#176: What Kind of Book is the Bible?

When it comes to interpreting the Bible, it’s important to keep in mind that we all bring prejudgments to the text. Some prejudgments are helpful; others are not. In this episode, Matt offers brief reflections on this and how remembering our interpretive bias can help us exegete the biblical text faithfully and accurately.+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown (available wherever books are sold) - Amazon: ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz ⁠⁠Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠Matthew's blog: ⁠⁠https://matthewhalsted.substack.com⁠⁠Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 

Joshua Farris joins Matt for yet another discussion -- this time about near-death experiences (NDEs). In the previous episode, Farris discussed things having to do with the human soul. In this episode, he brings into that conversation NDEs. Are NDEs evidence that humans are ensouled creatures? What should we think about these unusual experiences that people sometimes report? Dr. Farris is the editor and author of several books, including: The Creation of Self: A Case for the Soul and God, Souls and Consciousness: Deconditioning the Mind from Naturalism.Check out Joshua's books: ⁠Amazon⁠ Learn more about his ministry at⁠ Soul Science Ministries⁠+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  ⁠https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz ⁠Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmuted⁠Matthew's blog: ⁠https://matthewhalsted.substack.com⁠Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 

What, exactly, is the soul? Is the soul different from the body? Why is having a good answer to these questions important? In this episode, Matt is joined by Dr. Joshua Farris to talk about the human soul, what it is, and why it matters. Dr. Farris is the editor and author of several books, including: The Creation of Self: A Case for the Soul and God, Souls and Consciousness: Deconditioning the Mind from Naturalism.Check out Joshua's books: Amazon Learn more about his ministry at Soul Science Ministries+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 

Matt chat with Dr. Joel Muddamalle about his latest book, The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers. Their conversation centers around topics such as spiritual warfare, demonization, physical healing, and cessationism. It covers a lot of ground, so buckle up!About Joel: https://www.muddamalle.com/Joel’s book: The Unseen Battle+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 

Part 2 of 2In this two-part series, Matt talks with Dr. Louis Markos about C. S. Lewis, his conversion to Christianity, and how his friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, influenced his decision to become a believer in Christ. By way of conversation with Tolkien, Lewis came to the conclusion that Christianity was myth that was true. This realization helped Lewis not only make sense of the stories of the past (and the core human longing), but it also had a profound effect upon the books and stories he would go on to write himself. Markos also takes listeners for a deep dive into Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. He shows how they reflect Tolkien's Christian faith and highlights classical virtues. Visit Louis Markos' Amazon Page: link here+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: ⁠UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown⁠ Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: ⁠www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠Matthew's blog: ⁠www.matthewhalsted.substack.com⁠Don't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)!

Part 1 of 2In this two part series, Matt talks with Dr. Louis Markos about C. S. Lewis, his conversion to Christianity, and how his friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, influenced his decision to become a believer in Christ. By way of conversation with Tolkien, Lewis came to the conclusion that Christianity was myth that was true. This realization helped Lewis not only make sense of the stories of the past (and the core human longing), but it also had a profound effect upon the books and stories he would go on to write himself. Markos also takes listeners for a deep dive into Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. He shows how they reflect Tolkien's Christian faith and highlights classical virtues. Visit Louis Markos' Amazon Page: Link here+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the UnknownSupport The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: www.matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 

Everybody lives in a place -- in a specific physical, geographical context. And that geography informs and influences the way we live and the way we think. Similarly, the biblical stories are embedded within geographical places that give those stories meaning and significance. In this interview, Jack Beck comes back on the podcast for a second time to talk about his latest book, The Holy Land Workbook. He discusses the importance of becoming familiar with biblical geography so that the biblical text can be interpreted to the fullest. Visit Jack's website: https://johnabeckauthor.com +++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 

Matthew talks with biblical scholar, Dr. Leslie Baynes—Professor of Religious Studies at Missouri State University—about her new book on C.S. Lewis. In this episode, Dr. Baynes discusses specifically Lewis’ views on Scripture, as well as his use and interpretation of biblical texts in both his fiction and his non-fiction. Dr. Baynes’ website: www.lesliebaynes.comLink to book: Between Interpretation and Imagination: C. S. Lewis and the Bible+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)! 

In Acts 2, we read about Pentecost, which is the event when the Holy Spirit descended upon the church. To understand the full significance of this event, Matt takes listeners back to the creation narratives of Genesis. In doing so, he shows how Pentecost relates to the Bible's teaching on protology and eschatology.+++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)!

In John 15, Jesus tells his disciples to abide in him. But what exactly does Jesus mean by "abide"? And how does he expect his disciples to do that? How does abiding in Christ relate to faith and works? In this episode, Matthew takes listeners through these questions, explaining in practical terms this well known passage. +++Pre-order Matt’s newest book: Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)!