The Biblical Mind

Should Christians Watch Horror Movies? Fear as a Spiritual Teacher (Kutter Callaway) Ep. #259

Can Christians watch horror movies? Is horror merely entertainment, or can it reveal profound theological truths? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson sits down with theologian and film scholar Dr. Kutter Callaway to explore why horror has become one of today's most influential storytelling genres—and why Christians should take it seriously.
Drawing from his new book, Be Afraid: What Horror Reveals About Facing the Darkness, Callaway argues that great horror doesn't simply frighten audiences; it exposes deep truths about evil, suffering, trauma, sin, and the human condition. Together, Dru and Kutter examine the horrifying stories already found in Scripture—from the Levite's concubine in Judges to the crucifixion—and ask what these passages have in common with modern horror films.
The conversation also explores why supernatural horror resonates with younger generations, how films like Get Out, The Babadook, Hereditary, and Midsommar wrestle with inherited trauma and cultural fears, and why interpreting films in community resembles reading the Bible in community. Whether you're skeptical of horror or an avid fan, this episode offers a thoughtful biblical framework for understanding fear, art, and the stories that shape our imaginations.
Learn more about Kutter Callaway at his website! (Click Here)
Order his latest book (click here)
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Chapters:
00:00 Defining Horror: A Genre Exploration
02:46 Horror in Biblical Texts: A New Perspective
06:14 The Role of Horror in Understanding Humanity
09:00 Personal Experiences with Horror and Its Impact
16:09 The Supernatural vs. Slasher Horror: A Comparative Analysis
21:12 Cultural Reflections in Horror Films
22:16 Exploring Horror and Societal Trauma
25:12 Artistic Truths in Horror Films
28:01 Parent-Child Dynamics in Horror
30:26 Emerging Voices in Horror Cinema
32:42 Reflections on Personal and Societal Sin
35:31 Horror as a Reflection of Societal Fears
37:02 Engaging with Horror: Questions to Consider
41:11 Community Interpretation of Art and Scripture

Were Ancient Synagogues Town Halls with a Torah? (Jordan Ryan) Ep. #258

What were synagogues actually like in the time of Jesus? Were they places of worship, centers of local government, or something entirely different?
In this episode, archaeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Jordan Ryan joins Dru Johnson to challenge common assumptions about ancient synagogues. Drawing on archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the New Testament, Ryan explains why synagogues in the first century looked and functioned very differently from both modern churches and modern synagogues.
The conversation explores the origins of synagogues, their possible connection to city gates in the Hebrew Bible, and their role as “town halls with Torah” in Judea and Galilee. Ryan discusses ritual purity, mikva’ot (ritual baths), Torah and prophetic readings, public debate, and the surprising evidence that synagogue gatherings were highly interactive communal events rather than passive worship services.
Listeners will also hear fresh insights into the ministry of Jesus, including what happened when he taught in synagogues, whether men and women sat separately, why rabbis were not yet a formal office, and why Jesus seems to have avoided major cities like Tiberias and Sepphoris.
This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish life, worship, and community in the world of Jesus and the early church.
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Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Synagogues: Misconceptions and Functions
05:00 Origins of Synagogues: Historical Perspectives
07:48 The Role of Synagogues in Ancient Jewish Society
11:39 Worship Practices in Ancient Synagogues
14:21 Ritual Purity and Preparation for Synagogue
20:37 The Experience of Attending Synagogue on Shabbat
25:21 Scriptural Readings and Teachings in Synagogues
28:12 The Role of Discussion in Torah Readings
33:44 Understanding the Origins of Rabbis
39:08 The Structure and Function of Ancient Synagogues
44:15 Jesus in the Synagogue: A Cultural Perspective

Israel, Palestine, & Christian Responsibility: A Challenging Conversation (Fisk & Bannoura) Ep #257

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dru Johnson sits down with theologians Daniel Bannoura and Bruce Fisk, contributors to Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza, to explore the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of Palestinian Christian experience. Drawing on history, theology, and personal experience, Bannoura and Fisk argue that the crisis in Gaza cannot be understood apart from the broader history of Zionism, Palestinian displacement, and the ongoing struggle for justice and human dignity in the region.
The discussion examines the relationship between Christianity, Christian Zionism, and modern Israeli politics, while also addressing questions of antisemitism, Palestinian identity, settler violence, military occupation, and competing historical narratives. Dru pushes back on several claims, creating a thoughtful exchange that highlights both areas of agreement and disagreement.
The episode also explores how biblical interpretation shapes political views, why many Western Christians know little about Palestinian Christians, and how younger generations are rethinking the Israel-Palestine debate. Throughout the conversation, the guests challenge listeners to consider what Christian faithfulness, neighbor love, and justice look like in the aftermath of Gaza’s devastation.
This is the first installment of a deeper discussion on theology, politics, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, and the future of Christian engagement with one of the world’s most contested conflicts.
Buy the book here: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385254859/being-christian-after-the-desolation-of-gaza/
 
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Chapters:
00:00 Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
09:25 The Impact of Historical Narratives
12:21 The Legacy of Imperialism and Its Effects
16:56 The Complexity of Regional Conflicts
20:02 The Current Reality in Israel and Palestine
22:13 The Call for Justice and Equality
26:14 The Future of Christian Engagement in the Conflict
30:26 The Security Dilemma: Perspectives on Israeli Actions
31:27 Shifting Narratives: The Impact of October 7th
33:04 Defining Zionism: Perspectives and Misconceptions
37:15 Zionism and Its Evolution: A Critical Examination
42:56 Settler Violence: A Growing Concern
49:18 The Realist Perspective: Understanding the Conflict
54:06 Christian Zionism: A Complicated Legacy
57:55 The Complexity of Middle Eastern Politics
01:00:43 The Role of Arab Nations in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
01:04:11 Understanding Gen Z's Perspective on Israel and Palestine
01:09:02 The Nuances of Violence and Power Dynamics
01:13:27 Guiding the Next Generation of Christians
01:17:28 The Call for Radical Love and Justice
 
 

Reimagining Biblical Politics: A New Podcast (Michael Rhodes, Marshall Teague) Ep. #256

What does the Bible actually say about politics, and how should Christians engage public life in an age of division and polarization?
In this inaugural episode of Reimagining Biblical Politics, biblical scholar Michael Rhodes joins co-host Marshall Teague to explore the foundational claim at the heart of Scripture: God reigns. Rather than offering partisan talking points or commentary on current political controversies, Rhodes argues that the Bible presents a rich and often-overlooked vision of political discipleship rooted in the kingdom of God.
Drawing from his experiences living and serving in economically marginalized communities in Memphis, Nairobi, and Auckland, Rhodes explains how questions of justice, poverty, public life, and community inevitably led him to reconsider the relationship between faith and politics. The conversation introduces key themes from his book, Reimagining Biblical Politics, including the distinction between "outpost politics"—how God's people live together as citizens of God's kingdom—and "pilgrim politics"—how Christians engage the broader society around them.
Listeners will discover why the language of kingdom, gospel, peace, and savior was deeply political in the biblical world, why Scripture offers far more than a few isolated verses on government, and how a renewed understanding of biblical politics can help Christians faithfully navigate public life today.
Listen to more of Reimagining Biblical Politics (Click Here)
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Are we Doomed to Lonely and Isolated Lives? No. (Alan Noble) Ep. #255

What does it mean to truly live well in an age of loneliness, distraction, and endless self-improvement advice?
In this episode, Dru Johnson sits down with Alan Noble to discuss his new book on the seven Christian virtues and why recovering ancient wisdom may be the key to human flourishing today. Together they explore how virtues such as courage, temperance, prudence, justice, faith, hope, and love shape a life rooted in Christ rather than in modern self-help culture.
The conversation examines the growing loneliness epidemic, the difference between "thin" online communities and meaningful relationships, and why many young adults struggle with agency, friendship, dating, and purpose. Noble argues that virtue is not a life hack or productivity technique but a lifelong process of spiritual formation empowered by the Holy Spirit and cultivated within Christian community.
Dru and Alan also tackle the relationship between faith and works, discuss mentorship and the loss of intergenerational wisdom, and explore why courage may be one of the most important virtues for our cultural moment. From social media and smartphone habits to friendship and discipleship, this episode offers practical and theological insights for Christians seeking to live faithfully in a fragmented world.
Order Alan Noble's latest book, To Live Well, here:
https://www.ivpress.com/to-live-well?
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Chapters:
00:00 Points of Resistance and Challenges in Teaching Virtues
02:40 Virtues as Pathways to Live Well in Christian Life
04:02 Grace, Works, and Righteousness in Christian Practice
05:25 Community and the Need for Thick, Committed Groups
08:33 The Problem of Thin Communities and Society's Disconnection
10:30 The Role of Wisdom and Mentorship Across Generations
13:25 The Importance of Affirmation and Love in Community
15:17 Healthy Groups and the Balance of Affirmation and Correction
16:59 Scriptural Foundations for Virtues and Character Traits
18:19 The Significance of Courage and Temperance for Young Adults
26:32 Understanding Courage in the Context of Inhibition and Risk
32:53 Practical Steps to Cultivate Virtues and Live Well
39:24 Starting the Journey Toward Virtue and Reflection
40:32 The Role of Prayer and the Holy Spirit in Virtue Formation
43:05 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

When Helping Still Hurts (Brian Fikkert) Ep. #254

In this episode, Dru Johnson interviews Dr. Brian Fikkert about poverty, charity, economic development, and the role of the church in helping vulnerable communities flourish. Drawing from decades of experience in poverty alleviation and Christian mission, Fikkert explains why many well-intentioned efforts to help the poor can unintentionally create dependency, undermine dignity, and fail to address the deeper relational causes of poverty.
The conversation explores key themes from When Helping Hurts, including the difference between relief, rehabilitation, and development, as well as how churches and nonprofits can better serve communities both locally and globally. Fikkert also discusses the spiritual dimensions of poverty, the importance of restoring human dignity, and why effective compassion requires long-term relationships rather than quick fixes.
This episode is essential listening for Christians, pastors, missionaries, nonprofit leaders, and anyone interested in biblical justice, economic development, and sustainable poverty alleviation. If you care about faith, generosity, missions, and helping people in ways that truly empower them, this conversation with Brian Fikkert offers practical wisdom and a deeply biblical framework for serving others well.
To learn more about Dr. Fikkert's work at the Chalmers Center Click Here. 
 
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Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Poverty: A New Perspective
03:01 The Role of Relationships in Alleviating Poverty
06:08 The Complexity of Helping: Individual vs. Systemic Issues
08:46 Practical Approaches to Helping the Poor
11:49 The Gospel's Role in Poverty Alleviation
14:53 Building Trust and Relationships with the Poor
23:17 The Long Arc of Love
24:06 Different Callings to Serve the Poor
25:41 The Importance of Messy Relationships
26:51 Supporting Effective Ministries
28:37 Understanding Structural Injustice
30:10 The Individualistic Nature of American Christianity
31:58 Advancing the Conversation on Helping
34:22 The Right Story of Human Flourishing
35:27 The Flaws of the American Dream
38:40 Returning to Our True Habitat
41:06 The Work of the Chalmers Center
 
 

Are There Other Gods in the Bible?: James Duguid on Divine Council (James Duguid) Ep. #253

Did the biblical authors believe in a divine council of heavenly beings surrounding God? In this episode, Dru Johnson sits down with Hebrew Bible scholar Jamie Duguid to unpack one of the most controversial debates in modern biblical scholarship: the meaning of “sons of God” in Deuteronomy 32 and the growing influence of Michael Heiser’s Divine Council worldview.
The conversation explores the Hebrew phrase bene elohim, the Divine Council interpretation of Deuteronomy 32:8, and whether the Bible presents Yahweh as ruling among other divine beings. Duguid and Johnson examine the textual evidence behind the debate, including the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac translations, and Isaiah 40–55.
They also discuss Genesis 6, Psalm 82, angels, demons, ancient Near Eastern religion, monotheism vs. henotheism, and why the Divine Council framework has become so influential through scholars like Heiser.
If you’ve wondered whether the Bible teaches the existence of other gods, spiritual powers, or a heavenly council, this episode offers a careful, scholarly, and deeply accessible exploration of one of the Bible’s most fascinating theological questions.
 
Read more of Dr. Duguid's work here:
https://www.quaerendum.com/
 
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Divine Council Debate
07:14 Understanding Elohim and Divine Beings
13:22 The Role of the Divine Council in Scripture
18:52 The Importance of the Masoretic Text
24:55 Exploring Alternative Texts: Septuagint and Samaritan Pentateuch
31:04 The Impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on Biblical Texts
33:21 Exploring the Dead Sea Scrolls
35:39 Textual Variations in Biblical Manuscripts
40:11 Theological Implications of Textual Differences
45:18 Assessing the Nature of Divine Beings
51:57 Reconceptualizing Godhood in Scripture
56:57 Critiques and Responses to Heiser's Work
 

Is Job a Trauma Survivor?: Suffering, PTSD, and Healing in the Bible (Michelle Keener) Ep. #252

What if the Book of Job is not primarily about explaining suffering—but about surviving trauma?
In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson sits down with Old Testament scholar and licensed therapist Michelle Keener to explore the Book of Job through the lens of trauma, PTSD, lament, and healing. Drawing from her book Comfort from the Ashes, Keener argues that the long poetic sections of Job—often skipped by modern readers—may actually portray the slow process of trauma recovery rather than abstract theological debate.
Together, Dru and Michelle discuss why Job’s friends sound so much like modern Christian clichés, how churches often rush people past suffering toward “victory,” and why lament is essential to spiritual health. The conversation also explores the neuroscience of trauma, the body’s involuntary survival responses, repetition in trauma processing, and how God’s presence—not simplistic answers—brings healing in Job.
They also examine the church’s discomfort with anger, grief, and unresolved pain, asking whether modern Christians have lost the biblical language of lament found in Job and the Psalms.
This episode is a thoughtful and deeply pastoral conversation for anyone wrestling with suffering, trauma, faith, or the meaning of the Book of Job.
For Michelle Keener's latest book, buy it here:
https://www.ivpress.com/comfort-in-the-ashes
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Job and Common Misunderstandings
02:08 The Movie Tree of Life as an Exposition of Job
04:07 Is Job the Oldest Book in the Bible?
05:23 The Significance of the Middle Poetry in Job
06:22 Trauma and the Messy Middle of Job
08:17 Sitting with Suffering: The Role of Lament and Honesty
09:42 Job as a Trauma Survivor and Its Modern Relevance
11:55 The Process of Healing and God's Presence
14:07 Physiological Responses to Trauma and Divine Design
16:50 Reintegration of Trauma and the Role of Narrative
19:44 The Encounter with God as Resolution
22:40 Creating Trauma-Informed Church Spaces
24:37 The Power of Honest Testimony and Lament
26:42 The Ubiquity of Trauma Talk and Its Nuances
29:48 Language of Trauma: Distress, Wounded, and Healing
33:40 Ripple Effects of Trauma on Families and Communities
36:11 How to Approach Reading Job for Deep Understanding
38:18 Interpreting Job's Final Resolution and God's Response
40:20 Theological Insights: God's Goodness and Human Suffering
41:18 Conclusion: Healing and Hope in the Biblical Narrative

What Hegseth Gets Wrong About Pharisees (Jeffrey Garcia) Bonus Episode

In this episode, biblical scholar Jeffrey Garcia joins Dru Johnson to unpack one of the most misunderstood groups in the New Testament: the Pharisees. Prompted by recent public comments from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the conversation explores how the term “Pharisee” has often been used as a caricature for hypocrisy—and why that misunderstanding can contribute to anti-Jewish and anti-Semitic attitudes.
Drawing from the Gospels, Acts, ancient Judaism, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Dr. Garcia explains that the Pharisees were not simply legalistic villains opposed to Jesus. Instead, many Pharisees shared substantial theological ground with Jesus and were actively engaged in serious debates about how to faithfully live out God’s commandments. The episode also examines how Christian preaching has historically oversimplified the Pharisees, why phrases like “Christ killer” emerged from these distortions, and how pastors and churches can teach the New Testament more responsibly today.
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Chapters:
00:00 Understanding the Pharisees: Context and Misconceptions
08:47 The Pharisees and Their Relationship with Jesus
17:45 Navigating Modern Discourse on Pharisees and Anti-Semitism
 

Vocation vs. Career vs. Calling (Steven Garber) Ep. #251

What does it truly mean to have a vocation—and how is it different from a career? In this thought-provoking conversation, Steven Garber and Dru Johnson explore the deep disconnect between faith and everyday work, challenging the dualism that separates “spiritual” callings from ordinary life.
Garber argues that vocation is not reserved for clergy or religious roles but is integral to the mission of God. Drawing from biblical theology, church history, and lived experience, the discussion highlights how modern culture often reduces calling to career success, income, or personal fulfillment—leaving many disillusioned.
Together, they unpack the tension between vocation and occupation, the myth of “doing what you love,” and the overlooked dignity of ordinary work—from parenting to manual labor. The conversation also addresses the Protestant work ethic, the confusion between money and meaning, and why younger generations struggle with career pressure and purpose.
With insights shaped by L’Abri, Hebraic thought, and a lifelong exploration of what it means to be human, Garber offers a compelling vision: true vocation is about coherence—aligning who we are with how we live in the world.
This episode is essential listening for anyone wrestling with calling, work, and the search for a meaningful life.
Dr. Garber's books can be bought here:
https://www.ivpress.com/steven-garber
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Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Vocation: Common Misunderstandings
03:03 The Role of Dualism in Vocation
04:55 Biblical Literacy and Vocation
06:41 The Protestant Work Ethic and Its Implications
12:07 The Nature of Work: Toil and Redemption
18:19 The Value of Work Beyond Monetary Gain
20:48 The Importance of Ordinary Work in the Church
24:45 Vocation vs. Occupation: Understanding the Difference
29:22 The Influence of Labrie on Personal Development
33:56 The Value of Delayed College Education
41:37 Exploring the Human Condition
47:59 The Role of Truth in Storytelling and Society