Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Category: Biblical Studies
Quote: Greg Boyd on interpreting Revelation
Good quote from Greg Boyd: “…interpreting Revelation’s symbols as referring primarily to future historical events produces a multitude of contradictions and absurdities. To offer one trivial but clear example, when I first read Revelation as a seventeen-year-old recent convert in a fundamentalist church, I was troubled by John’s statement that all the stars fell from…
“How have Christians missed this?”
I recently appeared on The Analytic Christian for an interview about end times-y stuff. I enjoyed the conversation and discussion very much. You can watch it below. Check it out!
Prophecy, Revelation, and Apocalypse
It was fun to be on the Behind the Curtain podcast recently to chat about my book, The End of the World as You Know It. Fun conversation! You can watch/listen below…
My interview at Logos Live
I was recently interviewed by Jason Stone at Logos Live about my new book, The End of the World as You Know It. It was a fun conversation. Check it out below…
A Response to Tucker Carlson on UAP and the Supernatural
I was asked to respond to Tucker Carlson’s recent statements about UAPs (aka: UFOs) with respect to the Bible and the supernatural. I offer a critique. Short story: (1) No, Ezekiel did not see a spacecraft; (2) Tucker’s conclusion seems rushed; (3) people experience strange things. We discussed a lot, and I encourage everyone to…
New Interview at RTB
I was recently invited to come on Jason Bastow’s show, Ring Them Bells, to chat about my new book. Many thanks to Jason for a stimulating conversation! You can watch the interview below.
Thy Kingdom Come: Rethinking the Darkness of Earth in Light of the Dawn of Heaven
Tradition has it that, in the beginning, humanity came from the ground. The play on words in the Hebrew Bible is poetic: Out of the adamah came the adam (Gen 2:7). In modern parlance, one might say the earthling came from the earth. Either way, the point is the same. Humanity is a humble derivative…
Interview at The Two Trees podcast
I was recently invited onto The Two Trees podcast to chat about my book, The End of the World As You Know It. You can listen to our conversation here: Two Trees: Interview with Matthew Halsted What People Are Saying… Book description:
An Interview with Steve Walton
In this episode of The Bible (Unmuted). I chat with Steve Walton, a Senior Research Fellow at Trinity, College, Bristol. Steve is the author of Reading Acts Theologically, which was published by T&T Clark in the Library of New Testament Studies series. He is currently working on an Acts commentary, which will be published as…
What hath Costco to do with Biblical Studies?
On Monday, Feb 19, I hopped onto the Disciple Dojo livestream to chat a little bit about my book (see video below – the reference to Costco makes sense after watching). It was a lot of fun! If you aren’t familiar with this YouTube channel, definitely check it out (link here).
The End of the World & Rapture Theology
Below is a recent interview I did at The Learning Laborers Podcast with Taylor and Denver about my new book, The End of the World As You Know It. Check it out below. Here’s the episode description, followed by a link to the conversation: Should our eschatology make us fearful or hopeful? Is there any…
An Interview About My New Book
Check out this interview I did with my publisher about my new book, The End of the World As You Know It. I share a little about why I wrote the book, what I hope readers take from it, as well as a few other things. Here’s a snippet: My hope for the book is…
The Hebrew Bible: An Interview with Robert Alter
My interview with Robert Alter was just published. You can watch it on YouTube or listen via audio on the podcast (links below). Enjoy! Audio: The Bible (Unmuted) is available on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon — and wherever you get your podcasts) YouTube:
New Interview on DiscipleDojo.
Here’s an interview I did with James-Michael Smith over at DiscipleDojo about my new book, The End of the World as You Know It (get your copy here). It was a stimulating conversation, and I enjoyed it very much.
“De Futilitate”
If you get a chance, check out C.S. Lewis’ essay “De Futilitate” (in Christian Reflections). It’s a fun read. Here’s a snippet, which gives us a window into how Lewis understood faith, doubt, justice, and morality. “There is, to be sure, one glaringly obvious ground for denying that any moral purpose at all is operative…
Celebrating Advent with Apocalyptic Eyes
The Advent season is about preparing our hearts for Christmas by reflecting on Jesus’ coming to the earth 2,000 years ago. (And it also involves anticipating what is to come in the future — awaiting the day when he returns again.) And as we reflect upon the coming of Jesus, we have to ask ourselves,…
New SAET Article on Justification
Matthew Thomas recently published a new article on the doctrine of justification for the St. Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology. You can read it here. Thomas offers a well-rounded overview of all the important questions (and controversies) that have accompanied the doctrine through the years. I’m fascinated by the subject. It’s interesting to reflect upon not…
Nobody’s Mother
I’ve started reading Dr. Sandra Glahn’s new book, Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament. I’m a little more than a fourth the way in, and it’s fantastic. She’s a great writer, and if you’re interested in questions surrounding women in ministry or the cultural background of the New Testament,…
Have you heard about my podcast?
If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out my podcast, The Bible (Unmuted). The focus of every episode is anything relevant to biblical studies. Most episodes are either long form studies (we’re currently in a series on Romans right now). I also feature interviews with authors and scholars with the goal of connecting folks…
Would ET existence undermine Christianity?
I just published a new article at Premier Christianity on the topic of UFOs and ET. A lot of people are talking about UFOs, now known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena). And with the recent public hearing in the U.S. Congress, a lot of people will continue to do so. At the congressional hearing, testimony…
Pre-order my new book!
I’m excited to announce that my new book is now available for pre-order. It’s entitled The End of the World as You Know It: What the Bible Really Says about the End Times (And Why It’s Good News). I’m excited to see this project come to completion, and I’m incredibly thankful to the good folks…
Podcast Series through Romans
I’ve started a new series through Romans on my podcast, The Bible (Unmuted). Here are the first two episodes below. If you find the podcast helpful, consider subscribing and sharing with your friends! You can subscribe via Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon. Romans: Introduction, Part 1In this episode, Matthew kicks off his extended series through…
New podcast episodes on Revelation
I recently launched a new podcast called The Bible (Unmuted). You can find it on Apple, Google, Spotify, and pretty much wherever you listen to podcasts. The past few episodes have been on Revelation, specifically about the mistakes we make while reading Revelation. The first two episodes are followed by a fun conversation I had…
Interview on UFOs, Aliens, and Paranormal Experiences
I recently did an interview with Preston Sprinkle about UFOs, aliens, and paranormal experiences that people sometimes report. Preston is a great guy, and I had a lot of fun chatting with him about this topic.
Be careful when you read your Bible
Here’s something you might not have considered before: You will never be able to read the Bible objectively. There will always be some level of bias in play. To read the Bible is to interpret the Bible, after all. That’s why it’s wise to be mindful of the assumptions you bring to the text. The…
What does the Bible mean by “faith”?
Yesterday evening, I gave a talk at my church on the biblical idea of “faith.” These days, that word is often used in ways that are quite foreign to the Bible. In popular culture, for example, “faith” has become a synonym for “wishing” or “positive thinking.” Many Christians misunderstand it as well. In today’s church,…
How should we interpret the plagues of Revelation?
I recently published an article at Logos about interpreting the plague passages in Revelation. There are a lot of misunderstandings about these texts, and I thought it would be helpful to write up something that would shed some light on how to interpret them. Some people point to modern health crises (such as Covid, monkeypox,…
Why you should read the Apocrypha
I’m once again opening up David DeSilva‘s excellent introduction to the Apocrypha as I gear up for my Jewish and Greco-Roman Backgrounds of the New Testament class at Eternity Bible College. Here’s a link to deSilva’s book, Introducing the Apocrypha. My hope is that we modern Christians (especially us Protestants) would become more like the…
The Gospel of Beautiful Truth
Here’s what you don’t say when counseling someone who’s come face to face with evil and trauma: “God is in control” or “This was God’s will” or “God did this so you will learn something” or “We shouldn’t ask why ‘bad things happen to good people’ because there are no ‘good people’; we are all sinful,…
Playing with Theological Explosives: A Second Interview with Matthew J. Thomas
I had the privilege to once again chat with Dr Matthew J. Thomas about Paul’s well-known phrase “works of the law.” When Paul says we are not justified by “works of the law” (see e.g., Gal 2:16), what does he mean? Is he saying good works are not necessary for salvation? Or by “works” is…
Text Traditions of the Old Testament
Here’s a fun video from Mike Heiser, who answers the question, “Was there only one version of the Old Testament in ancient times?” Many Christians are unaware of the various text traditions of the Old Testament, but it’s certainly an important topic that I recommend getting familiar with. Here’s the video description, followed by the…
The Resurrection Story
*This is a slightly-altered version of an article I posted on social media this past Easter Sunday (2022). When Jesus rose from the dead, God-in-flesh looked death and evil in the face on our behalf and said, “No!” As a result, the empty tomb marks a decisive turn for humanity. The resurrection can’t be detached…
Revelation: An “endlessly fascinating text”
Revelation should be read often. It’s an important text, one that invites readers to peek behind the veil that separates the visible realm from the invisible. It offers a life-altering glimpse of ultimate reality, a summons to behold the truth about who’s really in charge of the world. The message of Revelation is, in every…
Paul’s Use of Scripture in Romans, Part 4
Here is the final installment of my series with Mike Heiser at The Naked Bible Podcast. It’s been a lot of fun chatting with Mike these past few months about the Old Testament’s messianic profile. As we’ve discussed throughout the series, knowing that profile is essential if we want to understand how New Testament authors…
Paul’s Use of Scripture in Romans, Part 3
Here is Part 3 of my series with Mike Heiser at The Naked Bible Podcast. Episode Description: In the preceding episodes, we’ve seen how Paul reconfigures Old Testament faith, faithfulness, and Torah keeping in light of the work of Jesus and his own encounter with the risen Christ. In this episode we look at how Paul…
Paul’s Use of Scripture in Romans, Part 2
The latest installment of The Naked Bible Podcast takes us back to Romans for a second time. In the following episode, Mike and I chat about how Paul employs the Abraham story in Romans 4. I discuss how Paul’s exegesis of Genesis and his christological assumptions work together to further his larger argument about justification.…
Paul’s Use of Scripture in Romans, Part 1
Mike Heiser and I have been talking a lot about the Old Testament’s “messianic profile” in several episodes at The Naked Bible Podcast. We wanted to do this because it’s so foundational for understanding Jesus’ ministry in the New Testament. It’s also important for understanding the way in which New Testament writers (such as Paul)…
Election and Messianism in Malachi
In previous episodes of the Naked Bible Podcast, Mike and I spent a lot of time observing how the Old Testament builds a “messianic profile.” It’s important for readers of the New Testament to have a working knowledge of that profile because it aids in understanding how, exactly, Jesus of Nazareth brings the biblical story…
“The Messiahs in Daniel 9”
In this episode of The Naked Bible Podcast, Mike and I return to the book of Daniel. This time we explore Daniel 9, which contains a passage where the word “messiah” (“anointed one”) is used a couple times, along with the verb “to anoint.” Are these prophecies about Jesus? How does this passage contribute to…
The Son of Man in Daniel 7
In this episode of The Naked Bible Podcast, Mike and I talk about “the Son of Man” in Daniel 7. Here’s the description of the episode, followed by a link where you can listen: In the previous episodes with Dr. Matt Halsted, we discussed how trying to articulate the Old Testament’s messiah merely by appeal…
The Messianic Story, Part 3
In this episode of The Naked Bible Podcast, Mike and I discuss Isaiah’s “Servant” as it relates to the “messianic profile” that we’ve been observing in the Old Testament. Here’s the description: In the previous episodes with Dr. Matt Halsted, we discussed how trying to articulate the Old Testament’s messiah merely by appeal to passages…
The Messianic Story, Part 2
Below is the fourth installment of my ongoing series with Dr. Michael Heiser at The Naked Bible Podcast. Throughout this series, we have been discussing the “messianic profile” that is constructed in the Old Testament. Both Mike and I have said this profile cannot be reduced down to just those instances in the Old Testament…
One Purpose of the Psalms
One purpose of the Psalms is to liberate us from the lie that says we, as people of faith, can never ask God the tough questions. The truth is that faith-filled prayer isn’t characterized by ignoring the reality of our pains, fears, questions, and doubts. On the contrary, true faith acknowledges them and pours them…
Tracing the Messianic Story on the Naked Bible Podcast
Here’s the third installment of my ongoing series with Dr. Michael Heiser at The Naked Bible Podcast. This was a fun episode. As we continue to discuss the Old Testament’s messianic profile, we start by recognizing key motifs that occur throughout the Old Testament itself. In this episode, we talk about the “offspring” motif, which…
Conversations with Mike Heiser
I’ve been honored to chat with the well-known biblical scholar Mike Heiser at The Naked Bible Podcast these past two weeks. Mike is a hero of mine, and it’s a real blessing to be on his show. We are currently in the middle of doing an extended series on Paul’s use of the Old Testament.…
Andrew Judd on Gadamer, Genre Theory, and Biblical Interpretation
If you’re interested in biblical interpretation and hermeneutic theory, check out this great conversation between Ian Paul and Andrew Judd. Andrew recently finished his doctoral thesis on Hans-Georg Gadamer, genre theory, and biblical interpretation. His work looks fascinating. Below is a snippet from the interview. Commenting on the value of Gadamer’s hermeneutics for interpreting Scripture…
Don’t Make this Mistake When you Read the Bible
What is a common mistake people make when they read the Bible—particularly the creation stories in Genesis? They forget that it is an ancient text. Why does this matter? Because ancient literature, like modern literature, is embedded with the assumptions of its own time. If we read ancient texts merely from the perspective of our…
Another Good Resource on Revelation
In my last post, I mentioned Michael Gorman’s Reading Revelation Responsibly. That book is definitely one you need to own. Another book on Revelation that I highly recommend is J. Nelson Kraybill’s Apocalypse and Allegiance: Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the Book of Revelation. It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but it left…
A Good Resource on Revelation
If you’re looking for good, accessible resources for understanding Revelation, Michael Gorman’s book would be among them. Its title captures our calling as Christians: We are to be responsible interpreters of the Bible. This is especially true for Revelation. Through the years, Revelation has often been subject to careless and irresponsible interpretations. (Some of the…
Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther on the Book of Revelation
I’m currently writing a popular-level book on eschatology, and it’s been so much fun working on the manuscript. I don’t want to share too many details about it just yet, but suffice it to say: I’m stoked for it to get published and into the hands of readers. Working through old research notes, I rediscovered…
Do you suffer from Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia?
A lot of people are terrified of the number 666. For many folks, just looking at the number can send chills down the spine. Sadly, ours is an age when fear of this sort is on the rise. I continue to meet people, for example, who are deeply frightened they will accidentally receive the mark…
Advice for Reading Revelation
In his book, Reversed Thunder, the late Eugene Peterson offers a simple strategy for reading the last book of the New Testament: Before you read Revelation, read all the books that come before it first. He says, “. . . no one has any business reading the last book who has not read the previous…
A Conversation with Dr. Matthew J. Thomas
In this video, I chat with Matthew J. Thomas (DPhil, University of Oxford). His book Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception has received high acclaim and continues to generate discussion among those working in Pauline studies. My conversation with Dr. Thomas centers around the doctrine of justification and how thinkers…
Interview on the Mark of the Beast
I was recently invited by Neil Boron to come on his radio show to talk about the so-called “mark of the beast.” We talked about a range of things related to that topic–including the historical context of Revelation, as well as the various rumors floating around that the mark has something to do with Covid-19…
What is the Bible?
I have read many books in my life, and many of them have had a tremendous impact on me. But none of them compare with this fascinating collection of texts that we call “the Bible.” Many people from all walks of life have found within its pages comfort, peace, and wisdom. From “In the beginning”…
Video Resource: Hermeneutics (a brief introduction)
This video offers a brief introduction to hermeneutics with special attention given to biblical hermeneutics. I talk about a host of things: What is hermeneutics? What causes misunderstandings of the Bible? How should we read the Bible? I pray this video is encouraging to you!
Video Resource: Isaiah, Part 2
Below is part 2 of a series of videos I recorded on Isaiah. This video explores one of the major themes in the book of Isaiah. I pray it’s encouraging to you!
Video Resource: Isaiah, Part 1
As part of my video series on Old Testament prophetic literature, below is an introduction to the prophet Isaiah. In this video, I introduce Isaiah’s life, ministry, and important themes. I also chat briefly about the importance of placing Old Testament prophets (like Isaiah) within the larger story of Israel. Enjoy!
“How Preaching is Usually Taught in Seminary”
My Doktorvater, Thorsten Moritz, posted a fun video today. To say the least, he offers thoughts worth considering! Here is the video, followed by its description: The most widespread method taught in seminaries to move from Bible text/Jesus story to Sunday sermon is called principlizing. You gain an anemic principle with clickbait potential at the…
Introduction to Old Testament Prophetic Books, Part 3
In this video, I continue my introduction to the prophetic books of the Old Testament. You can find the first two videos here and here. In the third installment below, I offer personal reflections about how studying the prophets has helped me in my ministry and deepened my personal faith. I chat specifically about Isaiah,…
Introduction to Old Testament Prophetic Books, Part 2
In this video, I continue my introduction to the prophetic books of the Old Testament. You can find the first video here. In this follow-up video, I offer thoughts on how to understand the nature of prophecy in the Old Testament—specifically as it relates to Jesus and the New Testament.
Introduction to Old Testament Prophetic Books, Part 1
In this video below, I give a brief introduction to the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. I discuss briefly what a prophet was, as well as the the ways in which some scholars classify the OT prophets (e.g., “pre-classical” prophets and “classical” prophets). I also chat about the popular division of the prophetic books…
What does Paul mean by “Works of the Law”? An interview with Matthew J. Thomas
I am delighted to post a fun interview I recently conducted with Matthew J. Thomas (DPhil, University of Oxford). Matthew is the author of the highly-acclaimed Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception. I read this book over the Christmas break, and I found it to be a fantastic treat. Matthew’s…
Video Resource on the Book of Psalms
Years ago, I remember having a conversation with my grandma. We were talking about scripture and our favorite passages. In the course of that conversation, she made the comment, “There is a lot of comfort to be found in the Psalms.” I was just a young chap when we had this conversation, and since then,…
Does the Bible Forbid Christians from Drinking Alcohol?
In the latest installment of Practical Theology, we tackle the topic of Christians and alcohol consumption. This is a very controversial question for many Christians, especially for conservative evangelicals of the American variety. Many believers are staunchly opposed to the idea of drinking. In my own tradition (Baptist), a lot of pastors and church folks…
Should Christians Get Tattoos?
In the latest installment of Practical Theology, we chat about tattoos. Is it a sin to get a tattoo? Does Leviticus 19:28 forbid Christians from getting inked up? In the video below, I also touch briefly on the broader question of interpreting the Old Testament and its commands. How should we interpret Old Testament law…
Why Should We Give Thanks?
Here is another installment of Practical Theology, an ongoing series of videos that addresses common questions and topics. Because it is Thanksgiving this week, we thought we would chat about what it means to give thanks. What are we really doing when we give thanks to God? What are we really doing when we fail…
Do You Doubt God?
I have long considered Jeremiah 20 to be one of the most transparent passages in all of Scripture. It is a chapter that contains the heart and soul of the prophet’s true self. Having been physically beaten by the priest Pashur and subsequently jailed, Jeremiah utters a prayer to God that is full of doubt…
John MacArthur on the Mark of the Beast
Currently, I am in the throes of writing a book on the end times. When it comes to this topic, the “mark of the beast” tends to get a lot of attention. In some corners, sadly, much of that attention is fueled by needless fear and anxiety. As I discuss below, I think a lot…
Another reason to love Eternity Bible College
I am blessed to be part of Eternity Bible College (EBC). It’s an incredible ministry in so many ways. Since the beginning, EBC has worked hard to provide in-depth biblical/theological education in a way that was financially accessible and debt-free. To this day, that is still very much our goal. It is, in fact, one…
Is the Bible Sexist?
This is a question that comes up a lot. Some of Paul’s writings on gender relations, for example, cause a bit of consternation in folks. Take his letter to the Ephesians. There Paul uses the language of submission to describe a wife’s posture toward her husband. He says, for example, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as…
Andrew Bartlett on the ‘Worst NT Translations Relating to Women’
If you get a few moments, I recommend you read through Andrew Bartlett’s 4-part series on the “Worst NT Translations Relating to Women.” Bartlett is the author of Men and Women in Christ: Fresh Light From The Biblical Texts. I haven’t read the book yet, but if his 4-part series on this subject is any…
Can we trust the New Testament?
Below is a short video I made with my friend, Pastor Jayson John. This is part of a series of videos where we tackle various topics and answer common questions people have about the Bible and the Christian faith. In this video, I took a few moments to answer a question about the New Testament’s…
Video Resource on the Study of Job
The story of Job is an intriguing one. It’s a story about a godly, kind man who encounters an immense amount of suffering. The evil inflicted upon Job takes him by surprise–a multi-layered blow to his soul. The pain that he experienced was, at the same time, physical, emotional, and spiritual. In this vein, Job’s…
Is it important to know the cultural background of the Bible?
The answer to this question is absolutely! But many Christians are hesitant to say so. Though the reasons vary, a lot of these folks are concerned that such thinking undermines the Bible’s authority. Some wonder, Why do I need to know the cultural background of the Bible in order to understand it? Can’t I just…
The Gospel of Caesar?
Christians are familiar with terms like god, savior, and gospel. They are part of our liturgical lingo. We use them in every Sunday service to refer to the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. But what Christians may not know is that these terms were part of the stock vocabulary of pagans living in…
Exciting Course on New Testament Backgrounds
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a Christian in the first century? Do you want to take your understanding of the New Testament to a whole new level? If so, sign up for my 6-week, online class with Eternity Bible College. The fee is only $25/student (+textbook). If you are a…
How To Read the Bible Faithfully: Three Things to Remember
The Bible is a fascinating book. Passed down through the ages, it remains a reliable guide for the church’s faith and practice. The Bible, though, is more than a guide. It is holy Scripture—that font of truth and wellspring of life, a source of nourishment for all. If the Bible is “holy Scripture,” and if…
About that “Mark of the Beast”
Over at theLAB, I have written a follow-up piece to COVID-19 and The Mark of the Beast. In this new article, I offer reflections on the historical context surrounding “the beast” of Revelation, the number “666,” and a few other related items. One characteristic of many modern (popular) readings of Revelation is the tendency to…
What Does Covid-19 Have to do with the “Mark of the Beast”?
I am thankful to the folks at The LAB (Logos Academic Blog) for sharing my post “COVID-19 and The Mark of the Beast.” With the host of rumors and odd theories floating around the internet (not least on social media platforms), many sincere Christians are becoming increasingly concerned that “the mark of the beast” is…
Musing on Gregory and Plato
For all you philosophical-theological-Greek nerds out there, here’s something fun. As some have observed, Gregory of Nyssa’s On the Soul and the Resurrection is written in a way that mirrors Plato’s Phaedo.[1] A close reading of both show that this is correct. For example, Gregory utilizes the format so familiar to readers of Plato, namely, the dialogue. Gregory…
Mike Bird on the Lord’s Supper
Over at his blog, Mike Bird offers his thoughts on the Lord’s Supper. Here’s a snippet: Francis Chan recently preached a sermon where he said that we’ve replaced the Lord’s Supper with “one guy and his pulpit” and he also decried the mere memorialism of such evangelical practice of the Lord’s Supper and the marginalization of the…
Tyndale Conference 2019
I am looking forward to the 2019 Tyndale Fellowship Conference in Cambridge, England. I will be presenting a paper in the Biblical Theology Study Group. The Study Group’s theme this year is “A Biblical Theology Perspective on Salvation.” Here are the details from the website: Soteriology is an exceptionally important aspect of Christian theology and…
Want to Learn Greek?
I will be teaching a class beginning May 21. There are a couple of ways to participate–in person or remotely. For more information, check out the course information page at Trinityhaus.