So We Speak

Jesus was so many things, but a genius? This is a neglected attribute. Jesus was the most brilliant teacher to ever walk the earth. In his new book, The Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter Williams makes the case that Jesus was not just wise, he was also a genius. Cole sits down with Peter to discuss the new book and the teachings of Jesus. 

Revelation is a difficult book. The symbols, cryptic messages, and all the different interpretations can make it a daunting part of the Bible to study. But it's also one of the most encouraging, comforting, foundational books of the Bible. In this episode, Cole gives four keys to reading and understanding Revelation. 

Resources:

"Apocalypse" - Terry Feix 

"Visions" - Cole Feix

"Revelation: Part 1" - So We Speak

"Revelation: Part 2" - So We Speak 

"Revelation: Part 3" - So We Speak 

"Revelation Questions: Part 1" - So We Speak 

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is the holiest site in Christendom. It is the historic site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. But is it the real spot? 

In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the church's history, theories, and oddities and debate whether or not this is the real location of the empty tomb. 

Resources:

• “Jesus’ Tomb Opened in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher” - National Geographic
• “Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher” - Biblical Archaeology Review

There are still incredible archaeological finds happening all the time. This month, a mosaic floor from the ancient city of Megiddo will be displayed for the first time at the Museum of the Bible. This floor from the 3rd century marks the oldest worship space found by archaeologists. The inscriptions also include a few surprises. Find out more as Cole interviews Terry about his work on the mosaic and the new exhibit. 

"The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith" - MoTB

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The Shroud of Turin may be the most studied artifact in human history. This 14-foot cloth is claimed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, with his image imprinted on the cloth from the resurrection. A 1988 radiocarbon test dated the shroud to the 14th century, but two new tests open the door to a date in the first century. Can we know if this is truly the burial cloth of Jesus? What difference would it make? 

Resources:

• "The Shroud of Turin and Its Significance for Biblical Studies" - Gary Habermas, JETS
• "Father Brown Fakes the Shroud" - N. D. Wilson, Books and Culture 
• "X-Ray Dating of a Turin Shroud's Linen Sample" - Liberato de Caro, Heritage 

It would have been unbelievable to both Romans and Jews that a man who had been crucified could be worshipped as a god. As the early church began to grow, they faced intense persecution. But the church continued to grow. After only three centuries, the Emperor was a Christian and made it legal for all Roman citizens to be Christians. How did this happen? What is the legacy of Rome? 

We're re-releasing our episode on Jesus and Pontius Pilate as an interlude to the Rome series. During Jesus's lifetime, Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. In this episode, Cole and Terry place Jesus's life in the Roman empire, and things converge in a monumental conversation between Jesus and Pilate. 

There is no empire more important to the biblical story than Rome. It is the culmination of Daniel's prophecy and the ruling power at the time of Christ. In this first of two episodes, Cole and Terry discuss the origins of Rome and the world Christ was born into. 

Is your phone hurting your discipleship? It almost certainly is. How can we continue to grow in this culture of distraction? Cole and Terry discuss some trends in our technology and media as well as some thoughts on how to continue to grow and thrive as Christians in any environment.

 

Resources: 

“State of the Culture 2024” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker 

“How to Break Free from Dopamine Culture” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker 

“Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet” - L. M. Sacasas, The Convivial Society

“Get Phones Out of Schools Now” - Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic 

“Bixby Public Schools Prohibiting Cell Phone Use” - Kristen Weaver, News on 6

“Why Your Smart Phone Might Be Stopping You from Following Jesus” - Martin Saunders, Premier Christian 

Dopamine Nation - Anna Lembke

The Burnout Society - Byung-Chul Han