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Artwork for The Bible For Normal People

The Bible For Normal People

Peter Enns and Jared Byas
Christianity
New Testament
Southern Baptist Convention
Christian Nationalism
Genesis
Bible
Hebrew Bible
Judaism
Old Testament
Jesus
Theology
Faith
Ecclesiastes
Faith Transition
Love
Biblical Interpretation
Biblical Scholarship
Racism
Existentialism
Evangelicalism

A weekly podcast talk show having serious talks about the sacred book. Hosted by Peter Enns and Jared Byas.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes428Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Bible For Normal People

Latest Episodes

In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete talks with biblical scholar Bill Schniedewind about where God is located in the Hebrew Bible and how different understandings of divine presence developed throughout ancient Israelite religi... more

In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Mark Goodacre about the synoptic problem and what the striking similarities and differences between Matthew, Mark, and Luke reveal about how the Gospels were written. The... more

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In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Brian Recker and Tamice Spencer-Helms celebrate the podcast’s 10th anniversary by talking with Pete Enns and Jared Byas about how their relationships with the Bible, faith, and certainty have evo... more

YouTube

In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with James about how the Gospels were written, how Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John relate to one another, and what ancient writing practices can teach us about the formation of ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Mark Goodacre
Professor of religious studies at Duke University, host of NT Pod
Duke University
Episode: [Bible] Episode 339: Mark Goodacre - Did The Gospels Copy Each Other?
Brian Recker
Author and public theologian
Episode: [Bible] Episode 338: The Brian Recker and Tamice Spencer-Helms Takeover
Tamice Spencer-Helms
Author, professor, and doctor of social transformation
Episode: [Bible] Episode 338: The Brian Recker and Tamice Spencer-Helms Takeover
James Barker
Associate Professor of New Testament at Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Episode: [Bible] Episode 337: James Barker - Writing and Rewriting the Gospels
Grace Hamman
Writer and independent scholar of late medieval poetry and contemplative writing
Independent scholar, author of Ask of Old Paths and Jesus Through Medieval Eyes
Episode: [Faith] Episode 74: Grace Hamman - A Medieval Mystic’s Vision of God’s Love
Ciara Jones
Friend of the podcast and September class instructor
Guest instructor for a class on Eve
Episode: [Bible] Episode 336: Pete Enns - Pete Ruins Everything on Lamentations
Phillip Lasater
Scholar of Hebrew Bible and ancient Judaism
Worcester College, Oxford
Episode: [Bible] Episode 335: Phillip Lasater - The Self & Personal Agency in the Hebrew Bible
Rony Kozman
Assistant Professor at Samford University; co-host of the Two Testaments podcast
Samford University
Episode: [Bible] Episode 334: Rony Kozman - The Weird Ways the NT Interprets the OT
Ciarra Jones
Biblical scholar focused on equity and inclusion
UC Berkeley, Harvard University (educational background mentioned)
Episode: [Faith] Episode 73: Ciarra Jones - Who Gets to Decide What The Bible Means?

Hosts

Pete Enns
Host with a history of leading conversations on biblical interpretation and theology; frequently references scholarly sources and guides discussions.
Jared Byas
Co-host and dialogue facilitator, often framing topics and contributing to critical questioning and interpretation.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5.1k ratings
  • Twisted

    Take the Bible and twist it to your culture.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MyHallaDay
    United States14 days ago
  • One Of The Best Out There

    I do not recommend this podcast to anyone whose theology is firmly rooted in late 1800's evangelical thought and who prefers it to stay that way. If you use the term “Progressive Christian” as an insult and have no interest in what actual scholars and experts in religious studies are saying, you may want to find a podcast that better feeds those biases.

    However, if you’re interested in challenging your preconceived ideas about theology and history—and you’re curious about what academics in relig... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mrguyterrifico
    Canada5 months ago
  • Excellent, thoughtful, informed, intriguing

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Julian Heaton
    7 months ago
  • Progressive “Christianity”

    The first episode I listened to immediately had me on guard with the language and keywords being used. Progressive & liberal theology. Use your discernment.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nlctnc
    Canada8 months ago
  • Early Benefits

    I’ve only listened to a dozen of their episodes, but I already have to leave a review, because something significant has been set in motion. These two dudes have fanned my spark of agency in faith. Over the last couple weeks my devotional studies have been remarkably deeper, more probing, even jarring as I’ve had to let go of fundamental beliefs that don’t hold up to scrutiny. It’s no coincidence that this growth coincides with time around Peter and Jared; critical thinkers, and their didactic g... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stephen Lyell
    New Zealand8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are described as thoughtful, well-educated, and able to translate academic ideas for lay audiences.
Some perceive a liberal or progressive slant, which is seen as refreshing by some and controversial by others.
Many appreciate humility and openness to diverse scholarly perspectives.
Listeners praise rigorous, yet accessible scholarly discussion that challenges traditional readings.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[Bible] Episode 337: James Barker - Writing and Rewriting the Gospels
Q: Could you give an example of dependence from Mark to Matthew to Luke that listeners can check themselves?
An easy approach is to compare the endings and see how Matthew extends Mark's narrative, adding a resurrection appearance and more explicit finalities, while Luke and Acts pursue a broader narrative arc that follows Mark's core sequence but with its own additions.
[Bible] Episode 337: James Barker - Writing and Rewriting the Gospels
Q: So what you're saying is that Mark is first, and Matthew and Luke used Mark, with Luke also using Matthew?
Yes, that aligns with Barker's view that Markan priority sets a foundation, and Matthew and Luke both draw on Mark while also incorporating or adapting material from each other and possibly other sources.
[Bible] Episode 335: Phillip Lasater - The Self & Personal Agency in the Hebrew Bible
Q: What concrete biblical examples illustrate self and agency for ancient readers?
Phillip points to figures like Abraham, Moses, and Ruth, showing how writers present the self through narrative technique and ethical exemplars, often inviting readers into participatory readings rather than exposing explicit inner states; Philo and 4th Maccabees are cited as later Jewish reflections that reinterpret these figures as models of godlike self-control and virtue.
[Bible] Episode 335: Phillip Lasater - The Self & Personal Agency in the Hebrew Bible
Q: And let's just start with a simple question. What does that mean?
Phillip explains that inner terms like interiority and selfhood involve issues of individuality, reflexivity, and the way ancient authors depict thinking and feeling, not a modern Cartesian substance. He emphasizes that these are mediated through ancient literatures and cultural contexts.
[Faith] Episode 73: Ciarra Jones - Who Gets to Decide What The Bible Means?
Q: How have historical moments like Nat Turner's rebellion influenced modern biblical interpretation?
Nat Turner's ability to read and interpret scripture under oppression highlighted that literacy itself becomes a site of resistance and that interpreters can redefine biblical authority in favor of liberation.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bible For Normal People

What is The Bible For Normal People about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Consistent with a scholarly but accessible approach to biblical studies, this show features conversations with university-level theologians, biblical scholars, and religion scholars who examine how scriptures are interpreted, translated, and contextualized. Episodes regularly challenge traditional readings, explore historical-critical methods, and discuss how faith communities can engage with the Bible with humility, curiosity, and critical thinking. Noteworthy keepers include episodes that reframe authority, address the historical development of the priesthood, and examine how early church and Pauline writings are read in light of modern scholarship. The format tends to balance rigorous analysis with practical teaching notes for lay audien... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Bible For Normal People?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bible For Normal People:

1. Homebrewed Christianity
2. Nomad Podcast
3. The Holy Post
4. Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward
5. Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

How many episodes of The Bible For Normal People are there?

The Bible For Normal People launched 10 years ago and published 428 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 The Bible For Normal People?

Recent guests on The Bible For Normal People include:

1. Mark Goodacre
2. Brian Recker
3. Tamice Spencer-Helms
4. James Barker
5. Grace Hamman
6. Ciara Jones
7. Phillip Lasater
8. Rony Kozman

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