Rephonic
Artwork for Biblical Time Machine
Hebrew Bible
David and Goliath
Maccabean Revolt
Old Testament
Jesus
Animals
Hanukkah
Christmas
Pseudepigraphy
Biblical Narrative
Performance Criticism
Biblical Texts
Judah Maccabee
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
St. Nicholas
New Testament
Christianity
Oral Tradition
Seleucid Empire
Hasmonean Dynasty

Join Helen and Lloyd as they travel back in time (metaphorically… it’s a podcast) to explore the real history of the people, places and events of the Old Testament, New Testament and everything in between.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes229Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligion & SpiritualityHistory

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Artwork for Biblical Time Machine

Latest Episodes

What happened to Jesus on Easter Saturday? The apostles creed claims that Jesus 'descended into hell', reflecting a wider Christian motif called the 'Harrowing of Hell.' To find out more about this belief, Lloyd Lewellyn-Jones asks our resident exper... more

Are the resurrection stories in the gospels fact or fiction? To find out, Helen and Lloyd are joined in the Biblical Time Machine by Dr Richard C. Miller, author of Resurrection and Reception in Early Christianity (Routledge, 2017), who argues that t... more

We have all heard the story of Adam and Eve. But what was the Garden of Eden which they inhabited? In this week's episode, Helen and Lloyd travel back to the dawn of time with Dr Dylan Johnson as their guide to this mythical landscape. Together, they... more

We have all heard rumours that ancient religions used children in ritual sacrifice. But did it really happen? To discuss the evidence, Helen and Lloyd are joined in the Time Machine by Dr Eve MacDonald, lecturer at Cardiff University and author of th... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Eve MacDonald
Senior lecturer in ancient history at Cardiff University, expert on Carthage and Phoenician world
Cardiff University
Episode: Child Sacrifice in Ancient Religion
Bruce Chilton
Bernard Iddings Bell Professor of Religion at Bard College, author of Aramaic Jesus
Bard College
Episode: The Language Jesus Spoke
Dr. Charlie Hadjiev
Old Testament Hebrew Bible scholar
St Padarn's Institute, Cardiff
Episode: God and Israel – A Marriage in Crisis?
Teresa Morgan
McDonald Agape Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity
Yale Divinity School
Episode: Roman Faith and Christian Faith
Monica Cyrino
Professor of Classics known for her work on Reception Studies and film's portrayal of antiquity.
University of New Mexico
Episode: From Nazareth to Hollywood
Eric Vanden Ekyel
New Testament scholar and associate professor of religion at Ferrum College
Ferrum College
Episode: Who were the Magi, really?
Simon Gathercole
Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity
University of Cambridge
Episode: What are the Non-Canonical Gospels?
John Nelson
Producer and New Testament scholar
Episode: The Physical Appearance of Jesus
Hugo Mendez
Associate Professor of Religious Studies in Ancient Mediterranean Religions
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Episode: Did the Beloved Disciple Exist?

Hosts

Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
Professor of Ancient History specializing in biblical contexts and cultural history.
Helen Bond
Professor of Christian Origins with expertise in biblical texts and interpretations.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 583 ratings
  • Professors talking about the Bible. It's rad.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    luckdragon
    a month ago
  • Welp

    Dave Roos leaves, and the FIRST EPISODE Helen and new guy are assuring the audience that yes of course they go to church. Blather.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Big Deuce
    United Statesa month ago
  • Worth a Listen

    Excellent show. Love Helen and Lloyd. Great guests and conversations. If you want to subscribe, bonus episodes are actually interesting and not fluffy like other subscriptions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    janelaine13
    United Statesa month ago
  • 50/50

    Helen is a pleasure. Unfortunately Lloyd is insufferable. He incessantly responds to Helen and/or the interviewee’s every comment with a yes, exactly, absolutely, etc. Whether this originates from professional arrogance or insecurity, it is unprofessional and off putting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    La2bkk1
    United States3 months ago
  • Great podcast

    So many great episodes. I love to learn all of these things.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cmtroy777
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the informative and scholarly approach to biblical history and theology, often highlighting the insightful discussions and expert guests.
Positive feedback emphasizes the accessibility of academic topics, making them understandable for a broader audience beyond scholars or clergy.
There are some concerns regarding the dynamics between hosts, with a few reviews expressing frustration with specific co-host behaviors during episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#168
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#125
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#215
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#153
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#95
South Africa/History
Apple Podcasts
#95
Ireland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Child Sacrifice in Ancient Religion
Q: How should we interpret the Carthaginian toffet in light of later sources that accuse Phoenicians of child sacrifice?
Scholars stress the need to separate rhetoric from reality, noting inconsistent classical sources and the possibility that accusations reflect cultural biases or political motives rather than uniform practices across Carthage and Phoenicia.
Child Sacrifice in Ancient Religion
Q: What evidence do we have for child sacrifice, and how reliable is it?
There is a mix of archaeological finds (like toffet urns) and literary accusations, with ongoing debates about whether many of the remains represent ritual killings or high infant mortality and ritual commemorations; evidence varies by site and culture.
Child Sacrifice in Ancient Religion
Q: Why do we have sacrifices at all, beyond the familiar animal offerings?
The guests explain that sacrifices originally functioned as a dialogue with the divine—humans offering sustenance or wealth in exchange for fertility or protection, often embedded in community rituals and agricultural cycles.
God and Israel – A Marriage in Crisis?
Q: What is the value of hermeneutics in approaching Hosea—trust vs. suspicion—and can they work together?
They can and should work together, with trust allowing readers to hear sacred meaning while suspicion helps strip away idols and reveal underlying messages, ultimately enriching how readers engage with difficult passages.
God and Israel – A Marriage in Crisis?
Q: How do you interpret the opening depiction of Hosea's marriage and the child names Jezreel, Lo Ruhamah, and Lo Ami?
The expert argues these may reflect historical debates or symbolic allegories rather than straightforward autobiography, and that the imagery is designed to probe political and theological questions about loyalty and divine judgment.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Biblical Time Machine

What is Biblical Time Machine about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers an engaging exploration of biblical history and figures through a scholarly lens. It features discussions about a variety of topics, ranging from the cultural interpretations of love in biblical texts to the portrayal of significant figures like Jesus and Mary across different mediums, including Hollywood films. Emphasizing a blend of historical analysis and theological insight, episodes dive into complex issues such as non-canonical gospels, gender dynamics in ancient narratives, and the intricacies of biblical law, all while maintaining an accessible, conversational tone that invites listeners to expand their understanding of biblical stories in contemporary contexts.

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Which podcasts are similar to Biblical Time Machine?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Biblical Time Machine:

1. Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman
2. Data Over Dogma
3. The Ancients
4. Gone Medieval
5. Not Just the Tudors

How many episodes of Biblical Time Machine are there?

Biblical Time Machine launched 3 years ago and published 229 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Biblical Time Machine?

Recent guests on Biblical Time Machine include:

1. Eve MacDonald
2. Bruce Chilton
3. Dr. Charlie Hadjiev
4. Teresa Morgan
5. Monica Cyrino
6. Eric Vanden Ekyel
7. Simon Gathercole
8. John Nelson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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