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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
Bible
Genesis
Hebrew Bible
Judaism
Jesus
Theology
Old Testament
Faith
Ecclesiastes
Faith Transition
Love
Racism
Existentialism
Evangelicalism
Biblical Interpretation
The Bible

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes414Founded9 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, Jared takes listeners on a tour through the history of modern biblical scholarship, tracing key “aha moments” that changed how scholars understand the Bible. From source criticism and the Documen... more

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In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Vanessa Lovelace about the Deuteronomistic history and why Deuteronomy plays such a central role in shaping Israel’s story. They explore how biblical writers interpreted ... more

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In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Douglas Campbell about rethinking the “Romans Road” and what Paul is really doing in his letter to the Romans. They explore how common readings have turned Romans into a ... more

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In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Chris Keith about the historical Jesus, and how scholars approach the gap between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of the Gospels. They explore why the Gospels themselv... more

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Recent Guests

Vanessa Lovelace
Executive Director at the Louisville Institute; PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary
Louisville Institute
Episode: [Bible] Episode 328: Vanessa Lovelace - Is Deuteronomy History?
Douglas Campbell
New Testament professor at Duke Divinity School, focus on Paul
Duke Divinity School
Episode: [Bible] Episode 327: Douglas Campbell - Ripping Up the Romans Road
Chris Keith
Scholar of New Testament and early Christianity
Christianity
Episode: [Bible] Episode 326: Chris Keith - How do Scholars Reconstruct the "Historical Jesus?"
Amy-Jill Levine
New Testament scholar focused on Jewishness of Jesus and anti-Supercessionism
Center for Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt/NT scholar
Episode: [Bible] Episode 325: Pete Ruins Everything with Amy-Jill Levine
Andrew Tobolowsky
Professor focusing on Hebrew Bible, history of ancient Israel, and comparisons with Near East contexts
William & Mary
Episode: [Bible] Episode 323: Andrew Tobolowsky- The Myth of the Twelve Tribes
Chris Hoklotubbe
Native American theologian with PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity
Chautau Nation / Native North American Indigenous theological context
Episode: [Bible] Episode 321: H. Daniel Zacharias and T. Christopher Hoklotubbe - Native American Biblical Interpretation
Danny Zacharias
New Testament scholar with PhD in New Testament Studies
Highland Theological College / University of Aberdeen
Episode: [Bible] Episode 321: H. Daniel Zacharias and T. Christopher Hoklotubbe - Native American Biblical Interpretation
Matthew Vines
Author and founder of The Reformation Project
The Reformation Project
Episode: [Bible] Episode 319: Matthew Vines - The Bible Isn't Against Gay Marriage
Mark S. Smith
Professor of Old Testament and Exegesis at Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
Episode: [Bible] Episode 318: Mark S. Smith - The Many Gods of Israel

Hosts

Pete Enns
Co-host and primary voice on biblical interpretation and scholarly discussion
Jared Byas
Co-host focused on making complex biblical topics accessible and engaging

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5.1k ratings
  • Excellent, thoughtful, informed, intriguing

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Julian Heaton
    3 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
    Canada3 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 Zealand3 months ago
  • INTERESTING, THOUGHT PROVOKING, NOURISHING

    This program makes academic discussion of a wide range of topics in or about the bible relevant and accessible to non-academics — it is neither pretentious nor vacuous —It is friendly and playful without being chatty. It skillfully challenges ideas without ever demonizing what it questions. This is a safe place to explore and question ideas and practices and doctrines with curiosity and integrity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cbpgca
    United States6 months ago
  • The only God-ordained podcast

    I love The Bible for Normal People. When I preach (occasionally) at church , I always look to see if there’s a podcast that is relevant; and there usually is. The “Pete spoils….” Series gives you in depth, critical analysis of biblical material. I particularly enjoyed his interpretation of “Hebel” in Ecclesiastes as Absurd. I was ridiculed by my OT lecturer for using that translation in 1983 and never quite got over it!!! The spin-off show, “Faith for Normal People “ is also ace. The episode wi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ianfatbudgie
    United Kingdom8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

A safe space to explore difficult questions about faith and scripture, with engaging guests.
Appreciated for rigorous analysis that stays charitable and curious, though some episodes are polarizing for listeners on either side.
Thoughtful, challenging, and accessible—scholarly depth without being stuffy.

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 325: Pete Ruins Everything with Amy-Jill Levine
Q: How do we know what Jesus actually said or did if the Gospels were written decades after his death?
Scholars acknowledge that precise historical accuracy is unlikely; the Gospels reflect communities' memories and theological aims, and different authors present different portraits of Jesus to serve their communities' needs. The key is to read the Gospels as reflections on Jesus' significance rather than a verbatim historical record.
[Bible] Episode 318: Mark S. Smith - The Many Gods of Israel
Q: Was Yahweh always the sole God, or did other deities ever share prominence?
The discussion highlights a progression from a main god with others around, to the concept of a national god, and eventually to exclusive worship in some texts, though earlier periods show competing deities.
[Bible] Episode 318: Mark S. Smith - The Many Gods of Israel
Q: What do you mean by Israel's polytheistic background?
Smith explains that biblical evidence, inscriptions, and Ugaritic texts show multiple deities around Israel and a spectrum where Yahweh was often seen alongside other gods, with monotheism developing gradually.
[Faith] Episode 71: Jared Stacy - The Evangelical to Conspiracy Theory Pipeline
Q: Can you say a little bit more about this idea of conspiratorial thinking and how it's different from journalistic or curious thinking?
Jared explains that the line between conspiracy theory and accounts of aggregate power is thin, and that conspiratorial thinking often retains the idea of individualism and apocalyptic concerns.
[Faith] Episode 71: Jared Stacy - The Evangelical to Conspiracy Theory Pipeline
Q: How do you define conspiracy?
Jared defines conspiracy theory as a storytelling act that claims to reveal hidden truths, but that always implies a broader story or a bigger story.

Audience Metrics

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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?

This show consistently explores biblical interpretation, historical context, and contemporary relevance with a scholarly yet accessible approach. Episodes often center on how to read Scripture critically, understand its historical setting, and apply nuanced insights to modern faith debates. Guests range from biblical scholars to theologians and church historians, bringing emphasis on openness, rigorous inquiry, and often bold challenges to traditional readings. A notable strength is its ability to pair rigorous scholarship with personal, often provocative, conversations that invite listeners to question assumptions while staying engaged with faith. This mix makes it appealing to listeners who want thoughtful, non-dogmatic discussion about t... more

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

1. Homebrewed Christianity
2. Religion on the Mind
3. The New Evangelicals Podcast
4. No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
5. The Holy Post

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

The Bible For Normal People launched 9 years ago and published 414 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. Vanessa Lovelace
2. Douglas Campbell
3. Chris Keith
4. Amy-Jill Levine
5. Andrew Tobolowsky
6. Chris Hoklotubbe
7. Danny Zacharias
8. Matthew Vines

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