine-enemy-dna-study-solves-ancient-riddle-of-origins-of-the-philistines/Full Tucker-Huckabee Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS7itdfgNnUIf you have found the podcast helpful, consider leaving a review on Itunes or rating it on Spotify. You can also find The Bible Sojourner on Youtube. Consider passing any episodes you have found helpful to a friend.Visit petergoeman.com for more information on the podcast or blog.Visit shepherds.edu for more on Shepherds Theological Seminary where Dr. Goeman teaches.
Transcribe →