98. Introducing the "Rethinking Advent" User Guide

Rethinking Scripture Podcast - Episode 99 - Matthew 10 - The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel: A Fresh Look at Jesus' Mission InstructionsJanuary 12, 2026 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we continue our study of the Gospel of Matthew. This episode discusses Matthew  chapter 10—Jesus' second major discourse. It’s where Jesus commissions His twelve disciples. We discuss the list of apostles, the true meaning of the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel,' and the challenging instructions on freely giving, expecting persecution, and taking up the cross. Readers often adopt Jesus' instructions as their own, but what if the instructions in chapter 10 were only for the original 12 disciples?Referenced Resources:Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 159). Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans."Certainly the other disciples mentioned in these verses belonged to the band of the twelve apostles. The most likely suggestion is that Nathanael is the personal name of ‘Bartholomew’, (i.e. identifying the person as the son of someone: ‘the son of Tholomaeus’ or the like). In three of the four lists of apostles, this Bartholomew is linked with Philip (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:14; but not Acts 1:13)".Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Rethinking Scripture Podcast - Episode 98:  Introducing the "Rethinking Advent" User GuideDecember 14, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallRethinking Advent was never meant to be just a podcast series (episodes 28-33)—it was designed to be walked through. In this short special episode, I introduce the new Rethinking Advent User Guide, created to help listeners slow down, reflect, and engage the Advent story through weekly rhythms, discussion questions, and devotional prompts. Whether you’re returning to the series or encountering it for the first time, this guide offers a deeper, more formative way to experience Advent. Everything is available for free at: RethinkingScripture.com/rethinking-advent/Referenced Resources:Charlie Brown's Question - "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"  posed by Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas. A tv movie from 1965.Show Music:Background music - jazzy bells (jingle bells) by Dee Yan-Key - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dee_Yan-Key/my_christmas_music/02--Dee_Yan-Key-jazzy_bellsPodcast Website:RethinkingScripture.com/rethinking-advent/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comSocial Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 97: Matthew 9 - Touching the Fringe: The Function of Tassels in Jesus’ Remnant-Gathering MissionNovember 30, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked symbols in the Gospels—the tassels on Jesus’ garment. From Torah commands to the touch of a desperate woman, these fringes reveal His identity, His mission to gather the remnant of Israel, and the healing found in the ‘wings’ of the Messiah.Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 96: Matthew 8-9 - Reporting Safe From a Cross-Reference TornadoNovember 11, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we’ll be introducing you to the idea of a cross-reference tornado. That’s the term I’ve given to those Bible stories that send you spinning through several other passages in rapid succession. It’s a cross-reference tornado… and so hold on to Toto… cause were not in Kansas anymore. Resources Referenced and/or Read:Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew. W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press. - "By casting out demons outside Israel, Jesus shows that his authority is not limited by geography, ethnicity, or ritual purity. Evil spirits recognize and submit to him even in foreign soil — implying that God’s reign is breaking into all creation, not just within the covenant land.This anticipates the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), where the resurrected Christ claims, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” and sends his disciples “to all nations.” The Gerasene exorcism is an early foreshadowing of that global mission." Lindsey, R. (2009) 2nd ed. Jesus, Rabbi and Lord: A Lifetime’s Search for the Meaning of Jesus’ Words. Jerusalem Perspective, LLC.— specifically in chapter 13  titled “Healing Everywhere.” Available at www.JerusalemPerspective.comDr. Halvor Ronning discussed Dr. Robert Lindsey's work  on my first trip to Israel in 2007. We were in the synagogue in Capernaum. Dr. Robert L. Lindsey treats Matthew 9:2 in his bookRead... but not used in this episode: Ingolfsland, D. (2004). Review of Christianity in the Making, vol. 1: Jesus Remembered by James D. G. Dunn. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 47(4), 715. "… in his discussion of a passage in which Jesus heals a paralyzed man and announces that the man’s sins are forgiven (Mark 2, Matthew 9, Luke 5), Dunn argues that the passive form of the verb (ἀψἰδνται) shows that Jesus was not usurping a prerogative that belonged only to God, but was simply announcing forgiveness the way a modern priest would declare a penitent sinner forgiven. According to Dunn, the subsequent protest by the religious leadership occurred simply because Jesus exceeded his authority by pronouncing forgiveness outside of the Temple cult."Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 95: Matthew 8 - Using Infectious Skin Diseases for OutreachNovember 1, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we’ll dive into a particular formula (3 stories of healing followed by a call to discipleship) that Matthew uses to present Jesus’ ministry. When we’re done, you might ask if infectious skin diseases could be a part of your church’s outreach ministry!Resources Referenced and/or Read:The list of Lepers in the Bible is pretty short:  Exod 4 - Moses’ hand became leprous as snow, as if he had a skin disease, after he encountered God at the burning bush.Numbers 12:10 - Miriam, sister of Moses, became leprous when she spoke against Moses’ leadership.Naaman - 2 Kings 5 - Elisha sent a messenger to him saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.”Gehazi, the servant of Elisha - 2 Kings 5:20Joab - 2 Samuel 3:292 Kgs 15; 2 Chr 26  - Uzziah [Azariah], king of Judah, was punished with a skin disease after he went into the temple of the Lord so that he might burn incense.Simon the Leper - Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9Three gospels likely share the same event: Matthew 8:2-4 - unnamed, Mark 1:40-45 - unnamed, Luke 5:12-16 - unnamedLuke 17:11-21 - 9 unnamed Jews - one unnamed SamaritanMatt 11:1-6 - When John the Baptist was imprisoned, John asks if Jesus is the Expected One… and in his response Jesus mentions several miracles associated with his ministry including “the lepers are cleansed”.Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 94: Matthew 5-7 - Two Kingdoms, One Choice: The Sermon on the Mount in One EpisodeMarch 26, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we’ll be talking about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It spans nearly three chapters in Matthew’s gospel… and it will challenge you to rethink many assumptions you may have had about how this life of ours should be lived. This is a quick flyover looking at the structure of the sermon. Resources Referenced and/or Read:Where Luke puts the blessings and woes together... Matthew separates them out into two separate discourses and on two separate mountains.1. Matt 5:3 - kingdom opened vs. Matthew 23:13 - Kingdom shut2. Matt 5:4 - Mourners comforted vs. Matt 23:14 - Mourners distressed3. Matt 5:5 - Meek inherit the earth vs Matt 23:15 - fanatic compassing the earth trying to gain control4. Matt 5:6 - True righteousness sought vs Matt 23:16-22 seeking a template for righteousness.5. Matt 5:7 - Merciful obtain mercy vs. Matt 23:23-24 - mercy neglected6. Matt 5:8 - purity within vs Matt 23:25-26 - external purity7. Matt 5:9 - Makers of peace vs. Matt 23:27-28 - makers of lawlessness8. Matt 5:10-12 - The persecuted vs. Matt 23:29-33 - The persecutors Gage, W. A., & Carpenter, S. P. (2014). A Literary Guide to the Life of Christ in Matthew, Mark, and Luke-Acts: How the Synoptic Evangelists Tell the Story of Jesus (p. 35). St. Andrews House.The Dual Reference to “the Law and the Prophets”This placement of this phrase in the sermon (5:17; 7:12) marks off the main body of Jesus’ teaching in the sermon. The two occurrences of the phrase establish an inclusio, a kind of envelope, for holding the teachings of Jesus in which he challenges the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.Deppe, Dean B. All Roads Lead to the Text: Eight Methods of Inquiry into the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2011. Print.Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 93: Matthew 5 - Blessings, Curses, and Moving Mountains: The Architecture of Matthew’s GospelMarch 4, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we're diving into Matthew chapter 5 and we’ll notice a fascinating aspect of Matthew gospel. Matthew organizes Jesus’ major addresses into five distinct sermons. The first and the last of which are delivered on mountains. and today, we’ll unpack a link back to the Old Testament story of Moses and Joshua.Resources Referenced and/or Read:Thanks to Dr. Warren Gage for the bulk of the material in this episode. Gage, W. A. (2010). Essays in Biblical Theology (pp. 63–65). Warren A. Gage. - The Blessings and Cursings upon Gerizim and Ebal - The law of Moses instructed the people, when Joshua led them into the good land promised to the fathers, to assemble before the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal for a ceremony reaffirming their fidelity to the Lord and the law of the covenant (Deut 27–28). The entire nation of Israel was to be arranged in ranks by their tribes in the valley between the slopes of the two mountains. Six tribes stood upon the skirts of Ebal, and six tribes stood upon the skirts of Gerizim. Joshua spoke all the law of Moses in the hearing of the twelve tribes of Israel (Josh 8:30–35). The six tribes upon Gerizim spoke the blessings that would be poured out as long as the nation obeyed the law and the covenant (Deut 28:1–14). The six tribes upon Ebal spoke the curses that would come upon the nation if they disobeyed the law (Deut 27:15–28). All the tribes affirmed that, upon their disobedience, a nation from afar would come upon them like the eagle, besieging the fortified walls of Israel (Deut 28:49–52) and driving all the people into exile among the nations (Deut 28:64–68). As each group of six tribes spoke the blessings and the cursings of the law, the six tribes opposite answered with an antiphonal avowal of their fidelity to the covenant and their imprecatory oath of obedience to the Lord. In the New Testament, Matthew’s Gospel portrays Jesus as the True Joshua presiding over a new ceremony of blessing and cursing. To recognize this portrayal, we must understand something of the structure of the first Gospel. Matthew arranges his Gospel around seven mountains. These mountains are 1) the mountain of the temptation (4:8), 2) the mountain of the beatitudes (5:1), 3) the mountain of the separation (14:23), 4) the mountain of the feeding in the wilderness (15:29), 5) the mountain of the transfiguration (17:1), 6) the mountain of the Olivet discourse (24:3), and 7) the mountain of the commissioning (28:16). The seven Matthean mountains are arranged chiastically, with corresponding pairs arrayed around the central mountain of the wilderness feeding. The mountains relevant to the Joshua typology are the second mountain and the sixth, which frame Matthew’s five discourses. The second mountain is the mountain of the beatitudes in Galilee, the site of the first discourse called the “Sermon on the Mount” (5:1–8:28). The corresponding sixth mountain, the site of the last or “Olivet Discourse,” is the mountain before Jerusalem (24:3–26:1). Matthew’s typology of the True Joshua is built around the relationship between the blessings pronounced upon the mount of the beatitudes in Galilee and the woes (or curses) spoken against the Pharisees in Jerusalem. By juxtaposing these mountains, Matthew anticipates the blessings to descend upon the mountain of the Gentiles, which has become Gerizim, and the destruction to come upon Jerusalem, which has become Ebal. Jesus solemnly pronounces nine beatitudes upon the mountain in Galilee (Matt 5:3–12). Eight corresponding woes or curses are enumerated against Jerusalem, framed as antiphonal responses to the beatitudes spoken in Galilee. The juxtaposition of Matthew’s two mountains constitutes the restatement of the solemn ceremony at Shechem, and darkly foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people for their disobedience to the law of Moses in rejecting the Prophet of whom Moses spoke (Matt 24:2).Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking Scripture Website: https://rethinkingscripture.com/matthew-study-resources/Here are a few resources regarding my first tour guide in Israel, Halvor Ronning.New American Standard Bible: 1995 update (Mt 4:18–22). (1995). The Lockman Foundation.Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 92: Matthew 4 - Not the First Calling of the First DisciplesFeb 13, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we finish Matthew chapter 4 by looking at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and what some say is the calling of the first disciples. Did these men immediately leave everything in order to serve Jesus? We will discover… following Jesus might not be that simple, demanding, or immediate. All that and more in Episode 92 - Not the First Calling of the First DisciplesResources Referenced and/or Read:Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking Scripture Website: https://rethinkingscripture.com/matthew-study-resources/Here are a few resources regarding my first tour guide in Israel, Halvor Ronning.Jerusalem Perspective Page with links to articles and blogs. https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/author/halvor-ronning/#:~:text=Halvor%20Ronning%20(B.A.%2C%20St.,Israel%20for%20over%20fifty%20years. The Importance of Biblical Geography: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOL5e3atnUsPsalm 23 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2uOPUL6dQYNew American Standard Bible: 1995 update (Mt 4:18–22). (1995). The Lockman Foundation.Marshall, I. H. (1994). Luke. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 989). Inter-Varsity Press.Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 16). Logos Research Systems, Inc.Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 216). Victor Books.The incident recorded here is obviously not the first time Jesus had been in contact with the men whom He called to be His disciples. Luke already had stated that Jesus had healed Simon’s mother-in-law which denotes previous contact with Simon and Andrew. This seems to be at least the third time Jesus had contact with these men. In John 1:41 Andrew told Peter that he had found the Messiah. Apparently the men at first did not follow Jesus on a “full-time” basis, for in Mark 1:16–20 (also Matt. 4:18–22) Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Mark recorded that that call was before Jesus entered the synagogue in Capernaum and healed a man who was demon-possessed. It is no wonder Peter invited Jesus home after the synagogue incident. Now, sometime later, Peter and the others were still fishermen. It was at this point, now that Jesus had established His authority (Luke 4:31–44), that He called these men to full-time discipleship.1Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book is now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 91: Matthew 3-4 - The BaptistFeb 5, 2025 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we’ll spend some time talking about Jewish baptism, take a look at a curious statement Jesus makes, and then talk about his testing in the wilderness at the beginning of Matthew 4. All of that and more in Episode 91 - Fulfilling the Theme of Baptism and Testing.Resources Referenced and/or Read:Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking Scripture Website: https://rethinkingscripture.com/matthew-study-resources/Show Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book and now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.

Episode NotesEpisode 90: Matthew 3 - The BaptistMarch 14, 2024 - Host: Dr. Gregory HallIn this episode we’re in the first 12 verses of Matthew 3. It’s a deep dive into John the Baptist’s ministry and no matter how familiar you think you are with this New Testament character, I guarantee we’re going to discuss several things you’ve never… ever considered. Resources Referenced and/or Read:Matthew Study Resources at the Rethinking Scripture Website: https://rethinkingscripture.com/matthew-study-resources/Podcast Statistics: https://www.yaguara.co/podcast-statistics/#:~:text=With%20an%20average%20of%2050,from%20the%20environment%20to%20politics. The story of Hiroo Onoda (who died Jan. 16, 2014) who hid in the jungle and continued to fight a war that had ended 29 years earlier: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroo_OnodaShow Music:Intro/Outro - "Growth" by Armani Delos SantosTransition Music - produced by Jacob A. HallPodcast Website:The All-America Listener Challenge Updates: https://rethinkingscripture.comMy New Podcast Studio... The Upper Room: https://rethinkingscripture.com/podcast-episodes/More information about The Homes and Help Initiative: https://rethinkingscripture.com/homes-help-initiative/Sister site: RethinkingRest.comRethinking Rest... the Book and now available. The Rethinking Rest audiobook is available only on Audible: More information: https://rethinkingrest.com/the-book/Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkingScripture Twitter: @RethinkingStuffInstagram: Rethinking_ScriptureYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YCLg2UldJiA0dsg0KkvLAPowered and distributed by Simplecast.