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Jesus explains that he taught in parables lest the crowds would understand him, turn, and be healed (Matt 13:10–17). Philip Anthony Mitchell joins Kirk E. Miller to answer the question, Did Jesus use parables to conceal the truth? Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/witw-what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/why-did-jesus-teach-in-parables-matthew-13?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (00:00) Do Parables Hide Truth? (01:05) Meet Phillip Mitchell (03:18) Matthew 13 Context (05:21) Reading the Hard Passage (07:32) Parables as Judgment (12:05) Sower as Key Parable (15:09) Encouragement for Preachers (17:35) Isaiah 6 Connection (20:29) Remnant and Hard Hearts (27:25) Insiders and Kingdom Secrets (31:37) Preaching Tips and Application

Does James contradict Paul? In this episode of What in the Word?, host Kirk E. Miller sits down with pastor and theologian Mark Jones to tackle James 2:14–26.They explore the apparent tension between Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone and James’s claim that "justified by works and not by faith alone."Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-james-2-justification-faith-works?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Does human unbelief have the power to limit the all-powerful God? In this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller sits down with theologian Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen to tackle the startling claim in Mark 6:1–6 that Jesus “could do no mighty work” in his hometown. They explore the relationship between human faith and divine action and raise the practical question: What does this story mean for someone praying for healing that never comes? Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: ⁠https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw⁠ Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-why-jesus-couldnt-do-miracles⁠? utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (00:00) Introduction (01:12) Veli-Matti Karkkainen (03:55) The narrative arc (09:00) The different difficulties (17:00) Couldn't or wouldn't? (20:55) The function of miracles (23:33) Healed by faith? (28:50) Why Jesus heals (35:02) When healing doesn't come (39:31) Advice for teaching

Since we no longer have the original manuscripts, is our text of the New Testament reliable? Given the magnitude of variations among manuscripts, can we reliably reconstruct the original? Premier New Testament text critic Daniel B. Wallace joins Kirk E. Miller on What in the Word? to discuss. Dan provides an overview of discipline of textual criticism and explains the methods text critics use to determine the original text. The interview discusses the most common misconceptions about the New Testament's reliability and why the sheer number of extant manuscripts actually gives us immense confidence. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-new-testament-reliability?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (00:00) Introduction (01:21) Dan Wallace (03:52) Defining Reliability (04:54) Popular Misconceptions (13:50) An Example Variant (18:31) Textual Criticism Principles (19:15) Extant Manuscripts & Variants (24:32) Final Reflections

Does Paul prefer Christians remain single, despite the rest of the Bible's positive portrayal of marriage? In this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller sits down with Dr. Danielle Trewick to walk through numerous difficulties in 1 Corinthians 7. For instance, does Paul teach that some receive a special Spirit-empowerment to remain single? What is the "present distress"? And what does it mean for married couples to live as though they are not? Trewick seeks to uncover our expose common assumptions about the text to uncover Paul's vision for whole-hearted, Christian devotion, whether single or married. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-paul-singleness​-1-corinthians-7?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (00:00) Why 1 Corinthians 7 (00:55) Meet Dani Treweek (04:13) Her Singleness Research (06:59) Reading Paul’s Words (07:41) Context and Categories (11:37) Why It’s Difficult (17:05) Paul’s Preference Explained (21:13) Rethinking the Gift (29:49) Better to Marry (35:48) Present Distress (41:52) As If Not Married (46:45) Preaching Pastoral Wisdom (50:48) Marriage and Singleness Pair

Psalm 137 ends with one of the Bible's most scandalizing lines: a prayer that an enemy's infants would be dashed against rocks. It understandably troubles believers, and for skeptics, it's a classic case against the Bible's goodness. Does this cry for violence—especially against innocent babies—belong in what is supposed to be a sacred hymn book? On this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller brings in Dr. Bruce Waltke to reckon with this troubling passage. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-psalm137-meaning?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (01:27) Bruce Waltke Background (04:41) Reading Psalm 137 (05:46) Why It Troubles Us (08:53) Common Interpretations (12:56) Imprecations and Justice (17:32) Law Justice and Mercy (25:13) Exile Context and Vengeance (27:44) God’s Enemies, Not Personal (31:01) Hyperbole or Literal (35:34) Blessed or Rewarded (38:11) Eschatology and Revelation (42:41) Messianic Reading in Psalms (44:21) Preaching and Application

Kirk E. Miller welcomes New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner on to What in the Word? to tackle the question: Why was Jesus baptized? John’s baptism was for repentant sinners, yet Jesus was without sin. They discuss the different interpretations of Matthew 3:13–17, focusing on what it means for Jesus to “fulfill all righteousness.” What is meant by “righteousness,” and how does Jesus’s baptism “fulfill” it? Finally, they consider the significance of the Spirit’s descent and the heavenly voice declaring Jesus “my Son.” Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-jesus-baptism-fulfill-righteousness?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Episode outline: (00:00) Why Jesus Baptized (01:06) Meet Patrick Schreiner (01:55) Patrick's Book on Matthew (03:44) Reading Matthew 3 (04:52) Matthew's Context and Israel (09:59) Why Baptism Is Tricky (12:49) Jesus Identifies With Israel (17:05) Fulfill All Righteousness (25:08) Matthew Versus Other Gospels (30:01) Spirit Descent and Sonship (37:57) Practical Takeaways (42:49) Final Wrap Up

Jonathan Akin joins Kirk E. Miller on What in the Word? to discuss one of the Bible's most infamous passages, Elisha's curse that led to two she-bears mauling forty-two "youths" in 2 Kings 2:23-24. Was Elisha simply an irritable old man who couldn’t take a joke? How old were these “youths”? And what exactly does their jeer, “Go up, baldhead!” mean? This episode examines these matters and more, exploring the passage's meaning and significance even for today. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-elisha-and-the-bears?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Episode outline: (00:00) Elisha and the Bears (00:49) Meet the Guest (04:05) Setting the Context (07:07) Why This Text Shocks (10:25) Who Were the Youths (18:44) Bethel and Idolatry (23:40) Sponsor Break (28:59) Go Up Baldy Explained (36:56) Covenant Curses and Bears (43:58) Preaching Christ from Kings (52:41) Wrap Up and Next Steps

If the Bible teaches that human beings are made in the image of God, why does the Bible seem to allow their enslavement? It’s a question that often troubles believers and serves as an objection for skeptics. Kirk E. Miller sits down with author and apologist Rebecca McLaughlin to work through the issue historically, biblically, and theologically. As we’ll see, those passages that often seem like roadblocks to faith, when read carefully and in context, turn out to be signposts pointing toward it. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-bible-slavery?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Episode outline: (00:00) Why Slavery in the Bible? (01:06) Meet Rebecca McLaughlin (04:56) Why Understanding Feels Hard (08:57) Misuse and the Curse Of Ham (10:31) Old Testament Slavery Context (19:06) Laws Limit Harm (22:31) Jesus Upends Power (26:36) Early Church And Philemon (33:06) Why Not Condemn Directly (38:31) Modern Equality From Scripture (44:04) The Cross and Kingdom Humility (47:39) Exodus and the Black Church (49:45) Serving Christ Conclusion

Luke records that the early Jesus followers in Jerusalem “held everything in common” (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–37). Does this mean the early church abolished private property and embraced a sort of communalism? Luke-Acts scholar Darrell L. Bock joins Kirk E. Miller on this episode of What in the Word? to discuss these texts and what they might mean for us today. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: ⁠https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw⁠ Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-acts-all-things-in-common⁠? utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (0:00) Introduction (3:32) What's the difficulty? (5:06) The context of Acts 2 (9:16) The context of Acts 4 (14:00) Elsewhere in Acts & NT (17:17) What's going on? (25:54) An exceptional community (30:03) Descriptive yet persuasive (36:38) Important details (43:05) The practical significance (47:58) Advice for preaching or teaching

When Paul says that gentiles “do what the law requires” (Rom 2:14) and have “the work of the law written on their hearts” (Rom 2:15), is he describing morally conscious pagans who have God’s natural law or believing gentiles who experience the inward transformation of the new covenant? And how does this inform our reading of Paul’s teachings on judgment according to works just prior (Rom 2:6–11)? On this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller sits down with Dr. Jarvis Williams to work through the interpretive issues. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-romans-2-14-15?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (0:00) Introduction (3:29) Setting the stage (10:13) What makes Romans 2 difficult? (16:38) View 1: Moral pagans with consciences (25:07) View 2: Regenerate gentile believers (37:23) Alternative outcomes in the final judgment (48:14) Judgment according to works? (1:01:06) The practical application of Romans 2

Join Kirk E. Miller and Old Testament scholar Chad Bird as they discuss the so-called "Curse of Ham" in one of the Bible's most cryptic and infamously abused passages: Genesis 9:18–29. Discover the different views on the nature of Ham's sin, why Noah curses his son Canaan instead of Ham, and how to properly interpret and apply this passage. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-curse-of-ham-genesis-9?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (00:00) Introduction (02:08) Genesis 9's Context (06:11) Why It's Debated (11:14) The Castration View (12:46) Sexual Violation View (18:07) Incest With Mother View (22:35) Verse 23's Literal Expression (25:25) Sexual Sin in Genesis (26:41) Voyeurism View (28:10) Why Curse Canaan Though? (33:43) The So-Called Curse of Ham (38:00) The Promised Line Narrows (43:06) Blessing and Curse (47:05) Preaching and Final Wrap

In Galatians 4:21–31, the Apostle Paul refers to the story of Sarah and Hagar as an allegory. But what does he mean by that? Does he impose foreign ideas onto the Genesis account? Join host Kirk E. Miller and New Testament scholar David deSilva as they tackle this difficult passage, exploring how Paul’s use of the Old Testament is a powerful and sophisticated defense of God’s redemptive promises to be received by faith. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-moses-sin-promised-land?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Episode outline:(00:45) Meet David DeSilva (01:58) Galatians 4 (02:45) Galatiam Crisis Context (05:58) Covenants and Circumcision (07:51) Why This Passage Is Hard (12:00) Reading Galatians 4:21-31 (13:51) What Allegorically Means (16:46) Typology vs Allegory (18:07) Paul Reverses Lineage (22:01) Galatians 3 Groundwork (24:35) Torah and Pedagogue (27:20) Word Study Deep Dive (28:30) Typology Versus Figural (29:46) Paul’s Argument in Galatians (34:14) Genesis Infertility Theme (37:25) Spirit and Scripture Authority (40:10) Hagar and Sarah Correspondences (43:28) Isaiah 54 and Mission (45:31) Logos Study Workflow (47:35) Pastoral Takeaways Freedom (51:46) Preaching This Passage (55:46) Wrap Up and Next Steps

Why did God forbid Moses, the great leader whom God used to lead Israel out of Egypt, from entering the Promised Land? In this episode of What in the Word? Michael Morales joins Kirk E. Miller to tackle one of the more perplexing passages in the Old Testament: Numbers 20. Together they unpack the text's rich theological layers, explaining how Moses's failure to "sanctify" God by publicly misrepresenting his character before the people. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-moses-sin-promised-land?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (00:00) Moses and the Rock (00:44) Meet Michael Morales (03:10) Why Numbers 20 Is Hard (04:15) Reading the Passage (06:11) Setting the Wilderness Context (10:16) Common Views on Moses Sin (14:32) Rebellion at Meribah (15:56) Exodus 17 Parallels (18:22) Aaron Rod and Kingship (22:47) Misrepresenting God Holiness (25:06) Moses Misrepresents God (26:15) Ezekiel Temple Waters (26:53) Whose Rod Was It (28:36) High Handed Rebellion (31:06) Why The Sin Matters (34:24) Hinge To New Generation (37:13) Edom Sandwich Structure (40:59) Kingship Theme Emerges (41:59) Practical Takeaways Today (47:55) Teaching And Preaching Tips (50:54) Final Thanks And Outro

Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible, with only two incredibly brief mentions in the Old Testament. Yet, in Hebrews 7, the author makes the astounding argument that this fleeting character from Genesis anticipates the end of the Levitical priesthood and the establishment of Christ's eternal role. Join Kirk E. Miller and Dr. Madison Pierce on What in the Word? as they unravel this challenging passage, exploring how a complex theological argument can provide a practical anchor for our souls and a better hope for believers. Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-who-is-melchizedek-hebrews-7?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw Outline: (00:00) Mystery of Melchizedek (03:07) Why Hebrews 7 Matters (06:14) Hebrews: Big Picture Context (13:20) Four Views on Melchizedek (17:23) Reading Hebrews 7:1-3 (21:13) Without Genealogy, Explained (23:46) Dead Sea Scrolls Connections (26:22) Applying the Traditions (28:06) Qumran Melchizedek Traditions (28:58) Angelic Priests and Genealogy (30:04) Saint Nicholas to Santa Analogy (31:12) Hebrews Comparison Strategy (34:03) Tithes Blessing and Levi (41:09) Law Change and Better Covenant (44:13) Perfection Indestructible Life (49:38) Oath Priest Forever (52:47) Preaching Takeaways and Conclusion