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
New Testament
St. Nicholas
Christianity
Oral Tradition
Seleucid Empire
Temple Of Jerusalem

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes231Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryChristianityReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Biblical Time Machine

Latest Episodes

How did people in biblical times imagine life after death? On this episode, Lloyd is joined in the time machine by Robert Garland for ancient tour of the afterlife. Drawing on a panoply of cultures – from Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia to Greece, Rome... more

Christians have long read the 'suffering servant' of Isaiah in reference to Jesus. But how did that connection come about? Was the servant originally a messianic figure who dies for sins? And how have Jews read the servant through history, all the wa... more

In this Easter special, Prof Lloyd Lewellyn-Jones interviews our resident expert, Prof Helen Bond, on the evidence for Jesus' resurrection. They discuss the data about the resurrection in early Christian literature, whether there was an empty tomb, a... more

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

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Recent Guests

Amy-Jill Levine
Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
Episode: Who is the Suffering Servant?
Dylan Johnson
Lecturer in Ancient Near Eastern history at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Episode: The Garden of Eden
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
Simon Gathercole
Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity
University of Cambridge
Episode: What are the Non-Canonical Gospels?
Eric Vanden Ekyel
New Testament scholar and associate professor of religion at Ferrum College
Ferrum College
Episode: Who were the Magi, really?

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
  • Can Dave return?

    The 2 Eggheads Talking to Theyselves deal is wearing thin. Really thin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jammyjimmy
    Canada11 days ago
  • New guy

    I love this podcast but the new expert professor guy is talking way too much. Just like in all podcasts where you have a man and a woman. A shame.

    And no, the river Styx is from the 8th century. In the Iliad and Herodotus.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    nucuplmnjuyh
    United States14 days ago
  • I used to love this podcast

    This podcast used to be about the critical study of the bible in which experts would present interesting findings. Though the premiss of the podcast is still there, it now is a Christian podcast, where questioning the resurrection is considered controversial and Jesus is said to be ”one of the greatest healers of all time”.

    This is made even more embarrasing by the presenters both being academics. (Helen: the reason John the Baptists clothes and diet are described in the bible is because the a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Puck of Pook Hill
    Swedena month ago
  • Professors talking about the Bible. It's rad.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    luckdragon
    2 months 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 States2 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
#177
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#152
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#185
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#191
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#33
India/History
Apple Podcasts
#79
Hong Kong/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who is the Suffering Servant?
Q: Is the suffering servant a real historical person or a symbolic figure representing the nation or community?
The guest explains that the servant can function as multiple readings simultaneously: sometimes as an individual who suffers innocently, sometimes as the corporate suffering of Israel, and other times as a literary figure that communities project onto historical events; the interpretation hinges on the contextual lens (exilic/post-exilic, Christian readers, or rabbinic/Jewish readings).
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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. Dan Snow's History Hit

How many episodes of Biblical Time Machine are there?

Biblical Time Machine launched 4 years ago and published 231 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Biblical Time Machine?

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What guests have appeared on Biblical Time Machine?

Recent guests on Biblical Time Machine include:

1. Amy-Jill Levine
2. Dylan Johnson
3. Eve MacDonald
4. Bruce Chilton
5. Dr. Charlie Hadjiev
6. Teresa Morgan
7. Monica Cyrino
8. Simon Gathercole

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