Why all this history?
February 1, 2021
Delving Into The New Testament In Its WorldMichael Bird
Welcome to the first in a six part series delving into the benchmark book The New Testament In Its World.
Co-author Michael Bird takes us through the text he wrote with N.T. Wright, this episode examining the importance of an historical approach to the New Testament.
On the chopping block are important questions like,
* How does Christianity differ from most other religions when it comes to history?
* Is there a difference between Christian history and 'real' history?
* In a post-modern world, it is even possible to understand what the authors were trying to say?
You can buy a copy of The New Testament In Its World here.
If you're following along with The New Testament In Its World, this episode covers key issues in Part I: Reading The New Testament:
1. Beginning Study of the New Testament
2. The New Testament as History
3. The New Testament as Literature
More From Delving Into The New Testament In Its World
Who is Jesus?
Delving Into The New Testament In Its World
February 23, 2021
Welcome to the second episode in a six part series delving into the benchmark book The New Testament In Its World.
Co-author Michael Bird takes us thr
Why was Paul so controversial?
Delving Into The New Testament In Its World
March 2, 2021
Welcome to the third in a six-part series delving into the benchmark book The New Testament In Its World.
Co-author Michael Bird takes us through the
Where did the Gospels come from?
Delving Into The New Testament In Its World
March 9, 2021
Welcome to the fourth in a six-part series delving into the benchmark book The New Testament In Its World.
Co-author Michael Bird takes us through the
More on OpenTheo
The Best of Times and the Worst of Times with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
March 10, 2026
If you don’t like freewheeling conversation, laughter, and banter among friends, then this may not be the episode for you. But if you are interested i
When I Can’t Stop Thinking About Something, Is That God Speaking?
#STRask
December 1, 2025
Questions about whether having a recurring thought is an indication God is speaking to you, what to say to someone who says they sinned because “God t
Can Two Logical People Come to Conflicting Conclusions Without Committing a Fallacy?
#STRask
January 8, 2026
Questions about whether two logical people can come to conflicting conclusions on a topic without committing a fallacy, how Greg, as a public figure,
Who Wrote the Gospels? Michael Licona vs. Bart Ehrman - Part 1
Risen Jesus
March 11, 2026
Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write the gospels that bear their names? The texts themselves do not name them as the authors and were published and
Why Do We Say Someone Was Saved on a Particular Date If It Was Part of an Eternal Plan?
#STRask
November 24, 2025
Questions about why we say someone was saved on a particular date if it was part of an eternal plan, the Roman Catholic view of the gospel vs. the Bib
Does God Really Need a “Pound of Flesh” to Forgive Sins?
#STRask
January 12, 2026
Questions about how to answer the challenge that God doesn’t need a “pound of flesh” to forgive sins but can simply forgive, and whether the claim in
Why Is There No Effort Towards a Neutral Interpretation of Scripture?
#STRask
March 9, 2026
Questions about why there is no effort towards a neutral interpretation of Scripture that doesn’t take denominational preferences into account, and ho
Shouldn’t I Be Praying for My Soul Rather Than for Material Things?
#STRask
February 2, 2026
Questions about whether we should be praying for our souls rather than for material things, why we need to pray about decisions, whether the devil can
Would You Say God’s Primary Object Is to Not Be Found?
#STRask
March 19, 2026
Questions about whether God’s primary object is to not be found, how one can say God doesn’t make mistakes if the percentage of Christians in the worl
How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
#STRask
November 17, 2025
Questions about how to convince someone that evil exists, whether Charlie Kirk’s murder was part of God’s plan, whether that would mean the murderer d
How Can We Know Who Is Teaching the Same Gospel Paul Taught?
#STRask
February 16, 2026
Questions about how we can know who is teaching the same gospel Paul taught, and whether or not Jeremiah 1:5 supports the idea that we pre-existed in
How Do I Determine Which Topics at Work Are Worth Commenting On?
#STRask
January 5, 2026
Questions about how to determine which topics at work are worth commenting on, and a good way to respond when you’re in a group Bible study and hear e
Why Does the Bible Teach You How to Be a Proper Slave Owner?
#STRask
November 13, 2025
Question about why it seems like the Bible teaches you how to be a proper slave owner rather than than saying, “Stop it. Give them freedom.”
* It s
Why Is It Necessary to Believe Jesus Is God?
#STRask
February 19, 2026
Questions about why it’s necessary to believe Jesus is God, whether belief in the Trinity is required for salvation, and why one has to believe in the
How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?
#STRask
November 27, 2025
Questions about how to explain modesty to a nine-year-old in a way that won’t cause shame about her body, and when and how to tell a child about a pre