The Biblical Mind

Embodied Knowing: Polanyi, Scripture, and the End of the Head–Heart Divide (Dru Johnson) Ep. #243

Why does Michael Polanyi matter—and why should Christians care?
In this episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver reflect on the Hebraic Thought Community’s recent book study of Personal Knowledge and explore why Polanyi’s work remains so influential. A chemist-turned-philosopher, Polanyi challenged the modern view of knowledge as detached, purely mental, and objective. Instead, he argued that all knowing is embodied, communal, and tradition-shaped.
Science, he insisted, is not merely the collection of neutral facts but a “social fabric” in which communities train people to see significance where others cannot. Learning to read an x-ray, for example, requires apprenticeship—participation in practices that shape perception itself.
Dru connects Polanyi’s insights to Scripture, showing how biblical knowing is inseparable from ritual, community, and action. Orthodoxy and orthopraxy are not rivals but entangled realities. You cannot truly see unless you practice. Whether in Proverbs’ call to “incline your ear,” Deuteronomy’s emphasis on communal instruction, or Jesus’ insistence that doing reveals truth, the Bible assumes that knowledge grows through embodied participation.
This conversation offers a powerful framework for understanding discipleship, evangelism, and spiritual formation—not as mere belief acquisition, but as formation within a living community of knowing.
If you are interested in the books mentioned in this episode, you can learn more here:
Personal Knowledge - https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/P/bo19722848.html
A Little Manual For Knowing - https://wipfandstock.com/9781610977845/a-little-manual-for-knowing/
Longing to Know - https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587430602_longing-to-know
Loving to Know - https://wipfandstock.com/9781608999286/loving-to-know/
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Michael Polanyi07:04 The Role of Christians in Knowing10:57 The Interconnection of Practice and Knowledge18:15 Presuppositionalism vs. Polanyi's Approach25:05 Polanyi vs. Rationalism: The Body and Community29:50 Practical Applications of Polanyi's Ideas37:00 The Importance of Community in Understanding

Antisemitism and the Holocaust: Or, How Normal People Become Killers (David Pileggi) Ep. #242

Is the Holocaust fading from living memory—and if so, what are the consequences?
In this sobering and historically grounded conversation, Dru Johnson speaks with longtime Jerusalem resident and Anglican rector David Pileggi about why the Holocaust must be understood not merely as Jewish history, but as a defining event in modern human history. Pileggi argues that the Holocaust was not simply a tragic episode within World War II—it was central to the war’s origins and its catastrophic consequences.
Drawing on Christopher Browning’s Ordinary Men, the discussion explores how middle-aged, non-ideological German reservists became mass shooters—not primarily because of fanaticism, but because of conformity, fear, propaganda, and social pressure. The conversation moves beyond gas chambers to the psychology of genocide, asking how “normal” people participate in extraordinary evil.
The episode also examines the roots of antisemitism, conspiracy thinking, and scapegoating—patterns that continue to resurface in modern political discourse. Pileggi offers a nuanced perspective on Jewish-Christian relations, contemporary Israel, and the responsibility Christians bear in resisting dehumanization and ideological hatred.
This episode challenges listeners not merely to remember history—but to act wisely in the present so that its darkest chapters are not repeated.
To learn more about the tours mentioned in this episode, see here:
https://narrowbridgetour.com/
If you are interested in Ordinary Men, you can learn more here:
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/ordinary-men-christopher-r-browning?variant=32207518924834
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Chapters:
00:00 The Impact of Historical Memory12:04 The Holocaust: Lessons for Today18:20 Ordinary Men: The Psychology of Perpetrators28:54 The Psychological Impact of War and Choices35:30 Racial Nationalism and Its Consequences40:34 The Role of Antisemitism in Nazi Propaganda46:28 The Dangers of Dehumanization53:19 Critiquing Israel and Supporting Jewish People
 

Syndicated: The Bible Bar - Genesis 1 (Joshua Berman & K Lawson Younger) Ep. #241

In this syndicated episode, The Biblical Mind features the inaugural release of The Bible Bar, a new podcast from Bar-Ilan University hosted by Dr. Joshua Berman. The first episode dives into one of the most debated chapters in Scripture: Genesis 1.
Dr. Berman welcomes eminent Assyriologist and Old Testament scholar Lawson Younger to explore how the biblical creation account relates to ancient Near Eastern cosmogonies and theogonies. What makes Genesis similar to Egyptian and Mesopotamian creation stories—and what makes it radically different?
Younger explains how ancient Near Eastern cultures viewed creation and divinity as intertwined, where sun, moon, rivers, and mountains were themselves gods. In contrast, Genesis 1 insists on a Creator wholly distinct from creation. The world is not divine—it is spoken into being.
The conversation explores Tiamat and tehom, the image of God, the Memphite Theology, and the striking emphasis on divine speech. Rather than offering a scientific account, Genesis answers a different question altogether: Who is the Creator, and what does that mean for humanity?
Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to The Bible Bar as it works chapter-by-chapter through the Torah.
You can find the podcast on their webpage or Spotify channel here:https://sites.biu.ac.il/en/bible-bar/page/10098https://open.spotify.com/show/3kHJ6MrxrEDobNRDsOPKn4
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Chapter:00:00 Introduction to the Bible Bar03:17 What Do We Have In Genesis 1?06:52 Who, Or What, Is God?13:30 What Does Genesis 1 Have to Say About Humanity?17:43 Does the Bible Borrow from Other Cosmogenies?21:26 What Does the "Image of God" Really Mean?25:03 What Is Memphite Theology?30:46 The Shared World of the Author and Audience

Is “I’m Sorry” Biblical? Honor, Social Order, and Forgiveness in Scripture (Joshua Berman) Ep.#240

Does it matter whether we feel sorry when we ask for forgiveness?
In this conversation, Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman returns to discuss the surprising findings of his long-term research into forgiveness in the Hebrew Bible. The biblical word slicha (“forgiveness”) appears only in relation to God—not between people. In fact, there is no word for “apology” in biblical Hebrew.
So how were offenses resolved?
Drawing on honor culture studies and examples ranging from Jacob and Esau to Judah and Tamar, Dr. Berman argues that ancient Israel operated within a different moral economy. Reconciliation was not primarily about emotional sincerity or repairing inner feelings—it was about restoring public order and status. Offense disrupted hierarchy; reconciliation restored it.
From duels between Hamilton and Burr to modern military and team dynamics, Berman shows how deeply culture shapes what we mean by “forgiveness.” The result is a paradigm shift that challenges modern Western assumptions about apology, sincerity, and moral transformation.
The conversation concludes with the launch of Dr. Berman’s new podcast, The Bible Bar, dedicated to exploring Scripture chapter by chapter with intellectual and spiritual integrity.
For "The Bible Bar" on Spotify, go here:https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/the-bible-bar/
Or if you prefer the RSS feed:https://anchor.fm/s/10e77a470/podcast/rss
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Chapter:00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation01:04 Exploring Forgiveness in the Hebrew Bible03:58 Cultural Perspectives on Offense and Forgiveness07:13 The Role of Hierarchy in Relationships10:04 Honor Cultures and Their Impact on Forgiveness13:22 Case Studies: Understanding Offense and Repair16:15 Conclusion: The Complexity of Forgiveness18:35 The Dynamics of Status in Jacob and Esau's Relationship21:08 Understanding Honor Cultures and Their Implications25:17 The Shift from Honor Culture to Individual Agency29:29 Modern Applications of Ancient Principles of Reconciliation33:24 Introducing The Bible Bar Podcast

Love, Justice, and the American Prison System: A Biblical Rethink (Abigail Pasiuk) Ep. #239

In this eye-opening conversation, PhD researcher Abigail Pasiuk joins Dr. Dru Johnson to explore how the Hebrew Bible can inform modern conversations about mass incarceration. Drawing on her personal experience—her father’s time in federal prison—and academic research at Oxford, Abby offers a theologically rich critique of retributive justice models prevalent in the U.S. prison system.
She explains how biblical justice prioritizes restoration and dignity rather than dehumanization, citing key themes such as the Shema and imago Dei. Abby shares firsthand accounts from interviews with incarcerated individuals, exposing everyday indignities—from food labeled “not for human consumption” to being stripped of identity and reduced to a number. With over 80% recidivism in the U.S., Abby points to countries like Norway where restorative practices and the “principle of normalcy” have dramatically reduced reoffense.
The episode challenges listeners to rethink what justice should look like through a biblical lens: not just punishment, but humanizing correction rooted in love. It’s a conversation that bridges theology, criminology, and real human stories—urging the church to see prisoners not as disposable, but as image-bearers.
Follow Abigail's work here:https://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/people/abigail-pasiuk
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Chapter:00:00 Abigail's Journey to Oxford08:26 The PhD Experience at Oxford17:18 Research Focus: Mass Incarceration and Justice27:09 Critique of the Prison System and Alternatives

Archaeology of the Everyday: Grounded Theology in Ancient Israel (Backfish & Shafer-Elliott) Ep. #238

What if theology isn’t something abstract but grows directly from the soil beneath our feet? In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott and Dr. Libby Backfish discuss their new book Grounded Theology, which argues that Israel’s theological reflections were deeply intertwined with daily life—especially as subsistence farmers in a land marked by both promise and struggle.
Drawing on archaeological discoveries from ancient households, the conversation explores how everyday artifacts like loom weights and ovens reveal Israelite religious practices not just in temples, but in kitchens. The land itself—its fertility, harshness, and rhythms—shaped covenantal faithfulness and theological imagination. They challenge modern listeners to reevaluate their own “floating theology” and rediscover the formative power of embodied life, land stewardship, and communal labor.
With humor, honesty, and deep insight, the guests call for a return to theology that is firmly grounded—in history, material reality, and the lived experience of Israel.
You can find Grounded Theology here:https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781540962539_grounded-theology-in-the-hebrew-bible
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Chapters:00:00 The Need for a New Textbook03:34 Household Archaeology and Daily Life10:31 The Role of Land in Theology15:14 Connecting Ancient Practices to Modern Faith23:35 Challenges in Theological Education28:53 Conclusion and Reflections on Teaching

Redeeming Eden & Eve: How the Bible Strategically Uplifts Women (Ingrid Faro) Ep. #237

Why does Scripture so often portray women as central to God’s work of redemption—even in stories of deep dysfunction and failure? In this episode, Dr. Ingrid Faro, Old Testament scholar and interim president of Northern Seminary, joins Dru Johnson to explore her groundbreaking work in Redeeming Eden: How Women in the Bible Advance the Story of Salvation.
Dr. Faro shares how her personal journey through theological trauma, cultic church experiences, and academic discovery led her to reexamine Genesis 1–3 and the women of the Bible. She explains how Hebrew terms like ezer and tzelah (often translated “helper” and “rib”) have been misunderstood, how Eve’s story actually radiates hope, and how strategic female figures consistently propel salvation history forward.
The conversation also tackles misinterpretations of Genesis 3:16, the patterns of dysfunction and healing across the biblical narrative, and what the Bible really says about evil. This episode is a deep and hopeful reconsideration of gender, power, and goodness within the story of Scripture.
You can find Ingrid's "Redeeming Eden" here:https://zondervanacademic.com/products/redeeming-eden
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Chapters:
00:00 The Importance of Women in the Bible02:58 Challenges and Misunderstandings05:52 Theological Journey and Discoveries08:56 Women as Key Figures in Redemption History12:04 Genesis and the Role of Women14:53 Understanding the Image of God18:10 Eve's Story and Redemption20:58 The Dynamics of Desire and Power23:56 Women and Men in Collaboration26:55 The Nature of Evil in the Bible29:57 Future Works and Closing Thoughts

Seeing What’s Really There: A Guide to Biblical Allusions (Matt Swale) Ep. #236

Can you trust that viral “Bible connection” you just saw on TikTok?
In this episode, Matt Swale, author of "Scripture’s Use of Scripture in the Old Testament," joins Dr. Dru Johnson to discuss how biblical allusions really work—and why we need better instincts and better tools when interpreting Scripture. Swale wrote the book to help lay readers and undergraduates navigate the exciting (and sometimes overhyped) world of intertextuality: how one passage of Scripture evokes another, often subtly, and with profound rhetorical effect.
They explore his criteria for spotting allusions—rare terms, thematic coherence, and rhetorical fit—while affirming the emotional and spiritual value of hunting for connections. From Genesis 3 and Luke 24 to Judges 19 and Genesis 19, Swale shows how true allusions enrich our understanding, while false positives can mislead or confuse.
Swale also urges humility: “You want to make sure it’s real,” he says. “False positives are part of the process.” He encourages listeners to use tools like reference Bibles, read in community, and learn from scholars—while warning against treating academic access as priestly gatekeeping.
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Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Conversation01:00 Teaching Hermeneutics and Its Challenges02:35 Illusions and Bad Practices in Interpretation05:07 The Role of Social Media in Biblical Interpretation07:45 Criteria for Identifying Illusions11:55 The Importance of Rhetorical Analysis16:07 The Need for Humility in Interpretation20:00 Understanding Allusions in Scripture24:01 The Nature of Illusions and Their Impact28:03 Exploring Textual Connections32:00 The Role of Community in Biblical Literacy36:06 The Future of Biblical Literacy40:03 Connecting Joseph and Daniel Stories43:53 Rhetorical Connections in Genesis and Judges46:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The State of Hebraic Thought In 2026 (Dru Johnson) Ep. #235

In this episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver reflect on the Center for Hebraic Thought’s evolving impact and expanding community. They revisit the promise made in 2025 to annually assess their work and celebrate how that commitment has borne fruit: from the flourishing Hebraic Thought Facebook community and its scripture reading groups, to the launch of a Michael Polanyi reading club. They announce the inaugural Bible First Conference Series, co-hosted with the American Bible Society, exploring how various Christian traditions engage politics through a biblical lens.
The conversation highlights recent standout books—many by past podcast guests—including Becoming God’s People by Carmen Imes, Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block by Phil Bray, and Grounded Theology by Cynthia Schaefer-Elliott and Libby Backfish. Dru and Mike also preview the new Tracing Biblical Thought book series, designed to bring scholarly insights to general audiences in accessible 100-page volumes.
The episode closes with a candid discussion about cultural headwinds—from Stoicism to Neoplatonism—and the Center’s commitment to reclaiming biblical categories for the church. They emphasize the need for translations and tools, like the Lexham English Bible and the NET Bible, that bring readers closer to the thought world of Scripture.
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Chapters:
00:00 Navigating Change: New Beginnings in 202603:09 The State of Hebraic Thought: Community and Events05:57 Engaging Conversations: The Bible First Conference08:58 Exploring New Literature: Book Series and Recent Releases12:08 Anticipating Future Works: Upcoming Books and Insights21:45 Exploring Biblical Forgiveness22:42 Justice and Discipleship in Biblical Politics23:32 Resources for Studying Scripture24:43 The Value of Modern Translations31:42 Challenges of Hebraic Thought in Modern Culture36:27 Neoplatonism vs. Stoicism: Cultural Influences on Thought

Sacrifice, Atonement, and Presence: Maybe Leviticus Doesn't Mean What We Think? (Phil Bray) Ep #234

What happens when an Australian butcher starts reading Leviticus—and finds it fun? In this unique episode, Dru Johnson speaks with Phil Bray, author of Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block, about how his day job cutting lambs and steaks helped him see the book of Leviticus in a whole new light. Phil traces his journey from casual Bible reader to Leviticus superfan, exploring how rituals, sacrifice, and atonement make far more sense when you’ve broken down hundreds of animals by hand.
Phil shares how ancient sacrificial rituals weren’t necessarily about violent death but about preparing food as a gift to God. The conversation dives into the Hebrew understanding of holiness, clean vs. unclean, and why God’s presence is depicted as a space without disease or death. Along the way, Phil and Dru reflect on Mary Douglas, Jewish slaughter laws, the power of smell and memory, and how the altar isn’t where the animal dies—but where it becomes holy.
Phil’s insights bring theology and meat science into one coherent (and hilarious) frame, showing why Leviticus is deeply spiritual, richly embodied, and more relevant than most Christians assume.
For Phil's YouTube Channel, go here:https://www.youtube.com/@Leviticus_is_fun
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Chapters:00:00 The Journey to Leviticus03:19 Understanding Atonement and Sacrifice06:19 The Butcher's Perspective on Rituals09:15 Cultural Context of Sacrifice12:32 The Nature of Death in Sacrifice15:29 The Art of Kosher Slaughter18:23 Leviticus: A Fun Exploration21:27 The Meaning Beyond Death in Rituals27:01 The Olfactory Experience of Worship30:24 The Significance of Sacrifice in Ancient Cultures34:07 Rethinking Atonement and Sacrifice39:19 The Life of Jesus: More Than Just Death45:06 Leviticus: A Guide to Drawing Near to God