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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes422Founded9 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 and Jared talk with Phillip Lasater about how ancient Israelite and Jewish writers understood the self, personal agency, emotion, and human flourishing in ways that can be very different fro... more

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In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Rony Kozman about how the New Testament interprets the Hebrew Bible, and why the apostles’ approach to Scripture often looks very different from the historical-grammatica... more

YouTube

In this week’s episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with theologian and ethicist Ciarra Jones about who gets to decide what the Bible means and how our identities, experiences, and social locations shape the ways we interpret Scrip... more

In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Nathan MacDonald about the origins of Israel’s priesthood, the role of the Levites, and why the Bible’s accounts of priests are far more complex than they first appear. T... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Nathan MacDonald
Professor, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: [Bible] Episode 333: Nathan MacDonald - The Messy History of the Priesthood
Dale Allison
New Testament scholar, author on historical Jesus and the resurrection
Duke University (as context)
Episode: [Bible] Episode 332: Pete Ruins Everything with Dale Allison
Cameron B.R. Howard
Professor of Old Testament
Luther Seminary
Episode: [Bible] Episode 331 : Jared Byas - 10 Aha Moments in Biblical Scholarship: Part 2
Bruce Longenecker
Professor, Baylor University; author of The Triumph of Abraham's God, The Transformation of Identity in Galatians
Baylor University
Episode: [Bible] Episode 330: Bruce Longenecker - The Vision of Galatians
Roberto de la Noval
Theology professor
Boston College
Episode: [Faith] Episode 72: Roberto De La Noval & Jordan Wood - How the Early Church Read the Bible (Reissue from Bonus)
Jordan Wood
Theology professor
Belmont University
Episode: [Faith] Episode 72: Roberto De La Noval & Jordan Wood - How the Early Church Read the Bible (Reissue from Bonus)
Vanessa Lovelace
Executive Director at the Louisville Institute; PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary
Louisville Institute
Episode: [Bible] Episode 328: Vanessa Lovelace - Is Deuteronomy History?

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
  • 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
    Canada3 months ago
  • Excellent, thoughtful, informed, intriguing

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Julian Heaton
    6 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
    Canada6 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 Zealand6 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 States9 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.

[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.
[Faith] Episode 73: Ciarra Jones - Who Gets to Decide What The Bible Means?
Q: What is the role of embodied experience in interpretation, and how does that change our approach to the text?
Embodiment reshapes interpretation by foregrounding how people feel, live, and survive within particular social contexts, which expands legitimate readings beyond purely abstract, text-only methods.
[Faith] Episode 73: Ciarra Jones - Who Gets to Decide What The Bible Means?
Q: Can you talk about the who gets to define what it means as it relates to the Bible, and who has the right to interpret biblical text?
Interpreting scripture has always been tied to power and culture; people from marginalized communities have historically offered critical, transformative readings that challenge traditional authorities, showing that multiple voices can enrich understanding rather than erode it.
[Bible] Episode 333: Nathan MacDonald - The Messy History of the Priesthood
Q: How do scholars connect Levitical priests with the broader Levi tribe across the Pentateuch, and what tensions does that reveal?
The discussion covers the shift from priests being a distinct group to being Levitical priests, the mediation between holiness and common Israel, and Numbers' role in explaining this relationship, highlighting interpretive moves rather than straightforward history.
[Bible] Episode 333: Nathan MacDonald - The Messy History of the Priesthood
Q: Could you help us understand the origins of the neat priestly story we see in Genesis?
Nathan explains the lineage from Levi to Aaron, and how the traditional priestly narrative consolidates priestly power within a single line, while acknowledging that this “neat” picture is later layered over more complex biblical material.

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?

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. The New Evangelicals Podcast
3. The Holy Post
4. Nomad Podcast
5. Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

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

The Bible For Normal People launched 9 years ago and published 422 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. Rony Kozman
2. Ciarra Jones
3. Nathan MacDonald
4. Dale Allison
5. Cameron B.R. Howard
6. Bruce Longenecker
7. Roberto de la Noval
8. Jordan Wood

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