Behind the New Testament (13 episodes)

If two or more of the following sound like you, this podcast may be a good fit.

• You know the basics of New Testament studies and want an engaging way to follow recent research and debates.
• Academic papers and specialist books feel daunting, but you want to hear how scholars actually discuss their work.
• You want to see how historical background, literary analysis and theology come together in interpretation.
• You want an overview of key questions in Philippians, Galatians, Romans, Acts and other New Testament books.
• You are looking for expert New Testament discussion in a relaxed, accessible format.

About the podcast

Two distinguished biblical scholars draw on a long friendship for candid conversations about the New Testament.

With a basic grounding in New Testament studies, listeners can follow recent research and major debates around each text in an engaging, accessible way.

Scholarly expertise meets the ease of a conversation between friends, offering an approachable view of New Testament research today.

Instructor

Professor Nijay K. Gupta

Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary

Ph.D. in New Testament, Durham University

Professor Michael F. Bird

Lecturer in Theology and New Testament, Ridley College

Ph.D. in New Testament, University of Queensland

Course contents

Episode 1: Philippians—Christ hymn, pistis Christou, heavenly citizenship, Stoicism and more

Episode 2: John—prologue, narrative interpretation, belief, irony and more

Episode 3: Galatians—dating, opponents, the New Perspective, eschatology, Paul within Judaism and more

Episode 4: Philemon—Onesimus's status, Paul and slavery, theological significance and more

Episode 5: Romans 16—women in the early church, Paul and women's leadership, and more

Episode 6: Romans 12–15—worship, echoes of Jesus's teaching, priestly ministry, church division and more

Episode 7: Romans 9–11—structure, its relationship to chapter 8, supersessionism, contemporary application and more

Episode 8: Romans 5–8—law and gospel, the New Perspective, eschatology, justification and more

Episode 9: Romans 1–4—audience, God's righteousness, traditional and New Perspective readings, and more

Episode 10: Acts 1–2—Theophilus, the genre of Luke–Acts, Pentecost, repentance and more

Episode 11: Acts 3–5—anti-Judaism, Ananias and Sapphira, shared finances, Gamaliel and more

Episode 12: Acts 6–8—Hebrews and Hellenists, Stephen's martyrdom, Philip and the eunuch, God-fearers and more

Episode 13: Acts 9–11—Paul in Acts and the letters, the Damascus conversion, Paul's name, Cornelius and more

Originally published on Early Christian History with Michael Bird.