Biblical World Episodes
- Steve Notley – Locating Bethsaida, the Last Lost City of the New Testament
Episode: In this on-location episode, Chris McKinny interviews Steven Notley about identifying and exploring the ancient city of Bethsaida/Julias. This is a crossover episode with OnScript and the new In Context university from Lipscomb University where Chris McKinny teaches. Guest: Dr. R. Steven Notley is Dean of the School of Religious Studies at Pillar College. He… Read more: Steve Notley – Locating Bethsaida, the Last Lost City of the New Testament - Ilker Mimiroglu – Ancient Lystra
Episode: Excavations have begun at the New Testament site of Lystra! In this episode, Jason Borges talks with Prof. Ilker Mimiroglu, the lead Turkish archaeologist at Lystra, about the city’s history and excavations. Learn more on Instagram @lystraexcavations. Guest: Prof. Ilker Mimiroglu, head of Necmettin Erbakan University’s Department of Early Christian and Byzantine Arts and lead Turkish archaeologist… Read more: Ilker Mimiroglu – Ancient Lystra - Libby Backfish and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott – Grounded Theology
Episode: In this episode, Kyle chats with Libby Backfish and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott about bringing archaeology and theology into conversation—the topic of their recent book, Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Cultural Context that formed Ancient Israel. The conversation starts with the ancient Israelite household (and how it was essential to ancient thinking and theology), stays with… Read more: Libby Backfish and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott – Grounded Theology - Paul Anderson – Archaeology, Jesus, and the Gospel of John
Episode: The Gospel of John is often ignored by those interested in archaeology and history. However, John includes more historically verified detail (both archaeologically and topographically) than the other gospels combined. Listen in as Anderson discusses why we need to pay attention to John as a historical source. Guest: Paul N. Anderson is Professor of Biblical and… Read more: Paul Anderson – Archaeology, Jesus, and the Gospel of John - James Hoffmeier – Israel In and Out of Egypt
Episode: In this episode, James K. Hoffmeier discusses his new book — Israel In and Out of Egypt — an update of his previous books on the subject in light of the latest Egyptological discoveries, as well as the latest developments in Biblical scholarship in relation to the evidence for or against some form of a historical exodus.… Read more: James Hoffmeier – Israel In and Out of Egypt - Jason Borges – Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City
Episode: In this episode, Chris McKinny interviews Jason Borges about his latest book — Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City — a unique guide to the foreign sites, sounds, and structures that defined the Biblical World of the emerging early Church. Guest: Dr. Jason Borges (Ph.D. Durham University) is the Associate Director of the Asia Minor Research Centre in… Read more: Jason Borges – Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City - Best Archaeological Finds of 2025 (Part 2)
Episode: We’re back with the second (of 2) episodes on the best archaeological finds of 2025. They’re so significant, we’re still talking about them in April 2026. In this episode, hear about Lamassu, Apkallu, and more, oh my! Legends of the Lost Ark: To learn more about Chris’ new movie and to find how to buy… Read more: Best Archaeological Finds of 2025 (Part 2) - Best Archaeological Finds of 2025 (Part 1)
Episode: Back by popular demand is our Best Archaeological Finds series, and this one for 2025 (we’re well into 2026, we know, but if you listen, it’ll all make sense!). Enjoy this first of our series on these 2025 finds, where we discuss some really cool discoveries! Legends of the Lost Ark: To learn more… Read more: Best Archaeological Finds of 2025 (Part 1) - Amy and Chris – The Great Flood Tablet (Epic of Gilgamesh)
Episode: It’s go time for Amy’s favorite tablet, tablet 11 of the Epic of Gilgamesh!! It’s flood time, or at least, it’s time to learn about the great flood., brought by Enlil. This episode will cover the events related to the great flood, as reported by Utnapishtim. Gilgamesh seeks immortality, but ultimately, learns about his… Read more: Amy and Chris – The Great Flood Tablet (Epic of Gilgamesh) - Stephen Carlson – Mary, Joseph, and the so-called “Inn”
Episode: Jason Staples and Stephen Carlson try to ruin your Nativity! Jason discusses Stephen’s essay “The Accommodations of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem: Κατάλυμα in Luke 2:7.” They also discuss when and how Mary and Joseph get married, the census in Luke 2:2, and … (wait for it) … the Spanish Inquisition. Guest: Dr. Stephen… Read more: Stephen Carlson – Mary, Joseph, and the so-called “Inn” - David DeSilva – Archaeology, Jesus, and Paul
Episode: In this episode, Kyle sits down for a chat with David deSilva about his two new volumes, Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul: A Visual Guide and Archaeology and the World of Jesus: A Visual Guide (Baker Academic, 2025). The two chat about the importance of material culture for understanding the New Testament, discerning between good church traditions and “other”… Read more: David DeSilva – Archaeology, Jesus, and Paul - Mary Buck – The Achaemenid Period
Episode: Mary Buck continues her study of the Second Temple period by focusing on the Persian Period, and especially, the Achaemenid Empire. Learn about this incredibly powerful yet lesser-known period of history, and figures like Cyrus, Darius, and others who shaped biblical history. Host: Learn about Mary Buck HERE. Image Attribution: Map, By Cattette – CC BY 4.0,… Read more: Mary Buck – The Achaemenid Period - Amy and Chris – Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 11)
Episode: We’re back with Tablet X of the Epic of Gilgamesh! Gilgamesh must face reality. From the grief over Enkidu to a search for his (Noah-like) ancestor Utnapishtim on Mt. Mashu, Gilgamesh will learn about his mortality. Meet scorpion beings and enjoy this next installment with Amy and Chris! Click to listen back to PART… Read more: Amy and Chris – Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 11) - Chris and Kyle – Biblical Archaeology Rising (Part 2)
Episode: In part II of our intro to Biblical Archaeology, Kyle and Chris explore the contributions of W. F. Albright (who knew over 20 languages) and G. E. Wright, Kathleen Kenyon and others, and the emergence of New Archaeology, regional approaches, and other new methods. They also consider questions of faith and history, theology and archaeology,… Read more: Chris and Kyle – Biblical Archaeology Rising (Part 2) - Chris and Kyle – Biblical Archaeology Rising (Part 1)
Episode: In this two-part series, Kyle and Chris delve deeply into the history of “biblical” archaeology. What is this field? How did we get to where we are today? Who are some of the characters that shaped the field along the way? If you’ve ever pondered these (or related) questions, then this mini-series is for… Read more: Chris and Kyle – Biblical Archaeology Rising (Part 1)
