Podcast
What in the Word?
Hosted by Presented by Logos · EN
"What in the world does that verse mean?" This show tackles the hardest Bible verses to understand.
Each episode, host Kirk E. Miller interviews an expert guest to discuss a text in the Bible that is known to be challenging to interpret. They do in-depth Bible study and survey scholars' interpretations. By investigating the strangest and hardest Bible verses, What in the Word? gets below the surface to learn their implications for understanding God and living the Christian life.
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37episodes
Episodes
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Should One Pray to Dash Little Ones? | Bruce Waltke on Psalm 137:9
1w ago00:46:47Tap to summarizePsalm 137 ends with one of the Bible's most scandalizing lines: a prayer that an enemy's infants would be dashed against rocks. It understandably troubles believers, and for skeptics, it's a classic case against the Bible's goodness.Does this cry for violence—especially against innocent babies—belong in what is supposed to be a sacred hymn book? On this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller brings in Dr. Bruce Waltke to reckon with this troubling passage.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-psalm137-meaning?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwOutline:(01:27) Bruce Waltke Background(04:41) Reading Psalm 137(05:46) Why It Troubles Us(08:53) Common Interpretations(12:56) Imprecations and Justice(17:32) Law Justice and Mercy(25:13) Exile Context and Vengeance(27:44) God’s Enemies, Not Personal(31:01) Hyperbole or Literal(35:34) Blessed or Rewarded(38:11) Eschatology and Revelation(42:41) Messianic Reading in Psalms(44:21) Preaching and Application
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Why Was Jesus Baptized? | Patrick Schreiner on Matthew 3:13–17
2w ago00:43:20Tap to summarizeKirk E. Miller welcomes New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner on to What in the Word? to tackle the question: Why was Jesus baptized? John’s baptism was for repentant sinners, yet Jesus was without sin.They discuss the different interpretations of Matthew 3:13–17, focusing on what it means for Jesus to “fulfill all righteousness.” What is meant by “righteousness,” and how does Jesus’s baptism “fulfill” it? Finally, they consider the significance of the Spirit’s descent and the heavenly voice declaring Jesus “my Son.”Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-jesus-baptism-fulfill-righteousness?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwEpisode outline:(00:00) Why Jesus Baptized(01:06) Meet Patrick Schreiner(01:55) Patrick's Book on Matthew(03:44) Reading Matthew 3(04:52) Matthew's Context and Israel(09:59) Why Baptism Is Tricky(12:49) Jesus Identifies With Israel(17:05) Fulfill All Righteousness(25:08) Matthew Versus Other Gospels(30:01) Spirit Descent and Sonship(37:57) Practical Takeaways(42:49) Final Wrap Up
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Did Elisha Summon Bears to Maul Boys? | Jonathan Akin on 2 Kings 2:23–24
3w ago00:53:26Tap to summarizeJonathan Akin joins Kirk E. Miller on What in the Word? to discuss one of the Bible's most infamous passages, Elisha's curse that led to two she-bears mauling forty-two "youths" in 2 Kings 2:23-24.Was Elisha simply an irritable old man who couldn’t take a joke? How old were these “youths”? And what exactly does their jeer, “Go up, baldhead!” mean? This episode examines these matters and more, exploring the passage's meaning and significance even for today.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-elisha-and-the-bears?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwEpisode outline:(00:00) Elisha and the Bears(00:49) Meet the Guest(04:05) Setting the Context(07:07) Why This Text Shocks(10:25) Who Were the Youths(18:44) Bethel and Idolatry(23:40) Sponsor Break(28:59) Go Up Baldy Explained(36:56) Covenant Curses and Bears(43:58) Preaching Christ from Kings(52:41) Wrap Up and Next Steps
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Does the Bible Condone Slavery? | Rebecca McLaughlin
May 2700:51:41Tap to summarizeIf the Bible teaches that human beings are made in the image of God, why does the Bible seem to allow their enslavement? It’s a question that often troubles believers and serves as an objection for skeptics.Kirk E. Miller sits down with author and apologist Rebecca McLaughlin to work through the issue historically, biblically, and theologically. As we’ll see, those passages that often seem like roadblocks to faith, when read carefully and in context, turn out to be signposts pointing toward it.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-bible-slavery?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwEpisode outline:(00:00) Why Slavery in the Bible?(01:06) Meet Rebecca McLaughlin(04:56) Why Understanding Feels Hard(08:57) Misuse and the Curse Of Ham(10:31) Old Testament Slavery Context(19:06) Laws Limit Harm(22:31) Jesus Upends Power(26:36) Early Church And Philemon(33:06) Why Not Condemn Directly(38:31) Modern Equality From Scripture(44:04) The Cross and Kingdom Humility(47:39) Exodus and the Black Church(49:45) Serving Christ Conclusion
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Did the Early Church Share Possessions? | Darrell Bock on Acts 2 & 4
May 2000:53:09Tap to summarizeLuke records that the early Jesus followers in Jerusalem “held everything in common” (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–37). Does this mean the early church abolished private property and embraced a sort of communalism? Luke-Acts scholar Darrell L. Bock joins Kirk E. Miller on this episode of What in the Word? to discuss these texts and what they might mean for us today.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-acts-all-things-in-common? utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline:(0:00) Introduction(3:32) What's the difficulty?(5:06) The context of Acts 2(9:16) The context of Acts 4(14:00) Elsewhere in Acts & NT(17:17) What's going on?(25:54) An exceptional community(30:03) Descriptive yet persuasive(36:38) Important details(43:05) The practical significance(47:58) Advice for preaching or teaching
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Who Are Paul’s Law-Abiding Gentiles? | Jarvis Williams on Romans 2:14–15
May 1401:06:06Tap to summarizeWhen Paul says that gentiles “do what the law requires” (Rom 2:14) and have “the work of the law written on their hearts” (Rom 2:15), is he describing morally conscious pagans who have God’s natural law or believing gentiles who experience the inward transformation of the new covenant? And how does this inform our reading of Paul’s teachings on judgment according to works just prior (Rom 2:6–11)? On this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller sits down with Dr. Jarvis Williams to work through the interpretive issues.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-romans-2-14-15?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwOutline:(0:00) Introduction(3:29) Setting the stage(10:13) What makes Romans 2 difficult?(16:38) View 1: Moral pagans with consciences(25:07) View 2: Regenerate gentile believers(37:23) Alternative outcomes in the final judgment(48:14) Judgment according to works?(1:01:06) The practical application of Romans 2
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What Is the Curse of Ham? | Chad Bird on Genesis 9:18–29
May 600:49:23Tap to summarizeJoin Kirk E. Miller and Old Testament scholar Chad Bird as they discuss the so-called "Curse of Ham" in one of the Bible's most cryptic and infamously abused passages: Genesis 9:18–29. Discover the different views on the nature of Ham's sin, why Noah curses his son Canaan instead of Ham, and how to properly interpret and apply this passage.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-curse-of-ham-genesis-9?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwOutline:(00:00) Introduction(02:08) Genesis 9's Context(06:11) Why It's Debated(11:14) The Castration View(12:46) Sexual Violation View(18:07) Incest With Mother View(22:35) Verse 23's Literal Expression(25:25) Sexual Sin in Genesis(26:41) Voyeurism View(28:10) Why Curse Canaan Though?(33:43) The So-Called Curse of Ham(38:00) The Promised Line Narrows(43:06) Blessing and Curse(47:05) Preaching and Final Wrap
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Did Paul Allegorize Sarah & Hagar? | David deSilva on Galatians 4:21–31
Apr 2900:56:25Tap to summarizeIn Galatians 4:21–31, the Apostle Paul refers to the story of Sarah and Hagar as an allegory. But what does he mean by that? Does he impose foreign ideas onto the Genesis account?Join host Kirk E. Miller and New Testament scholar David deSilva as they tackle this difficult passage, exploring how Paul’s use of the Old Testament is a powerful and sophisticated defense of God’s redemptive promises to be received by faith.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-moses-sin-promised-land?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwEpisode outline:(00:45) Meet David DeSilva(01:58) Galatians 4(02:45) Galatiam Crisis Context(05:58) Covenants and Circumcision(07:51) Why This Passage Is Hard(12:00) Reading Galatians 4:21-31(13:51) What Allegorically Means(16:46) Typology vs Allegory(18:07) Paul Reverses Lineage(22:01) Galatians 3 Groundwork(24:35) Torah and Pedagogue(27:20) Word Study Deep Dive(28:30) Typology Versus Figural(29:46) Paul’s Argument in Galatians(34:14) Genesis Infertility Theme(37:25) Spirit and Scripture Authority(40:10) Hagar and Sarah Correspondences(43:28) Isaiah 54 and Mission(45:31) Logos Study Workflow(47:35) Pastoral Takeaways Freedom(51:46) Preaching This Passage(55:46) Wrap Up and Next Steps
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Why Couldn't Moses Enter the Promised Land? | Michael Morales on Numbers 20
Apr 2200:51:36Tap to summarizeWhy did God forbid Moses, the great leader whom God used to lead Israel out of Egypt, from entering the Promised Land? In this episode of What in the Word? Michael Morales joins Kirk E. Miller to tackle one of the more perplexing passages in the Old Testament: Numbers 20.Together they unpack the text's rich theological layers, explaining how Moses's failure to "sanctify" God by publicly misrepresenting his character before the people.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-moses-sin-promised-land?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwOutline:(00:00) Moses and the Rock(00:44) Meet Michael Morales(03:10) Why Numbers 20 Is Hard(04:15) Reading the Passage(06:11) Setting the Wilderness Context(10:16) Common Views on Moses Sin(14:32) Rebellion at Meribah(15:56) Exodus 17 Parallels(18:22) Aaron Rod and Kingship(22:47) Misrepresenting God Holiness(25:06) Moses Misrepresents God(26:15) Ezekiel Temple Waters(26:53) Whose Rod Was It(28:36) High Handed Rebellion(31:06) Why The Sin Matters(34:24) Hinge To New Generation(37:13) Edom Sandwich Structure(40:59) Kingship Theme Emerges(41:59) Practical Takeaways Today(47:55) Teaching And Preaching Tips(50:54) Final Thanks And Outro
Transcribe →Who Is Melchizedek? | Madison Pierce on Hebrews 7
Apr 1500:57:12Tap to summarizeMelchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible, with only two incredibly brief mentions in the Old Testament. Yet, in Hebrews 7, the author makes the astounding argument that this fleeting character from Genesis anticipates the end of the Levitical priesthood and the establishment of Christ's eternal role.Join Kirk E. Miller and Dr. Madison Pierce on What in the Word? as they unravel this challenging passage, exploring how a complex theological argument can provide a practical anchor for our souls and a better hope for believers.Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-who-is-melchizedek-hebrews-7?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwOutline:(00:00) Mystery of Melchizedek(03:07) Why Hebrews 7 Matters(06:14) Hebrews: Big Picture Context(13:20) Four Views on Melchizedek(17:23) Reading Hebrews 7:1-3(21:13) Without Genealogy, Explained(23:46) Dead Sea Scrolls Connections(26:22) Applying the Traditions(28:06) Qumran Melchizedek Traditions(28:58) Angelic Priests and Genealogy(30:04) Saint Nicholas to Santa Analogy(31:12) Hebrews Comparison Strategy(34:03) Tithes Blessing and Levi(41:09) Law Change and Better Covenant(44:13) Perfection Indestructible Life(49:38) Oath Priest Forever(52:47) Preaching Takeaways and Conclusion
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