The Biblical Mind

Latest Episodes:

Where Are We Going? (Mike Tolliver) Ep. 176 Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson introduces Mike Tolliver, the new Executive Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought (CHT). Together, they discuss exciting developments for the Center following its recent relaunch as an independent 501(c)(3). Mike shares his academic background in theology and philosophy, highlighting his passion for Hebraic thought and its integration into biblical scholarship.

The episode outlines the formalization of the CHT’s two primary initiatives: the Center for Hebraic Thought, aimed at scholars, and The Biblical Mind, tailored for the broader church and theological students. Plans include commissioning new scholarly work, providing free, high-quality resources for churches and classrooms, and launching tightly packaged multimodal courses.

A key highlight is the introduction of a PhD scholarship fund for students in the humanities focusing on Hebraic thought. The Center also plans to expand its offerings to scholars, such as broader platforms for publishing and improved compensation. Additional goals include an annual conference and a redesigned, user-friendly website.

The episode concludes with an announcement of the CHT’s first capital campaign, designed for micro-donors to participate. Mike emphasizes strategy and collaboration as central to the Center’s future success, ensuring its ability to serve both academic and non-academic audiences effectively.

Chapters

00:27 Introduction

01:21 Mike Tolliver's Background

02:50 Discussing the Changes That Are Coming for the Center

05:40 The Mission as an Independent Non-Profit

06:58 The Immediate Changes

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So, What Happened? (Dru Johnson) The Biblical Mind Ep. 175 Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson, Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought (CHT), shares the journey of the Center, its recent challenges, and its exciting relaunch as an independent 501(c)(3). Dr. Johnson reflects on the CHT’s founding mission: exploring the unique thinking patterns of the biblical authors and their relevance today. He highlights the Center's initial support from the Philos Project and its integral role in bridging the Old and New Testaments through Hebraic thought.

The closure of King's College in spring 2023 forced a significant transition for the CHT. Dr. Johnson recounts the personal and professional disruptions, including relocating his family and accepting a visiting appointment at Hope College in Michigan, alongside a major project at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

The episode introduces Mike Tolliver, the CHT’s new Executive Director, who spearheaded the relaunch with his entrepreneurial and scholarly expertise. Dr. Johnson expresses optimism for the Center's future, hinting at exciting new initiatives aimed at expanding its impact.

Chapters

00:05 Introduction and the Mission of the CHT

02:44 Challenges from the Closure of King's College

04:30 Personal and Professional Adjustments

06:00 The Role of Mike Tolliver in Relaunching the CHT

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Why Does Church Matter? Learning from Jazz (Mark Glanville) Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Quotes from this episode:
"With the Bible in our hands, it's time to improvise church again and to see what the spirit is calling us to and how the spirit is opening wide our imagination for what the church can be today."

"We're doing a bit like what jazz musicians do. We immerse in the biblical story and we improvise on that biblical story, the Bible in our hand."

"Church is a conversation. Communities that are able to have conversations is really important. We can talk about anything. We can talk about the sermon together. We can talk about pressing issues facing our community, facing our neighborhood that we can get involved with."

In this episode:

— Introduction and Setting the Stage

— Conceptual Hurdles and the Need for Fresh Imagination

— Improvising on the Tradition: Learning from the Biblical Story

— Being Rooted in the Neighborhood: Leadership and the Role of Every Member

— The Challenges of Size: Can Large Churches Safely Improvise?

— Local Aesthetics and the Physical Space of Worship

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When No One Reads Books Anymore Mar 02, 2024

Show notes

Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore speaks with Dru Johnson about literacy, theology, and the need for bookstores to cultivate the Christian imagination.

AI Generated Takeaways

—The decline in reading and literacy rates among Americans is a concern, particularly among younger generations.
—Books play a crucial role in personal growth and Christian discipleship, expanding one's understanding of the world and deepening their faith.
—The power of books to inspire imagination and critical thinking is essential for engaging with complex texts, including the Bible.
—Wise book recommendations that consider individual interests and readiness are important for fostering a love of reading.
—Christian publishing has seen trends towards ecumenical reading, contemplative spirituality, and a commitment to social justice. Christian books should go beyond self-help and focus on worldview formation and the lordship of Christ over the life of the mind.
—Christian bookstores should offer diverse book categories to cater to different interests and needs.
—The rise of online marketing and the influence of Amazon have changed the publishing industry, with authors now expected to promote their own books.
—Supporting local bookstores is important to maintain a human connection and receive personalized recommendations.
—Physical spaces like bookstores and libraries provide opportunities for serendipitous discoveries and foster lifelong learning.
—Lifelong learning is a distinctively Christian act that can be seen as an act of worship and a way to practice the presence of God.

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Will AI Take Over the World (Adam Graber) Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

Appropriately: An AI generated summary of our conversation:

The conversation explores the influence of technology on humanity and the reciprocal relationship between the two. It discusses the impact of smartphones and identifies key technologies that have shaped the world. The balance between screen time and creativity is examined, along with the concerns and benefits of AI. The importance of foundational knowledge and skills is emphasized, as well as the need for critical evaluation of sources. The conversation also addresses the biases present in AI systems and the challenges of tracing causal links within them. The conversation explores the use of AI in data analysis and interpretation, particularly in the context of Bible study. It raises questions about the validity and limitations of using AI for interpretation and emphasizes the need for critical evaluation.

Takeaways

AI can analyze vast amounts of data and identify correlations that humans may not be able to perceive.
The use of AI for interpretation in Bible study raises questions about the validity of a statistical method of interpretation.
AI interpretation should be seen as one mode of interpretation among others, rather than a replacement for traditional methods.
The scholarly community needs to critically evaluate the use of AI for interpretation and develop educational programs to address its implications.

Chapters

01:31 The Influence of Technology on Humanity

03:26 Technology Shaping Our Experience

04:21 Examples of Technology

06:23 The Relationship Between Technology and Humanity

09:27 The Impact of Smartphones

10:48 Technologies that Have Changed the World

13:24 Balancing Screen Time and Creativity

16:09 The Concerns and Benefits of AI

19:52 The Role of AI in Creativity

25:09 The Importance of Foundational Knowledge and Skills

27:48 The Biases of AI Systems

31:34 The Human Element in AI Systems

36:26 The Need for Critical Evaluation of Sources

39:43 The Human Bias in AI Systems

40:26 The Concerns about Tracing Causal Links in AI

41:29 AI and Data Analysis

42:27 Statistical Method of Interpretation

43:57 Critically Evaluating AI Interpretation

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Scripture, Sexuality, and Podcasting (Preston Sprinkle) Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

In the first half of this episode, Dru Johnson talks with Preston Sprinkle about his journeys into the LGBTQ+ communities, theologies, and conversations and the psychological research in that field. He also discusses his convictions about biblical views on sexuality that emerged from this quest.

In the second half of this episode, Preston and Dru talk about the theology (and ecclesiology) of podcasting itself. Who should and should not be doing it, and what cautions should they be employing.

Audio editing by Nate Spanos.

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Why We Need the Global Church (Stephen T. Pardue) Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss Stephen T. Pardue's newest book Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church.

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Are Psychedelics Good for Depression, or Anything at All? (Ben ”Doc” Askins) [Full Episode] Oct 21, 2023

Show notes

Audio editing (and strategic bleeping) by John Viinalass.

In the first half of this extra long episode:
We discuss the strange biography of Ben "Doc" Askins, from combat medic to seminary student to Army physician's assistant (PA) to Psychiatric PA researching psychedelic medicine and trauma.

In the second half of this extra long episode:

We discuss if there is an appropriate roll for various drugs, including psychedelics and MDMA, in assisting the dying, integrating traumas, and more. We also figure out what a "bad trip" on LSD might be.

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Why Is Leviticus so Hard to Read? (Dr. Jay Sklar) Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

A Bend in the Road for TBM and CHT, and Farewell Celina! Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

The Biblical Mind and the Center for Hebraic Thought are entering a new phase after ending a formal partnership with The King’s College. Additionally, CHT director of operations and TBM editor Celina Durgin will leave her position at the center on July 28, 2023.

In this mini episode, Dru and Celina provide a bit more context, and Celina bids the CHT goodbye and shares a little about where she's going next.

The Biblical Mind magazine and podcast will keep publishing during this transition, though less frequently and regularly than it had been until recently. The CHT’s other partnerships and affiliations will be unaffected. We hope and pray for a new partnership to allow the CHT to emerge from its period of dormancy and resume full programming in the coming months. Thank you for continuing to follow us.

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