[Bible] Episode 260: Jacob L. Wright - Why the Bible Came to Be

[Bible] Episode 260: Jacob L. Wright - Why the Bible Came to Be

Author: Peter Enns and Jared Byas November 20, 2023 Duration: 36:47
In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Jacob L. Wright joins Pete and Jared to discuss the origins of the Hebrew Bible, moving beyond just the “how” and asking the deeper question of “why” the Bible began, revealing the quest to unite a people group in the midst of defeat. Show Notes → ********** This episode is sponsored by Aura Frames, creators of the digital photo frame named the #1 digital picture frame by Wirecutter, The Strategist, and Wired. Recommended by Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and high-end home design publications. From now through Black Friday and Cyber Monday visit AuraFrames.com and get 40 dollars off their best-selling Carver Mat frame with the code NORMALPEOPLE. This is their best deal of the year, so get yours now! Terms and conditions apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You’ve probably heard the Bible quoted, preached, and argued about, but how often do you get to explore it with curiosity instead of certainty? That’s the space The Bible For Normal People creates each week. Hosts Peter Enns and Jared Byas-scholars who understand both the academic weight and the everyday weight of scripture-guide conversations that are genuinely engaging and refreshingly human. They aren’t here to provide simple answers. Instead, they sit down with a diverse range of thinkers, from theologians and historians to artists and activists, to ask the complicated questions regular people actually have. In this podcast, you’ll hear discussions that acknowledge the ancient, messy, and profound nature of these texts, all while dismantling the idea that you need a special degree or piety to engage with them. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt on the outside of traditional religious dialogue but remains intrigued by the Bible’s stories, poetry, and enduring influence on culture and personal faith. The tone is conversational and often lighthearted, even when tackling heavy subjects, making deep scholarship accessible and relevant. If you’re looking for a place where doubt is welcome, history matters, and the sacred book is examined with both respect and honest inquiry, you’ve found it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Bible For Normal People
Podcast Episodes
[Faith] Episode 37: Sarah Bessey - It’s Okay to Deconstruct [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:13
In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared and Pete have a candid conversation with Sarah Bessey about the highs and lows of her own evolving faith journey and how we can learn to embrace the wilderness of deconst…
[Bible] Episode 269: Jack Levison - The Greek Life of Adam & Eve [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:06
Cain is a cannibal, Eve tells her own version of the fall of man, and the Garden of Eden has a dividing wall? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared talk to Jack Levison about the ancient text the…
[Bible] Episode 268: Pete Enns - Pete Ruins Chronicles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:13
In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete makes the case for why you shouldn’t skip 1 and 2 Chronicles after slogging through Samuel and Kings. He explores the Chronicler’s distinct theology, uncovers themes o…
[Faith] Episode 36: J.S. Park - Sitting with the Dying [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:45
In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Jared talks with J.S. (Joon) Park about his experiences with death, grief, and loss as a hospital chaplain for a Level 1 Trauma Center. Together they discuss the varying manife…
[Bible] Episode 265: Pete Enns - Pete Ruins 2 Kings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:26
In this episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete is back to his usual antics ruining a book of the Bible. This time he’s conquering 2 Kings, uncovering the historical context, socio-political influences, and bigger p…
[Faith] Episode 34: Grace Semler Baldridge - Faith Is a Moving Target [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:10
In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Grace Baldridge (known by the artist name Semler) joins Pete and Jared to talk about the moving target of faith, whether leaving church is leaving God, and Grace’s journey as a…