Biblical World

Episode: Jason Staples and Stephen Carlson try to ruin your Nativity! Jason discusses Stephen's essay "The Accommodations of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem: Κατάλυμα in Luke 2:7." They also discuss when and how Mary and Joseph get married, the census in Luke 2:2, and ... (wait for it) ... the Spanish Inquisition. 

Guest: Dr. Stephen Carlson is Associate Professor in the Biblical and Early Christian Studies program at t...

Episode: In this episode, Kyle sits down for a chat with David deSilva about his two new volumes, Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul: A Visual Guide and Archaeology and the World of Jesus: A Visual Guide (Baker Academic, 2025). The two chat about the importance of material culture for understanding the New Testament, discerning between good church traditions and "other" church traditions, and whether or not it is important to get...

Episode: Mary Buck continues her study of the Second Temple period by focusing on the Persian Period, and especially, the Achaemenid Empire. Learn about this incredibly powerful yet lesser-known period of history, and figures like Cyrus, Darius, and others who shaped biblical history.

Host: Learn about Mary Buck HERE.

Image Attribution: Map, By Cattette - CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113179532; Cyrus t...

Episode: In part II of our intro to Biblical Archaeology, Kyle and Chris explore the contributions of W. F. Albright (who knew over 20 languages) and G. E. Wright, Kathleen Kenyon and others, and the emergence of New Archaeology, regional approaches, and other new methods. They also consider questions of faith and history, theology and archaeology, and text and the past. They discuss how archaeology is ill-suited to "slay the drago...

Episode: In this two-part series, Kyle and Chris delve deeply into the history of "biblical" archaeology. What is this field? How did we get to where we are today? Who are some of the characters that shaped the field along the way? If you've ever pondered these (or related) questions, then this mini-series is for you.

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript co...

Episode: In this second of our “Second Temple Series,” Mary Buck discusses the Neo-Babylonian period. Of particular interest is the impact of the Babylonian Empire on the Kingdom of Judah. Babylonian Period. This short-lived "flash-in-the-pan" empire has an outsized impact on history. Learn how and why in this episode!

Key BCE dates discussed: 627 - Nabopolassar (rebels against Assyria) 612 - Nineveh falls, capital moves to Haran 6...

Episode: We're back with Tablet IX of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh must face reality. From the grief over Enkidu to a search for his (Noah-like) ancestor Utnapishtim on Mt. Mashu, Gilgamesh will learn about his mortality. Meet scorpion beings and enjoy this next installment with Amy and Chris! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8 and PART 9. 

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh

Episode: We’re back now with Tablet VIII of the Epic of Gilgamesh, and our grief knows no bounds. Tune in and hear Amy and Chris discuss the depths of Gilgamesh's pain, grief, and loss. They also discuss how Gilgamesh memorializes his friend, and what might have happened in the missing part of the tablet. Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, and PART 8.

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balog...

Episode: We’re back, with Tablet VII of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an emotional high point in the epic. Chris and Amy take us into the friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, the aftermath of Humbaba's death, and the curse-filled waiting for Enkidu's fate to unfold. Tune in and enjoy! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, and PART 7.

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh

Image Attribution:By Osama Shukir Mu...

Episode: Kyle Keimer joins to add insights from archaeology to an earlier OnScript episode called Misunderstanding Sacrifice (listen HERE). Dru and Matt L talk about the incomplete pictures gained from archaeology AND the Bible, and how to grapple with both. This episode is cross-listed with the OnScript podcast.

Guest/Co-Host: Kyle Keimer is know to listeners of our Biblical World podcast, and follow THIS link to get to know him m...

Episode: In this first of our "Second Temple Series," Mary Buck takes us back well before the Second Temple Period, back to the Assyrian Period. Beware, there's a pop quiz here! Learn which Second Temple site is her favorite, and much more!

Host: Mary Buck is back hosting this new series!!

Image Attribution: By יעקב - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15709510

Give: Visit our Donate Page if you...

Episode: We’re back, with Tablet VI of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Chris and Amy take us on a deep dive into the "love" of Ishtar, Gilgamesh refusing that love as cruel and temporary, the Bull of Heaven's rage and death, and the impending fate of Enkidu. Tune in and enjoy! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, and PART 6.

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh

Image Attribution: By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP...

Episode: Part 2 of our Best Archaeological Finds for 2024 (we’re not that far into 2025!). Enjoy this second of a two-part series. 

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.

Related Episodes: Have a listen to Part I HERE.

Image Attribution: Cuneiform tablet known as Letter ZTT 22. (Credit: Ziyaret Tepe Archaeological Project...

Episode: We're continuing our series on Egypt and the Bible! In this episode we're focused on the geography, archaeology, and the history of the exodus, including the route and wilderness wanderings. We discuss the sites Pi-Ramesses, Pithom, and Succoth.

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Mark Janzen

Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.

Image Attribution: By Ancient...

Episode: In this episode, Kyle and Chris are joined by John Monson to discuss the history of one of their favorite subjects – the Historical Geography of the Bible. 

Guest: Dr. Monson was born to missionary parents in Zaire but spent most of his youth in Jerusalem, Israel, where he developed an interest in biblical studies, archaeology, and historical geography. Prior to coming to Trinity he taught for eleven years at Wheaton Colle...

Episode: Episode: In this episode, Kyle and Chris talk about the fundamentals of biblical archaeology - both its underlying methodology and why they remain hopeless devotees to it. This episode includes stories from the field, the similarities and differences with Raiders of the Lost Ark, and so much more!  If you wondered what biblical archaeology is and why you should care - this is the episode for you. Hosts: Chris McKinny and ...

Episode: We're back, with Tablet V of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Chris and Amy take us on a deep dive into the great cedar forest at the mountains of the gods, where they will face Humbaba, guardian of the forest. Tune in and enjoy! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, and PART 5. 

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh

Article by Amy mentioned in the Episode: Balogh, Amy L. "Chapter 2 The Tree of Life in Ancient Near ...