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What if one of the Bible’s most familiar promises means something different from what we’ve always assumed? Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted as a reminder that God has good plans for our individual lives. But in its original context, the promise was addressed to God’s people living in exile, facing hardship and waiting for restoration. By examining the historical circumstances surrounding Jeremiah’s letter, we discover that the message wasn’t about an immediate escape from difficulty, but about trusting God and remaining faithful through a long season of waiting. In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, we revisit Jeremiah 29:11 using the Bible study tools we’ve been learning together. We explore what the passage reveals about God’s sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and desire to restore His people. By considering the passage in its historical and literary context, we see how to apply its message faithfully today: seeking God wholeheartedly, investing in our communities, and trusting His promises even when the path to restoration takes longer than expected. Topics we’ll cover: The historical and political background of Jeremiah 29 and the people living in exileWhy Jeremiah’s message challenged the expectations of its original audienceHow reading Jeremiah 29 alongside the surrounding chapters helps clarify its meaningThe difference between understanding Scripture in its original context and reading our own assumptions into itWhy Jeremiah 29:11 was not a promise of immediate success or an easy escape from hardshipWhat Jeremiah 29:10–14 reveals about God’s sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and desire for relationshipHow to move from understanding a passage’s original meaning to applying it wisely todayPractical ways to seek God, build community, and reflect His character while waitingResources from this episode: The Bible Project, Revelation Part 1The Bible Project, Revelation Part 2Holman Illustrated Bible DictionaryHow to Read the Bible for All Its WorthEscaping the Beast — Michael Burns  Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Revisiting Familiar Bible Passages01:32 – Starting With the Context of Jeremiah 2903:47 – Who Received Jeremiah’s Letter?05:35 – Understanding the People Living in Exile06:05 – The Political and Historical Background of Judah08:32 – Why Jeremiah’s Message Challenged the People’s Expectations10:26 – Reading Jeremiah 29 Alongside Chapters 27 and 2813:27 – Holding Judgment and Hope Together14:16 – Reading Jeremiah 29:4–1416:04 – Why the Promise Wasn’t About an Immediate Escape17:14 – Hope, Perseverance, and a Promise for Generations18:34 – Moving Beyond an Individualistic Reading of the Passage20:42 – Exegesis, Eisegesis, and Understanding the Original Audience22:30 – Applying the Passage to Our Lives Today23:53 – Moving From Interpretation to Application24:33 – What Jeremiah 29:10–14 Teaches Us About God25:17 – God’s Sovereignty, Justice, and Faithfulness26:31 – God’s Presence and Desire for Relationship28:53 – Connecting Jeremiah’s Message to the Wider Biblical Story30:32 – Living Out the Character of God in Our Daily Lives32:16 – Seeking God, Building Community, and Working for Peace33:02 – Choosing a Passage That Fits the Message We Want to Teach34:07 – Why Matthew 7:7–11 May Be Better Suited to a Study on Seeking God35:48 – Resources for Studying the Bible in Context37:23 – Finding Historical Background Through Scripture Itself38:58 – Closing Thoughts and the Next Case Study Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever read a passage in the Bible and wondered what it meant to the people who first heard it? Understanding Scripture takes more than reading the words on the page. It also means recognizing the kind of writing, understanding the original audience, and considering the circumstances in which it was written. In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, Travis, Brett, Samuel, and Corina explore four major New Testament genres: the Gospels, parables, epistles, and apocalyptic literature. They discuss how each Gospel presents Jesus from a distinct perspective, how Jesus used parables to challenge his listeners, and why understanding the original audience and circumstances behind the letters helps us interpret their message. The team then explores the Book of Revelation, explaining how its vivid imagery, symbolism, and connections to the Old Testament help communicate its central message. Rather than treating Revelation as a guide to predicting modern events, they emphasize the importance of understanding its historical context and its message of hope: God remains in control, and evil will not have the final word. By learning to read each genre in its own context, we can better understand the New Testament and apply its message faithfully today. Topics we’ll cover: The four major New Testament genres and how each communicates its messageHow the Gospels present Jesus from different perspectives and speak to distinct audiencesHow to understand Jesus’ parables by looking beyond the details to their central messageWhy the original audience, historical circumstances, and cultural context matter when reading the epistlesHow to avoid proof-texting and applying biblical instructions without considering their contextWhy the events recorded in Acts should be interpreted thoughtfully rather than automatically treated as universal examplesHow to recognise the symbolism in Revelation and its connections to the Old TestamentWhy Revelation offers hope and assurance rather than simply a way to predict current eventsResources from this episode: The Bible Project, Revelation Part 1The Bible Project, Revelation Part 2Holman Illustrated Bible DictionaryHow to Read the Bible for All Its WorthEscaping the Beast — Michael BurnsTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to New Testament Genres01:30 – What Are the Gospels, and Why Were They Written?03:49 – Why Each Gospel Has Its Own Perspective04:53 – Matthew, Mark, and Luke: Audience and Purpose07:48 – Understanding John’s Unique Approach to Jesus12:29 – Why the Gospels Are Central to the Biblical Story14:00 – Parables: Understanding Jesus’ Stories14:42 – Looking Beyond the Details to the Main Point17:51 – Why the Original Audience Matters20:34 – Understanding Everyday Images and Cultural References22:50 – How Stories and Events Connect Within the Gospels24:58 – Epistles: Reading the New Testament Letters27:03 – Understanding the Circumstances Behind Each Letter28:54 – Avoiding Proof-Texting and Overgeneralisation30:47 – Why Different Churches Received Different Instructions33:58 – The Bible’s Divine Message and Human Authors34:12 – A Key Principle for Interpreting Scripture35:22 – Applying Ancient Wisdom in a Modern Context36:22 – Understanding Cultural Differences in the Letters37:36 – Using Historical Resources to Understand Biblical Settings40:14 – Reading the Book of Acts Thoughtfully42:16 – Why Not Every Event in Acts Is a Universal Model43:42 – Revelation: Approaching Apocalyptic Literature45:13 – Practical Tips for Reading Revelation45:33 – Recognising Symbolism and the Book’s Central Message47:30 – How Revelation Connects With the Rest of the Bible48:41 – Why Revelation Isn’t Simply a Guide to Predicting Current Events50:34 – Understanding the Symbolism of the Beast and 66652:20 – The Message of Hope in Revelation52:29 – Trusting God Through Suffering and Uncertainty54:14 – Closing Thoughts and What’s Coming Next Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered why the Old Testament includes so many different kinds of writing—and how understanding them can change the way you read Scripture? The Old Testament includes creation narratives, historical accounts, law, wisdom literature, poetry, and prophecy. Each genre communicates in a different way, and recognizing the kind of writing we’re reading helps us understand its original meaning and purpose. In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, we explore six major Old Testament genres and how understanding their differences can help us read Scripture more thoughtfully. From reading Genesis in its ancient context to understanding that Proverbs offers wisdom rather than guaranteed outcomes, each genre brings its own perspective to the biblical story. We consider how the Psalms give us language for honest conversations with God, how the law reveals His heart for justice, and how the prophets called Israel back to their covenant relationship with Him. Topics we’ll cover: The six major literary genres of the Old Testament and how to recognize themWhy the historical and cultural context of Genesis mattersHow biblical narratives reveal patterns and connections across ScriptureHow to understand Old Testament law within its original covenant contextWhy Proverbs offers wisdom rather than guaranteed outcomesHow poetry and the Psalms help us express our emotions honestly before GodHow the prophets called Israel back to God and pointed toward future hopeHow understanding literary genre helps us interpret and apply Scripture faithfullyResources from this episode: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas StuartHow to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas StuartThe BibleProjectBEMA PodcastOrigins by Douglas Jacoby and Paul CopanTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Old Testament Literary Genres01:45 – Creation Narratives: Understanding Genesis03:03 – The Original Audience and Purpose of Creation05:04 – Genesis as a Counter-Narrative to Surrounding Cultures06:33 – Reading Genesis: Repeated Phrases, Patterns, and Themes10:24 – Historical Narratives: Reading Biblical Stories Carefully11:41 – Recognising Patterns and Connections Between Stories13:40 – The Significance of Numbers and Biblical Cross-References17:10 – Old Testament Law: Understanding Its Original Purpose19:22 – Torah as Instruction and Covenant Relationship21:43 – Finding God’s Heart for Justice in the Law22:10 – Applying Old Testament Law Through the Wider Biblical Story25:30 – Wisdom Literature: Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes26:07 – Principles Versus Promises27:42 – Understanding Proverbs 22:6 in Context29:32 – Wrestling With Life’s Complexity and Injustice31:37 – Keeping God at the Centre of Wisdom Literature33:39 – Poetry: Learning to Read the Psalms34:23 – Parallel Lines, Imagery, and Emotional Expression35:23 – The Psalms and Honest Conversations With God37:18 – Making Room for Vulnerability and Lament39:07 – Why Literary Genre Matters When Reading Scripture40:07 – Prophecy: More Than Predicting the Future41:12 – The Prophets as Truth-Tellers Calling Israel Back to God42:53 – Understanding the Historical Context of the Prophets44:10 – Israel’s Unfaithfulness and the Prophets’ Call to Repentance45:30 – Present Realities and Future Hope in Prophecy46:12 – Holding Historical Context and Future Fulfilment Together47:45 – Recap of the Six Old Testament Genres48:30 – What’s Next: Understanding New Testament Genres Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens between reading a passage of Scripture and deciding what it means for our lives today? This week on The Rooted Podcast, we explore hermeneutics—the ways we interpret and apply Scripture in our own time and context. Building on our previous conversation about exegesis, this episode asks what happens after we understand what a passage meant to its original audience and begin considering how it should shape the way we live today. Interpreting Scripture involves more than simply reading a verse and applying it directly to our lives. Literary devices, historical context, and the questions we bring to the text all influence the way we understand Scripture. Through examples such as Jesus’ use of hyperbole and His conversation with the rich young ruler, we explore why moving beyond a simple “read and do” approach can help us better understand the heart of a passage. The conversation also introduces several interpretive lenses, including blueprint, theological, Christ-centered, love, trajectory, and justice hermeneutics. Rather than offering one approach as the answer to every passage, these lenses invite us to ask deeper questions about who God is, what we learn about Jesus, and how Scripture shapes the way we love God and others. Ultimately, the goal is not simply to interpret the Bible correctly, but to allow it to form us into people who become more like Christ. Topics we’ll cover: Moving from exegesis to hermeneutics and applying Scripture todayWhy every reader brings assumptions and interpretive lenses to the BibleThe difference between a simple “read and do” approach and thoughtful interpretationDifferent lenses for interpreting Scripture, including blueprint, theological, Christ-centered, love, trajectory, and justice hermeneuticsWhy humility, curiosity, and community matter when reading the BibleQuestions that can help us apply Scripture more faithfullyHow studying the Bible can lead to a deeper relationship with GodResources from this episode: How to Read the Bible For All its Worth“Searching for the Pattern” by John Mark Hicks“Re-Examining Our Lenses” by Jeanie ShawTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: What Is Hermeneutics?01:02 – From Exegesis to Interpretation and Application03:07 – The Right Posture for Reading Scripture04:50 – Why We Need Community and Curiosity06:59 – Do We Really “Just Read and Do”?09:20 – Why Reading the Bible Requires Interpretation10:07 – Understanding Jesus’ Use of Hyperbole12:39 – The Rich Young Ruler and the Problem With “Read and Do”14:29 – Moving Beyond a Checklist Approach to Scripture16:01 – The Greatest Commandment as an Interpretive Lens17:11 – The Hermeneutic of Love20:06 – Recognizing the Hermeneutic You Already Use22:04 – The Blueprint or Pattern Hermeneutic29:15 – The Strengths and Limitations of the Blueprint Approach35:29 – Moving From Exegesis to Application36:31 – Theological Hermeneutic: What Does This Teach Us About God?42:03 – The Christ-Centered Hermeneutic44:25 – From Commands to Relationship With God45:45 – The Love Hermeneutic46:59 – The Trajectory Hermeneutic49:08 – Following the Biblical Trajectory on Slavery50:15 – The Justice Hermeneutic52:36 – Learning to Revisit and Relearn53:25 – Resources for Going Deeper54:00 – What’s Coming Next in the Series Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How can we understand what a passage of Scripture really means before deciding how it applies to us today? This week on The Rooted Podcast, we explore exegesis—the practice of drawing meaning out of a biblical text rather than bringing our own ideas into it. Understanding a passage begins with considering its original audience and context. By asking who wrote it, who they were writing to, where it falls within the larger biblical story, and what kind of literature we’re reading, we can better understand what the text was originally communicating. Context also helps us avoid common mistakes like proof texting and eisegesis, where verses can be separated from their original setting or interpreted through assumptions we bring to the text. Familiar passages like Jeremiah 29:11 and “where two or more are gathered” show how easy it can be to reach an interpretation that misses what a passage was actually saying—even when the conclusion itself sounds true. Learning to read Scripture responsibly takes humility, patience, and a willingness to reconsider interpretations we may have held for a long time. We don’t have to work through those questions alone. Studying in community, learning from trusted spiritual guides, and developing a consistent process can help us approach Scripture thoughtfully while becoming more comfortable with questions that may not have immediate answers. Topics we’ll cover: What exegesis means and why the original audience mattersHow historical, chronological, and literary context shape our understanding of ScriptureThe difference between exegesis and eisegesisWhat proof texting looks like and why reading verses in context mattersWhy reconsidering an interpretation can be an important part of spiritual growthThe difference between Scripture and the doctrines we build from itWhy humility, patience, and community matter when studying the BibleHow to build a consistent process for reading Scripture responsiblyResources from this episode: Holman Illustrated Bible DictionaryTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: What Is Exegesis?01:04 – Pulling Meaning Out of the Text01:39 – Understanding What the Original Audience Heard03:28 – Three Types of Biblical Context03:47 – Historical Context: Who, When, Why, and for Whom?05:50 – Chronological Context and the Larger Biblical Story07:22 – What Is Proof Texting?08:17 – Literary Context and Why Genre Matters10:41 – Common Examples of Proof Texting10:50 – “Where Two or More Are Gathered” in Context13:26 – When the Conclusion Is Right but the Verse Is Wrong14:11 – Jeremiah 29:11 and the Problem With Reading Verses in Isolation18:11 – The Difficulty of Realizing You’ve Misread Scripture20:13 – Scripture, Doctrine, and the Beliefs We Build22:12 – Deconstruction and Rebuilding a Stronger Foundation24:25 – Learning to Be Comfortable in the “I Don’t Know”27:53 – Cognitive Dissonance and Holding Different Ideas in Tension30:36 – A Real-Life Example of Using Scripture Out of Context34:42 – What Is Eisegesis?35:16 – Why We Need Community When Rethinking Our Interpretations36:32 – Exegesis vs. Eisegesis36:57 – Building a Consistent Process for Bible Study38:20 – When Studying the Bible Starts to Feel Overwhelming40:02 – Finding a Trusted Spiritual Guide and Taking Your Time40:43 – Growth Is a Lifelong Process41:26 – Questions to Ask the Next Time You Read Your Bible42:00 – What’s Next: Hermeneutics and Applying Scripture Today Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How can you go beyond simply reading the Bible and understand it more deeply? This week on The Rooted Podcast, we share practical ways to study Scripture with greater understanding. While the Bible was written for us, it wasn’t originally written to us—each book was written to real people living in a particular time, place, and culture. Understanding that background can help us better understand what a passage meant to its original audience and how we can faithfully apply it to our lives today. Reading Scripture as one interconnected story can change the way we approach individual passages. From seeing God as the main character to reading an entire book in one sitting, tracing themes across Scripture, and exploring historical and cultural context, different approaches can help us notice details and connections we might otherwise miss. Going deeper doesn’t mean studying alone. Bible dictionaries, commentaries, online tools, and other resources can help us ask better questions and understand the context behind what we’re reading. Community also plays an important role, bringing different experiences and perspectives to the conversation. Topics we’ll cover: Why the Bible was written for us, but not originally to usHow understanding the original audience can shape the way we read Scripture todaySeeing the Bible as one larger story with God as the main characterQuestions that can help us better understand God’s character and heartDifferent approaches to Bible study, from close-up details to the bigger biblical storyHelpful tools and resources for studying ScriptureWhy studying the Bible in community can deepen our understandingResources from this episode: Bible GatewayDictionary of Paul and His Letters, Second EditionDictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Second EditionThe NIV Application Commentary on the Bible: One-Volume EditionGoogle GeminiHow to Read the Bible Book by Book  Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Practical Tips for Bible Study01:03 – The Bible Was Written for You, Not to You03:06 – Why the Original Audience Matters05:10 – Seeing the Bible as One Big Story07:24 – Why God Is the Hero of Every Bible Story08:28 – What to Do With Difficult or Uncomfortable Stories09:15 – God Is the Main Character, Not Us10:34 – Questions to Ask While Reading the Bible12:08 – What Can Difficult Stories Teach Us About God?13:33 – King Saul and Letting the Story Play Out14:50 – David, Bathsheba, and Flawed Biblical Characters16:13 – Why Biblical Characters Aren’t Always Examples to Imitate19:04 – Reading the Bible Without Chapters, Verses, and Headings20:00 – Reading an Entire Book in One Sitting21:15 – Three Different “Lenses” for Reading the Bible21:55 – The Reading Glasses: Digging Into Historical and Cultural Context23:26 – The Big-Picture Glasses: Seeing Where a Book Fits in the Biblical Story24:48 – The Sunglasses: Reading Scripture Through a Particular Theme26:00 – Choosing the Right Approach for Your Bible Study28:02 – Practical Resources for Studying Scripture28:18 – Bible Dictionaries and the NIV Application Commentary29:25 – Using AI as a Bible Study Research Tool30:20 – Using Bible Gateway for Word and Topic Searches31:06 – Why Community Is One of Your Best Bible Study Resources32:36 – How to Read the Bible Book by Book33:52 – Letting Resources Guide You Back to Scripture34:30 – Closing Thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With so many English Bible translations to choose from, how do you know which one to read—and is there really such a thing as the “best” translation? In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, we look at what sets different Bible translations apart, how translation choices can shape the way a passage reads, and why there isn’t necessarily one “best” Bible for every reader or purpose. Choosing a translation can feel overwhelming, especially when each version seems to phrase familiar passages a little differently. This conversation explores the spectrum between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translations, including familiar options like the ESV, NASB, NIV, and NLT. By comparing how different translations approach the same passages, we can better understand why wording varies and how reading more than one reliable translation can give us a fuller picture of the original meaning. Choosing a Bible translation doesn’t have to be about finding one perfect version. Understanding the strengths of different translations, staying curious about the original languages, and using trusted study tools can help us engage with Scripture more thoughtfully and go deeper in our understanding of God’s Word. Topics we’ll cover: How the Bible is translated from Hebrew and Greek into EnglishThe difference between translations, paraphrases, and other supplemental resourcesHow chapters, verses, and section headings became part of the Bibles we read todayThe difference between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translationsWhy different Bible translations have different strengthsHow comparing reliable translations can deepen our understanding of ScriptureWhether you need to know Greek or Hebrew to study the Bible more deeplyResources from this episode: BlueLetterBible.orgTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: What’s the Best Bible Translation?01:35 – Single-Scholar Translations vs. Translation Teams02:22 – The Message and The Passion Translation04:17 – Why Collaborative Translation Matters07:31 – Some of the Bible’s More Unusual Translations08:04 – How Chapters, Verses, and Headings Were Added09:07 – How Chapter Breaks and Headings Can Shape Interpretation11:03 – Reading the Bible Without Chapters and Verses11:55 – Why Translating the Bible Is More Complicated Than Replacing Words13:01 – Word-for-Word vs. Thought-for-Thought Translations15:25 – Translating Meaning, Idioms, and Cultural Context16:05 – Why One English Word Can Miss the Nuance of the Original Language17:45 – Exploring Word-for-Word Bible Translations18:36 – Is There a “Best” Bible Translation?19:48 – NASB, NIV, CSB, and the Common English Bible21:53 – Exploring Thought-for-Thought Translations23:27 – Choosing an Accessible Translation for New Readers and Kids23:57 – Why It Helps to Read More Than One Translation24:56 – Comparing Jeremiah 29:11 Across Different Translations26:26 – Different Words, the Same Core Message27:30 – Do You Need to Know Greek and Hebrew?28:45 – Learning From Scholars and the Christian Community30:29 – Following Your Curiosity Into the Original Languages31:21 – Using Greek and Hebrew Responsibly31:59 – Blue Letter Bible: A Tool for Going Deeper33:08 – Final Thoughts on Choosing a Bible Translation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it really mean to give the Bible authority in your life—and does that always mean finding a rule to follow? Biblical authority is about more than treating Scripture as a rulebook of dos and don’ts. In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, we explore what it means to trust the Bible as an authoritative source of wisdom that shapes how we understand God, ourselves, and the people we are becoming. Rather than approaching every passage as a direct command, we consider how Scripture can guide us into deeper questions about faith, character, and our relationship with God. We also wrestle with some of the challenges that come with taking biblical authority seriously. How should we understand Proverbs that seem to offer opposite instructions, the misguided words of Job’s friends, or terms like “God-breathed,” “inerrant,” and “infallible”? By paying attention to context, genre, and the Bible’s human and divine dimensions, we can learn to approach difficult passages with greater patience and humility. Understanding biblical authority doesn’t require having an easy answer for every passage. Through community, trusted scholarship, and a willingness to sit with mystery, we can move beyond simply asking, “What does the Bible tell me to do?” and begin asking what Scripture reveals about God, who He is forming us to become, and how we can faithfully live within the story He is telling. Topics we’ll cover: What it means to recognize the Bible as an authority in the Christian lifeMoving beyond a rulebook approach to understanding Scripture as a source of wisdomWhy not every biblical passage is meant to function as a direct commandHow context, genre, and the Bible’s human and divine dimensions shape interpretationWhat Christians mean by terms such as “God-breathed,” “inerrant,” and “infallible”The importance of humility, community, and trusted scholarship when reading ScriptureHow biblical authority can lead us into a deeper relationship with GodTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: What Does Biblical Authority Mean?00:46 – Understanding Authority Through Teachers, Doctors, and Leaders02:11 – How the Bible Directs the Way We Think and Live03:00 – When the Bible Feels Like a Rulebook05:05 – Asking Better Questions of Scripture06:10 – Seeing the Bible as Wisdom Rather Than a Manual08:42 – Scripture as a Story We’re Invited to Continue10:23 – What Does “God-Breathed” Mean?11:54 – When Proverbs Seem to Contradict Each Other13:04 – What Do We Do With Job’s Friends?14:32 – Reading Difficult Passages With Patience and Humility16:03 – Inerrancy and Infallibility17:14 – The Human and Divine Dimensions of Scripture18:57 – Taking the Bible on Its Own Terms20:40 – Moving From “Tell Me What to Do” to “Show Me Who God Is”21:30 – Jesus, the Greatest Commandment, and the Heart of the Law22:50 – How Our Own Lens Shapes the Way We Understand Authority24:32 – The Bible as a Rulebook and a Playbook26:08 – Asking God, “What Are You Trying to Show Me?”27:54 – Does Rethinking Authority Diminish the Bible?29:05 – Learning to Listen Without Having Every Answer30:50 – Reading Scripture in Community33:17 – Going Deeper With God Through the Bible34:26 – What’s Next in the How to Read Your Bible Series Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How did the books we know as the Bible come to be recognised as Scripture—and why these books? The Bible was not assembled all at once. In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, we explore how the Old and New Testament writings were gradually recognised as Scripture and the criteria ancient Jewish and Christian communities used to identify authoritative writings. We unpack what “canon” means, the role of prophetic and apostolic authority, and why theological consistency and widespread use mattered. Understanding how the Bible was formed offers a deeper appreciation for the history behind the Scriptures we read today—and for the generations of believers who carefully recognised, preserved, and passed them on. Topics we’ll cover: What “canon” means and how ancient communities recognised authoritative ScriptureHow the Old Testament was gradually recognised as ScriptureThe role of prophetic and apostolic authority in recognising biblical booksWhy theological consistency and widespread use matteredThe difference between Scripture, the Apocrypha, and the PseudepigraphaHow the early Christian community recognised and circulated New Testament writingsWhy understanding the formation of Scripture can deepen our appreciation for the BibleTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: How Did We Get the Bible?01:38 – Prophets, Eyewitnesses, and the Word of God01:56 – The Human and Divine Nature of Scripture03:15 – What Does “Canon” Mean?04:17 – How the Old Testament Canon Came Together05:10 – The Torah: The Foundation of the Hebrew Scriptures06:23 – When Were the Books of Moses Recognised?06:53 – Why Scripture Needed to Be Recognised07:18 – The Prophets and the Writings07:56 – The Septuagint and the Hebrew Scriptures09:24 – Why the New Testament Quotes the Septuagint10:19 – How Were Books Recognised as Scripture?11:36 – Prophetic Authorship and the Story of Jeremiah12:55 – The Importance of Theological Consistency13:44 – Widespread Use and Recognition14:58 – The Books That Didn’t Make the Canon15:17 – The Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha17:51 – How the New Testament Canon Came Together19:08 – Manuscripts, Copies, and the Early Church20:04 – Eyewitnesses and the Reliability of the New Testament20:54 – When New Testament Writers Recognised Other Scripture21:35 – The Three Criteria for New Testament Books22:47 – Luke, Acts, and Eyewitness Accounts24:02 – Apostolic Authority24:34 – Orthodoxy and the Early Church25:49 – Acceptance Among the Body of Christ26:52 – The 27 Books of the New Testament28:11 – Scrolls, Codices, and the Technology of the Ancient World29:20 – Why the Process Took Time30:51 – Preserving the Word of God31:20 – The Care of the Scribes32:29 – Why the Story of Canonization Matters32:54 – What’s Next: The Authority of Scripture Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What exactly are you reading when you open the Bible—and how can understanding its story, context, and many voices change the way you read it? The Bible is more than a single book or a collection of instructions. It’s a library of 66 books written across different cultures, languages, time periods, and literary genres, all contributing to a larger story about God, humanity, and His work of redemption and restoration. In the first episode of The Rooted Podcast, we explore how understanding that bigger story can change the way you approach Scripture. By paying attention to context, culture, genre, and the connections between the Old and New Testaments, you can move beyond simply asking, “What does this passage tell me to do?” and begin asking, “What is this telling me about God, His people, and the bigger story I’m part of?” Topics we’ll cover: Why the Bible is better understood as a library of 66 books than as a single book How cultural assumptions can shape the way we read and interpret Scripture Why understanding the Old Testament is essential to understanding the New Testament How different literary genres help us understand what biblical passages are communicating The major themes that connect the Bible’s many books into one larger story How going deeper into Scripture can lead to a deeper relationship with God Resources from this episode: The Bible Project - How the Bible Was Formed The Bible Project - Learn How to Read the Bible “How We Got the Bible” by Neil R. Lightfoot Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: What Is the Bible? 00:50 – The Bible as a Library of 66 Books 02:13 – Understanding the Old Testament 03:26 – Oral Tradition and the Eastern Perspective 06:59 – Eastern and Western Ways of Reading the Bible 08:58 – The Original Languages of the Old Testament 09:54 – How the Old Testament Came Together 10:43 – Understanding the New Testament in Context 13:08 – The Lord of the Rings and the Importance of Backstory 15:15 – Why the Old Testament Matters 16:58 – How the New Testament Was Written and Preserved 18:55 – The Bible’s Different Literary Genres 20:15 – How the Bible Was Written: Divine and Human Partnership 21:42 – The New Testament: Authors, Languages, and Canon 22:55 – Why Literary Genre Matters 24:21 – The Bible Is More Than a Rulebook 25:50 – Understanding Apocalyptic Literature 27:39 – Exploring the Bible’s Major Literary Genres 30:22 – The Major Themes of the Bible 31:24 – Creation, Humanity, and the Image of God 32:34 – Sin, Redemption, and Restoration 34:59 – The Kingdom of God 37:05 – Image-Bearing and Covenant 39:23 – God’s Faithfulness and the Theme of Redemption 40:14 – Going Deeper with God Through Scripture 42:03 – Discovering the Bible’s Cross-References 44:08 – Seeing Scripture as a Connected Story 45:15 – Recommended Resources for Going Deeper 46:32 – How We Got the Bible and The Bible Project 46:59 – What’s Next: How the Bible Was Written and Canonized Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it look like to go deeper in your relationship with God—and develop the tools to keep growing along the way? The Rooted Podcast is a new weekly podcast from the Jax Church designed to help you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible, your relationship with God, and your everyday walk with Jesus. Each episode explores Scripture while offering practical tools and resources to help you continue growing and maturing in Christ throughout the week. Our first series, How to Read the Bible, starts with foundational questions about what the Bible is, how it came together, and how we can faithfully understand and use Scripture today. We’ll also put these ideas into practice, exploring how context and the right tools can help us engage with the Bible on a deeper level. Whether you’re just beginning to explore Scripture or have been reading the Bible for years, the Rooted Podcast is an invitation to keep learning, asking questions, and going deeper with God. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.