The Biblical Mind

Judaism is About Love (Shai Held) part 2 Ep. 179

In this continuation of their conversation, Dr. Dru Johnson speaks with Rabbi Dr. Shai Held about the themes explored in his book, Judaism is About Love. The discussion delves into the complexities of love, law, and chosenness within Jewish thought, offering a profound perspective on the relationship between particularity and universalism.
Rabbi Held addresses the idea of divine chosenness, emphasizing that God’s love for Israel is unique but not exclusive. He critiques modern rejections of chosenness as caricatured and argues for a theology that balances grace with humility. Rabbi Held also explores the tension between loving one’s own and extending love universally. He describes Judaism’s “particularist universalism,” where love for one’s family and community naturally expands to encompass all humanity as bearers of God’s image.
The conversation turns to the ethics of love, including the challenges of enemy love and the discernment required to navigate complex relationships. Rabbi Held shares deeply personal stories that illustrate the real-life implications of these ideas, demonstrating how love can be both demanding and transformative.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction03:13 The Concept of Divine Love for Israel08:02 The Obligation to Love Neighbors13:18 Understanding Love for Enemies20:16 Navigating Complex Questions of Love24:38 Reflections on the Book and Its Impact

Judaism is About Love (Shai Held) part 1 Ep. 178

In this special episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Rabbi Dr. Shai Held, president and dean of the Hadar Institute, about his book, Judaism is About Love. The conversation explores the intricate relationship between love and law in Judaism, offering insights for both Jewish and Christian audiences.
Rabbi Held emphasizes that, in Judaism, law is not opposed to love but serves as its manifestation, challenging the common dichotomy in some Christian traditions. He highlights the centrality of love in Jewish rituals and commandments, portraying them as pathways to cultivate love for God and others. Through examples like the Torah’s command to love the stranger and the ritual practice of gratitude, Rabbi Held illustrates how Jewish thought integrates love into every aspect of life.
The episode also delves into Rabbi Held’s methodology, blending traditional Jewish interpretations with modern academic approaches. He discusses his book’s aim to present Jewish spirituality in an accessible yet deeply reflective way.
For those curious about Hebraic and Jewish thought, this episode provides a compelling perspective on the transformative power of love, the joy of being commanded, and the communal and spiritual dimensions of the Torah’s teachings.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Shai Held and His Work 05:18 The Relationship Between Torah and Love 10:06 Methods of Jewish Thought and Love 13:36 Rituals and Their Role in Instilling Love 17:35 The Interplay of Love and Ritual 21:18 Understanding Love in the Context of Divine Love 24:53 Comparing Approaches to Love in Jewish Thought 30:39 The Call to Love in Contemporary Society 36:21 Exploring Jewish Humor and Its Depths 37:19 Influential Works in Biblical Studies 37:46 A Fun Game of Love Songs

What Do You Want? (Mike Tolliver) Ep 177

Welcome to the final installment of this podcast series on the past, present, and future of the Center for Hebraic Thought! In this episode, hosts Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver turn their attention to you, the audience, asking for your thoughts, questions, and suggestions as the Center grows and evolves.
We explore exciting possibilities, including new video content for YouTube, packaged resources for community groups and classrooms, and fresh scholarship on topics like the philosophical elements of Moses and Plato, the significance of the Old Testament calendar, and even Hebraic perspectives on modern questions like tattoos.
Join us as we discuss our plans to equip learners, from churchgoers to Bible college students, with meaningful and accessible resources for a lifetime of engaging with Hebraic thought.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:01 More of What We Are Already Doing
04:16 Some New Things For The Center For Hebraic Thought Audience
04:53 More Resources For The Biblical Mind Audience
06:56 Questions We've Never Answered On The Show
08:27 How To Get Us These Questions

Where Are We Going? (Mike Tolliver) Ep. 176

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson introduces Mike Tolliver, the new Executive Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought (CHT). Together, they discuss exciting developments for the Center following its recent relaunch as an independent 501(c)(3). Mike shares his academic background in theology and philosophy, highlighting his passion for Hebraic thought and its integration into biblical scholarship.
The episode outlines the formalization of the CHT’s two primary initiatives: the Center for Hebraic Thought, aimed at scholars, and The Biblical Mind, tailored for the broader church and theological students. Plans include commissioning new scholarly work, providing free, high-quality resources for churches and classrooms, and launching tightly packaged multimodal courses.
A key highlight is the introduction of a PhD scholarship fund for students in the humanities focusing on Hebraic thought. The Center also plans to expand its offerings to scholars, such as broader platforms for publishing and improved compensation. Additional goals include an annual conference and a redesigned, user-friendly website.
The episode concludes with an announcement of the CHT’s first capital campaign, designed for micro-donors to participate. Mike emphasizes strategy and collaboration as central to the Center’s future success, ensuring its ability to serve both academic and non-academic audiences effectively.
Chapters
00:27 Introduction
01:21 Mike Tolliver's Background
02:50 Discussing the Changes That Are Coming for the Center
05:40 The Mission as an Independent Non-Profit
06:58 The Immediate Changes

So, What Happened? (Dru Johnson) The Biblical Mind Ep. 175

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson, Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought (CHT), shares the journey of the Center, its recent challenges, and its exciting relaunch as an independent 501(c)(3). Dr. Johnson reflects on the CHT’s founding mission: exploring the unique thinking patterns of the biblical authors and their relevance today. He highlights the Center's initial support from the Philos Project and its integral role in bridging the Old and New Testaments through Hebraic thought.
The closure of King's College in spring 2023 forced a significant transition for the CHT. Dr. Johnson recounts the personal and professional disruptions, including relocating his family and accepting a visiting appointment at Hope College in Michigan, alongside a major project at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
The episode introduces Mike Tolliver, the CHT’s new Executive Director, who spearheaded the relaunch with his entrepreneurial and scholarly expertise. Dr. Johnson expresses optimism for the Center's future, hinting at exciting new initiatives aimed at expanding its impact.
 
Chapters
00:05 Introduction and the Mission of the CHT
02:44 Challenges from the Closure of King's College
04:30 Personal and Professional Adjustments
06:00 The Role of Mike Tolliver in Relaunching the CHT

Why Does Church Matter? Learning from Jazz (Mark Glanville)

Quotes from this episode:"With the Bible in our hands, it's time to improvise church again and to see what the spirit is calling us to and how the spirit is opening wide our imagination for what the church can be today."
"We're doing a bit like what jazz musicians do. We immerse in the biblical story and we improvise on that biblical story, the Bible in our hand."
"Church is a conversation. Communities that are able to have conversations is really important. We can talk about anything. We can talk about the sermon together. We can talk about pressing issues facing our community, facing our neighborhood that we can get involved with."
In this episode:
— Introduction and Setting the Stage
— Conceptual Hurdles and the Need for Fresh Imagination
— Improvising on the Tradition: Learning from the Biblical Story
— Being Rooted in the Neighborhood: Leadership and the Role of Every Member
— The Challenges of Size: Can Large Churches Safely Improvise?
— Local Aesthetics and the Physical Space of Worship

When No One Reads Books Anymore

Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore speaks with Dru Johnson about literacy, theology, and the need for bookstores to cultivate the Christian imagination. 
AI Generated Takeaways
—The decline in reading and literacy rates among Americans is a concern, particularly among younger generations.—Books play a crucial role in personal growth and Christian discipleship, expanding one's understanding of the world and deepening their faith.—The power of books to inspire imagination and critical thinking is essential for engaging with complex texts, including the Bible.—Wise book recommendations that consider individual interests and readiness are important for fostering a love of reading.—Christian publishing has seen trends towards ecumenical reading, contemplative spirituality, and a commitment to social justice. Christian books should go beyond self-help and focus on worldview formation and the lordship of Christ over the life of the mind.—Christian bookstores should offer diverse book categories to cater to different interests and needs.—The rise of online marketing and the influence of Amazon have changed the publishing industry, with authors now expected to promote their own books.—Supporting local bookstores is important to maintain a human connection and receive personalized recommendations.—Physical spaces like bookstores and libraries provide opportunities for serendipitous discoveries and foster lifelong learning.—Lifelong learning is a distinctively Christian act that can be seen as an act of worship and a way to practice the presence of God.

Will AI Take Over the World (Adam Graber)

Appropriately: An AI generated summary of our conversation:
The conversation explores the influence of technology on humanity and the reciprocal relationship between the two. It discusses the impact of smartphones and identifies key technologies that have shaped the world. The balance between screen time and creativity is examined, along with the concerns and benefits of AI. The importance of foundational knowledge and skills is emphasized, as well as the need for critical evaluation of sources. The conversation also addresses the biases present in AI systems and the challenges of tracing causal links within them. The conversation explores the use of AI in data analysis and interpretation, particularly in the context of Bible study. It raises questions about the validity and limitations of using AI for interpretation and emphasizes the need for critical evaluation.
Takeaways
AI can analyze vast amounts of data and identify correlations that humans may not be able to perceive.
The use of AI for interpretation in Bible study raises questions about the validity of a statistical method of interpretation.
AI interpretation should be seen as one mode of interpretation among others, rather than a replacement for traditional methods.
The scholarly community needs to critically evaluate the use of AI for interpretation and develop educational programs to address its implications.
Chapters
01:31 The Influence of Technology on Humanity
03:26 Technology Shaping Our Experience
04:21 Examples of Technology
06:23 The Relationship Between Technology and Humanity
09:27 The Impact of Smartphones
10:48 Technologies that Have Changed the World
13:24 Balancing Screen Time and Creativity
16:09 The Concerns and Benefits of AI
19:52 The Role of AI in Creativity
25:09 The Importance of Foundational Knowledge and Skills
27:48 The Biases of AI Systems
31:34 The Human Element in AI Systems
36:26 The Need for Critical Evaluation of Sources
39:43 The Human Bias in AI Systems
40:26 The Concerns about Tracing Causal Links in AI
41:29 AI and Data Analysis
42:27 Statistical Method of Interpretation
43:57 Critically Evaluating AI Interpretation

Scripture, Sexuality, and Podcasting (Preston Sprinkle)

In the first half of this episode, Dru Johnson talks with Preston Sprinkle about his journeys into the LGBTQ+ communities, theologies, and conversations and the psychological research in that field. He also discusses his convictions about biblical views on sexuality that emerged from this quest.
In the second half of this episode, Preston and Dru talk about the theology (and ecclesiology) of podcasting itself. Who should and should not be doing it, and what cautions should they be employing.
Audio editing by Nate Spanos.

Why We Need the Global Church (Stephen T. Pardue)

In this episode, we discuss Stephen T. Pardue's newest book Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church.