The Biblical Mind

Becoming God’s Family: Against Church Hurt, Isolation, and Autonomy (Carmen Imes) Ep. #214

Can you be a Christian without the church? In this timely episode, Dr. Carmen Imes argues forcefully—and pastorally—that Christianity without community is a contradiction. Drawing from her new book Becoming God’s Family, she and Dru Johnson explore why so many people are walking away from church and what it would take to draw them back.
From church hurt to spiritual abuse to toxic celebrity culture, Carmen doesn’t shy away from the reasons people leave. But she also offers theological and pastoral wisdom on why we can’t give up on the church. They explore biblical stories of failed community, why Hagar’s story matters, and what healthy faithfulness looks like in a flawed body.
They also discuss when it’s time to leave a church, how American and global cultures can distort biblical community, and why true belonging means discomfort, difference, and even lament. Drawing on stories from her life and ministry, Carmen makes the case that church isn’t about getting what we want—it’s about becoming who we’re meant to be.
For Carmen Imes' substack:https://substack.com/@carmenjoyimes
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Chapters:
00:00 The Importance of Community in Faith01:37 Addressing Church Disconnection Post-Pandemic04:22 The Role of Scripture in Community Dynamics07:17 Navigating Church Hurt and Abuse10:36 Finding Hope in Faithful Communities13:46 The Broader Picture of Church Life16:38 Understanding God's Family Beyond the Church18:39 The Power of Community and Discipleship20:03 Cultural Blind Spots and Family Loyalty21:42 The Radical Nature of Church Family25:24 The Ananias and Sapphira Lesson27:59 The Role of Green Rooms in Church31:10 Lamenting Together as a Family32:45 The Messiness of Community35:34 The Quest for Like-Mindedness37:32 Diversity in Church and Community41:58 Creative Solutions for Multicultural Worship
 

Literature and Idealism: Or, How The Bible Is A "Thick" Story (Karen Swallow Prior) Ep. #213

What do Tolkien, vocation, and gritty literature have in common? In this conversation, Dru Johnson talks with literary scholar Dr. Karen Swallow Prior about why Christians often gravitate toward fantasy and romantic ideals—and why that can be a problem. Karen critiques the elevation of genre fiction like The Lord of the Rings as literary canon and urges Christians to engage “thick texts” that challenge us and train us to read Scripture more deeply.
They discuss how modern reading habits—dominated by email, social media, and skimmable articles—undermine our ability to understand both literature and biblical texts. Karen argues that literature forms our posture toward the world, and that our spiritual and moral imagination needs the grounding realism found in great novels and gritty stories.
The conversation pivots to Karen’s new book on vocation, exploring how distorted expectations around passion, work, and calling are leaving young people disillusioned. Instead, she calls for a deeper, more historically grounded view of labor, meaning, and responsibility.
This episode is a must-listen for those interested in education, theology, literature, and the subtle ways imagination shapes our lives of faith.
For more of Karen's literature:https://karenswallowprior.com/
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Chapters:
00:00 Exploring Literature and Vocation02:37 The Role of Literary Criticism in Cultural Contexts05:44 Tolkien, Lewis, and the Literary Canon08:46 Understanding Thick Texts: Literature and the Bible12:04 The Importance of Reading Skills in Biblical Studies14:55 Interpreting the Bible: Layers of Meaning in Texts19:49 The Importance of Humility in Understanding Literature24:00 Navigating Vocation and Career Expectations29:54 The Reality of Menial Jobs and Their Value33:37 Balancing Idealism and Grit in Literature38:47 Finding Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful

Tribes, States, & Empires: Scripture’s Vision for a Virtuous Political Order (Yoram Hazony) Ep. #212

In this second conversation with political philosopher Yoram Hazony, we dive deeper into the biblical concept of nationhood, wrestling with listener-submitted questions on nationalism, empire, and political virtue. Hazony responds to critiques and clarifies his position: biblical nationalism is not about racial purity or imperialism, but about the virtue of limited, self-governing peoples—unified not by ethnicity but by shared laws, traditions, and faith.
Hazony distinguishes biblical terms like am and goy, explores the status of converts like Ruth, and dismantles the modern racialized understanding of nationhood. He emphasizes that scripture assumes nations will be internally diverse, but not infinitely so—there must be a dominant center that holds people together.
The conversation also explores why biblical literature, not Greco-Roman thought, shaped the American constitutional order, and why the prophets critique empire while affirming the need for some form of the state. As Hazony puts it, “Purity is not the goal. Faithful unity is.”
For the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy article Yoram mentioned in the interview, access the PDF here:https://journals.law.harvard.edu/jlpp/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2025/06/Hammer-FINAL_TC-JH-YRH-edits.pdf
For more of Yoram's literature:https://www.yoramhazony.org/https://x.com/yhazony
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Chapters:
00:00 The Virtue of Nationalism05:19 Understanding Nation in Biblical Context10:42 The Role of Genetics and Kinship in Nations15:25 Diversity and Unity in National Identity20:09 Power Dynamics in Heterogeneous Nations25:23 Biblical Foundations of Western Political Thought38:14 The Christian Heritage of the West41:15 Separation of Powers and the Mosaic Constitution44:37 Separation of Church and State48:29 The Concept of Empire59:00 The Role of Kings and the State01:00:17 Eschatology and the Future of Nations

Just War, Christianity, and The Call to Serve: The Ethics of Military Service (Darren Duke) Ep #211

Should Christians serve in the military? In this sobering and nuanced episode, Dru Johnson sits down with retired Colonel Darren Duke—Marine Corps Special Operations commander and intelligence officer—to unpack this deeply personal and morally complex question. Drawing from over 30 years of military experience, Duke shares his evolving view of military service, from Cold War patriotism to the hard-earned disillusionment of post-9/11 combat.
He offers insight into how symbols like the Punisher, Spartan helmets, and Valhalla became coping mechanisms for troops struggling with the trauma and moral ambiguity of prolonged warfare. Duke also warns young Christians to prepare not only for the battlefield but for the morally challenging culture within the military itself.
This conversation does not prescribe easy answers but outlines how one might think Christianly about enlistment, national service, and the weight of violence in a fallen world. Listeners will walk away better equipped to consider military service with sober realism, moral clarity, and theological depth.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Military Service and Personal Background09:54 Reflections on Military Service and Christian Identity17:52 The Complexity of War and Its Justifications20:13 The Weight of War: Moral Trauma and Reflection22:12 Existential Questions in Military Service24:26 Navigating Morality in Combat28:12 The Christian Perspective on Military Service32:27 Defending the Defenseless: A Moral Duty35:32 The Role of Leadership in Military Ethics

Building a Movement: Why the Church Needs Hebraic Thought—and What We’re Doing About It Ep. #210

In this update episode, Dru Johnson and Mike Tolliver pull back the curtain on the work happening at the Center for Hebraic Thought. From filing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and building a stellar advisory board, to launching a redesigned website and reviving in-person workshops, the CHT has been quietly preparing for long-term growth and broader influence.
They discuss the newly relaunched Hebraic Thought Community (HTC) on Facebook—already hundreds strong—and the four activities that bring the community together: highlighting member-created resources, sharing weekend reading, gathering weekly for public listening of Scripture, and hosting scholar Q&As. This digital community is sparking cross-disciplinary conversations, surfacing unexpected gems from laypeople, and reimagining how Christians listen to the Bible together.
Dru and Mike also explain why listening (not just reading) Scripture in community is a powerful and ancient discipline—and why it’s missing from most churches today. They reflect on the joy of watching Scripture come alive in unexpected ways through these communal practices.
They close with a call to support: whether through recurring giving, hosting a workshop, or sharing the word, CHT is building something bigger than any one person—something rooted in Scripture and flourishing in community.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction 00:03 Updates on The Center for Hebraic Thought 03:03 Community Engagement and Workshops 06:03 Hebraic Thought Community Initiatives 09:04 Public Listening of Scripture 11:55 The Importance of Listening to Scripture 15:10 Website Updates and Future Plans 17:53 Funding and Support for the Center 20:58 Workshops and Community Involvement
 

Jesus Under Every Rock? Rethinking Christ-Centered Reading & Preaching (Chris Wright) Ep #209

Should Christians look for Jesus in every verse of the Old Testament—or are we missing the point when we do?
In this wide-ranging and practical conversation, Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright, Langham Partnership’s Global Ambassador and one of the world’s leading Old Testament scholars, joins Dru Johnson to explore the difference between Christocentric and Christotelic readings of Scripture. Wright reflects on common instincts Christians have—either skipping the Old Testament or trying to make every text about Jesus—and explains what we lose when we fail to respect the voice and context of the original authors.
Wright argues for a more faithful reading that respects the historical drama of God’s covenantal journey with Israel, leading to but not eclipsed by Christ. He explains how Luke 24 affirms that the Scriptures point to Jesus, but that doesn’t mean every verse must be “about” him. Instead, Scripture forms a unified story with Jesus as its destination, not its hiding place.
The conversation ends with a powerful case for why the global church, especially in the majority world, has crucial theological insights to offer—and why Western Christians should be ready to learn.
For more from Chris Wright:
https://christopherjhwright.com/
For more about Langham Partnership:
https://us.langham.org/
We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:https://hebraicthought.org/give
For more articles:https://thebiblicalmind.org/
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Chapters:
00:00 Understanding the Old Testament's Relevance02:01 Challenges in Interpreting the Old Testament05:26 The Importance of Context in Biblical Interpretation08:09 The Role of Jesus in Old Testament Texts11:00 Exegetical Approaches to the Old Testament14:08 The Historical Unfolding of God's Promises21:06 The Transition from Law to Grace22:32 The Journey of Scripture Towards Christ24:57 Understanding the Role of the Gospels and Acts27:00 The Nature of Biblical Narrative29:01 Langham Partnership: Resourcing Global Churches32:37 The Importance of Preaching in the Majority World36:00 Listening to Global Voices in Theology

The NAR, Power, and Prophecy: Inside America’s Forgotten Christian Movement (Matthew Taylor) Ep. #208

What if the most politically influential Christian leaders in America aren’t the ones you’ve heard of?
In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Matthew D. Taylor joins Dru Johnson to explain how the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and related charismatic networks reshaped modern evangelicalism—and helped deliver the presidency to Donald Trump. Taylor, a scholar of religion and politics, traces how televangelists, prophets, and apostolic leaders operating outside denominational structures built a new Christian populist movement with real spiritual and political power.
Far from being fringe actors, these leaders—like Paula White and Lance Wallnau—hold enormous sway through media networks and prophetic authority. Taylor explores how modern prophecy, celebrity culture, and populist theology have created a system resistant to critique, driven by revival language and unregulated influence. He explains why evangelical elites misjudged the NAR’s reach and how their dismissal of these leaders as “hucksters” only deepened the divide.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the New Apostolic Reformation Movement02:50 Understanding Pushback and Misconceptions05:46 Defining the New Apostolic Reformation09:21 The Role of Charismatic Leaders in Politics12:10 Trump and the Evangelical Connection15:09 The Seven Mountain Mandate and Its Implications18:05 Cyrus Prophecy and Its Significance21:14 The Divide Between Evangelical Elites and Grassroots26:19 Theological Divides in Modern Evangelicalism27:40 Historical Context of Evangelicalism29:06 Populism and the Rise of Trump31:29 Scriptural Interpretation and Prophecy35:19 The Role of Modern Prophecy38:33 Leadership Dynamics in Non-Denominational Spaces43:41 Christian Nationalism vs. Christian Supremacy46:35 The Early Church's Ethos vs. Modern Power50:58 Path Forward for Evangelicals

Hollywood, Scripture, and Politics: Joan Didion and the Power of Story (Alissa Wilkinson) Ep. #207

What do Hollywood, Joan Didion, and the Bible have in common?
More than you’d expect. In this episode, New York Times film critic and author Alissa Wilkinson joins Dru Johnson to discuss the life, work, and worldview of Joan Didion, one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. Wilkinson’s new book, We Tell Ourselves Stories, explores how Didion made sense of chaos through narrative—and what her work reveals about faith, trauma, politics, and cultural memory.
Together, Alissa and Dru explore Didion’s insight that stories are not just entertainment; they are survival mechanisms, tools we use to impose order on a chaotic world. But is that all Scripture is—just another human-made narrative? Wilkinson offers a careful reflection on the limits and power of storytelling, showing how Didion’s work can challenge both Christian belief and secular mythmaking.
They also dive into conspiracy theories, the fusion of politics and Hollywood, and the rise of nostalgia as a cultural sickness. From John Wayne to 9/11 to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this episode traces the invisible threads between the stories we inherit and the truths we cling to.
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Chapters:
00:00 Exploring Joan Didion's Influence02:10 The Chaos of Life and Storytelling05:08 The Impact of California on Didion's Work08:15 Didion's Perspective on Conspiracy Theories11:24 Hollywood's Political Landscape and Didion's Critique14:26 The Intersection of Politics and Entertainment17:29 Didion's Views on Feminism and Fixed Ideas20:26 The Role of Nostalgia in Storytelling23:24 The Modern Political Narrative26:17 Conspiracies and Their Impact on Society29:27 The Nature of Truth in Storytelling32:10 Didion's Legacy in Film and Media35:20 The Future of Storytelling in Politics

Wine, Worship, and Craftsmanship: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol (John Dunne) Ep #206

Was wine in the Bible just a calorie source—or something far richer? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, author of The Mountain Shall Drip Sweet Wine: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol, joins Dru Johnson to explore how wine and alcohol shaped ancient Israel’s culture, theology, and imagination.
Dr. Dunne traces how biblical wine reflected not only the scarcity and agricultural hopes of ancient life, but also a tradition of craftsmanship, connoisseurship, and divine blessing. Together they unpack why biblical wine wasn’t just functional—it was symbolic of abundance, peace, and God’s favor.
From fermentation methods and ancient storage to the surprising case for white wine at the wedding at Cana, this episode challenges modern assumptions about alcohol in Scripture. Dunne explores why the biblical world viewed wine as inherently miraculous, why production was tied to the land promise, and how modern communion links us to Canaan’s terroir in unexpected ways.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction00:42 Christianity and Alcohol02:52 Cultural Perspectives on Alcohol Consumption06:01 Theological Implications of Alcohol in Scripture08:58 Wine Production and Its Significance12:00 The Craft of Winemaking in Ancient Times14:57 Grapes: Beyond Wine Production18:06 Environmental Factors in Viticulture20:58 The Symbolism of Wine in Biblical Texts22:06 The Importance of Climate in Winemaking25:11 Exploring Ancient Grape Varieties27:07 The Fermentation Process of Ancient Wines35:04 The Significance of Jesus' First Miracle45:10 Wine as a Connection to the Land

Is Nationalism Biblical? Yoram Hazony on Nations, Empires, and Justice (Yoram Hazony) Ep. #205

Is nationalism always bad—or does the Bible have a more nuanced view of nations, borders, and political life? In this fascinating episode, Israeli philosopher Yoram Hazony joins Dru Johnson to explore the political vision of the Old Testament, from the Table of Nations in Genesis to the prophetic hope of nations learning from Israel in peace.
Hazony explains how the Bible’s anti-empire stance emerges from the stories of Babel, Assyria, and Babylon—and why God’s vision for humanity includes independent nations with borders, traditions, and space to seek Him freely. Together they unpack how Israel’s kingship, laws, and tribal structure offer a model of checks, balances, and moral limits on power.
The conversation also tackles modern questions: What can Christians today learn from biblical nationalism? How does this compare with movements like Christian nationalism in the U.S.? And why does Hazony see so many modern Christian intellectuals missing the Old Testament’s political teachings?
For more of Yoram's literature:https://www.yoramhazony.org/https://x.com/yhazony
We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:https://hebraicthought.org/give
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Nationalism and the Bible00:56 Biblical Foundations of National Identity09:32 Political Philosophy in the Old Testament12:43 Critiques of Nationalism in the Hebrew Bible20:42 The Nature of Sin and Human Corruption22:40 Nationalism and the Biblical Perspective26:08 Borders and National Independence40:01 Governance and the Role of Law45:28 Christian Nationalism: Perspectives and Concerns